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bracelet that had been LOST；yes； the single word 〃PERDU。〃 He
made a step towards her； and in a voice almost as faint as her own；
stammered； 〃PERDU！〃
With a little cry； that was more like a sigh than an outcry； the
girl's arms fell to her side； she took a step backwards； reeled；
and fainted away。
Dick caught her as she fell。 What had he said！but； more than
all； what should he do now？ He could not leave her alone and
helpless；yet how could he justify another disconcerting
intrusion？ He touched her hands； they were cold and lifeless； her
eyes were half closed； her face as pale and drooping as her lily。
Well； he must brave the worst now； and carry her to the house； even
at the risk of meeting the others and terrifying them as he had
her。 He caught her up；he scarcely felt her weight against his
breast and shoulder；and ran hurriedly down the slope to the
terrace； which was still deserted。 If he had time to place her on
some bench beside the window within their reach； he might still fly
undiscovered！ But as he panted up the steps of the terrace with
his burden； he saw that the French window was still open； but the
light seemed to have been extinguished。 It would be safer for her
if he could place her INSIDE the house；if he but dared to enter。
He was desperate； and he dared！
He found himself alone； in a long salon of rich but faded white and
gold hangings； lit at the further end by two tall candles on either
side of the high marble mantel； whose rays； however； scarcely
reached the window where he had entered。 He laid his burden on a
high…backed sofa。 In so doing； the rose fell from her belt。 He
picked it up； put it in his breast； and turned to go。 But he was
arrested by a voice from the terrace：
〃Renee！〃
It was the voice of the elderly lady； who； with the Cure at her
side； had just appeared from the rear of the house； and from the
further end of the terrace was looking towards the garden in search
of the young girl。 His escape in that way was cut off。 To add to
his dismay； the young girl； perhaps roused by her mother's voice；
was beginning to show signs of recovering consciousness。 Dick
looked quickly around him。 There was an open door； opposite the
window； leading to a hall which； no doubt； offered some exit on the
other side of the house。 It was his only remaining chance！ He
darted through it； closed it behind him； and found himself at the
end of a long hall or picture…gallery； strangely illuminated
through high windows； reaching nearly to the roof； by the moon；
which on that side of the building threw nearly level bars of light
and shadows across the floor and the quaint portraits on the wall。
But to his delight he could see at the other end a narrow； lance…
shaped open postern door showing the moonlit pavement without
evidently the door through which the mother and the Cure had just
passed out。 He ran rapidly towards it。 As he did so he heard the
hurried ringing of bells and voices in the room he had quittedthe
young girl had evidently been discoveredand this would give him
time。 He had nearly reached the door； when he stopped suddenly
his blood chilled with awe！ It was his turn to be terrifiedhe
was standing； apparently； before HIMSELF！
His first recovering thought was that it was a mirrorso accurately
was every line and detail of his face and figure reflected。 But a
second scrutiny showed some discrepancies of costume； and he saw it
was a panelled portrait on the wall。 It was of a man of his own
age； height； beard； complexion； and features； with long curls like
his own； falling over a lace Van Dyke collar； which； however； again
simulated the appearance of his own hunting…shirt。 The broad…
brimmed hat in the picture； whose drooping plume was lost in shadow；
was scarcely different from Dick's sombrero。 But the likeness of the
face to Dick was marvelousconvincing！ As he gazed at it； the
wicked black eyes seemed to flash and kindle at his own；its lip
curled with Dick's own sardonic humor！
He was recalled to himself by a step in the gallery。 It was the
Cure who had entered hastily； evidently in search of one of the
servants。 Partly because it was a man and not a woman； partly from
a feeling of bravadoand partly from a strange sense； excited by
the picture； that he had some claim to be there； he turned and
faced the pale priest with a slight dash of impatient devilry that
would have done credit to the portrait。 But he was sorry for it
the next moment！
The priest； looking up suddenly； discovered what seemed to him to
be the portrait standing before its own frame and glaring at him。
Throwing up his hands with an averted head and an 〃EXORCIS！〃 he
wheeled and scuffled away。 Dick seized the opportunity； darted
through the narrow door on to the rear terrace； and ran； under
cover of the shadow of the house； to the steps into the garden。
Luckily for him； this new and unexpected diversion occupied the
inmates too much with what was going on in the house to give them
time to search outside。 Dick reached the lilac hedge； tore up the
hill； and in a few moments threw himself； panting； on his blanket。
In the single look he had cast behind； he had seen that the half…
dark salon was now brilliantly lightedwhere no doubt the whole
terrified household was now assembled。 He had no fear of being
followed； since his confrontation with his own likeness in the
mysterious portrait； he understood everything。 The apparently
supernatural character of his visitation was made plain； his
ruffled vanity was soothedhis vindication was complete。 He
laughed to himself and rolled about； until in his suppressed
merriment the rose fell from his bosom； andhe stopped！ Its
freshness and fragrance recalled the innocent young girl he had
frightened。 He remembered her gentle； pleading voice； and his
cheek flushed。 Well； he had done the best he could in bringing her
back to the houseat the risk of being taken for a burglarand
she was safe now！ If that stupid French parson didn't know the
difference between a living man and a dead and painted one； it
wasn't his fault。 But he fell asleep with the rose in his fingers。
He was awake at the first streak of dawn。 He again bathed his
horse's shoulder； saddled； but did not mount him； as the beast；
although better； was still stiff； and Dick wished to spare him for
the journey to still distant Havre； although he had determined to
lie over that night at the first wayside inn。 Luckily for him； the
disturbance at the chateau had not extended to the forest； for Dick
had to lead his horse slowly and could not have escaped； but no
suspicion of external intrusion seemed to have been awakened； and
the woodland was； evidently； seldom invaded。
By dint of laying his course by the sun and the exercise of a
little woodcraft； in the course of two hours he heard the creaking
of a hay…cart； and knew that he was near a traveled road。 But to
his dis