THE BEAUTIFUL PROXY

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143786, 9 May 1912, Page 5

THE BEAUTIFUL PROXY

% R. MURRAY GILCHRIST

Author of “Tlie Gentle Thespians,” “Lords and Ladies,” “The Wonderful Adventures!” “Beggar’s Manor,” “The Secret Tontine, etc., etc. [COPYRIGHT.] CHAPTER XXXVll.—Continued. An elderly lady came to the bedroom. She had a presence. She was lean and angular and formal, with a nose like a parrot’t beak. Her gown was of smooth cashmere, her apron of fine linen. A cap of lace with hanging lappets covered Tier grey hair. She eyed the group with severity, then bowed to each in turn. “What has happened?” she said, “The chambermaid comes with a cock-and-bull story of somebody's disappearance. The thing is quite preposterous —quite out of the question. If the person has disappeared it must be entirely of her own will.” There was something so awesome in her volubility that none dared to interrupt the carefully phrased sentences. “Ay,” she continued,-“I flatter rayself that my hotel is amongst the best conducted in England. 1 have testimonials from various people of rank, which you are welcome to examine if so inclined. Never have 1 heard such a nonsensical story.” Sarah Emma and Mrs. Molyneux shrank back. Lord Frederick tried to speak, but his lips moved without sound. “This hotel I inherited at my father s demise,” she continued, “and as it had belonged to our family for upwards of two hundred years, i looked upon it as my duty to coutinuo the family traditions. "But 1 am willing to hear what is the cause of this disturbance. Be good enough to remember that my duties are manifold, and that 1 have no time to waste.” It was Mr. Molyneux who recovered first from the stupefaction caused by this remarkable flow of language. “One of your guests, madam, has been taken from the house during the dark hours,” he said. “As ior your suggestion that she has left on her own accord, I can only assure that it is foolish in the extreme.” “Sir!” cried the affronted lady. “Sir, you forget yourself!” “Wo are wasting valuable time, ' said the actor. “It is quite certain that somebody under your roof—” “The integrity of my guests is, 1 hope, beyond question,” she said. “If you will come down to my room, I will instruct my secretary to show you the visitors’ book. And such information as can be given concerning the respectability of one and all shall bo placed entirely at your service.” They followed her with bated breath to a small narlour on the ground floor, where a trimly gowned young woman was arranging flowers in tho table vases. “Miss Cotton,” said tho mistress, “bo good enough to pass me the visitors’ book.” She doned a pair of goklrimmed eye-glasses, and began to read aloud. Lord Frederick interrupted her with what she obviously regarded as outrageous impertinence. • •Your pardon, madam, but allow mo to ask this young lady some questions?” Then he turned to the secretary and asked her if anyone, had arrived' during the night. Who rang the, hell for the night- porter, who, as she explained was breakfasting before going to his customery morning sleep. A stout, middle-aged.person in livery appeared soon, and touched his forehead respectfully to the group, “Bones,” said the young lady. Nobody has come here m the night. ? ’ "1 was coming on to make iny report, miss,” replied the fellow. “There was two arrived in a oovorcdcar about one o’clock One was a b rcnchj couldn’t make out a word oi his lingo—” .. , , <• Tho landlady uplifted a bony forefinger. , . , r “Choose your words with more discretion, Bones,” sbo said severely. “Lingo is a vulgarism, unknown to polite society.” The night porter smiled sadly. i hadn’t many advantages in my youth, ho said, “1 never went to school. “But the years you have spent m my service should have been a liberal education,” said‘bis mistress. “Have I not told you—” ■ “For goodness sake let the man say bis say!” cried Sarah Emma, who could bear the suspense no longer. “Never have I mot anyone like to you—you d talk a horse’s hind leg off! Come, Mr. Bones, what about these two strangers?” ’ “Well I’ve not much to tell, ho replied. ’ “The one as spoke English asked for rooms, and I told him the house was full. Thou they asked if they could have a bite of food, and I took ’em to the coffee-room. Afterwards I showed ’em to tho big drawing room upstairs, as they fancied a imp.” “Quite right, Bones,” said the landlady. “You acted according to orders. The car, I presume, was taken round to the garage.” “You’re out there, ma am, replied the porter. “It stood afront the door all the time. But instead of staying in the drawing-room the Frcuchy came downstairs a lew minutes after I’d left ’em alone. I made out at last as ho wanted a glass of brandy. And whilst he was drinking it t’other came downstairs too.” “You saw tho man leaving?” said Lord Frederick. “To be plain, I didn’t,” replied tho porter. “The gas was only turned on a little, and my hack was turned. He seemed to go straight to the car, and he returned and said as after all they needn’t stay any longer.” “I never heard of such conduct!” .exclaimed the landlady. “This might be a common public-house!”

“Ho paid me for the vittlcs and drink,” concluded the man, “and then they both got iuto the car and drove away.” CHAPTER XXXVIII.

Lord Frederick caught Knowsley’s arm. "Lot us go at once,” ho said huskily. “He must have taken her to that frightful old house, Lady Caroline and I visited. He would never go back to the island.” “I’m ready,” replied Knowslcy. “I w ish—but what’s the good of wishing? The wretch ought to bo hanged, drawn and quartered in tho old way.” The irrepressible landlady cleared her throat, and began to hold forth again. “If it be indeed true that a stranger has abducted a female who sheltered under my roof-tree, I can only say that the person—or gentleman—may have been justified in his procedure. Examining tho question from a logical standpoint, I should say that the missing female is his erring wife.” “Woman, woman!” cried Sarah Emma, whose face was red with temper, “do, if you can, stop that tonguewagging! Just yon mind your own business, and look after your own affairs; I’ll warrant you’ll have enough to do.”

The outraged landlady said no more, but with a dignified movement of the

right arm directed all to leave the room. They returned to the hall. Mrs. Molyneux insisted on the two gentlemen breaking their fast before starting upon a quest that seemed almost hopeless. Sarah Emma, who sat with them at table, found herself quite unable to eat or drink.

“1 should heave my heart up,” she said frankly. “Never have I been so upset in all my born days. To think of it, her being stolen away, when everything was going so well. And I’d sworn to myself as I’d see her through. Never mind, I’ve not done with her; you’ll find me just as keen on the hunt as anybody.” “What do you propose doing?” inquired Lord Frederick. “I’m quite sure that Miss Edgeworth won’t wish you to incur any risk for her sake.” “I’m going to do what I think fit and proper,” said Sarah Emma. “I’ve as much right to please myself as anybody else has. Would your lordship mind telling mo just exactly when you're going to start?” “In a few minutes,” said Lord Frederick. “Have you any message to give Miss Edgeworth when we find her?”

Sarah Emma left the table. “No, I haven’t,” she said shortly, “simply because I’m going to hire a car for myself and follow you. I’ve got money in my purse, and I don’t mind opening it either. Do you think I could have a moment’s rest till she’s safe?” (To be continued.l