“A great deal depends upon yourself. The unexpectedness of our attempt will militate in our favor. Should matters eventuate as I expect, you will be able to leave this room. From that instant I cannot help you.... But, an attempt on our part not being expected, I rather imagine you will be able to make your way downstairs and out of doors.... It is only a chance, of course. It may fail, in which event we will be no worse off than we are at present.... You will then hasten to Gibeon and take such measures as you conceive to be adequate.” “I shan’t leave you.... I shan’t, I shan’t, I shan’t.” His lips compressed and an expression appeared upon his face which she had never seen there before. It was masterful, an expression of conscious force. It was the real man peering through its disguise. His hand clenched into a fist. “By Heavens!” he said, “you’ll do as you’re told.” “Evan!” “Precisely,” he said. “Now make ready.” They waited, wordless. It was five minutes perhaps before heavy feet ascended the stairs, and they heard the rattle of dishes as the man set down his tray to unlock the door. He thrust it open with his foot, picked up the tray and stepped through the opening. Carmel stood before him. She stretched out her hands for the tray and grasped it.... As she did so, Evan Pell, standing poised over his chair, swung forward his homely weapon.... His practice had made for efficiency. The doorknob thudded sickeningly upon the man’s bald head; he stood swaying an instant, then his knees declined further to sustain his weight, and he folded up into a limp heap on the floor. “Pull him inside and shut the door,” Evan snapped. “I--er--find in myself a certain adaptability.... Put on your wrap and hat. Hurry.... The front way. Keep out of sight. Can you drive a car?” “Yes.” “If one is standing in front--steal it.” “Yes.” “Now--go.” “I--Oh, Evan.” She was in his arms, and her lips to his. “I--If they kill you I shall die, too.” He opened the door and stared into the dimly lighted hall. “It is clear. Go.” “Good-by.” “Go. You’re wasting time.” He pushed her through the door. “Our best hope is that they--to my surprise--have underestimated me.... Good-by.... I--er--seem to have underestimated myself.... I seem to have been--exceptionally inefficient in a field quite foreign to my previous activities. Hasten.”