The picture pained him like a knife-thrust.  This girl was for his bitterest enemy—­no hope of her was for him.  He forgot for a moment that she was false and plotting, then, recalling it, spoke as roughly as he might and stated his errand.  Then the old man had appeared on the stairs above, speechless with fright at what he overheard.  It was evident that his nerves, so sorely strained by the events of the past week, were now snapped utterly.  A human soul naked and panic-stricken is no pleasant sight, so Glenister dropped his eyes and addressed the girl again: 

“Don’t take anything with you.  Just dress and come with me.”

The creature on the stairs above stammered and stuttered, inquiringly: 

“What outrage is this, Mr. Glenister?”

“The people of Nome are up in arms, and I’ve come to save you.  Don’t stop to argue.”  He spoke impatiently.

“Is this some r-ruse to get me into your power?”

“Uncle Arthur!” exclaimed the girl, sharply.  Her eyes met Glenister’s and begged him to take no offence.

“I don’t understand this atrocity.  They must be mad!” wailed the Judge.  “You run over to the jail, Mr. Glenister, and tell Voorhees to hurry guards here to protect me.  Helen, ’phone to the military post and give the alarm.  Tell them the soldiers must come at once.”

“Hold on!” said Glenister.  “There’s no use of doing that—­the wires are cut; and I won’t notify Voorhees—­he can take care of himself.  I came to help you, and if you want to escape you’ll stop talking and hurry up.”

“I don’t know what to do,” said Stillman, torn by terror and indecision.  “You wouldn’t hurt an old man, would you?  Wait!  I’ll be down in a minute.”

He scrambled up the stairs, tripping on his robe, seemingly forgetting his niece till she called up to him, sharply: 

“Stop, Uncle Arthur!  You mustn’t run away.”  She stood erect and determined, “You wouldn’t do that, would you?  This is our house.  You represent the law and the dignity of the government.  You mustn’t fear a mob of ruffians.  We will stay here and meet them, of course.”

“Good Lord!” said Glenister.  “That’s madness.  These men aren’t ruffians; they are the best citizens of Nome.  You don’t realize that this is Alaska and that they have sworn to wipe out McNamara’s gang.  Come along.”

“Thank you for your good intentions,” she said, “but we have done nothing to run away from.  We will get ready to meet these cowards.  You had better go or they will find you here.”

She moved up the stairs, and, taking the Judge by the arm, led him with her.  Of a sudden she had assumed control of the situation unfalteringly, and both men felt the impossibility of thwarting her.  Pausing at the top, she turned and looked down.

“We are grateful for your efforts just the same.  Good-night.”

“Oh, I’m not going,” said the young man.  “If you stick I’ll do the same.”  He made the rounds of the first-floor rooms, locking doors and windows.  As a place of defence it was hopeless, and he saw that he would have to make his stand up-stairs.  When sufficient time had elapsed he called up to Helen: