The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-22
CHAPTER XVI.
From Gloom to Sunlight.

hours afteT they ndd escaped from the
house in Harrington street The two men
Craven and Coxon. incensed at their
leader for protecting him. had fired at
them both, wounding Sir Douglas in the
arm and Jaspar Knight in the side. But
they had the satisfaction OF seeing the
two men and, Laura Craven taken prison.
ers by the police, who had come 10 the
house attracted by the sound OF shots,
and Sir Douglas had gone away with the
arch-villain OF them all. yet the one VINO
had played the mans part at the END.
II can be arrested later on Knight
had smiled when the police had looked
az Sir Douglas for instructions. 81 am
going 10 motor him 10 Cornwall first"
'"fhe charge is one of shooting with
intent 10 murder" Sir Douglas had ex-
planned quickly. Knight did his best -
defend me and is wounded himself
should have been dead but for his inter-
vention."
Then had come that long motor drive,
flashing through town after town, touch
ing the fringes OF cities, and again van
ishing into the wild, lonely country. on
and on, pulse and brain beating a tune
TO the thro5 Of the engine.
The thought OF the girl he loved, alone
in the underground passage with mad
woman, who might in her frenzy do her
some deadly harm, made Sir Douglas feel
that he couldn't cover the ground quickly
enough. They had paused three minutes
on tho road for a drink. and no had sent
a telegram TO Dacre to follow him on to
Luck House Then on again, until at
night they came in sight of the coast and
heard the boom or the sea against the
rocks.
Here we arer Knight said EN- an
other half hour we should be there. It's
been a record trip" he smiled grimly.
Il have 10 thank you for IT," Sir Doug
las replied. You've been awfully de-
cent am grateful"
you have no cause 10 be grateful -
was the reply. I've been a bad lot all
my life, but I've generally warred with
men-nOt women. And besides"-he said
II love her tOO-in my selfish way"
Sir Douglas was silent. The man by
HIS side was the legal husband of the
girl he loved. He had almost forgotten
that in his excitement and their common
danger. but now IL all came back 10 him.
and he knew that he had another battle
70 fight II she was stin alive for. dead,
her spirit would join his as its mate.
Knight stopped the car. Il viii help you
to find her" he said, and then go. She
won't want me"
but she's your Wife" Sir Douglas said
sternly.
The other smiled. That will be no
charm In her eyes. Better II she were
my widow"
A few moments later Sir Douglas had
entered the house. KeZiah and Jason
met him in tho hall. their faces white
and frightened.
Have you found them?" he said quick
Iy.
Keziah shook her head mo: we've
searched IN the tower even. and"
But he brushed past her. Come TO the
door in the west wing that leads into
the underground passage" he said
hoarsely. I'VE shall find them there"
KeZiah looked at him with startled
eyes, II went there first, sir, and when
your telegram, saying We were 10 search.
came. we found the door locked. and
nothing viii open it-and we don't Ike
TO call the neighbors."
Let mo como with you," Knight said.
IT am as strong as a lion, thank heaven
| for that"
a few moments later both men had
/ found the door 10 the top OF the stair
case in tho secret passage. and after
a few heavy blows. that echoed all over
/ the house. they broke lie door down
and entered. followed by Keziah and old
Jason with lights
| Suddenly Sir Douglas gave a cry OF
relief, and, hurrying forward. he fell
on hts knees beside Rosemary's slim fig
ure and raised her in his arms. one
glance at her white, unconscious face
told him that at least she was not dead
I'VE must look for my mother" he
said. God knows what has happened
10 her"
When they found her a little lower
down-fOr Rosemary had evidently rous-
ed herself at the first sound OF the
knocking and tried 10 crawl nearer the
door 20 cry out-they raised her form
with reverent hands, for the mistress OF
Luck House had been released from the
iron hand that had held her reason cap
tive for so long. and the smile on her
face was the smile her son remembered
as child.
II was some hours before Rosemary
was able 10 speak and tell the story OF
her imprisonment in the passage. and
how she had been discovered by Lady
Mallaby. The agony of mind she had
passed through in those tWenty-four
hours had left its mark upon her face
When Sir Douglas was allowed to see
her she flushed nervOusly.
You have come 10 Tell me-aDout
him?" she said.
Not yet" he said gently. 81 want
first 10 tell you how / knew where you
We're, and how knight showed he was
not quite the worthless scamp the 9TH
ers were. He had a conscience"
Then he told her everything that had
happened, leaving out nothing that had
taken place since his absence.
II tried my best TO find out something
that might free you from this marriage"
he said, but failed We can only walt
for Fate TO make the way clear"
Il can't go TO him." Rosemary faltered
with trembling lips He was good to
bring you here and 10 help you; but. oh
don't try to make me see him in any
other light"
Il won't" he said quietly. 'T don't
think he will trouble you. He has gone
back TO London. He left message for
you. II was that he would not trouble or
try 20 see you again.
II am glad" Rosemary mmmured.
land when l am better I will go away.
But before 1 go 1 want 10 show YOU
something in the underground passage"
How did you find II outT' he asked.
You never went into west wing
She shook her head. mo. but will
tell you everything when I am going
away"
A day later a strange lady called to
see Sir Douglas, and as he glanced at her
he fancied there was something familiar
in the black. audacious eyes OF his visi
tor.
Il am Nine. Valco." she said. when
you saw me l was dressed in my stage
clothes as I ALWAYS MAY srnascrIinn.