And then Sam tore open the broken window, swung himself through to the floor, and instantly grappled with Jack. Virginia's attack forced Jack to release Dorothy, who was immediately gathered in her father's arms. "Safe, my blessed child, safe!" he fervently exclaimed. And then poor Virginia, courageous, strong-minded, kind-hearted, passionate Virginia, having sustained the frightful nervous strain till the last moment, swayed, and sank to the floor in a swoon. Meanwhile Constance stood beside the cabin door, staring at the men in a dazed and vacant manner. She had heard Virginia, and repeated mechanically, "Save Dorothy!" and now repeated after Mr. Thorpe, in tones as though a very dear voice had kindled a spark calling back loving recollections. She drew her hand across her brow, as though trying to clear away some web that obscured her memory, and stared at her husband like one suddenly awakened from a dream. A moment after and she whispered with awe in her voice, "John! John!" Almost immediately Rutley had returned to the room without the child, but with Jack's money, the door near him was being battered. He at once concluded that the game was up, and his own safety necessitated an immediate escape. How? He must decide at once. How many surrounded the cabin? Ha! If he only knew, and then the hatch occurred to him. He knew the big logs upon which the cabin was built raised it some ten or twelve inches above water. There lay his way--out--quick. He lifted the cover, and silently sank beneath the floor between the logs. Then he let the trap door fall back in position above him, just as the cabin door gave way and the detective entered, followed by Smith, who handled an axe. It was then that Constance seemed to recover suddenly her reason, for she rushed toward her husband with outstretched arms, exclaiming in a voice fraught with rapturous thanksgiving, "John! John and Dorothy!" An inexpressible joy shone in her eyes. But her advance was met with a cold, stern frown and a backward wave of the hand. Not a word escaped him. For a moment she stood irresolute; then she passed the tips of her fingers across her brow again and again--"Oh, this horrible dream that I cant' shake off!" Again she seemed to recover her reason and her voice, soft and sobbing, said, "John, you don't believe me shameless and debased, do you? You can't believe it, for it is false, false, I say! and the boat won't clear from it! Let me help"--and her voice hardening, she went on--"Give me a paddle. We must escape. Save Dorothy!" and she threw out her hands to him appealingly. A swift compassionate look swept across Thorpe's face. The first doubt of his wife's guilt had seized upon his brain, and he said chokingly, "My God, is it possible my wife is innocent?" He had half turned around to her, but on remembering the ring, his face again set stern, then without another word he waved her back with a single motion of his hand.