THE BADGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20228, 12 April 1929, Page 18

THE BADGE.

j BY BEN BOLT. /,

CHAPTER XII,

Tho boards were oak, old, and of a broader design than thoso of more modern pattern. There was nothing to indicate that they had ever been disturbed, tho rather wide interstices being filled with the dust of years, and the boards themselves covered by. tho debris of plaster fallen from tho 'ceiling. As lie stared downward, letting tho beam of the flashlight travel up and down tho boaids. ho became conscious of a surge of disappointment. If any secret were hidden und'ei' thoso boards then it must havo lain thero since tho house was lunik the most of a century ago. A strip of wallpaper hung in a bedraggled fashion, across tho room, and without any hope he lifted it and considered the portion of floor boarding it concealed. It appeared in no way different worn trie other hoarding, and ho was staring at it a little blanklv when he ohserved that the skirting behind it was sprung Stooping he inserted the screwdriver ho had brought with hini hohind the sprung board and prised it centlv. To his surprise it yielded easily, rovealing a cavity behind. Tho cavity, however, was empty, and as ho was > almost suro had never been used ns a hidingplace. But as ho continued his examination he found a little indenture on tho edge of the board next tho cavity, and ■with quirk excitement apprehended that tho board had never been lifted, but had probably been prised forward into the cavity. Instantly ho proceeded to test flio idea. Inserting 'bo screwdriver at tho place marked by tho indenturo he prised steadily. The board began to yield creakily, and as he exerted pressure slid ■forward perhaps four inches or so. leaving an open spare. In a very fover of excitement ho flashed the light into the space thus revealed, and at first saw nothing save the outline of laths covered in dust. Again disappointment surged within him, but he continued his search, groping with his hand in the dust, hoping to find some dub that wo.lid lead him to tho thing bo sought A minuto or two later his hand closed on a small flat box, and with a thrill ho drow it iorth to examine it closely. As he did sro something rattled inside the box, which, rusted with damp, revealed itself as a tin. used by a famous firm of tobacco manufacturers for picking' a noted brand for retail sale. He stared at his find wonderinglv, and as he tried to open it, again caught the rattle of whatever thing it held. Conjecturing that perhaps it contained a key, be forced the lid with the screwdriver. qpened with a jerk, and something fshot out and fell on the board with a * metallic sound. Turning the flash lamp to the floor, ho saw the thing gleaming a y4rd or so away, and had just, re trieved it and made the discovery that it ■was. some kind of regimental badge, ■when ho heard tho door behind him creak, and instantly alert ho doused the flashlight and swung round, taking at the same time a swift side-step out of range of the faint light of the window. Ho had no doubt that someone knew of his presence in the room, and as the door, creaked again his mind was working at express speed, devising means of delivering himself from this difficult corner. A rush would carry him to tho gallery, a right turn to tho stairs that led 'to the attic.'

there -came the creaking sound, the door opsned quickly, and framed in the space thus created he saw the outline/ of a figure, shadowy and dim. Only for a moment was ho in doubt, then he caught th» rustle of a dress and understood. '%Celie!" ho whispered joyfully. " Oh !" sho answered back. " Why have, you como to this place ?" . '/ Why have I come ? Because —" Then ho ibroke off, took a couplo of steps forward and spoke again, still in a whisper, but one that now kindled with passion. " What matter since I have found you here ?" In the darkness ho could scarcely see her face, but ho was very conscious of her/nearness, intensely aware of the perfume. of her hair, and suddenly he thrilled to the touch of a hand that, in the gloom, found his arm.

" But you do not know," sho said in a hurried, tremulous whisper. "He is here.. He has just returned. And (here are others. If he gives the word thev will kill you—and ho is afraid ... I am sure that he is afraid of you."

File spoko no name but he guessed Mallinson, and gathering into his own the' hand which held, his arm in a nervous clutch, he spoke renssuringlv:

"He has need tn lip afraid. ] have none for myself. But I am afraid for you " " You must go," she broke in tensely. " If" he should find you ... as I found you " ' "But why should he? And how did you find me?" 7,1 heard the -bell ringing, and the house door open and I knew that he was returning, but opened my door to make sure. It was then that I saw you . slipping into this room. I had but a glimpse, but I knew you and I all but crifea out, for I was—and still am—afraid for you." Her words, tense and anxious, revealing hep deep concern for him, were like fire to tow. Again he thrilled as he had done at the touch of her hand. " You are afraid . . . for mc ?" he aslced in a shaking whisper. '/ Bitterly! and in many ways. I have seen a paper though my guardian and madame strove to keep it from me. I know that; he gave false testimony, and that he designs to havo you hanged for a thing you did not do. ff ho finds you here. . . . Oh! you must go at onee . if . . . if you were taken , . and . . . arid ... I should never sleep again, I could not bear to live! Her simplirity moved him beyond anything that mere coquetry could have done; her concern for hint stirred deep emotion Momentarily he forgot all else save that this girl whom he knew to be beautiful, and whom ho was assured was modest as a child, was unveiling her soul to him as she had done before once in that sinister house on the great moor. Again ho saw himself enshrined in her maiden heart, anrl his vmro was fon.so arui exultant as hr in a passionate : whisper: I " < ehe . ( Vlie." He [clt her quiveiing. and suddenly, without any conscious a<timi of li s, she j was enfolded in his aims, 11emulous, j sobbing, shaking like a reed in the tidej r>f passion which swept them botli. ||ri fell her heart heating against hitn like j that of a frightened bird in the hand] that hold? it i.'iptne. lie strained her to. him, and as she ...d her face on Ins shoulder her hair touched Ins lips. He kissed it, and the flntno of passion glowed whitely. "My dear!" ho whispered hoarsely. My dear!" " I . . . I am glad you call nie that," sho answered with ch>l • candour. Then he remembered all that for the moment stood between them. " But I should not . . I havo no right. lam but a convict " "No' My deliverer—once, twice! And now my beloved." A convict," ho insisted. " A man running for his life with tho hounds at hfs heels." " But you did not do the thing they say. Thoso clothes—they were given you by my guardian. That car —oh ' —but I can tell them tho truth " " You aro forgetting," ho intervened, I " or—you dc not know. It was for somothat I went to prison.. It was for something hoforo that——" " I know. Mr. Mallinson told mo. Thoro was a dead woman. Ho said she was your wife, that you killed her, and s.y that *' . "A lie!" ho broke in. "I did not ' know the woman. I had never seen her W my lifo, un.til I saw her lying in that

BRILLIANT ROMANCE OF BURIED TREASURE.

(COPYRIGHT.)

room —dead. I told tho truth, but no one bclioved mo "

" But " began tho girl brokenly, Her faith shook him as passi had shaken him a moment or two before, but ho held on his way. " I 11111 glad of that. It lifts a man to know that tho innocent have faith in him. But tho fact is there, and it is as big as that groy place at Princetown. That gate with its ironic motto yawns for mo. I shall havo much to do to avoid heing swallowed by it a second time. That has to bo remembered. You must not forget it. . . I—daro not."

" But bcgaii " tho girl .brokenly, " but " " Thoso hours of liberty aro my opportunity. If in tho time they afford mo I cannot prove my innoconro of that crimo at Hampstead, then I am a lost man. And if I am taken "

" Vou must not bo." No. But if I fail " " There are oLhor lands," slio whispered urgently. " Yes. Where > could live a maimed lift 1 under a name other than my own., skulking in tho by-ways, afraid every daV that 1 should meet some man who knew mo in the old times and remombered. Is that tho lifo a man could ask you to sharo

" Do you think that 1 would not ?" There was in her whisper a touch of hurt pride. " No. God bo thanked! But you shall not. I am man enough for that. You shall not slink with me in out-of-the-way ports among tho men and women who dare not sot foot or English soil or board an English ship, who spend their days in avoiding the extradition laws. . . . But you must leave Mallinson. Ho is a scoundrel and worse. Ho " " 1 must leave him ?" sho interjected tensely. " Then you will tell me where I must go?" " You havo friends " he began. " None that I know of," sho whispered. " My father is dead. My brother perished at Verdun. ' havo no one but my guardian and . . . and you." " Heaven help you, Celie," ho whispered. " But you aro not safe with Mallinson. The man, in keeping you is pursuing an evil design. Whatever happens to me you must not remain with him. I still have friends who would care for you. There is one waiting for mo now. If you will trust yourself with

me "Why not?" asked tho girl simply. " Then wo will go at onre. I tamo here to look for Mallinson and to find what belongs to you." " What belongs " "A fortune! Though what I have found seems poor enough. Mallinson will have to wait and " "Hark!" Her whispoi broke on his words warnings. He listened carefully, but heard nothing. " What wa.f. it?" " Footsteps in the gallery. Someone passed the door." " Are yon suro? It is easy to imagine

A feminine voice speaking in tones of consternation interrupted him.

"Derek sho is not here!" " Madame Grothe " " Quick, ' ho whispered. "We must go. 'i hey will search." Fie turned towards the door, which stood well ajar. From below there came a sound of excited voices. 1 here was a rush of footsteps on the stairs. A light shon; through the opening of the door, and the woman called again: " She has gone! Fled maybe, to " "God 1 If sho has!" The interrupting voice was Mallinson's. " But she cannot have left the h-use. TJiere is no way but through tho hall. Wo must search. She is hidden somewhore. Barbouchi, try the doors across tho gallery. You, Emit, search the attics. Wo must find her. If we lose her " Noisy feet stamped hurriedly along the gallery. They were coming towards the room where tho pair were, and Dorrington guessed that already their plight was a hopeless one. Alone ho might win Jree, but with the girl, who, as he was convinced, knew less of the house than he did, the attempt, would lie merely desperpit Yoi it must be tried. • 'Come!" he whispered. "Follow

mp He flung the door open for easier egress, and even as ho did so tho steps halted on the gallery, and in tho light streaming from the hall and from the open doorway ot t'elie's room, he saw the Berber staring at him in amazement, the start leu man, however, acted promptly, lit gavj a shout, rried something in Ins native tongue, and a second later produced an automatic pistol. Even I hen Dorrington would have made the j venture, but tin-. thought of the girl behinu him anchored him in the doorway. If ho rushed him. the man would fire, and the bullet might find not tho billet. Intended, but tho girl behind him. Ho heard Celie cry imploringly to the man, who barred the way, wondered at his owr folly in coming unarmed to this house ot danger, and then Mallinson tamo running along the gallery with the man Ennl and Madame Grothe at his heels. As he drew level he halted, looked sharply at Dorrington and the girl behind him, then laughed harshly. " So Mr. Dorrington, you como an uninvited guest to my house once more." Dorrington made no reply. Ho heard Gene sobbing behind him, and his mind worked at express speed, trying to devise some way out of this impasse for the girl and himself. Mallinson laughed again. I wonder why you carno? Were you driven here for refuge like a homeless biro, or was little Gelie tho loadstone ? Ur Ho broke off sharply as if somo new Idea had occurred to him. 1 hen he gave quick orders. " Keep that man covered, Barbouchi. Ernii, bring lights. Quick!" Then he addressed Dorrington. Go back into that, room, my friend." Dorrington did not move, and the man cried in cold passion: "You will not? Wo will see. He turned to tho man with tin pistol and addressed him sharply in his native tongue. The Berber stepped forward, his pistol raised. " Jf you do not go back," said Mallinson briskly, "he wilt Fire. He has my (iron and tie w*l obey." I."rip look i:i the Berber's eyes left IWiingtoi in no doubt, but ho stood TTioiv unyieldingly. Tho Berber raised Hip pi'-tol a little higher, and (hen fiom hrhir.rT came a whisper that, moved Dori7ng!"n as flic threat had not done. " f)li, rnon cher!" lie To,i bar, a step into tho room. .Maonison laugTied coldly and then gavo ;i ni'tv older Uiis tirno to tho girl. ' Coim- oni of that, Celie. Go to yoi , room if you would not have Barbouchi siiooi your convict." 'I he girl moved forward a little falterir.glv. Mallinson addressed tho woman by name Marie. "

1 he woman gripped the girl's arm and hurried her along the gallery just as the man Kmil came bearing a brace of candles. Mallinson seized one of them) and lifting it, stared beyond Dorrington into the room. His eyes went to tho disturbed boards ther ii a flash came back to his prisoner

' 'len thousand devils!" ho cried. " So yoi, have found " lie checked sharply at tho sound of a stumble on the floor above. " What . . who i that?" he demanded in a hissing whisper (To be continued daily.)