“That is just it,” said Collins, with a leer, “we could get a good price fer the body.” “Who will pay it?” “Her lover—or perhaps her friends.” Blood sneered scornfully. “You are cracked!” he declared. “But if you want her you can have her. That settles it.” “Very well, then,” said Burke. “It is understood.” “Yes.” “We are to put the gal out of the way. You don’t care so long as she never puts in an appearance ag’in’?” “No! Curse her!” gritted Blood. “She has been nothing but a source of trouble to me. See that you make the job sure.” “Trust the trio fer that,” said Burke with a horrible leer. “Come on, boys! The dainty female is ours.” CHAPTER XII. DISAFFECTION. Collins and Van both arose eagerly at this. The detective’s blood surged hotly through his veins. “The unconscionable scoundrels!” he muttered under his breath. “They are human fiends.” And in that moment the old detective rejoiced that their would-be victim was beyond their reach. But he was conscious of his own perilous position. If the trio of villains went to Evelyn’s prison cell to commit the contemplated horrible crime of murder, her escape would be discovered. But the old detective was only temporarily alarmed. He reckoned that it would be very soon time for Harry to return from Paine’s with assistance. Certainly escape would be a difficult matter for the villains. The snow was too deep to admit of their making very rapid progress if they attempted to leave the asylum. The trio of villains had arisen for the purpose of paying a murderous visit to the prison cell of the young girl. But at that moment Scraggs interposed. “Hold on!” he growled. “What are ye going to do?” Burke turned and stared at him. “You heard the agreement.” “Well, you can’t kill the girl in this house. I object to that!” “Thunder!” ejaculated Burke. “What has come over you?” “That’s what has come over me,” said Dr. Scraggs, coolly. “You are blocking our plans.” “I don’t care if I am. This is my house and I am boss here!” There was an ominous silence. The trio looked ugly and Collins glared at the asylum keeper. “You’re a cursed traitor!” “No, I am not!” “Then what’s the matter with ye?” “I’m not going to have any murder in my house, that’s all! I don’t care a picayune what you do with the girl, but you can’t kill her here. Do you see?” “Humph!” exclaimed Burke. “You’re mighty particular. It’s an easy job. There’ll be no blood stains. We’ll just shut her windpipe and she can be carried out for a dead patient. See?” But Scraggs was obdurate. “I don’t care!” he said. “It’s not going to be done here. That ends it.” All this while Blood had been silent. Now he said: “Well, I don’t blame Scraggs for that, boys. This asylum is his way of making a living. If any scandal arose out of this place it would put him out of business.” “That’s it,” agreed Scraggs. “Them’s my reasons an’ nothin’ more nor less.”