m another cause.
I blew out the lamp and, lest I should waken any of the sleepers in the
house, I took off my boots and carried them in one hand.

I went softly upstairs in the darkness, and threaded a long, narrow
hall. Two-thirds of the way along this I passed the door of Flora's
room, and I was careful not to disturb her by the slightest sound. At
the end of the hall a window admitted the silvery glow of the moon, and
here a cross passage turned to the right. Twenty feet away a thin bar of
light shone from a room that I knew was Captain Rudstone's, and beyond
that lay some empty apartments. My own room was one of the first. I
slipped into it, put my boots on the floor and began to grope for a
light.

But before I could find the candle I was startled to hear
footsteps--very faint, but unmistakable--approaching without. I crept
noiselessly to the door and looked down the passage. Good Heavens! did
my eyes deceive me? Did I actually see a ghost--an apparition?

But a ghost in black? Impossible! Now I beheld more clearly. A woman,
gliding on slippered feet, was coming toward me. The moonbeams shone on
the long cloak of fur that enveloped her from head to foot--on the
loosened hair and silver-hued face. And it was the face of Flora
Hatherton!

For an instant the hot blood rushed to my brain; I felt a sharp pang at
my heart. Then I stepped suddenly out--out into the flood of
moonlight--and confronted her. She gave a little scream, and choked it
as quickly on her lips.

"Denzil!" she gasped.

"Flora!" I said sternly. "What does this mean?"

"Hush!" she whispered. "We shall be heard! You--you said you would trust
me. Is this keeping your word?"

"Where have you been?" I demanded hoarsely.

"I will tell you--again. Oh, be merciful, be patient!"

I saw that Captain Rudstone's light had vanished. A madness sprang up in
my breast.

"Where have you been?" I repeated. "Speak, for God's sake! Only two
rooms are occupied on this passage--mine and--and his."

I would have given my life to recall the hot words when I saw the
horror, the pitiful look of agony that shone from Flora's eyes.

"Denzil, can you think that--that?" she asked. "Do you believe that I
have come from his room? Oh, merciful Heaven! that is too much! Say that
I have not read your thoughts aright!"

"Forgive, darling!" I whispered. "God help me, I knew not what I said!
No, no, I will never believe that! Flora, my wife----"

"I am trying you cruel