The Riddle of the Frozen Flame

with happiness for Merriton. His acquaintance with 'Toinette flourished and that char

s still up. He never mentioned the flames to them again. But he never investigated them either. He had promised 'Toinette that, though he often watched them from his bedroom window, at night, watched them and wondered, and thought a good deal about Borkins and how he had lied to him about his uncle's disappearance upon that first night. Between Borkins and himself the

ike a shadow. Jokingly one day, Merriton had made the remark: "Borkins might be your factotum rather than mine, Mr. Brellier; indeed I've no doubt he would be, if the traditions of the house had not so long lain in his

as 'Toinette was concerned. He had already confided his secret to Brellier, who laughed and patted him on the back and told him that he had known of it a long time an

this greatest of all questions, but perhaps you have been wise.... I am very happy for you, my 'Toinette, for I f

ne, I fear me, who will be none too pleased to hear this n

chill came o

endly rivalry in their acquaintanceship. And once, as mere youngsters of seventeen and eighteen, there had been a girl, his girl, until Dacre came and took her with that masterful way of his. There was something brutally over-powering about Dacre, hard as granite, forceful, magnetic. To Nigel's young, clean, wholesome mind, little given to morbid imaginings as it was,

asked, his voice betraying a

n't know you did, Nigel. He never spoke of you. I-he-you see he wants me, too, Nigel, a

I know him, 'Toinette. But I cannot say we are f

to the public, and to far away Scotland Yard, and to the man of mys

and handsome in a heavy way. His back was toward them and his eyes were upon a photo of 'Toinette that stood on a carved secrétaire. He wheeled at the sound of their footsteps and

part of the world? You always turn up like a ba

, and 'Toinette's radiant eyes

le embarrassed laugh. "Well, I

es he?" said Wynne, with a sarc

rate I'll be obliged to get used to it. I've said good-b

owed. He stood almost a head taller than Nigel-who was by no means short-and

h an odd note in his deep, booming voice. 'Toinette sent a quick, rather s

near here. I'm-I'm hoping to get married soon. 'Toinette and I, you know. Sh

man. For a moment all the colour drained out of

aking in a strange, husky voice. "Believe me, you're a luckier ch

en wiped his forehead, which, Merriton noted, was damp with per

a long ride, and a hard one.... And so y

inctively her hand crept out and touched Merriton's sleeve. She could

e. And I am-oh, so happy! I know you cannot help being

is eyes for a moment. The

er rather wayward affections to me? Now-the tables have turned. Well, I wish you luck. Think I'll be getting along. I've a good deal of work to do

ered the room and his voice held a n

three of them in its mock amusement. "I'm not quite so much wanted as I thought. Well, Nigel, I suppose you'll be

hip that he had never before felt; but after all he had conquered! It was he A

ld man. We'll have a real bachelor party as you say. All the other chaps and you,

riton's, and then returned the hand-grasp frankly. It was almost as though

eep at the other chaps before I sail. Just for old times' sake. I've noth

lieved at Wynne's attitude-and yet,

ly good-bye this time. And I wish

nk y

trode after him and wrung his hand while the two that were left clung to each other in silence. It was as though an un

r they heard the