Part 33 (2/2)

He changed something from his left hand to his right. The glint of a moonbeam on the barrel showed me it was a revolver.

I had read the signs aright. He had been tricked into the belief that Karl was the man who had betrayed Gareth, and had come now to do what he had swore to me he would do to any man who harmed her--take his life.

He must surely have had some apparently overwhelming proof given him before he would go to this desperate extreme; and I would know what that proof was, before the night was much older. Already I had a strong suspicion.

These thoughts flashed through my mind in the moment that the Colonel stood hesitating after the noise made by the creaking window; and the instant he moved again, I had no eyes but for him, no thought except for what he proposed to do.

His next act surprised me. He closed the window softly behind him and drew down the blind. The noise was much greater than before, but he paid less heed to it. He pulled it down quickly, shutting out the moonlight; but there was enough dim light through the blind for his purpose.

I could just make out that he held the revolver ready for use as he stepped to the couch and stretched out his hand to seize and wake the sleeper.

I chose that moment to switch on the light and step forward.

He whipped round and levelled his weapon point blank at my head.

I had no fear that he would fire, however. ”Good-evening, Colonel Katona,” I said, in as even and firm a tone as I could command. ”That is only a dummy figure which I put there. I was expecting you.”

He lowered the weapon and stared at me as though he could scarce credit his eyes.

”You!” It was all he could get out for the moment.

”Yes, of course, I. Gareth's friend, you know. You see, there is nothing but a sofa pillow here with a rug over it;” and with a show of unconcern, I pulled the rug away.

”You!” he said again, adding: ”You who know my child's story. If you have tricked me in this, I will have your life as well.”

”If I had tricked you, I should deserve nothing better. You have not been tricked by me, but by others. You may put that revolver away; you will not need it here.”

”Why did you say you would send me the news you had promised, and then send me that letter and tell me of this house where he was to be found, and what was to be done here? You are lying to me with your smooth tongue,” he burst out fiercely. ”You saw me come, or guessed I was here, and you are lying to s.h.i.+eld him--the villain who wronged Gareth and would now wrong you.”

”If you believe that, kill me. I will not flinch, and you will live to find out the horrible crime you would commit. You will have murdered one who saved and befriended Gareth in the hour of pressing need. It would be a fitting climax that you who helped to drive to a shameful death your friend, Ernst von Dreschler, should now murder me, his daughter.”

”Ernst's child! You, his daughter?” he murmured.

”Yes, I am Christabel von Dreschler.”

So overwhelmed was he by the thoughts which my avowal caused that he could do little but stare at me helplessly; until he sank down into a chair, as though his strength failed him, and, laying the revolver on the table, leaned his head upon his hands.

I thought it discreet to pick the weapon up and put it out of his reach; and then sat down near him and waited while he recovered self-possession.

His first question was a natural one. ”Where is Gareth?”

”Safe, and in my care.”

”You can take me to her?”

”She is within an hour's drive; but there is a difficulty in the way.

She believes in the honour of--of her husband----”

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