.

The Fight in the Dark.
Had the room been filled with men Keith could have restrained himself no longer.

Whatever her past might be, this woman appealed to him strangely; he could not believe evil of her; he would have died if need be in her defence.

But as it was, the ugly boast of Hawley gave confidence in the final outcome of this struggle in the dark, even a possibility of escape for them all.

The gambler, assured of being confronted merely by a frail and not over-scrupulous woman, had ventured there alone; had stationed his men beyond sound; had doubtless instructed them to ignore any noise of struggle which they might overhear within.