"Well, I got down into the room all right, and I got the safe open, and there was the money, and, right facing me, my letters and bonds, and pretty well a hundred thousand dollars in cash. And then I saw the lights flare up, and Murchison was there in his shirt and trousers. "'So that's your game, is it, Richard Beverley?' he said. "There were two of the others with him who'd been playing cards. There they were, three strong men, and I was a thief! I felt limp. I hadn't an ounce of resistance in me. Murchison stood there, showing his ugly teeth, his small eyes full of anger. "'So you're a thief, are you, Richard Beverley?' he went on. "I couldn't speak. At that moment they could have done just what they liked with me. And then the door opened very quietly and closed again. Jocelyn Thew came in. I saw Murchison's face. I tell you, Nora, it was something you wouldn't forget in a hurry. "'Is anything wrong?' Jocelyn Thew asked calmly. "One of the guests pointed to Murchison and me. "'We heard footsteps,' he explained. 'Dan called me and I followed him down. Young Beverley there was at the safe.' "'Probably helping himself,' Jocelyn said, in that same smooth, dangerous tone, 'to his own money.' "'To what?' Murchison cried. "'To his own money,' Jocelyn repeated, coming a little nearer. 'You know, Murchison, well enough what I mean--you and your two confederates here. You're nothing more nor less than common card sharpers. I took a pack of your cards up-stairs. I needn't say anything more. I think you'd better give the boy back his money. I meant to wait until to-morrow. Fate seems to have anticipated me. How much did you lose, Richard?' "Dan Murchison strode up to him and I saw one of the other men go for his hip pocket. "'Will you take that back?' Murchison demanded. "'Not on your life!' Thew replied. "Murchison went for him, but he hadn't a dog's chance. I never saw such a blow in my life. Jocelyn hit him on the point of the chin and he went over like a log--cut his head against the fender. He lay there groaning, and I--I swear to you, Nora, that I'm not a coward, but I couldn't move--my knees were shaking. The two of them went for Jocelyn, and before they could get there the door opened and a third man came in--Jake Hannaway, the most dangerous of the lot. Jocelyn kept the other two off and half turned his head towards me, where I was standing like a gibbering, nerveless lunatic. "'I think you'd better take a hand, Richard,' he said." Nora gasped a little and laid her hand upon his sleeve. "Don't, Dick," she begged,--"not for a moment. I can't bear it. Just a moment." She clutched at the side of the settee. Richard Beverley simply sat still, looking through the walls of the room. There was not the slightest change in his face. He just waited until Nora whispered to him. Then he went on.