CHAPTER XLIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 98, 18 April 1885, Page 4

CHAPTER XLIII.

"I THINK I'M COMMENCING TO .SEX I>AYLIUHT," "I've waked and slept through many nights and days Sinco then ; but still that day will catch my breath Like a nightmare." —Aurora Leigh. He had muttered the words. Miss Dorothy looked up. te Y\ hat are you saying, dear?" « Oh, nothing." "When you left home that night I was not aware that Mr Claflin stilled looked on Vella as his wife. You know I only heard the first few words of the conversation bei ween him and James. "If I had understood how safe you would be in staying, I would not have let you go." Voyle glanced up excitedly. "I couldn't havo stayed, Aunt Dolly— not possibly !" "Why? My boy, I am getting out of patience with you. You could not hide about town with greater appearance of guilt if there really was foundation for that wrotched theft slander." It was a random shot. But her curiosity was intense. "I have often wanted to talk to you about that," he put in, quickly. "I am glad you recalled it to me now. I'll tell you how it happened . It sounds improbable, but I know you'll believe «ie. The day before that wretched farce of a wedding I went into the dining room and lay down on tho lounge. I had been riding hard all morning, and was used up. I was asleep before you could say 'Jack Robinson.' I was awakened by Robert tapping me on the shoulder. I looked up. He held me out a letter. ' I wouldn't have aroused you, sir, he said, ' but that the messenger said it ! must be delivered at once.' I tore it open, and read ; "• Comedown to the number below. Come at onco. Bring Borne money, and help me out ol a bad fix. Mumtthowonf. „M aboTraoy, " Miss Dorothy listened with her faded eyes very wide indeed, and the pale brows arched in inquisitive surprise. "I had , thought Marc out of town. Then the addre&s given was that of a i notorious gaminghouse. I had nevtr

known Marc to gamble. But I decided that these were no points to consider in their numerous aspects then. Maro was in trouble. I must help him. I stood up and tried to shake off my drowsiness. I was sleepier than when I had lain down. My limbs, too, shook odly. My head felt light and queer. I looked at my watch. I thought I had been asleep but a few minutes. The hands told me I had lain there three full hours. I noticed a curious odor, but thought little of it at the time. I went upstaira. In my drt»»ing-case drawer n» i e a hundred and twenty dollars, the remains of our profits on that prospeoting business which I went into with Harry Wilson. You remember?" She nodded. She was all attention. " I took the money^ and went down and out, I hurried straight to the number] mentioned. Just as I was about ascending the stairway a hand was laid on my shoulder. A voice said, 4 Voyle Vernell, you are under arrest.' I wheeled round. The man vrho held me flung back his coat, disclosing the star of a detective. 'How dare you ! ' I cried angrily. 'Of what am I accused?' 'Of the theft of three thousand and fifty-four dollars from your Uncle James Vernell. 1 " I grew furious. " Are you a fool, or a scoundrel?' I demanded, We kept cool. 'Neither, 1 he answered ; * but you will certainly be the former if you make a scene here. Look what a crowd is gathering already !' And sure eneugh, here was the usual street mob beginning to crowd the entry and stairs. He was right, of course, and I was acting in a nonsensical manner." "Dear, dear!" groaned Aunt Dorothy, overcome. "I saw the best thing I could do would be to go with him quietly, and I went. ' Now, search me,' I said, as he reached the j station. * This affair is going a little too far.' They searched me. Not in'any of my j pockets was found that which they sought. 'Hold on!' cried one; 'what's this?' There was quite a perceptible bulge at the bottom of my coat. They had it off in an instant. Just under the arm-hole was a alit. ' Going a little too far ! ' said an official, quoting my words of a few minutes previous, 'Faith, 1 think co myself. Your brass rings like the genuine metal, youngster,' and he thrust his hand down | between the lining and cloth and drew therefrom a huge roll of cheques and drafts. Then they all burst out laughing." ' "Sakes alive !" gasped Miss Dorothy. Voyle tilted back his chair and clasped his hands behind his head. " I tell you it stunned me. I stood there and stared at the money and the man who held it, like a veritable idiot ; and the longer I stared, and tho more blankly, the more they laughed and seemed to think I was a rare rascal for my age. It is needless to cay I protested my innocence, vowed that that was the first I had seen of the money, and produced the letter I had received, and my own hundred and twenty in corroboration. I heard mntterings of a 'dodge' I was refused bail. I asked them to send for my uncle, and discovered it was a message of his to headquarters which had been the cause of my arrest Tl»en I begged they would send to Marc. This was done. Tho answer camo that he had gone to New York, to be absent) probably sovoral days. I did not wish to frighten Vella or you, thinking something would occur to release me before you would begin to remaik my absence, so sent you no word The next day — you know the rest." Miss Dorothy nodded a vigorous absent. " Of all the queer things I ever heard of, Voyle, it» the queerest." He smiled significantly. "So I thought then." She bent breathlessly forward. "Do you mean to say you understand it now ?" He puckered his lips as though about to indulge in a whistle, thought better of it, and turned his eyes gravely upon her. "I think I'm commencing to see daylight." " My dear Voyle !" He let down the fore legs of his chair with a bang, bent toward her, took in both of his her plump old hands. "Now, don't scream, Aunt Dolly, if you're surprised at what I'm going to tell you, for the folks in this house have most wonderful ears. But old Judgo Duran and I have talked over this affair, and viewed it in all its lights — he's a sharp lawyer, you know — and this," hitching his chair noirer and speaking lowei-, " this is the conclusion we've come to that I was drugged that day, and tho money put in my pocket while I was unconscious Now don't !" She didn't. But though the exclamation remained unuttcred, mouth and eyes formed three startled O's. (To be Continued.)