"I will have her thanks, her heartfelt gratitude. I will tell her that I will see her safely back to her friends, as soon as my horse--which became lame in the encounter--is able to make the journey, which will not be later than a day or two at the furthest. In the meantime, I will comfort her, pity her, sympathize with her. "I have always been successful in winning the hearts of women without scarcely any effort on my part whatever, and I vow that I will win this girl's. "The _La Gascoigne_ sails in three days from now. I will sail away in her, and this beautiful treasure shall sail with me as my bride, my beauteous bride. "I will turn everything into cash. I will see young Mrs. Gardiner, and at the point of a revolver, if need be, cause her to beg, borrow, or steal a few thousand more for me from that handsome, aristocratic husband of hers. "Then I will desert this gang that hang like barnacles about me, that know too much about me, and would squeal on me any moment to save themselves if they got into a tight place. I will go so far away that they will never get money enough together to attempt to follow me." The clock on the mantel of an inner room warned him that time was flying swift-winged past him. He stooped to kiss the beautiful, marble-like lips, that could not utter a demur, locked as they were in unconsciousness; then he drew back. Even in her utter helplessness there was something like an armor about her--even as the innocent bud is encompassed and protected by the sharpest thorns from the hand that would ruthlessly gather it. "The kiss from those pure lips must be freely offered, not stolen," he muttered; and turning on his heel, he hurried quickly from the apartment while that worthy resolution was strong upon him and his good impulses in the ascendency. Mrs. Dick was suspiciously near the door; in his own mind he felt sure that she had been spying upon him through the key-hole. "Your horse is ready, Victor Lamont," she said. "It took you a long time to go upon your errand," he replied, tauntingly. "No doubt you harnessed the horse yourself, to spare that lazy husband of yours the trouble of doing it," he added. The woman muttered something between her teeth which he did not quite catch; nor did he take the trouble to listen. Vaulting quickly into the saddle, his mettlesome horse was off quite as soon as he could grasp the reins, and in an instant he was lost to sight in the dense gloom which precedes the dawn. It was quite light when Victor Lamont reached the spot by the brook-side--the spot where he had met the lovely young stranger but a short time before. What a strange fate it was that caused him to discover a flask of brandy in the pocket of the saddle! That was his failing--drink! He had always guarded against taking even a single draught when he had an important duty to perform; but on this occasion he told himself he must make an exception.