The pale, ghastly light was growing broader and clearer now, and as he grasped the fact that he was being made the recipient of the acknowledgment of a terrible deed, he felt strongly, knowing as he did the character of one of the men present, how perilous his position was growing. A few minutes more, he had strung himself up for a sharp encounter with the relatives who had, as it were, surprised them in a secret meeting. There would, he felt, be angry words, there might be blows, but the Clareboroughs would not dare to proceed farther. Now matters had assumed a dangerous shape, and his thoughts went towards the fireplace as he felt that the necessity might arise for him to defend himself and his companion--one against four. His heart beat fast, but mingled with the feelings of alarm which would assail the stoutest in such a position, he felt thrill after thrill of delight. For Marion clung more tightly to him, as if trusting to his protection, and he mentally swore that he would protect her, come what might. His thoughts came fast, but he had little time for musing; and as his arm tightened round his companion he listened eagerly for the next utterances of those who were grouped together some twenty feet away. "Well," said James Clareborough, after a pause, "what have you all to say to that?" CHAPTER THIRTY. LOVE IS MASTER. There was another pause, as if each of the other three waited for his companions to begin. "James has spoken very well," said the owner of the hands which Chester could see playing about his breast; and as he uttered these words he too sank into a chair, and the ray of light struck across his face for a brief space, one, though, sufficiently long for Chester to recognise the features of the quaint old bookworm upon whom he had called during his search for the house which had been the scene of such strange adventures. "Uncle!" he thought to himself, as the old man went on-- "It seems to me that we have nothing to fear. It is our own secret. What do you say, Dennis, my dear boy?" "It looks all right, curse it!" said the young man, slowly. "I can't see how anyone can find it out. All we have to do is to go on as we have before--take care that everything is kept dark. What do you think, Rob, old man?" "Think?" cried the latter, sharply; and as he spoke Chester felt a quiver of excitement run through her whom he clasped. "I think it is impossible to keep such a thing as this is quiet. Say what you like-- that it was in your own defence you fired, there are the men's pistols to prove it lying with their burgling tools; say that they were surprised in the act--the marks on the iron door and their false keys will speak for that--but we can't go on with it in the way you propose; the police must be called in."