Clue of the Twisted Candle

She put out her disengaged hand to steady herself, and ifthe face which wa

hat, Miss Holland," said K

refully in the drawer, pushed the drawer to and locked it,examining

d he, until he hadled her from the room back to the library. Then he released thegirl, standing between he

thoughtfully have returned, or I can take yourpunishment into my own hands.""So far as I am concerned," said the girl coolly, "you may

ce," mused Kara, when the

ained conversation hereturned, closing the door

n their pay - am I right in supposing thatyou are one of Mr. T. X. Meredith's accomplices!""I do not know Mr. T. X. Meredith," she replied calmly, "and I amnot in any way associated with the police.""Nevertheles

nd the strain had beengreater than she had confessed to herself. Now the great momenthad come and she had failed. That was the sickening, maddeningthing about it all.

apers,of course," he said, narrowly, "and your photograph wo

e la

't appeal to

indow. He was abreast ofher when he suddenly swung round and catching her in his arms hecaught her close

"for I have sentthe maid to buy some more stamps -

ged within him that mad sense of triumph, that intoxication ofpower

"you're afraid now, aren't you? If you scream I shall kiss you

released her witha little laugh, and she sank tre

tting married. And all the time you were spying -clever - very clever!"The girl was thinking rapidly. In five minutes Fisher wouldreturn. Somehow she had faith in Fisher's ability and willingnessto save her from a situation which she realized was fraught withthe

thoughts for he came n

to accompany me downstairs. Get up."He half lifted, half dragged her to her feet and led her from theroom. They descended to the hall together and

ew safety didnot lie in that direction. She pulled back

you taking me

and go out in search of apoliceman."The big wooden door opened, revealing a second door and this Karaunbolted. She noticed that both doors were sheeted with steel,th

ttempt to escape. He swung the outer door to as sheraised her voice in a pierc

arned you,"

dsome, almost godlike countenancethrust into hers, flushed and seamed with malignity and ahatefuln

s wereenamelled white. Light was supplied by two electric lamps in theceiling. There was a table and a chair and a small washstand, andair was evidently supplied through unseen ventila

t impression. She stillhad her bag, a small affair of black moire, which hung from herbelt, in which was nothing more formidable than a penknife, asmall bottle

r grip she placed it on thetable within reach. She was dimly conscious all the time that shehad heard s

e was a lower cellar,which according to Mr

tairs. There might be a way out from that direction and wouldthe

make a closer examina

ncrete, covered with

ence of anytrap. She attempted to pull the table into the centre of theroom, better to roll the matting, but found i

esound her knocking gave forth was a hollow one. She sprang up,took her bag from the table, opened the little penknife and c

k as though there were a counterbalance atthe other end, as indeed there was. She peered down. There was adim light below -the reflection of a light

he house. She made her way cautiouslyalong, stepping on tip-toe. The first of the rooms she came towas well-furnished. There was a thick carpet on the f

Shelooked in and after her eyes had become accustomed to th

on something hard. She stooped andfelt along the floor and her fingers encountered a thin steelchain. The girl was bewildered-almost panic-stricken. Sh

her teethand strode through the doorway and stood for

"London' . . . . in the