MASTER OF FATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20264, 25 May 1929, Page 18 (Supplement)

MASTER OF FATE.

BY FRANK PRICE.

CHAPTER I. A GIRL AND A MAN. Robert Loder stepped into the great dining room of the Hotel Magnificent and stood for a moment looking about him with appreciative eyes. It was good to bo back in London again. The scene before him might be garish, blatant, exaggeratedly luxurious, but for those very reasons it appealed to him just then. The lights, the music, the conventional garb of tho men, the bright colours of the women's clothes, their flashing jewels, the creamy, flowering faces of the English girls, the ebb and flow of talk in his native language, everything he saw and heard touched his heart and warmed it. He was back in civilisation after more than two years of wandering in wild places, .wlhero dangers were always lurking round the corner an.d adventures were never far away. Here in old England life ran smoothly; law and order held sway; (lie policeman on his heat was a guarantee against sudden peril, and men had safety without the need to assure it by the strength of their own arms and the stoutness of their own hearts. Well, he had enjoyed the last two years. He bad gone out deliberately seeking adventure and found it in full measure, and now it was good to be home again and feel that for a timo, at least, hardship and risk were put aside and life would run smoothly in tho solid peace of old-established things. There was no need to be ever on the watch here, where all went by rule and tho unexpected never happened. Thero were no dangers lurking round corners. Everybody in that huge room seemed to be thinking of nothing, but having a good time and he was perfectly ready to join them! " Are you dining alone, sir ?" A head waiter* had come to his side. Robert nodded. " I can find you a table,, sir, if you will come this way." Ho went down the room and Robert followed. Many people looked at him as he passed, noting his square shoulders, the free, open-air swing of his stride and the deep bronze to which long days under liot suns had burnt his face. His own eyes were busy for, fresh from a land of darker skins, he was realising as never before the charm of his countrywomen's fairer beauty. He was contenting himself with fleeting glances lest he should seem offensive, when suddenly ho stopped dead and remained staring at a girl who was seated with two men at a table on his right. She chanced to look up as he caught sight of her and their glances met and held. For an instant he was conscious of nothing but the certainty that he was looking at the most beautiful face he had ever seen. Then he became aware of something else, though he could not decide what it was. Did he know her? Had he ever met her in the flesh ? Or was this feeling which was stirring him to the depths something less prosaic—a recognition by his spirit of a face that had always been in his dreams as long as he had lived ? The waiter, returning to see why he had paused, claimed his attention, and the girl, starting almost as though waking from a dream, turned to one of h • companions, a fine-faced man with greying hair, and said a few words. He glanced at Robert and rose with extended hand. " Bob Loder, isn't it t" he said. " Mr. Hearstwood! I—l didn't see you." Rob shook hands and his eyes wont to the girl again. " Then—can this be Una?" "Of course it is!" She gave him her ihand with a friendly gesture. " Didin't .you know? You can's say you didn't see pie!" And she laughed. " You have changed," he said, still looking at her. " Una does between fifteen and t.ineteen and it is four years since wb met; but 1 shouldn't have thought ycu would forget me." "1 hadn't!" he protested. "X have tiften thought of' you—but never as you are!" His voice sank almost to a whisper and there was such warmth of admiration in his gaze that she looked down while a rosy flush crept into her cheeks. 41 Are you dining with someone 1" asked Mr. Hearstwood, glancing at the attendant waiter. " .No, sir,' returned Robert. "I am booked for a solitary meal to-night, I only arrived in London this afternoon, after a couple of years of big game hunting ana othei things in Mexico, and you lire i the first, friends I have seen." " Mexico!" Mr. Hearstwood's tone was almost eager and he threw a quick look j,t, the third member of his party, who looked up at the . word. He was a man oi forty or so, with a breadth of shoulder and depth of chest, which gave an impression enormous physical strength, while his square chin, straight mouth, Jarge, well-shaped nose, and dark and piercing eyes suggested that he was possessed of boundless energy and ruthless determination. " What parts were you in V " Pretty nearly everywhere, sir, though most of th« time I was. practically oft ; the map I was looking for sport and adventure, you know." "Did you get it?" asked the other man. Hif voice was low and singularly smooth, but there was a note of supercilousnes.* in it which jarred on Robert's nerves. 4 As much as 1, wanted," he replied shortly " Do yor know a pjace called Satero, at fill ?" asked Mr. Hearstwood. " That's Lower l California," said Robert. " Yes, 1 happen to know it pretty well. I spent a couple of months in the district —and heard a good deal of talk about it elsewhere," he added with a sudden keen look at the questioner. Mr. Hearstwood hesitated an instant find cast a doubtful-seeming glance, at his male companion Then he said to Robert: "I should like a talk with you when yoo can spare tho time." " That will be whenever you like, sir," replied Robert. " 1 am absolutely free." "It is a pity your friend didn't turn up earlier, said the other man. j "I should have been pleased to add Mm to our party, but we ire nearly through dinner now and we must get on to our other engagement." " Yes.'' Mr Hearstwood seemed in a curious state of doubt and eagerness. He pulled himself together. " Let me introduce you," he said. " This is Mr. Robert Loder, son of a very old friend of mine; Mr. Grant Lane." Robert bowed, looking with interest at the man to whom he had been presented. He knew the name of Grant. Lane,, as, indeed, most people did. It had been coming into prominence when ho left England and since then had become worldvide in us fame, though round its bearer there clung clouds of mystery. He t was reputed t to have made fabulous sums I by daring speculation, but his successes I were rarely mentioned without, dark hints 1 being dropped as to the methods by which j they were attained, and gossip ' was full : of rumour" as to his origin and Ins character. In the ordinary way Robert | >vouid net nave thought much of this, i He kn. c that such chatter is one of the penalties cxaiteu by the common crowd from such men as Grant Lane; but now he found himself wondering how much truth .theiv might, be in them. The curtly domineering tone of the few words Lane had spoken had stirred a feeling of antagonism in him, and the fact that he had been addressed in such a manner before Una was galling. He turned to Mr, Hearstwood. " 1 could meet you at any time tomorrow sir." "To-morrow?" Mr. Hearstwood knitted, his brows. "It is awkward. I have hardly half an hour free, and we go away for the week-end in the afternoon. A should hove liked more time with you 1 hat's easily arranged," Lane broke IT J a " air of taking completo control oi situation which again roused Roberta resentment. " Mr. Loder says ,

A THRILLING STORY OF LOVE, CRIME AND ADVENTURE.

(COPYRIGUT.)

What does one mean when one says a inaii is interested in a girl?" she answered. fler voice Mas low, but Robert was sura there was a tremor of passion 3n 't. i" He is going to marry her." " Are they engaged ?" There was Ihorror in Robert's lace. " T don't know that." " Then why do you say he is going to marry her ?"

'' I saw him looking at her. He means to, and when Grant Lnno means «t thing—whatever it may he—he does it!"

The note of passion was in her voice • gain, and in her dark eyes was a light as of smouldering fires. Robert sat star-

he has no engagements. Let him come to Grey Prior and you can talk to him as niuch as you like." He explained to Robert: " Grey Prior is my place in Sussex, the railway station is Malvorley and thero is a good train which will be met at 4.23. 1 shall expect you." It was mora like a command than an invitation and Robert's impulse was to give a haughty refusal; but ho happened to look at Una, and she, seeing his intention in his face, put out her hand with an appealing littlo gesture. "Do come! " So she was to bo at Grey Prior! That settled it at once! " I shall be delighted," he said to Lane. " You must come down with us," said Una, in a tone that did not disguiso her pleasure. " There is plenty of room in the car. What time do wo start, father ? " / " As neai four as I can manage," replied Mi Hearstwood. So it was arranged, and a few minutes later Robert resumed his interrupted progress down the room, leaving them to finish thei- meal and go on to the other engagement awaiting them. His own dinner received but scant attention while they were still in sight. His eyes were on Una Heartswood, feasting on her beauty, and his memory was busy with the days when they had been boy and girl together. How she had changed outwardly from the long-legged, angular freckled torn-boy she was then! No wonder he had not recognised her at first, yet, as he watched her from afar, he saw that she was the saino in many ways. Thero was the old proud poise of the head, the straight fearless look in the eyes, and same quick, lithe movement of limbs and body, now instinct with some new and subtle charm tiiat ripening womanhood had given. And, in spite of all outward changes, he felt that in essentials she was still the same. In the past lie had always regarded her as the truest of friends, the most loyal of comrades, and he was suro that she would bo so still.

He hated to see her in the company of Grant Lane. The man had inspired him with instinctive mistrust, which his manner toward Una reinforced with active dislike. There was something pos-" sessive in it, and though Robert was too far away to hear anything he said, he saw that whenever Lane spoke to her and she had to look at him, sho seemed to shrink and there was a hint of fear in her eyes. A wild desire to snatch her away, to interpose himself between her and Lane, seized Robert. Presently they rose to depart. Lane led the way, his broad shoulders and large, well-shaped head swaying slightly to the rhythm of his long, easy strides. Seeing him erect and in movement, Robert had a sense of power exuding from him, and realised for the first time how much a force to bo reckoned with Grant Lane was for anyone who might be placed in opposition to him. That domineering manner of his was not the outcome of mere petty conceit. He was an egotist, ■relentlessly pursuing his own ends, without thought for tiie feelings of others, no doubt, but he had qualities which, for good or evil, marked him as a master of men.

"An awkward customer to be np against!" thought Robert "I wonder if I am going to be up against him? If so, I shall not find dear old England quite so peaceful a place to rest in as I expected ! Then Una catching his eye, flashed a smile at him and waved her hand before following Lane with her father, and he forgot everything elso. He watched her until she was out of the room and still sat staring at the doorway, through which she had disappeared, for a long time. At last he roused himself as a thought surged up and formed itself into words in his mind:

" That is what I came back for, though I didn't know it! I'm going to marry Una! "

Then, as though the decision had made everything clear, lie devoted himself to his food with gusto. 110 had finished and was smoking over coffee in the Palm Lounge, undecided whether to drop into a theatr.e or music hall for the rest of the evening, -ivhen two people seated themselves in chairs besido him. Ho remembered vaguely having seen them in the dining room where they had a table near his—a big, heavily built man with a broad, colourless face, whose only striking features were two prominent light blue eyes, which seemed absolutely void of expression ; and a woman, tall, slim and daringly gowned, whoso shining, blue-black shingled hair, dusky velvet eyes and rather full carmine lips showed up vividly against the warm olive tint of her oval face. It was only after a second glance that ho decided she was no longer a girl and that, though Nature had undoubtedly been very kind to her, she owed a good deal to art as well. They were silent while coffee and liqueurs were brought; then the man turned in his chair and spoke casually to Robert: " Not a bad place, this. They give you a decent meal." For a man of his size his voice was unexpectedly highly pitched, with a curiously penetrating quality and his accent was uncultured. But Robert's travels had accustomed him to being hail-fel-low-well-met with all sorts of people and ho responded easily: " I'm satisfied. This sort of thing is very different from what I have been used to for a long time." "Been roughing it. a bit?" asked the big man. " It's easy to see you didn't get that sunburn iri England." " I suppose it does show up," said Robert, with a laugh. "As a matter of fact, I only landed at Southampton this morning." " India ?" " No; Mexico." " Oh!" The big man moved in his chair and the woman sat up and looked across him at Robrrt. " Business." " Nothing so useful. Just floating round seeing things, Uith a bit of big game shooting to give me something to work for." There was a pause, then the big man said, with a nod of his head toward the dining room: " I saw you talking to Gordon Hearstwood in there." " Yes?" Robert was suddenly on his guard with a feeling that there was a purpose behind the apparently casual remark. " He is interested in Mexico." " How do you know that?" " Business." The prominent eyes blinked. " I'm not independent of it as you say you are! But, of course, if you were only killing time out there you couldn't tell him anything he would want to know—nor Grant Lane, either." "Is he interested in Mexico?" asked Robert sharply. He's interested in Gordon Hearstwood,'' said the big man, and his companion, speaking for the first time, broke in: " And in Gordon Elearstwood's daugh tor!'' " What do you mean by that?" demanded Robert, leaning forward to face her.

ing at her, hating her for what she had said but impressed against his will by the conviction behind her words. '' His "luck won't always hold," said the big man. " There are plenty of people only too anxious to put a spoke in his wheel, and the more there are looking for a chanco the likelier it is to come off." Ho threw one of his expressionless glances at Robert and rose. " Vvc may as well be moving, Beryl. ' She got up and Robert did the same. He did not lik»- these two, but their manner had coiivinccil him that they were both of those who would put a spoke in Grant Lane's wliee' if they could, and for that reason ho was loth to lose sight of them. While they were getting their coats the big man said; "Have you anything to do to-night?" "Nothing I'm at a loose end," replied Robert. " Same with us. Why not come round to nvy flat for an hour ? I can give you a drink worth having." Robert hesitated for an instant. There was more in this carefully casual invitation than appeared on the surface. What was it ? Card-sharping, confidence trick —or was it something deeper ? Whatever it might be ho had confidence in his capacity to take care of himself—and they were antagonistic to Grant Lane! The figure of Lane seemed in his imagination to bo interposed between him and Una; the .only way to reach her was by thrusting that figure aside and these people might give him some hint as to how best to set about the task. _ _ , Ho accepted the invitation and they \vcnt out of the hotel together. CHAPTER H. QUEER DOINGS. The big man called a taxi and gave an address in Knightsbridge. On the way they exchanged names, the man introducing himself as Peter Morrison and. his woman companion as Miss Beryl Lacroix. Nothing of any importance was said during the drive but Robert had a sensation of being subjected to a close, though veiled scrutiny all the time. More than once as an arr* lamp illuminated the interio. of the cab for a moment his eyes met those of Miss Lacroix; then she would smile and give him a look that was evidently intended to bo friendly but which, somehow, filled him with distaste. He would turn quickly away and then, in the window beside him, ho seemed to see another and very different face as a, faint, shadowy reflection in the glass. It, too, smiled on him, that lovely smile that had made him catch his breath as Una Hearstwood waved her hand before she left the restaurant; and the thrill with which ho had first seen her thero would set him tingling again. Present 1\ the cab slowed down and stopped beforo an imposing block of flats, and they got out. While Morrison was paying the far© Beryl Lacroix slipped her hand through Robert's arm. " Come," she said softly, and urged him toward the entrance with an almost caressing pressure. The scent she used was strong in his nostrils and her carmined lips smiled alluringly. He wondered again it these two had brought him there thinking him a fool who could easily be parted from his money—or was sho only exercising the attractions of her sex because when sho was with a man their use was second nature to her ? In either case he was impervious to her attack. He quietly released his arm from her hold and went up the steps beside her. Morrison rejoined them in the vestibule and an automatic lift took them up to the third floor, where the big man, getting out first, approached a door. " What's Porter thinking of?" he muttered, glancing at the fanlight as he took out a latchkev. " There ought to be a light in the hall." He unlocked the door, but some obstruction prevented it from opening more than a few inches. ' Whftt the devil has he been up to?" he exclaimed irritably, reaching in with his hand and turnincr on the electric light; then, with a sudden crv, he squeezed through and stooned behind the door. Beryl caught Robert's arm attain, this time with a frightened jrrip. and pointed to the hall floor, where the feet and legs of a man protruded. Morrison showed a startled face. " It's Porter!" he said. "He has had a nastv knock on the bend. Snmehodv has been here—mav be here now!" Ho drew the n>'o<3trafe man awav and onened the door ftillv. Then he stood un and RoWrt saw an automatic r>'°*ol in his hand. " Come inside onietlv." ho answered. " I must go through the rooms." Ho shut the door behind thom and mnde a rar*'d search of the fat. leaving them sHndimr there looking down at the insensible man. 011 whoso forehead there was a h'V swelling vV»«Vt wo turning from red to a yellowish nnrnle.

T*riVo is be?" risked TJrtlinrt. 11 Peter's servant." yr\nl ,r Rervl. "Ho you think be is badlv hurt?" Robert bent down and examined thp injnrv. • " Nothing serious, T think. ' be said. " A cold water compress is about all ho needs." Morrison came back.

"Them's a Tips'; tn rlnnr un!" be said, " but whoever made it has gono without cettiua for l"'s " Are you sure of that?" asked Beryl quioklv. *' Quite. There lias been a search made, but it was for something that wasn t here." The woman looked at him sbarnlv, but he went on: "What I would like to know is who made it, and by whoso orders ?"

" Porter will be able to tell that when ho comes to,'' she said. " That's so. We had better get him intc his room. Will you give mo a hand, Mr. Loder? Bring the brandy from tho dining room, Beryl." Robert helped to carry the servant into a small room, where they laid him on a bed Beryl came in with a decanter, which Morrison took from her. '■ Take Mr. Loder into the dining room, ' he said. She seemed to hesitate, and he added, with a touch of sharpness; " I'll attend to Porter. Leave mo alone with him."

Beryl glanced at Robert, and he followed her from the room witli a feeling that Morrison bad got rid of him to prevent his bearing anything the injured man might say on recovering consciousness. The dining room was in disorder: a bookcase had been almost emptied and its contents were strewn about tho floor, and a large desk which stood against one ot the walls had been broken into, papers taken from it and littered about everywhere. Even the pictures had been taken from the walls, and their backings ripped off, as if in a search for what might have boon hidden beneath them. " Whoever was here seems to have made a thorough job of it," said Robeit. " Yes." The word was little moro than a sigh. Her eyes were questing round tho room, as though seeking some mark left by the intruder, her hands wero tightly clasped before her, and her face was drawn and haggard, so that it had lost all suggestion of youth. " Which was it?" she muttered to herself, and then, seeing Robert staring at her, she made a sudden effort at control. Ihe lines faded from her face as though by magic, and she looked almost young a cram. She was trying to produce one of her alluring smiles, but that was beyond her for the moment, and, with an impulsiveness that amazed him, she asked abruptly; " Are you very much in love with Una Hearstwood ?"

" What do you mean t" ho exclaimed. "Who says 1 am in love with her?" " Your face said it. I was looking at you when you met her in the restaurant; I watched while you spoke to her and afterwards, when you were pretending to eat, but were tbinkinc of nothing but her. I know! And, anyhow, do you want to deny that you love her?" " I don't want to discuss my feelings with vou at all." he said coldly, " T don't ask vou to: T onlv want to eivr> vou a word of'advice. "Oh, yes!" as he was about to speak. " I know you don't want that, either, but I will sav it, and hone vou will remember it. If you do love her and are man enough to take a' risk—as' I think you are—save her from Grant Lano. No fate could be worse for any woman than tobe his wife!" (To be continued on Saturday next.)