CHAPTER XXIX.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7377, 1 February 1902, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XXIX.

"THE CRT OF FIRE."

"Well, well, this is something of a prize, anyhow," ejaculated Simon, astonished, and wondering how it could have got into that unlikely place.

The ring was quite small. Evidently it had been intended for a lady's finger, and was worth no small sum of money.'

With it clasped tightly in his hand, Mr Dodge ascended to the passage, where he sat down to rest and to leisurely examine his new trophy. upon the inside he saw raat something had been engraven there, but he could not distinguish what on account of the tarnish.

He iell to polishing it vigorously with the skirt of his woollen coat, and was soon successful in making out the inscription.

Then his eyes glowed with fire again, and his. whole face lighted with triumph.

"Simon, old boy, you're not such a stupid fool, after all," he said, with a chuckle of delight. "If you haven't found what you expected you have at least got a clue. You are on the right track, only you haven't gone quite far enough, perhaps."

The ring was marked T.L."

14 was the betrothal ring which Herbert Knight had offered to Theo on that day when they had concluded to dissolve their relations with each other, and which, upon her refusing to accept, he had put away in .his poc"ket.

How came it there at the bottom of that dreadful pit, in the heart of that gloomy crypt?

During these explorations of Simon Dodge John Knight was spending most of his time in London.

Mr. Gregory still kept his eyes. open and knew something of his movements, though he said nothing to anyone, and hoped that Theo would not discover that her old persecutor was in the city.

"Papa Gregory," she called one morning, just as the lawyer was going to his office, "I want you to go to the opera to-night, please; there is to be a special benefit for someone, I believe, and Patti is to sing."

"Then to the opera you shall go, Theo." he returned, smilingly. "I will bring tickets when I return, this afternoon; so you may make what-, ever preparations you may think necessary."

"Well, but I want you to get two extra tickets; one for Mrs. Carleton and one for Josephine."

"Mrs. Carleton's ticket was a matter of course, my dear; but I was n<pt aware that Miss Josephine was to be~one of the party," Mr. Gregory replied. "Josephine has consented to come and spend the day with me,- for once," Theo explained, "and I am going- to send her a little note, insisting that she shall remain overnight and go to hear Patti with us. Poor girl! she has such a dull time of it, she needs a little outing 1 once in a while."

"True, I agree with you; but we both know why she has not deemed it prudent to give herself the pleasure of much of your society," said Mr. Gregory, thoughtfully, feeling a little uncomfortable regarding the proposed attendance at the opera, knowing that John Knight was in Loiadon.

"I know," responded the irrepressible Theo; "but, if you please, we will have a private box at the opera, and we will arrange it so that she can see without being seen. Besides, if John Knight has set any spy upon us I do not imagine he could make anything very dreadful out of a little pleasure like this."

"Perhaps not," responded Mr. Gregory, smiling at the pretty coaxer. "You shall have your wish at all events; that is, as far as I can contribute to it by procuring the extra ticket and talcing the private box."

"Thank you, Papa Gregory, you are a jewel-"

Josephine received her note, telling her of Theo's plans, and it must be confessed it made the girl's heart "bound with pleasure to think of attending the opera.

At first she doubted the propriety of accepting the invitation, but Guy persuaded her to go, and she went to her friend, trusting that nothing would happen to make her regret it. ■ """"?*

They had a happy, charming day; who could have helped enjoying one's self in Theo's beautiful hornet.

The four arrived at the opera-house in good season, and found their box a desirable one. The programme was delightful, and the first half of the evening passed without anything to riiar its pleasure.

But towards the close of the fourth act a stir arose in one portion of the house, then suddenly the dread cry of '.'Fire!" struck terror to every heart, and a scene of dire confusion ensued.

Mr. Gregory -was as calm and apparently unmoved as a Roman warrior going forth to. battle, though his face had. grown deathly pale at that startling cry.

"We are nearer the rear entrance than the other, • and we will try to make our way out by that," he said; and, taking Theo upon one arm, Josephine upon the other, and bidding Mrs. Carleton keep as close to them as she could, he started for the door.

They had nearly reached the stairs when a- sudden rush from behind wrenched Theo from her guardian's arm; the crowd swept in between them, carrying him down, with the other two women clinging frantically to him. while the poor girl was shoved hither and thither, nearly crushed. and almost fainting from exhaustion and fright.

But all at once her arm was firmly though gently grasped, she was drawn out of the frenzied, seething crowd to a place where she could support herself against the wall, while a wellknown voice said in her ear:

"Miss Lander, will you trust yourself to me? I will try to save you — I think I can save you."

She looked up, hbr face all aglow, at these words, her faintness gone, hope and confidence animating her heart once more.

Guy Walton stood beside her, strong and" manly — courage and determination looking forth from his expressive eyes. "Oh, I am .so glad!" Theo cried, clasping both- her small hands around his arm. "Of course T can trust myself with you, Mr Walton. How did you happen to be here so opportunely?" "I" have been here all the evening," he replied, flushing as he thought how he had not been able, to resist the desire to see her, and so had come there hoping to be able to gaze upon her unseen. • "All the evening!" she repeated, in a surprised, hurt tone. "Then why did you not come with us?"

"I started for your box as soon as the alarm was given, fearing that MrJ Gregory would have his hands more than full with three of you," he answered, the flush deepening on his ' cheek at her words. "But," he continued, "I found it impossible to reach you, and, seeing Mr Gregory struggling toward this point, I followed as fast as I was able. I saw you when you were separated from him, and made a desperate rush for you, fearing you might be thrown and trampled upon by these crazy people. Now let me see what I can do for you. I do not believe there is much fire anywhere, ibut the panic has become so general that there is more danger from that than anything else." He put one strong arm around her, almost lifting her from her feet, while he edged his way in and out of the crowd; not hurriedly, but deliberately and resolutely, until he had borne her safely down the stairs and out upon the street.

Theo could not have told why she felt so secure and content with him; but not a fear disturbed her after he came to her; it seemed as if something in the beating of his great, true heart — whose every throb she could feel — told her that he was resolved to save her at any cost.

Once safely out of the building, he led her to the opposite side of the street, and out of the noise and confusion.

"Now, take my arm, please, and we will try to find a cab," Guy said; but as they turned in search, of one, they were suddenly confronted by a tall fignre, which stationed itself directly in their path.

"Mr Walton, I will relieve you of the care of Miss Lander and attend her to her home," said the voice of John Knight, with an authoritative, overbearing" intonation.

Guy turned to Theo, intimating that it rested with her to decide the matter.

But she clung to his arm with a grasp which told him that she would not let him leave her, .even before her terrified but decided "Oh, no!" settled the question. "I have no wish to be relieved, Mr Knight; I shall attend Miss Lander," he replied, with quiet dignity.

John Knight advanced a step nearer.

"I forbid it!" he said, hotly. "Do you suppose I will trust her with you?"

"I think you will have to, sir," Guy replied, calmly, though every nerve in his body quivered at the insult offered him; "and pardon me," he added "if I say I do not see why you should assume any authority in the matter."

"Perhaps not," the choir - master sneered, "but I do assume it, nevertheless. Come, Miss Theo, I will take you to Mr Gregory."

"I shall not go with you," Theo responded, in a firm tone.

"You -will not?" .he asked, threateningly.

"No. Anu please, Mr Walton," she added, lifting her pale face appealingly to Guy, "let us go on; it is very tiresome standing here, and I am afraid my guardian will be anxious about me."

They would have passed on, but the man in their path still detained them.

"You will regret this, both of you!" he cried, in a voice of repressed passion; but the flash of Guy's eye warned him that he had gone far enough, and, stepping one side, the young couple proceeded on their way.

Guy tried hard to find a cab, but every available vehicle had been already captured by the excited multititude, and he was at length forced to give up his search.

"Never mind," Theo said, when he expressed his regret, "let us walk."

"But it is a long distance — you will be wearied out," he remonstrated.

"I do not care — all I want is to get away from him; he is perfectly hateful to me," she breathed, casting a backward glance over her shoulder, while her hand closed more firmly over his arm, thrilling him with a

strange delight.

So they walked on; but Guy knew, although he did not once turn his head to look back, that they were being followed — that John Knight was jealously dogging their steps.

He gave no sign, however, of his knowledge, but exerted himself to converse cheerfully, in order to keep Theo's mind occupied and prevent her from also discovering the unpleasant fact.

But just as they reached the house and were ascending the steps she glanced back over her shoulder, gave a' little start, and whispered:

"I knew it — I felt it; he has followed us all the way."

"I knew it, too," Guy replied, indignantly. "Miss Lander, if I could have your permission, I believe I should like to pommel him soundly."'

"Oh, no; do not have anything to say to him, please. But you must come in with me," .Theo returned, still clinging to his arm after she had rung the bell.

"I— excuse me — I had better not," Guy, ' said, considerably embarrassed by the invitation.

"Do," she entreated; "I am afraid to stay alone, knowing that he is out here, and I do not believe my guardian has come yet." ' But even as she spoke the door was opened and Mr Gregory's pale, anxious face looked out upon them.

"Oh, my child, how glad I am to get you home once more!" he said, drawing her tenderly in, while he regarded Guj r with great surprise.

"We waited and looked everywhere for you," he continued, "and have only just arrived ourselves. • I should not have come at all without you, only a gentleman told me that you were safe, he having seen someone go to your assistance as soon as you were separated from me, and conduct you from the building. Then I reasoned that you had probably ordered a cab and come directly home. You can imagine my anxiety when I found that you were not here, and I was just upon the point of going in search of you again."

"Mr Walton came to my aid and has proved an efficient protector in more senses than one," Theo began, when a sharp, rasping voice interrupted her.

"Thank you. Miss Theo! Doubtless that means that he protected you from me," it said; and John Knight, pale with passion, pushed open the door, which had not been entirely closed in their eagerness to explain matters, and stepped boldly into the hall.

"Well,, sir, what is the meaning of this intrusion?" Mr Gregory demanded, abruptly, while he instantly recovered his hamitual stoicism, which had been greatly disturbed by bis anxiety for Theo.

"It means just this, sir," retorted the choirmaster, hotly, 'that out of respect to my nephew, to whom Miss Lander was so long "betrothed, I demand that she refrain from all future intercourse with Ms supposed murderer there," pointing with his shaking finger at Guy and his sister.

A vivid red shot over Guy Walton's face at this cruel attack; then it instantly subsided, leaving him ghastly white.

His lips opened as if he would have spoken to denounce his assailant; then he resolutely closed them, dropped his head upon his breast, and stood silently awaiting what might follow.

Josephine, who had appeared in the drawing room doorway upon hearing Theo's voice, Lut who had remained as if suddenly transfixed as she beheld John Knight appear, now came forward and took her station by her brother, her tall form drawn to its full height, her cheeks and eyes blazing with indignation.

She uttered no word, however, but stood looking fixedly at the intruder; and during- all the interview "which followed, he was uncomfortably conscious of that concentrated gaze.

Mrs Carleton had gone directly to her room upon her return to remove her wraps; so that only those five who were so intimately associated in the mystery of Herbert Knight's disappearance were there together.

"Hum! I believe I am this young lady's guardian," Mr Gregory placidly remarked, with a slight wave of his hand to indicate Theo, while he met John Knight's passionate attack with an imperturbable front.

"Granted; but you are a traitor to your trust if you tolerr.te the society of that -llain, and allow him to creep into your house to make love to your ward, with such a stain upon his name," was the hot retort.

"I am neither a traitor to my trust, nor do I believe that what you assert is true. ' I have confidence enough in Mr Walton to feel sure that " he has never taken unfair or ignoble advantage of any circumstances which may have occurred to throw him into Miss Lender's company."

Mr Gregory made this very calmly* and confidently. The last word had scarcely fallen from his lips, when Guy lifted his head and took an eager step forward.

"Mr Gregory, hear me," he said, earnestly. "On my .'honour, I have njver addressed a v : -ird to Miss Lander which all the world might not hear."

"I believe you, my friend," Mr Gregory responded, with the utmost kindness.

"And yet that vaunted 'honour' of his did not prevent him from standing up in a crowded court room and making a public confession of his love," John Knight s-oered. "A man so proud of his 'honour' should have some regard 'for the reputation of the woman whom he professes to worship."

"I haye — oh, Heaven! I cannot bear this!" Guy cried out, in a voice of agony.

Then, controlling himself by a great effort, he continued:

"Mr Gregory, if I remain and listen to such aspersions, I shall fell that man to the floor. I bitterly regret being the cause of such a scene in your peaceful home to-night, but accident alone has caused it. Let me explain- Knowing that my sister was to attend the opera with you and Miss* Lander, a sudden whim prompted me to go also. I should not have made my presence known at all, only I saw your ward, when she was separated from you by the rush of the crowd, and I should have been worse than a coward had j. turned aside and not gone to her assistance. After we came out of the building we were suddenly confronted by Mr Knight, who commanded me to relinquish Miss Lander to his care. Had she desired it, I should have done so instantly; but she diet not, and it was at her expressed wish that I accompanied her home. But I am more sorry for this scene than I can tell you. I will go now, and never intrude upon you again."

He turned as if to put his words into execution, but as he did so he met Theo's eyes, and something in their tender depths made tne blood again surge hotly over his face and brow.

She was regarding him intently, her red lips just parted; her cheeks were crimson, her breath came quickly, and she seemed to him the loveliest vision that had ever met his sight.

Involuntarily he paused.

"Forgive me," he breathed, a note of despair in his tone, "I would rather have died than wounded and shamed you as he says I have done. I cannot unsay the words which he forced me to utter before that rabble. I should be false to the most sacred feelings of r-iy heart if I did, but I know you must have felt it most keenly. But, oh! if you could forget them, and. • forgive me, 1 should be greatly comforted during all my future lonely life."

His tone was so sad, so almost hopeless, though he looked most noble and manly in his proud humility, as he sued for her forgiveness for having been obliged to confess his' love for her, that tears sprang tmbidden to Mr Gregory's eyes, strong man though he was, as he listened.

Then something occurred which electrified them all.