OR, THE Mystery of Langdon Abbey.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 247, 24 October 1885, Page 3

OR, THE Mystery of Langdon Abbey.

„, MI9S SARAH PARR, .„__«.. AhernSrace-cnp.''"Robbed i«ihwrf T» »My L-ieV3 P1(lt- "Madame 1 l» __£" -We Severed Livea," too. Jails"8,

CHAPTER XIV. ISM BTUSOEIDDLE SOLVED. • ( »n. breathless earnest nc_j with *?*&»**' addronsed Rebecca *_ J went forward a sop and laid one '^.nyonhershouider. r"1 _■_. sure," ho said, " you have a ' "-""Ihe-sio!. of your duties. Dixhas tflc*_ P thoroughly cloar to your mind, *$?, Youi will make no mistakes?" v*""1,1 II rlear, my lord- I'» m«ko no "If'"ill do alii and do well. I'll die «'-ltßk Ml fail you, my lord." .*«--,'l,t[she raised her eyes to his or A* W-eyes In which flamed an 1.1- ---"" bleto and before which heinvolunB rilr*lf B*baj8*ba j jtrange woman!" ho ox"ioj° the words as involuntary as the ttaimedi uw "*£-_»« but true as steel to my puriTlr. Depend on me. The young -**'Hlhusafoin my hands," W_\ Iv„ t ,ho dropped her eyes again. «^o^diKft d turned fionffi «"d l<ebeoca limped off "r< ehl rl^atcd, under his "*« 111 not meddle with her again. Eft enough lor me. She's half frozen '^aZ with her unsearchable eyes. | t tb.l*a" I<wvoherto Lady MelroSßß downstair, and into the library

'"tfFolger, waiting there in noiicha2!* g'flnced at him' suddenly *^«_i. __D?"'he asked, bringing himjS!more erect position "Your Of mm* disgusted. May 1 in-

_fo! may take that and your leave tomorning1 interjected Hood, SS. tossing a roll of bank-notesat him. '■Scught it dexterously. ffidn-t think of being so ungrate ul," I_L " I propose to spend somo tune .'„„' you need me. I must occasiontam y°ur responsibilities here. ■L lorßOtne occult reason, you decline ltd* Linter at Langton Abbey, you 7_ course, meet Linter twice a week ?"_,___ it wi"never do' my dear gottryou to seem indifferent to the ttavTtown gathering on Robert JibfOW grew heavier. Ho clenched SLda He breathed fiercely. Teeyour tongue. You've said enough ,ta,( that matter for one night nonly said the truth-that Linter was ratt lyon tbe assassin's track." SS appearance of Lady Melross and auprtM end to tho discord, but her X's first words after greeting Folger "t.ll* me tho earl's iswta is likely to be arrested. Is it true, U »H.opiiy, or unhappily, as people re .sd capital punishment, it is, Lady Mel"'.hope ho may escape," said Lillis, _Mefingly LsdyMelrosa uttered a robuktng cry. to shook his head, saying.fdoubtfully : "He may; but clothing corresponding riththe description of that worn by the .__ inhaa, by a rcmarkablo chance, been .tror-l It was found bundled under a wkl of steps, and in one of the gloves, iHchall declare be wore, was a valuable t'xd-stone ring. Fortunately for him, inter, the ring is of a stylo so common latll.finding goes for nothing." "Serertholess, that ring will prove the doing of the criminal," burst out Lady Bros, with conviction. "I feel it ITo '' MM should have left that duo behind litis hurry of flight. It'a a providence, HiMgor." ' I Robert Rood extended his hand, and rale for the first time. _ 8 said, quietly, though a trifle paler laaraal:

"According to Tony's description tho -imprecisely like this." "lid .cores of others worn daily, and _'iodisplayed in tbo shops," supplemented Tony, easily. -Jl_il_e_d.

U-jttttacried out in horror: "Ok,_tat, take it off, I entreat! How t_ jrawr It another minute ? It makes Etitadtotolookat it."

SisM, and, the diversion of a sumL__to the supper-table occurring at the _>_eit, gate his arm to Lillis. "iV_;,"_oo.nrmured in suppressed tones, a tidy Melross preceded them with Tony Filpr-''irl_y did you shiver just now, li.! His tbe fact that I possess a ring -iet-enmrderer'srevived yourfrightful bussom!"

"04!'' breathed the girl, earnestly, "tar could I so wrong you ? Do I not -*» you innocent? Lord Langdon, forgot n well ts forgive my dreadful oflenco,

"I»ill target," said Robert. Wearing slightly at the impaseioned swot his hushed roply, and tho gcntlo FsireofMsarm against hor hand, Lillis Mimed:

"Ithiwred involuntarily," she oxplained. 'usawajsomething vaguely terrible in fekao*ledgethat such a ring as that," Nig at the bauble he wore, " encircled . !«g«, But answer me one question, "Jlko let as drop the subject. Has tho really been discovered?" "litter thinks so."

"iadtbeman!'

1 mrt of gentlemanly desperado, who Wily escaped being convicted of a *ta crime four yearß ago. The accu-"i'-!iDg evidence against him is heavy— ■mfeg.lmay say. Bis precipitateflight, mt. Ttilh the fact that tho clothing aid .

"Swroind; that will do," interposed Jfij.ti_.edly. "It makes mo sick to Wofit,"

"Then think of it no moro, and we will Twolitno more," said Hood, gontly, as ; . entered the room where supper was M,

by a little deft manage- ; s™ succeeded in drawing Lady MclI1 *1 "Mention to a more pleasing topic. lie diy had been a trying one, and the «We Robert and his guest an early _%»eol, upstairs together, and, with greets unusual to her, Lady Melroas *»Ned Lillis to the favoured suite of ?J»jMg expressed herself perfectly satisj,*™ tberather astonishing change. jPjßWsomething in the pallid quiet l 7 F 8 exquisite face that touched her ■-Mtagh without in tho least shaking 'Wbittotis purpose. J1__.. oan change," she smiled, in >•„. .i 8 anxioU3 inquiries. "If I X ,! oDely thero is a pleasant suite tjjjj"*;Mtatonce. mamma -tomorrow," While I am by no means ,7"*- my apartments, I yet am settled *"• 1 don't fancy being unsettled " MW.,***' 0 the cO"idor, and the ■ (4 wto fell at the same moment upon it-____* Btood Pat">ntly waiting near B ooor that gavo access to Lillis's ■-Ik • an!-et thrown over her arm :^«S g wilhoutoxp,aininsthe .**_____■ °nee- and with marked B«ked the cause. jf'iterpoged. l*%? tha woman could reply she said \ v Bay fault, mamma. I have tho

;'sa__ he _ordßsh6Ga«Khtit from he'ml->,*<> _*n the door. \Wj_T, -,,h e key !" echoed f.a.y Mel*it ink- V hyi child, what on earth ■*!" STOr foolish head to lock tho Wflj^~" L5,1i9 began, and then S*CL. _? 9t. 0n- neßebecca Hough to >2 M***lb«t momentary blaze •* it v eai.*" Wll."*-.? cu""sity that (limed -SSSSf*' 'Vas it surprise? _Ws__ '• ***«»y checked her SK X c ,necrutable way »_ eff-..c-K% «w-. -*rpose t0 oonlide the %. WWi of the evening to Lady L^-^?."!*- the broken sentence VijJ^Mtoniahiug, after all-a P«»« creature Uke you> und

everything so oppressively vast. And then tho lato ovonts."

They went in, and Lady Melross was still looking about the boudoir when Rebecca Hough returned from the bodchamber.

"I shall not nood you again to-night," said Lillis, anticipating the woman's question.

Lady .lelross kept a scrutinising gaze upon her till the door shut hor out. Sho then turned to Lillis. " How do you like hor?" she naked, care loH.ly.

" I don't liko to hear her speak," smiled Lillis ; adding quickly, "butsho seems capable."

" Sho is, though her voice does set one's teeth on an edge." With that reply she kissed tho girl good-night and wont away. Loft by herself, Lillis secured tho door, and thou turned her gaze upon tho littlo table on which lay hor Biblo. For a timo she stood qnito motioulesa. Directly she exclaimed aloud :

" Why should I look? I hioir there is nothing hidden botwoon its leaves. Rebecca Hough never onco touched it; and, more than that, my last act beforo locking tho door was to examine its pages with tho greatest caro. Am I growing foolish enough to expect miracles?"

With a littlo forced laugh sho crossod the room and began to loosen tho classic knot gathered at the back of her hoad.

But in vain sho strove to govern hor thoughts and eyes. With a steady, fascinated persistence,both roturnod to tho Holy Book.

At lnat, as hor hair fell in a lovely, rippling brown mass, she all at oncoonded hor troubled doubts.

With a movement as impatient a. it wns swift she went to tho tabic

Slio seized tho Book ; alio openod it. There, under her oyes, was tho startling solution of Rebecca Hough's glnnco.

CHAPTER XV.

AN ERRAND THAT ENDS IN A SHOCK

"Bo silent to all. B_ watcliful of all. Be secretin distrustful ot Rebecca Hough! I.lvo with yonr eyes wide opon ! Let nothing eaotipo you. I warn you! Take heed\"

Sii'ii was tho illiterately-penned scrawl that struck now alarm to Lillis's hoart.

It was an alarm quite different from tho vaguo, half superstitious panic of tho earlier evening. Then sho had beon more overwhelmed by tlio mystery of tho warning than aught elso. Now sho was suddenly aroused to n grave sense of danger. But hor first thought was of l-iebecca Hough's atrungo glance at tho door.

"So," sho breathed, "so the look meant evil! What evil? Against what am I to guard ?" These last questioning words burst from her lipa with unconscious forco. Startled at tho sound of hor voice so suddenly breaking tho dead silence of the room, sho lifted hor head and then stood in involuntary expectation of hearing tho questione answered.

No answer camo,

"Perhaps," sho thought, "1 acted as unwisely as hastily in leaving tho other rooms. Oh "-all at onco breaking into speech—" if I could only lonvo the Abbey ! I must ! I will this moment go to mamma and beg her to spare me at least a little whilo !"

She tore tlio noto, nnd flinging tho shreds across tho fonder, knotted up her hair again and ran from the room. "But half way down tho corridor sho turned back and locked tho door, saying undor her breath :

" It is useless, of course ; but I shall fool saior. Strange, that with not _ duplicate koj at tho Abboy, my apartments can bo entered at, will!"

That perplexing thought in her mind, she retraced her steps slowly. She was noaring tho gallery on which her mother's rooms wero situated, when a resounding tread there arrested her own. Sho recognised tho quick, elastic footfall on the instant

It was Tony Folger's. Ho had said goodnight to his ungracious host, and wns on his way to bed That trilling incident changed Lillia. whclo purpose. Sho would appeal to " tho earl." Sho would entreat him to remove from the gloomy Abbey to one of tho cheerful seats. Professing as ho did a brothor's regard for her, it wns certain ho would not reftiso ; whilo it was quite a. certain Lady Melross would turn a deaf ear to all she might

say. Sho looked at her watch. Tho hour was yet early enough to admit of her spoaking With bis lordship at once. So, instead of going on to Lady Melross's rooms, sho descended to the library. Sho entered with tho full expectation of linding.flood lounging in tho old earl's easiest chair.

But tho room was empty. Not willing, however, to bo disappointed, sho resolved to wait awhile. For a littlo she stood with clasped hands dropped before her, looking at the fire. Then, attracted by the beating storm, she went to ono of the windows—a deep oriel, with a sweeping draperies and luxuriously cushioned seat. Sho pushed tho curtains aside, and, going in, sat down with her forehead pressed closo against the glass. Sitting thus, she directly forgot hor perplexities and errand. Cyril Chesney's pale iaco, as it had last bent over hor, rose before her sight, calling up a mingled anguish and joy Tears bogon to eoureo hor checks Sobs struggled to her lips. Both woro suddenly checked by an opening door. Robort Hood came in from tho hall. Tho girl waited a little to recover her composure. Before sho could efface tho traces ol tears, his voico burst fiercely upon the silence of tho room in an ejaculation that made her blood run cold, and held her a paralysed auditor to tho words that followed. . , "Ten thousand curses! ho aspirated, hissingly. "Instead of going to my bed liko a Christian nobleman, I must spend the night prowling among the bones of the Langdons! Fool that I was! Why did I incur this peril ? Why did I not think in timo, and do it here ? Why did I madly trust to my powor to wotch him successfuly, make myself master of the cursed thing, and replace it with a harmless blank ? Oh, I could shiver my own right arm for the folly that stayed it so long. But for that the "secret would be dead, not simply bunod. And now, who is to unearth it? I or another ? Ah, that is it ! By some strange chance, another may. Tbe thought haunts mo day and eight, in my waking thoughts and midnight dreams. Is it prophetic of a fated end ?" Ho paused. He resumed : _ "Bah! I'll not nurse such fancio. 11l think of my peerless darling ! My beautiful Lillis! Ab, Lillis! She littlo suspects ! He checked his words, and tho nervous strido with which ho hud spoken them, and waited, listening for some expected snund.^ " Why in the name of all the fiends don t ho coma ?" ho ejaculated, after a littlo. As if in answer, a quick tread camo along t\\o ball, and Bilsy appeared. " Well?" said Hood "Tho last bolt's been fastened, my lord, and tho last ono "—meaning the servants— " has gone to bed." "Thank Hoaven !" ejaculoted Hood, with irritable torvour. "1 can now go_to mine without fears of disturbing sounds. "Then your lordship wants nothing more t0" Nothing. You aro at liberty to follow tbe example of the othor servants.' Bilsy bowed respectfully, and went off well pleased. . ~ ~ Hood resumed his walk, moving Bilontly to and f *o for somo twenty minutes. At tho end of that timo he glanced at the clock and left the room. _ _he clock tickod oil ten minutes more. Thfii the damask draperies gently parted, and Lillis stepped forth, her ashy face wearing a mingled expression of horror, doubt, *'Sim stood shrinking close to the crimson folds, her dilated eyes on the hall door and her white lips whispering, slowly, painfU"yT!.at same frightful oath ! And what secret What peril ? What deed delayed too lor"' And-and- what have Ito do vtTth it Si. ? What meant the proud passion of his voice in speaking my name.' A cold chill ran through her from head to foot; a chill of deadly tear. . "Al " she presently went on again, her whit, face evenwhi er, and her voico I hushed to a still lower tone, " the mysterious un known said I was in danger ! - bade me,be watchful !-bade mo live with v de*open oves ' \nd I wan charged to take heed. i Stake heed! I feel ill Something draws me in spite of myself ! And like one indeed drawn, she moved slowly toward the door. , A gentle blast of cold air met her as she went out. . . _-.-, It swept, she knew, from the stone passage leading to the chapel.

Sho paused for a moment, looking in that direction, and then all at onco started and ran with decr-liko speed up stairs. Sho found tho gallery almost dark, and tho corridor totolly so, Bilay having extinguished and lowered the lights undor the delusion thut all, save " tho earl," wore safe in their rooms for the night

Thus it hopponed that flying along with winged feet and unsuspecting eye, she fuilod to see the stealthily- gliding form of tho woman she had so lately and mysteriously been warned to distrlint.

CHAPTER XVI. THE HAND AND VOICE IN THE DARK. Never dreaming that Rebecca Hough's curious, broathless gazo was upon hor, Lillis let herself into the boudoir, leaving tho key outsido. Rebecca kept hor place in the doopor darkness of tho corridor to which she had stolon at tlio girl's rapid approach. After a feiv minutes'pationt watching sho saw tho door reopen and Lillis appear and carefully lock it again. Gliding nlong tho wall, sho presently saw furthor, as tho girl passed undor tho gallery light, that the truiling black dress had beon exchanged for a short ono, and that a pair of black stockings covered the dainty boots, while a warm black shawl, drawn over botli lioad and shoulders, was secured at tho waist by a knot behind.

Tho partiallymulllod figuro was oroct, tho step light and rapid, and tho wholo air that of ono moved by somo ohangeloss purpose. Rebecca Hough formed hers on the instant. But sho suffered tho girl to procood.

Wholly unsuspicious of tho oyo upon hor, Liliis wont swiftly down stairs, and thonce to tho passago traversed so fntefully by tho old earl titul Kobort Hood tho night of tho eighteenth of Novembor.

Sho wns impollod by no mean desiro to spy upon Hood's actions, A nobler purpose inspired hor.

The fierce musings to which sho had boon an involuntary listener in the library each moment assuniod a more sinister meaning. Strive as sho would, it was impossible to shako oil' the fear that some great wrong, or crime, which the old earl intended to prevent, had been successfully compassed by liia son.

Strive ns sho would, tho doubt of Hood's itinocenco of tho curl's death again began to press upon her with sickening persiston co.

Of hcisolf —tho danger against which alio had boon mysteriously warnod, and the dangor breathed in Hood's exulting tonos —sho had ceased to think.

It was, to her excited mind, as if the old earl's- beckoning hand urged her on. His voice seemed to call to her from the moaning swash of tho sea,and appeal in each Bob of the rising wind. That her errand was one of personal dinger she did not doubt. Sho knew, instinctively, that should Hood be found nefariously engaged, and she discovered in turn, tho chance for her life would be his imagined chance of oxculpating himself. But strung to a high state of exaltation, she feared nothing.

Sho wont on, firm in the determination to defeat his further wickedness, oven at the cost of her own young lifo.

Still glowing under that noble incentive, she reached tho ebapel. A narrow thread of light gleaming from the depths of tho anciout crypt, to which the old Enrl of Langdon had that day boon consigned, guidod her steps. The door was slightly ajar Sho opened it a little further and looked in.

The immenao vault, with its long rows ot marble tablets, sculptured ollig'os, and carved tombs, lav under hor eye ; but she saw only one thing—tlio form of Robort Hood.

Ho stood in tho direct rays of a large lan tern on the floor.

Tho line broadcloth and linen, worn at supper, hung upon the upraised arm of one of tho etligies, while their place upon his person had been supplied by a dark llannol shirt, coarso trousers, and common boots.

A chisel was in hia band, and tho light upon his face showed a countenance so utterly malignant in ita bathed purpose, questioning doubt, and stormy hate that Lillis involuntarily shrank back. But tho next instant ahe pressed forward again. His anxious roving oyo had all nt once fastened itself upon tho lato earl's restingplace. He exclaimed excitedly : " By Heaven ! hod want to keop guard ovor it : 'Tis there ! Yes i" With that monosyllable ho snatched up the lantern and strodo headlong to the spot. Lil'is failed to catch tlio words ; but she saw and understood his movement. His ultimate purpose, howovor, was not cloar. In her doubt and oxcitomont, sho pushed tho door a littlo further open, and stepped upon tho broad marble Hag at tho head of tho stairs. Sho could soo nothing plainly, for Hood s back was toward her, but she bolioved ho was about to enter tho superb mausoleum tho old earl had caused to be erected for his own reception upon tho remaining space in tho crypt. Whatever hi 3 purpose, however, ho was either mot by somo baffling ob6tnclo, or sud denly onraged boyon.l measure by the labour it cost him to master the secret of the crypt. Tho girl had watched him somo mmutos, when ho all nt onco ran backward, flung the chisel violently ot the mausoleum, and burst out in fierce, loud, resounding tones. . " You dead cur ! Rise up and say whero you hid it!" A fearful and abusive oath concluded the impious aspiration. Filled with uttor horror, Lillis forgot all elso ; sho screamed. . Tho cry reached Hood's ears, faintly, but" surely. , ~_,,. In a twinkling he had seized the lantern, and flashed its rays upon the stops. The mnfllod form standing thero was visible, but tho dista.ce was too great and the Ugh. too feeblo to admit of recognition.

He saw enough, however. With the countenance of a demon, he rushed for the Bpot. At tho same instant an arm was thrust oround tho door, and the petrified girl drawn violently into the chapel. "Rash girl ! To your room ! Flee I fleo ! breathed a voice at her ear. It was tho eilvery sweet voice heard so mysteriously in the early ovening.

CHAPTER XVII

ItEBEOCA HOUGH HEARS THE VOICE,

The crypt door closed with the unknown speaker, and tbe same voico that had whispered at Lillis's ear rang musically through the chamber of the dead.

It called, clearly, warningly : " Villain ! your sins will find you out ! Hood's diabolical countenance changed He stopped, reelod back, and in pallid alarm dropped tho lnntorn to the floor. In tho partial darkness that ensued the form that had taken Lillis's placo upon the marble flag vanished into the chapel again. It was a form of medium height, clothed in black, and complotoly mufllod about tbo head and face. Lillis saw that in tho ono moment the unknown's hands were on bor arm. But,instead of oboying the woman a oxcited command, eho stood in a trauce of questioning astonishment till tho opening I door and tho renewed sound of Hoods approaching feet reminded her of the necessity of instant flight. At the moment that tho door opened ac-am, Hood, who had quickly recovered l.imself, was righting the lantern, and hence no light showed from the crypt. But securo in her knowledge of the place, and spurred on by the sudden ring of her pursuer's boots upon the marble floor, Lillis Sarted toward tho sacristy, gained it, and then, to hor speechless horror, struck both extended hands upon a man's breast. Tho unexpected blow was received with a sharp, breathless gasp, and a reeling, backward step, that nearly stretched the man on the floor. Wildly terrified now-for Hood had plainly sained tho stairs-Lilhs evaded the nvolu.itary dutch that threatened her a*d turning about, fled, she know not W It proved to be directly benoath tho great PURu_iiing blindly forward, she came into sudden and violent contact with the carved woodwork below. There was one brief moment in which a flash of light coming from the opening door of the crypt glowld dimly around, and then her head reeled, and she fell. lantern in hand, Hood dashed into the chapel, both terror and rage depicted on his face,

His first blazing glance chanced upon Rebecca Hough. The woman stood leaning against the wall, the picture of abject fear. Her eyes stared, her tooth chattered, her tall form was shaken by an unceosing shiver, and her tawny skin showed not the faintest traco of colour.

She looked at Hood with a gasp of relief. Giving him no time to utter the savage question parting his lips, Bhe burst out, falteringly -. •■ Your lordship is hero ! Thank Heaven ! I was nigh frightened to doath by a goldenhaired woman, with a voice like music, and—"

"Whataro you doing here?" broke in Hood, a suppressed shudder in his fierce voice that yet was not quite oven. " Answer mo !"

Ho held the lantern up, and glared other with pale lips and bloodshot eyes.

Rebecca shrank back, and tlion seeming to collect herself, spoke more composedly.

" I beg your pardon, my lord," sho said, humbly. " 1 went to the library to see your lordship—to got cortain orders about tho young lady. Your lordship wasn't thero. Aftor waiting a bit in tho hall I turned to go backtothosorvante, wing, thinking I'd let it go for the right. Something mado mo turn round a rustle that half frightened mo and half reminded me your lordship was coming. But it wasn't your lordship It was a woman— not tall, nor yet short—dressed in black. Sho had yellow, wavy hair—a fow locks of it falling away from the big knot and over tho bluck dross. It was the hair that mado mo think. There's nobody at the Abboy with yel—"

Hood again interposod.

" Tho woman ? What did sho do ? Whero did she go? Cut your story short!"

Ho spoko botwoon his tooth, and, though roughly, almost inaudibly.

Hobocca shook her head, as sho answered

"Whero sho went I can't say—that is, whore she went at lnat. But Bhe camo here : I saw her turn into the chapol passage. And if 1 hadn't boon so done over between surprieo and fear, I'd a seen and knowod more. For a bit I couldn't follow her, to save my lifo." "But what did you see?" interposod Hood, roughly, again. "Not much, my lord. First, just as I got ucrosa tho sacristy, I hoard a voico aaymg liko music : " Fleo ! Floo !' It came out of tho tlarknosa, soft nnd swoet, and just frightened mo to doath. But, instead of iiecing, I shut my eyos tight and covered my oars. I couldn't a run to save my lifo. I couldn't do anything but lean against tho wall hero, moro dead than alive. I boliovo in spirits, my lord, and I pint suro the woman wasn't a spirit; and - nnd it aeomod to mo tho musical words meant: ' Floe from tho wrath to come !' Do you think so, my lord?" " I think you're a fool !" aspirated Hood, but with vory whito lips, adding quickly tho next moment: "And so that was all you lieard ? And you saw nothing after leaving tho Abbey hall?" " I heard nothing but a soft rustle, like spirit wings, a bit ago, as I took my hands off my ears a littlo ; and I saw nothing till your lordship's light mado mo opon my eyes. I was afraid to bringuno, y our lordship poos, for fear I'd scare tlio woman (if it was a woman) off, and ao not -bo ablo to find out if sho meant harm to your lordship or your lordship's plans. But I ain't cloar it wasn't a spirit." " \*ou aro faithful—don't bo a fool!" criod Hood. " Spirit or flesh, I'll unearth this mystery. Come and—" A voice broke upon tho command from the semi darkness of tlio sacristy.

It said, nonchalantly

" You will find it llosh, my doar follow. Happily I am to eorvo you with that sworn assurance and something be-iiiltn !"

Robert Hood turned ns if a pistol had beon fired behind him.

His faco was livid. The hand that held tho lautorn shook like a leaf. Murder blitzed from his eyes. As ho expected, tho flaring light showed him tho smiling faco and curious, incisive gaze of Antony Folgor. Beforo ho could either move or speak, Tony repeated, with additional emphasis : " And-SOMETHINO BESIDES !"

CHAPTER XVIII. 1111)8 AND SEEK IN" THKCUAI'Ef.. Antony Foi.iieu's significant words and accent checkod tho violont outbuist, just soothing up to Robert Hood's lips, effec tually. Instead of indulging his murderous rago in oithor words or deeds, he cried, quickly, and a triflo fiercely too : " What do you mean !" "That spirits don't strike mon s'edgohammer blows in tho broast with two outstrotchod hands." " Ha !" breathed Rebecca Hough, moving a step from tho wall to soo him bettor. "Do you mean you woro struck?" interrogated Hood " I moan oxactly that and— mon. !" Tony made tho roply as nonchalantly as emphatically. Robort Hood succumbod to his secret hatred and rago. " If," he criod —" if you don't want to bo throttled, say what you mean, out nnd out, with no moro mystorious hints ! And sny, too, if you plcnee, why you aro hore instead of asleep in your bed." " Pooh ! pooh ! don't loso your hond, Bob," returned Tony, tranquilly. "There's plenty of time ; the bird ia netted. We'vo only to tako it from tho meshos." Hood could not uttor a word for rago. Kebocca Hough, unnoticed, drew another stop nearer tho speaker. "In plain language," pursued Tony, " whatovor became of tho yellow-haired woman, tho person who struck mo was, I believe, Lillis Melross'!" " Lillis !" ejaculated Robert, evory vestige of angor lost in overwhelming amazement

" Even so It can't be said that Mi _ Molross is neither tall nor short," looking ot Rebecca, as he quoted hor description. "Miss Molross is decidedly short. More, tho person who so unintentionally assailed mo was short also, Miss Melrose's exact height. I discovered that by an involuntary clutch in recovoring my disturbed balance."

" And you say she is still here ?" " Somo ono is - I swear it, my dear follow. I was quite too near this door to admit of her slipping to the Abbey passage. She was forcad to turn into the chapel again. I know it. I heard the rustle and nave stood guard horo ovor since." Thatmurderouslight began to glow darkly in Hood's eyes again. Was Lillis playing tho spy upon him ? He locked around with darkening brow. " If she's bore she'll be found," he Baid, gruffly. "Will you," addressing Tony, " help mo search or keep guard where you are ?" " Lot tho woman assist you. I'll stand guard. Sot the lantern up on the pulpit, and its light will bo sufficiently diffused to how any lurking figure." Hood followed tho suggestion nnd motioned to tbe woman "Look I" ho commanded. "And see to it that she don't artfully escapo you." "Sho'll not escapo me, my lord !" Hood half smiled, well satisfied with the look and tone, and, a singular gleam of malevolent earnestness in hor black eyes, Rebecca began the search in ono direction, whilo he busied himself in another. Aftor somo timo they rejoined Tony Folgor at the door. " Where's your bird ?" sneered Robert. Tony said nothing, but gazed around the chapel in blank chagrin. Rebecca Hough camo to his relief. " Your pordon, my lord," she interposed, hor voico even harsher than usual, " both your lordship and the gontloman's wrong. Miss Melrosa is swift, and soft-footed as a haro. In this light sho could play hide-and-seek with us, among the pews and benches, for a week. If your lordahip'll tako all the door keys, and lock the sacristy door, your lordship'l have her safe, if she's here. The morning'll show. If she's been hero she's here still, and won't come out of hor room to breakfast." "The suggestion is a good one. We will separate. Go to bed, Rebecca. And you, Tony " tie paueed there until the woman was beyond hearing. "And I, my dear fellow," interjected Tony, in his airiest tone, as Hood's mouth again opened, " will stay with you, and aid you all I can. What is it, Bob ? A buried treasure?" Ono moment Robert Hood hesitated. Should he take Folger into his full con fidence, and thus gain tho assistance of that acute individual? Tho question was quickly answered in tbe negative. Whatever Tony's vices, ho had a respect for high birth that would render such a disclosure as Hood meditatod exceedingly dangerous to his (Hood's) interests. But he had thought better of plunging headlong into a quarrel with this Old Man of the Sea. He had him to carry, willing or unwilling, and bo, with tho same quickness with which he had disposed of tho mental query, he now hit upon a plan to cover his secret.

Without perceptible pauso ho answered. His countenance Btill glowering, he said, half Bullenly, half confidentially : " Since you're dastardly enough to play the spy, and worm out my secrets like—" "Liko the bosom friend that I am," interpolated Tony, airily. " Like tho bosom d—11" retor'i ,i I: ,I. enraged for the moment beyond control. " But," he added, quickly recovering himself, "no more of this, Since you've got at tho truth, I may a_ well confess and be done with it. Thero is a treasure, but hidden nobody knows where. I received tbo fact from my father, and am looking through the vault merely to satisfy myself that ho waa correct in his belief that it wns not secreted among the tombs. Onco nsaured on this point I shall accept his theory and search tho Abbey." " But who.ofore bother yourself to search at nil ? Your rich enough without tho ad dition of hiddon treasure."

Tony Folger mado that roply with the most deluding air of credulity. But deep in his mind he was saying to himself:

"A lie ! What momontous secret doos it cover? Well, I'll humour him. Thrown partially off his guard, thoro'll be a chance of my getting at tho root of tho matter. His lips nevor greiv livid that night ovor a box of gold and jewels." Hood's voice broko upon theso ncuto conclusions.

Contidetit in tho success of his fabrication, ho oxclaimod, sneeringly, in roply to Tony'a protost : " Hardly, with Antony Folger to foedon my resources." " True enough," laughod Tony, easily. " I shall prove an expensive dog. So go ahead. I wish you luck, and good night. Iso no intorest in buried treasure, so long as there's plenty unburied. But," raising his voico a littlo from the lowered tones in which the conversation bad been carried on, " what of Miss Melross?" " If Miss Mclrosß is hore,sho'll stay hero !" thundered Hood, his angry eyes roving round the chapel. " Lillis," addressing tho girl in tho same loud acconts, " it will bo usolosb to wait till morning—worse than usoloas—for discovery thou will only bring greator exposure. Come, Lillis, bo persuaded."

Both waited with hushed breathing in expectation of somo faint sound. Thoy waited in vain.

Robert ondpd tho silotico.

Ho said roughly

" Keop watch hero whilo I change my clothing. This infernal row has taken all the spirit of adventure out of mo I'll lock up and go to bod."

Ho gut his lantern and disappeared in the crypt.

Tho chapel was new in tho Bamo darkness in which Lillis had found it, only n faint light allowing from tho crypt, ns beforo.

Tony Folgor sat down in tho eacristy doorway, and, with outstretched anna, waited for what might happen,

" I'orhaps," ho thought, "sho'll trust mo ; and, by Jove ! eho may I I'll lie her out of it i"

Ho callod, softly

" Lillis ! Lillis ' trust mo. I'll aoe you through. Come I"

Ho hold lna broath, and strained his eyos through tho g'oom to no purpose The only thing that happened was tho return of Hubert Hood.

"Woll ?" glowered tho lutter.ns Tony rose. " As you seo." Hood withdrew his gaze, and locked tho crypt door in sullen, troubled silonce.

" It's Satan's own work!" ho presently burst out, rb thoy walked through tho Btone pas_a_;e to tho Abbey. Tony made no anßwor for a moment, and thon asked irrelevantly:

" What tho douco aro you going to do with those keys ?"

" Sleep on tbetn. Nobody'll got either in or out of tho chapel unknown to uio."

A fleeting expression of annoyanco and perplexity darkened Folger _ restless littlo oyoe, but a quiet shrug was his only answer.

Hood extinguished tho lantorn.set it on tho floor of tho passage, und after loclyng tho great oaken door, took possession of that key also.

Ho next put out tlio hall and libra-y lights, and then, thrusting a night cut, lo into the hand of his companion, led the -,« iy upstairs.

Thero he spoke for tlio first timo since his gruff answer about tho keys, saying roughly :

" I'll try her door ! Yea, and I'll pound on it till I wako her or know she's not in her rooms."

'Don't bo a fool aa woll aa a bruto !' exclaimed Tony, contemptuously.

Hood cast a liorco glance upon him, mid atrodo into tlio corridor.

At tho first stop ho haltod. " By Heaven ! here sho is," ho aspirated,

He bounded forward noisily, "Hah!" ho burst out, his features dis distorted with rago. " Ami so you have—

Tho words died on his lips in a low, sonsolcss uu rmur.

(To be Continued.)