MARTIN DEVERIL'S DIAMOND.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2835, 13 September 1890, Page 4

MARTIN DEVERIL'S DIAMOND.

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A NOVEL By ADELINE SURGE ANT, Author of "Jacobi's Wife," &c, &c. CHAPTER XLVIII.—At Hknsley's HOTKL. "Is Mr Vargravo not in London, then !" " I couldn't say, ma'am. He was at Lady well when last I hoard about him." " Ho has not been hore sinco !" " Not to my knowledge, ma'am." Clifford Vargrave's confidential servant was looking with some cuiiosity at the lady in black, with a very thick veil, who was questioning him thus. Her voice was vaguoly familinr to him, and yet he could not bo suro of it without seeing tho stranger's face. He stood at the door of his master's room, civil, quiet, tho model of a respectable servant, charged to keop out all iutrudere, but inwardly full of uneasiness and curiosity. Ho had a liking for Mr Vargravo, and knew a good many of his seorots; at tho present moment he kueiv pretty accurately where his master was, and waa prepared to do exactly what should be most to his own interest in the matter of aiding or betraying him. He looked keenly at the questioner, but was decidedly taken aback whou tho lady suddonly threw buck her veil, and revealed a face which he knew well.

" You know who I am, Lake," she said, using his name for the first time. " Your master's cousin— Ludy Eleauor Lorraine. I want to see Mr Vargrave very much indeed. It is very important," she continued earnestly, as she made her way into the sitting-room, from the door of which the servant respectfully stood aside, "and if you could find out for me where he is, I think I—l could do him some service."

And then with a great blush —for Lady Eleanor, though well versed in the arts of worldly wisdom in theory, was not at all accustomed to putting them into practice—she slipped a coin into Lake's ready hand. The discreet Lake knew that she had given him gold, and his respect for her began to rise, It must be confessed that it had not hitherto been very great, for Lady Eleanor's secrets, as she deemed them—her early love for Clifford, her desire to separate from her husband, her mysterious quarrel with Mr Philip Lorraine —had all been freely discussed in the servants' hall, where Lady Eleanor's character had mot with severe reprobation, not because she had once preferred Clifford Vargrave to Philip Lorraine, but because she contemplated a separation from her husband, who gave her everything for which her heart could wish. However, now thut she had the good sense to fee him, Lake's opinion was conciliated ; he began to wonder whether it would not bu well for him to acquaint his master with Lady Eleanor's visit. "I don't know, my lady, I'm sure," he said, doubtfully. "He may be in town, or he may be out of town, or—'' "You mearj," said Eleanor, hastily, "that he may not wish to see me. But if you know where he is you may at least take him a message for me. I have important news for him." " Perhaps I might manage to let him hnve a message," said the man, hesitatingly. " But it would be difficult, you see, my lady—" " Oh, never mind the difficulty ! It shall be no loss to you afterwards, Lake. If you do me such a service as this—and your master too—we shall not forget it. Of course, you mnst be careful " She stopped in some embarrassment and bit her lip.

"I think I understand, my lady. My master is in a bit of trouble, to speak plainly, as many young gentlemen arc,' said Lake, politely, "and if be is not careful, he may bo arrested for it, which would be awkward for the family, liut I think I could get a message to him any daj, if it's important news." "Could he come here, do you think ':" said Lady Eleanor anxiously. "Impossible, madam. If you'll come to tho window with me, I'll show you why. Do you see that man over there by the corner? That's a detective, my lady ; and he's been watching this house nisht and day since yesterday morning. I daresay your visit here is spied upon already; because, of eourau, my lady, you being such a neai relative, it may be thought that you know more about him than the public docs.' . Lady Eleanor trembled. " But if I go away from here ?" she said faintly. "I expect they'll watch you, my lady, to Hce where you go. They watch me now ; but I'm up to their ways, and can dodgu them. The ouly thing, my lady, that I should like to ask you is this —your ladyship's quite sure that it is worth while to semi a message to Mr Vargtave '! Because it's a risk—there's no denying that; and it isn't worth while to risk hisTsafety for the sake of a message which could he sent equally well at auother time, Begging your pardon for suggesting it, my lady," Lake soncluded deferentially.

Eleanor had seated herself in an armchair hy the table, upon which she now rested her arms and looked before her seriously. " But it i.v worth while," she answered presently in a grave, abstracted voice. " I would not send a trivial message it such a time, you may ho sure. Give me some paper and a pencil; I have only a few words to writo."

She spoko rather to herself than to him, and when the man produced writing materials she took them without a word of thanks. She had almost forgotten his existence. Lake withdrew, hoping in his heart that she would leave the letter open so that he might read it. And indeed she did leave it open ; she did not fold it up at all before she gave it to him ; but then she had written her communication in German, which Lake was, unluckily, not able to read. She did not write much, and what she wrote was worded with great caution. "The maid at the Priory has confessed all," she said. " You aro accused of the robbery. Can you not explain matters, and lot me help you to set things right ? I have left my husband, and am now waiting at your rooms in J- ■ street." She gave no signature ; she knew that ho would understand. Consumed by her anxiety, and hoping that Clifford would net her mind at rest by aomo explanation of tho manner in which he h.id bocoir-e possessed of the diamond, Lady Eleanor never cast a thought to the decidedly equivocal position in which .she was placing herself. She had, by her own confession, left her husband, and she was seeking an interview with the very man whom her husband had turned out of his house. It never crossed her mind that she might some day have to answer to Philip for her present conduct. Wilful and impulsive, and warm-hearted as ever, her one hope was to justify her cousin in Philip's eyes and in her own ; and for this object she thought no exertion, no sacrifice, could bt! too great. She remained in Clifford's rooms while Lake went out, presumably to find his master. The charwoman, acting under Lake's directions, was civil and attentive. She lightorl a fire and brought wiue and cak? tor the. lady ; but Kleanor, after thanking her mechanically, took little notice »f her attentions. It was one o'clock when she arrived at Clifford's rooms ; it was live before Lake returned. The man knew his master's hiding pliiee. w.-ll enough, but in- h:id been obliged Ui lppßueli it by a I'iivnitoiix unite in order I j brittle Mi-.|ini<iii. lint, lit- bad been successful, for he brought a note from Clifford Mm.;elf, which he placed in \jii\y Elcnnur'n hands. It wu. in Hngliiih, and conni.-itcd merely of tin: following words. " Liil-:c will t'il:c you at oncn to Hen» lcy'3 Hotel, li.ink-strcct. Give your -. ..; .■• i■. • • • ■ V■■• ' ...... :„■-•...S JUKI WillC UilUI i C.UI CUlill.',''

" Mr Vargrave told me where I was to take you to, my lady," said the man, noticing that Eleanor crushed the paper between her hands and looked uncertain as to what she should say or do. "Oh, very well, I will come," she answered, almost inaudibly. " But —where is Bank Street ?" " Not far, my lady. I't a very quiet, respectable place, my lady. Mr Vargrave knows the people who keep the hotel ; that's why he chose it, he told me to say." Eleanor rose to her feet and bepran to draw on her gloves. "If I may make so bold, my lady," continued Lake, apologetically, " perhaps you would pull down "your veil and walk down the street iiy yourself a little way. I "hall pro out the buck way, and get a cab, which will meet your ladyship Ht the bottom of the street." "But why ?" said Eleanor. "Because thehonse is watched so close, my lady. If I were seen to go out in attendance on your ladyship we should be followed. And then Hensley's would be watched, my lady." Eleanor felt as if she were walking over some rotten bridge which might give way at any moinmenc and precipitate her into :some yawning , (fulf below. She listened 'j ssivelv to nil L'lke's instructions, and , beyed them implicitly. With veil lonely drawn she walked to the end of the Htreot, where she found Lake in waiting with a four-wheeler ; and in this r b shf) was drivon to Hensley's Hotel in Bank Street, to which Lr'se, seated on the box, under cover of the friendly darkness, direoted thu way. (To lie continued.)