THE PRINCESS GALVA.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1274, 13 March 1918, Page 6

THE PRINCESS GALVA.

[By DAVID WHITELAW, Author of "The Little Hour of Peter Wells,” etc.] [Copyright.] CHAPTER XV.—(Contiuucd.) All these things passed through Edward’s mind as he made his way in the direction of Yenta Villa. The boulevard was crowded with its usual throng of pleasurc-seekerg. From the interior of the eafo came the clattering of dishes and the laughter of those who were drinking or supping. Each place, too, had its little orchestra, the uniforms showing hazily through the smoke-laden atmosphere. As Povey passed the Cafe de 1 ’Europe, the largest and most fashionable in Corbo, he ran his eyes over the people seated at the little tables. Gaily-dressed women smoked cigarettes and drank tiny liqueurs as they joked with bored-looking men in evening attire. Here and there the gorgeous uniform of the King’s Own Hussars splashed a note of barbaric colour over the scene.

With a little catch of the breath, Edward suddenly pulled up short and slipped back iuto the shadow of a newspaper kiosk. From behind this he peeped cautiously at the figure of an elderly gentleman who was seated alone before a table on which stood a stone tankard of Pilsener. Then he passed hastily up the little avenue between the crowded tables and entered the main body of the Cafe I’Europe. Here were blotters containing paper and envelopes, and he drew a sheet towards him and wrote a short note. Then, calling a waiter, he asked him to hand it to the gentleman in the tweed suit who was drinking beer out-

side. Ho also, ascertaining that this waiter spoke a little English, told the man to tell the gentleman in the tweed suit that the writer of the note would he glad of a word with him in private. Then ho leaned hack and watched through the large plate-glass windows. Mr Jasper Jarman, as the waiter touched liini on the shoulder and handed him the note, started violently. For him a touch on the shoulder meant but the one thing; in fact, he had been dreaming night and day, ever since his arrival on the island, of touches upon the shoulder. “Ze gentleman, sir, he speak with m 'sien. ’ ’

‘‘The devil ho ■will.” Jasper Jarman rose hastily and grabbed up his hat and umbrella. ‘‘l don’t know a soul in the darn island, waiter, and I don’t want to. You have made a mistake, my good man.” Jasper unfolded the note as he spoke, and his eyes travelled to the signature. He gave a gasp and turned again to the waiter.

“Where is lie?” The man bowed, and pointed to the interior of the cafe. “I will show mV'icu.”

Edward, however, had risen, and met his uncle as he edged his way between the crowded tables. "Not a word here,” he said, and, taking the old man’s arm, he led him out of the sight of the people, some of whom he noticed were already giving them their attention.

They crossed the crowded pavement and the road to the, other side of the promenade. This part, bordered as it was by a low sea wall, and without shops or cafes, was deserted, and the two men made their way eastward until they came to a flight of a few shallow steps leading down to the

well-kept gardens that were flic pride of Corbo.

Edward, still with his hand affectionately linked in his nnele’s arm, led the way through the shrub-bordered paths to a stone sent that, half-hidden in a mass of palm foliage, faced the sea. Here it was quiet, the sound of the promenaders reaching them only in a confused murmur. Little lights gleamed here and there from the yachts anchored in the bay. “So, uncle, there you are,’- began Edward, unconsciously quoting Hamlet. “Yes, Edward Povev, I'm here, through your damn criminal acts, yon—you—gaolbird, you ’ ’

“There is no need, I assure you, my dear Unde Jasper, to be offensive,’’ said Edward Povey. CHAPTER XVT. There was silenec for n few moiuents. Edwanl Povey nervously poked little !io!es in the gravel path with the ferrule of his walking-stick. “ Don’t you think, unde, that we had better discuss the situation without personalities—or rudeness. ’ ’ Mr Jaspar Jarman’s answer was a grunt. “You see, unde, I feel that I owe you some sort of apology, or at any rate an explanation. I read what they said.in the papers about you. I laughed for ten minutes.” “Y'ou did, eli! Well, I read the same as you did, and I didn’t laugh for ten seconds.” “But I didn’t take it seriously. 1 thought you would explain easily.” “Yes, and be convicted as an accessory—as one of the' gang. ” “Accessory to what?” “To the theft of the bonds—you did well out of that it seems.” Jasper’s eyes took in his nephew’s attire, the

[ well-cut dark suit, the gleaming jewel in the cravat. “I suppose you decided on San Pietro for the same reason as I did.” j “My dear uncle, I was never more surprised in my life when I saw you. j sitting there, outside the Cafe de ; 1 ’Europe.’ ’ | “Xot more than I was to see you, Mr , Povey.' ’ ] Edward sat for a moment gazing out j i over the sea. j “What I’m wondering at is that ai j clever business man like you should run j I away from a shadow.” j “Yes,the shadow of a gaol—what.” “Xot at all, uncle. I read in a Paris ! | daily paper weeks ago that the bonds! ■ had been recovered and that the matter; |was ended. Why don't you go back) j now?” | “The fact that the bonds are safe, jdoes not explain my presence at Adder-J bury Cottage. J'd have to say that 1 j was visiting you—and admit you as my nephew. ’ ’ j “And you wouldn’t like that?” j “It’s not a relationship that I *»n j proud of, Edward. ’ ’ Edward looked at his uncle. “As I j remarked before, there's no need to be i rude,” lie said. “I’m only stating facts, Edward.) Remember, 1 go by what I have seen, j What were you doing at Bushev, and ■ j for the matter of that, what are you! doing here in ban Pietro?”

(To oe eoDiiuueil.)