“Murderer!” muttered Phillip, with chattering teeth! “murderer?” “Yes, _murderer_!” gasped Fanny, with a firm, defiant tone; “spirits of the dead haunt you both night and day.” “Liar! witch! sorceress!” exclaimed Phillip; “die with that lie in your throat.” He made a desperate pass at his injured wife. His sword was knocked up. Next moment he was the centre of a fierce and deadly conflict. The clash of swords, the sound of smashed mirrors, vases, windows, and the like, was heard on every hand. * * * * * When Phillip woke next morning he found his house deserted. No one was nigh. He lay upon the floor, with a sword cut across his brow, amid the ruins of chairs, tables, glasses, and a thousand fragments of ornaments and furniture. “Where am I?” he said. And he looked round with amazement on the wreck. All things were in a wild state of confusion. His brain was all on fire with drink, excitement, and pain. “Oh, now I remember all,” he gasped. The memory of all which had happened that night flashed before his mind. While he lay in a state of stupor his eye caught light of a small dagger sticking in the card table. It pinned down a note. It was in Fanny’s handwriting. He tore it open and read— “Farewell and for ever for the rest of her days. “Your worst enemy, “FANNY.” “My wife absconded! the house ransacked! the servants gone! How is this? What can it mean? Am I dreaming?” “Dreaming? No, man; you were never more wide awake in all your life,” said a distant voice, with a coarse laugh. Phillip Redgill recognized the voice. It was that of Captain Jack. “_You_ here,” said Phillip, astonished. “Yes; and why not? Where would _you_ have been if I hadn’t?” “I don’t understand.” “I don’t suppose you do. A man that was dead drunk and half crazy last night, mixed up with tilt and point among a dozen or more desperate gallants is not supposed to have very clear brains the morning after. ’Twas lucky we came to your assistance or you wouldn’t be sprawling on the floor as you now are.” “I don’t understand.” “Well, the thing is soon explained. I heard that a party of gambling youngsters were gathered at your house last night, and, knowing them to have more money than brains, I, Faulkner, and several others made up our minds to give you a call, so as to relieve them of a little of their spare cash. As we approached the house we heard you all high in oath. “I rushed in at the doorway, but was fiercely beaten back by several gallants. “I gave the word to my men to fall on the enemy without mercy. “Just at that moment I perceived your wife hurrying downstairs, the way being led by one of her many lovers.” “Many lovers?” said Redgill; “surely you do not mean to insinuate that my wife is a strumpet and——” “Never mind about wasting more breath about her, Redgill,” said Captain Jack; “because if you don’t know her character, I do, and have done so long ago.” “What!”