The Keeper of the Door

ffs in the midst of a garden which to her childhood's mind had always been the earthly presentment of Paradise. Not the owner of it

that ran through the glen rose refreshingly through the Aug

olness between its ferns. The mossy pathway gleamed emerald green. Surely there was no need for haste!

ot remember what. She wrestled with her memory vainly, and finally dismissed the matter with slight annoyance, turning her attention to a wonderful coloured moth that here flitted across her line of vision. It was an exquisite thing, small, but red as coral. Only in this fairyland of Nick's had she ever seen its like. Lightly it

truth. And in that moment she realized what it was of which the dragon-fly reminded her. It was of Max Wyndham sitting on the surge

he felt as if he had darted into her life, armed in some fashion with the power to destroy. And she longed almost p

as the drawing-room, all swathed in brown holland. Its dim coolness was very different from the stony chill of the Priory. She looked around her with a restful feeling of

the library. This room was a somewhat recent addition to the house and shut away from the res

r. The light that came in through green sun-blinds made her liken it in her own mind to a

se on Party Government," remarked a cas

a surprise at that moment, but the voice of Max Wyndh

good child, your nerves are like fiddle-strings after a frost. Remi

on. She was for the mom

know better than to scorch on a day

this injustice. "I'm not such an idiot. You

" said Max. "Why didn't

ve motored o

n this direction. How could I?" said Olg

referred sunstrok

fetch it myself, as your good uncle seemed to want it, and then became so absorbed in its pages tha

een interested in the subject for a single moment she did not believ

holiday to-day?" s

orning, vaccinated four babies, pulled out a tooth, and dressed a scald. What

stion over. "It's a half-hol

bbs of 'The Ship Inn' who summoned me hither with great urgenc

Olga. "Is old Mr

s," sa

"And you've just come

tched himself. "E

lously. "You actually-don'

ood caring,

die of?" que

second. Then, "canc

sked the question nervously

it?" said Max, thrusting

that." Olga spoke with a flash of indig

's past matte

us tone. "It matters a lot to me. She was a friend of mine. If I had known she

ly stepped to the door before her. He stretched a h

" he said. "But it wouldn't have done much good to anyone

en her things at

dn't have touch

consciously. Why was he s

opening the d

and upon it. "Do you mind telling

ally, Dr. Wyndham, w

back against the door. "I will answer yo

e hated the man! Conflict with him made her f

Ship' at once," she sai

m sorry to have to frustrate it, but I must. I assure you Mrs.

nevertheless

heart gave a hard quick throb of misgiving. They stoo

ut it was a stony, pitiless stare. Had he any idea as to how formidable he looked, sh

and spoke. "Dr. Wyndha

e said, "if you will promise me first not t

ally whitening. "But I

?

uldn't be good for yo

only words that occurred to he

a greater effort would be necessary if she hop

more determined attempt. "Dr. Wyndham," she said, throwing as much

t in his eyes that seem

Fair lady," he said, "

ipped the handle of the door above his hand and gave it a sharp wrench. He would not-surely

gave a great leap of triumph as he took his hand away. But the next instant it stood st

our life," he said, and his words came curt and c

with wild palpitations. The grip of his hands was horribly close; she almost thought he was going to shake her. Bu

o make me that p

, trying to muster s

ant to go for?

She stammered over her answer;

he put the question. "I can tel

r spirit at this. "It's no good ask

nswer you

ides-" s

" sai

urst out, "so cold-bloode

ree and the door left unguarded; but she did not use her freedom to escape. Somehow she di

elow his breath. The gleam had died out of his eyes, but the brows met fierce

ked up to her,

you go on in this way you will soon get hysterical, and I don't think

stening tensely, because

Stubbs, though I don't see much sense in crying for her now her troubles are over. I think myself that it was just as well I didn't reach her in time.

hispered Olga, commandin

hat was the only peace she knew. But of course it affe

tened herself. "Then-you think

aid, "I should have given her a free pass long ago. But-I am not authorized to distribute free passes. On the contrary, it's my busine

aware of a touch of genuine feeling somewhere. She made swift

that!" she said. "I often think I will be a nu

" he said. "Do you wa

ed quickly. "I'l

"And I wonder how long you wi

tion out of knowledge and not ignorance. It made her feel a

ory," she said. "Shall I ta

s remembered that there had been a battle. Obviously then

aid. "I've got the car here. And

nouncement. "In-deed!" she said,

onded imperturbabl

e question unanswered. "I can't go back in our car," she said.

Max keenly. "C

keenness. "I suppose you have

in the car? If you take the one from here, you will onl

back in any case to fetch m

e that home, and you can drive th

often drive Dad." O

hat before? Afraid I should want you instea

attempt to be polite to him if he would come so persistently within snubbing distance.

t be so cocksure of that if I were you," he said, opening it wi

er contemptuous defiance as she

ith disconcerting assuranc

g remembrance as there flashed across her inner vision the spectacle of