Macdonald staggered back two or three paces, but before LeNoir could be at him, he had recovered sufficiently to maintain his guard, and shake off his foe.

At the yell that went up from Murphy's men, the big Highlander's face lost its smile and became keen and cruel, his eyes glittered with the flash of steel and he came forward once more with a quick, light tread.

His great body seemed to lose both size and weight, so lightly did he step on tiptoe.

There was no more pause, but lightly, swiftly, and eagerly he glided upon LeNoir.

There was something terrifying in that swift, cat-like movement.