The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-12
d there, he bided his time.

ed there, he bided his time.
He could not hear aught but the murmu1
OF the conspirators' voices though he saw
that they were discussing monetary matters
for Philip Haldane was counting out notes
and gold, which he passed across the table
to the woman.
in CONSERVATION, for in the doorway was
framed fourth persona woman, with a fail
face, and long, dark hair falling in disorder
upon her shoulders.
She uttered a wild cry of recognition and
pointed at Philip Haldane, who had been toe
much startled at the apparition to resume his
disguise.
Philip! My own kinsman Is it possible?'
she shrleked, advancing into the room.
There was no longer room for doubt.
GeoHrey would have known her voice
amongst thousand, though, for the moment
even he had been deceived by the darkened
aered his darling.
The woman Sprang forward and threw he1
arms round the excited girl, while Philip
escaped to the further end of the room.
Godfrey, who had thrown aside his dis
gulse could bear ne more
He raised the loaded stick he carried, and
with terrific blow, shattered the window,
and Sprang into the room.
1t is l, Madeline. darling! They have me
to deal with now!'' he cried, for the women
were paralyzed with fear, and the men
startled out of all powers of resistance for the
moment.
The older man was the first to recover him
SELF
Selling a pistol that lay on the mantel-
piece he levelled it at the intruder and fired;
but Geoffrey lowered his head, and the bullet
lodged in the wall behind him.
With one well-directed blow, he felled his
assailant, who lay motionless, stunned.
Then he stopped and took the still smoking
pistol from the nerveless hand.
There were still several cartridges undis-
charged.
Madeline, with wild, hysterical cry of joy,
sprang towards him, to be encircled with his
arm, while he covered Philip Haldane with
the revolver.
Move an inch, You scoundrel, and I'll shoot
you! he said, as he levelled the pistol with
every intention of carrying his threat into
execution.
A ringing, metallic laugh startled them all,
as Portia Dupres entered the room in the
same way that Godfrey had done.
She had thrown off her disguise, and stood
before them in the lamplight, with her golden
head uncovered, and her eyes ablaze with
triumph
"Ah Philip Haldane, we are quits at last!"
she cried.
You, Portia! Am dreaming?" murmured
Haldane, crouching back as though he had
seen some fearful apparition. why are you
here?"
TO assist to track you down, to revenge
myself for the death and ignominy of one
who was dearer to me than life! Have you
forgotten Andre L'Estrange? He was my
betraothed, and have sworn to avenge him!''
Fhlllp Haldane uttered a deep groan, and,
before GeoHrey was aware of his intention he
had dashed past and leaped out of the win
doH-~ -
GeoHrey Sprang out after him, leaving Por-
tia to take care of Madeline, who had tainted.
There was babel of voices in the dark
ness and Godfrey saw that Haldane was sur
rounded by police, with whom he was fighting
desperately.
Portla mad thrown open the front door, and
stood peering into the gloom, when Philip
Haldane, who had momentarily thrown off
his captors, rushed up to her and drawing
revolver, fired two shots.
With an inarticulate cry she fell hack.
as the police hurried forward to secure the
murderer, he fired again, and when the smoke
cleared away, they found that he had fallen
across the PROSTATE body of Portia Dupres
Hes escaped us after ALL" said the in
spector, regretfully. I'VE might have known
he was armed Yes. sir he said, as Geoffrey
came forward, lnexpressibly shocked at Por-
t1a,s sad fate. THE young lady is quite dead
and so is he, worse luck. Such death is foo
good for him. Nv
Geoffrey turned away, sick at heart at the
terrible denouement
The bodies were carried into the house
where Madeline had Just recovered conscious
ness.
Geoffrey bent over her in perfect trans
port OF JOY, and their lips met in a long kiss
OF Joyous reunion
ne was stiH very weak and he carefully
concealed from her the fact of her fathers
death, and Philip Haldanes suicide, until she
was better able to bear so terrible a shock.
A conveyance was procured from Westdale
and Madeline was removed from the scene of
the recent tragedy.
Godfrey telegraphed to London for his sis
ter, who came, and remained with the girl for
feW days, until she was sufficiently recoy-
cred to return to Cumnor Towers
The woman and man were arrested and
were found to be related to Madame Werner.
whom they asserted to be not one whit less
guilty than they were themselves