“THE HONOUR OF HIS HOUSE.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16512, 24 August 1921, Page 2

“THE HONOUR OF HIS HOUSE.”

OUR SERIAL.

By

FRED. AL WHITE.

C'HAPTER XlV.—Continued. “ Sit down, my dear friend, sit down,” he said. “ Permit me to offer you a. cup of coffee and a cigarette. Ah, Tortina. could have done with a few more statesmen like you. And I have not forgotten the many lessons that you taught me. I was no more than a rawboy when I cam© to .you, and there were others, too. in various capitals, learning the great game. But we benefited by our lessons, and— ” The speaUcr broke off and elevated his shoulders. ‘*But 1 am talking secrets,” he resumed. “ I know 1 can trust you, of course. And now, my dear Baron, what can I do to help you in that little matter between your friend Sherri ligborne and the man who is called William Saltburn P” ” Delightful,” the Baron murmured. ‘ My dear Princg, I always said you were the most remarkable man of my £equaintajoee. it is a great pleasure to me to know that you are an old pupil of mine in the great game of diplomacy. r knew xhat when you found yourself at the of the Japanese Intelligence .Department you would bo controlling on© of the most stupendous machines in the world. So you know all about poor Sherringborne and the terrible mistake he made in connection with the Tortina Concessions?” “Acs, I know that," Prince Ito said, as if he were mentioning the most casual thing in the world. “ I maysay that for some time past I hare been following the career of Mr Saltburn with interest. fn the world of finance that man is a Napoleon. He will aspire, some day. to control the capitals of Europe. His ambition is to L>e able to prevent a war, or fan one into flame just to suit his purpose. And, some day, lie will produce a capital big enough to do it. At the same time, my dear Baron, you will doubtless see what a dangerous man this would he. There is one mistake he makes, that he is disposed to underrate the intelligence of his opponents. In the great building up of an empiro like ours, we hare to foresee all contingencies. And amongst them we have certainly foreseen a man like William Salt-burn. You Know, for example, that- at the present time ho is practically controlling the finances of ” “That is no secret to me,” de la Croiea murmured. “On the other hand, it is to the interests ol this country, and to the interests of Lord Sherringborne in particular, to prevent any complications Hist now between Japan and America. On the other hand, that’s exactly what Saltburn wants to bring about. And so it happens that, though quite friendly on the surface, Sherringborne and Saltburn are at daggers drawn and there is the bitterest enmity between them. Tt is personal to a certain extent, too. Perhaps you are not aware 6f the fact that before Saltburn was transported for poaching nearly tifty ycars ago he was a boy in the kitchen at Borne Abbey. Amongst his other plans he wants to manv his son to Lady Edna fra n wall is.” “Now that.” de la Croisa yried, “is t harming! AY hat- a race you'’a re*! And to tvliLt a marvellous pitch hare you brought your intelligence. But then ( always said that Japan would control the East one day. And the'strange part of the whole thing is that—Saltburn is not taking you into his calculations at all. It seems amazing that f?o clever a man should Ixs guilty of such oversight.” Prince Ito shrugged his shoulders carelessly. Napoleon had his Moscow,” he said. “ And we arc but human after all. Y\ e make less mistakes because we divide our responsibilities, but Saltburn trusts nobody ; it is his boast that he manages entirely by himself. Still, we can put him on one side for the moment. f know all about El Murid and those letters of Iris. I can quite see why you are so anxious to regain possession of them. And, by the way. how did you manage to get hold of El Murid’s daughter? 1 mean the dancer who married Lord Sliorland the other day. She’s the one to help you.” “That is already arranged,” de la Croifsa explained. “She will he on her way to Tortina in a day or two. But that ip not exactly what 1 came here to talk to you about. T think I have got a pretty good idea of your policy. Jf you can keep Japan and America on good terms, then Sfierringborne is saved. Out of sheer self-de-fence. Saltburn will have to reconsider his position.” Prince Ito bent forward and laid his hand upon ae la Croisa’s knee. His fata© was- quivering with excitement now, his voice had sunk to a husky whisper. “ It is the old game of bully and brag,” lie said. “ America thinks we are afraid of her, that we are born enemies. Ah, that is where they are wrong, Baron. T am telling you this and J am placing my good name in your hands.” “It is safe with me,” the Baron said. ••Then there will be no trouble over the Tortina Islands? In which case Salturn ” “ "Will be powerless,” the Prince murmured. “And perhaps ruined.” De la Croisa smiled. He had heard enough. CHAPTER XV. THE PRIDE OF RACE. To the great relief of Francois, de ia Croisa returned to the cottage a day or two later as if nothing had happened, and as if he had merely been away On a little holiday. He gave no suggestion that he had been back to the great world again, and that lie had been taking a hand once more in high politics. He had all the gaiety and carelessness of a child, lie could speak of nothing but the roses which lie said had been neglected by Francois in his absence. “ Green fly, green fly,” he said gaily. II Actually T can detect evidences of green fly on the trees which we got from Nice last year. Tt is a most extraordinary thing that I can trust nobody. What have you been doing, Francois? I hope you are not contemplating matrimony.” The old soldier shook his head solemnly. He was too overjoyed t>o see his master bock again to defend himself against so unwarrantable a charge. He hoped that the Baron had not been getting into mischief. And Francois’s fears began, to vanish presently when he saw the Baron in his s-hirt sleeves wandering from one rose bush to another examining the fragrant petals through a pocket microscope. Not till after lunch time did the Baron betray any interest in outside matters. After the meal was over he rnndo his way to Borne Abbey in search of the

latest new sof Sherringborne. One of the nurses came down to sec* him. “His lordship is much better,” she said. “ He has taken a decided turn. He is still very ill, and we have some difficulty in making him understand what we ar© saying. At the same time he has intervals of aii hour or so when he is quite himself.” ‘‘Does he see the newspapers?” de la Croisa asked. “ Oh, sir, the doctor said it wouldn’t much matter. But it was a great mistake. beri-is© on Monday morning he happened to see a paragraph relating to the marriage of Lord Sliorland.” “ Oh, indeed,” the Baron exclaimed. “That was very unfortunate. J hop© ho is non© the worse for it.” “I don’t think so,” the nurse said. “ His lordship seemed to be somewhat blunted in his perceptions, but he understood perfectly well, and he expressed a desire to sec his son. Tn fact, ho has seen both Lord Sliorland and her ladyship. And he is most anxious to meet you, Baron. I was corning across to fetch you.” De la. Croisa smiled with the air of n man who is not altogether displeased. Ho found Lord Sherringborne sitting up in bed, near the open window, where lie could command a tine prospect of the park. On the whole his illness had left less effects upon him than do la Croisa had expected. He was weak and shaky enough, and there was a peculiar nervous affection on the left side of the face, but Sherringbornc’s eyes were clear, and ho welcomed the Baron effusively. “ Oh, I think I am bel ter,” be said. They are making a. great deal too much fuss, de la Croisa. They don’t seem to realise how necessary it is that J should know exactly what is going on. I shall be far better end easier in my mind if you will be good enough to tell me the worst.” “Oh, there is no worst,'” the Baron said. “ For the moment things stand just where they were. And if it is any consolation to you, you have the sympathy of the whole nation. And meanwhile, I have not been idle. I have had an interview with Ito and one or two of the others, and with a fair amount of good fortune we shall be able to gc*t the best of Saltburn yet.” Sherringborne clutched convulsively at the bed-clothes. “That’s right,” lie whispered. “ Strangle the scoundrel. Take him by the throat and choke him I tell you, men like,that belong to the worst type of criminals. They would sacrifice everything to their ambition. For the sake of power and money they would see their country ruined, they would watch innocent women and children die of starvation!” • Steady, steady,” the Baron whispered softly. " My dear fellow, this is not. the way to get well. Now you know perfectly well that you ©an entrust your affairs in my hands.” “ Implicitly.” Sherringborne said gratefully. •‘AYit 1 1 my kn or ledge of i llternutioual affairs 1 can get the best of a mere financier like Saltburn. And Tto is on. im ride. too. He knows all about it, my friend. That is the most brilliant intellect, in international politics to-day. AYhen T called upon Ito Ito knew exactly what 1 had come for. He knows how you stand ns regards Saltburn and the Tortina Concessions. My dear Sherringborne, you really have no cause to fear. Mv lips are sealed, because I promised Tto I would say nothing. Ah, you are getting excited again.” Sherringborne controlled himself with an effort." “ Go on,” lie said. “ I see what you mean. Tn that case. Saltburn’s scheme would be checked. Japan would no longer have any use for him if her hands were full, then \ve. should be able to lay our hands upon the Tortina finances-, and rearrange them as Cromer rearranged the monetary conditions of Egypt. You see what that means, Ba.ro.ii ? TnsteJp.l .of being disgraced, T . shall be looked upon as one of the greatest benefactors this country has ever had. But there is a.l ways the danger of those papers of poor E] Murid’s.” “ Ah, you are better than T thought,” de la Croisa said. “That’s exaot.lv what I wanted to speak to yem about. Directly 1 came here the other night, and recognised your new daugh-ter-in-law as El Murid’s daughter, I began to see my way. And ito saw it, too. If this is not a direct intervention of Providence, then I am greatly mistaken. Of course, it is rather a -blow to you, but then our dear Sh or I and might have done worse.” •* He might," Sherringborne said with a sour smile. “ Tn fact. I have been dreading some terrible faux pas for the last year or two. Of course, 1 have known for some time that this marvellous dancer was the daughter of our friend El Murid. And directly my brain got sufficiently 'clear I began to see my way. That’s why I sent for my daughter-in-law with a view to seeing what she was like. And, on the whole, I was agreeably disappointed. That woman would adapt herself. Baron. She will find her place and, before very long, she will take a very high position indeed. She is just the kind of fascinating, audacious creature to find favour even with royalty. And she has the courage, too. Now don’t you think it would be just as well to take her into our confidence and send her as far ” “My dear Sherringborne. you are paying me a dubious compliment,” de la Croisa interrupted. “Do you suppose I have been idle all this time? Now. T have had a chat with Lady Sliorland. She’s ail you describe her. and n little more. I asked her a series of questions. I put her a conundrum which I thought she might have had some difficulty in answering. Without wishing to hurt your parental feelings, T wanted to know why so brilliant a creature and beautiful a woman married a man like Sliorland. She might have married a Grand Duke, you know. But she had an ambition to be the head of some great British historic family. It seemed to me to show nice discrimination.” “ Go on,” Sherringborne said quietly. AVc'll, T applauded her sentiments. Then T ventured to point out to her that there waa a strong possibility of the little programme falling to tho ground. It was a desperate remedy, I know, but I had to tell her pretty well everything. She saw the point in the twinkling of an eye. And she volunteered to p-o out to St Lucia and get possession of her father’s papers. And slie’H do it, too You see. no one will suspect that she is thinking of anything but her professional engagements. And she will come back with those papers and the situation will bo saved. Then we shall he able to dictate terms to Saltburn. Does the idea amuse you?” For Sherringborne was laughing quietly. (To be continued.')