ng neither way.

Suddenly they were roused by a prolonged cry from the floor above, a cry
so shrill and unearthly that it froze the blood in their veins. In an
instant there followed a loud knocking at the outer door, and forgetful
of their own troubles, they crowded together like a flock of frightened
crows driven from a cornfield.

CHAPTER LXXV.

UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS.

The evening had passed very pleasantly to Elsie; Mellen had humored her
caprices at whatever cost to himself, and kept her thoughts as much
aloof as possible from the events of the past days.

It was growing late, and he had several times reminded her that it was
time she went to rest. Tom Fuller had taken the first hint and retired.

"Let me sit up a little longer," she pleaded; "I am not in the least
sleepy; it is so nice to get out of that dull chamber."

"But I am afraid you will tire yourself so completely, that to-morrow
you cannot come down at all."

"There is not the slightest danger of that; I am stronger than you
think. When this little dizziness in my head leaves me I shall be quite
well."

They talked a few moments longer, then she began turning over the papers
on a stand near her sofa. Suddenly she took up a letter, and glancing at
the writing, exclaimed:

"This is from Mr. Hudson! You did not tell me that you had heard."

"It came this afternoon while you were asleep."

"What does he say? Does he know where she is? Will you send him money
for her?"

"There is no necessity."

"But she must have it; she can't live."

"My dear, she has her money. He writes me that sometime since he sold
out the stocks by her orders. She was doubtless preparing to leave the
country with that man."

Elsie fell back on the sofa overwhelmed by the new fear which came over
her. The money had been paid; but where was Elizabeth? What to do--how
to act! Before the whirl had left her brain there was a sound at the
door of the little passage already described.

"What is that?" exclaimed Mellen. "Some one trying that door."

"No, no," she cried. "Come back; it's nothing; I'm afraid; come back!"

He gave no attention to her cry, but hurried towards the door, while she
was attempting to rise from the sofa; he had it open, Elsie heard a
muttered curse, an answering imprecation from another voice, looked out,
saw the outer door ajar and a man just entering the passage with whom
Mellen closed instantly in a fearful struggle.

That one gla