IZBAS BID FOR FORTUNE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144084, 1 May 1913, Page 5

IZBAS BID FOR FORTUNE.

By MBS. HERRIOT GORDON,

Author of “My Last Chance,” Paying a Debt,” “Stephen Delemere’s Crime,” etc. CHAPTER XL—(Continued.) Next evening ho arranged for Galtto visit him at his rooms, and Gerald Menstrio. by his own express desire, was to be present at the' interview. Galt did not keep the two young men waiting, but, punctual to a moment, entered the’ room. He was a yonng man of a somewhat dissolute appearance, and he looked a little surprised on observing Gerald, hut caihe forward with a cool, impudent swagger. Gerald did not return his greeting, and Barton receiving him with a how, waved him to a seat. Galt threw him tell into a chair, stretched out his legs on another which stood near, and proceeded to lignt a cigarette. ■‘Would you mind putting your feet on the floor?” said Ceroid in his slow distinct tones, and, at the same lime, drawing away the chair. “T n«-carpet; will stand their weight; 1 ’ a like to stare at the soics el a ! _ loot. It suggests the tread raid. •” Gerald was standing with ids back to the fire-place, and Barton a little apart by the table, with his hand resting on his father’s 'writing-desk. Gale did not like cither the words or tone of Gerald, but ho laughed and turned‘•off His remarks as a joke. “Have you hoard that Spider has hern scratched for the Two Thousand Guineas?'’ lie asked in a ianulkir “No,” drawled Gerald; “but 1 hear that a horse called Bill has been scratched for a hundred pound note.”

Galt darted a cniclt glance from one to the other. “ i'ou chess to be facetious,” he said. . “Of couvko. I know tnc business which has liroutfat .von here.'’ raid Barton, “and 1 think our interview had bettor bo brief.” _ . “Brief as you please,” returned Galt, leaning back .in his chair, “Hand (-‘• •athe hundred quid, and .1 am Roue.” “That is exactly what J am not prepared to do,” replied Barton quietly. “Oh, indeed!” answered Gall, e-s calmlv. “] intend to have the money.” “Tim bill you hold was never signed by me,” replied Barton, with more beat. “The signature is forged, and you are the forger.” • . “Take care what you soy,” exclaimed Galt, with gleaming eyes. “Mr. Monstrie. 1 ask you to bear witness to what ho has said.” !

“Willingly,” replied Gerald: “and to oblige you, I will go even further,'’ he said, ironically, “and repeat his words.” Gall glared from one to the other. “I.M you rake me u.r a i.. 01. ' be said. Then leaning acioss me table towards Barton, added—‘‘.Pay me, or vou know what follows.” “I refuse,” replied Barton, calmly ; “and what is more, yon will hand over the hill which you hold to me belore yon quit this room.” “Well, if you have not got the pluck and spirit of the old captain, you certainly exceed him in -cheek,” replied Galt; staring in blank surprise at Burton. “And"what if I refuse your.very modest request?” “Take the consequences, the '"same which , you offered me,” returned Barton.

■ Galt laughed, la it lu* looked uneasy. “The bill wits given to mo by your father in good faith, and nil I know is'.that you are ■ responsible.” “Were it not that I wished to spare my father's memory,” said Barton. "I would not give you a chance of escape from the punishment you so richly deserve. This desk contains proof sufficient to convict you of forgery. I doubt whether 1 am acting right in not exposing'you. Hand over the bill, and keep out- of my .way in the future.” "Very annoying to have one’s btilo game spoilt,” remarked Gerald, With provoking calmness. Galt shot a glance at Barton, another at Gerald. "Am I to bo permitted to examine the said proofs, or expected to take your word for their existence? The word of oven two such highly-connected individuals may not have as much weight with mo as a piece of paper,” he added, snceringly. ‘‘Von can see them,” replied Barton, opening the desk and taking obt the duplicate bill, he held it up. Galt evidently recognised the document, for Ids features became livid with passion. He saw the game was no, but prudence and fear for his own safety kept him cool. ’■“Pity you left that trifle behind, Galt,” remarked Gerald. “You rtc facts are very , difficult objects to evade.”

Galt bit his lip, then tried to smi’.o. “I have not got the hill in my possession, but pledge my word to hand it over to yon to-morrow,” he answered. “Your word is too light,” put m Gerald. “You might add a few hand fills of forged bills to give it weight in the balance.” His sarcasm roused Galt,

“I refuse,” he cried, glancing round defiantly, as if considering which of the two he would make an attack on. “Understand that a detective is waiting below. I have but to give iho signal,” answered Barton, .“which will bring him here. Gerald, will you touch the bell ”

“Three minutes given for. reflection,” remarked that individual, moving languidly towards tho bell Yope. Galt Tittered a smothered curse, ti ck tho bill from his pocket and flung it on the table.- “It is your turn to-day, it will be mine to-morrow,” he cried, and turning on his heel he left the room and the house.

Barton picked up the hill, an I was about to thrust it in the firo when Gerald stopped him. “I would keep those papers, ’ he said, “they may be - useful. You may not be quite done with Mr. Galt. ■’ Barton yielded to the advice of Gerald, and replaced tho papers in his desk.

“I think that fellow Galt is really tho creature of Derrick, tho lawyer,” remarked Barton.

“No.doubt,” returned Gerald, “birds of a feather.” Barton nodded, an ( cl went on, “I find amongst my father's-papers-certain Jotters which show him to have been related to the Dunsmore family. In fact he considered himself after a certain George Dunsmore heir to the estates.” “Dunsmore!” exclaimed Gerald. “Why they have a large estate near Wolverton.”

‘‘The property belongs to Lady 'Dunsmore, but after her death was to have passed to George Dunsraoro, but ho was killed in the recent Chitral campaign.” “By jove! If you can prove yourself the next heir you are a lucky fellow!” Fred laughed. “It may only bo a romance or a long law plea followed by disappointment; still I will have tho matter sifted to ,'tho Jbottom.” “By the way, I hhvo not asked for Miss Barton. Is she quite well?”

“Oh. yes,’’■ returned Fred quickly. ‘ She likes Done Hollow famously.' 1 menu to nm down fur the week end. -Mrs. Hcsslo has kindly invited me.’’ For a minute or two Gerald was silont then ho said—“l will run down with ycu and sec the ’Governor,’ you know. Don’t like his silence ; can’t understand it—not like the ./Governor’, at, all. He did not oven make a fuss about a cheque I asked him for.” •

Next morning amongst his letters Barton found one which surprised him not a little. It was a delicate-looking note, the envelope tinted and perfumed, adorned with a crest and monogram, and addressed in a lady’;; handwriting. He looked at the letter hesitatingly. Was this sonic fresh complication from his father’s past? Another thunderbolt to ho hurled at his head ? Surely such a pretiv am! dcliciup-loohing nolo could not convoy (wli tidings. Amongst his friends there was no lady that would he at all likely to write to him ; and it. to; not without some trepidation that |<o opem-.l the envelope. If Barton was surprised ,-t (he outride timrinnr; <T tin's aristocratic letter, when he read its contents his amazement baffles description. . (To be continued.) ,