Part 89 (1/2)

The hour which Beatrice had mentioned in her diary aited by herewith feverish ieelo, and this confidence was heightened by the fact that Mrs Co to accompany her The very timidity of this poor old creature would have prevented her fro of escape on any ordinary occasion; but now the latter showed no fear She evinced a strange exultation She showed Philips's letter to Beatrice, and ain

It contained only a feords

”The time has come at last I will keep ht to leave Brandon Hall and those devils forever The Hindu will help you

”EDGAR”

Mrs Co

The fact that she had a letter seemed to absorb all her faculties, and no other idea entered her mind Beatrice had but few preparations to make; a small parcel contained all hich she dared to encu it up she waited in extreme impatience for the time

At last two o'clock came Mrs Compton was in her room There was a faint tap at the door Beatrice opened it It was Asgeelo The Hindu stood with his finger on his lips, and then moved away slowly and stealthily They followed

The Hindu led the way, carrying a sreat caution, butit sufficient if he made no noise Beatrice followed, and Mrs Co but the note froh she estee of value which she possessed

[ILlustRATION: ”THE GIGANTIC FIGURE OF ASGEELO STOOD ERECT, ONE ARM CLUTCHING THE THROAT OF HIS assAILANT, AND THE OTHER HOLDING THE KNIFE ALOFT”]

In spite of Beatrice's confidence in Asgeelo she felt her heart sink with dread as she passed through the hall and down the great stairway

But no sound disturbed thehts were all out and the house was still The door of the dining-rooeelo led the way to the north door They went on quietly without any interruption, and at last reached it Asgeelo turned the key and held the door half open for a o out

Beatrice took two or three steps forward, when suddenly a dark figure eed from the stairway that led to the servants' hall and with a sudden spring, advanced to Asgeelo

The latter dropped the lamp, which fell with a rattle on the floor but still continued burning He drew a long, keen knife from his breast, and seized the other by the throat

Beatrice started back By the light that flickered on the floor she saw it all The gigantic figure of Asgeelo stood erect, one ar the throat of his assailant, and the other holding the knife aloft

Beatrice rushed forward and caught the uplifted arm

”Spare him!” she said, in a lohisper ”He is my friend He helped nized Vijal

The Hindu dropped his arered back and looked earnestly at Beatrice Recognizing her, he fell on his knees and kissed her hand

”I will keep your secret,” he murmured

Beatrice hurried out, and the others followed They heard the key turn in the door after theeelo led the ith a swift step They went down the ate without any interruption The gates were shut

Beatrice looked around in soeelo said nothing, but tapped at the door of the porter's lodge The door soon opened, and the porter caates in silence

They went out The huge gates shut behind them They heard the key turn in the lock In her excitement Beatrice wondered at this, and saw that the porter must also be in the secret Was this the work of Brandon?