With Robert Hood's unexpected words and evil aspect, Lillis Melross comprehended the full extremity of her peril. Till his livid lips declared the truth, she had rested thankful and easy in the belief that the document thrust into Linter's hand had been utterly destroyed. Reduced to a speechless teiror by the knowledge of her mistake, and Hood's desperation, she only gazed wildly in the villain's face. Finding she did not speak, Hood went on with even added fury. "Mad girl J" he cried, "it is true I love you, but— l love myself better. You thought your copy of the earl's infernal statement safe amongst the fUmes. You thought wrong. An unconsumed portion caught my eye and excited my curiosity I took it from the ashes. I read— l read that Robert Extan,. known as heir-apparent to the title and estates of Langdon, was really Robert Hood, son of Lawrence Hood A word supplied, here and there, by my own wit, made all clear to my mind— too clear for your perfect safety, Lillis Melross. So, I ask again, where is the—" He paused there. To his savage astonish ment, Lillis had, in one moment, recovered her daunted courage. Face arid form suddenly animated by, a resolve as unutterable' as heroic, she struck away h|s hand. ' ' , ' ' ' ' ' The red blood mounted to her pale cheeks and- lips. >Her lovely brown eye's- flashed gloriously into his. ,<- < " > oried; A' soybu acknowledge yourself the base oreature that I know you V A: murderer, a thief, and a reckless adven turer?" .:.;!,-, Jt t . . v..j ,/» l

CHAPTER XXXIV. THE PONIARD'S POINT.
