The Rat Trap.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18642, 20 December 1928, Page 14

The Rat Trap.

“ STAR ” NEW SERIAL.

By

WILLIAM LE QUEUX

Author of “ The House of Evil.” “ The Scarlet Sign,” “ The Black Ore,” etc.

CHAPTER SIX. (Continued.) Needless to say. she did not have to wait, for he took good care to be there before her. His heart beat as he saw the graceful, slender figure coming towards him, and they- shook hands warmly-, with just a little air of slyness on her side. The Cafe Mario was an unpretentious restaurant in the heart of Soho. lie would, of course, have preferred to take her to a more palatial establishment ; but when he had suggested the Berkele}- or the Savo3*. she had said either of those places was too public. He had rather wondered at this at the time, as he had gathered that she and Quentin knew so few people. But she had been very- insistent on the point that they must choose an unfrequented neighbourhood. The cafe was not very full, and they' 1 found a comfortable table at the end of the long narrow room, and an intelligent waiter, who took them in hand, so to speak, recommending certain dishes in which the establishment •excelled. They were both a little shy at first, but as the luncheon proceeded, their embarrassment wore off, and they’ appeared to become more reconciled to the novelty of the situation. But a certain nervousness showed itself in her as fresh patrons entered the place. She had slightly’ the air of a child doing something which bad been forbidden and is in fear of being found out. He commented on it at once. “You seem very nervous, dear,” he remarked. It was the first time he had addressed her so intimately, and a swift colour came to her cheek. But he was stire she did not resent it. Why should she? he asked himself. Having met him in this clandestine fashion was sufficient proof that she cared for him, that she accepted him as a lover. ’She smiled a little. “ I am not so sure that this is such a safe place. I have heard two or three cronies of Richard’s speak in praise of the Soho restaurants. It would be dreadful if one of them took it into his head to pop in here this particular day’.” He comforted her by declaring that such a coincidence was improbable in the highest degree, and it seemed that she caught some of his confidence. Presently- she told him some very interesting news. Quentin had that morning spoken of the projected visit to Hampstead, and had intimated his wish that she should write to Aylmer at once, and ask him down to dinner on the Wednesday- of the following week. As Hampstead was rather a far cry’ for such a confirmed Londoner, he was being asked to stay- the night. “ I posted that letter as I came along,” she told him in conclusion. “So I expect y’ou will get it by the last post to-night. I .suppose we mayreckon on your acceptance?” An eloquent look wds his answer. She had got over her nervousness by now, and her manner was more assured. “ I am rather glad that we shall have a little time to recover ourselves and get used to the situation.. If you had been asked for to-morrow, I think I should have felt dreadfully guilty when we met at Hampstead. As it is, we shall have to keep guard over ourselves, for fear of something slipping out. For instance,” and here she blushed very- prettily-, “ you must hot repeat thgt word you used just now. That would give us away- completely’.”

“ By Jove, it would,” said Aylmer, laughing. “And I shouldn't know what excuses to make. If I had nieces, I might say’ I was so accustomed to using the. word to them.” They’ spent a v fry happy couple of hours, which she was supposed to have passed in looking at the shops. When they- parted, she insisted that she should go out first, and he follow a minute or two later, in case of accidents If they- were not seen together no tales could be carried to Quentin Aylmer assented, adding boldly-: “ But some day we shall have to break the news to him.”

“Ah, some day," she answered quickly, “ but you must wait for me to choose that day. There is just one little thing I want to say- to y-ou before we part, a little secret that you ought to know. Richard tells everybody he is not a man of business, but in a certain sense that is untrue. He is very fond of speculation, in which he is not particuiarjy successful. But he has a great belief in his own judgment, and he often invites his friends to join with him. I want you to promise me that if lie makes any suggestion of this kind to you. you will firmly decline for any reason you may think fit to invent. Have nothing to clo with his schemes, however plausible they- maysound. Will you premise me now?” He did as she asked him, rather marvelling at this second confession, which seemed to throw a new light on Quentin’s character. If there was one thing on which he had especially insisted during their brief acquaintance. it was that he had no business aptitude. And yet, according to Eileen’s statement, in a certain sense he was a man of business, though not apparently a very successful one. By the late post that evening, Eileen's letter arrived. In it she gave him minute instructions how to find The Laurels, which was situated close to that ancient hostelry’ Jack Straw’s Castle. On the appointed day he went to Hampstead by the tube railway as being the quicker way. lie knew the neighbourhood verv well, having often rambled over the Heath and along the various roads that surround it, and soon located the commodious, old-fash-ioned house, standing back from the road in about a couple of acres of well-kept garden. As he neared the big gate that opened on to a wide carriage drive, he saw a man advancing from the opposite direction. There was something peculiar about this persons's appearance, which attracted Aylmer's attention. He. walked with a slight limp, was a little over the middle height, and was dressed very shabbily. He was not quite seedy enough to be a tramp, and he was certainly not a workman. But what struck the young man most was the remarkable refinement of his face and figure, at strange variance with his worn and disreputable clothes. lie was nearer the gate by- some yards than Aylmer, and on reaching it, he opened it with the kir of a man who knew his way. Aylmer followed slowly, and saw him making for the front door. Then, apparently on a second thought, he swung round, and struck into the path leading to the kitchen entrance. Aylmer rang the bell, wondering what manner of man this strange person could be who so quickly turned away from the main entrance, as if the idea had suddenly struck him that his shabby attire would convey the impression of an incongruous visitor. (To be continued.)