The Lighted Way

oung companion's arm as they crossed th

time while they play cards. A bad habit, Chetwode! A very bad habit indeed! I've nothing to say against a good Havana cigar in the dining-room or the smoking-room, but this constan

s to them as soon as they entered, and, laying her hand upon Arnold's arm, drew him on one side. There was a smile still upon her lips but trouble in her eyes. She looked ove

not sure where you will play, but there is no hurry. I myse

king languidly to Lady Blenni

t, of course?" she said. "I know that t

ome tongue which Arnold did not at once recognize. She looked again over her shoulder at Rosario and

her and I talk sometimes in our native language. Yo

ord," he

that you do not slip. These wooden floors are almost dangerous. I did give a dance here once," she continued, as they made their way across the room, talking a little vaguely an

rio was still standing in the same pla

us, but he has not mo

stays there," Mrs. Weatherle

own back, the trouble still gleamed in her eyes. She listened intently to the hum of voices, as though trying to distinguish those she knew. Satisfied, apparently, that their disappearance had not occasioned any comment, she moved forward again, motione

n!" sh

which the ivory pallor of her arms and face, and the soft fire of her eyes, seemed to be the only things visible. She was standing quite clos

ight up for a moment," she w

bewildered. "Are you afraid of an

citement was

urmured. "I want to look outside a mom

ained there motionless for a full minute. Then she rose to her feet and came back. His eyes were becomi

"Look down the drive. Tell me whether

w seconds he could see nothing; then, as his eyes grew accustomed to the gloom, he discerned two mot

hoarsely, "that there are

they moving?

imply watching the

e could hear her

move?" she asked, a

turned away, listening to

e light in a moment. If any one comes, you are here to see my So

nted. "Whatever you tel

, as though amused at his earnestness. There was little eno

asked. "Would you like me t

. "I do not wish

sted. "What right have they in your gar

us

ded with light. She was leaning with her arm upon th

," she began, "you should come with me to the

appeared. Mr. Weatherley was distinctly fussy a

doing in here, with half your bridge tables as yet unarr

ed up?" she asked, sett

o tell her at which table she is to play. I heard a young man who came with her, too, asking Parkins what time supper was. I

g complaints. Mr. Chetwode," she continued, turning to him, "it is my wish to finish showing you my treasures. Therefore, will

. He seemed unwilling

uld like a hand at bridge him

," she promised. "I think that very l

d him, for the first time forming some idea of his surroundings. He was in a very charming, comfortable-looking apartment, with deep easy-chairs, a divan covered with luxurious cushions, numbers of little tables covered with photographs and flowers, a great bowl of hot-house roses, and an oak cabinet with an oak background in the further corner of the room, which was packed with curios. After his first brief inspection, however

cinated. It was so close to him that he could see the thin, yellow fingers, on one of which was a signet ring with a blood-red stone; the misshapen knuckles, the broken nails. He was on the point of throwing up the window when a man's face shot up from underneath and peered into the room. There was only the thickness of the glass between them, and the light from the gas lamp which stood at the corner of the drive fell fu

ant?" Arnold exclaimed,

inclined his head towards

thickly. "He is in the house the

nd bring it yoursel

t Arnold for a moment and seemed to realize

le in things you know n

u are," said Arnold, "and I shal

wrist. Arnold caught a glimpse of his face as he slunk away. While he hesitated whe

oing out there,

ead. For a moment he was powerless to answer. Her head was thrown back, her lips parted. She seemed to be listening as well as watching

e asked, b

ined. "I looked through the curtains.

re for you," he e

shot to

" she w

w. It was as though he meant to enter. I threw the curtains back, open

a chair and be

und that I was a stranger, he got away. I don't know how he managed it,

lored. "See if he is anywhere

indow and looked

declared. "I will go to the cor

ook he

she begged. "Draw the curtains tight.

s bidden with s

d. "I don't think that he was up to any good. Look! Ther

, drawing him down to her side. Then

d one gift bestowed upon them in which they trust always. It is the gift of instinct. You

serve you,"

" she int

e her. Her face was softer than he had ever seen it, her beaut

me. I mean absolutely what I say when I tell you there is nothin

. She flashed one wonderful smi

en I need help-and it may be at a

gravely. "In the meantime, please tell

, but I think that Mr. Rosario can take care of himself. We must go back n

m in the passage. He w

absence. Mr. Rosario is most annoyed and I cannot imagine what is the

as she passed, and s

rling and Mr. Rosario. As for the others-Mr. Chetwode and I ar