CHAPTER II.-(Continued.)

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 24, 12 October 1883, Page 7

CHAPTER 11.-(Continued.)

"Well, .1 am sorry to doubt Mary's sweetheart," said Mr Dalrymple ; " but, you see, I do not know Duncan, and I scarcely know Mary. I am more interested in Miss Emerson than in either." A faint flush rose on Kenneth Craig's brown cheek, and he frowned slightly. Did this fellow who talked so glibly suppose that he himself was the only person interested in Miss Emerson's fortunes ? He controlled bis annoyance, however, and reflected that he must try to see his way to doing justice, and to put personal feelings out of the question. '• You think that Mary is incapable of conniving at Duncan's guilt ? " pursued Dalrymple, after a pause, during which his eyes had been fixed on the wrathful raindrifts, as they came hurling themselves one after another against the small window-panes, beyond which nothing could be seen but a distance of white foam and mist. Mrs. Craig started. " Please do not put it so strongly yet," she said, " till we see further." Mr. Dalrymple bowed with a slight smile. " I will not speak of the matter any morp, if you wish it so," he said, gently. ' I confess I have the turn of mind that dislikes doubt and uncertainty, and takes a sort of pleasure in exposing hidden truths." "You Mistake us, Mr. Dalrymple," said Dr. Craig, stiflly; "justice shall be done, if possible, but not more than justice, I hope. If Duncan be guilty, I think we may assume that Mary knows nothing of the matter." " And yet, consider, if she became aware of Duncan's secret, would she betray him ? Why should she turn so red and then so pale ? Why should she be so angry at the mere mention of • the matter ?" " Ah, Mr. Dalrymple, I am not with you there," said Mrs. Craig. " Take the word of an old woman for it, there are more blushes blushed for innocence than for guilt. Mary is wi'd that the taint of suspicion should rest on her lover, and though her tongue is saucy and needs to be checked. I like her the better for her changes of color." " Maybe so, dear madam, maybe so," said Dalrymple. " I have little knowledge of women, being singularly and unhappily free from family ties. And, having been brought up for the law, lam given to sifting and questioning. However, I will not interfere farther ; and, if this tedious storm would only give way a little, I should tbank you for your truly noble hospitality and kindness and make for the mainland." | " Oh, you must not speak of that," said Mrs. Craig, warmly. "Itis a pleasure to have you — more pleasure than you imagine ; and besides, though' we are sorry to criminate Duncan, we are also anxious to sift out the truth. I am sure you will be a great assistance to us. So you really must not think of leaving Orra yet." " TheTe is not much chance of any one leaving it for many days to come, if he values his life," said Dr. Craig. "No, confound it'" muttered Mr. Dalrymple to himself, as he rcse and went to the window and stood staring vacantly out into the weird, white hurly-burly of the storm. "As soon as it is possible to cross to the mainland," said Dr. Craig, " I shall put this affair into the hands of the police. It will be for them to search and investigate. If the jewels have been stolen on the island, the island must contain them, and perhaps they can be found. We must, if possible, arrange that no boat shall leave Orra but our own till the police are in possession of the place." " You will find that a difficult matter to arrange," said Dalrymple, with a slight smile. "I think the men of Orra, when appealed to, will be on their mettle to repel this charge or discover the thief," said Kenneth ; " they are brave fellows, on the whole, and have a rough honesty of their own." At this moment a knock came on the door of the drawing-room, and a man appeared in ihe doorway, drenched with the storm and a dripping sou 1 -wester hat'in his hand. As he tossed back the wet hair from his forehead, he bad a manly look, which struck all present. A slight push sent him a little forward into the room, and Mary was seen behind him. She came forward then with two bright spots glowing on her cheeks and cast a disdainful glance at Dalrymple. " Speak, Duncan," she said ; "ye ha' got a right to lift your voice on Orra Island, more nor a stranger that has been fished out of tfie sea !" Bat Duncan needed no urging, though shy at the first moment* in presence of gentlefolk. He turned to MiBS Emerson and spoke clearly and steadily. " Madam," he said, f( I hear there is a charge made against me, that ye were washed in wi' jewels on ye, and that Duncan MacElrath found ye and robbed ye. I wish to take an oath to my God that just as I got ye I gey ye up." "I am sure you did," said Priscilla, eagerly. " It's not her that's accusin' ye," said Mary. " There's your enemy," pointing to Dalrymple. "My dear girl l " began Dalrymple. " Dinna dare speak to me like that," said Mary, sternly. "Tut, tut, Mary," said Duncan, and he seized her hand and held it. "Sir," he went on, "dinna make accusals that ye can not bring to proof. But if you would make me out a thief, let it be man to roan between us I"