The Secret Passage

"Shrine of the Muses" the very next day, but was informed that Miss Saxon and her mother had gone out of town and would not b

ung gentleman, stopping short, "

t, not sorry that the meeting had taken

have gone down to Rose Cottage and intend to stop t

l?" echo

great deal of money. I expect it will

frequently a

at she might remember me. Between ourselves, Mallow, I am deuced hard up. My mother ha

ot be forced, and loafed away the greater portion of his days. His mother kept him in pocket-money and clothes, Peter supplied board and lodging, and Basil got through life very pleasantly. He wished to be famous, to have his name in every mouth and his portrait in every paper; but the work that was necessary to obtain these desirable things he was unwilling to do. Cuthbert knew that the young fellow had been "born tired"!

, I should leave card

Besides, I have seen you at

se," said Cuthbert

e. But don't preach, Mallow, yo

p you with

d breeding en

ly, "and besides, if Juliet comes in for Aunt Selina

did not wish to quarrel with Basil, as he knew Juliet was fond of him, and moreover, in the present state of affairs, he was anxiou

bill-" here he stopped, as though conscious of having said too

?" asked Cut

Aunt Selina a week before her death. Yes, she turned me out of the house." Here Basil's face assumed wh

losing his temper, and having occasionally seen him in fi

er, I'll be all right when Juliet gets the money. By th

low gravely. "Juliet and I are still en

e in easily," said Basil, frowni

hbert sharply; "do y

omething, then suddenly close

d I'll help you out of your difficulties. You know I love Juliet, and

can't. You had better ask Juliet h

n I fin

tage and ask to see

er will no

what, Mallow, I'll speak to Juliet and ge

and ask her f

't. Mother will int

y boy, who could do no good and might do a deal of harm. "Very well, then," he said more mildly, "ask

hy that place?" h

good as

n't get

side. I have been inside though, and I m

y appeared relieved. "I remember; you were t

Cuthbert, wondering why the young man

?" murmured Saxo

ere at night.

find one's self at night. By the way," added Basil, as though anxious to

m. He's a bounder. Moreover, a respectable lawyer has no right t

eyes wandering everywhere but to the face of his companio

ld. Do you o

. And I say, Mallow, I suppose all Aunt Sel

lly, she may take her affairs out of Hale's hands. I should certainly advise her to d

yet you gamble yourself a lot. But I expect J

ed Cuthber

good lawyer-or a good husband either," he added in an abrupt tone. "Good-day. I'll t

ere lost or won a few pounds. Here he had often met Basil, and without doubt the young man had told his mother. But he could hardly do this without incriminating himself. All the same, Basil was a thorough liar, and

se at night. I wonder what he would say if he knew my reason for going there. Humph! I must keep that quiet. The only person I dare tell is Juliet; but I can't speak to her about the matter just yet. And after all, there is no need to mention my visit. It does not concern her in the least. I wonder," here Cuthbert stopped, struck

d one afternoon went down to Rexton. That same evening he had an appointment with Jennings, who was to bring Susan Grant to Mallow's rooms. But the young man quite expected to be back in time to keep the appointment, and meantime he spe

llow her to pass, as there was very little room. The girl started as she murmured her thanks, and grew crimson on seeing his face. Cuthbert, not thinking, gave a passing

o her. I wonder why she blushed. She can't be in love with me, as I n

that after all it would be best to boldly ring at

of Juliet herself. She came out of the gate and walked directly towards the path. It would seem as though she expected to find Cuthbert, for

she asked. "Susan

know too much in the presence of Juliet. "I sa

he narrow path, talking all the time. "She came in just now and said you were

nettled. "I don't see that I have

nly till to-morrow. Now that Aunt Selina is buried and the will read, we return to Kensington at once.

t been rooted up by the builder, and there ran a path through the heart of the miniature wood leading to the station. When quite screened from observation by the friendly leafage, Juliet turn

" she said, again taking his hand,

," said Mallow, determinedly

said he met you the other d

iend I took him to be,

aid Juliet, gently. "The poor

is sort of thing can't go on. I have done nothing to warrant my being treated lik

hasty speech. "How do you know Basi

young ass," returned Mallow roughl

his playing cards?

hinted as much the other day. I would say nothing of this to you, but that I know he

know I can

oggedly, "not even if you have in

s her servant, and to Emily Pill, the cook. It is a large fortune. The

w did your aunt make

st so he told me. But the money is well invested and there are no restrictions.

h, and he doesn't like me. I belie

ou, Cuthbert," she whispered vehemently. "I love you-I love you-with all my heart and sou

ce you are now rich and your own mistress-not tha

ith fear. "I dare not-I dare not," she w

s mystery about? I could not under

what I asked

ad told Jennings the

re not

bert, opening his eye

. "No," she said to hers

e declared, "if you would only speak out. But I can guess

back a pace.

ther day I believe he was about

proofs?" she g

monetary difficulties-he is in debt to Hale-he counted on

d rising to her face, "this is only

ou wish me to

d your tongue about," she answer

her troubled eyes. "Do you, Juliet-do you?

ed, "for your sake I keep silent. For your