CHAPTER X

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13747, 9 September 1908, Page 6

CHAPTER X

A Game of Bluff.

There was a short, tense silence alter Brown had spoken. Then, with a gesture of decision, Dan rose to his feet. "J, am going to make terms with Amberley Scott." he said. "Harris is to see him at half-past five. J shall call at Park Lane at five precisely." "What's your idea, Dan?" asked Brown, excitement brighteuing his eyes. Dan paused. "I've a notion I can put a stopper on his game. How? Well, if you don't mind I won't go into particulars. Tho idea may not work, but"- -he turned to Anne— "l shall try," he said, and there was a grim look about his mouth that added force to the Avords.

"1 admire your courage," said his friend, "but as things are the case is very black against Miss Basset. If possible, she should be spared the risk — I should say ordeal — of arrest." "I'm going to do my best to save her that ordeal," was tho answer.

"Yes, but — forgive me for saying so — Scott is a hard nut to crack. If you fail there won't be time for anything else. It occurs to me this is an emergency when discretion is the better part of valour. Anne must be got away. There's time for her now to catch the train to Harwich and cross to Holland to-night. From Rotterdam boats sail to all parts of the world. It would be safer, Dan," he bent and whispered to his friend. "She must go, I tell you, the risk is too great for her to stand the chance of a trial."

Dan gazed with troubled eyes from (Jharrington to Anne. "Brown thinks you'd better go away," he said,, "leave England for a while until the affair's blown over."

"I can't," she answered. "I will not run away; I'll stay hero and"— her lips tightened— -"and face the music," she added, hi -lvely. "Let me \\x\iy you to take my advice," Charrington's mobile hue was alight with eagerness. For (he moment he was as enthusiastic for her .safety as Dan himself. "I'm afraid I can't. It sounds ungrateful. Jt is perhaps ungrateful after your kindness, but- -I can't go," she cried, clasping her hands. "Jf you were in my place you wouldn't, either. Nothing would make you run away." "Perhaps not. Still "He paused. "I suppose you'ro right," he added "in fact, 1 know you'ro right, but 1 felt I ought to urge the other course. And now, having settled that point, we have to consider the next. Wh; t of tho chain?"

Dan answered for her

"1 Khali call on Scott sit fiyo," ho said, "at ton minutes past, Miss Hhs-->ot, you will rqnio to tho houso ami ;iHk for Lady Minnie. You muni force Icr to accept your explanation and the chain. Her husband won't know you're Ihero; ho'H be closeted with me." "Yon may not bo able to get at him, Garret." "There's, no fear of that. I've mado

up my mind to have a talk v^ith Scott J nothing's going to stop me." "He may nut be at Park Lane^ 'Then I shall find out whero he is. ] -hall >cc him somewhere; that s tho important point." "You won't couiide your plan oi campaign to me?" Dan laid his hand, upon tho othei * shoulder. "It's a forlorn hope," he said, gravely, "no more!" Then with a look at Anne so full of sympathy and understanding that tho quick tear* sprang to her e.\es, he left them to make ready for his call. Jt was necessary to impress the millionaire with his social standing, and to that end the iairhaired, long-limbed giant exehaiigi 'I the rough tweed, beloved of his uncivilised heart, tor the more conventional frock coat suit, white waistcoat^ and patent boots. He loathed tho feeling oi constriction the gai'i.ents imposed on him - Dan never realised the excellence ot his Bond Street tailor—but for all that they became him. A tall figure, with the virile j>rare of movement that comes from dwelling in the open spaces of the earth, more than one pair oi eyes was attracted to him that afternoon. "It's about time we started, Charring'on," he said, as the clock chimed the quarter to tho hour. "WVII take a cab .o Apsley House; then I'll go on and leave you' to look after Miss Basset." The programme was carried out. The three adventurers set forth ; the- man across the road, abandoning his betting news, watched their departure, and mysteriously disappeared himselh tJarret'left theni at tlfe corner of Park Lane — Scott's house was but a few doors up from Pice? hlly. Together Charrington and Anne watched his tall figure up the steps. Anne turned to the journalist with a little gasp. "Isn't he wonderful)"" she said. Brown smiled. "Dan's » decent sort," he answered. "And now for the next ten minutes we must wait here on the tip-toe of expectation. Will Dan return or— lias Scott consented to see him?" Charrington toolc^ut his watch; his pulse beat quickly as the second^ raced into minutes and the minutes reached their full tale. "Time's up," he said, gravely. "Dan hasn't returned. It's your turn now." \ They walked together to the millionaire's' house. Tall and imposing, it seemed to Anne typical of Amberley himself. "Good luck!" said Charriugton, and pressed her hand. The next minute tho door had opened and shut; Anne was within the 'gates of her enemy. Amberley Scott received Garret in | the library. He was curious to sec Anne's champion. It was a bold stroke on the stranger's part to beard him in his stronghold; the millionaire appreciated audacity, lie shook hands with cordiality, made a passing reference to Garret's acquaintance with his wife, and generally put the big man at his ease. "I've come to see you about this affair in Albemarle Street. Mr Scott." "You mean the discovery of the dead body of — Luke Fisher?" baid the millionaire. ''Yes. I was the man who found him." "So I saw. Have you anything of special interest to tell me concerning your discovery, Mr Garret?" Dan rose from his seat and faced the millionaire. "I think." he said, quietly, "we'd better realise just how \\o stand in the matter; we shall come to business quicker. What's your view of the case, Mr Scott?" "I should, prefer to hear yours first." "You shall have it." Dan leaned comfortably against the mantelpiece. "Let ni" give you my view of tho affair. Luke Fisher, a man of decent antecedents, but who of late has fallen intc« somewhat drunken, disreputable habits, possesses certain information in regard to a man of wealth and position, in short a millionaire. The information if divulged is likely to injure the latter, who sees an opportunity of getting quit of the old man and at the same time ridding himself of a troublesome visitor — a woman, who, like Fisher, knows too much. The rich man spends the evening with the poor one, doctors his drink, and conveys him in a brougham to the place nliere tho troublesome visitor is waiting. He induces her to get into tho brougham---locks the door. Hey presto! the old victim and the new are whirled off. The second discovers the first is dead -from the result of chloral administered by tlip millionaire 1 . Now, Mr Scott, that's my version; whats to prevent my taking it to Scotland Yard?" (To ho cunt mumm!.)