The Mystery of the Clasped Hands

he could not, then it would be the end of all things as far as Miss Devereux was concerned. With the cold sweat of terror on his brow he watched the girl he loved racing dow

find, Godfrey galloped toward the spot, jumped the gate that separated it from the neighbouring field, and looked about him for what he should see. The horse was lying stretched out upon the ground, and one glance was sufficient to show him tha

!” he muttered to himself, and then

off in search of water. When he had procured a little in his hat he returned and bathed

swered, in reply to his inq

o his own animal he took his flask from the h

e said. “It wil

es she was so far recovered as to be abl

ome? Poor papa! What a state he will be in when he hear

o the saddle and you must try and ride my horse. If we can find a village near h

obey you,” she answered, with a touch of her old spi

d then assisted her to rise and lifted her into the saddle. For the first hu

you the other day, and I laughed at you when you told me this morning that you did

ut you can have no idea how nervous I was th

elf about me?” she asked, not, howe

een looking for so long. He felt that

known that I have been in love with you ever sin

looking at him with the love-

, Molly? What ca

love you too,

, some twenty acres in extent. It was almost in the centre of this open space that he proposed to her, and she, brazen crea

l the carriage, which he had sent for to convey her home, arrived from the Court. Then, when he had promised to ride over in

ave you had?” asked Miss Kitty, as they

cut up at one time, but on the whole it

e enjoyed it. Wh

Spinney,”

u kille

on’t know,” w

ng did

know that

ve been very observan

olly Devereux. For the present that

er arms were

can not tell you

erson’s pleasure

was already perfect, and vowed many times a day that he was not nearly good enough for one so angelic. Every one, with the exception of Sir George Penistone, perhaps, was delighted with the match. The worthy old baronet gave his consent immediately almost before it was asked in point of fact, and vowed that the two properties would run splendidly together. A county dinner was given t

mind?” said Molly to her lover one evening, when they were

lued upon our backs, I would find a means of making you repent of that speech.” Then he added more seriously: “Darling, whatev

t may, I shall never doubt that. Bu

ed. “Somebody walking ov

little cr

like that!” she cried. “You

ar.” Then to change the conversation, he added: “I expect this will be our last day’s hunti

next month, and I do detest shopping. Mamma, on the other hand, seems to revel in it. I fancy she would like to have

he will be delighted to officiate in that capacity. He is in Paris just now, but returns to England at t

rested in Mr. Fensden. I came across a volume of his poems the other day. It w

dea. And did you

must confess that I did not understand much of it. It seems

rk, I know, but for my part I like less words and a little more human nature. Give me ‘Gunga Din,’ or the ‘Charge of the Light Brigade,’ for

Fate, with that characteristic kindness for which it is celebrated, had been good enough to endow

anded over to the tender care of Madame Delamaine and her assistants. They were to be away for three days, returning home on the Friday evening,

of boredom as he hopes never to experience again. On his arrival in London he drove to his tailors and ordered his wedding garments, going on afterward to a well-known firm of jewellers in Regent Street, from whom he bought a wedding-ring with as much care as he would have given to the purchase of Crown jewels, and a diamond necklace with little

sit here

lf face to face with no less

he said as he shook hands. “I thought you were

r replied. “I am tired of trave

ave enjoye

tasted, I should say, every example of villainous cookery in Europe. I am thinking of bringing out

mment on it. He was too happy himself and too glad to see his friend once more to take offence. He noticed that in his dress Victor was even more artistic than before

airily. “How is she? As you may suppose, I

odfrey replied, “for I presume

thing after the caravansaries I have been domiciled in lately. I never knew

e as he said this wa

ur old habit of searching the slums for foreign eating houses?” said

hen changed the conversation by inquiring

e to think of it, why shouldn’t you come down with me? It would be just t

have such a lot to do. I could not

contrasted very strongly with the other’s peevishness. “There’s a first-rate tra

ealer. He would have liked to go round to Eaton Square where Molly and her mother were staying with an old maiden aunt, but he thought better of it, and contente

hand when he removed her cloak. During the evening he did not concern himself very much with the play; he watched his future wife’s pretty face and the expressions that played upon it. As soon as they were married he was determined to paint a life-size portrait of her, which he prophesied to himself would be the best piece of work he had ever accomplished. But even the happiest evenings must come to an en

and wondered what he should do next. Should he go back to his hotel and to bed, or should he stroll on to his club and see who was there? He e

found himself standing face to face with the one person of all

ise. “What on earth does this mean?

red, looking away as if she

e coming?” he asked, reproachfully. “You must

same curiously hard voice. “You were not in London, and I t

be a mean brute if I did not find time to look after

ed. He noticed her embarrassment, but di

e said at last. “I don’t think you

mother, ho

read over her face, and noticed

wered, very quietly. “She di

y poor child! This will never do.

t fiercely. “I do not require any he

answered. “London is not the sort of place for a young girl t

“but I can not let you do more. Besides y

he answered; “but ho

confused fo

aw it in the newspapers. You are famous, and th

to pass at that moment

ide the pavement. “I am going to see you home. This

before. “I can not let you do this. I can walk qu

aid Godfrey, firmly. “I insist that you

moment before she re

treet, off the Tot

was when she had first sat to him for the picture which had made his name; and as he looked out upon the falling snow and the miserable streets with the dark figures scurrying along the pavement on either hand, and thought of her future, his heart sank within him. He wondered whether he could persuade her to accept a sufficient sum of money from him to enable her to return to her own country and to live in comfort there? He was rich, and after all it was not only his duty but his pleasure to help an old friend. As she see

ell me that you were married? I thought

wered, with what was almost a

he repeated, almost incredulously. “Teresina,

?” she cried. “You have

Is it any use my imploring you to confide in me? You know that I a

d friend to me. All I ask of you now, however, is to leave me alo

ink I am going to leave you, as you are now, you are much mistaken. If y

told you there is nothing to tell? Oh

were in trouble, Providence sent me to hel

fore a house on the right-hand side. It was by no means a cheerful dwelling, and at that hour it was wrapped in complete darkness. They descended from the cab, and Godf

said to the girl beside him, when the vehicle had disappeared

she answered. “Ple

e, Teresina? If you will do so, I will a

it I am t

house without first letting

ered. “I will let you know

. A letter or telegram will always find me. And now g

and may God

king the bearing of the house, in case he should want to find it again, se

h of a box of matches she remembered having left upon the chimney-piece. She had not advanced more than three steps, however, before she was seized by the throat from behind, while at the

a few minutes. Then he rose, placed something in a box upon the table, turned off the gas