"What new devilry is this?" the girl said, as her eyes fell upon me, trussed up there behind the table. "Do you suppose that I want any further evidence to tell me from where you come and whom you serve?" "Look at this gentleman; look at him well." "Another of your unhappy prisoners! So you add torture to your crimes. And you dare to make me witness it!" She turned in a fury of disgust and loathing, and made a step towards the door. But before she moved further--God bless her!--she said: "You have fallen into the hands of a very horrid scoundrel, sir, but ..." At that I managed to cry out: "Connie, dearest, don't you know me?" I ought not to have been so sudden. I cursed myself for it. It was just as if I had struck her down, for she reeled, and fell into the chair in a swoon. I myself was near to it. There was a rush as of cataracts, a sensation of drowning. When I recovered, the maid, Wilson, was ministering to her mistress; there was a sound of pouring liquid, though I could see nothing, for Helzephron stood directly in front of me, watching what went on. "Look here, Helzephron," I said hoarsely. "This _can't_ go on. For God's sake stop it! Get her away before she recovers and do what you like to me." I thought desperately for something that would move him. He turned round slowly. "Too late now," he said slowly. "You've got to go through with it, both of you." The malice had faded out of his eyes. He spoke dreamily: "There is no other way...." He moved away and leant against the wall at the side, looking down moodily at Constance, who was coming to herself. Her eyes opened, and Helzephron made an impatient gesture with his arm. The maid, Wilson, vanished like a ghost. I could see that she, poor thing, went in terrible fear. I spoke out directly I thought Connie could understand. I was desperately determined to have my say. It might be the last chance. To my surprise, though I soon understood the reason, Helzephron did not interrupt. "Yes, it is I, Constance. I'm disguised; that is why you didn't know me. Darling, it's going to be all right. Be brave a little longer!" I saw comprehension dawn in her eyes, and then they blazed out into love. "John! You've come at last. It's been weary waiting. But you are tied up." Her voice changed. "You're in the power of this man, too!" "For this moment I may be; but that is nothing. He is tracked down and his hour has come. He knows it. I made a mistake and he captured me, but outside the forces are converging, and for him the whole world is now no wider than this little room." Helzephron made no sign. From his great height he stared down at us like a stone figure. I doubt if he either saw or heard. "Tell me quickly--he has not ill-used you, he has not laid hands on you, hurt you...."