tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">167

XXXII   MORE FROM THE PAST 173 XXXIII   VERA SEES SOMETHING 178 XXXIV   EXIT TCHIGORSKY 182 XXXV   MRS. MAY IS PLEASED 189 XXXVI   MRS. MAY LEARNS SOMETHING 195 XXXVII   DIPLOMACY 200 XXXVIII   GEOFFREY GETS A SHOCK 205 XXXIX   PRINCESS ZARA'S TERMS 211 XL   THE IRON CAGE 217 XLI   WAITING 222 XLII   THE SEARCH 228 XLIII   NEARER 233 XLIV   STILL NEARER 239 XLV   BAFFLED 244 XLVI   NEARING THE END 250 XLVII   TCHIGORSKY FURTHER EXPLAINS 255 XLVIII   MORE FROM THE PAST 261 XLIX   RALPH TAKES CHARGE 266 L   A KIND UNCLE 270 LI   "WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?" 276 LII   "AS PROOF OF HOLY WRIT" 282 LIII   A LITTLE LIGHT 287 LIV   EXIT THE ASIATICS 293 LV   A SHOCK FOR THE PRINCESS 298 LVI   MARION COMES BACK 304 LVII   HAND AND FOOT 309   L'ENVOI 315

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THE MYSTERY OF THE
RAVENSPURS

CHAPTER I THE SHADOW OF A FEAR

A grand old castle looks out across the North Sea, and fishermen toiling on the deep catch the red flash from Ravenspur Point, as their forefathers have done for many generations.

The Ravenspurs and their great granite fortress have made history between them. Every quadrangle and watch-tower and turret has its legend of brave deeds and bloody deeds, of fights for the king and the glory of the flag. And for five hundred years there has been no Ravenspur who has not acquitted himself like a man. Theirs is a record to be proud of.

Time has dealt lightly with the home of the Ravenspurs. It is probably the most perfect mediæval castle in the country. The moat and the drawbridge are still intact; the portcullis might be worked by a child. And landwards the castle looks over a fair domain of broad acres where the orchards bloom and flourish and the red beeves wax fat in the pastures.

A quiet family, a handsome family, a family passing rich in the world's goods, they are strong and brave—a glorious chronicle behind them and no carking cares ahead.

Surely, then, the Ravenspurs should be happy and contented beyond most men. Excepting the beat of the wings of the Angel of Death, that comes to all sooner or later, surely no sorrow dwelt there that the hand of time could fail to soothe.

And yet over them hung the shadow of a fear.

No Ravenspur had ever slunk away from any danger, however great, so long as it was tangible; but there was something here that turned the stoutest heart to water, and caused strong men to start at their own