* * * * * When Nita had left her room, obeying the strange impulse that had tempted her out to the shore in the dead hour of the night, she had forgotten the open chest of gold upon the floor; she had even left the door standing slightly ajar with a dim light burning on the dainty dressing-table. It was just the same now as she stepped across the threshold, little pools of salt-water sinking into the rich carpet. She stopped then, staring before her in wild-eyed horror. Upon the rug crouched the haglike woman she had seen but a little while ago, cursing Miser Farnham in the old shanty. Her back was turned to Nita, her clawlike, skinny hands were diving into the chest of gold. She was filling her apron with the glittering coins. She had not heard the light footstep behind her, but suddenly a sharp voice rang in her ear: "Put back that gold, you vile thief! What are you doing here?" The old woman started so violently that the corners of her apron fell, and the gold pieces rolled in every direction. Springing wildly to her feet, she confronted Nita with the horrible, burning eyes of a murderess. "I came here to kill you, Juanita de Castro, and to avenge my son!" she hissed, springing on her victim like a tigress. Ere Nita could cry for help, she was borne down by her enemy's fierce onslaught, her white throat gripped in a clutch of death. CHAPTER IV. LIZETTE SAVES HER MISTRESS. When Nita had left the room the housekeeper stood gazing with deep commiseration at the deathlike face of Dorian Mountcastle as it lay among the pillows. "Not much use to send for a doctor, for he is certainly dead, poor fellow," she said aloud. "Oh, what a pity!" exclaimed a voice at her side, and, turning abruptly, she saw a pretty young woman--Nita's maid, Lizette. "Oh, Mrs. Hill, I hope he's not dead! Can I do anything to help you, please?" "Why, Lizette, I did not know you were out of your bed, but I'm glad some one awoke you, for your mistress needs you very badly. Go up-stairs and attend to her while I wait here for the doctor." Lizette went away obediently, and ascended the stairs to Nita's room, full of surprise at the strange happenings of this summer night at Pirate Beach. Finding Nita's door ajar, she stepped over the threshold. Then she recoiled with a cry of surprise and terror. A startling sight was before her eyes. Prostrate upon the floor lay her young mistress, and across her body was stretched the lean, lithe frame of an old witchlike woman, whose skinny claws gripped Nita's throat in a murderous clasp. The victim's face was purple and distorted. The dim light that shone upon the scene showed also to the wondering maid the open chest of gold and the glittering coins scattered over the floor in reckless profusion, where the hag had dropped them in her spring upon Nita. One moment's recoil of amazement and horror, then Lizette comprehended the full meaning of the scene--robbery and murder.