But she shook her head and made the suspicion shudder its way out of her.  Lou Macon, she decided, was just the sort of girl who would think Jack Landis an ideal.  Besides, she had never had an opportunity to see Donnegan in his full glory at Milligan’s.  And as for Donnegan?  He was wearied out; his nerves relaxed; and for the deeds with which he had startled The Corner and won her own heart he was now paying the penalty in the shape of ruined nerves.  Pity again swelled in her heart, and a consuming hatred for the three murderers who lived in her father’s house.

And when she reached her room again her heart was filled with a singing happiness and a glorious knowledge that she had saved the man she loved.

And Donnegan himself?

He had seen Lou and her father:  he had heard that low cry of pain; and now he sat bowed again over his table, his face in his hands and a raging devil in his heart.

41

There was one complication which Nelly Lebrun might have foreseen after her pretended change of heart and her simulated confession to Joe Rix that she still loved the lionlike Lord Nick.  But strangely enough she did not think of this phase:  and even when her father the next morning approached her in the hall and tapping her arm whispered:  “Good girl!  Nick has just heard and he’s hunting for you now!” Even then the full meaning did not come home to her.  It was not until she saw the great form of Lord Nick stalking swiftly down the hall that she knew.  He came with a glory in his face which the last day had graven with unfamiliar lines; and when he saw her he threw up his hand so that it almost brushed the ceiling, and cried out.

What could she do?  Try to push him away; to explain?

There was nothing to be done.  She had to submit when he swept her into his arms.

“Rix has told me.  Rix has told me.  Ah, Nell, you little fox!”

“Told you what, Nick?”

Was he, too, a party to the murderous plan?

But he allowed himself to be pushed away.

“I’ve gone through something in the last few days.  Why did you do it, girl?”

She saw suddenly that she must continue to play her part.

“Some day I’ll tell you why it was that I gave you up so easily, Nell.  You thought I was afraid of Donnegan?” He ground his teeth and turned pale at the thought.  “But that wasn’t it.  Some day I can tell you.  But after this, the first man who comes between us—­Donnegan or any other—­I’ll turn him into powder—­under my heel!”

He ground it into the floor as he spoke.  She decided that she would see how much he knew.

“It will never be Donnegan, at least,” she said.  “He’s done for today.  And I’m almost sorry for him in spite of all that he’s done.”

He became suddenly grave.

“What are you saying, Nell?”

“Why, Joe told you, didn’t he?  They’ve drawn Donnegan out of town, and now they’re lying in wait for him.  Yes, they must have him, by this time.  It’s ten o’clock!”