we came to her home, the home which all thought she
had left for ever. We came within a few yards of the front entrance,
when a great dog came bounding up with a furious growl. I wondered how
I should get rid of him; but Ruth spoke only one word, and he did not
know how to express his joy; he walked by our side and licked the
shroud she wore.

I seized the great bell, the bell I had rung that morning. Soon its
clanging voice echoed through the hall, and soon after we heard the
sound of voices, and footsteps echoed along the corridors.

A minute later we heard the bolts shoot back from the door at which we
stood.

CHAPTER XXIII

THE SHADOW OF EVIL'S REWARD

Avenge not yourselves; but rather give place unto wrath, for it is
written, Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saith the Lord. . . .

Be not overcome of evil; but overcome evil with good.
--_The Epistle to the Romans._

When the door opened, I saw two men-servants, each bearing a candle,
each looking as frightened as men could well look. One I recognised as
the man to whom I had spoken in the morning, the other was evidently an
under-servant.

Each stared at me and at the burden I bore in amazement. The one
recognised me, the other evidently wondered who I was.

"May I ask what you want," said the old servant, "and why you arouse
the house at this time of the night?"

"Show me a room where your mistress can rest," I said.

"My mistress?" said the man. "Great God, who are you?"

As he said this he took a look at Ruth's face, and then with a shriek
of fear he rushed away from us.

"Come back," I said, "there is nothing of which you need be afraid."

"Afraid!" he gasped, "that is the dead body of my mistress."

"Your mistress is not dead," I said; "she is alive; show me a room
where I may rest her, and she will speak to you."

Tremblingly he led the way to a room, where I laid her down, and then,
at my command, he went away to get food and drink for her.

Soon after the other servants appeared. The shriek of horror given by
the man when he caught sight of Ruth's face had aroused the household.
Never shall I forget the expression on their faces as they looked at me
as I sat by the side of the precious burden I had borne. Evidently the
younger of the two servants had told them what I had said, for they
were afraid to speak, and kept gazing at us fearfully, yet wonderingly.

Ruth was now becoming exhausted. After the scene