"Shove off!" cried my lady.

"But mam--your ladyship----"

"Shove off, I say." Almost instinctively the men obeyed, shipped the
oars and sat waiting.

"Row!" cried my lady.

"But Lord--Lord love 'ee mam, what o'----"

"Row!" commanded my lady again, "Row and be damned!" And from under
her cloak came a hand grasping a long-barrelled pistol. The little
boat shot away from shore out towards the lugger.

Mr. Dalroyd lay motionless, outstretched upon the grass, one arm hidden
beneath him and with blood welling between his parted lips; and
presently, forth from the shadow of the little wood a masked figure
crept, head out-thrust, shoulders bowed, big hand yet grasping the
smoking pistol; cautiously and slowly the man drew near and stood
looking down on his handiwork. Then Joseph, his obsequiousness gone
for ever, laughed harshly and spurned that limp and motionless form
with the toe of his heavy riding-boot.

With sudden, mighty effort the dying man struggled to his knees and
glaring up into the masked face of his slayer, levelled the weapon he
had drawn and cocked with so much agony and stealth.

"Ha, worm!" he groaned, "I waited and you--came. Die--vermin!"
Steadying himself he pulled the trigger and Joseph, throwing up his
arms, fell and lay staring up, unwinking and sightless, on the pallid
dawn. Then Mr. Dalroyd laughed, choked and sinking slowly to the
grass, moved no more. The death which had pursued him so relentlessly
had caught up with him at last.

CHAPTER L

WHICH TELLS OF ANOTHER DAWN

By a kindly dispensation of Nature all great and sudden shocks are apt
to deaden agony awhile. Thus, as the Major stared along the deserted
road he was conscious only of a great and ever-growing wonder; his mind
groped vainly and he stood, utterly still, long after the throb of
horse-hoofs had died away.

At last he turned and fixed his gaze upon the weatherbeaten stile again.

It was here he had held her to his heart, had felt her kisses on his
lips, had listened to her murmurs of love. It was here she had
promised to meet him and resolve his doubts and fears once and for all.
And now? She was away with Dalroyd of all men in the world--Dalroyd!

The Major stirred, sighed, and reaching out set his hand upon the
warped timber of the old stile, a hand that twitched convulsively.

She was gone. She was off and away with Dalroyd of all men!
Dalroyd--of course! Dalroyd had been the chosen man all