A HONEYMOON DELAYED.

Evening Star, Issue 14784, 27 January 1912, Page 3

A HONEYMOON DELAYED.

A HUSBAND ON TRUST. —i [All Rights Reserved.] By A. Gordon Thomson, Author of *Bv Ri?ht of Birth," 'John Wybert's Daughter,' 'Tho Heiress of Castlemore.' 'The Vengeance of Love,' 'The Flaming Dagger,' etc., etc. CHAPTER XXI. A SUSPECTED I'KRSON\ He had not put the letter in any of the drawers, but laid it on the raised floor or open shelf of the safe, which was now smpty. So certain was Raymond that he had "placed the. envelope containing the draft in the space mentioned that some minutes elapsed before his eyes convinced him it was gone. In his eagerness he had dropped on his knees tho better to examine the interior of the safe, but his search was in vain ; the envelope containing the draft had disappeared. Every drawer was opened and its contents examined, without result.

Stunned by the extraordinary occurrence. Raymond rose to his feet, to bo confronted' by the stern, set face of Lord Adderlev.

For a" few minutes Lord Adderlev and his secretary stared at each other in blank amazement. '•Are you certain that you placed the envelope "containing the draft in the safe?" asked His Lordship. "I am," answered Raymond: "so certain that I cannot realise its not being there now." Again he bent down and peered into the safe, all the drawers of which were open and their contents strewn on the floor. Dropping on his knee*, Raymond carefully examined tho papers one hv one. but in vain—the draft was gone. It conld not have vanished without tho aid of human linnd*. and this fact was graduaLly borne in on the minds of the two men as they stared at each other with pallid features. Lord Adderlev again asked : " You have no doubt but that Lutrell placed the draft in tho envelope which he gave you." " None," answered the secretary ; " I saw him." His Lordship took a quick turn across the room. He had in tho eourso of his career faced many difficult situations, but never ono that puzzled him more than this did. Rapidly he ran over the facts while pacing the room. The safe was a new one—-had only been in its place for about three months. Raymond and himself were the only individuals who possessed keys. "Mt key has never beeu out of my possession for one moment." lie said. fc Nor h;is mine." replied Raymond. Ix>rd Adderlev had trusted his secretary implicitly, and even yet did not doubt him. "Replace the papers, shut and lock the safe. This must be kept a secret for the present. I will telephone to Scotland Yard and ask them to send me one of their most trusted men." Raymond heard His Lordship's words, but they sounded to him as if a lowg distance separated tho two men. Mechanically he stooped down and began ti> replace the papers. There being a telephone in the room. Lord Adderlev rang up Scotland Yard, and was answered by an assurance thai, his request woidd be immediately complied with. He was turning away from the telephone, when his eyes lighted on the figure of a woman in the enclosure of> one of the deep bay windows which looked to the back of the house, and partly concealed Hy the curtain. Ho crossed toward the window, when Mrs Benson came forward into view. "I am so sorry," she said. "T thought the room was empty, and being in the tennis court I ascended the steps to the terrace, and entered by the window for a hook I wanted." "Did you overbeaT any part of my conversation with my secretary?" asked Lord Adderlev, sharply. "I cannot say I have not," sho replied, hesitatingly. "But. my lord, I do hope as no harm will befall Mr Raymond. W»; ere all so fond of him. He can't have done anything wrong," she simpered, with ber handkerchief to her eye?. " Woman, this is no affair of yours," said Lord Adderlev, sternly. "If you desire to retain my good-will, be silt-nt as to what you have heard or sesn in the library." Still pressing her handkerchief to her eyes, Mrs Benson left the roonu _ "On the arrival of the detective Lord Adderlev was closeted with him for some time, fsen Raymond was summoned into their presence. He told his story very simply and briefly, trivn the servants were examined. One footman staged that while the family were at dinner he had admitted Raymond, but did not observe him depart, >lrs Benson stated that, not having dined with the family that evening, she saw Mr Raymond. enter the library, tvhevo ho st.iyml u. few minutcs a.nd then quitted the hous". She spoke with evident reluctance, and conveyed an impression to those concerned that she was concealing snmethin.ee which, if told, would be very much against the secretary. Tho result of the detective's inquiries was that Raymond felt that he was being placed in the position of a suspected person. Whatever his thoughts were, the young mail kept them to himself, and without a word to anyone left Berkeley square. Meanwhile, Lord Adderlev remained in consultation with the detective. " You have come to the conclusion that the theft has been the work of no burglar, Mr Morell?" " Yes," returned the detective. " You appear to have much confidence hi this Mr Raymond." " Perfect confidence," answered Hitf Lordship. A pause, and the detective again asked : "Your secretary has always carried the duplicate key?" "Yes," returned His Lordship. "Frequently Government papers are kept in that safe, but very seldom money." And in answer to a" further question added : " The members of my household are above suspicion." " Pardon me, my lord," said Morell. "You liave trusted' this young man, yet seem to know very little regarding him." "He was my sou's college friend," anjwered His Lordship, in a tone which implied further lecommenJalion was unnecessary. " Have you seen this Moxon and Company, who issued the draft?" "No," came in reply, " but f have spoken to them over the telephone ; they can do nothing. To oblige me the draft was made payable at sight, and might have been cashed by anyone." " I fear I must leave you," concluded His Lordship. " I have an important appointment at Whitehall which must be kept." Left alone, Morell made a close examination of the safe and library, then left ihe house and made his way to Porrt street, with the intention of visiting Raymond's rooms. Arriving there, he hesitated as to his mode of action, for he did not desire to excite the suspicion of the secretary or bis landlady. Fortune, however, furnished a way cut of the difficulty, for juat as he approached the bouse "Munu emerged, and descended the steps to the pavement. He was better dressed than usual, and Morell promptly summed him up as likely to be the landlord of the house. Therefore, instead of entering. he walked on for a little- distance, th... turned back in time to see .Munn enter the Horse and Groom. A few minutes later the detective followed, and with ready tact k-d him into conversation. Under the influence of a generous drink Munn opened, and answered Morell's questions with avidity. He related the story of Raymond's gecret marriage, his sudden accession to wealth, and told him the name and residence of the lady whom he hail married, embellishing the narrative with every suspicious incident he could throw in.

His statements opened up to Morcll a new chapter in the life of Raymond, and, leaving Munn to continue his libations, he drove at once to the office of Moxon and Co., where, without delay, he was shown into the presence of Hemming. The latter received Morell very civilly, and in answer to his questions confirmed Mimu's statement as to Raymond's marriage. He also gave a very highly-colored picture of the secretary's life and actions, plainly hinting that the young man led a double life.

Morell was a man of experience, who had dealt with criminals amongst all classes of men and women, consequently wo* quick to notice the vindictive- current that underlay Hemming'* wor<k=. " Indeed, I tun not exactly eirrpriecd at what h;:e happened, knowing the man »n I do: Ixird Adderlev trusted him blindly," said Hemming. To this Morel] made no reply, but a&ked : "Can I see Mr Lutrell, who, I gather from Lord Adderlev, is head of tho butdmvs?" " No," returned Hemming promptly. "That is impossible: ho is an invalid, and rarely sees anyone." "Did 'Mr Raymond in his private capacity have any money dealings with you?" asked the detective further. '' No," replied the other haughtily. " Our clients are not drawn from men of his cla*e. He banks at Parr's Bank at Oxford street. Through them you maybe able to discover something regarding hie recent money transactions." A few more questions, and the detective took hie departure. Quitting the premises of Moxon and Co., he drove to Pan's Bank, and from there to the Houses of Parliament. Lord Adderlev received Morell in a private room, and anxiously questioned him regarding the result of his inquiries. In reply the detective told the story of Raymond"g life as. ho had heard it from Munn and Hemming. The secret marriage of his secretary came as an extraordinary surprise to Lord Adderley; while other incidents with which Hemming had embellished the narrative showed the life of Raymond in anything but a favorable light. When lie concluded Lord Adderlev remained silent for a minute or two, ae if weighing up the facts. "To have paid the cheque into his own bank account is proof positive of hi» guilt," he said at length: "It is ono of the greatest shocks 1 have ever received ; I can scarcely believe even yet that Alaai Raymond is guilty of a crime. Why did lie pay it into Ids own ba.nk?" " He probably calculated upon drawing the money to-day and leaving tho country." «vid Morell. " But he has not done so," returned his lordship, with somo eagerness. " He may have by now," continued Morell. "Since I left Parr's Bank there has been ample tune for him to withdraw the money." " I einverely hope he has fled. Let him liave the money ; I would rather that than a scandal of this nature," said Ids lordship. •" I fear, my lord, you are not tho only party to the transaction." "'that is true. I had forgotten Moxon and C 0.." was the answer. "The law must take its course." The two men continued to discuss the matter in all its bearings. Lord Adderlev showing a consideration for his secretary that appeared to surprise Morell. The secret marriage had done much to shake his confidence, and other incidents, trivial in themsdves, wnich related by Hemming and Munn lost nothing in their recital. A woman's tongue is a dangerous weapon. Mrs Benson's words and demeanor that morning had influenced Morell's thoughts to such an extent that he, at least, was convinced that Raymond was the criminal. CHAPTER XXII. lady mary's party. When the "Hon. Bertie" left ront street in the early morning after his interview with Raymond he made his way to a set of chambers he occupied, where he made a search through his papers for a note which he hud some time previously received from Sabina. It was a mere formal note of invitation most carefully written. This he compared with the letter obtained from Raymond. The one a hurried scrawl, the other almost like copperplate hi it" neatness, did not enlighten him much; it would have required an expert in handwriting to decide between them, and even lie might have doubted their being written by the same hand. For the next few days his political duties would necessitate his being in Porchester, and during the forenoon he travelled to that town. His first function was to open a flower show, and the ceremonies connected with that duty having beer, discharged lie was left free for a time. Shaking hands with several would-be notables, he mixed in the crowd viewing the display. Having paid his tribute to tho beauty of the Mowers, Bertie was making his way from the hall, when he suddenly came face to face with. Sabina, accompanied by a lady whotn he did not recognise. Sabina colored at. his approach, and welcomed him with, cold dignity. "I had no idea, :Miss D.irtmore. that I would have the pleasure of meeting- you here," he said, disregarding her ve pel lent ivn.nner. "The show is lovely," she answered, passing over his temark. " I hope tint in my speech I did justice to the display," he said, smiling. "I have oily just entered the hall," she replied, stiffly. " May I have the pleasure of guiding you through the crowds?" in- asked. "It :.» unnecessary," sl:s returned, frankly. Her matter-of fact tone baflled him, and the reluctance, she showed to his company was far from flattering. '"Am I to be favored with your presence at my meeting to-night':" hj ■ asked. "Politics do not interest me," she replied. A few more commonplace remarks, and Sabiiu, with a stately inclination of her head, walked on, leaving the "Hon. Ber- j tie" in a frame of mind such as a man! feels when h■> is made to look small. Her coolness exasperated him. hut most per- j plexing of all was her not presenting him ! to the lady who was her companion. I The morning after his great meeting in ! the town hall Bertie was liuishing an early ! breakfast, preparatory to hia departure ' for London, when a toler.ra.-n was handed I to him. which he opened and read : ; "Come to 80-keley square without de-I lay. Lose rso time.—Sanih Wald-m " j i While these events were taking place, I Hemming had been following up his pur- ■ pose with vindictive eagerness, and one important step was ;f visit to Sutton ! Royal. Lutrell received him in the buff room > with but scant courtesy. A few business i matter.'; settled, then Hemming informed ' him that Lord Adderlev's secretary had . aopropriated the diaft for £3.300*. He ■ did not trouble as to whether Raymond was guilty or not, but boldly gave it as a fact.' Lutrell heard his statement without moving, but when Hemming ceased he ran his eye, which seemed to beam with Ted ! fire, over the'speaker. "Has ho confessed to the theft '''' he asked. Hemming was well acenfrtomed to the rearching looks of Lutrell. yet he cowered before the awful expression ou tho dis- ! torted face as ho answered : "' N *°" . "Who is responsible for the statement?" asked Lutrell, further. " Lord Adderlev 'phoned me, ' rep'ied Hemming quickly. "Later a detective from Scotland Yard called, to whom I related what I knew regarding this Alan Raymond " "To whom you bear no good-will," p n t tr. Lutrell, drily. "The man with unclean hands is alway- the llvst to throw stones at his fellows."

For a second or two Hemming was silent, then said : "This man Raymond has been leading a double life, and if-the facts had been known to Lord Adder'ey he would ttot have employed him as his secretary." No reply came from Lutrell, and Hemming continued.:.

"Tin's fellow ie the son of a polluted past. Hie father was a man of mystery, whose relatives persuaded the law to presunio his death, though ho is believed to be still alive."'

Lutrcll laughed grimly. "Men and women in tho bulk are easily gulled," he said.

•' I have jus-t. discovered that in October last he was married, but etill passes as a bachelor."

'* He is not the first to deceive in that way," said Lutrcll, reeallinj the words of Raymond regarding his marriage. " I suppose he has made a tool of himself over a ballet girl. It's generally something of the sort." " The lady he. married is Sabina Dartmore," was the quick reply. Hemming had decided on his course of action, and now waited to see the effect of hi* words.

Lutrell sprang to his feet, and, leaning across the table between them, htseyo blazing with the tire o£ maniacal fury. ".Scoundrel!" he gasped; "you knew this, and deceived me."

" 1 love her, and have been deceived myself," was tho hoarse reply. But tho anger of Lutrell burst forth, and he hurled fierce epithets at the head of this tool of his, who had overreached him. but Hemming stood still and rigid until the spasm of fury passed. After ;i little Lutrelf spoke again, his breath coming ia quick gasjis, showing the excitement under which he was laboring.

" You have done your best or your worst to deceive me," he said, "but in doing so have placed the trump card in my hands. Your reward for aiding me was to be the business of Moxon and Co. Well, my success is jet-lain, and to-morrow you shall learn by letter whether you have earned the promised reward or nut." This was tantamount to a dismissal, but Hemming had something further to say, and he said it: "I think, Mr Lutrell, it is my duty to inform you that many people believe you are the'dead Edward" Raymond, and that this young man is your son." But the feelings" of Lutrell were now under control, and with a chuckling laugh he answered in his dry, rasping voice: " Let them believe; yes, let them believe. There is nothing in tiie world too silly for belief." Hemming would hare replied, but there was something in the look of Lutrell that forced him to silence. At the same instant a footman touched his arm. It was the signal to depart, and ho was compelled to leave the house. As he drove back to London the chuckling laugh of Lutrcll kept sounding in his ears. Hemming felt lie was being beaten —that the ground was slipping from under his feet. But his evil thoughts were active, and to save himself from ruin one desperate chance presented itself to his mind, which he resolved to seize. On being left alone Lutrcll collapsed in his chair and sat still as ono dead. After a while he revived, and, quitting the room with somewhat unsteady steps, ascended the stairs to the floor above With the same unsteady movement- he proceeded along a corridor to the far end, and entered a room ou the left. It was a small apartment, possessing none of the characteristics which marked other rooms in the house. From appearance it was evidently used as a laboratory ; crossing the floor to a, cupboard, ho hastily unlocked the door, and. taking out a phial containing a yellowish colored liquid, poured a portion into a wine glass, and quickly swallowed it. A few minutes passed, and he seemed to gain new life. His hands steadied, his figure straightened, while his step, as he crossed the" floor, was tirm and light. Ho did not quit the room by the same- door as he had entered, but passed through one which led into another apartment. It was in darkness, but he pressed the electric button, and the place was immediately fillcd with a blight light. Tile scene disclosed was a charming boudoir, furnished in pale blue and gold, with gilt furniture and mirrors of quaint and curious designs. Lutrell glanced round with a keen, scrulini.-ing look, but all seemed to satisfy him. Th-j" boudoir communicated with another apartment which he now entered. This proved to be the black room into which' Raymond was ushered on the occasion of his first visit to Sutton Royal. Under the influence of the electric light it appeared niore weird than ever, the silver figures on the black panelling standing out in strong contrast, as if they had been freshly touched up, while the portrait of tiie lady and gentleman on the wall steed out conspicuously. There was one change in the of the room since Raymond's visit, and it was a singular innovation.

Near tho centre of the room stood a round table draped iri white. On the table were two china basins of rare workmanship, on:; pure white, the other of a blood-red hue. Lutrell examined the table closely, changed the position of the basins, then murmured : " The time is near." A few minutes later he left the room and retired to his chamber. The same evening Lady Mary Briggs held a reception at her house in Park lane, and, attended by the portly Mr Briggs, Tcee'ived her guests at the top oi tho marble staircase. Her ladyship wore a. beautiful djess of pale yellow; mad;.- in a. modified directoire. style, which caused many of her guests to shake their heads in disapproval. After a time, she returned to a small withdrawing room kept sacred to her special friends. Hero a group had gathered round her, amongst whom were Sabimi and Lady Brinton. •• [ am quite anxious to see the inside of Sutton Roval," said Lady Mary. "I am told it is quite a wonderful place," remarked Lady Brinton. " Lady Sarah Waldeti is to receive his guests." " Ye.s ; a man in such a ca.;o is helpless without' a woman's aid," replied Mary. " What shall you wear, SabLua, dear?" "I have not yet decided," answervd that young lady ; a'nd the three proceeded to discuss appropriate d res-set. for the party. Prom the foregoing it will be gathered that. Mr Lutrell had issued invitation* tor a partv at Sutton Royal, and the ladies were still discussing tho iuiportajit question of dress when Raymond entered. Mary ctuded him on beirig iatc, but he answered absently, for ltis eyes were ii.v.c-1 on Sabina. Once again he was struck with the subtle changes which he oU-erved in her iooks and actions. Tonight slk- wa.s the vain society woman, not the Decima whose eyes had siienced him under the accusations of !lemming. Meanwhile Lady Brinton had joined a group gathered round n very tall man with iron-grey hair. "Mr Kskeil. the philanthropic!.," said Ladv Mary, with a motion of her hand to.vard the man referred to. " Have you met hiiu? He is tremendously good." "No," returned Raymond; "hut I suppose his presence here adds an air of sanctity to the. rooms. Serves as a £ort of seasoning." Sabiiui was surprised by the flippancy of the word*;, and observed liis reckka-'-s, devil-may-care manner. So alto did Lady Mary, who replied : " His presence may enable fome persons to realise what society in another world may be like." " Is he married?" asked Sabina. " Ho looke as if ha had never been young enough to fall in love," said Raymond bitterly: "and it's a good tiling for him." " Lovo is old enough to include age," remarked Lady Mary. "Yes," aeeent-xl Sabina; "there is. nothing in this Life &o antique as Cupid." " Nor to reliucd in its cruolty !" put in Uaymoud, with a keen look at Sabina. "He looks very happy," said Lady Mary absently. " VVith eo many women worshipping him, how can he be otherwise?" replied Sabina.

" Persons whose happiness depon-dt; on those who' bow down i<> them axo to ba pitied," said Raymond bitterly. •• It is nice to be admired," returned Sabina, with a quick glaaico at Raymond. To an onlooker it w;u> apparent thatRaymond desired to say (something to Sabina, who pTobably knew or guessed itfc import, and wished to prevent liim havitig the opportunity.

Her wit and ready repartee enabled her to throw at Raymond pungent remarks on the readiest subjects; thus compelling him to reply, and preventing an outburst which Ilia eyes had warned her to expect. i.<ady Mu.i-y. who did not .quito understand the position of matters, listened to their words with interest.

A few minutes later the room door opened and Mr Hove entered. He apologised to Lady .Mary for hu; intrusion, giving as his reason the necessity of Iris seeing Mies Dartmore. that evening. Sabina had changed color at his entrance, and continued to regard him, with doubt, if not fcir. Raymond was surprised, and with burning eyes watched the lawyer lead her a little apart, and pour hurried, cagc>r words into her cars.

Jiii-t then a footman came up to his eido and something in a low tone. Not exactly catching the import of tho eervant's words, but assuming that the message came from Lord Adoerley, Raymond hastened out to tho landing. Here ho wa* brought face to face with the elim figure of Morell, tho detective, and tho equivocal position ho was in cam© homo to him with telling force. His eyes also took in tho figure of Hemming, standing half screened from view by a tall palm. He wm conversing with Mrs Benson, who had accompanied Lady Sarah to the reception.

" My duty, Mr Raymond," said Morell in a low tone, "is an mipk-aeant one," (To bo continued.)