My wrist was strong.
"Well," I mused, "there's consolation in knowing that in two hours I shall be either dead or alive." I flung the cane into the corner.

To pass away the time I paced back and forth.

It passed too quickly; and it was not long ere I heard the clatter of the returning cavalrymen.

Some one knocked at my door.

I swung it open and--was thrown to the floor, bound and gagged in a tenth of a minute.
"Put him on the bed," whispered the leader of my assailants.