r glad singing was echoed in his heart.

CHAPTER XXXIV

HOW MR. DALROYD MADE A PLAN AND LOCKED HIS DOOR

Mr. Dalroyd kicked the obsequious Joseph soundly and cursed him
soft-voiced but with a passionate fervour; yet such violence being apt
to disarrange one's dress and to heat and distort one's features, Mr.
Dalroyd reluctantly checked the ebullition and seating himself before
the mirror surveyed his handsome face a little anxiously and with
glance quick to heed certain faint lines that would occasionally
obtrude themselves in the region of eye and mouth.

"Positively, I'm flushed!" he panted, "and for that alone I'd kick you
downstairs, my poor worm, were it not that 'twould disorder me
damnably. As 'tis I'll restore you to the hangman for the rogue you
are!"

"Sir," said Joseph, bowing obsequious back and keeping his eyes humbly
abased, "you ask a thing impossible----"

"Ask, animal? I never ask, I command!"

"But indeed--indeed sir I cannot even though I would----"

"Think again, Joseph, and mark this, Joseph, I saved you from the
gallows because I thought you might be useful, very good! Now the
instant you cease to be of use I give you back and you hang--so think
again, Joseph."

"Lord--Lord help me!" exclaimed Joseph, writhing and wringing his hands
but keeping his eyes always lowered. "Sir, 'tis impossible, 'tis----"

"In your predatory days, Joseph, you were of course well acquainted
with other debased creatures like yourself, very good! You will
proceed forthwith to get together three or four such--three or four
should suffice. You will convene them secretly hereabouts. You will
form your plans and next Saturday you will escort my lady Carlyon to a
coach I shall have in waiting at the cross-roads."

"Abduct her, sir?"

"Precisely, Joseph! You and your--ah--assistants will bear her to the
coach----"

"By force, sir?"

"Force! Hum, 'tis an ugly word! Say rather by gentle suasion, Joseph,
but as silently as may be--there must be no wails or shrieking----"

"You mean choke her quiet, sir?" enquired Joseph gently, his eyelids
drooping more humbly than ever.

Mr. Dalroyd turned from his toilet and smiled, "Joseph," said he
softly, "if I find so much as a bruise or a scratch on her loveliness
I'll break every bone in your rogue's carcass. So, as I say, you will
see her conveyed silently into the coach, you will mount the rumble
with your weapons ready in case of pursuit and upon ar