FOR LOVE'S SAKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10133, 16 May 1896, Page 3 (Supplement)

FOR LOVE'S SAKE.

BY DOHA DEI.MAVS, Author of "Sinner, or Victim?" "Jo the Golden City," " Had She Foreseen," " The Secret of Kstcourt,"" A Tempting Offer," Ac.

CHAPTER XXVIII.-rCo»«/wecU

The party had reached the hall, when the old butler met them with the announcement that dinner was served, and they wont straight to the dining-room, whero the table was all aglow with flowers and silver and dainty napery. As Sir Geoffroy lod Valerie to its head she demurred languidly,

" Had not Lisabeo bettor sib there ?" she said, smilingly; "it will be a little rehearsal of the duties which will fall to her lot some day."

It was Bee's turn to change colour now. Sir Geoffrey looked at her quietly, but said nothing. It was evident that he was nob going to charge himself with tho announcement of the broken engagement. Bee hesitated for a moment ; twice her lips parted to tell them of it, but the words would not come.

"I prefer my usual place," she said, quietly, as she sat down, little thinking how long and sad a time would elapse before she eat again at Sir Geoffrey's table, and met the sorrowful glance of bis kind blue eyes. However much illness, mental or physical, was in such a household as Sir Geoffrey Lisle's, outwardly all things went on as usual. The cUf had nothing to concern himself with except the mom, and whatever happened this was always choice and rechtrche -, while, whatever Benson's private anxieties, the wines were always just what they should be, the proper beverago banded around with each course, even though the convives appeared to be utterly indifferent both to the dishes and the wines. The meal was rather a wearisomo one, Dick Holroyd brine the only one who appeared cheerful and at ease. Sir Geoffrey and Valerie made a feint at eating, and if Bee's youthful, healthy appetite had been sharpened by her long fast, there was no evidence to show that she satisfied it. Bat the longest meal must have an end, and at last Benson and his satellites departed, leaving the somewhat silent quartet at their dessert. It was not only in the dining-room that silence seemed to reign j the whole of the great house was very quiet, and from outside, since the wind had fallen, there was not a sound to be heard. Thus, when a loud peal Bounded at the hall door, the clang startled the four young people in the dining-room as much as if a great thunderclap had sounded in their midst. " What can it be?" Valerie said, turning very pale. " Who can it be at this hour on such anight!" " The squire sending my nurse for me," Dick said, with a little forced laugh, as he carefully selected some marrons glads for Bee from a dish before him ; but the fingers which held tho little gold tongs with which he selected the chestnuts wore anything but steady. "I never knew his parental affection so strong as it is to-day." "It is more likely Doctor Lane," Sir Geoffrey said, quietly. "I asked him to call again to-night, if the weather were hob' too bad, and to remain and so save the return ride." "Oh, that is it!" Valerie said, with a sigh of relief, the colour coming slowly back to her beautiful face. "Poor man, what a night to ride out here I I was hoping—l mean that I was expeoting that the snow would prevent ,us having any visitors for some days. Geoffrey, will you send me some of the nougal before you "Indigestiblestuff! It will spoil your teeth and your conplexion, Miss Glyn," grumbled Dick; "The earl ought-" He broke off abruptly ( there was a Sound of voices in the hall, muffled by the heavy portitrts; but it was the sound of many voices, not of Doctor Lane's quiet tones. Sir Geoffrey's pallor deepened, but ho went on cutting a piece of the sweetmeat Valerie had asked for, from the block-shaped piece on the table before him. When he had done so, he poured out a glass of the wine before him and drained it at a draught. As he put the glass down upon the table the dining-room door opened and Benson came in, his comely old face pale and disturbed and anxious. " May 1 speak to you, Sir Geoffrey ?" he said, huskily ; and without ft word in reply Sir Geoffrey .rose, and weub out of the dining-room with him. " What is it, Benson ?" he asked, as they stood together in the antechamber leading to tho hall. "Is anything wrong?" " Oh, Sir Geoffrey," the old servant said, clasping his trembling hands, " the police inspector from ;Lef ham is here with some of his men) iwd-r' . , ' Well?" Sir ,Geoffrey Said,, quietly, but with a curious repressed ea£ernels, in his tone and manner. , " What do they, want? Toseeme?*' ;' 'v •'-'.';.« '.'.-' ; „ "To see you. Yes, Sir Geoffrey, bub-* "But what, Benson?" bis master said, bracing himself to hear the announcement which he felt was coining calmly. >; , "They have a warrant to search the - Abbey, Sir Geoffrey.", ~.','^.V^V-i» i ' Whatever announcement, Sir Geoffrey . had expected, he was nob prepared for this , one. He fell ; back, a step, his face full oj i horror and surprise as he stared ;»b.tb.Q old butler's distressed countenance. ,

'.'To search 'the Abbey?" he saidj in a low tone of unutterable distress.- "To search the Abbey, Benson? Heaven help us all 1"

CHAPTER XXIX. Sir Geoffrey's agitation only lasted a few seconds. - Almost immediately he rallied, and his courage and judgment asserted themselves. He pub his hand on the butler's shoulder with a reassuring gesture. ."Courage, old friend. There's no danger," he said, hurriedly. " They know nothing, and We will let out nothing. Who can have done this?" ha added, his face darkening. " Who can have started such a suspicion ? They must suspect something, or else-" He broke off. " Well, there's nothing for ib bub to brave ib out. The ladies must be alarmed as little as can bo, Benson." Then with a firm hand he pub aside the portiere and passed out into the hall,

followed by Benson, who had made a successful attempt to conceal his agitation. The scene in the hall was rather a

striking one. Some of the men-servants in their sombre but effective liveries were

grouped together, eyeing with some distrust and repugnance three men who were standing in the hall, and who looked very uncomfortable in tho grandeur of their surroundings. A groat fire roared up the huge chimney and flung a red glow far and near; the lamps were burning brightly, tho oarved cabinets, the gleaming armour, tho eroab Indian vases, the rich colours of the Turkey carpots and the portieres all added to the glow and colouring of the stately interior which had dazzled the police as they entered ib from the cold and darkness of the winter's night, Perhaps never had Sir Geoffrey's strong manhood and great personal beauty so assorted thomselves as they did now as he walked down the hall, proud and'sereno, perhaps almost haughty. Tho only expression which erou the cleverer of the

men could detect upon his face was one of haughty amazement at tho intrusion upon his privacy and his dinner-hour. " What is the moaning of this, gentlemen?" he said, oalmly, in his clear, haughty, highbred voice. " Your visit is unexpected, and, bub that I am in ray own house, I might be tempted to add that it is unwolcome."

"That of course, Sir Geoffrey," said one of the men who stood a little aparb from the others, mid was apparently superior to them in rank as well as in appearance. "It is one of the penalties of our profession that we cannot expect to be welcome visitors, and that we are always intruders, more or less. I hope, however, we need not disturb you long." "You are Mr. Markham, of Loxham?" Sir Geoffrey said, calmly, looking ab tho inspector, who was a slender, gentlemanly man of good appearance, and dressed in thoroughly well-cut and well-fitting gar-

moots. "Thesame, sir, at your service," Markham replied, bowing. " Perhaps you would honour me with a few minutes private conversation, Sir Geoffrey ?" "And why. sir?" Sir Geoffrey said, quietly. " I fail to soe whab you can havo to say to mo that cannot be said here and now."

The inspector was silent for a moment. Then he said, quiotly : " You think 1 am trospassing upon my privileges, Sir Geoffrey. You are mistaken. It is in your interest solely that I wish to have a few words with you, but—" He shrugged his shoulders, as if aoquiesoing in Sir Geoffrey's decision, then quietly he added : " My men are, and I myself am, cold and stiff from the long drive on such an inclement night. May I ask you kindly to allow them to get thawed ?" "Certainly," Sir Geoffrey answered, oourleously. "I beg your pardon. Bonson," he turned quietly to the butler, " take these men into the servants' hall, and give them whatever refreshment they prefer.' As he gave the order he made a little gesture of his hand which dismissed the mon-servants, who had been looking on wonderingly. " Can I send you any refreshmenb into the library, Mr. Markham?" the baronet said then, addressing the inspector, who was glancing around him with keen, quieb eyes, but without any apparent scrutiny. "Thank you. If you will allow me, I will remain here, Sir Geoffroy," the inspector said, quietly. "Am I detaining you unduly if I ask. you to allow me to give you the reason for our intrusion ?" " Not at all. I am puzzled, I confess," Sir Geoffrey said, calmly, " and I shall be glad if you will gratify my curiosity." Markham did not speak for a few moment?. They had both with one accord burnod to the fire, and wore standing before it, a striking pair, although very different in appearance. Tho inspector was thinking what a splendid specimen of manhood this young aristocrat was. Sir Geoffrey on his side was thinking that the inspector was far more gentlemanly in appearance and manner than was at all usual, and

wondering if the keon, quieb eyes could detect the anxiety and trouble which dwelt beneath his own calm exterior. " I have a search warrant for the Abbey, Sir Geoffrey," tho inspector said, abruptly, keenly watohing the expression of the young man's face, but without detecting any signs of discomforture. "Indeed. May I ask why? Has anything beon lost or stolen, and is it supposed that one of my household—"

"The mattor I have in hand is far more serious, Sir Geoffrey."

" You surprise me. Are we accused of felony, of concealing some crime, of being —what is your professional phraso?— acc?s sorics after the fact ?"

" That is almost precisely tho state of the case, Sir (Geoffrey,," replied the inspector, coolly. " Yon are accused— should have said suspected but that tho accusation has been formally made against you—of having under your roof— - ' He broke off. "We are nob likely to be overheard 2" ho asked, hurriedly. "Not here," Sir Geoffrey answered, quietly. •' You may speak freely." " You are accused, then, by a man called Murdoch, of having concealed under your roof your brother, Harold Lißle." "My brother'" repeated the!baronet, lifting his eyebrows. "You are a new comer in this neighbourhood, Mr. Markham, or you would know that my unhappy brother committed suicide by drowning himself in despair at the hasty blow which' had caused tho death of one of ray keopers —my head-keeper, in fact—with whom he had quarrelled.' "I am, as you say, a newcomer, Sir Geoffrey," the other man said, quietly, " bub I have heard all the details of the case, whioh was one to cause— in fact, did cause— a considerable sensation. Benjamin Drew, your head-keeper, was found dead by the banks of tho Cheyn. His daughter waß lying in a state of insensibility afow feet from him, and when she recovered consciousness alio declared that her lover, the man who had struck the fatal blow which had killed her father, your brother, Harold Lisle, had drowned himself in a tempest of grief and remorse. lam correct so far, Sir Geoffrey ?•' "Quite correct." " The only proofs of Mr. Lisle's suicide excepb the girl's word," resumed the inspector,quietly, "were his coat, which was found on the river bank, and some article of clothing—his hat, I think— which was found a little lower down in the river, or thrown up beside it. I think lam still correct?" »' You are quite correct, sir, and being so well informed it is a matter of some surprise to me that you should have come here on such an inclement night on such an errand."

Sir Geoffrey spoke somewhat haughtily.] He was loaning against one side of the greatcarvedmantolpiece, a favourite position of his, and from his tall height he looked down on the lesser stature of the other man, whose eyes rested upon him with quiet 'admiration and much intorest. "I think if I had been in the neighbourhood, the theory of suicide would nob have been so readily believed in," ho said, rathor grimly. "lb seems strange to me that it bos never been doubted before, My theory is that a man is living until ho has been proved dead, as he is innocent until he has been proved guilty." "Your information seems to have stopped short at a very important) period, sir. The current of the Cheyn is very strong,' it is a very rapid river, and my unhappy brother is nob the only person who was drowned in it, and whose body was never recovered." No doubt! No doubt!" replied the inspector, tranquilly. . "That is doubtless why there was no search made for the body of the unfortunate young,man." • ; -.'..f'Searoh was made, bub it was.a fruitless search," ' - '

" Ah 1" the other said, significantly, and there was a silence.- ■", L " The present search will probably ha " ineffectual! Mr. Markham said,' presently. !' 1 regret to pub you to any inconvenience, Sir Geoffrey, bub this man Murdoch- ;,' "A gaolbird 1" pub in Sit' Geoffrey, con* temptuously. • •■•* < .-,*»%■ " Has sworn that hesawMr. Harold Lisle in your grounds \ yesterday," continued Markham, paying no heed to Sir Geoffrey's sneer. "And lam order*d to investigate the matter. lean only dp my duty. I ought nob to tell you, Sir Geoffrey, 'he added, " that Murdoch's assertion is that he has been concealed*---" ' "t , Who has been concealed—, : "No, your brother," rejoined Markham, sharply. He was getting just a little irritated at Sir Geoffrey's nonchalance and indifference. "Murdoch asserts that your brother has been concealed in the Abbey ruins, and when we visited them earlier in the day, we found unmistakable signs of reoent human presence there, In the little cell, whioh is the only weather-proof portion there, were evidences of a fire, part of a meal of bread and cheese, and a rough couch of moss and bracken. Therefore it is quite evident that ib has been recently inhabited. | If one part of Murdoch's statement be true, • ib is possible that the other is also." "Do you know what manner of man Murdoch is?" Sir Geoffrey asked, scornfully. " A man whom a year ago I was obliged to prosooute for threatening one of my house' old who had the good sohae to reject his attentions; and a man who, only out of prison a fortnight, has renewed his old game, and whom yesterday I had to chastise with my own hands 1" " Yes, lam aware of that. I know, too, that ho hates you and your brother with a most undying hatred, and that ho would do unything to revenge himself {or fancied wrongs. 1 quite agree with you, Sir Geoffrey, that Millicent Drew was right in rejecting his attentions. Ho would make even a worse husband than lover 1" he added. Sir Geoffrey started a little. "I did nob toll you—" " That Millicent Drew was the object of his adoration," the inspector said, smiling. " But I know that, Sir Geoffrey.and agood many other things about Murdoch, whioh make me ohary of believing any assertions emanating from such a scoundrel. This last piece of information of his I am bound to investigate. But you may trust me to do it in a manner as little unpleasant as I can 1"

" Thank you," Sir Geoffrey said, with more cordiality than ha had yet shown. " I must ask a certain amount of consideration at your hands, Mr. Markham. Lady Lisle, as you know, doubtless," with a significant smile, " is very delicate, and unable to bear much exoitement. My cousin, Miss Glyn, who lives with us, and who was betrothed to my unfortunate brother, will feel bitterly this tearing open of an old wound, and ono memher of my household— Milliuat Drew— i» seriously ill, and Doctor Lane foars the least excitement for her."

" There is not the slightest necessity to distress any of these ladies," the inspector said, quietly, looking at Sir Geoffrey with an apparently frank gaze. "If Mr. Harold Lisle really met his death in the rapid waters of the Cheyn, they will never suppose that my visit and search concern him in the remotest degroe. In such a house as this, there need be little difficulty in prosecuting the search without their inconvenience, or oven their knowledge. No doubt it must be thoroughly done, but it is easy to find an explanation—an escaped prisoner, an attempted burglary, anything.' " Oh, yes, bub—" " Even the most nervous need havo no apprehensions," interrupted Markham, " and unless the ladies have hoard of Murdoch's assertion, and his theory that the Buioide never took place, they are most unlikely to conneot ray appearance hero with an event which happened so long ago." There was such perfect justice in his reasoning, that Sir Geoffrey could not gainsay ib. " You will allow me to go and excuse my absence from the dinner-table to my cousin and my guests?" he said, quietly. "Certainly. One word more, Sir Geoffrey," the inspector added, hastily. "I am aoting in a most unprofessional manner, but I cannot help it. If there is anyone in the Abbey who should not be here, any attempt to escape is usoless. All the exits are watched."

Sir Geoffrey smiled quietly. "No attempt ab escape is likely to be made, sir," he said, coolly. "May 1 not offer you Borne refreshment, with many apologies for having omitted to do so before ?"

" Thank you," the other replied, quietly ; "I need nothing." "I am at your service at any moment," Sir Geoffrey said, quietly; "as soon as I have apologised to my guests, and informed my mother of your presonce hero." "I am muoh obliged," Markham said, bowing slightly; ana Sir Geoffrey strode away across the hall and disappeared behind the heavy hangings which veiled the entrance to the antechamber.

The inspector looked after him with a grave face, and with some sympathy in his keen eyes. " He carries it off well,' he said to himself, as ho turned to the fire. "But he is a strong man, and accustomed to carry things off, or lam much mistaken. I am much mistaken, too, if Murdoch for once in his false life has nob told the truth, and that Harold Lisle never drowned himself. Strange," he added, musingly, "for Mlllioent Drew to be so seriously ill to-day, when she was well enough to be out yesterday. Ah, well, a few hours more and the mystery —if thore is any —will be fathomod."

CHAPTER XXX. As tho young man entered the diningroom and closed the door after him, three anxious faces were turned toward him from the table. His entrance had broken a profound silence, which seemed to have lasted sinco ho left the room.

Bee's marrow glacis lay untouched upon her plate; Dick Holroyd was cracking walnuts, bub nob eating them, for a pile of full shells were heaped upon his plate; Valerio lay back in her chair, looking like the ghosb of the radiant creature whom they had met in the pieture-gaUery less than a couple of hours before, while Beo watched her anxiously, fearing a return of last night's illness. " Well, old fellow," Holroyd said, looking up hastily; " nothing wrong, I hope?" " Rather an absurd thing has happened," Sir Geoffrey answered, trying to speaklightly, and looking in a reassuring manner at his cousin. "It seems that) the police havo got a warrant to search the Abbey. Sorao prisoner has escaped, and—" "Valerie?"exclaimed Bee, springing up and running to her. "Oh, she is faint- ' « Valerie 1" said Geoffrey, sharply," pull yourself together. This is no time for fainting. Give my cousin some champagne, Dick." Dick hastily poured some champagne into a tumbler and handed it to Bee, who was standing by Miss Glyn's chair. ''Drink it, Val," the girl urged, ( gently, siok at heart at the terror. visible on Valerie's exquisite face, and inolinetl to resent Sir Geoffrey's angry tone. "I won't faint," Valeria faltered, drinking the wine eagerly, as if she were anxious to regain strength and colour. "Oh,Geoff, what shall we do?" . " Your most sensible proceeding will be to finish your dessert,'' her cousin said more gently. " There's .nothing whatever to be alarmed, at. The men ,ore welcome to search the house from garret to basement, only I cannot have ray mother I am anxious, too, about Millieent Drew," he added. " She must nob be alarmed or excited." He was silent for a moment, standing with a little puzzled. frown upon his forehead and glancing' at Bee, who was anxiously soothing Valerie and did not perceivo his scrutiny. r "If I send one of the maids she'll frighten Merritb and do just what I want to avoid," he said, as if to himself. "800, will you do something for me?" Bee turned a pair of sweet, startled, anxious eyes upon nim, J ' Of course," she said, softly. . , "Thank you, my child," the young man answered, gratefully. " Will you run' up to Millicenb Drew's room; you know it*l" "Yes."

| "Mrs. Merribb is there looking after Millie, who must be kept very quiet, Lane says, and the news that. the.house.is to be searched by the police will, if rudely told, give her x. dreadful•ehookiV She may be asleep; I hope she is.' But if not, tell her

from me jJhab there is nob the •remotest cause for anxiety, that they may search the house twice over if they wilt" '"' v '" '.:' He had' spoken rapidly' and earnestly. Bee looked at him gravely, with clear, sweet eyes, in which had ho been less absorbed, he would have read a' question and a rbpfoach. : ' "You understand he said. " Yes* quite, You need have no anxiety. I will go to Millicent." " Nob a,b once, in a minute or two. I want the inspector to feel that we can see rid cause for anxiety in his visit. There must be no appearance of distress or anxiety. Will you remain with Millicent, Bee ? Mrs. Merritt may bo wanted. Could you go to my mother, Valerie!" Yes, presently," Valerie answered, faintly. " Oh, Geoff, I cannob help being frightened. Oh, think what-" "It is for you to think," he said, almost sternly. " Valerie, you are a brave woman naturally," he added, earnestly. "Call upon your courage now, it will answer to the appeal. Think of what is at sake. Remember whab has brought about this peril." "Ahl do nob remind me of that," sho said, passionately. "That is what so cruelly unnerves me. Bub I will try— oh, Geoff, I will try—" " If you think of the danger you will be strong," .Geoffrey said, earnestly, while Bee looked from one to the other with a great wonder in her face; she did not understand either Valerie's terror or Sir Geoffrey's attempts at reassurance. "Dick, will you go to the billiard-room and smoke as usual Sir Geoffrey continued ; he was like a general reviewing his i forces and, giving them their place in the field. Ho spoke rapidly and unhesitatingly. I " I want things to look as they would have done if this interruption had nob come." " I can be of no assistance Dick asked. ■ ■- " Of none. Many thanks', old fellow. I must spare a moment; to my mother, and then— Courage, Valerie," he added, turning to his cousin as he left the room. "Be brave for an hour or two, then you may be as weak as you will." He gave her a little smile as he passed out, with a last look at Bee's wistful, wondering face, did Dick hurried away to the billiard-room, leaving the two girls alone in the dining-room. A moment's silence followed the young man's departure, then Bee said, gently : "Are you ready, Vol? Shall we go together? I have nob a notion what it all means, bub we had bettor obey Sir Geoffrey." " You are fortunate in nob knowing what it all means," Valerie said, passionately. " The moaning is so dreadful. I think the knowledge of it will kill me." " But Geoffrey said there was nothing to fear," Bee remonstrated, gently, "and you can trust him, Val." "He is a man. I am only a weak woman, whose life has been spoiled and ruined," Valerie said, wildly. "He said the thought of the danger would make me strong, but if I think of it, I shall go mad. He forgets that I am partly the cause of ib ; that, but for me—" She gave a long, gasping sigh, and sunk back in her chair. She was white as death, and trembling like a leaf. "What shall I do? Oh, Heaven help me I What shall I do f sho said, clasping her hands together. "If I could only go away ! And yet to leave now—" "Don't you think the best, the only thing you can do is to obey your cousin 5" Bee said, quietly. " You remember that Sir Geoffrey said ho wished these men to see nothing unusual in the household. Do not give them cause to suspect that you are afraid of the search they aro about to make I" "The search! Oh, my heart —the search-!" Valerie said, as if nob hearing anything of Bee's speech, except those last two words, which seemed so full of significance to her. "Oh, if I could bub die before—if he had only killed me, as he swore he would if I were unfaithful 1 If he had only killed me 1" "Valerie, are you losing your senses?" Bee exclaimed, impatiently. {To be continued,!