The House of Whispers

ning that an antique snake-bracelet was missing, a los

e over to Connachan in the car and make inquiry and search. The general opinion was that

-the "sixteen" Fiat-was brought round to the door by Stokes, the smart chauffeur. Young Gella

unted at the wheel, with the young fellow at her side and Stokes

ll of self-confidence, she could negotiate traffic in Edinburgh or Glasgow, and on one occasion had driven her father the whole way from Glencardine up to London, a distance of four hundred and fifty miles. Her fingers pressed the button of the electric horn as they descended the sharp incline to the lodge-gat

and at such a pace they went that a

al seat of the Muries of Connachan. The aspect as they drove up was very imposing. The winding road was closely planted with trees for a large porti

that the approach by which the doorway had been reached was lined on one side with buildings hidden behind the clustering foliage; and through the arch

ere the well-kept parks of Connachan, the smooth-shaven lawn fringed with symmetrical

, and the ivy which partially covered some of the windows could claim no great antiquity; yet the general effect of the architectural grouping was most pleasing, and might well deceive the visitor or tourist

ere she could descend, Walter Murie, a good-looking, dark-haired young

d, "what brings you over this morning, especially whe

ly, shaking his friend's hand. "And we're now in

n't know to whom it belonged. Come inside. There are a lot of people staying over from last night." Then,

, "it won't hurt me, I supp

each side of the long cloister, with its antique carved chairs, armour, and statuary, were rare Etruscan and Roman terra-cottas, one containing relics from the tomb of a warrior, which included a sword-hilt adorned with gold and a portion of a golden crown formed of lilies in relievo of pure gold laid upon a mould of br

any, or perhaps that the young man-who for the past twelve months had been absent on a tour round the world-should have loved her ever since the days when she wore short skirts and her hair down

found no letter from her awaiting him at the club, as he had expected. The last he had received in Detroit a month before, and it was strangely cold, and quite unusual

note, and he was further puzzled at her attitude towards him. She was cold and unresponsive. When he held her in his arms and kissed her soft lips, she only once retu

pretence of unconcern. He regretted that s

olet Priest, with whom he had danced a good deal on the previous night, and at once attache

me, Gabrielle, the real reason why you did not come last night. I had looked

ssumed nonchalance; "but I had to assi

one that you do not car

ue, Walter. I

efore her. "But why does Lady Heyburn go out of her

slight shrug. "Perhaps it is because my fath

isplaced," he said. "I tell you fra

ends to l

t," he added, "do tell me the real reason of your

r? I'm only a girl, and, as such, am allowed vagaries of ner

hy

ave staying in our house. They are all mother's fri

t a dear little philosopher you've grown to be in a single year!"

t school. One of the girls got a copy from Germany. Do you remember what Zarathustra says: 'Verily

" he laughed, gazing at the girl's beaut

tfully mischievous smile. "I only quoted it to show you t

y at Glencardine," he remarked, changing the su

of him in every way. Up in town they are inseparable, it seems

as household gods. "I expected that he would be dancing attendance upon her during the whole of the evening; but, curiously enough, soon after his arrival he suddenly disappeared,

quite unnecessary, I assure you. He

year ago had, out yonder in the park, given him her pledge of affection, and sealed it with her hot, passionate kisses? Remembrance of those sweet caresses still lingered with him. But he doubted her. Yes, he could not conceal from himself certain very ugly facts-facts within his own knowledge. Yet was no