CHAPTER II.

Clutha Leader, Volume XVII, Issue 834, 11 July 1890, Page 7

CHAPTER 11.

— GontinitecL

A bare six weeks after the prodigal's return, Frank Holmes made a discovery which petrified him : Famie was laying siege with all his powers to Miss Clayton, At first, he distrusted his senses. It was incredible that Faune could be so false to him. But it was true. The shock *>as a terrible one to Holmes. He believed in his soul that no woman, or man for that matter, could resist Faune's charms of person and manner, and when quickened to closer observation by the discovery of Faune's purpose, there was no reason to doubt that Mary Clayton and her father were won — as he had been. But he had not believed in the possibility of such perfidy. Holmes, a proud and bitterly wounded man, withdrew in silence. In the solitude of his lodgings he groaned and threw up his hands. The trial had more than the agony of death in it, for it was not an ordinary tragedy. He rushed into work with an energy that astonished his friends. It was marvellous the quantity he got through. He was making a name for himself without knowing or caring. The work gave him occupation and an excuse for keeping away. For he was not the man, now that he had retired, to be drawn back again so much as an inch by any delusive hope. He kept out of their way, especially out of the way of Faune ; and Faune made this easy to do. Frank's withdrawal seemed to have been understood and accepted even by Mr Clayton and his daughter. Only once, some weeks after his last call at Cadogan Place, Frank Holmes accidentally saw Mary Clayton in her carriage in the street. She smiled to him, pink with embarrassment or surprise, and he raised his hat and passed on. There had never been aught between her and him to give him the risjht to an explanation ; and as the maiden was free, he went his way and left her to her own. And so matters went on till that Saturday after the concert. Had he known the business on which Mr Clayton wanted him, he assuredly would have spared himself the pain of again entering that house. While the footman took up his card, Holmes heard Mary's sweet familiar voice in the drawing-room, singing ; she stopped suddenly after the servant took up his card, Then Mr Clayton came down shook hands with him-, and said : 1 Come into my study first ; we can join them afterwards.' Frank saw at once how the matter stooc?. Faune had good birth and aristocratic connections, and for these Mr Clayton probably thought it was worth while giving some of his money. But he kept his thoughts to himself, and followed the banker. Mr Clayton, as soon as the door was shut, opened the business kindly and promptly. ' Frank, I don't affect not to know how you have dropped us. I have been sorry for it; but perhaps you are right. If things had turned out otherwise — as I once fancied they would — perhaps I would have been better pleased ; no matter about that now.' ' No matter at all, Mr Clayton, only it is good of you to say as much. Of course it is no matter at all now. But I presume — I am to understand that you have decided to accept Claude Faune in a new relation V 1 1 have so decided, Frank ; I have given him my sanction to address Mary. I suppose there will be no difficulty there. Only,' he added wistfuly, ' it would be very gracious of you, Frank — for the sake of auld lang syne — to say a kiiid word to her. I fear Mary thinks that — I don't understand these chings — that she has not repaid you for your friendship.' ' The indebetedness was all on my side, Mr Clayton. Of course Mary shall have some little token of my good wishes on the occasion of her marriage. 3 'Thank you, Frank. I suppose that will do. I will tell her of it.' Holmes, who had not changed a feature or varied the steady tone of his voice, now waited for Mr Clayton to proceed, which that gentleman had evidently a slight difficulty in doing. 'Faune is very uncomfortable concerning you, Frank,' he said ; ' but there is one matter at least which can be put right. He is most anxious to pay back the money yon have so generously given him — before he marries my daughter — and of course I will enable him to do so.' ' I would rather he waited till after his marriage, which would be quite time enough. But he can do as he pleases.' 'Very well. — And now, Frank, that I have got you here,' said Mr Clayton, rising and placing his hand on the young man's shoulder, ' will you come in and see them both 1 You do not know how they, and I, will appreciate it.' Frank Holmes rose too ; but he declined this invitation in a manner which made Mr Clayton regret having given it. ' Will you not even see Mary V . 1 There is no occasion. Giver* her my

best wishes, Mr Clayton. — I must go now, as I have work waiting.' Of course the prime object which Mr Clayton, had had in view was that indicated in his concluding invitation. He was sorry he had failed ; because, in truth, he was secretly not quite at ease in regard to the replacement of Frank Holmes by Claude Faune. Faune was very winning ; but there was an immense difference between the two young men ; and Mr Clayton now clearly saw — what before he had only feared — that po<ir Holmes was mortally wounded. It took Holmes half an hour to reach the adjoining thoroughfare of Knightsbridge. The interview had given him enough to think of — more than enough — and, rooted to the flags of the neighbouring square, he had slowly and silently drained the last of the bitter draught, with his eyes on the stars above Hyde Park. The chiming of the quarter after nine on a public clock awoke him with a start, and he passed on slowly to Albert Gate. Here he halted a moment, as though deliberating on his next movement, when a young man crossed the road behind him, hesitated, and stopped within four yards of him. Holmes glanced at him, and recoiled. ' If you have followed me, Fauue, you have done an unworthy act. If this is merely accident, I wish it had not happened.' ' I can quite understand your sentiments ; but it is quite an accident. I have not followed you. I am glad at the same time to have met you — if you will let me explain.' ' I desire no explanations from you. — Go your way ;it is not for your own worthless sake I keep my hands off you,' said Holmes, with deep passion. Faune coolly regarded him for an instant, and then burst into a laugh. It was a revelation which stung Holmes to the ver£,e of madness. He made a quick movement forward, and then as quickly drew back again, locking his hands behind him. .« Go outof my path ! That I should have wasted my friendship on so perfidious a scoundrel will be a humiliation to me while T live. Go out of my path, man ! and for the rest of your worthless life keep out of it !' Faune only shrugged his shoulders. Then he lightly stepped away, and passed through the gate on the way to his lodgings in Mount Street across the Park. ' Strong words them, Mr Holmes,' said a man who now stepped out of the shadow close by. Holmes started, and looked hard at the intruder, whom he immediately recognised. ' Is that you, Burton '? — Yes as you say strong words,' he observed, rolling a cigarette in his tingei's. 'A deeper-dyed scoundrel doesn't live. — But no matter about him.' 'I know him well, Mr Holmes; he often comes tins way.' ' Ay, so he does, — How is your child, Burton.' ' Much better, sir ; many thanks.' ' Perhaps I'll call and see her some time to-morrow. I've been very busy lately. Good-night.' The young man disappeared rapidly up the street in the direction of Hyde Park Corner, leaving the detective officer — for such he was —to his thoughts, which, it may be noted, revolved round the general conviction that there was a woman in it.' But neither the detective officer nor any other person concerned in the foregoing narrative ever forgot that quiet summer night of the 10th of June. The Sunday newspapers came out next morning with their regular supply of popular news and sensation ; but they were too early to catch the mysterious influence which moved the crowds in the fresh and sunny park during the day. What was the explanation of the small groups of men everywhere visible eagerly discussing, forgetting even their pipes in the absorption of the topic ? Women stood outside those knots of men, listening in silence, and children left their play. From the Serpentine and the favorite gardens adjacent, from the western glades and distant Kensington, came the general movement eastward , meeting on the way with quickening interest excited parties returning, and impenetrable policemen looking straight before them over people's heads. The fountain, which stands in a circular hollow within the park opposite the top of Mount street, was the objective point of the mysterious movement. Numbers stood round the railings, staring down. There was nothing unusual to be seen ; but there was a wild report, uncontradicted as far as was known, all over west London of an awful tragedy in the hollow by the fountain, only discovered by the police at daybreak that morning.