Lady Trebor's Secret, OR THE MYSTERY OF CECIL ROSSE.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 245, 15 August 1877, Page 4

Lady Trebor's Secret, OR THE MYSTERY OF CECIL ROSSE.

o [By Miis. Harriet Lewis.] CHAPTER XXllL— Contd. “ I didn’t say that, sir,” said the cabman. “ You have seen her since ? Where ? Here’s another half-crown. Where have you seen her since ?” demanded Grafton, eagerly. “ Well, yon see, sir, I thought as I might pick up a fare on my way home, so, I sort of loitered along, stopping fvcqucmt,” said the cabman reflectively. “ And 1 was looking .around for a fare, it was fifteen minutes after 1 left South Audley-strcet, and I hadn’t got far, as I’d slipped into a by-plaec and took another beer, when a cab goes past me with that there ’dcntical luggage on top as I’d left at South Audley-strect, and I’d swear to the porkmautle and the trunk, both being foreign-looking and uncommon-like. And I catches a glimpse for jest one instant, but long enough to swear to ’em, of the younglady inside and her old servant. They was alone In there and on their way to the railway-station.” “ Proof that she left Lady Trevor’s Louse,” thought Grafton. “ That is all you can toll me ?” he said aloud. “ All, sir. What’s the row ? Is the young lady missing ?” “ That she is,” cried Sukey, putting her apron to her eyes. “ And a sweeter nor more beautiful young lady never lived. So sweet-spoken ns she was, too, and so gentle and kind, a real lady as I know’s ’em, and can’t be deceived in ’em. May be she’s been burked, oh, my poor young lady. And old Gretehmi, too. If I was the pToeco I’d tear down every house in Loudon but I’d find her.”

“ Come, Sukey,” said Grafton. ‘ £ You’re drawing a crowd. Homo with you, girl, to your mistress. Tell her of my discovery, and say that if 1 find Miss llosso I shall bring her back to her old lodgings. Off with yon.” He tossed her a shilling, watched her scamper homewards, and then engaged a fresh cab, and drove to South Audleystrcet.

Lady Trevor was at home. He sen tup his card, and paused a few moments to interrogate the footman. ££ See here, my good fellow,” lie exclaimed, producing a half-sovereign, money being the l£ open sesame” to the heart of the lower-class Briton, “ I want to ask you a few questions. Do you remember a young lady who came here over two weeks ago with an old German servant ? The young lady was Posse, an embroidoress—”

££ 1 remember, sir !” “ Do you know where she is ?” ££ At Greyconrt, sir. My lady sent her there to do some work.”

££ She camo in one cab and went away in another, did she not ?” ££ Yes, sir. The first cabby did not want to go further, so I ran out and fetched a cab to take her to the railway .station.”

££ Y'ou did. Very good. Where did you find the cab ? At the stand ?” “ No, sir. I picked it up as it was passing.” “ Confusion ! Did you take the number ?”

“No sir. I never thought of the

number.”

££ Then it’s impossible to trace the cab. A chance vehicle which can never he found if I hunt years for it.” ££ Yon might advertise, sir.” “ 8o I might, but suppose I don’t want to advertise ? I don’t like to spread my private affairs abroad to all England. You saw Miss Posse go away in the second cab ?” “ I did, sir.” “ Who gave the order to the cabman ?”

“Mr Pnlford, sir. He went down to the cab and helped the young lady in. And ho gave the order to tho station—” “ You heard him ?”

“ Of course 1 did, sir,” replied the man, honestly enough, Pul ford’s remark to him after tho departure of tho vehicle Laving lingered in his confused memory. “ I heard him distinct, sir. £ To the railway station at Enston Square.’ Them’s the words, sir. Grafton dropped the coin into the man’s hand.

“ It is pr«ved that Miss Rosso came to this house on the clay she left Bayswatcr,” lie thought, “ and it is clonbly proved that she quitted it. I don’t know what strange and intangible suspicion was in my mind. Lady Trevor did not know that this Miss Rosso was Glcnham’s betrothed wife, so of course she could not have wreaked any jealousy upon her. Bah ! What an idea ! As it the handsome woman of society were a Borgia cr a Brinvilliers ! She would have done the girl no harm if she had known her identity. Of course not. And yet I think the black-eyed widow is capable of bold deeds of—lot me say unscrupnlousness—that would amaze her admiring world !” A second footman, he who had taken up the card, returned with the announcement that Lady Trevor would see her visitor.

Grafton followed the man up stairs and was ushered into the drawing-room, his name being announced as he passed in.

Lady Trevor was alone. Site gave one swift glance at Grafton’s troubled

visage as he entered, and came forward to meet him, smiling. She looked bettor in health than when he had last seen her, only two days before. Her eyes wore no longer haggard, her complexion no longer vivid. She looked as if a great load of apprehension had been removed from her, as if her terrors had given place to a sense of security. £ * I am glad to see yon looking so well, Lady Trevor,” said Grafton, advancing towards her. “ I am conic again on business—” “ A little later and you would have missed seeing me,” said Lady Trevor. “I am going to lit. Leonards to • day.” “ The marquis is not ill, I hope ?” “ lie has premonition of gout still, and is obliged to keep very quiet. Tie has sent for me repeatedly, and last evening I received a very peremptory message, commanding me to come to St, Leonards to-day. Possibly he intends making his will in my fovor. I have reason to expect it.” “ And that expectation makes you look very happy. With all your wealth, what need have you of further stores ? £ To him that hath shall be given.’ It’s the way of the world. How it’s safe to say that nobody will ever send mo a peremptory message to come and visit him while ho makes a will in nuj favor !” ‘• it’s better to be born lucky than rich,” said Lady Trevor, smiling. “ I am one ol the fortunate ones, Mr Grafton.” “ Indeed yon are. The magnificent fortune you inherited through so narrow a chance from your step-mother, by the death of her little child, proves that,” replied Grafton. “ But I did not come here to discuss your brilliant prospects, but my own affairs.” “ Well, you have told your love to Miss Posse, and have been accepted ? Is that it ? And you desire me to relinquish my claims upon Miss Posse’s time and release her from her engagement ?” asked the widow, with an appearance of friendly interest. “ You may count upon my good offices—”

££ I have no such statement to make. Lady Trevor, Miss Posse lias not been to Grey court.” ££ Hot been to Groyconrt!”

“ She lias disappeared. I can find no trace of her anywhere. I have seen her landlady again this morning and the cabman who brought her here, but I can got no clew to the mystery.” “ This is most singular.” <£ I camo -back to ymi with the hope that since my previous visit you might have heard from Miss Posse.

££ But I have not done so. I supposed her at Grey court. Something must have happened to her. Can she have lost her way and become stranded in some strange town ? Can she, through some sudden impulse, have gone back to Zorlitz ?” ££ I never thought of that.”

££ It is possible. Lord Glcnham is expected home in a day or two, and will come to St. Leonards. I think if lie lias found the girl—to think of her being his Cecil Posse and I never to suspect the truth—that she will be with him and his mother. If you set out for Zorlitz to-night you will meet the carl in Paris.” l£ I don’t want to moot him. I shall have to account to him for my treachery in going back to Zorlitz alter we left the village together,” said Grafton, gloomily. “ I will wait in London until ho arrives. Thou I will see him and discover what he has heard, and excuse myself as 1 am host able.”

££ The earl is too much attached to you to remain unforgiving, and you are much too clever not to bo able to represent matters in a light to take all blame from yourself,” said Lady Trevor.

Grafton made a movement toward the door.

££ I will continue my researches until Glenkiam comes,” ho exclaimed. ££ I cannot think that Miss Posse would return to Germany when she was doing well here. What can she do in that dead-alive, little peasant-hamlet?” ££ She may have heard that Lord Glonhara has gone there. One cannot make a move now-a-days but it is chronicled in the newspapers.” Tho idea had an element of plausibility, or rati for possibility, in it that arrested Grafton’s attention in spite of its baselessness.

Ho promised to consider it, and took his leave.

Upon the grand staircase he encountered Mr Pnlford face to face. Pulford was freshly attired, but looked travel-worn. He had just returned from a two-wccks’ absence, his destination being a secret between him and Lady Trevor.

Grafton, knowing nothing of his recent absence, stopped to interrogate him upon the subject that filled his thoughts; but Mr Pulford’s statement was simply a corroboration of what he had already heard. Grafton descended the stairs, and Pnlford went on to the drawing-room. Lady Trevor sprang forward to meet him.

“ I am glad to sec you back again/' she exclaimed. “ You met Mr Grafton on the stair ?” “Yes. He will have hard work to find Miss Rosso,” said Pullovd, jubilantly. “ She is disjaosed of, JDdith. I defy Grafton and Lord Glcnham and all the world to find her. And now you must sot our wedding-day. When is it to be ?” ] TO BB CONTINUED, J