"But you did not examine the floor of the closet," replied Thornton. "It has a trapdoor cleverly concealed. The passage leads to a secret door which opens on the landing of the circular staircase leading from this floor to the next. My idea is that Dana stole into the room, found the maid asleep, and blew out the gas, leaving her to be asphyxiated, and then returned to his room." "Did you see him do this?"--sternly. "Most certainly not. If I had had the faintest idea that he intended to murder the maid, I would have prevented the crime. I stayed downstairs last night, going over some papers in Dana's desk until nearly three this morning. I was stealing up to my room when I saw Miss Carew coming down the hall, and, when she screamed and roused the household, I bolted into the secret passage opening from the stair landing." "I am exceedingly obliged to you, sir, for straightening out these mysteries," said Brett, stepping to the door. "How much do you wish made public?" "Only that which is absolutely necessary to clear the innocent from suspicion," returned Thornton gravely. "I leave the matter to your judgment." "Very good, sir; I'll hush it up as much as possible. Good evening,"--and Brett departed. Eleanor slipped from the lounge where she had been lying. "Wait for me here, Father," she requested, as she left the room. "Will you excuse me, Mr. Thornton," said Fred Lane, rising. "I would like to join Mrs. Truxton and Cynthia for half an hour." "Certainly, Captain, and I will be exceedingly grateful if you will explain to Mrs. Truxton what has taken place here to-night. Tell her as much or as little as you think necessary." "I will indeed, sir; good night," and Lane, his step elastic as he thought of joining Cynthia, hastened to Mrs. Truxton's room. Eleanor was not long absent. Walking over to the lounge, she laid a number of leather-bound journals on her father's knee. "Mother kept a diary for you, Father; she charged me never to part with it until we should meet, when I was to give it to you." Thornton kissed her in silence. As Eleanor stood hesitating, Douglas' arm stole round her waist. "Come with me, dear heart," he murmured. The lovelight transfigured his strong face and was reflected in her beautiful eyes. Together they strolled to the door, but before passing out of the room Eleanor paused and glanced back at her father. Thornton's iron composure had given way, and his head was bowed over the familiar handwriting as he read through tear-dimmed eyes the messages of love and faith penned by his girl wife in the years that were no more. THE END TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES: A change to the List of Illustrations has been made to correct the typesetters' error for the placement of the illustration facing page 18. Minor changes have been made to correct obvious typesetters' errors and regularize hyphenation. Variant spellings have been retained.