"Ha! he's coming to his senses. I must see that he don't outwit Aunt
Madge yet."
Then replacing the trap, the woman left the place, and a little later
descended a narrow stairs and entered the room beneath the trap.
There on the stone floor lay the pretended old man, gasping in pain,
yet not able to help himself.
Quickly Madge Scarlet bent over the prostrate and helpless victim of
her cunning, and began binding his limbs with a stout cord that she
had brought with her for the purpose.
In a little time the work was completed, and Mrs. Scarlet stood up
with her arms akimbo viewing her work, a satisfied smile playing about
the toothless lips.
"I'll peel you, so't there'll be no deception hereafter," muttered the
she fiend; and suiting actions to words, she tore the disguise from
the detective's head and face and flung it aside. "Thought to fool the
old woman, eh?"
A curdling laugh followed.
After gloating over the detective for some time, Madge Scarlet picked
up her lamp and turned away, a feeling of intense satisfaction in her
heart at the knowledge that she had her enemies so completely at her
mercy. It was satisfaction for one day at least.
The woman passed through two basement rooms, unlocking and locking
doors, until she at length stood in the presence of Nell Darrel.
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