The Detroit times., 1910-05-12
CHAPTER xLvI.-tcentInusdl

At 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 TO No. IA TIL the
coast was quite clear. And how was
she To ascertain that fact? With the
solitary exception OF O'Brien. she had
nobody in London that she could rely
upon. IL she could only gain possession
OF some disguise, matters might be
easier. But no disguise was at hand
and IL was too dangerous game to
walk boldly out OF No. Is into the
street as II nothing had happened
Possibly the Chicago detective was
not alone. and he might have lett
some person In the street who was
able TO recognize the more or less
familiar figure of Lady Altamont. All
these things had to be considered.
Still. there was no time TO think
now, ard Lady Altamont devoted her
self seriously TO the problem, course
OF action began to shape itself In her
mind.
y Size would take the bull by the
horns and act boldly. She crept from
the studio oh 10 the landing, and look
ed eagerly about her. The house was
strangely silent Presently the In
truder could hear certain sounds, as
II somebody was sorting lot oil
papers. In,o the corridor presently
came Archibald Colville, followed by
the figure of Old Thomas. They car
ried between them large basketful
OF papers. which they proceeded to
place in the big CRATE in the hall. Lady
Altamont had not hsC an opportunity
/. for some time of observing Colvtlle
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; a 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 | am
concerned, you two can stay here as
long as you please. In day or SO
am going away. The house Is yours
"The house Is yours" Colyille said,
Goggedly. 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 alb
jectly miserable here. Whenever
think OF this melancholy house II will
always depress my spirits. You tell
inC that you have practically nothing
left. and am bound To believe you.
nut | am going to make provision for
you, and the old house is going TO be
Part Of H."
we don't want IT, miss" old
gfN. A ~. 81. On
ing abroad Ny wife has more than
once expressed a desire To be rid OF
me. and she's going TO get her way
al last"
Ailsa replied positively that she
y was exceedingly glad to hear il. For
the last few days she had noticed a
decided change for the better in the
manner 81 old Thomas. II was hard
To account for the reason, but there II
was. Perhaps the man was In fear
oil the police. and desperately anxious
20 be- out OF the country. Perhaps
John Stern had been able to change
the old savage into the semblance or
ordinary humanity. but the fact re-
manned.
II came 10 take you with me, :"
Ailsa went on There ere certain
legal formalit!es 10 me complied with
before my solicitor, and he needsSthe
presence OF you both. understand
that YOU have witnessed number Of
documents from time to time Thomas.
IL 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
heck they had become in the pres
ence of this girl. and equally strange
TO notice Ailsa's firmness Of manner
and severity of tone. A minute or
two later and the trio had vanished
I'm the cab. and Lady Altamont was
once more alone.
The silence and loneliness of the
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 in
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
been for so long. Her voice. was
strong and clear.
IL won't be any longer than l 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
Boom replied II shall be quite safe.
And am not In the least afraid Take
your time over II. Susan"
Susan vanished, and presently the
hall door closed softly behind her.
And Lady Altamont knew that she
was quite alone in the house with the
woman that she had used so badly.
She hesitated Just a moment on the
threshold, and then entered the bed.
room. The figure on the bed looked
up at her with spechless astonish-
ment. but with no suggestion OF fear.
80 you have come back again.
the invalid said. well, so far as you
are concerned, you could not have ar
rived at q more fitting moment.
am absolutely alone I'm the house, and
therefore you can do what you like
with me- II you murder me, nobody
will be able TO place q finger on the
criminal. II Is fine opportunity OF
completing your desire"
Something like a laugh came from
Lady Altamont's lips. She sat herself
down on the foot Of the bed In the
most friendly fashion.
You need not be afraid" she said.
''The temptation is past, and In any