THE SECRET HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15975, 21 July 1915, Page 10

THE SECRET HOUSE.

J BY EDGAR WALLACE, . Author of " Four Just Men," " Private • ; Selby, ' etc i CHAPTER VI. ' AT THE THEATRE. l I Count Poltavo bowed to the other and j went on. " You challenged me to prove i my worth—l accepted that challenge. 5 i To-night as you entered the theatre you 1 I were told by a messenger that T. B. ' ■ Smith most admirable manwas , I watching you, that he had practically sur--3 j rounded tue Jollity with detectives, and , ; moreover 1 chose as my messenger a small - ' youth who has served you more than once. : Thus in one stroke 1 proved that not only did 1 know what steps authority was I taking to your undoing, but also that 1 ! had surprised this splendid rendezvous i and your secret." He waved his hand 1 i around the sordid room, and if his eyes " I rested awhile upon the silent ulster- ' covered figure on the bed, his action was ' not without intent. " You are an interesting man," said -' Farriiigton gruffly. He looked at his ; watch. Join my party at the Jollity," \ he said, '■ we can talk matters over. I ' have lost a good friend there,'' he looked > at the form on the bed, " there is no reason why you should not take his place \ —it is true, as you said to-day, that you ' know something of applied mechanics?'' ; "1 have a diploma issued by the Col- _ lege of Padua," said the other promptly. ' At precisely ten o'clock, as .the curtain came reefing slowly down upon the first \ act of " The Strand Girl," Lady Dinsmore turned with outstretched hand to greet the first of the two men who had just entered the box. "My dear count." she explaimed. "I , am disappointed in you! Here I have I been paying you really quite tremendous . compliments to these young people—which , for an old woman, you know, is very • proper you show your complete int difference to me by committing the worst . crime in the calendar— here is Josiah , back from his ' business' presume you > are the 'business.'" I "I am desolated The Count Poltavo » had a -way of looking at one gravely with an air of concentrated attention, as if he ■were seeing through the words into the very soul of the speaker. He was, indeed. a wonderful listener, and this quality^ 5 added to a certain buoyancy of tempera- , ment, accounted perhaps for his popu- [ larity in society. { " Before I ask you to' name the crime, [ Lady Dinsmore," he said, or to inform - me if the calendar is a. lady's, permit me i to offer my humble apologies for my latei ness." ) Lady Dinsmore shook her head at him ■ and glanced at Farrington, but that dour . man had drawn a chair to the edge of the box, and was staring moodily down into the great 'auditorium. , ''You are incorrigible!" she declared. But sit down and make your excuses at your leisure. You know my niece, and I think you have met Mr. Doughton. He I is one of our future diplomats." The count bowed, and sank into a chair beside his hostess. Frank, after a frigidly polite acknowledgment, resumed his conversation with Doris rather eagerly, and Lady Dinsmore turned to her companion. "Now for the explanation," she exclaimed briskly. "I shall not let you off! Lnpunctuality is a crime, and vour punishment shall be to confess its cause." Count Pcltavo beat toward her with bright, smiling eyes. " A very stupid and foolish business engagement." he replied, which required my personal attendance, and unfortunatelv that of Mr. Farrington. Shall I give vou the details? I warn you in advance thev will bore you frightfully! Thev did me."' , Lady Dinsmore threw up a pretesting hand. Pray spare me," she begged "Business has no Hiaims to soothe mv savage breast! Mr. Farrington," she lowered her voice confidentially " can : talk of nothing else. When he was stav- i uig with us he was for ever telegraphing ! cabling to America, or decoding messages i There was no peace in the house bv day I or night. Finally, I made a stand. I Josiah,' I said, 'you shall not pervert! my servants with your odious tips, and j turn my home into a public stock ex- | change. Take your bulls and bears over I to the Savoy and play with them there, | j and leave Doris to me.' And he did!" she concluded triumphantly. j Count Poltavo looked about, as if noting I for the first time Farrington's preoccupa- j tion.

J "Is he quite well'''' he inquired in an ; undertone. | Lady Dinsmore shrugged her shoulders "Frankly, I think he had a slight in- 1 disposition, and magnified it in order to escape small talk. He hates music. Doris has been quite distrait ever since. The child adores her guardian. You know, of course, that she is his niece— the daughter of my sister. Josiah was her : father brotherwe are almost related." Her companion glanced across to the subject of their remarks. The girl sat in the front of the hex. slim and elegant, her hands clasped loosely in her lap. °She was watching the brilliant scene with a certain air of detachment, as if thinking of other things. Her usual lightness and gay banter seemed for the moment to. have deserted her, leaving a soft brooding wistfulness that was strangely appealing. The count looked long at her. '" She is very beautiful," he murmured under his breath | Something in his voice caught Lady DinsmoTe's attention. She eved him keenly. * I The count met her look frankly. "Is she—is she engaged to her young friend.'' he asked quietly. " Believe me, it is not vulgar curiosity which prompts the question. I—l am— interested." His voice was as composed as ever. Lady Dinsmore averted her gaze hurriedly, and thought with lightning rapidity. ° ° "I have not her confidence." she replied at length in a low tone. " She is a wise young woman and keeps her own counsel. She appeared to h :* . "St. j- vi .'." ' ea l 0 hesitate. She dislikes you. she added. " I an: sorry to wound you. but it is no secret."' Count Poltavo nodded. "I know." he said simply. "Will vou be my very good friend and tell m whyLady Dinsmore smiled. "J will' d„ better than that." she said kindlr 'I will be your very good friend and -iv e you a chance to ask her why. " "Frank," she bent forward and tapped the young man upon the shoulder with her tan. will you come over here nd talk to me? The count resigned bis seat courteously i and took the vacant place beside the girl A silence fell between them which presently the man broke. H »„"? I [ l; rev -" he bean seriously, •' your ■ I aunt kindly gave me tbis opportunity to

ask you a question. Have I your permission also?"

The girl arched her eyebrows. Her lip curled never so slightly. "A question to which you and my Aunt Patricia could find no answer between you! ft must be subtle indeed ! How can I htype to succeed'.' He ignored her sarcasm. " Because it concern* yourself." "Ah!" She drew herself up and regarded him with sparkling eyes. One small foot began to tap the floor ominously. Then she broke into a vexed little laugh.

j "I am no match for you with the foils, count. I admit it freely. I should have learned by this time that you never say what you mean or mean what you say." Forgive me. Miss Gray, if I say that you mistake me utterly. I mean always what I say—most of all to you. But to say nil that I mean— put into speeuh all that one hopes or dreamsor dares " his voice dropped to a whisper—" to turn oneself inmde out like an empty pocket to the gaze of the multitude—that is— imbecile. He threw out his hands with an expressive gesture. " But to speak concretely— have unhappily offended vou Miss Gray. Something J have done or* left undone—or my unfortunate personality does not engage your interest ? Is it not true?' There was no mistaking his sincerity now. But the pirl still held aloof, her blue eyes cool and watchful. For the moment her face, in it young hardness, bore a curious resemblance to her uncle's. "Ts that your question?" she demanded. The count bowed silently. " Then I will tell you !" She spoke in a low voice surcharged with emotion. "I will give you candour for candour, and make an end of all this paltry masquerade." "That," he murmured, "is what I most desire." Doris continued, heedless of the interruption. " It i s true that I dislike you. I am glad to be able to say it to you. openly. And yet, perhaps, I should iise another word. I dislike your secrecy—something dark and hidden within you'— and I fear your influence over my uncle. You have known me less than a "fortnight Mr. Farrincrton less than a week, yet you have made what I can only conceive to he impertinent proposals of marriage to me. Today you were for three hours with mv uncle. T can only guess what your business has been." " You would probably guess wrong," he said coolly. Lady T/insmore's cheerful tones broke in. "Doris." she charged, "you are preaching to the count. He is looking quite anerv." He shook his head at her, smiling. " My unfortunate face, it belies me. I was, in truth, deeply interested. Miss Orav was speaking of her uncle." Farrmgton at the other end of the box shot a swift suspicious glance across Poltavo turned to the girl again. • "J. ant on ' *° be a friend of vours I in the day of your need," he said in a low

voice, " believe mc, that day is not far distant." "That is true'" She leaned toward him a little, her bosom heaving tumultuoiu.lv. He. bowed his head in asseut. "HI could believe you '." she faltered, '" I need a friend. Oh, if you could knowhow I have been torn by doubts, beset by fears—oppressions '." Her voice quivered. "' There is something wrong somewhere. I cannot tell you everythingif vou would help me—wait. May I test you with a question?" ''A thousand if you like." "And you will answer—truthfully?'' In her eagerness she was like a child." Ho smiled. "[f I answer at all, be sure it will be truthfully." "Tell me then. is Mr. Seath Your friend?" " He is my dearest enemy," he returned promptly. He had only the dimmest notion as to the identity of Mr. Seath, but it seemed that a lie "was demanded—Polt.avo could lie very easily. She drew a deep breath of relief. " And my uncle?" The question was a whisper. She appeared to hang upon his reply. The count hesitated. " 1 do not know," he admitted finally. "If lie were not influenced by Mr. Seath. I believe he would be my friend." ft was a how at a venture. He was following the bent of her inclination. For the first time that evening Doris looked at him with warmth in her manner. "By that." she said, smiling faintly, " I know you have told the truth. My uncle likes you, but Mr. Seath sways him completely." The smile deepened in her eyes, and she laughed a little unsteadily. "You— fou will be kind, and forgive my rudeness and—-'and my anger?" The coldness had departed from her face completely and she was charming. The count looked hard at her. Her glance wavered, fell, and met his again for a long moment. Her colour heightened. and her breath came more quickly. A cloud of passion was about them." It brushed them with invisible wings. He broke the spell. " I am happy to have convinced you of my —sincerity." he murmured. "' And you do, in truth, believe me?" She laughed softly. Yes." "And you will trust me'" "Yes." He bent nearer to her. His fare was quite pale and his eyes burned like living things. " Mar T put my original question, then—my personality is not utterly displeasing to you?" "My dear count." it was Lady Dinsmore's voice again, "it occurs to me that you are putting several hundred questions besides the one which I permitted yon." " It is I who am the culprit, auntie." exclaimed Doris gaily. " You see it was a game— down bottles off the shelf ! Each one of us had ten questions which the other must answer truthfully. I finished mine first, and the count had just begun on his" (To be continued on Saturday next.)