ed was first of all his own doing; it was through
him Charley Wright lost his life. He has committed at least one other
murder. Today he meant to kill both of us. Then he would have been heir
to the title and estates, and when uncle died he would have been Lord
Chobham."

"Nonsense, absurd, impossible. You're mad, quite mad," the general
stammered. "Why, he would have been hanged at once."

"Not if he could have fixed the blame elsewhere," Rupert answered. "That
was to have been my part; it was carefully arranged to make it seem I
was responsible for it all. I haven't time to explain now. I don't think
he is coming back. I expect he is only loaded with small shot, and he
doesn't dare try a long range shot or come near now he knows I'm ready
for him."

"But it's--it's impossible--Walter," stammered the general.
"Impossible."

"The impossible so often happens," answered Rupert, and handed his
pistol to him. "You must trust me, father, and do what I tell you. Take
this pistol in case you are attacked on the way home. You may be, but
I don't think it's likely. Get the motor out and go straight to Wreste
Abbey. An attempt on uncle's life will be made tonight, if they still
carry out their plans, about dinner-time tonight. See that every
possible precaution is taken. See to that first. Then send help as soon
as you can to Bittermeads, a house on the outskirts of Ramsdon; any one
there will tell you where it is."

"But what are you going to do?" General Dunsmore asked.

"I'm going to find Walter, if he's still hiding in the wood here, as he
may be," Rupert answered. "I should like a little chat with him." For
a moment he nearly lost his self-control, and for a single moment there
showed those fiery and tempestuous passions he was keeping now in such
stern repression. "Yes a little talk with him, just us two," he said.
"And if he's cleared out, or I can't find him I'm going straight on to
Bittermeads. There's some one there who may be in danger, so the sooner
I am there the better."

"But wait a moment," the general cried. "Are you armed?"

"Yes, with my hands, I shall want no more when Walter and I meet again,"
Rupert answered, and, without another word, plunged into the wood at the
spot where Walter had vanished.

At first the track of Walter's flying footsteps was plain enough for he
had fled full speed, panic having overtaken him when he saw Rupert and
his father together and understood that in some way his deep