than to escape only to be brought back to endure penalties immeasurably more terrible.

Yellow Rufe and Sancho were not minded to stay, however; they had vanished; and Dolores’s keen eyes noted this the moment she surveyed the scene. She walked swiftly to the door of the council hall, turned to face the mob, and lifted an arm for attention. Then fell a hush full of anxiety or terror, according to the degree of culpability in the consciousness of her audience.

“Summon every creature in the village,” she cried, “and let no man or woman dare to leave this place until ye hear my thoughts concerning this day’s work!”

Men scattered eagerly through the huts, calling by name all who were not present in the crowd, and presently