Evening star., 1902-01-18
CHAPTER XVI.
Only a Housebreaker.

It was after IL in the evening when Oil,
yer, his late disguise laid aside, arrived at
st. James square. On the stairs Alice met
him. There is trouble in the house." she
said, anxiously. Madam has been walking
about the room all the evening-sometime
her head in her hands and signs. Oh. OIL
yer, have you come to help herr
''Cheer up, Alice. have been engaged in
her business all the evening. Yes, ! have
come to do what I can, and bring the
news of comfort. Now go to bed and to
Sleep"
He entered the drawing room. Isabel was
crouched in her chair beside the window;
the room was again lit by two candles only.
which made an island of light and caused
the rest of the room to lie in deeper dark
ness. But Isabel would have no more light.
The object of her terror was horrible in
twilight; in the splendor Of dozen candles
he would be intolerable.
"Oliver!' she cried, starting up to her
feet. "Oh, thought 1t was that creature
again. l sit and wait for his horrible face"
No, madam. He may come again this
evening. But he has not come yet. When
ne does come he will not have you, but me,
to deal with"
She moaned and threw herself back in her
chair. "Oh, he will come; he will come"
The sense of protection and relief which
mad brought her comfort by confessing had
passed away. She was again sick with ter
ror. What could Oliyer-what could any
man-do for her? How could she escape
this creature? He had his rights, even over
the whole Of her fortune, and he knew the
fact; and she had refused him those rights
in refusing him money He would come
again; he would come in the dead Of night;
no locks nor bars would keep him out. II
ne did not find her In one room he would
unlock all the rooms, one after the other
until he discovered her. Think Of the ter
ror of being unable to escape; think of the
terror OF being startled out of sleep to find
ST Iix,rr LIZ x1.1 I>1 n
safety, no way of escape, except by flight
ana where to go so that he should not
find her out? Can there be any misery in
the world worse than the misery Of being
nunteo by an lmplacable and relentless en-
emy, more implacable and more relentless
In imagination than In reality? No safety
Tor her anywhere. And she clutched the
dagger that lay hidden in her bosom as her
last friend In case of direst need
She had sent Alice to bed; she could not
pear ner sympathy and her attempts to help
ana to console; she hoped to- see Oliver, but
sne mad no longer any coincidence in him or
In any one; she was left alone In the house
to face the black monster
ana then he opened the door and in q
Hne. Iree, courageous way, hinging II open
ana marching across the room with q conf
ne touched her fingers; the contact OF his
strong hand revived her: she sat up. eager
to learn IL anything had been done. st am
late; It was impossibae for me to come
your
,u,. II did not doubt your good Will, my
"It wanted very nttIs powsr to learn the
truth: Briefly. dear madam, you have been
terrified by a bogy-a ehndren's bosy. The
man cannot hurt you, but you can hurt
him 6in I, That. however. be does not yet under
"ohi What have you donsf What have
you found out?'
Briefly, enough to set you free. Pres
emily VIII tell you how"
Enough to set me free7 Enough to set
me free? Oliver (she clutched his hand). II
you knew how have suffered OhI II you
only knew! Tell me-teii me at once what
you mean"
What have found is. repeat, a way
OF release-nothing less An easy Way-and
yet-but you shall hear"
my release? But the man WIN como here
again tonight. I am certain that he will
come. Obi Oliver. tremble-I shake with
terror II could tell you-if could only
make you understand the awful loathing
with which the sight OF this horrible, crea-
ture fills my very soul. The loathing. the To-
morse, the terror
Dear madam. have spent the evening