“THE HONOUR OF HIS HOUSE.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16496, 5 August 1921, Page 4

“THE HONOUR OF HIS HOUSE.”

OUR SERIAL.

Ev

FRED. M. WHITE.

CHAPTER IV.—-Continued. j Again the Baron locked up suddenly. “ That man is a w*df,’’ he said. “ That man is out for himself. Tie thinks of nothing but money, and. mark you. it is all the same to him where it comes from. And so that, long, greedy hand of his has readied as fat as Tortina. has it. "Well. many a. hand has been burnt there, and why net Sal M-.:: n\s? But go on, in v friend, I interrupt you. I understand you are interested in Tortina 'Deeply interested,*’ Sherringborn© murmured. “So deeply that my financial future 19. in peril. And that is not the worst of it, Baxon. I am a Minister of the Crown. I hold an •j I most saicd office- and there has been no slur on the fair fame of aD English Cabinet Minister since the days of AA r alpole. What would people say if they knew that the Foreign "Minister had an interest in Tortina, My enemies might say that 1 had used exclusive diplomatic information to put money in my pocket. And yet. threemonths ago. who could have blamed me for what T did ? But now* it ir different. Japan has interfered because she claims a voice in the administration of those islands off the coast of Tortina, and "Washington m alarmed. There are only two things before me. One is to cut my loss, | which would mean leaving Borne Abbey, and the other to put tuyaelf in the hands of the Premier.” “Sir James Pallisser doesn't know of this?*’ the Baron asked. Not yet,” Sherringborne went oft. But I must tell him. Aon understand. T have done nothing wrong, and even yet the trouble may be averted. I here can be no question of armed strife between Japan and America, but if AA ashfngton is obstinate, then my speculation in Tortina concessions must be made public. It would he disastrous ior me, Rarou, I should 105*5 practically all T haw. at. a moment when my bov has placed a. load of debt round my no**k. Disgraceful debts, some of them. which must either be paid or T must leave iho Ministry.” It was a, longtime before the Baron replied. T hen he looked into*the face ■ of his friend and hi-- word? came dropi like little bits of icc. i , ” And Sail burn ?*’ he said “Will Salt-burn allow* you to drop him? Rc- ; member the man you have to deal i with. It is evident that he has been i using you as a pawn in the game, and j it you come between him and his prey j he will break you, Sherringborne, like a butterfly. f km v. that man. I I knew him when I was President of th* 1 Tortina Republic, and I know tbat it was lus money which was behind the | revolution that drove rim iut cf iho I country that I. a Spaniard, bad practically made.” •Sherringbome rose to his foot. If© paced up and down the little sitting*, room, his face white and ud. My God, he cried. ** Dc la CfoitA, I never thought rf that. And her© l bn\c his son under my very roof at iho present moment. .Am! what about our old iriend, El Murid? Surely ho can the situation? tie remains in lor tin a still, and in memory of the days when we were at Eton together ho will do what lie can for me. Because, you sec. he knows the truth. He has | the documents that would save my political reputation. Can’t you get in touch with him? Can r you tell him the facts? I- it possible to persuad him to conic to England? Because there is no great hurry. These negotiai turn* may take a lon- time, and 1 may ! save both my fortune and mv nanu j yet.” i ” Then you havcn’f heard.” tho ; Bn roil said slowly. ‘ You don’t know 1 that El Murid is dead?” * Dead - .” .Sherringhain cried. E! J Murid dead?” j He dropped into a chair, all white J : 'ud shaking, and a "tic bead of mois j turc -ft ud dn his forehead, j “ l only heard this afternoon,” the j Baron went on. “It cam© to me in an underground way as theso tilings ! often do. Our dear old friend is not | only dead, it is worse than that. El | Murid committed suicide two days Ah. then i f is even worse than f | for:red,” -Shcrriugboruc cried. *• Ur was a brave man. always reckless of his own life, and always deficient m moral courage. He was just the sain© at Eton. 1 knew* him well. Baron, we wore tin* very best of friends. Can’t you see what a terrible thing it is for me? Tt cuts the last prop from under my fe t- Nothing ran be gained now i by disguising the truth. What can we ! do?" £ Only wad,” th»? Baron said. *■ Only | wait, anti hope for the could get link! of El .Murid’s paper? then it is just possible that—l wonder ” For a moment or two the Fh.roU juiced the floor in deep thought, while Sherringbome watched him with ans'iI " A cs,” the Baron aid thoughtfullv. ” There is just a chance. But 1 can tell you nothing yet.” •' Ruin,” Slier ri n gho ru p murmvt re d. ‘ Absolute ruin.” (To b© continued.>