for an order to go over the convict prisons at Princetown. It arri

art, ugly, ominous, a blot on nature, man's menace to mankind, had never interested him or caused him to think for a moment of the unfortunate beings who were incarcerated there. It was just a landmark, almost part of the life of the moorlands. He knew

agreed to take him with just the same tolerance with which Despard himself mi

y from the farm-and the Crichton family. They made him feel, if not exactly guilty, at least ashamed of himself. He had passed a sleepless night, and during the long

is ignorance of men and women and the ways of the world. It seemed as if he had never ha

here on the moorlands it was good to be alone-if one had

eets that had no end, of walls that could not be scaled, of

et out to work; for the remainder he could eat or sleep or gaze at the great walls of his prison and lis

es, and occasionally visiting the pits of theatres. And then, as he made friends music halls and card parties beca

demand rest, and, failing rest, excitement. Without pausing to think he had fed it,

guise of another form of excitement. But slowly, as he realised her worth a

s of the Ingenue Theatre was an expensive luxury. Falling in love made him reckless; and when he knew that it real

seriousness of the situation until the fatal day when Rupert took her down to the races, and laughingl

point of view in these matters. He did not think, and not until the race was over and he was back in his lodgings in Westm

nd him and left London with a light heart, quite c

might pursue him for some little time. Rupert had made the mis

rt put in a late appearance. He was afraid to face his father. At the same ti

n Dale's lips. As yet he had not questioned Rupert as to the manner of his life in London or asked the reasons which had made him

overed that he was engaged to be married there would be further complicat

ink of her; reasons he would not admit to himself, and

oubts; unwarran

e being hauled off to Princetown to do seven years penal

t a good pace, just dropping down the hill to the valley th

n into the town to do some marketing. She was wearing a short, workman-like little skirt and high lace boots.

ondon. You must find it awfully dull here, Mr. Despard. You don't look a bit like the type of man

erfully. "I was wondering last night whether I could

es, "I always feel so sorry for those people; they look unhappy and never seem to have anything to do but to drive about in brakes or motor-cars, or,

. "Well, one never knows one's

get in looking at a lot of poor brutes, half of whom will probably never know freedom again: thieves, murderers, robbers

nd I might find ourselves en route to Princetown one day, handcuffed between a couple of warders. I always like to be prepared for eventualities. I believe convicts

sang as they tumbled over the granite rocks and swirled beneath the bracken and heather which overhung the peat banks. In the dis

ake a gentleman of him with the best intentions in the world. But it was a mistake. They were moorland folk. The

ooked at him and laid her hand on his. "What's the

t Marjorie. "I suppose you've never been in love, Miss Dale, so

fro, making a complete circle here, almost a triangle there, finally disapp

n love with life. I suppose that so

love with you one d

and love is life. For a man I suppose it consis

point of view,"

the most densely populated, where all the men bear arms-and the women bear children that the men who are

a pretty stiff hill to tackle. And I'm a town

tayed at home so that he could hav

ad given him the previous evening; possibly he kne

was a strange mixture of innocence and fearlessness which appealed to him strongly. The fact that he could not understa

e of safety or success he knew he would have to superficially play the game. T

ith a couple of hotels and a little railway station, and quite a good sprinkling of shops. The two

ll outside the great gates, a porter appeared from

and asked them to sign their names in a large book which was kept there for the purpose. T

arrant," Despard chuckled. He looked at the

sir," the man replied without moving a mu

chief warder led them across the great stone

y'll really think you've done time he

hing to smile at. Other people

, "that will cheer you up. By the way, hav

of replying, by the warder halting them outside an

e was no relief for the eye anywhere; just harsh granite underfoot, overhead, and on all sides. Rupert, free man though he was,

lls of the prison, he felt as if he were a prisoner. Now and then he hear

work. Almost every kind of trade seemed to be carried on within the prison walls. Tailors, saddlers, shoemakers, basket-makers. The m

ed to be beaten into the convicts' souls until the expression of it was graven on their faces. Like their walls they were cold, grey, silent. Here and there a few retained traces of humani

their eyes roved here and there, moving quickly, sometimes fearfully; like the eyes of an

ssed warmth again and the smell of newly-baked b

2061. "Just room enough to die"-

le of a square, the floors rising one above the other, all securely railed off, s

while a gang of convicts marched in through the courtyard. They were accompanied by warders with l

lves walking along the road towards Princetown. "I felt a beast all

d to be outside again in the air and the sunshine, and, by gad! it has given

wanted was a little bread and cheese and a glass of milk, Despard in

the taste of the granite ou

or a new dress, and made several purchases for her wardrobe out of the money he had given her. Her pride and pleasure in having money to spend made him realise h

nd he would no longer have any shame in

he was a poor man he would lose her. A

kind of a lecture, a warning on the folly of gambling and living beyond his means, and an appeal as to his future conduct. He knew his father would not be angry, probably would not e

mply told him that Sir Reginald had received a letter tha

d from five to five hundred pounds, had been brought to the bank

certained that a young man had handed the cheque in to the office in an envelope addr

nse of relief. "Have they

n described him as a tall, fair man with a slight moustache, well dressed, and, as far as he remembered, wearing a tall silk hat, and a light overcoat." Dale laid his h

ritical moment, just when I was awaiting the result of my exam., knowing I was dreadfully in debt, and I had made up my mind to risk everything by backing the favourite in the big race. The money I ha

erhaps that makes me extra proud. Keep your money, my boy; pay all your debts, but don't ask me to take any. I couldn't take money that you had won like that. You had no right to

of everything, to tell his father about Ruby Strode and his love

left to-day and he said he was afraid it would be necessary for you to go up. It will

ssary, but I can't see why I should be wa

They want you to give them an exact account of your movements, what you did and where you went on the day you received and lost the c

ney, whether his father was legally liable or not, Rupert knew that if it meant selling the

haps he had wo

er bed just as he had been accustomed to do in the old days when they were boy and girl together with

ce to Rupert, but still went to make up life for Marjorie. Then she fell to

on't look as well or so jolly as you used to. Th

ke you happy, too.... Of course, now you'll guess, but don't say anything. While I'm away I don't want you to be too much alone with De

er bed and laughed.

all, I saw you and young Crichton pass me on the bridge. I don't want to interfere, dear,

arms and neck warm against the white lace of her nightgown, he realised for the first time with something like a shock how very beautiful she was. Being a brother he had taken her for gran

me to marry him one day, but I haven't promised yet. Our

d. "You, not

aughter; he's the son of a gentleman. Don't say anything more, dear," as Rupert was about to rep

There were tears in his eyes. He rose from the bed

to my stupidity and selfishness, I've got to go up to town to-morrow, but it will only be for a couple of days, and when I come back I'll

y towards the do

Marjorie whisper

s he shut the door quietly

of a farmer. That was why he had made such a mess of things in Lond

bition should be realised. He would