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He felt an unaccountable lack of compunction regarding the Spider. In fact, he experienced a sense of satisfaction at the completeness of his victory over the ruffian, and she seemed to share the feeling.

He heard her urging him to make haste, and before he had fully regained his wits he found himself following her out into the sunlight. Underneath the wagon-shed she guided him, around behind it and into a narrow three-foot space, the left side of which was bounded by a board fence about head-high.

“Quick!” she cried, eagerly. “Once we are on the other side we may escape. The others are somewhere close by.”

II

Van Dam, being accustomed by this time to a certain obedience, lifted the girl up to the top of the fence, scrambled over it himself, and held up his arms to her. He was in another yard, much cleaner than the one he had just quit. There were trees and flowers in it, and looking down on them were shuttered windows which seemed empty. As she surrendered her weight to him he gave rein to the license which was in his blood and pressed a warm kiss back of her mask where the hair lay in wispy ringlets against her neck.

” Mon Dieu! What a man!” she laughed, struggling gently to free herself. “You had better put on your mask. We haven’t far to go, but there may be observing eyes.”

“Am–I–er–quite the person you pictured?” he queried, as he adjusted the false face.

“Not at all.”

“You have never seen me before to-day?”

“Of course not! How could I?”

“I have seen you often.”

“Impossible! Where?”

“Dreams!” said Van Dam, vaguely, yet with some degree of truth. “This all seems like a dream, as a matter of fact. I’m afraid I’ll turn over, and you’ll change into an old lady with hoop-skirts, or a flock of purple snowbirds, or a friendly crocodile with gold spectacles.”

She pondered this for a moment as they made their way across the yard, being careful in the mean while to see if they were observed. After a moment she halted.

“Wait!” she said. “I–am not sure we dare risk going farther, for the streets are alarmed and the Wolf is in the neighborhood with all his pack. I had thought to take you straight home, but now they will be watching. It would be madness to try it.” Again she fell silent, only to exclaim: “I have an idea. Come!” She turned abruptly to the right.

“Where are we going now?” he inquired, mildly.

She pointed to a house the back yard of which abutted upon the one that they were crossing. “Yonder is your cousin Alfred’s house. He is away at business, the servants are out watching the carnival, and so it is empty. Do you dare venture it?”

“Just the thing!” he said, amiably. “I owe Alfred a call.”

The girl laughed shortly. “Ah! He would die of rage–or fright–if he knew; but you can wait there while I go–“

“Oh, I say! You’re not going to leave me?” queried Roly in genuine alarm.

“Of course, silly! Some one must bring her.”

Van Dam fell silent, speculating upon this last remark. After a moment he said, “You’re sure Alfred won’t return?”

“Who knows? We must run some hazards. The key will be under the step, I think. Come!”

They gained ingress to the next inclosure through a cedar hedge. Then, as they neared the back door, a distant commotion sounded from the stable-yard, warning them that the Spider’s friends had stumbled upon him. But the girl’s ready fingers found the key where it was hidden, and an instant later they were in a spotless creole kitchen ornamented with shining pots and pans. A cat rose from a sleepy window-ledge, arched its back, and stretched.

With a warning gesture Van Dam’s guide bade him wait, then disappeared, returning in a moment.

“It is as I thought–the house is empty.” She beckoned him, and he followed her past a pantry, down a hall, and into a study furnished with a considerable degree of elegance. Drawn blinds shut out the glaring heat; it was dim and cool and restful.