BLACK TREACHERY: or A Bird of Prey.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 76, 20 September 1907, Page 2

BLACK TREACHERY: or A Bird of Prey.

(COPYRIGHT.)

• By JOHN K, LEYS, Author of "The Moseley Mystery,", etc., etc,

PART 9. CHAPTER XVIII. "YOU INFERNAL SCOUNDREL." Two days went by before Ned heard from Beccles. Then he had a long letter of instructions. He was to go and see Sir Philip that day. It was with a beating heart that he entered the library he remembered so well. Sir Philip was there, waiting to receive the messenger of his enemies. At the sight of Ned he started, and looked amazed. Then his face cleared, he smiled genially, and held out his hand saying : How are you my dear follow ? Where have you been all this time ? Perhaps you didn't know I had come back. Do you know, for the moment I took you for the agent of those blackmailing villains?" Ned did not smile, neither did he take the outstretched hand. "You are not mistaken, Sir Philip," said he, gravely. "I am the man you were expecting." "Good heavens ! I should never have believed it. You infernal .scoundrel ! " "Please, wait a moment, Sir Philip. If you will let me explain,"' "No ! " shouted the baronet. "I want no explanations from a villain like you. Go and tell your blackguard friends that I won't deal with you. They must send some one L'lSO.'i "If you would listen to me for one moment, ! " cried Nod who began to be afraid that he would never be able to convince Sir Philip of his loyalty ; but the other cut him short. "I won't listen to you. Do you belong to that society or blackmailers ? Yes or no ? '■■'■ "Nominally I do, but it was with your daughter's consent " "My daughter !"■ shouted Sir Philip, his face white with passion. "How dare you name her? What have you done with her, you villain ? " "I? Miss Norton? Is she not here ? " Ned's sudden pallor, and the anxiety in his voice pierced the thick wall of Sir Philip's prejudice. Ho began, in a dim way, to think that the young man might not be as bad as he had supposed. "Do you mean to tell me," he said, striving to speak with calmness, "that you don't know that your accursed society enticed Miss Norton away from her homo some weeks ago on the understanding, I suppose that if she yielded herself a prisoner I would be set at liberty ? " For a moment Ned could not speak. He was overcome with horror. "You may not believe me," he said at length, "but this is the first time I have'heard about it. What a villain he is." "You say you didn't know it? How am L to believe you ? Did you not know that after they got the poor girl into their hands they kept their word, indeed, so far as setting me at. liberty went ; but when I came home to find myself robbed of my daughter, they refused to restore her to mo unless I paid over to them half my fortune—five hundred thousand pounds ? Didn't you know that ? " "I suppose you won't believo mo," said Ned, "but this is tho first I have heard of it." "And you expoct mo to believe you ? " ".Believe me or not, it is true. I would give my life to rescue Miss Norton from the hands of these scoundrels," ho cried, passionately, "and, if it is possible, I will do it, too ? " Sir Philip stood staring at him. In reality he did not know what to believe. "It was with Miss Norton's knowledge and full consent that I joined the society," said Ned. "It was her own idea. I joined in the hope that I might 1.10 aide to find out what they had done with you. I failed in that--they did not trust, mo so far—and I was surprised to haar that you were at home again." "You have confessedly a foot in either camp," said Sir Philip after a pause, during which he scanned the young man's face narrowly. "It is of no importance what you think of me," said Ned impatiently, "compared with the question of | Miss Norton's safely. Is she quite ' alone—absolutely in the power of these men ? " "You should know better than I." "I tell you sir, that I didn't even know that she had left the house till you told me a minute ago. If I had know that she had such a project in her mind f would never have allowed her to carry it out." "You would never have allowed her !" repeated Sir Philip, in high displeasure. "I beg your pardon for the word," said Ned; "but during your absence Miss Norton sometimes took my advice. She had no one else to consult But if you like I will tell you exactly what happened." "Do so," said tho baronet. I will promise to give you my best attention." Ned gave no sign that he was hurt by the stiffness of Sir Philip's manner. He seated himself without being asked to sit down, and proceeded to give the baronet a full account of all that had taken place from the night when lie saw Evelyn carried oil' in a motor-car and followed her, down to the last conversation he had with Beccles. During the narration Sir Philip stared at him with angry incredulity. Once he laughed aloud. But as Ned went on the expression of his face changed, and in the end he showed the countenance of a man who is bending his mind with all his power to the solution of some hnllling question, "I wish I could believe in ivou implicitly," he said, at length. "It would be pleasant to think that I had been mistaken in my judgment of you, In fact." ho burst out, "it

seems to me that 11 your story is true, both I. and my daughter owe you a very deep debt of gratitude. But then,' how am I to know that your story is true ? About Evelyn being carried off that night, for example You can scarcely be surprised if I cannot credit that." "Very good, Sir Philip. Pardon my saying that it does not concern me whether you belfeve it or not." "Don't you think that you ought to have told me of the incident as soon as you found that the who had been carried off in that highly romantic fashion was my daughter?" "Miss Norton will be my witness, sir, that that was exactly what I wished to do. But she forbade me to mention the subject to you." "In case my susceptibilities should be hurt ? "- asked the baronet, with a sneer. "That was the reason she gave for saying nothing about the matter," said Ned. "She knew that you would be greatly distressed and alarmed, and she said it would do no good to alarm you, seeing that you could take no precaution for her safety that she would not take for herself." "As I said before, I would be glad to believe in you, Thornton, for I have always liked you. But I find it very difficult to persuade myself that you have been acting in good faith all along. Can you prove your bona tides in any way, ? '-'. Ned thought for a moment or two. "You may remember, sir," he said "that, when you mentioned Lord Stapleford's name to me, I declared that I did not know him, and that if he had given me a recommendation, it, must have been through some mistake ? " "Yes, 1 recollect that." "If I had been an agent of Beccles from the first, and knew that I had got the post through a false testimonial, is it likely that I would have made that admission ? " "Beccles may have instructed you to take that lino after you found that you were tolerably woll established in the house." Ned was beginning to feol very sore, and it was in a voice that he had to steady more than once, for fear that his emotions would master him, that he went on : "When you gave me that anonymous letter of warning, the last timo I saw you, I did not show it to Miss Norton, for I had not your permission to do that. But I went to the police authorities, and got them to tell off a man to guard you fill you should return in the evening." "Locked the stable door after " "No, sir. I went to Scotland Yard early in tho forenoon. They will tell you that themselves. If I had not been true to you, would I have done that ? " Sir Philip Norton was silent. "Look here," he said at length, "I will believe every word you say and offer you my humblest apologies for doubting you, if you will go to the police, tell them all you know, and help them to put their hands on tho arch-rogue, Beccles. Will you do this ? 'i "It would be at the risk of my life if I did, sir," Ned answered, "for I know Beccles and his comrades do not trust me fully and I am only employed on this affair because I am known to your stockbrokers and familiar with City matters. It is certain that I will be watched day and night till this business la over. No doubt I could give information by letter, but I am much mistaken if Beccles does not keep out of my way and communicate with me through a third person. And putting the question of danger to me on one side I will ask you this, Sir Philip: Do you advise me to do this thing ? Remember I condemn Beccles and his society as much as you can do. But I joined them of my own free will, for my own purposes. Would you advise me to betray them ? " Sir Philip did not answer the question. Ho shuffled the papers on his desk backwards and forwards, cleared his throat and finally said, without replying to Ned's question : "Suppose I believe in you—give .you my full confidence—what would you advise me to do ? "^ "First of all, find out, if possible, what has become of Miss Norton," said Ned, promptly. "The police may be able to help in that, and I will give myself no rest till sho is found. I may be able to do it by shadowing Beccles, and that I will do gladly. To betray him to tho police would be another matter, yet I would do that if necessary." "Will you wait here while I telephone to Scotland Yard ?, £'- said Sir Philip. "Certainly." Sir Philip went into his private sanctum where the telephone apparatus was fixed, and was absent for several minutes. He came back with a smile on his faee, and holding out his hand just as he had done when Ned first came in. '"I have misjudged you shamefully, cruelly," he said, "and I have to beg your forgiveness. The police authorities tell me that you showed the utmost anxiety for my safety, and insisted on their putting on a man to shadow me all that day. If the fellow had not been careless he would have got a policeman to watch the other entrance to the restaurant and give him notice of my leaving. Then, even if he had not been able to prevent my being kidnapped, he would have been able to say what had become of me. You did your best, and if it was on my account that you joined that band of thieves and murderers " He stopped in some confusion, and Ned relieved him by saying quietly: "Pray don't flayi anything about that, sir." "I shall never be able to repay you." "Let us first think how we can find Miss Norton. Nothing else really matters." "I have done everything I can think of. Do you suppose I would leave anything undone that would help me recover my child ? " "Indeed, sir, I do not," said Ned, earnestly, seeing that by his eagerness lie had wounded Evelyn's father "And I will do my best to get on her track. In the meantime we must persuade Beccles that it is impossible to fell the securities, all at once, and do all wt can to delay a settlement." They remained in conversation for some time, and then Ned took his leave. As he turned tho corner of the square he glanced carelessly over

his shoulder, and saw fho figure of a tall, shabbily dressed man slouching after him. It was as ho had expected—the society were having -him watched lest ha should communicate with the police. He took good'care not to look behind him again till he reached the house where Granger and ho had their rooms. 'A BOUT WITH THE FOILS. It had been with the utmost difficulty that Ned maintained his outward composure while in Sir Philip's presence. Ho had been forcing his thoughts away from the horrible idea that Evelyn was virtually a prisoner in the hands of lawless and utterly unscrupulous men, and he had been schooling his voice and his manner so as to hide his feelings. He felt instinctively that it would be a gratuitous impertinence to allow Sir Philip to know at such a time that he dared to raise his eyes to his daughter, It was necessary that he should show no more feeling on the subject of her enforced detention than any member of the household might have done. He forced himself to speak quietly, and without any show of passion and allowed no emotion but that of shocked and resentful sympathy to appear in his face. But when he found himself in the street ho could no longer control himself. "The brute ! The vile, hypocritical scoundrel ! How dare he lay a finger on her ! Ho traded on the poor girl's love for her* father, I suppose—persuaded her that the only way to save his life was to submit to take his place, or some rot of that sort. But, by heaven, he shall tell me where she is and let mo take her home, or I will murder him ! "• He went straight to Becclcs lodgings, determined to have it out with him at once. He was boilingover with passion, and did not stop to consider what exactly he would do or say when they should meet. It was just as well, perhaps, that Becclos was not at home. Ned went in to wait for him, and he waited the greater part of two hours—waited till his anger was, not lessened, but a little cooled, and the -voice of reason could make itself heard. Suppose Beccles were deaf to his reproaches, what should lie do ! Go to the nearest police-station, or to Scotland Yard, and tell all he knew about the society? That he was quite ready to do ; but what he could not see was that that would restore Evelyn to her home. It might have the effect of stopping the blackmailing scheme, and might possibly break up the society; but it would not bring Evelyn back. As for making a violent assault upon the man already Ned had begun to see that, however satisfactory it might be to his feelings to make Beccles suffer in person for his villainy, it would hinder rather than help on the end he had in view. His one desire was to learn where Evelyn was and to restore her to her friends. And that could not be done by thrashing Beccles to within an inch of his life, richly as he deserved such a thrashing. That would not open his lips. No, he must have patience, and meet cunning with cunning, keep his eyes and ears open, and try first of all to discover to whom among the band of Anarchists, the secret was known. One advantage his position as go-between gave him. He could prevent Beccles laying his hand on the money till he produced Evelyn, or gave satisfactory proof of her safety. He was still pondering over the matter when the door of the room opened and the landlady made her appearance. "Were you very anxious to seo Mr. Beccles ? " she asked civilly. "Well, I was rather," said Ned; "but I think I will go now,. I am getting tired of waiting."' "I don't think myself that he'll be home to-night," said the woman with a side look that Ned did not quite comprehend. "I daresa3* you arc aware, sir, that those are not the only rooms Mr. Beccles has. I am breaking no confidence in telling you this, for he has never chosen to trust me with his secrets. But somotimes ho is away for days at a time, so, of course, I draw my own conclusions. You are welcome to wait as long as ever you like, sir, being a friend of Mr. Beccles—and, of course, I've spoken more freely to you than I would to a stranger—but I think I would just give you a 'int that it was scarcely worth while to wait any longer. I think if he ain't come in within the next quarter of an hour ho won't come in to-night." The woman's eyes wandered in the direction of Ned's hands and asked for a tip as eloquently as eyes could speak. Half-sovereigns were not too plentiful with him just then, but he felt that already he had got a valuable bit of information, and what was more important he had received a hint that some more might be expected from the same quarter. He extracted one of the precious coins from his waistcoat pocket and handed it to the landlady saying with a laugh, "I should very much like to know where Mr. Beccles's other establishment is to be found. You keep a look-out for me, Mrs.—" "Mrs. Sullivan sir." "Mrs. Sullivan, and I'll make it worth your while." As he spoke the sound of a latchkey in the lock of the street door was heard, and Mrs. Sullivan melted so to speak, out of the room. Ned drew back a little into the shadow, and he was satisfied that Beccles started and changed colour a little at sight of him. He felt sure that he had been expecting him to call, and had been keeping out of the way till he should be gone, and he resolved that neither by word or look would he betray his real feelings with respect to Sir Philip and Evelyn. "You're a pretty fellow," cried Ned, "keeping me waiting like this : Didn't you know I would look you up to-night ? And that's not all. Why didn't you tell me that you were holding Miss Norton as a hostage for her father ? You say you trust me, and you keep back a thing like that ! Hang me, if I think it's the thing, considering our relations, that I should hear of it first from Sir Philip ! " "Don't get in a wax about nothing, my dear fellow," said Beccles with an air of indifference that Ned ; (nit was assumed. How was I to i

know that you took any interest in Miss Norton ? Besides I have treated you no worse than the rest of the members. It is obvious that for many reasons, the smaller the number of persons who know & secret of that kind the better, both for themselves and for the secret. But, after all, it's no importance now. In a few days, I hope, the money will be paid over, and Miss Norton will be restored to her sorrowing relatives. You needn't worry about her, my son. She will bo all right." He laid a consolatory hand on Ned's shoulder as he passed him on his way to the bed room, and Ned shuddered inwardly, as if a snake had touched him; but he hid his feeling of loathing and even forced a laugh. He saw that it would not do to seem curious about the place of Evelyn's confinement, and he answered, in a boisterous kind of fashion : "That cock won't fight, old chap. It's not fair that you should have all the fun to yourself. What have you done with the young lady ? '-'" "What did Sir Philip say to the proposition I made to him ?'•' "Where is Miss Norton ?-^ "I don't mean to tell you.'* "All right. I can hold my tongue too." "Don't be an ass, Thornton," said the other sharply. "Certainly not. I flatter myself that just at present, I am behaving rather prudently. You would have kept the fact that Miss Norton is under our—shall I say protection ? from me altogether. I have found out without any assistance from you, and I decline to be kept altogether in the dark." Becclcs gave him an ugly look but said nothing, and Ned began to think that he had played the part he had set himself quite long enough "I tell you frankly that I don't consider it consistent with tho interests of the society to tell you where Miss Norton is to be found at present," said Beccles after a pause, "and I don't mean that you should know." ' "I guess it is for the members of the society to say what is best for their interests." said Nod calmly, as he lit a cigarette. "Do you mean that you would make public the fact of Miss Norton being with us at present—l moan speak of it at our ordinary meetings ? " "Certainly. Why not ? "• "In spite of my forbidding you to mention the subject ? "- "Come now, Beccles," said Ned, removing his cigarette from his lips and bending forward, his arms resting on his knees, while he looked Beccles straight in tho eyes, "isn't this just a little too steep ? You may be a very clever fellow—l don't deny that you are—and I know that I owe you a lot, but I ain't just exactly your slave, don't you know ? I think there should be confidence between friends." "Confidence on this particular point is what I don't mean to offer you, my dear Ned, but I admit that it would be inconveniont ,to have tho matter discussed at the weekly meetings of the society. I presume you are open to offers besides offers of confidence ? " Ned started, and a frown came to his face, but by an effort of will he changed it to a look of deep consideration. "You mean you would make it worth my while to hold my tongue" he said slowly*. "Well, you know, I am not exactly a Croesus. I'm open to consider what you have to say on the subject." His instinct told him that this was the sort of reply Beccles expected and the sort of reply that would most easily lull his suspicious mind into a false security. He did not at all like the idea of taking a bribe and betraying in such a matter, and he was in a manner relieved when Beccles said, in his off-hand way : "Remind me of it when wo have our final settlement. There will be a commission coming to you out of the half-million, and this little affair can be settled at the same time." "All right. I'll take care that It isn't forgotten," said Ned, as he went away. He had achieved his object. He had induced Beccles to believe that he accepted the situation, and did not particularly resent what had been done to Evelyn, or even the fact that it had been done behind his back. But as ho went home, his mind was filled with one thought—how could ho deliver her from this man's clutches, without (if possible) sacrificing the enormous sum of money that was demanded for her ransom ? Was it so certain he often asked himself, that tho strong arm of the law could not be relied on ? True, he had scarcely anything but hia unsupported word to offer in the way of evidence against Beccles and his fellow-conspirators, and he was well aware that the fact that he had voluntarily associated with them would greatly weaken the effect of his own testimony, perhaps invalidate it altogether. But there was the record-book — if he could only get hold of that, the record of the crimes committed by the Anarchists, narrated by themselves, and signed by each member of the society ! To have that book in his hands would surely give him the whip hand of them. But how was it. possible to get hold of it when it never remained more than one week in the possession of any one man, and no one but the chief conspirator himself knew who that man was '? Without the help of this silent witness his only help lay in discovering the retreat in which Evelyn lay concealed, and the only way he saw of accomplishing that object was by shadowing Beccles himself. He knew of no one else who held possession of the secret, and it was by no means certain that Beccles himself would go even occasionally to visit his prisoner. But there did seem to be a chance—a small one, but still a chance—that by keeping as close a watch on Beccles's movements as he could he might discover the secret so jealously guarded. . + • CHAPTER XX. THE POISONER. It was a pity, that this idea did not occur to Ned as soon as he left the man's lodgings, for no sooner had Ned quitted him than Beccles sent for a hansom and drove rapidly to Waterloo, where he booked for

Brockhurst, the remote wayside station that lay about two miles from the house in which Evelyn was confined. He had not told either her or Pauline that Sir Philip had returned to England, and he had a purpose—a half-formed purpose as yet—for this reticence. Ho was now going to tell her that negotiations for the payment of the ransom money had begun, and that it might possibly take longer than he had expected to carry out the financial arrangements. He was so much in love with tho girl that . he dreaded the day he must give her up. He wanted to gain time, hoping that some way the evil day when he must part with her for good might be postponed. He had not expected when he fixed her ransom at the exorbitant figure of half a million that Sir Philip would have consented to pay it and he hoped that the delay might be prolonged indefinitely. His frequent intercourse with her had done two things—it had inflamed his passion for her to such a point that he would gladly have sacrificed his share of the spoil if it would have enables him to win her, and it had reconciled Evelyn to his presence He could see that she had no' personal shrinking from him. Ho persistently represented himself as a mere agent of a band of misguided but genuine fanatics, who might individually be infinitely better than their creed. And to his delight he found that Evelyn was beginning to take him at his own valuation. At least, she showed no resentment against him, but welcomed him with a smile when he came, very much as she would have welcomed any visitor with whom she was on friendly, if not intimate terms. But on this particular night he was disappointed in his expectation of spending an hour or two in Evelyn's company. The sitting room was empty, and the Frenchwoman, who acted as cook and housemaid for the little menage, informed him that Evelyn was unwell and that Pauline was engages in nursing her. This news was more than unwelcome to Beccles; it affected him with a vague feeling of uneasiness, lit; sent word to Pauline that he wished to sec her, and after a few minutes she joined him in the sitting room. "What is the matter with Miss Norton ? " he asked even before he had shaken hands with her. "It would never do if she were to fall ill on our hands." "I don't think you need be under any apprehension," said the girl in a cold, level voice. "It is not surprising if, leading the confined life she does, a small matter should upset her. I expect she will be all right in a day or two.". The tone was one of complete indifference and ißeccles fell to pacing the room in some perplexity of mind Should ho insist on a doctor being called in ? There would bo a great risk in doing such a thing, for, of course, there would be nothing to prevent her sending a message to her father through him if she were so inclined. And yet there must be no serious danger to Evelyn—no risk to her life. Good heavens, no ! He turned again to Pauline with a vague feeling that during his silence she had been watching him closely. "Of course you understand," said he, "that Miss Norton's welfare is of the utmost importance to us. She is at present the centre of our hopes I think that it will be better to call in a medical man." "I see so necessity for that so far, and I think it would be very imprudent." "But wo are bound to deliver her well and strong to her father when he fulfils his part of the bargain." "True. Is that your only reason for being so solicitous about the young lady's health ?" "It is quite reason enough," said Beccles brusquely. He did not at all like the atitude Pauline was adopting towards him. It was almost an atitude of hostility. He did not understand her—so blind are men, even when they think themselves most clear-sighted. "I shall just have time to catch a train," he said taking out his watch "I shall come again to-morrow and if Miss Northn is not better I shall send for a doctor. We cannot afford to run any, risks in this matter, and it may be important that we show Sir Philip that we did all we could for her." The words rery faintly indicated the anxiety Beccles was feeling—an anxiety he acknowledged to himself was not justified by tho circumstances. It might be merely a passing indisposition from which Evelyn was suffering, but he did not like the symptoms Evelyn had detailed to him—nausea and complaints of internal pain. What if it were the beginning of a serious illness ? He was sincerely sorry to think of her suffering, and he saw at the same time that this illness might prove the ruin of the scheme which he had brought so near to success. He shuddered at the idea of Evelyn lying ill, perhaps, dying amoni; strangers, and he told himself that it would bo barbarous cruelty if he did not in that case summon her father to her bedside. And of course that would mean that the girl must be surrendered to her friends and tinspoil he had hoped to gain would he lost just as it was about to fall into his hands. Next day he was early at tho house and was told that Evelyn had passed a good night, and was somewhat better. But on questioning Madame Garnier he learned that she was '.inable to retain any nourishment and that the pain still continued. He at once went off for a doctor, and returned in about an hour, accompanied by Dr. Fuller, an elderly medical man who practised in the neighbourhood. Without consulting Pauline he took him up to the sick room and ushered him in. Ten minutes later Dr. Fuller came downstairs with a grave and troubled expression on his face. "Miss—er—the young lady is ser- , iously ill. She has severe intestinal inflammation." "Do you mean that she is dangerously ill ? " asked Beccles, his facegrowing very white. "Not dangerously just at present, I should say," said the doctor cautiously. "But she may rapidly become worse, and certainly her illness will be dangerous if she vory soon does not take a turn for the better." "She says she has a father living," he continued as Beccles did not reply. "I think he bad better be sent

for. I will send over some medicine, which she ought to take every* two hours, i think that she also ought to have a nurse from town, for she will require careful nursing." "Thank you very much doctor," said Beccles. •'Your directions shall be attended to," and he politely bowed (he doctor out before he had time to make any inconvenient inquiries about the patient's relatives and the prospects of obtaining a mirse in that lonely district at short notice. Scarcely had he left the house when Beccles himself set off to go back to town. He had not asked to see Pauline, for he was not sure whether she would not resent the doctor being sent for without consulting her and he wished to avoid a scene. He longed to pay Evelyn a visit, but he realised that this was not practical while Pauline w r as in charge of the sick room. Hut before leaving he saw Madame Garnier, and told her to tell her mistress that the medicine was to bo given every two hours. During his journey to London Beccles found it impossible to fix his thoughts on any other subject than Evelyn's illness. What could have caused it ? he wondered. The house was healthy enough—he had made sure of that—and it was most improbable that the girls could have had anything to eat which could produce any serious disorder. Besides Evelyn was the only one in the house who was ill. Suddenly a dreadful thought struck him like a blow. He knew that the symptoms of peritonitis greatly resembled—indeed, were practically identical with other symptoms which he had heard described. What if Evelyn were being poisoned ? The thought made him gasp and hold his breath. He rejected the idea, telling himself that he must be mad to suspect such a thing. But the thought returned to him, and his anxiety on Evelyn's account gave it weight and substance. Could this be Pauline's doing ? he asked himself, with a shudder. It was difficult to imagine that a young and beautiful woman, well educated and brought up as a lady, could commit a crime so horrible. But Beccles knew that women as delicately nurtured as Pauline had done such things, and he reflected that she was a girl of great strength of mind, passionate, and at the same time as much emancipated as a human being can bo from every restraint of law, human and divine. He was forced to own to himself that what at first sight seemed wildly improbable might nevertheless be the fact. Many a leeser villain would in sheer terror have thrown up the game—summoned Sir Philip to his daughter's bedside and fled the country. But Beccles was not the man to' act in that way. As soon as he arrived in London he drove to the British Museum and there consulted several works on medicine and toxicology. When lie had learned what ho wanted to know he went to the nearest chemist and asked for a certain rare drug. "You don't call this a poison, I suppose ? " he said as he pocketed the tiny phial. "Oh, no," said the druggist; i'it is quite harmless, taken in small quantities. It is generally used as a test for antimony." Beccles nodded and left the shop. In half an hour he was once more on ln's way to Brockhurst. It was nearly dark when he arrived at the house, and he was relieved to see that then; was a light in the room where Evelyn was lying. Madame Gamier opened the door to him, and he beckoned her into the sitting room. "1 want to know," he said, "who prepares Miss Norton's food—you or Miss Granger ? "• Madame G armor's English was far from perfect and he had some difficulty in arriving at the facts ; but at length, by dint of patient questioning ho found out that at first Miss Granger had prepared the invalid's food, but that lately sho had scarcely been able to take anything, and what little she had swallowed had been prepared and given to hor by Madame Gamier. Sho was so positive about this that it seemed as if Pauline had made a point of getting Madame Garnier to give the patient her food. Beccles was puzzled, and then an idea occurred to him. "I want you to go and hell Mademoiselle Granger that lam hero," he said handing her the drug ho had bought that afternoon. "Then, when she is here with me, go back to the sick room and get hold of tha bottle of medicine Dr. Fuller sent this morning. Take it out of tho room, and pour what is in that phial rery carefully into it.But tho Frenchwoman melodramatically laid the phial at his feot, folded her hands behind her back, and began to let forth a flood of rapid colloquial French, of which the Englishman understood but on* ward in ten. "Speak in English, c*u't fou ? " he growled. "I've heard you chatter in it fast enough.' l Madame Gamier stopped with a click, as if she had been wound up somewhere inside and tho machinery had suddenly stopped. "1 did make monsieur tho compliment," she said, speaking with elaborate slowness, "of supposing that he understood the language of tftfttle people ; but if monsieur pr-r-afari it J. can spik English. Igo for to say that I com here to cook, not to commit munian;. There you bara it str-r-r-aight. as you say—you other* —st-r-r-aight I •' To be Continued.