The searchlight., 1910-04-15
CHAPTER l.

In Craven he had added to rather than
diminished his popularity. He re-
fused to be further lionized; either
timid or wise in the white heat OF his
fame's flame. he ran away! Rather
than watch his fame fall to ash, or
fearful that its tense heat would harm
him? For neither reason. He was
not thinking of London, or his public
he was thinking of himself.
In Craven. whilst immured. he was
as well delightfully."- at large. The
castle itself was a prison, standing, as
1t did, IL miles from any railway
dominating. as 1t did, the entire coun
ty of shire. Craven was fortress
for the writer's hours of labor-a
pleasure-garden for his leisure. But
on this occasion he had not come to
1t for the sympathetic atmosphere II
extended to his work. Craven was moi
to offer in this soiourn any of Its
aforetime tonic-nor was 1t demanded
that II should suggest new theme, oi
even cradle an old idea. Mr.. Tempest
solitary inhabitant of his study
asked a new balm of his retreat-i'
must be a panacea.
1T should be-" he said aloud as HI
replaced a book i'm the shelves ant
found another. n padded CELL"
Into the great bow window whose
squares of glass let in the whole wild,
country sweep to his eyes-once ;
veritable lovers eyes for this English
nature. whose graces and beauties
| Tempest had made to live and bloom
in his book till all England echoed hi
muse-into the bowed windows hi
housekeeper daily cleverly drew tn
writingtable. Tempest many time
! before II had seen hour after hour sill
away. until, exhausted yet supremel
| content. he had risen, aching In ever
limb, the pile of manuscript grown n
his hand, his work done, and he him
self free and buoyant as only tn
creator can be before his self-appoin'
ed task. But writing materials rt
NAMED these days untouched.
| November had almost gone. and tn
drear baroness of the landscape. a
though not yet despoiled of leafag'
was hidden on this afternoon by
mist full of rain. Tempest had tn
extent of blank gloom before him a
he faced 1t by the window. leanin
against his workable. his back TO tn
room. Something of the leaden qua
ity of the outside reflected itself In h
conntenance. But he had not time I
| fa1Inus lic tNaiff tat ions 10 fhAir
for a rap on the door fell once-was r
peated. then the door opened and h
housekeeper came in.
Il beg pardon. Mr.. Basil" He di
! not stir.
She waited a moment. then a
vanced: Il beg your pardon. sir"
: After another silence he blurt,
out:
We'll? What for. pray? II y,
have any good reason to break in ,
!. me. Henly. you will give it."
I've disobeyed you, sir"
| I'D rather forgive you than he
about it-don't do 1t again"
Il won't indeed. sir, but"
Tempest turned reluctantly to I
intruder. She said "Oh," involunta
ly as she caught sight of his face: t
last hour had rayaged it. Her Q
dent affection. not her sympathy, mt
fled his mood.
ii What the devil have you done?"
asked. not unkindly. 1T can't
worse than coming here to me af,
my express injunetions."
III It's worse. sir" she nodded: "I'
let in a lady"
She breathed freer with the WHIT
confession of her crimes enormity
III Tempests surprise was as sharp
his displeasure. "A lady-you
iotty!"
iii She pleaded. Il couldn't help 1t, J
Basil-she had walked from Crav
ford-to see you. sir-and hadn't |
heart"
Comet" he exclaimed furious
Il am not to be obeyed then. Hen
see plainly you are taken adyants
of-of-I mean to say you're astou
ing, give orders to leave me
peace. to refuse my doors: to keep
mail. my dispatches. away. and .
admit God knows whom and for wi
purpose at your pleasure"
She let him fume. and her patie
gentle bearing Of his detestable hun
made him ashamed. What for. pra,
Il don't know. sir" she said hunt
Il couldn't say no-somehow. s
begxed for a moment-she had wall
~ ~ -
soot 1t back. It's late. too"
She has a notebook? OF cours
III She's q pretty hat on and a Il
dark coat. and she Ia 80 lovely.
Basil. that II"
She finished subtly-and triumph
n for her mnsfer nli9htly amile6 q