In The Flashlight

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 613, 15 March 1929, Page 5

In The Flashlight

By

Bernard Rowthorne

Author of “The Jewels of Sin,” “The Shadow of the Yamen,” Etc., Etc.

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CHAPTERS I. Ac II. —Carston and Melford are seated in the saloon of a yacht. Carston is threatening Melford with the fact that Otto Freedlam is still alive, and is anxious to learn the whereabouts of his old-time partner, Owen Oldstairs. Melford, driven into a corner, admits tacitly that he is Owen Oldstairs. Margaret, his daughter, comes for a book, and departs almost immediately. Carston makes it plain that, as the price of keeping Melford’s real identity secret, he must be allowed to marry Margaret. The girl's father tells Carston about Noel and Donald Mayhew. How' that both brothers loved Margaret, but she loved Noel. He went to German East Africa, and three months later was reported missing. They are in a rough sea, and while the men are talking there is a violent lurching of the vessel. The second officer comes to say that the propeller shaft has snapped. There is great danger of driving into Corrievrechan Race, with Jura ahead. The men take to tne boats. Melford is terrified, but Carston shows a manly front, procuring life-belts. Carston and Margaret get away in the first boat. This is wrecked. Carston, a strong swimmer, saves both Margaret and himself. They are thrown on to the wet sand of an inlet. CHAPTERS 111. & IV.—Carston carries the unconscious Margaret Melford as he tries to find a place of shelter. When she returns to consciousness he still insists on carrying her. They crouch for a rest behind a stone wall. Then they resume their journey. Margaret still being carried. They are hospitably received by an old highlander and his wife. The old farmer goes to the shore to investigate, but only comes across the bodies of three sailor lads, and a boat, battered to pieces. Margaret makes her appearance after a night s rest somewhat refreshed. Slie is about to hear a proposal from Carston when the guid wife enters with the breakfast tray. Carston, looking out of a window', tells Margaret that her father is coming across the fields. She rushes to meet him, with Carston at her heels. CHAPTERS V. & Vl.—One of the men saved with Mr. Melford was the yacht s captain, lie relates his story of the shipwreck. Carston approaches Melford again on the subject of Margaret. Afterwards father and daughter discuss the matter, but Margaret still loves Noel Mayhew. A week later Donald Mayhew finds Margaret Melford taking his mushrooms. lie is about to propose to her when they are interrupted by Carston. Carston manages to get rid of Donald, and, after trying to find out how they stood to each other, he tries to blacken Donalds character with regard to his share in the disappearance of Noel May - hew. his own brother- Margaret declares she will never believe it, never! CHAPTER VII. “ v \ very good friend of mine, Mr. Carston," she said rebukingly. “Only that?" he asked meaningly. "Just now when I saw you standing together, I should have said that there was something more than friendship involved. But of course Margaret's face flamed with indignation at the man’s impertinence, hut still she restrained herself and broke in frostily, “You said you had a message for my- father?” “So I have,” he answered easily, “but before I confide it to you I have some words that are for your private ear, and

“I do not want to hear them,” asserted the girl, thinking she knew what was coming. “But I think you must, Miss Margaret,” was the reply, “and t think you will when you know that they concern that young gentleman behind the hedge there, and his brother, Noel.” “Noel? Wliat do you know of Noel Mayhew?” Margaret asked quickly. “I know that he was reported missing, of course, and that for a long time he has been presumed to be dead, and that his brother reigns here in his place, which was just what he meant to do by fair means or by foul.”

Margaret looked at him with startled eyes. “You are hinting—you are throwing suspicion on Donald ”

“There is no need to hint, or to throw suspicion. Facts are facts,