CHAPTER VII.—Countinued.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13745, 7 September 1908, Page 6

CHAPTER Vll.— Countinued.

Scott's statement ol his plan of campaign, made in a calm, practical manner, would tell heavily against her. Garret's iairy tale would iall to piece, under the crushing weight ot Ins. liaru iacts. Victory was once more in sight. He rang the bell, and asked the servant if the secretary had arrived ; fecott needed co-operation. William Burley— Amberley s confidante and familiar — answered the question in person. A clean-shaven man of about forty, with a humorous mouth and keen eyes-, Burley. commonly called by his intimates " Bill Bailey," was something of a mystery. Even in Throgmorton Street, where a hundred per cent, know everybody else's business and ninety-nine per cent, don't iknow their own, he was considered a bit of an enigma. One of the most Idaring and prosperous jobbers m the "Kaffir Circus/ he had suddenly closed his book, realised what some said was a vast fortune, others a miserable pittance, and accepted a subordinate position in Scott's employ. Formerly the most autocratic of men, he bent' his shoulders to the yoke of servitude, and used his acuteness and knowledge of finance, for his master s benefit. No one could fathom the reason tor this course of conduct. Burley himself, however, seemed quite contented, and declined to satisfy any curiosity. On this particular morning he looked well pleased, and returning Scott's greeting sat down and waited for instructions.

"Do you know Charrington Brown, the journalist?" asked the millionaire, abruptly. "I've heard ot him," was the reply: "a leader writer on The Argus, isn't he?"

'At present, yes. but he won't hold that position long," was the grim reply. "He's been damning the Jumpers Mine for all he's worth, and the shares have dropped points in consequence. He does the city article for the Morning Herald. We must stop his little game at once, before he does more damage. I want you to go over to The Argus and interview Mannings the editor. Convey to him courteously, hut firmly, that the paper must dispense with Brown's services from today He can give him six months' 'salary in lieu of notice, but not anjother line of his copy must appear. You hear, Burley, Charrington s got to go."

The secretary nodded, and lit a cigarette. The millionaire did not enforce formality in their relations. "It not," he snid, "1 suppose the financial support The Argus has received of late will mysteriously dry up —eh, Scott?"

"That's it, exactly. You can try the same game, slightly varied, with The Herald. Tell Hunt if he wants to make a bit to buy Golden Goblets : follow m) the tip with an invitation to lunch, and mention that you've one or two good things to throw in his way if he'll give Brown the sack. Should he jib, \ou can remind him I've an 1.0.TJ. of his tor a stiff figure. You'll work the oracle that way if the others fail. It you can, get him to drop a hint at the Press Club that Brown's no running straight. A word's enough to frighten the whole army ot, editors. When we've brought the young man to his knees, we'll make terms with him. I should find Brown useful."

The secretary listened to his eni.pluyer's plans for the undoing of CharJiugtuii without changing a muscle oi his taee.

The City i^ a lax .school of morality, its code a pagan one, whose chief tenet is to tall upon your enemy and smite him without mercy lest he should first tall on you.

"One other thing, Burley." The millionaire bent towards his secretary, and spoke confidentially. "I want you to undertake a delicate mission for me, one which I could ( only trust to a man of your sympathy 'and tact." Scott spoke with feeling. The secretary's face flushed with pleasure. "I Value your confidence," ho said. "I'll do mv best to deserve it."

"I know; believe me, 1 appreciate your devotion." "Nothing I do could repay your generosity to my" — he paused — "my most unhappy son," he &aid in a husky voice.

"I did not mean to remind you ol that, Burley; though anything that could be done in that quarter, believe me. I have tried to accomplish." •"I know that — well," said the other, in a low tone.

"And now," Scott's voice broke the momentary silence, "in regard to this mission. I want you 4o make a thorough search ot all the chemists' shops in CaiTulen Town, and discover it yesterday they sold a bottle of chloral to a woman named Anne Basset. I won't touch on the reasons way it's necessary to make this search ; they are of a personal, and 1 may say, a painful nature."

"You need say no more," Burley pro* tested. "I understand all that is necessary. You shall have, tho information by to-night." "As early as you can manage, Burlev, liy five this aiternoon, if imosible. Engage a discreet man to help you. and spare no expense. And now \ou'd better get off. You have a busy day before you."

The secretary departed; the millionaire rubbed his bauds.

"Firfcl Hrowii," lie said, softly, "then (•'jtnpt, IhMlv Anne. 1 rather think thiil I shall win this den!. Ajid now," be glanced at his waieh, "J must .s( y e Ijic Mo\ , ami hurry to the ci<y»" From his library, lined with heavy tonic.i he did not if-nd. carpeted with ',ot( vui^s, silken to the leet, luxurious ".'ith < ushionc'l chairs, 'the millionaire hurrieil to tho nursery. A bright, light room, dainty with white paint, white curtains, gay with flowers ; the nurse, a pleasant, comely-looking girl, came towards him.

"How's baby, nurse. 11 " hikl tlio man.-, voice thrilled with »i note none -^ver hoard cavo the pretty «lark-haire«l woman who looked after Auihpriey'.s son and beir. J"lc» worshipped i'ho child: the r'-d-faced morsel ot huinanii.v lijiiiiched on Jhi.s world some m\ month. 1 l)j»cl< \v;is in iiini the concentrnljoii ol his hopos, ambitions, aye, and his love! For the sake of this small boy he forgave his wife her foll'ei,, her wasteful extravagance, her questionablo friends.

Tilt- lwvc tlv.i ior i-wibiiiiMi's >,i l .r hy had crushed out <.l hi* Uio l M io lil new hhootb and (him; around ihe cm.- . For his bo}'* sake, that tlm' Miial! person in tin- il..nnc-i £<»\mi i.up;lit po^ mtu a rich and pcv.oriul and mic" ... liian, Amberley Scott piled l-u-Mine im oi> lortnno. l.umchod out mi > v id<-i mi nioiv liazardous speculation. J^ov ilo ho\'s .sake he ioujilit iiercel> io proserve the intei;rii\ ol his name. Anil>erley Sc-oit nii{iht hv a io:^«r. a m ' 11 ; derer and n thief . hut his son sh«>.;l,i never claim a heriiaj^ ol" hhaine! A millionaire, ,< nuiiAnatc \w w.i\ to strike Jit Amberit y Scot I w:s: thruujil lii'- little ciu'ld.