"Yes," said Drake gravely.

"Then, as I understand it," said Lord Wolfer, "your life, the salvation

of the countess' jewels, and the capture of the burglar are due to this

lady?"

"That is so," assented Drake quietly.

"Who is she? What is her name?" asked several men, in a breath.

There was a pause, during which Burden listened breathlessly.

"Her name is Lorton," said Drake, very quietly. "She is staying at the

south lodge."

Burden started and bit her lip. Lorton? Where had she heard---"Good heavens!" exclaimed Lord Wolfer. "You don't mean that Miss Lorton

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who was with us?"

Drake nodded.

"The same," he said gravely.

Burden's lips twitched, and her hands gripped the edge of the door frame.

There was silence for a moment, then one of the men asked: "And what do you think the fellow will get, Angleford?"

"It all depends," replied Drake, after a pause. "If this fellow Falconer

should die----Well, it will be murder. If not--and God grant he may

not!--it will be burglary simply, and it will mean penal servitude for

so many years."

"And serve him right, whichever way it goes!" cried one of the men.

"Anyway, this young lady, this Miss Lorton, is a brick! Here's her

health!"

Burden waited for no more. She was white still, but she was trembling no

longer. Her eyes were glowing savagely, and her lips were strained

tightly. Her sweetheart was captured; he would either be hanged or

sentenced to penal servitude; and Miss Lorton was the person with whom

she had to reckon!




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