"She mounted the little ridge, and stood with her graceful figure silhouetted against the blue heavens. I, below, turned up the cuffs of my sleeves and buttoned my coat across my chest. "'Slurk!' called she, in a clear penetrating tone, 'bring the basket here, if you please. We mean to take our luncheon on this side.' "She remained standing there, with her back towards me. From my lower position I could not see whether Slurk were answering her summons with alacrity or not; but since it would be his last opportunity of obeying her orders, I was content to let him take his time. By-and-by he appeared, with the basket on his arm; he descended the ledge, and Kate followed him, with her eyes on me. "'Set it down there, near the edge of this pit; not quite so near, please. Now take hold of him!' "The last words were spoken in a sharp, ringing tone; and at the same moment the girl drew a long knife from beneath the overskirt of her dress, and stood with it in her hand. Surprised at her action, I hesitated half an instant; in that half-instant Slurk had thrown himself towards me and grasped me round the body with his long powerful arms. Almost simultaneously with his attack, I felt myself borne down by a heavy weight from behind, and my arms pinioned. The struggle for a minute or two was tremendous, but I felt that I was overpowered. A hand was pressing hard against my windpipe. Kate stood there with her knife, a new and strange expression on her face; but she did not stir. "At length a panting voice close to my ear--a voice which I knew well, and which, heard now, so amazed me that I almost ceased to resist--said: "'I've got him safe here, Captain; have you got his legs?' "A grunt from Slurk intimated that he had. "'Now then, Kittie,' continued Mr. Birchmore; 'be quick there, will you?' "Kate came towards me with her knife. At that sight I uttered a yell of animal rage, and made one more desperate effort to be free. "'Hold him tight, can't you?' said Kate, in a voice that I scarcely recognised as hers; 'I don't want to hurt him.' "They mastered me; and then, with a rapidity and deftness that showed the practised professional, Kate made a circular cut through the breast of my coat and drew out the diamonds. "'That's all right,' remarked Birchmore. 'Now the rope!' "She went to the basket, and took from it a coil of fine rope. The two men threw me upon my face, and bound my arms and my feet securely. I made little resistance, but submitted in sullen silence. "'Don't forget his revolver,' said Birchmore, when this was done; and turning me over, they took the weapon from my pocket. "'How do you feel now, young gentleman?' inquired the fellow, addressing me with a smile. 'This is the result of plotting to throw unfortunate valets into deep pits, and of flirting with strange young women. I warned you, you remember, to keep out of our way; but idle curiosity has been your ruin. Kittie, put on the diamonds; he says they become you!'