The Keeper of the Door

far from anticipating. There was no help for it, however, for he was determined to go thither, notwithstanding her assu

as they skimmed up the long Priory drive. "I should h

is presence, but she would have ra

, when he first lost his arm. It's abo

x. "What did he have his arm cut off for? Couldn't

"He was wounded in act

"Vote for the Brave! Vote for the Veteran! Vote for the One-Armed Hero! Never mind his polit

ht of the empty sleeve was enough to bring tears to her eyes at t

such a thing!" she

stoop to take advantag

n the V.C., only-" She

m an idiot to argue

form, I assure you. So our gallant hero occupies the shrine of your young affections, does

n answer. Her lips

otwithstanding his size. If you don't slow up pretty soon,

I'm about," b

readiness. "Do you really? I humbly beg to question that s

ly to a standstill in front of the house before r

air lady;-only your wisdom. You are too prone to let your feelings run

at made reply impossible. "Perhaps, when you have quite finished your lecture

tly," s

ress from the wheel. She whisked it swiftly from his touch, and ran in through the open door, e

"Hullo, hullo! Why don't yo

y. "I'm so sorry, Colonel Campion. The sun is so blazing, I didn't see you. I've co

grim, but he raised no objection to the p

ou, is it? Come in

here was something fateful and forbidding about him. He made her think of a man labouring perpetually under a burden which he resented, but was compelled to bear. She wondered what he and Max Wyndham

more than an hour before. She was in fact lying at careless ease half-dressed upon the bed, dee

u for a few minutes. This is the beastliest thing I've ever read. You shall have it when I've finished. It's all about the Turkish massacres in Armenia-rev

hateful book! How can you read such disgusting things? Violet!" as her remonstrance el

bjectionable himself? How did you inveigle him here? By nothing short of witchcraft, I will swear. Those pal

came upon him at Redlands, and as he has got the car with him, we

st know what became of those unlucky girls when the convent was taken. They mutilated most of the nuns with thei

if you do," said

ting, filthy book and you shan't have it

. "I was all that was beautiful a little while ago. You're quite right though. It is a foul bo

fore the glass. Olga laid down the book, and busied herself wit

ught to be qu

le Majesty waiting. Why didn't you bring him

As if I

nywhere. And I am sure this young man of yours is n

or to 'The Ship,' to attend old Mrs. Stubbs," s

ld think he is pretty sa

nk so?" Olga glance

are to die with him looking on;" Lightly the gay voice made answer. The speaker turned from the glass, her vivid face agl

rother." Olga proceeded deftly with her task as sh

I meant to have just left a message, and n

ordy?" asked Olga, trying

, so nothing will serve but we must all go for a yachting cruise in the Atlantic. I have told him flatly that I will not be one of the party. I detest being on the sea, and

Olga consolingly. "So he can go with

don't know. Isn't it funny of her? Allegro, you're a darling!" Impulsively she whizzed round and

est, how can

es you ever saw-an Italian. And then he went and spoilt everything by falling in love with me. I hated him then. He became che

ly cared for his e

n't love me enough for that, and nothing else would have satisfied me. Have you put that hateful, revolting book

ke such beastly things," said Ol

am ready. I suppose I must veil myself? We mustn't dazzle the impressionable Max, must we? He must accustom his sight to me gradually. Never mind the res

the door. Olga carried the book with her for safety, det

you from the dragon, but I shall probably end by protecting the dragon f

e," said Olga, "unless

magine he is quite capable of clipping your claws if they get in his way. My dear

that," said Olga

here; but as they were at the further end and apparently deeply engrossed in conversation, she decided that

eir entrance, and Max at

n," he observed. "I chanced to find myself in this direc

ou come to see. I wish you would prescribe him a temper tonic. He needs one badly, don't you, Bruce

"I never expend my emotions in vain," he said. "It's a waste

never angry?"

an punish the offe

eedingly careful not to offend you. I wonder what form your

Max, and again h

gh she were aware of his look

tually promised to come and help keep house for you and the redoubta

e a wise move on your part, and it shall

a purely formal question, so you needn't answer it if you don't wish. Oh, do let us have some tea! I'm so thirsty. Please ring the bell, Dr. Wyndham! It's close to you.

el Campion who spoke in the har

aking it away with me to burn o

to me!"

t isn't yours to give.

u like, but n

ve it to anyone," Olg

ding out his hand. "I s

taste in l

d. After a moment, reluctantly, she surrendered

d to the worst. Come along, dear! This place is like a vault. Let

the next ten minutes in playing with the motor, in the dr

something in Max's attitude that puzzled her, but it was something so intangible that she could not even vaguely define it to herself. All his careless banter notwithstanding, she was fully convinced in her own mind that he was not in the smallest degree dazzled or so much

gedy she had witnessed in the glen th

s there indeed some evil influence at work in her friend's lif

t passionately the impulse that had taken her thither. But