"Both bent in the same direction, it seems. Well, we'll travel along
together to your lodging house, Lester."

But alas! Who can see the strange workings of destiny? In that instant
Lester Armstrong slipped on the icy pavement, and Kendale, bending
quickly over him, exclaimed:

"He has broken his neck! He is dying. He won't last five minutes!"




CHAPTER III.

A TERRIBLE PLOT AGAINST A HELPLESS YOUNG GIRL.


A gasp of horror broke from Kendale's lips. Yes, Lester Armstrong was
fatally injured, he could see that.

Glancing up, he saw that they were within a few doors of his lodgings.
Picking him up by main force, he carried him thither at once and placed
him upon his couch. He had expected to see him breathe his last, but to
his great surprise Lester Armstrong opened his eyes and whispered his
name.

"It is all over with me, Clinton," he whispered. "I--I realize that my
fall was fatal, and that it is a question of moments with me, but I--I
cannot die until I have told you all, and you have promised to go