But you ?--are safe, I trust ?--depend on my gratitude .-- I shall be at ------ to-morrow--the best inn--seek me if you can.

Which way now ?" "Keep to the left." The stranger was already several paces distant; through the darkness, and in the midst of the rain, he fled on with the speed of youth.
The girl lingered an instant, sighed, then laughed aloud; closed and re-barred the door, and was creeping back, when from the inner entrance advanced the grim father, and another man, of broad, short, sinewy frame, his arms bare, and wielding a large hammer.
"How ?" asked the host; "Alice here, and--hell and the devil! have you let him go ?" "I told you that you should not harm him." With a violent oath the ruffian struck his daughter to the ground, sprang over her body, unbarred the door, and, accompanied by his comrade, set off in vague pursuit of his intended victim..