The Detroit times., 1910-05-12
CHAPTER xLvL-(cOntinued).

Al any rate. the critical danger was
averted for the present But Lady
| Altamont felt that she could not re-
main where she was for any length
of time On the other hand, she
dared not return 10 No. IA TIL the
coast was quite clear. And how was
/ She 10 ascertain that fact? With the
solitary exception OF O'Brien, she had
nobody i'm London that she could rely
upon. II she could only gain possession
! OF some disguise. matters might DE
easier. But no disguise was at hand,
and IL was too dangerous game 10
walk boldly out eof No. Is into the
street ms IL nothing had happened.
Possibly the Chicago detective was
not alone, and he might have LEFT
some person in the street who was
able TO recognize the more or less
familiar figure of Lady Altamont. All
these things had 10 be considered.
Sui. there was no time TO think
now, ard Lady Altamont devoted her
self seriously to the problem. A course
OF action began TO shape itself In her
mind.
Size would take the bull by the
horns and act boldly She crept from
the studio ua 20 the landing, and look
Ell eagerly about her. The house was
strangely silent. Presently the IN
truder could hear certain sounds. as
IL somebody was sorting a lot OF
papers. Into the corridor presently
came Archibald Colville, followed by
the figure of Old Thomas. They car
ried between them a large basketful
of papers, which they proceeded TO
place in the big crate in the hall. Lady
Altamont had not hao an opportunity
for some time of observing ColVille
so closely. and she was struck by the
way in which he had aged.
The flames from the paper began
to roar and flare up the chimney
presently; moment later and outside
came the sound of cab wheels. Then
the door opened and Ailsa came in
the two old men glanced at her, and
then hung down their heads.
There is no occasion for that,
Ailsa said coldly. so far as l am
concerned, you two can stay here as
long as you please. In a day or so
am going away. The house is yours"
"The house is yours" Colville said,
doggedly. 1T is part OF your property
under the will of Ronald Braybrooke.
have told you so before"
II shall never take it," Ailsa re-
piled. Never! have been too abb
jectly miserable here. Whenever l
think OF this melancholy house 1t will
always depress my spirits, You tell
me that you have practically nothing
left, and | am bound to believe you.
But am going to make provision for
you, and the old house is going to be
part OF il"
I'VE don't want 1t. miss" old
Thomas said, cringingly. I'VE are go
ing abroad My wife has more than
once expressed desire to be rid OF
me, and she's going to get her way
at last"
Ailsa replied positively that she
was exceedingly glad to hear 1t. For
| the last few days she had noticed a
decided change for the better in the
manner OF old Thomas. II was hard
to account for the reason, but there II
was. Perhaps the man was In fear
OF the police, and desperately anxious
| to be out of the country. Perhaps
John Stern had been able TO change
| the old savage into the semblance OF
ordinary humanity, but the fact re-
| NAMED.
II came to take you with me-
Ailsa went on. There are certain
legal formalities to be complied with
before my solicitor, and he needs the
presence OF you both. | understand
that you have witnessed a number OF
documents from time to time Thomas
Ii is a matter of necessity that you
also should accompany me. The cab
Is still at the door,"
Neither man raised any objection.
II was strange to see how humble and
meek they had become in the pres
ence of this girl and equally strange
TO notice Ailsa's firmness of manner
and severity OF tone. minute or
two later and the trio had vanished
in the cab. and Lady Altamont was
once more alone.
place began to Cypress her. She was
longing for something In the shape OF
human companionship Some instinct
seemed to lead her up the stairs I'm
the direction of the room where her
sister lay. The door opened and Susan
came out. She had a cheerful air and
manner. she was no longer the con-
fused, tired old woman that she had
DtCn lOI 80 lOnks fteT VOICE was
strong and clear.
Il won't be any longer than | can
help my dear" she said. Now that
old Thomas has gone, feel that
can leave you here quite safely. I'll
| get back in an hour or So"
"All right the voice inside the
room replied. II shall be quite safe,
and am not in the least afraid Take
your time over IL, Susan"
Gusan vanished and nraaantIy tho