“I--I don’t think I’ll go until after I’ve seen Mrs. McGee.” “Well, Mrs. McGee is just beyond here. You can see her as we pass out.” She saw his eagerness. Why should he be eager to have her leave that room? Again that warning, which she felt and could not understand, came to her; and again it was like a barrier. “No,” she said; “I must see Mrs. McGee before I go with you.” He did not want her to see Mrs. McGee. “Come,” he urged, “don’t be foolish!” He caught her by the wrist, and his grip was so fierce and painful that a little cry was drawn from her. Thereupon the door flew open leading into the hall, and Mrs. McGee bounced in. There was fire and fury in her manner. “Ye rapscallion!” she cried. “It’s me that will be scrapin’ the two eyes out av yer head av yez don’t let go av the young leddy.” Barlow was thrown into a rage. Time was precious to him, and he knew the loud voice of Mrs McGee would bring some one hurrying to the spot. “Stand back!” he said. “I’m the commander here, Mrs. McGee, and I won’t stand any of your nonsense.” But her rush was so fierce that he released the arm of the girl to defend himself. “No matter phat yez are, ye’re no gintleman!” Mrs. McGee told him, as she scratched and struck at his face. “Run!” she panted to the girl. “Git outside and yell fer help, while I fight this divil here. I knew he was plannin’ the black deed. Run fur yer life!” The girl started to run. Barlow caught the old woman by the throat now and jammed her heavily against the wall; and, when she still fought and scratched at him, he dealt her a smashing blow between the eyes that dropped her like an ox in the shambles. As she fell he sprang over her and dashed after May Arlington, who was running through the corridor, gasping in an attempt to make an outcry that would bring help. He overtook her with quick leaps before she gained the outside door, and again his hand fell on her arm. “Come!” he said, “this is foolish. That old idiot butted in where she had no business. I don’t intend to harm you, and----” May Arlington turned on him, wild and desperate; though she really did not know what she feared. “Let me go!” she begged. “Come with me quietly then. I mean no harm.” “No!” “You won’t go with me?” “No--no, I----” He thought he heard footsteps outside, and he knew that Mrs. McGee would soon be on her feet and yelling behind him. He could not parley, nor delay. “I see I’ve got to save you, in spite of yourself,” he said. “You don’t understand the situation, and I haven’t wanted to scare you by telling you of it. But the Cheyennes are on the warpath and will attack the fort in less than an hour. What I want to do is to get you outside and to safety while I can.” She stopped her desperate resistance. “The Cheyennes?” she gasped. “Yes, and we’ve got to get out of here quick.” “And Mr. Stevens?” she asked. “He is to be released and will join you!” “You’re not lying to me?” “Why should I? Come quick.”