A Duel

arkness, so fast that in what seemed to her to be less than a minute the driver was close upon her. Apparently nearly in front of her, although she could not see it, was a road along which the

er one sound foo

o!--hallo-o-o!"

r that she might remain unnoticed, raising her voice to

enly the vehicle ceased to move. An

What's the mat

he purest Cockney it could not have seemed

ankle so that I

ce there was an unmistakab

t a w

es

e was f

e doing here at this

ng to Ca

ng this road? You're joking! Can you get as f

ll

he space was covered it was only by clutching at the wheel of the trap that she saved herself from sub

so bad

ty bad," sh

't faint! We've no time t

she seemed to pull herself together, as if stirred by a spirit of resentme

le husky sound he made might

feel of you, you're as big as I am, and, maybe, heavier. The mare won't move. She

were bowling along together. For some seconds neither spoke. She was endeavouring to accustom herself to her new

re En

a

in thes

a walkin

at one o'clock

started. I've been where you

re you ma

, I was going

an. You'll never be finding it

w where I am; I've lost myself completely." He was silent, as if he found something in her

n that's

ou a d

my t

I hope it's nothing serious, but it seem

fear. I'll find you an easier pa

g too miserable to talk. She was cold and wet; her ankle was occasioning her no little pain. She could hardly have been less inclined for conversation

r brought his mar

d open a gate? There's one right in

uality of being able to penetrate

I had to tumble, but I doubt if I

as if in di

the reins whil

y I could

She heard a gate swing back upon its hi

evil's painted under the trees. I ought to have brought my lamps, but I

before, drawing clear of the overhanging foliage, they stopped in front of a house which loomed grim and ominous in the shadows. Apparently their approach had

doctor?" sh

doctor. And h

ll alive. I believe he's only keeping the bre

, madam, will that ankle of yours permit you t

s and painful descent. At sight of her the wo

o is it you're b

see the laird. When I've done with him I'll have to start with her. I'm hoping that she'll be the easier job of the two.

or and into a room which, immediately after passing it

ly knows how long he'll keep me, you'll have to make the best of it until I come. So keep up the character you tol

t manner of place she was. By degrees, however, as the time continued to pass, and there were still no signs of any one appearing, she began to show a languid interest in her surroundings. She was dimly conscious that the room was not a large one; that it was sparely, even austerely, furn

n seemed to occasion him surprise. He observed her with a slight smile adding another pucker to his wrinkled cheeks. He was a little, thin man, clean shaven and bald-headed. He ha

ping there--we're all of us apt to give ourselves away when we're asleep--which makes me wonder who you are, and how you came to sprain your ankle on Crag Moor when goi

was a light one, but it was sufficient to arouse her.

h was hidden there. The doctor said nothing; he stood and watched. Waking to a clearer sense of her

self? My name is Twelves--David Twelves, M.D., of Edinburgh. May I ask if

ave? I'm not ashamed of my nam

is to all intents and purposes an offer of, say, twenty thousand pound

und so as to bring her feet upon the floor, lo

an? You are mak

layfulness." Yet even as he spoke again that nebulous smile seemed to add another pucker to his cheeks. "What I say is said very much in earnest. There is a m

nd you say

has had no need of such an encumbrance living

his

which was the wedding-ring. She still wor

old Nannie, who hardly counts, or I wouldn't trouble y

r!--a man I've never see

rs, possibly in very much less. You'll be a widow in one of the shortest times on record; in possession of a w

ut why should he want to m

our of a certain person. That will he is anxious to revoke. If he marries it will become in

will be dead wi

e's dead already. You are losing your chances of

will leave me twen

oon as the breath is out of his body you will become e

me any trick? It is

e is no trick. If you will come with me upst

t a moment's notice? Is ther

er as husband and wife in the presence of witnesses; that act of mutual recognition will in itself constitute a legal marria

doubt that he will be

-unless a mirac

r lap, a perceptible interval of silence inte

'll mar