A moment she listens, but no child’s voice breaks the stillness; even Papa and Mamma Francoise are silent in the room without.
A sudden feeling of terror possesses Leslie.
“Oh, these wicked people are driving me mad!” she murmurs brokenly. “Anything is better than this. I will go home and confess all to my husband. I will brave the worst, rather than be so tortured!”
Drawing her cloak about her, she makes a step toward the door.
Only a single step, for strong hands seize her from behind, and, uttering a shriek of terror, she sees a ferocious face close to her own, feels a clutch upon her throat, and is struggling between two fierce assailants.
“Get on to the shiners, gal,” commands Siebel, as he pinions her arms with his powerful hands.
Again Leslie utters a cry for help, and what follows is the work of a moment.
The outer door, left unbarred after the entrance of Mamma Francoise, is dashed open and a man attired as a sailor bounds into the room. At the same moment Papa and Mamma Francoise rush upon the scene.
“Stop, Josef, you demon, stop!” cries Papa wildly, and scarce noticing the stranger in their midst; while the sailor, without uttering a word, hurls himself upon Leslie’s assailants.
Then follows a moment of confusion, a wild struggle for the mastery, which ends soon in a horrible tableau.