Retribution stared him in the face. The edifice he had built up with so much care had toppled over, and he was entangled in the ruins. It was well for them that he had no weapon in his hands, for coward as he was, his frenzy would have impelled him to use it upon them. "I am here," said John Dixon, "by the permission you gave to Mrs. Grantham, and I am armed with authority to act for her. You see, I have not come alone." "You devil! you devil!" muttered Mr. Fox-Cordery, through the foam that gathered about his mouth. "Say nothing more to him, Mr. Dixon," said Robert Grantham, who had reached the foot of the stairs. "The truth has been brought to light, and his unutterable villainy is fully exposed. Leave to the future what is yet to be done. Lucy, go and dress our child. We quit this house within the hour. Do not fear; no one shall follow you." Mrs. Grantham went upstairs to Clair, and she had scarcely reached the room when the street door was burst open, and Rathbeal appeared with Martha in his arms. "This poor woman threw herself into the water," said Rathbeal. "Tired of life, she sought the peace of death in the river. Give way, Mr. Fox-Cordery; she must be attended to without delay. Obstruct us, and the crime of murder will be on your soul!" He beat Mr. Fox-Cordery back into the room, and laid his burden down on the floor. "You see who it is!" "She is a stranger to me," muttered Mr. Fox-Cordery, his heart quaking with fear. "False! You know her well. If she is dead you will be made responsible; for you and no other drove her to her death!" It was no time to bandy further words. Assisted by Charlotte and John Dixon, he set to work in the task of bringing respiration into the inanimate form, Mr. Fox-Cordery and his mother standing silently by, while Robert Grantham guarded the staircase. Their efforts were successful. In a quarter of an hour Martha gave faint signs of life, and they redoubled their efforts. Martha opened her eyes, and they fell upon Mr. Fox-Cordery. "That man! that monster!" she murmured, and would have risen, but her strength failed her. "Rest--rest," said Rathbeal soothingly. "Justice shall be done. You are with friends who will not desert you." Returned to Mr. Fox-Cordery. "Have you no word to speak to your victim?" "I have no knowledge of her," replied Mr. Fox-Cordery. "You are mad, all of you, and are in a league against me." "You ruined and betrayed her," said Rathbeal, "and then left her to starve. Is it true, Martha?" "It is true," she moaned. "God have pity upon me, it is true!" "Liars--liars!" cried Mr. Fox-Cordery. "Liars all!" "She speaks God's truth, and it shall be made known to man," said Rathbeal. He did not scruple to search the room for spirits, and he found some in a sideboard. "Drink," he whispered to her, "and remember that you have met with friends. You shall not be left to starve. We will take care of her, will we not, Mr. Dixon?"