The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 17, 1907, Page 10

3 e ; > The San Francisco Sunday Call. miled enigmatically, ~ talk, Lord Chelsford We shall see,” Le remarked, &8 he especially. He is a man. they say, turned away: with a twofeld reputation. He has CHAPTER IX—Continued Nobody i= permitted ‘to hold a - per or to make & note while they a Siibiy St e being read. Afterward I have iy 's promise that not even he Tady Angela watched him disappear. playea a great part ia the world e mask of surprise even a cursory glance at them. “Do you know whe that isT™ she pleasure, almost a theatrical part; bu e & shadow, fiitti them sealed to Lord Chels- asked me. you know, the French people Iike slender tree + I shook my head. & that.” j S S it Ray came up to us. His dark eve- “Some one French, very French” I ‘It {s true,” I murmured. “They love sun e, where for a mo- o o O e closs tairthel T remarked. L their heroes decked in tinsel.” e sie seemed wan and white. T 1 noticed that his boots were clogged “He should be,” shé remarked. “That gho nodded. shed & greeting et me. I with sand. He had the appearance of is Prince Henri de Malors. He repre- ‘They say that it is part of a pose, nd befors her. It was ® man who had been walking far and wents the hopes of the royallsts In and that he has serious political ambi- e & fast France.” tions. He contemplates aiways some B 1 we had met since I had uy,y peep up your good habits, Lady “It is very interesting.” I murmursd. scheme which shall make him »de at the ‘Brand Angela,” he said. raising his cap. “May I ask {8 he an old family the idol, if only for a day, of the r . ucal s “It § ¢ only i v 80 I am loth friend?” French mob. A day would be sufficlent, - o e I o oy £ b ol i “Our families have been connected by for he would strike while—Prince. be g were a gallant &s you appear to be marriage,” she answered. “He and careful” she called out. “Al ghos ways woik epergetic,” she added, glancing at his Blenavon saw 2 great deal of oné an- We heard a shrill cry, and we saw t vy bepts, “you 1d have stopped when other in Paris, very much to the dis- the Prince sway on the vergs of the advantage of my brother, I sheuld clif. He threw b arms and think. I believe that there was some clutched wildly I calied after you and taken me for a but he was walk * . ug {iis ayes =hot derk lightning at her. trouble at the foreign office about it.” too late to sav 1f. We saw the . e 1 did not hear you call” he said. “It is very interesting,” I repeated. ground crumble benecath his feet. an finis d lie You had the appearance of a man “Blenavon was very foolish,” she de- with a second cry of despa o disap 1 intended to hear nothing and see clared. “It was obviously & most in- peared. she remarked coolly. “Never alscreet friendship for him, and Paris Grooton, Lady Angela and I reached 2d- iil be no breakfast for was his first appointment. But I must the edge of the cliff at about " S N softly shall take me on to g0 and speak to some of these people.” moment. We peered over in e s She rose and feft me = little abruptly. less anxlety. Lady Angela { arn in the path. 1 escaped by one of the side éntrances my arm and for a moment [ did not in oy N 1 saw their heads close together in and hurried back to my cottage. the least cere what had happened to Alre ahoe carnest onversation. I went on B the Prince. e gla Brar towerd the 1 e CHAPTER X1 “Don’'t be frightened.” I whispered " wmloriabie 1 entered b back and made my — “The descent Is not by any means LS s is short across the great hall, which Am Accideat sheer. He can’'t possibly have got to invaded by domestics with br 4 b Taki 1k HE Prince accepted my mest the bottem. I will ciamber down and a rooms. Taking a smal ey f somfortable eaey chair with an 109K for bim~ s wetch chain I unfastened th aimost behind the staircase alr of graceful condescension. “Oh, you musn’t,” she exclalmed. “It ana pushed it open. The curtains were Lady Angela had already seated is not safe. How terrible it looks nd the room itself, therefore, darkness. I carefully locked in and turned up the electric drawn, almost myself light arself, was /arternoon GoWn there!” :nl Gt‘vot‘«ffi wa lb-::yhl‘n':‘;n :oom be- I raised my volce and shouted. Al- hind. preparing my tea. raost immediately there came an an- “The Princs dlc‘:ot c;lr‘el t:‘-h:.ec‘tni "fi}f~‘m P R day,” Lady Angela explained. “am ' de, 1 - Tave been showing him the meighbor- 416 of a bush. I dare not move. It hood. Incldentally, I am dying for soma *° dark I cannot see where to put my \ tea and the Prince has smoked all his 99t Can ybu lower me a lantern, and cigarettes.” I will seq it I can climb out The Prince raised his hand in polits Grooton hastened back to the cot- expostulation, but he accepted a cigar- “.‘,; P . otte with a little sigh of relief. think you will be all rig “You have found a very Jlomely spot "’;G out. Tt is not half as steep as for your dwelling-house, Mr. Ducaine” It “!°°'l~ £ : he said. “You English are so fond of belleve,” he answered. “that I solitude.” can See a path up. B‘f.t I will wait “It suits me very well,” I answered, Untll the lantern comes. “for justinow I have a great deal of _ The lantern arrived almost immedi- work (o do. I am safely awsy from all 8tely. We lowered it to him by a rope distractions hare.” and he examined the face of the cliff. Lady Angela smiled at me. g DURE (haL Y ean got wn” he cried. s " " “Not quite so safe, perhaps, Mr. Du. ~Dut I sho @ to help myself wit glanced at by all of us, and destroyed.” his drawer, and locked them up with *you, too, my young friend, were out caine, n: vou fondly lx::flnz:" she re- the .rope. Can you both hold it epartment was a small one, and contained only a few pieces of heavy antique furniture. Behind the cu tains were iron shutters. In one corner was a strong safe. I walked to it and for the first time I permitted myself to think of the combination word. Slowly 1 fitted it together, and the great door swung open. re were several padlocked dis- patch boxes, and, on & shelf sbove, a bundle of folded papers. I took this bundle carefully out and laid it on the table before me. I was on the point of undoing the red tape with which it was tied, when my fingers be- came suddenly rigid. I stared at the b o packet with wide-open eyes. I felt my breath come &i and my brain have o reeling. The pa were there sure poie 5 Y. R .nou: gt Y;fi‘ st ab Shens that T ‘1“).” Duke nodde B S little exclamation of ‘?l‘lct._ early this mt?r'mng," ¥ marked. “T am afrald that we disturbed u:_&llkly'r‘ vy % P A e . was leoking. Tt was the double knot . ou are righ e admitted. “The T I"‘nl come down with you, hfi T was“mmn‘ all night” I an- yon. YTou look awfully bus: % right, answered. “We've go T v in the red tape which fascinated me. infer > is positive enough. The safe Said. “Mr. Ducaine. you will join us.” swered. T had documents to put In She glanced toward my writing it. a . some has been opened between the hours of = 1 Would have excused myself, for the safe.” ’ table. It was covered with papers, and He clambered up w surprising v 1o the CHAPTER X 10 at night and 7 o'clock this morning indeed 1 was w and the thought He shot a quick, searching glance a map of the southern countfes leaned agility. But as he reached ' by- > of & bath and re t home was more at me. N up against the wall. The Prince also of tAh. elire gg groaned heavil she persistec ‘By either myself, Colonel Ray, o ttractive, But the Duke had & way “You have been to the safe this morn- suriously i ame di- “Are you hurt?” Lady Angela as . . T answered her e 1 your Grace” T said. ¥ o pressing his wishes in a manner ing. then?” & b 1 i Rl dtvibos sen, “Tt 18 my foot” he muttered; “my g e person 1 have HAVE no exact re ction of hoWw ° “I am not sure that T am prepared to 19'\{:?: It was scarcely pessible to mis- 1 answered him With a composure at T hava finished s work for the left foot. I twisted it in falling.” b for at 1 n ure. Why long T spent that little room. edmit that,” the Duke objected quietly, fake, and I gathered that he desired which I fnwardly marveled. day,” | said, rising. “If yeu will per- _Groeotem aad I heiped him to the cot- k2" After 2 w closed the safe It is inevitable!” I declared. me to accept his ‘invitation. We all “Certainly! It was the object of my it me, I will put it away.” tage. He hobbled nfully along with “g 1y the very young use that word,” descended the stairs together. coming here.” Grooton brought in tea. The Prince tightly clenched lips . o . ok i reset th ation loc > - B . s tigs way” she ‘:""’ A 1 °°‘T‘""“ X the Duke said drily. 2 — * You entered the room witli the Duke. was politely curfous as to the subject I shall have to ask for a pony cart . I saw some With trembling fingers. Then I se “I spoke only of wiat others must CHAPTER X1 Was he {u the study at that hour?” matter of those closely writtsn sheets t0 6t up to the house, I am afra’d.” s 1 B e T was dress- 2!| around, but conld find no say.” 1 ansiwered. gt “No, T went upstairs to him. I had a of paper. he sald. “I am very sorry to give :ou E was certainly Intrus o “Ttis a cul de sac, T admit,” the Duke iy Tarnt Michuess question to ask.” “You are perhaps Interested in liter- 80 much troubls, Mr. Ducaine.* said. “Nevertheless. Mr. Ducaine, 1 am HI long dining room was almost “And you have met Lord Blenavon? ature, Mr. Ducaime,” he remarked. “The trouble is nothing,” I answered, r &s been oper . not prepared without consideration to filled with a troop of guests What do you think of him?” “Immensely,” I answered, waving my ' dut I am wondering how on earth you g T o the best o1, vere strolli Aceept ir resignation. I cannot see who had arrived on the previ- .. We were at Magdalen togéther for 2 hand toward my bookshelves. managed to fall over the cliff.” f as passed throukh turrece. I watched the latter that position would be improved % term.* I answered. “He was good “But you yourgelt—yeu 0o doubt T myself scarcely know,” he an- fax T walk with POU gaocinated eves. It was from her in any way. and in my own mind I may ous gay. DBost of the men Who enough to remember me.” write?” swered, as he sipped the brandy w ady Angela” There 4o cirange warning had come to me, 244 that I hold you absolved from sus- Yere gathered round the hugo side- Ray smiled. but did not speak another “Qh, one tries,” I answeréd, pouring Grooton had produced. “I am subjec x I should Yery tyjs warning which @s yet was ou picion.” board, on which was a formidable ar- word to me all the breakfast-time. Onoa out the te: to fits of giddiness, and one came over v imperfectly cplained.. ‘What did_~he I held myself a little more upright. Tay-of silver-covered hot water dishes. I made a remark to him; and his reply ‘It may permifted than to wish me as I stood there looking down. I e which she had know? Whom did she suspec Was The Duke spoke without enthustasm, Places were laid along the flower- Was curt, almost rude. T left the room you success,” he remarked dryly. felt the ground sway. and remember ne hand. 1 $tood it poesible that she, a mere child. but with conviction, decked tabie for thirty or forty. 1 a few minutes afterward and came face “You are very good.” I answered. no more: I am very sorry to give you deft white fingers flashing ovan a glimmering Of & suspicion “Your Grafe is very kind 1 gg- Stood apart for a fow mements whila to face in | hal! with Lady $™ Lady Angela calmly interposed. The !l this trouble. but indeed | fear that ¢ silky cofils of 8ir. to the truth? My eves foilowed 1 swered gratefully, “but there are the the Duke was greeting some of uis “l am glad, Mr. Ducaine,” she re- Princt ate buttéred toast and drank I cannot walk.” ess of Iy IBUre avery ement.- She walked witl thers. They know nothing of me, Tt Bussts. Rar, who was sltting alol marked, “that your early morning tea with a bland affectation of enjoy- “We will send you dowi her backward the lightsome graee to which her young is inevitable that I should become an motioned me to a place by him. labors have given You an eppetite. ment. They rose almost lmmediately declared. “You will Laye rather a never before jimbs and breeding entitled her, her obiect ofgsuspicion to them.” “‘Come and sit hére, Ducalne,” he said. You have beén in to hreakfast, have aftérward. rough drive across the grass, but there perfect grace- haad elegantly poised on her slender The Duke looked thoughtfully for “That ie” he added, with a sudden sar- you not?” “¥ou are coming up to the house this is noe other way.” neck, her face mostly turned toward Several moments at the table before ¢Astic gleam in his dark.eyes, “unless “Your father was good enough te évening, Mr. Ducaine!” Lady Angela “You are very kind” he declared. 4 slong the lLer companion, to whom she was talk- him. Then he looked up at me. you still have what the novelists call insist upon it,” I answered. saked. “I am in @espair at my clumsiness.” Il walk some jng earnestly. Even at this distance I “Ducaline,” he said, “I will tell you 80 unconquerable antipathy to me. I ‘You have séen him already this ‘I am due thére now,” I answered. I gave him & box of cigarcties. Lady f the back One min- seemed to catch the inspiring flash of what I propose. You have done your don’'t want to rob you of your appe- morning, then?® “I¢ you will allow me, I will walk back Angela hesitated. her dark \cyes, to follow the words duty in reporting this thing to me. tite.” “For & few minutes only,” I ex- With you.” 5 ~“1 think,” she said. “tiat | ought to < « e extreme efige, and, which fell fro her lips so gravely. Your duty ends there—mine begins. “I aid not expect to see you down plainmed. “I went up to his reem.” The Princeé touched my arm as Lady Stay with you, FPrin » Mr. Du- r her hand, she And es I watched a new idea came (o The responsibility, therefore, for our here again so scon, Colonel Ray,” I “T trust so far that everything is Angeéle passed out befors us. caine goes up for the : = broad expanse me. I turned slowly away and went in future course of action remalns with answered gravely. “I congratulate you going on satisfactorily?’ she inquired, “I am anxlous, Mr. Ducaine,” he sald, “Indeed, Lady Angzela ire very a wilder- search of the Duke g me. You, T presume, are prepared to UPOR your nerves. raising hér eyes to mine. looking me in the face, “for a2 few min- kind,” he answer t uld net w m or what 1 found him sitting fully dressed in admit this.” Ray laughed softiy to himself. 1 did not enswer her at once. I was Utes’ private conversation with ysu. I permit it. I reg to sa at T am % 4 no ques- an anteroom leading from his bedroom, Sertainly, your Gréce,” I answered. “You would have me go shuddering ongaged in marveling at the wonderfyl Shall perhaps be fortunate enough to in some pain, and . a weakness ts she rejoineéd with a great pile of letters before him “I eece no wuseful purpose to he Past the fatal spot, T suppose, with pallor of her chaeks. find you at home tomorrow.” for being alone when | r. If L r inland and an empty postbag. He was le gained.” the Duke continued, “in Shaking knees and averted head, ei” “So far as I am concerned, I think . He® did not wait for my answer, for desire anything Mr. Ducaines servant s said, “wi is it that vou forward, with his elbow upon th spreading this thing about. I believe On the contrary, I h¥ve been down on ®0,” 1 said. “Forgive me, Lady An- Lady Angela looked back, and he has- will de at hand.” z his head resting upon his right h that we shall do better by keeping our the sands for more than an hour this gela.” I added, “but I think that you tened to her side. IHe seemed in no So we left him there A ay ot?nrv gela I began, “a few rossed as I was with my own ! own counsel. You and I can werk se- Mmorning and have returned with an must have walked tdo far thi® morn- hurry, however, to lea the place. time the prospect of ke with y was mo one whose rible discovery, I was yet o the matter. T may have some excellent appetite.” ing. You are very pal The eveéning was cloudy and unusually Lady Angela would have filled me with pe opeful than mine. i eseed by his unfamili tions to make when I have con- I 71ooked at him curiousiy. “I am tired,” she admitied. dark. A north wind was tearing joy. But from the st moment of and Colonsl ance. 1n the Disar gt sidered it more fully; but for the pres- "I 8aW You retyrning.” T said. “Your There was a lounge close 2t Land. through the grove of stunted firs, and leaving the cottax ) -asy. flooding in- through the north w ent 1 propose that we treat the mattér DOOts looked as though vou had been She moved slowly toward it. and sat the roar of the incoming filled the “What do you think of that man®” he seemed to me older and his face as an hailucination of yours. We shall Wading in the wet sand. You were not down. There was no epoken invitation, Sr with muffied thunder. The Prince T asked her abruptly ‘I mean per= ¥ ‘ more deeply lined than any of my pre- hear in due course if this stolen (n- there without 2 purpose.” . but 1 understood that I was yermmeq' 1ooked about him with a 1ittls grimace. sonally e vious impressions of him had suggest- formatlon goes across the water. If it ‘I was not,” he admitted. “I seldom to remain with her. “It ie indeed a lonely spot,” he re- I hate Rlm” she answ 1 coolly, ed. His eyes were fixed upon the mass does—well, we shall know how to gct.” do_anvthing without a purpese.” “Do you know,” she sald, looking marked. “One can imagine "anything 23 6l of ‘Uidae crew s whess of correspondence before him. :ost of “You mean this?’ I asked breéathless- Tor a moment he abandoned. the e -+ > ? 3 “ _ round to make sure that we were alone, happening here. Did I not hear of a eyes and mouth, and something under- ch was as yet unopened, and his ex- ]y, “Forgive me, your Grace, but it Subject. He proceeded calmly with his E i A 2 Dression who oné of ‘abanlue EveCHIDN. madns W0 thch 0 s Fow beileve DESAKCUsL, 500 BISTMIST & loir MRIES T harh Al e et the Coumetl. TERAESSIEY Sh6 SAtr Sey¢ Men neath his most respectful words, seem T have always the feeling that some- found dead™ always to suggest offensive things. I - At entrance he locked up inquir- that we are justified?” fo & man across the table, a man With thing terrible will ha ‘s v Tl 5y 1 ppen. [ knew ‘It you vé 2 taste for horrors, find it very hard indeed to be civil te ’ I S mat do you want, Ducaine? he g, D7 Dot the Duke askes coldly. ::m,:‘"’:&:’i 0*;'-:: e :l"l;‘d and a Lord Ronald very well, and his mother Prines,” I remarked, “vou can see the him.” P agicid “ ’ ’ It is I who am your employer. It is I “Tou wre quite’ & fl;“'"" h‘“" : was one of my dearest friends.. I am spot fyom the edge of the cliff here.” “Do you happen to know what Col« el o sorry to have dlsturbed your FHO @M responsible to the country for ..o towsmq “ lfi 3 said, turn- sure that he was perfectly innocent. The Prince moved eagerly forward. enel Ray thinks of him?’ I asked her. - A anewered. “I have come to Lhesc things. You are responsible only purposs in l':;lh "t‘hereen . i lmhld 2 And today he is in & maghouse. They “I dlsclaim all such weakness,” he “I have no special knowledgo of Col- e my resighation’ % Jour hands” L0 Mt I choose het you remain, T 3 00 e ge S 8 ¥ ought say that he will never recover.” seid, “but the little account which I onel Ray's llkes or disijkes,” she aa- » RO DAy TPUE B : that you speak of this matter gentleman twhose untimely T gid not wish to speak 1 7 2 Iis {ace was expressive enough in its 3 ” fate has enlisted i g 4 &Bout thess r4ad. or di4 some gne tell mé of it?— swered e etk Tt Be Sald ottin when 1T bid you speak. inighs 1 your sympathies things, even with TL.ady Angela. I tried ah, I forget; but it interested me.” “Porgive me” I said. “I thought & b e s 1~' s me it was pelief {mmeasurable. w';’ ve dropped something which (o lead the conversation into other I pointed downward to Whers the that you and he were very intimate csodgunions d“r]"‘ which his eyes The Duke's ‘manner was precise, even ?’d have been useful to me.” channcls. but she absolutely ignored creek-riven marshes merged into the and that you might know. | Tonder v mine mercllessly. = 4 epe COMd. Yet I felt that he belleved'dn me. 0¥ the moment I formet this man's my gttempt. sands. Wwhether he takes the Prince seri.usiy.” almos Rl nd the work too hard, &b 7 gcarcely doubted that he had sus- (IUEMCSS to me. I looked at him with “There is something about it all 0 It was there—a little to the left of “Colonel Ray is one of my best . - work 48 just what T'should BEve pkmns_of»’x.s own. 1, at any rate, was T yoti ard N ” ’x .y &rimly mysterious,” she - sald. “It the white palings,” I said. “The man friends,” she said, “but I am not In : ¢ P et Cagio.” T q. up Dot involved fn them. T could have .. ... o n carnest,’ I £aid, “I seems almost as though thers must bes was supposed to have been cast up his confidence.” x or W e, e eari. ana 1 expeeted 1t The [NTURE him by the hand but for the Yy JGMl vou were unsuccossful” = a trattor, if mot in thé Council iteslf, frem the nea” A slight reserve had crept into her K ool tromblels that 1 have succeedsd no Yot~ AEDroRriatenesy of " gUth - & - PE0Cirance Wl n his in some special and privileged posi- He measured the distance with his tome. I stole a glanch at her face; I ceeding. So far as he was con- aleh suggested the St. Ber- (o . de- ter than Lord Ronald. cerned. 1 could see that the matter DNerd looking down on the terrier, and tion. eye. I anticipated his remark. paler and more delicate than ever it =i at was the My words were evidently a Shoek 10 wee a1i.aav done with, His atten- L chafed at it She looked up at me as though ask- _ "The tide is only half way up now,” seemed in the gathering darkness, Her Lad . et 1 I her him. 3o haif opsnsd b T A e iy h;gin“mg o ;“nd" i t’hv “It would have been better for you.~ ing for confirmation of her views, I I 5aid, “and on that particular night lips were firmly set, but her ejes were fz s 1 m p. She closed them egain. 1 saw the hand .0 of letters before him, he sald grimly, “had my search met SHOOK my head. there was a terrible gale.” kind. A sudden desire for her sym- should not ca offending again, 1 which he raised to his forehead shake. "y g ot PRCOTE BT, o vour With better result.” “Lady Angela,” I said, “would you _ “Nevertheless,” he murmured, half to pathy weakened me. determine “What do you mean, Ducaine? Speak Grace with vour correspondence?” I .EOF me?" I repeated. mind if I abstained. from expressing himself, “it is a long way. Was the “Lady Angels,” I sald, “T must talk ¥ ¥ m 2id, stiff- out, man.” suggested. “I have no work at pres- _ “For you! Yes! The man came toses 2NV Opinion at all? It is a subject man vh,t you call identified, Mr, to some one. I do not know! w!;om to eemed a little “The safe in the study has been .. &% Yyou. If he had been alive you might WHiCh I feel it is scarcely right for Ducaine?” trust. I do not knew who Is honest. g ot choose to opened during the night,” I sald. “Our The Duke shook his head impae have been in his tolls by now. He was ™M¢ to discuss” “No.” You are the only person whom I dare Eratif is of no conse- map of the secret fortifications on the 4 .. a very cunning person, and those who She looked at me with wide open _ “There were no leiters or papers speak to at all Surrey downs and plans for a camp at “I thank you.” he said. “My man %eNt him were gevils.” /3 eves, a dash of insolencs mingled with found upon Rim?” She looked round c_-ut!::ms!y, W;o Since you disregarded it,” she re- Guilford have beenexamined. of business will be here this morning, .. HOW 40 you know these things?” I her surprise. 1 do not know what she None” were out of the plantation vo"i’. in the ' her dress from the How do you know this? and he will attend to them. I will 28Xed, amazed. g Was about to say, for at that moment The Prince looked at me sharply. open park, where eavesdropping was ¢ n to which we had “I tied the red tape round them in ;i getain you, Mr. Ducaine.” "From the letters which Iripped from the Young man with the sember shoot- _ “That,” he said softly, “was strange. impossible. ’ « ot matter, does it? & peculiar way. It has been undone I turned to leave the roem, but Nf_c“t‘" he answered. ing suit and closely cropped hair paused Does {t not suggest to you that he may “You have a dificult post. Mr. Du= . : voung, and you 2nd retied. The papers have been PUl found myself face to face with a , ¢ came to Braster to see me, then?’ for & moment.on his way out of the have robbed " k! caine,” she said, “and you will remem- e worid. Iord back in a different order. young man In the act of entering it. I ¢X¢laimed. breakfast-room. He glanced at me, and "I had not thought of it.” T answered. ber Z R bur predecessor, and he The Duke was without doubt agi- * “pienavo the Duke exclatmed. ‘Procisely.” 1 recelved & brief impression of an "The verdict, I believe, was simply “Oh, I remember,” I Interrupted. a . No one knows tated. He rose from his chair and “How are vou, sir?” the newcomer ‘And the letters which you took from unwholesome-looking person with pro- found drowned.” “You warned me not to take it. But at certain unfor- paced the room restlessly. answered. “Sorry I didn't arrive in NhiM-—were they addressed to me?” tuberant eyeballs, thin lashes ana “Found drowned,” the Prince re- think in what a position T was. I had ate ve happened “You are sure of what you say, Dun- tjme to see you Jast night. We mo- ‘They were,” superellious mouth, peated. “Ah! Found drowned. By no career, I was penniless. Ilow could & There is a ceine?” he demanded, turning and fac- {ored from King’s Lynn, and the whols 1 was getting angry, but Ray re- “T trust that the day’'s entertainment thé by,” he added suddenly, “who did I throw away such a chance i t unsolved. ing me suddenly. % of this respectable household was in ™Mained imperturbable. will include something more than a flnd him?” “Something h-:’ happened—this b L.l R ‘Absolutely sure, your Grace,” T an- peq’ “T think,” T-said, “you Will admit that Slimpse of Lady Angels,” he said, with I did” I said coolly. merning, has it not?” she asked. ' beart you are thinking"- swered. T knew at once who he was. The I have a right to them.” a low bow. “You?" # The Prince peered at me I nodded. - “'Slfl‘)“mf'vnxnpnM He turned away from me. Duke looked toward me. ‘Not a shadow of a doubt of it,” he e ralsed her eyes. It seemed te closely through the dim light. “That” “Yeés” pe . be an ‘nn prey h?_ my own house, under my OWR “Pycaine,” he said, “this is my son, answered, “In fact, it was 80 obvious Mme, who'was w.gfmn. her closely, that he said reflectively, “Is interesting.” She waited for me to go on. She 0w 4 s may be laid for me. roof:“ I heard him mutter, “Good 1,ord Blenavon.” lh'nI destroyed them.” she shrank a lttle back in her seat, I “You find it so interesting,” I re- was deeply interested. A could hear P g ’ God: Lord Blenavon's smile was evidently . Destroyed my letters!” was sure that she sharéd my instine- marked, “that perhaps vou could help her breath coming fast. thoush we S oked at me with uplifted eve- 1 had scarcely belicved him capable meant to be friendly, but his expres- Precisely! T chose tbl!:fi?ru rather tive dislike of the man. . to solve the question of the man's iden- were walking at a snail's pace. I w 7 s 5 of so much feeling. When Le resumed gion beiied it. He was slightly taller than allow them to inté your “I think net,” she satd. “Perhaps you tity. longed to confide in her absolutely, but thers « ,,._r;‘r-, exvn;nte have his seat and former attitude I could than his father, and his cast of fea- hands.” are expecting me to come down with e seemed startled. 1 dared not. € she remarked calmly. eee that his fage was almost gray. — tures was altogether different. His “You admit, then,” 1 8ald, “that I had thé lunch and compliment you all upon _ “I?” he exclalmed. ‘“But. no. Why “Do not ask me to tell you what it » i Ak S 3 This is terrible news.,” he said ‘L cheeks were pale. almost sunken, his l‘rl'ht to them?” your prowess.” should you think that?” 2 was,” I sald. “The knowledge would B i ;“h ion,’ nn‘. notl at all sure, though. Mr. Du- cyes were too close t er, and they, Indubitably. But they do not exist.” > “It Would be dellghtful!” he mur. 1 turned to Lady Anmgela. He dig only perplex and be a burden (o you. e v Dot Teany oDy AL WS MM Tan MU TMIC hall 106 WHMINE W S0LERIR e T “You read them, without doubt. You mured. : k 2 not_immediately follow, It is all the time like poison in my < e il hid _, “ habitual dyspeptic. His lips were too Can fcquaint me with thelr contents.” She shook her Lead. : “Why did you bring him?’ [ asked brain.” Those belore. S® "1 Sobtinbeh. Tour Grace. 1 answered, “there full, his chin too reced:ng, and he was _ “Some day,” he said, “I probably suall. “There ars too many of you, and I her softiv. “You some reason.” We were walking very close togethen D bt that Fhiy kass Con ety tUIED Siwh| SRIV. SNE KO (o' Shpokt SaiN- But not yet. Believe me or not, as you am too few,” she sald y, “Be- “He was ibquiries about ! felt her fingers suddenly upon my “nay e e oom secret of (hat combinailon. One is “How ure you, Mr Ducaine:’ he choose, but thers are certain positiens sides, 18 one of the few sports Tou” she “secretly and 4T and her soft breath upon my cheek. to - knowing no ome, shall trust vourself, another Colonel Ray, the third said. “Awful hour to be oyt of bed, in which ignorance is the only possible with which I 1o sympethy at ail. openly. I thought you ought to know, “But if you do not tell mg every- e on mal b RS K0P e myself. 1 set the lock last might. I {sn’t it? and all for the mfi“ a safe state. You are in such a position I shall try 8¢t somewhere away and I could think of no other way of thing—how can vou expect my sym- ot ?” sh , urn.- opened it this morning: I ask vou, in few and innocent birds. t me &t the present moment.” from the of your guns.” 'mm't’. you on your guard. pathy, perhaps my help?” cr head toward me. the name of common sense, upon whom see. wasn't I at Magdalen with Pou?’ “Are you,” 1 asked, “my moral guard- o f,” he said, “sm not what Prince of Malors' I murmured. I may not ask you for either,” I Not even you, I answered firmly. the blame is likely to fall? If I re- “f came up in your last year,” 1 ian?’ you a of the sport. I “He surely would not stoop to play the answered sadly. “The Xknowledge of A man's figure sud«:\en!}‘ I-Dplured on main this will happen again. T cannot reminded him. . “I have at least,’ he said, “incurred wonder if part 5 day one might spy.” some things must remain between your the left. 1looked at him puzzled, won- escape suspicion. It is not reasonable.” - “Ah, yes, 1 remember,” he drawled. certain. on your behalf. play truant. Would ‘Angela take Lu was silent, and movea a father and mysell” jering whence he .:add(orme. 2 “The word was & common one,’* the “Terrible close worker you were, too. You could no longer your, present pity upen an t step or two farther away from Between my father—and yourself:* Here ix vour good friend, Colonel Duke raid half to himself. “Some one Are you breakfasting downstairs. sir?” Dost and be in tion with the “1 should find it . g nui- the spot where he still stood as she repeated . B R i i s o o R e _ “I'think tuat I had better,” the Duke sender of those letters.” sance,” she .ufi’. “Besides, 1: though absorbed. His angular fig- _ I Was silent, and then we both starf o wiod i ¢ y S oy e said, “is it likely said. “I suppose yvu brought some My anger dled away deepite f. would not be allowed. You will find ure was clearly defined through the 3part. Behind us we could hear ¢ B Mot oven Colomel Mostyn Bay™ I ity Of sach s thinaro i oiees e Do R The man’s strength pur. that when my father has once mar- twilight agalnst the empty background S0und of footsieps rapidly approaching, R irig insian, which € Gl E o bl 1:.. < i Haif 2 dozen.” Lord Blenavon an- pose were things could not shaled you. escape is a thing not {0 be of space. Fe was on the very edge of SOff. quick footsteps, muffled and al- o i K gt . O Ay have been overheard. swered, “including h:s Ro; High- bring myself to continued my dreamed of. Every one says that he the cliff, almost looking over. most noiseless upon the spongy turf. Pt ove -fiyrf“ gt = dme Ryl llct:" |‘; “a; never been spoken,” [ re: ness. breakfast in silence. is a perfect martinet where a “day’s “I know very little about him my- We stood still. read over from my e ion a e minded him. “It was written down, The Duke thrust all his\letters inté = “By the by,” he remarked presently, shooting is concerned.” self,” she said hurriedly, “but I have (To be continued.) .