y the arm, he whispered fiercely:

"You may let him in--I know him. But if he finds out that I am here, I
will tell John all to-night; remember that. Hide me somewhere where I
can see--do you understand? Quick!"

The knocking commenced again, and under its cover, Lucy, trembling like
a leaf, opened a door, the upper part of which was glazed, and which led
from the small room to the kitchen. Into this ambush Mr. Vermont
hurried, while Lucy ran to the other door and threw it open to admit
Adrien Leroy, who staggered into the room with his dripping burden in
his arms.

"I'm sorry to knock you up," he said, trying to reassure her, "but this
lady is nearly dead; our boat upset."

"Bring her in here, sir," said the good little woman, her courage and
self-possession returning under the emergency. "She had better come up
to the bedroom, poor lady."

Adrien carried Eveline up the narrow staircase, followed by Lucy, who
had hastily produced some spirits with which to restore consciousness.

"You had better fetch a doctor, sir," she called after Adrien, as he
came down again.

Leroy hesitated. He knew that Lady Merivale valued her reputation more
than her life. To fetch a doctor might save the latter, but would most
certainly ruin the former; for no medical man would permit her to return
to London that night, and, in that case, discovery would be inevitable.

Troubled and worn with anxiety, he paced to and fro in the room behind
the shop, regardless of his own dripping clothes, while Jasper, behind
the little window curtain, watched him sardonically, his lips wreathed
in a smile. He was well content with this finish of his day's
holiday--if such it might be called; for he knew that he held Lady
Merivale in the hollow of his hand. She, who had sneered at his
position, while yet making every use of his services, would in the
future be but another of his puppets; and he foresaw a goodly profit
from the outlay of this day's time and money.

Presently Lucy ran down.

"Where's the doctor, sir?" she asked. "Oh, didn't you go after all?
Well, it doesn't matter, for the lady is alive and better."

"Thank Heaven!" ejaculated Leroy fervently.

"She says she doesn't need one."

"I understand," replied Adrien. "Is she well enough to sit up, or move?"

"Yes, sir--at least, she says so," answered Lucy. "She is changing her
clothes for some of mine, sir; and she says that if you get a
carriage--"

Adrien nodded.

"I understan