THE COLONEL'S ENEMY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3129, 4 March 1909, Page 2

THE COLONEL'S ENEMY.

BY WINTHROP B. HAELAND. Author of "Lady Elgin's Secret," "A Harvest of Shame," "The Elder Son," "Lord Ashton's Heir," Etc.

CHAPTER XL—Continued

"And there is another thing to be looked at," Mr Fletcher continued, "die offer cf a reward would alarm Miss St. Hilary. For my own part, I think it is the last step that should be taken, and then only then when other means have been tried." Maj. Lugard accepted the opinions of his more experienced companion, whose arguments iu favour of ttie colonel's safety made him feel more hopeful. By the time they arrived at Canon Street Mr Dacre had returned. H 3 was resting, worn and haggard, on the dining-room couch; his right arm was in a sling, and when lie rose slowly and in pain, to meet them, Lugard, as he introduced Mr Fletcher noticed that Dacre's fa?e and temple wa3 discoloured by a bruise. "You have been hurt," the major said, anxiously. "How did it happen?" "It is nothing much," Dacre replied. "I was thrown out of a cab; the horse stumbled on the slippery road, and I, being half asleep, was not so quick as usual. Have you brought any news?" "Very little; and you?" "Yes, I am glad to say. They were kind enough to send a man with me from Scotland Yard, a clever fellow; and it is clear from the inquiries he made, that the colonel did come to London yesterday evening. He had two companions and a gentleman was waiting for the train, evidently expecting them." "Andyoutnink that St. Hilary was one of the party?" "There can be no doubt of trwt. A gentleman answering to his description in every particular, was addressed as a colonel by the others. One of the porters over heard them, and after some conversation, it then being half past eight, the colonel asked what time the next train left for Dover." "For Dover?" "Yes. The porter told him about a quarter to ten, from London Bridge ; and the colonel, who was full of suppressed excitement, looked at his watch, and seemed to cnafe at the delay. One of his companions, a tall elderly man. endeavoured to dissuade him from the journey, but the colonel silenced him with a stamp on his foot, 'like a gentleman who was used to ordering paople about,' the porter said. Then they adjourned to the refreshmedt room, where th 3 colonel bad a cup of coffee and somelhii g to eat. Thet. with the tall man, he took a cab for London Bridge. The others walked away.',' "And what did your detective do?" Mr Fletcher asktd. "Went on to Dover. I would have gone with him, but hj? told me, as politely as possible, that I should be rather in his way than otherwise." "So we were told at Scotland Yard," the major said." "And I have no doubt you would be. What did your detective think of the porter's information?" "The inference was clear to him. The man who had been waiting at Euston must have told St Hilary that Crombie was on the alert, and had escaped them. Ha will possibly cross the channel, and try to make his way to so.j,e conntry where extradition lawb are not in force," "That is what Mr Crombie would do, if it is Crombie they are following. But there is another side to the question, Mr Dacre. Had you called at our office, you would have learned that we did not send anyone to the colonel, at Liverpool. The man, whoever it may be, is no agent of ours." Mr Dacre looked at him in incredulous surprise. "Not your agent?" he said. '.'That is so, sir. He may be one of our discarded emplovees, a fellow named Harvey; but we shall soon be abla to tell, as Harvey can be found and produced within twenty-four hours. But a more serious view has been suggested, and my own impression is that the suggestion is not far from the truth." "And what is the suggestion?" "That the gentleman v. ho came from Crewe last night is not the colonel at all, but simply someone who is personating him; and nis companion is purposely made up like flarvey, to throw us off the scent." "You frighten me," Mr Dacre said, trembling from head to foot, in spite of the iron nerve that was one of his leading characteristics. "You open up such a terrible supposition; I would not have it rome. to his daughter's knowledge for all I posses. The man was not your agent; and you thing the colonel was being paraonated?" "I do, sir; and I think several other things that I shall act upon in time. But you have done your best, and Ido not wonder that you are unnerved. The accident has shaken you, and you have undergone enough fatigue to tire out msny men not half your age." "Do not think of that." Mr Dacre said, with much emotion. "Call upon me at any hour of the day and night, and I will come if I can be o£ any service. Call upun me for any money that may be ncessary, and you shall have a check immediately. Whether it is for ten pounds, ten hundred, or ten thousand. Heaven knows, I would give more than that to clasp the colonel's hand, and see him reunited to his child." "Maj. Lugard has already placed Ihe case in rny hand," Fletcher said; "ar.d, apart from what may be at slake professionally, I have a personal interest in this matter, as our no me has been used, and the colonel has been one of our most liberal clients. But why the name of Crombie should have been pitched upon a3 a lure is a mystery to me. We marched the world over for him, yttiis mo. and proved, beyoi:d doubt, t> " ( ne wai dead." i "Youar- sure of that?" Dacre 1

said. "We do not leave much room for cispute, fir, when time and money ai-p no they, were not then. Even the colonel was satisfied until recently, when one of his friends thought he travelled with him in the same train from Scotland. He had better have held his tongue. He only set the colonel on an idle quest, and placed him in this danger." "He had better have held his tongue," Mr Dacrc assented. "It is tho?e busy meddlers who do most of the mischief; and but for him we should have had the colonel with us now, Will jou excuse me if I retire? My arm is painful, and my head aches. Shall I send Dora to you?" "Where is she?" "Lying down. She has not slept since yesterday." "Do not disturb her," Lugard said; "and pray stand upon no ceremony with me. Have you consulted a doctor ahout your injuries?" "Oh, yes, a friend of my own. I am more shaken than hurt; but at my age a severe shaking is not easily got over. Ring for anything you want, and use this house as your own." "Thanks," said the major. "I am sure, of the welcome, but I cannot consent to bring my bachelor habits into your orderly establishment. My man is looking: out for some rooms for me.'' "lam rather forgetful," Dacre £3id. "Your man has been here Eome time, and I am wondering why his face seems so familiar to me." He was one of the waiters at the Cornwallis," Lugard said. "I only engaged him last night, and he will be very useful in our search, specially useful as he con identify the man St. Hilary went away with." Mr Dacre faltered in the steps he was taking towards the door. He was clearly beginning to feel the effects cf his accident and the long journey of ttie previous day. The major gave him his arm to the stairs. As they stood there for a moment there was a sharp knock and a ring. The butler came fiom his door at the end of the ball. "The postman, I think," he said. "But there is no letter in the box." He opened the door, not to the postman, but to a messenger with a telegram. Obeying a sign from Dacre, the major opened it. "From the colonel," he said. "He is at Boulogne." "Read it," said Dacre, impatient " 'From St. Hilary to Dacre, the major said. " 'Am on the track and nearly sure of him. He is hiding somewhere in this town. Will write if not back to-night. Love to Dora.' " "That is worth a king's ransom," Dacre said, fervently. "How glad the poor child will be!" "It will set her mind at rest for the present, if it does nothing else," said Fletcher, taking the telegram from the major's hand. "Let me have thi3 for the present, please." [to be continued.]