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DARLISTON.

CHAP. LV.

CAPTURED.

It was two hours past midnight. In the tower, where Helen lay, perfect quiet reigned. She had fainted while Dr. Macarthy, the surgeon of the police force, had pursued his investigation into the state of her arm; but he had pronounced favourably concerning it; and now, in comparative ease from pain, she was taking the first peaceful rest she had enjoyed since the time of her abduction.

The doctor occupied a chair in the room; a decent woman he had brought with him to render assistance lay on the sofa in the one adjoining and, satisfied that all had been done for Helen that could, Arden had thrown himself down on the carpet, and resting his head on the bedside, was sleeping away some of the fatigues of the previous days.

Vigilance, however, had been so habitual to him during that anxious pursuit, that when the sound of a light active step broke the stillness, he was the first to be aroused by it. The doctor had been reading, and was probably in a dozy state. It surprised him to see Mr. Mainwaring spring up so suddenly and pass into the other room. He followed.

"What is it, Collins ?" Arden inquired. "Can't say, sir," was the reply; "but I rather think you had better come down to us. I have had a short nap, but something fidgets me about that fellow. He's on the alert. It's a little strange the men have not returned from boarding the Chaffinch. We have only one man now be

low."

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it's really worth your while. I've brought your boots up that you may tread heavy, and he may take you for the doctor. It's quite dark by the door."

"He's too sharp for that, and has heard my step too often," said Dr. Macarthy. "I'll tell you what, I'll come with you. Wake up, Mrs. Mulligan; there, you need not move, for the lady's sleeping beautiful, and I'll only be gone ten minutes; just keep awake till then. I'll make row enough when we get near the kitchen; he'll not hear your shocless feet behind me, I promise; and you can stand in the doorway and observe him when I have left."

The doctor certainly made his approach unmistakable; for he was not yet within the space lit by the dim turf fire when Witham spoke to him.

"Doctor, how is the young lady? She'll get over it soon I hope. It can't be serious."

"She'll do; but its a bad sort of business. What did you mean by it ?"

"Why, what should I mean when I saw a fellow breaking in at my window by night? Wouldn't you have done the same, Dr. Macarthy? Shooting her was pure accident.”" "You meant to shoot the gentleman ?" "Of course I did. Why should not I? Gentleman indeed! it was like a gentleman to come in that way!"

"But I say, Witham, were you behaving like a gentleman at the time?"

"I give you my honour, doctor, I was treatng the lady with the most profound respect. Is it like me to do otherwise? I never hurt a woman in my life, and would as soon have shot myself as her; sooner. All I have done has been to save her from a mad young fellow who was desperate enough for anything. I have saved her; and if, maybe I had a little inclination for her myself, and played a bit of a farce, there was no harm in it I give you my word."

"Well, you will have to convince others of that. Here, Dennis, boy; give me a little out of the kettle. The water Mrs. Mulligan brought up was half cold."

Dr. Macarthy again ascended to the tower. Collins took a chair close to the door so as to

cover any movement of Mr. Mainwaring's the quick ears of Witham might else perceive. Each in silence directed his attention to where the light of a police lantern shone on the figures of Witham and his servant.

Some ten minutes went by, and nothing very notable had appeared in the conduct of the prisoners. One indeed bore every appearance of having fallen asleep; but Witham, though he kept silence and assumed as easy an attitude on the chest whereon he lay as his handcuffed condition would admit of, was evidently restless.

Mr. Mainwaring had some difficulty in sustaining the perfect stillness he felt to be requisite. He was indeed suffering a good deal from the fatigues he had undergone and felt almost as if sleep were creeping on him as he stood. Yet he kept attention sufficiently alive to be aware of a changed expression coming over the face of Witham; as, under the supposition that he was no longer observed, feelings within revealed them- | selves with some freedom.

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Serious anxieties were there, but hope too. He was listening intently, and under the idea that his efforts at hearing were in some special direction, Mr. Mainwaring as a test allowed himself a change of position. No notice appeared to be taken of the slight sound accompanying it. He was listening for something else; and now he heard; the colour rose in his cheek, and he gave a sharp glance into the shadow of the room as if to ascertain whether attention were awake. Now they heard too, a sound from beneath as of a distant door opening; a sound of rushing footsteps coming nearer, nearer; but from what quarter to expect the comers?

Witham gave a shrill and peculiar whistle, and Collins sprung forwards. "The tower!" he cried, "we can hold that best. Up with you

both!"

The last words were addressed to the prisoners; but, though incapable of active resistance to the mandate, they were very ready with the passive sort that remained to them. Witham struggled desperately to keep his position on the chest; and then, the sounds having become more discernible, a suspicion, before entertained by Arden, became a conviction. The chest itself was the "way in" Collins had apprehended. A moment's observation showed that there were staples upon it as for a padlock, though lock there was none. Arden took from the wall a strong riding-whip and thrust it in as some hindrance to the lid being raised, and then assisted Collins in dragging Witham towards the staircase.

Dennis, the policeman, meanwhile, by force of rather strong arguments applied with his

truncheon, had driven the other prisoner up the rough staircase, and calling Dr. Macarthy, delivered him to his charge.

Witham was shouting vehemently in Irish to those now striking from beneath against the lid of the chest; and the policeman, Dennis, who alone could understand the purport of his words, thought himself justified in taking strong measures to silence him,

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"Come along, Mr. Mainwaring, you're all right I hope? I'm wanted downstairs, and your wife wants you. She's ready to get out of bed to look for you, and we shall have her in a fever."

"All right, doctor; go down, and take the nurse too; there's work for you both. Helen, my darling, were you frightened ?"

"Where have you been? What have you been doing? The doctor will not tell me, but I am sure from the sounds I have heard something dreadful has been going on."

"Lay your head on your pillow, my Helen, and-no, I will not ask for a kiss, for I am not fit to touch you. It's all right now, but we have had what Collins calls a scrimmage, and I have been cuffing the head of a great dirty fellow, a Portuguese, for full five minutes. May I wash my hands ?"

"Of course you may."

"You see, dear, he did not understand our English customs, and began fighting after he had surrendered. There were nothing like handcuffs enough, and we had each to stand over our man till he was rendered harmless. Frank Devonshire has a cut in the leg from one of their knives, and your friend Mr. Boradaile narrowly escaped being shot, and has an ugly bump on the forehead, which I gave him in striking up the pistol levelled at his head. But

we

are all right now, and-I hope I'm not exciting you; how does your arm feel?"" "I think it must be going on well, for I had such a good sleep. Arden, you are sure it is all over ?"

"Yes, dear; the police are with us in force; all danger is over,"

"Tell me about it a little. Who is Frank Devonshire, and who is Mr. Boradaile ?"

"I fancied you knew them both. You must know Mr. Boradaile? a gentleman who danced with you at the fête at Cardington, and sent you those pretty flowers you told me of."

tham said this evening they came from him!" "He sent them? Why, that horrid Mr. Wi

"I'm not surprised; he told you other stories you know. Do you think, dear, it would disturb you very much if I were to ask the gentlemen into the next room? There's young Alfred Merrivale, you know him ?"

"Oh, yes; but I should never have thought of his being here.”

"Yes, he is downstairs, and has been fighting like a Trojan. Now he has his sketch book out, and is making studies in the kitchen."

"I should like them to come; I should like to hear their voices; but you need not go down

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