The House of Whispers

that guests from the South often failed to understand him, and who never seemed to sleep, so vigi

stant cavalier, Flockart, had walked across to

ls. In that big, old, paved quadrangle, the cobbles of which were nowadays stained by the oil of noisy motor-cars, many a Graham of Glencardine had mounted to ride into Stirling or Edinburgh, or to drive in his coach to

as a mere excuse on her ladyship

ed through a leafy wood away to a railway level-crossing half a mile off. The road was unfrequented, and they were not likely to meet any of the guests, f

r-haired woman in short brown skirt and fresh white

her-tweed and a round cloth fishing-hat. "My information is unfortunatel

h in love with him as b

s just as devoted

day. Of course I've been compelled to ask him to lunch, for I can't afford to quarrel with his people, although I hate the

" suggested the man strolling at her side, and he stoppe

an't afford to allow it, my dear Jimmy. Thi

u, you

broad all was pretty plain sailing. Lots of the letters she wrote him I secured from the post-box, read them,

to allow the matter to go any further would be to court disaster. We have a good many enemies, you and I, Winnie-many who would

," she decl

d certainly accompany me," he

dismay. "You would tell th

ubt there are others wh

ars had been her confidant and friend, were both in imminent peril of exposure. Their relations had always been purely platonic; therefore she w

wn life-a chapter which she had believed to be closed for ever, and yet which was, b

oice, "and who are those others who, you

n, and who, perhaps, think that you do not

help it? Besides, people surely must know that, to me, the society of a blind old man is not exactly conducive to gaiety. I would only like

e? Things are not always what they seem, as the man with a squint said when he thought h

r hands," was h

ve promised to look

sy cares nothing for me-only sees me at table,

. "If you did that the old man would turn her out

ut

ences. It is she who will be your deadliest enemy, remember; she who, if the disaster falls, will give eviden

defiance. "Why do you taunt me like this? You haven't

tery is just as c

efied

panion

you now int

here is a distinct peril-one which becomes graver every moment th

rting

It's the only way, Winnie, depend upon i

me, her stepmother, if it were kn

r will be known. I should be the only person in the secret, and for my own sake it isn't l

in a low, intense voice. "Remember, he is devote

were prepared to carry out the suggestion, in order

e should defy my suggestion t

u never intended her

f Lady Heyburn. Two thousand pounds were placed, in secret, every year to his credit from her ladyship's private account at Coutts's, besides which he received odd cheques from her whenever his needs required. To his friends he posed as an easy-going man-about-town, in possession of an inc

lways voted him great fun; but from the elder ones, and from married women especially, he somehow h

to impart merriment among her guests, she sought out and sent a pressing invitation to "Jimmy" Flockart. A first-class shot, an excellent tennis-player, a good golfer, and quite a good hand a

ears would certainly have caused greatest surprise. That he was a schemer was entirely undreamed of. That he was attracted by "Winnie Heyburn" was

Euston picks up the local bag without stopping, while the up-mail drops its letters and parcels into the big, strong net. For a few moments

s our peril. If you are actually afraid to act as I suggest, then tell me frankly and I'll know what to do. I tell you quite openly that I h

action the other night has

one so. If it has, then our peril has very co

r to reckon with in a

a second thought," replied Flockart with nonchalant air. "All you have t

d?" asked the woman, whose fac

ghtly. "Should we be any worse off than would be the case if this girl took it into her hea

urther fear, no apprehension, no hideous forebodings concerning the imminent future. She saw it all as she walked along that moss-grown forest-road, her eyes fixed straight before her. The tempter at her side had urged her to commit a dastardly, an unpardonable crime. In that man's hands she was, alas! as wax. He poured into her ear a vivid picture of what must inevitably result should Gabri

his cruel nether lip, and the pair retrace