hree weeks from this date Oswald
Langdon is aboard ship, booked for Southampton.

CHAPTER XXV

A ROGUE'S HEART AND CONSCIENCE

That evening's meeting was most interesting. Out of consideration for
the feelings of Alice, Charles Randolph was absent until after those
girl friends had exchanged tearful greetings and all embarrassments of
the reunion were past. Sir Donald's and Esther's unfeigned hospitality
eased any possible misgivings or restraints of their guests. Father and
daughter seemed influenced by a glad hope that their future lives would
find congenial association through this renewed confiding. Soon Sir
Donald and Thomas Webster are conferring privately. That conditional
promise is being kept sacred. The pledge is now without scruple. Reasons
for such puzzling reservations are told. In abbreviated summary Sir
Donald relates his own and detective tactics during that long pursuit of
the Laniers.

Both clearly see the strange, romantic threads restraining them within
coercive limits, interdicting helpful alliances while leading all at
divergent angles of cross-purpose.

At a Randolph conference, Sir Donald said:

"I will privately tell the uncle about Oswald Langdon's escape from
Thames drowning and strange after conduct. Of this miracle Alice can
learn through her Uncle Thomas."

Charles Randolph, who had endured with becoming fortitude his voluntary
absence, returns at the exact time limit. He is now formally presented
to the girl whose image fascination so often had intruded upon his
sentimental musings, assuming conspicuous place in ambitious dreams.

Sir Donald and that interesting uncle remain in extended conference, but
their absence leaves little void.

After they joined the circle, all lingered until a late hour. They
separated with mutual understanding that all would plan and act
together.

Sir Donald had not written to Oswald Langdon. He thought it prudent to
wait until after Alice's completed story. There now can be no need of
further delay. This unhappy wanderer must be notified of recent
revelations. After the evening meeting Sir Donald wrote a clear, ringing
letter, in substance stating that Alice Webster was rescued from the
Thames; for good reasons, until recently, concealed her identity; now
lived with a relative in London, and had spent the evening with his
family. Both Laniers were under arrest, and could not escape. There was
no possible necessity for Oswald to remain away