"Here; here's my hand holding yours, Lee. I know now that you were right. He is dead--but you were in the right. Forgive me for doubting. Your love guided you, mine only blinded me." "I didn't kill him," whispered John. "I meant to do it; but he killed me. He was dragging me away because he thought me dead. But I had strength left--and he fell back. Then a gun fired and he died. I can't tell who shot him. Be you there, Miss Grace?" "My arms are round you, dear John." "He meant to wed you in the darkness. He told me so after I'd fetched the master. He told me all. Now Norcot's dead, for I saw him die. You're safe--quite safe." Malherb and a physician were hanging over Lee, but his eyes had already grown dim and he did not perceive them. The medical man shook his head. "Only a matter of minutes," he said. "'Tis wonderful that he's lived so long." "John Lee," said Malherb. "You're dying, lad; you're going the road we all must go. But know that you were in time. My daughter is safe, as you say. All's out. You've done your duty, and, though the hand of God killed this man, 'twas you who were the instrument." "You've died for us, John!" sobbed Grace. Her cheek sank down to his and she kissed him. "A good way to die--some use--some use. 'Tis better'n I deserve--above my highest hopes. Yet often I dreamed I'd die for 'e. Mr. Stark?" "I'm holding your hand, John." "Love her--love her while your heart beats." "God knows that I will." There was a silence, then a sigh; then Malherb lowered John Lee's head. "He's gone--a truer Malherb than many who bear the name. Let every honest man mourn him, for his life was a pure life and his end noble. He has saved our honour; he----" The speaker broke off and stared where Grace was weeping in Cecil Stark's arms. "What right have you----?" he asked. "The right that man died for, sir. His love makes mine but pale, yet, for Grace's sake and for mine, he laid down his life. I would perish for him if I could bring him back to the living; but that cannot be. Therefore I will live to bless his name. I will strive to be worthy of his sacrifice." "And you, daughter Grace?" "I was stolen from you, my darling father; and I should have been stolen for evermore but for what has happened. I love Cecil and have loved him since I first saw him, so pale and weary from his struggle with the storm. You saved his life for me, father. And dear John died for us; his last gentle words----"