wealth of Cr�sus; to be the mate of a magnificent creature, who could be goddess or she-devil at will.

With a satanic chuckle Tomlin drew back, leaving his friends to fight themselves weary, his own rapier ever presented toward them, urging them on with lashing tongue. And Venner flashed a look at him as C�sar did at Brutus, and suffered for his lapse in vigilance. For with the pounce of a leopard Pearse was upon him, and his rapier grated over Venner’s guard and darted straight at his throat. But Venner’s time had not come yet; Tomlin flashed his own weapon in and parried the stroke for him, backing away again with a murderous snarl.

“Not yet, my friends!” he cried. “You’re too strong yet, Pearse. At him, Venner; let me see you draw blood as he has, that I may see my own way clearer.”