"Only let me get my hand well upon you once--Damn it!" he suddenly
exclaimed, dragging the whole three men forward in his effort to get
his mouth down to my ear, "go and rub that sign out on the door or
I'll--you know what I'll do well enough. Do you hear?"
Rising, still with face averted, I proceeded to do what he asked. But
in another moment seeing that he had been effectually bound and
gagged, I took out the piece of red chalk I had kept in my pocket,
and deliberately chalked it on again, after which operation I came
back and took my seat as before on the low stool by the window.
The object now was to secure the second rascal in the same way we had
the first; and for this purpose Mr. Gryce ordered the now helpless
giant to be dragged into the adjoining small room formerly occupied
by Mrs. Blake, where he and his men likewise took up their station
leaving me to confront as best I might, the surprise and
consternation of the one whose return we now awaited.
I did not shrink. With that brave woman's garments drawn about me,
something of her dauntless spirit seemed to invade my soul, and
though I expected--But let that come in its place, I am not here to
interest you in myself or my selfish thoughts.
A half hour passed; he had never lingered away so long before, or so
it seemed, and I was beginning to wonder if we should have to keep up
this strain of nerve for hours, when the heavy tread was again heard
in the hall, and with a blow of the fist that argued anger or a
brutal impatience, he flung open the door and came in, I did not turn
my head.
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