As she intended it should, this speech but spurred Tarleton on to greater exertions. They would soon be coming back to the door, and she dared not risk the closing of it with what she knew was behind. But there was not much time left for action; for, obeying orders, the aide placed the candle on the floor, and opening the lid of the chest began overhauling the contents; his chief's back was also toward the door. Now, if at all, was the moment for action. Joscelyn's hand had been on the yarn ball in her pocket; quick as a flash it was out and the thread snapped apart. The floor slanted straight from her to the candle. With a deft cast she sent the noiseless ball down the room; it struck the narrow-bottomed candlestick, which careened and rocked over--and the next moment the room was in total darkness. A cry broke from her and Tarleton simultaneously; his was an oath upon the orderly, hers a nervous relaxation of the strain that had been upon her. "Colonel Tarleton, come quickly and guard the door whilst I find another light!" she cried, suppressing the dry sob in her throat; for in the momentary darkness she had felt a warm body crush past her on its way to the hall. But at that instant the orderly found his tinder-box. [Illustration: "'I HAVE SEEN NO HUMAN BEING SAVE OUR PARTY OF THREE.'"] CHAPTER XXIV. THWARTED. "They laugh who win." --SHAKESPEARE. As the candle kindled under the orderly's hand Tarleton, who had sprung toward the door, found himself within a foot of Joscelyn, whom the light revealed standing in the open doorway with a hand lifted to either lintel. "You find me guarding the postern, colonel," she said, smiling, although her very knees were shaking under her with nervous trepidation. "How came the light to go out?" he demanded angrily. "Surely, that is a matter for you to explain. I was far from it at this end of the room," she answered coldly. Then presently added, "Perchance 'twas struck by some of the things you threw out of the chest; or did the orderly jar the plank on which it sat? You see the floor is quite a loose one. No fourth person could have put it out without my perceiving him, _and I swear to you I have seen no human being save our party of three_ since coming up the stair."