in such a
case, perhaps, throw him off the scent.

Again her hand was on the fastenings, and again she paused, listening to
the warning voice within her; but a second faint tap roused her, bolt
and lock were thrown back, and, with a loud crack, as if remonstrating
at being opened at such unholy hours, the door was thrown wide.

The next instant Jane was in Gurdon's arms; her own, too, flung round
his neck, and her lips warmly meeting his kisses, as she sobbed wildly
and clung to him, thinking of the parting soon to follow.

"Let me shut the door, though," she whispered, disengaging herself after
a few minutes.

"No--no," whispered Gurdon, hoarsely, in reply, as he again folded her
tightly in his arms. "Leave that as it is; but, tell me, are they all
abed?"

"Oh yes, hours ago," she answered; "but you must not stay a minute
longer, for I believe McCray saw your footsteps last night, and perhaps
he's watching."

"Confound him--yes, he nearly kicked me as he came by," growled Gurdon.
"Lucky for him, though, he didn't. But are you sure you've got down
unknown to all the girls?"

"Oh yes--certain," was the whispered answer. "And now, John, you'll
try, won't you? You will try to keep away from the drink and get on?
and--Please don't hold me so tightly."

"Yes, yes--all right. I'll try," he whispered, excitedly--"but be
quiet; don't struggle. I'm not going to hurt you, you little fool.
There, be quiet!"

Jane's heart beat more violently than ever, and she panted as his arm
grasped her more tightly. There was a strange excitement creeping
through her frame, she knew not why; but she felt that something was
wrong, though no suspicion of what was impending had yet flashed across
her mind.

"Tell me quickly," he said now, "has the new butler come?"

"No," she answered, still panting heavily. "Master's been too ill to
see about such matters."

"Does any one sleep in the pantry?"

"No," said Jane; "but why do you ask?"

For response Gurdon gave utterance to a low, sharp cough; when, gazing
wonderingly at him, as if for explanation of his coldness, a faint
rustle fell upon Jane's ears; there was a step outside, and as she
started to close the door the blackened faces of two men appeared. A
half-uttered groan passed her lips, and a horrible feeling of despair
clutched her heart, as at one glance she saw that she had been betrayed,
and that the man she loved was a greater scoundrel than she could have
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