LILITH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18357, 24 March 1923, Page 3 (Supplement)

LILITH.

BY FLORENCE WARDEN.

a (Copyright.)

m\ CHAPTER XX—(Continued). *n take your advice," he said |Wtly. ril go at once *° Old Court." . Sir Qeorge Paradine laughed derisively. •rfjfco to one you'll find yourself too jjte," he said. "By this time they will ha** recognised that the game is up, and ifcay and Smith will have cleared out." To Mallory this mention of the ladies and Smith in the ono breath wa3 exceedingly distasteful. It was an implication that they were fellow conspirators, members of a gang.

: IrrrUted and afraid to let himself go, Mallory excused himself shortly, and left the room. But before he had got to the pottc-ai of the staircase he heard the two men following him ; and ho had scarcely got outside the King's Head when he found Sir George Parndine's arm thrust through his. **>o you mind if we come too asked tie baronet in a more genial tone than he jjgd vet used. "We're all interested in this business; we'll tell you more about jt by and by." M»Uory was too much perplexed and bewildered either to assent or to dissent. Looking up, he saw that Mr. Grieve was eg the other side of him, stalking along diffly without a word. At the cross-roads Sir George stopped. "jLet us go to the station first," he suggested. "There's been no train to town (face one o'clock. They didn't go by th*4, I suppose *Vi* no, thoy were at Old Court at jJirts-thirty," said Mallory. '♦Very well then. If there going by the glx-fifteen we shall be in time to catch them at the station." MfDory felt sick with apprehension. What was this that he was going to learn scrjt the woman he loved and her friends and companions? He felt that it was rather as a band of detectives that they were dogging her footsteps than as friends. The three men walked on quickly and in silence, and when they reached the little country station they were in good tim* lor the -fifteen. When they got through the little wooden building to the platform, they saw two people-, a man and a woman, at the very end, close to the station wall. Mr. Grieve started forward with an exclamation; Mallory glanced at 'him and then at the two figures; but one of these had disappeared. "What is it?" asked Sir George under his breath. "I could have sworn I saw that lascal," said Mr. Grieve. As the three men walked quickly up the jilstfonn. Mallory recognised the female jjgure, coming out into the open from the ghadow of the wall. It was Maude Bamber. He raised his hat and spoke to her: "How do you do. Miss Bamber?" It was evident that she would rather not have had to speak to him; she was looking pale and frightened. His curiosity its strongly aroused by this meeting. "Are you going up to town?" he asked abruptly. "N-nnot quite so far. Only to the next station," answered she. * Soma instinct got the better of his . beTnlderment. ■"Have yon seen anything of Mrs. Ames led her daughter to-day?" h6 asked abruptly. A deep flush suddenly overspread the riri'i pale cheeks. "I don't know anything about those peopled I don't wish to know anything about them," she said sharply). . Mallory's suspicions grew stronger. "Indeed? I thought you and Miss Ames ■'*ii% great friends.' jhie glanced up at Him apprehenffre/y, "M dear no." said she tartly. "I , os«we my friends better than that." . . ■_/' What do you mean V* :!' Miss Ames is not loyal to her friends. : She takes them up and casts them off capriciously. She's a cold, selfish girl," said Maude. The train was in sight. Maude began to glance around her anxiously. Mallory grew more suspicious than ever. " I'm surprised to hear yen speak so bit- I terly of her," persisted he, ignoring tho J little anxious movements she made indicative of a desire to escape. "I do wish you would tell me exactly what it is that has made you speak so strongly about Miss Ames." But Maude, evidently beset with fears. '»roke away from him without ceremony, and dismissing him with a curt nod, gave one feverish look to right and left, and »ade straight for the first compartment of the incoming train. * Mallorv raised his hat, but did net move tw«»y. He watched until the train drew out "of the station, when he turned to rejoin his two companions l . Mr. Grieve pointed to the last campartinent of the moving train. " Did you see who got in there?" he asked, in a low voice. " No " Mr. Grieve was looking harder than ever: '' It was our friend Smith," he said. " He's on his way to town; so, I suppose Is the young lady to whom yon were talking. T wonder what he's up to now !" Mallory, still bewildered 1 , began to ask * Question, which Mr. Grieve ignored. " Now." said he, tnrninjr to Sir George. " We can go on to Old Court., and pick Up any information that is to be had. But I shall eh surprised if. we don't find the other birds are flown too." The three men chartered the only fly at the station, and directed the driver to take them to Old Court. They drew up outside the heavy iron pates, and the signs of something unusual having occurred at once became manifest. Three or four children, who had been playing on the inner side of the gates. disappeared like a flock of frightened birds, as the vehicle stopped. Mr. Grieve was the first, to get out, and he knocked at the door of the lodge. But there was no reply. Mallorv followed him into the grounds. At a little distance, under the trees of «M pars, they saw two women, who disappeared when they caught sight of the retort. Mallory was in a state of deep depression and uneasiness. \Vnat is the use of our hnnrrinfr about Ji*re "he said gloomily, "We shall see itoone and hear nothing." "I'm going up to the house. There must be something to be learnt there." •aid his companion stiffly. Mallory hesitated a moment, and then went back to met Sir Ccorgo Paradine. Who had got out of the fly in his turn. ~ « re you going up to the house ?" asked 'he baronet shortlr. I think so. Mr. Grieve has cone," laid Mallory. „ The baronet laughed. He is fishing in troubled waters." ho Mid, " As for me, I don't see that I can flo any good by going in. Everyone seems *> ny at our approach, and I have really T° £*n USe *° °^ *" rmv appearance here, i shall see von both again, bv and by, I suppose? I should like to know how all wis ends. *

Mallory gave, him no answer but a movement of the head, which might mean anything. Tie was disappointed not w have heard anything that he wanted J. know . from Sir George, who at once fl« \r, to tbe ,od '? e and got into the ««; J v V ,110r y noticed, however, that he did not drive away. # .'" tnfi meantime Mr. Grieve had reach- <« the portico and rung the bell. A winnow was cautiously opened and then shut, ni no other norice. appeared to be taken " [us summons, Mallory joined him in "lie portico. . ',' I have run:; three times," said Mr. Z"® ve ' (( who was looking sterner than V er. " But I am going to ring till we «* admitted," he added obstinately. v en as he spoke the door was opened cautiously, and a very young maidservant, obviously not used to such duties. aiiked what h e wanted, with an air of Singled apprehension and bravado. I want to see Miss Lilith Ames. The maid shook her head. '' She's not at home. Both the ladies *** out.'' said she She was proceeding to shut the door, j*aen Mr. Grieve, by the force of a 6om>

mailing eye and an imperious manner, n»do her , stop. v , " Can I come in and writ© a note!"* he demanded, curtly. I *'™ l don't know, sir. I'll ask—" But Mr. Grieve had pushed the door open, and, to Mallory's alarm, had entered the house. Luck favoured him. JJor he caught a glimpse of Bletchley in shirt sleeves, disappearing into one of the rooms.

A moment later Bletchley came forward hastily struggling into his coat. Sorry, sir, I'm sure," said he, coming forward respectfully, but with a certain air of subdued importance, "but we're all at sixes and sevens here now, as von may see, sir," Mr. Grieve knew the golden key which opened Bletchloy's lips, and he made us© of it.

'.! What has happened?" he asked. Where am I to begin, sir? It's that I man Mr. Smith that worked it aH" Mr. Grieve nodded. In " ? ran away rom me yesterday. Did he come back here afterwards?" Bletchley allowed himself the relaxation of a faint grin. "He didn't come back here open, sir. But I fancy he was about the house between ten o'clock last night and six or so this morning." "Did he see the ladies?" Bletchley nodded. " I expect so, »ir. If he didn't, he helped himself, sir." " And he has not been here to-day?" " Not as I know of. sir." " Now, what has become of the ladies?" Ladies, sir?" Mr. Grieve grew impatient. "Come, you know all about it. They've gone away, haven't they ? Tell me all about it." " They went out late this afternoon, sir, and they took some luggage with them." And you don't expect them back again ?" Bletchley looked at him curiously. "I don't know as I do, sir. But everywas paid up. It was no getting out on the quiet. We all got our wages, and I there'was no bills left to be paid." " What address did they leave, for letters or inquiries?" " None, sir." " And what explanation did they give for going away so hurriedly?" Bletchley hesitated. " They didn't give any explanation, sir, and I didn't ask for any. I may say I wasn't surprised, for I thought things looked fishy when that Mr. Smith turned up. The ladies were all right— far as one could see, and we liked them, tnd asked no better than to stay here as long as they wanted us. But, if I may say so, sir, from the first I looked upon this Mr. Smith as a wrong 'un. Ho was too civil by half,' sir, for one thing, and one could see there was something queer about the way the ladies treated him. One kind o' didn't know where to 'ave him, an one may say. They was all over him one minute, and the next he might have been a black-a-moor. From the moment he came, sir, I knew we must be ready for a bust up. An' now it's come, sir." Mr. Grieve nodded his acknowledgment of the information, and turned back to meet Mallory, who had remained standing near the hall door. The young doctor met his eyes with deep anxiety in his own. " They're" gone, I suppose?" he asked, in a hoarse voice. Mr. Grieve nodded. " Without saying where they were going?" ' " Yes," said Grieve. " But they are not permanentlv lost to sight. I have means of tracing them, though it may take some time. They took this house furnished. I know, so they were able to clear out at a moment's notice." All through the comings and goings of this eventful day Mallory had failed to get any of the definite information h» wanted about the ladies and their connection with Sir; Smith. It was abundantly and painfully evident that Bletchley, in spite of a feeling of indulgence towards the ladies, looked upon them as fellowmembers with Smith of a gang of the most questionable sort. His openly expressed astonishment at their having paid all they owed in the neighbourhood was a stinging reminder of this. The two gentlemen went down the steps, taciturn and gloomy. Mr, Grieve looked at his watch. " I must get back to town as quickly as possible," he said. " There's no train from here to-night, but I may be able to catch the seven-fifty at the junction." " May I come with you?" asked Mallory abruptly. Mr. Grieve turned to him with a penetrating look. " I can't tell you how long it may be before I find them," he said. " They are not at all likely to go straight back to their old quarters. Indeed, I don't suppose those are available." " I should like to go all the same," said Mallory. " You're wasting your time. You had better look upon the incident of their stay here as definitely ended—and forget it as quickly as vou can." Mallorv frowned. "' " I can't do that until I know more, until I know everything," he said. " The more you know the less you will want to have to do with these people." said Mr. Grieve with decision. _ "I think von may take it from me that it is waste of time to trv to follow them any further." Thus repulsed, Mallory _ instinctively dropped a Sew steps behind his companion, and a few moments later he felt a light touch on his arm. Looking round he saw Simmonds. flushed and out of breath. " I've been watching for you," she panted out in a whisper. " Miss Lilith knew I should see you, and she left me a messaee for you. Don't you believe all that rubbish about a gang; there's no gang; it's that Bletchley and his ugly fancies, but it isn't true. Miss Lilith only cares for two people in _ this world; her mother's one, and you, sir, are the other. She can never seeyou again, she says, 1 it she will never forget you never. There, sir. that's all I have to tell you." Mallory detained her as she tried to run away. _ „ ~ , " .lust two words more ; " said he. Where have they gone to?" 14 1 know no more than you do, sir, only this— were to drive to the June- ( tion to catch the seven-fifty to London." " Thanks ever so much." Mallory ran to come up with Mr. Grieve, who was by this time at the lodge gates. " The junction," be said in a low voice. " Tell the man to drive fast." Mr, Grieve gave a short explanation to Sir George, and the fly took the three men at a rapid pace towards the junction, which was four miles away ; They drove up just in time to see the train for London steaming slowly out of the station.

CHAPTER XXIII. Mr. Grieve turned to his two companions. ,_„.,,. •* Too late," he said. " That's the last train to town to-day. Not that it matters muc>*. T shall go up by the earliest possible train to-morrow." " So shall I." said Mallory quietly. Sir George Paradine turned to him and put a kindly hand on his shoulder. " Then vou won't be advised, said he. "No If your advice is that I should give up all attempt at petting Lilith out of the hands of her undesirable friends Mr. Grieve was watching the young doctor with keen eyes. "Well said," he murmured. Ive done what I could for the girl, but she looks upon me as an old fogey, of course. I hope you may have better luck. _ Sir George was far less appreciative of the stand Mallory was making. "What's the good of trying to save people who don't want to'be saved?" he asked in a scoffing tone. "Not that I want to ear a word against the young lady," he went on hastily, as Mallory frowned. " She is a charming girl, and a very handsome one. But I'm afraid I can't rate her intelligence as high as her looks." , . " It's impossible to do her justice -without knowing all the circumstances of her case," said Mr. Grieve. "I have the strongest reason for being interested in her, and I am glad. Doctor Mallory, to find that you are interested also. If you are coming to town at any time, I shall be glad if you will call at my office." He took a card out of his pocket-book and handed it to Mallory,

"I Bee you are a solicitor," said Mallory, noting that card bore the name of " Mr. Burnam Grieve, of Grieve and and Gregory, Solicitors.'' Mr. Grieve nodded. " Yes, and I am Lilith Asprey's guardian. That is the reoson why, now that she has command of" her money, I have felt bound to try and prevent her wasting it." " Then she has money?" said Mallory in surprise. " She won't have it very long if she remains in the hands of- her present friends," put in Sir George Paradine sardonically. Mallory looked from one to the other in bewilderment. " You may as well tell me all about it now, don't you think?" he said. The three men went out of the station and returned together to the King's Head, where they paid off the fly, and went up to Mr. Grieve's Hitting room. There the solicitor took his stand on the hearthrug and, turning to Mallory, asked abruptly: " How much do you know about all this affair?" Mallory answered simply: " I know that Mrs. Ames is not Lilith's mother." Mr. Grieve nodded. " Right," said he. " I know that she is the mother of this Eric, who call shimself * Smith.' I found it out, little by little when I saw them and talked to them altogether. I noted little resemblances, and tricks of speech and manner, that showed me where the relationship was. I came to the conclusion that there was no relationship between Lilith and Mrs. Ames."

"Right again," said Mr. Grieve. " Lilith is an orphan. She -was exceedingly delicate as a child, and this Mrs. Ames whose real name is Merton, was ongaged to take ca,re of her. To do the woman justice, I believe she became deeply attached to the girl, and she certainly took such care of her, especially in her many illnesses, that both Lilith and I felt we had reason to bo grateful to her. It was a long time before I suspected that she was anything but disinterested. Indeed, for some years after Lilith was put in her care I had no idea that Mrs. Merton. who had been twice married, had a son, this Eric Horley, by her first husband; but the old lady, who adored this young rascal, had evidently made up her mind to set him up in life by marrying him to Lilith. Eric Horley is a ne'er-do-weel arid a spendthrift, while Lilith has three thousand a year. For some time now I have had my suspicions; Lilith seemed to live so simply that I could never understand how she got into debt as she did on the allowance I made her. Then when she . came of age last year we went into things together, and I found out where the money went." " She was madly in love with him, I suppose, at one time?" said Mallory jealously. Grieve shook his head. " Not a bit of it. She had got so much under the influence of the old woman that she could refuse her nothing. Remember, she had strong reason to be grateful for Mrs. Merton's car of her. Then this fool Horley spoilt by the ease with which he was able to get money from" his mother, began to pile up~famTftnfg and racing debts, and when even his mother refused to get more money for him, went headlong to the bad and forged the name of Sir George Paradine to.a cheque to get him out of a difficulty." Sir George nodded. s> "The young rascal had got round me, he admitcd with a reluctant frown- "He was an agreeable chap, played a first-rate came of billiards, could hold his own at golf, bridge, anything. I lent him money, was much too easy with him; but when he took advantage of that to rob me, I own I turned nasty, and I had him arrested I'm not hard, but I don t like to be made a fool of. I was sorry when the thing was done, for I'm blest if he didn t pitch a tale to me, and make out that his difficulties were all on account of the girl he was engaged to ; he made out that it was to satisfy her extravagance that he had cot hard up." . Mallory uttered an exclamation- He could scarcely believe his ears. "Do you mean to tell me,' he said in a tone of suppressed rage, "that this .unspeakable cur made you believe that it was Lilith who was ruining him?" "That's it." Mallory looked bewildered. "You must know," put in Mr. Grieve, "that this clever old lady had got Lilith under her thumb to such an extent that they lived together as mother and daughter. And when the crash came, and Eric Horley got six months' imprisonment., Mrs. Meiton induced Lilith to take with her the name of Ames, and to leave io«n and live buried in the country until Eric should be free again and the affair forgotten." "I see, I see," murmured Mallory, stupefied. "But surely you could have put a stop to such a disastrous move as that?" "How?" retorted Mr. "Grieve aggressively. "Lilith was of ago, she had full command of her own money. I had to move with the greatest care when she was no longer under my guardianship. She could neve snapped her fingers at me; practically she did so on the one or two occasions when I came down on purpose to get a chance of a talk with her without the knowledge of the old woman." "Couldn't you make her realise her own folly in putting herself under the thumb of another Woman V

"No, I couldn't. She is one of your confounded 'heart.' women, and common sense takes a .back seat where her affections are engaged. What chance had I, an old dry-as-dust lawyer, against this artful little woman with her soft voice and tender eyes?" Mallory sprang up from his chair, exasperated. "But this Mrs. Ames, as she calls herself, must be an unprincipled adventuress to want to many the poor girl to such a cur as she knows her son to be !" he cried. .1 Mr. Grieve frowned. "There's a doubt about that," he admitted grudgingly. "I think it's fairly certain that the old woman did not know what an outsider her, son is. Sir George Paradine. will confirm this." He glanced at tho baronet, who nodded. "All I can tell you is that when the old lady came to see me at The Towers, to beg me to keep silence about her son's lapse, she was struck dumb when i told her the excuse ho had offered for what he had done. There was no acting about it; when I told her that Horley said he had ruined himself for Lilith, I thought she would have fainted." "When she learnt that, she ought to have thrown him over," said Mallory shortly. "I think she must have had a struggle with herself," said Grieve, "for she soems to have blown hot and cold about the young man when he came down here. I suppose in the end blood got the best of it, and she forgave him."

"But surely she ought to have looked upon him as past forgiveness," said Mallory ; "I never heard of such an instance

of cynical callousness as his calumniating the very woman on whose generosity he and his mother were living." Mr. Grieve began to walk up and down. He looked uneasy and restless. "Women are such extraordinarily difficult creatures to handle!" he cried in despair. "Perhaps Lilith would be fool enough to marry the fellow even if she were to hear of this latest rascality. But it is more likely that the old woman will try to hurry through the marriage before this gets to Lilith's ears. ' Probably they are living in some obscure part of London, where the old woman thinks she can keep the girl in ignorance till she pulls it off." Mallory uttered a low, angry cry. "By Jove !" he said. "Eh?" Mallory was frowning hard. "What does this journey of Lady Bamber's daughter mean?" he demanded abruptly. "I'm pretty sure that this Eric Horley, Smith, or whatever his name is, was in the same train with her. He would have found out that the Bambers are rich, and if he thought his chances of

marrying Lilith were getting low, he may have decided on having a second string to his bow, and have made up to Maude Bomber. That," he went on quickly, "would explain the virulence which Maude Bamber has shown in speaking of Lilith. He must have scraped acquaintance with her and made good use of his time." Mr. Grieve nodded cheerfully. "The young lady is welcome to him!" said he. But Mallory protested. , "No, I can't allow that. I know these people; they're patients of mine; I shall have to interfere. Lady Bamber is an old fool, but her husband is not. I shall-go straight to him and let him know what is going on." But Mr. Grieve urged caution. "After all, this is only guesswork of yours," he said. "Better let them manage their own affairs. At any rate, this fellow's marriage with another girl- would get us out of our trouble with Lilith." (To bo continue? on Saturday next.)