"With Links of Steel,”

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 47, Issue 143018, 2 February 1921, Page 7

"With Links of Steel,”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

POWERFUL NEW NOVEL B,Y A POPULAR WRITER

BY JOHN K. PROTHEEO,

V 4 „f “An Eye for an Eye,The Way of Transgressors,” “A Strong Man Armed,” “Apples of Gold,” “The Gamblers,” ‘V “The Silent Witness,” etc. v (CQPYBIGHT.)

CHAPTER I. —Continued. Grimshaw paused, and once more glanced at the portrait on the wall. The young man’s face was pale and set. His heart*was thumping, there was a dry taste in his mouth. John Grimshaw hadn't iiuished yet

“From the first, ever since we acquired the West Coast properties, there have come to us rumours of certain gold deposits on or near our concessions. Alluvial gold was discovered by Sebastian on an expedition up country, in the banks of a river running through our estates. The natives say farther up country gold quartz is to be found, and rumour'hints at a rich mine in the neighbourhood. The exact locality is not known, nor can .1 tell you it the mine lies within our concessions. It is foi you to locate the mine, if possible, within our boundaries. If not.,” he paused, “you must acquire it,” he said shorticy “at any cost you must acquire it." ‘ Hugh Foster squared his shoulders. “It will want doing, sir,” he said slowly. ‘ * Who first told you of the mine?”

“Savile. He learnt of its existence from native gossip through Sebastien. “Did he locate it?” “No. The firm’s relations with him vrr.ro broken off about that point a year ago- -before I fell ill. Savile represented us for four years.” , , “A long time in a bad climate, said Hugh. “As you say, a long time. That was Savile’s own fault. We offered him six months’ leave at the end of the second year. He would not take it. “If I might ask you, what was the point of difference between Savile and the firm?” „ “The main point was the falling cut of the profits, owing, «e have reason to believe to his unbusinesslike ways, lack of order, and intemperate habits. There was a good deal of trouble with the natives, and much talk of bad treatment. Sebastien advised us. if Savile were left longer in charge there would be something like a native ic\o t. Things came to a head during my illness." Carlyn finally severed the connection. Since then Sebastien has acted as our a w eht, and the properties are beginning to pay fairly well once more. We are sending you with sealed orders, x oster. Apparently you go to manage the properties, look after our best interests. Secret!v,” he paused, “we must have that gold mine, Foster,” he said gnm]v, “at any cost.” So might old John, dead a hundred years ago, have spoken to ail agent from the far Indies, bringing news of a rich plantation that some recreant native would not sell. “Cost what it, will, we must have it. The portrait on the wall with tne stern eyes, semed to approve the words. Ay, they must have it, though it cost a river of blood and countless lie cs, and voting warm human hearts, innocent hopes and quiet homes. Hugh Foster rose slowly, deliberately, and leaned on the back of liis chair. “And if I secure the mine, sir?” he asked quietly, “what do I get?” The senior partner glanced up quickly. “What do you want?” lie asked, and his voice rang out. The young man’s light bule eyes hardened with a look of triumph, and he caught his breath and held on tightly to the chair. “A partnership,” he said, and though his voice was steady the knuckles of the hand that clasped the chair were white. “You shall have the partnership,” said old John grimly. “If you get the 'mine you’ll have earned it.” Something in the quality of the voice, a note of warning as of one who secs grim, ghastly shapes and terrible things, struck Foster harshly. He gave a little shiver.

“Anything else you want?” said the old man with fierce eyes.

The other stiffened at the challenge, He held his head erect.

“Yes,” he said, with a sudden note of combat. “One thing more; I want to marry Miss Dolores Carlyn,” he said slowly.

John Grimshaw’s face lapsed into the old grim lines. “As to that,” he said, “you must consult the junior partner.” He bowed with a stiff and solemn courtesy, and formally wished the young man God-speed in his mission, a successful return, a happy wooing. But as he turned away the portraits on the wall might have observed a look of sorrow and of disappointment in the stern old eyes. The firm must have the gold mine; at that moment, perhaps, John Grimshaw commenced to count the cost. CHAPTER 11. THE LEGION OF THE LOST. Hugh Foster left Grimshaw’s room with a light in his blue eyes and a swing in his walk that brought curious 2-lanees to bear on him in the outer of•fiqcL A-kviCome into a fortune, Foster?” askEfF Lawrence, a long, lazy Irishman. “You look as if you had an open cheque upon the Bank of England in. your pocket.” “Or a rise of ten pounds,” sneered Hagon, the Jew. “Wish you joy of it, old man.” Foster wasn’t a favourite with his fellows; lie was a glutton for work, and held himself aloof outside matters of business. The young man leaned against the mantelpiece, and for a moment enjoyed the situation. Hagon would have given his eyes for the chance that had come Hugh’s way. Lawrence would have flushed to the roots of his hair at the prospect of West African adventure. They were his seniors both in years and position in the office, and they had been passed and ignoied for him. The fact gave an added thrill to his satisfaction. “I’m going to the West Coast,” he said slowly, and with due emphasis, “to renresont the firm.”

He enjoyed the full effect of his announcement. Hagon went white and bit his nails; Lawrence, better bred, and with some grit, forced out congratulations, but his voice did not ring true, and a faint colour crept up his sallow- cheeks.

“Going to nigger drive, eh?” sneered the Jew. “Ah, well, you’re cut out for the work. You’ll get more out of the poor devils than any white man I know. Sebastien won’t take kindly to you, I reckon. Even Savile found him ■a tonah proposition.” “Savile!” Hugh’s voice expressed the limit of contempt. “What can you expect from a drunkard like him?”

“He was more than that,” said Lawrence quickly. “Don’t run with the notion that poor old Monty was just

\ a waster, He’d more brain than the whole boiling lot of us. TTadn’t, he, j Thomson?” At the far end of the long room a grey-haired man with a tierd face lookI ed up. | “Clever, Mr Lawrence, very, very : clever,” he said slowly. He left his j desk and came towards the little group. “Do I understand you ’re going to the j West Coast, Mr Foster?” ; Thomson was old fashioned and punctilious in the use of names and titles.” ‘ < Yes. ” ' “Then you’ll be seeing Mr Savile?” “I hope not. ’ I’ve instructions to give him a wide berth, anyway.” “But if you should?” The old clerk moved closer, the light from the window fell full on his lined face and | dull eyes and gowed shoulders. He’d been a clerk for five and forty years, and was almost worked out. “Tell him, would you kindly, that we think of him here—l’m right, gentlemen, in saying that?” He gave a deprecatory glance at the Irishman. “Thank you, Mr Lawrence; thank you. AVe think of him, we regret him, and we believe in him—believe in him, . Mr Foster, please, and we hope for his return. ’ ’ The old clerk’s voice grew husky, and liis hands began to tremble —an old man can guard his face, his hands not always. “You never knew him, Mr Foster?” he said wistfully. “I’ve heard of him, though,” was the quick retort, “and I’m astonished to find the, very men who ought to have the interests of the firm at heart upholding such a waster.” Hugh flushed with righteous indignation. It was time he thought, that a clean sweep was made in the clerks’ room. When he came back—he caught, his breath at the vision of himself entering the arena as ■junior partner —Thomson would have notice, and Lawrence, too. Hagon, by reason of his cleverness with figures, would remain. The Jew began to laugh at Hugh’s outburst, but Lawrence checked him. “As Thomson says, Foster never knew Monty. When you’ve met him, old man, you’ll understand perhaps just why we miss him, and how much. Give Monty Thomson’s message, anyway.” Hugh did not promise. He was ruffled and annoyed. It hurt his dignity to have this waster thrust in his face on the very threshold of a career that was to load to fortune. (To be Continued.)