SERIAL STORY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 337, 12 March 1910, Page 6

SERIAL STORY

4 ROYAL WARD. By PERCY BREBNER. (Published by Special Arrangement.) CHAPTER XIV. Deborah Cowper had much to say to Walter Evertsen, and, either from a natural ability which until now she had been unconscious of possessing, or •by reason of quick and careful study, she knew some of the tricks of cajoling a man, of making him say more than he ever intended, and perhaps leading him to say things which lie had not previously thought of. Deborah's one desire was to show Walter Evertsen that, should lie by any chance have fallen a victim to the charms of Lady Betty Walmisley, his hope of success was absolutely valueless. There was another man, Deborah knew that for certain; but Evertson had to exert all his powers of flattery, had to siy a great deal more to this foolish woman than he meant to say, before he divulged her great secret; and, when he heard it all, Evertsen's powers of self-control had to ,be called into play to conceal his astonishment. He laughed with Deborah as though it were a huge joke between them, used terms of endearment to her, since she would not let him go without, and when he left her she was fully convinced that that happiness was to be hers, that in Betty she had no rival Not a qualm of conscience troubled Deborah, and so absorbed was she in her own affairs that she forgot to foe curious concerning the prolonged stay of Betty's second visitor.

Evertsen had left the house long ago, pleading the duty which ais fair charmer had made him neglect, but once in the street there was no further need for hurry. His duty lay close to his hand, compelling liim to linger in the neighborhood of the house in Pall Mall. It was necessary that he should see who Lady Betty's visitor was. Deborah's secret had only proved half a secret, after all; he must know the other aalf. He certainly never expected to see Victor Dubuisson come out, and he drew swiftly into the shadows and remained there until Dubuisson had entered a hackney coach and been driven away Evertsen's surprise was not unmingled with satisfaction. He was in the position of being able to serve his country and eas.lv rid himself of a rival at one and the same time, and it must be done quickly. For a moment lie contemplated calling upon Sir Rupert Ashton and informing him of the deceit which had been practised upon them, but, on reflection. he decided not to do so. Sir Rupert's sympathies were rather an un known quantity—he might possibly be in Dubuisson's confidence, might have known that he was lying when he described his young friend as coming from the North. 'Evertsen hai no desire to get- his relative into trouble, Chiefly be cause of the fact that he was his relative might be injurious to. himself, but fcli'ere would be considerable 'satisfaction in over-reaching him. Sir Rupert was incline.! to rate his own cleverness too highly ,and Evertson hurried alone Pall Mall with considerable pleasure and selfconfidence to put his plans into action.

Had 'there bren no shadow convenient to hide in. had Evertsen taken no trouble to conceal himself, it is verv doubtful if Oubu'sson would have seen him He walked on air. in a world of fsin^v: Love was thp light of it. happiness us atmosphere, joyous lailghter the rcrvading sound in it. There were no'd^'i ; to fear, no ills to ward against: flowers edged everv and peaceful sisrhts. with thp echo of a. kiss in them, made Onl*- lovers dwelt there, their work the making of love: no evrs shone through even the thinnest veil of sadne=s or mist of tears, ■"•ere on!"' eves thnt sparkled with the light of love. Hand in hand the',- wer<\ tlincp eiti7ens. their lanoruacre a whisper and a glance, their houses structured out of their own fanev. Beside this dreamer walked a woman, a queen of beauty where all was beauty. the lovelisrht in her eyes as they looked into his. a common! in h<>r vesture, a demand' to be lovod—so pnsy to obev. What other world there be but this? Bv '! 'i (rni-f or ■' ATn rl-.-t tTle coach <i+o' ,T, "d but r\p!<-'ior *be hos>Ts° vo""» of thn nov the oeonle hnrrvin«r oast served tn VcMv the spell. Still a dronmev. Dubuisson mounted the rickets stairs.

Ji?' 1 success. then?" Baxter exfb'imed. as Dubuisson entered.

"Excellent success": but Dub"is=,on cmne suddenly to earth again. Finlev Baxter, sittirior on the edge of the table.' with a cjrlass basidp h'm which had evidently been replenished and emptied manv times in the last hour, was a fact —a hard fact which could not be overlooked. Truly,, bis eyes sparkled, but with wine, not love, and he had certainly no place in that dream world where PubuKson had been for awhile. There was another world, verv real and practical, and for the moment it was represented by Finlev Baxter. "T/tdv Betty Walmislev had taken Mnrv into her service," said Dubuisson. "She could not have a better haven of refuge."

"I've been thinking hard ever since you left," said Baxter, "and I've come to the conclusion that you mustn't marrv her." "Marrv her!"

"That's what I said, sir—marry, to have and to hold until death puts his claw into the business; well, you can't do it. T've decided in my own mind that it's not seemly." "Baxter, the wine's in your head." "Exactly. I put it there to help me /If) •think, and I've decidied that it wouldn't be seemlv. You're a gentleman. perhaps you don't know how much

of a gentleman you are; but, any way. you must look higher. The Court, sir, that s wnere you must look for a wife. Mary is not for you." |'l never thought of such a thing," said Dubuisson, with a smile. '"Then you're a man of taste." "Besides, she's married already." ''That's no concern of ours," said Baxter. "You ran away with her, and from that moment the husband ceases to count; husbands always do in such circumstances. He may give trouble; well, we call him out and shoot him. He's of no consequence, I tell you; but. at the same time, she's not for you. She's more on mv level. I'm no gentleman, and I've never met the man who had the audacity to call me one." '•'But you're in love. Ye gods, think of it," ianghed Dubuisson, "Finley Baxter in love!"

"It's a very honorable order to enter," was the answer, "and I grant you it lias a tendency to level things down. In this brotherhiod wise men become even as fools."

"Perhaps it is that for once the fools learn wisdom and become wise men" suggested Dubuisson, looking into liis dreamland again for a moment. !i Mav be; but whichever it is. you can't marry her. I have remembered who Mary is. Wonderful what a power of thought . there is in good wine, if you're not too niggardly in the use of it. Mary is Mary Pinfold, young wife to old Jacob, of the Brazen Serpent." "Then I was a prisoner in the tavern!"

"Well, I take it that way, and, knowing the kind of men who frequent that taver», I reckon there's as much danger about as you'll want to trouble with." "True, true, and we are wasting: time. King Stieet is no safe retreat for me, yet there are many things at my lodging which' I must get possession of — other clothes, for one thing," and Dubuisson turned himself about to show his rags. "Lady Betty Walniisley sent a message to you." "I do not know the lady," said Baxter.

"She hopes to know you some day, and meanwhile she has sent a message. She trusts vou with a great friend of hers. I am that friend, and T bave promised not to go to King Street alone."

"Great 'friend! why so you are of mine, too. There is a bond between the lady and me, and—Jove, man, are you also entered into the brotherhood?"

"I stand waiting, knocking at the door."

"And the lady trusts me—good. T will be a shadow to you, Here's excuse .for drawing another cork. We'll drink lier health." "When we come back from King Street," said Dubuisson, putting his hand on Baxter's shoulder.

The American drew himself back with an angry gesture. Was it likely he would allow any man to dictate to Jiim ?

"We mav have to use keen wits tonight," Dubuisson urged; "and have I not been entrusted to your ctre?" "Let it be when we come back." snid j Baxter. "I'll nut mv ' head into bold | Water, and then we'll start. They're cowards, these feltows, and utiiess there jare agreatnianyof them On .the'watch, they will hardty .dare to touch us." ; i No one took any notice of them'as 1 thev entered King Street. They walked without haste and with apparent carelessness, though their eyes searched every opening and doorway as they went. In safety they reached Dubuis- ' son's lodgings, and found the rooms undisturbed. No further search could have been made there, or something would surely be out of its place, ° | "There seems so little danger that I have half a mind to stay here," said Dubuisson. * | Baxter took the 'candles' a'nd placed | them far back in the room in a recess.! "For all that, we will not let anyone | who may be watching know that we .are here," he said. "As for staying here, that is out of the question, for two reasons; first, you would be breaking a promise; and secondly, I could not, keep my eye upon you." | "I told Lady Betty she had given me' a terrible gaoler." | "Well, you hit the truth," said Bax- j ter. "You get what things you wanti together, and we'll be off .as soon as' possible. There is a lodging above my own which; you must shift with for the present." ' j

Getting his things together was a work of time, for Dubuisson was leisurely in his movement and fastidious .in liis choice. His methods provoked Finley Baxter's anger. "Hurry, man, hurry! One suit of clothes is as good as another." "An idea," said Dubuisson. "I'll put on one good suit now and leave these rags behind? it will lighten my luggage,", and no remonstrances from' Baxter could turn him from his purpose.

He was some little time in t-he inner room, and as he came back Baxter, who had been leaning cautiously out of the window, drew. inJlis head.

"There are two men in the street I do not like the look of," he whispered. "We were fools to stay so long." "Even a man in hiding must have clothes, and I'm in the mood to try conclusions with some of the scoundrels who are putting me to all this trouble." "This is a case for diplomacy, not fighting," said Baxter, blowing out the candles "We want to get at something definite. I have a scheme, Dubuisson Take your luggage and come down. There is a deep recess in the passage below, half full of lumber. You can conceal yourself there, while I go out and see if these fellows are waiting for you. I may be able to tempt them into a neighboring tavern for a little while. I don't suppose their duty will sit so heavily upon them that they will refuse wine. The tavern would tempt a saint on such a damp night as this." When he had seen Dubuisson into the recess, Baxter swaggered out of the house with the intent of giving his watchers every opportunity of accosting

him. They did not wait for any invitation. Before Baxter had closed the door they were on either side of him. "Victor Dubuisson?" "I guess not," said Baxter; "but I should like to have the blackguard as close to me as you are." The encounter was not of the kind he had expected. He was suddenly plunged into an affair for which he bad made-no arrangement. These men were not frequenters of the Brazen Serpent, but officers from Bow Street. There was some scheme on foot which he did not understand, and it was certain that all his wit must be brought into play with this new difficulty. "Who are you?" said one of the men. "A friend turned enemy, you know the kind of enemy that is. The fellow deserted his lodging, and I have been

taking the opportunity of prying into his affairs. A little information of that kind is useful to such an enemy as 1 am."

"I'm not over scrupulous." said one of the officers, "but, all the same, I'm not too fond of men of your kidney. I like a man who'll sink or swim with his friend."

"We've got our information about him," was the answer. "It may be true, or it may not. We're here to find ou f ." "Why not go up to his rooms and have a look round them?" Baxter suggested. "You'll find his clothes, which will at least prove that I am not Dubuisson.- if you have any doubt, lipon the matter. I found nothing that was of any use to me, but. there is no telling that you may not come across something which may be of service. I Wasn't looking for any public iniquity, mine was just private revenge. I'll come with you. Fate send the scoundrel back while we are there. It would be as good as a play to see his face when he finds that the Law has paid him a visit."

"There would be no harm in going np, And there might be much good," said one of the men.

As they entered, Dubuisson drew further back into the recess. He heard the voices, but had only been able to catch a word here and there.

"I should like to find him," said Baxter, as he closed tilie door. "I should like to see him running down King Street, straight up the stairs, officers." "I don't want to do any running-after him," said one, as they went up. "I used to be a fine runner some years ago, but I've put on flesh since then." Baxter evidently intended him to get away without delay as soon as they kad gone, so Dubuisson came from his hiding place, and went quietly out of the -house. At the corner of Street he f«und a c6aeh, and, ; driving to ffungeil- - Market, went slowly to the house overlooking the river, wondering why Bow. Street officers were looking for him, wondering, too, how Baxter would get rid of them. Finley Baxter was exercised in his mind on this score also. His affability did not call forth a very ready or .cordial response from either of the officers. When thev looked through the rooms, which they did carefully, they decided to go back into the street' and watch.

"There's nothing of any importance here." . '

■. h.e ,came,bad c earlier .iy the evening and ■mo ved Jiis pa pens."' Baxter suggested; "but. of course, you would' have seen him." "We hadn't been Ion? °n the business. but we've done something, we've found vou." "But I'm not Dubnigson."

"I don't suppose you are, but yon were a friend of his, and, likely enough, know a good deal about him. When a friend turns enemy, it's usually because they'e quarreled over secrets. • That's our experience. Those secrets may be verv useful to us."

"I don't suppose I'm going to watch with you all niMit!" Baxter exclaimed. "No: one of us will take you back to .Bow Street. They'll look after vou untiT the- morning. This affair of Mr. Dubuisson's is much too important to let a friend of his go without asking a few nuesti'ons."

"Thev'll be answered easily enough and gladly enough. There are no half measures with me, either as a friend or an enemy. lam quite ready to go,"

The officer who went with him was a powerful nran, and although he was talkative, He was not careless. Whenever there was a famine or passage. Baxter felt himself field firmlv by the sleeve of his coat. He was to be allowed no chance of slipping- away—to attempt and fail would Be more disastrous .than going quietly and answering the questions put to him. Still, he had no desire to answer questions either on Dubuisson's account or his own, and his wits were : keenly alive as he went, and he showed no resentment at the officer -holding him for safety. Baxter had buttoned up his coat, junking the lower part, of his race in the of it. When lie had first come out to-night, he did ,not want to be recognised on his wav to King Street, and all the time he was with th" officers he had kept it buttoned. There was plenty of excuse, for the night w-as damp, if a chance of escape came, Baxter felt confident that J)Oth officers would have difficulty in recognising him again. But they were getting verv near to Bow Street, and no chance had offered. They were, in fact, crossing Covent Garden, and the officer held his sleeve tightly. In the distance were the lights of the Bra/en Serpent, and at this moment a number of men came out of the tavern and came towards them. Was this a chance? It was rather a desperate one. since, if these men recognised him, they were far more likely to help him to Bow Street than to assist him to escape. A quick decision must be made, and Baxter decided to take his chances. "It's cold, officer?" "You'll be warm enough directly." "There are poor men in this land who starve," said Baxter in a loud voice, .as the men from the Brazen Serpent came abreast of them. In an instant the men stopped, and. seeing a Bow Street officer with a prisoner, closed in upon him. He made a desperate effort to hold Baxter, but was unable to do so. He was forced to defend himself from the blows which were struck at him.

'•Run!" said a voice, and Baxter found himself running witli several others. "Who are you?" ashed a man who ran beside him. ! Tm —I'm—out of breath." '■' Stop. then. now. We're out of danger." Baxter knew he was not. The words urged him a great effort, and, a? the man pulled up* the American quickened his stride and darted awav. The men who had released him took id the flvise at once, eager to know who had used .this catch phrase and vet did not want to be 'recognised. Baxter had cot a wood start,however, and .made /rood use of it. He ran down one passage.. Un another. and then turned shnmlv into an arehw.av. His pursuers went bv. running and cursing, and then Baxter went nuickl'- back the wav he had come. TTe opened his cloah, set his hat at a dif-