s he spoke, the voice of the host, Billy
Crossley, raised very high above its usual pitch, called out--

"I tell you, gentlemen, Mr. Talbot is not in the house; he dined out
to-day, and has not returned since dinner."

A confused murmur followed this announcement; and again Crossley said,
but in a still louder tone--

"You have perfect liberty to look for him wherever you please; don't say
that I gave you any impediment or hindrance; follow me--I'll show you
the way."

Talbot knew in a moment the intention of the speaker, and recognized in
Crossley's vehemence an urgent warning to himself.

"I'm tracked, Mark," cried he; "there, take that key--burn the papers
in that desk--all of them. At seven to-morrow, meet me on the strand; if
all be safe, I'll be true to time; if not----"

The remainder of his sentence was cut short by the hurrying sounds of
feet upon the stairs, and Crossley's voice, which in its loudest key
continued to protest that Talbot was not in the house, nor had he seen
him since dinner.

Mark hastily unlocked the desk and took out the papers, but when he
turned round, Talbot was gone; a tremulous motion of the tapestry on
the wall seemed to indicate that his escape had been made through some
secret door behind it. He had no time, however, to think further of
the circumstance, for scarcely had he applied the lighted candle to the
papers, when the door was burst violently open, and three strange men,
followed by Lanty Lawler, entered the room, while Crossley, whom they
had pushed roughly aside, stood without, on the lobby, still talking as
loudly as before.

"Is that him?" said one of the fellows, who seemed like a constable in
plain clothes.

"No," whispered Lanty, as he skulked behind the shoulder of the speaker;
"that's another gentleman."

"Were you alone in this apartment?" said the same man who spoke first,
as he addressed Mark in the tone of authority.

"It is rather for me to ask what business you have to come here?"
replied Mark, as he continued to feed the flames with the letters and
papers before him.

[Illustration: 334]

"You shall see my warrant when you have answered my question. Meanwhile
these may be of some consequence," said the other, as, approaching the
hearth, he stooped down to seize the burning papers.

"They do not concern you," said Mark, as he placed his foot in the very
middle of the blaze.

"Stand back, sir," cried the constable, half raising his arm to enfor