A Duel

together beyond anything of which she had dreamed as possible; the unearthing of his will--from such a hiding-place; the facts she had learned of Margaret Wallace, and which she had

hen there were the pillars in the fireplace. Something--she could not have told what--had filled her with the conviction that the recess behind the sliding panel was not the only hiding-p

prompted her suggestion, was of such a character that it almost frightened her. Like Cuthbert Grahame, she wanted time and opportunity for thought. She had it in contemplation to risk everything upon the hazard of a single throw--everything, in the widest

w-witted. It seemed hardly likely that, under any circumstances, she would find them dangerous, yet she was strongly of opinion that it was advisable, if, as was possible, the deserted Gregory d

ittle act of foresight which prompted Isabel Lamb to clear the premises of that pair of Scotch wenches not impossibly changed

s soon as she saw it. She kept her glance fixed on its vanishing point. As for some moments nothing was visible, she was beginning to suppose that she must have been mistaken, when she saw it again. It was still to a great extent hidden by the trees and brushwood, but it certai

ory?" she a

made clear. The figure was that of a woman--reaching a point where the ground was cl

e since I've been in it. So far as I know, there's nothing feminine hereabouts to come. As for callers, we don't have them. What's likely to attract a woman to a house like this? Why, I do believe it's a lady--that dres

s might be proof itself to another woman's keen perception, but there was other evidence as well. The way in which the stranger bore herself--her carriage, the easy grace

being allowed to visit Cuthbert Grahame in his room? In that case Isabel's domination would be at an end. The chances were that those two had but to exchange half-a-dozen words, and the castle which she had already in imagination builded would resolve itself into an edifice even less s

ame still more helpless in his; the two girls out--Margaret Wallace would have to reckon with her. Isabel

She remembered that she had closed it when she herself had come in; as a rule it stood wide open. If it had been then it would have been impossible for her to perform

llace after all. But the style in which she turned that handle gives her away. She's come in and out of this house too often not to be aware that, even if the door does happen to be shut, you've only got to turn the handle to

s and turns, as if unable to credit that the door was actually locked. It was only after continued effort

ay? She won't think it a possible thing that both doors can be locked. The odds are that she's c

the door which gave ingress to the house on that side. As she was ramming the top b

I do? One thing's sure, I'm not going to be in any haste to answer either her ringing or her knocking. Possibly i

ght, my dear, give another pull at it! Pretty rough on Grahame. If he only knew who was ringing what wouldn't he give to get at her--especially if he understood that this is the only chance he'll ever have; and to have to lie there like a log, and let it slip between his fingers! As for Nannie--that old woman's got the nose of a bloodhound--I shouldn't be surprised if she smells who's at the door. If she does I shouldn't

mpression of some one without, it was impossible for whoever was without to see anything of the person within. It was of this fact that the quick-witted Isabel proposed to take advantage. Among the various acco

to break the bell of

essful was shown by the response which came

e have you been? What have you been doing? And

will I open

girlish laughter as a

on't recognise my voice as well as I do yours? Why, I'm Meg c

en the door

nni

no open the door for you this day,

u speak to me like

orders, and it's not fear of you

Cuthbert Grahame forbade yo

ame near it he'd bring half-a-dozen dogs to set them

e, I don't

enough! So be off to where yo

t you should speak to me like this

rs I'll ever take ag

only open the door I promise you I won'

k I want with you as we

e look at you, Nannie, an

d I never want to look at you agai

this. I insist upon your opening the door. I don't believe Cuthbert Grahame ever told you not to--I know him

what Mr. Cuthbert's orders are better than you. If I was

ry long way, and costs a deal of money, and nowadays I haven't muc

s to beg you've come, I'll give you the fare out of my own

voice there was a ring of

our head of which Cuthbert Grahame knows nothing. You sound as if you were capabl

going to do

l to be tyrannised over by you, you're very much mistaken. I won't believe that