"Furies!" Greyville gasped, turning pale. "_Mon Dieu!_ what's to pay? Let's fly!" from the countess. "No! we will stand our ground!" the smuggler hissed. The new-comer soon stood before them, with stern, accusing gaze, and a face flushed from his run. "Devils!" he cried, "what is the meaning of this brutal scene? Explain instantly." It was the Leadville speculator, Thornton, who spoke, and there was grim business expressed in his tone. "What right have you to intrude in what is none of your business?" Greyville demanded, sourly. "Eh! I'll show you, you brutal puppy! Don't give me any of your lip, or I'll blow your brains out. Why, cuss my boots, you're as bad as the Dog Injuns on the frontier!" "I presume I've a right to chastise my own child, sir, when her conduct deserves it!" "That's not your child, Garry Gregg! I know you. You are the wretch I have been longing to meet these ten years!" "You know me?" the smuggler cried, in amazement. "Ay! I know you!" the Westerner cried. "You are the worthless devil who trapped Minnie Gray into a secret marriage years ago, and after living with her a couple of years, and abusing her, left her in poverty, to live with a woman you had previously married." "And incurred your enmity by winning your sweetheart away from you!" Gregg sneered, mockingly. "Be that as it may, you are responsible for a good woman's death, and you shall answer for it. Tell me, sir--is this poor child you have been beating, the daughter of Minnie Gray?" "If you like, yes." "Then, curse you, leave this spot at once, if you don't want me to shoot you down. I'll take care you never strike her again! Go! I say, or I'll kill you without hesitation!" There was a stern glare in the speculator's eyes that betokened danger, and, accompanied by the countess and Grogan, the smuggler chief hurried away. As soon as they had gone, Mr. Thornton cut the bonds that held Silly Sue to the post, and laid her tenderly down upon the soft grass. Hurrying down to the beach, he procured some water in his hat, and returning, dashed it in her face. But although he did this, and chafed her hands and wrists, she did not open her eyes. Her breath came in stifled gasps, and her heart beat slowly. "By Heaven! I believe they have killed her!" Mr. Thornton muttered, feelings of terrible rage swelling within him. "The equal of this brutality is seldom, even among the red devils on the frontier. Ah! Garry Gregg, if this poor child dies, you shall pay bitterly for her life, or my name is not Thornton!" He continued faithfully in his endeavors to bring her back to consciousness, but all to no avail. While he was thus engaged there came sounds of rapid footsteps, and Hal Hartly dashed up, flushed and excited. "Great Heaven! what is the matter with Susie?" he demanded, on seeing her lying on the ground, so cold and white.