Young My Lord

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18027, 23 May 1930, Page 4

Young My Lord

CHAPTER XXXIII. The Detective’s Questions. “I cannot understand why you should prevent me proceeding on my journey, or what explanation you can require of me," Edward replied to the detective. “I am very sorry, My Lord," Inspector Dorset answered, “but the circumstances are urgent. What I propose is this; I have secured fa flrst-class compartment on the train to Dover, and in this we -can discuss the matter in j hand without interruption. If there is , no necessity to detain you in England you can proceed,., on your journey to Monte Carlo. Perhaps you would like to have your baggage transferred into the first class compartment.” Edward, much mystified, made no objection to this, and a porter transferred his small bags into the new , seats. \ ' ! Then he and the inspector entered, closed the door &nd windows, and the detective stated liis business. , “It was only by the first post this morning," he began, “that I received a letter which concerns you.” - I “Concerns me?” queried Edward. I “Yes, concerns you, and very materially," was the answer. “For some time past,” continued the detective, “we have been very much annoyed at the Yard by the visits and letters of a man —a foreigner—named Mitchell or Michel, who appeared as a witness at the inquest on the night porter who was murdered in the Leviathan Hotel. He states that he goes in fear of his life.” “For what reason?" asked Edward as the train sped on towards Dover. “For no real reason,” the officer answered. “He thinks the other night porter was murdered in mistake for Ui m —they divided the night work — and that the murderer is coming back to do for him.” Edward had cursorily read accounts of the murder in the newspapers, but of course this was all new to him. lie became interested. “And now,” proceeded Inspector Dorset, “we receive this morning a letter from Michel in which he mentions your name.” “Whatever for?” Edward asked. I have never heard of him.” “He finishes up,” the officer said, “with this curious statement: Tf I am murdered go to Lord Cunswick and ask him if he knows Baron Vermouth’.’ Edward sat in thought. He was beginning 1 to see light in the mattei. At Hie same time he saw that he would have to answer the inspector’s questions with the greatest caution or he would involve himself in this disagreeable case. “ “I came across a man of that uamo at Monte Carlo a few weeks ago,” he answered, “but he was discovered to be an imposter and left hurriedly, with the police after him-” The inspector smiled. “I shouldn’t be surprised,’ he said, “if there are a good many of that sort over there.” ' He referred to the letter he was holding in his hand. Edward saw that it was in the same handwrtnng as tnat which he had received from the bogus baron. This moved him to still greater caution. He began to realise Who the porter was. “Have you any objection, Lord Cumwick,” the detective proceeded, to telling me how you became acquainted with this Baron Vermouth?” Edward felt himself on safe ground, he could answer this question fully, without fear of complications. He was very anxious to keep Maxton s name out of the matter. He feared it lie did not that he would be forced to produce Vermouth’s letter, which would contain a charge against Maxton that it would be impossible to prove. “Vermouth forced himself upon me at Monte Carlo,” Edward answered, “and wanted to fight a duel with me. He sent his seconds to me “Excuse me,” interrupted the offlcei. '“What was the duel about? “It was about a lady to whom Vermouth had been paying his attentions in the character of a baron. I was Ling with the lady and another friend at the club, and I suppose Vermouth got jealous.” The inspector made a few notes, “Somehow the affair got to the eats of the police,” Edward contmuec. “The Chef de la Surete called upon me while the seconds were there, and told me that Vermouth had bolted and assured me that 1 shouldnot be troubled with him any further. If you w»f to know avthins 0 Vermouth I am certain the Chef de la Surete at Monte Carlo will be able 10 tell you all about him. 1 The "inspector made a few more notes in his book and then closed it. “I am quite satisfied, Loid Cuns wick,” he said. “You have answered the questions I have put to you clear lj and wßhout hesitation. My department on my report, will not place any Ser objections to your resuming your journey."

CHAPTER XXXIV Flowerland.

The next few weeks were beautify in ihp eves of Edward. Monte Carlo was throwing off the last of winter and entering straightway into summer, and Edward was seeing it all for the fli t tim The mornings were agreeably spent bv him in the company of Mr Wcstcarth sometimes in his private room, cnmPtimes in walks in the neighbourhood, to the Rock of Monaco, the big new promenade on the sea wall, oi fh U eVe° weslsartl. laid the foundation and built up m Edward the beginning of a business life. The afternoons Edward had t W Asfegards Mary, Edward had determined to maintain his resolve. At her invitation lie played a found nf coif with her at Mont Agel, amid the ,ovfXe S rsurroundings; but there his Lolflng with her ended. He could not refuse to play a game of tennis with her Vera Weston, and a friend, at fa Festal but that was not repeated fnr some time, despite the urgent iei of Verna who seemed to think had come over to Monte Carlo for the sole purpose of dancing attendance UP °f don't think he is very sociable,’’ she observed to Mary. “Whenever I ask Mm to rno out it io o way ‘business, business ; and I don t be. lievc he does any. , ing . i wonder what he is thinamg aP “Why don’t you ask him?” Mari SU But S Mai'y I.o»en was eolllne muck dissatisfied. Here was a ) l J had been able to make a ieh of, am . „ ...oc. avoiding and negieuin 0 am. What was it all about? What had she dQue>'.’

=SERIAL STORY —

By Colonel H. Curties.

(All rights reserved.)

(To be continued.)

She consulted her mother. “Mother,” she said, “what have I done to offend Lord Cunsvvick? We used'to he such good friends; he was one of the few sensible men I have met, and now he scarcely takes any notice of me at all.” Mrs Westgarth could hardly refrain from a smile as she replied. Her forecast was ..coming true. “Well, dear," she answered, “you see, father takes 'up a great deal of his time now. He says that Edward’s aptitude for business is really wonderful. He takes to it naturally." This piece of information did not succeed in removing the half-pout from Mary’s pretty lips. It \ was no satisfaction to her to hear that Edward was likely to be a good'business man, and make money. Money, since her earliest years, had been the bane of her life. “Of course," Many continued, “if he wishes to make himself disagreeable and unsociable I shall not say a word to dissuade him, but shall simply let him go his .own lonely way. Why,” she added, “Verna complains of his neglect more than I do.” Mrs Westgarth looked upon this last statement as pure padding, put in to camouflage Mary’s own interest in the matter. Mrs Westgarth watched the comedy develop with the greatest enjoyment over her knitting. “I’ll keep him tied down to his work," chuckled Mr Westgarth when his wife had communicated to him how matters were proceeding. “I. won’t give him an opportunity of taking the girls out, and after a bit I shall send him to the States. ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder,’ you know, Roxanna.” “Exactly," confirmed his wife; nut you must not go too. far;. Hiram. Remember you.hurt his feelings in the first instance by telling him that he would'be asking for your daughter next.” _ )t “Don’t remind me of it, Roxar.ua,’ he replied; “it makes me miserable. Edward said that if he could not redeem the estates by his own exertions he would let them go. And I liked him all the better for saying it. ’ Mrs Westgarth took up her knitting again. “You had better leave it to me, Hiram," she said in conclusion. “I’ll tell you when to send him to the States.” And so things went on in the same unsatisfactory state for over three weeks; then Mrs Westgarth whispered a suggestion to her husband. “Hiram,” she said, “I think I would now send Edward to the States, if you think.he knows enough to go.”