"No. Stand back. Do not come into the room. Call the men, and let them wake the gardener and his son. You yourself call your father, and bid him dress and come down at once. And, Alma, keep cool and do not be alarmed. I need you, Alma, and you must help me." Then the house was very still, and the watcher paced up and down before his prisoner in silence. There came a hasty opening of doors, and excited steps and flaring lamps in the hall. "'Tis the young doctor. Oh! By mighty! Here's troubles!" "Quiet, men! Keep quiet. Come in. He cannot hurt you." The three men, shivering and anxious, peered into the room with blanched faces and chattering teeth. "Have you a rope?" The calm voice of the speaker reassured them, and all three volunteered to go for one. "No. One is enough. And one of you had better go to Mr. Denny's room and help him down stairs. You, John, may stop with me." "Gods! Sir, he will spring at me!" "Never you fear. He's fastened into the chair. Besides----" "Ay, sir, you've the little pet! That's the kind o' argiment." "It is a rather nice weapon--six-shooter--Colt's." Presently, with much clatter, the gardener's son brought a rope, and then, under Mr. Franklin's directions, they bound the man in the chair hand and foot. A moment after they heard Mr. Denny's crutch stalking down the stairs, and Alma's voice assuring him that there was indeed no danger--no danger at all. "What does this mean, Mr. Franklin?" said the old gentleman as he came to the door. "Burglary, sir. That is all. You need fear nothing. We have secured the man." Mr. Denny entered the room leaning on Alma's arm. He saw the open safe and the papers strewed upon the floor, and he lifted his hand and shook his head in alarm and trouble. "A robbery! Would they ruin me utterly? Where is the villain?" "There, sir." Alma turned toward the man in the chair, and clung to her father in terror. The old man lifted his crutch as if to strike. "My curse be upon you and yours." "Oh, father, come away. Leave the poor wretch. Perhaps he has taken nothing." The men gathered round in a circle, and Elmer drew near to Alma. She felt his presence near her, and involuntarily put out her hand to touch him. "My curse fall on you! Who are you? What have I done to you--you--viper?" The man secured in the chair, and with the wire drawn tightly over his throat, replied not a word. Elmer advanced toward him, and Alma, with a little cry, tried to hinder him. "Do not fear. He cannot move. I will release his head, and perhaps you will recognize him." The wire about his throat was loosened, and the wretch lifted his head into a more comfortable position. "Ah!" "Great Heavens! It is Mr. Belford!"