THE ONE GIRL IN A MILLION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19809, 2 December 1927, Page 20

THE ONE GIRL IN A MILLION.

BY LOUIS TRACY.

CHAPTER Xl.—(Continued.) The man did not doubt the speaker's authority. Had not this stranger como straight from Mr. Hornby, whose position as one of the dead baronet's executors was fully appreciated by tho household Btaff ? Without 'any further demur he conducted Lawson through the intricacies of the back part of the house, along a yew-lined terrace-walk, flanking a sunk •wall covered with fruit trees, and ultimately across an ochard to a gate. Thence a well-marked track showed itself in the undulating turf. Beyond some four hundred yards of open parkland it was lost among a belt of trees. " There you are, sir," he said. "That cuts off a good half-milo of the road. May I ask where you want to go afterwards,, sir ? " " I don't know myself," said Lawson. f Miss Burke's car is coming that way. She may be attacked. If in time, 1 shall either persuade her to get out and ■walk or go with her in the car." " Oh, is that it? " said tho other, an tinder-gardener, who was a. staunch supporter of Joan in the servants hall. " But the will can't be read till Miss Burke turns up ? " " The lawyers and executors will certainly delay matters for some time. "Right you are, sir! Ccme along! We can see any car that passes' by the boundary wall on tho right, as the trees are not so thick there." Well pleased that he had secured a Btout-hearted comrade, Lawson set off sfc a rapid pace. Neither he nor the gardener was unaware that a considerable number of people were loitering in the road where a car would bo visiblo. Probably the news had spread that Joan was at Yare; there are no secrets of that sort in rural England. As yet no one had climbed into the park, but it was evident that the presence of the_ two men had been noted, because the distant obseivers halted here and there, and were obviously watching them. ~ ~ " Looks like mischief, sir, said the gardener. " There's never before bin so many folk in that lane since it was made." , , ~ .. " Exactly what I expected, was the grim reply. 11 This part of Somerset, and* Hverton in particular, seems to be possessed with the devil. 1 don't wish to plunge you into trouble locally. I'll do what I can to assist Miss Burke if the opportunity offers, but you had better keep out of it. His companion laughed. H " I can use my mils as well as most, he said, "an' I'll paste any blighter in the jaw who sez one disrespectful word to my young missis." So far so good. Soon they were hidden by the trees, but within another fifty yards a thinning of the foliage hetokened open country close at hand. It was then they heard shouts, confused but angry. Someone was being ordered to halt, on pain of various coarsely-expressed penalties. Both men broke into a run simultaneously. There was barely room on the narrow path for swift movement abreast so Lawson took the lead. As * a result he just missed y cannoning into Joan at a bend", as the girl was running too. Behind her raced several louts oi men and over-grown boys, obviously in pursuit. Joan herself was so disconcerted bv finding her line of retreat apparently "blocked that she stopped deac.; and a flicker of real terror darkened her bine eyes. , , ■ ■ It. passe ' as quickly as it came, for she recognised Lawson mstantly biit that momentary faltering brought the first of her wonld-be captors perilously near, so Lawson sprang forward and hit out viciously at the nerve-centre known to pugilists as "the point." It was ascertained later that the man did not recover his senses for several mmutes. riis earliest symptom of renewed vitality was a prolonged bout of sickness. The next oncomer was sligntly forewarned, and riised his hands, so Lawson began by doubling him up with a left punch in tho ribs, followed by a right upper cut, The gardener got m a useful right and left on the third, with a running kick at his successor, who had turned already. There were others, but the attack seemed to be altogether too sudden and fierce for their valour; mor ®~ over, they did not know how many such determined assailants they might have to face, so they conducted what tho textbooks describe as a strategic retreat. Joan had not moved when Lawson rejoined her. She was not frightened, but angry and distressed, and it took a bravo effort to summon a woe-begone smile. Iler pathetic expression was heightened by tho sombre black of her costume. The man felt he would cheerfully have given a year of his life, if he were permitted to clasp her in his arms in a reassuring hug. "Again I am indebted to you, Mr. Lawson," she.. said tremulously. ''What fortunate accident brought you and Williams here at the right moment ? Those wretched men tried to prevent me entering the park when Mr. Vince's chauffeur stopped the car, as he believed it would be stoned by a gang collected in tho middle of the road," „„ • "Did they actually assault you? came the wrathful question. "No. They never really got near enough. They shouted that I was wanted at- the churchyard, whatever that may have meant. At any rate, not wishing to expose Mr. Vince to any danger, because he is an old man, I hopped out and scrambled over the gate. They would never have caught mo if I were not hampered by a ridiculously tight skirt. It was painfully evident that the girl tyas talking at random. Her pride was hurt. She could not bring herself to understand why she, a favourite among young and old for many a mile around, should be branded with general hatred and chased like an escaped criminal. But she knew that these monstrons things were happening, and her soul was in revolt. It might have gone ill with tho unthinking mob were she armed, for she would have fired into the crowd, careless of consequences. Lawson thought to calm her by praising the gardener. "Your man, Williams, is a good scout," he said. "When all this stupid worry is ended I hope yon will remember that he did not hesitate a second in coming to your- assistance." Willioms grinned delightedly. "I've done nothing particular, miss," ho said. "This young gentleman turned up at the court with the American million- . aire who has bought Moorlands, they say, an' he kern hero off his own bat. All I did was to show him tho way. How he guessed you'd be held up on (he road, I don't know." "Neither do I," laughed Lawson, trying his best to make light of tho affair, which, as he was well aware, had not ended yet. "I was told you were expected much earlier, and the growing excitement in the village gave sufficient warning that there might bo trouble elsewhere. My actual intention was to halt you if you passed, and persuade you to take this path. Otherwise, I would have asked you to let me come in the car. I meant advising the chauffeur to push on as quickly as possible." Joan said nothing. She was too htmiiliated. The true ignominy of her position •was making itself felt. Lawson saw this and resolved to stir her out of unplcasing self-analysis fov the time being, at any rate. • "We shall hb in the open ark in another few yards," ho said, since they were now hurrying back along the path. "Wo can toe seen from the lane, and, although the Waekguafds behind us cannot possibly fc*ve spread the news of your presence, yon may be recognised. If a mob breaks j :jta they, can cat oit and surround as.

FASCINATING STORY BY A LEADING WRITER.

(COPYRIdUT.)

I suggest, therefore, that Williams should walk close at my heels, and you keep on the right, so you may not be noticed at all; We ought to gain at least half the distance -by that dodge. I'll tell you when to run—and, for heaven's sake, obey! If you remain with Williams and me you will not help in the least, but only get us into greater difficulty." " I would vastly prefer to turn and face these wretched men," said Joan, liring into passionate protest once more. "Of what do they accuse me ? Whom have I injured: Haven't I suffered enough without being ill-used and reviled by the very people who sought my assistance when —when ? " "If you think you owe me any gratitudo please repay me now by doing what 1 ask, broke in Lawson, firmly. "Here wo are. May I hold your hand? Then I shall be sure you are exactly in the right place. Now, Williams, fall into step, and you won't trip me up. Close formation, you know. You and I learnt it once upon a time." The simple ruse served for a good two hundred yards. Then some keen eyes watching from the road detected Joan. By twos and threes at first, but soon by scores, the .crowd climbed the wall and began to race across the park. ' Run!" cried Lawson. "You in front, Miss Burke. Williams and I will gain time for you—never fear!" In nearing the orchard they also neared the road, and men stationed at that point leaped into the park, so it was a close finish when Joan flung wide the gate. Her protectors followed, the gate was banged, and Lawson faced about. "Hurry now," he said, "and send help." "Surely " began Joan, but he stormed at her. "Confound it!" ho shouted, "we can't beat off a gang of fifty or a hundred. Run for all you are worth! The mere sight of a couple of policemen will scare these idiots. Run!' Ho emphasised this last command by a 1! hearty drive at the nose of tho first pursuer who attempted to press the sneck of the gate, which was of the old-fashioned spring type working into an angled catch. Then, by a feat of strength he scarce looked capable of, he caught the long, knob-topped bar of wrought iron and bent it in such wise that the whole device had to be unscrewed before the gate could be opened again. This timely trick, supplemented by some active fist-work by the fardener and himself, kept the mob at ay for some few seconds. The respite was brief, however. Tho crowd gained courage from numbers, and it became a point of honour now that these two men should bo overwhelmed. When further delay involved being attacked on all sides Lawson muttered:— "Make for the yew path, Williams. We have a better chance there." So they ran, securing a few yards' start by an unexpected manoeuvre, and were able to stem the onrush of a score of assailants, many of whom were bleeding from mouths and noses, their sole object iii life now being to wreak vengeance on the pair who had punished them. This latest phase of the fight could rot have lasted long. Both Lawson and Williams were staggered by the blows received while they were guarding against others. They knew that once down they were lost, so they struggled gamely to keep their feet. They dared not look round to see if succour were at hand. Hit the man in front and trust to providence was their only resource, and right well they adopted it. Then, as .though the enemy were stricken by a palsy, the attack ceased. Blue-coated men in helmets dashed passed from the rear, and certain members of the Somersetshire Constabulary enjoyed a perfectly gorgeous five minutes until orchard and park were clear of all intruders save those who were allowed to lurch and stagger toward the lane and safety. No arrests were made. The police did not want to drag the affair into the courts. Lawson and his henchman exchanged reciprocal grins. "Not much the worse, sir, I think," said the gardener. "Only a cut lip. And you 1" "I'll have a lovely eye in the mornin', sir. I can feel it comin'. By gosh! I did wish I had a rifle an' bayonet for that last turn." "You blood-thirsty gardener! Lead on now, and let us get a hurried wash in the kitchen. . . .Hello! Here comes more reinforcements! Tell you what, Williams, I wouldn't have missed that scrap for a fiver," He was told afterwards that Joan raised a fine commotion when she dashed into the house and announced in ringing tones that Lawson and Williams were fighting for their lives with a gang of ruffians who had invaded the grounds. Luckily, a sergeant of police kept his head. Instead of leading a few men-servants ! through tho kitchens and yard he ran j out at the front, summoned the police j stationed at the corner of the lane, and j brought an irresistible cohort at top J speed across the lawns and round ihe j angle of the main building. Of course, j his men numbered half-a-dozen, all told,, { but they represented the power of the ' law, while the hydra-headed mob was bent only on mischief j in such a combat the result is never in doubt. Thus it happened that the reinforcements now pouring dqwh the yew walk were not needed. Indeed, a glance at the heroes of the fray sufficed to damp their ardour, because the two appeared to be much more seriously damaged than was actually the case. Some water at a kitchen pump and a couple of towels soon removed the more obvious signs of the struggle from faces and clothes. Williams resolutely declined the application of a piece of raw beefsteak to his damaged eye. "I've had one bunged np like this afore," he explained. "When it's tho real thing you've got to go through with it." Secretly, perhaps, he was« proud of the badge. His fellow servants would never believe what a fight he and Mr. Lawson had put up if there were no visible proofs of its liveliness. Meanwhile, disorder of a less melodramatic nature, though far more likely to cause widespread tumult, had broken out in the village street. Direct responsibility for this ebullition of public feeling lay with Mr. Greenhowe, Mrs. Burke's solicitor. When he had shepherded the heartbroken widow and the slightly-built, elderly woman whom all" residents in Cedar Hill recognised as Joan's one-time governess from tho Manning vault to the "car in waiting at the lych gate, he bade the chauffeur wait. The dead baronet's legal representative was approaching and Greenhowe meant having a word with him. Mr. Hopkinson had deemed it his duty to witness both interments. He was discussing some details with tho undertaker, since the vault had to be bricked up forthwith, and, seemingly, paid no heed to his London colleague until Greenhow confronted him. "I'm sorry to bother you at this moment, Mr. Hopkinson," came the explanation, "but I must ask if any arrangement! have been made for receiving Mrs. Burke and her aunt at the Court?" "Not to my knowledge," said the Bristol lawyer courteously. "Surely my client is entitled to bo present when Sir Robert Manning's will is , read ?" protested tho other. "Why ? She is not a beneficiary." "Not a .beneficiary!" cried Greenhowe. "Can this monstrons thing bo true?" He turned to the car and spoke through the open window. "Do you hear, Mrs, Burke?" he said indignantly. "Sir Robert-Manning's solicitor tells me that your husband has been disinherited." The answer was a gasp and a deep sigh. Mrs. Burke fainted arid would have collapsed to tho floor of the car had she not been caupht by Miss Benacre, who straightway shrieked an order to the chauffeur to drive on until clear of the crowd and then halt at some house wher* a glass of "writer could be procured. .(To be continued daily.), i