“The old man is out,” he went on, as she did not make any sign of promise. “I’ve been watching around all the evening—came directly here after I was obliged to leave you so abruptly—ha, ha! and I saw him make for the theater; he probably won’t be home for an hour or two yet, as I have invited one of my friends to give him a little outside entertainment on the way. The servants all went to bed more than an hour ago, and you are completely in my power. Now, once for all, will you be reasonable, and promise not to make a fuss?” Editha saw that there was no way but to yield, and a feeling of thankfulness stole over her, despite her terror at finding herself again in the wretch’s power, that she had concealed John Loker’s confession early in the evening. She signified her assent to the villain’s terms by a motion of her head. “Honor bright?” he asked, adding, fiercely: “I’ll choke you instanter if you attempt to make any disturbance.” She nodded again, and he at once released his hold of her. “Now, little Miss Pluck,” he resumed, “what have you done with that paper I asked you for once before? I want it, and _I’m going to have it_. Do you hear?” Editha did hear, and the lines about her small mouth settled into an expression of unyielding firmness. “You don’t mean to give it to me, hey?” he demanded, reading aright her look. She was too weak and excited from fright to speak, but she shook her head resolutely. “But I tell you I’m _going_ to have it, my lady, or it’ll be the worse for _you_.” A bright thought darted into her mind, and she immediately acted upon it. “If I will give you the paper, will you go away at once as quietly as you came, and leave me and everything in the house unmolested?” she asked. “That’s the talk—now you’re sensible,” the ruffian returned, in a satisfied tone. “Do you promise?” she persisted. “Yes; I’ll go instanter. You see it’s very important for my future career that the little document doesn’t get into circulation; so hand it over, and I’ll be off as quiet and quick as a mouse.” Editha drew from the envelope she had addressed to Earle the copy she had made, and passed it to him. He reached out and took the envelope from her, and read the name written upon the back before looking at the paper. “So, ho! you were going to send it right to headquarters, were you?—and I was just in the nick of time.” Chuckling to himself, he unfolded the paper she had given him and began to read. The contents seemed to amuse him immensely, for he continued to chuckle and laugh to himself all the way through; but his face grew stern and threatening as he reached the end, and Editha’s heart failed her when he said, fiercely: “This won’t do, miss; this is only a copy, and I want the original. Hand it over quick. Did you think I would be so readily cheated?” “How do you know it is a copy?” she asked.