HIS FATHER'S HONOUR A MODERN ROMANCE

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 153, 27 June 1908, Page 16

HIS FATHER'S HONOUR A MODERN ROMANCE

BY DAVTD CBXISTIE linjßXUtt. ~ ' *

/- v-.'. "CHAPTER X. ?: -'-?■ Ackroyd left the Castle -with Jqel'3 -cheque in. his pocket, but he-did not feel i altogether comfortable. He could not .-arrive in .London, in time to be able to ■;_y-pav the cheque into his.bank. He-could - not cash it at Joel's bank, for it had '. naturally been crossed. He therefore '.. had. a restless night, but as soon as his "bank opened its doors he entered and "••* asked to see the manager. ' "I -want this cheque- to be. specially" cleared," he said as he handed it over. The manager looked up in surprise as — ■- he read the amount. ''■'. "Eather a large cheque, but the drawi er is. good for it." he said "with a smile. - 'I can dear it by noon to-morrow if that i win dor- -■"' S --■ ~ : - -" - ■-r That -srfU "bei'satisfactory. 1 - suppose you dohitmind'if I draw a few • hundreds in the meantime.-* _•' "I am afraid I can't do that," the '}. jnanager.Teplied, after a moment , s hesi- / tation. "If a hundred Vfll db'r^ -"Yes, that -will be" sufficient. :Good

- . The iiotes once in" his pocket, Ackr oyds - spirits rose in a wonderful degree, hut his mind was not quite easy. He "bougat an evening -paper-in which he found a mention of "Lord _ Wolverholme's. illness r. to his relief it was stated that he was" a little better. , Then came a disquieting Idea. What ..if.the Earl were to confide,in Joel and get him-to stop the cheque, for he may . nave discovered that he (Acfcroyd) had . succeeded in regaining possession of the - cipher letters during the time that he was unconscious. Acfcroyd comforted Tiimwlf with.the-thought that the;. Earl would not dare- to teH of his treachery -" to JoeL Kb, he felt he was safe. Bnt he found that he could not rest, -so "he proceeded to amuse himself by spending the hundred pounds. The luxuries, that poverty had compelled him ' to deny himself, he immediately indulged lin to "the fuIL The finest cigars that money could buy, expensive jewellery, I and a visit to a Bond-street tailor, where (he gave orders that astonished the tradesman. . "I shall pay- half when I try on and the balance on delivery," he said curtly. "No-necessity for that, sir," was the respectful reply, hut the tailor would probably have required it if it had not *been suggested, and Acfcroyd smiled grim--iyS--' _ -;,',^;,.,;.;,-.,; ~ .-.',..:,

'He determined to have a highfs en- - joyment, for he was sure that he -would .he unable "to sleep, so her; moved his , trunk to- the Carlton Hotel and. engaged .a. table for dinner in the restaurant-* He • required every delicacy in and out of season, and his choice of wine was made .with much deliberation and a keen anticipation of enjoyment -He had no intention-of - hoarding his ill-gotten gains, for he was already making plans for increasing them byspecula- ' tion. To his joy he found "that the cheque was duly cleared, and that the sum of nearly twenty-five thousand pounds stood to his credit; He revelled in its possession. To do-Ackroyd jnstite hewas-r-nof in the least mean, far one of the-first things j that he did was to hire a motor-car and drive to a little cottage a few miles from London. There he was-i received by a white-tarred woman; with every sign of evident joy at his presence. i/.i t WelI,-.J«an,Jiow. are. you (getting on?" ■ h*e" asked chee"rily. , "." -■...-. . . - ; "Sadly, sadly, Master Julian," she" replied with a shake of her head. ""Sorry to hear it, but things wflL be better now. I am arranging that yon shall "have thirty shillings a week for "the rest ef your life." "God bless you, Master Julian: Yon have been so kind: to anTbld woman," she said sobhingly. " : ' : ' - And indeed, he had been kind. She was his old nurse who had fallen on evfl days, and in spite of his poverty, Ackroyd.had r managed to give her sufficient money to .keep her out of the workhouse.

He left with her blessings ringing in "his ears, and this'in a manner served " 'to soothe the qualms of- conscience that , had been pricking him: '■• Nowhe launched forth into every kind (of extravagance. He took ("chambers in = 5tT James' and purchased "a_mptor-car; each morning'he or.ove-into'the Crtv and " 'speculated on the -Stock Exchange. A -rage for riches had .seized him; he was . not. content with the thousands that he • had, .he ..dreamt of becoming.a financial ; magnate. - -; ; ~. - ' ■ --... . --r From the outset- him in his. speculations. This onlyconvolved - him the more, for he now began to plunge- ■ heavily to'; recoup himself for his losses. ' The usual resulti ensued, and in a very short time he found that his fat balance .at the bank was weli-hight depleted! He "did hot stop to consider his position, for he was governed" by" the gambling fever .. .him,;,but. Jhe_,.time .;; :came when he had but a few hundreds .; -left. Then aghast at his -un -■_ ;.wise conduct. "?-:»("' '-.--. "H I-had-but "invested-"the money at four per cent T could have lived "in com --'fort for the rest of inyiife, while now I • am nearly as badly off as I was before I (*. got the"cheque," he. growled.to himself! He had just risen after a late night. His breakfast lay untastedi on the tabled arouridl him Svas every sigh of wealth; his room was lavishly furnished, and the . dressing gown he wore-was of silk.- ---• His servant entered .quietly." ~., 7, • "Mr. Joel Josephs wishes; to see-you," .7" he said respectfully., : ■• .. "Not at home, not at home,' he cried hurriedly. But Joel had anticipated such" a move, ;.."', and lie had followed closely ori the ser rant's heels. . (

" I won't detain you a minute," he said. *s lie pushed open the door. Ackroyd rose and angrily toldl the ser- ■ ya.nt to leave the room. _*f What is the meaning of this intrusion"?" he demanded curtly. ■■' Sinipjy that I desire to see you, Mr. 14ekrpy4. ; ' . -.-•'. -. '•' J/xl laid.great emphasis on the name. "SPhat do.you want?" .'■ ■-: .■'--«"• • ■"-■ ".May I sit down? Thanks, I see that I stated your correct name when we met at Wolvcrholme Castle. 1 rarely make a -Joel said, as he took a seat and made himself comfortable, -*•■! think we (can do business together," . he continued genially, "I have use fpr you, and I am prepared to pay" haiufepjnely/' he -went on. " Please understand that i ' come in a perfectly friendly spirit,'' '"•pi that own account, or that bf in- - '• other? " Ackroyd asked -with a keen .look. 'My own,;-*absolutely, but my busi-" eoes does not concern another." "Come- to the point, then," Ackroyd pried impatiently.. (-• How nmch do you WSit for your htM over Lorrl W n ir, r "tolmeT" hevejp*i coouy - • lye ** -ja

Ackroyd started violently as the words reached! his ears. rf* " I don't understand yon," he blurted out as soon as he had recovered MS SelfpOSSeSSion., . ' .: , : . " -You understand jne perfectly.' How "nincttdo; toe want?** ~- .- ■ — c What hold have I over Lord Wclver holme?" Aekroyd began cautiously.. ; "I am asking you a question, .Sir. Ackroyd. How much do you 'want?? "Don't you think you had better be frank, Mr. Joel! -It -will Aorten our iv. terview evry ■considerably.'* ~^? ' . "I "am. perfectly- open with you., 1 ■want to know how much you -vrant." " Do you know what you want to buy V Ackroyd asked!, slily. =.; Joel thought for aMnoment. '• No, I do not," he rapped out at last. "I thought so. What if I say 1 have nothing to sell?" . ~ . "You will be a liar, .Ackroyd/* Joel said genially. . "How jdo you know that I have'any connection with Lord Wolverhoune? "*• Jjcl di.i net speak, but took cat a cheque, from his rocket.

" This endorsement speaks for itself. The Earl handed my cheque over to yon. What was the consideration? " Jod deluandied. His lazy manner had disappeared and there was a menace in. his voice. -.'.*■"*. - -

Ackroyd changed colour. For a ;few minutes he paced to and fro, deep in thought. He had great admiration for Jod's astutement, and he wanted to as certain his motive in thus approaching him. Was it on behalf of the Earl, or was there something behind it that he did not know?. "

** Tnat was a private transaction between the Earl -and myself" he said imnly. . g Yes: I heard it termed business," Joel said inusingly. "I have also heard it called by a harsher word," he added emphatically; "you had much better be frank, for it will pay you." '"HI understood your object? " ' """ I do not see how that concerns "you as long as you get the money. You are ' broke, 2 ami in confidence you won't get another penny out of the Earl, he hasn't got iv." v " But he could find it," Ackroyd said astutely. " Not so easily as I can. I win "pay •liandsomelv." "

"First you must tell mc what makes yew .think that I know something.'* "With pleasure. It is really very simple. I knew you lied in saying you were not Ackroyd when we met'at the Castle; that was suspicious. Then T am pretty well unformed as to what goes on in the City; ,1 heard of your sudden accession to wealth and of your gambling. I took a hand in that myself, and I think I accounted: for a number of your .bad investments, for I can move the market when T choose. "Finally, I obtained my cheque back from the bank. Your, endorsement was sufficient to tell its own tale. I repeat, how much?"

"What will you pay?" "Sow, yon are talking business. What have you to sell? T can't fix an amount tSSi T;_knpw; -I don't want details, you needn't show your hand r too much, but I must" know if it-makes a powerful lever." "Yes, it's a weighty weapon," Ackroyd said -with a smile. - "Ik must have been to enable you to get that cheque. What is it? A woman?''" * :■ "---■- - ■•;'--- •- '; ...z Ackroyd shook his "head. '"'-"'; : * 'Tm glad. That wouldn't have been much use to "mc. What would be the effect of the use of this information you possess?" "Immediate and irretrievable ruin to the Earl," Ackroyd replied Joel smiled with pleasure. "How would it affect Lord Hareeastle?" he asked "Is he concerned directly?" " ? \ "No, but he would naturally suffer with .his father." "That is so. If "this information is of the nature you say I will pay you " Ackroyd leant forward expectantly. Joel eyed him keenly, and finally came to the conclusion that no small sum would tempt this man. "I will give yoii a similar cheque to this,-"..he said at last. '""Twenty-five thousand pounds?" he said breathlessly. "Yes." "Ifs a bargain." ' Ackroyd impetuously jumped to.his feet and held out his hand Joel looked at it contemptuously and he shook his' head ""This U a business transaction, Mr. ■■ Ackroyd," he said, grimly. Ackroyd's face flushed hotly, and for a, moment he was'about to speak angrily, but he quickly changed ; his mind. He' went 'to a safe and took out .the cipher letters. He then resumed-his seat. "Somei thirty years ago," "he began .gravely,:'"Lord.Woiverhobhe was• sent by the Prime Minister to' St. Petersburg on" a delicate negotiation with the Russian Government. It appears that the Earl: was heavily in debt -and he was just about to marry. Unless he-could find a large sum-of (money the marriage would be broken off.- The lady to-whom he - was engaged was of (high rank and possessed a good deal of money. The Earl did not know which way to turn. To cut the story short,- a Russian official got into communication with huh and offered him a large bribe to sell his country. The Earl - accepted the bribe Joel rose to his feet, and his. face plainly showed the pleasure which this statement gave him. "Can you prove it?" he demanded hoarsely. . .l._ "The evidence is here,"- Ackroyd said, placing his hand on the letters, t "Let mc seeit." . "It's a cipher, but a simple one. I will; explain it to you." For a moment Ackroyd hesitated to let .the papers out of his possession, but he now felt that he could trust Joel, for he, had( come to the conclusion that'he was not acting on behalf of the Earl,' so there-was. no. danger of his destroying them. . , .. "Con you make it out?" he asked. "Yes, yes," Joel cried, impatiently: - For a while nll'was silence only'broken by the heavy breathing, of the two men. At last Joel looked'up, and his face glowed with triumph. -''This was written by the late Prime Minister?" . • " . , Ackroyd nodde3. '. '.. ¥ "Jt must be true or the Earl, would not have let ypn blackmail him.; I will " keep these letters, Mr. Ackroyd." Joel topic out his cheque-book and fill.cd in iB. form. ... - % "I .-svill retain the letters, if you don't mind, Mr. Joel. You go to your bank i and bring the notes here," Acjproyd t*i4, sua-yely.

As he spoke he laid his hand" on the letters which' Joel stall grasped, and tbe two men faced one another. " "As voir like," Joel"said todifferentlyv. "I will be back in a quarter of an hour. Don't, go .out." ;-. ■: -.. *-ti unholy joy seized Ackroyd when he was alone. A fortune-was once" mere iri his grasp and this time he would not dissipate it. A quarter of an-hour passed and* he looked impatiently at the dock. • He was beginning to grow nervous when to his relief Joel bustled into the room. l He pulled a bundle of crisp notes'from '" his pocket and flung them down on the ' table. -' f" " ■'■-■ ,-- ---' "The letters, please," he said curtly. . Ackroyd took up the notes and methodically counted them, while Joel watched him with a grim smile. • " "They're right, I suppose," he said caustically. "I thought so. Now, let mc have • the:letters." He took out his pocket-hook and placed them* carefullpin. one of the compartl ments. . * ■ "Good morning, .Mr. Ackroyd. Let mc ' give you a word of warning. Blackmailing is-a dangerous'game to play. You have twice been successful, bat be careful . of the third attempt.. It's an unlucky i number." . Jod nodded curtly and then a thought 1 seemed to strike him. ""By-the-bywhy did the Earl part with ' the cheque before he got the letters?" he asked. . Ackroyd's face flushed, and he hesitated to reply. "Oh, I understand," Joel continued. "You -did give them un and got them back ■ again when he. fainted. Thief as well as blackmailer," 3dr.-Ackroyd." > : He hastened from the room and entered his motor-car. which was waiting below - "Now, my Lord Harecastle, I think you will y"g to a different tune. I hold the whip -hand/ he cried triumphantly. (To be continued next Wednesday.)