oor. To his great surprise it was locked.

For a little time Mark pondered over the problem. As he did so, his head
fell back and he slept. It was the sound sleep of the clean mind in the
healthy body, so that when the sleeper came to himself again it was
broad daylight; the hotel was full of life and bustle. With a sense of
having done a fearful thing, Mark looked at his watch. It was ten
minutes past eleven!

"This comes of having no rest the night before," he muttered. "And to
think that the fate of my little girl should be hanging in the balance!
If Sir Charles has gone!"

But Sir Charles had not gone, as one of the waiters was in a position to
assure Mark. He had not retired to bed until past three, and at that
time was in a state of hilarity that promised a pretty fair headache in
the morning.

"Well, there is time yet," Mark thought, grimly. "And Sir Charles must
be moving by this time, as the wedding is to take place at twelve."

But the minutes crept on, and it was pretty near to that hour when Sir
Charles's man came down the corridor with an anxious expression on his
face. He had been hammering at the bedroom door without effect.

A sudden idea thrilled Mark, an idea that he was ashamed of almost
before it had come into his mind. He stood by idly, listening. He heard
a clock somewhere strike the hour of midday. He stepped up to the little
knot of waiters.

"Why don't you do something?" he demanded. "What is the use of standing
stupidly about here? Call the manager or whoever is in attendance. Break
down the door."

With all his force Mark thrust himself against the stout oak. The hinges
yielded at last.

CHAPTER IV

Beatrice woke to the knowledge of her own utter misery. Contrary to her
anticipation, she had slept very soundly all night, much as condemned
criminals are supposed to do on the eve of execution. She felt well and
vigorous in herself, a brilliant sunshine was pouring into her room, and
all around her lay evidences of her coming slavery. Here were the bridal
veil and the long train, there were the jewels laid out on the dressing
table. A maid was moving quietly about the room.

"Good morning, miss," she said. "A lovely morning. And if there's any
truth in the saying that 'happy's the bride that the sun shines on,'
why----"

The maid stopped and smiled before she caught sight of Beatrice's pale,
set face.

"I suppose you think I am to be envied?" Beatrice asked. "Now don't
y