The Fortunes of the Farrells Part 42

He held out the photograph as he spoke, and Mollie bent eagerly over it.

It was Ruth's missing picture of the library at the Court--one of the longtime exposures which she had taken on the eventful morning when the desk had been opened in the squire's absence. The nearer part of the interior was clear and distinct, but the further half was blurred as if something had moved while the plate was still exposed, while leaning over the open desk was a man's figure, dim and blurred indeed, but recognisable in a flash as that of Victor Druce!

Mollie's face was white to the lips as she raised it to meet Jack's glance, and he put his arm round her protectingly.

"Yes; I knew you would be shocked! It is easy to see what happened.

After Druce went out, ostensibly for the day, he slunk back unseen, and entered the library by the window. The blur across the picture shows in which direction he crossed to the desk. Meantime, Ruth had put her camera in position, and as the exposure would be a long one in such a dark room, she had gone away and left it there. Druce would never notice the little camera perched on a side-table, and when he heard Ruth returning he, no doubt, hid himself hastily behind the curtains; but he had remained sufficiently long at the desk to give a definite impression of his figure. The camera was discovered after you left, and the squire had the plates developed in the village. He must have had the curiosity to examine them before sending them on, and one can imagine his feelings upon finding the solution of the mystery which had troubled him so much.

I have no sympathy for Mr Victor Druce; I am only profoundly thankful that Ruth escaped his clutches. Don't let us talk of him any more. We want only pleasant subjects on this great night, sweetheart!"

"And there are so many pleasant subjects to think of. It will be such a lovely experience to play fairy G.o.dmother to people who have had a bad time; the first of all comes the dear pater. There's his key in the latch! Be nice to him, Jack; he has been so good to us!"

"Come, then!" said Jack, rising, and holding out his hand towards her.

"Let us go to meet him together, and you shall tell him that he has a new son, and that all his troubles are at an end?"

THE END.