The Amateur Gentleman

But, or ever the blushing Corporal could escape, Barnabas caught and

wrung his hand: "And I, Corporal," said he, "I wish you both to know that I am proud

to have won two such staunch friends, and that I shall always esteem

it an honor to ask your aid or take your hands,--good night, Corporal!"

So saying, Barnabas turned upon his heel, and as he went his step

was free and his eye brighter than it had been.

He took an intricate course by winding alleys and narrow side-streets,

keeping his glance well about him until at length he came to a

certain door in a certain dingy street,--and, finding the faulty

latch yield to his hand, entered a narrow, dingy hall and groped his

way up the dingiest stairs in the world.

Now all at once he fancied he heard a stealthy footstep that climbed

on in the darkness before him, and he paused suddenly, but, hearing

nothing, strode on, then stopped again for, plain enough this time,

some one stumbled on the stair above him. So he stood there in the

gloom, very still and very silent, and thus he presently heard

another sound, very soft and faint like the breathing of a sigh. And

all at once Barnabas clenched his teeth and spoke.

"Who is it?" he demanded fiercely, "now, by God--if it's you,

Chichester--" and with the word, he reached out before him in the

dark with merciless, griping hands.

The contact of something warm and soft; a broken, pitiful cry of fear,

and he had a woman in his arms. And, even as he clasped that

yielding form, Barnabas knew instinctively who it was, and

straightway thrilled with a wild joy.

"Madam!" he said hoarsely. "Madam!"

But she never stirred, nay it almost seemed she sank yet closer into

his embrace, if that could well be.

"Cleone!" he whispered.

"Barnabas," sighed a voice; and surely no other voice in all the

world could have uttered the word so tenderly.

"I--I fear I frightened you?"

"Yes, a little--Barnabas."

"You are--trembling very much."

"Am I--Barnabas?"

"I am sorry that I--frightened you."

"I'm better now."

"Yet you--tremble!"

"But I--think I can walk if--"

"If--?"

"If you will help me, please--Barnabas."

Oh, surely never had those dark and dingy stairs, worn though they

were by the tread of countless feet, heard till now a voice so soft,

so low and sweet, so altogether irresistible! Such tender, thrilling

tones might have tamed Hyrcanean tigers or charmed the ferocity of

Cerberus himself. Then how might our Barnabas hope to resist, the

more especially as one arm yet encircled the yielding softness of

her slender waist and her fragrant breath was upon his cheek?

Help her? Of course he would.

"It's so very--dark," she sighed.