Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-18

they were being strained to breaking point
now. Shaking and agitated in every limb he
made his way across to where the switches
were, but there was nothing wrong with
them. He could hear no commotion in the
house such would naturally follow the ex-
tinguishing of the light. Indeed, und arneath
the doorway he could see by the slit of
light that the electrics in the corridor were
still working.
The full horror of 1t was almost more
than he could bear. A wild desire for light
and Companionship came upon him. His I'M
steady hand fumbled at the latch. which
seemed in some way to have gone wrong,
for the door refused to open RavenSpur
was breathing thickly and heavily. But he
was sufficiently in possession of his facul-
ties to realize that he was no longer alone
in the room He could distinctly hear some
one breathing close to him. Then he caught
the sound of a low chuckle.
Not so fast" voice Kissed in his ear;
Il haven't come all this way for the benefit
of your society to lose you like this You
needn't worry about the door, because you
can't escape in that way"
In a sudden frenzy of rage and anger and
fear. Ravenspur stretched out his arm and
encountered that of the mysterious stran-
ger, whose dramatic entrance had so star
tied him. But, strong man as he was. and in
the pink of good condition, Ravenspur
could make nothing OF his assailant. The
man appeared to be not more than half his
size but his arms and body were tough and
elastic as the finest whipcOrd. Gradually
Ravenspur was borne backward He drop
ped on his knees with a grip about his
throat that caused him to gasp for breath.
and brought a million stars dancing before
his eyes. He wanted help more earnestly
than he had ever required 1t in his life be-
fore but his pride was stubborn still. and
he tried to choke down the cry which rose
to his lips. He must fight for himself to the
end.
so that Is to be the end of it," Vera
asked 1T breaks my heart to speak like
this, but after what Lord Ravenspur has
said. there must be an end to the matter
But my dearest girl, the thing is absurd"
Walter cried. What have we done that we
should be treated IN this way? Surely our
position is clear enough. We are to be part
ed for the sake of some ridiculous whim
which Is not even capable. of explana-
ton. | am not going to leave matters here.
1 decline to obey until I know the reason
why At any rate. nothing can prevent our
loving each other. And as far as l am con-
| cerned 1 am quite prepared to keep the
matter secret between us. But | intend to
have the matter out with my uncle before
sleep tonight. l am not a boy TO be treated
in this sentimental fashion. So long as
know that your feelings remain unchang-
ed"
What is that" Vera cried Didn't you
hear anything-a kind of lorrible. muffied
scream? There it is again.
The sound came again and again, ringing
through the silent house, horrible and In
sistent in It's note of tragedy. Vera turned
a pale. scared face TO her companion.
Where is it," she gasped Where does
1t come FROM?
The studio" Walter exclaimed. ct Is
my uncIe's voice Something terrible has
happened to him
Without another word Walter dashed
from the room and flew along the corridor
leading to the studio. Just for moment
there was strained. tense silence: then,
as the door of the studio was reached. a
strange. muffied scream burst out again
With his hand on the lock Walter shook the
door which refused to give way to him. He
called aloud on Ravenspur. but no reply
came. He shook The door in a fit of angry
evaporation, and once more from inside
the room came that queer. choking noise.
followed by low cnuckle. 1t was madden
ing, eXasperating to a degree, to stand so
close to the threshold OF tragedy and yet be
so far away.
There was only one thing for 1t. and that
was to break down the door. Flinging him
self full against the woodwork. Walter lit
orally forced his way in. Then he stood just
for a moment looking into the gloom and
darkness. trying to see where the figure of
the unhappy man lay.
Go be continued tomorrow