But other screams inside the cottage still continued.
"What is the matter ?" cried Random, seizing the woman.
She proved to be Jane.
"Oh, sir, my mistress is being murdered--" Hope plunged past her into the corridor, not waiting to hear more.

The cries had died down to a low moaning, and he dashed into the pink parlor to find it in smoky darkness.

Striking a match, he held it above his head.

It showed Mrs.Jasher prone on the floor, and a dark figure smashing its way through the flimsy window.

There was a snarl and the figure vanished as the match went out..