Once more in the streets, the scene in Big Sam’s hall seemed impossible, far away, of another world. I studied my duties to the laws of my own land, as I made my way through the darkened thoroughfares. Should I interfere, and try to save the life of Little John--even supposing that it was possible to find him in the Chinese labyrinths? Why? Did he not deserve his fate? And as the picture of Laura Kendrick crushed in the burning ruins of her house rose before my mind’s eye, I could not deny that the world would be better off without the man who had planned such a deed. And with the conclusion to leave Chinese justice to the Chinese, I made my way back to the Kendrick house. As I came up the steps, I was struck by the coincidence of meeting Mr. Baldwin coming down, and wished him a polite "Good night." He halted in evident anger, as though my words had been a personal insult. Then with a muttered "Go to the devil!" he strode up the street. These signs of perturbation upon the cold and unemotional Baldwin were a portent to wonder at, and I suspected that his visit had not been as happy as he considered to be his desert. Inside the house, I discovered some reflection of the perturbation displayed by the retreating Baldwin. Miss Kendrick’s face was flushed, and I thought I discovered traces of tears on her cheeks, and a tendency to hysteric laughter, very foreign to her nature. Miss Fillmore was embracing her with sympathetic attention as I entered. "Men are such queer creatures," said Miss Kendrick sagely, "and they do make themselves ridiculous when--" Then catching sight of me she uttered a cry of dismay, and said: "Why, what is the matter? Is the house in danger again from those shocking hoodlums?" But she recalled herself as soon as she spoke, and said: "Oh, I remember now. I am Miss Scatterbrain to-night. What did Big Sam want?" "He wished to assure me that there was no further danger from Little John," I returned, with prudent reserve. She looked at me suspiciously, as though she detected something behind my words. "Do you believe him?" "I have no doubt of his good faith." "Well, that’s one relief. But just the same Moon Ying doesn’t go outside this house till all the troubles are over." "Is there any fighting to-night?" asked Mercy anxiously. "Only a few hoodlums. I think we shall get through the night without serious trouble, and to-morrow the Vigilantes will be organized. Then the city can sleep in peace." "Well, I hope so," said Laura, and Mercy breathed an assent. "I feel as though I hadn’t slept for a week. And now you go and get some sleep yourself, for you’re going to have a hard day to-morrow."