his shoulder, pointed with the other to Luke; the latter stared sternly
and inquiringly at both--yet none spoke.

_CHAPTER XIII_

_THE BROTHERS_

We're sorry
His violent act has e'en drawn blood of honor,
And stained our honors;
Thrown ink upon the forehead of our fame,
Which envious spirits will dip their pens into
After our death, and blot us in our tombs;
For that which would seem treason in our lives,
Is laughter when we're dead. Who dares now whisper,
That dares not then speak out; and even proclaim,
With loud words, and broad pens, our closest shame?

_The Revenger's Tragedy._

With that quickness of perception which at once supplies information on
such an emergency, Luke instantly conjectured who was before him.
Startled as he was, he yet retained his composure, abiding the result
with his arms folded upon his breast.

"Seize him!" cried Lady Rookwood, as soon as she could command her
speech.

"He rushes on his death if he stirs," exclaimed Luke, pointing his
pistol.

"Bethink you where you are, villain!" cried Ranulph; "you are entrapped
in your own toils. Submit yourself to our mercy--resistance is vain, and
will not secure your safety, while it will aggravate your offence.
Surrender yourself----"

"Never!" answered Luke. "Know you whom you ask to yield?"

"How should I?" answered Ranulph.

"By that instinct which tells me who _you_ are. Ask Lady Rookwood--she
can inform you, if she will."

"Parley not with him--seize him!" cried Lady Rookwood. "He is a robber,
a murderer, who has assailed my life."

"Beware!" said Luke to Ranulph, who was preparing to obey his mother's
commands; "I am no robber--no murderer. Do not you make me a
fratricide."

"Fratricide!" echoed Ranulph.

"Heed him not," ejaculated Lady Rookwood. "It is false--he dares not
harm thee, for his soul. I will call assistance."

"Hold, mother!" exclaimed Ranulph, detaining Lady Rookwood; "this man
may be what he represents himself. Before we proceed to extremities, I
would question him. I would not have mentioned it in your hearing could
it have been avoided, but my father had another son."

Lady Rookwood frowned. She would have checked him, but Luke rejoined--

"You have spoken the truth; he had a son--I am he. I----"

"Be silent, I command you!" said Lady Rookwood.

"Death!" cried Luke, in a lo