THE HONOURABLE JIM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10413, 10 April 1897, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE HONOURABLE JIM.

lIV It. .1. CIIARLETON, Author of "A Successful Dramatist," "Hector , * Cloak," " Margery Uulborf nnt t "" ffiddriiigton's Atonement," " A Loxt Opportunity, ,, "Casile Kiliitii," etc [COI'VKIGIIT.) CHAPTER XXV. BODND FOK TUX NORTH. Onk of the most prominent ideas in Amos Pogram's bruin as lie lay liolplesa in the van in Epping Foroat was the thought of the uiiciieiiiess his friend Michael Harvey, as well as his wife, would feel about bis continued absence. Moro than once he thought of fending young Luko Lee to Tavistock-street, to explain his non-apposr-nnco, but one day the idea struck him thntn telegram would do as well, and he resolved to eeml one. Luko, ever wishful to please, brought him a telegraph form from Epping Post Oflice; bub it was soveral days boforo hewasablotohold a pencil inhishand,and fill it in. At length ho wasablo to do so, and Luke, having occasion to pass through Chipping Ongiir, despatched it from thence, with what result wo already know. It was nino or ton days beforo Pegram was able td write a letter, but beforo doing so he thought he would find out where the Honourable Jim was if possible, as on that would depend his further movements. His own fixed paramount desire was still to have an interview with that person. So Luke was despatched on a mission to the Albany, and we already know what transpired botwoen him and Simmons, the valet, for l.uko was the young Minn in volvoteen." with the red tie and peacook feather we saw disturbing the worthy valet at hia wine. On Luko's return with the information that Minteni was at Glendyke, Pogram resolved to follow him there; and wo have seen his letter to Harvey in which he announced that intention.

Wo say he resolved to go to Glondyko, nnd so ho did ; but how was he to get there now boenmc the question, He held council with his host, old Ben Lee, on the subject, Rachel also being presont. "You did not keep tho promise you made to me," said the latter, " about writing me when you found out wliero thab person was to be found." "I know I did not," replied Pegram, "And tho reason h very simple. I have, it is true, been told that he was ab such and such a place; but though I have tried over and over again, I have novor been able properly to get speech with him. I thought it bettor to do that and make sure whero he really was beforo writing you." " Well," said Rachel, " we know where he is now; and you want to see him, and I want to see him. I don't see why we cannot all travel northward together. You tiro unable to walk, and you may as well travel in the van. What do you aay, Ben ?"

" It's all the same to mo," replied the old man, " all the same whoro we go to, One place is as good as another just now, and the weather is getting finer, so I'm quite willing." "Bub it will take a long time," said Pegram. " He may be gone by the time we get there." "Bub Luke says hie man told him he particularly wished to see you ; so perhaps whet) he guts to know you know where he is, he'll waib tor you, expecting you to come." " I doubt it," eighed Pegram. " But under the clrcumstancos there's nothing else for it. Only it's very kind of you to put yoursolves out of the way for my eako." "Nonsense," cried Rachel. "It's for my sake. I want to see him ae much as you do." So finally ib was arranged that the camp should be struck next morning, and the journey for the north commenced. It ii a long journey, some thre? hundred miles, in fact, from Epping Foresb to the Scottish Border, and many things happened in its course; adventures were met with by our travellers, some pleasant, some the reverse, but as these havo no bearing upon the course of our story we paea them over, interesting enough in their way. By the time they reached Durham Pegram had recovered miffioiently to bo able to rise, and even to walk a little way each day. What joy was that fireb emergence into the bright eye of the open heaven ; how sweet the benediction of the air, how delicious the sleep thab night, and how much the increase in etrength and vigour next morning. When they reached the city of Durham Pegram wrote to Millie Wilton, saying be would be in Newcastle the following day, and would call and see her in the evening. And while writing this letter he found himself asking himself what right or reason he had for io doing. Wh»b could it matter to hor whether lie came or not! Why should eho care about ib! And yet he found b great comfort to his bearb and soul in writing to her, and mill more In thinking that he so soon should see her again. Through all his wanderings, his troubles, and his dangers, there had always seemed one haven of reed to which be might fly for comfort, and that haven bad for iU

presiding ungel the quiet, sweet-faced little girl lie had left behind him in Newcastle. Hβ had never put so much as this into a formula of words, or even of definite thought; it was more an instinctive feeling than anything else, a dumb yearning he could not repress if he had wished to do so. With a beating heart lie rang the bell of the little house lie remembered so well. The door was opened, there was a cry of gladness, and before he knew where he was he had stepped inside, and had somebody folded in his arms. He had reached his haven. Yes, ho had reached his haven; but, like many another mariner, it was to be for him only a temporary resting-place. He knew this before he canoe, of course, but was fated to learn something he had not known before, which looked as if id might throw fresh obstaclee in the way of a epeody return to a permanent anchorage.

The first transports of joy over, Pegram was ushered into a little sitting-room, where Millie's father greeted him warmly and told him how glad they were to see him back again. "But why did you not answer my letter?" at last asked Millie. " The letter I wrote to you at Tavistock-etreet," she continued, seeing the puzzled look in his face. " I have not boen at Tavistock-street for Borne time," he said. "Two gentlemen called at the laundry and woro very anxious to see you. They said they came from Australia, and must see you on very important business. So I wrote you, and as you did not reply they have gone to London to see you. They seemod very anxious. It must bo something very important to have brought them so far." Pegram was sorely puzzled. Hβ could not imagine who the two men could bo. They would leave no name, it appeared. It could not, therefore, have been his old friend and partner, Standish. Hβ would have given his name nt once. As the beat thing to do, he wired to Michael Harvey that he was in Newcastle, and would push on for Glehdyke next day by road. But who could thoy be, these two men from Australia ? "A lettor for Pegram," said Michael Harvey, as he onterod the little parlour one morning at breakfast time. "I wonder who it's from, my dear. Tho Newcastle postmark, and a lady's handwriting. I'vo a gond mind to open it." "For elinine of yourself, Michael Harvey I" cried his better half, severely. " And would you think of opening the young man's lotter ? You'll do nothing of the kind, I'm sure." " All right, my dear," murmured tho worthy detective, placing tho letter on the mantol-phoe, " we'll lob it stop thore until he comes back then, or until we know his address. Now lot us have breakfast."

Mrs. Harvoy poured out the tea, and breakfast was proceeded with, but all tho while the inspector kept looking up at the letter from the corner of his oye when liis wifo was not looking. At length he finished eating and drow back hie chair. Then he thrust his hand into his pocket and withdrew it with an air of astonishment.

" I could have sworn I had my pockotbook luat night," he said. "lb must havo fallon out in the bedroom. I'll go and see."

" Sit still," cried his wife, jumping up. "Suroly you have enough of tramping about through the day. I'll go myself and look for it." This was precisoly what the wily Michael Harvey wanted. He affected reluctance to trouble hor, but finally allowed her to go in soiirch of the missing baok. No sooner was she half-way up the stairs than he started tho fire and clapped on tho kottle immodiatoly ; then he took down the letter and hold tho flap of the envelope over the eteain from the kettle spout until tho gum softened and it opened like an oystor when it gapos. Ho took out the letter and coolly began to read it. " Millie Wilton," murmured he, " Nice name. Nice girl, no doubt. Two gentlemen from Australia. Wane to see you on very important business, What the dickens is this ? I'll make a note of the lady'e mime and address. It) may be useful at some future time." Ho coolly produced tho missing pockotbook from the pocket whoro it had been lying all the time, and pencilled down the narao and address. Thon ho wont to the foob of tho stair* and called up to his wife nob to bother any longer, as he had found the book. " Got into tho wrong pocket, my dear," ho romarltod as eho re-entered the room. " Very stupid of mo." By this time tho lottor was replaced on tho cliiranoy-piece, whoro it reposed ajjuinet a china ornament, looking as innocont us if nothing had happened to it.

" Two gentlemen from Australia," muttered lie to himself as he took up his hat. " Thoro's something very queer about thie young fellow Pegram, but I'll bo at the bottom of it yot." So saying, he went off to tho oflice, and went through hie usual day's routine. It was tho same next day, and in the evening lie got home to ten about six o'clock, After tea lie lit hii pipo and took his favourite chair, and pulled it up to the fireside. His eye fell upon the letter, which still stood on the mantelpiece. " Rum tiling," said ho to himself. "Two gentlemen from Australia on very important business." There was a loud knock at the front door. " Two gentlemen asking for Mr. Pograui, sir," announced the maid servant, looking in. "Told them he was not in, and they want to see you, eir." " Ask them to step in," said Harvey. "I wonder if they are the two gentlemen from Australia," he added to himself. Mrs. Harvey had just gono out to execute some shopping, so the inspector had tho visitors all to himself. They were two strong active-looking men, one middle-aged and the other under thirty. "I presume you are the householder horo, sir, and that Mr. Pogram is lodging with you," said the elder of the two, fidgetting with hie hab and sitting very upright and very far forward in his ohair, in which attitude he was imitated by his companion. "Did lodge with me," was Harrey's answer. "Colonial police officers," was his mental comment,

"He has left you then!" cried the same speaker, with vexation in his voice. "Do you know where we could find him ?" « And if 1 do?"

" Well, 1 shall be glad if you will bo kind enough to inform us. We want to see him on very important private business." " Oh, indeed," remarked Harvey, coolly. " And may I ask who you nre and where you come from ?" "As to who we nre," replied the first speaker, " it cannot matter to you, as our business with him is private, but I don't mind telling you we've come all the way from Australia, So you may judge that the business ia rather pressing. If you know where he ia and are going to tell us, pray tell ue at once, as time is pressing, If you don't intend, eay so at once, and we will go away." The inspector smiled at this blunt and straightforward etatemont. He thought these must be very simple childlike fellows if they were officers. At tho samo time he was considering. These men were without doubb police officers, if very stupid ones. If they wanted Pegrana for something he had done, though he scarcely believed that, then it was only right he should givo them the- information they required, come what might. If on the other hand they meant no harm to Pegram, «hy should he not toll them? But here a spice of professional jealousy came in. If they were officers of police from Australia and wanted someone in this country they ought to bare gone to Scotland Yard, stated their business snd asked for assistance. The reason they bad not done this probably was' that they wished to rotain for themselves all the honour and profit which were to be reaped from their enterprise But he would let them seo they had reckoned without Scotland Yard. He would; tell them that Pegram had gone to Glendyke Castle, and follow them there himself, and gee the upihott and share in whntever credit was to be had. Beaidei, by this course he might be able in some way to aid hie friend Pegram. But before he decided on this course be must see hie superiors at the " Yard," and get permission to go. He thought there would be no difficulty in this after.he bad explained the singular adventures of his lodger in. connection with his pursuit of James Mintern, in fact, the whole state of affairs. He therefore asked hie visitors to return in a couple of hours' time, and they should ha»ehisanßwer. Of course, they could do nothing else but comply, and departed, not in the best «f Immoure. '

Harvey went down to the office at Scotland Yard, and readily got the required permission. - On his return he found Pegrnm's telegram saying he was in Newcastle, and would stare by road for Glendyke on the morrow. The two hours not yet being up, he slipped out to the nearest telegraph office and wired the news to the Honourable James Mintorn, and on his return found the colonial visitors waiting for him.

" And have you made up your mind to tell us?" asked the spokesman.

"Yes," replied Harvey. "I have just had a telegram from Pegram. There it is j you can read it for yourselves." " Newcastle!" cried they, in a breath, " Why, we have just come from there to- j day." "Just so, !, remarked Harvey, quietly, "If you had stayed a littio longer you would have saved yourselves a journey." "And where is this Glendyke Castle!" asked the elder of the two. " It's nob far from Isewcastle, seeing one can go by road,"replied Harvey. "And can we get back to Newcastle tonight ?" " You can leave here tonight, but it will be morning when you arrive there. My advice to you is, go in the Fiyiiig Scotchman from King's Cross in the morning. You will be at Glendyke as soon as he will, perhaps before." "And I will go with you, my boys," thought Harvey to himself, as he lot them out of the front door, and bid them goodnight. "It will bo a strange meeting if we should all come together," said he, as he took up his pipe ugain. "Very strange, indeed—the Honourable James Mintern, Pegrain, the two gentlemen from Australia, and your humble servant." CHAPTER XXVI. BACK TO THE BORDERLAND. We have already seen Glendyke Castle, that fine old many-turreted mansion, beside the rushing Border river. On the morning of the day following that on which the two gentlotnen from Australia left London, the Earl of Glendyke paced to and fro upon the terrace which stretched along tho south front of the house, outside the great draw-ing-room windows, and by his side paced his brother, the Honourable James Mintern. Two handsomer specimens of mankind it would have been hard to find, both about of one size and build, that is, of the tallest and sturdiest, but differing in complexion, for the earl was dark and his brother was fair, with flaxen hair, as has been mentioned before. It was about eleven o'clock of a lovely morning, and the sceno from the terrace was one of surpassing beauty. Well might the earl look proudly on his fair patrimony, for all he surveyed was his own. The younger brother looked flurried and impatient, and walked with a restless gait very different from tho calm oven tread of the earl.

"Calm yourself, my dear Jim," said the earl. "Ho will arrive nil in good time." " It'a all very well for you to talk like that," growled the other. " Hi! you, sir; have you peon anybody ?" Thie quostjon was addressed to a young fellow in a groom's costume, hootoil and spurrod, who now appeared at the ond of the terrace.

" I've eeeu nobody coining, air," ho replied, touching hie hat, loastways nothing but some gipsies and their caravans coining up the road a few miles off, and I've been as far as Langley Bank, whoro you can «ee down the road for many miles." " Confound it!" cried James Minterii, " I think I'll ride out a bit inyaelf and see if I can meet him. I suppose I may have Bouncer?"

" You know that very well," replied the earl. " Tho whole stable is at your disposal." "Saddle me Bouncer," cried tho younger brother, nnd tho groom touched hie hat and mado off for tho stables, followed by James Mintern, burning to be in the saddle, and to see for him6olf if Amos Pegnun was yet in sight. While Bouncer is being saddled let us take the liberty of getting ahead of the Honourable Jim upon the road leading south from Gleudyke. The gipsies and thoir caravans which the groom saw coming up the road have by this time stopped on a pieco of furzecoverod moorland by the side of u fir plantation. The vana are ranged in line, the horsos aro unyoked, and preparations aro being made as for camping. Uf course, the waggons aro those of our old friends llio Lees, and tho wholo Leo family is thero, and with them Amos Pegram, Onco more they are in eight of the rolling blue hills, and amongst the wild moors swept by the keen northern broeze, once more in that Borderland whore first/ we met them, but now somewhat further to the west, and nearer to Glondyke. "I think I may as well walk to the castle," said Pegram to old Leo, as they stood together. " You can havo tho groy horse if you like," said Lee. " Hβ is quite frosh." "Thank you. Ko; I'll walk. But who comes here ?" Looking along the road by which they had come they saw a dogcart approaching, and some few yards behind it a gig, tho one vehiclo containing three and the other two persons. The dogcart came rapidly on, and when opposite them pulled aside off the road, and came towards the encampment, Both Lee and Pegram were astonished; still more when they saw tho gig do exactly the same as tho dogcart. Two persons dismounted from the dogcart, leaving the driver, evidently a hired one, seated. The older of the two strangers advanced to the camp. " I believe you havo one of the name of Pegram with you ?" said he. "That is my name," returned Amos, stopping forward, and now more astonished than ever. But he was destined for further surprises, and his astonishment reached its utmost height when the gig drove up and oub of it jumped Michael Harvey. Pegram stood transfixed with astonishment, and the two strangers seemed no less surprised than he, " I've oaught you at last," cried the inspector, cheorily, " You did not think you wore going to get away for good from Michael Harvey, did you ? Shake hands. Glad to see you again, I'm sure." The two strangers had drawn together and whispered to one another, darting uneasy glances at Harvey. At) length the elder ono addressed Pegram. " We should like to have a private word with you, if you can spare a minute," eaid he. " Step this way, then," cried Pegrara, drawing back to the hedge which fenced off tho plantation from tho moor, where he was followod by the two men. Harvey held aloof, with a look upon bis face which plainly said he wished he knew what was on the carpet. From where he stood he could see the gipsy woman, Rachel Lee, in the plantation over the hedge, gathering the fallen twigs and branches for firewood, She was not fur from Pegram and the strangers, but they did not notice her. Harvey grinned derisively. " Some time ago you cabled a message to Matthow Staudish nt Hawke's Bay,"Mr. Pegram ?" asked the elder of the strangers. Pegram nodded aesent, "Saying you had found Jamea Parker, and that he was in Newcastle ?" continued the man. Again Pegram nodded, " Do you still know his whereabouts ?" " Why do you ask ?" said Pegram. " Wβ hare important business with him. Does he go by his own name hero? Wβ suppose not?" " Ho goes by his own name," replied Pegram, "Bug of course you know that Parker was not his real name." "Of oonrse. His real name was—dear me 1 I forget for the moment," " Hie name is Mintern—the Honourable James Mintern," said Pegram. Hβ expected the whole colony know this aa wall as himself; but, as it happened, he was the sole owner of thie knowledge, and the Australian had led him into divulging it. Aβ he mentioned Che name, Rachel Lee looked up from her firewood, and with eager ears crouched behind the hedge and listened. "Jemes Mintern," said the man again. " And where can we lay hands upon him ?" " Lay hands upon him !" cried Pegram. " What do you mean ?" Do you intend him »ny harm!" "Well,l cannot say we intend him much good," replied the man. " Thon you get no information from me," taid Pegram, with emphasis. " You will find it to your advantage to do so," urged the Australian! " T Imb don't matter," said Amoe. " Unless you toll me exactly who you are, end

what you want with him, you get nothing more from me." "Very well then, we miift do without you, that's all, and I think we can. Take out your book, Bill"—this to his companion —"and make a note. The Honourable James Mintern. Got it down? All right. Let's be off. .

[To be continual.]