MR. GRANVILLE’S HOLIDAY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1664, 20 January 1904, Page 12

MR. GRANVILLE’S HOLIDAY

(Written specially for the “N.Z. Mail” by 1). O. von Stunner. Elltham.)

Mr. Granville told himself, with much truth, that hie deserved a holiday, and as M. e.rs Trifitami and Co., whose business he managed, thought the same, the holiday was decided upon, and then arose the question with Mr. Granville as to where and) how he would spend it. He would not stop in Auckland, he told himself; there wer© friends in Sydney he had to visit, but ‘‘No,” he said. “I will not trouble them, or anybody else for that matter. I'll just wander about and see if I cian't strike some, mischief to get into.” He was sitting on the deck of the little Goirlooh, a few hours after she had left the Oneliunga wharf, and was J wondering if he would go on to Wellington by boat from New Plymouth or take the train ac *oss country. He had quite forgotten that he wasn't alone till a voice at his side broke the silence. “I think we'U have a smooth passage somehow.” Mr. Granville looked up. “Ye®,” he said, “it -seems calm, enough now, but we are not over the bar yet. but haven't I met you before?” he asked. “A few evenings ago/' the other replied. “I think we met at Mrs. fc-tan-ford’s ‘At home.' ” “Why, yes, of course, I remember now. You dre Mr. Alton,” said Mr. Granville. “I think you told me you were in town to meet a Mend) by'the Rotomakana; diid he arrive?” “No, he didn't; and I have had my trip to Auckland for nothing. I am disappointed, too, for my friend Palmer was to have come over and stopped with us in Eeilding for a few weeks.” “You are just getting back to Feilding yourself, I suppose ?” asked Mr. Granville. But he had an obj ect in asking the question, and awaited the other's reply with no little concern, and) was pleased when Mr. Alton said, “No; I shall go on down to the Christckximhi Show now for a week or two.” Mr. Granville hid a smile. How the fates were playing into his hands. He had fully made up his mind by now to go cm to Peilding and introduce himself to the Alton family as Mr. Palmer, thenexpected guest. He would tell them, that he had missed their so-n by some mistake at Auckland, when they told him, as they surely would, that he had gone up especially to meet the visitor. “But, by Jove,” he thought, “suppose they know, this man Palmer, that would spoil my game altogether.” Then he turned to Alton and) asked casually, “Might not you, in come way, have missed your friend at the boat ?” - “Oh, hardly,” the other replied. “His name was not amongst the list of passengers even, and besides. I met the boat the moment she landed at the wharf.” “It would be a bit awkward for him/' laughed Mr. Granville, “if he went on to your home and) found you not there — that is, of course,” he addled) lcnavely, “if ha doesn't know the other members of your family.” “Oh, no,” replied Alton, taking the bait so- cunningly laid for him. “Palmer only knows myself, but h© ienot the sort to mind falling amongst strangers. Anyhow, I feel quite sure that something has delayed) him.” At New Plymouth Mir. Alton said goodbye. “I will catch the) Rotoiti this afternoon for Wellington,” lie said at parting. “You are going through by train, are y °“Yes” answered*Mr. Granville, telling the lie’in a, manner that was worthy an auctioneer or a book-agent even. I may have the pleasure of meeting you in a few days,” he added , ~ “i hope so, indeed/' replied! the other, and they parted. , , .. Bred Alton would have wondered, if, half an hour later, he had heard Mr. Granville tell the porter to re-label hie luggage to Peilding instead of Weßing“Well, it's a go now,” he said to himself, as about three o'clock that afternoon the mail train drew up at the Pei Iding station and he alighted. Wonder what sort of people they are. Yes, IH want a cab, my man. , , , “Where to sir? tha-©dibble asked. For a moment ‘ Mr. GranyiMe • hesitated. Would he go to an , hptd first? he reflected, “thatwoujeto tdo “Take me to Mr;; AXtonte place, he said boldly, as-he seated himself with his rug. inside the cab. , ~ “Which Mr. Alton# sir?” asked the Lord, trouble alreadfryand before I get’ to the house even. The cabbie awaited instruction®, but Mr. Granville

was equal to the occasion. “By Jovq*. blessed, if I can think -of his initials.”

‘Ts it J. IL Alton?” the man poiiueay. thinking to help ids fare out OX a cLihieu--j.

“Blessed if I know,” and then a bright idea struck him. “IF® the father of th© young Mr. Alton who left here for Auckland a few day's ago.” The cabman looked surprised. “Mr-Fred-*s father has been dead for years/' 1 he said.

“Oh, I didn't kn-ow,” exclaimed Mr. Granville nothing daunted. “You. see, the family are not known'to me, only Mr, Alton himself. lam just over from Australia,” he added, by way of explanation.

“Oh, yes, sir. You will be-the gentle* man I heard Mr. Fred say to Mr. Edge* combe as would show them all how to play tennis.” “I play a little,” murmured Mr. Granville. He had hardly even held a racquet in ms hand, and didn't even understand the game, he told himeelf as he rattled aiong. “Pin in for a lively time now and no mistake.” The Alton's house was one of the biggest in th© town, or rather just out of the town. Mr. Granville introduced hirm self as Mr. Palmer, and was accorded a most hearty welcome. He was full of regret that he had missed Fred at Auckland.

“Perhaps he didn't meet the boat/' ,, - suggested one of the Miss Alton®. ‘‘Your name is not among the list of passengers as having left Sydney, I see,” she said, looking through a Wellington paper, “and how is that, Mr. Palmer ?”*slie asked.

“Well, you see,” said Mr. Granville* speaking slowly, for the question' had) some suddenly and was quit© unexpected' “I did- -not join the boat in the usual way, that is to say, she had just started when I arrived at the wharf, and I had to get a small launch which luckily, was handy, to take me out to her. I would presume that the reporter who gets the names oi the passengers had; left whan I landed on board,” he said) with a smile, well pleased that he had! got over his first difficulty so well. Later ou in the afternoon, as Mr. Granville drank tea in the sitting-room and made himself agreeable to the Misses Alton, he looked out of the window and down the drive. Suddenly he gave- a start and almost dropped his cup. “More trouble,” he uxdl himissLf, as he spied the telu&iuph boy advancing towards the house. it was trouble it was at least well timed, for the questions the Misses Alton were asking Mr. Granville just then that gentleman was finding somewhat dimoult to answer without “giving) the show away.” Presently a servant entered with a tele* gram for Mrs. Alton. Mr. Granville tried to look unconcerned. “It is from Fred,” exclaimed the hostess, “he is ini New Plymouth, and is going on to Wellington to-night, and then to Christchurch aor a week.” ■ The look of disappointment on Mr. Granville's face was surely not sincere, but became in truth so when Mrs. Alton announced that a telegram .must be sent to Fred in the morning first thing, cara of the boat at Wellington. "He can get home then,” she said, “by to-morrow evening.” Mr Granville's pleased expression on hearing of so soon meeting his supposed friend was as insincere as the look of disappointment had been a moment before. he was somewhat* concerned, about that telegram they were sending in the morning, and was thinking hard of soma way of preventing it being sent, when all of a> sudden a more immediate danger threatened. Miss Ethel, the eldest of the two Misses Alton, suddenly exclaimed 1 , “Oh, Mr. Palmer, do coma out and) have a gamß of tennis with us before it gets too dark. It is just lovely outside no w.” “Ok, d n the tennis,” he said) to himself. To Miss Ethel he was just about to make some -excuse when Mrs. Alton, luckily for him, came to the rescue.

“Mr. Palmier must be too tired to think of playing to-night. I wonder you ask h m ao soon after his long journey. Perhaps you would i-ather the girls show you round the grounds instead/'’ she said, turning to Mi*. Granville, who hastened to express a desix*a to see the grounds before it got too dark. That night, as ho undressed in the special visitor’s i*ooiii, he laughed softly to himself. “If it wasn’t for that d d tennis,” me ’said, “and that telegram in the morning, evei*ythng would he right, and Miss Ethel is far too lovely a girl to bo running away from yet awhile--by Jove, what hair and! eyes, ye gods,” and then Mr. Granville was silent for awhile—be was thinking of those eyes. As he put the light out he said in a tone that could leave no doubt of his D —•—n that telegram. A good sound sleep and an early walk • before breakfast enabled his fertile brain to devise a scheme to get over the telegram trouble. At breakfast ho told them he would have to go to the Post Office first thing and send a wire about some luggage he left in Auckland, and also “I think I will cable home and* let them know I arrived here safely.” He noticed they - looked rather surprised! at his last remark, and wondered if he was supposed to be’ alone in the world, or perhaps his people were not in Australia. “That was a slip,” ho told himself, and was pleased that no remark wasi made by any of them. “And 1 can send' the wire to Fred too,” he said, as if that were quite an afterthought. Mr. Granville difi not go near the Post Office, but made straight for the house of the local doctor. “I’ll settle the tennis trouble,” he told himself, ao he rang the door-bell. - - . “Doctor/’ - he said a few minutes later, “l must , tell - you that I am a private a detective. I< am here in. Feildin® on work j in that capacity, and I have to personate/ a man wboria-known by another to have.;, fhe thumb offfiis right hand sprained andfi bandaged.”.'*;/ , , r "Caught, it ’ between the folding of the Post-Office.” he explained: ter Altons half an hour later, and when he noticed the sympathetic look in those lovely eyes of Misa Ethel’s, he wished

that he had gpne in for a broken arm Instead' of a sprained thumb. “I ana so,sorry Mr. Palmer." she said, **it mil prevent your playing tennis for is few nays, andi wo dad want you to show us eome of your skill. Fred has jheen telling som© of the enthusiasts about here that you would take them all down, and the doctor just longs to try his luck against you. Mother Jias asked him and some friends over to play on Thursday, and now you will only be able to look oh." “I shall not mind that so much. Miss Ethel," he said, ‘‘if you will not altogether desert me on that day, although it will be disappointing/"' he adueu. uut t-o fo# able to play, ©spehaby as so much will he expected of me. Even as he spoke, he was wondering how he could get over this new trouble ‘‘That d—■—d doctor/ 5 he reflected, “would he sure to give mo away." For over a week Mr. Granville managed to stay with the Albons. He w_as by now in a most undecided state of mind. Fred Alton would be home in a day or twonrom Christchurch: he ooulti leave before then, of course, but tx> leave meant to say goodbye, or rather to leave without saying good-bye for ever to the beautiful Ethel. He was trying to decide whether he mmid boldly confess every tiling, .and throw himself on "the mercy of these people., or would he ask Ethel to be his wile and tell her afterward©. The position >vas a most unenviable one. Then suddenly the fates intervened. Ms® Alton and Mr. Granville, by that strange instinct that young lovers someiiuies have, loiuM theinaelves sitting togetner on one oi tne lawn seats in front of the house. It was about naif-past seven, &ud the glorious summer day wa® just giving way to the

jjfast approaching mgiii; that, mm wnm one almost feels the silence broken oniy by some stray bird getting late to res’ : the hour when man le-els at peace wuh the whole world, and gives way to “■entimantal thought© forbidden, in the busy rush of earlier hours. Neither of the two who watched the last red light fading in. the west had spoken for nearly five minutes. The girl was thinking of tine new friendship with the' man at her side, and a smile played f. around the corners of her pretty mourn. “Shall I tell her who I am?” the r.i-a® was asking himself. Perhar)© he would have, but at that moment on the still air the sound of a gate shutting' amu & man's heavy walk on the gravel fi warned him that they were no longer alone

The intruder lilted' hm cap aa he approached. He wa© riia local oonsuaoi'e "Good-evening, Mies Alton,” he aam njfoectfully. Then. Luriuntg to au. ovanvilie,. he said, ‘'Excuse u.e, sir, bui aie you not Mr. Palmer lioiu Au&tr&na r”' *‘l ami” answered Mr. Granville. wondering what wa© coming now, or who uis man could be.- for che officer was mesbea in plain clothes. "Mr. Palmer, of Palmer and Walsh 1 believe?"’"’ the man continued ' "The same,” answered Mr. Gra iv u a, who vaguely wondereu if he ! h i stud the right thing. "Then,” continued .the officer, ".if 5. Alton will excuse vou I would sea you alone, and at> once. Believe me.' fiL&s Alton," he -shfd/ business is mode urgent, or 3? would not thus intrude.” And as - the girl left them the offioeir said—?

"My erraowi, Mr Palmer, is not. a pleas, ant one, but you w ll guess what it i 9 when I tall you .that I am a police officer, and. ..that your partner was arrested in Perth two days ago'' Mr. Granvillefa*.©d tire situa Lon. • * This man,” ha tqid himself, “has come 10 arrest me for smuething Palmer - has done.” For a moment ih© com.cal side of the whole affair -struck hi.i. forcibly, and it was all he could do to keep from laughing outright. But as suddenly came th© other side of the situation. “Good -heavens, what will my friends think if all this comes out? What will ihese people thinkP Would they ever forgive me?—no.” So ran Ins inougats. ±ie knew 1 that to tell the officer that he had made a mistake in his man would" &e so •jnwTinh waste of words. This was indeed the tightest corner his fool uiiuess had. got Mm into. Neverthei.es.:, it more amused - than frightened the man. His active brain was already try ng to find .some way out of the difficulty, whe: she faint, far-away whistle of a train gave him am inspiration. It was ah-ut eight o’clock, and a train was due in F olding; the train, he remembered, that reached Palmerston North at nine. -The line . jan past the Alton’s houtfc about a quarter .of a ..mil©. away to the right, and straight across tire paddocks there was sjv little flag Btatiofl. he remembered. In a moment he had made up hia mind lie would run for that. He knew that Ms chances of getting away w&r© few, ©nd wondemi vaguely if the fellow was a good shot, for he tightly guessed that the officer would not be unarmed. "Ah well, I suppose if© aid up now, ’ li© said, rn a tone that implied that he gave himself up to the inevitable as L© advanced towards the officer, who, all unsuspecting the bth-efs intention, received a blow from a powerful fist that for a moment staggered him. In a flash oranvill© had dashed into the darkness, there wa® a loud report of two revolver shots fired in quick and the two men raced acres© the fields scarcely a chain apart. Through hedges and over fence© -they both rushed in that, mad race for the little station. The policeman had lent hie man in the darkness, Irafc h© guessed hia intention and knew that if he succeeded in stopping him from boarding this train it would be only a matter of taking him in the morning. Mu Granville reached the line a good liAlf minute before hie pursuer. Fortune favoured him; there wa® not a soul on the little station; he could see the great ved light of the engine scarcely a quarter ©f * mile away. And thas itw that ha madia a wise more, Instead -of waiting on the ertatwra for tho train ho went along the line about forty y-ardsPand lay <fcwrt flat in th* long a yajd tom U» nil.. ihn«t M to <M_» the train arrived, and a few minutes later ohe ganre uanal whMle warning flgpgffra tfast ehe waa wa f \r, '•'-"A/.-vr-vV : • ‘

the police officer rushed; wildly on to the platform, just in time to stop her. Mr. Granville lay quietly in the friendly grass. He could hear the guard saying that no one had got on, and then, by the time she stayed after that, he guessed that they were making a search through the carriage© to make sure. Presently the whistle sounded again, he heard the guard say good night to the policeman, and that worthy answer “Good night/' as he turned to leave the little station, and under cover of the darkness Mr. Granville, who was running now in the same direction as the train, the carriages passing hun one by one a© she quickly gained speed, mad© one desperate spring at the railing of the van and succeeded unseen' by the guard;, in Hanging on with no slight difficulty until the train arrived in Bunny thorp©, five miles further on. Then ho slipped off. and, quietly entering the ©tation* secured a finst-class ticket and walked boldly into a carriage. v > A xew day© later he sat in his office at Messrs. Tristam and Go/s in Aubk< land, and read a long account of the whole affair. ‘‘‘What makes the thing such a mystery*” the paper went on to say, "is that by cable to-day we have received news of. the arrest of the man Palmer at Capetown, but no doubt the mystery will soon, be cleared up.” Mr. Granville laughed outright. He knew that hib silence would keep the affair "a mystery for ever.”