"That will do, doctor," said Robert, coolly. "She's fainting; help me to get her away. Poor old girl! she loved me," he continued, kissing his sister's ghastly face, "and she did it to save you, not to hand me over to the police. One moment. Hold her; I'll be back directly." Chester caught the half-fainting burden willingly, and glanced after the young man as he darted from the room. "Gone," muttered Chester. "Marion, look up, love; we are safe. They have escaped." "Now then," cried Robert Clareborough, returning; "I have slipped the bolts, and it will take them an hour to break in. Come!" "Come! Where?" cried Chester angrily. "Where you will, doctor, only we must escape from here. The others are off, and I must go and help save the rest. You don't wish to see her in the hands of the police, appearing against her brother and his confederates?" "God help me, no!" cried Chester. "Come along, then, man. It's all over now. I knew it must come. Doctor, you saved my life. I must trust you. I know you love her, and that she loves you. I trust her to your honour as a gentleman." "You may," said Chester, "and--" "Don't talk, man. Come while the way is open. They'll break in, as sure as we are here. Come." Chester lifted Marion in his arms and bore her toward the door, Robert Clareborough having caught up the doctor's hat, and led the way into the hall, where the police were thundering at the door; and then downstairs, where sounds were heard from the area, as if someone was trying the door there. "Shall I take her?" said Robert, as they reached the lower passage. "No; I can carry her easily." "This way, then," and to Chester's astonishment he turned into the short passage at the end of which was the ordinary-looking door. "Humph! shut," he said, with a bitter laugh. "Jem's parting act of kindness; he must have been the last." "Where does that door lead?" cried Chester, as Marion uttered a sigh indicative of recovery. "To safety, doctor," said the young man, sadly. "Foxes always have a second hole, and a way of using it." He drew a key from his pocket, flung open the door, and made room for his companion to bear his sister into the square lobby, which was littered with wedges, the powder tin, pistols, keys, hammer, and the other contents of the portmanteau standing in one corner, while in one spot a quantity of sawdust seemed to have been spilled. All was plainly seen by a bright reflected light which shone out from the small glass bulb in the ceiling, shedding a strange glow, while the odour of exploded powder struck on Chester's nostrils at once. As soon as they were inside, Robert calmly drew the door close, and just then Marion opened her eyes and looked wildly from one to the other. "Where am I?" she said faintly. "Where you have never been before, sis, but quite safe," replied her brother. "There, don't look like that; the doctor and I are friends."