By Breathless ways

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12094, 23 March 1925, Page 4

By Breathless ways

I A BTORY OF MYSTERY, CRIME AND LOVE.

BY A POWERFUL WRITER.

By

Ben Bolt.

Author of “Love in .the Wilds “ “Love F mds. the Clue,' 1 “Linked t>y Peril," etc., etc

[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.]

CHAPTER XVIII. As Miguel Concha made his declaration that the police would not be informed of her father’s guilt provided that Catherina consented to marry him there was a flash in the girl’s eyes, and a flame of indignation in her face. ‘‘You mean that if I refuse you will betray mv father?” | “I have not said so. much. But I j mean that vou shall marry me, for, | senorita, I love you passionately, and I there is nothing that I would not do I to win you.” “Xo matter how mean and despicable the method, I suppose,” said the girl, with a quiet scorn. “I am not afraid of words, senorita,” replied the consul, “I am only,, afraid of losing you.” ‘•You shall never have me,” answered Catherina. ‘‘l love Charles YVo gan, and shall marry him.” “At the cost of your father’s life, senorita?” “You wottld not he so base!” whispered the girl. “You ” “I should not threaten if I did not mean to perform.” answered Concha steadily. “You do not understand how greatly I desire vou, or you would not question how. far I am prepared to go to win you, senorita. Love such as mine—- “ Love!” “ Yes; senorita. A T-assion that is like. Sre. and._as ruthless. I will not he denied. Either you marry me, or when you marry Wogan you sign your father’s death warrant.” “Oh!” whispered the girl. “You are cruel 1 'Cruel!” , ... “Possibly! But I will not be domed, and as I have informed you, 1 do not mind words. ’ ’ “But when mv father knows ” “You will not inforjn him, senorita. He is surropnded by dangers. He has high affairs of State in hand. “You will not complicate matters for him by telling him of this. He will he glad to have you off his hands; glad to- know that you are settled in life, and will then trouble no further about the matter. And believe me he cannot afford; to lose ;S®iv services. I am very necesP; sary to bis schemes—even to liis safety. Apart from the English police, a word from me and. the enemies of your father would get him as surely as night; follows day. It is only because I am his secret friend that he was able to: escape from S»n Balvador. at all;-and because I am-trusted by bis epemies I: am able to serve binr as no other man; can.” . t . i “And jetyyon wJSnld betray him? “I would much rather serve -him; but I will not lose you, senorita.” “You would Blackmail me into marrying you?” said Catherina scornfully. in Spite of Ms declaration, that he ivas not afraid of words, the word stung Concha. He flushed . darkly and an, angry flash came in his eyes. Then he laughed harshly. “Yoti-are not very wire, senorita, to try and anger the. man whom you are to , marry. ' It is never nose to sow'trou, ble for the future. Tdo not like theword you use I prefer-to think that to persuade you there, is nothing that ' I would hesitate to do. It is sufficient that you should realise that i leVe. you so passionately, that I am prepared -to go to extremes to win you.” He spoke with a decision and with a determination which the girl found appalling. In his heart she knew that this man- was inflexibly ruthless, and she could so 3 no way of escape from the alternatives offered. Bnt yet she would not yield. “You are sure that my father killed Salva-no ” she asked. “I am quite certain, senorita!" “And when he bears that- you have threatened to, betray him, senor, what do you suppose will happen ?” Concha gave a sudden sharp laugh. “When will you tell him ..that, interesting piece of news, Senorita Catherina,? You do not know where he cs. You have no means whatever of communicating with him. Only I can help you to do that, and I should require your promise to be silent, and further reflection will show you that by marrying me you will bind me to your father’s cause for ever.” “And Mr Wogan? Do you think that he ” “Mr Wogan will figure as the jilted lover. He"will trouble no more about you or your father’s affairs. Probably he will console himself by going to shoot lions or grizzly bears after the fashion of his countrymen, when their love affairs turn awfy. We need not discuss the excellent Wogan—the episode of a day with you, senorita.” But in the iast statement Concha was utterly wrong Catherina’a love fqy Wogan was of a .-deep, abiding kind, and for that love she was prepared' to fight, and to sacrifice it only in the last extremity. And even whilst the consul was speaking she "ivas recalling Inez Vaklores’ warning. “Do not trust Miguel Concha. He is a very dangerous man.” A direct refusal, as she realised, might put the lives Of both her lover anti her father in danger: and she determined to temporise and at all costs to gain time, meeting ruthlesaness by feminine craft and dissimulation. “And if, I agree, Senor Concha?” she said thoughtfully, “when would you require me to—to——” A little flash of triumph shot into the consul’s eyes, and Ms gave a genial laugh. “Senorita, life-is notoriously short, and liable te> strange vicissitudes. There is never anything gained by delaying felicity. As soon as the ceremony can be arranged we might ” “But I have a condition,” interrupted the girl. “Yes!” “I must see my father first.” Miguel Concha was plainly a little disconcerted. Ho hesitated; and then began suavely. “I am afraid that will be' a little difficult, senorita. Your father ” “The difficulty must be overcome.” broken in the girl, quickly. “The condition is an indispensable one.” Concha considered; and.to the girl watching him it was evident that he found the condition an unpalatable one. She told herself that the consul was afraid of her fnther7 and congratulatad'.hersclf upon having thought of tho condition: whilst at the same ftmo sM deterrmr'ed at nil costs to insist upon its fulfilment. Then Concha spo!;e. “Tt "rdvht ho managed. senorita. To-morrew 1 might tako you to him.

but if I agree to do so I also must make a condition, and that is, that you do not communicate with Mr Wogan m the meantime.” A mutinous look Tame on the girl’s face. The condition was one that she had not looked for.; and to Concha it was Evident that she was about to refuse to agree. Before she did so, however, lie spoke again. “I must insist on that, senorita. Mr Wbgan has already intervened too much in affairs that "do not really concern him; and iT Ts possible that- if he goes further he might cause us infinite trouble. I prefer to keep him where he is; as j. am sure your father will also, and you .surely do not want him to discover the fact which I have informed you of—very reluctantly,. believe me. For him to learn wnat we' know would scarcely be in yqur father’s interest." The mutinous a look on i Catherine's face became a troubled one. She recognised the force of what Concha had said: and fighting lor time as she was, she-felt that there was nothing for’it but outward agreement. But guessing that it too easy acquiescence "would make the consul suspicious, she still demurred. “But if Mr Wogan calls here, as he surely will in the morning “In that case, senorita, it will be a perfectly easy thing 'to- refuse to see him. You can be indisposed or-——” lie broke off with a laugh. ‘ ‘But, no! am not. really a hard man; though unfortunately to-night, circumstances may have made me appear so. In the event of Mr Wogan’s calling before I come for i am disposed to permit a certain licence,, senorita. I shall trust your discretion I —if he calls.” Something in his voice and manner, a certain significance of tone, asi bd uttered the -last words, made the' girl look at him quickly. “Ah!” she said. “You do not think he will come?” , Concha shrugged his shoulders. “I did not say that, senorita.” “No, but that is in your mind,” said Catherina, with a directness from which there was no escape. “Why should; you think that?” “Well,” admitted Concha, “you never can tell what he may nose out, nor yet what news others may send to him. And if they sent, him this news that I have brought to yon to-night, do. you think-tbat he will come here?” “Yes!” said, the girl, forgetting her dissimulation. “Yefi; but hot to tell me it. Rather to conceal it fro in me. to bring me help.” Copcha smiled a wry smile and permitted himself a gibe. ■ “There i» still faith, found in Israel! But a-lasi that it should he misplaced. I tell you, senorita, he Would not come These cold-blooded English are too conventional for association with justice without process of law. But why should we argue? I shall come in the morning to take you to your father, and you —you will keep vour bargain. I will not detain you further now, but I and my sosilent Witness will take our departure.” Ha touched, the hunting knife as bo spoke, smiled 1 meaningly, and wrapping it up thrust it in his pocket. Then ha rose to, his feet, and looked round. “In' this crowded room- a. leave-tak-ing is impossible, my Gather!ra. But soon ” v He broke off, smiled, kissed his hand. “Adieu.” A moment later he ww awe, and! Catherina Vospero turned and went to her suite with heavy forebodings at her heart. She opened the door, felt for the switch and turned on the light, The next moment she gave a little startled cry, for seated in a eliair near the fireplace was a man, who a second later said huskily: ‘ ‘Put. out the light. Catherina, and lock the! door! Quick!” 'To be continued.)