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ENERGY,
ENVIRONMENT,
AND SUSTAINABILITY
SECOND EDITION

Saeed Moaveni
MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO

Australia • Brazil • Canada • Mexico • Singapore • United Kingdom • United States

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Energy, Environment, and Sustainability © 2023, 2018 Cengage Learning, Inc.
Second Edition
WCN: 02-300
Saeed Moaveni
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work covered by the copyright
SVP, Higher Education Product Management: herein may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means,
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Printed in the United States of America


Print Number: 01 Print Year: 2021

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Contents

Preface vii
About the Author xiii
Digital Resources xiv

PART 1

Basic Concepts 2
1 Introduction to Energy, Environment, and Sustainability 4
1.1 Basic Human Needs 5
1.2 Energy 16
1.3 Environment 20
1.4 Sustainability 26
Summary 32
Problems 33

2 Fundamental Dimensions and Systems of Units 36


2.1 Fundamental Dimensions and Units 38
2.2 Systems of Units 44
2.3 Dimensional Homogeneity and Unit Conversion 54
2.4 Components and Systems 59
Summary 61
Problems 63

3 Evidence-Based Data Analysis 66


3.1 Evidence-Based Analysis 68
3.2 Linear Models 69
3.3 Probability and Statistics 75
3.4 Statistics—Basic Ideas 77
3.5 Frequency Distribution 78
3.6 Mean, Median, and Standard Deviation 81
3.7 Normal Distribution 83
Summary 86
Problems 87

4 Electronic Spreadsheets 90
4.1 Microsoft Excel Basics 92
4.2 Excel Functions 101
4.3 Plotting with Excel 107
Summary 115
Problems 117
iii

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iv CONTENTS

PART 2

Energy 122

5 Energy and Power 124


5.1 Energy and Work 125
5.2 Forms of Energy 128
5.3 Difference Between Energy and Power 137
5.4 Energy Content (Heating Values) of Fuels 142
Summary 148
Problems 151

6 Electricity 154
6.1 Current, Voltage, and Electric Power—Basic Concepts 156
6.2 Residential Power Distribution and Consumption 162
6.3 Lighting Systems 170
6.4 Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution 176
Summary 185
Problems 187

7 Thermal Energy: Heat Loss and Gain in Buildings 190


7.1 Temperature Difference and Heat Transfer—Basic Concepts 192
7.2 Modes of Heat Transfer 193
7.3 Daylighting 206
7.4 Degree Days and Energy Estimation 209
Summary 214
Problems 216

8 Energy Consumption Rates and Non-Renewable Energy Sources 220


8.1 World Energy Consumption Rates 222
8.2 United States Energy Consumption Rates 230
8.3 Fossil Fuels 240
8.4 Nuclear Energy 252
Summary 254
Problems 256

9 Renewable Energy 260


9.1 Solar Energy 261
9.2 Solar Systems 270
9.3 Wind Energy 281
9.4 Hydro-Energy 289
9.5 Biomass 294
9.6 World Renewable Energy 297
Summary 300
Problems 302

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CONTENTS v

PART 3

Environment 306

10 Air and Air Quality Standards 308


10.1 Atmosphere, Weather, and Climate 309
10.2 Outdoor Air Quality Standards in the United States 320
10.3 Indoor Air Quality Standards in the United States 324
10.4 Global Air Quality Issues 328
Summary 329
Problems 331

11 Water Resources, Consumption Rates, and Quality Standards 334


11.1 Water—Basic Concepts 335
11.2 Personal Water Consumption 342
11.3 Water Consumption in Agriculture, Commercial, and Industrial Sectors 348
11.4 Drinking Water Standards in the United States 352
11.5 Global Water Quality Issues 355
Summary 359
Problems 361

12 Understanding the Materials We Use in Our Daily Lives 364


12.1 Earth—Our Home 366
12.2 The Phases of Matter and Properties of Materials 369
12.3 Metals 374
12.4 Plastics, Glass, Composites, and Wood 382
12.5 Concrete 387
Summary 390
Problems 393

13 Municipal and Industrial Waste and Recycling 396


13.1 Municipal Waste 398
13.2 Industrial Waste 411
13.3 Recycling and Composting 413
Summary 424
Problems 425

PART 4

Sustainability 428

14 Sustainability 430
14.1 How Does One Define Sustainability? 431
14.2 The Earth Charter 437

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vi CONTENTS

14.3 Key Sustainability Concepts, Assessments, and Tools 439


14.4 Apply What You Have Learned—Knowledge Is Power 442
Summary 457
Problems 458

Appendix A: A Summary of Formulas 460


Appendix B: Conversion Factors 462
Appendix C: Some Useful Data 463
Appendix D: The Earth Charter 468
Index 472

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
Preface

We all realize the importance of understanding fundamental concepts deal-


ing with energy, environment, sustainability, and their relationships, as they
affect the quality of our lives. We also agree that a functioning democracy
requires well-educated responsible citizens. Unfortunately, the vast majority
of students today graduate from high school and college without developing
any understanding of the role energy plays in their daily lives and how energy
consumption and waste impact the environment and future generations.
This book is an attempt to lay down the foundation for the development
of responsible citizens with a clear understanding of contemporary issues
dealing with energy, environment, and sustainability. Great care has been
exercised to use real-world examples to get important points across, foster
critical thinking, and use evidence-based analyses. The content is designed not
only to develop the ability of students to go beyond mere understanding of
the concepts but to also quantify their energy and environment footprints in
order to determine whether their actions are sustainable. The content is also
presented with a simple conversational tone with many visual aids to keep
today’s students engaged. The level of mathematical requirements is kept low
so that the topics can be taught to all students. If students can add, subtract,
and multiply, then they will be able to follow the examples presented in this
textbook, solve the homework problems, and determine their environmental
footprints. Moreover, in order to reach out to as many students as possible, the
content is prepared as a general education course that can be taught at a com-
munity college or a university by instructors with various backgrounds, includ-
ing physics, science, or engineering. When it comes to energy, environment, and
sustainability, we must realize that we are all in this together!

Changes in the Second Edition


The Second Edition, consisting of fourteen chapters, includes several new
additions, changes, and features that were incorporated in response to
­adopters’ comments, as well as pedagogical and sustainability advances. The
major changes include:
• A new chapter on evidence-based data analysis introducing
students to an approach that is based on basic scientific principles
and easy-to-understand mathematical and statistical models
• A new chapter on electronic spreadsheets which are commonly used to
record, organize, and analyze data using formulas, as well as to present
the results of an analysis in graph form
• Over 50 new problems

vii

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
viii P R E FA C E

• Greater focus on global interdependency and global data, critical


thinking, complex problem-solving, and application of knowledge in
real-world settings
• Greater emphasis on a blended model where collaborative
problem-solving and community engagements are encouraged

Organization
This book is organized into four parts and 14 chapters; each chapter begins by stat-
ing the learning objectives (LO) and concludes by summarizing what the ­student
should have gained from studying the chapter. Relevant, everyday examples, with
which students can associate easily, are provided throughout the book. Many
hands-on problems conclude each chapter, asking the student to gather and ana-
lyze information. Moreover, these problems require students to make brief reports
and presentations so that they learn the importance of good written and oral com-
munication skills. To emphasize the significance of teamwork and to encourage
group participation, many of the problems also require group work; some require
the participation of the entire class. The main parts of the book are described below.

Part One: Basic Concepts


In Part One, consisting of Chapters 1 through 4, we introduce the students to
the importance of understanding basic concepts such as human needs, energy,
environment, sustainability, and the fundamental dimensions and units that we
use every day in our lives. As good global citizens, it is also important to follow
a systematic approach to sort carefully through information that is presented
to us when we are confronted with a complex problem. We need to make deci-
sions that are based on sound scientific principles, scientific research, scientific
data, and mathematical and statistical models.
Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the current state of our world. It intro-
duces the students to world population and its trends, basic human needs, and
why it is important to understand concepts of energy, environment, and sustain-
ability. We explain the traits of good global citizens and the importance of devel-
oping good communication skills–all essential for a well-educated democratic
society. We also emphasize that responsible citizens must have a good grasp of
issues related to energy and environment and take active roles in their communi-
ties. We point out that although the activities of good citizens can be quite varied,
there are some personality traits and involvement practices that typify them:
• Good citizens are well informed and have a firm grasp of current issues,
particularly issues related to energy, environment, and sustainability.
• Good citizens have a desire to be life-long learners. For example, they
are well read; they attend community meetings and presentations to stay
abreast of new events and innovations in technologies and understand
how new developments may affect their lives.
• Good citizens have good written and oral communication skills.
• Good citizens have time management skills that enable them to work
productively, take good care of their families, and be active in their
communities.
• Good citizens generally work in a team environment where they consult
each other to solve complex problems that affect all of us.

Copyright 2023 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
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P R E FA C E ix

Chapter 2 explains the role and importance of fundamental dimensions


(e.g., length, time, mass, temperature) and systems of units (e.g., foot, meter,
second, pound, kilogram, degree Fahrenheit, degree Celsius) in our daily lives.
We emphasize to the students that they have been using these concepts all
their lives; we now define them in a formal way, so that students can under-
stand and quantify more intelligently their own environmental impact, water
and energy consumption rates, and waste.
In Chapter 3, we introduce students to evidence-based analysis, an
approach that is based on scientific principles, scientific research, scientific
data, and mathematical and statistical models. In recent years, the use of this
systematic approach in a wide range of topics, including sustainability, has
resulted in more reliable decisions. We also discuss linear models, as they are
the simplest form of equations used to describe a range of situations. Basic
concepts dealing with probability and statistics are also discussed. Probability
deals with the branch of science that attempts to predict the likelihood of an
event to occur, and statistics is the area of science that deals with the collec-
tion, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data.
Spreadsheets are used to record, organize, and analyze data using formulas.
They are also used to present the results of an analysis in chart forms. Chapter 4
covers Microsoft Excel, which offers a large selection of built-in functions that
students can use to analyze data. Excel also offers many choices when it comes
to creating charts. We also show how to use Excel to find an equation that best
fits a set of data and forecasts future trends.

Part Two: Energy


In Part Two, consisting of Chapters 5 through 9, we introduce students to
the importance of understanding the basics of conventional and renewable
energy; its sources and production; and consumption rates in homes, buildings,
transportation, food production and manufacturing. Chapter 5 explains the
basic concepts related to energy and efficiency. These are concepts that every
college graduate, regardless of their area of interest, should know. We need
energy to build shelter, to cultivate and process food, to make goods, and to
maintain our living places at comfortable settings. To quantify the require-
ments to build things, move or lift objects, or to heat or cool buildings, energy
is defined and classified into different categories. We discuss what we mean
by mechanical energy and thermal energy. The units of energy and power,
including kilowatt-hour, Btu, kilowatt, and horsepower, are also discussed in
this chapter. Chapter 6 covers the basic concepts of electricity and electric
power production. We also cover residential power consumption, particularly
lighting systems, because lighting accounts for a major portion of electricity
use in buildings; lighting systems have received much attention recently due
to the energy and sustainability concerns. Chapter 7 covers the fundamentals
of heat transfer, and heat loss and gain in buildings. Space heating and air
conditioning account for nearly fifty percent of energy use in homes in the
United States. Chapter 8 provides a comprehensive coverage of energy sourc-
es including gasoline, natural gas, coal, and wood, as well as their consumption
rates. We detail how much energy we consume in our homes, buildings, and in
the transportation and manufacturing sectors. Chapter 9 explains renewable
energy and its sources as well as the basic concepts related to solar energy,
wind energy, and hydro-energy.

Copyright 2023 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
x P R E FA C E

Part Three: Environment


In Part Three, consisting of Chapters 10 through 13, we focus on the environ-
ment and introduce students to air and water and the anatomy of earth, its
natural resources, and rates of consumption and waste. We emphasize that our
earth has finite resources. Chapter 10 provides general information about the
atmosphere, weather and climate, along with outdoor and indoor air quality
standards. Chapter 11 covers water resources, quality standards, and consump-
tion rates in our homes, in agriculture, and in the industrial and manufactur-
ing sectors of our society. Chapter 12 provides a detailed understanding of
common materials that are used to make products and structures. Chapter 13
discusses waste and recycling.

Part Four: Sustainability


In Part Four, consisting of Chapter 14, we introduce key sustainability concepts,
methods, and tools. Every college graduate must develop a keen understanding
of the Earth’s finite resources, environmental and socioeconomic issues related
to sustainability, ethical aspects of sustainability, and the necessity for sustainable
development. Students should also know about life-cycle based analysis, resource
and waste management, and environmental impact analysis, and be familiar with
sustainable-development indicators such as the U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating
systems. Finally, in Chapter 14, we have included several personal and communi-
ty-based projects to promote responsible citizenship and sustainability.

Active Learning Features


This book includes numerous features intended to promote active learning.
These features include: (1) Learning Objectives (LO), (2) Discussion Starters,
(3) Before You Go On, (4) Highlighted Key Concepts, (5) Summary, (6) Key
Terms, (7) Apply What You Have Learned, and (8) Life-long Learning.

Learning Objectives (LO)


Each chapter begins by stating the learning objectives (LO), enabling students
to identify the most important concepts to take away from that chapter. These
objectives are revisited throughout the chapter and are also highlighted within
the chapter summary.

Discussion Starters
Pertinent facts and articles serve as chapter openers to promote meaningful
discussion and engage students. They provide a means to understanding the
importance of what students are about to learn. A good way for the instructor
to use a Discussion Starter is by giving students a few minutes to read it at the
beginning of a class and then ask the students about their thoughts.

Copyright 2023 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
P R E FA C E xi

Before You Go On
This feature encourages students to test their comprehension and understand-
ing of the material discussed in a section by answering questions before they
continue to the next section.

Vocabulary
It is essential for students to understand the importance of developing a
complete vocabulary to converse correctly about today’s pressing issues. This
feature promotes understanding of basic terminology by asking students to
state the meaning of new terms that are covered in a section.

Key Concepts
Key Concepts are highlighted and defined in special boxes throughout the
book.

Summary
Each chapter concludes by summarizing what the student should have gained
from the chapter. These summaries are designed to help students comprehend
and become proficient with the materials.

Key Terms
At the end of each chapter, key terms are indexed so that students can use
them for review or check back in the chapter for their meaning.

Apply What You Have Learned


This feature, designed to highlight practical applications of course concepts,
encourages students to apply what they have learned to an interesting prob-
lem or a situation. To emphasize the importance of teamwork and to encour-
age group participation, many of these problems require group work.
Life-Long Learning Problems that depict and apply concepts that are criti-
cal for life-long learning are clearly denoted by to draw attention to their
importance.

Supplements
Additional instructor resources for this product are available online. Instruc-
tor assets include a Solution Answer Guide, Image Library, and PowerPoint®
slides. Sign up or sign in at www.cengage.com to search for and access this
product and its online resources.

Copyright 2023 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
xii P R E FA C E

Acknowledgments
I am thankful to all the reviewers who offered general and specific comments
during the conception of this book, including Louis D. Albright, Cornell
University; Paul Dawson, Boise State University; John Gardner, Boise State
University; Thomas Ortmeyer, Clarkson University; William Rauckhorst,
Miami University; Malcolm M. Sanders, The University of Vermont; Chiang
Shih, Florida State University; and Sesha Srinivasan, Tuskegee University.
I also wish to thank Karen Chou of Northwestern University, Melinda Huff of
Harding University, and Ali Razban of Indiana University–Purdue University
Indianapolis for their feedback on the first edition.
I wish to acknowledge and thank the Global Engineering team at Cengage
for their dedication to this new book: Timothy Anderson, Senior Product
Manager; MariCarmen Constable, Learning Designer; Alexander Sham,
Content Manager; and Simeon Lloyd-Wingard, Product Assistant. Thanks are
also due to Rose P. Kernan of RPK Editorial Services. They have skillfully
guided every aspect of this text’s development and production to successful
completion.
Thank you for considering this book, and I hope you enjoy it.

—Saeed Moaveni

Copyright 2023 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
About the Author

Saeed Moaveni is a successful engineer, author, and educator. Dr. Moaveni is a


licensed professional engineer in the State of New York and has over 35 years
of experience in practice, teaching, and research. He has held faculty appoint-
ments at several universities, including University of South Carolina, Syracuse
University, and Minnesota State University, and has served as a graduate
program coordinator, department chair, and dean. He is the former Dean of
the David Crawford School of Engineering at Norwich University—one of the
oldest engineering schools in the country (founded in 1819).
As a well-known educator and researcher, Professor Moaveni has
received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Jack Cermak
Distinguished Professor Fellowship, the American Society for Engineering
Education Outstanding Young Faculty Award, the International Network
for Engineering Education & Research Recognition Award, and the Global
Citizen Award from Minnesota State University.
Professor Moaveni’s various textbooks have been translated into many
languages, including traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, Portuguese,
Farsi, and Korean. He has been invited abroad as a visiting scholar at
numerous universities, including Kyushu University (Japan), National Chiao
Tung University (Taiwan), National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan), the
Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics at National Taiwan University,
Shanghai University of Engineering Science, and Kwame Nkrumah University
of Science and Technology (Ghana).

xiii

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Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
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the future when she chooses."

"The fellow's mad," Sir George muttered. "Clean mad. My dear


Darnley, you are talking the most abject nonsense. On your own
confession you are a poor man; you have lost everything as I did by
trusting to that scoundrel. I mean to Mayfield, who----"

"Precisely. We both know that man to be what he is. And in spite of


what you know, you are going to let your daughter marry him and
give her your blessing. Truly the family pride of which you boast is a
poor thing! You are prepared to commit a crime to support it. Now
tell me your honest opinion--do you suppose for a moment that
Mayfield would marry Mary if she came to him empty-handed?"

Sir George shook his head; he was man of the world enough to see
Ralph's point.

"I don't think he would," he said. "Mayfield is sufficient of a business


man to know the value of money. Of course he's fond of the girl,
which is quite natural. But I fail to see what your question has to do
with the matter."

Ralph was not blind to the hopelessness of his task. Truly it is


difficult to know the real standard of even one's closest friend. Up to
a certain point, Ralph had regarded Sir George as an honourable
man, who would have shrunk from any act calculated to pain or
harm any fellow creature. Dashwood would probably have protested
himself that such was the case. And yet here he was, prepared to
sacrifice his only child on the altar of his sinful selfishness.

A bitter contempt filled Ralph; he would have liked to turn on this


man and tear him to tatters with sharp-edged words. Were all
people alike when it came to the test? Ralph wondered. He half rose
from his seat, and then sat down again. It was impossible to quarrel
with Mary's father; there was nothing to gain by such a course. And
Sir George seemed to divine little of what was passing in the mind of
his young companion.

The elder man had regained his equanimity now. He was sure that
Mary would do what he called the right thing. It was rather a
nuisance, and so forth, but then it was absurd to imagine that any
girl could imperil the good name of such a family as the Dashwoods.
As Sir George sipped his wine, he caught sight of his own head and
shoulders in a Florentine mirror on the far side of the room, and,
unconsciously almost, set his tie straight. It seemed incredible to
Ralph that the man could think of such things at such a moment.
But there it was. Sir George poured out for himself another glass of
wine.

"I can see that you are vexed," he said in his polished easy way. "As
a friend of ours you naturally would be. In addition, you are naturally
prejudiced against our friend, Horace Mayfield. So am I, but we
must make the best of it. After all, there are many standards of
honour. Mayfield is a business man; he has been trained to methods
which are not in accordance with our views. All is fair in love and
war, he would argue. We must not be too hard on our fellow
creatures, Darnley."

"The fellow is a scoundrel," Ralph said hoarsely. "He is bad to the


very core of his being. He would never see the inside of Dashwood
Hall again if you could be free of him. And when I think of your
daughter as that man's wife----"

Ralph paused. He was unable to proceed. His quick imagination


travelled on ahead of him; he could picture Mary's future in the
darkest colours. He knew only too well the fire and force and
passion that lay under the cold exterior. He could guess at the
unspeakable humiliation to come from Mayfield's very touch. And
this would go on not for days, but for years. And Mary would never
murmur, she would confide in nobody, she would hug the galling
chains to her breast until the canker entered the heart of the flower
and killed it ...

But Dashwood was talking again. Ralph was so lost in his own
gloomy thoughts that he had some difficulty in picking up the
thread.

"And there is another thing, my dear fellow," Sir George murmured.


"You will excuse my saying so, but you are taking on yourself a little
too much. Mary owes her life to you on two different occasions. I am
sure that we are both of us exceedingly grateful to you. And you
have proved yourself to be a real friend in other ways. Still, that
does not give you the right to harp upon this topic quite so freely.
When Mary marries Mayfield----"

"She never will do so," Ralph cried, forgetting himself for the
moment. "Rest assured that this hateful marriage will never take
place. You may look surprised, but wait and see. I have not finished
with Mayfield yet. After this evening is over, and I have heard Miss
Dashwood's decision for the last time----"
"I decline to discuss the matter any further, really I do," Sir George
protested. "My dear fellow, your remarks are in bad taste. As a
gentleman, you must see that such is the case. I must ask you to
change the subject."

Ralph placed a firm bridle upon his tongue. He had almost forgotten
himself; he had come very near to betraying the great secret.

"I beg your pardon," he said. "As you say, I am going too far. I shall
not err in that way again, but will leave you in peace to your cigar
and your claret. Perhaps I shall be able to get some music in the
drawing-room. The quietude of this house fascinates me, all the
more because I have not been accustomed to this kind of thing."

Sir George smiled in a benign manner.

"I can understand your feelings," he said. "By all means leave me to
my cigar. It has been a very disturbing evening."
CHAPTER XXVII.

A WARNING

Ralph crossed the great hall in the direction of the drawing-room. He


had made up his mind what to do. So far as he could judge, the
blow would have to fall before long. When once Mayfield had an
inkling of the truth, Ralph felt pretty sure that Mary would be no
longer under the necessity of submitting to his persecutions.
Mayfield posed as a rich man, and indeed he seemed to have the
command of money when he needed it, but Ralph had reason to
know that there was a deal of tinsel mixed up with the gold. If it
could be proved to Mayfield that Mary was no longer an heiress he
would refuse to carry out his part of the contract. He would
recognise at once that the whole scheme was a failure, and his
cautious philosophy would do the rest.

There were two ways of getting rid of Mayfield, the first being for
Ralph to declare his own identity. But by doing so he would go far to
defeat his darling ambition of winning Mary's love on his own merits.
Still, he had been prepared to run this risk if Mayfield's persecutions
continued. But now Fate had placed in his hands another weapon by
which it was possible to be rid of Mayfield and carry on the love
campaign at the same time. Whether this alternative would have to
be used without delay depended on Mary. Ralph meant to see her
now and force her to say what she was going to do. There was no
time like the present. In the silence and the moonlight this thing
should be done.

Just for a moment it seemed to Ralph that the drawing-room was


empty. There were the shaded lamps throwing a subdued light on
the old furniture and the panelled walls. Ill at ease as he was, Ralph
was conscious of the refined, soothing air of the place. Then a
gentle voice called him, and he crossed to a distant corner of the
room where Lady Dashwood was seated. Her face was white and
troubled.

"My dear lad," she whispered, "I felt certain that you would come to
me. Sir George cares nothing so long as he has his comforts. Mary is
out of the room; she has gone up to see old Patience, so that you
can speak freely. This is a terrible catastrophe; it places that poor
child absolutely in the grip of the scoundrel. She recognises that;
she is prepared to bow to the inevitable. You have only to look into
her face to see what she is going to do. And I am to blame for the
whole miserable crime."

"My dear Lady Dashwood, how could you possibly avoid it?"

"Oh, you will know some day when the truth is told. Ah, if you had a
bare idea of what a miserable, wicked old woman I am. . . . But
there is no occasion to go into that here. The question is, can you
help me, can you do anything to prevent this thing? I used to pride
myself on the fact that I had a great deal of influence over Mary. But
when it comes to a question of family pride, I am helpless. Still, this
marriage must be prevented at any cost. If you will not speak out, I
shall be compelled to do so."

"There is no occasion," Ralph said. "I pray you to leave me to do this


in my own way. Mary will never become the wife of Horace
Mayfield."

A murmur of relief came from the aged listener. Her face cleared
somewhat, but the tears were still dim in her eyes. At the same
time, Ralph's words were a great comfort to her. She laid her fingers
on his hand lovingly.

"I like to hear you speak like that," she whispered. "It reminds me of
your--of my dear son. Ralph, are you sure that you can carry out
your boast?"

"Quite, Lady Dashwood. As surely as I am standing here before you,


I can prevent this hateful marriage. I can prevent it even if Mary
tries to thwart me. But I must have her decision from her own lips
first. I am going to be very cruel to be very kind in the long run. And
whatever happens, I am going to ask you to trust me implicitly. Even
if things look very dark for us all, you are not to lose your faith.
Remember, if events seem to point to the triumph of one who is
hateful to you, it is all being done with one end in view. Now
promise."

"My dear boy, I promise freely. When you look at me with those
brown eyes and speak to me with that voice from the other side of
the grave, I could promise you anything. I feel that you have come
to save me; that my life is destined to end in peace. But I am afraid
that Mary is going to suffer yet."

"Oh, she is," Ralph said almost sternly. "It is good for her that she
should suffer. But I shall have no fear for the result after she is tried
in the furnace. Maybe I am no better than a Quixotic fool, but I have
my aim clear before me. And now I must see Mary for some
moments alone."

"I will send her to you," Lady Dashwood murmured as she rose from
the chair. "Ralph, you fill me with new hope and courage. I feel that
I am going to do some good with the remainder of my life yet. But
do not be too hard on the child, remember that she is more or less
what I have made her. And may she listen to the voice of reason!"

It was a little time later that Mary came in. She looked white and
weary; her eyes had a metallic gleam in them. All the same, she
flushed under Ralph's steady gaze. She murmured something to the
effect that she had no idea Lady Dashwood was not there.

"Never mind about Lady Dashwood for the present," Ralph said. "In
fact, I asked her to leave us together for a time. I have something
important to say to you, Mary. Come out on the terrace with me."

It was not so much a request as a command and Mary felt the hot
blood rising to her face. And yet she could not decline coldly with
Ralph's eyes on hers. He seemed to possess some magnetic
influence over her. Without a word they passed side by side out on
to the terrace.

It was a perfect night, with a full moon swinging high overhead. In


the distance the silver light played on the roofs and chimneys of the
Hall. Ralph stood in rapt contemplation of the scene for a moment.

"It is absolutely perfect," he said. "A good old house in a grand old
English landscape. And for three hundred years a Dashwood has
reigned here. Truly a thing to swell the heart with honest pride. No
wonder you are fond of it, Mary; no wonder you would make any
sacrifice to retain possession of it. But the price is too heavy.
Tomorrow you must send Horace Mayfield about his business."

"It is too late," Mary said coldly. "I have made up my mind. Other
women have made far heavier sacrifices than this. And I shall get
used to it."

"Never! You are not going to do it. I will not permit you to commit
this sin."

The girl's face blazed with anger, then her cheeks grew white again.
She would have liked to turn upon Ralph with passionate scorn, but
her sense of truth and justice held her back. For what he said she
knew to be dreadfully, hopelessly true.
"Yes, a sin," Ralph said quietly. "The deliberate violation of a
sacrament. You will go to the altar with a lie on your lips, your whole
life will be a lie. To my mind, one of the most horrible things is the
sight of a young girl who has married an old man for the sake of his
money. To me it is hideous. And your sin will be worse than that, far
worse. Picture it, think of it, Mary, before it is too late."

The girl's head drooped, in spite of her pride and her courage, the
tears streamed down her face, her frame was shaken by passionate
sobs.

"Too late," she said. "Oh, I cannot draw back."

"Because you sacrifice everything to your foolish pride," Ralph


replied. "I see that it is quite useless for me to plead any longer.
Therefore, I must take my own way to prevent your wasting your life
in this fashion. Would Horace Mayfield care for you if he heard that
you had lost your fortune?"

"The question is needless," Mary whispered. "Of course he


wouldn't."

"Let us argue the matter out from that point of view, then. Say that
a merciful Providence interferes to prevent this sin of yours. You lose
your fortune. Mind, there are many less likely things than this. Your
fortune takes wings and flies away. You are free from Mayfield, and
also you lose the Hall. What would you do then?"

"But you are picturing an almost impossible case. Such a thing is not
the least likely."

"Indeed, it is. The late heir to the estate vanished and never
returned. There was a violent quarrel, the facts of which are only
known to Lady Dashwood. Her son died far away without even
communicating with his relatives again. So far as we know, he may
have left a son behind him. He may have told that son everything or
nothing. But suppose that son finds out the truth. What is to prevent
his coming back and claiming everything? He would get the title as a
matter of course; he would get the estates also if he puts in an
appearance before another six months have gone by. If this
happens, you are no better than a pauper, Mary. What do you say to
that?"

"I do not believe in the existence of the man."

"No, but I do. Mary, that young man lives. He will declare himself
and bring in his proofs before many days are over. He is the
instrument chosen by Providence to prevent this deliberate sin of
yours. Your reign at Dashwood is over; within a few days you will be
as poor as--as myself. Thank God, we shall save you yet."

A little cry came from the girl's lips and she stood like a white statue
in the moonlight.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

MORAL FORCE

It was some time before Mary spoke again. Ralph wondered if she
had any inkling of the real truth. He had perhaps said a little too
much, and perhaps, on the other hand, he had not said quite
enough. Suppose that Mary jumped to the immediate conclusion
that he was the heir. What then? She would ask him the question
point blank, and he would be compelled to speak the truth.
But Mary's perception was at fault for once. As her eyes sought
Ralph's face it was evident that she had not the remotest idea who
he was. And this was just as it should be, from Ralph's point of view.

For he was doing what the world would call a foolish and Quixotic
thing. He loved this girl with his whole heart and soul; he knew that
she was the one woman for him. But not yet; until that sinful pride
was humbled in the dust there would be no happiness for Mary. Her
character would have to be cleansed and purified in the fire of
adversity first. Ralph knew quite well what noble qualities lay under
that mask of pride and ice.

He could have called the girl his; he knew it. He had only to proclaim
his identity, and Mary Dashwood would have asked no better fate
than to become the wife of the head of the family; she might have
given her heart into the bargain.

But Ralph would have none of it that way. Mary should come to him
and sue for pardon; she should proclaim in all sincerity that love was
best of all. She should feel that there was something far better than
being mistress of Dashwood Hall. Then the truth might be told and
the old order of things re-established.

All this Ralph had worked out in his mind as a novelist works out a
plot. And Fate had played into his hands. A stern, hard time was
coming for Mary, but it would be the making of her in the end. Ralph
could see it all in his mind's eye as he stood by Mary's side and
looked into her troubled eyes.

"I don't understand," she said slowly. "I am afraid that I am not so
hard and resolute as I believed myself to be. And things have moved
so rapidly lately, that I am dazed. First comes the knowledge that
my father is--is----"

The girl hesitated and broke down. Ralph completed her sentence
for her. It sounded harsh and unkind, but the lesson had to be
learned.
"Is not the man you took him for," Ralph said. "His family pride is not
a durable article. To play his part properly he should have coldly and
politely told Mayfield to do his worst, and ordered him out of the
house. That is the course one has a right to expect from the head of
the house of Dashwood. But, alas, for the weakness of poor human
nature! Your father knows Mayfield to be an abandoned scoundrel,
and yet he makes a compact with him. A bargain is arranged
between them, and you are the price to be paid, Mary. And, upon
my word, your pride seems to me to be as hollow a thing as that of
your father."

"That is false," Mary cried passionately. "I am sacrificing everything


for the honour of the house."

"Not from my point of view. As I said before, you are committing a


great and deadly sin with your eyes open. At the altar you are
prepared to soil your lips with a horrible perjury. You are going to
promise to love, honour, and obey the man whose very presence
makes you shudder. But, fortunately, there is no need for that. To all
practical purposes you have ceased to be mistress of Dashwood, and
when Mayfield knows this, he will dismiss you as a mere incident in
his career. The new heir will take possession of the title and the
property."

"I am glad we have got back to him again," Mary said coldly. "Your
personal remarks are exceedingly distasteful to me. Who is the man
you speak of?"

"Vincent Dashwood. Did you not guess it before? Has it never


occurred to you that he had some powerful motive that kept him
here all this time? You must be aware how Lady Dashwood dislikes
him----"

"Oh, yes, yes. Several times lately I have asked who the man was,
but I could not succeed in getting a satisfactory reply. I knew that
Lady Dashwood was afraid of the man. He is not a bit like a
gentleman, but seeing that he was a Dashwood, I have always been
more or less civil to him."

"He does not think so," Ralph said with a smile. "In fact, he thinks
that you have treated him very distantly and haughtily. He hinted to
me that he was going to make you pay for it later. Still, a most
objectionable creature."

"I seem to be surrounded with them lately," Mary said bitterly. "But
why all this mystery and secrecy? If the man is the person he claims
to be, why did he not make his identity known long ago? Oh, he is
an impostor, defrauding Lady Dashwood. So long as he can get
money out of her he will do nothing."

"Perhaps Lady Dashwood will enlighten us on that point," Ralph said.


"I may say that in California I knew the late Ralph Dashwood very
well. Had I not done so, I should not have been here on private
business today----"

"Then you know if the late heir to the property had a son?" Mary
interrupted.

"Certainly he did. And Vincent Dashwood claims to be Ralph's son. If


he can prove this, then he takes the estates and the title. I have
talked the matter over with him, and I gather that he is waiting for
one particular document before claiming the property. The document
is his mother's marriage certificate. You may say that that is easy to
obtain. Not so in California, where records of that class are not kept
so rigidly as they are here. Lady Dashwood will tell you that the
young man came with the strongest proofs of his identity, letters
that she had written to her son, and other papers of that kind. He
knows all the secrets of the House. Lady Dashwood never catches
him tripping."

"Very strange!" Mary said. "And yet he makes no claim!"


"For the reason that I told you. He led me to understand that he is
loth to disturb existing arrangements during the lifetime of her
ladyship. On the whole, I regard this as an exceedingly fortunate
business for you!"

"Fortunate?" Mary exclaimed. "An incident that renders my father


and myself penniless!"

"Yes. It prevents you becoming the wife of Horace Mayfield. Directly


he hears of this thing he will turn his back on you for ever. He is too
much a man of the world to waste time in idle regrets; he will look
out for another to take your place. On the whole, it seems to me
that Fate has been very kind to you."

"Indeed." Mary's voice was very cold, her face colder still. "You seem
to be glad."

"I am glad. I am rejoiced to find that Providence is not going to


allow you to wreck your happiness and imperil your future in this
way. Nothing could please me better than to see you dependent
upon your own exertions for a living. You will be all the better for it;
it will cleanse and purify you. And then you will discover that the
best thing in the world for a good woman is a good man's love. It is
my love for you, Mary, that makes me take this view of things, that
impels me to rejoice in the fact that you are nearer to me tonight
than you have ever been before. And some day you will own it."

"Never!" Mary cried passionately. "Oh, you make me hate you, you
make me forget how much I owe you. I could never become your
wife."

Ralph smiled. There was something very soothing in the sweetness


of the night. Many a time afterward that scene rose up before his
mind.

"You shall be my wife," he said in tones of quiet power. "The scales


will fall from your eyes and you will ask me to forgive you. Oh, my
dear, I know the beauty of your true nature better than you know it
yourself. I can see it all before me as clearly as if I were endowed
with the gift of prophecy. We all have our lesson to learn, and it is
no fault of yours that the lesson has come so late. And when my
confession has followed yours, we shall know the meaning of true
happiness, but not before."

As if he had said the final word, Ralph turned in the direction of the
house. A world of passionate scorn, defiance, anger trembled on
Mary's parted lips. How dare this man, how dare any man, talk to
her like this? And yet at the same time the girl was fully aware of the
power and masterful purpose behind Ralph's words. She was glad in
her inmost heart to know that he cared for her so much. After all,
Mary had her dreams of love and romance like other girls. She was
dimly conscious of the sweet and tender womanhood that underlay
her pride and ice. And she knew that no scorn or invective could
turn Ralph from his purpose.

"Very well," she said resignedly. "You are a strong man, and I am a
weak woman. I daresay you imagine yourself to be paying me a
compliment. But I should put that dream aside if I were you, for it is
never likely to come true."

"It is no dream," Ralph smiled. "Nor is the happiness so very far off.
Now let me take you back to the house again, for it is getting late."

As Mary slipped her hand under the proffered arm, a gentle sigh
escaped her. She wondered why she could not be angry with this
man, why every word of his thrilled her and filled her with such
happiness as could not be expressed in words.
CHAPTER XXIX.

STRATEGY

Meanwhile the police were pushing on their investigations into the


causes leading up to the fire at Dashwood Hall with great energy.
The clue of the matchbox was held to be an important one, and now
that the owner of the toy had been discovered, important
developments were expected. In the interim, Vincent Dashwood
returned from London, having forgotten all about his loss. It was
brought back to his mind with unpleasant force after luncheon the
following day by a visit from the inspector of police.

Dashwood was lounging at the table, smoking a cigarette. Lady


Dashwood sat opposite to him, her slim hands folded in her lap. She
was looking white and worn; her eyes seemed to seek her
companion in weary misery.

"I don't see what you have to complain of," Dashwood was saying.
"I've done everything to please you. Here I am, a kind of mystery in
the house, living more or less on your bounty, whilst all the time I
might have been Sir Vincent Dashwood, with a fine property behind
me. And any time I want a few pounds you grumble."

"That is not a true statement of the case," Lady Dashwood said in


her resigned way. "You told me you could do nothing till you
received the certificate of your father's marriage. As to the rest, I
accepted you implicitly as my grandson. After the proofs that you
placed in my hands, I had no alternative."

"Much as you would have liked one," Dashwood sneered.


"Yes, if you will force me to speak plainly. Many a time I have prayed
that a child of my son's should be sent to me. But you are not in the
least like your father. He was wild and headstrong, and he never
forgave the shameful way we treated him, but he was a gentleman."

"Meaning that I'm not one, eh? Well, hard words break no bones.
For the sake of peace and quietness, I've kept my claim from
everybody but you; to please you I have suppressed the truth till I
can get that certificate. And in return you promised me that I should
not suffer. And now you refuse me a paltry £500."

"I have not refused it you. I have not the money. And you have had
all my jewels, jewels valued at nearly £30,000. In my weakness and
folly I parted with the property which does not belong to me.
£30,000 in the space of a year! Where has the money gone?"

"Now if that isn't just like a woman," Dashwood growled. "I daresay
those stones were valued at the sum you mention, but to get that
for them is a different matter. To be candid, I pawned your gems for
less than a third of that money. And when I tried to raise a further
loan on the same security, I was met with a pointblank refusal. So
you see, I have not been so very extravagant after all."

Lady Dashwood sighed bitterly. She was getting used to vulgar


scenes like this. And yet there was hope that before long she would
be freed from the bloodsucker. She watched him now as he sat
sprawling in his chair, flicking the ashes of his cigarette into a
priceless Sevres dessert dish. How could she ever have taken him for
her grandson, she wondered? Why had she been so weak and
feeble?

A servant entered at the same moment with an intimation to the


effect that somebody desired to see Mr. Dashwood. The gentleman
was waiting in the dining-room. A dull flush of annoyance came over
Dashwood's face.
"Some meddling creditor," he muttered. "A London tradesman, who
has managed to get my address from somewhere. Goodbye to all
peace if once my retreat has got known. Tell the man to call again,
Charles. I can't see him."

"Begging your pardon, sir," the footman said respectfully, "it is not a
tradesman, and he said he must see you on the most important
business. The gentleman is Inspector Drake, the head constable
from Longtown."

Dashwood's teeth clicked together; his face turned to a dull ashen


hue. He had been suddenly stricken by some mortal fear; he could
not disguise the fact from Lady Dashwood. Her heart sank within her
as she glanced fearfully at the white set face on the other side of the
table. She wondered what new disgrace was here.

"I--I'll come in a minute," Dashwood muttered thickly. "This room is


so hot that it makes one feel quite faint. Charles, give me a glass of
brandy from the sideboard. A large glass without water. Ah!"

The white face resumed a little of its colour and the teeth ceased to
chatter as the potent spirit got in its work. With an uneasy swagger,
Dashwood crossed over to the door, but his heart was beating thick
and fast and there was a great lump in his throat that he could not
quite succeed in swallowing. But the inspector of police knew
nothing of this as he responded curtly enough to Dashwood's
insolent salutation.

"And what can I do for you?" the latter asked. "This is a very
inconvenient hour for me."

"Very sorry for that, sir," the official said coolly. "But my duty is plain.
I should like to have a few words with you as to the fire at
Dashwood Hall."

A strange sense of relief, almost of exultation, came over the


listener. He could breathe more freely now; all his swagger came
back to him. The visit of the officer had nothing to do with any
episode out of a dark and dubious past.

"What can I tell you about that?" he asked. "I know nothing of it."

"Well, it's like this, sir," Drake proceeded to explain. "We have
established beyond all shadow of a doubt that the fire was not
caused by accident. Straw was laid deliberately on the floor of the
hall, and as deliberately soaked in petroleum. We found the rest of
the straw, and also we found the empty drum of oil, which had been
taken from one of the outhouses. All this must have happened in the
early hours of the morning. It was a very good thing that the
timbers of the house are so sound, or nothing could have saved the
place. As it is, the fire burnt itself out."

"But what has all this got to do with me?" Dashwood asked
impatiently.

"Half a minute, sir. I was merely telling you that this was the work of
an incendiary. Once having established the fact, we will get to
business. We searched in the ashes, and we were so fortunate as to
find this."

Drake held up the familiar matchbox and handed it to Dashwood. He


looked just a little uneasy, but there was no suggestion of guilt
about him.

"We found this peculiar matchbox in the straw, sir," Drake went on.
"The theory is that it was dropped by somebody who was connected
with the fire. Suppose that the culprit was disturbed, or perhaps the
sudden blaze was so fierce that the box fell and could not be
recovered. I want to know if you have seen this box before?"

Dashwood turned the silver toy over in his hands for a moment.
There was nothing to be gained by concealing the truth.
"I understand your insinuation," he said. "As a matter of fact, that
box belongs to me, and, as I dare say you are aware, my initials are
engraved upon it. The box is a novelty in its way; I bought it some
years ago in America. Do you mean to say that this was found in the
ashes of the fire?"

"It was, sir. I picked it up myself. The butler, Slight, recognised it as


belonging to you. Now you will see why I came to you."

"Oh, of course. So your beautiful intelligence suggests that I had


some hand in that fire. If you only knew the true position of affairs,
you would know that I am the very last person in the world to want
anything to happen to the Hall. But that is a detail which we may
come to presently. Meanwhile, I am prepared to accept the
responsibility of calling myself the owner of the box. I must have
been careless enough to drop it and somebody picked it up--the
somebody who tried to set fire to the Hall. I'm afraid that I can't tell
you any more than that."

"All the same, I'm afraid I must go a little farther, sir," Drake said.
"That box is yours and it was found in the ashes of the fire. It
appears that some time before the fire broke out one of the servants
at the Hall was called up to take a message to Mr. Mayfield, who is
staying in a farmhouse not far from here. The servant's name is
Walters. He went back to his quarters over the stables, and as it was
a fine night and he did not feel in the least sleepy, he sat by the
open window and smoked a cigarette. He says that a little before
two--close to the time when the fire broke out--he saw somebody
come from the direction of the house and cross the lawn. The figure
was moving rapidly, and apparently desired to escape observation.
When Walters was asked if he could recognise the figure in question,
he said positively that he could. I asked him to give it a name, and,
to make a long story short, he said it was you, sir."

There was no mistaking the dry suggestiveness in Drake's manner.


He was not in the least apologetic now, he made his statement with
the air of a man who is sure of his ground. Dashwood changed
colour slightly.

"This is ridiculous," he cried. "The idea that I should have any


motive for destroying the old house is out of the question. If you
knew who I really am----"

"That is not the point, sir. The question is were you there?"

"Yes, I was," Dashwood said in a kind of sullen desperation. "I was


out at that hour. The best thing I can do is to come as far as the Hall
and have it out with Walters. I see that the time has come when I
must tell the truth."

CHAPTER XXX.

THE HEIR OF THE HOUSE

Sir George Dashwood sat in the Gothic library at Dashwood Hall


bewailing his hard fate in a manner which would have been called
peevish in a less distinguished man. He wanted to know when he
was going to get back the full possession of his house again; he
desired to be informed why Horace Mayfield had not been to see
him. He did not appear to be listening to what Mary had to say. Also
he was full of the fact that the more or less mysterious Vincent
Dashwood had made a dastardly attempt to reduce the old house to
ashes.
"You don't seem to understand," Mary said with some impatience.
She was standing in the window of the library with the sunshine full
on her face. Through the great mullion, with its crested devices, she
could see the deer in the park beyond. "You do not seem to
comprehend that this is a blessing in disguise. So far as I can see,
the house is not a bit the worse for what might have been a terrible
disaster. I am bound to confess that I don't like Mr. Dashwood, but
at the same time I am quite sure that he had nothing to do with the
fire--the fire which prevented anybody from knowing of the disgrace
that had fallen upon us."

"No thanks to that young man," Sir George grumbled. "I tell you he
was responsible for the fire. His matchbox was found there. Walters
saw him by the house. Why Lady Dashwood doesn't get rid of the
fellow passes my comprehension."

"But I have just been trying to explain to you, only you won't listen,"
Mary responded with some show of impatience. "There are the most
powerful reasons why Mr. Vincent Dashwood does not desire the
destruction of the house. Mr. Darnley told me all about it last night.
Vincent Dashwood claims to be the son of Ralph Dashwood."

Sir George started as if something had stung him. He had been so


wrapped up in his own selfishness up to now that he had no ears for
anything else. Mary's statement almost overpowered him. Many
things suddenly became plain to the baronet's understanding.

He rose to his feet and paced up and down the room in terrible
agitation.

"Is this really a fact?" he demanded. "I cannot believe it, and yet,
and yet, I have met that fellow a good many times, and the oftener
I see him, the more does he impress me unfavourably. I see now
that there must have been some powerful reason why Lady
Dashwood should tolerate the man. But why did she not tell us at
once, why did she go on feeding him with money? for I can now
quite see why she was not in a position to do me a favour the other
night. If what you say is correct, Mary, then we are little better than
beggars. Still, the reason for all this mystery----"

"Is not so strange when one comes to understand, father. It appears


that Ralph Dashwood married an American lady somewhere in the
wildest part of California. There has been a great difficulty in finding
the marriage certificate. Lady Dashwood is quite convinced that the
man we are speaking of is her grandson."

Sir George broke out into feeble whinings, he grew almost tearful.
And as he became weak and sentimental, so did Mary grow harder.
If this crowning blow had to fall, then nobody should hear a word of
weakness from her. For her part she could have fought this man,
even if it had left her penniless before the world. She clenched her
teeth upon her lip to keep down the rising tide of bitter reproaches.
Then she turned to see that Vincent Dashwood, together with
Inspector Drake, had entered the room. The former looked heated
and indignant, for he had been giving a piece of his mind to the
policeman.

"I am glad to find you here, Sir George," he shouted. "The police are
making all kinds of accusations against me. They say, forsooth, that
I have tried to burn the house down, and all because a matchbox of
mine was found in the ashes. I suppose I am not the first man in the
world who has lost a matchbox. And I've been telling Drake here
that I have every reason that the house should not be injured."

"So my daughter informs me," Sir George replied in the same


whining voice. "Seeing that you claim to be the son of Ralph
Dashwood----"

The other man laughed defiantly. All the same he could not meet the
glance that Mary turned upon him. His bold eyes were turned to her
face, then they dropped as if looking for something on the floor.
"I'm very sorry," Drake put in, "but this is a serious matter. The
finding of that box, the mere fact that Mr. Dashwood was seen here
at the hour of the fire, all make it necessary for me to take certain
steps----"

"I must speak," Vincent Dashwood broke out. "I did not mean to
proclaim the truth, because I was not ready to do so. And there was
Lady Dashwood to be considered. Still, as I see that Mr. Drake is
prepared to go to the extreme length of arresting me for the alleged
act of arson, I am compelled to declare the truth for my own
protection. Drake tells me that he has lived in the adjacent town of
Longtown all his life, so he must be more or less acquainted with the
family of Dashwood. He knows, for instance, that Mr. Ralph
Dashwood left here forty years ago, and that his friends have seen
nothing of him since. I suppose that statement is not too much for
your intelligence, Drake?"

"I am quite aware that you are quoting facts, sir," Drake said grimly.

"Very well. I'm glad to hear that you believe something I say. It is
not generally known, but it will be clearly established before long
that Mr. Ralph Dashwood married an American lady, by whom he
had one child, a son. To go farther, I may say that that son now
stands before you. I am the only son of Ralph Dashwood, born in
lawful wedlock, as Lady Dashwood perfectly well knows, and
therefore the property belongs to me. There is no such person really
as Sir George Dashwood; as a matter of fact, Sir Vincent Dashwood-
-in other words, myself--is head of the family and owner of the
place. There is only one proof necessary, and that I hope to have in
my hands in a few days. I allude to the certificate of my parents'
wedding. And now, Mr. Drake, after hearing all this, can you suggest
that I should gain anything by burning this house down? If I had
had an impulse in that direction, I could easily have waited for an
opportunity of committing that folly in a safer fashion."
Drake was bound to admit that the astounding revelations made all
the difference in the complexion of the case. Sir George Dashwood
listened with a dark look on his face. Mary turned to the door to see
that Ralph Darnley was standing there. The mere knowledge of his
presence seemed to support and comfort her in this trying hour. Yet
she did not feel the poignant sorrow and sense of loss as keenly as
she should.

"Mr. Darnley will tell us if this is true," she cried.

"Lady Dashwood will tell you so, at any rate," Ralph responded. "I
have taken the liberty of listening to what this gentleman had to say.
It so happens that I can throw considerable light on the story. As I
told you last night, I knew the late Ralph Dashwood very well,
though I had not the honour of meeting the man who claims to be
his son. Perhaps Mr. Dashwood will reply to a few of my questions.
Will he tell me, for instance, in what part of California his mother
lived?"

"Certainly I will," Vincent Dashwood replied without the slightest


hesitation. "It was in Jackson County; I understand the town was
Courville."

"I should say that is perfectly correct," Ralph said. "In fact, I have
every reason to know that it is correct. And the name of your
mother?"

"Alice Montrose. But where the wedding took place, I can't say just
now."

"That is also correct," Ralph went on in the same solemn way. "I am
in a position to prove that Alice Montrose was the wife of Ralph
Dashwood. It is the legal verification of the marriage that you seek?"

"That's it," Dashwood cried eagerly. "Once that is in my possession,


the rest is easy. As I said before, I did not desire to proclaim my
identity just yet for several reasons. But I have been compelled to
speak for the sake of my honour. And if you, Mr. Darnley, who seem
to know so much, can help me to discover that particular document,
I shall be eternally grateful to you. Anything that I can do for you by
way of reward----"

"I shall make use of you, no doubt," Ralph replied. "Your claim
appears to be a very strong one, and everything is going in your
favour. So far all you say as to the marriage of Ralph Dashwood and
Alice Montrose has been correct. You are in urgent need of the
certificate. Let me make the dramatic situation complete by
presenting you with the paper that you most desire. If you will look
at this long slip of paper, you will see that it is a copy, certified, of
the marriage in question. As you seem to be the person most
entitled to the paper, it is with pleasure that I place it in your hands."

Vincent Dashwood's face turned from grey to red, and then to


deadly white. Then he suddenly burst out into a hoarse whoop of
triumph and he danced round the room with every manifestation of
extravagant joy. He would have shaken hands with Ralph, only the
latter did not seem to see the trembling moist palm extended to
him.

"Is this real?" Sir George groaned, "or is it all some hideous dream?"

"It is real enough," Ralph said. "It is a case of 'the King is dead, long
live the King.' Pray allow me to offer you my congratulations, Sir
Vincent."

CHAPTER XXXI.
UNDER WHICH LORD?

Vincent Dashwood seemed to expand, he stood there smiling


benignly, he had lost his strange uneasiness of manner altogether.
And yet Mary did not fail to notice the furtive look in his eyes. There
must be something wrong here, she thought; it was impossible to
regard this man as the head of the family. For three hundred years
Dashwood had been ruled by a gentleman, a man of honour.

And this smirking creature, with the red, grinning face and cunning
eyes, was neither. Mary knew him to be little better than a
blackmailer. And if he was the person he claimed to be, why had he
not come forward and proclaimed his identity before? She could not
believe that Vincent Dashwood had hidden his light under a bushel
merely because he was short of one particular document.

The girl did not believe that he would have spoken now had not the
awkward incident of the matchbox compelled him to do so. And here
was Ralph Darnley actually pushing forward the cause of the new
claimant and giving him the one proof that he needed.

And yet the thing was impossible; surely the walls of the house
would collapse about the head of so poor a ruler as Vincent
Dashwood. The old familiar objects around Mary filled her with a
kind of dumb pain. She was going to lose them all--the pictures and
the gardens, the horses in the stables, and the very deer that loved
her. What the future held for her, Mary had not considered. She
brought herself back to the present with an effort; she became
aware that Vincent Dashwood was speaking.

"This--this is really extraordinary," he cackled. "Like a scene from a


play. I had my own good reasons for not proclaiming my identity for
the present, but you all see that circumstances have been too strong
for me. And then at the critical moment Mr. Darnley comes along
with that paper. How it came into his possession----"

"That is easily explained," Ralph said in his grave way. "It was given
to me by Mr. Ralph Dashwood in circumstances that I need not go
into here. Primarily, the certificate was to have been forwarded to
the solicitors of this estate."

"Quite so, quite so," Dashwood said loftily. "Really, it doesn't matter.
The point is that my proofs are now complete. My idea was to do
nothing and say nothing till Lady Dashwood--my grandmother--had
become resigned to the change in the condition of affairs. It is
perhaps natural that the good lady should look coldly on me and
that all her affection should be for Mary here. And I am bound to say
that Mary has not treated me with the friendliness that I could have
wished."

Hot words rose to the girl's lips, but she checked herself with an
effort. Doubtless the new heir was doing his best to be agreeable,
perhaps he did not know how offensive he was.

"But I am not going to be vindictive," he resumed. "It is only natural


that you should feel a little sore and hurt. One doesn't turn out of a
snug crib like this without turning a hair. As a matter of fact, there is
no reason why you should go at all, at least, not for some time to
come. I don't suppose I shall ever marry--I'm not that kind of chap.
There is no reason why Mary and the old gentleman and myself
shouldn't be very snug here together. Mr. Dashwood wants little
more than the run of his teeth at his time of life."

Mary's cheeks flamed at the unconscious humiliation. She was being


offered a home as a pauper and a dependent; it was infinitely worse
than going into a workhouse. Mary had never dreamed of being
humbled and crushed in the dust like this. Before she could reply,
Slight looked into the doorway, his dry, red face screwed up into the
semblance of respect. He announced Horace Mayfield in a loud
voice.

Mayfield came in, glass in eye, serene and self-confident, his hard
mouth looking more like a steel trap than ever. The quiet triumph in
his eyes was not lost on Mary; she did not fail to note the gleam of
possession as he glanced at her. There was cold consolation in the
knowledge that after all Mayfield was powerless to hold her soul and
body in thraldom any longer.

"I beg your pardon," Mayfield said, "I seem to be intruding on a


family conference or something of that kind. Slight did not tell me,
though I have every reason to believe that he was listening outside
the door. What are you doing here?"

The question was flung headlong at Vincent Dashwood, who had


started and changed colour as Mayfield came in. Evidently these two
knew one another, for Mayfield was rudely contemptuous, Dashwood
cringing yet defiant. Was there yet another vulgar mystery here?
Mary wondered wearily.

"Perhaps I had better explain," Ralph said. "This, Mr. Mayfield, is an


unexpected, but nevertheless dramatic situation. Let me present you
to Sir Vincent Dashwood, only son and heir of the late Ralph
Dashwood, who died some time ago. Sir Vincent had some natural
hesitation in declaring his identity; he was loth to upset existing
arrangements. We must all respect proper feeling of that kind. One
reason Sir Vincent had for keeping his personality a secret was the
fact that he lacked the legal proof of his parent's marriage. By a
fortunate chance I was able to supply the omission. Still, we need
not go into that. The fact remains that Sir Vincent has now
established his claim, as the family solicitors will admit without
unnecessary delay. Unhappily, this new condition of affairs makes it
very awkward for Sir George--I mean, Mr. George Dashwood. By this
cruel stroke he finds himself practically a pauper. And on Miss
Dashwood the blow falls with the same heavy weight. The heiress
becomes dependent upon the charity of the head of the family."

As Ralph spoke his eyes were fixed on Mayfield's. He was searching


keenly for any sign of anger or emotion. But Mayfield did not betray
himself. There was a red spark in his eyes and the big veins stood on
his forehead, but nothing further. And as Ralph proceeded a faint
smile grew at the corners of the cruel mouth.

"This is exceedingly interesting," he said, "and to think that Sir


Vincent should have kept this from so old a friend as myself."

There was mocking bitterness in the speech and Dashwood fairly


writhed under it. He seemed to hang in a kind of agony on the next
word. His sigh of relief as Mayfield turned from him was not lost on
Mary. Mayfield turned abruptly to the girl.

"This will make a great difference to you," he said. "For my own


part, I am disappointed at the strange turn of affairs. Still, I am
philosophic enough to take my chances. In reality I came here to say
goodbye to you. I will not see you for some time to come."

The whole thing was so cool, so icily audacious, that Mary had no
words for reply. This man had accepted the change in the situation
with instant readiness, there was not so much as a shade of regret
in his voice. Mary had gone out of the sphere of his affection, and he
was prepared to drop her like an old glove. The blood flamed into
her face at this fresh humiliation; the pride of the family was serving
her badly now. Her trembling hands went out to Ralph. He saw what
was passing in her mind.

"Take me away from here," she whispered. "Take me out into the
fresh air or I shall die. What have I done to deserve this
degradation? And get my father to come, too. Has he lost all his
manhood that he stays here?"
They went out into the sunshine and the air at length, and
Dashwood was alone with Mayfield. The latter closed the door and
lighted a cigarette. There was a grim ferocity in his eyes that caused
Dashwood to turn sick.

"So you've done it, you rascal," Mayfield muttered. "I daresay you
will tell me that your hand was more or less forced. Perhaps it was.
And yet if I raise my little finger you will pass the next ten years of
your life in gaol."

"Don't," Dashwood said with difficulty, "don't talk like that. The cards
were all of them literally forced on me. Why should you mind?"

"Why should I mind? Why, man alive, you have 'queered my pitch'
as some of your dissolute companions would say. I was going to
marry Mary Dashwood, the great heiress, everything was ready to
my hand. A little later and the thing would have been accomplished.
Only one thing bothered me--I am at my wit's ends for some ready
money, which I must have before long. And, as things stand at
present, Mary Dashwood could not raise anything on her
expectations. But I was going to play the bold game and risk
everything, even my liberty, on this stake. I was never more
surprised in my life than when that fellow Darnley explained the
situation. I nearly gave you away."

"I saw that," Dashwood said hoarsely, "my heart was in my mouth.
It was very good of you to remember an old pal who----"

"Old pal be hanged," Mayfield cried. "I'd have betrayed you fast
enough had it been to my interest to do so. I saw my game like a
flash. They are going to let you into the thing without a fight. But
not for very long, my boy, so you had better make the most of your
time. As Sir Vincent Dashwood you are all right, you can play ducks
and drakes with the estate if you please; in fact, you are going to
start with a mortgage of £50,000. That sum of money you will pay
over to me."
"What for?" Dashwood asked uneasily. "Why should I do it?"

"Call it what you like. Call it blackmail. But I'm going to have it all
the same."

CHAPTER XXXII.

MUST THIS THING BE?

Mr. George Dashwood staggered into the hall at the dower house
with an exaggeration of grief that filled Mary with contempt. The
dethroned head of the house seemed to have no thought for
anything but himself. His eyes were filled with tears, his voice was
weak and tremulous with selfish emotion.

"This is dreadful," he moaned. "Really, I had expected something


better at your hands, Darnley. Still, I suppose you are merely here to
fulfil a promise to Ralph Dashwood. Most selfish of a man to keep in
the background all these years and then spring a mine on one like
this. And here am I, at my time of life, with nothing to fall back on,
not even a pension, for I commuted mine when I left the Service.
Still, that young fellow did not behave at all badly. Don't forget, my
dear that he offered us the free use of the Hall for the present, at
any rate. And he said that he was not a marrying man. Well, if you
play your cards properly, Mary----"
Mary turned her face away and hid her hot cheeks in a great bowl of
dewy roses standing on the hall table. It was no use, she could not
keep the tears back any longer. This was the crowning humiliation of
an unspeakable day. For her father to deal her this blow in the
presence of the one man whose respect she valued so highly was
the refinement of cruelty. She rushed from the hall with choking
words to the effect that she must go and tell Lady Dashwood
everything.

"What's the matter with the girl now?" Dashwood asked peevishly.
"Not one word of sympathy has she uttered. Children have no
feelings nowadays, Darnley. I suppose she was angry about the new
head of the house. What better arrangement could be made? It
would settle all the difficulties at once, especially now Mayfield is out
of the way. I thought that our young friend put it very nicely."

"Did you?" Ralph responded coldly. "I may not be a judge of these
matters, but I fail to see how you could accept that invitation. Of
course, a few days' residence at Dashwood to get your personal
belongings together would be another matter."

"But what am I to do?" Dashwood asked feebly. "I am an old man, I


have been accustomed to the best of everything all my lifetime, and
here I am cut off from all my pleasures and not a penny to call my
own. I can't starve, my good fellow, and I couldn't stay here with
Lady Dashwood; she gets on my nerves terribly. What am I to do?
Really, I feel in absolute need of a cigar and glass of champagne. It
is not my habit to drink at this time of the day, but my condition calls
for it."

Dashwood crept away with many a sigh and groan, and Ralph was
left to his own by no means pleasant thoughts. He had deliberately
struck the blow, and now that it had fallen, he was inclined to be
dismayed at the result. It was very hard upon this feeble old man, it
was very hard upon Mary, but Ralph steeled himself for the fray.
Things were going to be worse yet, the lily was going to pine upon
the stem. Still, it would never do now to become infirm of purpose,
let the consequences be ever so bad. Yet, if the worst came to the
worst, it would be easy to sweep away the whole network of intrigue
and fraud by the raising of a finger. It was necessary that Mary
should learn her lesson to the last letter. That the girl would fight
hard against her misfortunes Ralph did not need to be told. That she
would refuse to eat the bread of charity at another person's expense
he was perfectly sure. He was still debating the problem when Mary
entered the hall again. Her face was very white; there were dark
rings under her blue eyes, which were now swollen with tears. The
girl flushed as she saw the sympathy in Ralph's face.

"Do not think me weak," she pleaded. "I am finding out that I am
only human after all. I have always despised tears, but the pain at
my heart was so great that tears brought the only cure for it. But I
did not come here to talk about myself. I have been telling Lady
Dashwood everything, and she has expressed a desire to see you.
What have you done with my father?"

"He has gone to the dining-room. He declared that exhausted nature


required a stimulant in the form of champagne. I am afraid that you
will not find your father much use to you in the dark hours to come,
Mary."

"I'm afraid not," Mary sighed, "but won't you go and see Lady
Dashwood? She is upstairs in her sitting-room. Of course, she is
upset; in fact, she has been saying all sorts of strange things which
are beyond my comprehension. Why has she taken such a strange
fancy to you, I wonder?"

But Ralph did not appear to be listening. There was every prospect
of a painful interview before him. He passed up the stairs to the
pleasant room looking over the gardens which Lady Dashwood had
made her own. She signed for the door to be shut; as Ralph came
towards her, she advanced with both hands outstretched.
"You will guess why I sent for you," she said. "Mary has been telling
me everything. So the man who calls himself Vincent Dashwood has
made a bold move at last."

"He really didn't," Ralph smiled. "But had we not better sit down? My
dear grandmother, you are going to become a party to the
conspiracy. Let us no longer keep up the pretence of not knowing
the relationship in which we stand to each other."

Lady Dashwood extended a shaking hand, and Ralph touched it with


his lips.

"Perhaps I had better make a full confession," he said. "I am your


grandson. I knew that you would recognise me by the likeness to my
father. Old Slight did so at once and very nearly betrayed me. I had
forgotten Slight. I pledged him to secrecy, I had nobody to fear but
you, and it seemed to me that it was quite easy to keep out of your
way. But circumstances were too strong for me. Then I saw that you
were going to respect my wishes and I was safe. Forty years have
gone by since my father left the Hall, so that nobody was likely to
guess my identity."

"Yes, but who is this Vincent Dashwood?" Lady Dashwood asked.


"Oh, I am not quite so foolish over that man as you may think. He
came here and declared himself to me. He had the most absolute
documentary evidence. He had many of the letters which I had
written to your father--letters to which I never received any reply.
Old Slight was more mistrustful, and submitted the claimant to a
rigid cross-examination. The man was not to be shaken in a single
detail. We were bound to accept his statements. But one proof was
lacking, the certificate of his parents' marriage. He desired to have
his claim kept quiet till that proof was forthcoming. This was after
Mary and her father came into possession. You can imagine my
distress and grief, seeing that I loved Mary so, and I hated the
intruder in proportion. He preyed upon my weakness, he seemed to
read me like an open book. If you had not appeared, he would have
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