"Stop! He's my lover!" she cried. "Don't shoot!"

Ruthven Smith--a tall, lanky figure in a long over-coat--kept his weapon
aimed at someone out of the girl's sight, but he jerked his head aside
for a glance down at her. It was a brief glance, for the man who dreaded
burglars would not be caught napping. He turned again instantly to face
a possible antagonist, eyes as well as weapon ready.

But the light from below had lit up his features for a second; and
Annesley realized that disgust and astonishment were the emotions her
"confession" had inspired.

The fact that he was inclined to believe her statement showed how low
was his opinion of women. Annesley knew that he did not think highly
of her sex, but he had liked her and she had liked him despite his
eccentricities. His look said: "So you are the same as the rest! But in
case you're lying, I sha'n't be thrown off guard."

The girl felt physically sick as she understood the irrevocability of
what she had just said, and the way in which her words were construed. If
she could have waited, "Nelson Smith" might have saved himself without
compromising her, for he was above all things resourceful. In announcing
that he was her "lover," she had committed him as well as herself. He
would have to make the best of a situation she had recklessly created.

This she realized, but had no time to wonder how he would do it before he
spoke.

"Mr. Ruthven Smith, what Miss Grayle says is the truth. We're engaged to
be married. All I want is a chance to explain why you find me where I am.
I'm not armed, so you can safely give me that chance."

"You know my name?" exclaimed Ruthven Smith, suspiciously. He still
covered the other with his pistol, as Annesley could see now, because
"Nelson Smith" had coolly advanced within a yard of the Browning's small
black muzzle, and, finding the electric switch, had flooded the upper
corridor with light.

"I've heard your name from Miss Grayle," said the younger man. "I know it
must be you, because no other person has a right to make himself at home
in this house as you are doing. I certainly haven't. But bringing her
home a few minutes ago, after dining out, we saw a light in what she said
was your room. She was afraid some thief had got in, and I proposed to
her that I should take a quiet look round while she went to see if Mrs.
Ellsworth was safe. No doubt she was all right, because I heard them
talking together while I examined your premi