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 Rh stripped of its covering and the principals were inclined out of their proper positions.

"Well," said Macduff. "Have you come on her?"

"We haven't come on nothing but Arkie Tubb," answered one of the men. "There's a lot of rummage more to be cleared away."

"Look sharp about it," said the agent. "If she be buried, the only chance of life for her is to be dug out at once."

"Not much chance of life, then," said one of the men.

A quarter of an hour passed, and Patience had not been exhumed.

A diversion of interest was caused by the arrival of the surgeon. He examined the young man, and pronounced that, though he was not dead, he was so injured that he could not live beyond an hour.

The last heap of fallen chimney-ruin had been cleared away, and Mrs. Kite had not been found.

"She has been spirited away," said the men. "We always knew she was a wise woman."

"I wouldn't have had this happen," growled Macduff, "not for ten pounds—I mean, two pounds ten. What a handle this will give to the enemy!"