Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-16
CHAPTER XXXIV.
A Strange Homecoming.

back to her. She recognized the futility
of resistance. All she could do was to
wait and hope for the best. But despite
the startling rapidity with which events
mad moved, she was not in the least
frightened. Her prevailing feeling was
one OF indignation that any man should
have dared to treat her in this way.
W1thal, there was a certain vein of
curiosity that Vera did not care to sup
press. The cab was still moving briskly.
and Vera Judged by the trees on each
side or the road that they were already
out in the country. The man sat oppo-
site her. grim and silent He made no
inquiry as to how Vera was getting on.
He suggested no apology for his violence.
The feeling o. languor and the sugges-
ton OF headache passed away, leaving
vera strong and vigorous again. It was
impossible to sit there without speaking.
DO you quite understand what you are
doing?' she said to the man opposite.
DO you realize that you are guilty Of a
criminal offense? You could be prose-
cuted for this"
Il will not contradict you," Silva said
politely. Believe me, l deeply regret the
necessity for taking this step. Yet it was
impossible to satisfy our requirements in
any other way"
asked. Would it be inquiring too much
If asked who else is in this business?'
Silva smiled under cover of the dark
ness. A man of courage himself. he ad-
mired that quality in others. So the child
that he had known, and been 50 pas
sionately attached to, eighteen years ago
had grown up to be a worthy representa-
tive Of her race? Vera would have been
astonished at that moment if she could
have seen into the back Of Silva's brain.
She did not realize for moment that
here was a. man who would have gone
through fire and water for her, and yet
at the same time, he was prepared to
wreak his insane vengeance upon those
whom she loved and admired more than
anybody in the world II Vera's happi-
ness had depended upon 1t, Silva would
not have spared Ravenspur, even had
Vera gone on her knees and asked for 1t.
Yet he would have given his life If 1t
could have done any good to this proud
descendant of the house of Dascarti.
Surely you can guess who Is with me
In this buslness?" he said. Did I not
bring you letter from your mother?'
Vera started She had forgotten her
mother for the moment, and this ques-
ton of Silvas had opened up a new and
painful train of thought. He was taking
her to see her mother. But why had her
mother so suddenly displayed this tender
solicitude. after leaving her absolutely
alone all these years? That Veras mother
was In possession of her whereabouts and
had been all this time. the girl did not
doubt. When part of the story had to be
told she had accepted Ravenspurs state
ment implicitly. Her mother was a vile
woman, and the past was too painful for
young girl to hear Ravenspur had
not said SO in as many words but that
was distinctly the impression he had con-
Yeyed to Vera She began dimly to COM
prehend now why this newborn affection
of her mothers had not found vent in the
would have forbidden her the house
Doubtless he had hold that gave him
the control of the situation-probably a
compact made years ago. And now one
of the parties desired to break it, Per-
haps 1t was question of money, or fam
fly property, or something of that kind?
Vera had heard Of similar cases.
At any rate, there must be some reason
for this mystery and violence. And no
doubt every word that Rayenspur had
said about her mothers character was
true. Otherwise she could not have con-
sented to an abduction like this. STILL
there was comfort in the reflection that
Lord Ravenspur and Walter would leave
no stone unturned to punish this outrage
The mlScreantS would be found out sooner
or later. Vera congratulated herself now
upon the fact that she had left her hand
kerchief tied to the collar Of the dog
Bruno. That would be a sufficient clue to
put her friends on the trail, and Bruno
himself. with his unerring instinct, would
lead the pursuers to the right place
After all. the Imprisonment could not
last long. though Vera boiled with indig-
nation as she thought of the treacherous
way in which she had been deceived.
And you are going to take me to my
mother Them" she asked.
That Is the program" Silva said coolly
UNFORTUNATELY, you Will not be able to
see the countess tonight. You may be-
lieve me or not, but I am sorry to have
been compelled to take a step like this.
But you see. Lord Ravenspur's plans
made 1t quite impossible for me to wait
till tomorrow
Vera was silent for a moment She
could see plainly that Ravenspur's clever
scheme for getting away to Weymouth
had been betrayed by some one to this
man. Her chief anxiety for the moment
was for her guardian. 1t was terrible to
think that he had been logged and
watched by people so cunning and I'M
scrupulous as these. Vera was still think
ing the matter over when the cab stopped
and Silva bade her get out. wild idea
of appealing to the cabman for assistance
was dismissed as she caught sight of his
face. There was a grin upon it, and the
driver Enthusiastically winked at Silva.
There was just enough light for Vera to
see that the cabman was not wearing
badge Doubtless he was a conspirator
too. There was nothing for it but to see
the thing through to the finish So Vera
followed Silva through the garden till he
paused at length on the steps of house,
which appeared to be in total darkness
1.-The servants have gone to bed" Silva
explained, as he opened the door with a
latchkey eff you will wait moment L
will turn up the gas. If you desire any
thing"
Nothing" Vera said CURLY "Au 1
want you to do Is to show me to my
room. l wish to be alone"
/ Silva bowed politely enough. He turned
and locked the door, and Vera saw that
he dropped the key In his pocket. Then
he took silver candlestick from the hall
table and handed 1t to Vera, intimating
that he would like her to precede him up
the stairs. They came at length to q
room in the roof Of the house which ap-
peared to be comfortably almost luxuri-
ously furnished. and with every feminine
requirement at hand. With absolute
amazement Vera saw her own silver toilet
set laid out on the dressing table, her
handbag was on the floor, and in one
corner of the room stood the two Dress
ba skets which her maid had packed for
immediate use on board the yacht A
slight smile Of amusement flickered over
Silva's face as he noticed Nera's amaze
ment.
Everything has been done to make you
com Portable" he said. 1T was my own
idea to remove your immediate belong
ings from Waterloo station and bring
them on here. I assure you that 1t was
no difficult job. And now 1 wish you
good night, with thousand pardons for
the way in which l have been compelled
to treat you. Tomorrow morning"
Silva paused significantly and bowed
himself out of the room. He closed the
door gently behind him, and Vera waited