She was overwrought, I suppose; and indeed the exertion of breaking in the door had been rather too much for Charles too; for, now that the excitement was over, his hand shook so much that he had to put down the lamp, and even his voice trembled a little as he said: "I don't think Ralph is very much to be pitied.

He has had a narrow escape." "Don't come down again, either of you," he continued a moment later, in his usual voice.

"I had better go and get it over at once.

He will be wondering what has become of us if I wait much longer.

Evelyn, good-night.