CHAPTER XX.—Continued.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13575, 6 December 1907, Page 6

CHAPTER XX.—Continued.

t! I am not going to tako it lyiug down any more,- sir," Clarkson rosponded. " I ought to apologise most humbly to you for my behaviour. I have to thank you from the bottom of mv heart for your kindness and clemency. But somehow tho words do not come easy; they have a i'also and insincere ring." '• Clarkson is a bit of a stylist," Dick laughed. " Like all true literary men, he has a nico feeling ior tho proper meaning of words." l " Well, I guess it doesn't matter," Vandernorfc said.. " You seem to have sent everything back to me without any prompting on the part of anybody. That ia a point in your favouu. Wei won't say anything about the missing trinket, ior I have had more than the /aluc of that out of this little entertainment. And now, Mr. Clarkson, if you should ever be tempted to crcbs the water, 1 daresay that I could find something for you " '.' That is very good and kind," Clarkson said quietly. " 1 know many men in my position who have, tried their fortunes successfully in America, but that is not quite my idea. I intend to live everything down in the country where I was bred and born. I will not be content till I have recovered my lost self-respect and the respect of others. I want those people who have turned from me with proper contempt to come and shake hands with me and feel that I am on tho same level with them again. It is a big task, but I am going to attempt it, and I feel cortain that I shall succeed." "That you will," Vandernort said heartily. "And lot me be the first man to shake hands with you and let you feel that yon are on his level once more. And now I must bo going. These little amusements are all very well in their way, but I must not forget that I am a working-man with a daughter behind me who keeps me up to the collar. Let me know how matters go, Mr. Charteris." Dick promised that he would do so, and the American vanished as if he had not a moment to spare. Dick turned to Clarkson and laid a kindly hand on his shoulder. • "You are well out of that," he said. "And now wo can forget ail about it. Still, there is a good deal to be done, and not much time to spare. What you have to do now is to keep a close eye upon Barca and let me know as soon as lie makes a move. I don't suppose he will do anything till very late to-night; still he may, and we can't be too careful. Keep a close eye on his "lodgings, and as soon as anything definite transpires, go to the nearest telephone call office and ring me up here. . There is nothing more for the present, so far as I can see." Clarkson departed on his errand, and Dick set himself down with as much patience as ho could command to wait foT events. The afternoon dragged slowly on, and evening came at length without any sign from Clarkson. It was quite late before Dick despatched a second telegram to Ralph. There was some little risk in doing so, but he wanted to make assurance doubly sure. The clock wa& close on the hour of ten before there came a sharp tingle of the telephone and Dick took down the receiver. that you?" came Clarkson's voice. "Barca has just sent for a cab.' He is goitfg clown to Abbey Close by the j last Irain. Is there any more that 1 can do for you to-night?" Dick responded curtly that there was not. Ho would see, (Clarkson in the morning; then ho proceeded to put a, few things together, rang the bell, and his man answered tho summons. . His message was short and to the point. • "I am going down home," he said. "Will you go round to Shorter's and tell them to have the motor here in half an hour? I shall require no assistance. I am going to drive myself."