CHAPTER XXXIV.

Lake County Press, Issue 1067, 4 June 1903, Page 2

CHAPTER XXXIV.

THE RETURN OF LEVI CRANE. One evening in mid-April, Geoffrey Jjlanciforcl chanced to be detained at Die Swan Meadow Mills half-an-hour or ho later than usual. The taking of his two sons into partnership with him. which the father had suggested to the elder orx* that evening, had been effected as easily as it had been generously proposed; and a fortnight later all persons whom it concerned were irado aware of the fact that the cotton factories formerly cariied on by John Blandford alone were now the joint undertaking of that gentleman and his sons. home official work in connection with the transference of interests had kept Geoffrey chained to the office ledgers till a few minutes past six o'clock.and when he put on his hat and dust-coat to walk home, he found the factory-yard quite deserted. Mill-managers, overlookers, operatives, women and mill-girls had all hurried homewards to tea, and the great buildings and walled-in spaces were barren of the hundreds who populated them during working horns. Even the mill gates were closed ani barred, and passing out through the lodge house, where the night watchman was usually seated, Geoffrey saw a man sitting therein, but did not notice that it was a stranger. Being in a pleasant humour he Hang out cheerily, " Good evening, Dick. The night promises to be a tine one for you," and that said, he swune on towards the door leading to the lane. " Good eveniu'. Mr. Blandford," came back instantly in response to the new partner, and the sound of the voice drew Geoffrey up suddenly, a swift look of surprise showing on his face. The tones he had heaid were not the familiar ones of old Dick Benson, and yet he could have sworn he had heard that thin, highpitched tongue before. Turning abruptly he went back and thrust his head through the sliding window, and then his amaze was so vast that a startled " Ah, you ?" fell from his mouth. There, sitting before the raked tire was the man, Levi Crane, a halfamile on his sharp features, and the black, velvety dab of ffesh standing cut more sinis'er than ever. "Yes; it's me, Mr. Geoffrey," Crane answered slowly, as he turned and rose from the old chair. " But didn't you know that 1 sot old Benson's place as watchman ? Mr. Blandford promised me the shop a week or more since." " J knew Benson was giving up the jot, and 1 do remember now that my father said he was thinking of putting some old friend of his in the place. But I think I must have seen you belore, mv man, scmewhere '(" " Yes, sir," was the humble answer. " I spoke to you once about your kind fat heron the steps of the hotel." " And so vou are an old friend of his?" " ■ , , " In :i vi rv humble way, sir; that 8 all. lie usrd to know me a good while back, .'in' when 1 was askin' lor him that day I 1 bought he'd lindane somcthin' to do, an' vou see he did." " And what may your name be i Geoffrey asked as if he were unaware of it. " Crane, sir-Levi Crane. " Well, look aftei your work and all its various duties and we'll see you catch no harm there. You have been told everything, I suppose '(" "Oh yes' Mr. Matthew Barton, the L'eiiPial' manager, showed me sir, an' explained about watchin' the othoes,

the yard, the miHn, and boilers. I'll take core an' do everythin' you want me." "If you do that we shall get along very nicely, Crane," was the young man's smooth reply. " Well, goodevening. Bui it is quite likely 1 may ha\e a chance of seeing you again U>night, I may get back about nine, and if you ate in the lodge-housothen I shall be obliged." " Thank you, Bir: gcod evenin'." Geoffrey went away with his mind failed with thoughts of Levi Cinne. At home during dinner, and after that when father and sons were having :-i quiet chat and smoke, the eider son wondered long and closely why the new watchman had been brought back to Spindleford and found a situation there. Knowing what he did of his father's plans, and the pail Levi Crane had been playing in their realisation, it was impossible for Geoliioy not to desire to learn more. What had har.nened since Crane had forwarded that important com munication to his parent, which he had secretly tpened and read ? Had both repentant sinner, and the willing too) he had employed, become assured that the young woman, Ethel Carrington, was really the offspring of the man John Blandford had ruined so long before ? It must be so, or how. otherwise, was one to explain Crane's presence in his new vocation Y The task of the private spy must be ended, and in oriertokeep his creature near him, till the great restitution was made, the mill-master had shoved Crane into old Benson's place. The longer Geoffrey dwelt on the matter the more the foregoing probabilities seemed certain. But beiore he took any decisive step lie felt that he must possess himself of absolute knowledge. Were assumption was too dangerous to act upon, lie must know all that had been done—all that was to be clone also; and then when he knew that Ethel Carrington was positively certain of inheriting that twenty thousand pounds, he would marry her —and not before. But how was he to learn the truth ? Unly from one or another of two men his father and Levi Crane. It was evident that she was not to know till the last. And how was he to get to know from his parent without exposing his own hand Y With Crane it was different. He was quite clearly a very poor man still or he would not be willing to accept tuch a situation as that he was filling. He must know, t "o, all tlvat past story of sin, crime, trasedy even, of which his sire had but spoken in general terms. Yes, he would go to Levi Crane. He must make it well worth his while to speak. And when he had hinted that he might find it necessary to revisit the offices at nine o'clock, some thought of taking sucti a step had already darted through his scheming biain. Luckily he had plenty of funds, and could afford to pay the new watchman generously for all his information. So thinking, Geoffrey Blandford left Parkhurst shortly after half-past eight, intimating in his usual off-hand way that he had business in town ; and shortly before nine he was near the entrance to the gate-house, wherein he saw a dim light was burning. Now that he had come so far the young man felt none too sure of himself or his mission. Ho read Grane as one crafty soul can read another, and he felt that the older trickster might prove more than a match for him. Levi might take his- bribe yet give him away hand and foot to his father. There was something ominous and sinister in his face, and he felt now that he had made a false move that day when he had repulsed Grane bo brutally on the steps of the hotel. And another thought had now arisen in Geoffrey's mind. What if this spy of his father's had succeeded in unearthing his own—Geoffrey's—black record, while peeking to unearth the girl:-' Such a discovery might easily have been stumbled upon. Nay, did it not teem well-nigh certain that iu hunting-up evidence concerning Ethel Carrington and her past. Levi Crane would find out the connection which existed between himself and tin; supposed widow, Mrs. Jeffries? Such a contingency made him shudder with apprehension, and as he knocked for admission he lesolvcd not to prosecute his inquiries till he had made friends with Crane. When the new watchman flung open tl e stout door the millowner's son entered, crying with forced geniality. " f can't, stop, Ciane. but I thought I'd just look in at you for a minute. Hut suppose we go into the offices for a few moraciiLe 'i i shall want you to just glance through them each night, and I may as well show you through them now. .Bring the key oil the- nvul there." The watchman followt;d with the key. and passing into the yard they entered the offices. Here the gas was lighted, and Geoßrey made much show and to-do respecting what the other was to note each night. All the while Gextffrey was talking in that tone of strained good humour, and Crane listened respectiully enough. At last the master's son cried : " Here, my man, take this key of mine and open that cupboard. Now bring out that whiskey and soda, and wVll drink to your long continuance* here as watchman. 1 was rather sharp with you emce, but you will pardon that, I know. Here's your health " " Good luck, an' thank you kindly, sir 1" They drained their glasses ; the young man filled them again.and those emptied he went away.thinking he had found out a way to Levi Crane's good graces. (To be Continued.)