A ROYAL WARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 313, 12 February 1910, Page 6

A ROYAL WARD.

By PEKCY BItEBXEi;

(Published l)j- Special Arrangement.)

C'iiAi'TEli. Villi. (continued)

luLo thu circle of Dubuisson's aristocratic intanctvs Finley Baxter did not come, and if he chanced to be in Dubuisson's lodging.- 1 when any of these friends arrived he always took his departure at once. Still. Dnbuisson •aw a good deal of him; he met him constantly, often climbed the rickety .stairs to the crooked little room overlooking the river, and perhaps felt more real friendship for Baxter than for any other man of his acquaintance. No explanation of Sir Rupert's visit had been asked or given, nor had Dubuiss'on told

Baxter that Sir Rupert was the man who had recommended him to go to the Brazen Serpent. The first words towards a full confidence ought to come from Baxter, he argued, and they were not, forthcoming. The game of double-

dealing was not an easy one for Victor Dnbuisson to play, but in this, as in so many matters, careful persistency often defeats natural brilliancy, and lie was rapidly acquiring that practice which would fit him to pass as' an accomplished schemer. He was, in fact, prepared to trust nobody, yet, in spite of Baxter's reticence, he came nearer to trusting him than anyone else, and it seemed evident that the American had taken some trouble on his behalf.

"I have set one or two men making careful enquiries," he said, when Dubnisson had climbed the rickety stairs one day, "In every plot there is' always someone who does the dirty work, and they can often be persuaded to talk about it."

"Did you mention my quest to the man who interrupted us on the occasion of my first, visit to your lodging?"

"No; I know too little about him. At that time I didn't ev?n know lii§ name." ..

"Oh, I thought he greeted you as nn old friend," said Dubnisson careless!}'. "We had met twice: some months ago for the first time, and again on the previous day. I have since found out that his' name is Sir Rupert Ashton." "Yes; I have met him," Dubnisson returned.

"You might find him useful," said Baxter. "From what I learn, he is not much in town in these days, but was well known a few years since. He might have known your father." "Is lie a man to be trusted?" Dubuisson asked.

"That is a question I am not prepared to answer; still, you may tnake a man ireful without trusting ln'm. I don't suppose you trust me altogether, but Ii warrant you will not scruple to make use of me."

"You have a poor opinion of me," said Dubuisson.

"It happens to be a better one than i have of most men."

Such remarks as these, which not infrequently fell from Finlev Baxter, made Dubuisson despise his own duplicity, yet what choice had he? It .•seemed that there was a far larger if-'sue at stake in his quest than lie had supposed. There appeared to he a set purpose in the actions of all the men with whom he had been brought, in contact, purposes which in some mysterious fashion clashed with his own. Y\ hat else could he do but meet j deceit with deceit? j Without the American's knowledge, : without the knowledge of tlio'se who j visited him in King Street, Dubuisson i had been several times' to the Brazen ' Serpent. Jacob Pinfold was always ob- I sequious, and those who frequented the ! lung room always welcomed him. lie ; had let them suppose that he was dis- i contented, that at, heart he was one of j them; he was a good listener, and such I an one is always an invaluable com- ! pa 11 ion to men who have grievances to I air. Strangely enough, they appeared to have no knowledge of Sir Rupert j Asiiton, and although one or two pre- | 1 ended that the attack upon Fin ley i Baxter was a s'ham, there was sueli a j difference of opinion about the affair i that Dubuisson was convinced that the ' intention had been serious. Indeed, there was such a general belief that lUixter was dangerous, it was absurd to suppose they would not have silenced him effectually had not help come so opportunely. There was, in tact, considerable unrest at the Brazen Serpent; the entrance of a stranger invariably caus'ed a sudden silence, and the landlord, even when he was doing nothing, did not shut his eyes so often as usual.

Tentatively, Dubuisson had questioned, several of those lie met there concerning men who were -known to have helped French refugees and French prisoners. Answers had been forthcoming. but he heard nothing which seemed likely to help him. One night, however, a man whom he had questioned told him that he was expecting a friend, who might very likely give him us'eful information. He had helped to get more than one French prisoner out of Dartmoor, and had been isuccessful in smuggling them across the Channel. "It is worth your while to hear what he has to say," said the man. Dubuisson thought so, too, and waited.

The friend proved to be a wizened little man named Hyde, who gave the impression that he was always listening to make certain that he was not being followed. He called liimidf

Captain, and punctuated his conversation with sea phrases; there was salt in the atmosphere about him, and weather-marks in his features, but there was little of the genuine sailor iu his manner. When he spoke he leaned forward, and his low-pitched voice made everything he uttered appear a secret, lie told Dubuis'son many things concerning well-planned escapes and the tales had a genuine air, because he did not emphasise his own part in them. He mentioned a good many names, too, glancing over his

shoulder to make sure that no one was watching him.

"What was the man in whom you are interested like?" he asked. Dubnisson described his' father.

"A refugee, not a prisoner, vou say?"

"A refugee; and someone highly placed in this country helped him to escape from France originally, and afterwards helped him to return there." Hyde remained thoughtful for a few moments.

'T don't remember such a man, but I'll put you on the tack which may bring you to port. By the cut of your rigging, you're accustomed to sail in fair company. You might, for instance, convoy a duchess through the difficulties of a quadrille on occasion?"

"It is not altogether unlikely," said Dubuis'son, with a smile.

'"Then you're likely to have met a certain Ladv- Betty Walmisley, of whom, all the town is beginning to talk?" The question was an astonishing one, but Dnbuisson had schooled himself against showing surprise. , "'I have heard of her," he said.

"You get alongside and grapple," saio Hyde. "Of course, she knows nothing of your affair, she was close hauled in child's _ petticoats at that time, but she's likely to know of others who've given help to Frenchmen; and I've a notion—mind you, l'jn sympathetic oti the point, so there's no harm in saying it—l've a notion that, young as she is, she's given the same kind of help herSolf ' uUSL'Ii»«A«' ■ "Impossible!"

r on run up and pour a broadside of questions into her," Hyde answered. Its an engagement Which may well [ pay for the powder and shot."

I lhis information troubled Dubuisson as he walked back to King Street. The only thing which could account for such a suspicion concerning Ladj Betty must bo the fact that it had become known iii some way that she had helped liim to escape from the soldiers'. Where had this man. Hyde got that information from? The only person who might suspect where he had been hidden was Sir Rupert Ashton, and since lie had •allowed Evertsen to remain in ignorance, it was hardly likely that he would mention his suspicion to anyone else. Besides, Sir Rupert would be more likely to applaud her action tiUfcn denounce it. He had made no secret of his sympathy with tire oppressed and unfortunate. Dubuisson luid had ample proof of this on his way to London.

As he entered his room, which was in darkness, lie was still deep in thought, and had crossed the room towards a table on which he knew the candles were when a slight movement behind him made him turn ,sfliarplv. The noise -ceased immediately. IT# could neither hear nor see anything. A rat in the skirting, he thought, as he turned to the table again, his hand spread out searching for flint and steel; and then suddenly the noise came again. Even as lie turned, Dubuisson caught sight of a shadow, a piece of darkness which detached itself from the surrounding darkness', and the next moment the door was violently closed. At first, Dubuisson was uncertain whether his enemy were still in the room or had left it hurriedly, but the sound of flying feet upon the stairs proved that the intruder's only thought was escape, and Dubuisson dashed after him. As !he reached the top of the stairs' the street door banged, but he followed, determined to catch the man if he had to chase him through a dozen streets. Rushing out of the house, he stumbled into the arms of a man who was apparently standing there waiting for him.

"You, Baxter!" "Finlcy Baxter it is, and he's wonder ing what's the matter."

Diilmisson looked up and down th" street, which seemed to be empty but for themselves.

"'Did you see who it was came out just 310W?"

"I didn't see anyone come out. I heard a door slam, and when I turned I saw a man running down the street. He was gone in a moment—into another house, perhaps. What is tha matter?"

Dulniisson was silent for a moment. "Come in," he said suddenly, and lei the way back to his room. He lit tlv> candles, and then, after glancing round the room, looked at his companion, who stood somewhat bewildered at lip, surroundings. The furniture was pushed aside in all directions, one chair being overturned; every drawer gaped open, and every cupboard stood wide. Papers were strewn on the table, books lud been thrown down; * thorough search of the room had been made, and no care had been taken that the owner should be ignorant of the fact. "And you saw no one leave the house?" said Dubuisson, breaking a long silence. "No." 'Perhaps there was no one to see?" it was the tone in which they were said, not the words themselves, which made Baxter look quickly at his companion. "Yes, that's what T mean," said Dulniisson, "1 think you can explain." Baxter brought his heels' together as though lie were on parade, walked to

the table and put his hat down on the corner of it, then folded his arms and confronted his companion.

"Look a I me, Mr. Victor Dubnisson," and a pair of steady eyes met his unHindiiingiy. "Jf any other man in the, world made such an accusation, 1 would strike him across the mouth, call him liar, and go home to await his challenge. I'm not willing to lose the only friend I have so easily. Pure chance brought me along King Street to-nignt, and I have not entered your rooms until this moment. I do not know who wa.-( here, and although I heard a door slam, and saw a man running down the street. I did not see him come from this house nor did 1 see where he went."

''l think I have wronged you." Dnbuisson answered, after a moment's

pause,

"The apology is a grudging one. but something must be allowed to a perplexed man. Think. Dubnisson: should I waste my time looking for your treasures here, whjen T am certain you carry them with vou?"

''The broken cross! Do you suppose he was looking for that?" "What else? I warrant you will flujl nothing missing." '"Who could possibly want it?" said Dubnisson.

Finley Baxter shook his head, unfolded his arms, and assumed an easier position.

"There you puzzle me, but I have thought of your affairs, and a suspicion has come into my mind. What if the, man you are seeking should be aware of your search, and not wish to be found? Tie might risk much to get possession of the only thing you have which could lead to his identity being discovered." "But my father said "

"lour father kept you in ignorance for a good many years, and had ho not been struck dumb .when he was, you might have found that this broken crosta was intended to lead you to revenge rather than to your absolution from an oath. To-night's work lewis? likelihood to my suspicion," --i - a. "I am indeed a perplexed man," said Dubnisson; and he wondered if Captain Hyde had kept him talking to a late hour at the Brazen Serpent on purpose. (To lie continued in next Wednesday's

issue.)