's arms before she could
breathe again.

For one delicious moment she let her head lie on his breast; then she
suddenly pushed him away from her. "Why do you come here? He will kill
you if he finds you in the house. Where is he?"

Launce knew even less of Turlington's movements than the servant.
"Wherever he is, thank God, I am here before him!" That was all the
answer he could give.

Natalie and her aunt heard him in silent dismay. Sir Joseph woke, and
recognized Launce before a word more could be said. "Ah, my dear boy!"
he murmured, faintly. "It's pleasant to see you again. How do you come
here?" He was quite satisfied with the first excuse that suggested
itself. "We'll talk about it to-morrow," he said, and composed himself
to rest again.

Natalie made a second attempt to persuade Launce to leave the house.

"We don't know what may have happened," she said. "He may have followed
you on your way here. He may have purposely let you enter his house.
Leave us while you have the chance."

Miss Lavinia added her persuasions. They were useless. Launce quietly
closed the heavy window-shutters, lined with iron, and put up the bar.
Natalie wrung her hands in despair.

"Have you been to the magistrate?" she asked. "Tell us, at least, are
you here by his advice? Is he coming to help us?"

Launce hesitated. If he had told the truth, he must have acknowledged
that he was there in direct opposition to the magistrate's advice. He
answered evasively, "If the vicar doesn't come, the doctor will. I have
told him Sir Joseph must be moved. Cheer up, Natalie! The doctor will be
here as soon as Turlington."

As the name passed his lips--without a sound outside to prepare them
for what was coming--the voice of Turlington himself suddenly penetrated
into the room, speaking close behind the window, on the outer side.

"You have broken into my house in the night," said the voice. "And you
don't escape _this_ way."

Miss Lavinia sank on her knees. Natalie flew to her father. His eyes
were wide open in terror; he moaned, feebly recognizing the voice.
The next sound that was heard was the sound made by the removal of the
ladder from the balcony. Turlington, having descended by it, had taken
it away. Natalie had but too accurately guessed what would happen. The
death of the villain's accomplice had freed him from all apprehension
in that quarter. He had deliberately dogged Launce's steps, and had
deliberately allowed him to put hims