ter to-morrow, and then,
perhaps, tell me all about his trouble."

The lamp had been turned down, so that the room was very gloomy, but
there was light enough for Guest to make out the weird aspect of the
busts and various natural history specimens about, one great eagle owl
over the door catching a gleam of the lamp, and looking, with its fixed
glass eyes, fully aware of the mystery overhanging the place. The
various articles of furniture, too, assumed a strange guise, and cast
shadows of a startling nature; but, after a few minutes, Guest settled
down to the contemplation of his friend, whose eyes seemed to be closed,
though a few minutes later a faint scintillation showed that he was
still awake and watchful.

But Guest was too weary now to feel any dread. Stratton was evidently
sorry for his mad attempt, and perfectly sane, so, after a few brave
efforts to keep awake, the young barrister calmly dropped off into a
deep sleep, and the busy working of a dream, in which Edie was
scornfully telling him that she had discovered all about his escapade
with a dark woman resembling the queen of spades, and when he tried to
catch her in his arms and convince her that he was a perfectly innocent
man, she sprang from her seat, uttering a piercing cry.

Trembling and startled, Guest leaped up, to find the lamp turned to its
full height, and, with the strange hoarse cry still ringing in his ears,
he saw Stratton standing back against the cabinet farthest from the
fireplace, glaring wildly, while from out of the closet, apparently, a
curious rustling noise, followed by a dull blow upon something hollow,
fell upon his ear.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

MRS BRADE HAS IDEAS.

Thinking over the events of the past nights, and the overwrought state
of his friend's nerves, which had made him start in horror from his
sleep at the noise made by the rats which infested the old house, Guest
went on to muse over his position, and the prospects of the admiral
accepting him as a husband for his niece, while Myra's engagement stood
as it did.

"Time cures all things," he muttered. "Wonder how the poor boy feels
now. By George, he startled me and spoiled my night."

He had been having an early walk, Stratton seeming calm enough that
morning, and he was now returning through the archway when there was a
low cough, and he heard his name uttered.

Turning sharply, it was to see Mrs Brade at her doorway, beckoning to
him.

"Good-morning