Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/193

ANOTHER MYSTERY crushed between the stock and his hand as in a steel vise, the intense agony making me moan. The next instant the round barrel was pressed into my cheek, and I lay faint and helpless, his giant, shapeless figure leaning over me in threat.

Even as I stared up at this too breathless to speak, too helpless to move a muscle, a sudden gleam of light swept over us both, and I caught a glimpse of Jean Denslow, standing white-faced, holding a lamp in one outstretched hand, the other grasping at the baluster rail. The man gripping me turned his head to glance toward her, the rays of light falling upon his face; with a gasp of astonishment I recognized my antagonist to be Colonel Donald.

"Bring me something to tie the fellow with, Jean," he called, still crushing me relentlessly down. "The belt there on the coat-rack will answer."

I saw her put down the lamp on a small table, stepping backward to do so, yet without removing her eyes from us. She acted dazed, like one unable as yet to comprehend the situation.

"Don't you hear, Jean? Bring me the belt."

"Yes, I hear," she had found her voice at last, "but what does all this mean? What are you doing here? That is Lieutenant King, and there is no reason why you should bind him."

He brought his eyes from her face to mine, loosened his grip of me, and rose to his knees. By this time the girl, having recovered from her first surprise, began eagerly to explain. [ 181 ]