With difficulty the old woman hobbled back into the room to her mistress, and for a few moments Donaldson waited impatiently for the next development. It came when he heard her voice asking him to come in. He was in the room in three strides. She was sitting in her chair with her head bandaged, Marie sitting by her side as though liking but little his intrusion. At sight of the white strip across her forehead, he caught his breath. "What does this mean?" he demanded with quick assumption of authority. "You must n't think it is anything serious," she hastened to explain, awed by the fierceness of his manner. "It is only that--that he came back." "Arsdale?" "Yes." "Where is he now?" "He went away again. Marie and I tried to hold him, but we weren't strong enough." "It would be easier to hold the devil," interpolated Marie. "But you," asked the girl,--"I was afraid you had met with an accident." "I?" he cried. "I was asleep--asleep like a drunken lout." "All yesterday--all last night?" she asked in astonishment. "Yes," he admitted, as though it were an accusation. "Ah, that is good," she replied. "You needed the rest." "Needed rest, and you in this danger?" he exclaimed contemptuously. "It was unpardonable of me." "No! No! Don't say that. You could have done nothing had you been here." "If ever I get my hands on him again," he cried below his breath. "Mon Dieu," broke in Marie. "If I, too--" "Hush," interrupted the girl. "It is quite useless for any of us to attempt more until his money gives out. He came back and found a few dollars in my purse." She had fought this madman, she and this rheumatic old woman, while he had slept! She had called to him and he had not answered! The blood went hot to his cheeks. It was enough to make a man feel craven. The wounded girl rested her bandaged head on the back of the chair. At the light in Donaldson's eyes, Marie straightened herself aggressively. "Are you badly hurt?" he asked quietly. "Only a bump," she laughed, remembering how he had stood by the ladder. "Marie insisted upon this," she added, lightly touching the cloth about her forehead. "A bump?" snorted Marie. "It is a miracle that she was not altogether killed. She--" But a hand upon the old servant's arm checked her indignation. "You two women cannot remain here any longer alone," he said authoritatively. "Either you must allow me to take you to the shelter of some friend or--" "There is no one," she interrupted quickly. "No one to whom I would go in this condition. They would not understand." "Then," he said, "I must secure a nurse for you." "Am I not able to care for the p'tite?" demanded Marie. "A nurse!" "A nurse is needed to care for you both. I am going downstairs now to summon one." She protested feebly, and Marie vigorously, but he was insistent. "I ought to call your family physician--" "No, Mr. Donaldson, you must not do that."