The Crooked House

dless

ear. The theatrical manager tore a flask from his pocket, and administered its contents freely

her," Copplestone cried fiercely. "Wis

," she whispered. "He must not

. "If I see any more of him, he'll find himsel

r began to return to her face, but her eyes were

empty flask, "she'd better rest. Let's all c

," agreed t

n Copplestone's arm. Her self-control was

softly. "I am all right

y to break up. We'll have a jolly night." He laughed loudly. "Tranter, of al

g a friend with me," Tranter said. "Mons

heartiness. "Forgive this unhappy beginning. We'll mak

lights, concealed under strands of white crystallized leaves, springing from a frosted

ss this," said the

rced. Every one attempted to keep it at fever-heat. Jest followed jest with increasing rapidity. Laughter rang out on the s

f thunder added to the tenseness of the atmosphe

ning until the sullen roll died away. "Why

ne's face grew flushed, and his hands unsteady. The manager's voice and stories thickened, and the thoughts of the Russian danseuse be

n windows into the garden. The air had grown hotter and more opp

cigarettes disappeared in vario

s. The grounds were a veritable maze. He had purposely slipped away alone, and in five minutes was involved in

bout so many times that he did not even know in which direction it lay. Coupled with the effect of what had happened in the house, the influence of this tortuous garden was sinister and unnerving. In the lightn

aid Monsieur Dup

ne. On his right the hedge was thick and high. He could

with wonderful agility for a man of his size. The foliage gradually thinned, and kneeling do

lled with indesc

my soul, my god, my all. I l

ice of Christ

ng the leaves with a hand as steady as t

but you. I want nothing but you ...

dible in its tenseness. "Go-and

illuminated the wild tortured face of Christine Manderson. And standing be

o bring herself

ou were dead

swered. "I am dead

almost hear the eff

ere all my life-all my hope. I know I wasn't what I might have been. I was what people call an ad

aid slowly. "I am no mate

the only thing I had-my only chance?-to throw my life in

d, "if I had known. But the name Christine Manders

went on the stage in New York. Oh, it was dreadful. All those long years since you left me I have lived under a mask-as you have seen me to-night.

s torn. "For God's

er was still holding her away from him. In that vivid f

sn't that name awaken ... something? Hasn't it still some charm? Once y

g," he

orcing herself nearer to him. The ma

raw you? Is not my hair as golden? Are not my eyes as bright-my lips as re

ck!" he

her face almost touching his own. He was yielding, inch by inch. The warmth of he

the end of the world. I will live for you-slave for you-die for you. On

g from him. He c

ed desperately. "Co

over their heads, showed them locked in ea

teps on the path behind him. Monsieur Dupont had just time to turn the corne

in the garden!

said Monsi

g towards the house.

er laid a heavy hand on Monsieur Dupont's sh

mischief," he declare

Mr. Copp

t an answer. He must be away a

ont assured him. "For a half-hour I have b

ager admitted. "The fellow won't ge

onsieur Dupont's shoulder, and made a brisk movement t

upont bloc

a waste of time. I h

er cried, bearing him round. "H

s of the garden. In a few minutes, after a do

for the next flash,"

and the broad lawns sloping down to it. Monsieur Dupont detected no form or movem

blinked after hi

new and even darker pa