THE THIRD VOLUME

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10651, 11 May 1895, Page 2

THE THIRD VOLUME

[BY FERGUS HUME.]

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. Cjiapies I. to lll.—Sponsor Tait, o. man of prim propriety, is waited upon by a friend, Clcudo Loroher, who has just returned from the Antipodes, and la Iris opnosito in everything, fiery, fesiiess, and full cf spirit. They have not met each otiiev for years. Lurcher arranges to go to his club for hia letters. He there receives two, one from a Margaret Bezel, asking him to call upon her on a subject regarding his parents, and • iho other from Mr F. Hiiliston, his lawyer, warning him against the woman, and for an interview, “in the interview which follows Mr Hiiliston 'tolls him that liia father was murdered many years ago, and his mother, wno was secured .of the crime, .was , acquitted. Ha giver, him a number of papers to read on the bubjcct. Chapters IV to VI. Clsdae reading the papers entrusted' to him, learns that bin father was murdered by someone after a masquerade bail, having apparently been stabbed by a small dagger which Mrs Lurcher had worn in the character of Alary Queen of Scots. She had been accompanied by an old lover, named Jeringham, ,'ind against whom her husband had reneatodly warmed her. Mrs Lurcher was accused of the crime but acquitted, and nothing more was known of tho case, .Teringham having disappeared. Mrs Lareber denied all knowledge of the crime, saying that when she returned from tho ball she discovered that her servant, Mona Bantry was about to become a mother and suspected her husband of Having rend the papers Ciaudo consults his friend Te.it, and finds that there is a recent fashionable novel, entitled t! The Whim of Fate,” which recounts the a tow of Claude’s father and mother, Tho two prepare to track .the murderer and clear Mrs larcher’s name. Chapters VII. to IX.—Claude Larcher and Spenser Tait wait upon Hiiliston, and the latter tries to dissuaae Claude from seeing Mrs Bezel. Claude resolves, however, to do so. After they have left Hiiliston seeks an interview with the woman. She is old and diseased, and lives in a cottage settled upon her by Hiiliston. There has been some mysterious connection between them in former years, anti Mrs Bezel, to avenge herself upon him for marrying well her | determination to tell all to Claude. Hiiliston j threatens to put her in a lunatic asylum, saying ' that the truth will ruin him. I Chapters Xto Xll.—Claude has the inter;'view with Mrs Bezel, and discovers that she is ! his mother, whom it was stated had died years before. She tells her story of the murder, ' declares her 'innocence of any intrigue with i loringham, or with connivance in her husband a i death. Ho wonders ss to the identity of John I Barver, the writer of the book “The IVhim of ! Fate.”

Chapter Sill. ON THE TRACK. lb wna nearly six o’clock when Claud9 returned to Earls Street, and Tait, already dressed for the evening, > was waiting his arrival with considerable impatience., Kis usual imperturbability bad given place to a self-satisfied a;r,. as though he bad succeeded in accomplishing a difficult task. He uttered a joyful exclamation when ha oaw Claude enter, but a look of approbation passed over bis face when ho, noted the altered appearance of his friend. “What is wrong?” ho asked, os Claude threw himself into a chair with a sigh of fatigue. “Do you bring bad news? My dear fellow, you are completely worn out. Here, Dormer, a glace of sherry for Mr Larcher.” The servant who was patting the finishing touches to the dinner-table speedily obeyed this order, and Taifcmo.de hia friend drink the wine without delay. Than he proceeded to question him regarding the i reason of his pallor, but with his usual caution first cent Dormer out of tho room. Oaly when they wore alone did he venture to speak on the subject about which both were thinking. “ Well! ” be demanded anxiously, '‘you ebw Mrs Bezel ? ” “Yes! I wsa with her for two hours.” “ Ah! ” said Taifc, with great satisfaction, “ she must have told you a good deal iu that time.”

“She did. She told me more than I expected.” “ Did it concern your parents ? ” “ It did.” “ Good! Than you no doubt heard her version of the crime.” “Yea!” These unsatisfactory replies, which dropped so strangely from Larcher’s lips, at once puzzled and irritated the questioner. “ You don’t seem' anxious to confide in me,” ho said, in a piqued tone. “ I will tell you all. I am anxious to tell you ail,” replied Larcher, finding bio tongue, "but I do not know how to begin.” “Oh, I shall save you.that trouble by asking you questions. In the first place, who is Mrs Bezel ?” “ My mother.” Taiu bounded from his chair with an expression of incredulity. This unexpected information, so abruptly conveyed, was too much for his self-control. “ Your mother P ha stammered, hsrdiy thinking ho had heard aright. “Are you in earnest. I cannot believe it. According to the notice in the newspapers, according to Hilliston, your mother died in London in 1867.” “She did not die. Her death was a feiguod one, to escape the notoriety gained by her trial at Canterbury.” “ Did Mr Hilliston know she was alive ?”

“ Yes; It was by hia advice tbafc she changed her name."” "Oh! Oh!” said Tait, with marked significance. “Hillistoa knew, Hilliston advised. Humph! John Parver may bo right after all.” "Tait, be silent. You are speaking of my mother.” " I beg your pardon, my dear fellow, but I really do not understand.” "You will shortly. X will tell you the story of my mother’s troubles, and Hilliston's kindness.” " Eilliotoa’a kindness,” repeated Tait, in a sceptical tons. Nevertheless he resumed his seat, and signified his willingness to hear the narrative.

The wine had done Claude good, and restored his self-possession; so, now master of himself, he related all that had passed between himself and Mrs Bezel- Gifted with a retentive memory, and no mean powers as a narrator, ho succeeded in giving Tait a vivid impression of the conversation. The little man with his head slightly on one side, like a bright-eyed sparrow listened attentively, and not till the story was finished did he make an. observation thereon. To this capability of listening without interruption Tait owed a great deal of his popularity. “ Truth is stranger than fiction, after all,” said be whoa Claude ended, “ and the novel is leas dramatic than the episode of real Ufa, John Parver did not dare to insinuate that the supposed dead widow of tha murdered man waa alive. Humph! this complicates matters more than ever.” "At least it clears the character of Hilliston.”

“Yso 1” assented Tait, doubtfully, “I suppose it does.” “ Can you doubt it,” said Lareber, dissatisfied with this grudging consent; ’‘you can now see why Hiiliston was agitated at our interview—-why ho asked me not to see Mrs Bezel so called—why he called hero the seme evening to find out if I had gone; and finally why he wished to prepare mo before aeeiag her, by telling of the tragedy.” “ Ob, I sea all that,” said Tait quietly. “Nina men out of ten would consider Hiiliston a most disinterested person. Bat I am the tenth man, and am therefore snoatical of his motive.” “ But what motive can he have for——”

“ That is jaat it,” interrupted Tait vivaciously. I can’t see hia motive, but I will find it oat some day.” “ Wall, you can speak for yourself,” said Claude, frowning. “After what my mother has told me, I believe Hiiliston to be an upright and honourable man.” ' " You are quite right to do so ou the evidence. Still, if I wore you I would not 1 kssp ■ him informed of all our movements, unless—Do. you intend to go on with, the matter ? ” he asked abruptly. “Assuredly! I am determined to find oat who killed my father.” Tait walked to the fireplace and took up Ills position on. tho hearthrug. An' idea had "entered his mind, which he did no'S intend to put into word?. Nevertheless it was indirectly the reason for hie next speech. " “ I think, after all, it would be best to take Hillißtoa’u advice and let sleeping dogs lie.” He hud not calculated tho effect of those words ou Ms hearer, for Claude also arose from his chair, and looked at him with angry surprise. “I, don't understand you,” ho said, coldly; “soma hours back, and you wore more eager than I to pursue this unknown criminal. Now you wish to withdrawn Koy I ask the reason of this sudden change.” . , e( To seems to be useless to hope to find the assassin, replied Tait, shrugging bin shoulders. "One cannot discover a needle in a haystack.” »• Oh, yes you can—by patient research.” “ Well, oven that would be easier than to hope to solve a mystery which has been impenetrable for five and twenty years.” • •‘lt bar. been impenetrable for that time because'no one has tried to solve, it. This So not your real reason for wishing to end' the case. What is your-reason? Speak; I insist upon knowing the truth.” The other did not reply, but thrust hia Hands deeper into hin pockets, and maintained a masterly sileqce. Irritated by this negative attitr.de, OhT : ' ri - placed his hands on tho little man’s slSfifiders, and looked at him indignantly. «I know what your reason is, Tait,” he said, rapidly; “it is not that you fear we may learn too little, but that you expect we will learn too much.”

“.Yes!” replied Tait, simply, “.that is the season. Is it not an all-sufficient one for you to pause ?” "No,” shouted Claude, savagely; “it is all-snifieieat for me to gj on. You think that I rosy discover fchac Hiiliston is the criminal, or learn that my mother is accountable for the crime. I tell you no such thing will happen, Hiiliston was not near ‘ The Laurels ’ on the fatal morning. My mother—-I have told you how she exonerated herself, and the exoneration was substantiated by Denis Bautry. Both are innocent.”

“lb may be so. But who is guilty ?” "Jeringham. I believe that he discovered that my father had returned, and pssrhsna knowing of this intrigue between him and Mona Pantry, remained at ' The Laurels,’ unknown to my mother, in order to assist her as a fdend.” “How did Jpriugham obtain possession of the dagger ?” •'I cannot say. Wo must find oat. But he did obtain possession of the dagger, and during a quarrel with my father killed Mta with it. He fled to avoid the consequences. Ob, yes! I swear that Jeriagham-io guilty. But I will hunt him, down', if I have to do it alone.” “You will not doit alone,” said Tail, quietly. “I am with you still.” " But you said--” “ I know what I said ! I think it is best to leave well alone. But since you are set on learning the truth I will help you to the best of my ability. Only,” added Tait, explicitly, “ should you discover the truth to bo unpalatable do not blame me.” " I won’t blame you. I am certain that you will find that I am right, and that Hilliston and my mother had nothing to do with the affair. Help me, that is all I ask. I will bear the consequences.” “ Very good! Than we had better get to work,” said Tait, dryly, “just go and dress, my dear follow, or you’ll keep dinner waiting.” . “ Why should I dress ? lam not going out tc-night.” "Indeed you ars! We are due at Mrs Durham's * at home ’ at ton o’clock.” “I shan’t go. I am in no. mood for frivolity. I would rather stay at homo and think over the case. It is only by hard work that we can hope to learn the truth.” “ Yery true. At the eama time it is necessary for you to go out to-night if only to meet with John Parvar.” “The author of ‘The Whim of Fate/” asked Clauds, eagerly, “ is he in town ? ” "Yes. And ha will be at Mrs Durham’s to-night. Wo must see him, and find out where he obtained the materials for his novel.” “Do you think euch information will lead to any result?” asked Claude, dubiously. «I don’t think, lam sure of it, “ retorted Tait, impatiently. “ Now go and dress,” Larcher departed without a word.

Chapter XIV. THE UPPER BOHEMIA. . The name Bohemia is suggestive of unknown talent starving in garrets, _ of obdurate landladies,, of bacchanalian nights, and shabby drees. Merger first invested the name with this flavour, and since his time the word has become polarised, cud indicates nothing _ but struggling humanity, and unappreciated genius. Yet your, true Bohemian does not leave his country when he becomes rich and famous, it is true that he descends from the garret to the first floor; that he fares well, and dresses decently; but he still dwells in Bohemia, The reckless air of the hovels permeates the palaces of this elastic kingdom of fancy. Mrs Durham was a Bohemian, and every Thursday received her. confreres in the drawing-room of a veiy elegant mansion in Chelsza. She had written a novel, “ I cling to thee with might and main”; and this havisg mot with a moderate success, she posed as a celebrity, and set up her salon on the lines of Lady Blesaington. Everyone who was anyone was received at her “ At Homes,” and by this process she gathered together a queer sot of people. Soma were . clever, others were not; some wore respectable, others decidedly disreputable ; but one and ail. to use an expression usually connected with crime—bad clone something. Novelist, essayists, painter?, poets, and musicians were all to be found in her rooms, and a more motley collection could bo seen nowhere else in London. So-;a ono dubbed the Chelsea Mansions “ The Zoo,” anti certainly animals of all kinds were to be found there, from monkeys to peacocks. It was considered rather the think to be invited to “ The Zoo,” so when brothers and sisters of the pea met one another there they usually said : “What! are you here?” as though the place wore Heaven, and the speaker justifiably surprised that anyone should be saved except himself or herself. Literary people love one another a degree less than Christians. Hither esme Tait and Claude in search of John Tarver.' That young man had made a great success with his novel, and was consequently much Bought after bv lion hunters. However, Tait had learned that ho was to be present at Mrs Durham’s on this special evening, and hoped to engaga him in conversation, so as to learn where he had obtained the materials for his atoryWhen they arrived the rooms were quite fall, and Mrs Durham lecoived them very graciously. It vraa true that they ware not famous, still aa Tait was a society m»n, ®nd Claude very handsome, the lady of the

house good-humouredly pardoned all mental deficiencies. Tait knew liar very well, having met her at several house*, but she addressed herself rather to Claude than to his friend, having a feminine appreciation of good looks. "Myrooms are always crowded, said she, with that colossal egotism which distinguished her utterances. "You know they call me the new George Eliot/’ “Ho doubt you deserve the name," replied Claude, with mimic gravity. " Oh, I suppose so," smirked the lady, amiably. “You have read my .novel of course. It is now in its fourth eaxtion, and ban been refused by Smith and Mudio. I fellow tho Preach school of speaking my mind.” „ “ And a very nasty mind it must be, thought Lavcher, who had been informed about the book by Tait. Ho did not, however, give this thought utterfiuce, but endeavoured to generalise the conversation. " You have many celebrities here to-nighr, I presume ? ” , _ , “ My Dear Sir,” exclaimed Mrs Durham, in capitals, “every individual in. this company is famous. Yonder is Mr P.’.dsou,' the great traveller, who wrote « Mosques and Mosquitoes.’ He is talking to Mj«9 Pexworfch, the writer of those scathing articles in * The Penny Trumpet,’ entitled f Man the Brute,’ She is a modern vomsn _ "Oh indeed,” said Claude, equably, snei looked at this latest production of Iho nineteenth century, “ &ho is rather masculine in anpesrauce." "It is her pride to be so, Mr I-archer. Sh® is more masculine than man. That is her brother who designs ladies’ dresses, and decorates dinner tables.” “Ab! Ho isn’t masculine. I suppose Mature wanted to preserve the balance in the femily. The law of compensation, eh !” “ Oh, you are severe. Tommy Pasworbh ia a dear little creature, and so fond of chiffon*. Ho knows more about woman's dress than hi a sister.” "So I should think,”' replied Clauoo dryly. He took nn instant and violent, dislike to Mr Paxworth, who was osa of ' those feminine little creatures, only distinguished from the other sex by wearing troupers. "A charming ’pair,” he added smiling. "I don’t- know which I admire tho most. The sister who is euch a thorough gentleman, or the brother who is a perfect lady." : " You aro. 'satirical,”' smiled Alta Durham, enjoying this hit at her friends. “ Now you must take me down to have some refreshment. Esaily you must.” Thus inspired,. Claude . elbowed the hostess through the crush, and escorted her to a bare-counter ia the dining-room, whereon ware displayed thin, bread and butter, very weak too, and fossil buna. Mrs Durham evidently knew her own refreshments too well to partake of thc-ro, for afce had a mild brandy and sods, produced from its hiding place by & confidential waiter. Sho asked Claud® to join her, but ho refused on the plea that ho never drank between meals.

“ But you are not a brain-worker,” said Mrs Durham, hurriedly fimahiag her brandy and soda, lest her guests should soe it and become discontented with the weak tea, “if I did not keep myself up I should die. Ah ! Why hero is Mr Hilliston.” , “ Hilliston! ” said Claude, astonished at seeing hie guardian in this house. “Yes. Do you know him? A dear creature: so clever, Ha was my solicitor in a libel action against ‘ Tho Penny Trumpet,’ for saying that I was sa ungrammatical scribbler. Just fancy! Aud they call me the new George Eliot. Wo lost our case, I’m sorry to say. Judges are such bruten. Miss Pexworth says they are ever since she failed to get damages for her breach of promise cass.” • “ Here comes 1 Mr Hillisfcoa,” said Larcher, rather tired of this long-tongued lady. “ I know him very well, he is my guardian.” “ How vary delightful ! ” said Mrs Durham, with the accent on the 'very.* “Ob, Mr Hilliston,” she continued, os the lawyer approached, “wewerejuat talking about you.” “I trust the absent were right for once,” replied Hilliston, with an artificial smile and asvrift glance at Claude. “I have just come to say good-bye.” “Oh not yet, sorely not yet. Really! ” babbled Mrs Durham with shallow enthusiasm. Then finding Hilliston was resolved to go, and catching aightofa newly arrived celebrity, she hastened, after the amiable fashion of her kind, to speed the parting guest., “Weil, if you musfc you must. Good-bye, good-bye. Excuse me, I see Mr Eawler, a delightful man—writes plays you know. The new Shakspere; yes,” and thus talking she melted away with a babble of words, leaving Hilliston and his ward alone. They were mutually surprised to see one another, Claude because bo knew hia guardian did not affect Bohemianism, and Hilliston because ho thought that the young man had left town. The moating was hardly a pleasant one," as Hilliston dreaded leat Mrs Bezel should have said too much, and bo prejudiced Claude against him.

“ I understood from jour refusal of my invitation that you had gone to Thorston with Tait,” said he, after a pauae. “ I am going to-morrow or the next- day,” replied Claude, quickly, "but in any event I intended to call on you before I left town.” “Indeed!” said Hilliston, nervously; you have something to tell mo ? ” “ Yes, I have seen Mrs Bezel.” " Good. You. have seen Mrs Bezel. “ And I have made a discovery.” “Oh! Has the lady informed you who committed the crime ?” “No. But she told mo her name.” “ Margaret Bezel!” murmured Hilliston, wondering what was coming. " Not Margsuet Bezel, but Jalia Larcher, my mother.” “She—she told you that?” gasped HilHoton, his seif-control dorerting him for the moment. “ Yes. I know why she feigned death, I know how you have protected her. You have bean a kind friend to me, Mr Hilliston, and to my mother. I am doubly in your debt.” Hilliston took the hand held out to him by Claude, and pressed it cordially. The speech relieved him from all apprehension. He now knew that Mra Bezel had kept their secret, and immediately took advantage of the restored confidence of Claud

Hia quick wit grasped the situation at once. “ My dear fellow,” Ho said, with much emotion, “ I loved your poor father too much, not to do what I could for his widow and son. I hope you do nob blame mo for suppressing the truth.” “ No! I auppoae you acted foe the best. Still, I would rather you had informed mo that my mother was still alive.” ««To what end ? It would only have made you miserable. I did not want to reveal anything; but your mother insisted that you should ha made acquainted with the past, and so —I gave you the papers.” “ I am glad you did so.” “ And now, what do you intend to do? ” asked Hilliuton, slowly. “ You know as much as I do. Is there any duo to guide you, in the discovery that your mother still livee?” “ No. She can tell me nothing. But I hope to find the clue here.” “Ah. You intend to epeak with John Parver?”

“ I do,” said Claude, rather surprised at this penetration ; “do you know him ?” “ I exchanged a few words with him,” replied Hilliston, caresaly. “I only came here to-night at the request of Mrs Durham, who is a client of mine. As I paid ruy respects to her, she was talking to John Ptirver, and ho was introduced to me aa tho latest lion. So you still inland to pursue the matter ?” added Hilliaton, after a pause. "Assuredly! If only to clear my mother, and restore her to the world,” “I am afraid it is too late. Claude, You know ehe is ill and cannot live long.” “Nevertheless, I wioh her to take her own name again. She will not do so until the assassin of her husband—of my father is discovered, so you see it is obligatory on me to find out the truth.” “ I trust that you may he successful said Hilliston, sighing, “but my advice is still the same, and it would be beat for you to lot tho matter rest. After five and twenty years yon can discover nothing. 1 cannot help you—your mother cannot help you, so—” “Bat John Parver may,” interrupted Larcher, sharply. “I will see how he learned the details of the case.” Before Hilliston could make further objection, Tait joined them,and,not noticing itie lawyer, hastily toot Claude by the arm. ? .

"I have been looking for you everywhere,” said he. ‘‘Come and be introduced to Mr Linton.” “ Who is Mr Linton ? ” “John Parver. He writes under that name. Ah, Mr Hilliston, I did not see you. How do you do, sir ? ” “lam quite well, Mr Tait, and sm just taking my departure,” replied Hilliston, easily. “ I see you are both set on finding out the truth. Bat you will learn nothing from John Parver.”

“ Why not, Mr Hilliston ? ” “ Because he knows nothing. Goodnight, Claude—good-night, Mr Tait.” When Hilliston disappeared, Tait looked at Claude with a singular expression, and scratched his chin.

“You see,” said he, quietly, "Mr Hilliston has been making inquiries on hie own account.”

“You are incurably suspicious,” Raid Claude, impatiently. “Hilliston is my friend.”

“ Yes. Ho was your father's friend also, I believe.”

“ What do you mean ? ” " Nothing i Nothing! Come and crossexamine Frank Linton, alias John Parver.”

Clearly Tait waa by no means so satisfied with Hilliston aa Claude.

Chapter SV. A POPULAR AUTHOE,

Bearing in mind that tha character of Hillistcn had been rehabilitated by Mra Bezel, it was natural that Claude should feel somewhat annoyed at the persistent mistrust manifested towarda that gentleman by Tait. However ho had no time to explain, or expostulate at the present moment; and, moreover, ss ha knew that the little man was assisting him in this difficult case out of pure friendship, he did not deem it politic to comment on wfoat was assuredly an unfounded prejudice. Tait was singular in his .-judgments, stubborn in his opinions; so Claude, unwilling to risk the loss of his coadjutor, wisely held his peace. His astute companion guessed these thoughts, for in place of further remarking on tha inexplicable presence of Hilliston, he turned the conversation towards the man they were about to see* "Queer thing, isn’t it?” he said, as they ascended the stairs. "Linton is the eon of the vicar of Thorston.” " Ah! That no doubt- accounts for hie intimate knowledge of the locality. Do you know him?” "Of coarse I do—as Prank Linton; bub I had no idea that he was John Parser ” « Why did he assume a nom de plume ?” Tait shrugged his shoulders. “ Paternal prejudice, I believe,” ho said, carelessly. “ Mr Linton does not approve of sensational novels, and moreover wishes his son to be a lawyer, not a literary man. Young Prank is in a solicitor’s office in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, and ho employed his evenings in writing ‘A Whim of Pate.’ Ho published it under the name of ‘John Parverso as to hoodwink hia father, but now that he has scored a success I have no doubt ha will confess.” "Do you think we will losrn anything from him ? ” « Wo will learn all we wish to know as to where he obtained his material. The young man’s head is turned, and by playing on his vanity wo may find out the truth.” " His vanity may lead him to conceal the fact that he took the plot from real life.” “* I don’t think so. I know the boy well, and he io a great babbler. No one is more astonished than I at learning that ha is the celebrated John Parser. I didn’t think ho had the brains to produce so clover a book.” ', „ ' • "It is clever!” assented Claude, absently. " Of course it is; much cleverer than ita author,” retorted Tait, dryly 3 "or rather. I should say, its supposed author, for I verily believe Jenny Payntoa helped him to write the book.” " Who is Jennie Paynton ?” " A very nice girl who lives at Thorston. Sho is twice aa clever as this lad, aud they are both great on literary matters. But I'll tell you all about this later ou, for here is Linton.” Tha celebrated author was a lighthaired, light-complexioned young man of six-and-twenty, with bowed shoulders, a self-satisfied smile, and a pinca aez which ho used at times to emphasise hie remarks. Ha evidently possessed conceit sufficient to stock a dozen ordinary men, and lisped out the newest ideas of tha day, aa promulgated by hia college, for he was an Oxford man. Although. ho ■ was still in hie salad days he had nettled, to his own satisfaction,: all the questions of life, and therefore adopted A; calm superiority, : which was peculiarly Claude, liberalminded but hot-blooded, had not beau five minutes in his ■ company /before he was seized with a wild desire, to throw him out of tha window. Prank Linton inspired that uncharitable feaUng in many people. For the moment Mr LihtOn was alone,as his latest, worshipper,, a , raw-boned female of the cab-horse species, had just departed with a fat little painter in quest of refreshment. Therefore, when he turned to greet Claude, he waa_ quite prepared to assume that fatigued selfconscious air, with which he thought fit to welcome new votaries. •» Linton, this is Mr Larches,” said Tait abruptly. " Claude, you see before you the lion of the season.” “ It ia very good of you to say so, Mr Tait.” simpered the lion, in nowise disclaiming the compliment. “ I am pleased

to make your acquaintance, Mr Larcher.” “ And I yours, Mr Linton, or shall I say Mr Parver f” “ Oh, either name will answer,” said the author, loftily, “ though in town I am known as Parver only.” “ And in Thorston aa Linton,” interpolated Tait, smartly. “ Then your father docs not yet know what a celebrated son he has?” “ Not yet, Mr Tsit, I intend to tell him next week. I go down to Thorston for that purpoae.” “ Ah! My friend and I will no doubt meet you , there. 'We also seek rural felicity for a month. But now that you have taken London by storm I suppose you intend to forsake the law for the profits.” ■ . “0? course I do,” replied Linton, quickly. “ I never oared for the law, and only went into it to please Jay father.’/ - “ And now you go • into literature to please Miss P&ynton.” Linton blushed at this home thr.nst, and being readier with the pen than the tongue, did nob know what answer to make.. Pitying his confusion, and anxious' to arrive at the main object of the interview, Claude interpolated a remark bearing thereon. • “Did you Audit difficult to work out the plot of your novel, Mr Linton,” he said, with assumed carelessness. “Ok, not at all. The construction of a plot is second nature with' me.”. ‘ ; “ I suppose you and Miss Payntoa talked it over together,” said Tait, artfully. “Well, yes,” answered Linton, again falling into confusion, - "I found her a good listener.”

“ I presume it was all new to her.” . “I think so. Ox course she gave mo some hints.” - Evidently Linton was 'determined to admit nothing, so seeing that Tait’s attack Was thus repulsed, Claude brought up his reserve forces. “I saw in a paper the other day that your book was an impossible one—that nothing analogous’ to its* story ever happened in real lire.” “ Several critics have said that,” replied Linton, growing angry, and thereby losing - - his caution, “ but they are wrong, as I could prove did I chose to do so.” “What!” s.-id Claude, in feigned astonishment, "did you take the incident from real life?” •’ „ V? “The tale is founded on’an incident id real life,” answered Linton,, “That is, Miss Paynton told me of fa.certain crime which was .actually committed, and on her hint I worked out the ’ story.” “Ob, Mias Pfiyaton told you,” said Tait, smoothly, “and where did she' see the account of this crime ?” “Ah, that I cannot tell you,” replied Linton, frankly. " She related the history of this mime, and refused to. let maknow. whence cho obtained it. I thought the idea a good one, and eo wrote the novel.” “Why .don’t you tell this to the world, and so confound the critics ?” • “ I do! I have told several people. For instance, I told a gentleman about :iir this very evening, just because he made the same remark as Mr Larcher did.” Tait drew a long breath, and stole a look. at Claude, That young man had changed colour and gave utterance to the first idea that entered hia mind. “Was it Mr Hilliston who made the remark ?” “ Hilliston ! Hilliston ! ” said Linton, , thoughtfully. “Yes, I believe that’was the man. A tall old gentleman, very fresh coloured. He was greatly interested in my literary work.” “ Who could help being iutereited in to clever a book? ” said Claude, in a meaning tone. “ But Mr Hilliston is a lawyer, and I suppose you do not like members of that profession.” “Now, why should you say that ?” demanded Linton, rather taken aback by this perspicacity. ’ “ Well, for one thing you admit a ciia* . like for tho law, and for another you make Michael Dene, the solicitor, commit the crime in ‘ A Whim of Pate.* ” “ Oh, I only did that as he wa* the. least likely person to be suspeefced said tho ; author, easily. “ Jenny—that is, Misa Paynton wanted me to make—Markham commit the crime,” ; "Markham ia Jeringham,” murmured Tait, under his breath. “ Who committed the crime in the actual case,” he added . aloud. “No one knows,” answered Linton, shrugging his shoulders. “The case as ; related to me was a mystery. I solved it after my own fashion.” “In the third volume you, trace the , assassin by moans of a breast-pin belonging to Michael Dane,” said Claude, again , in . favour. “Is that fact or fiction ?” “ Fiction t Miss Paynton invented the idea. She said that as the dagger inculpated the woman the breast-pin found on the banka of the river would lead to the detection of the man. And, os I worked it out, the idea was a good one.” “Ah!” murmured Tait to himself, “I wonder if Mr Hilliston had anything to do ' with a breast-pin,” By this time Linton was growing rather restive under examination, as he was by no - means pleased at having to acknowledge * hia indebtedness to a woman’s wit. Seeing, this Tait abruptly closed the convemtlon, so as to avoid waking the suspicions of * Linton. . “A very interesting conversation,” he said, heartily. “I like to get behind the scenes and see the working of a novelist, a ■ brain. We will say good-bye now, Linton, and I hope you will call at the Manor ■ House next week, when we will all three be at Thorston.” - "Delighted, I’m sure,” replied the author, and thereupon melted into the < crowd, leaving Claude and Tait looking at.; one another. “ Well,” said the former, after a pause, - “ wa have not learned much.” . - “On the contrary, I think we have j. learned a great deal,” said Tait, railing hia eyebrows, "Wo know that Linton got the whole story from Jenny Paynton, and * that Mr Hilliston is in possession of the knowledge.” “ What use can it be to him ? ” > 1 “ Ho will try and frustrate us with Mil# Paynton as he did Mrs Bezel with you.”. . “Do you still doubt him ?” asked Claude, angrily. ■ ~i “Yes,” replied Tait, coolly, “I atm doubt him.” , > (To be continued.)