 CHAPTER XX METABILISM Am I looking grave?" asked Sir Nathaniel, inconsequently when he re-entered the room. You certainly are, sir. We little thought, when we first met, that we should be drawn into such a vortex. Already we are mixed up in robbery and probably murder. But a thousand times worse than all the crimes in the calendar, in an affair of ghastly mystery which has no bottom and no end, with forces of the most unnerving kind which had their origin in an age when the world was different from the world which we know. We are going back to the origin of superstition, to an age when dragons tore each other in their slime. We must fear nothing, no conclusion, however improbable, almost impossible it may be. Death and death is hanging on our judgment, not only for ourselves, but for others whom we love. Remember, I count on you as I hope you count on me. I do, with all my confidence. Then, said Sir Nathaniel, let us think justly and boldly and fear nothing, however terrifying it may seem. I suppose I am to take as exact in every detail your account of all the strange things which happened whilst you were in Diana's Grove. So far as I know, yes. Of course I may be mistaken in recollection of some detail or another, but I am quite certain that in the main what I have said is correct. You feel sure that you saw Lady Arabella seize the negro round the neck and drag him down with her into the hole? Absolutely certain, sir, otherwise I should have gone to her assistance. We have then an account of what happened from an eyewitness whom we trust, that is yourself. We have also another account, written by Lady Arabella, under her own hand. These two accounts do not agree. Therefore we must take it that one of the two is lying. Apparently, sir, and that Lady Arabella is the liar. Apparently as I am not. We must therefore try to find a reason for her lying. She has nothing to fear from Oolonga who is dead. Therefore the only reason that could actuate her would be to convince someone else that she was blameless, that someone could not be you, for you had the evidence of your own eyes. There was no one else present, therefore it must have been an absent person. That seems beyond dispute, sir. There is only one other person whose good opinion she could wish to keep, Edgar Caswell. He is the only one who fills the bill. Her lies point to other things besides the death of the African. She evidently wanted it to be accepted that his falling into the well was his own act. I cannot suppose that she expected to convince you, the eyewitness, but if she wished later on to spread the story, it was wise of her to try to get your acceptance of it. That is so. Then there were other matters of untruth, that, for instance, of the ermine collar embroidered with emeralds. If an understandable reason be required for this, it would be to draw attention away from the green lights which were seen in the room, and especially in the well-hole. Any unprejudiced person would accept the green lights to be the eyes of a great snake, such as tradition pointed to living in the well-hole. In fine, therefore, Lady Arabella wanted the general belief to be that there was no snake of the kind in Diana's grove. For my own part I don't believe in a partial liar. This act does not deal in veneer. A liar is a liar right through. Self-interest may prompt falsity of the tongue, but if one proved to be a liar, nothing that he says can ever be believed. This leads us to the conclusion that, because she said or inferred that there was no snake, we should take for one and expect to find it, too. Now let me digress. I live and have for many years lived in Derbyshire, a county more celebrated for its caves than any other county in England. I have been through them all, and am familiar with every turn of them, and also with other great caves in Kentucky, in France, in Germany, and a host of other places. In many of these are tremendously deep caves of narrow aperture, which are valued by intrepid explorers who descend narrow gullets of abysmal depth, and sometimes never return. In many of the caverns in the peak I am convinced that some of the smaller passages were used in primeval times as the layers of some of the great serpents of legend and tradition. It may have been that such caverns were formed in the usual geologic way, bubbles or flaws in the earth's crust, which were later used by the monsters of the period of the young world. It may have been, of course, that some of them were worn originally by water, but in time they all found a use when suitable for living monsters. This brings us to another point, more difficult to accept and understand than any other requiring belief in a base not usually accepted, or indeed entered on, whether such abnormal growths could have ever changed in their nature. Some day the study of metabolism may progress so far as to enable us to accept structural changes proceeding from an intellectual or moral base. We may lean towards a belief that great animal strength may be a sound base for changes of all sorts. If this is so, what could be a more fitting subject than primeval monsters whose strength was such as to allow a survival of thousands of years? We do not know yet if brain can increase and develop independently of other parts of the living structure. After all, the medieval belief in the philosopher's stone which could transmute metals has its counterpart in the accepted theory of metabolism which changes living tissue. In an age of investigation, like our own, when we are returning to science as the base of wonders, almost of miracles, we should be slow to refuse to accept facts, however impossible they may seem to be. Let us suppose a monster of the early days of the world, a dragon of the prime, a vast age running into thousands of years to whom had been conveyed in some way, it matters not, a brain just sufficient for the beginning of growth. Suppose the monster to be of incalculable size and of a strength quite abnormal, a veritable incarnation of animal strength. Suppose this animal is allowed to remain in one place, thus being removed from accidents of interrupted development. Might not, would not, this creature in process of time, ages if necessary, have that rudimentary intelligence developed? There is no impossibility in this. It is only the natural process of evolution. In the beginning the instincts of animals are confined to alimentation, self-protection, and the manipulation of their species. As time goes on and the needs of life become more complex, power follows need. We have been long accustomed to consider growth, as applied almost exclusively to size in its various aspects, but nature who has no docturnal ideas may equally apply it to concentration. A developing thing may expand in any given way or form. Now, it is a scientific law that increase implies gain and loss of various kinds. What a thing gains in one direction it may lose in another. May it not be that mother nature may deliberately encourage, decrease as well as increase. That it may be an axiom that what is gained in concentration is lost in size. Take for instance, monsters that tradition has accepted and localized, such as the Worm of Lampton or that of Spindleston Hay. If such a creature were, by its own process of metabolism, to change much of its bulk for intellectual growth, we should at once arrive at a new class of creature. More dangerous, perhaps, than the world has ever had any experience of. A force which can think, which has no soul and no morals, and therefore no acceptance of responsibility. A snake would be a good illustration of this, for it is cold-blooded, and therefore removed from the temptations which often weaken or restrict warm-blooded creatures. If, for instance, the Worm of Lampton, if such ever existed, were guided to its own ends by an organized intelligence capable of expansion, what form of creature could we imagine, which would equal it in potentialities of evil? Why such a being would devastate a whole country? Now all these things require much thought, and we want to apply the knowledge usefully, and we should therefore be exact. Would it not be well to resume the subject later in the day? I quite agree, sir, I am in a whirl already, and want to attend carefully to what you say, so that I may try to digest it. Both men seemed fresher and better for the easy, and when they met in the afternoon each of them had something to contribute to the general stock of information. Adam, who was by nature of a more militant disposition than his elderly friend, was glad to see that the conference at once assumed a practical trend. Sir Nathaniel recognized this, and like an old diplomatist turned it to present use. Tell me now, Adam, what is the outcome in your mind of our conversation? That the whole difficulty already assumes practical shape, but with added dangers, that at first I did not imagine. What is the practical shape, and what are the added dangers? I am not disputing, but only trying to clear my own thoughts by the consideration of yours. So Adam went on. In the past, in the early days of the world, there were monsters who were so vast that they could exist for thousands of years. Some of them must have overlapped the Christian era. They may have progressed intellectually in process of time, if they had in any way so progressed, or even got the most rudimentary form of brain, they would be the most dangerous thing that ever were in the world. Tradition says that one of these monsters lived in the marsh of the east, and came up to a cave in Diana's Grove, which was also called the Layer of the White Worm. Such creatures may have grown down as well as up. They may have grown into, or something like, human beings. The Arabella March is of snake nature. She has committed crimes to our knowledge. She retained something of the vast strength of her primal being. Can see in the dark has the eyes of a snake. She used the nigger and then dragged him through the snake's hole down to the swamp. She is intent on evil and hates someone we love. Result? Yes, the result. First that Mimi Watford should be taken away at once. Then, yes, the monster must be destroyed. Bravo! That is a true and fearless conclusion. At whatever cost it must be carried out. At once? Soon at all events. That creature's very existence is a danger. Her presence in this neighborhood makes the danger immediate. As he spoke Sir Nathaniel's mouth hardened and his eyebrows came down till they met. There was no doubting his concurrence in the resolution, or his readiness to help in carrying it out, but he was an elderly man with much experience and knowledge of law and diplomacy. It seemed to him to be a stern duty to prevent anything irrevocable taking place till it had been thought out and all was ready. There were all sorts of legal cruxes to be thought out, not only regarding the taking of life, even of a monstrosity in human form, but also of property. The Arabella, be she woman or snake or devil, owned the ground she moved in, according to British law, and the law is jealous and swift to avenge wrongs done within its ken. All such difficulties should be, must be avoided, for Mr. Salton's sake, for Adam's own sake and most of all for Mimi Watford's sake. Before he spoke again Sir Nathaniel had made up his mind that he must try to postpone decisive action until the circumstances on which they depended, which, after all, were only problematical, should have been tested satisfactorily one way or another. When he did speak, Adam at first thought that his friend was wavering in his intentions or funking the responsibility. However, his respect for Sir Nathaniel was so great that he would not act or even come to a conclusion on a vital point without his sanction. He came close and whispered in his ear, We shall prepare our plans to combat and destroy this horrible menace after we have cleared up some of the more baffling points. Meanwhile we must wait for the night. I hear my uncle's footsteps echoing down the hall. Sir Nathaniel nodded his approval. CHAPTER XXI. GREEN LIGHT. When old Mr. Salton had retired for the night, Adam and Sir Nathaniel returned to the study. Things went with great regularity at Lesser Hill, so they knew that there would be no interruption to their talk. When their cigars were lighted Sir Nathaniel began. I hope, Adam, that you do not think me either slack or changeable of purpose. I mean to go through this business to the bitter end, whatever it may be. Be satisfied that my first care is and shall be the protection of Mimi Watford. To that I am pledged. My dear boy, we who are interested are all in the same danger. That semi-human monster out of the pit hates and means to destroy us all. You and me certainly, and probably your uncle. I wanted especially to talk with you tonight, for I cannot help thinking that the time is fast coming, if it has not come already, when we must take your uncle into our confidence. It was one thing when fancied evils threatened, but now he is probably marked for death, and it is only right that he should know all. I am with you, sir. Things have changed since we agreed to keep him out of the trouble. Now we dare not. Consideration for his feelings might cost his life. It is a duty, and no lighter pleasant one, either. I have not a shadow of doubt that he will want to be one with us in this. But remember, we are his guests, his name, his honor have to be thought of as well as his safety. All shall be as you wish, Adam, and now as to what we are to do. We cannot murder Lady Arabella offhand, therefore we shall have to put things in order for the killing, and in such a way that we cannot be taxed with a crime. It seems to me, sir, that we are in an exceedingly tight place. Our first difficulty is to know where to begin. I never thought this fighting an antediluvian monster would be such a complicated job. This one is a woman, with all a woman's wit, combined with the heartlessness of a coquette. She has the strength and impregnability of a diplodocus. We may be sure that in the fight that is before us there will be no semblance of fair play. Also that our unscrupulous opponent will not betray herself. That is so, but being feminine she will probably overreach herself. Now, Adam, it strikes me that, as we have to protect ourselves and others against feminine nature, our strong game will be to play our masculine against her feminine. Perhaps we had better sleep on it. She is a thing of the night, and the night may give us some ideas. So they both turned in. Adam knocked at Sir Nathaniel's door in the gray of the morning, and unbeing bidden came into the room. He had several letters in his hand. Sir Nathaniel sat up in bed. Well, I should like to read you a few letters, but, of course, I shall not send them unless you approve. In fact, with a smile and a blush, there are several things which I want to do. But I hold my hand to my tongue till I have your approval. Go on," said the other kindly, tell me all, and count at any rate on my sympathy, and on my approval and help if I can see my way. Accordingly Adam proceeded, When I told you the conclusions at which I had arrived, I put in the foreground that Mimi Watford should, for the sake of my own safety, be removed, and that the monster which had brought all the harm should be destroyed. Yes, that is so. To carry this into practice, sir, one preliminary is required. Unless harm of another kind is to be faced, Mimi should have some protector whom all the world would recognize. The only form recognized by convention is marriage. Sir Nathaniel smiled in a fatherly way. To marry a husband is required, and that husband should be you. Yes, yes. And the marriage should be immediate and secret, or at least not spoken of outside ourselves. Would the young lady be agreeable to that proceeding? I do not know, sir. Then how are we to proceed? I suppose that we, or one of us, must ask her. Is that a sudden idea, Adam, a sudden resolution? A sudden resolution, sir, but not a sudden idea. If she agrees, all is well and good. The sequence is obvious. And it is to be kept a secret amongst ourselves. I want no secret, sir, except for Mimi's good. For myself I should like to shout it from the housetops, but we must be discreet, untimely knowledge to our enemy might work in calcable harm. And how would you suggest, Adam, that we could combine the momentous question with secrecy? Adam grew red and moved uneasily. Someone must ask her as soon as possible. And that someone? I thought that you, sir, would be so good. God bless my soul. This is a new kind of duty to take on, at my time of life. Adam, I hope you know that you can count on me to help in any way I can. I have already counted on you, sir, when I ventured to make such a suggestion. I can only ask, he added, that you will be more than ever kind to me, to us, and look on the painful duty as a voluntary act of grace prompted by kindness and affection. Yes, said Adam boldly, painful to you, though to me it would be all joyful. It is a strange job for an early morning. Well we all live and learn. I suppose the sooner I go the better. You had better write a line for me to take with me. For you see, this is to be a somewhat unusual transaction, and it may be embarrassing to the lady, even to myself. So we ought to have some sort of warrant, something to show that we have been mindful of her feelings. It will not do to take acquiescence for granted, although we act for her good. Sir Nathaniel, you are a true friend. I am sure that both Mimi and I shall be grateful to you for all our lives, however long that may be. So the two talked it over and agreed as to points to be born in mind by the ambassador. It was striking ten when Sir Nathaniel left the house, Adam seeing him quietly off. As the young man followed him with wistful eyes, almost jealous of the privilege which his kind deed was about to bring him, he felt that his own heart was in his friend's breast. The memory of that morning was like a dream to all those concerned in it. Sir Nathaniel had a confused recollection of detail in sequence, though the main facts stood out in his memory boldly and clearly. Adam Sultan's recollection was of an illimitable weight, filled with anxiety, hope, and chagrin. All dominated by a sense of the slow passage of time and accompanied by vague fears. Mimi could not for a long time think at all or recollect anything, except that Adam loved her and was saving her from a terrible danger. When she had time to think later on, she wondered when she had any ignorance of the fact that Adam loved her and that she loved him with all her heart. Having every recollection, however small, every feeling seemed to fit into those elemental facts as though they had all been molded together. The main and crowning recollection was her saying good-bye to Sir Nathaniel and entrusting to him loving messages straight from her heart to Adam Sultan, and of his bearing win with an impulse which she could not check. She put her lips to his and kissed him. Later, when she was alone and had time to think, it was a passing grief to her that she would have to be silent for a time to lila on the happy events of that strange mission. She had, of course, agreed to keep all secret until Adam should give her leave to speak. The advice and assistance of Sir Nathaniel was a great help to Adam in carrying out his idea of marrying Mimi Watford without publicity. He went with him to London, and with his influence the young man obtained the license of the Archbishop of Canterbury for a private marriage. Sir Nathaniel then persuaded old Mr. Sultan to allow his nephew to spend a few weeks with him at Doom Tower, and it was here that Mimi became Adam's wife. But that was only the first step in their plans. Before going further, however, Adam took his bride off to the Isle of Man. He wished to place a stretch of sea between Mimi and the White Worm, while things matured. On their return, Sir Nathaniel met them and drove them at once to Doom, taking care to avoid any one that he knew on the journey. Sir Nathaniel had taken care to have the doors and windows shut and locked, all but the door used for their entry. The shutters were up and the blinds down. Moreover, heavy curtains were drawn across the windows. When Adam commented on this, Sir Nathaniel said in a whisper, Wait till we are alone, and I'll tell you why this is done. In the meantime, not a word or a sign. You will approve when we have had a talk together. They said no more on the subject till after dinner, when they were ensconced in Sir Nathaniel's study, which was on the top story. Doom Tower was a lofty structure situated on an eminence high up in the peak. The top commanded a wide prospect, ranging from the hills above the Ribble to the near side of the Brow, which marked the northern bound of ancient Mercia. It was of the early Norman period, less than a century younger than Castor Regis. The windows of the study were barred and locked, and heavy dark curtains closed them in. When this was done, not a gleam of light from the Tower could be seen from outside. When they were alone, Sir Nathaniel explained that he had taken his old friend, Mr. Salton, into full confidence, and that in future all would work together. It is important for you to be extremely careful, in spite of the fact that our marriage was kept secret, as also your temporary absence both are known. How? To whom? How? I know not, but I am beginning to have an idea. To her? asked Adam in momentary consternation. Sir Nathaniel shivered perceptibly. The white worm, yes. Adam noticed that from now on his friend never spoke of Lady Arabella otherwise, except when he wished to divert the suspicion of others. Sir Nathaniel switched off the electric light, and when the room was pitch dark he came to Adam, took him by the hand, and led him to a seat set in the southern window. Then he softly drew back a piece of the curtain and motioned his companion to look out. Adam did so, and immediately shrank back as though his eyes had opened on pressing danger. His companion set his mind at rest by saying in a low voice, It is all right, you may speak, but speak low. There is no danger here, at present. Adam leaned forward, taking care, however, not to press his face against the glass. What he saw would not under ordinary circumstances have caused concern to anybody. With his special knowledge it was appalling, though the night was now so dark that in reality there was little to be seen. On the western side of the tower stood a grove of old trees, of forest dimensions. They were not grouped closely, but stood a little apart from each other, producing the effect of a row widely planted. Over the tops of them was seen a green light, something like the danger signal at a railway crossing. It seemed at first quite still, but presently when Adam's eyes became accustomed to it he could see that it moved as if trembling. This at once recalled to Adam's mind the light quivering above the well-hole in the darkness of that inner room at Diana's grove, Ulanga's awful shriek, and the hideous black face, now grown gray with terror, disappearing into the impenetrable gloom of the mysterious orifice. Instinctively he laid his hand on his revolver and stood up ready to protect his wife. Then seeing that nothing happened and that the light and all outside the tower remained the same he softly pulled the curtain over the window. Cernophaniel switched on the light again, and in its comforting glow they began to talk freely. CHAPTER XXII. She has diabolical cunning, said Cernophaniel. Ever since you left she has ranged along the brow and wherever you were accustomed to frequent. I have not heard whence the knowledge of your movements came to her, nor have I been able to learn any data whereon to found an opinion. She seems to have heard both of your marriage and your absence, but I gather, by inference, that she does not actually know where you and Mimi are or of your return. So soon as the dusk fails she goes out on her rounds and before dawn covers the whole ground round the brow and way up into the heart of the peak. The white worm, in her own proper shape, certainly has great faculties for the business on which she is now engaged. She can look into windows of any ordinary kind. Happily, this house is beyond her reach, if she wishes, as she manifestly does, to remain unrecognized. But even at this height it is wise to show no lights, lest she might learn something of our presence or absence. Would it not be well, sir, if one of us could see this monster in her real shape at close quarters? I am willing to run the risk, for I take it there would be no slight risk in the doing. I don't suppose any one of our time has seen her close and lived to tell the tale. Sir Nathaniel held up an expostulatory hand. Good God, lad, what are you suggesting? Think of your wife and all that is at stake. It is of Mimi that I think, for her sake that I am willing to risk whatever is to be risked. Adam's young bride was proud of her man, but she blanched at the thought of the ghastly white worm. Adam saw this, and at once reassured her. So long as her ladyship does not know where about I am, I shall have as much safety as remains to us. Bear in mind, my darling, that we cannot be too careful. Sir Nathaniel realized that Adam was right. The white worm had no supernatural powers and could not harm them until she discovered their hiding-place. It was agreed, therefore, that the two men should go together. When the two men slipped out by the back door of the house, they walked cautiously along the avenue which trended towards the West. Everything was pitch dark, so dark, that at times they had to feel their way by the palings and tree trunks. They could still see, seemingly far in front of them and high up, the baleful light which at the height and distance seemed like a faint line. As they were now on the level of the ground, the light seemed infinitely higher than it had from the top of the tower. At the sight Adam's heart fell. The danger of the desperate enterprise which he had undertaken burst upon him, but this feeling was shortly followed by another which resorted him to himself, a fierce loathing and a desire to kill such as he had never experienced before. They went on for some distance on a level road, fairly wide, from which the green light was visible. After Sir Nathaniel spoke softly, placing his lips to Adam's ear for safety. We know nothing whatever of this creature's power of hearing or smelling, though I presume that both are of no great strength. As to seeing, we may presume the opposite. But in any case, we must try to keep in the shade behind the tree trunks. The slightest error would be fatal to us. Adam only nodded, in case there should be any chance of the monster seeing the movement. After a time that seemed interminable, they emerged from the circling wood. It was like coming out into sunlight by comparison with the misty blackness which had been around them. There was light enough to see by, though not sufficient to distinguish things at a distance. Adam's eyes sought the green light in the sky. It was still in about the same place, but its surroundings were more visible. It was now at the summit of what seemed to be a long white pole near the top of which were two pendant white masses like rudimentary arms or fins. The green light, strangely enough, did not seem lessened by the surrounding starlight, but had a clearer effect and a deeper green. Whilst they were carefully regarding this, Adam with the aid of an opera-glass, their nostrils were assailed by a horrid stench, something like that which rose from the well-hole in Diana's grove. By degrees as their eyes got to the right focus, they saw an immense, towering mass that seemed snowy white. It was tall and thin. The lower part was hidden by the trees which lay between, but they could follow the tall white shaft and the duplicate green lights which topped it. As they looked there was a movement, the shaft seemed to bend, and the line of green light descended amongst the trees. They could see the green light twinkle as it passed between the obstructing branches. Seeing where the head of the monster was, the two men ventured a little further forward and saw that the hidden mass at the base of the shaft was composed of vast coils of the great serpent's body, forming a base from which the upright mass rose. As they looked, this lower mass moved, the glistening folds catching the moonlight, and they could see that the monster's progress was along the ground. It was coming towards them at a swift pace, so they turned and ran, taking care to make as little noise as possible, either by their footfalls or by disturbing the undergrowth close to them. They did not stop or pause till they saw before them the high dark tower of doom. CHAPTER XXIII. IN THE ENEMY'S HOUSE. Sir Nathaniel was in the library next morning after breakfast when Adam came to him carrying a letter. Her ladyship doesn't lose any time. She has begun work already. Sir Nathaniel, who was writing at a table near the window, looked up. What is it, said he. Adam held up the letter he was carrying. It was in a blazoned envelope. Ha! said Sir Nathaniel, from the white worm I expected something of the kind. But, said Adam, how could she have known we were here? She didn't know last night. I don't think we need trouble about that, Adam. There is so much we do not understand. This is only another mystery. Suffice it that she does know, perhaps it is all the better and safer for us. How is that? asked Adam with a puzzled look. General process of reasoning, my boy, and the experience of some years in the diplomatic world. This creature is a monster without heart or consideration for anything or any one. She is not nearly so dangerous in the open as when she has the dark to protect her, besides we know by our own experience of her movements that for some reason she shuns publicity. In spite of her vast bulk and abnormal strength she is afraid to attack openly. After all she is only a snake and with a snake's nature which is to keep low and squirm and proceed by stealth and cunning. She will never attack when she can run away, although she knows well that running away could probably be fatal to her. What is the letter about? Sir Nathaniel's voice was calm and self-possessed. When he was engaged in any struggle of wits he was all diplomatist. She asks Mimi and me to tea this afternoon at Diana's Grove and hopes that you also will favour her. Sir Nathaniel smiled. Please accept Mrs. Sultan to accept for us all. She means some deadly mischief. Surely, surely it would be wiser not. It is an old trick that we learn early in diplomacy, Adam, to fight on ground of your own choice. It is true that she suggested the place on this occasion, but by accepting it we make it ours. Moreover, she will not be able to understand our reason for doing so, and her own bad conscience, if she has any good or bad, and her own fears and doubts will play our game for us. No, my dear boy, let us accept by all means. Adam said nothing but silently held out his hand, which his companion shook. No words were necessary. When it was getting near tea time Mimi asked Sir Nathaniel how they were going. We must make a point of going in state. We want all possible publicity. Mimi looked at him inquiringly. Certainly, my dear, in the present circumstances publicity is a part of safety. Do not be surprised if, whilst we are at Diana's Grove, occasional messages come for you, for all or any of us. I see, said Mrs. Sultan, you are taking no chances. None, my dear, all I have learned at foreign courts and amongst the civilized and uncivilized people is going to be utilized within the next couple of hours. Sir Nathaniel's voice was full of seriousness, and it brought to Mimi in a convincing way the awful gravity of the occasion. In due course they set out in a carriage drawn by a fine pair of horses, who soon devoured the few miles of their journey. Before they came to the gate, Sir Nathaniel turned to Mimi. I have arranged with Adam certain signals which may be necessary if certain eventualities occur. These need be nothing to do with you directly. But bear in mind that if I ask you or Adam to do anything, do not lose a second in the doing of it. We must try to pass off such moments with an appearance of unconcern. In all probability nothing requiring such care will occur. The white worm will not try force, though she has so much of it, to spare. Whatever she may attempt today, of harm to any of us, will be in the way of secret plot. Some other time she may try force, but if I am able to judge such a thing, not today, the messengers who may ask for any of us will not be at witnesses only, they may help to stave off danger. Seeing query in her face he went on, of what kind the danger may be I know not and cannot guess. It will doubtless be some ordinary circumstance, but none the less dangerous on that account. Here we are at the gate. Now be careful in all matters, however small, to keep your head is half the battle. There were a number of men in livery in the hall when they arrived. The doors of the drawing-room were thrown open, and Lady Arabella came forth and offered them cordial welcome. This having been got over, Lady Arabella led them into another room where tea was served. Adam was acutely watchful and suspicious of everything, and saw on the far side of this room a paneled iron door of the same color and configuration as the outer door of the room where was the well-hole wherein Ulanga had disappeared. Something in the site alarmed him, and he quietly stood near the door. He made no movement even of his eyes, but he could see that Sir Nathaniel was watching him intently, and he fancied with approval. They all sat near the table, spread for tea. Adam still near the door. Lady Arabella fanned herself, complaining of heat, and told one of the footmen to throw all the outer doors open. Tea was in progress when Mimi suddenly started up with a look of fright on her face. At the same moment the men became cognizant of a thick smoke which began to spread through the room, a smoke which made those who experienced it gasp and choke. The footmen began to edge uneasily towards the inner door. Denser and denser grew the smoke, and more accurate its smell. Mimi, towards whom the draught from the open door wafted the smoke, rose up choking and ran to the inner door, which she threw open to its fullest extent, disclosing on the outside a curtain of thin silk fixed to the door-posts. The draught from the open door swayed the thin silk towards her, and in her fright she tore down the curtain which enveloped her from head to foot. Then she ran through the still-open door, heedless of the fact that she could not see where she was going. Adam, followed by Sir Nathaniel, rushed forward and joined her, Adam catching his wife by the arm and holding her tight. It was well that he did so, for just before her lay the black orifice of the well-hole, which, of course, she could not see with the silk curtain round her head. The floor was extremely slippery, something like thick oil had been spilled where she had to pass, and close to the edge of the hole her feet shot from under her and she stumbled forward towards the well-hole. When Adam saw Mimi slip he flung himself backward, still holding her, his weight tolled, and he dragged her up from the hole and they fell together on the floor outside the zone of slipperiness. In a moment he raised her up and together they rushed out through the open door into the sunlight. Sir Nathaniel, close behind them. They were all pale except the Diplomatist, who looked both calm and cool. It sustained and cheered Adam and his wife to see him thus master of himself. Both managed to follow his example to the wonderment of the footman who saw the three who had just escaped a terrible danger walking together gaily as, under the guiding pressure of Sir Nathaniel's hand, they turned to re-enter the house. Lady Arabella, whose face had blanched to a deadly white, now resumed her ministrations at the teaboard as though nothing unusual had happened. The sloped basin was full of half-burned brown paper over which tea had been poured. Sir Nathaniel had been narrowly observing his hostess and took the first opportunity afforded him of whispering to Adam. The real attack is to come. She is too quiet. When I give my hand to your wife to lead her out, come with us, and caution her to hurry. Let's lose a second, even if you have to make a scene. Hush! Then they resumed their places close to the table, and the servants, in obedience to Lady Arabella's order, brought in fresh tea. Then saw that tea-party seemed to Adam, whose faculties were at their utmost intensity, like a terrible dream. As for poor Mimi, she was so overwrought, both with present and future fear, and with horror at the danger she had escaped, that her faculties were numb. However, she was braced up for a trial, and she felt assured that whatever might come she would be able to go through with it. Sir Nathaniel seemed just as usual, suave, dignified and thoughtful, perfect master of himself. To her husband it was evident that Mimi was ill at ease. The way she kept turning her head to look around her, the quick coming and going of the color of her face, her hurried breathing, alternating with periods of suspicious calm, were evidences of mental perturbation. To her, the attitude of Lady Arabella seemed compounded of social sweetness and personal consideration. It would be hard to imagine more thoughtful and tender kindness towards an honoured guest. When tea was over and the servants had come to clear away the cups, Lady Arabella, putting her arm around Mimi's waist, strolled with her into an adjoining room, where she collected a number of photographs which were scattered about, and sitting down beside her guest, began to show them to her. While she was doing this, the servants closed all the doors of the suite of rooms, as well as that which opened from the room outside, that of the well-hole, into the avenue. Suddenly without any seeming cause, the light in the room began to grow dim. Sir Nathaniel, who was sitting close to Mimi, rose to his feet and crying, Quick! That hold of her hand it began to drag her from the room. Adam caught her other hand, and between them they drew her through the outer door, which the servants were beginning to close. It was difficult at first to find the way, the darkness was so great. But to their relief, when Adam whistled shrilly, the carriage and horses, which had been waiting in the angle of the avenue, dashed up. Her husband and Sir Nathaniel lifted almost through Mimi into the carriage. The postillion applied whip and spur, and the vehicle, rocked with its speed, swept through the gate and tore up the road. Behind them was a hubbub, servants rushing about, orders being shouted out, doors shutting, and somewhere, seemingly far back in the house, a strange noise. Every nerve of the horses was strained as they dashed recklessly along the road. The two men held Mimi between them, the arms of both of them round her as though protectingly. As they went there was a sudden rise in the ground, but the horses, breathing heavily, dashed up it at racing speed, not slackening their pace when the hill fell away again, leaving them to hurry along the downgrade. It would be foolish to say that neither Adam nor Mimi had any fear in returning to Doomtower. Mimi felt it more keenly than her husband, whose nerves were harder, and who was more inured to danger. She still bore up bravely, and as usual the effort was helpful to her. When once she was in the study in the top of the turret, she almost forgot the terrors which lay outside in the dark. She did not attempt to peep out of the window, but Adam did, and saw nothing. The moonlight showed all the surrounding country, but nowhere was to be observed that tremulous line of green light. The peaceful night had a good effect on them all, danger being unseen seemed a far off. At times it was hard to realize that it had ever been. With courage restored, Adam rose early and walked along the brow, seeing no change in the signs of life at Castro Regis. What he did see, to his wonder and concern, on his returning homeward, was Lady Arabella in her tight-fitting white dress and ermine collar, but without her emeralds. She was emerging from the gate of Diana's Grove and walking towards the castle, pondering on this and trying to find some meaning in it, occupied his thoughts till he joined Mimi and Sir Nathaniel at breakfast. They began the meal in silence. What had been had been, and was known to them all. Moreover it was not a pleasant topic. A Philip was given to the conversation when Adam told of his seeing Lady Arabella on her way to Castro Regis. They each had something to say of her and of what her wishes or intentions were towards Edward Caswell. He spoke bitterly of her in every aspect. She had not forgotten, and never would, never could, the occasion when, to harm Lilla, the woman had consorted even with the nigger. As a social matter she was disgusted with her for following up the rich landowner, throwing herself at his head so shamelessly, was how she expressed it. She was interested to know that the great kite still flew over Caswell's tower. But beyond such matters she did not try to go. The only comment she made was a strongly expressed surprise at her ladyship's cheek in ignoring her own criminal acts, and her impudence in taking it for granted that others had overlooked them too. Chapter 24 A Startling Proposition The more Mimi thought over the late events the more puzzled she was. What did it all mean? What could it mean, except that there was an error of fact somewhere? Could it be possible that some of them, all of them, had been mistaken? That there had been no white worm at all? Then either side of her was a belief impossible of reception. Not to believe in what seemed apparent was to destroy the very foundations of belief. Yet in old days there had been monsters on the earth, and certainly some people had believed in just such mysterious changes of identity. It was all very strange. Just fancy how any stranger, say a doctor, would regard her if she were to tell him that she had been to a tea-party with an anti-Diluvian monster and that they had been waited on by up-to-date men-servants. Adam had returned exhilarated by his walk, and more settled in his mind than he had been for some time. Like Mimi he had gone through the phase of doubt and inability to believe in the reality of things, though it had not affected him to the same extent. The idea, however, that his wife was suffering ill effects from her terrible ordeal braced him up. He remained with her for a time, then he sought Sir Nathaniel in order to talk over the matter with him. He knew that the calm common sense and self-reliance of the old man, as well as his experience, would be helpful to them all. Sir Nathaniel had come to the conclusion that, for some reason which he did not understand, Lady Arabella had changed her plans, and for the present at all events, was pacific. He was inclined to attribute her changed demeanor to the fact that her influence over Edgar Caswell was so far increased, as to justify a more fixed belief in his submission to her charms. As a matter of fact she had seen Caswell that morning when she visited Castor Regis, and they had had a long talk together during which the possibility of their union had been discussed. Caswell, without being enthusiastic on the subject, had been courteous and attentive. As she had walked back to Diana's Grove she almost congratulated herself on her new settlement in life. That the idea was becoming fixed in her mind was shown by a letter which she wrote later in the day to Adam Salton, and sent to him by hand. It ran as follows, Dear Mr. Salton, I wonder if you would kindly advise, and if possible, help me in a matter of business. I have been for some time trying to make up my mind to sell Diana's Grove. I have put off and put off the doing of it till now. The place is my own property, and no one has to be consulted with regard to what I wish to do about it. It was bought by my late husband, Captain Adolphus Ranger March, who had another residence, the Crest Applebee. He acquired all rights of all kinds, including mining and sporting. When he died he left his whole property to me. I shall feel leaving this place, which has become endeared to me by many sacred memories and affections, the recollection of many happy days of my young married life, and the more-than-happy memories of the man I loved and who loved me so much. I should be willing to sell the place for any fair price, so long, of course, as the purchaser was one I liked and of whom I approved. May I say that you yourself would be the ideal person, but I dare not hope for so much. It strikes me, however, that among your Australian friends may be someone who wishes to make a settlement in the old country, and would care to fix the spot in one of the most historic regions in England, full of romance and legend, and with a never-ending vista of historical interest. An estate which, though small, is in perfect condition and with illimitable possibilities of development, and many doubtful or unsettled rights, which have existed before the time of the Roman or even Celts, who were the original possessors. In addition the house has been kept up to the denier-cree. Immediate possession can be arranged. My lawyers can provide you, or whoever you may suggest, with all business and historical details. A word from you of acceptance or refusal is all that is necessary, and we can leave details to be thrashed out by our agents. Believe me, won't you, for troubling you in the matter, and believe me, yours very sincerely. Arabella March. Adam read this over several times, and then his mind being made up, he went to Mimi and asked if she had any objection. She answered, after a shudder, that she was in this as in all things willing to do whatever he might wish. Dearest, I am willing that you should judge what is best for us. Be quite free to act as you see your duty, and as your inclination calls. We're in the hands of God, and he has hitherto guided us, and will do so to his own end. From his wife's room Adam Sultan went straight to the study in the tower, where he knew Cernithaniel would be at that hour. The old man was alone, so when he had entered in obedience to the come-in, which answered his query, he closed the door and sat down beside him. Do you think, sir, that it would be well for me to buy Diana's grove? God bless my soul, said the old man startled. Why on earth would you want to do that? Well, I have vowed to destroy that white worm, and my being able to do whatever I may choose with the lair would facilitate matters and avoid complications. Cernithaniel hesitated longer than usual before speaking. He was thinking deeply. Yes, Adam, there is much common sense in your suggestion, though it startled me at first. I think that, for all reasons, you would do well to buy the property and to have the conveyance settled at once. If you want more money than is immediately convenient, let me know so that I may your banker. Thank you, sir, most heartily, but I have more money at immediate call than I shall want. I am glad you approve. The property is historic, and as time goes on it will increase in value. Moreover I may tell you something, which indeed is only a surmise, but which, if I am right, will add great value to the place. Adam listened. Has it ever struck you why the old name, the lair of the white worm, was given? We know that there was a snake which in early days was called a worm, but why white? I really don't know, sir, I never thought of it. I simply took it for granted. So did I at first, long ago, but later I puzzled my brain for a reason. And what was the reason, sir? Simply and solely because the worm or snake was white. We are near the county of Stafford, where the great industry of China burning was originated and grew. Stafford owes much of its wealth to the large deposits of the rare China clay found in it from time to time. These deposits become in time pretty well exhausted. But for centuries Stafford adventurers looked for the special clay, as Ohio and Pennsylvania farmers and explorers looked for oil. Anyone owning real estate on which China clay can be discovered strikes a sort of gold mine. Yes, and then the young man looked puzzled. The original worm, so called, from which the name of the place came, had to find a direct way down to the marshes and the mud-holes. Now the clay is easily penetrable, and the original hole probably pierced a bed of China clay. When once the way was made it would become a sort of highway for the worm. But as much movement as was necessary to ascend such a great height, some of the clay would become attached to its rough skin by attrition. The down way must have been easy work, but the ascent was different, and when the monster came to view in the upper world it would be fresh from contact with the white clay, hence the name, which has no cryptic significance but only fact. Now if that surmise be true, and I do not see why not, there must be a deposit of valuable clay, possibly of immense depth. Adam's comment pleased the old gentleman. I have it in my bones, sir, that you have struck or rather reasoned out a great truth. Sir Nathaniel went on cheerfully. When the world of commerce wakes up to the value of your find, it will be as well that your title to ownership has been perfectly secured, if anyone ever deserved such a gain it is you. With his friends' aid Adam secured the property without loss of time. Then he went to his uncle and told him about it. Mr. Salton was delighted to find his young relative already constructively the owner of so fine an estate, one which gave him an important status in the county. He made many anxious inquiries about Mimi and the doings of the white worm, but Adam reassured him. The next morning when Adam went to his host in the smoking-room, Sir Nathaniel asked him how he proposed to proceed with regard to keeping his vow. It is a difficult matter which you have undertaken to destroy such a monster as something like one of the labours of Hercules, in that not only its size and weight and power of using them in little-known ways are against you, but the occult side is alone and unsurpassable difficulty. The worm is already master of all the elements except fire, and I do not see how fire can be used for the attack. It has only to sink into the earth in its usual way, and you could not overtake it, if you had the resources of the biggest coal mine in existence. But I daresay you have mapped out some plan in your mind. He added courteously. I have, Sir, but of course it may not stand the test of practice. May I know your idea? Well, Sir, this was my argument. At the time of the chartist's trouble an idea spread amongst financial circles that an attack was going to be made on the Bank of England. Accordingly the directors of that institution consulted many persons who were supposed to know what steps should be taken, and it was finally decided that the best protection against fire, which is what was feared, was not water but sand. To carry the scheme into practice great store of fine sea sand, the kind that blows about and is used to fill our glasses, was provided throughout the building, especially to the points liable to attack, from which it could be brought into use. I propose to provide it Diana's Grove as soon as it comes into my possession an enormous amount of such sand and shall take an early occasion of pouring it into the well-hole, which it will in time choke. Thus Lady Arabella in her guise of the white worm will find herself cut off from her refuge. The hole is a narrow one and is some hundreds of feet deep. The weight of the sand this can contain would not in itself be sufficient to obstruct, but the friction of such a body working up against it would be tremendous. One moment. What use would the sand be for destruction? None directly, but it would hold the struggling body in place till the rest of my scheme came into practice. And what is the rest? As the sand is being poured into the well-hole, quantities of dynamite can also be thrown in. Good! But how would the dynamite explode for, of course, that is what you intend, would not some sort of wire or fuse be required for each parcel of dynamite? Adam smiled. Not in these days, sir. That was proved in New York. A thousand pounds of dynamite in sealed canisters was placed about some workings. At the last a charge of gunpowder was fired and the concussion exploded the dynamite. It was most successful. Those who were non-experts in high explosives expected that every pane of glass in New York would be shattered. But in reality the explosives did no harm outside the area intended. Although sixteen acres of rock had been mined and only the supporting walls and pillars had been left intact, the whole of the rocks were shattered. Cernithaniel nodded approval. That seems a good plan, a very excellent one. But if it has to tear down so many feet of precipice, it may wreck the whole neighborhood and free it forever from a monster, headed Adam, as he left the room to find his wife. CHAPTER XXV THE LAST BATTLE Lady Arabella had instructed her solicitors to hurry on with the conveyance of Diana's grove, so no time was lost in letting Adam Salton have formal possession of the estate. After his interview with Cernithaniel he had taken steps to begin putting his plan into action. In order to accumulate the necessary amount of fine sea sand he ordered the stewards to prepare for an elaborate system of top dressing all the grounds. A great heap of the sand, brought from bays of the Welsh coast, began to grow at the back of the grove. No one seemed to suspect that it was there for any purpose other than what had been given out. Lady Arabella, who alone could have guessed, was now so absorbed in her matrimonial pursuit of Edgar Caswell that she had neither time nor inclination for thought extraneous to this. She had not yet moved from the house, though she had formally handed over the estate. Adam put up a rough corrugated iron shed behind the grove in which he stored his explosives, all being ready for his great attempt whenever the time should come. He was now content to wait, and in order to pass the time interested himself in other things, even in Caswell's great kite, which still flew from the high tower of Castor Regis. The mound of fine sand grew to proportions so vast as to puzzle the bailiffs and farmers round the brow. The hour of the intended cataclysm was approaching a pace. Adam wished, but in vain, for an opportunity which would appear to be natural of visiting Caswell in the turret of Castor Regis. At last one morning he met Lady Arabella moving towards the castle, so he took his courage, a domain, and asked to be allowed to accompany her. She was glad for her own purposes to comply with his wishes. So together they entered and found their way to the turret room. Caswell was much surprised to see Adam come to his house, but lent himself to the task of seeming to be pleased. He played the host so well as to deceive even Adam. They all went out on the turret roof, where he explained to his guests the mechanism for raising and lowering the kite, taking also the opportunity of testing the movements of the multitudes of birds, how they answered almost instantaneously to the lowering or raising of the kite. As Lady Arabella walked home with Adam from Castor Regis, she asked him if she might make a request. Permission having been accorded, she explained that before she finally left Diana's Grove, where she had lived so long, she had a desire to know the depth of the well-haul. Adam was really happy to meet her wishes, not for many sentiment, but because he wished to give some valid and ostensible reason for examining the passage of the worm, which would obviate any suspicion resulting from his being on the premises. He brought from London a Kelvin-sounding apparatus, with a sufficient length of piano wire for testing any provable depth. The wire passed easily over the running wheel, and when this was once fixed over the hole, he was satisfied to wait till the most advantageous time for his final experiment. In the meantime affairs had been going quietly at Mercy Farm. Lilla, of course, felt lonely in the absence of her cousin, but the even tenor of life went on for her as for others. After the first shock of parting was over, things went back to their accustomed routine. In one respect, however, there was a marked difference. So long as home conditions had remained unchanged, Lilla was content to put ambition far from her and to settle down to the life which had been hers as long as she could remember. But Mimi's marriage set her thinking. Naturally she came to the conclusion that she too might have a mate. There was not for her much choice. There was little movement in the matrimonial direction at the farmhouse. She did not approve of the personality of Edgar Caswell, and his struggle with Mimi had frightened her. But he was unmistakably an excellent party. Much better than she could have any right to expect. This weighs much with a woman, and more particularly one of her class. So on the whole she was content to let things take their course, and to abide by the issue. As time went on, she had reason to believe that things did not point to happiness. She could not shut her eyes to certain disturbing facts, amongst which were the existence of Lady Arabella and her growing intimacy with Edgar Caswell. As well as his own cold and haughty nature, so little in accord with the ardor which is the foundation of a young maid's dreams of happiness. How things would of necessity alter if she were to marry, she was afraid to think. While told, the prospect was not happy for her, and she had a secret longing that something might occur to upset the order of things, as at present arranged. When Lilla received a note from Edgar Caswell asking if he might come to tea on the following afternoon, her heart sank within her. If it was only for her father's sake she must not refuse him or show any disinclination which he might construe into inclivency. She missed Mimi more than she could say or even dared to think. Hitherto she had always looked to her cousin for sympathy, for understanding, for loyal support. Now she and all these things and the thousand others, gentle reassuring supporting, were gone. And instead there was a horrible aching void. For the whole afternoon and evening, and for the following forenoon, poor Lilla's loneliness grew to be a positive agony. For the first time she began to realize the sense of her loss, as though all the previous suffering had been merely a preparation. Everything she looked at, everything she remembered or thought of, became laden with poignant memory. And then on the top of all was a new sense of dread. The reaction from the sense of security which had surrounded her all her life, to a never quieted apprehension, was at times almost more than she could bear. It so filled her with fear that she had a haunting feeling that she would as soon die as live. However, whatever might be her own feelings, duty had to be done, and as she had been brought up to consider duty first she brazed herself to go through, to the very best of her ability, what was before her. Still the severe and prolonged struggle for self-control told upon Lilla. She looked as she felt, ill and weak. She was really in a nervous and prostrate condition. With black circles round her eyes, pale even to her lips, and with an instinctive trembling, which she was quite unable to repress. It was for her a sad mischance that Mimi was away, for her love would have seen through all obscuring causes and have brought to light the girl's unhappy condition of health. Lilla was utterly unable to do anything to escape from the ordeal before her, but her cousin, with the experience of her former struggles with Mr. Caswell, and of the condition in which these left her, would have taken steps, even peremptory ones if necessary, to prevent a repetition. Edgar arrived punctually to the time appointed by himself. When Lilla, through the great window, saw him approaching the house, her condition of nervous upset was pitiable. She brazed herself up, however, and managed to get through the interview in its preliminary stages without any perceptible change in her normal appearance and bearing. It had been to her, and added terror, that the black shadow of Ullanga, whom she dreaded, would follow hard on his master. A load was lifted from her mind when he did not make his usual stealthy approach. She had also feared, though, in lesser degree, lest Lady Arabella should be present to make trouble for her as before. With a woman's natural forethought in a difficult position, she had provided the furnishing of the tea-table as a subtle indication of the social difference between her and her guest. She had chosen the implements of service, as well as all the provender set forth, of the humblest kind. Instead of arranging the silver teapot and china cups, she had set out an earthen teapot, such as was in common use in the farm kitchen. The same idea was carried out in the cups and saucers of thick homely delft, and in the cream jug of similar kind. The bread was of simple whole meal home-baked. The butter was good, since she had made it herself, while the preserves and honey came from her own garden. Her face beamed with satisfaction when the guest eyed the appointments with a supercilious glance. It was a shock to the poor girl herself, for she enjoyed offering to a guest the little hospitality as possible to her. But that had to be sacrificed with other pleasures. Caswell's face was more set in ironclad than ever. His piercing eyes seemed from the very beginning to look her through and through. Her heart quailed when she thought of what would follow, of what would be the end, when this was only the beginning. As some protection, though it could be only of a sentimental kind, she brought from her own room the photographs of Mimi, of her grandfather and of Adam Sultan, whom by now she had grown to look on with reliance as a brother whom she could trust. She kept the pictures near her heart, to which her hand naturally strayed when her feelings of constraint, distrust or fear became so poignant as to interfere with the calm which she felt was necessary to help her through the ordeal. At first Edgar Caswell was courteous and polite, even thoughtful, but after a little while, when he found her resistance to his domination grow, he abandoned all forms of self-control and appeared in the same dominance as he had previously shown. She was prepared, however, for this, both by her former experience and the natural fighting instinct within her. By this means, as the minutes went on, both developed the power and preserved the equality in which they had begun. Without warning, the psychic battle between the two individualities began afresh. This time both the positive and negative causes were all in favour of the man. The woman was alone and in bad spirits, unsupported. Nothing at all was in her favour except the memory of the two victorious contests. Whereas the man, though unaided as before by either Lady Arabella or Ulanga, was in full strength, well rested and in flourishing circumstances. It was not, therefore, to be wondered at, that his native dominance of character had full opportunity of asserting itself. He began his preliminary stare with a conscious sense of power, and as it appeared to have immediate effect on the girl, he felt an ever-growing conviction of ultimate victory. After a little, Lilla's resolution began to flag. She felt that the contest was unequal, that she was unable to put forth her best efforts. As she was an unselfish person, she could not fight so well in her own battle, as in that of someone whom she loved and whom she was devoted. Edgar saw the relaxing of the muscles of face and brow, and the almost-collapse of the heavy eyelids which seemed tumbling downward in sleep. Lilla made gallant efforts to brace her dwindling powers, but for a time unsuccessfully. At length there came an interruption, which seemed like a powerful stimulant. Through the wide window she saw Lady Arabella enter the plain gateway of the farm and advance towards the hall door. She was clad as usual in tight-fitting white which accentuated her thin, sinuous figure. The sight did for Lilla what no voluntary effort could have done. Her eyes flashed, and in an instant she felt as though a new life had suddenly developed within her. Lady Arabella's entry, in her usual unconcerned, haughty, supercilious way, heightened the effect, so that when the two stood close to each other battle was joined. Mr. Caswell, too, took new courage from her coming, and all his masterfulness and power came back to him. His looks, intensified, had more obvious effect than had been noticeable that day. Lilla seemed at last overcome by his dominance. Her face became red and pale, violently red and ghastly pale by rapid turns. Her strength seemed gone, her knees collapsed, and she was actually sinking on the floor. Into her surprise and joy Mimi came into the room, running hurriedly and breathing heavily. Lilla rushed to her in the two clasped hands. With that a new sense of power, greater than Lilla had ever seen in her, seemed to quicken her cousin. Her hand swept the air in front of Edgar Caswell, seeming to drive him backward more and more by each movement. Till at last he seemed to be actually hurled through the door which Mimi's entrance had left open, and fell at full length on the gravel path without. Then came the final and complete collapse of Lilla, who, without a sound, sank down on the floor. CHAPTER XXVI FACE TO FACE Mimi was greatly distressed when she saw her cousin lying prone. She had a few times in her life seen Lilla on the verge of fainting. But never senseless, and now she was frightened. She threw herself on her knees beside Lilla, and tried by rubbing her hands and other measures commonly known to restore her. But all her efforts were unavailing. Lilla still lay white and senseless. In fact, each moment she looked worse. Her breast, that had been heaving with stress, became still, and the pallor of her face grew like marble. At these succeeding changes Mimi's fright grew, till it altogether mastered her. She succeeded in controlling herself only to the extent that she did not scream. Lady Arabella had followed Caswell, when he had recovered sufficiently to get up and walk, though stumblingly, in the direction of castor Regis. When Mimi was quite alone with Lilla and the need for effort had ceased, she felt weak and trembled. In her own mind she attributed it to a sudden change in the weather. It was momentarily becoming apparent that a storm was coming on. She raised Lilla's head and laid it on her warm, young breast. But all in vain. The cold of the white features thrilled through her. And she utterly collapsed when it was born in on her that Lilla had passed away. The dusk gradually deepened and the shades of evening closed in. But Mimi did not seem to notice or to care. She sat on the floor with her arms round the body of the girl whom she loved. Blacker and blacker grew the sky as the coming storm and the closing night joined forces. Still she sat on alone, tearless, unable to think. Mimi did not know how long she sat there. Though it seemed to her that ages had passed, it could not have been more than half an hour. She suddenly came to herself and was surprised to find that her grandfather had not returned. For a while she lay quiet, thinking of the immediate past. Lilla's hand was still in hers, and to her surprise it was still warm. Somehow this helped her consciousness and without any special act of will she stood up. She lit a lamp and looked at her cousin. There was no doubt that Lilla was dead. But when the lamp light fell on her eyes they seemed to look at Mimi with intent, with meaning. In this state of dark isolation a new resolution came to her, and grew and grew until it became a fixed definite purpose. She would face Caswell and call him to account for his murder of Lilla. That was what she called it to herself. She would also take steps, she knew not what or how, to avenge the part taken by Lady Arabella. In this frame of mind she lit all the lamps in the room, got water and linen from her room, and set about the decent ordering of Lilla's body. This took some time, but when it was finished she put on her hat and cloak, put out the lights, and set out quietly for Castor Regis. As Mimi drew near the castle she saw no lights except those in and around the tower room. The lights showed her that Mr. Caswell was there, so she entered by the hall door, which as usual was open, and felt her way in the darkness up the staircase to the lobby of the room. The door was ajar, and the light from within showed brilliantly through the opening. She saw Edgar Caswell walking restlessly to and fro in the room, with his hands clasped behind his back. She opened the door without knocking, and walked right into the room. As she entered he ceased walking and stared at her in surprise. She made no remark, no comment, but continued the fixed look which he had seen on her entrance. For a time silence reigned, and the two stood looking fixedly at each other. Mimi was the first to speak. You murderer! Lilla is dead! Dead? Good God! When did she die? She died this afternoon, just after you left her. Are you sure? Yes, and so are you, or you ought to be. You killed her! I killed her. Be careful what you say. As God sees us it is true, and you know it. You came to Mercy Farm on purpose to break her, if you could, and the accomplice of your guilt, Lady Arabella March, came for the same purpose. Be careful, woman, he said hotly. Do not use such names in that way, or you shall suffer for it. I am suffering for it, have suffered for it, shall suffer for it. Not for speaking the truth as I have done, but because you two, with devilish malignity, did my darling to death. It is you and your accomplice who have to dread punishment, not I. Take care, he said again. Oh, I am not afraid of you, or your accomplice, she answered spiritedly. I am content to stand by every word I have said, every act I have done. Moreover, I believe in God's justice. I fear not the grinding of his mills. If necessary, I shall set the wheels in motion upon myself. But you don't care for God, or believe in him. Your God is your great kite, which cows the birds of a whole district. But be sure that his hand, when it rises always falls at the appointed time. It may be that your name is being called, even at this very moment at the greatest size. Repent while there is still time. Happy you, if you may be allowed to enter those mighty halls, in the company of the pure-sold angel whose voice has only to whisper one word of justice, and you disappear forever into everlasting torment. The sudden death of Lilla caused consternation among Mimi's friends and well-wishers. Such a tragedy was totally unexpected, as Adam and Sir Nathaniel had been expecting the White Worms' vengeance to fall upon themselves. Adam leaving his wife free to follow her own desires with regard to Lilla and her grandfather, busied himself with filling the well-hole with the fine sand prepared for the purpose. Taking care to have lured at stated intervals quantities of the store of dynamite, so as to be ready for the final explosion. He had under his immediate supervision a corps of workmen, and was assisted by Sir Nathaniel, who had come over for the purpose, and all were now staying at Lesser Hill. Mr. Sultan too showed much interest in the job, and was constantly coming in and out, nothing escaping his observation. Since her marriage to Adam and their coming to stay at Doom Tower, Mimi had been fettered by fear of the horrible monster at Diana's Grove. But now she dreaded it no longer. She accepted the fact of its assuming at will the form of Lady Arabella. She had still to tax and up-brayed her for her part in the unhappiness which had been wrought on Lilla and for her share in causing her death. One evening when Mimi entered her own room she went to the window and threw an eager look round the whole circle of sight. A single glance satisfied her that the white worm in propria persona was not visible. So she sat down in the window-seat and enjoyed the pleasure of a full view, from which she had been so long cut off. The maid who waited on her had told her that Mr. Sultan had not yet returned home, so she felt free to enjoy the luxury of peace and quiet. As she looked out of the window she saw something thin and white move along the avenue. She thought she recognized the figure of Lady Arabella and instinctively drew back behind the curtain. When she had ascertained by peeping out several times that the lady had not seen her she watched more carefully, all her instinctive hatred flooding back at the sight of her. Lady Arabella was moving swiftly and stealthily looking back and around her at intervals as if she feared to be followed. This gave Mimi an idea that she was up to no good, so she determined to seize the occasion for watching her in more detail. Hastily putting on a dark cloak and hat she ran downstairs and out into the avenue. Lady Arabella had moved but the sheen of her white dress was still to be seen among the young oaks around the gateway. Looking in shadow Mimi followed, taking care not to come so close as to awake the other suspicion, and watched her query pass along the road in the direction of Castor Regis. She followed unsteadily through the gloom of the trees depending on the glint of the white dress to keep her right. The wood began to thicken and presently when the road widened and the trees grew farther back she lost sight of any indication of her whereabouts. Under the present conditions it was impossible for her to do any more, so after waiting for a while, still hidden in the shadow, to see if she could catch another glimpse of the white frock, she determined to go on slowly towards Castor Regis and trust to the chapter of accidents to pick up the trail again. She went on slowly, taking advantage of every obstacle and shadow to keep herself concealed. At last she entered on the grounds of the castle at a spot from which the windows of the turret were dimly visible, without having seen again any sign of Lady Arabella. Meanwhile, during most of the time that Mimi Sultan had been moving warily along in the gloom, she was in reality being followed by Lady Arabella who had caught sight of her leaving the house and had never again lost touch with her. It was a case of the hunter being hunted. Over a time Mimi's many turnings, with the natural obstacles that were perpetually intervening, caused Lady Arabella some trouble. But when she was close to Castor Regis there was no more possibility of concealment and the strange double following went swiftly on. When she saw Mimi close to the hall door of Castor Regis and ascending the steps she followed, when Mimi entered the dark hall and felt her way up the staircase, still as she believed, following Lady Arabella, the latter kept on her way. When they reached the lobby of the turret rooms, Mimi believed that the object of her search was ahead of her. Edgar Caswell, sat in the gloom of the great room, occasionally stirred to curiosity when the drifting clouds allowed a little light to fall from the storm-swept sky. But nothing really interested him now, since he had heard of Lilla's death, the gloom of his remorse emphasized by Mimi's upbraiding, had made more hopeless his cruel, selfish, Saturnine nature. He heard no sound, for his normal faculties seemed benumbed. Mimi, when she came to the door which stood ajar, gave a light tap. So light was it that it did not reach Caswell's ears. Then, taking her courage in both hands, she boldly pushed the door and entered. As she did so her heart sank. For now she was face to face with a difficulty which had not, in her state of mental perturbation, occurred to her. CHAPTER 27 On the Turret Roof The storm which was coming was already making itself manifest, not only in the wide scope of nature, but in the hearts and natures of human beings. Electrical disturbance in the sky and the air is reproduced in animals of all kinds, and particularly in the highest type of them all, the most receptive, the most electrical. So it was with Edgar Caswell, despite his selfish nature and coldness of blood. So it was with Mimi Salton, despite her unselfish, unchanging devotion for those she loved. So it was, even with Lady Arabella, who, under the instincts of a primeval serpent, carried the ever-varying wishes and customs of womanhood, which is always old and always new. Edgar, after he had turned his eyes on Mimi, resumed his apathetic position and sullen silence. She quietly took a seat a little way apart, whence she could look on the progress of the coming storm and study its appearance throughout the whole visible circle of the neighborhood. She was in brighter and better spirits than she had been for many days past. Lady Arabella tried to efface herself behind the now open door. Without, the clouds grew thicker and blacker as the storm center came closer, as yet the forces from whose linking the lightening springs were held apart, and the silence of nature proclaimed the calm before the storm. Caswell felt the effect of the gathering electric force. A sort of wild exhilaration grew upon him, such as he had sometimes felt just before the breaking of a tropical storm. As he became conscious of this, he raised his head in caught sight of Mimi. He was in the grip of an emotion greater than himself. In the mood in which he was, he felt the need upon him of doing some desperate deed. He was now absolutely reckless, and as Mimi was associated with him in the memory which drove him on, he wished that she, too, should be engaged in this enterprise. He had no knowledge of the proximity of Lady Arabella, and thought that he was far removed from all he knew and whose interests he shared, alone with the wild elements which were being lashed to fury, and with the woman who had struggled with him and vanquished him, and on whom he would shower the full measure of his hate. The fact was that Edgar Caswell was, if not mad, close to the borderline. Madness in its first stage, monomania, is a lack of proportion. So long as this is general, it is not always noticeable, for the uninspired onlooker is without the necessary means of comparison. But in monomania the errant faculty protrudes itself in a way that may not be denied. It puts aside, obscures, or takes the place of something else, just as the head of a pin placed before the center of the iris will block out the whole scope of vision. The most usual form of monomania has commonly the same beginning as that from which Edgar Caswell suffered, an overlarge idea of self-importance. Alienists who study the matter exactly probably know more of human vanity and its effects than do ordinary men. Caswell's mental disturbance was not hard to identify. Every asylum is full of such cases, men and women who naturally selfish and egotistical so appraise to themselves their own importance that every other circumstance in life becomes subservient to it. The disease supplies in itself the material for self-magnification. When the decadence attacks, a nature naturally proud and selfish and vain, and lacking both the aptitude and habit of self-restraint, the development of the disease is more swift, and ranges to farther limits. It is such persons who become imbued with the idea that they have the attributes of the Almighty, even that they themselves are the Almighty. Many had a suspicion, or rather perhaps an intuition, of the true state of things when she heard him speak, and at the same time noticed the abnormal flush on his face and his rolling eyes. There was a certain want of fixedness of purpose which she had certainly not noticed before, a quick spesmotic utterance which belongs rather to the insane than to those of intellectual equilibrium. She was a little frightened, not only by his thoughts but by his staccato way of expressing them. Caswell moved to the door leading to the turret stair by which the roof was reached, and spoke in a peremptory way, whose tone alone made her feel defiant. Come, I want you. She instinctively drew back. She was not accustomed to such words, more especially to such a tone. Her answer was indicative of a new contest. Why should I go? What for? He did not at once reply, another indication of his overwhelming egotism. She repeated her questions, habitary asserted itself, and he spoke without thinking the words which were in his heart. I want you, if you will be so good, to come with me to the turret roof. I am much interested in certain experiments with the kite, which would be, if not a pleasure, at least a novel experience to you. You would see something not easily seen otherwise. I will come, she answered simply. Edgar moved in the direction of the stair. She followed close behind him. She did not like to be left alone at such a height, in such a place, in the darkness, with a storm about to break. Of himself she had no fear. All that had been seemed to have passed away, with her two victories over him in the struggle of wills. Moreover the more recent apprehension, that of his madness, had also ceased. In the conversation of the last few minutes he seemed so rational, so clear, so unaggressive, that she no longer saw reason for doubt. So satisfied was she that even when he put out a hand to guide her to the steep narrow stairway she took it without thought in the most conventional way. Lady Arabella crouching in the lobby behind the door heard every word that had been said, and formed her own opinion of it. It seemed evident to her that there had been some reproachment between the two who had so lately been hostile to each other, and that made her furiously angry. Mimi was interfering with her plans. She had been certain of her capture of Edgar Caswell, and she could not tolerate even the lightest and most contemptuous fancy on his part, which might divert him from the main issue. She became aware that he wished Mimi to come with him to the roof, and that she had acquiesced, her rage got beyond bounds. She became oblivious to any danger there might be in a visit to such an exposed place at such a time, and to all lesser considerations, and made up her mind to forestall them. She stealthily and noiselessly cropped through the wicket, and ascending the stair stepped out on the roof. It was bitterly cold, for the fierce gusts of the storm which swept round the turret drove in through every unimpeded way, whistling at the sharp corners and singing round the trembling flagstaff. The kite-string and the wire which controlled the runners made a concourse of weird sounds which somehow, perhaps from the violence which surrounded them, acting on their length, resolved themselves into some kind of harmony, a fitting accompaniment to the tragedy which seemed about to begin. Mimi's heart beat heavily. Just before leaving the turret chamber she had a shock which she could not shake off. The lights of the room had momentarily revealed to her as they passed out Edgar's face, concentrated as it was whenever he intended to use his mesmeric power. Now the black eyebrows made a thick line across his face, under which his eyes shone and glittered ominously. He recognized the danger and assumed the defiant attitude that had twice already served her so well. She had a fear that the circumstances in the place were against her and she wanted to be forearmed. The sky was now somewhat lighter than it had been. Either there was lightning afar off whose reflections were carried by the rolling clouds, or else the gathered force, though not yet breaking into lightning, had an incipient power of light. It seemed to affect both the man and the woman. Edgar seemed altogether under its influence. His spirits were boisterous, his mind exalted. He was now at his worst, madder than he had been earlier in the night. Mimi, trying to keep as far from him as possible, moved across the stone floor of the turret-roof and found a niche which concealed her. It was not far from Lady Arabella's place of hiding. Edgar, left thus alone on the center of the turret-roof, found himself altogether his own master in a way which tended to increase his madness. He knew that Mimi was close at hand, though he had lost sight of her. He spoke loudly and the sound of his own voice, though it was carried from him on the sweeping wind as fast as the words were spoken, seemed to exalt him still more. Even the raging of the elements round him appeared to add to his exultation. To him it seemed that these manifestations were obedient to his own will. He had reached the sublime of his madness. He was now in his own mind actually the Almighty, and whatever might happen would be the direct carrying out of his own commands. As he could not see Mimi, nor fix whereabouts she was, he shouted loudly, Come to me. You shall see now what you are despising, what you are warring against, all that you see is mine, the darkness as well as the light. I tell you that I am greater than any other who is or was or shall be. When the Master of Evil took Christ up on a high place and showed him all the kingdoms of the earth, he was doing what he thought no other could do. He was wrong. He forgot. Me. I shall send you light up to the very ramparts of heaven. A light so great that it shall dissipate those black clouds that are rushing up and piling around us. Look, look, at the very touch of my hand that light springs into being and mounts up and up and up. He made his way whilst he was speaking to the corner of the turret whence flew the giant kite, and from which the runners ascended. He looked on, appalled and afraid to speak lest she should precipitate more calamity. Within the niche Lady Arabella cowered in a paracsom of fear. Edgar took up a small wooden box through a hole in which the wire of the runner ran. This evidently set some machinery in motion for a sound as a whirring came. From one side of the box floated what looked like a piece of stiff ribbon, which snapped and crackled as the wind took it. For a few seconds Mimi saw it as it rushed along the sagging line of the kite. When close to it there was a loud crack and a sudden light appeared to issue from every chink in the box. Then a quick flame flashed along the snapping ribbon, which glowed with an intense light, a light so great that the whole of the countryside around stood out against the background of black driving clouds. For a few seconds the light remained, then suddenly disappeared in the blackness around. It was simply a magnesium light which had been fired by the mechanism within the box and carried up to the kite. Edgar was in a state of tumultuous excitement, shouting and yelling at the top of his voice and dancing about like a lunatic. This was more than Lady Arabella's curious dual nature could stand. The ghoulish element in her rose triumphant and she abandoned all idea of marriage with Edgar Caswell, gloating fiendishly over the thought of revenge. She must lure him to the white worm's hole, but how? She glanced around and quickly made up her mind. The man's whole thoughts were absorbed by his wonderful kite, which he was showing off, in order to fascinate her imaginary rival, Mimi. In the instant she glided through the darkness to the wheel whereon the string of the kite was wound, with deft fingers she unshipped this, took it with her, reeling out the wire as she went, thus keeping it away in touch with the kite. Then she glided swiftly to the wicket, through which she passed, locking the gate behind her as she went. Down the turqued stair she ran quickly, letting the wire run from the wheel which she carried carefully, and passing out of the hall door, hurried down the avenue with all her speed. She soon reached her own gate, ran down the avenue, and with her key opened the iron door leading to the well-hole. She felt well satisfied with herself. All her plans were maturing, or had already matured. The master of Castro Regis was within her grasp. The woman whose interference she had feared, Lilla Watford, was dead. Truly all was well, and she felt that she might pause a while and rest. She tore off her clothes with feverish fingers, and in full enjoyment of her natural freedom stretched her slim figure in animal delight. Then she lay down on the sofa to await her victim. Edgar Caswell's life-blood would more than satisfy her for some time to come. Chapter 27 This recording is in the public domain.