MISS WILLIFRED SURPRISES US The butt struck me fairly, and I went down as though felled by an ax.

If I lost consciousness it could have been for scarcely more than a moment, but blood streamed into my eyes, and my head reeled giddily.

Yet I knew something of what occurred, heard voices, caught dimly the movement of figures.

Le Gaire ran, rounding the end of the stable, and Hardy, swearing like a trooper, clutching at his empty belt for a weapon, made an effort to follow.

Bell sprang to me, lifting my head, and his face looked as white as a woman's.