"It is too late!" he said, pointing to the lever. "She has let in the water. The river fills that room, and those three are drowned!"
It was so terrible to think of this doom befalling the wicked trio that Frank sat down and fairly sobbed.
"Nemesis!" said Jarman.
[CHAPTER XXVI]
A WEDDING PRESENT
In the summerhouse where Frank Lancaster, when an outlaw, had sought refuge, sat Mildred and Eustace. Frank had stood his trial, but the proceedings were merely formal, as the confession of Darrel, which Captain Berry had obtained, proved his innocence beyond doubt. The girl should have looked much more delighted than she did, now that the man she loved was cleared of suspicion. But she seemed nervous and apprehensive, and her face was pale. Eustace had come down from London to tell her that Frank was free, and to intimate that he would be down in the afternoon after an interview with White & Saon relative to the will.
"Are you not pleased, Mildred?" asked Eustace, looking at her gravely.
"Very pleased," she replied, with an effort. "It is the best of news to think that Frank is free, and will be recompensed for all he has undergone."
"He has youth, health, strength, and forty thousand a-year," said Jarman, looking away, "so he ought to be happy."
"I hope so--I hope so," said Mildred, casting down her eyes. "And it is owing to you that he has been cleared of this terrible charge."