In the pause, Adelaide, drawn from the library by the sound of Arden's fury, reached the front doorway, saw the three, instantly knew the whole cause of this sudden, harsh commotion.

With a twitch that was like the shaking off of a detaining grasp, with a roar like a mortally wounded beast's, Arden recovered the use of limbs and voice.

"You infernal lump of dirt!" he yelled.

Adelaide saw his arm swing backward, then forward, and up--saw something bright in his hand.

A flash--"O God, God!" she moaned.