ive me
pleasure to welcome you to the hospitalities of Elmhurst."

I swung about as on a pivot and saw her standing with one hand upon the
high back of a chair, her blue eyes smiling merrily. I felt the hot rush
of blood to my cheeks, the quick throb of pulse, with which I recognized
her. I was so surprised that, for the instant, the words I sought to
utter choked in my throat.

[Illustration: "You have not suspected?" she asked. "You did not know this
was my home?"]

"Nothing was farther from my thoughts," I exclaimed hastily. "All I knew
of your home was that it was situated somewhere in the Jerseys. But wait,
perhaps I begin to understand--the lieutenant who brought me here; his
voice has been echoing in my ears all night in familiarity. He is some
near relative of yours--this Eric?"

"Oh, you have overheard? You know the name through hearing Captain Grant
speak?"

"Yes; I could not very well help doing so. Peter had stationed me in the
library, but there was nothing said between you two to make me suspect
your identity."

"You supposed me to be the lieutenant?"

"You have not suspected?" she asked. "You did not know this was my home?"

"Why should I not? The voice was the same; at least sufficiently similar
to deceive me, and he never addressed you in a way to arouse my
suspicions. Is your brother named Eric?"

"Yes; I told you, did I not, that we are twins? The physical resemblance
between us is very strong; no doubt our voices sound alike also, or would
to a comparative stranger. Will you not be seated, Major? We shall not
have long to converse, and there is much to be said before those
downstairs complete their rather frugal meal--Peter has promised to delay
serving as much as possible, but, as our larder is not extensive, at best
it will not be long. You overheard Captain Grant's threat?"

"To search the house for your brother--yes."

"He will carry it out," quietly, her eyes, no longer smiling, on my face.
"There has never been friendship between those two, and of late my own
relations with Captain Grant have become very unpleasant. I think he is
almost glad of an opportunity to thus exercise some authority over me. He
is the kind of a man who must either rule or ruin. Convinced that Eric is
concealed here, he will search the house as much to spite me as for any
other reason. I should only laugh at him, but for your presence."

"Then your brother is not here?"

"Certainly not; Eric is in no dang