The evening world. Newspaper, June 2, 1914, Page 17

Northeot ere ori iek St a ot he) Wes e S was SD OT NS SIT A RET iDVENTURER WHO RISKED ALMOST CERTAIN DEATH SHOE od my TORY oat sen goo antes btnatynt away: ay | gS wh AG. = 2 mentee ri t Aspe CHAPTER IV. Vice te Continued.) “ EXPECT thie is Ritchie, 1 sald. “Now we shall find out what the trou- © ble ts.” ; * It was not the doctor,” rows¥dt, that’ the girl ‘announced when she came into the room a min- utetaters me; + “a “If y@@ please, sir,” she said, “Mr. (Fummivelh Waecalied, 1. have shown Ripeinpor tha. dining-rogm.”” ‘or @ moment I wondered who the ew visitor might de thy “Midtrice vail” was the name of cousin, about whose good ti MY'"double seemed to cherish e death suspicions. * I took an immediate dislike to Ma: ter Maurice the moment 1 set eyes on him, A tall, sleek, well-groomed youmg- » with black heir Bet it Pte in’ the middie ‘and pl PRown'on each § loungi comfortably in t arm- chap, 1 bad lately vacated. & ‘drawied, “you'te un-- “edriy: thts Ynorning. What's “Milford's seedy,” I sald a little “What's the matter with the fel- Jo od, ‘ ow." T add. “I've Just sent for Ritchie, “Any news?” he taquired, ion’t know why—he sat it quite a " bp wk ut arrd . " mtidniight: viet? i ‘but Lmade the i." inted, ‘he ae result .of - 2 never” *y wi admntfable. down to tor bis jon’ “tke a ped’ you expect met” Y m- Saunt into bis ees re 2 erate rom a oe ‘dod TN"treot raday would do all ght,” T ve have a pretty festive ¥- ee; went on, ing some Ais cost, “Ban; aed to come and I Vane will most likely mp. and then; vf course, there'll @-Baradelis." He looked at: m: jm Bort of the.latter name, Evi. my acquaintance with the lols bad some special signific- jive tis nde tolerable,” I sald: inte,” he finished, ‘we me. decent shooting. gella.me that the partridges are here are always plenty of It struck alert wala. “TT Just Bot to way.” ey Mr. North ing, Mr. gorry to he ‘dutler’s acelleng fellow, should wee govadere ters he doctor began « on 3 rn esos ana’ pulse, His poe wa were in the passage, : HY an, ria’ the matter?” " gad - Ritchie, ° very thet the man has been te,” he “my waist in a money belt. ed, but the werd gave me an’ tnpleaiiant Jar, !Polgoned!” I ‘repeated. ldeniy remembered™ that ¢; he wab, ER MAN'S m St. George's, with full instruc- I shall come round again my- elf Igter in the morning. When, I entered the dining room -Maurice greeted me with a languid “well?” suifortunately,* I said, “that’s just tit isn't. Milford’s ‘bad. “What's the trouble?” be asked, ‘Ritchie doesn't I shook ny khow,” 1 replied, with a‘ coolness worthy of Ananias. ‘He thinks it will probably be a matter of some weeks, however, J" nurse to look after things. Maurice ya) Vhat a poison- ous nuisance,” he observed. The epithet wak happily chonen, if the remnaie was a; trifle callous, “Yes,” I replied.carelessly. “I sup- Powe Tahal have to engage some ove I had seep enough of Northcote to realize that if I wanted to preserve my identity, or rather his, I munt gua) myself against the grosser formis of sentimentalism. “I tell you what It Is," said Maurice, Yau'd better stroll round to Soa- &rave's with me now. I've got to go to Hattover Square anyway, and we can drop i id fix thin, stralxht away. They're sure to have plenty of decent men on their books, “Very good,” By the wa: he sal Sieve, Siosed’ behind ug, ‘0 wet: another man pormanent- ly, or just to Ql Milford’s place while 's seedy?” Oh, otly'for the ttme, of course," I aid. “TL ir hed sg with Milford.” He nodded, * t wil) be quite easy, Seagrave's etn alway: you tn a ‘temperary mat t By 4 bye to ol ‘a3 my intentioh; .when+ motor suddenly drew up witha tent Lee ede and a g00d-looking, dey in in Bray top h pI Dead aut of the, window. dipper “Hullo, Northcote,” ho sald; “you're the very man I wanted to nei “en is. was Aattering; but as I hadn't 0 Joa, W sligntiy, cmbarrassed, ee went ae , Maurice, however, unintentional! ved my diMcult; 4 Lard Late hay ney, is lordship paid no \ tion to Maurice's fund foqulry tte coldly, and observed that h ip wi bout the same,” I cert Ags him at once, ) you at amy t thay paid, {ithsully Snough. bby ing to San, morréw: ni! he asked. ste” ¢ “rn want iwave of ‘his hand, t intend “ answered, heres T only le suriee, ne sat. ba ts . Car geat, and the motdr rolled on up Park “Pleasant: fellow, La: pe ne aurice sf wonicle with anything at aa easy on shar reper don't seem {5 tind him pvr vee Pleasant ia the ‘Cabinet, ne as suficiently ignorant of En, Mah politics for this to be news pee ‘e turned into Handver Square and ‘crossed the‘roadway towa: one Thad n where “Seagr: was, but Maurice spulled up at a small house just be- Yond the big flower shop. ‘We-opened th@door and walsed in. .Tt was a guperier sort of office, more ‘like @ private room, with arm chairs scattered about and a table contain- ing the latest weekly papers, ‘ A rather pompous, elderly, gray. bearded man in a frock coat at once atepned forward, Vously, “whether you could possibly give me a tip of any kind about those hew South American Goldfields I suppose I looked at him rather sharply, for he at once put up an apologetic ha: ‘Please don't think me intrusive, Mr. Northcote," he added hurriedly. r “Your name has been mentioned very freely in the City in connection with them; but if you would ther not say anything at present of course I shall understand.” had naturally given me art. I had no idea that, with the exception of my own dis- coveries in Boliv! any one had so much as smelt a fresh goldfield in South America. Could I won. dered, be the mysteri ‘Company" alluded to in Sangatte’s letter? I lita cigaretto to give myself time to think, ‘At the present moment,” I said ely, “I am not in a position to impart any information on the mat- ter (This was true’enough!) “But I added, seeing his evident disap- .pointment, “a little later on I might haps be able to give you a useful int or two.” His greedy and rather pasty face ~brightened at once. “I should be ex- tremely grateful if you could, Mr. Northcote, he said, “extremely grateful. After dinner I strolled back to my new home. I tock particular cars to keep my eyes open, The old rhyme, “Thrice blest is he who hath his quarrel just, but ten times he who gets his blow in fust,” has always struck me as a pe- culiarly sound piece of philosophy, an: 1 scanned each harm! passerby who approxched with a wi eye for any symptom of trouble. Arriving at Park Lane, I mounted the ateps of my house, and was just 4 getting out my latch-key when a tel it. ‘Why, of course, sir, I have got the very man you want, sir. As a matter sof fact, he was entered on our books only yesterday afternoon. in- ‘Hie name ts Francis, sir. He is Bir Henry Tregattock’s late butl A mane excellent servant, I believe,’ y has hé left?” I asked. Mr. Seagrave shrugged hi: “I ahould say he had sav: some money and was tired of regu- lar service. le only entered himself on our books for temporary engagements, He is a Frenchman by rth, but speaks English perfectly, ind .his reference from Sir Henry is Unimpeachable—unimpeachable, ‘Have you had it confirmed?” asked Maurice. : “I rang up Sir Henry himself just after the man had been in, and he described bim as the best servant he had ever had, Indeed, he seemed Quite distressed at patting with him.” “That seems satisfactory enough, sald Maurice, turning to me. ‘What do you think?” I nodded. Curiously enough, I had met Sir Henry. Tregattock about ten years before, when he had been the English Minister in Bolivia, and [ remembered bim as a level-headed "men of the. world, who was not in el ‘ed up least likely to, give an excellent acter to a servant unless the lat- ho: hy d it, ald, {Jf he likes to come tp me I'll engage him for a fortnight At 3Q,shillings a wee 1 parted from Maurice, went to keep an appointment at Northcote's tailors and thence weng to his bank, where I had nd trouble at all in cashing the elght thousand pound ($40,000) check, I took the money in 600 pound bank notes, and later fastened it around Then I hunted up Billy Logan. He was out. T left a note asking him to come to see me at once, on his return, at Northcote’n address. to back me up, ¥ felt equal to tackling half a dozen Maw rices, with a Guares or two chucked | in to’ keep them company. “5 CRE Taee RCE a ! [ROMANCE TRAT WEEK’S COMPLETE NOVEL T telephoned Dr. Ritchie and found that Milford, while still very weak, was out of danger. Then I attended a “company directors’! meeting, where by, saying little and looking wine T managed ta dodge suspicion. A little bald-headed: man followed me from the divectors' room. + “I was wondering,” he said ner- suddenly rode up on a bi- graph bo; fe jumped off in the gutter cycle ani outside, He came bry ee steps, pulling out a wire from his ‘Is that for me?” I asked, “Mr, Stuart Northcote?” “Yes, sir.” I took it from him, and, tearing open the envelope, held up the met gage to the light of the street la It consiated of seven words: “Get rid of your new butler im- mediately.’ I stared at it for a moment, and then laughed. “Thanks,” I sald; “there's no an CHAPTER VI. RATHER like surprises; but, as my old friend Jack Costello used to say, “You can have too dem much of a good thing.” With the telegram in my hand 1 went inside the house, shutting the door behind me. The light was full on in the hall, and sitting on the edge of the table I again read through the curt message. “Get rid of your new butler imme- diately.” Anyhow, there was obviously only one course to pursue, and that was to interview the new butler myself without delay, and see what I thought of him, 80, crossing to thb fireplace, I rang the neil, and took up a digni- tied but alert attitude on the hearth- rus. Ae far as promptn cerned Francis left no! siren, Thirty secon have elapsed before bh the hall, and was standing before m2 with a deferential bow of greeting. I looked ot him keenly, He was 9 tall, slim fellow of about thirty-five, vith thick black hair and a@ rather face, i, | see you' Fr, [ observed. ‘He again Inclined his head. “Yes, sir. I came round with Mr Seugrave about three o'clock.’ “Well, I'm going to bed now,” T said. ‘I shan't want anything else, except some hot water. You can call me at the usual time—eight o'clock.” 1 handed him my hat and st taking some letters from the table. sauntered slowly up tho big stair- as was COn- i to be de 8 re arrived all right, S case, which led to the landing above. At the first bend I purposely dropped @ letter, and then, as though suddenly discovering my loss, turned to pick it seemed to be Francis was at the other end of the hall, with his back toward me, ap- parently placing my stick in the hat- stand, With memories of the previous eve- ning in my mind, the first thing I did on reaching my sitting room was to walk acress tho recess and pull back the curtain that covered it. Of course 1 knew it would be empty, but at the back of my mind I somehow or other had a ridiculous hope that I should find Mercia standing there, pistol in hand, and that delictous half-sorrow- ful, half-scornful expression on her face, I believe I would willingly have tisked ducking another bullet If by so doing I could have ensured her pree- ence. But the recess was void—quite un- doubtedly and stupidly vold; and with a@ feeling of disappointment I sat down in a chair and began to open Northcote's correspondence. was looking ‘at the last of the letters I heard Francis enter my bedroom. After moving about for several minutes, apparently puttin; things straight for the night, he tapped gently at the sitting-room door and then opened it, | “Your room is quite ready now, sir,” he observed. “Thank you, Francis,” I said. “Good night.” “Good-night, sir.” He withdrew noiselessiy and went out through the bedroom, shutting the door behind him. I waited until he had had time to reach the basement, and then, get- ting up from my chair, I began to take one or two simple steps tow: securing my position. Although in my heart I believed the telegram to be @ false alarm, it seemed to me that there would be no harm in adopting a few obvious precautions, So, after lighting a pipe, I pro- ceeded to indulge in a thorough search both of the bedroom and the sitting-room. Having satisfied my- self that there were no atrangers or bombs lurking about, I locked both doors and carefully inspected the fastenings of the windows. These were quite secure; indeed, so far as I could see, there was no way, short of gunpowder or a false key, by which any one could enter either room with- out my assistance. To make matters two grates (ro- only a poker for personal use in caso of necessity) and de- posited them in two heaps—one in front of each door, 1 am a light sleeper, and I reckoned that any one making # forcible entrance from out- side would do #0 to a musical accom= paniment that would at once disturb my slumbers, Then, with a mind re- Heved, I leisurely undressed myself and got into bed ‘There was an electric lamp on the table beside me, but by way of a serve light [ stuffed o of mate beneath my pillow. My trusty poker T placed down the side of the bed under the top blanket, ready to my hand should [T be unse mubly dis- turbed, serving One last look round satisfied me that my preparations were distinctly effictent. As I flicked off the light and lay back on my pillow, I felt id of half-hope that there might rea! be something genuine in the warnin I had received. It seemed a pity to have taken so much trouble for nothing. Going to sleep is always @ more or less Instantaneous business with me, and, as far as I knew, this night was no exception to the rule, But soon I started up suddenly in bed with the faint chink of fire-irons still sounding in my ears. I woke with all my faculties keenly alert. Everything round me was in utter darkness, and my hand went out instinctively and closed upon the electric switch, 1 must have stayed like thi for several seconds. My heart was beating rapidly, but I don’t Uiink I felt the least afraid. Then I heard the door close very gently, and some one take a step for- ward into the room. Without making a sound, I reached under the clothes with my disengaged band and stealth- ily withdrew my trusty poker, Hav- ing secured this, I wriggled over into such a position that I could be facing the intruder, and then, without further hesitation, I pressed down the switch. ‘My intention was either to hurl the poker directly the light went up or else to take @ flying jump from the bed and land my visitor a good swipe over the head before he could defend himself. [t all depended upon wheth- er he was carrying a revolver, Unfortunately neither of these ex- celient designa materialized, The switch went down with a sharp grap, but inrtead of a blaze of light flo ing the room everything remained in darkness, I can tell you I didn’t stop to won- der what had happened. The danger of my position struck me with a bang, and in less time than It takes to say f had hurled myself sideways off the bed In the opposite direction from the door. 1 was only just in time. Almost before I reached the floor 1 heard the crash of an overturning table, and then something came down on the pillow with a wicked thud that made the whole bedstead tremble. I fell heavily full length on the car- pet, but it is extraordinary what ac- tivity. danger Will occasionally lend one. No cat could have recovered her feet more nimbly or leaped back Into the darkness with such masterly swiftness. The wall of the room was only about a yard away, and I fetched up against it with a jar that nearly knocked the breath out of my body. There I stood, panting and shaken, but with the poker still gripped affectionately tn my right hand. Crouching down against the wall, I peered out into the blackness in front of me and listened intently. I did some rapid but necessary think- ing. pal oty Reuinice it Ene Just et shoul sealing my fate; for should he be armed with a revolver an well as bia other weapon, he would doubtless biaze away in the direction of my voice. Apart from this, I felt a very atrong desire to settle the matter without assistance from any one. My best plan seemed to be to get to close quarters, trusting to Prov- idence id the poker that I should «et my slam in first. With this ob- ject in view I began to creep nolse- lessly along the wainscoting, keeping my back against the wall. At the third step I ran against a small pic- ture, which swung ya and fell from ita nail with @ nerve-shaking crash, In @ second I had dropped to the floor, where ¥ crouched breath- leasly, waiting the expected ehot. None came, however; only @ slight movement from the direction of the bed told me that my visitor was on the alert. I stayed aa I was, etrain- ing my ears to catch the smallest sound, and theng very faint but just audible to my™ excellent sense of hearing, came the althy tread of an advancing footatep, During the next moment my mind worked pretty quickly, It was either a case of waiting where I was, or else rushing forward and lashing out blindly into the dark, Which I should have done I can’t ay, for it was that crucial inatant that my hand happened to touch the corner of the picture which had just fallen from the wall, Never until then had Art properly appealed to me. 1 clutched that blessed frame with the gratitude of a starving man who has suddenly stumbled upon food, and changing the poker over to my left hand, rose qj swiftly and joyously to my feet, At the alight noise which I made the fogtateps stopped. I knew, how- ever, (hat my visitor must be des- perately near, and for a tense aecond we both stood in absolute silence, each of us holding his breath for fear of betraying himself to the other. Then out of the blackness ahead of me came the faintest possible rustl ke a flash I whipped back my right hand, and hurled the pic- ture with all the force I could atruight at the sound I rather think it must have landed on the bridge of my visitor's nose, since no other point of contact could have produced such a yelp of sur- priced agony as that which cleft the Are You Going Away for the Summer? When you vo out of town for the summer you may find it Is difficult and costly 10 provide yourself with the right sort of reading matter, Why send to the city for novels at $1,25 or $1.50 each or buy them at a fancy price in some country store? You can suppl reading for six cents a week. By yourself with the best, most delightful summer subscribing to The Evening World for the summer months you will secure a complete novel each week. Not some old book a country dealer has not been able to sell, bit the finest up-to-date fiction by the foremost living authors, Bear this in mind, not only for yourself but for any of your friends who expect to spend the summer in the country. TS FAR STRANGER AND IN THE EVENING WORLD = 4 WORE EXCITING THAN Sl Complete Novel Each Week in The Evening World I did not wait to jeer, ing down again, took a couple of hasty steps to the left in the direction of the door, He avi- dently heard me, for, rushing for- ward, he landed @ vicious smack on the wall just above my head, bring- ing down the plaster in a scattering shower, I retaliated with a furious swipe at the empty air that nearly put my shoulder out, and then, feel- ing that far I had had all the best of the duel, leaped back out of range. How the contest would have ended goodness knows, for at that moment it was cut short by an unexpected interruption. From the pasnage out- ide came the noise of hurrying foot- steps; then the door of the room burst open, admitting a ray of light that seemed almost biinding after the total darkness. A figure appeared on the threshold—a tall figure in white, hold. fig @ candie in vne and and @ stick of some sort in the o I blame myself pretty badly for what happened next. If I had only had the sense of a caterpillar | should have dashed for the door, so cutting off all chance of my visitor's escape. As it was, I'm blessed if I didn’t ac- tually jump away in the oppoalte di- rection, I suppose from some allly idea that I was going to be tackled by @ fresh enemy, I realized my mistake at once, but it was too late. Thore was a swift rush of feet, a wild scuffle on the threshold, and then the candle went out and I heard Milford's voice shout- ig for help. vith an oath I hurled myself for- wi stumbling blindly over the red fire-irons. There was a glimmer of light in the passage and by ite aid I could see two figures locked in a fu is atruggle. Juat as I reached the door, one of them collapsed, and the other, breaking free, leaped wildly for the head of the banisters. I was after him at once, and we went down that staircase in a way that would have but the fear of God into a couple of chamois, If the front door had been locked, T should have had him, As it was, ho juat got It open in time, and tak- ing the steps with a fiying jump, landed clear on the pavement out- sido. With a last effort, I hurled my poker at him through the gate, only Piming him by the merest fraction. Then he wan off, bolting down the street like a rabbit, and vanishing round the corner before you could count five, CHAPTER VII. WALKED out into the road- way and picked up my weapon. Except for a soll- tary cat, scratching herself under the opposite iamp, Park Lane was absolutely deserted. ‘Then I came back to quiet the hys- terica of the newly-awakened couk and housemaid. After which I turned my Attention to Milford. Il, Milford,’ I said severely, “this ie nice behavior for an invalid!” He caught at the wall to steady himself and J saw that the front of bis night dress was stained with blood. “Are you hurt?” I asked quickly. Ho shook his head. “No, no, atr,; I'm all right. —he was bleeding in the fa “You're a good friend, Milford,” 1 sald, “but you're a mighty bad pa- tient. You must go back to bed at onc He smiled faintly, but made no an- \! ewer. Lifting him to hin feet, and supporting him with my arm, I helped him slowly downstairs—the nurse fol- lowing. Just as we reached the base- ment, the electric light went up, and the parior-maid, this time with the addition of a dressing-gown, appeared in the passage. She atill ‘seemed 9, trifle embarrassed. “We found out what was the matter with the light, sir,” she said. “It had been turned off at the main switch Next morning I was no worse for my experience, Before starting out to have a little chat with my friend Mr. Seagrave, I t summoned the parlor-maid and gave her instructions that if Billy Logan rang up or called while I was out, she Was to tell him that he would find me at home any time that afternoon. Then, equipping myself with my trusty aword-stick, I went to the em- ployment agent. “Look here, Mr. Seagrave,” I de- manded; but he broke In: “What the ns are you talking about? You must just have missed my note, Mr. Northcote,” he sald, “TI went it around by one of our young men a quarter of an hour ago. The fact is that we have heard from Sir Henry Tregattock this morning com- pletely repudiating any knowledge of Francis, T had written to him ove t, asking him to confirm t ter, and in reply he stated that alluding He had never had a servant of that name, and had not communicated with me in any shape or form, It's unparalleled, amazing, incredible, but there can be no doubt that some one ele answered the telephone in Sir Henry's name, Still if there have been no unfortunate developmenta”— I laurhed in rather a naaty fashion, “Unfortunate developments!” I re- Peated. “Are you aware, Mr, Sea- grave, that the man you sent me yes- terday not only attempted to rob the house In the Aieht, but did hin beat Mr. Seagrave collapsed would be an altogether tnadequate expression. During my walk home my adven- ture of the previous night served to occupy my thoughts in a not unpleas- ant fashion. It was eereeable to re- fieet that at least one of my unknown friends was bearing my handiwork in fairly legible type, Whether “Francis” the mysterious Guaroz, or another aims, It was at least certain that for a few days f should be able to recognize him under any disgul I registered a erim vow that no stranger with a dismantle bridee to his nose should have the op- nortunity of anproaching within strik- Ing distance of me, All the afternoon I waited in, in the ttl wake It was the other man i 1 #3 . 914. hopes of hearing from Billy. o'clock, however, no mesmge rived, and feeling rather worried, strolled downstairs to see how Milford was getting on. I found him fully dressed, sitting In an easy chair in the pantry and reading the Dally Tele- graph, The nurse had gone. “What I can't make out, Milford,” 1 sald, “Is how you managed to upset yourself.” He was silent a minute, “I can't help thinking, sir," he replied slowly, “that it must have been that glass of beer I had at the Granville,” “But surely,” I objected, “if the beer Potsoned you It would have poisoned every one else.” 1 don’t think the beer would have Poisoned me, air, if it had been left ¢," he said pointedly, ‘What do you mean, Milford?” I asked. He nhiftad a little uneasily in hie chair, “Well, sir, it may be fancy, and you may think I'm speaking fool- ishly, but I can’t help having an idea that the man Laas speaking to may have put something in it when I wasn't looking.” he man?” T sald, “What man it was a chap in the bar, sir, A big, foreign looking fellow he was, He started talking to ine when ¢ in, though, an far as I know, I'd never set eyes on him before, It's my be- Hef that for some reason of his own We put something in my drink.” This theory of Milford’s fitted in so exactly with my own suspicions that for a moment b felt as it T w partly wullty. “Would you know him again?” By ¢ ar. “Oh yes, sir, He was a big, black- haired fellow, with one shoulder a lit- tle higher than the other. I didn't fancy him when he came up and spoke to me.” I was just going to observe that the landlord of the premises might pos- albly be able to tell us something about the gentleman, when there came a tap at the door and the par- lor maid entered. “If you please, sir, Simpson ts here. It was an embarrassing moment, as of course T hadn't the faintest no- tion who Mr. Simpson might be; but once more Milford came to my rea- cue. “I sent him @ message to come round, air. You said you might be motoring down to Woodford to-mor- row if It was fine, so I told him he'd better look in and see whether you wanted the cal This was news indeed. Up till tl moment [ had no idea that I belonged to the noble army of car owner: “Quite right, Milford,” I sald, ge! ‘1 think I shall motor if it's anything like a decent day.” .1 went ‘aire and found Mr, Simpson in the hall. He proved to be # small, dark, clean- Cer in the conventional garb of a chau whe sald, “Mr. ting up. tood evening, sir," he said, touch- ing his forehead. “I just looked in about the car, Mr, Milford said you might be wanting it to-morrow to 0 down to Suffolk. “Yea,” I naid, “I shall if it’s fine.” I had quite decided by this time that I would motor down to Woodford Instead of going by train. “Will you be. wanting asked Mr. Simpson I reflected rapidly, of & hand at steer me, sir?” T am not much ‘ar, but atill occasions In Buenos is worrying me was the question of Billy. If he turned up in’ time, I intended taking him down to Woodford with me and putting hi p at the nearest inn; and there juat the chance that if Simpson came the latter might give the show away to one of Maurice's servants, the whole I decided to drive myself. “No,” I said, “I shan't want you, Simpson, Have the car around here at 10.30, amd put some cans of petrol in, I shall only be away tor two or three days.” He touched his forehead again re- spectfully and withdrew, My latest discovery had put me into @ very cheerful frame of mind. With | car at my disposal I felt much bet- r equipped for my visit to Wood- ford. I was a long way from trustin; Master Maurice. and a motor in a handy thing if you happen to want to leave @ place without ceremony or delay. At 10.30 that night I set forth to Lord Sangatte'’s reception. Sangatte's house proved to be a big detached mansion standing tn its own grounds and occupying the whole of one corner. It had a plillared en- trance—a sort of Greek portico, from which a red awning stretched down to the main gate, At last [ reached the landing, whe & solemn-looking butler who was ponted there evidently recognized me. "Mr. Stuart Northcote,” he an- nounced tn a magnificent voice. Lord Pangatte, who, with the aa- sistance of an elderly, gray-baired lady, was welcoming each guest in turn, stepped forward on hearing my name. He was a tall, well-built man of about forty-five, with a heav clean-shaven face and hard blue eyes. 1 took a vigorous dislike to him Im: mediately, m glad you've turned up, North- he whispered, shaking my “You got my note—eh? 1 want to have a chat with you as noon wot through with this Tom “Treturned. “Where shall T find you “Oh, come to my study,” he sald hurriedly. “I'll slip away about 11, and you'll find me there.” Then, rais- ing his voice, he added: “f don't think you've ever met my aunt—le me introduce you, Aunt Susan, th is Mr. Northcote,” The smile which the elderly lady gave me could not have been de- erribed as effusive even by an opti- mist, but such as it was I accepted it with a good er: ‘To the strains of a band, which I could just hear above the loud hum of conversation, a crowded roomful of people were moving spasmodically about in what T believe ts technically known an’ ‘a Roxion.” Suddenty T realized that there was some one behind me waiting to go in. T atenned aside, looking up as T did so, and my heart seemed to perform the absurd and inconvenient feat of k with average 1. On tal By Victor Bridges Jumping into my mouth, For, nt of me, her hand resting Ee arm ot ae Gaede te ‘ures seeme curiot familiar, was Mercia Solano, if CHAPTER Vill WAS 60 giad to eve her that 1 as nearly as possible made an Idiot of myself. Indeed, 1 was just on the point of stepping forward and reck- lessly claiming her acquaintance, when something in Mercia's face made me pause. She had gone very pale, and I could see that the hand which was resting on her companton’s sleeve had unconsciously tightened, Her troubled eyes looked momentarily into mine with an expression partly of fear, partly, it seemed to me, of relief, Then she moved and the next Instant I heard so se one behind me Pronounce my name. I turned in- stinctively, and found myself face to face with Lord Lammersfield, the handsome, el ly, debonair states- man who had stopped me on the previous day in Park Lane. In eve. ning dress, and wearing the ribbon of we the Garter, be made a strikingly dis- tinguished re. “Ah, Northcote,” he said, easy wave of his ha a wast wondering whether you It's @ mere matter of ce, Anding any one in this human maeistrom.' Tao lly felt curious as to what or two matters” might be which a Cabinet be dct Minister was anzious “It's no good beatin, bush, Northcote,” he eaid auleth uy. T ha t got the money at present, # Quite impossible for me to my surpri I didn’ oat Phibegy Fayrresd it oe more bay ‘ace of Heaven particular intel aceon mas a rae “To put mat continued Lamn a am in your h 0 press me, I shall have inleigh and retire from paltise, The British public will forgive any- thing on the part of its leaders ex- SSPE immorality or lose of money. The latter, I believe, ta regarded ms the greater crime of the two, especi- ally when, as in my case, it arises from @ long period of uns . Leg yota Ga to walt) 1 rectly ve portunity, On thé other hand, it Sey bresent diabolic fortune pursues me miueh longer ers will probably be left o! Feallaason Nf nlelgb for you to y this time I had recor my: ened waictently to AS tho stites 5 was plain jortheote must have lent ‘mo yo ts perenne 8 rom the wa was speak: ing—and ¢hat the nominal y soln oth was at hand. What Noi fote’s object had been I had no idea, but TI realised with rapid satisfac. tion that it put me in the position of being able to do » good turn to a man who might prove extremely useful. There ls nothing more agreeable thas being generous with other people's \{ money, and I determined to make the mont of my opportunity. “There Indian preverb, mmerai T observed, “wi says that ‘Hurry is the Devil,’ the present instance I am inclined t ry hit. I'll walt, gladly.” re pod f Uttle ironical to Rien aa nated to you to shall we put it?—Im- Personal attitude. the weber Your last letter on be " I interrupted quickly, inward. hematizing Northcote. “We'll Sue bo letter if you have no i v wince (ae @ changed my mind ammerafield accepted this eminent- ly true information Urteou: inelination of his heed i "i “Ax you please,” he sald. “You me under an immense ‘obligation te you. .I can only add that if there Is any matter In which I can be of service to you, now or at any time, you mustn't hesit: to mention it. The Seoretaryship is a singularly distast ful office to an intelligent man, but ha at least the merit of putting one @ position to i ‘useful 18 Sat ition occasionally - “Thanks very much,” I 3 at present I don't think there ib iar thing I want to bother Whitehall - about. I shall remember your offer, though. Perhaps some day I may hth rested for exceeding the speed nit. ‘ .Jord Lammersfield 1a “T shall hold myself in Peedinees Re a summons fe Hollowa: with a bow. “Meanwhi return to the ace: weak moment I duce some protege of my wife's seve! of our leading statesmen; aad although, personally, T don't admire the young lady's ti aft ba or ie Latrig san A fate would have ¢ first person T we reentoeee the ballroom whom I recognized ft te pletur as one of His Maj si) most’ Income petent judges. A sudden determina- tion seized me, and I turned to Lam- merafield. “You know everybody,” T said, “Who's that pretty girl over there with old Beauchamp?” He looked across. “Ah, yes! charm- ing, isn't she? Beauchamp makes up in taste what he lacks in intelligence, She is a discovery of Lady Tregat- toc! I believe—a Miss de Rosen. They are reported to have picked her up somewhere in South America. T ‘will introduce you to With a memory of “Francis” pleasantly fresh in my mind, this in- formation about Lady Tregattock wi to say the least, a trifle start- ling. However, Lammersfield’s keen eyes were on my face, and I mat aed to suppress any sign of 1, tf it’s not bothering you teo sald, carelessly, (To Be Continued.) ¢ Book on the Stands Will Cost You $1.25 You Get It for @ Cents