THE PLOT THAT FAILED.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 169, 17 July 1916, Page 10

THE PLOT THAT FAILED.

By EDGAR PICKERING, . Author of "The Secret Marriage," "A Winning Baeard," etc. .___ [ t CHAPTER XXVIII. . ELSA HARDENS HER HEART. It wae the day following Mr Ferryman's death, and, eeatcd in a room whence a view of the bridge boats was seen, Mr Crimp detailed the history of his search for John Smith, who had been tracked to Konigswinter, and there all trace of him ended. What Mr Ferryman had divulged was no more than was known before, and Dundas explained in his judicial way that they could do nothing more. '"We are not in a position to bring a charge against this man, Juliue IngleKlew," he explained. "There ie no proof that that is his real name. Squire Oliver accepted him as Amyae Severne, and we haven't a tittle of evidence to the contrary. Hie clerk might be able to help us, although I very much doubt whether he would, for he is most probably being well paid to hold his tonglc. Moreover, he hasn't been found, nor is he likely to be." "What is your view of Ferryman'e confceeiou that the squire made a new will?" asked Gerald. "1 think it hardly possible, although he did a good many strange tilings. I remember now his hinting at a change in his plans, but it might have meant nothing "Whether he executed a fresh will or not is not very important," replied Dundas. "1 mean as compared with the other mysteries. If the real Amyas Se'-eine is dead you are the next in succession to Overdone Grange. The difficulty is to find out whether or no he ie dead. Whether we are right in assuming that the man who passed .is Amyas Severne is really the missing Julius lngledew." "You're quite right, Mr. Dundas," replied Crimp. "You've stated the difficulties fairly, and I'll own I'm nonplusseJ. I've no authority to arrest the chap, John Smith, even if J could lay my hands on him, which I haven't been able to do yet, and, as for the other—well, we've no proof against him." "Except Ferryman's dying confession," answered Gerald. "Which i would go for nothing," answered Dundas. "Who would believe it in face of Ferryman's record. What Crimp says about Smith makes it plain to mc that no charge can be brought against Severne." Gerald got up from the table, disincjincd to continue the discussion. That he was the victim of a conspiracy was perfectly clear, yet the loss of Overdene Grange troubled him less than the loss of the woman he loved with all his heart and soul, and the thought of the man to whom he owed the wreck of his hopes brought a fierce longing to ,meet him once more. "I shall get away as soon as possible, Dundas." he said. "We can do no good by staying on, and there's work ■waiting for mc in London." ''One never knows what may happen," replied Dundas. "Our errand hasn't

been very successful, true, yet perhaps the end of it hasn't come. We'll wait another day or two." Gerald made an indifferent answer as he Merit out of the room, and Dundas turned to Mr. Crimp. "You'll have to find John Smith," he said. "Perhaps'you'll put mc on his track, Mr. Dundas," replied the detective, rather spitefully. "Such an insignificant little chap like him isn't likely to be known much about, and I own that he's managed to get away very clcvcrly." "Perhaps I may be able to help you." answered Dundas. "Anyway we won't give up the search yet," and with tlijs he left 3lr. Crimp to hrmsclf. In a very dissatisfied state of mind Dundas strolled through the -streets, coming at length to the outskirts of the city, too deep in thought to heed the direction in which he was walking. Then as he came out upon a country road, he suddenly quickened his footscps, for not a huidrcd yards ahead he saw Elsa, and in a few moments he overtook her. There were a, few words of sincere pleasure at their unexpected meeting, and Elsa told him what had happened after leaving Mrs. Jermyn. "Gerald came to the inn," she said. "and if he had given mc the opportunity of explaining the reason for my being in Mr. Scvcrnc's company I think he would have understood, but lie did not do so." "I presume you've seen no more of Mrs. Jertnvni" he asked.

"Naturally she believed f.he would see no more of mc," replied Elsa. "Luckily I found a real friend in a lady named Larch, and I am employed ly an as nurse z<) two young children. This is one of my free "hours, and it's almost time for mc to go back to them." "But it is impossible for you to remain in your present position, Miss Armitage." "I am contented with It," was the answer. "Gerald Leigh would " ' "Please do not mention Ins name," she interrupted, and her colour heightened. "Don't think I'm indifferent to all the kindness you've shown mc, but I'm too proud to allow myself to think of the past. I don't want to blame Gerald —I know he bad'a, reason for doubting mc, but I've been condemned unheard. It's better that we should never sen each other again—better far for my peace of mind that I remain unknown to him." "But Gerald is in Cologne,' , Tcplied Dundas. "He andlearme here together on hearing that Mr. Ferryman was lying at death's door." "You will pleaee not let Gerald know that you have seen mc, Mr. Dundae," exclaimed Elsa. "Promise mc you will not." "You are very determined." "Yes. I haven't decided without thinking very deeply, and I know I'm doing the right thing. But right or ■wrong I'm not going to change my mind, and I'll go my own way alone in the future. I'm not pitying myself—that's a weakness 1 despise—l'm only very sorry that I've been so misunderstood. Give mc your word that Gerald shall not know I am in Cologne." "You and he may meet accidentally as we have." "I will guard against that," sai.l Elea firmly, "and I can trust you to keep the secret of my being in Cologne." "Is it not possible for you to for<*ive him?" "I have done that. Didn't I say V have never blamed him? But it is for the best that we remain strangers to each other. I won't tell you what it means to mc to say this, yet it hae to be said." .

"If I could only persuade you to look at the matter in a different light, perhaps you could alter your mind." "I have considered it too much to do that. I -would have altered my mind long ago if it had been possible, but I am too certain that Gerald never would. His opinion of mc, I mean, and that being so I am resolved never to see him again willingly. We won't say anything more on that point, Mr. Dundas, please. Give mc your word that all we have saM shall be kept to yourself, and that Gerald never knows I am here." "I think you are acting against your better nature, Miss Armitage, but you leave mc no alternative. I promise that G«rald shall not know. 1 ' "Thank you," answered Eba. "Only don't think I am impulsive or unreasonable." "Did anything come of -your adventure at the inn?" foe asked* "Did you discover anything that might help mc in clearing np the mystery of Amyas Severnc?" For the first time since her escape from the inn E!sa Temembered the letter book she had secured. So much had happened since that was of greater importance that the papers remained forgotten until Dundas' question reminded her of them. "I have a pocket book." ehe answered. "Mr. Severne might say I robbed him of it, and he would be quite right. You see to what depths of wrong-doing I have gone," and she laughed mirthlessly. "I'm not sure that I have not loet it." "It may be of vital importance," tcplied Dundas. "I will wait here whilst you look for the papers." They had come to a small house b} , now, where Elsa told him she was employed, and promising to return quickly she ( \vcnt in, leaving him impatiently awaiting her to return. This she did in a few minutes, giving him the letterbook. '"It is strange that you did not mention having this." he said, as she gave him the letter-book. "No. I have lost interest in everything that has happened," she answered with an assumed indifference. "Why shouldn't I? I've lost heart and hope too. Mr. Dundas. Good-bye. We may never sec each other again, but I shall always remember you as the only friend I have in the world." She turned away quickly to hide her tear-dimmed eyes, an.l left him without speaking again. Dun line walked slowly back into the city, and as he wont he opened the letter case, repeating Amyas Severne's words unwittingly: "All's fair in love and war," lie murmured, and then a sharp ejaculation ■sprang from his lips, ac he read one of the papers. "Crimp will be glad to see this," he exclaimed. "For unless I'm mistaken we arc on John Smith's track ngain. And here is something more important still. The proof of Amyas Severne being one of the rankest impostors who over lived. Gerald must ccc this at once." But Gerald Leigh was not at the hotel when Dundas returned, and they were fated to meet under circumstances neither of them could ever have anticipated. (To be continues eaily.)