“Stop! Stop, I say!” Virginia heard the Lieutenant shout. A vulgar oath rang through the house and Zonia’s swift feet were climbing the second flight of stairs, a man stumbling after her. Virginia rushed instinctively to the rescue. The guard seized her arms and forced her into a chair. “My dear young lady,” the Sublieutenant cried, approaching her with a leer. “It’s only a little fun! Not a hair of her precious head will be harmed. He only fired to frighten and bring her to terms.” The Colonel continued to eat. Virginia rushed to her mother’s aid with a glass of water as her limp form slipped to the floor. The Colonel bent low over his cups and laughed at a joke the Sublieutenant whispered. A shot rang out from the wall of the house. A piercing scream echoed from the tower against the roof. Something crashed through the vines and struck the stone walk with a dull thud. “O my God!” Virginia moaned, covering her ears. Virginia leaped from the floor and heard the quick familiar step of Billy passing the back door. He was hiding on the lawn, heard Zonia’s first scream, and had killed the officer. Virginia saw it in a flash. Their vengeance would be complete when they knew the truth. She must escape. There was work to be done for her country and she meant to do it. Life was too precious to be thrown away tonight. She glided silently toward the door, reached the hall, seized Zonia’s hand, passed the guard and reached the lawn. “Follow her!” the Colonel shouted. “Bring her back dead or alive--I’ll not be flouted by women!” The man plunged after Virginia, and called once: “Halt!” He raised his rifle to fire as she rushed squarely into the arms of the sentry who held the gate. She struggled fiercely to free herself from the hated uniform and felt his arms tighten with savage power. Vassar spoke in low, tense whispers: “Be still, my own!” She lifted her eyes in joyous terror and saw the face of her lover tense with rage. “God in heaven!” she cried. “Sh, still now--on your knees,” he breathed. “Oh, Uncy darling!” Zonia moaned. Virginia’s body slowly dropped as if in prayer that her life be spared. The sentinel from the house leisurely approached. “Good work, old pal!” he called. The Colonel and Sublieutenant rushed from the house, followed by Marya and Mrs. Holland who had revived. The commander blew his whistle and the entire guard who patrolled the grounds hurried to the spot. Billy stepped from the shadows, and spoke in low tones to Vassar. “It’s all up with me now. I shot the devil who was after Zonia.” “Billy darling!” Virginia moaned. “Keep still, sis--it’s all right!” he whispered. The Colonel approached the group at his leisure, smoking a cigarette. He merely glanced at Vassar and began in quick business-like tones: “Who shot that man?” Billy stepped forward. “I did, sir--” “So?” “Virginia Holland’s my sister--” The Colonel touched his mustache and looked the youngster over with admiration.