"In your house, my dear lady?" queried Pratt, blandly. Mrs Gabriel got very white and sat down again. Apparently Pratt had some power over her, which she was afraid he might use. Leo had never seen the woman so cowed. "Well, well," continued Pratt, stretching his legs; "I have to go, thanks to that wretched man Marton. How was it he appeared so unexpectedly?" "Raston sent for him to London to find out who committed the robbery." "Ah!" Pratt laughed. "I hope Mr Marton is satisfied now. My letter should have pleased him." "It pleased me more," said Leo, bluntly; "my name is now clear! And you will be glad to hear," he added, turning to Mrs Gabriel, "that Hale, in the presence of Marton and his sister, confessed that he lent me the money. I am afraid your plot against me has failed, my dear aunt." "Hold your tongue!" said Mrs Gabriel, angrily. "No. The time has passed for that. I am no longer in your power. I intend to make my own way in the world." "With assistance from Mrs Gabriel," said Pratt, quietly. "She will start you with a thousand pounds, my dear Leo." "I won't give one penny," said Mrs Gabriel, glaring. "You can do your very worst, Pratt. I have been your milch cow long enough." "I would not take anything from her," said Leo, interposing; "and I'll thank you, Mr Pratt, to leave my affairs alone. If you will persist in meddling with them, I shall not keep my promise of silence." "Oh, yes, you will!" chimed in Pratt, fixing him with his eye. "You dare not betray me, Leo." "_Dare_ not!" echoed the young man, angrily. "Not unless you want to be called an unnatural son, my boy!" Leo stared, not taking in the meaning of this speech. "For you are my son, Leo," added Pratt in low tones, his eyes never leaving Haverleigh's face. "Your--your--Great Heavens!" Mrs Gabriel burst into a taunting laugh. "Ah, you know it at last!" she cried triumphantly. "And he has told you after threatening me with all sorts of things to keep me silent." "It's--it's not true!" gasped Leo. "It is perfectly true," said the woman, jeeringly. "You are the son of the cleverest thief in the three kingdoms." "Hold your tongue, you hag!" shouted Pratt, angrily, for Leo was as white as ashes and his face wore an expression of terrible agony. "I won't be quiet. You told him yourself, and now he shall know all--as the vicar does," finished Mrs Gabriel, laughing fiercely. Leo started to his feet. "Sybil!" he cried out, staring at his enemy. "I know now why the vicar will not let me marry her. You--you--" "Told him you were an illegitimate son," said Mrs Gabriel, rapidly. "I did not say who was your father, but now that Pratt's true character is known I shall tell Tempest everything. Then we shall see if he will let you speak to Sybil again." "You dare say a word, Mrs Gabriel, and I--"