"Quick! Follow me! I have accounted for the tall woman who stood guard on the stairway. We must get away before the others discover her body."
"Good God! Have you killed her?"
"I hope not. Just a little tap on the head with this wrench, that's all. She'll come out of it all right. Hurry! I've got a couple of friends watching outside. They'll give the alarm if we fail to appear at once."
"Men? Thank heaven!"
"No! Women! What good are men at a time like this? Merciful—are you going to faint?"
He sank to the floor with a groan, and the chair clattered against the wall with a noise that must have been heard throughout the house.
When he opened his eyes again, his head was pillowed on her knees and she was wildly whispering words of love and encouragement to him.
"My darling, speak to me. I am here to save you! Open your eyes. Look at me! Don't—Oh, thank Heaven! You are alive!"
He looked up into the now uncovered face and an expression of utter bewilderment grew in his eyes.
"Linda Blake!" he murmured. "Can it be possible?" His fingers tightened on her arm and a glad light leaped into his eyes.