"Open this door instantly, you black dog! Where is Miss Glen?" "She's a-comin', suh." "I wish to see her immediately!" he cried imperiously, kicking and battering again upon the door in furious rage, which was stilled the instant he heard her voice outside. "Mr. Sempland?" "What is the meaning of this action, this outrage, Miss Glen?" he cried. "You sent for me. I came. Why am I locked in here? Open the door! I must leave immediately!" "You are locked in here by my orders, Mr. Sempland," said Fanny Glen, nervously. "Impossible! For what reason?" "Because I--I--" "By heavens, this is maddening! You don't know what you do! I am ordered to-night on a hazardous expedition. I must be at my post in ten minutes. Let me out instantly!" "I know," returned the girl. "Well, then, why don't you open this door? I will say nothing of this--" "I cannot." "Why not?" "I--I--do not wish you to go out on the _David_." "What is it to you? How dare you interfere? You said I had done nothing but lie in prison," he replied. "I will show you to-night." "Not to-night." "This is madness! Think what you are doing!" "I can't help it." "Why not?" "Because I--I--" "In God's name, what do you mean?" "I will not have you take the risk. It is certain death to you, and the admiral's ship--" said the girl, so softly that he could scarce hear her. "You will forgive me when you understand. I shall release you to-morrow. Mercy! Have pity on me, I am almost crazy!" "Do you know that you will dishonor me? If you care, let me go." "There is another reason. I will not have the _Wabash_ blown up. There is a--a--" "Another man?" shouted Sempland. "You are a coquette! Let me out, I say! I will get out! My God, was ever a man in such a situation?" He beat and hammered on the massive door until his bruised hands bled again. He shook it in its frame like a madman. He was exhausted by the violence of his efforts and of his passion. Through it all the girl stood in the hall frightened nearly to death. What mad scheme had she entered upon? Had she strength enough to carry it through? The three servants were terrified also, their eyes rolling in their sockets, their hands nervously fingering their weapons. Suddenly another voice, Caesar's, broke through the turmoil, reaching even the ear of the desperate man on the other side of the heavy mahogany door. He stopped to listen. "Miss Fanny," said the butler, "dah's a sojah man at de do', an' he wants to know if Mass' Semplan' is heah." "Tell him, no," said Fanny Glen, resolutely. "Say he left a half-hour ago." "My God!" groaned Sempland. "I am a disgraced and ruined man! Listen to me, Fanny Glen! I swear to you, on my honor as a gentleman, if you do not instantly open this door I'll blow my brains out in this room!" "Oh, you wouldn't do that?" "I will, so help me God!" There was conviction in his voice. The girl listening in the passage heard the click of a raised revolver hammer.