CHAPTER X.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 37, 16 February 1884, Page 7

CHAPTER X.

I AN IMPORTANT LETTER. KonradeEarle's fine forehead waswrinkled by a heavy frown. He pushed away the silver tray upon which Pierre, his valet, had just brought his fragrant cup of Mocha, and his dainty breakfast. "You've no appetite, sir," said Pierre, disconsolately, and really feeling it a personal grief; for the old valet had more affection for his master than for any other living being, since his motherless girl died in that master's arms, to whom the little creature had been devotedly attached from the very first moment of his kindly patronage. "No. In truth, Pierre, I am getting nervous. I have affected indifference about this everlasting espionage kept upon my movements, but it is growing insufferable. I tell you, Pierre, that man has been in this very room. I am sure my papers on this table have been tampered with. "Confound the prying villain, the audacious upstart !" muttered Pierre, fiercely, " I'd like to settle the account with him." "That's the trouble," groaned Konrade. "If he would only give us a chance. But there is nothing done that we can seize upon as legally offensive."

"Let me catch him unlocking youi doors," growled Pierre. " Ah, but you never will," answered the young gentleman, rising, and pacing to and fro, excitedly. "That is just what makes it so intolerable. I cannot move hand or foot in retaliation. And I am conscious, all the time, that he is hard at work, prying, ferreting, worming out everything !" Pierre cast a wondering glance at his master's troubled countenance. " That was a wretched mistake, mailing those letters in Wales," muttered the latter again. "But who could have guessed all this hue-and-cry was to be raised, or that thi3 meddling rascal was to put in an appearance ?" Pierre busied himself in brushing the garments he had brought out to take the place of the velvet dressing-gown when his young master should be disposed to visit the street, and kept discreet silence. " You'reafaithful fellow, Pierre," declared Konrade Earle, stopping suddenly beside the old servant. " Why don't you fling at me your earnest entreaties, which I so stubbornly refused? Why don't you say that you implored me not to go off in that strange fashion? Why don't you say I deserve the dilemma in which I find myself ? You ought to be thinking it," " Oh, no, Mister Konrade. I'm only thinking how I should like to thrash that slanderous American." The young aristocrat laid his white hand on the old servant's shoulder with an affectionate clasp. •' Pierre, old fellow, you're a faithful soul. If I could make everybody else have your trustful affection ! And you know, for certain, many damaging evidences which they, at best, can only suspect. There's no use denyingjit, I am in an awkward position, and only the most diplomatic skill will extricate me." Pierre echoed the disconsolate sigh with which he ended. " You know there's nothing I won't do to help you, sir. I've got a poot head for planning, but I can do most anything I'm set at." "I know that, Pierre, I know that. It is the knowledge of what is best to do that I am sighing for myself." Pierre looked at him wistfully. "If you please, sir—you'll pardon my making so bold, because you mentioned it yourself — if you would listen now to my most respectful entreaty — oh, Mr Konrade, find somebody wise and strong, and— and tell him what the secret is— oh, Mr Konrade, do !" "The secret .'"stammered the young man, quite taken aback, it would seem, by this sudden and vehement appeal, for his ingenuousfaceflushedci'imson. "Why, Pierre, old fellow—" For Pierre was almost crying, and shaking from head to foot with agitation. " Yes, yes — I haven't tried to pry — oh, I haven't, Mr Konrade, and I've done my best to shut my eyes when I knew you didn't want me to see j but I know well enough there's a black, ugly secret that is eating out the strength of your heart. Oh, tell it to some good man, and let him show you what is right to do. And don't blame me for being so presumptuous. It is my love for you — the love little Bonnibel told me to give you with her dying lips — that makes me say it. Oh, Mr Konrade, don't wear yourself out keeping the secret alone !" Konrade Earle's flush, whether of shame or indignation, died out speedily, and left his face pale and sad. " Et hi, Brute!" he said mournfully, and went back to the table, and sat down there, leaning his head wearily on his hand. A long, long silence ensued, during which he was absorbed in some deep and painful reverie, and poor Pierre, holding the coat nervously, stood watching him, ready to cry outright for fear that he had given mortal offence to his beloved master. Presently the latter drew toward him an ink -tray and portfolio, and began writing, at first slowly and cautiously, with many pauses to bite dubiously at his pearl-handled, pen, and to thrust his fingers backward and forward in his luxuriant, cui'ly hair. But presently a bright red spot gathered in either cheek, his eyes flashed with inspiration or emotion, and his pen raced furiously across the lines, and, except for one or two sharply drawn breaths, he made no further pause until every part of the snowy sheet was covered. The daintily crested envelopes provided on the tray were then inspected, and rejected. "Bring me a plain, brown envelope, will you, Pierre?" he .said gently. Pierre dropped the coat, and clasped his hands in an ecstasy of relief. There was no anger in liis master's voice. He flew to execute the commission, and returned promptly. " Here it is, sir, thank you," he said. Konrade smiled languidly. "It seems to me I am the one to give thanks." " Oh, but you are so good to overlook " began Pierre. Once again that shapely white hand was laid on Pierre's shoulder with a friend's confidence and trust. "Pierre, my man, I haven't any too many loyal hearts among my list of friends ; I can't afford to lose yours. See here ! I tell you that this is a letter of gi-eat import- [ ance. Direct it in your handwriting to this address I have written on the slip of paper. Hide it as you go out, and with your own hands mail it, where those watching vampires cannot reach it to suck out its secret. Be sure that you do not trust it off your person until it is in official hands ; for, I tell you, this Sir Frederic Mildmay and his ally are moving more potent levers than you dream of, all with the intent to compass my ruin." "You need not fear its safe delivery. Why may I not carry it myself, instead of posting?" began Pierre, eagerly, but stopped abruptly as Earle's finger pointed to the American address. " Get it safely to the post — that is all you can do ; and don't be tempted to drink or sleep until it is out of your possession. It is my firm belief that your nap yesterday was a drugged one, and that these rooms were searched over thoroughly. Thank Heaven, there was nothing fatal here !" ! Pierre ground his teeth at the very suggestion ; but he sat down to the table and directed the envelope, which his master carefully sealed, though he refrained from stamping the wax. (To be Continued.)

One day a thirsty Irish labourer entered a small dairy and greengrocery combined, and asked the shopkeeper " how he sold the buttermilk. " "A penny a yard," replied the pert huckster, meaning to take a "rise "out of poor Paddy. "I'll be after wanting a couple ov them," quoth Pat. Nothing daunted, the would-be wag drew with his finger a long thin line of the ghostly fluid the entire length of his countei*, at the same time regarding his customer with a very self -satisfied smirk. "I think I'll be after drinking yer honour's health while yez are putting it up in a piece of paper for me, said Pat, and, suiting the action to the word, he lifted a small pan of cream which stood on the counter, and, raising it to his lips, drained it at a draught before the chagrined salesman realised what he was after, and was out at the ctoor. All his nonplussed creditor caught was — "To be left till called for."