There was a desperate struggle for a minute, during which George strove hard to throw Saul Harrington, who fixed his teeth in George's collar as he grasped him like a vice; and it was only by a sudden wrench that the young man saved his throat. He leaped here and there, and at last, in a despairing effort, George threw all his strength into the lifting of his adversary, but overbalancing himself in the act, they both fell with a crash, and Saul leaped up and darted through the door. Sick and giddy, George Harrington rose painfully to his feet, and staggered to the door, for a wild cry rang through the house. "Gertrude!" he groaned, and he made for the passage, only to be driven back by Saul, who passed him and tore through the baize door, which banged to behind him. "Can you help?" said George hoarsely. "We must master him somehow." "Yes, yes," came from the two old men; and together they followed him as he laid his hand upon the door, panting heavily for breath. "One moment," he said, and then in a loud voice, "Gertrude--Mrs Hampton, for heaven's sake lock yourselves in one of the rooms till this man is secured." A low wail came back in answer, but it was followed by the banging of a door. "Now, gentlemen--and together," whispered George. "The moment I seize him try your best to throw him down. Never mind me. He must be thrown." Nerving himself for the coming struggle, George Harrington flung back the door, and leaped at the maniac, but paused as he saw him striving wildly to get through the cellar door--going through the motion of unlocking it, and impatiently stamping again and again, as the dog bayed furiously within. "Curse him! He has found it," he cried hoarsely. "It would have killed any other dog. What's the matter with this key--now then--beast-- devil--must I kill you again? Down, brute! Hush! Curse him, they'll hear. Ah! has that silenced you? Bite, would you? How sharp his teeth are! But that finished him!" As he spoke in a low, hoarse, muttering tone he went through the motion of a struggle with some animal, striking at it with an imaginary stick; and then, blind to the presence of those who crept nearer to him to catch him unawares, he seemed to be binding up his injured arm. "Only mad dogs do harm," he said with a curious laugh, as he gazed wildly round. "Only mad dogs. Yes, but you're dead now, brute. Only mad dogs do harm, and you were not mad, you savage beast! There! now what next--what next? Can I--can I think of anything more--the money-- the watch and chain--the ring? There's plenty without them, and some day, perhaps, some day--when he's forgotten--Yes--George Harrington, I'm--master now. Ah!" He uttered a wild yell, twisted completely round as if struck by a bullet, and fell face downwards upon the floor. George Harrington was in the act of springing upon him to secure him, but the doctor caught his arm.