The candle flickered suddenly as it was raised and applied to a wall gas jet. The sudden light caused the spellbound spectators of the scene to blink violently; then, as their eyes grew accustomed to the illumination, they made out the figure of a tall man in nondescript clothes standing near the chimney. "Who--who are you, and where in hell did you come from?" gasped Brett. "I am Barry Thornton, formerly of the United States Navy." The newcomer caught sight of Eleanor, and stretched out his arms pleadingly. "My dear, dear daughter." Eleanor, grown deadly white, clutched the table for support. "I don't understand," she stammered. "I forgot." The newcomer's arms dropped to his side. "You were too young to remember me when I last saw you. Fortunately," meeting Brett's incredulous stare, "Nicodemus knows me." "Your spectacular appearance seems to have knocked him silly," exclaimed Captain Lane, regaining his voice. "I reckon we'll have to bring him around before he can identify you properly." "Nicodemus, tell these gentlemen who I am," commanded the newcomer. "Yo' is my marse, Cap'n Barry Thornton, suh." The voice came from behind Douglas, and all in the room wheeled in that direction. There stood Nicodemus, his eyes starting from his head, his face gray with fright. He had entered unnoticed a second before. Eleanor's senses were reeling. With desperate effort she controlled herself. "Then who is that?" she cried, frantically, pointing to the motionless figure which was partly hidden from their view by the divan. For answer the newcomer stepped forward and thrust the sofa to one side, then stooped and rolled the figure over, disclosing the white hair and well-known features of Colonel Dana Thornton. CHAPTER XXIV THE FINAL EXPLANATION Douglas caught Eleanor as she fell and carried her to the lounge. "Get some water and wine, Lane," he directed, and the young officer sped out of the room, to return quickly with Nicodemus bearing the necessary articles. Douglas forced some of the stimulant between Eleanor's clenched teeth, and bathed her temples and hands with the iced water, and, to his infinite relief, he had the satisfaction of seeing her open her eyes. "Father," she murmured, "Father!" "I am here." The tall, sad-faced man stooped over her, and she placed her trembling hand against his cheek. "Don't look so wild, my darling,"--as recollection returned fully to her. "Think no more of it," and he laid his hand softly over her eyes. She smiled like a tired child, and, reaching over, laid her hand in Douglas', then, reassured, lay still. Seen together, the likeness between father and daughter was obvious. Eleanor had inherited his handsome deep blue eyes, long eyelashes, and brilliant coloring. Brett rose from beside the still figure. "He's dead--this time," he said tersely. "Apoplexy. It beats me how he got out of that burning automobile." "He wasn't in it," said Barry Thornton calmly.