The masked figure slipped his hand into his pocket and flicked a card upon the table, and Raoul, looking down, saw the Jack of Clubs, and knew that his end was near. * * * * * For three hours the Frenchman had lain on the floor, tied hand and foot, a gag in his mouth, and the clocks were striking two when Jack o' Judgment came back. This time he wore neither mask nor coat but over his arm he carried a coil of fine rope. Raoul watched him, fascinated, as he walked about the kitchen, whistling softly to himself, and now and again breaking into scraps of song. "Monsieur, monsieur," blubbered the terrified man, "I would make a confession. I will make a statement before the judge----" Jack o' Judgment smiled. "You shall make a statement before your judge, for I am he," he said, "and I think this is the place." He glanced up at the high roof of the kitchen, for there was a stout hook, where in old times heavy sides of bacon hung. He drew the table under the place and put a chair on top. Then he mounted, and with a skillful cast of his rope caught the hook and drew the rope slowly through. He did not move the table or take any notice of the man on the floor, but stood as a workman might stand who was calculating distances, and all the time he whistled softly. "Monsieur, monsieur, for God's sake spare me! I will make reparation!" "You speak truly," said the other without taking his eyes from the rope, "for it is reparation you make this night for two dead men, and God knows how many besides." "Two?" The murderer twisted his head. "For a man called Gregory particularly," said Jack o' Judgment, "shot down like a mad dog." "I was paid to do it. I knew nothing against him, I had no malice in my heart," said the man eagerly. "Nor have I," said Jack o' Judgment, "for behold! I shall kill you without passion, as a warning to all villains of all nationalities." "This is against the law," whined the man, beads of sweat standing on his forehead. "Give me a knife and let me fight you. You coward!" "Give Solomon White a pistol, and let him fight you," said the other. "It is against the law--well, I know it. But it is much more speedy than the law, my little cabbage!" He was busy making a slip-knot at one end of the rope, and presently he had finished it to his satisfaction. "Raoul Pontarlier," he said, "this is a moment for which I have waited." The man screamed and twisted his head, but the noose was about his neck and tightening. Then with a wrench Jack o' Judgment jerked him to his feet. "On to the table," he said sternly. "Mount! It is quicker so!" "I will not, I will not!" yelled the Frenchman. His voice rose to a shrill scream. "I--help!... help!..." Half an hour later Jack o' Judgment came down the dark path, stopping only for a second to look upon the figure of Solomon White. "God have mercy on you all!" he said soberly, and passed into the night. CHAPTER XIX THE COLONEL IS SHOCKED