“THE WAY OUT”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 501, 2 November 1928, Page 5

“THE WAY OUT”

Or “HfiMINGS PROBLEM.”

By

H. Maxwell.

CHAPTER IX. —(Continued) “Yes,” she rejoined quickly, "but he 'old you the truth. And, Roger,” she continued eagerly, "you will take this opportunity of getting your conviction Washed? You won't be content to 50 through life in the shadow of another man's guilt. It is nothing to me toady, but you owe it to yourself.” “Getting a conviction quashed is a lon S and tedious business, dearest.” “Yes,” she countered, "but father’s influence will be an enormous help. As 1 law officer of the Crown he will be tale to get the case hurried on. And, **!” she said wistfully, “if only it could be managed before we were married.” ‘Weil,” he said with a twisted smile, are rather jumping to conclusions, nren’t we?” Oh, no,” she answered, “I'm sure “* s here, I hope he’s here, and I father will back me up.” Roger had done his uttermost, short o [ betraying Heming, and the rest was ’“tae knees of the gods. the butler, who opened the door o them, met them with a troubled taee. . back again, Martin. Is my *«he r i n t, he library?” •ell" 8 ’ Cicely, but he's not very You don't mean there is anything * 6 nous?” he's had a nasty turn, and the 'on a WaS a ’ ong time bringing him wnd; overwork and worry, he says he is still here.” Then you sent for the doctor.” iort ' Cicely, fortunately the Utu • happened to be with him at the *hn’ ? 0t usua l doctor, a friend c.l , “ ced to call —Dr. Reginald stairs.” o t «end of father's!” turned with a bewildered ,a .“ ce to Roger. ! aih "° w can he be a friend of •’Hers?” nj N ' eTer mind all that now. dearest, tat oj , t 0 him w title you take your he ask for Mr. Temple, he aefeed ikw Mr.

Cicely couldn’t understand it. She was bothered and puzzled. Roger re- ! peated his request that she should go and take her things off while he went to her father, but she didn’t move. Then Martin, encouraged to state his own fears by her evident disquietude, spoke again: “And I’m not happy about it, Miss Cicely. I could see your father was greatly upset when I took the gentleman’s’ card in. Then they had words together; I couldn’t help hearing them. Dr. Carstairs talked so loud and blusteringly. Then afterwards the bell rang, and when I went to the library there was your father out of his senses and the doctor shouting for water and brandy. I stayed there till he came round, and then I was ordered out. And, to be quite frank, Miss Cicely, I’m not at all easy in my mind; I don’t like the look of the gentleman, and shall be glad to see the last of him.” "Dearest, do go upstairs; I’ll see to everything.” “No; I believe you are tryiug to prevent me seeing this man.” • Roger, powerless under this direct challenge, stepped aside. ‘Roger, dear,” she whispered, pausing with her fingers on the handle of the library door, "I’m not doubting you.”

Then she went in, and as the door opened. Roger heard Carstairs say: