At that moment the door suddenly opened, and Gwen in her warm furs stood upon the threshold, her face full of surprise at seeing their visitor.
“Why!” she cried, “Mr Mullet!” and rushing forward, she grasped his hand eagerly.
“I have told them, Miss Gwen, I have just told them the truth,” he said simply.
“Yes!” cried Frank Farquhar, stepping forward quickly, and taking the girl’s hand he kissed her upon the lips there, before both her father and Mullet. “I have misjudged you, my darling!” he said. “Forgive me. That man lied to me, and, alas, I believed him. But to-day I know the truth. The death of that scoundrel Challas and his ‘cat’s-paw’ has released Mr Mullet from his bondage. He has now no further fear of their reprisals, and has spoken—spoken the truth, and cleared you of that shameful scandal which Jannaway placed upon you.”
“Did I not tell you, Frank, that Mr Mullet had been my very best friend?” said the girl simply, as, at that moment, the little Doctor entered, fussy and excited as usual.
“I did not believe it once,” he replied, “but now I know it to be the truth.” And turning to the man who had staked his own liberty to protect Gwen’s honour, he grasped him warmly by the hand, uttering words of heartfelt thanks.
And so again, and for ever, two hearts became united, and the dark clouds of suspicion opened to give way to the sunshine of life and love.
All these stirring events happened not quite a year ago.
Though the Ark and the sacred vessels still remain hidden beneath the Mount of Offence till such time as his Majesty the Sultan thinks fit to rescind his prohibition, one interesting circumstance has occurred, namely, the joyous marriage at St. Margaret’s, Westminster, of Frank Farquhar and Gwen Griffin, which was celebrated a couple of months ago.