"A WOMAN'S ENCHANTMENT."

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXX, Issue 146126, 5 December 1916, Page 7

"A WOMAN'S ENCHANTMENT."

(By WILLIAM LB QUEUX.) Author of "The Tickencote Treasure," "The Idol o f t, h f Town » <<Whatsoever a Man Soweth," "Who Giveth This Woman?" "The Mysterious Mr White," etc., etc., (COPYRIGHT.)

CHAPTER XVL—Continued. *' Why do you want to see the geutlenian, my lad'?" I enquired. The boy turned red and hesitated in confusion.

"I must see him privately, sir. Is he at home?'

"Why privately? What business can you have with him? Have you got a message for him?"

"No, sir," the lad responded. "I — I want, to see him.''

"But why, my lad.* Tell me the reason. The gentleman probably won't see you unless he knows your business."

There was something about the-boy's manner which had aroused my curiosity. "It's private business, sir." "You've told me that already. N Como now, tell me why you wish to see him. I shall be with liim presently, and will in form him."

The lad hesitated; then, with downcast eyes, admitted in xi sheepish voice:

"1 did wrong this morning, sir, and —aud I want to give him back his money."

"His money? Did he give you mon ey, theu?" 1 asked.

"Yes, sir. You remember .1 brought you a telegram," the lad said. "Well, lifter I'd gone down the drive and was just turning out of the gate I. heard somebody shout after me. It was the gentleman. 1 dismounted, and he hurried up to me, saying that, it' I could scribble a copy of the message you received when I got buck to the oilice- he'd give mo a sovereign. .1 didn't believe there was any harm, sir, iv taking the tip, though at dinner time, when 1 told my mother, she made me promise to see the gentleman and give him the money back." "What, then he went to Parnham with you?" '■ No, sir; he walked half way and sat down and waited till I got back. L rode, one, and getting to the oilice watched the missus out of the way and looked at the duplicate of the message. It was an address, wasn't it?" "Yes. it was!" I gasped. "And did you give it to that gentleman!'' "'Yes, sir. 1 rode buck to a. spot close to Howe, where he was waiting for me, and he gave me this sovereign in exchange for it," aud he exhibited the ci.in in the palm of his hand. "Then the. postmistress is in ignorance, eh.''' "Yes, sir. If she knew I'd get the sack.'' ' . ''Yes, and imprisonment as well," I. said angrily. "Do you know that to give away the secret of a telegraph message is a criminal offence!.'" '■ 1 didn't know, sir, until mother told me," cried the lad, "or I'd never have done it. But mother's very poor, and we've just lost father, and I thought a sovereign would be very useful to her. You won't say anything to anybody, will you '" " Well—no, 1 won't. But you need not go to the Grange now —not till tomorrow. The gentleman has gone to York. And give me back that telegram. 1 must go to the oilice to alter it and send it myself." I saw that Garshore had, by a clever trick, learnt, the secret of Granny's name and hiding place. He might have already wired it to Loudon! The'thought was alarming, therefore 1 hurried forward into the small village, where at the little general shop at the'comer by the church the telegraph oilice was established. From there 1. sent a hurried message of-iwarning, urging Granny to change both name and abode immediately, and to advise me at once. Jf Garshore had telegraphed he would no doubt have done so from York. And if he had sent a message to .Scotland Yard, then already the police would, be on their way to make the arrest. Truly, his vengeance had been a bitter —a fiendish one! 1 returned to the Grange hot and weary, wondering if my warning message would be iv time to save my friend. Garshore's action convinced me of his unscrupukmsness, and 1 intended when he returned from the (lower show to explain what the telegraph messenger had told me. But when the car swept up to the house just before six o'clock he was not among the party. " Why?" 1 cried to my host. " Where. is Garshore.'" "Oh! it's most unfortunate," explained old Mr Stapleton. "He called at the post oilice in York for a telegram he expected, and found that he was summoned at once to London. He had just time to catch his train."

1 stood astounded

Why had he left so suddenly? Was it, in obedience to my demand; or was it in order to go to Colsterworth and identify to the police the man whom he had denounced as an assassin? CHAPTER XVII. A PAIR OF BROWN EYES. I took Myra aside almost immediately, and'explained to her some of the events of the afternoon. I did not, however, telfeher that Granny was the sender of the telegram, or that he was iv hiding near Grantham. Neither did I admit that her lover was in England, but induced her to believe that Garshore, after leaving me that morning, had decided that absence was the best course. "At-least, you've rid us of a very horrid person," the girl said laughing. "Secretly I was delighted when he came back to the car and said he must go at once up to town. He asked us to send on his bag to tho East Wing, Euston Hotel." ' ■ He has said nothing further to your father?" "Nothing that I'm aware of," she replied as we stood together at one of the long open windows of the drawingroom. "Only dad seems most grumpy. Twice to-day, when I've mentioned Granny's name, he's snapped me up." "Ah! I'd like to know exactly what that scoundrel has said." "The same as he has told me, no doubt." "I must discover," I said, "and try and put matters right." "I'm sure it's very sweet of you, Mr Ralston," sho cried in her girlish enthusiasm. "Few men have such a friend as you —or women either, as a matter of fact." • Oh, please don't make me blush, My--1 ra,'' I said laughingly, "as I 'ye already told you it's my duty to the dear old fellow. He'd do as much for me, and more, if I were placed in his position to-morrow. You don't know half his good qualities, as I know them." I And our conversation was at that moment cut short by the entry of Miss Chambers, who began rather fussily to

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

describe how Mr Stapleton "s gardener had again won honours for his roses.

That evening the squire, referred several times to Garshore 's hurried departure. Across th<.> dinner table, after the ladies had left, 1 learnt that they had first met about three years before at the same hotel at, I'oyat-les-Bains, the quaint little spa. at Auvergne, where both were taking the cure. A friendship sprang up between them, which was renewed over a dinner at the Sports Club in London, of which Stapleton was a member. This was followed by an invitation to stay at the Grange, which was accepted. lie furnished a house at Middlethorpo, outside York, and lived there for some little time, Myra., of course being still away at school. Then he left York suddenly and went abroad. "It's quite a long time since we last met," my host went on, his wine glass poised in his hand. "I've always found him a most, excellent fellow. He is a member of White's and several other good clubs." "Has he got chambers in town"' 1 enquired. " Yes—Holton street, 187." This was a, surprise to me. Why, if he had a home in London, did ho stay at the. Hotel Cecil? But I rellected that they might, of course, be let. -'.He's pretty well off, 1 suppose?" I remarked casually, in order to test my host's opinion. "Of course—very comfortably off, indeed. 1 should say, got sick of York society very quickly. He's a. most charming man." "Except that, he's a liar," I said, very bluntly. Stapleton started, looking straight at n:<" iv surprise. ''Yes," 1 went on, "1 mean what 1 have said, Mr Stapleton. lie has lied to you concerning Granny Gough. And ! threatened to expose his calumnies to you if he did not leave the Grange! tonight. Already you have seen the effect of my words!'' "But. is this true, Philip?" the old gentleman asked, beading towards me. At that moment the butler entered, but turning quickly to the man he remarked that we wanted nothing. The servant understood, and bowing, withdrew, closing the door after him. "Is this really true?" he repeated. "Look here, Mr Stapleton," I said firmly, placing my cigarette end in the ash tray, "that man, who poses us your friend, came here with a distinct purpose —to malign Gough. lie has told Myra, aud probably yourself, some very wonderful tales, declaring that my friend Granny is not only an adventurer but also an assassin. Now, I have known Gough for many years, and a

straighter and more honourable fellow never breathed. Therefore the fellow is a liar. This morning I met. him alone down by the river, and spoke out straight. I demanded that he should withdraw all his vile' calumnies and leave the Grange. Otherwise I should expose him."

"Expose what?" interrupted my host.

(To be Continued.)