The Lighted Way   By: Edward Phillips Oppenheim (1866-1946)

by

E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM

Author of Havoc , Peter Ruff and the Double Four , The Master Mummer , etc.

With Illustrations by A. B. Wenzell

Boston Little, Brown, and Company

1912

[Illustration: Her head sank upon his shoulder, her hands clasped his. FRONTISPIECE. See page 354 .]

CONTENTS

I AN INVITATION TO DINNER II RUTH III ARNOLD SCENTS MYSTERY IV THE FACE AT THE WINDOW V AN UNUSUAL ERRAND VI THE GLEAM OF STEEL VII "ROSARIO IS DEAD!" VIII THE DUTIES OF A SECRETARY IX A STRAINED CONVERSATION X AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR XI AN INTERRUPTED LUNCHEON XII JARVIS IS JUSTLY DISTURBED XIII CASTLES IN SPAIN XIV SABATINI'S DOCTRINES XV THE RED SIGNET RING XVI AN ADVENTURE XVII THE END OF AN EVENING XVIII DISCUSSING THE MYSTERY XIX IN THE COUNTRY XX WOMAN'S WILES XXI ARNOLD SPEAKS OUT XXII THE REFUGEE'S RETURN XXIII TROUBLE BREWING XXIV ISAAC AT BAY XXV MR. WEATHERLEY'S DISAPPEARANCE XXVI ARNOLD BECOMES INQUISITIVE XXVII THE LETTERS IN THE SAFE XXVIII TALK OF TREASURE SHIPS XXIX COUNT SABATINI VISITS XXX SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED XXXI A LUNCHEON PARTY XXXII ISAAC IN HIDING XXXIII SABATINI'S DAUGHTER XXXIV CLOSE TO TRAGEDY XXXV MR. WEATHERLEY RETURNS XXXVI COUNTERCLAIMS XXXVII THE SHIP COMES IN

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Her head sank upon his shoulder, her hands clasped his (Frontispiece) "I was waiting here for you," he explained The eyes of every one were turned toward the wall "For myself," he declared, "I remain" "Where is this man?" he demanded Mrs. Weatherley and the cashier looked over his shoulder

CHAPTER I

AN INVITATION TO DINNER

Mr. Samuel Weatherley, sole proprietor of the firm of Samuel Weatherley & Co., wholesale provision merchants, of Tooley Street, London, paused suddenly on his way from his private office to the street. There was something which until that second had entirely slipped his memory. It was not his umbrella, for that, neatly tucked up, was already under his arm. Nor was it the Times , for that, together with the supplement, was sticking out of his overcoat pocket, the shape of which it completely ruined. As a matter of fact, it was more important than either of these it was a commission from his wife.

Very slowly he retraced his steps until he stood outside the glass enclosed cage where twelve of the hardest worked clerks in London bent over their ledgers and invoicing. With his forefinger a fat, pudgy forefinger he tapped upon a pane of glass, and an anxious errand boy bolted through the doorway.

"Tell Mr. Jarvis to step this way," his employer ordered.

Mr. Jarvis heard the message and came hurrying out. He was an undersized man, with somewhat prominent eyes concealed by gold rimmed spectacles. He was possessed of extraordinary talents with regard to the details of the business, and was withal an expert and careful financier. Hence his hold upon the confidence of his employer.

The latter addressed him with a curious and altogether unusual hesitation in his manner.

"Mr. Jarvis," he began, "there is a matter a little matter upon which I er wish to consult you."

"Those American invoices "

"Nothing to do with business at all," Mr. Weatherley interrupted, ruthlessly. "A little private matter."

"Indeed, sir?" Mr. Jarvis interjected.

"The fact is," Mr. Weatherley blundered on, with considerable awkwardness, for he hated the whole affair, "my wife Mrs. Weatherley, you know is giving a party this evening having some friends to dinner first, and then some other people coming to bridge. We are a man short for dinner. Mrs. Weatherley told me to get some one at the club telephoned down here just an hour ago."

Mr. Weatherley paused. Mr. Jarvis did his best to grasp the situation, but failed. All that he could do was to maintain his attitude of intelligent interest.