The low, dingy buildings and bad smell pervading the place startled her. "It cannot be that this is the place," she cried, standing firm, as he attempted to lead her toward a door, over which glimmered a faint light. "Oh, yes it is." "But I will not go in there." "We'll see about that," he growled, suddenly lifting her in his arms and striding forward. CHAPTER XVIII. BEATEN BACK. The moment Nell Darrel felt herself lifted from her feet she uttered a wild cry, which was smothered in its inception by the hand of her captor. "Quiet, child; nobody's going to hurt you if you behave yourself." Nell was young and vigorous, and she made a desperate struggle for liberty. It was with the utmost difficulty that the man made his way to the room occupied by Mrs. Scarlet. "Bring the chloroform," said the villain. "We can't do anything with the girl without it." "I'll fix her!" answered the woman, in a voice that sent a shudder to the heart of poor Nell. Then a subtle fume filled the girl's nostrils, and soon her senses faded out upon a sea of nothingness--her troubles were over for the time. Then the man, who was none other than Professor Ruggles, bore his insensible burden after the steps of Mrs. Scarlet, to a room in a gloomy basement beneath the building. As we have before remarked, it was in a disreputable part of the city, and it was not likely that the friends of the fair Nell would look in such a quarter for her. "Now, then," said Professor Ruggles, when the twain were once more in the room above, "I shall hold you responsible for the girl's safe keeping, Mrs. Scarlet." "I'm ready to do my part," answered the woman. "How long will you keep her here?" "As long as suits my purpose. I am not sure. I may conclude to wait until Dyke Darrel is put off the trail before I take the girl to Gotham; that city will be my ultimate destination. I must leave you now, my dear, but I shall call to-morrow and see how my girl is getting on." He turned then as if about to depart. "See here Professor!" "Eh?" He faced about once more. "Haven't you forgotten something?" "I think not." "The girl must eat!" "Certainly." "And do you imagine _I_ am going to pay the bill?" demanded the woman, tartly. "Well, I had forgotten that a little of the root of evil was necessary in your case." A smile, deepening into a disagreeable laugh, followed, as Professor Ruggles laid a greenback in the hand of his tool. A moment later he was gone. As the door closed on his retreating form, the countenance of Madge Scarlet underwent a change. The wrinkled face flushed with wrath, and the skinny hands were raised on high.