[ CHAPTER VII. — THE OFFICE OF THE TOCSIN ]

[ CHAPTER VIII. — THE DYNAMITARD'S ESCAPE ]

[ CHAPTER IX. — SOME ANARCHIST PERSONALITIES ]

[ CHAPTER X. — A FLIGHT ]

[ CHAPTER XI. — A CRISIS ]

[ CHAPTER XII. — THE TOCSIN'S LAST TOLL ]


CHAPTER I. — A STRANGE CHILDHOOD

In the small hours of a bitter January morning I sat in my room gazing into the fire, and thinking over many things. I was alone in the house, except for the servants, but this circumstance did not affect me. My childhood and upbringing had been of no ordinary nature, and I was used to looking after myself and depending on my own resources for amusement and occupation.