You hear and understand ?" "Yes--yes: I am safely away; have no fear." The light revealed the weapon he required just beyond where Masters lay--a heavy hatchet, still stained with blood, probably the very instrument with which the watchman had been brutally struck down.

That made no difference now, and West snatched it up, and began to splinter the wood with well directed blows.

He worked madly, feverishly, unable to judge there in the cabin whether he had a minute, or an hour, in which to effect their rescue.

All he knew was that every second was worth saving, and with this impulse driving him, swung the sharp blade with all his strength and skill, gouging out great splinters of wood, and finally forcing the lock to yield.

He sprang eagerly through the opening, the hatchet still in his grasp, and faced her.
She stood there looking straight at him, seemingly unable even yet to wholly realize the marvellous truth of his presence.