CHAPTER III.—(Continued.)

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13738, 29 August 1908, Page 6

CHAPTER lll.— (Continued.)

j 'How are you going to get home?" Aniberley quietly assked Anne. "I'm not going home. I shall stay here." "I don't think that's possible; certainly it's not advisable. The Embankment is full of queer characters at night." "It doesn't matter to you what becomes of me," she said, fiercely. ''See here. Anne," he spoke quietly, gently, "after to-night we're not likely to mcct — except as strangers. You've uttered all sorts of impossible threats, which I suppose you'll be foolish enough to try and carry out. Well and good, I sha'n't try to stop you. All the same I can't leave you here at this time of the night — close on one o'clock —in such a condition. What is more I don't intend to do so. While you stay here I shall remain. An impossibfe — an absurd position. I propose that you shall drive to your lodgings in my brougham : it's waiting tor me over there. Unless," he paused, "you will let me put you in a cab? No, well then I insist you make use of the brougham. It need not soften your resentment or abate your wrath. Come," he helped her' to her feet, "you're almost fainting." Weakened by the emotion and tress of the last hour, following on a day of physical fatigue and little food, Anne's power's of resistance failed her. For the time being she was in a state of collapse ; her one desire a craving for rest. Amberley led her to the brougham, opened the door and assisted her in. "Where shall I tell the man to drive?" ho asked. For a moment she wavered ; if only she felt a little stronger, she would get out and walk. She tried to rise, but her limbs refused to do her bidding. She sank back exbatisted, closing her eyes. She gave the address in Camden Town ; Amberley repeated it to the driver, shut the door with a click, and the brougham moved off slowly. In the darkness of the carriage — the inside lamps were not lit — Anne rested dozing. The atmosphere, eloso and heavy, grew oppressive ; she opened her eyes, and desirous of more air, stretched out her hand towards the window. The blind was 'down, and in t=ome way had become fixed, so that sho could not raise it to get at the window sash. Impatiently she turned to the otlvr window. A .sudden jolt of the carriage, sent her forward. She drew back with a sharp cry. She had fallen against .something in the corner in the opposite .seat, something that sent a thrill of horror through every nerve. With shaking hands she iMt in' the darkness, groping for the thing hidden there. Her fingers crime in contact with something cold and clammy, soft and yielding to the touch. hi a panic of terror she tore at the blinds; the darkness was maddening. » Her ehorts were in vain ; she could not/ move them, neither could sht* find tho check string that communicated with the driver. She remembered she had a box of matches in her pocket, and groping for them struck a light. Tho small flame spurted bravely in tho darkness, showing a shapeless ina i s huddled on tho seat. The tiny circle "f light brought revealed a face, a figure. With a scream she- dropped the match and fell back trembling. She was in the brougham of her enemy — with ;» dead man I