Billy’s men had dropped flat and were crawling toward the open space in front of the palace when a light footfall was distinctly heard approaching. Billy lifted his head and saw Zonia. She halted with quick precision and gave the countersign. In a moment she was in his arms. “What on earth’s the matter, little girl?” he whispered excitedly. “Virginia fears that Waldron suspects,” was the quick answer. “Nonsense”-- “He has doubled the guard--Virginia says you’d better retreat until a full division comes up--” “I’ll not do it,” Billy broke in. “Four to one, or ten to one, I’m going to take that house--” “She’ll give the signal if I don’t return,” Zonia warned. “All right--I’m ready,” was the firm response. In quick business fashion Billy led Zonia back of his lines. “Wait here and report if I fail”-- The young Captain crept back to his place and watched for the flash from the Madison Square tower and the signal of lights out from within. On the stroke of twelve, Waldron rose, lifted his glass and gave the toast--the exact form of which he had sent to every toastmaster in America: “To the Lord of War--master of the world--the Emperor!” Virginia’s left hand clasped the glass, her right was lifted with nervous intensity giving the sign of the Daughters of Jael to Marya whose hand was on the electric switch. The searchlight on the Madison Square tower flashed and every whistle in the city and harbor screamed its tribute. With a sudden click the lights went out. In total darkness again and again the blows of the dagger found their mark on the sentinels at the door. Over the curses, groans and shouts rang the shrill battle cry of the Daughters of Jael: “For _our_ God and country!” Waldron’s keen eye caught the tremor of Virginia’s fingers as she gave the sign to Marya. The uplifted glass came down with a crash and his iron fist closed on her right hand. “So!” he growled. She fought with tigress strength to free her hand and reach the knife concealed in her bodice. Waldron shouted through the darkness, “Lights! Lights!” His servants threw the switch in vain. The current had been cut. With muttered curses he choked Virginia still, carried her in his arms into his library, tore the knife from her bodice and flung her across the room. “Move a muscle now--damn you! and I’ll blow your brains out.” He had found a pair of automatics in his table drawer. He called from the doorway and two guards who had rushed in from the lawn answered. He pointed to Virginia. “If she moves, shoot her dead in her tracks. Stay until I return.” He sprang up the narrow steps to the wireless tower. His operator sat lifeless in his chair. He seized the keys and called central in the Woolworth tower. “The Garrison to arms! At once--every man to his place and every ship’s deck cleared!” The tower answered O. K. Vassar sprang to his feet trembling with alarm.