Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-09
CHAPTER VIII.
And Thus the Shadow Descended

And Thus the Shadow Descended.
From within the hum Of a mans voice
speaking low and insistently-still came
ity Of youth, would have given ten years
Of his life for the gift Of second sight, to
know what went on between those four
walls beyond the door where he himself
stood expectant, undecided and more than
vaguely anxious.
Luke
1t was quite natural that Louisa should
stand here beside him, having come to
him softly, noiselessly. like the embodi-
ment of moral strength, and a common
sense which was almost a virtue.
''Uncle Rad" he said. quietly. ''has
locked himself in with this man.
who is 1t, Luke?"
THE man who calls himself Philip de
Mountford.:
How do you know?''
How does one he retorted, know
such things?''
HE gave Parker a five-pound note.
Parker is only a grasping fool. He con-
cocted the story of Mr.. Dobson and the
lease. He is always listening at key
holes, and he knows that Mr.. Dobson
often sends up a clerk with papers for
Uncle RAIDS signature Those things are
not very difficult to manage. II one man
is determined and the other corruptlble,
it's done sooner or later"
us Lord Radcliffe safe with that man,
do you think
God grant it," he replied. fervently.
Jim and Edie made noisy irruption
into the hall, and Luke and Louisa talked
ostentatiously of Indifferent things-the
weather, Lent and the newest play, until
the young people had gathered up coats
and hats and banged the street door to
behind them, taking their breeziness,
their optimism, away with them out into
the spring air, and leaving the shadows
of the oncoming tragedy to foregather
in every angle of the luxurious house In
Grosvenor Square.
And there were Luke de Mountford and
Louisa Harris left standing alone in the
hall; just two very ordinary. very simple
souled young people, face to face for the
first time in their uneventful lives with
the dark problem of a grim might be. :"
A locked door between them and the deci-
sions Of fate; q world Of possibilities in
the silence which now reigned beyond
that closed door.
pared for 1t, unframed for any such even
tuality. Well bred and well brought up,
yet were they totally uneducated in the
great lessons Of life. It was as If a man
absolutely untutored in science were sud
denly to be confronted with a mathe-
NAUTICAL problem. the solution or non
solution of which would mean life or
death to him. The problem lay in the
silence beyond the locked door-silence
broken now and again by the persistently
strangers but never by a word from
Lord Radcliffe
Uncle Rad said Luke, at last, in deep
puzzlement, has never raised his voice
once. I thought that there would be a
row-that he would turn the man out of
h.. a G
much patience as rule"
What shall we do, Luke?" she asked.
How do you mean?'
You can't go on standing like that in
The servants will be coming through
presently
you are right, LOU" he said, "as
usual I'll go into the dining room.
could hear there If anything suspicious
was happening in the library
You are not afraid. Luke?''
For Uncle Rad. you mean?''
"Of course"
'I hardly know whether I am or not.
No." he added. decisively, after a mo
ment's hesitation. II am not afraid OF
violence-the fellow whom we saw in the
park did not look that Sort
He led Louisa back into the dining
room, where couple of footmen were
clearing away the luncheon things. The
melancholy Parker placed cigar box and
mat vi q SIuC IooiC ditu ticH IctlIcu-
silent and with wealth Of reproach ex-
pressed in his round. beady eyes.
Soon Luke and Louisa were alone. He
smoked and she sat in a deep armchair,
close to him, saying nothing. for both
knew what went on in the others mind.
Close on an hour went by and then the
tinkle Of q distant bell broke the silence.
Voices were heard somewhat louder of
tone in the library, and Lord Rad
clyffe's sounded quite distinct and firm.
I'll see you again tomorrow" he said,
Eat Mr.. IS. Tell me the name and ad-
dress again, please"
The door leading from library to hall