Novelist [All Eights Reserved.] MARTIN DEVERIL'S DIAMOND

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2802, 28 June 1890, Page 5 (Supplement)

Novelist [All Eights Reserved.] MARTIN DEVERIL'S DIAMOND

A NOVEL By ADELINE SERGEANT, Author of "Jacobi'a Wife," &c, &c.

CHAPTER XXlll.—Allies.

" Is Miss Lorraine not at home ?" said Clifford Vargrave, with unconcealed annoyance in his face and tone. " No, sir. She went out with Mrs Fleming about half an hour ago." It was Ctirnforth who spoke. She had managed, of set purpose, to open the door when Mr Vargrave knocked; and now she fixed her wily eyes upon his face as if she wished to measure him for her own purposes. Clifford, instead of going away at once, stood on the step and hesitated. He had meant to strike a blow at Giles Kinglake's influence that every afternoon ; and he was disconcerted at the delay. " Mrs Lβ Breton is at home, sir," said Carnforth, watching him as a cat watches a mouse.

Clifford raised his eyes suddenly to her face.

"Would Mrs Le Breton see me, do you think ?" He knew that Carnforth v/as an old servant, and that Cicely trusted her. It occurred to him that he might as well secure her, if possible, as a friend. "No doubt she would, sir. Will you walk in 1" Clifford entered the drawing-room and signed to the woman to wait whilst he spoke further. " You are Miss Lorraine's maid, I think f " Yes, air." " And you were her nurse once , , were you iiot V " Yes, sir." " You must be foud of her, I suppose V " Yes, sir."

Carnforth's face was immovable, but her beady black eyed glittered. " I like to encourage the domestic virtues," said Clifford in his easy tones. "There are circumstances in which you, no doubt, are able to be of great service to your mistress— she says so herself, in fact. Of course, her friends are grateful to you." And then something passed from his fingers to Carnforth's ready palm. " I hope I do my duty by Miss Lorraine, said the waiting woman, dryly. "I have no doubt you do. I daresay she depends a good deal on your opinion of her friends and acquaintances." " Not so much as she might do. There's others that have more influence than I have, although they may not have been so long in the house as me," answered Carnforth grimly. " More influence than you 1 I shouldn't have thought it," said Clifford lightly. "Whom do you mean V, " It isn't for me to dispute what

my mistress does," said Carnforth, in a dull, dogged voice, which struck Clifford as peculiarly disagreenble.

" It isn't for me to think that I can be the equal of one as sets up to be a lady by birth and education, and all the rest of it. It's but natural, perhaps, that Miss Cicely should think more of a person like Mrs Le Breten than of me. I don't complain." " You may not complain, but of course, you do not like it," saidVargrave, with an involuntary flash of his eye. Could he not turn this evident jealousy of Mrs Lo Breton to good account? For he disliked and dreaded Mrs Le Breton's influence over Cicely more than that of any other person. Was he really lucky enough to have found a tool ready to his hand in Cicely's own house ? " Mrs Le Breton has had a rather unusual sort of life," he hazarded, by way of commencement. " You may well say that!" replied Carnforth, viciously. "A disreputable sori. of life / call it. Not the sort of life to fit her to be companion to my young mistress. I wonder what Miss Cicely's mamma would have said to see it! She would turn in her grave, I believe, if she knew all I know of Mrs Le Breton." "The late Mr Le Breton was not a very respectable character, I believe 1" "The hie Mr Le Breton 1" Carnforth sniffed disparagingly. " Not so' late' as some folks think—in my opinion, at least." She added the last five words in a way which convinced Clifford that they were meant to prevent him from thinking that she believed Robert Le Breton to be scill alive. They were so manifestly an afterthought, uttered because she feared that she seemed to know so much, that Clifford grew suspicious. " You don't think he is dead, eh ? Carnforth pursed up her lips and made no answer. Clifford looked at her with a smile.

" I think we might be useful to each other," he said quietly. " Were can we have a little private talk 1 We are not safe here, perhaps." "My time's pretty well my own,' , said Carnforth. " Miss Cicely never asks what I've been doiug. But folks might talk if I came to see you at the public-house where you're staying." Clifford winced a little at this expression, although it issued only from a servant's lips. " Let me see," he said, after a moment's pause. " I am supposed to be fishing the Bnle. Couldn't you take a walk through the meadows this evening about six o'clock 1 Then we could have a quite chat, and nobody would beany the wiser." " Well, I might," replied Carnforth, taking hold of a curtain and shaking it into fresh folds as though she were intent on performing a housemaid's duties rather than on attending to Mr Vargrave's proposition ; " though I don't see what you will have to say to me, she added provisionally. " And I don't want to waste my time for nothing."

" You won't do that," said Clifford making one or two coins clink together as if by accident in his pocket. " You shall not be a loser. To-day —this evening at six ?" " Very well, sir. Do you want to see Mrs Le Breton now ?"

" No, I don't," said Clifford condidly.

" I'll let you out by the front door, then," said Carnforth. And Clifford forthwith took his departure wondering how much the woman knew of Mrs Le Breton's affairs, and whether he could use her for the furtherance of his own designs. He betook himself presently to the meadows, and made a pretence of whipping the stream with his fishing-rod. The afternoon was not a pleasant one ; a little light rain fell from time to time, and a thin white mist was rising along the banks of the stream. It was growing dusk before there was any sign of Carnforth's appearance, and Clifford became impatient.

She met him at last; it was nearly seven before he saw the tall, angular figure, dressed in black, approaching him on the little narrow path that ran parallel with the stream. He himself continued to lean against a willow stump, smoking a cigar; ho did not think it worth his whilu to stir a step to met her.

" You're late," he said. "Halfpast six or more, is it not V " Yes, I am late. I didn't see that it was any use hurrying," replied Oarnforth, in a perfectly independent tone. " Perhaps not, as far as you are concerned. But, as I have to dine at the Grange, our interview will have to be a short one." "Very well, sir." The two eyed each other curiously, even suspiciously. Carnforth broke the silence. " I'm not going to act in the dark," she began. " Before I say anything to you about Miss Cicely's affairs, or Mrs Le Breton's either, I must know what you want and what you mean. I have my own idea about what's right and what's wrong; and there are some folks that I'd do anything to serve, and others that I'd do anything to spite; and that's the long and short of it."

" You would do anything to serve Miss Cicely, I suppose V "Yes, I would." " And to spite Mrs Lc Breton V " I don't deny it sir." " What for V Clifford's careless ease of manner was strongly contrasted at that moment with the woman's restrained

excitement. Her hands clenched themselves beneath her black shawl —her face grew pale and her eyes bright as she replied : — "There's very few people think what a servant's feelings are," she said. " They think for the most part that we're made of wood or iron, and haven't got hearts at all— least of all to care for anybody out of our own class. Now, there was Miss Cicely's mamma—a sister couldn't have been closer to me, nor a daughter dearer than Miss Cicely's been; and yet, as soon as a meddling interloper like this Mrs Le Breton steps in, I'm. to be shown my place! I'm to be set aside! she's to be fondled and caressed and petted, and I'm to be forgotten! I'll show her some day what it is to have taken my young lady's heart away from me; I'll find a way of revenging myself on Mrs Le Breton sooner or later, you may be sure of that." A red spot came to her cheeks; her eyes glittered. Her voice, harsh and monotonous, expressed an intensity of mingled hatred and determination which sounded ominous in Clifford's ears.

" You cannot keep your young lady all to yourself, you know," he said slightingly. "She must have a husband one of these days, and what will you do then ? " "That's nothing. A woman's got to love a man sometime or another—that's all in the course of nature. But she's no need to be so taken up with another woman." " That's true," said Clifford, reflectively. Then he threw his cigar into the water, and looked the woman in the face. " I want Mrs Le Breton out of my way as much as you do," he said. " She hates me as much as she hates yon, and, perhaps, with more reason. And I intend to marry Miss Lorraine."

" If she'll have you, you meant to say !'' intorposod Carnforth, sharply. " I meau nothing of the kind. I mean what I said just now. I intend to marry Miss Lorraine. Now, will 3'on help me, or will you not ?" Curn forth gave him a long scrutiny, which Clifford underwent with tolerable self-possession. The moment was favourable to him. The nonchalant grace of his attitude, the smiling gleam of his soft dark eyes, the clear chiselling of his features, were thrown into strong relief by the dark background afforded by the tree against which he leant; whilst a break in the clouds allowed one parting ray of light to rest brightly upon his face. It was a face which had seldom seemed to possess so much positive beauty of outline and expression as it did just then. Carnforth looked, and her eyes softened.

" Are you in love with my young lady, or are you after her money V she asked abruptly. " I don't want her money," quoth Clifford Vargrave. "I want herself."

"You're related to Mr Philip's lady, are you not, sir 1"

" Yes ; I am her first cousin." Clifford's face showed a trace of uneasiness at the question, but Carnforth's next words reassured him.

"Then you're real gentry," she said meditatively. " I always thought that Miss Cicely was one that ought to marry high. The Lorraines are an old family, like enough, but not a high one. They can marry anybody now, however ; they've got money enough to mix with the highest in the land. Yes, I always wanted her to have a real gentleman—not one of your tradesfolk, nor pettifogging business-men. Real gentry is what would suit her."

" Of course." Clifford was careful not to manifest the genuine amusement which he was feeling. " I shall be late for dinner," he said to himself ; " but I must wait a few minutes and get this sour old soul over to my side. She is capable of telling any number of lies about me if I don't. But I wish she could get to her point a little more quickly." Her next words, however, put his impatience to flight. " I did think," said Carnforth, deliberately, " that it was going to to be another gentleman. Mr Kinglake, of the old family.*

"You had bettor not let him come near Miss Oieely, unless you wish to see her heart broken and her wealth wasted !" exclaimed Vargrare, with a sudden flash of his dark eyes. " Look here. It is well known that he broke his first wife's heart—caused her to be locked up in a lunatic asylum, I believe—and gambled away all the remains of his property after Ladywell Priory was soid. He has all the vices of his ancestors, and a few of his own. That's all."

" Are you sure !" said Carnforth, with an inquisitive glance. " He doesn't look like one of that sort. Now, to tell the truth, and meaning no offence, you have a good deal more of that sort of look yourself, sir. I should say that you've lived harder than he has done in your time ; and it's a thing," she added, seeing a look of pleasure on Clifford's face, "that a woman won't like you the worse for, after all." Clifford laughed, and assented; but in the very moment of his assent his heart smote him. What! Eleanor with her dainty pride, Cicely with her charming frankness, the woman who had loved him (whom, indeed, perhaps he loved !) and the woman whom he had made up his mind to marry—would these two ever have lowered themselves so far as to think more highly of a

man because he had led a base and an ignoble life? Something in Clifford's heart forbade him at that moment to think so.

" But, as far as I can. tell," continued Carnforth, "Mr Kinglake has got one friend on his side, if not two. And one's Mrs Lβ Breton, and the other is Mr Lorraine. Of course they're on the same side. " What do you mean ?" asked Clifford, struck by the bitterness of the tone.

"You don't know the old story about them 1 Everyone about here knows it well. How Mrs Le Breton, when she was only a slip of a girl, threw Mr Philip over for young Le Breton."

" I've heard something about it," said Clifford, cautiously. "But I don't know how it happened exactly. Threw over Phil Lorraine, did she ? Yes 1 And how was that ?'

Carnforth's version of the story need not be repeated. She attributed the meanest motives possible to everyone concerned, and concluded with a remark which at once excited her listener's curiosity. "If everybody knew what I know about Mrs Le Breton and Mr Lorraine, that fine marriage of his wouldn't have come off so easy as it did. It would have been stopped if I had opened my mouth, or lifted a finger ; but I didn't, and I'm glad of it."

" What do you mean 1" " Oh, that's no concern of yours, sir. I know more than I choose to say. Besides, it's time for you to go, and I must get back to Ladywell."

"ISTot so fast," said Clifford, taking out his watch and examining its face by the dim evening light. lam too late to dine at the Grange; I have plenty of time. They won't wait for me. Come, Caruforth, it's no use doing your work by halves. Either trust me altogether or not at all. I want to know anything and everything that can be used against Mrs Le Breton. I would give a good deal to get her out of the house.

" Besides," he thought to himself, "a handle against Mrs Ls Breton might be useful in dealing with her husband. I must get to the bottom of this. She knows enough of me to get me turned out neck and crop, if she likes."

"Well, then, said Carnforth sharply, " the long and short of it is that Mr Philip and Mrs Le Breton were making love to each other up to the very end of his engagement to my Lady Eleanor ; and for aught I know they are making love to each other still." Clifford kept silence. He was not often taken aback ; but he was completely taken aback now by this communication.

" Impossible !" he said, at last. " Why impossible V "Mrs Le Breton is—a married woman—at least, a widow——"

Clifford spoke slowly and carefully ; he was more anxious to elicit more information from Oarnforth than to express his own views 011 the subject. Oarnforth was not proof against his apparent incredulity. " She may give it out that she's a widow; but she's no more a widow than I am. She's a married woman, as you say, and Mr Lorraine was on the eve of his wedding day when he last saw her ; and it's my belief that, if she had been a widow, he would have thrown over Lady Eleanor and gone off with Mrs Le Breton. I always wondered that he hadn't, when I heard that Eobert Le Breton was dead; but it was explained to me a few days ago, when I saw her let her own husband into Miss Cicely's house."

"What! Do you mean to say that Robert Le Breton has been here —to Ladywell ?" " That he has." "It is no new thing to me that he is alive ; but it is. news that he has been to Ladywell," said Vargrave, reflectively. "I wonder why he did not tell me." " Oh! You know Mr Le Breton, do you, sir ?" "Yes, I do. him?" An ejaculation uttered with heartfelt vehemence, which allayed Carnforth's suddenly formed suspicions of Mr Vargrave's character.'' When did he come here ?"

Oarnforth's story of Boberfc Le Breton's admittance, of tlio night spent in Oicoly's garden-room, and of his disappearance in tlie morning, sufficiently pimlod Clifford Vargrave. He could see no reason lor tlie secrecy observed—unless it was on account ol Philip Lorraine's enmity to Le Breton. Why had Le Breton not given him any account of his visit to Lady well Priory ? He had seen him once or twice since his return; but not a word had been uttered which led Clifford to suspect that the husband and wife had met. Always suspicious of Kobert Le Breton's intentions, it seemed to him now that there was some mischief brewing of which he did not know the scope. " And you heard nothing o£ what they said V

" Little enough. I caught a word or two and a name." " What name T

" The name of a man who came lately to live in the village. Hβ was in South Africa they say—l don't know. Like enough he's some friend or acquaintance of Mr Le Breton's. They were certainly talking about him." "What was his name?" "Deveril." " An old man ?" " Yes. Not quite right in his head, people say. Do you know anything about him ?"

" Nothing." There was an odd look in Clifford's eyes. For a few moments he said no more. Then he asked a question. " They talked of this man, Deveril. You could not hear anything else 1 It is rather strange, surely, that you should fix on that one name and hear it only. You must have heard more." " I heard no other name. I heard a few words, such as ' money,'' fortune,' ' wife,' and so on. Nothing that I could make sense of. And now I must go—my time's up." One minute. How do you know that Mr Lorraine was making love to Mrs Le Breton before his marriage ?"

"Because I heard it," said Oarnorfch, stubbornly. "I was busy in ,lie next room, and I heard them >alk of his giving up Lady Eleanor. \.s true as I live I heard it! She vas cautious, but he was all on firo ibout it. I've always benn sorry or that poor little lady at the grange." Clifford turned aside. He stood ooking into tin; dark water at his eefc. Perhaps he wished in that noment that lie had been able a few nonths ago to set the world at lelianco and make Eleanor his wife, jortfiinly he resented the slight that Philip had apparently meditated sonferring upon her with uniccustomed bitterness. If he could Io Philip a bad turn he felt that the loing of it would afford him un.maginable satisfaction! Oarnforth made a move as if to go, but she was expecting her reward, and Clifford gave her a liberal one. He promised her more, if only she would keep him well informed of all that might affect his interests at Ladywell Priory. Anything relating to Cicely, to Mrs Le Breton and her husband, to Giles Kinglake and to the Lorraines would be welcome to him.

When they parted Carnforth was pledged to assist Mr Vargrave, by all possible means, in his courtship of Miss Cicely Lorraine. And, in return, Clifford promised that when Cicely was once his wife Mrs Le Breton should not stay an hour longer beneath the roof of Ladywell Priory. Both swore enmity to Giles Kinglake, tojßobertLe Breton, and to Philip Lorraine. And thus the unholy alliance was completed. "I think," said Clifford to himself with a smile, when Carnforth had taken the path that led to Lady well, and disappeared in the darkness, " I think that it is not too late for me to make a call upon Mr Martin Deveril. I think that he may he pleased with the news that I have to give. At any rate I'll go and see him—to-morrow morning, if not to-night,"

CHAPTER XXIV.—"A Fair Offer." It was striking eight o'clock from the church tower when Clifford made his way back to Ladywell. His engagement at the Grange had been one which could be broken without difficulty. He had been invited to come ''if he could—if his fishing did not detain him until too late;" aud, as he told himself, Eleanor would easily forgive his absence, for she seemed wishful to see as little of him as possible since the conversation in which they had alluded so pointedly to Cicely Lorraine.

He dined quietly at the Ladywell Arms, and took an opportunity of asking the landlord whether he knew anything of Martin Deveril. The landlord shook his head doubtfully. Deveril was well known by sight and by repute, but he had made few acquaintances sinoe his arrival, and was never seen inside a public-house. "They say that he's not quite right in the head," said Mr Clutterbuck, cautiously. " I don't know about that, but it's certain that the other man isn't." " What other man ?" " A half-witted lunatic sort of chap, sir, that old Deveril calls Joel Bray. Was a miner once in South Afriky, J believe. Harmless enough, but a hugly customer to look at; and, to tell the truth," said the landlord, confidentially, "It has sefitned rather a hodd thing to most people that Miss Lorraine should have let one of her cottages to two such disreputable characters. But, of course, being a young lady, it ain't to be expected of her to be very cautious, is it. sir?" The landlord retired and Clifford was left alone. There was a curious light in his eyes; an odd smile upon his lips. "It's a queer concatenation of circam stances," he was saying to himself, "and one that ought to be worth something to a man with his wits about him. What a fool that fellow Le Breton is. He doesn't deserve to succeed. I never failed to outwit him when I tried; I don't think that I shall fail now. If only I have not put a spoke in my own wheel already ?—l'll go and see this Deveril first thing to-morrow morning. I wonder whether he will be slow to tell me his side of the question."

He sat over the fire smokiug his cigars until late into the night. He had a brain that was fertile in expedients, and he thought that its fertility was required at the present juncture. He did not make way with Cicely Lorraine as he had expected to do; and he knew that his affairs were growing desperate. If no change speedily occurred, he wonld, indeed, as he had said to Robert Le Breton, be a ruined man. Early next morning he went to Deveril's cottage. He found the old man engaged in weaving baskets ; it was an occupation in which he was skilful, and which brought him in some money from time to time ; Joel Bray, the miner, was crouching in a, corner, gazing stupidly at the red glow of the fire. Martin Deveril himself opened the door when Clifford knocked.

"la your name Deveril? , ' said the visitor.

" What may you be wanting, sir P" " Eirst of all, I want to know if your name is Deveril. I'm anxious for a little conversation with a man of that name," said Clifford, in his mellow, easy voice, which seemed in some way not to correspond with the enigmatical expression of his fine dark eyes. "May I come in? ,.

" Come in and welcome. My name's Deveril—Martin Deveril, at your service. Can I do anything for you, sir ?" The old man plucked his felt hat from his head for a momont tmd thwi replayed it. Aβ his viaitoi wae not a lady, he did not feel called upon to lay it altogether aside, "I don't know whether you qan do

anything for me or not," said Vargrave, entering the cottage and looking round with a coolly oritioal air. " I fancy that I may be able to do something for yon." Then his eyes fell upon the crouching tiguro in the corner. "Ah !" he exclaimed. "So that's Joel Bray, is it ?"

"Have you anything to say about Joel Bray ?" asked Martin, with some surprise visible in his manner.

"I don't know that I have. But, as I have come to speak to you on private business, may I ask, before I begin, whether you are accustomed to disouss all your affairs in his presence or not ?" Martin Deveril put his head on one side, and contemplated Clifford with n wary eye. " Yes," ho answered. " All exoept one." " And that one ?" Martin glanced at Joel, and then put. his band up to his mouth as hp replied, as if to prevent the soutnl of lii.s words from reaching the miner'* cir : — "Stones!" ho said, in n, whisper, "Precious stones! Diamonds! Don't mention them to him, if you don't want to drive him mad I' , " Then you haJ better get him out of the room, henause that is the very subject about which I wish to speak to you." Mtatin's eye flashed. He looked eagerly at Clifford, then seemed to restrain himself, and turned towards Joel Bray. " Look here, old man," he said, touching him kindly on the shoulder, and speaking rather loudly, " you hain't forgotten to take those baskets up to the big house, have you ? I thought so. Now, suppose you go and put them together, and take thorn up to the lady at the house, eh ? She'll be glad to have them." Joel gathered up his limbs with a grunt of intelligence, and stood for a moment looking at Clifford, of whose presence he seemed now to beome conscious for the ■first time. _ " Who's he ?" he said, pointing to the visitor, with the peculiarly ugly, crooked fingers, which Clifford, like Paulino, noticed with a thrill of positive disgust. " Who's he?" "A friend, Joel; a friend. Go and get the baskets—six of them, for the lady at the big house." " Ay, master." And then the man moved slowly across the room, let himself out, and closed the door behind him. In spite of his ungainly slouch, Clifford was struck by the muscular strength of the man's gaunt limbs. Joel Bray might be a slothful and harmless sort of creature at present, but, if once roused to wrath, it was plain that he would become a very formidable antagonist. " A strong-looking fellow," he observed to Martin Deveril. "He's as strong as he looks, sir." " Good-tempered and peaceable, however ?" "As long as he's not put out. He's a little hard to manage when he gets into one of his fits of temper ; but that isn't often. And may I inquire what you've come about, sir?" Martin Deveril darted so keen a look at Clifford as he asked this question that the young man suffered from a momentary embarrassment in replying. But he had his story ready, although it wa? not a very probable one, " I came," he said, "because I heard by chance that you lost some valuable stones near a place called Swellendam, in South Africa j and, oddly enough, I happened to meet with a fellow lately who had just come back from the Cape with stones for sale, and a very unsatisfactory account of the way in which he became possessed of them. As he mentioned Swellendam, I thought that there might be some connection." " What was he like ?" said Martin, breathlessly. He rose from his seat as he spoke, and fixed his eyes eagerly upon Clifford's face, Again Clifford had his answer ready.

" A thin, small man, with fair hair and blue eyes. Should you know him from that description ? No! He gave his name as Smith ; a feigned name, probably." Deveril shook his head. "It can't be the man that I want to find," he said, in a troubled voice. " Are you sure of that? Should you know him again ?" "That I should. And so would Joel Bray." " What was he like then?" said Clifford, in his turn. " Well, sir, he was dark, and stout, and ruddy ; not the sort of man you describe. As for his name, I don't know it; but I should know him anywhere. What stones did he want to eell you, sir ?" "There were some garnets," said Clifford. " And there were some other stones—of no great value. There waa aa oddly-shaped piece of crystal." " Of crystal V Martin's voice vibrated strangely. '' What sort of crystal ? What size was it? What shape ?" " About as large as a walnut," said Clifford, deliberately. "It was rough and unpolished, but it had a sort of likeness to a pear in shape ; and I should think that it would be of a clear whitish tint "

He stopped short. Martin had sprung forward with a cry ; was it of pain, or rage, or simple excitement and surprise ? His eyes gleamed, and his hands shook, as he arrested Clifford's speech by that strange cry, and the ejaculation which succeeded it.

" Good God !" he said. " You've seen it; you've found it! Perhaps you've got it about you ? It's mine! it's mine !' His shaking hands touched Clifford's arm. His eyes glared insanely into Clifford's face. For the moment the young man was conscious of a feeling of extreme delight that he had not got Robert Le Breton's " crystal " in his pocket. If he had, he felt that he might have almost lost his nerve in view of that convulsed grey face and those infuriated eyes. "I've not got it," he said, laughing slightly, after a moment's pause. " I wish I had if you value it so highly. What is there remarkable about it ?"

Deveril's eyes lost their fire ; his hands fell to his sides ; his head sank upon his breast; he breathed a heavy sigh, and stood silent for some minutes. Clifford watched him curiously. He felt that he had already verified the truth of his suspicions. " What is there remarkable about it?" repeated the old man, slowly. " Well, I don't know that there's much that is very remarkable about it, anyway. Only that I should like to get it back, as, from what you say, I conclude that it is mine. Yes, it must be mine."

"Crystals are plentiful enough. It wili be no great less to you if you do not get it back."

" Ay." the old man nodded slowly, with his eyes on the ground and his hand clutching his chin. "No great loss—no great loss. Ay, but a man never likes to lose what is his own." "Just so." " Especially when it come to him from another—a keepsake, as one may say. In that case it has a value which is not exactly its money value." " Precisely. A greater value even than its money value." " Why, yes, perhaps. I should like to get that crystal back again. It's a more bit of glass, maybe you will tell me, but I—l—l have a use for it."

" 1 have no doubt of that,' , :;uid Clifford blandly. "And now, Mr Deveril, speaking as between friends, what would you be prepared to give any man who put

you in possession once more of your—er —crystal?" The significant emphasis on the last word made Deveril start. He drew his hand down his beard, looked at Clifford suddenly, and then turned away as if to hide the agitation depicted on his face. "Such a man would deserve a reward, I think," resumed Clifford quietly. "If you value the stone so much you would no doubt be prepared to give a liberal recompense to the person who brought it back." "I don't say but what I would. Ye?, I would reward him liberally," said Martin, in a low voice. "I would give —I wo'ilil go up to ten or twenty pounds —or five ,ro4-twenty perhaps—as I value tin: stri!)" an >nuch, you see." Mid ey<; furtively caught Clifford's face. MisscpiTiod disturbed when he saw that Clifford was smiling. He collected himself and spoke with an assumption of dignity ; which did not look ill upon his tall, gaunt frame, and large, but wrinkled features. " I don't know why you should laugh sir," he said. "The reasons why I value the stone are not reasons that I am bound to make known to you. You'll excuse my saying that you are a perfect stranger to me. I don't even know your name ; and if we are to do any business together I should like to know who I a:n speaking to." " You are quite right to be on your guard, Mr Deveril, In this case you need have no fear. lam well-known in the village of Ladywell. My cousin is the wife of Mr Philip Lorraine of the Grange. My name is Vargrave. " And may I ask, sir, how you came to know anything about my affairs ? I've talked of them to nobody since I came save to the two ladies at th e Priory ; they've been vtry kind to me in buying baskets and flowers, and I did tell them the story. But I've told it to nobody else iu Ladywell."

"Make yourself easy ; it was nobody in Ladywell who told me. But I wonder at your letting your story be known to those two ladies at the Priory."

Martin's eyes flashed. "They're the great ladies of the place, by all I hear," he said ; " they would be more likely to help me find the man I want. He mentioned Ladywell. I expect that he will come some day. He said that his wife lived here—but I've not been able to find her."

"He said so, did he P The more fool he !" muttered Clifford baneath his breath He added in a louder voice—" Perhaps you looked in the wrong , place for her, Mr Deveril. It in my opinion that I could tell you something about her —if I chose."

" You ? You f" Martin stretched out his hands again, and looked wildly at the young man. " tVhat do you mean ?" he said. •' How can you know anything P How have you heard "

" I think that it is about time that we came to facts, Mr Martin Deveril," said Clifford, coolly. "Suppose you take your seat again, and talk over the matter with me candidly. You need not beat about the bush any longer. The fact is that you know as well as Ido that, the stone which you are seeking is not a valueless bit of crystal at all." Deveril raised his head sharply. "What is it, then?" he asked frowning. " What do you think it is yourself?" " Well," said the old man with deliberation, " to look at it one might think it to be one of two or three things. It ain't altogether unlike what's called a white topaz."

" Ah! I don't, know much about white topazes. When I held that stone in my hand a few weeks ago," said Clifford, looking intently at the old man's face, " it struck me that, although in so rough a state as easily to deceive an unpractised eye, it was neither more nor les3 than a very valuable diamond."

He expected an outburst of rage or a vehement denial of his statement, but he got neither. Deveril sat very sisill, with his eyes fixed on vacancy, his fingers, as usual, upon his chin, and his under lip protruding. Presently he nodded two or three times, and turned his gaze shrewdly upon the dark, handsome face before him.

" Before we go any further in this business, young man, I should like to know what your little game is. It's plain you have a little game. I don't mind taking a hand, if it's worth my while."

" You must take a hand whether you like it or not," returned Clifford Vargrave. "The only question is whether we are to be partners or antagonists." "That's so. And the stake is •" "The stake is the diamond. , ' "That's so. But you forget one thing , , young man— the diamond's mine." He uttered the last words with such tremendous energy that Clifford pushed back his chair an inch or two in some alarm. But a retort rose at once to his lips. "On the contrary, the diamond just now belongs neither to you nor to me, but to the man who stole it. Possession is nine points of the law. It may be yours if you are content to pay a certain price for its recovery." "Name jour price," said Martin, sternly. "My price! My good fellow, you mistake," said Clifford, with the utmost serenity. " Jain selling you nothing. I must ask you to remember that my mission is a, confidential one. It it is noised abroad, I shall consider that the bargain has been broken, and I shall act no further. Do you understand ?"

" Perfectly. Don't be afraid, young man," said Martin, whose self-possession equalled that of Vargrave himself; " I'll not let out your secret. I'm a& anxious as you are to keep the matter quiet."

" Why ?" " Never you mind why. I'll tell you why some other time, perhaps. What is it you want ?"

'•If I put the diamond back in your hands," said Clifford, in a very low tone, " I shall want—half the proceeds when it is sold."

Martin jumped up from his chair, "Half the proceeds!" he said. "Half, you rapacious young , villain ! Half ? for giving me back my eve! you—you rogue !" ho stammered, and shook his fist in Clifford's face. " You are mad 1" he eaid, " Mad to come and tell mo this in my own house ! Do you think that lam a fool ?"

"I grant that it is a bold demand at first sight. If you will think of it a little it will seem more reasonable to you. I know all about that diamond. With some management and by the expenditure of some money (perhaps a large sum) I could got possession of it. But I will tako care that it is lost to you for ever if you don't agree to halve the profits with me. Half ? lam moderate in ray demands ! I might fairly claim two-thirds." And Clifford, laughing softly, threw himself back in his chair, and thrust his thumbs into his armholes as he coutemplated old Martin's fiercely scandalised expression of countenance.

" Half the price of the diamond !" said Deveril, begiuning brows and savage glances at his visitor, " Half the money! I can't do it—l won't do it, I'd sooner lose the diamond outright.

" You certainly will, if you do not agivo to this arrangement." "Half the proceeds! Half of Hie fortune that I meant to tako to my little Madge! Young man, .do you know what you (tie doing 'i You aro wot only robbing au old man, but you aro robbing a girl, a little child, of the fortune that I had toiled to e;ain foi , her, Is that nothing , to your"

Hβ paused in Lie walk as he asked tho question. Clifford shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't see what it has to do with the matter," he said. "You mean, sir, that you see no sinno crime—in cheating an old man and an orphan child out of their money ?" "Your remarks are offensive, Mr Deveril. We need say no more about your diamond. I shall be most happy to take the entire charge of it." He rose from his chair. His manner wae insolently careless. He moved towards the door ; before he had actually reached it, however, he turned round and spoke with an ironical smile. "A diamond of that eize, if without flaw, ought to bo worth some thousands of pounds. Don't you think you are a little unwise in refusing to secure half itn value ? lam sure I make you a fair offer." " A thief's offer," said Devcril. Clifford smiled and lifted his eyebrows. " You are very polite, Mr Deveril. I will wish you a good morning," " Mark my words,"cried the old man, violently, "I shall watch you, I will follow you night and day. I shall see where you go; I shall advertise the diamond, as I ought to have done before ; and I shall find it in spite of yon.".

"My dear Mr Deveril, you forget that there is such a thing as a penny post. Don't you suppose that at a word from me your diamond might be carried off to Amsterdam, and cut down into half a dozen smaller ones ? Would you recognise it then ?"

''I'll set the police on your track," said Martin, who was nearly beside himself with rage. " I am afraid you will have a difficulty about witnesses," replied Clifford, with a laugh. " Our interview has been a strictly private one, and I don't think that any magistrate is likely to take your word in preference to mine. Good morning, Mr Deveril." (To be continued.)