Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-10-06
October 8, 1885

letters II lOunO them. tnlnk you KNOW the
rest"
understood now why Lucille had hestated
to tell me about her fathers association with
the infamous Claudette Melmoth if any man
had suffered for having taken a false step in
his early days it was Sir John Paradene.
''If those letters were published, it would
kill him." Lucille repeated He would pay
anything to have them destroyed - and
Roger Barnett knows it too well'
The long silence that followed was inter-
rupted by noise upstairs. Someone was
calling out my name, and gave an answering
shout. BY the light of match, hurried up
the stone steps
The key was grinding in the lock, and the
door swung open. In the grey light of morning
| saw the figure of Dunstan. His face was
white, and there was a bruise on his forehead.
He was breathing thickly. and he put his
hand on the wall to steady himself
Il was afraid you were done for, sir - the
same as Mr. Paul"
| helped him into the kitchen. and he
dropped into chair Presently, he told me
what had happened. 1t seemed that Mr.
Roxburgh at the Inn had recommended him
to take the shortcut back to the Castle, and
Dunstan had got into the same difficulties as
had in the deep snow. He had reached home
just after dark. when a masked man had
driven him upstairs at the point of revolver.
He and his wife had spent most of the night
locked in their bedroom Some time after
dawn, he had screwed up his courage and
managed to smash the lock of the door,
1t was an extraordinary sight that met him
when he got downstairs. A masked man in a
long Highland cloak was kneeling beside the
wall in the corridor, running his gloved hands
over the oak panels. It was too late for
Ounstan to retreat, and the man had stunned
him with blow on the forehead. BY the time
Dunstan had got to his feet again, the stranger
IN the Highland cloak was gone; and the old
fellows relief at finding us both safe could be
read in his twitching face.
Lucille bathed the bruise on his temple,
and he brought his wife downstairs to prepare
some breakfast. Meanwhile, there was one
thing that had raised bright glow of hope
in my mind. As soon as Lucille and l were
and shook it excitedly
We've still got chance!" cried Roger
Barnett can't have found the letters. That S
obvious, for Dunstan found him searching
after daybreak. Well beat him YETI
That breakfast was the most cheerful meal
we had ever had together. for we were now
sustained by the knowledge that we still had
good reason for hope
But there's one thing that keeps worrying
me" said to Lucille after we had risen from
the table 1--WE been wondering if there's
somebody else in this game besides Barnett.
Could some other friend of Felix Swinburn's
have known about those letters1"
She thought for moment "It's possible"
she admitted. But why do you ask2"
It's small point" said, but it struck
me as odd that Barnett should have worn
mask. As he's well aware. we know what he's
after - so why should he conceal himself?"
My mind went back to the old idea which had
obsessed me from the beginning - that some
unknown man might either be hiding in
Falcon Castle or have some secret means of
entering it. Lucille was looking at me strange
ly, but said nothing more. When she went
upstairs, strolled over to the window and
glanced out on the snow-clad glen. The next
moment gave start of surprise Standing
on the pathway, looking up at the windows
of the house was the square, heavy figure of
NJ Roxburgh
made a rush to the front door and called