The Detroit times., 1910-03-18
CHAPTER xvi.-(contInued) .

CHAPTER xVi.-(ContInued).
You don't really mean To do that ?t
Grace cried.
see how impossible IL Is that he can
remain ia doubt any longer. And.
after oil. there is not much danger,
seeing that | shall always have open
10 me SO excellent channel for es-
cape. Look there
With wave OF her hand. which,
however. was quite lost on Grace In
the darkness. Ailsa Indicated the fine
slender slit of light penetrating from
the boudoir on the other side OF the
panel. AS the panel was gently push
ed back for another inch or so. II be-
came quite clear that the luxurious
boudoir was empty.
You can see for yourself that
there is no immediate danger" Ailsa
went ON. Now before | go ! want
you To do something for me. Come
10 the window. This window where
| have drawn the blind up. | drew
the blind up little time ago. SO that
might amuse myself by watching
the arrival OF the people next door
Whilst | ~~s doing so | made little
discovery OF my own. l wonder II he
has gone, No., he is still standing
there on the edge OF the pavement
Do you see that thin. tall man yon-
der?"
IL see him." Grace whispered He
seems to be studying the arrivals next
door. But what has he 10 do with
you and me-"
He is my guardian" Ailsa proceed
ed TO explain Il feel pretty sure
that he knows deal more about
Lady Altamont than be would like TO
say. Now. he sent me note about
dinner-time telling me almost definite
! ~ that he should not be home to-
night. He is a most secretive man.
! and his comings and goings are wrap
ped in mystery. All the same. was
greatly surprised TO see Mr.. Archibald
Colville standing there when look
came He has all the air OF private
detective watching some criminal"
is he a bad man." Grace asked
with a little shudder. His face
looked SO hard and patient, like an
animal waiting for his prey"
II can't tell you" Ailsa said. She
sighed impatiently. Il don't know
whether he is good man or one who
! Is inspired with a relentless hatred
OF others Sometimes have one
opinion, and sometimes have an
other Judging from the few remarks
that old Susan drops. | should say
that he is thoroughly depraved. But
that is not the point What | want
you TO do is TO keep your eye as long
as possible upon Archibald Colville."
"Ill do all | can" Grace faltered.
But suppose he come into the house
suppose he comes into this room
and finds me here? II only had your
courage,"
Your courage is all right" Ailsa
| said reassuringly. If ii were not, you
+, would not be here at the present
moment. There Is not the slightest
chance OF my guardian coming into
/ the room: In fact. he never does so.
/ II he does come back he will go direct
| to HIS own room, and take II for
granted that | have gone TO bed. But
We are wasting the precious moments,
Grace You forget what have to
do"
Ailsa turned away from the window
and walked towards the boudoir. She
was blaming herself now for not bold
~ opening the panel when the knock.
ing first began. But then Grace's
tears had sadly infected her for the
moment. There was TO terror in her
heart now as she stepped boldly into
the boudoir and slipped the oak panel
TO behind her. The brilliant room
was empty; from below came the
chatter of gay voices and the music