For dark memories of Hugh Fraser's bitter deeds in days past now thronged upon his brain.
"Fear not for me." cried Berthe Louison, springing up like a tigress in defense of her cubs.

"Do you know that his life would be the forfeit of a lifted finger?
Do you take me for a blind fool ?" she raged.

"Do you know the power of gold?
Ah, my friend, there are unseen eyes watching my pathway here, and may God have mercy upon any one who practices against me, in secret! Any 'strange happening' to me would be fearfully avenged! As for this flinty-hearted brute, he would never even reach that threshold alive, if he dared to threaten! Go! Leave him to me.

Come here to-morrow night.

I shall have need of your cool brain and your ready wit! My only task was to find him and the girl together." "And if I am questioned about you?
If anything occurs ?" persisted Alan Hawke.
"Simply ignore my existence; if we meet we are strangers!" gasped Berthe, who had thrown herself on a divan.