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The ivy at Strathorn House is almost as old as the house itself, the main branches larger than a man's arm. It was not difficult to get here, though I wish now " he dared smile bitterly "they had come on me first." The breeze at the window slightly shook the curtain; it waved in and out; the tassels struck faint taps on the sill.
The second morning of the dark weather discovered two of the guests in the oak-paneled smoking-room of Strathorn House. One of them brushed the ash from his cigar meditatively and then stretched himself more comfortably in the great leather chair. "No fox-hunt or fishing for any of us to-day," he remarked with a yawn.
"Until after the children's fête, for example! What do you say? Shall I plead for you until then? If you will promise to make yourself very useful!" "I you are very good but " "Don't!" She spread out her hands. "Forgive me for presuming to think that Strathorn House and its poor attractions could longer keep Mr. John Steele from smoky London-town and the drone of its courts!"
"The police agent only said he was an ex-convict, no ordinary one, who had escaped from London and was making for the sea. They got word he was at the village and followed him there but he managed to elude them and they traced him to Strathorn House park, where he had taken refuge.
Of course he had been saved, he who had saved her from the wild sea; she had realized that after their last meeting at Strathorn House. But how? He had reached an island, then by what means? Some day her uncle would tell her; she understood now why he had sent for Sir Charles, the motive that had prompted him to an ordeal, not at all easy.
"You mean it is in a safe place?" "One would naturally take care of such a document." "You did not have any such paper at Strathorn." "No?" John Steele smiled but he did not feel like smiling. "Not there certainly." "I mean no such paper existed then, or you would have taken advantage of it." John Steele did not answer; he looked at the drawer. The affidavit was not there; but something else was.
"There isn't any 'if. Three finer animals man never threw leg over, judging from report," he explained to John Steele. "Stud farm's about a mile in the opposite direction from Strathorn House. Mind a little jog to the farm first?" "Not at all!" John Steele had been looking thoughtfully toward the door that had closed upon the man whose quick regard he had detected.
Several months went by and John Steele saw nothing further, although he heard often, of Miss Jocelyn Wray. His business to the continent, whatever its nature, had seemed sufficiently important to authorize from him to her, in due process of time, a short perfunctory message regretting his inability to present himself at the appointed hour at Strathorn House.
Then, "I am sorry, it is impossible, but," in a low tone, "how is Miss Wray?" "Never better. Enjoying every moment. Jolly party and all that. Lord Ronsdale and " Here Sir Charles enumerated a number of people. "Lord Ronsdale is there?" "Yes; couldn't keep him away from Strathorn House now," he laughed. "As a matter of fact he has asked my permission to there!"
"You have seen a deal in your day," he observed, "of the under world, I mean!" John Steele returned an evasive answer. The nobleman showed a tendency to doze in his seat, despite the jolts and jars of the way, and, thereafter, until they arrived at Strathorn the two fellow travelers rode on in silence.
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