THE STORYTELLER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11026, 14 March 1914, Page 2

THE STORYTELLER.

#iARGOT AND HER JUDGES (By RICHARD MARSH.) i Author of "The Death Whistle," "The Marquess of Putney," etc. [Ail Rights Reserved.] CHAPTER V. WHAT WAS IN THE JEWEL CASE. - Miss: Law-ton, opening her door five or six inches, stood to listen. For Bomo moments all was silent; then there was a slight sound which might have meant the closing of a distant door. She instantly drew back into her bedroom. „ .... " I wonder," she asked herself, it in this house they eifc up all night. 1 > It was not the first time 6ho liad gono through the manoeuvre. On three different occasions she had opened her I floor to listen if all was still; each tune she had heard sounds which suggested I that someone was still up and about. " I wonder how long it will be before ©vcryono turns in. I'd wait until the morning if I dared, but I darent. 1 1 never can trust myself to wake early; I don't want to run the risk of there bemer anyone about. I'm sick of this fcdlly book." She took up an open volume, which. lay upon a table. \ «.A Straggle with it much longer, it will eend mo to sleep; what am I to do to keep awako?" . ' Sno went to where her jewel-case stood on the dressing-table. Opening it, eho took out two trays which seemied sufficiently filled with pretty things. The bottom was empty. She glanced round as if in search of unseen watcher. Pressing a spring, the bottom of the box flew up. She put her hand beneath it and drew out a neckI lace of pearls. Again she cast that furtive glance about her. ' "I wonder how much you are worth —what reserve price would the great Mr Eckstein put on you?" Fastening tho necklace about, her throat, she stood before the long cheval glass. "Pearls do become mo; I fancy even Basil would think that I look rather nice. I wonder what kind of person ho really supposes me to be. If I were a man —a decent man—l _ don't think ■I should ever care for a girl—wlio was that kind of person; not really care. - She sighed; then put up her hands to veil lier eyes from she alone knew what. With a sudden passionate gesture she almost tore the shining circlet from about her neck; it seemed as if she would have hurled it from her. But she did stop short of doing that; slio replaced it into the fals© bottom, of the box. She tried again to read, settling herself in a chair with her feet on another, and getting through a page or two. A clock comewhere struck the hour. - ' "What's that? Threo! They must be in bed by now, unless they do mean to stop up 'all night, and in that case —why, I'm done! We'll listen again! '

Once more she opened the door to listen. Although she: remained .for what seemed to be an. appreciable space of time, the stillness remained unbroken. Not a creature seemed to be 'nbout. 1 "Now, perhaps, I may venture. Everyouo ought to be asleep, and if they are not, the, fault is theirs, not mine. /Let's make sure of my direction."

Sho opened her door wider, as if to let more light come into tho passage. Then, going back into the room, nearly closing the door, she switched the light rigjit off. From a pocket in her dressing-gown sire took an electric torch.- switching it on to show that the light was in order, thoiToff again. Mollis; £>om her room into the passage beyunrf. she shut her door softly behind her. She must havo had noiseless slippers on her feet, because, although sho moved quickly along the passage, not a sound "was. audible. Down the stairs she wont with what was really curious noiselessness. At the foot she used the torch again; then moved with rapid stops to what, even in the pitch blackness, she knew to be the; door of the drawing-room. She felt that the floor was ajar; she wished it open; she passed into tho Egyptian darknessivliich was on the other side, standing, •when she was within, to listen. She must have held her breath, she was so soundless; every faculty seemed to he absorbed in the sense of hearing. " I thought I heard something—l feel sure I did. Perhaps it was nothing to matter; at this hour of the morning eivery sound seems to be so significant. I'll have to look about me." She switched on the torch. "Full of emptiness, the room is all mine; there's the table. The point is that this torch of mine doesn't give sufficient light to enablo me to overhaul that table as I mean to; I shall have to switch on something else." She did; there was a switch against the opposite wall, which operated two lamps; she switched them on. Then sho turned to the Buhl table, on which she had stated she had placed the pearl ■jtecklaco during tho period in which the room had been in darkness. She regarded it quizzically. " You wore a wedding present from my father, were you? Anything which comes from that quarter may, I am nfraid, be regarded with suspicious eyes; arid—a wedding present! I sever knew my father give anyone anything before, _ and —to commemorate a wedding, considering the view that he takes of weddings—it seems incredible. His acquaintance with Eisi© Rollitt was certainly not an intimate one, and Andrew Macfine ho did not know at all. How came he to give them a wedding present? What ■ *ras, at theback of that very peculiar mind of his. And such a present 1 I'm not an expert, but if, this is not a Buhl table, it is-very like one; in which case it must be worth goodiiess alone knows how much;' perhaps Mr Eckstein could say. Was tho table liis to give away? If so, how came it to be his? There is something odd nbout this piece of furniture; knowing my parent as, unfortunately I do, I am sure of it—the thing is, what?" All the time these thoughts were takJng shape in her mind, her sensitive fingers were fingering the table almost ss if it were some delicate piece of m'ejhanism to which sho sought the key. Sho explored the whole "of its surface; first softly with her finger tips, then more foroibly, as if she hoped, by dint, ef pressuro, to sot in motion some hidden spring. •'.That seems to have proved nothing." She owned it to herself with ft sigh. "If there's a secret about it Rnywhere, it's not one which is going to be easily discovered." She rapped 'with her knuckles. "I daren't hammer, hut it doesn't sound hollow." Sho raised it from the floor. "My word, how light it is." She turned it over, examining as best she could there verso side. " There seems to be nothing suspicious hare, and yet " Sho raised her head to listen. "What's that? There's someone coming .down the stairs."

She replaced the table on its feet, glanced hurriedly round her, switched ofF tho light, sped swiftly to tho emnrasured window which was screened by heavy curtains. Sho was stealing behind them when sho heard the door open on the other sido of tho room.

NO BETTER REMEDY FOR CROUP. "My little girls, Ncllio and Jessio, ■were bad with croup," writes Mr Jas. Burgis, Stanley, Vic., " and would ,wako up choking for breath. I was told Chamborlain's Cough Remedy was s marvellous euro for croup and I tried it, with wonderful results. Now, if tbey show the slightest sign of croup I givo them n dose of Chamberlain's Cough Remedy and never hear a sound from them for tho rest of tho night."

SHORT AND SERfALs

Someone came hurrying in; a voice exclaimed : " Who's there! Who's in this room P" " I'll soon find out." The light was switched on. Andrew Macfine Vas standing just inside, the door, clad in a suit of pink pyjamas, on his feet a pair of, pale blue slippers. Ho seemed to be in a state of some agitatfon. " Now, then, where are you, whoever yon aro? It's no good pretending vou're not here, because I heard vou. You'd better show yourself. I'vo had enough of this tomfoolery, it's getting to be beyond a joke." Whilo tho excited gentleman continued to address the unknown person or persons in a somewhat elevated tone of voice the door leading from the conservatory was opened—<to admit Mr Eckstein. CHAPTER VI. ini ecestein's baxk notes. Except that he wore a smoking jacket, Mr Eckstein was 111 ordinary evening dress. The sight of his host did not seem to surprise him to anything like the extent in which he surprised his host. " Ah, Macfine, so it's you; I wondered who it was who had the lights on in hero." His coolness seemed to irritate Mr Macfine. "What on earth do you mean by leading mo a dance like this? _ I couldn t make out what was happening down here; I thought you were in bed hours ago." ' "I went to my bedroom, and then I came out of it again." "So it seems! Haven't you found it lonely all by yourself down here ? If I had known you felt like making a night of it I would have joined you. I'll bo hanged if I can sleep, and the house seems to be so full of noises that it's got upon my nerves; I had to come down to see what was up." Was that you I chivvied down tho stairs?"

" How. long ago?" Mr Eckstein was choosing a cigarette from a case which he had taken from his jacket pocket. "Not—oh, I should say, not three minutes nso."

"Perhaps other of your guests have left their bedrooms; I have been down longer than that. I'm rather glad to havo met you, Macfine. I don't know if you'ro of my opinion that one can do business in any place, at any time.' 1 "It depends upon what the business

" In this case it's about that further loan you want. I've been thinking matters over since we had our talk this evening; it isn't often that the other man convinces me, but—you have. I'm willing to meet you; to make it five thousand instead of four."

Macfine stared, as if there were something in the other's maimer which puzzled him. '"This is rather a funny hour to talk about that kind of thing, especially as I'm rigged out like-this. Have you got a cigarette about you?"

Mr Macfine advanced to take one from the case which the other held out; ho lit it with a match which Mr Eckstein handed him.

."Tho hour is rather a queer one; only as I may be leaving by an early train I may not have a chance of talking matters over with you again, and I thought you might like to have the matter finished before that is, if you want the money." " Want the money! You know I want the money." "You have given me to understand you do. Well, here it is." Mr Eckstein took from his pocket a, well-filled letter-case. Mr Macfine seemed to be regarding it with surprise. , , " You don't mean to say that you vo got it there —that you carry that amount of money, about with you at this hour of the night?" " I havo five thousand pounds in bank notes; when I'm away from Lome I like to have a sum like that iipon my person, whatever the hour may bo; I think it safer than if, for instance, I left it in my room upstairs. You must remember that I'm used to carrying sums of money about with mo compared to which five thousand is a bagatelle. That sort of thing is not so unusual as you may think. You said you wanted notes; here they are, quite small ones; sixty fifties, which means three thousand pounds, and a hundred twenties, which makes five thousand : and here's a piece of paper which only needs your signature to make them yours." He unfolded a piece of paper. "You know what the contents are; would you like to glance through them again, or shall I read them to your* I have made one alteration—five thousand pounds instead of four—see here, that's the only change. \V ith the rest you are familiar." He passed the paper to Mr Macfine, who bestowed on it just a cursory glance, as if it were a thing of no miPO ' (t ™uppose it's all right; it generally is; and it's always beyond if .it isn't. I wonder where the whisky isr' Good' egg! it loolcs as if there were some over there." . •

"I will explain it if you like; you will find iW meaning is perfectly simple —shall I?" , ■ "Not much; I can't stand and listen to that sort of thing at past three o'clock in the morning, in this toggery. I wonder where the whisky is? Good egg I it looks as if there were some over there." Mr Macfine moved to where some decanters and other refreshments stood together on a distant table. - Mr Eckstein spoko to him as he went. " Hadn't wo better finish this before —we talk of whisky?" Mr Eckstein was crossing to where Macfine was pouring what he judged to be a proper proportion of the contents of the decanter into the tumbler he was holding. Mr Eckstein was about half-way towards him when—the electric light went out exactly as it had done at such an inopportune moment that afternoon. It followed, as of course, that darkness reigned. Mr Eckstein's voico was heard.

" Who did that?" "Hanged if I know!" It was Macfine's voice which replied. " What's the matter with this electric light of yours?" "I wish I knew; it's always up to some beastly prank or other. If you'll stand still, so as not to knock things over, you'll find it will come back in a second or two."

" I left the bank notes on that table."

"They are all right—there's no one to play hanky-panky tricks with them now." " I'm not so sure of that." In Mr Eckstoin's voice there seemed to bo a note of alarm. For some moments there was silence. " That electric light doesn't seem to bo coming back." "It does seem to bo unusually long about it; maybe the dynamo's left off working or somo confounded thing or other—l never know."

" If I wero you I should try oil lamps for a change; they would be more reliable than your electric light." There was a sudden change in tho pitch of his voice. "Who's that? Is that you, Macfine? There's someone else in the room? Where tho devil are my matches? If this is a trick you're playing, Macfine, I'll make you smart for it. What's that? Is that you. Macfine?" There was a crash as if something had been hurled to the ground. ; Mr Macfino's voice was heard through the darkness, „ " No, it's not me—it's somo joker who's capering about the room. I oxpecfc it's tho party I chivied down tlm stairs; I haven't moved, I'm still

standing here with the drink in my hand. Why don't you strike a match?"

" How can I when I can't find tho box?—l'vo got it.". ; A spark gleamed in the darkness; apparently Mr Eckstein, having found tho box, was striking a match. It burst into flame. As ho held it up ho saw his host still standing whore he had seen him last. "So there you are; then who was that?" " That's nioro than I can tell you, but I'll l find out before tho night's through, if I have to turn everyone out of their beds to do it." . " I hope those notes of mine are all right." As Mr Eckstein turned to see, his match Went out. " Has that electric light of yours gone for good?" "That's what I'm wondering." There came a shout from Mr Eckstein. " My notes nre gone 1" "Eckstein!" " I placed them on this table, and they've gono: is this a trap, Macfine?" "What the dickens do you mean?" "I'll soon tell you what I mean; T placed five thousand pounds in bank notes on this table; if they are not produced at once I'll have every soul in the houso, arrested. This electric light of yours is a little foo peculiar: it always seems to go out when there's something to be stolen." " Eckstein 1" "Ring the bell, if there is one in this infernal house, and make some idiot brfng a light." Then in his intonation there came another sudden change. "Macfine!—is that you?— Man, who's thatP" It was Mr Macfine's voice which replied, but it did not seem as if ho were answering Mr Eckstein. "Got you, have I? I thought you'd left the room, but it seems you haven't; having another try at it, were you ?, Now we'll see who you are.' "Who's that you're talking to?"demanded Mr Eckstein.

"Hanged if I know; if you'll strike another match we'll find out." All at once the room was flooded with light; the electric light had returned, in the same sudden, eccentric, startling fashion in which it went. It revealed Andrew Macfine standing with his back -to the door, and, just in front of him, Miss Lav."ton. "Margotl" he exclaimed. "If I didn't think sol" cried Mr Eckstein. "I'd have-bet-on it!" Ho moved quickly towards the pair at the door.. "Now, Miss Lawton, my bank notes."

Ho held out his hand, as if lie expected«them to be given to him on the instant. Margot, who was standing very upright, looked him straight in the face. She was looking white, but she showed no other sign of discomfiture.

"I know nothing of your bank notes; if they were bank notes."

She spoke to him as if he were the person who had been taken at a disadvantage, not she. His manner could hardly have been more brusque. " What do you mean by ' if they were bank riotes?' None of your bluff with mo; you're not dealing with Mrs Macfine. I don't know if you're in league with Macfino's electric light, or how the devil you manage it, but there were five thousand pounds in bank notes on that table, and .in the dark you've taken them. Hand them back to me ai once."

"I repeat that I know nothing about your bank notes, if they were bank notes, which I'm inclined to doubt. I was in the room when you came in." "You admit it?"

" You knew it—you saw me through the conservatory door; I forgot that it was glass, that's where yoti score. You knew I. was in tho room when Mr Mac--fine came, through this door, but you never said a word; that wasn't your clue. You protended that you didn't know 1 was here, you took out your bank notes, or what you pretended were bank notes, and you flashed them at Mr Macfine. You put them oh tho table, and you took out another paper ; and then, while you were still standing by the table the light went out. I'm wondering if you are in league with Mr Macfine's electric light.; I'm pretty certain that whatever you put on the table, whether they were or were not'hank notes, you snatched off it when ithe light went out.. You knew I was in the room, behind that curtain—you saw me go there; and, being that kind of man, you thought, when the light came back, that you'd charge me with taking them; and that's exactly What you have done." "Of all the brazen faces!"

"My good man"—she pointed at him a monitory finger—"surely you have .not the courage to pretend to forget what all the world knows, that thero is no more brazen face than Mr Eckstein's."

That gentleman turned to his host in what seemed to be a splutter of rage; he could scarcely articulate plainly. "Macfine, this woman's a marvel 1 Sho steals your wife's necklace before a room full of people and she,faces it out with an air of innocence which would carry conviction to any judge and jury; and now, as I'm alivo, if she doesn't steal five thousand pounds of my money, and sho tells mo to my face that I never had it to steal!"

"If you had, you've pot it now." "Got it nowl—where?" He almost yelled the word. " Macfine, there's my letter case; you'll find ten ten-pound notes in it, and not another farthing. I'll take my jacket off. and you. can rip the lining out of it, in the presence of this beauty I" Suiting the action to the word, he offered the garment to Macfine. " I'll strip myself, if you like; you'll find two or three sovereigns in my trousers pockets, and- nothing more." Ho held some coins out in his hand. "I won't ask you to send for your wife to strip this lady, because I can guess, from the impudence with which she confronts us both, that she hasn't got tha money on her; she hid it somewhere, probably in the same place in which she's hidden your wife's necklace, and where that is I'm going to find out, if I have to tear up the boards, before I leave this room, or sho leaves it either."

The lady turned to Mr Macfine with what, 'compared with Mr Eckstein's bearing, was an air of seraphio calmness.

" I think you are probably aware that part of the stock in trade of a usurer —Mr Eckstein is registered under the Act, so it is no libel; —is bluster. The otlxer day he asked me to be his wife; when I declined he blustered at me. This afternoon lie repeated his offer; when I once more declined, he blustered again; it's part of the game he plays. I'm beginning to wonder if somewhere in what passes for his brain, he has a notion that he can bluster me into becoming Mrs Eckstein. With him it's bluster, bluster all the way; I'm convinced that it's all bluster about those bank notes; I daresay ho thinks he sees a way of blustering me into making good to him what he has never lost." " Women always are amazing creatures!" gasped Mr Eckstein. "But of all women, sho is the most amazing I It's dead certain that in this world there's not her double; the Lord help us if she's not unique 1" CHAPTER VII. A UEXEHAL MEETING. Still Miss Lawton showed no signs of being disconcerted ; considering the—to put it mildly, invidious position in which she had been found, she boro herself with surprising coolness. All the warmth was on the aido of tho gentleman. When ho had delivered himself of that last burst of exaggerated expletives, tho lady said nothing. She eyed hint with what, was just the suspicion of a smile nl disdain, as if ho wero soma

queer creature which she found it a fittlo difficult to classify, then sho tunito her host. " Mr Macfine. will you bo bo good as to let mo pass?" Macfine was moving asido vrhon LckBtein gripped him by the shoulder. . " You'll do nothing of the kmd; sho doesn't leave this room until I Lave my banknotes." "Please, Mr Eckstein,' said the lady, with tho sweetest sniile, "don't be so silly; you can't think what a foolish figure you aro cutting; ami think of tho time. Wo ought all of us to liavo been in our beds hours ago. Mr Eckstein held up his hand, as it to ward from him some evil thing. "You can't, bluff me, my girl, don t try: until I have my batik notes you don't leave, tliis room." A train the lady turned to her host. " Jlr Macfine, is this your houso, or is it Mr Eckstein's? If it is yours, I prosume you are at liberty to allow me to go to 'my bedroom if I assure you I feel tired." , Mr Eckstein interposed himself between hor and the door. . " I don't want to interfere with your rights as a householder, Macfine, but sho don't pass me—not until she gives me back my money." "Then," inquired the laxly, are we three to stay nere until the servants come to dust the room?" "Macfine, this yottng woman is your guest; as you are aware, she has taken advantage of your hospitality to rob first your wife, and now to rob nie. With your wife's attitude towards Jier I've nothing to do; but I appeal to you to 6ee that sho doesn't rob ine. Make i her give me back my money!l " Make who do what? What s that you're saying to MncfineP' The door behind Mr Eckstein opened, and the lady of the house came in, in i a state of rather more considerable deshabille than either of the others, j The fact that her hair was arranged tor the night on principles of her own lent to her rather a singular appearance, i She began to explain, after a fashion ol her own, how she came to be there. , "I don't know what's become of you, Macfine; I've been waiting and wondering and there's no sign or you ,at all; and now that hubbub that s going on down hero —is it fighting that you areP When I stood outside my door to listen I thought that all the furniture was being thrown about at once, and ever since Mr Eckstein has been shouting like a. bull of Bashan. What is the matter nowP Is all the house up for the night, aren't there any beds in it? Mar got, what are you doing out of yours?" "You may well ask her," struck m Mr Eckstein./ "She'll find it a little difficult to. answer." ; Judging from her. readiness to answor, tho lady did not seem to find it difficult at all. "My dear Elsie, I've been worrying about that pearl necklace, , and I came down to see for myself if it were hidden in some,nook or cranny which this afternoon we overlooked." • "And, Mrs Macfine, if she had found it, it would still be hidden so far as you are concerned, you may take my word for that." Miss Lawton moved closer to Mrs Macfine.

" Come, Elsie, let us get back fro our beds; we want some rest if no one else does. Mr Eckstein is in one of his most unreasonable moods." Again that gentleman, interposed himself between her and tho door.

" Sirs Macfine, Miss Lawton has robbed me of five thousand pounds in bank notes; I think you'll agree that I'm not unreasonable in refusing to allow her to leavo the room until she returns me my money." "Five thousand pounds!" exclaimed Mrs Macfine.

" She's robbed me of it. That's the plain English." "Margot—is it the plain English?" "It is not; it's a lie." "It's the truth. Macfine, haen't she stolen my money?" " It's , a question which I would rather not answer." Then ho quickly added, as if ho were afraid that what he had said did not convey his'precise meaning, "I would rather not answer it, because I'can't. ' I hare no certain knowledge, Eckstein, that you had any bank notes to steal. I saw you put something on the table, and you said they were bank notes, but I neither touched nor examined them. Then the light went out, and when you struck a match you said they were goiio; I can't say what became of them in the' dark—how can I?"_ Miss Lawton beamed at him.

" Thank yon, Mr Macfine-; it's a comfort to find that you're nob bo simple as Mr Eckstein supposed." " But at the same time I'm hound to admit," continued Mr Macfine, as if ho were anxious to state all the pros, awl eons, as clearly as possible, "that I don't think your explanation of how you came to bo in the room at all adequate. If it's the real one you've nothing to be ashamed of. Why didn't you show yourself? You saw us come in; why. did you try to • bolt in the dark? Didn't you see Mr Eckstein put something on the table—no matter what it was, didn't you see him put something P" " Just so, Macfine. Now you're getting on the right track." This, of course, was Mr Eckstein. The lady continued to smile. " I confess, Mr Macfine, that I was silly not to show myself, and if I had had the least idea that this 6ort of thing was going to happen I would havo done. As you say, I had nothing of which to be ashamed; but how could I guess what was coming " " But, in any case, why did you try to bolt from the room? You heard Eckstein say that his bank notes had gone; you know what had happened." "No one better." Mr Eckstein said this with what he probably meant to be an air of profound conviction. The lady shrugged her shoulders. "I was a goose I —that is the only explanation I can offer. Elsie, Mr Eckstein says that I have taken five thousand pounds from him in bank notes. I will come up with you to your room, and you can search every stitch that I have on, and then you'll bo able to judge what, truth there is in his assertion." ' "That won't do!" Mr Eckstein struck in before the lady addressed could answer. "That game has been played before. Mrs Macfine, you will remember that it was the same thing this afternoon. The necklace vanished which Miss Lawton was holding in her hand, and she said, ' Search me 1' She was searched—at least I understood from you that she was, and the necklace wasn't found, and probably never will be till she tells you where it's hidden. She's trying to play the same game with my money. She was the only person in the room besides Macfine and myself. I am satisfied that Macfine never touched it. She has had "the impudence to pretend that I took it myself; she might just as well have had the assurance to accuse you of stealing your own nocklace. If she didn't take it, who did? We heard someone moving directly the lights went out: isn't that so, Macfine?" '".lt is." "fl called out to know who it was, and &> ono answered; isn't that so agnM, Macfine?" Mr Macfine nodded. " TsSaking of what had occurred this afternoon, I was immediately anxious about my money. By the time I had

struck a match it was too late—it was gono; tlio person wo had heard in the room had taken it. My match went out; tho person we had heard made a rush for tho door. Macfine got in front of it just in time; the lights returning showed us it was Miss' Lawton. What, other inference can bo drawn, Mrs Macfine, to phni.se it as politely as possible, than that she had been playing some—we'll say, conjuring trick, with my money, and that then she tried to got out of tho room in order that we might not bo able to prove that she had over been in it. Isn't that how it appears to you? I put that question to you, Mrs Macfine?" " I'm bound to say that it docs; I can't help it, Margot, hut it does. Now that wo'ro between ourselves, I've got to say it. And, Margot, you know, you took that necklace of mine this afternoon."

"Elsie!" The name came in a sort of chorui from both her husband and her friend. Being once launched, Mrs Macfine went on.

"I've got to get-it off my mind—l can't hold it in any longer. I'd my doubts this afternoon, and now I know it. It's no use your denying it any longer, Margot, so no more of your lies!" "My dear girl," inquired her husband with wide-open eyes, "be careful what you're saying. What ground have vou for malting this positive statement P" " Andrew, I've every ground; I've found out something, and I know it's true; and she knows it's true, so what's the use of her keeping on denying it. But I'll say no more about the necklace, or what I have to say I'll say to her when we're alone. We are old friends, and may bo I understand liow sho canto to do it. But about this money of Mr Eckstein's, it's a different thing—she'll havo to settle with him." " She will." Mr Eckstein said this in his grimmest tone. Miss, Lawton was regarding Mrs Macfino with what seemed curious eyes. "I'm afraid, Elsie, I don't quite follow your mental processes. You' remember that 1 always did find it rather hard. What are the grounds on which you assert that you now know that I took that necklace?"

"I'm not going to go into them now before the gentlemen. I don't want to givo you away too much, but I'll go into them, fast enough when we are alone. It's enough for you to know that I've got them, and I'm pretty sure that you know what they are."

"I am quite sure that I do not, and I am equally sure that, perhaps in your own muddled imagination, you have none." " It's when you talk like that that I pay no heed to your words when you say that you never took Mr Eckstein's money." "Precisely ; if she will lie about one thing, she will lie about another. Nothing, Mrs Macfine, is more obvious than that."

",I'ni afraid it isn't.- So, come, Margot, givethe.man back his money} we are all friends her®, if' you give it him back, not a word will be breathed outside ; it will be forgotton as soon as it's done. Isn't that 60. Mr Eckstein, you don't wish to do her any harm if she will give you back your own?"

"I cannot give Mr Eckstein back his money for: what seems to me to bs two sufficient reasons; one is that 1 haven't got it, and the other, that I don't know where it is."

'' If that is tho attitude, Mrs Macfine, which Miss Lawton means to take up, believe me, there is but one alternative."

"Be gentle with her, Mr Eckstein; it isn't hard words will do it; she'll come round. Don't I know hei;?" "When is the miracle to which you refer to be expected, Mrs Macfine? I'm afraid I must make myself quite clear. Either Miss Lawton gives me back my money at once, or I must request your husband to send for a policeman."

"Who is the policeman to be for? I hope he's not going to Arrest the lot of us." The remark came from Mr Brodie, who was suddenly found to be standing in the open doorway. "We're all of us hero," he added, " the entire family; and as we thought Ave might as well be on this side o? the door as standing listening on the other, with your very kind permission, we will come in. You know it is ridiculous to expect us to stop in our bedrooms while this sort of thing is going on down here. Is it murder, or is it merely burglary with violence? If it's either, I don't think you've any right to keep the fun from us. If there's anything in which I do revel, it is bloodshed." The voluble Mr; Brodio was followed into the room by a heterogeneous collection in whom it was rather difficult to recognise the various members of the house party, to say nothing of the servants. Apparently • Mrs Macfine- was not pleased by the appearance of theso various additions to the party. "If it's all the same to you, my good 'people, there's nothing going on except what's private; so you'll oblige me by going back to your bedrooms as fast as ever you can, and not listening outside this door or any other." Basil White had, as ii were, formed the tail of the party. He came striding in -from the rear, shrouded in a long, dark blue dressing-gown. "May I have the pleasure," he observed, "of calling your attention. Miss Lawton, to the open door." He was standing with the door held wide open. Mr Eckstein hurriedly placed himself in front of it. "Miss Lawton does not leave this room."

"Sir!" Mr White favoured him with a stare of inquiry which was not quite friendly. Mr Eckstein returned him stare for stare.

"Miss Lawton perfectly understands. May I ask you to do what your hostess, Mrs Macfine, suggested, and withdraw."

"Come, Basil, be good; I want you, and all the lot of you, to go, there's fuss enough already; this is a little matter we've got to settle among ourselves." "I hope, my dear Mrs Macfine, that I need not assure you that it is my constant desire to observe your wishes, both in the letter and in the spirit." Nothing could havo been more deferential than his words and manner; the deference was not so marked in what followed. "But do 1 understand, Miss Lawton, that you wish to remain?" "They won't let me go, my dear Basil; they're going to lock nie up. " Are you going to leave tho room, Mr White, as Mrs Macfine desired you?" , T ' " No, Mr Eckstein, I am not, and I am sure Mrs Macfine will forgive me for a moment's delay. Wliats the joke, Miss Lawton? I don't quite follow you. Why do you prefer to st-ayr "I don't prefer to stay, but, you see " "This affair, Miss Lawton, is no concern of Mr White's; let me adviso you to keep yo'ur own counsel, you 11 regret it if you don't." "Pardon me, Mr Eckstein, anything which concerns Miss Lawton is _ as much my concern as yours; as 1 think Miss Lawton will tell you. What were you about to remark?" That question was addressed to the lady, who at onco replied. _ j "It's only that Sir Eckstein says that ho has lost five thousand pounds and that .1 have stolen them, which, of course, I haven't; and so he's going to send for a policeman to havo mo arrested. Ho tolls me, if I will return him the money, lio will forgive me, and oven permit me to leavo tho room; but, as I haven't got his money, of course I can't return it. and that's why 1 m not allowed to go through that doorway." „ „ , "Is that so? I presume, Mr .lickstein, that if I offer myself as security for the five thousand pounds in question, that will be good enough for you; I am ready to give you proof that 1 have got that amount of money." "Basil, you shall do nothing of the kind." This was Andrew Macfine, who thrust himself into the discussion, with unexpected warmth. " Look hero, Eckstein, that five thousand pounds was practically mine—l had only to sidi that old paper of yours and it

would havo been mine; hand over that paper now and I'll sign it, and what happens to that five thousand ceases to bo anv affair of yours. " You two gent lemen seem disposed to bo so quixotic that I've half a mind to join you and make a third. Something seemed to havo occurred to cause Air Eckstein to take up quito a different attitude; as ho said this, ho almost beamed. . "You'll do nothing of the kind I cried Mr Macfine. "I don't know what's become of tho money , hut , I don't like the way you've,behaved in my house to a friend pf mine—-talking about sending for a policeman ! \\ here s that paper? You shall t say that you lost anything by coming here. , As lie answered, Mr Eckstein was bland ness itself; somothing .had certainly induced him to alter his tone. "In that case, Macfine, you would be tho loser. lam quite prepared if vou wish it, to give your guest the benefit of the doubt, and to act on Mrs Macfine's suggestion. Mrs Macfine laid her hand upon her husband's arm. "I'm suro that s vory handsome ot vou Mr Eckstein, and quite tho conduct of a gentleman, bow, Andrew, it's all over; not mother word; do let s get into our beds." . Miss Lawton showed herself disinclined to act on the sensible advice. " You have a motor-car, Mr Macnne. T know the hour is cither lato or early, whibhover way you!like to look at it; but there's an express train which stops at tho junction soon after half-past four. As it's a matter of urgency, would you mind my asking your chauffeur to drive me ovor to catch it? "Margot—you're not m earnest! You enn't he thinking of leaving my house like that." , Miss Lawton looked at her hostess with significant eyes. "You can't be in earnest m supposing that I will continue to stay in your house a moment longer than I can help. If I can't have tho car, Mr Macfine, I shall have to walk it; and, apart from everything else, I'm afraid that will involvo my missing the train." "If the.chauffeur's slumbers are not to be disturbed—l know what chauffeurs are—l should have pleasure in driving Miss Lawton, Macfine. Your car is a Daimler; as I happen to have driven Daimlers of all sorts and sizes, it will be quite safe with me." The proposal camo from Basil White. It was capped by another from a distinctly unlooked-for quarter. "I have also driven Daimlers," declared Mr Eckstein. "Since I fear, that I am in a measure responsible for Miss Lawton's untimely departure. I shall be happy to place myself at her disposal as a chauffeur." " If it comes to that," cried' Andrew Macfine, "I'll drive her myself.*' "It's very good of you, Mr Macfine. and also, Basil, of you." She favoured both these gentlemen with a smile; she paid no heed to Mr Eckstein. "But I'll trouble neither of you. I've a sort of feeling that if I were driven by either of you I should have still more adventures by the way, and for this night I've had adventures enough. I feel sure, if you approach the chauffeur gently, ho won't mind; I noticed his face as he brought me over this afternoon,, and—l am certain. I will go upstairs and put my things in my box, and myself into a frock, and by the time he's at the. door with the car, I shall be ready. No, Elsie, please d'on't follow mo; and if you come upstairs you will find that my door will be locked; I prefer to bo alone." And Miss Lawton swept out of the room with the air of a tragedy queen, everyone standing on one sido to let her go.

(To he continued.)