The Storyteller.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2151, 28 March 1908, Page 3 (Supplement)

The Storyteller.

THE MANOR MYSTERY.

■By FERGUS HUME Author of ‘•‘The Mystery of a Hansom Cab,” “Tho J ado Eve,” “The Black Patch,” “Jonah’s Luck,” “The Scarlet Hat,” etc. [All Rights .Reserved.] CHAPTER XXV. When Billy Miuter ret nr noil home •with the information that he hid been to the Manor House, his sister guessed at once from the downcast expression of his face wliat had ;akcn place.

“You have told Dorothy that'Percy is in danger;” she said. “Yes,” admitted Billy, looking sheepish, “dhe asked so many questions tii.it I couldn’t put her off. I didn't tell her directly,” added .Billy, seeing how annoyed liis sister looked. “I lei .tho information slip by accident.”

“You might have guessed that she would ask questions,” said A\ illy, bitterly. “.For that reason 1 slopped in bed this morning. However, the .mischief is now done, so 1 may as veil go up and see her.” “Why?” asked Billy, glancing at the clock, which just- then struck nine, and then ..it- his sister, who was hastily putting on her cloak. “She. doesn't know so much. I didn’t tell her about Bezkoff, but only said that Percy had really gone to Soho instead of his motor factory, and bad , not turned up as yet.”

“That is quite sufficient to make her anxious,” said AA illy, angrily.

“You ought to- have had inprc senso than to go near the house. You never can hold your tongue, Billy. I’ll have to tell Dorothy everything now.” “About Besskbff?” “Yes. IF I don’t she will tell her father, who will communicate with the police, and then Percy will bo in danger, if what - the Count says is true. These Anarchists will not stick at a trifle to s.ivo themselves from being found out.”

“But Bezkoff will not liko our tolling,” urged Billy again. f‘l' can’t help that. ' I must break my promise. 1 don’t want Percy to be, killed. And then again,” added Willy, pausing at the door, “if ike nolico raid the Soho house the Count may be accused of betraying the number —as ho has done —and be killed : also. I must stop Dorothy from making things public. Did you give her the number of the house?” “No!” snapped Billy, testily, for he saw that he had been rash. Willy said no more,' since it was idle to scold her' brother now that Hie mischief was done. She walked swiftly to the Manor, and found Dorothy and Lady Panwin in the draw-ing-room. Mr Clair had gone to the library to write to—as lie thought— Sir John Newbv. The arrival of Airs Broil and Julia had annoyed the squire, since his sister would not explain why she had brought them down, and would not allow them to go away again. Air Glair, therefore, was asking the millionaire to come

down and exert bis authority'in recalling the housekeeper ami her white “1,. -slave. And this—namely, the invcjg••W,-:-: .ling of Sir John to the Alan or —was •£;: exactly v, hat Lady Panwin desired. t Until she could ace Richard himself, and in Air Glair’s presence, she did net wish, to let the Squire know the terrible . truth which she. had disco- : vered.

Dorothy was in tears, when she considered, that Percy had gone to fxiho and liad not come hack. Her one idea mis to communicate with Inspector Trusk, of Axleigli, and in- - sisfc. upon the house being discovered. Lady Pan win also favoured this idea, and the two were concocting a letter, which would have gone by. the morning's post, but lor the opportune arrival of Willy, on tiro to prevent the calamity. “Don’t sent it,” the said, the moment she entered, and on teeing a • sheet of paper and a pencil in Dorothy's hand. “Send what?” asked tho girl, astonished. • “The letter to the police. I know you are making a copy of one. If you send if, Percy will be killed.” Dorothy uttered a scream ;uid jumped mi, crushing her pencilled copy in her hand.' “Oh!” she gasped. “Is that true ?” “Explain yourself,. Willy,” said Lady Pmwiii, sternly. Miss Minter did, and at •full-length, commencing : from tiio moment that Jiezkoff had taken refuge behind the fence, to tho time when he had departed after the second interview, ! disguised as a tramp.

“t caii trust Count Bozkolly” said Will.v, breathlessly. “l'’or my sake lie will do all be can to save Percy. But if you tell the police, Heaven only knows what may happen.” There was silence for a Few minutes. 'Dorothy cried afresh lit tho thought cipher lover’s danger, while Lady Panwin knitted her formidable brows and looked like Minerva at biy. It was the oldest woman of the trio who spoke first. "You should have told us this before.'’ she said, oharply. -•■How could I?” snapped Willy, whose temper was sorely tided. “UilIv ■ells me that you both went to London this morning.” “Yes. we did.” said Dorothy, drying' her tears. “It’s no use my crying, Willy. I must try nnd help to eaVO Percy in some way.” “Leave” it to Count Bezkoff.” “Ho is a villain!” (said Lady Pinwin, promptly. “Wo/’ denied Willy; and then she told the .Count's life history, ft was ju cos arv for her to break faith with him thus far, if he and Hallntn wey£. to he saved from the graure of the Anarchists. La sgaifiw iy or another, it was necessary to forte Lady Paniwn and Dorothy to trust to the Russian. “So, you see, Count Bczkoff has been driven into .( doing what he did by injustice. Ho , i; a gaud man, lam sure.” “Hu n’-iy have lied,” said. Dorothy, - ; :pym:Libng. * slid Wi'iy, very firmly, and a-...flush. u“I am quite* certain noti lie.”'; . - Ite&dfrt. smn.-to take a great Interest

“Wlmt reason?” asked Alias Clair. Lady Panwin laughed shortly, “f think I can guess.” “Thou do not put it in words, please.” said Willy, sharply, “I hardly know myself wliat L think ol him. Wliat wo have to do is to help Percy. When lie is saved you cm question me as much as you like. Oh. how 1 do wish alt these troubles were ended!” cried poor AT illy, in a teiiy. of despair. ••It is the beginning of the end now,” said Lady Panwin, who had boon rcileeting. “As you have been frank with ns, my dear, we shall be frank with you. Dorothy and myself hive made a discovery. Willy listened with great surprise

and interest to Ute out names account of the memorable trip to London, and simply gasped when she heard that Airs Broil and Julia wore in tho house. “Francis is not pleased,” ended Lady Panwin, “as he does not like Martha. Of course, if I explained, he would see tho necessity ol keeping her hero. But .Francis is not a safe man to trust with information when affairs are in this delicate position. Also, inadvertently, lie is pitying into my hand's, by asking the .supposed Sir John to come down hero to remove Alar Ilia and her romp', u- ! ion. .When he arrives i’ll settle tho . whole ’niat.tcr,” finished Lady Pr.n- . win, grimly. [ “J think you are acting very wise- . ly,” said Willy; “and then, if the [ .worst comes to the worst, we can ■ search the vault.” “Why should we do that?” de- > matided Alias Clair, raising her head. ’ Willy explained. “But don't let us

■do that until all else fails.’-’ • Lady Pain Tin looked puzzled. “I really cannot see how a visit to tho crypt can mend matters,” she said, musingly. “Humph! Perhaps this Count Bczkoff may be able to say how ho came to know tho way to the vault. And you know it, Dorothy tells me.” “Dorothy showed it to me once,” said AA'illy, flushing; “but I never told Count Bezkoff about it if that is what you mean, Lady Panwin. So far as 1 know, ho does not know tho wliy himself.” “Yes he does,” said the elder woman, imperiously, “or he would not have made the remark. However, we can discuss this later. And wo need not search the. vault until everything fails. Of course, I know now that Richard stole tho plan out of tho his brother. Apparently, he had it in liis mind then to murder John, and conceal his corpse in a place where ho know it would never be looked for.” “You have no proof that Richard stole the plan of the catacombs?” ‘•‘That is my opinion,” said Lady Panwin. grimly, and closing the subject. ‘Meanwhile, we will wait for a week. until Count Bezkoff fulfils Ins promise and saves poor Air Million. This being agreed upon, AYilly took her departure, congratulating herself upon the fact that she had induced Dorothy and her aunt to see reason. For a week at least nothing could be done about Soho, and during that period the trtith might be extracted from the false-Sir Jolm—always presuming that, he was the guilty person. It seemed as- though lie were; but the mystery was so deop that neither AYilly nor her brother —to whom she tokl everything—could guess what truth would next come to light. Then, on the ensuing day, the unexpected happened, as it had done all through this very perplexing ease. Jules suddenly returned, and reported himself to Air Clair as having been imprisoned by the Anarchists. The squire then learnt the true reason why .Jules had gone to London, and boob when he came down here -with lie was very angry with Dorothy for sending him. Calling his sister and liis daughter into the library lie eonfronted them with—wliat lie termed—their accomplice. Dorothy was a trifle nervous, but Lady Panwin faced the situation, and took all the blame on her shoulders, although she was as surprised' as her brother himself when she learnt wliat Dorothy

had clone. “.Don’t talk nonsense, ■ Francis!” she said, tartly, when the squire had quite exhausted - himself with rage. “You will only mnkoyourself ill. and will do iso good. I quite approved p 1 Jules going.” Dorothy started when Ict aunt spoke thus, and Jules looked approvingly at his grim mistrci'i.s. “We must learn the truth Df these things somehow. Please don’t sneakj Francis, I wish to hear Jules’s story.” Lady..Panwin’s influence over her mother was very great indeed) as :hc had decidedly the stronger mind, do grumbled a little at the way in which she spoke, but succumbed sulkily, and heard again the story of his butler, which -Jules repeated for tho second time in the presence of the two ladies. It appeared, in Jules’s halting English, that he had gone to Soho, and to a restaurant to make cautious inquiries. Getting into conversation with a Frenchman he had alluded to the kidnapping of Sir John Newby, which all London knew about thiough the medium of the Press, and then had asked ' further questions about the house. Tho Frenchman had explained that he was suspicious of a certain houje near at hand, and proposed that Jules should come there with him, to make sure that it was the gaol of the millionaire, hinting also that they might get a reward if the house was traced. Jules went with the man, in all good faith, and then learnt, when imprisoned in a toj) room-—no dqpbt two same in which Sir John 1 td been . eon fined—jdyit Frenchman was really a dtussian, and one. of flip members of the Vowel Society. A r/eeting of Anarchists had been called, and lie had been examined, j i they found that lie was quito . in ' • ■ of making mischief they , k.-pl hi a prisoner for a few days and then allowed him to go, after ho had promised that lie would not rc- • veal tho number of the house or tho . street it was in. | “B.ufc you must,” cried Dorothy, at this point. '“iMr Ha lion went to that'house, and—” J “How did Air llallon find the i liduee, mademoiselle?” asked Jules. I “Oh, what does it matter?” cried , iLßothv,., ,“BujJu.‘_ went there, a ml v

“Dorothy! Dorothy 1” said Lady Jnuwiu, kindly, and passing her arm round tho drooping girl. “You see, Jules was lot oil, sate.and sound.” “Lot J idea toll mo the number of the bouse,” insisted Dorothy. ' “1 cannot do that, mademoiselle,” said llie miserable butler. “Aly life jvoitld pay the forfeit if 1 did. I was told so ;” and ho shuddered. “it is time that 1 exercised my authority,” said Air Clair, in a pompous voice. “Jules, you can go back to your duties, since it seems that you are not wholly to blame. iShould j desire' to know the number of this house you will have to tell me. Go I Jules bowed respectfully and went out, with a commiserating glance at Dorothy. Then All* Clair gave his daughter a scolding, and announced that ho would have no ladies of his family mixed up in these sordid mattors. “To-morrow,” said Mr Clair, very decidedly. “1 shall send for Inspector Trusk, of Axleigh, who previously had charge of the ease. Possibly my friend, Sir John Newby, " ill bo down to-morrow, and then we can examine Jules and make him confess all that we wish to know. You agree with me, Selina?” “Yes,” said Lady Panwin, unexpectedly; and immediately carried Dorothy beyond reach of her brother’s foolish tongue. She took the girl to her bedroom, and explained that it would be better to await the gradual unfolding of events than to force them to -disclose themselves prematurely. The false Sir John and Inspector Trusk would bo in the libtaiy to-morrow with Air Glair. .1 hen Jules could bo brought in and foiced to reveal the whereabouts of tho house. The Arbiters could also be invited, and if the number of Jules’s prison was the same ar> the number of Bezkoff’s card, then something would be done. “Rut remember,” said Lady Panwill, clinching her argument, “even if we do learn the number we must not let 'lnspector Trusk raid the house, unless we can be certain that Mr Gallon will not .be killed.” Dorothy agreed to wait. She could do nothing else. Her lover appealed to be in a very perilous position, and in the bauds of extremely desperate men. The least false step, and lie might be killed out of hand. When ’ Lady Panwin left the- room the poor girl went to bed and tried to forget in sleep the terrible position of her future husband., But sleep would not eomo. Dorothy tossed and tossed, and counted sheep leaping over hedges, and caterpillars crawling up walls, and, indeed, went through all the methods which she had heard would induco slumber. It was all in vain. The night was hot and the bed was unt comfortable. Then she rose, and without lighting her candle —for tho moonlight streamed into her room — , she .put- oiv her dressing-gown and slippers, and sat- by the window to breathe the air. The night was lovely, and the gardens of the Alanor were bathed in wonderful while radiance. Some distance away rose the black form of . the tower from amidst- its circle of trees. The sky was cloudless, and nightingales were singing m the tliic- ; kets. Their songs brought tears to the eyes of Dorothy, when she remembered how they sang during , the golden hour when she sat with Percy under the Dancing Faim. How long ago that seemed to be ! Then a sudden thought came to her, which made her flush and rise excitedly. It was midnight; everything was still; she would not be seen. AY by should she not go to Abbot Hurley’s tower and again turn the Ace? —forgetting that she had not turned it on the previous visit. Then, again, 'AVilly had said that the Count declared how the secret of all these troubles could be found in tlie crypt. Dorothy made up lier mind at once, and dressed herself rapidly. She had brought misery on herself and her family by visiting the vault once; now she would visit it again and see it the second journey, would bring better luck. Also, she might discover wliat Bezkolf meant. In a lew minutes she was dressed in a morning frock. She tied a woollen scarf over her head, and slipped a candle into her pocket. Then, taking her shoes in her hands, she crept down tho shallow oaken stairs, and stole out by-tho library window —a French one, which she could open

almost noiselessly. Then, lest her too vigilant aunt should 'chance to com© down and trace her, Dorothy dosed the window —that is. she drew it too, since she- could not fasten it from ■without—and walked softly round liio corner of tho Manor, towards the tower of the ancient monastery. The great pile was some little distance away, and Dorothy ran quickly across the slip of moonlighted lawn, dreading lest her aunt should he up and might see her. 'But the window of Lady Panwin’s bedroom was quite dark. No one was stirring .and the excitement of the adventure stole into Dorothy’s young veins. Sho came to the ruins and entered them; entered also the door and stole down the dilapidated staircase. Then, for half a moment, she was inclined to turn back. The memory of the finding of that corpse came upon her with shuddering terror. But an ardent desire to change the lnok, and to learn what Count Bezkoff meant, drew her forward in spite of her feminine fears. "When below she lighted the candle, and proceeded along the narrow passago which she knew so well, and which she had last walked along with Percy. Then she fancied she heard a stealthy step, and paused in terror. Blowing out the candle she listened intently, but could hear nothing. Thinking f>he had been mistaken the girl relighted the taper, ami walked swiftly to the niche, wherein the key was usually placed according to tradition. There is was, where it hud been left after the trouble of the murder, so it was evident that- no ono haul been to the vault since then. Dorothy took down the key and slipped it into the lock. To turn it she had to place the cun.dlo on the ground. Shortly she managed to turn the key and open the heavy door. Reaching for tho candle she walked in timidly. As slie did so, and just ns she took three steps into the crypt, the door closed with a crash. Dorothy was terrified out of her wits. It could not be the wind, since there was no wind in these catacombs'. Someone must have followed her. Who could it he? She ran to the door again, hut before she could try and open it a kind of groan made her turn sharply. Sho j 4811 .t.lm thru J

terror. Before her, gagged and bound- lay Percy Hallon, alive but helpless.

CHAPTER XXVI. To her dying day Dorothy never knew how she kept her senses at that critical moment. The grim, silent, damp vault; the thick darkness; tlie unexpected closing of the door, which in itself was enough to scare an ordinary woman; and tho momentary glimpse of her helpless lover, bound like a victim on that evil table — these things were nerve-shaking and tremendous. Blit the very terror of the situation wrought her up to im'mediato effort. Without thinking of the closed door, without considering the Cimmerian gloom, she tore frantically at the'many ropes which paralysed Hullou’s limbs. But after, that oiio wild, cry, wrung from her by the sudden shook to her nerves, she made no sound. Sho wanted to

keep lier strength to save anil release her lover. But how was she to do this, in Heaven’s name? And then the thought flashed into her brain and out again like lightning'—how had Percy come to lie in this dread*ful position? For a time she fumbled with tho ropes, but on finding her efforts vain, she cooled down to unnatural., selfcontrol. Taking a calmer view of the singular situation she reflected that it would be best to light tlie candle. Then sho could remove the gag and untie the bonds. Afterwards— But she. did not think further ahead, since tlie necessities of the moment had to be attended to. Percy, by inarticulate gurglings and writhings like a marionette, was evidently trying to make lier understand that he had recognised lier face before tho light went out. Feeling in the darkness Dorothy discovered,

more by intuition than in any other way, that the gag in Halloa's mouth was of the kind known in mediaeval times as “a pear.” There was a similar on© in the Alanor library, which she knew well how to touch the spring. In a moment her nimble fingers had closed the four quarters of the pear, and she slipped it out of Percy’s mouth. lie sighed with relief, but bis iaw was too sore to permit immediate speech. Almost as though she were in a dream —and, indeed, the whole episode smacked of nightmare —Dorothy relighted tlie candle, which was easily done, since she had brought a box of matches

with her. AVlien the light grew stronger she held the caudle to lier lover’s face, and saw that it was pale

and streaked with blood. He smiled faintly as tlieir eyes met, and murmured an endearing word. She kissed him silently, and then set to work on tho ropes. They were many, and the knots were tied hard and fast. Percy could not assist, as his fingers were too numb, so Dorothy bail to begin and finish the task unaided. In ten minutes, as it seemed —although sho took no note of time—she had set him free, and lie made an effort to rise. But for the moment, strong man as he was,.lie found it impossible.' His lips moved. “There’s some water —yonder,” lie whispered, brokenly. AVith the aid of; the candle Dorothy found a china jug filled with.water, and held it to Percy’s lips. He drank greedily, and his tongue and throat being moistened began to talk easier.

“How did you find me out?” ho asked, weakly.

“Hush!” slic said, quickly- “Wait until you feel stronger”; and then she began to rub his hands and arms to restore the currents of the bloo. I to their normal circulation. Shortly this attention had its due effect. Percy soon was able to move his fingers, then his hands, .finally his legs, to overcome the numbness. In less time! than Dorothy thought possible, considering the dire position in which she had found him, Percy was walking about the cell, gathering fresh life with every exertion of his energy. While lie was thus restoring liis vigor. Dorothy went- to the door and" tried it. “Locked!” she said, with a cry of dismay. “Who can have locked it?” asked Halloa, coming to assist her in shaking the heavy portal. “I don’t know, unless it is Hobson, who inspects the ruins every night by order of Inspector'Trusk. ißui, then, he would not know the way to the crypt. Someone must have seen me leave the house and come here, Percy. But who can the person/be?” “One of those who captured me,” said Halloa promptly. ‘ Who are they ?” “I can’t tell you. The faces I taw are all strange to me. I went to tlio Soho house, Dorothy, and was struck from behind. When I revived, in a small, hare room, I was given wine, which I took readily enough, since I felt faint with the blow. X immediately went to sleep again, and guessed that I was drugged. When .1 came to my senses once more, I was lying hound' and gagged on yonder table. How long I have been here I do not know; how I was brought here I cannot say. But in the darkness someone lias come in at intervals with food and water. I expect we are both in the power of the Anarchists, though how they came to know of this ervot I cannot guess.” “How do you know that you are in the crypt,” asked Dorothy, “since you were brought- here insensible and have been in the darkness ever since?” “1 knew that I was on a stone table,” explained Hallon, “and I -remembered seeing it- when you and I -found flic corpse of Sir John. Then

whet) I saw your face, Dorothy, d became certain that I was imprisoned in Abbot Hurley’s vault. It was all supposition before. But perhaps I am wrong?” “No, you aye quite right. This is the crvpt. Count Jlezkoff told Willy that the source of all our troubles was to be found in. tile vault, so as I could not sleep. I made up my mind to come and sec wliat he meant. Also, I thought that I might tempt Fate again and turn the Devil’s Ace.” “No, don't !” cried Hallon. passing his arm round her. “Our previous visit started all these worries, and if you turn that' card we may ! get into greater difficulties.” “I don’t see that we could be in a more difficult position,” said Dorothy, dismally. “Here we are, you and I, shut up in this vault', and no one is likely t 0 think of our being here.” “Not your father, or aunt, or anyone we know?” said Percy, consol-: ingly. “But if, as I suspect, the

—“sit beside me and tell mo exactly what 80/.koff said. Willy confessed how she had helped him to escape, and I got the Soho address from the card ho gave her. Since I am ill this horrible position, I think that 80/.koff is a sheep in wolf’s clothing -“Willy does not think so,” said Dorothy; and related everything she knew of the relations' between 2d iso Minter and the Count. Hallon listened with great atten-

tion. “Perhaps Bezkoff will come over to the side of law and order and help us to clear up these -mysteries, my dear,” ho said, thoughtfully, “if only because lie loves AVilly.”

“Ob 1 Percy, do you think lie does ?”

“Of course. It is a case of lave, at first sight, both on hits'part and on Willy’s. Bc/.koff now wants to get free of Anarchism, and marry res-

pectably. I am sure of that. 'But tlio Anarchists will not let him go so easily, -unless the whole of this Vowel (Society is blown up, or -hanged, or put out of existence in some way. While any one member of the gang lives Bezkoff will be in danger of liis life. I am quite sure that these devils killed Sir John.” “But, Percy,” cried the girl, “Sir Jolm is not dead.” - “Eh —what? My dear girl, we saw liis corpse on this very table.” “We saw Richard’s corpse.” “No, Dorothy. Richard masqueraded as -Sir John, -and was killed in his place. Don’t you remember the clue of the silver watch. Sir Johnexplained that to me.”

“Richard explained it to you. John was really killed, and Richard placed the silver watch in his pocket that the mistake might bo made. Then he came out into the world as his brother.”

“Are you sure of this, Dorothy?” asked Hallon, very much astonished. “My aunt- thinks so, and Mrs Broil confesses that my aunt is right.” “Tell me everything that has occurred —exactly, mind.” Dorothy did as she was told, and shortly Percy was in full possession of all that had taken place. “Mrs Broil is now at the (Manor, dearest,” said the girl,.“and the false Sir John is coming down to-morrow. Jules also came, hack—-in fact-, tilings seem to be coming to a crisis.” “I wish I were above ground to seo what will happen,” said Hallon, in a thoughtful manner. “What will become of us?”

The question was answered in a most unexpected way. Even while Hallon spoke the sound of a key was heard, and the door opened in a slow manner. -Someone entered . carrying a lantern, and by its light and the feeble illumination of their own candle, the lovers saw that the newcomer was accompanied by two other men, muffled up in foreign-looking cloaks, with soft hats pulled down over their eyes. But the first man who entered wore ordinary clothes, and as. lie raised his lantern to look at the faces of the prisoners the two saw his countenance most distinctly. “Jules!” cried Dorothy, slipping

off the table. “Oh! now we are safe..” It was indeed Jules, looking more meek and mild than ever. How lie came to know of the existence of the vault, why lie should have entered it at this midnight hour, and why-/lie should be accompanied by t-lie two men, who posted themselves at the closed door, neither Dorothy nor Percy could understand. ■ “You are free, I seo,” said-Jules, quietly; and even in the amazement of the moment Dorothy noted that liis English was much better. “Yes, I -unbound him,” she said, quickly. “But, Jules, what are you doing here?” “That is a long story, Miss Clair, and one which I cannot tell until I have made things safe.. -Mr Hallon must not be permitted to get a,way,” And lie made a sign to the two men. Without a word they threw themselves on Percy and began to bind liim again with the ropes. The young man fought for a few moments, but he had not yet -recovered his full strength, so passively permitted hiinseli 10 be rendered helpless again. He could do nothing else. But Dorothy flew to help him, and found herself caught round the waist by the watchful Jules. “How dare you !” she cried, trying to release herself. “Be quiet,” ho whispered, “or I shall order you to be bound also.” “You dare to —”■ “I dare anything. I am the- head of the Vowel Society, of which Sir John Newby” : —lie sneered when he pronounced -the name—“may have told you. Jules is my name, Miss Clair, but 1 am -also ‘A,’ the first of the Vowels. You understand?” Dorothy did not- listen to half he said, -since sho was struggling all the time. “Let mo go! Let me go!” sho panted. “Dorothy, do not light against things as they are,” cried Percy, as lie was dragged again to the table by the two men. “Jules will do you no harm, I am sure.” “Quite right-, Mr Hallon,” said the butler. . “You are very sensible. I

have a kindly feeling for Miss Clair, but if she goes against my will it may change to indifference.” “You villain 1” said 'Dorothv. twisting herself free, and striking him across the face; very rashly, it must he confessed, considering the circumstances. He merely laughed. “That blow wipes out all your kindness to mo while I was ill, Miss Clair. Now I regard you as one who must bo dealt with severely. You and Air Hallon crossed my path—our path,” added Jules, with emphasis, “the path of the Vowel •'society. You shall both be put out of the way, unless —” “Unless what?” called out Percy from the table, upon which he now lay, trussed like a fowl. “Unless Sir John Newby buys your freedom.” “Richard you mean.”

Jules gave an odd laugh, which ;ouncled eerie in the vault. “You will

find it difficult to prove that,” be said; “that is, if I give you the chance. No”—he addressed the two underlings, who were still hovering over the helpless man —“do not gag him. Von can go. Wait outside. I have something to say to these aristocrats ,and Air Hallon shall be free to answer me. if Miss Clair makes any difficulty I shall call you in- to bind tier.” “You confounded scoundrel!” said Hallon, savagely, when the two men had left the crypt and closed M:e door. “Were I free, I would kill you. 'And if you hurt Miss Clair, I’ll break your neck as soon as -I am free!” Tbe_’o’t.lerJmigjhecL and 1 ight.eil a

MHBHmmmmmmmmmmummmm "A/ free, or Miss Clair cither.” , “We shall be searched for.” “Not in this direction,” said Jules, ’ ; easily. “You are supposed- to have • * vanished in London. Miss Clair camo .; Sj here secretly. I alone saw her when - A) sho entered tlio ruins above, and I j followed to lock tlio door when sho. | entered.” . _ - r . j 15 “Oh!” cried Dorothy, kneeling be- %■ side Hallon. “It was you whom I .Jj beard when I put tlio light oil;*?” “Why, ye*. I often come to the tower on business connected with our society. This”—ho glanced round — “is our meeting-place, and a very safe one it is. I have always congratulated myself on its discovery.” “Oh 1” cried Dorothy again. “Then / it was you, Jules, who stole tile plan of the catacombs from that book in the library.” “Exactly. But if you will listen, I will tell you how I camo to steal it. , You must' know my position, so that your own may bo arranged. I have no wish to hurt either of you; but everything, even your lives, must give ; : i way to the interests of the society.” “I wish to hear nothing,” said Miss \j Clair, disdainfully. \ “I do,” said Hallon, quickly. ;i “Jules, you are-a scoundrel, and-you have scored this time. But our time may -come. ' 'When it does, I won’t spare you in any way. Tell your story, if you will, but remember that , if we got away I shall use it to punish you.” “If you get away!” scoffed Jules, derisively. “Oh, I am quite easy on that point-.. It all depends upon our friend Sir .John.” “Richard,” Said Dorothy, obsti- / natelv. “I. prefer to call him John,” retorted Jiiles, lightly. “However, X have no time to waste. Listen, and you will seo that you aro both absolutely helpless in the power of our society. I can tell you all in ten minutes.”

“Wo are waiting,” said Hallon, quietly : and, with Dorothy kneeling besije him, he prepared to listen. Jules commenced at once, -afiSjJcon- .} tinned without interruption. '“‘Our society,” he said, “was formed to get money to carry on the revolution in - 1 Russia. -We tried to get Sir John J Newby to join, but he . would not. : However, his brother Richard turn- ' . cd out to be a scoundrel and a forger. We learnt that—it matters not. bow—and made use of our knowledge. Knowing that Sir John Newby was a great friend of -my honored master, * I got myself engaged here as a butler. It was then at frequent intervals that I heard the legend of the Devil’s Ace -and of this vault. I thought that a secret place, protect- 'Tied by superstition, would be a" safe -7 meeting-room for oiir Society therefore stole the plan of the catacombs, of which I had heard the housekeeper, and found the-/vault-- , , Then I told our members, a wholo thirty-five of -us—-.a- small ciety, you see—came down to part-s.” “What,” asked Hallon, _ sharply? “and without- the police knowing?” , “You forget,” said Jules, coolly, ;:;/?% “there is only one policeman in this village—Hobson—and he is a fool. .. - When we want to have a meeting w e easily get him- inveigled to another part of the country. Then our.nicm-~~N Wt " hem arrive as trampsAin some in- -2V stances—there are many-.tramps here- * abouts, as you kn-ow, Mr Hallon—others come in motor-cars or by rail- •• way. And as all come at night-, .and - singly in every instance, you can ssee that there is nothing likely to ex- X,. cite the suspicions of the authorities. -jIu Russia there would be; -but yojt English- people are such fools that you never see what goes on under your noses.” , tf ; “But you can’t get into- the/ grounds without suspicion?” said DdV rothy. '' “Why not ? We do not- come up' the avenue. You forget the path', which leads here from the Cuckoo's Grove, Miss Clair.” . * . “Oh!” cried Dorothy, for the third time. “And it was along that path that you -brought -the corpse of . Richard Newby?”“You want to know too much,”' said Jules, -drily. “Later you may*, learn the truth—when we have the <. Newby millions. Just now I declino/;to say anything -further than that 1 wrote the letter asking Sir JoKiX to come down. Richard intercepted i the letter, and came himself.” I “Sir John came also,” cried Percy. [ “What happened then?” | “I refuse to- tell you as yet. You \ wil-l hear to-morrow flight. We are going to have a meeting here, and, everything will be made- clear.” V “But surely you won’t keep Mf Hallon and myself in the vault-?” 5 said Dorothy, starting up in alarm. “Oh, Jules, let Us go!” j “No,” said the butler, inflexibly. f “You know too much, both of you, ,j ■and, therefore, are dangerous. If you' ] will meddle with things which do not ) concern you, you must take tlio con- ■ sequences. Now, Mr Hallon will re- - e J main here, and you, Miss Clair, -wil\ be placed in an adjoiiVng vault. /; Don’t struggle, it will burtho worso ‘j for you.” 4 “Percy ! u cried the girl, uoiy4ntf£ oughly terrified. \ ' “Oh, you demon—you beast !’\cried Hallon, and tried to get free. , He only exhausted himself with tie 4 effort, and heard Dorothy forced out ~l of the crypt by the treacherous: Blit- v

ler without being able to save her. \ When the door was closed, and ho i was once more in darkness, liis feel- i ings can be better imagined tlian dcs- ? eribed. In that hour Halloa felt 1 that life w as more bitter than death. But what could lie do? (To be Continued.)