ears running down rogues! What a temptation
to a man, to make a change and go the other way. Million and a half o'
money, in a shape as could be carried in a small black bag. Why, I
could put my hand on it, and go and set up somewhere as a king, and
never be found out. Shall I?"

It was quite dark, and Mr Linnett took a pair of handcuffs from his
pocket, and tucking his umbrella under his arm, playfully fitted them on
his own wrists.

"No," he said; "they wouldn't look well there."

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.

THE PARTY BREAKS UP.

"Dinner over, of course, Preenham?"

"Oh, dear, yes, sir," said that worthy, taking Artis's hat and cane.
"Carriage was ordered for half-past seven, and they've gone to the
theatre, sir."

"Gone where?"

"Theatre, sir--Haymarket, sir."

"Why, Preenham--"

"It was Mr Girtle, sir, proposed it. Said it would be a pleasant
change for everybody. The carriage was ordered, and dinner an hour
sooner."

"The sky will fall next," said Artis, with a sneering laugh. "Bring me
some coffee in the library, and--no, some brandy and soda and the
cigars."

"Yes, sir. Miss D'Enghien's in the drawing-room, sir. Had a bad
headache, and didn't go."

"Why didn't you say that at first?" cried Artis; and he went up two
stairs at a time, to find Katrine in the act of throwing herself into a
chair, and looking flushed and hot.

"You here?" she said, wearily.

"My darling!" he cried. "If I had only known. At last!"

He threw himself at her feet, clasped her waist, and drew her half
resisting towards him, while before a minute had elapsed, her arms were
resting upon his shoulders, and her eyes were half closed in a dreamy
ecstasy, as she yielded to the kisses that covered her face.

Suddenly, with a quick motion, she threw him off.

"Quick--some one," she whispered.

Her ears were sharper than his, and she had heard the dull rattle of the
door handle.

"I don't know what to take," she said, in a weary voice; "I suppose it
will not be better before morning."

"I have taken the brandy and soda into the library, sir," said Preenham.
"Would you like it brought up here?"

"To be sure," he cried. "The very thing for your headache. Bring it
up, Preenham."

"You madman!" cried Katrine, angrily. "You take advantage of my
weakness for you. Another moment, and we should have been discovered.
No, no; keep away."

"Miss is as good as a mile."

"You grow more reckless, every day. We m