For a long time the girl pored over the documents.  The purport of the papers was only too obvious; and, as she read, the proof of her uncle’s guilt stood out clear and damning.  There was no possibility of mistake; the whole wretched plot stood out plain, its darkest infamies revealed.

In spite of the cruelty of her disillusionment, Helen was nevertheless exalted with the fierce ecstasy of power, with the knowledge that justice would at last be rendered.  It would be her triumph and her expiation that she, who had been the unwitting tool of this miserable clique, would be the one through whom restitution was made.  She arose with her eyes gleaming and her lips set.

“It is here.”

“Of course it is.  Enough to convict us all.  It means the penitentiary for your precious uncle and your lover.”  He stretched his chin upward at the mention as though to free his throat from an invisible clutch.  “Yes, your lover particularly, for he’s the real one.  That’s why I brought you here.  He’ll marry you, but I’ll be the best man.”  The timbre of his voice was unpleasant.

“Come, let us go,” she said.

“Go,” he chuckled, mirthlessly.  “That’s a fine example of unconscious humor.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, first, no human being could find his way down to the coast in this tempest; second—­but, by-the-way, let me explain something in those papers while I think of it.”  He spoke casually and stepped forward, reaching for the package, which she was about to give up, when something prompted her to snatch it behind her back; and it was well she did, for his hand was but a few inches away.  He was no match for her quickness, however, and she glided around the table, thrusting the papers into the front of her dress.  The sudden contact with Cherry’s revolver gave her a certain comfort.  She spoke now with determination.

“I intend to leave here at once.  Will you bring my horse?  Very well, I shall do it myself.”

She turned, but his indolence vanished like a flash, and springing in front of the door he barred her way.

“Hold on, my lady.  You ought to understand without my saying any more.  Why did I bring you here?  Why did I plan this little party?  Why did I send that man away?  Just to give you the proof of my complicity in a crime, I suppose.  Well, hardly.  You won’t leave here to-night.  And when you do, you won’t carry those papers—­my own safety depends on that and I am selfish, so don’t get me started.  Listen!” They caught the wail of the night crying as though hungry for sacrifice.  “No, you’ll stay here and—­”

He broke off abruptly, for Helen had stepped to the telephone and taken down the receiver.  He leaped, snatched it from her, and then, tearing the instrument loose from the wall, raised it above his head, dashed it upon the floor, and sprang towards her, but she wrenched herself free and fled across the room.  The man’s white hair was wildly tumbled, his face was purple, and his neck and throat showed swollen, throbbing veins.  He stood still, however, and his lips cracked into his ever-present, cautious smile.