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Jimmie felt he was drowning. Around him millions of stars danced. And then from another world, in a howl of terror, the voice of Preston screamed. The hands of the butler released their hold upon his throat. As suddenly as he had thrown himself upon him he now recoiled.

“It’s ‘im!” he shouted; “it’s ‘im!”

“Him?” demanded Jeanne.

“It’s Mr. Blagwin!”

Unlike Preston, Jeanne did not scream; nor did she faint. So greatly did she desire to believe that “‘im” was her husband, that he still was in the same world with herself, that she did not ask how he had escaped from the other world, or why, having escaped, he spent his time robbing his own house.

Instead, much like Preston, she threw herself at him and in her young, firm arms lifted him and held him close.

“Jimmie!” she cried, “speak to me; speak to me!”

The blow on the back of the head, the throttling by Preston, the “stopping power” of the bullet, even though it passed only through his leg, had left Jimmie somewhat confused. He knew only that it was a dream. But wonderful as it was to dream that once more he was with Jeanne, that she clung to him, needed and welcomed him, he could not linger to enjoy the dream. He was dead. If not, he must escape. Honor compelled it. He made a movement to rise, and fell back.

The voice of Preston, because he had choked his master, full of remorse, and, because his mistress had shot him, full of reproach, rose in dismay:

“You’ve ‘it ‘im in the leg, ma’am!”

Jimmie heard Jeanne protest hysterically:

“That’s nothing, he’s alive!” she cried. “I’d hit him again if it would only make him speak!” She pressed the bearded face against her own. “Speak to me,” she whispered; “tell me you forgive me. Tell me you love me!”

Jimmie opened his eyes and smiled at her.

“You never had to shoot me,” he stammered, “to make me tell you that.”