"Yes," she whispered; "let us dream." "Yes," he replied, "we two always. I can feel that here within these arms I hold all the world--that heaven has been so bounteous to me that I can never be sufficiently grateful, and--" He rose quickly, for there was a step outside, and a servant entered. "If you please, sir, there are two gentlemen want to see you downstairs." Huish turned pale, for a strange sense of coming trouble flashed upon him. "Did they send up their names?" he said, recovering himself. "No, sir, only said would you be kind enough to step down, sir, without disturbing my mistress. It was something particular." "Is anything wrong, John?" said Gertrude earnestly. "Wrong? No, my dear, I hope not. Some bit of business: people for a subscription or something. I shall be back directly. Go on playing, or we shall wake your father." She nodded and smiled as she resumed her seat at the piano; and as Huish went quietly out of the room, the sad strain of olden days his wife was playing seemed to grow more and more mournful when the notes were muffled by the closed door. "Where are the gentlemen, Jane?" he said quietly. "In the dining-room, sir," said the girl, with a strange look; and as he entered she stood waiting on the mat. One of the gas-burners was alight, and Huish started as, on entering the room, he found himself face to face with a dark, stern-looking man, and a policeman, who immediately placed his back against the door. "Is anything the matter?" said Huish quickly. "Well, yes, a little," said the stern, dark man. "Mr Huish--John Huish?" "Yes; I am John Huish." "Then you are my prisoner, Mr John Huish; here is the warrant. Smith-- cuffs!" "Stop! One minute!" exclaimed Huish excitedly. "What does this mean?" "Only the end of the little game, sir," said the dark, stern man. "Long lane that has no turning. Turning's come at last!" "I do not understand you. Some mistake." "Yes, sir, these matters always are little mistakes. Are you ready?" "No! Stop!" cried Huish. "Send that man away. You need not secure me. I will go with you." The stern man relaxed a little, and smiled. "Won't do," he said. "We've had too much trouble to run you down, sir. You well-educated ones are too precious clever. We've got a cab waiting." "But my wife--my--we have company here." "There, come along, sir, and get away quietly without letting them know. It's no use trying any dodges on, because we've got you, and don't mean to let you slip." "Tell me at least what it means!" cried Huish. "The big burglary last night, if you want to know for which little game it is; but don't be uneasy." "My hat and overcoat," said Huish quickly. "Get me away quietly, so that they do not see upstairs. I tell you, man, that I will not try to escape you. I have only to go to the station to explain that this is a mistake."