THE YOUNG ARCHDUCHESS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16739, 22 May 1922, Page 9

THE YOUNG ARCHDUCHESS

OUR BERIAL.

(By

WILLIAM LE QUEUX)

CHAPTER XXI. The distinguished and suave-speak-irtg person who had greeted the perturbedGeradine on her entrance into tlie - ': room, took a chair opposite to h«T. She noticed that he had his back to the d«?or. obviously with the intention * ol frustrating any attempt to escape ? on her part. Ho spoke in a voice of assumed melancholy “It :s a great grief to me, my dear ehild, tliat for -<> many years we have been estranged. but that has not been my fault- It was due to the intrigues of designing persons. notably that sly Renoir and his artful -;s! or. Madame Cnmilfort f am ai raid you have not the faintest recollection of me? ’* He paused for a replyGeradine ~ heart was beating wildly, but outwardly she preserved her composure. She understood it all now They had prepared a trap for her. hut she was sure that Vincent had laid a _ deeper trap for them But when would \ inceut come? Her ears were strained to catch the bound of tootsteps on the stairs “I do not know you in the least. . she said, with a little catch in lier voice which she could not help. But the faint memories of her childhood had come hack to her at the question,;! and she could recall th«* distinguished 1 bearing, the inhane - •». f'ch. She kne w perfectly well who lie was before he revealed his identity. k ' It is sad inded to recall trifling incident- that -o:re to sever the ties of blood and affection.’' went on the man with the same melancholy intern ation. My dear, I will disc?c-«> myself without further preamble. Voir are my nier; and I mn your uncle. Louis of Montcnero, your dead father’only brother. " “ Ah ! " exclaimed Gerodine witli v composure that -he was far trout iYeb ing- “Bur it you were sa ar.xious to make my acquaintance after these long years, why did you not -eck me at Onslow Garden-? Why <iid ywn send me a lying message nbctrt Colonel Ashdown; 1 assume it was a lie; ydis* have nothin rT to tcil u:e that would hefjf v my dear friend and guardian? ''7 The Prim - hv.iggvd his shoulder--' and averted hi- <‘\cs ticni the girl; clear, indignant giauce. “ Alas, nothing. As you say. it vui* a lying rws-age concocted with the view ot getting you liere. Ihe family of Montencio ! ala ays been noted bn* diplomacy.’ In your ca-e. for intrigue.“ treed Geradine scornfully . “As you please, my dear niece.' The Prince’s manner was still calm and imperturbable. although .-he thought she detected a r. 1 ■ ; t. i \ rfusn of anger on his .chock. “ My answer to vom- 4 question oi why I did net present self at Onslow Gardens, is an easy ono - the odious Renoir and his still mbrriyV odious sister would iiave turned me from the door. lo speak with you 1 .. had to resort to subterfuge."* “ And ncv. that ; ;iu can speak to me without let or lunoram •■. what is it you want to say?’ • AY hat I v. • -11 ;u say. my dear niece, t is tins, began tm* t'liiico. He uas w interrupted by the entrance of two men from a side doer ;u the end of the room. I' d not stand «hc :-train uua h longer. Whyhad thee tv, o men aopeareu." It wai evident that this - oundrel oi an uncle had taken car u* provide himself with assist- - •' <"a*e it sh ml i come to a struggle. . - : ba Would \ in.vat never come? Her ears were st;a’*ied mere acutely . Imn' before to catch tic' - ; «’d of icotitepr on the hndary »n. Heave i, V*»ay.y ; i misc.cr.ut ha i not lie n “ ;-iet a«..0.i to lock the tii ay «uii> - •- v. n.. i*.=> •-;« to it. ; . l k The Prince res - with an exaggerated expression of annoyance. “ My friends, your arrival is*a ti.ue piemati.te x since you are here. per., t c.l. 1 *0 P- esent to yru my <-:iarin: • n.cce. . b • Archduche-s Geracune o 3lon.cn in. He did not mention their names- " : -:•*c i The two ruffians be od s mew hat awkwardly. The I g, *>uik and beartied man was Ai.tcu *»rc> - . the leaner oi The Black 1 *• tail, a Its- ;1 meagre cuupauitu, v.n.i a n.e.-i. cvi and criminal countenance, aa> Itia »*eu- 7 tenant Geradine hardy ac kmnv.edged clumsy valuation. "'in* 111 rued imperiously to her a.griir.iiu n.it ic. all tlit fighting spir.v .u I* * am.. -u- r. please end ail tins ruodumontaiit about my ..ear mere. • < bated m;father, \ <,. t hale me. > Oil lmve qe-i-oved me bore. lor want purposed e i’riuco 1.U., a.ecin.u ..*• ■ .mlleng* r - He rose liom iu> chair, btul keying-tus . back to the door, u title his ttvo eou. federates watched her closely. -• in a few words, l wi h to assume tliat guardianship over you nhihh by, l ight should have doom ed upon me. . instead or being delegated an obscure is Kiigli-hman mid tuat in,:, moils seore-.y. tar.v V. ilo poisoned your let ei s muid against in.'. I sinill ia..e . ■ .11 into m., . ■ house and l snail secure iui you j companion n most cstimjil.l.' lady whom - - 1 am expecting cve«y moment. . •• And suppose 1 teiiiH- to assent to . youi proposition Hashed Geradine-.- -* angrily. She spoke bravely, but she - never felt nearer to fainting in her life-^’V: Albert Brer, stepped forward and _ spoke iiL lc - deep, guttural voice. ‘ It. is Hob-un's ehaioe- my pritty young, -- lady. You will go with us, willingly -- or no.’ Ah, a stop at last! The dcor was pushed ojTon. A small, ill-dressed boy appeared through the opening, holding in his hand a letter. “ Which of you "on* is Mr l)roz? ho asked, in a shrill cockney voice. The burly, bearded Swiss stopped forward and took the letter. The bov made his exist quickly. What he read agitated Bros considerably, as it did the other two when lie showed it to them. Tt was from Madame Tid-r-ka. ami very brief: ft was written Vrt Pencil and' t evidently indited in a violcUf* hurry: '* I started out to join you and soon found T was shadowed by tuFo men. Kor a *ew minutes I have them the -s7ip. H-v- written this four.a a little ragamuffin who will give it to you- T dare not come on. Evidently the police are on cur track. You must do without me. If po-sible. I shall get out of England to-night.*’ The faces of the three men grew livid and thev drew together, almost oblivions of Geradine. and whispered amongst themselves But their backs were still towards the door and «he could not take advantage cf .heir absorption to dart through it. (To ka continued.)