Even if Nancy had been prepared with a reply she would have had no time to deliver it. Silently as a tiger Joe leaped forward out of the darkness, and, bringing every ounce of his weight to bear at the right moment, hurled himself against the panel. There was a shrill cry and the sound of a heavy fall as the door crashed inward, then Nancy found herself clutching the railings and staring at the vague outline of two figures who seemed to be scuffling furiously on the floor of the passage. She was recalled to action by the voice of Joe. "I got 'er," he gasped triumphantly. "Come along in, miss, an' shut the door." Snatching out her revolver, Nancy stepped across the threshold, and with commendable coolness proceeded to carry out his instructions. The task only occupied her a moment, but by the time she had finished, Joe was on his feet again, swearing softly to himself and sucking vigorously at his left thumb. "Bit me to the bone, the 'ell-cat," he observed. "And I 'andled 'er gently, too, jest 'cos she 'appened to be a woman." He paused, and, bending forward, listened intently. "Darned if it don't seem as if she was alone in the 'ouse," he added. Nancy advanced to where he was standing, and in the flickering candle-light which came out through the open door of the room looked down at the prostrate figure on the ground. It was that of a gaunt, middle-aged woman, clad in a dirty dressing gown, with dishevelled hair streaming over her face and neck. A rolled-up handkerchief had been thrust into her mouth, and her wrists were tied together by the scarf which had formerly decorated Joe's neck. Out of her bloodshot eyes she glared up malevolently at the pair of them. Nancy drew back with a shudder. "I hope she isn't much hurt," she faltered. "'Urt?" repeated Joe indignantly. "It's me wot's 'urt, not 'er. Got 'er teeth in while I was tyin' 'er up an' 'alf gnawed me blinkin' thumb off!" He rummaged in his pocket, and, after a moment's search, produced a stray length of cord. "What are you going to do?" asked Nancy. "Tack her feet together and lock 'er in the room," was the answer. "I'm goin' over this 'ouse from top to bottom, an'----" "Look! Look!" With a horrified expression in her face Nancy was pointing down toward the floor. Joe's eyes followed the direction of her finger, and a sudden oath escaped his lips. "Blood!" he cried. "An' wet blood, too!" He stepped into the room, and, snatching up the candlestick from the table, hurried back with it into the passage. "Do you see?" whispered Nancy. "There's a trail of it--all along up to the door." She put her hand to her breast and fought back the numbing fear that seemed to be clutching at her heart. With blazing eyes Joe turned on the prostrate woman. "You she-devil!" he roared, shaking his fist. "If any 'arm's come to the doctor through you an' your filthy mates, I'll rip the skin off all three of yer."