THE SHUTTERED HOUSE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16447, 28 May 1919, Page 8

THE SHUTTERED HOUSE.

EXCITING STORY OF SENSATION AND LOVE.

By WILLIAM GUIDOTT,

Author of “Through the Silent Night,” “What Delia Dared,” etc., 'etc. CHAPTER XlX—Continued. Ho dashed' through the door and down the steps, out into the street, then up tlie slops of the house next door. His Angel's fumbled at tlio latch, and a fierce expletive broke from his lips at the delay. The door opened at last. Robert took the stairs almost in a bound and flung open the kitchen door. On tuo threshold ho paused for a moment. A strong, close smell of drink hung over the place, and the figure- of Blytuo stumbled from a chair by the table and lurched heavily against the inner door -with the instinct of defence. Clutching the Handle, lie stood blinking and swaying in the firelight. Robert drew- a breath, and springing forward gripped the man by the aims and sent him sprawling on the floor. Almost sobered by the shock, Blytho scrambled up and flung himself on Robert, but a well directed blow sent him sprawling on his hands and knees. Then ho ran to tho back door and let John in . There was nor much chance for Blytho, who had managed to get up again, and only feebly struggled in the chauffeur’s grip.

Robert waited no longer. Down tho passage bo ran. Tho key was in the lock. In a moment the door was open.

Jill still clung to the window bars, her eyes haunted and terrified. She had heard muffled sounds, but hours seemed to have elapsed since Hebert's face had appeared so unexpectedly outside the window. She had hardly dared to breathe. The suspense had been awful. Then the key wa s wrenched in the lock, and he plunged in. In a moment ho was by her side, her swaying form caught in his arms, and her head pressed against his shoulder. A great, choking sob broke from her lips as she felt the rough tweed of his coat against her face. “Jill! My poor Jill! What is the meaning of this? My darling girl, don't shiver so. You arc quits safe row." Robert’s arms tightened round her, and half-carrying, half-leading, lie guided her out of the room, down tho passage, and into the kitchen. The chauffeur had dragged Blythe to his feet, and forcing him into a chair, had knotted his wrists behind him with a stout handkerchief from his own pocket. Jill gave a gasp of terror ns she saw him, and clung convulsively to Robert's arm.

“Take mo away! Take me away! Anywhere from these horrible people!” She was faint and spent. Her trembling limbs could scarcely support her. Robert bent over, reassurance in every tone of his voice. She lifted her face, and a pitiful smile just touched her white, quiverring lips. “Take me upstairs into the air, Robert. I can’t breathe here.” _ Robert was almost inarticulate with rage and anxiety, as he looked at her worn, thin face, and hold her tightly to him, as the cough nicked her frail form.

“By Jove!” ho muttered again. “Someone shall pay for this. - ’ Blythe heard the words, and, writhing round in tho chair, cried out thickly and hoarsely. “Dont blame me for it all, Mr. Robert, sir. I would’nt have let it. como to the cud. I wouldn’t sir,” his voice broke into a- whine. “It was the wife, sir. and Miss Clarice.” Jill felt the start that Robert gave as lie heard the name. “Miss Clarice?’''

“Yes, sir,” tho man cried eagerly. “It was all her—Miss Clarice Thornton.” Ho was beside himself with fear. His drunken debauch had bereft him of all caution. His one desire was to make some effort to save himself. Robert was about to answer, when ho felt Jill’s form reel against him. He hold her firmly and looked at the chauffeur.

“Keep the brute there, John, until I come back “See that bo doesn’t escape.” “Ho won’t escape, sir! You trust me.” He gave tho handkerchief another twist in Jiis strong grip, and Blythe cowered with a .whimper for mercy.

“The host thing you can do is to shut him in that room at the end of the passage. Tie him up well. There's a key in the lock.”

The chauffeur grinned; he had espied a stout cord on the floor, quick as thought it was in his hand and the struggling limbs of the prisoner well bound.

Robert gave a grim smile of approval as he saw the ungainly form being propelled down the pa.ssa.ge. Then all his thoughts wore centred on the girl in his arms. Ho carried hei up the stairs, and setting her clown in tho hall chair, chafed her hands and tanned her with a cap of his own ho found on a peg on the ungainly stand. . Jill had not really lost consciousness completely, she .struggled hack to tho full possession of her senses very quickly, and Robert’s heart gave a throb of relict as her eyes drifted open, and she gave a wavering smile into his face. “I’m ever so much bettor now,” she said bravely. Robert looked anxiously at her. “I want to get you some brandy or something,” ho said. “Ho, no. Indeed I don’t want it. I just want some tea and some bread and butter—anything 1 . I—l haven’t had any food at all to-day.” She saw his hands clench. “Don’t worry .too much. I’ll he all right. I always seem to ho in a starving condition when I’m in this neighbourhood.” She laughed more naturally as she stood up and steadied herself by his arm.

“Lot mo see if I can make some tea- or something,” .Robert began. But .Till shrank back. A fit of shivering shook her. “Oh, no—please no—l couldn't—-not here. Take me away out of this. Oh. don’t lot’s stopl Como.” She dragged him by the arm.

“All right,” he said soothingly, “Come along, little girl, the car is outside. I’ll drive you anywhere you like, then wo can talk. There’s a lot to say.” His voice grew stern and his eyes retrospective.Jill glanced shyly at his strong, handsome face. Her heart beat. “There is a tremendous lot to say,” His voice grew stern and his eyes retrospective. Jill glanced shyly at his strong, handsome face. Her heart heat.

“There is a tremendous lot to say,” she said, striving to speak lightly. “I have had it all bottled up for an eternity, you see. But, oh, I am so hungry ” (Continued daily.)