Paul slipped away, leaving Steinmetz alone at the summit of the state stairway, standing grimly, revolver in hand.
In the drawing-room Paul found Maggie, alone.
"Where is Etta ?" he asked.
"She left the room some time ago." "But I told her to stay," said Paul.
To this Maggie made no answer.

She was looking at him with an anxious scrutiny.
"Did they shoot at you ?" she asked.
"Yes; but not straight," he answered, with a little laugh, as he hurried on.
In a few moments he was back in the drawing-room, a different man, in the rough, stained clothes of the Moscow Doctor.

The din on the stairs was louder.

Steinmetz was almost in the door-way.

He was shooting economically, picking his men.
With an effort Paul dragged one or two heavy pieces of furniture across the room, in the form of a rough barricade.