.

THE GREATER SECRET.
It was late that night that a startled knocking came at the door of Elmdene.

Laura had been in her room all day, and Robert was moodily smoking his pipe by the fire, when this harsh and sudden summons broke in upon his thoughts.

There in the porch was Jones, the stout head-butler of the Hall, hatless, scared, with the raindrops shining in the lamplight upon his smooth, bald head.
"If you please, Mr.McIntyre, sir, would it trouble you to step up to the Hall ?" he cried.

"We are all frightened, sir, about master." Robert caught up his hat and started at a run, the frightened butler trotting heavily beside him.