THE YOUNG ARCHDUCHESS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16737, 19 May 1922, Page 11

THE YOUNG ARCHDUCHESS

iOUB SERIAL.

(By WILLIAM LE QUEUX)

** CHAPTER XX.—Continued. “ A young Wonsan brought this, miss and js in the hall waiting for an answer. ** The girl read the letter and her face asumeds a puzzled expresion. “ Tell the young woman to wait. I must think over the answer. I will ring when I am ready.’* When the* man had withdrawn, she handed the note to Vincent. “ Strange that you should have asked, although you say you did not put it as a question. Please read this.” And Vincent read : “ Madam,—l know that von are going to he called ns a. witne.se tomorrow at the trial of Colonel Ashdown. I have some important evidence in !mv possession that will strongly influence the .jury in his favour. For certain reasons T cannot appear personally in the matter. If you will accompany the young woman who brings this letter she will have a taxi waiting. In case of your consent. I will give you ray information in a few minutes.—Yours faithfully, “ A well-wisher to Yourself and the Colonel.” There was a postscript. She will conduct you to a restaurant called The Grasshopper. Ploate bring this letter with you so that I may be sure of your identity.” Vincent frowned and appeared to rej for a few moments. “ There may ! >e something in it. On the other hand you may have your journey for nothing. Were I in your place, I would go.” Gera dine was as brave a girl as ever lived, but she could not repress a shudder at the prospect. \ incent walked restlessly about the room as he spoke. “ How long is it before Madame Ca mil fort will appear upon the scene, do you think ? ” “Net for another hour. I should lay. judging from experience,” was the tnsvef. The young man could hardly keep the excitement, out of his voice, as he cried, “Then. Miss Toroila, go. but don’t leave the house for ten minutes after T have left you.” “Jt may be a trap.” she faltered. \ ineeift spoke convincingly. “ Ami if it is, I and my friends will be there to guard yrfu. Have you sufficient confidence in me to trust yourself to *nv protection? ” Geradine looked at him steadily, She ■was quick enough to see that there was something behind his restlessness, hi* wonted agitation. “ Yes, ( think 1 hare,” she answered slowly. “I am sure T have.” Then T will take mv leave; remem -.•nor not to start for the next ten minutes By the way. give me that letter and say you forgot to bring it in vour agitation. T and mv friends, "ho are always within instant hail will lx* at the Grasshopper, before vpu. If anything goes wrong we shall’ be at your side. Leave a brief note for ■Madame Cnmilfort to say you have gone out.” Vincent left and Geradine, terribly agitated, proceeded to carry out his Instructions. Ten minutes' later she joined the voting woman in the hall ond entered the waiting taxi. When thev had gone a little distance she turned to her companion. “Where is this place you are taking nr to? ” she gsked. The young woman seemed a quiet, respecta-blo person enough- As she Buswered in rather faltering English, with a pronounr-ed foreign accent. GeCadino decided that she was of Swiss nationality. 11 And do you know the name of the person who wrote that letter that you brought me?” ” No- madame. T taw him for the first time to-day.” lied the young woman glibly. How did he come to select you as Ids messenger? ’’ was Geradine l * next question, and she .felt her courage sinking fast at the evasive manner of her companion. “ I am a maid engaged at the restaurant, mademoiselle, and the proprietor told me an old customer of his wanted eomebodv to take a very important letter to a young lady living in Onslow Gardens. I should be paid very handsomely for doing so.” By this time it occurred to Geradine that the letter was not genuine and that a cunning trap had been laid for her. She recalled Vincent’s agitation, his peculiar manner, his strong exhortation to go- Had he guessed at what §he now assumed ?

The taxi was just nearing Harrod’s Stores- She ordered the driver to stop, explaining to her companion that she wished to order a few things to be sent to Onslow Gardens. u Shall T go in with you. made moifcello? ” inquired the young woman very obsequiously. But. Geradine brusquely declined her offer. She noted a gleam of anxiety enter into the woman’s rather hard eyes as she gave her answer. That anxious glance fully confirmed her suspicions. Should she do what the young woman suspected, get out by another door and drive back to the safe shelter of Onslow Gardens? But Vincent had especially recommended her to go to the Grasshopper, ond guaranteed her safety. She did not particularly like the young man. but she had implicit confidence in his integrity and powers of resource. No dotlbt he had some deep scheme on. Yes. she would go through with it.

With a beating heart Geradine went to the taxi and resumed her seat in the company of the respectable-looking young Swiss woman. Once or twice on the short journey her courage gave way. But each time she reproached herself for being a coward.

The young woman alighted first, Geradine following, and rang softly the bell of a narrow dilapidated door that bad not been painted for ages. Having done this, she opened her hag. took out some money and went back to pay the taxi-driver. Geradine noted her action. “What are ,you doing that for? ” she asked in a sharp voice. “ I am not likely to be here very long. Tell him to •wait.” “ Oh. certainly, mademoiselle, if you wish.” replied the young woman in a rather less respectful tone than she had used up to the present. She gave the errder to the driver and assumed a more conciliatorv manner. “ I was really thinking of the expense. But you are quite right. This is not a very fashionable neighbourhood and you might find difficulty in getting a return taxi.”

The. door was opened by a slatternlvlooking creature, evidently a foreigner. The two women ascended a dark, narrow staircase which Jed to the landing of 1 ho ’fir-t floor. The guide pushed open the door of a

room a little down the passage. “*Enter •4 you please, mademoiselle The gentleman is awaiting you.” Geradine entered and was greetd by a tall, distinguished looking man who made a, profound bow. “ A thousand thanks for coming, ray dear young lady. Pray bo seated,” ho said, courteously waving her to a chair. The door was shut to swiftly by the young woman, who-ran down the stairs the intention of telling the driver that the lad\ had changed her mind and that he need not wait. She opened the door very softly and was about to close it when she. was confronted by two men, one of whom placed his hand over her mouth, while the other pinioned her arms. Hie taller of the two Spoke to her m a low voice. “ Don't struggle, or attempt to scream out. We arrest you in the name of the law. You aI e Ji member of 1 The Black Cravats,* and you have just assisted in the ab- ' < uc 5 lon °f the young ladv whom vou . c ° n <*wcted upstairs. We will take Vou along in this taxi.” Idle driver got on his seat and the ve nolo drove away. A few seconds iatei hall a dozen stalwart men, accompanied by Smeaton and Vincent, ricp up to the half open door. A small rather ill-dressed boy followed cm. He was employed by Vincent on certain odd jobs when in the oxer- 1 C.sn of hi* craft, and was a most in- , telhgent little fellow. V e will just wait a minute or wo, said Vincent, addressing Smea ton. “ 1 know the programme. They \^ on 1 stn V fc anv serious business til! * the arrival of Madame Thirska, who. ns know, will not arrive.” hen he judged the moment was ripe. n e turned to the small hoy. - orv. my little man. run upstairs to the room 1 described, deliver this letter; sav there is no answer. If they question you. you remember what vou are to say. Yon met a foreign looking lady m the street who told vou to take the jo" d ’> KaVe •'° U half H B ° V<?rCi S? for Tlie «mnll and intelljpont I,oy <r r in. ned. went quieklv through the door, up tlie dark, narrow stni7cave. “Smart httlo chap that!'' remarked Smeaton ‘approvinglv. “ Some of the crook, would like to have him." I daresay thev would." laughed ' 111 cent. •• Well, as Thirska ha, placed quite straight, ii is only fair I should help her to save her face with these scoundrels, and put them off the scent a> regards hepself.’’

(To ha coil tinned.)