Steven Denby looked into her eyes and made his resolve. “You don’t know how much I want to believe in you,” he exclaimed. “It may spoil everything I’ve built on, but I’m going to take the chance.” He unlocked the door that led to her room. “You can go, Miss Cartwright!” “Oh, you are a man, after all,” she cried, deep gratitude in her voice, and a relief at her heart she could as yet scarcely comprehend. And as she made to pass him she was startled by a shrill sharp whistle outside. “The devil!” he cried anxiously, and ran to the window. “What is it?” she called, frightened. It was not the low whistle that Monty had used, but a menacing, thrilling sound. “Your friends of the secret service have come back,” he answered, “but they mustn’t see us together.” Quickly he lowered the window-shade, and stepped back to the centre of the room, coming to a sudden pause as he saw the terror on the girl’s face. “Oh, my God,” she screamed, “what have you done? That was the signal to bring Taylor here.” “Ah, then, it’s Taylor,” he cried triumphantly. “It’s Taylor!” “Oh, I didn’t mean to tell,” she said, startled at the admission. “I didn’t mean to let anyone know.” “I wish you had told me before,” he said with regret, “we could both have been spared some unhappy moments. I know Taylor and his way of fighting, and this thing is going to a finish.” “Go, before he comes,” she entreated. “And leave you alone to face him?” he said more tenderly. “Leave you to a man who fights as he does?” He looked at her for a moment in silence and then bowed his head over her white hand and kissed it. “I can’t do that. I love you.” “Oh, please go while there’s time,” she pleaded; “he mustn’t take you.” She looked up at him and without shame, revealed the love that she now knew she must ever have for him. “Oh, I couldn’t bear that,” she said tremulously, “I couldn’t.” He gazed down at her, not yet daring to believe that out of this black moment the greatest happiness of his life had come. “Ethel!” he said, amazed. “I love you,” she whispered; “oh, my dear, I love you.” He gathered her in his strong arms. “Then I can fight the whole world,” he cried, “and win!” “For my sake, go,” she begged. “Let me see him first; let me try to get you out of it.” “I stay here, dearest,” he said firmly. “When he comes, say that you’ve caught me.” “No, no,” she implored; “I can’t send you to prison either.” “I’m not going to prison,” he reassured her. “I’m not done for yet, but we must save your sister and get that warrant. He must not think you’ve failed him. Do you understand?” “But he’ll take you away,” she cried, and clung to him. “Do as I say,” he besought her; “tell him the necklace is here somewhere. Be brave, my dear, we’re working to save your sister. He’s coming.”