CHAPTER XX
"FREDER—!!! Grot—!!! Freder—!!!"
Josaphat shouted so that his voice cracked, and raced with the bounds of a harried wolf, through passages, across steps of the great pump-works. His shouts were not heard. In the machine rooms were wounded machines in agony, wanting to obey and not being able. The door was closed. Josaphat hammered against it with his fists, with his feet. It was Grot who opened it to him, revolver in hand.
"What in the name of seething hell..."
"Get out of the way—! Where's Freder—?"
"Here! What's the matter?"
"Freder, they've taken Maria captive—"
"What?"
"They've taken Maria captive and they're killing her—!"
Freder reeled. Josaphat dragged him towards the door. Like a log, Grot stood in his way, his lips mumbling, his eyes glaring.
"The woman who ki
