Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/194

MY LADY OF THE SOUTH "He is not trying to escape. I let him out of the cellar, and he gave me his pledge not to run away. He was here with me watching the house, only I fell asleep. That was all I knew until I heard you struggling."

"You released him? What for?"

"Miss Denslow was frightened," I said, catching my breath painfully, "she believed the murderer of Lieutenant Navarre was still concealed in the house. I was here in the dark waiting when you came down the stairs. I supposed you to be the assassin."

Donald laughed, rising to his feet, and bending forward to grasp the girl's hands.

"So that was it, Jean dear. And I gave you a bad scare. You must forgive me, for it was unintentional. I came back hurriedly, without waiting for my men. They are widely scattered, and it will require several hours yet to bring them together. I could not bear to think of your being here alone. I came in through a secret passage, never dreaming any one would be hiding in this darkness.'

He glanced down at me, where I had lifted myself upon one elbow. "You should have shot me, Lieutenant."

"And I am very glad I did not," I returned honestly. "I hoped to capture the prowler so as to vindicate myself of crime."

"Sincerely I wish you might have proven so fortunate, for I am far from being convinced myself that you are capable of such a deed. My little Jean, here, must possess great confidence in you." [ 182 ]