II

A CONFESSION OF LOVE

I could scarcely believe my eyes as the mantel swung slowly outward,
revealing the black hole beyond. I glanced about helplessly, and sprang
to the door of the room to call back Farrell. He was not in the upper
hall, but as my eyes swept its length I remembered a half-burned candle
in the chamber opposite. By the time I returned with it lighted, the
mantel had turned on its pivot, leaving the way clear. The narrow stair
was vacant, stretching down into the black depths. I listened, my heart
throbbing, but no sound came from below. Could she be there? Was there
any other secret passage by which she could have disappeared? I shuddered
at memory of what it meant to be shut up in that dismal hole, without the
companionship of light. Fearful of some accident I paused long enough to
wedge a heavy piece of furniture in the opening, and then, shading the
bit of candle, began groping my way down. I had reached the lower floor
before the flickering yellow rays revealed any evidence of her presence.
Then I saw a girl lying head down upon the table. My hand touched her arm
before she moved, but then she faced me, wild-eyed, the pistol gleaming
in the candle-light.

"Claire! Claire!" I exclaimed, startled at her sudden movement. "Surely
you know me."

For the instant she did not, her eyes full of terror.

"No! no!" she cried hysterically. "Oh, it cannot be! It is a dream!
You--you--tell me who you are?"

I caught her hand, the pistol falling to the floor, and placed the
candlestick upon the table.

"It is no dream, dear. I am Allen Lawrence, and I have come for you. I
know I look disreputable enough, but there has been fighting--surely you
know me now."

She caught her breath quickly, clinging to me with both hands--her eyes
softening as she studied my face.

"Allen--Allen Lawrence!" she repeated softly. "Oh, I can scarcely believe
it true. Let me feel of you. I--I believe I was going insane--the dark,
the awful dark, and, and no way out--no way out."

"Yes, yes, I understand," I whispered, drawing her to me. "I was hidden
here once, remember. But it is over with now."

"But--how did you find a way to me? I--I never thought until it was all
over that I had shut myself in here to die. I was so frightened. I just
ran and hid. Oh, you cannot conceive what I had gone through."

She drew away from me, and again hid her face on the table.

"Oh, but I can, Claire," and I bent over her, my hand fo