“THE CLIFF – PATH MYSTERY."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16875, 27 October 1922, Page 11

“THE CLIFF - PATH MYSTERY."

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OUR SERIAL. « l

HEANDON HILL.

CHAPTER XVl.—Continued. ' 1 he found 1 ierre Leduc only too 7 v illing to oblige a young lady who had f become a regular customer. The ] frenchman bared liis white teeth in -j a welcoming grin and with respectful gallantry bestowed her in the well of his smart little craft. Pierre’s suave courtesy and touching story of failure j 1 in his own land had made a favourable j 1 impression on her. It would have been ] unwise to tell the girl that the fellow’s good looks had anything to do with it, but it is open to conjecture whether she would have* been so trustiul had he been old and ugly. •Is it that dees desires mo to steer in any pmticular direction?” Lodnc inquired when they had cleared the backwash from the shelving beach. •‘Any old direction you like.” was I "he gay reply. " See, there’s a j steamer coming alonjs. A groat white yacht • It would be rather fun to take j a peep at her at close quarters.’ Leduc nodded and gave a twist to the wheel. "The yacht of a grand Mi lor. T should say.” lie replied• sontentiou-ly. i I j iac i b ;ei >o ■ hat you call ov< i whelm by the honour done me by Mees that I had not observe her before. She appears to bo going to stop here. If j that be so wo will «oil all round her and have good look. P’raps they let j Mens go aboard.' ' •How topping”' cried Enid. “ U the' invite me 1 certainly shall. The great viclu swept grandly on, j her speed gradually reduced at suc- , essive musical tinkles from her en- , eine-room bell Two m.ifo.-med officers; stood on the bridge and a score o. ; sailors in smart white lackets ined the ,»aier rail. All "ere regarding the; motor-lairacll with a singi.h.r intentness. pierro kcclno waved his nana. a*, if accepting those grim stares a. , homage to his natty tittle vessel At least that was the vay hmd read the > V The steamer, propoller gave a final j revolution and in less than hev_ oivn length she elided to a standstill. . lerio steered the launch under the yacht stern, with the result that he and Ins passenger were cut off from sight o. the- shore by the bulk of the larger vessel. Shutting off his engine, be hove to and smiled up at a bearded officer who was peering clown from the bulwarks —a big pi an with fierce eyes. •• AVhat the devil do you want?” growled the latter angrily. - Keep off or vou’ll damage my paint.” Enid, alwavs ready to ehmnpion the weak and shoulder the blame, took upon herself to answer. •It's my fault.” her clear young voice rang upwards. “ 1 told him to come as near as he could. I only wanted to admire your beautiful ship at elnso quarters.” Ledue found the speech which seem-

ed to have temporarily deserted him. '■The Mees, she was hoping she might he atsk aboard to inspect. Captain. If you no so gallant to the ladies as you look I sheer off.” .' , , The reply seemed to tickle the beard, ed man. He laughed a great rumbling laugh and took off his cap. J r ' Sorrv T was rude.” he said. ; I. was thinking more about my paint than about the lady. Pleased to show her round, I’m sure. Here, you < i.nwer the gangway and be smart * about it.*' , . A couple of sailors sprang to do his bidding and a minute later Em i . placed her foot on the bottom rung of , the ladder. , , , As she did so she glanced measuring the climb before her. ana saw painted in blark letters on the L hows of a boat hanging at the davits two words : “THE SERPENT.” This was the yacht of Lucius Save- J tin. the man whom she had made Iter enemv. Srho essaved to step bark into the launch, but her way was blocked by the launch’s smiling owner. L CHAPTER XVII. L Tiff; AGATE BUTTONS. Respite the speed ot which Colonel Nasmyth drove his two-seater down t through tlie main street to. the beach Thorpe managed to convey to hm] l some of bis apprehensions about IwM and his reasons lor them. How. in 1 I consequence of the scandalous runiouiBtarted bv Severin. -she had indirectly I accused the financier of murder ant. i was now in danger of being inveigled i on to his yacht with the aid el <• : Frenchman whom he. Thorpe, suspect I ed of being on ox-convict. Nasmyth did not attempt to repiy ! till he ‘had stopped the ear on the : Parade and had jumped out. •Tins Ims deeply distressed me.” I lie said. • The more so that Tam | v.-ortbv of Miss Raven’s championship Como on ! Wo may yet be in time to ; prevent mischief.” Flier vent stumbling across tlv? ' shingle, and Nasmyth’? boatman, wm. was always in readiness and had seen 1 them coming, quickly bad lm launch .iu the water. He was an intelligent : native of Bicton and without comment ; Started to obey his master’s instrue i tion -to overhaul the other motor- ! boat, which was now fast approach in,-. : the on-coming steam ya«-ht. | ‘ Can you do it?” the Colonel in- ■ quired of liis man. ' ” Depends on when the yacht heave * j to, sir.” was the reply. "Ah. she’s j shut off f team. but she’s got way on ( her for another hundred yards. It can’t be done. I’d give a pound to queer that cheeky foreigner’s pitch. I whatever it is, but he's got too long a start, of us. See. the steamer’s stopping and lie's going to .steer to leeward of her. under her stern.” “Weil, carry on. Me may cate a him yet.” La Petroleuse disappeared behind the yacht, and when the pursuers, follow 1 ing bard under the lofty poop, next j. : sighted her she was libbing gently at 1 the foot of the larger vessel’s nocom ■ ; modation ladder. The spectacle dis j * closed to the indignant gaee of Thorpe ( ! end Nasmyth drew from both a cry which probably saved Monsieur Pierre ;i Leduc from much personal discomfort-, a fTo be continued.")