h, but there was no
alternative.

He touched the bell with a shaking hand, thrusting the certificate and
paper into his desk.

"Summon my daughter Pluma to me at once," he said to the servant who
answered the summons, "and bid Mr. Lyon come to me here within half an
hour."

He saw the man held a letter in his hand.

"If you please, sir," said the man, "as I was coming to answer your
bell I met John Brooks, your overseer, in the hall below. A stranger
was with him, who requested me to give you this without delay."

Basil Hurlhurst broke open the seal. There were but a few penciled
words, which ran as follows:

"MR. HURLHURST,--Will you kindly grant me an immediate interview?
I shall detain you but a few moments.

"Yours, hastily,
"HARVEY TUDOR,
"Of Tudor, Peck & Co, Detectives, Baltimore."

The man never forgot the cry that came from his master's lips as he
read those brief words.

"Yes, tell him to come up at once," he cried; "I will see him here."

He forgot the message he had sent for Pluma and Rex--forgot the
shrinking, timid little figure in the shadowy drapery of the
curtains--even the gay hum of the voices down below, and the strains
of music, or that the fatal marriage moment was drawing near.

He was wondering if the detective's visit brought him a gleam of hope.
Surely he could have no other object in calling so hurriedly on this
night above all other nights.

A decanter of wine always sat on the study table. He turned toward it
now with feverish impatience, poured out a full glass with his nervous
fingers, and drained it at a single draught.

A moment later the detective and John Brooks, looking pale and
considerably excited, were ushered into the study.

For a single instant the master of Whitestone Hall glanced into the
detective's keen gray eyes for one ray of hope, as he silently grasped
his extended hand.

"I see we are alone," said Mr. Tudor, glancing hurriedly around the
room--"we three, I mean," he added.

Suddenly Basil Hurlhurst thought of the young girl, quite hidden from
view.

"No," he answered, leading the way toward an inner room, separated
from the study by a heavy silken curtain; "but in this apartment we
shall certainly be free from interruption. Your face reveals nothing,"
he continued, in an agitated voice, "but I believe you have brought me
news of