MY LADY'S - - DIAMONDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2523, 23 July 1902, Page 63

MY LADY'S - - - DIAMONDS.

By ADELINE SERGEANT.

CHAPTER Xll— (Continued).

UT with the morning light his energy and his resourcefulness came back. An idea- occurred to him which he thought was well worth - consideration ; and after some argument with Lady Rockingham, he induced her to let him go out "on

business, '

without a

panion. She ordered the carriage foi his use. but he dismissed it in one of the squares, and walked on until he came to a cab stand, where he took a hansom, and ordered the driver to take him to Scotland Yaid.

The inspector for whom he inquired received him smilingly, for Mr Brandon was not unknown to the police force, and had gained their respect on various occasions.

"And what can I do for you, Mr Brandon?" said Inspector Richards, with his laas&uring smile.

"It's just a question of a likeness, ' said denffrey. biirging a small notebook out oi his pocket. "I know you have a genius for faces, and I have a habit; of making sketches of people whose appearance strikes

'"Your sketches are first-rate," said the inspector warmly. " I only knew one man who could do better eaiicatures, and he's dead."

"But this is not a caricature — at least I hope not, ' said Geoffrey, laughing.

■ This i» a genuine likeness — -as good as J could make it. Will you look at that, and tell me whether you know it?"

He submitted a page to the inspector, who waxed thoughtful immediately, screwed up hit, eyes, and examined the little sketch with a flown of deep attention. I'iesently he stretched out his hand t; a shelf, and took down a large book which looked like a photoglyph album. After tui ning ovci several leaves, he came across a likeness which he compared with the sketch, laying one against the other, and considering it attentively.

' Look at (his,'" he said to Geoffrey, when he had spent se\erul minutes in this way. (ieoffrey looked ovei his shoulder. "All light," he said. "That's the same man." "Without a moustache?"

"Yes, without a moustache. I've seen him with »nd without one. The face is very easily recognisable."

"Very.'" said the inspector, with emphasis. " I know him well enough. He served his time for forgery, and he's out now on a tickel-of-leave. We shall have him again before long, I believe. He has beeu seen under suspicious circumstances of late."

"And what is his name?"

"Well, he ha* his aliases-,"' said Richards, with a curious smile. "You must know he posed us a gentleman at one time, mairied a well-connected woman, and made ln« way in society. When the forgery was proved, however, she dropped him like a hot coal, and gave out, I believe, that he was dead."

"And now — since he i« at lai-ge again?"

"I am not sine. He Las to repoifc himself from time to time ; but. of course, we don t shadow him. I have an idea that lie is making up to his wife again; but she'll be very foolish if she has anything to do w itli him. Some people said that she was as much to blame as he — helped him. in fact — but I don't know. 11 teems unhkelv. One can never tell."

"You know Ler mmc?" 'Well, yes, sir. I know her name ; but unless il's necessaiy I don't see the good of telling it. If * she wants to cut her acquaintance with a .scoundrel. I don't see. for my part, why she shouldn't be allowed to do so."'

"You have no object i.m fo telling me his iifime. have yon. inspector? ' '"Xol at nil. He was convicted under the name of Townley. and goes under that name

"Tlier. — Xma Townley — you don't moan to say that t-he is his wife? Kxc-use me. I must ask you to tell me lhi«. ItV important. Mrs Towiilfy— she stays at my aunt's liouse .sometime-, and is geneially supposed to be a widow — a lelation (if the late Lad% L.niglum. fium v horn she inhentcd '•ome money." "Tlie same." sa:d the police officer, nodding slightly "You've got the factr stiaight enough She's not wanting to many ygam, I hope ; for if she is there" c? be trouble. Townley was fond of her in hif, way. and won't stand any nonsense.'

"No, I don't think she wants to marry again ; but I believe she is helping her hu.sband in some of hif* schemes."

"That's quite possible,

"And you say that his name is not Townley? Believe me, I have a leason for asking.' 1

"Oh, no ; his name's not Townley, ' said tba inspector quietly enough. "He's the pon of a curiosity-dealer at Pimlico, and his real name is, Josriah Cronin."