OUR SERIAL STORY HER DEAREST WISH.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 126, 13 May 1911, Page 9

OUR SERIAL STORY HER DEAREST WISH.

(Continued.) I "No, my lord,” assented Wilkins. I "I heard the gentleman coughing all j night. It was something drefful.” | "Take care of him if he comes back,” said Gaunt. "He ought to be in bed and under a doctor’s care.” Gaunt ate his breakfast, and he was lighting a cigarette when Wilkins announced two gentlemen. They were Mr Belford and Mr Burns, the detective in charge of the case. Air Belford was very pale, and evidently struggling with his agitation. "This is Air Burns, the detective, Lord Gaunt,” he said. Gaunt nodded, and Air Burns looked at him keenly. "Sorry to disturb you, my lord,” he said. “Not at all,” rejMiiued Gaunt. ; “I’m afraid I’ve -given you a great' deal of trouble, Air Burns; quite un- ! wittingly. Will you take a cup of coffee? No? A cigarette?” He handed his cigarette case. ; Air Burns was rather staggered, j Ho had had a large experience of - criminals, small and great, but he had < never met with one quite so cool as j this. i

“I’m afraid I have an unpleasant duty to perform, my lord,” he said. “Most duties are unpleasant, Air Burns,” returned Gaunt. “You have come to arrest me, I suppose?” “I’m afraid so, my lord,” said the detective. “I need not warn your lordship that 1 shall be obliged to use anything you may say against you.” “Quite so,” assented Gaunt. “Wilkins, may 1 trouble you to get me my hat and coat?”

“1 wish to remark,” said Air Belford. with an agitation, in strong con-| t rast to laird Gaunt’s coolness, “that i Lord Gaunt has come back to England ■ of his own free will, and with some difficulty to. meet this charge.” I “1 quite understand that,” an-, sweretl Air Burns. “I’ve got a i brougham outside. We shall drive! straight to Holloway.” "I have wired to Air Bright and to Mr Robert Deane,” >aid Air Belford;; "and I have seen Sir James this morning. Everything is being done tiiat can be done.” ' "1 am quite sure of that,” declared Gaunt, pleasantly. It was a long drive to Holloway, , but they reached it at last, and the ; governor of the prison received his; famous charge courteously. As Gaunt was only a "suspect,” and had not; yet been even examined, the governor was able to allot him fairly comfort- ; able quarters, and Gaunt found himself in a large and decently furnished '• room. i "This is quite luxurious,” he said. The governor smiled apologetically,: and Air Belford looked round with a sigh. Presently he was left alone with Gaunt. ' "Is there anything you can tell me anything that will help us, Lord ' Gaunt?” he asked. Gaunt seated himself on the bed. . and ‘l’ru rn'-d his shoulders. "I'm ivr -’.d i>i . 'Jr Belford," lie ( re.uie i. | ' i e ro ■ ■■(» over it ail

■. i n1i.,.,.,.7 .i.c ill,? evidence | against, me. 1 c..u.i it deny that I was I at Prince's Mansions the night of the ~ the murder; that the poor woman, my wife, came in while I was there; that 1 had a scene with her, a scene which is engraved on my memory, am! 1 fear will never leave it, and that I leiT her storming at me. It was my coat that was found covering her: it was my dagger with which she w.ss stabbed. .Against these facts my bare assertion that 1 did not kill her will weigh lint very little, I’m afraid.’’ Mr Beltord went to the window, heavily barred, and stared out into the prison court-yard. '1 he ease looked very black. lie remained with Gaunt for half an hour talking over the thing, until Gaunt was weary and sick at heart; then he went, and Gaunt was left alone. .He was almost glad of th;quietude. He was free to think of Decinia. Certain privileges, which to a free man would .seem of little worth, but , which to a prisoner are valued <-x--{ceedmgly, were permitted him. His I meals were sent in by the nearest ■ hotel ; there was a goodly supply of I newspapers and magazines. But Gaunt could not read, and could not do justice to the dishes which the hotel cook had so considerately suitplied. Jhe short winter day w r as drawing to a close, when there came a knock at the door, and the governor entered. ■‘There are some visitors for you. Lord Gaunt,” he said. Gaunt rose from the bed on which he was lying. Oh .very well,” lie answered. He thought it might be Air Belford or Mr Lang, but the governor ushered in Mr Bright and Bobby. For the first time, Gaunt’s" self- j possession forsook him, and he could j not speak as Bobby rushed forward ■ and took his hand; but he recovered ! his usual sang-froid in a moment or ■ two. ; "Ulis is good of you. Bobby!” hoi said. "Ve got a w ire this morning,’- . gasped Bobby, ••and Bright and E came up.” (’aunt shook hands with Bright. I in rated to be a trouble to vou. Bright," he sai<l. Bright could mu find his voice for • a moment, then he panted: “Iha.-ik God yen are alive! Oh. . what is to be done, my lord?" : Gaunt shrugged Lis * shoulders. : ~ ’-‘^ OT .. , v< ‘ r - v I’m afraid. ; Bright, - he said. Then lie turned to j Bobby quickly. “Is your sister—Miss! Deane, quite well?” ( (To be Continued.)