"Then I've got a theory now," said the superintendent, clapping his subordinate on the shoulder. "You're right, I think, about their coining their own gold, and they came back to town--you see, d.i.c.k, the people of the house were out of town."

"Yes, been out some time. I know that."

"Well, they came back, and caught these two chaps breaking into the way to their underground bank, and they treated them like burglars, and shot them. Then there was a row; that lady you talk about wouldn't stand it; you raised the alarm."

"And they've sloped. Ah, we ought to have had them, sir."

"Oh, we'll do it yet. They can't get away very far, my lad. Now then, what are you thinking about now?"

"All those quids, sir. I'm sure I'm right now. Big swells like they were, as I've often seen, with tip-top carriages and horses, wouldn't coin their own gold even if they'd got a mine. They're a gang of coiners, sir, and so you'll see. Got one of the sovs., sir?"

"No."

"Then take one of those little bars, and have that examined."

The superintendent picked up one of the ingots, looked at it intently and shook his head.

"Ah, you can't tell by that, sir," said his subordinate. "I say, look, sir; they've had the electric light. I wonder where they turn it on."

The place was soon found, the stud pressed, and about a dozen gla.s.s bulbs shed a beautifully soft light through the arched place.

"Good gold; a big sum of money in ingots, my lad," said the inspector, jingling two bars together and producing a musical sound. "Here, stop!

I must have all these in that strong closet before we go--and double my sentries," he muttered. "Why, there must be thousands of pounds' worth lying here."

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.

A SHARP SHOCK.

As Chester entered the room, and found himself face to face with the woman he had so cruelly used, he involuntarily caught Marion's arm, placed it beneath his own, and drew a deep breath as if prepared to defend her against any attack.

Marion shivered slightly and pressed to his side, while Isabel gazed at her wildly and fixedly, before letting her lids drop over her eyes, and standing there breathing painfully, with one hand resting over her heart.

Chester glanced at her with a feeling of despair and misery rising in his breast, but he turned his pitying gaze away and spoke to his sister, who stood drawn up to her full height, frowning, and as defiant as the brother upon whom she fixed her eyes as he spoke.

"Laura," he said gently, "I have brought this lady here as a man brings one who seeks sanctuary--safety from a terrible peril."

"Well?" she said coldly.

"I bring her to you, my sister, asking you--to let her find the refuge and safety of which I have spoken. You will do this for my sake?"

"No!" cried a sharp voice from the door--a voice which sank from time to time in its owner's excited state, so that her words were only half audible--"No, she will do nothing of the kind. How dare you bring her here to insult the lady to whom you were betrothed?"

Chester turned upon the speaker angrily, but after the first word or two his voice softened down, and he spoke as one suffering deeply from his emotion.

"Aunt, you have no right to speak to me like this. Remember, please, that something is due to me; far more to the lady for whom I ask protection and a welcome."

"No, no," whispered Marion. "For pity's sake take me away from here."

"No," said Chester, firmly. "This is my house, and you will stay here.

Laura, you heard what I said?"

"Yes, Fred; I heard what you said," she replied in a cold, unemotional way.

"Then give Miss Clareborough the welcome I ask of my own sister."

"No!" cried Aunt Grace, angrily.

"Aunt," said Laura, coldly, "have the goodness to be silent. No, Fred, I cannot do what you say. It is an insult to Isabel and to me to make such a request."

"Have you no pity for me?" whispered Marion, reproachfully. "How can you expose me to this?"

He pa.s.sed an arm round her waist and led her to a chair.

"Isabel," he said gently, and she started and raised her eyes, to gaze at him fully, "you must know I could; not dream that you would be here.

You will forgive me, too, for what I am compelled to say."

She bowed her head gently and once more veiled her eyes, while Chester stood by the chair holding Marion's hand.

"Aunt Grace, I insist upon your being silent. You have no voice in this matter. Laura, I tell you again that this lady is in grievous peril and needs all a sister's help. I ask that help of you; will you give it?"

Laura was silent for a few moments; then she turned and gazed at Isabel, ending by throwing her arms about her, and then facing her brother once more.

"Well?" he said bitterly.

"It is impossible, Fred. If you have forgotten all that was due to Isabel, I cannot. No; and if aunt leaves this house I go with her."

"I insist then," cried Chester, angrily.

"No," said Marion, rising. "I must go. It is not right."

"I am the best judge of that," said Chester, firmly, and he retained her hand. "Isabel, I never thought that we could ever stand in such a position as this; but now, face to face, I feel bound to say once more, forgive me, and to ask you to believe the simple truth--that I should have been doing you a greater wrong in holding to our engagement and making you my wife."

She looked up at him firmly, and his heart throbbed with pity for her innocence and suffering, but there was no reproach in her clear, steadfast gaze. He read in it that she unquestioningly yielded to her fate; and at the end of a few moments her eyes fell towards the floor.

"You see," whispered Marion, faintly, "it is impossible. Let me go and join them."

"And leave me?" he whispered. "Here, water--quick! Oh, if there is an unfeeling creature upon the face of the earth, it is a woman at a time like this. Can you not see that she is fainting after the most cruel sufferings, and you all stand aside as if she were some leprous thing!

Hah! Isabel!"

"Yes, Fred," she said softly.

She went down on one knee and tenderly raised the fainting woman's head till it rested upon her shoulder.

The touch seemed to revive Marion, and in a few moments she opened her eyes and gazed wonderingly at the face so close to hers.

"You?" she said softly.