THE YOUNG ARCHDUCHESS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16734, 16 May 1922, Page 4

THE YOUNG ARCHDUCHESS

OUR SERIAL. -V—V. TT

CDy

WILLIAM LE QUEUX)

•W CHAPTER. XlX.—Continued. "Ves, I knonr ;JX about that,*' reloined Mabel “ And so far, so Rood. Bm on the first dor I call on Geradiue in London, tou make vour appearance; you rant to leare a mesMee for her next- guardian, Monsieur Kenoar. It is evident then that vou are pretty well acquainted with the whole entourage. And once, when I was out walking one morning in Market Harborough, although vou did not see roe. I espied you and the Colonel talking together very earnestly in an out of the way spot, where you thought you were safe from observation.’’ Vincent looked a little nonplussed Mabel noted his confusion and followed up her advantage. <# Of course. T don’t pretend to be at all clever. I know e. good many of my kind friends think I have no brains at all. But I ean put two and two together ay well ns most people. And again T say you know the whole truth about Gemdine Torella. if anybody does. You will admit I Have prettv good evidence to go upon. Haven’t I. even if T don’t happen to possess your wonderful detective instinct? ” He felt himself pushed into a corner by this apparently mercurial young woman, who seemed able to reason and think pretty clearly when it came to the point. “ I’ll be quite fracik with you! dear I do know all about Miss Torella, but it i« a professional secret. You wouldn’t think much of me if I were to disclose what T do know, even to you, would you ? ” Mabel was mollified at once. “I am not sure T should. I might think you were a hit untrustworthv in other things. I ougjht not really to hove pressed you so much, it was vary bad taate on my part. And now. let us talk abont- the darling old Colonel. Of couse they won’t find him guilty? “ Why not?” asked Vincent shortly. ** To most people it seems a prettv clear case. I admit there are certain complexities in it. but the revolver he gave up was his own weapon and he did not stay -to face the music. Why are you so sure they will not find him guilty ? ” Tn her reply. Mrs Somers did not show quite the same powers of clear thinking that she had exhibited a few seconds earlier. u Oh, I can’t nay—a eort of instinct Of course he was not a uian to kill anvhody in cold blood-** “I don’t suggest he killed him in cold blood. He killed Him when he was in a condition bordering on frenzy, after a violent quarrel in which hia passion® were heated to fever point It was a long time before Mrs Somers spoke again When she did, the tears were running down her cheeks, out of compassion for her old friend. “ <>h, it will He a wicked, wicked thing. Has it ever occurred to yon that it was most unlikely that he should carry a revolver about- with him in his dress-clot lies ? ” Vincent looked at her search in glv. She was certainly displaying considerable intelligence again. “ Of course, it has occurred to ns But do you advance any theory? Do you suggest that Hugh shot himself? ” A label wrung her hands. “I don't know what to think or what to suggest. Of on» thing T am certain, my dear old friend was not a murderer.”

•• In intention. certainly not. answered Vincent ns he rose. The conversation had agitated her very much, as was only natural, considering that she had known the Colonel all her life and that- he had been a second father to her. *• Well, we shall do our beet for him, Mabel, of that you may be sure. We have got. Hawkslev to lead and young Basil Long, one of the cleverest chap© at the Bar. for his Junior. But the devil of it is they can't make the Colonel speak. He alone could tell us the event* of that night. All he will say* is. and be keeps repeating it : • T killed him ’ Long, who, by the way. ia in love with Miss Torella, thinks hip mind has gone.’’ Ah, then, you will get him off on that? ” cried Mrs Somers anxiously. ” Perhaps—to confine him to a living tomb/’ answered Vincent gloomily. “ He is a strong, healthy man. I should think he would prefer death itself to that." The lovers parted. Vincent had made the running very fast for fear ho should lose her. But they were both very circumspect. Not a word of tVio future arrangements was to He breathed to a soul Vincent did rot ; propose to visit at the flat except at , very occasional intervals. They could Ime.et once or twice, a week and lunch and dine at restaurant* fa* - from the beaten track. He had always been rood at mastery and intrigue, and she seemed ready to become an apt pupil, under the able tutelage of the man sho loved. The day after the conversation between the 1-overs. Vincent was walking down Bond Street. Tt was about four o'clock in the afternoon and the fashionable street was pretty well crowded. Amongst the pedestrians, the amateur detective recognised more than one member of the upper criminal classes with whom he had had dealings in the course of his career, got up m the most faultless attire, and assuming the air of persons who were in the habit of mixing in exclusive circle#*. Walking in front of him was a trimlooking elegant-figured woman, dressed in the latest and most expensive fashion. He had a marvellous memory not only for faces but for figures. Something in her carriage struck him with a sense of familiarity. If be could •only catch a glimpse of her face, he could be sure. He moderated hie pace, as he was walking very slowly. And presently the opportunity he wanted was given to him. She stopped suddenly in front of a big jeweller’s shop and examiner! iutently the glittering gems displayed in the window. Tn doing her profile mi» fully revealed to him Xo, lie had not been mistaken in thinking that he had met { her before. That elegant figure, that ] charming profile belonged to Madame ! Thirska, the woman who had been so ] sympathetic to the supposed mendi« ai, • begging for alms outside the doors of the Grasshopper restaurant. A sudden idea, cue of those inspirations which sometimes eanie to him. flased into his brain and be did not lose a moment in putting it into execution. Hp walked along and halted in front of the shop window close beside her. He took off bis bat and accosted her in his usual eas> .and pleasant manner. ‘‘ I trust Madame Thirska will pardon the liberty I take in addressing her. but we are now quite on natural ground. And we were properly introduced at Market Harborough by Mr\ Somers.” As he finished, he spilled moment with his most genial and disarming smile.

(To bo continued.)