t, its old Georgian lines
against the background of the hill. Every window had a light in it--every
blind was drawn up--it was Janet's illumination for the peace. She had
made of the old house "an insubstantial faery place," and Rachel laughed
for pleasure.

Then she drove eagerly on into the dark tunnel of trees that lay between
her and the house.

Suddenly a shape rushed out of the hedge into the light of the lamps, and
a man laid a violent hand upon the horse's reins. The horse reared, and
Rachel cried out,--

"What are you doing? Let go!"

But the man held the struggling horse, at once coercing and taming
it, with an expert hand. A voice!--that sent a sudden horror through
Rachel,--

"Sit where you are--hold tight!--don't be a fool!--he'll quiet down."

She sat paralysed; and, still holding the reins, though the trembling
horse was now quiet, a man advanced into the light of the left-hand lamp.

"Well--do you know me?" he said quietly.

She struggled for breath and self-control.

"Let those reins alone!--what are you doing here?"

And snatching up her whip, she bent forward. But he made a spring at it,
snatched it easily with a laugh, and broke it.

"You know you never were strong enough to get the better of me. Why do
you try? Don't be an idiot. I want to make an appointment with you. You
can't escape me. I've watched you for weeks. And see you alone, too.
Without that fellow you're engaged to."

Her passion rose, in spite of her deadly fear.

"He'll take care of that," she said, "and the police. I'm not helpless
now--as I used to be."

"Ah, but you'd better see me. I've got a great deal to say that concerns
you. I suppose you've told that American chap a very pretty story about
our divorce? Well, it took me a long time to get to the bottom of it
myself. But now I'm--well, disillusioned!"

He came closer, close to the rail of the cart and the lamp, so that she
saw clearly the haggard wreck of what once had been Roger Delane, and the
evil triumph in his eyes.

"Who stayed the night alone, with Dick Tanner, on his place, when I was
safely got rid of?" he said, in a low but clear voice. "And then who
played the innocent--who did?"

"Liar!"

"Not at all. I've got some new evidence now--some quite fresh light on
the scene--which may be useful to me. I want money. You seem to have a
lot. And I want to be paid back a little of what I'm owed. Oh, I can hold
my tongue, if it's made worth my while. I