d searched,
and, in all probability, the dead might take revenge and prove our
betrayer--you, as a naturalist, know how.

"I gave that up, then, like the rest, and, in utter despair, began to
unfasten the door again, drew it open, listened, and all was still. You
and Guest were, in all probability, asleep.

"Going back to the hearthrug, sick and in disgust, I stooped down to
reverse my repulsive task, when, as I touched the body and half raised
his head and shoulders from the floor, like a flash of lightning, the
way out of the difficulty came. Then, overcome by my emotion, I
literally reeled into my bedroom like a drunken man, and dropped upon my
knees by my pillow in the thankfulness of my heart, though it was long
before I could utter other words than--`Heaven, I thank thee! My poor
lad is saved.'"

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

THE REVELATION CONTINUED--A LIGHTNING STROKE.

The moment before these last words escaped from Brettison's lips
Stratton had been sitting there with his elbows on the table, his face
worn, haggard, and full of horror and disgust; but now the interest in
his old friend's statement returned, and he watched him eagerly. The
explanation was coming at last. The half-cynical, indifferent manner,
too, had passed away, as he continued:

"I came back to this very chair, Stratton, trembling and agitated as I
had never been before, to stoop down at once, and then go upon one knee
there--there on the rug. His head was just there, boy, and his face a
little on one side, so that the profile of the vile scoundrel stood out,
clearly cut, against the background of dark chocolate wood."

Brettison's manner was now excited, his words low and hoarse, and his
manner had proved contagious; for Stratton's lips parted, and he leaned
over toward the speaker.

"For a few minutes I could do no more," continued Brettison. "A
horrible dread assailed me--that I had been deceived--that the door I
had, in imagination, seen open before me had closed again, and that I
was once more shut in with the terrible difficulty. But, nerving myself
again, I passed one arm beneath the shoulders as before, raised him a
little, and once more there was a low moan."

"What?" cried Stratton wildly, as he started from his seat.

"Wait patiently, and you shall hear," said Brettison; then, drawing a
panting breath, as if the effort of recalling the terrible scene, with
its excitement, was almost more than he could bear, he went o