A. M. Williamson and C. N. Williamson

“ She missed it so little that, after a few weeks' romance, she proposed a bedside wedding at Dun Moat, with herself as hostess, for, of course, nothing would induce her to shorten her tenancy!
Cecil had confessed to falling in love with Terry through the window at first sight. Therefore, the wedding did take place, with Jim Courtenaye as best man and myself as “matron of honor,” as the Americans say. Cecil looked so divine as a bride that no woman who saw her could have helped wishing to be married against a background of pillows! I almost envied her. But Jim said that he didn't envy Terry. ”

“ If Bertie the Second was the ace, the twisted chimney had supplied its jack!
“Keep your head, Hilda,” Scarlett warned his wife. “There's a vile plot against us. This—er—lady and her American partner have tricked us into letting Dun Moat, with the object of blackmail. We must be careful——”
“No,” I corrected him, “you must be frank! So will I. We knew nothing of your secret when we came to Dun Moat. We got on the track by accident. As a matter of fact, Captain Burns saw the real Lady Scarlett at the window, and she would have called to him for help if she could. ”

“ When she had scuttled far enough I called Terry.
“The Scarletts are coming!” I sang, to the tune of “The Campbells.” “Whether it's maternal instinct or a guilty conscience or what, Madame Defarge has guessed I've got the child. She'll be doubly sure when Kram reports my gay quips and quirks. To get here by the shortest and quietest way, the Scarletts must pass your lodgings. The instant you see them, take Jones and race to Dun Moat. When you get there, you'll know what to do. ”

“ She is not legitimate. My brother was married in England before going to Australia, and his wife, an actress, still lives. Therefore, to make known Cecil's parentage would be to accuse her father of bigamy and soil his name. Hearing the truth about him turned her brain. She was taken ill and raved in delirium. My wife was nursing her in the garden-court rooms when you came with Burns and begged us to let the house. ”

“ On condition that Lady Scarlet is released to-night, however, and only on that condition, I'll guarantee that Bertie shall be with you by ten-thirty in the morning. Meanwhile, you can be packing to clear out of Dun Moat, as I hardly think you'll care to claim your niece's hospitality longer, in the circumstances,”
“We have no money!” the woman choked.
“You've forgotten what you took from Lady Scarlett, and six weeks' advance of rent paid you by Captain Burns; twelve hundred pounds. He'll forget, too, if you offer the right inducement. ”

“ And then——”
“Why waste time in accusations?” quailed Scarlett. “We won't waste it defending ourselves! If you're anxious to get hold of the girl, come with ts and we'll turn over all responsibility to you.” ”