nvestigation,"
he said, addressing Masterson; "pending such action Captain Monroe can
remain here."

Then he closed the door and followed Gertrude.

Judithe arose at that calm ignoring of herself and moved to the
table. She guessed what it was the dying man was trying to tell
Kenneth--well, she would tell him first!

Pen and paper were there and she commenced to write, interrupting
herself to turn to Masterson, who was looking out at the storm.

"Is there any objection to Captain Monroe holding converse with
other--guests in the house?" she asked, with a little ironical smile.

Masterson hesitated, and then said: "I do not think a private
interview could be allowed, but--"

"A private interview is not necessary," she said, coolly. "You can
remain where you are. Margeret, also, can remain." She wrote a line or
two, and then spoke without looking up, "Will you be so kind, Captain
Monroe, as to come over to the table?"

"At your service, my lady."

He did so, and remained standing there, with his hands clasped behind
him, a curious light of expectancy in his eyes.

"You have endured everything but death for me since last night," she
said, looking up at him. She spoke so low Masterson could not hear it
above the beat of the rain on the window. But he could see the slight
bend of Monroe's head and the smile with which he said:

"Well--since it was for you!"

"Oh, do not jest now, and do not think I shall allow it to go on," she
said, appealingly. "I have been waiting for help, but I shall wait no
longer;" she pointed to the paper on the table, "Colonel McVeigh will
have a written statement of who did the work just as soon as I can
write it, and you shall be freed."

"Take care!" he said, warningly; "an avowal now might only incriminate
you--not free me. There are complications you can't be told--"

"But I must be told!" she interrupted. "What is there concerning me
which you both conspire to hide? He shall free you, no matter what the
result is to me; did you fancy I should let you go away under
suspicion? But, that picture! You must make that clear to me. Listen,
I will confess to you, too! I have wronged him--Colonel McVeigh--it
has been all a mistake. I can never atone, but"--and her voice sank
lower, "it was something about that picture made him angry just now,
the thought I had given you some picture. I--I can't have him think
that--not that you are my lover."

"Suppose it were so--would that add to th