He drew his pistol from his breast, and pointing to the child, said in a whisper to the weeping mother,— “One word as they pass, and I fire.” His honor may be conceived, but scarcely described, as the door at this moment was opened, pinning him against the wall behind it, and the officer who was conducting the search, put his head into the room, saying,— “No alarm, I suppose?” “None,” said the mother. “Good night, ma’am. We have not got him yet, but he cannot escape. I hope your little one will get better.” “Thank you,” she said, faintly. The door closed again, and the heavy tread of the men going down stairs sounded in the ears of Jacob Gray like a reprieve from immediate execution. His state of mind while the officer was speaking was of the most agonising description, as one step into the room of that personage, or one glance towards him of the young woman’s eye, must have discovered him, and it would have been but a poor satisfaction even to such a mind as Jacob Gray’s, to have taken the life of the infant, even if he had the nerve to do it, which he certainly had not, although a mother’s fears would not permit her to run the risk. “Tell me now,” said Gray, when he could speak, for his fright had almost taken away his breath, “tell me who lives up stairs in this house?” “I know not,” replied the woman, “I am but a stranger here.” “And—and you are sure your husband would not protect me?” “A murderer and the threatener of the life of his child can have little indeed to expect in the way of protection from my husband. Fly, wretched man, while yet you are free to do so.” “They have left the house,” muttered Gray; “will you betray me by an alarm when I leave you?” “Let Heaven punish you in its own good time,” replied the young female. “Base and guilty as you are, I will not have your blood upon my head.” “You will be silent?” “I will strive to forget you.” “Then I go, I—I think I am safer away, as you are sure your husband will not take a hundred gold pieces to protect and save me.” Gray glanced at the woman as he named the sum of money, to see what effect it had upon her, but there was nothing but a shudder of disgust, and he gave up all hope of purchasing safety from her. Without another word, he cautiously opened the door, and listened. All was comparatively quiet, and he passed from the room. In a moment he heard it locked behind him in the inside, and his place of refuge was at once cut off. “Curses on her,” he muttered. “She may have no husband coming after all. What can I do to free myself from the mazes of these courts? Ada—Ada—if ever we meet again, I will have a deep—a bloody revenge on thee. Beware of Jacob Gray!”