CHAPTER XIV.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13480, 20 July 1907, Page 6

CHAPTER XIV.

' remorse.

Russet walked along in the pleasant sunshine, feeling a little uncertain as to whether she should be glad or sorry. In some vague way, she felt as if she was going to meet trouUo. Mrs. Stennard had sent an urgent message that she would like to see Russet immediately after breakfast, and Russet had hurried off without delay. Trouble and gloom seemed to be in the air. Mostyn had come down and swallowed his breakfast without a word. In the same vile temper he had ordered the trap round to catch the 8.45 for London. Mrs. Stennard's trouble was connected with her son. Russet did not need to be told that ; sho guessed it by instinct. And yet the pretty ivy-covered house, with its trim lawn and spotless curtains and shining windows, did not suggest trouble. Everything looked like gentility and prosperity. A trim little maid, with a small, hushed voice, asked Russet into the drawing-room. It was the old-fashioned, low room, filled with quaint things that the collector loves. A small, whitehaired lady rose to greet Russet. Hoy face was pale and her eyes red with weeping. " It's about Raymond, my dear," she said brokenly. Russet pressed her thin hands with sympathy. She had expected as much. "What has ho been doing?" she asked. " My dear Russet, I can't make out. I have had such an extraordinary letter. My poor boy was always 1 very excitable and emotional. I thought at one time he was going to become a poet. He 6ays he has been the unconscious instrument by which another has been terribly wronged. Now, what does he mean?" Russet shook her head sorrowfully. As a matter of fact, the solution of the problem was quite clear to her. Her ready wit had found a way in which Mostyn had disposed of -the forged letter. And doubtless Raymond Stennard had read the trial in the papers. The boy was weak and foolish, but his instincts were all for the good. "Is he not more definite I 3"I 3 " Russet asked. : " No, He says he feels that he cannot bear the strain. Unless someone comes forward and tells the truth he will not bo answerable for the consequences. I telegraphed to Raymond this morning, and the reply has come that Raymond has not been home all night. Russet, the poor boy has run away." It was exceedingly likely. Mrs. StonnarcVs distress was sad to soe. " Where would ho bo likely to go to?" Russftt asked vaguely. '_' Somewhere near the sea. The poor boy has ft passion for the sea. He has a great desire to see foreign parts. He would go down to the docks. He has little or no money. Russet, can't you think of any way to help me?" But already Russet's ready brain began to see the way. George Cathcart was going to London to-day. And nobody of her acquaintance had the same extensive knowledge of docks and vessels, and the ways of men who go down to the sea in ships. And she had often beard Raymond express his desire to see the world. " I fancy I can help you," she said. " I have a friend who — well, quite as a secret, let me tell you that Mr. Cathcart is an old acquaintance of mine. He knows all there si to know about ships. Seeing that Raymond has little money and less knowledge of the sea, he will find a difficulty in getting a post on board a vessel. But I should not tell your trouble to anybody."

"I will do just as you please, my dear," Mrs. Stennard said meekly. Only bring my boy back to me and let me comfort him. He has done no wrong, and he is all that I have in the world."

It seemed to Russet that Mrs. Stennard spoke more truly than she knew. When the crash came, and the credit of Lockwood Mostyn crumbled in the dust, the trim cottage was likely to follow in the ruins. It was with a heavy heart that Russet sought out George Cathcart.

There was little time to spare, but he llistened patiently to the story. Douht'6*s3 Russet's construction of the affair '■vas the correct ono. And if Rnymoiid Stennard was to be found, George was the very man to find him.

" It he's hanging i,h«»ut the London

Dorks, 1 shall p^t now.: ot liiin in an hour," ho baiil oonlidontly. " You arc quito con-eel, Riibwt. That boy, quite unconsciously, c::ino very ii 11 ' I"''1 "'' to piving mo ten year.,' penal stM-vitude. No doubt Mostyn \vorkcd up li« ffiiitl.V knowledge to licit! oi the pass-hook. There is still a prospect ot my suffering, and he iy miserable about it. We shall find Raymond Stennard, and he shall go a long way to expose that tcouiidrol Mostyn." Two hours later, and Cathcart, with Renton, was closetted in Mr. Syrett's oifioe. But George bad not forgot tei. his promise sis to Raymond Stennard. A couple of telegrams despatched from licwton bad brou.ght two bard-bitten, bronsyd individuals to Lincoln's Inn Fields, where- George had given them a brief description of the fugitive and <> promise of a sovereign apiece for n?\rs ol' him in the course of the day. " Now sit down," Syrett said cheerfully. " I have given orders that lam not to be disturbed for the uext hour or so, as this in likely to prove an important meeting. Mr. Cathcart, I congratulate you." ' >J "Rather early in the day. isn't it?" George asked. "Oh, deur, no. We are going 7 to clear your character in the eyes oi tho world. Vv T c know that you are the victim of a vile conspiracy. We know that a certain letter was deliberately placed in your pass-book to ruin you. We know that that letter was placed there by Lockwood Mostyn." " I shall have lurther evidence of that before the day is out, I hope," Cathcart said. (To be continued.)