CHAPTER XX.—(Continued.)

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13946, 29 April 1909, Page 1

CHAPTER XX.— (Continued.)

Herriot watcbod Katie B-lythr narrowly as she began her narrative, and was glad lo see thai?'" at least he had won . her confidence. She was clearly striving conscientiousls' to 'put him in possession of every event that had -happened in the ill-governed mansion, and from tho very first she struck a, significant note in describing tbe frequent conferences between Caspar Sturge and Paii). , >* "They have never beeri So thick till lately," .she went on. "Sinrj^o has haunted Paul like a shadow ever since father died. It's that, and Paul's worrying of Mildred for the last year, that made me suspect they were in league against her. Though, of course, Panl is the head of the hotiso now, and Sturge may have had to consult hiifi about my mother's new treatment."

"There has been a change, then, in Lady Blythe's health of late?" said Horriot gently. "J am afraid that she's in for ono of her bad fits," Katie replied. "They haven't let me see her for days, a.nd last night Sturge and Paul went up to tho west TvLng together quite Ute. But I, meant about mother's- appefite. She has been eating enormously. Tie housekeeper has had orders from the attendants to send up doxible her former amount cf food." ""What!" cried Herriot, startled out cf his customary calm.

Katie repeated her description of her mother's strange symptoms, adding the circumstances under which - they had been brought to her notice. Her hearer sat drumming the table with his fingers, and remained silent long after she had finished her account of the vcracitv attributed to the patient by Nnrse Cliewter. ' /"Do you know that you have worked wonders, Miss Blytbe ? r> he said at last, calling a flush of pleasure 'to Kiltie's healthy cheeks. "I believe that you have given me the key of the situation. Now will you help mo to turn that koy in the lock by admitting ro>? into the 'Chaso' to-night without tqayone but joiirself knowing .of it?" "There is a gla4s door leading out of tho morning-room into thrfftacdon ; I could let you in by that/ implied tho S>rl promptly. "What time do you generally retire to your own room ? About ten ? Well, go up as usual at that hour, as ostentatiously as you like, but at half-past I slip down again and unfa&ten that 0001 >o« speak of. By tho way, whete woulo your brother be likely to bo then? " "In the library, drinking— «cH cut of tl\O way of tho mornins-yoom."' was the answer, accompanied by a iry face. So the arranp.i>nx>nt was* made bo-j-twon them, and prerently when Herriot bid in-iisted on taking the girl to c elector raid having her hand dressed. Ju> whirled her back again i:jL» ihn d<ui\"ct son 1* and dropped her in tho hccntd<"d line that skiriod ihc park 0 ' tin i "Cha?<-." Thorr* was no ajc about. and Itatio soon clambered c^r tho palings after receiving her )" i nij.ir.ctions. She was to behave- as if slio was sullenly resentful for tlie brutal treatment she had received, so a,sHo he consistent with hor absence that day, !>u( otherwise she was not to depart further from her customary habits. Abov« all she was not to- evince, any excitement or any more curiosity as to her brother and Sturge's interviews. "Loavo it all to mo, but don't fail at the glass door,"' said Herriot, as he waved a friendly farewell.' The car sl^d off down the" lane, and there now bring plenty of time at his disposal Herriot gave the word to make at moderate speed for the po^ce station at 'Farnton. -There he "had to ivait for over an hour till Inspector IJrywm returned from a fruitless search for possible places where Mildred Harden might be concealed. Tho officer we* dejected ami a little out of temper. "Hew about striking at the root of the thing, sir, and arresting Sir Norman Blythe?" ho 'suggested. "I shall get into bad trouble for neglecting Mr. Paul's information ifjt turns out to be the pea under the tliimble. At any rat*> that would get the matter thrashed ont. rt

"It might get you thrashed oat of the force for a dolt nnd^a numbskull,"' said Herriot drily. "Now just listen to reasdn." And for twenty minutes Mr. Inspector Bryson listened, with the result that at the close of the lecture he w ore a deply preoccupied and anxiotu expression in place of a peevish one. It was six o'clock by tue time the great Panhard car dashed into Mpnkswood village once more and stopped at "The Blytbe Arms" for the second time that day. John Benjafield had been on the look-out for it, and no sooner had Horriot alighted than ho appeared to conduct him to the bar-parlour. The old man carried a telegram in his hand. "This has just come for yofi, sir," ho said, scanning his visitor's face with greedy inquiry. For tho firm jaw Sad dropped a little as Herriot read the message which Norman Blythe had despatched from Brighton an hour before. It was a, long one, for it not only contained an intimation 'that Norman had succeeded in the object of his journ<<y to tho south-coast resort, but also a repetition of the wire which Gloria had received during the afternoon — the ono which ran: — x Second alternative having become necessary has been arranged for tonight. Quito safe. Tho cat will pull tho chestnuts for us.

"To-night!" exclaimed Herriot in d half-whisper. "Please God that docs not mean before half-past ten."