"Surprised perhaps to find me at this hour still up, and with a person upon business--the door locked. However, mutual explanations later. Of course you stay here to night. My business with this--this visitor, is now over. Lionel, open that door--here is the key.--Sir"--(he touched Losely by the shoulder, and whispered in his ear, "Rise and speak not,") --(aloud) "Sir, I need not detain you longer. Allow me to show you the way out of this rambling old house." Jasper rose like one half asleep, and, still bending his form and hiding his face, followed Darrell down the private stair, through the study, the library, into the hall, the Colonel's servant lighting the way; and Lionel and Morley, still too amazed for words, bringing up the rear. The servant drew the heavy bolts from the front door; and now the household had caught alarm. Mills first appeared with the blunderbuss, then the footman, then Fairthorn. "Stand back, there!" cried Darrell, and he opened the door himself to Losely. "Sir," said he then, as they stood in the moonlight, "mark that I told you truly--you were in my power; and if the events of this night can lead you to acknowledge a watchful Providence, and recall with a shudder the crime from which you have been saved, why, then, I too, out of gratitude to Heaven, may think of means by which to free others from the peril of your despair." Losely made no answer, but slunk off with a fast, furtive stride, hastening out of the moonlit sward into the gloom of the leafless trees. CHAPTER II. IF THE LION EVER WEAR THE FOX'S HIDE, STILL HE WEARS IT AS THE LION. When Darrell was alone with Lionel and Alban Morley, the calm with which he had before startled them vanished. He poured out his thanks with deep emotion. "Forgive me; not in the presence of a servant could I say, 'You have saved me from an unnatural strife, and my daaghter's husband from a murderer's end.' But by what wondrous mercy did you learn my danger? Were you sent to my aid?" Alban briefly explained. "You may judge," he said in conclusion, "how great was our anxiety, when, following the instructions of our guide, while our driver rang his alarum at the front portals, we made our entrance into yon ribs of stone, found the doors already opened, and feared we might be too late. But, meanwhile, the poor woman waits without in the carriage that brought us from the station. I must go and relieve her mind."