Front matter

BY

ETHEL M. DELL

AUTHOR OF THE LAMP IN THE DESERT, THE BLACK KNIGHT, GREATHEART, ETC.

GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS NEW YORK

THE GATE MARKED "PRIVATE"

Copyright, 1928 by Ethel Mary Savage

The Way of an Eagle Charles Rex The Knave of Diamonds Tetherstones The Rocks of Valpré The Unknown Quantity The Keeper of the Door The Swindler, and Other Stories Bars of Iron The Safety Curtain, and Other Stories The Hundredth Chance The Odds, and Other Stories Greatheart The Passerby, and Other Stories The Lamp in the Desert A Man Under Authority The Tidal Wave The Black Knight The Top of the World The House of Happiness, and Other Stories Rosa Mundi Peggy by Request The Obstacle Race The Gate Marked "Private"

This edition is issued under arrangement with the publishers G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS, NEW YORK AND LONDON

The Knickerbocker Press, New York

CONTENTS

PART I

CHAPTER

I.—A COCK PHEASANT II.—STAPLE FARM III.—LITTLE STAPLE IV.—CONCERNING PIGS V.—MATILDA VI.—ROSEMARY VII.—THE REAL REASON VIII.—ORIGINAL SIN IX.—MARY X.—THE DISCOVERY XI.—DICK DYNAMO

PART II

I.—THREE FRIENDS II.—AN AFFAIR OF PARTNERSHIP III.—RAVENCOMBE IV.—GRIEVANCES V.—PUNISHMENT VI.—YOUTH VII.—PERCY VIII.—CHRISTMAS IX.—THE DREAM X.—THE BARRIER XI.—THE EMPTY ROOM

PART III

I.—BOXING NIGHT II.—THE CAPTURE III.—THE PRINCE IV.—THE OLD BEAN V.—THE CALL OF A FRIEND VI.—A HEAP OF ASHES VII.—ARCADIA VIII.—THE MIRROR IX.—"I WILL ARISE..." X.—THE ESCORT XI.—THE VICTOR

PART IV

I.—PETER AND MARY II.—THE MEETING III.—THE CONFLICT IV.—THE FAITHFUL FRIEND V.—THE AMBASSADOR VI.—THE RETURN VII.—FORGIVENESS VIII.—THE INDOMITABLE IX.—THE OPEN DOOR

THE GATE MARKED "PRIVATE"