CHAPTER XV.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13635, 14 April 1908, Page 6

CHAPTER XV.

A Day of Surprises.

Startling events have a way of grouping themselves, just as colours, and numbers evon, run in sequences during the spinning of a roulette-wheel. It was no, shock l?o Mr. Winter when a smart young constable, unknown in Hudston — who, attired as a tramp, seemed to divide his time between the village street and its few public-houstes-^-told him before seven o'clock next morning that Miss Hannah Neyland had gone to Edenlmrst Court late the previous night, and remained there nearly an hour. But it created something of a sensation in the office of the magistrate's clerk at Nutworth when the Hon. and "Rev. Oliver Isambard, aocompanied by his nephew and the representative of Scotland Yard, entered and asked that a magistrate and the superintendent of police ghouttl be sent for instantly. There was more arching of eyebrows when the detective proposed that Philip Warren, a man for whom the hue and cry of "murder" was out, should he charged merely with "unlawfully engaging in a duel, contrary to the statutes therein provided," an oifence not so norious that it should not be bailable.

The local superintendent, after a whispered colloquy with his distinguished colleague, offered no opposition, and Mr. Ira in hard was, of course, well known to his hrother magistrate, !'-o the puptHiested procoduro was foltlowed, Philip was remanded lor a week, niid hail bonds for his nnpearance were entered into )>y himself and [his uncle.

Th^.. Winter drew his "prisoner" aside.

"T did not wish yon to look as if von had Committed all the crimes in tlt<> calendar, ho said, "so I did not toll von .o~rlior that Miss Marjono v l';'l left HndsiOH last night lor Loii'lou. Sternly now! DonM i*o\; ''v ; fi"!" -\nr IMiilin nooith»<l \o he iv.;i<lv <v 'priiiK !i< him— "ii train lcnvcs

Nutworth lor London at 11. 40, the young lady's address is Turner Studios, Finch ley Koad, und your uncle can procure here all the money you need. Co and iind her, and bring her back to Hudston. Tell her I said she was to come. I leit a note with Davenport bidding him semi a portmanteau addressed to you at King's Cross. Now, haven't I behaved like a ralm'r*"' When the iirst fierce flood had quietened in Philip's veins he was ready enough to admit that his ottieial enemy was a friend indeed. Yet it puzzled and troubled him that jMarjorie should have tlown. Was that proud heart broken r Would she ever forgive him.-'

Winter had to-roseon all, dorgettnig nothing. IV save Philip the chance oi' inconvenience at the hands of any one who recognised him (in a Yorkshire country district a man may have acquaintances within a radius of many miles) he was driven in a closed carriage to the railway station at the last moment. He promised to telegraph that nisht, and say whether or not he had iouud -Marjorie, while Winter undertook to reply at once ii ho had any iurther instructions to give. So, quiet enough in demeanour, but all a^low with suppressed excitement, Philip withdrew into the cushioned seclusion oi a first-class carriage, anu passed out oi the world »vhieh knew him. That is,, he thought so. But, as he waited on t ho*- platform at York tor the main line express, James Courthope saw him when the loir; train bustled in from the iNorth. James had listened to Hannah approvingly - when she told how she hail .Jouted rhe detective, and had informed her placidly that, so iar as he was concerned, estate business at' Darlington would take him away from HmLston and its worries for twenty-lour hours.. Knowing his Hannah, he took care to travel .by the Darlington train, which lett Hudston at 10 o'clock. fhinnah, 1 by chance of course, "happened to be at the station, and James exhibited proper surprise at her tidings, withheld the night before, of Marjories departure. , ••1 think," said James to lumsoli, when the train started, toying thoughtiully with the pointed end ot his short lK.ard__"ll K . ar d__"l think things are going.ngnt at last. Uut -Hannah is a drdadful perron. She ought to have her tongue CUt (Hit."

Ho changed into the London express i\t Darlington, still believing that things were going right, but he began to wonder ii they wore not going very wron</, when his amazed glance tell on Philip's distinguished and readily noted form standing among the York passengers. For an instant he slunk back in his corner. Then, realising that he must bo sure ot Philip's movements, he bounced from his seat and thrust head and shoulders through the window. Ho was just in time to see Philip enter a carriage nearer the rear of the train. So his rival was going to London ! The only intervening halt was at Grantham, and Warren was as likely to go to the moon as to Grantham. Theretore, Warren meant to join Marjorie. This well-dressed, self-possessed young man was not the unshaven, unkempt fugitive of Fennell's Tower. He had disappeared into a first-class carriage, too, so he had money, and he had come by the local line from Hudston qxiito openly. Courthope's pink face grew somewhat livid. He strove now to recall each word that Hannah had said to him. What did that prying detective mean wj*(en he referred her for ' information to the "better-informed person" who told l h^F, lMiilip?.\vas in ' t,he tower r ■'Wfll hare 'luncheon, sir?" r.aicl a voice behind him.

, James started. ' His nerves wore comeAvhat on edge, but ho was r. marvel at recovery, and he faced round on the attendant.

"No," he said, thinking he might meet Philip inthe restaurant. "By the way/ he went on, "is the dining-car in front or behind?" "Behind, sir." "Ah." Philip would not pass along tbo corridor. "Bring me a brandy and 6oda and some biscuits as soon as possible. If you are quick you will earn half-a-crown."

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