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readiness for the night； her black hair had been drawn back into smooth；
heavy braids。 She made so sweet and sad a picture that Ford forgot his
errand； forgot his damp and chilled body； arid for a moment in sheer
delight knelt； with his face pressed close to the bars； and gazed at her。
A movement on the part of the girl brought him to his senses。 She
closed the book； and； leaning forward； rested her chin upon the hollow of
her hand and stared into the fire。 Her look was one of complete and
hopeless misery。 Ford did not hesitate。 The girl was alone； but that at any
moment an attendant might join her was probable； and the rare chance that
now offered would be lost。 He did not dare to speak； or by any sound
attract her attention； but from his breast… pocket he took the glove thrown
to him from the window； and； with a jerk； tossed it through the narrow
opening。 It fell directly at her feet。 She had not seen the glove approach；
but the slight sound it made in falling caused her to start and turn her eyes
toward it。 Through the window； breathless； and with every nerve drawn
taut； Ford watched her。
For a moment； partly in alarm； partly in bewilderment； she sat
motionless； regarding the glove with eyes fixed and staring。 Then she
lifted them to the ceiling； in quick succession to each of the closed doors；
and then to the window。 In his race across the roofs Ford had lacked the
protection of a hat； and his hair was plastered across his forehead； his face
was streaked with soot and snow； his eyes shone with excitement。 But at
sight of this strange apparition the girl made no sign。 Her alert mind had in
an instant taken in the significance of the glove； and for her what followed
could have but one meaning。 She knew that no matter in what guise he
came the man whose face was now pressed against the bars was a friend。
With a swift； graceful movement she rose to her feet； crossed quickly
to the window； and sank upon her knees。
〃Speak in a whisper；〃 she said； 〃and speak quickly。 You are in great
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danger！〃
That her first thought was of his safety gave Ford a thrill of shame and
pleasure。
Until now Miss Dosia Dale had been only the chief feature in a
newspaper story； the unknown quantity in a problem。 She had meant no
more to him than had the initials on her steamer… trunk。 Now； through her
beauty； through the distress in her eyes； through her warm and generous
nature that had disclosed itself with her first words； she became a living；
breathing； lovely； and lovable woman。 All of the young man's chivalry
leaped to the call。 He had gone back several centuries。 In feeling； he was a
knight…errant rescuing beauty in distress from a dungeon cell。 To the girl；
he was a reckless young person with a dirty face and eyes that gave
confidence。 But； though a knight…errant； Ford was a modern knight…errant。
He wasted no time in explanations or pretty speeches。
〃In two minutes；〃 he whispered； 〃 I'll unlock your door。 There's a
ladder outside your room to the roof。 Once we get to the roof the rest's
easy。 Should anything go wrong； I'll come back by this fire…escape。 Wait at
the window until you see your door open。 Do you understand？〃
The girl answered with an eager nod。 The color had flown to her cheek。
Her eyes flashed in excitement。 A sudden doubt assailed Ford。
〃You've no time to put on any more clothes；〃 he commanded。
〃I haven't got any！〃 said the girl。
The knight…errant ran up the fire…escape； pulled himself over the edge
of the roof； and； crossing it； dropped through the trap to the landing of the
kitchen stairs。 Here he expended the greater part of the two minutes he had
allowed himself in cautiously opening the door into the hall。 He
accomplished this without a sound； and in one step crossed the hall to the
door that held Miss Dale a prisoner。
Slowly he drew back the bolts。 Only the spring lock now barred him
from her。 With thumb and forefinger he turned the key； pushed the door
gently open； and ran into the room。
At the same instant from behind him； within six feet of him； he heard
the staircase creak。 A bomb bursting could not have shaken him more
rudely。 He swung on his heel and found； blocking the door； the giant bulk
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of Prothero regarding him over the barrel of his pistol。
〃Don't move！〃 said the Jew。
At the sound of his voice the girl gave a cry of warning； and sprang
forward。
〃Go back！〃 commanded Prothero。 His voice was low and soft； and
apparently calm； but his face showed white with rage。
Ford had recovered from the shock of the surprise。 He； also； was in a
ragea rage of mortification and bitter disappointment。
〃Don't point that gun at me！〃 he blustered。
The sound of leaping footsteps and the voice of Pearsall echoed from
the floor below。
〃Have you got him？〃 he called。
Prothero made no reply； nor did he lower his pistol。 When Pearsall was
at his side； without turning his head； he asked in the same steady tone：
〃What shall we do with him？〃
The face of Pearsall was white； and furious with fear。
〃I told you〃 he stormed。
〃Never mind what you told me；〃 said the Jew。 〃What shall we do with
him？ He knows！〃
Ford's mind was working swiftly。 He had no real fear of personal
danger for the girl or himself。 The Jew； he argued； was no fool。 He would
not risk his neck by open murder。 And； as he saw it； escape with the girl
might still be possible。 He had only to conceal from Prothero his
knowledge of the line of retreat over the house…tops； explain his rain…
soaked condition； and wait a better chance。
To this end he proceeded to lie briskly and smoothly。
〃Of course I know；〃 he taunted。 He pointed to his dripping garments。
〃Do you know where I've been？ In the street； placing my men。 I have this
house surrounded。 I am going to walk down those stairs with this young
lady。 If you try to stop me I have only to blow my police…whistle〃
〃And I will blow your brains out！〃 interrupted the Jew。 It was a most
unsatisfactory climax。
〃You have not been in the street；〃 said Prothero。 〃You are wet be