Blind Love

Sir Giles had arranged to wait for news in his private room at the

office--and there he was, with Dennis Howmore in attendance to receive

visitors.

The Sergeant went into the banker's room alone, to make his report. He

left the door ajar; Iris could hear what passed.

"Have you got your prisoner?" Sir Giles began.

"Yes, your honour."

"Is the wretch securely handcuffed?"

"I beg your pardon, sir, it isn't a man."

"Nonsense, Sergeant; it can't be a boy."

The Sergeant confessed that it was not a boy. "It's a woman," he said.

"What!!!"

"A woman," the patient officer repeated--"and a young one. She asked

for You."

"Bring her in."

Iris was not the sort of person who waits to be brought in. She walked

in, of her own accord.

VII

"Good Heavens!" cried Sir Giles. "Iris! With my cloak on!! With my hat

in her hand!!! Sergeant, there has been some dreadful mistake. This is

my god-daughter--Miss Henley."

"We found her at the milestone, your honour. The young lady and nobody

else."

Sir Giles appealed helplessly to his god-daughter. "What does this

mean?" Instead of answering, she looked at the Sergeant. The Sergeant,

conscious of responsibility, stood his ground and looked at Sir Giles.

His face confessed that the Irish sense of humour was tickled: but he

showed no intention of leaving the room. Sir Giles saw that Iris would

enter into no explanation in the man's presence. "You needn't wait any

longer," he said.

"What am I to do, if you please, with the prisoner?" the Sergeant

inquired.

Sir Giles waived that unnecessary question away with his hand. He was

trebly responsible--as knight, banker, and magistrate into the bargain.

"I will be answerable," he replied, "for producing Miss Henley, if

called upon. Good night."

The Sergeant's sense of duty was satisfied. He made the military

salute. His gallantry added homage to the young lady under the form of

a bow. Then, and then only, he walked with dignity out of the room.

"Now," Sir Giles resumed, "I presume I may expect to receive an

explanation. What does this impropriety mean? What were you doing at

the milestone?"

"I was saving the person who made the appointment with you," Iris said;

"the poor fellow had no ill-will towards you--who had risked everything

to save your nephew's life. Oh, sir, you committed a terrible mistake

when you refused to trust that man!"