fearful crack."

"I heard a shot--a lot of them. Was any one killed? Did those
fellows escape?"

"Killed! There have been eight executions besides the one I
attended to. Lord, they don't wait long here before handing out
justice."

"Tell me all that happened. Was she hurt?"

"I should say not! Say, Gren, I have killed a man. Dannox got
my bullet right in the head and he never knew what hit him.
Ghastly, isn't it? I feel beastly queer. It was he who turned
on the lights and went at you with a club. I heard you call, and
was in the door just as he hit you. His finish came inside of a
second. You and he spoiled the handsomest rug I ever saw."

"Ruined it?"

"Not in her estimation. I'll wager she has it framed, blood and
all. The stains will always be there as a reminder of your
bravery, and that's what she says she's bound to keep. She was
very much excited and alarmed about you until the room filled
with men and then she remembered how she was attired. I never
saw anything so pretty as her embarrassment when the Countess and
her aunt led her into the next room. These people are going out,
so I'll tell you what happened after you left me with the cook.
He was a long time falling under the influence, and I had barely
reached the top of the stairs when I saw Dannox rush down the