“No, I'm all right,” I said, “but it was a close shave. The gang means mischief.” “Go up the stairs, and find a way out or a place to hide,” said Luella excitedly. “Give me the pistol. They won't hurt me. It's you they're after. Go, now.” Her tone was the tone of the true daughter of the Wolf. “Thank you, Miss Knapp. I have a pressing engagement here with a lady, and I expect to meet Mr. Corson in a few minutes.” I stooped on an impulse and kissed the back of her gloved hand, and murmured, “I couldn't think of leaving.” “Well, tell me something I can do,” she said. I gave her my smaller revolver. “Hand that to me when I want it,” I said. “If I'm killed, get up the stairs and defend yourself with it. Don't fire unless you have to. We are short of ammunition.” I had but three shots in the large six-shooter. “Are they coming?” asked Luella, as the wild tumult of shouts stilled for a moment and a single voice could be heard. I peered cautiously around the corner. “There's a gentleman in a billycock hat who's rather anxious to have them lead the way,” I said; “but they seem to prefer listening to fighting.” The gentleman whose voice was for war I discovered to be my snake-eyed friend. He seemed to be having difficulty with the language, and was eking out his Pidgin-English with pantomime. “There!” cried Luella with a start; “what's that?” A heavy blow shook the walls of the building and sounded through the passage. “Good!” I said. “If our friends yonder are going to make trouble they must do it at once. Corson's got an ax, and the door will be down first they know.” “Thank Heaven!” whispered Luella. And then she began to tremble. The blows followed fast upon each other, but suddenly they were drowned in a chorus of yells, and a volley of revolver shots sent the bullets spatting against the door. “Look out, Miss Knapp,” I said. “They're coming. Stand close behind me, and crouch down if they get this far.” I could feel her straighten and brace herself once more behind me as I bent cautiously around the corner. The band was advancing with a frightful din, but was making more noise than speed. Evidently it had little heart for its job. I looked into the yelling mob for the snake-eyed agent of Doddridge Knapp, but could not single him out. I dared wait no longer. Aiming at the foremost I fired twice at the advancing assailants. There were shouts and screams of pain in answer, and the line hesitated. I gave them the remaining cartridge, and, seizing the smaller weapon from Luella, fired as rapidly as I could pull the trigger. The effect was instantaneous. With a succession of howls and curses the band broke and ran--all save one man, who leaped swiftly forward with a long knife in his hand.