A man came forward from the group of assailants.  His soft hat was drawn down over his eyes, and a red handkerchief concealed the lower part of his face.  His voice was that of Offitt, as he said, “Ladies, we don’t want to do no violence; but, in the name of the Revolutionary Committee, we have called to collect an assessment on you.”  This machinery was an invention of the moment, and was received with great satisfaction by the Bread-winners.

“That’s what’s the matter,” they said, in chorus.  “Your assessment, and be lively about it.  All you’ve got handy.”

“I have no money in the house,” Mrs. Belding cried.  “What shall I do?”

“You forget, mamma,” said Alice.  “There is some upstairs.  If these gentlemen will wait here a moment, I will go and get it.”

Offitt looked at her sharply.  “Well, run and get it.  Bott, you go with her.”

Bott turned angrily upon his chief.  “What’s the use of calling names?  What if I said your name was——­”

“There, there, don’t keep the lady waiting.”

Alice turned from the room, closely followed by Bott.  Reaching the stairs, she swept up the long flight with the swift grace of a swallow.  Bott hurried after her as fast as he could; but she gained her bedroom door enough in advance to shut and lock it between them, leaving him kicking and swearing in the hall.  She ran to her open window, which looked toward Farnham’s, and sent the voice of her love and her trouble together into the clear night in one loud cry, “Arthur!”

She blushed crimson as the word involuntarily broke from her lips, and cried again as loudly as she could, “Help!”

“I hope he did not hear me at first,” she said, covering her face with her hands, and again she cried, “Help!”

“Shut up that noise,” said Bott, who was kicking violently at the door, but could not break it down.  “Shut up, or I’ll wring your neck.”

She stopped, not on account of his threats, which suddenly ceased, but because she heard the noise of footsteps on the porch, and of a short but violent scuffle, which showed that aid of some sort had arrived.  In a few moments she heard Bott run away from her door.  He started toward the stairs, but finding his retreat cut off ran to the front window, closely pursued.  She heard a scramble.  Then a voice which made her heart beat tumultuously said.  “Look out below there.”

A moment after, the same voice said, “Have you got him?” and then, “All right! keep him.”

A light knock on her door followed, and Farnham said, “Miss Belding.”

Alice stood by the door a moment before she could open it.  Her heart was still thumping, her voice failed her, she turned white and red in a moment.  The strongest emotion of which she was conscious was the hope that Arthur had not heard her call him by his name.

She opened the door with a gravity which was almost ludicrous.  Her first words were wholly so.