CHAPTER

      I. The Lure of falling water
     II.  To the lowest bidder
    III.  One, at least, Rings true
     IV.  A little cabin
      V. Unmasked
     VI.  Out of bondage
    VII.  At the close of A day
   VIII.  The shadow of mystery
     IX.  United forces
      X. When dreams come true
     XI.  Curiosity and anxiety
    XII.  Pyramid rock
   XIII.  The disturbing letter
    XIV.  Subtle influence
     XV.  The “Cut off”
    XVI.  Christmas eve
   XVII.  The night Summons
  XVIII.  The wild NOR’EASTER
    XIX.  Developments
     XX.  Business details
    XXI.  Harnessed power
   XXII.  In the path of destruction
  XXIII.  Rescued
   XXIV.  Gathering clouds
    XXV.  Mystery
   XXVI.  Under suspicion
  XXVII.  In the toils
 XXVIII.  Light breaks
   XXIX.  Lois goes to the city
    XXX.  A strange commission
   XXXI.  Paper number two
  XXXII.  The Tables turned
 XXXIII.  The real haven

UNDER SEALED ORDERS

CHAPTER I

THE LURE OF FALLING WATER

It was evening and a late April wind was whipping down the valley.  It swayed the tops of the tall pine and spruce trees as they shouldered up from the swift brook below.  It tossed into driving spray the water of Break Neck Falls where it leaped one hundred feet below with a thundering roar and swirl.  It tossed as well the thin grey hair, long beard, and thread-bare clothes of an old man standing upon a large rock which towered high above the stream.

The entire scene was wild and made weird by the approach of night.  But the old man did not seem to notice anything except the falling of the waters.  His eyes glowed with an intense light as he kept them fixed upon the leaping and swirling columns below.  His face was like the face of a lover turned toward the object of his affection.

For some time the man stood there drinking in the scene before him.  Then he took a step forward which brought him perilously near the edge of the steep rock.  His lips moved though no sound could be heard for the tumult of the falls which was rending the air.  What connection had such a man with his surroundings?  No boor or clown was he, for the simple dignity of face and manner marked him as one of Nature’s true gentlemen.

It was almost dark when he at last reluctantly left the rock and entered the thick woods where a trail led away from the falls.  Along this he moved with the unerring instinct of one who had travelled it often and was sure of his bearings.  But ever and anon he paused to listen to the sound of the falling waters which followed him like the voice of a loved one urging him to return.