WITH LINKS OF STEEL."

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 15, 17 January 1914, Page 19

WITH LINKS OF STEEL."

By JOHN K. PROTHERO,

7 fcitiior of "An Eye -for an Eye," "A Strong Man Armed," "Apples of Gold" tfhe Gamblers," ''The House of Itimmon," "The Way of Transgressors," eto, etc.

■ CHAPTER I. 7**ro_TH WILL BE SERVED." "T**ehave decided to send you to West Jirica!" fbe senior partner of the firm of Grim M and Carlyn watched the face of fte young man closely. "You've done very well this last year. ftster—very we " indeed. The firm is j jgjious of promoting yoirr interests with • their "ova. Y° u ale perhaps aware that I _ lata our West African properties have 'jd been paying. Expensac have been I yyy and profits increasingly loss. Tbe "' .Sates used to pay handsomely, but a I Aun of regrettable circumstances has I j-jmrit about a different state of things. _■ Savile, our late representative, dis- ' jjrpointed our expectations." ■That's a mild way of putting things," Ke partner quickly intervened. "Monty fiarfleV a scamp, out and out- He's nltrcd ducks and drakes with himself adt—''firm, *°°- Give him a wide berth ama run across him. Foster. A danoatras fellow —as I always told you, grnnsbaw. |. The senior partner had a lively rccolMjffli of something quite different. Cariyn's advocacy of Monty had been as ■ loth—ded and impetuous as his present 7 judictoent. He did not remind his coltaane, however, but contended himself 1 «"_ a eoogh. "We wish you to establish friendly relations with the natives, Foster, open i m connntmications with the interior, jj Jd to obtain a survey of the firm's | np-conntry. We have never ;jj a complete survey of the district. ; jaere are difficulties in the way, cerI taiiily» but," he paused. "Savile, I think, { fld his best in that particular, but I __cd." Grimshaw spoke the last words I mlh a touch of regret, almost compunci jjon. Monty Savile's dark thin face, with jregular features and flashing eyes, a {see redeemed from ugliness by his sud- ■ j_ brilliant smile, seemed to look at II {i_ across the table —across the lapse

years! '"Difficulties are made to be conquered, jfc" Hugh Foster's voice was crisp n_ the assurance of youth. A tall, ■jnight figure with a fair head well set abroad shoulders, his blue eyes held n loo!; of supreme confidence. Bichard Carlyn moved impatiently. failed, of course he failed! He acted j_ an incompetent fool from first to jut". When he went out our West 'ifricari prospects were rosy. At the I 'esiof a few years we were losing hands ' Jure. Out rubber plantations were at I asi-idstiU, our trade in ivory all gone, | juneyspent like water, and nothing to I dw for hi—-nothing!" : Hngh Foster raised his eyebrows. • "H I might ask, sir. why was Savile i left in charge so long?" .-' "Directly we knew the true state of ! shirs we recalled him,", said Carlyn faently. "But he declined to return. : iecepted his dismissal quite unmoved—■ jad has remained there ever since."

I "Asanatter of fact," Grimshaw's cold trnte'ent acros3 his partner's florid exptaations, "we were reason to believe favSe "was intemperate in his habits." I "Biteinperate!" Caryln's hands went I" ppin a gesture slightly foreign. "Monty inflc I__ a fish! When he was sober Isvas a reliable man in England. But art there, he went completely off his lad. A mistake to have sent him; a rrnplete'mistake!" Dick Carlyn pulled tt Ms moustache and lit a cigarette. Hngh Foster gathered that Grimshaw '._ hi commissioned Savile against Carlyn's Wcr judgment. The senior partner did Kf titrable to put the matter right. He U been dubious as to Savile's fitness is tie post, but Carlyn's advocacy and -man's eagerness, his zest for work, ialove of advanture, had overruled all ; —:its. Grimshaw regretted nothing Brethan Monty's failure. He was on -sick list when the crash came, and fc affairs of the firm had been left on (Mjii's erratic hands.

. "ffnderstand, Foster, Savile's a bad ty Mid has undoubtedly done us a ' .ii_ harm. Have nothing to do with la.. Our local agent Sebastien will give "wall the information he can. Give Mc a wide berth, and get up country •sqtdcfcly as you can." Carlyn paused, •4 glanced at Grimshaw. There were Kbin. instructions to be given Foster; ©bit, perhaps dangerous, to carry "A Carlyn' preferred to leave his pner. to handle that part of the "■We**-. Carlyn always assumed the ""$ and.attractive role; he invariably I ""famed the young men of their pro- ' «iai--Gri__haw as inevitably cut \ """a their salaries and reduced the i M. " IB leave Mr. Grimshaw to give you ;>* final orders, Foster ... I'm j I*7 pleased you're going out for us. |Ps" onr interests are safe in your )?_*■ hands. Look to mc for full I ■predatifm of future as of past ser- .'/*■ You're dining with us this even- | """remember—eight sharp." I p *too<i a moment smiling down at !^ a large and genial figure; a dark face, already merging its -'"*■ en-hie in the ample curve of -;f*" aid neck. John Grimshaw drew IGi chair close to the table when the ;jj"~" dosed and turned his stem old marked, deeply lined, toIS" the window. 7 J 4 ' B getting dark," he said slowly. *-?i Otters up, "will you, Foster? Kpiffl? tie light. Thank you. Sit ease ' ■"■' ye something important j EM I roOm Witn its air of lei " jll Prosperity, apart and removed HM « idling haunts of modern 1S """es, and manners, was very -ffe»( '^ Tom the wall looked down a Portraits; stern-eyed, lean-faced i 6e« * ou nder and his successors of I fc,™ -of r Grimshaw. Richard Carlyn I ESS_"U"ovation of some twenty years i (jL gs*« John Grimshaw of genera.'itft "would have looked askance i Dick, handsome I f-ri^ nmair; but old Jobn had no ex " I [jjT* °* the modern mania for specu- -■'"»»' * mama th a t nad his 1 1 «S-^ n^ S0 " 1 J oim S eT da ys "J—l (j,t , |ie Arm in perilous waters. ■&!k 8 - IDDney had sav ed tbe situation, jjoaness had righted itself. Grimj[W and; Cariyn, Indian and West f»? merchants had done well and Prosperous until in an evil mc senior partner fell ill, and with .rheumatic fever for six £2, n"S the offices fc r Street in charge of Carlyn. | 0T _ partner, without Grim'W hand, had plunged Ath properties right and left i»i j,, selling at a high figure. •>sii'? c v'* Cc P r °nerties mostly failed; ! 'feui t i!? cn "°ld Grimshaw all his time ! >V • ''nn_ afloat. !.". to take you into my con- | pv «i 4 $U.-"*3t otwv eloTtdy.

Hugh F-oster nodded, breathing quickly. Through the heavy oaken door came a faint echo from the outer office. The dick of the typewriter, the ring of the telephone, the hurry and bustle of the city streets; a bustle emphasizing the serenity and calm of the senior partner's room, the stern-eyed indifference of the portraits on the wall.

The young man moistened his lips and strained his attention. It had come to him at last, the wonderful moment youth dreams of. when tihe chance of *a lifetime is offered, and it found him well prepared.

"You wili not have an eksy task in West Africa," said Grimshaw plowly. "Your difficulties will be great, not greater, I feel, than your courage, but you will need both courage and resource. The issues concerned are grave. Much -hangs on your success." The senior partner shifted his chair, bringing the stern face of the founder of the firm within his line of vision.

'You are young for such a mission— seven and twenty are you not? But you have been trained- carefully and thoroughly since you have been with us; and your work here, and your previous record seems to justify our hopes, Foster," the old man leaned over the table, "the firm is in a critical position."

Foster met the keen old eyes steadily, and his mouth small, but well-shaped, tightened.

"I feared things were not going well, sir," he said in his quiet pleasant voice.

"Yon misunderstand mc," said the old man cuTtly. "Grimshaw and Co. can honourably discharge all and every obligation. The firm's credit is aa ever unimpeachable, but," be stirred uneasily, lowering his voice as if he feared the founder of the firm might, hear -him, "but our future prospects are not encouraging. The properties we have of late acquired [have not proved profitable; our African estates have depreciated in value. We are sending you there in the hope that you may build up our trade anew, and, and," the senior partner's hard old face grew tense, "and assist us to branch out in a new direction." He paused, and once more glanced at the portrait on the wall. The young man's face was pale and set. His heart was thumping, there was a dry taste in his mouth. John Grimshaw hadn't finished yet. "From the first, ever since we acquired the West Coast properties, there have come to us rumours of certain gold deposits on or near our concessions. Alluvial gold was discovered by Sebastien on an expedition up country, in the banks of a river nmnning through our estates. The natives say farther dp country gold quartz is to be found, and rumour hints at a rich mine in the neighbourhood. The exact locality is not known, nor can I tell you if the mine lies within our concessions. It is for you to locate the mine; if possible within our boundaries. If not," he paused, "you must acquire it," he said shortly, "at any cost you must acquire it." ' - • Hngh Foster, sqnared his shoulders. "It will want doing, sir," he said, slowly. "Who first told you of the mine?" "Savile. He learnt of its existence from native gossip through Sebastien." ■ "Did he locate it?" "No. The firm's relations with him were broken off about that point a year ago—before I fell ill . Savile represented us for four years." "A long time a bad climate," said Hugh. "As you say, a long time. That was Savile's own fault. We offered him six months' leave at the end of the second year. He would not .take It." "If I might ask you, what was the point of difference between Savile and the firm?"

"The main point was the falling off of the profits owing, we have reason to believe, to his unbuainess-like ways, lack of order, and intemperate habits. There was a good deal of trouble with the natives, and muoh talk of bad treatment. Sebastien advised us if Savile were left longer in charge there would be something like a native revolt. Things came to a head during my Alness. Carlyn finally severed the connection. Since then Sebastien has acted as our agent, and the properties are begining to pay fairly well once more. We are sending you with sealed orders, Foster. Apparently you go to manage the properties, look after our best interests. Secretly,' he paused, "We must have that gold mine, Foster," he said grimly, "at any cost." So might old John, dead a hundred years ago, have spoken to an agent from the far Indies, bringing news of a rich plantation that some recreant native would not sell. "Cost what it will we must have it." The portrait on the wall with the stern eyes seemed to approve the words. Ay, they must have it, though it cost a river of blood, and countless lives, and young warm human hearts, innocent hopes, and quiet homes. Hugh Foster rose slowly, deliberately, and leaned on the back of his chair. "And if I secure the mine, sir?" he said, quietly, "what do I get?" The senior partner glanced up quickly. "What do yon want?" he asked, and his voice rang out. The young man's light blue eyes hardened with a look of triumph, and he caught his breath and held on tightly to the chair. "A partnership," he said, and, though his voice was steady, the knuckles of the hand that clasped the chair was white. "Ton shall have the partnership,'' said old John grimly. "If you get the mine you'll have earned it." Something in the quality of the voice, a note of warning as of one who sees grim, ghastly shapes and terrible things, struck Foster harshly. He gave a little shiver. "Anything else you want?" said the old man with fierce eyes. The other stiffened at the challenge. He held his head erect. "Yes," he said, with a sudden note of combat, "one thing more; I want to marry "Miss Dolores Carlyn," he said slowly. John Grimshaw's face relapsed into the old grim lines. "As to that," he said, "you must consult the junior partner." He bowed with a stiff and solemn courtesy, and formally wished the young man God-speed in his mission, a successful return, a happy wooing. But as he .turned away the portraits on the wall might have observed a look of sorrow and of disappointment in the stern-old ,eyes.

The firm must have the gold mine; at that moment perhaps John. Grimshaw commenced to count the cost. . rraAPTKR n. THE LEGION OF THE LOST, Hugh Foster left Grimshaw- room with a light in his blue eyes, and a swing in his walk that brought curious glances to bear on him in the outer office. "Come into a fortune, Foster?" asked Lawrence, a long, lazy Irishman. "You look as if you had an open cheque upon the Bank of England in your pocket." "Or a rise of ten pounds," sneered Hagon the Jew. "Wu_i you joy of it, old man."' Foster wasn't a favourite with his fellows; he was a glutton for work, and held himself aloof outside matters of ■business. The young man leaned against the mantelpiece, and for a moment enjoyed the situation. Hagon would have given his eyes for the chance that had come Hugh's way. Lawrence would have flushed to the roots of his hair at the hare prospects of West African adventure. They were his seniors both in years and position in the office, and they had been passed and ignored for him. The fact gave an added thrill to his satisfaction. "I'm going to the West Coast," he said, slowly, and with due emphasis, "to represent the firm!" He enjoyed the full effect of his announcement. Hagon went white and bit his nails; Lawrence, better bred and with some grit, forced out congratulations, but his voice did not ring true, and a faint colour crept up his sallow cheeks. "Going to nigger drive, eh?" sneered the Jew. "Ah, well, you're cut out for the work. You'll -get more out of the poor devils than any white man 1 know. Sebastien won't take to you kindly I reckon. Even Saville found him a tough proposition." "Saville!" Hugh's voice expressed the limit of contempt. "What can you expect from a drunkard like him!" "He was more than that," said Lawrence quickly. "Don't run away with the notion that poor old Monty was just a waster. He'd more brain than the whole boning lot of us. Hadn't he, Thomson?" At the far end of the Jong room a grey-haired man with a tired face looked "Clever, Mr. Lawrence, very, very clever," he said slowly. He left his desk and came towards the little group. "Do I understand you're going to the West Coast, Mr. FosteT?" Thomson was old-fashioned and punctilious in the use of names and titles. 'Yes." "Then you'll be seeing Mr. Savile?" "I hope "not. I've instructions to give him a wide berth, anyway." "But if you should?" the old clerk moved closer, the light from the window fell full on his lined face and dull eyes and bowed shoulders. He'd been a clerk for five and forty years, and was almost worked out.

"Tell him, would you, kindly, that we think of him here—Fm right, gentlemen, in saying that?" He gave a deprecatory glance at the Irishman. "Thank you, Mr. Lawrence, thank you. We think of him, we regret him, and we believe in him, believe in him, Mr. Foster, please, and we hope for his return." .. ac . The old clerk's voice grew huskyVand his hands began to tremlble—an old man can guard his face, Ms hands not always.

"You never know 'him, Mr. Foster?" he said wistfully.

"I've heard of him, though," -was the quick retort, "and I'm astonished to find the very men who ought to have the interests of the firm at heart ■upholding sneh a 'waster." Hugh flushed with righteous indignation. It was time, he felt, that a clean sweep was made in the clerks' room. When he came hack —he caught his 'breath at the vision of himself entering the arena as junior partner—Thomson would have notice, and Lawrence, too. Hagon, by reason of his cleverness with figures, would remain. The Jew began to laugh at Hugh's outburst; but LawTence checked him. "As Thomson says, Foster never knew Monty. When you've met him, old man, youll understand perhaps just why we miss him and how much. Give Monty Thomson's message anyway." Hugh did not promise. He was ruffled and annoyed. It hurt hie dignity to have this waster thrnst in ttis face on the very threshold of a career that was to lead to fortune. He recovered his spirits, however, by the time he had dressed for dinner, and arrived at Carlyn's house in Connanght Square on the best of terms with himself and the world. Tall, straight, with a touch of gold in his hair, and his blue eyes strangely softened, he entered the cool and flowerscented drawing room with eager anticipation. Carlyn gave him a friendly greeting,, but life eyes went past his host searching the shadows by the window for a slim figure with a small white face and masses of Husky silken hair. Dolores smiled at him from a nest of cushions. She wore a gown of soft cream stuff girdled with a golden cord. Her slender throat was hare, as were her arms dimpled and round; her small face with great dark eyes under delicate brows, was like a cameo; against the whiteness of her skin her lips were Kke a thread of scarlet. She was Caxiyn's only daughiei-, and since her mother died had kept his ho_se. At flve-and-fbwemty she was still unmarried-; not for lack of offers— Dolores was one of these women iwho to the k_rt day of their lives attract men— 'but .because, so she declared, she was still fancy free! The only person who ever questioned her statement iwas her go_faifche-r, John Grirm_hafw, who preserved for her a very tender spot in his tough old heart. Even he had nothing to go on, only surmise and suspicion dating from an evening in Con-aught Square five years- ago, when he had found the girl flung on a sofa, her head hidden on a cushion, her face .white and tragic She had clung to the stern old man and cried most -prteously, .beseeching him ■to help her make the time go quickly, so quickly that it would not _c possible to miss someone who had gone away.- She never gave him fuller confidence, and he respected her reserve. She had had a had "Mnesß a year back, and her eyes •when the old man first saw her hurt him. But she had not said a word, and he had asked her nothing. She smiled at Hugh Foster; she Eked him, his youth, good looks, and equable spirits, had a charm of their own. '■YoirVe going to West Africa?" she said slowly, "are you glad?" "Very—tSl I remember what I leave behind." Has "Mac eyes toofced straight at her. She found herself flashing. "That's the woist part of ft. But yo-Tl foiget when yon land." "Some things one can never forget." •He drew close to her. Carlyn lannched on the topic of hjmeeif, 'his likes, dislikes, and appreciations, •was talking to a taH, dastingnished-looking mam *"*he other -end of rfihenroom.

I_frica is a world of enchantment," said Dolores softly,' "full of wonderful, terrible rthings. I bare heard it said that she claims toll from every man. "Prom some she takes aU; others break away with the toss of youth, strength, hope— and afl xUaskms. Africa, ris like a vaanpire, she draws Hher Mood from a man's j'hexrt.'' "She can take nothing __m mc," be said slowly, "but what if give—hard work and effort." "Who knoiws* I will ask yon iwhen you rertrorn what she has taken fromri you. WiH you answer?" "I will. But I shall return unchanged, unaltered." "I shall think about you—and Africa. Teh country fascinates mc; I shall dove to 'hear all you do, and see. The people —you meet," _he became interested in the tassel of her girdle, plucking the Mngej "Tell mc everything that happens to everyone—you know out there." A faint flush stained lieT cheeks; her eyes glowed with a dark sombre fire. "And voull care 'to hear?" he asked. "Surely." "You don't know what that means to mc. It gives mc hope, a hope that even Africa can't hake away. Dolores, when I come hack, when I come back," he said, "I shall have something to ask you. •My dear, my dear, you guess, you must guess. . . . (Dolores. " "Hush, please," she said, and stood .up tremibling a little. "There's the gong for dinner. You shall tell mc what you iwant to say—'when you come Ibaok from Africa." Over the wine Foster opened his heart to Carlyn. The other guest hard left them and sought Dolores at the piano. It was a still summer night, and the girl's voice "thrilling and sweet stirred Hugh's Wood. "My heart is like a singing bird," sang Dolores, triumphantly. "My heart——" The drawing-room door closed. Hugh dTew i*ws chair up to the table. "If I secure this gold mine, Mr. Carlyn," he said slorwly.. "If—there must be no if. It's got to be done, my boy, and you're the man to do it." "I understand that. Well, then, I'll put it this way. When I come back with the mine," he paused, then took his courage in both hands, "may I ask your daughter to marry mc?" The junior partner laughed.

"With all my heart," he said. "I always felt Dolores would marry in the firm. Here's luck to you, my boy," he toasted him standing—the drawing room door once more had opened. Again the clear, full voice pealed out. "The birthday of my love has come to mc." Hugh took a deep breath and registered a vow that he would win Dolores, no matter what it cost. And the winning of Dolores meant the finding of the mine. So here was love, linked on to ambition and driven by necessity, the necessity of putting Grimshaw and Carlyn on their commercial feet again! He found an opportunity for a few minutes' talk with Dolores before he left. She showed an interest in his journey to Africa that flattered his hope. He Jrold her something of his mission— hinted that he was trusted with a secret and heavy responsibility in the interests of the firm.

"There's only one thing men look for in Africa," she said, with a curl of her red lip. " "That's gold! Take care you do not pay too high a price for it."

"I shall live only to come back—to you," he answered.

She smiled and laid her hand on his own.

"You may write to mc," she said. "Indeed, I shall like to hear from you. I shall be eager for your letters. You must tell mc all you do. Nothing will be too small to interest mc. And the people," her soft voice grew husky, "the—the Englishmen out there who left England just as full of hope as you. Tell mc of them. I've heard there are many wrecks that once were men. Clever, brave, courageous, and now —now they are the pegion of the lost! If you meet a man like that youll help him? I know you will, you're brave and generous. Aud— and you understand better than a woman can just how far temptation grips a man out there —so far, so far away from all that he holds dear." "I'll do anytliing you ask mc," he said reverently, and thought he meant it. "And I'll write sheets and sheets of news. And when I come back, when I come back bringing my sheaves with mc," he took her hands, "you " "You shall tell mc all you've seen, what you found in Africa, and what you lost. Good-bye," she said, "good-bye." A slim white figure, with a crown of dusky hair, she stood before him smiling softly. He raised her hand and passionately kissed it. The next moment she had left him. Carlyn, humming a tune, strolled into the hall, and began to chaff him. It had been a wonderful evening—-a' glorious evening. Hugh felt as if he walked on air. Dolores loved him! She would marry him! What other explanation was there for her interest in him and Africa? He was as sure of Dolores as of the gold mine! His pulse beat high, in sheer joy of life, he commenced to sing, and, his high tenor voice pealing out, passed down the thoroughfare of Edeware Road. Dolores knelt by the open window of her bedroom; her dusky hair hung loose upon her shoulders. Her eyes were tired, her hands clasned close in supplication. "God send him back to mc," she whispered, "and keep him safe. My love, my own dear love!" Her eyes yearned out into the darkness trying to pierce a way across the world. But it was not for Hugh's blonde head they yearned —his looks, his youtli—his pride and confidence left her untouched. Dolores had lost her heart five years before to a waster and a drunkard —as they called him —Monty Savile, the man who had joined the Legion of the Dost— the man who had the secret of the gold mine in his keeping! (To he continued! daily.)