forced back in spite of every effort, inch by inch across the floor, my feet tangled in the rug.  Neither could strike, nor kick; I was weaponless, and I dare not release his arms for fear he might possess a gun.  Once I bent him back until he seemed helpless, yet, by some trick, he wiggled free, and thrust me against the desk, its corner gouging into my side.  The pain gave me superhuman strength, and I swung him sideways, the two of us tripping over the chair, and coming down heavily on the deck.  By some luck I landed on top, and, before he recovered from the shock, had wrenched one arm free, locking my fingers in his throat.

He squirmed under me like an eel, but could not break the grip, his face purpling, until he lost all power.  Fierce as the battle had been I retained sufficient sense to loosen my death grip while the man still breathed, lifting my head sufficiently to glance about.  My own breath came in sobs, and the perspiration almost blinded me.

“Bring me something to tie him with,” I said brokenly.  “Anything; yes, that belt will do.”

She tore it from the hook on the wall, and thrust it into my hands.  With a single movement I had it buckled securely about his arms, and was free to sit up, and stare about.  A cord from the portiere curtain draping the bathroom entrance completed his lashings.  With wicked eyes he stared up at me, unable to move a muscle.

“By God, Craig!” he snarled, “you’ll both wish you ’d killed me before ye ’re done with this job.”

I made no reply, using the corner of the desk to help me get to my feet.

“Do you hear!” he shouted.  “What chance have you got to get away?”

“That is for me to decide,” I answered.  “But if you open your mouth again I ’ll gag you.  Now stop it; the first word you utter will mean a handkerchief in your mouth.”

I stooped down, and dragged him to one side.  As I straightened up again she was facing me, her eyes frankly meeting mine.

“You—­you know how I came here?” she asked, as though that was the most important.

“Of course; I overheard most of the conversation.”

“How did you find out? how did you get here?”

“Your door was left ajar, and I found my way through the connecting bathroom yonder.”

“Then—­then, we can escape in the same manner.”

“I hardly think that will be necessary.  I ’ll go through our friend’s pockets for his keys.”  I turned him over, and began the search.  “Ah, a revolver; I thought probable—­in protection against a woman, you cur.  Here are keys; now let’s see what they fit.”