Then the whole of the evening’s intended work was gone over again in detail, not an item being overlooked that could conduce to either success or failure. Everything being at length arranged, Mrs. Twiley rejoined her sister, and “Mr. Bootle” prepared to sally forth on her evening’s adventures, of which she by no means underestimated the possible peril. But the courage engendered by devotion to others transcends all other courage in its nobility and strength, and not the faintest twinge of fear assailed our heroine, as, feeling added security in her capital disguise, she told Briny to remain on guard, and stepped out of the window into the garden, whence she presently emerged into the lane, and thence into the open street. But what was that dark object creeping in her footsteps, and dodging nearer and nearer to her? It was no friend, that is certain, as he would not have slunk out of sight so promptly every time that there was any likelihood of his being observed. Had “Mr. Bootle” looked round, he, or she, if the reader prefers, might possibly have seen a mortal enemy, armed with a knife, and carefully watching his opportunity for removing the one whom he feared. And had Mr. Staines looked round, he would have noticed a pursuer in his turn, one who disliked him already, and who would not hesitate to protect “Mr. Bootle” at the cost of his life. This was the faithful Briny, who, for once, had disobeyed his owner by following her when forbidden to do so. His consciousness of wrong-doing made him linger in the background. But he was none the less a valuable protector, even though his presence was unsuspected. Yet neither of the beings whom he was following looked round, and neither one nor the other dreamed of danger behind, so anxious were they to reach the goal that lay before them. CHAPTER XXI. “WARE ASSASSIN!” There was a somewhat obscure and badly-lighted stretch of road to traverse ere Mr. Bootle could reach his destination, which was the hotel so much frequented by Gregory Staines. Very often, especially at certain times of the day, the place was tolerably well frequented. But it chanced sometimes that it was comparatively deserted, and upon this fact Gregory Staines counted for his opportunity to get rid of his enemy. That that enemy was a woman was not a deterrent circumstance with him. She was more dangerous to him than ten ordinary men, by virtue of her extraordinary perseverance, her devotion to her lover, her unflinching courage, and the keenness with which she pursued her self-imposed mission. Therefore, she must be rendered harmless, and there was but one way of effecting this desirable result.