Serial Story

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 April 1927, Page 7

Serial Story

WHAT HARGREAVES KNEW.

CHAPTER XXIV. LIGHT OX SIR JOHN. Rumpus arrived, breathing heavily alter the exertion of walking up the stairs, and by reason of the mental upheaval which Jimmie’s summons had caused- him. ‘‘l want to have a word with you. Rumpus/* saiil the latter, inviting the old man to take « chair. "Yes, Sir James,” murmured Rumpus. ‘‘l trust that you have found everything satisfactory* sir, in the running of the house. I assure you, sir, 1 have done my best.” “I quite beleive you, Rumpus, and l have no complaint to make at all I have every confidence in you.” “Thank you for that compliment, Sir James, answered Rumpus. “You have said it before, and I was equally pleased. L think, sir, if. you will pardon mo, it was on the occasion when you likened my face to a steak —” “An English steak,” corrected Jimmie.

“True.” muttered Rumpus, gazing wanly at the ceiling, and wondering frantically what could be the meaning of Jimmie’s wishing to see him. He did not have to wait long to discover this, for Jimmie decided to play a bold game.

“Rumpus, a letter lias been received at Beggar's End from France. I have a special reason for wishing to know who got it.” A grey pallor overspread the butler’s face. Tilts was unexpected—dcvasting in its suddenness. He was about to make a reply when Jimmie continued:

“Of course the private cor respite nee of the servants here is not my affair, and I really have no right to demand an answer—at the same time. I don’t think yon will disoblige me.” For a few moments Bumpus sat silent. Then lie quietly mopped his brow. His first intention was to deny knowledge of such a letter as that to which referred, but he could see following in the train of such a lie a string of difficulties, whilst, if the truth c-ame out through some other channel, his reign at Beggar’s l End would be over “Well as a matter of fact, sir.” he said slowly.. “The letter was sent 10 me.”

“You have friends abroad, then!'” questioned Jimmie. “Yes, sir, I have a friend in a chateau on the outskirts of Paris —a \crv old friend —a butler, like myself.”

".Does he know Miss ptomaine ” asked Jimmie, little thinking of the exactitude of his question. Rumpus started. Sir James evidently knew something. Again.he decided to tell the truth.

“Well I rather think he does, sir leastways, the people he- works for knows her.” -

“Look here, Bumpus!" said Jimmie quickly, “you are telling me some very Important news. I want you to understand you will not sutler in any way from anything you tell me—on the contrary, if you are ot any assistante to me. I will see that you: are very suitably rewarded. New please tell me rnoie.”

“Wei!, you 'see, sir,” said the butler. “1 am not quite sure that 1 ought to' I’m afraid of Hargreaves—” “Damn Hargreaves!” exploded Jimmie.

'“That's what l think, sir," murmured Bumpus. “I’ve been damning liU eyes for years. He’s what you might call a- thorn in iny back, sir, and a big thorn, too.” Jimmie smiled at the mis-quotatiou. “Why, what's he been doing to you?” he asked.

•‘Well he's sort of prosecuted me for many years and made life very hard for me, sir. Of course, 1 have to put up with it for the good of Beggar's (On d. There have been times, sir, when I felt like throwing it up. ft isn’t us though he is a worthy man. Sir James.”

“Oh well, perhaps we’ll come back to that point.” said Jimmie. “New, about this French chateau—who lives in it?”

“A lady named Mrs Dubois a • cry nice lady, I understand, according to my friend and well, she happens to he Miss Remaine’s

hunt that it, Mr. Romailie’s sister.”

Jimmie's face expressed extreme surprise. “And your friend has written to you recently,” he interrogated quickly. “That's so, sir. and before you ask me toe next question, i will sav at once that lie told me Miss Romaine nas been over there.” “1 thought as much.” suid Jimmie. “YJis Romaiue’s aunt is manied to a Frenchman.” next observed Rumpus, and. a,: ter a pause, went on: •\| am afraid, sir. I’m getting into a rather deep st ory,and in danger of telling things I shouldn’t. You see there was a time when i?ir John used to confide in me quite a lot- —that was before Hargreaves wormed his way into i in ugs.“ Jimmie nodded. “And why do you suppose .Miss Romaine rushed oil to .’aris like that!'” “•Perhaps to see her aunt about tilings that have happened here.” “What could it have to do with the aunt?” -demandede Jimmie. Rumpus became uneasy and wiped his brow again,.whilst his face became -i shade pa-.er. “I can’t te.l you. sir. I daron t, " he said in a hoarse ciescendo. “Please don’t ask me!’ • But I'm going to ask you. Bumpus,” insisted Jimmie. “Is there any naiuiy in that cabinet ?” “I beleive so, sir.” answered the butler, a wavering brightness passing o.er bis countenance. Jimmie crossed the room and poured out a stiff glass'of spirits, which he handed to Bumpus, wiio drained it in one gulp, after which he / remained sunk in profound dubiety Suddenly lie blurted forth :

“Well perhaps I’d -better tell you. sir—lt’ll simplify matters. There was another sister of Mr Romaine’s who was Miss Billie's mother. She and Mrs Dubois used to be everything to each other.” “tome, come, Bumpus!” exclaimed .Jimmie with impatience. “How can a sister of Air Romaine’s. who is Miss Billie’s father, be her mother?” “That’s the’point,” whispered Bumpus, his voice almost trailing away in his agitation. “Mr Romaine wasn’t her father.” * “Then who the devil was?” demanded Jimmie. ’‘May I be forgiven for causing you any pain, Sir James,” stammered Bumpus. gripping the arms of liis chair. VHer father -was the late Sir John Fairfield.” At these words Jimmie sprang from his seat. “Bumpus, what are you saying?” lie cried. ‘Do you mean that?” “Every word, sir,” answered Bumpus miserably, rising with difficulty from his own chair. “Sir John married her mother when he was in- Russia and divorced her -shortly afterwards, without any itason, for she was as sweet a ivomun as ever lived.” Jimmie thought of Billie Romaine, ,arul believed Bumpus. “Go on, Bumpus.” lie said, with kindly encouragement. “That’s all 1 can tell you. sir. Sir John told me a little bit of it one night when he had had a good deal of port, and the lest i found out for myself, only please don’t ask me how, sir.”

“And who had the custody of the child—now Miss .Billie?” _ continued Jimmie. “Well, at the time Sir John didn’t know there was going to be-a child. She was born after the divorce, and so far as 1 can understand be was never told. Mr Romaine carried on something awful about it, and refused to let Sir John know that he had a daughter.” As he spoke. Bumpus made a. frantic clutch at the mantelpiece, but failed to steady himself. His bulky figure slipped to th- floor, and. after a choking, convu’sive movement, lay still. Jimmie rang for. Hargreaves and rushed to the door, where he' collided with the under-butler himself. “Send for thy doctor, quickly!” lie ordered, “and then come here.” A few minutes later they helped the old man to a couch. “He’s had a seizure.” said Jimmie, “but I don’t think he’s dead. In fact I’m sure not. poor old fellow.” Presently Hargreaves leant over the head-butler’s form and placed his hand over his heart. “Very weak, sir,” he whispered, and as b:„ did so Jimmie fancied he saw a clearn of satisfaction in the ITargroaviah eye. (To by continued).