He tripped over the captain's favorite footstool and fell to his knees. With a sudden movement Gertrude jerked the cord of the electrolier on the table. The lights went out. She dodged around the table, through the doorway, into the hall, and up the stairs. Mr. Hungerford, pawing in the darkness at the offending footstool, swore. Then he laughed.
“Good!” he exclaimed. “Very good, but not good enough. You can't escape that way. I shall find you. Where are you hiding? Eh! Ah, there you are!”
He had scrambled to his feet and hurried to the doorway. There were the sounds of footsteps and the rustle of skirts at the other end of the hall.
“There you are!” he cried. “I've caught you. Now you must pay—twice.”
He put his arm about a feminine waist and imprinted a kiss upon a feminine cheek. Then his own cheek received a slap which made his head ring, and the hall echoed with a shrill scream.
“Labe!” shrieked Azuba. “Oh, Labe! Help! Come quick!”
Mr. Ginn came up the back stairs three steps at a time.
“What is it? What's the matter, Zuby?” he demanded.
“A man! A man! He—he—”
“Where is he? What's he doin'?”