rly man
with much experience and knowledge of law and diplomacy. It seemed to
him to be a stern duty to prevent anything irrevocable taking place till
it had been thought out and all was ready. There were all sorts of legal
cruxes to be thought out, not only regarding the taking of life, even of
a monstrosity in human form, but also of property. Lady Arabella, be she
woman or snake or devil, owned the ground she moved in, according to
British law, and the law is jealous and swift to avenge wrongs done
within its ken. All such difficulties should be--must be--avoided for
Mr. Salton's sake, for Adam's own sake, and, most of all, for Mimi
Watford's sake.

Before he spoke again, Sir Nathaniel had made up his mind that he must
try to postpone decisive action until the circumstances on which they
depended--which, after all, were only problematical--should have been
tested satisfactorily, one way or another. When he did speak, Adam at
first thought that his friend was wavering in his intention, or "funking"
the responsibility. However, his respect for Sir Nathaniel was so great
that he would not act, or even come to a conclusion on a vital point,
without his sanction.

He came close and whispered in his ear:

"We will prepare our plans to combat and destroy this horrible menace,
after we have cleared up some of the more baffling points. Meanwhile, we
must wait for the night--I hear my uncle's footsteps echoing down the
hall."

Sir Nathaniel nodded his approval.

CHAPTER XXI--GREEN LIGHT

When old Mr. Salton had retired for the night, Adam and Sir Nathaniel
returned to the study. Things went with great regularity at Lesser Hill,
so they knew that there would be no interruption to their talk.

When their cigars were lighted, Sir Nathaniel began.

"I hope, Adam, that you do not think me either slack or changeable of
purpose. I mean to go through this business to the bitter end--whatever
it may be. Be satisfied that my first care is, and shall be, the
protection of Mimi Watford. To that I am pledged; my dear boy, we who
are interested are all in the same danger. That semi-human monster out
of the pit hates and means to destroy us all--you and me certainly, and
probably your uncle. I wanted especially to talk with you to-night, for
I cannot help thinking that the time is fast coming--if it has not come
already--when we must take your uncle into our confidence. It was one
thing when fancied evils thre