SERIAL STORY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 350, 30 March 1910, Page 6

SERIAL STORY

A ROYAL WARD. By PERCY BREBNER. (PublUhed by Special Arrangement.) CHAPTER XVIII. AT CHALK FARM. Xo cloubt Finley Baxter's code of morals was of an elastic nature; a certai* sophistry entered into all his arguments concerning right and wrong, almost to the proving that one was the other upon occasion; but he had- at least one definite conviction—that the victory was always to the right. He had lived long enough to encounter many circumstances which must have shaken this belief, to know that, whatever the ultimate issue may be, right bften does bite the dust at the assault of wrong, yet he found it easier, apparently ,to alter his opinion concerning the justice of a cause than to let go his settled convic.tion. Such a man wants to 'believe in somewhat easily. Baxter (believed in Dubuisson's, a belief strengthened, it may be, by the appearance of Lady Betty Walmisley, for the American could never resist a pretty woman, and he arranged the duel light-hearted-ly, as confident of the issue as Captain Hyde appeared to be. Victor Dubuisson was in the right, therefore he must triumph; and had Baxter known that, a few years since, Sir Rupert Ashton was .recognised as one of the deadliest opponents a man could face, and that his hand and eye had lost nothing of their certainty, his conviction would not have been shaken.

He informed Dubuisson of the arrangements made as though they were nothing beyond a pleasant excursion before them on the morrow. "I've arranged to have a coach waiting for us in Hungerford Market early to-morrow morning, and I'll see that you don't oversleep yourself. There is nothing at all for you to worry about."

Dubuisson nodded very much the same way that Sir Rupert had done on receiving the information, and, when he went to his own room, also spent a long time in -writing a letter. It was a difficult letter to write—the pen held ready, but motionless, during long pauses. More than one sheet of paper, partly written upon, was discarded and torn up; and when the letter was finished and sealed, it was not addressed to his opponent, but to Lady Betty Walmisley at her house in Pall Mall.

Tl« morning came, very cold, but .promising fine weather. Dubuisson was already dressed when Baxter called to him.

"We could not have had a better day if we had ordered it for ourselves," Baxter remarked. ''Wrapped in a thick cloak. Du.huisson, it will be a pleasant drive."

"Has it occurred to vou that you may possibly return alone?" Dubuisson ask-

"Certainlv not. We are goinjr to punish a man for speakinw evil of a lady. What, flatter cause could we have than that?"

"The cause is honest and right; but it mnv not save me from a man who can shoot straishter than I can. Don't imagine there is any fear in my heart, but I am looking possibilities in the face."

"Well, that's the verv worst thins vou can do," Baxter returned. "You so straight, on, and think of nothing but the man in front of you. Fix the exact =not wherp vou intend to hit him. and then aim just a shade below it."

"That is good advice. Baxter,' - said Dubuisson, with a smile. "T have arranged that in mv own minrl alrpadr." "fiood. Then we can start. Tt -will Ire as w ol l not to keen the coach waiting lon<rer than we can it might attract attention." "One thin" first, a commission. Baxter —this lette*. You see to whom it is addressed, nrivthin? happen to me. should an nnluckv wound even lav me aside for .» time, take the Tetter to her. Once before she "ave me an appointment. whirb.T foul, 1 riot keen; she has siren n" 1 anotlie v . and if T cannot keen it. T will let her know beforehand." "Ts ( hnt ="!i1 Baxter. with a si-rli of relief. "T thought yon had been wasting precious hours of sleep in order to draw no a last will and testiment." "That doesn't trouble rne." an=wer«d Dubuisson. "T have nothing to will a war. and a stranger in a strange land has few instructions to give. Yon have tlie letter, and T am readv."

The coach was waiting for them, and. of the few neonle about at this earlr honr, none took anr particular notice of their departure. Bossiblr. the driver guessed the object of so earlv a journev to Chalk Farm; may, perhaps, have assisted in the same eapacitv at other affairs of honor, but he was not verr interested. TTe was. besides, more than 'half asleep, or. rather, over-fortified with strong drink against the chill of the mornme air, and there was no

scheme of philosophy in bis mind, as he ierked the reins at intervals when the horse seemed inclined to take matters too easily. Victor Dubuisson leaned back in the ; eorner of the coach, as unconscious of the furtive glances his companion cast at him from time to time as lie was of the way they went. If, at first, he wondered what the issue of this morning's | "work would be, such speculation did not occupy his thoughts for long. A rapid j review of his life passed before him, an ' it does before those who drown,. and then there seemed to come a pause. One pha.se of his life had come to an end, and another began on the niglit when hp had landed oil the Devonshire coa»t.

How long ago it was, if not in time, in the happenings which had changed since then! This second period was really his life. Into it had come Lady Betty, and as he realised this, he could think no more of anything or anyone but her. He passed easily into his dreamland and forgot all else. Baxter did not interrupt his companion's reverie, although it troubled him a little. 'He did not imagine that Dubuisson was afraid, he knew him too well to think that: but he did wonder whether a morbid consideration of what might happen would not have an effect upon the steadiness of the nerve and aim. To believe in one's ability to 'win wa3 half the victory, according to Baxter. "We are a long time," Dubuisson said presently, sitting erect suddenly, as though he had just aroused from sleep. "We have some distance to go yj2t. Are you growing impatient?" "Ws there no spot nearer at hand where •we could have met ?" '•'Several," Baxter answered; "but I had to bear in mind Bow Street's exceeding fondness for you. We are far less likely to be disturbed out here." "Really. Baxter, you are a very excellent friend. My affairs must have taken a lot' of your attention lately." "I shouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't care, should I? Friendship No; I'll give you my views upon the subject on another occasion—perhaps ns we go back. This is not the time to excite you." Dubuisson smiled, and leaned back in his corner again: but it would have puzzled anyone to tell whether the smile •was one of confidence or indifference, or j whether it was assumed to hide his apprehension. - They stopped presently before a whitewashed house, with the appearance of a farm, but now converted into a roadside public-house. To one side of it was a tea-garden, looking mournful in the early morning, and the only sign of life about was another coach standing in the roadway.

"Tlie gentlemen went across yonder—three on 'em." volunteered the driver of this vehicle, Irt'lionting the filehls which lav in the renr of the house. The reason for the morning's journey was evidently no mystery to him. "Pretty well timed. Dubuisson." said Baxter, a-licrhting from the coach and 'stamping his feet to get the stiffness out of his lees. "I never like to arrive first: it seems to argue an unholy hurry to let dnvlight into your enemy." "We'll walk briskly for all that." Dubuisson answered, "or they may argue a tendency to fear. You will not accent ant' Infe apology even if it is offered. Baxter." "That need not trouble you. T do not fnncv Cantain TTvde would make any apologv even if his man gave him instructions. He would resent taking so much trouble for nothing, and -would probably suggest trying conclusions with me, in order that the morning might not be altogether wasted. For so 'small a man lie has a vast opinion of himself, a winging would do him no great harm." "This quarred is entirely mine, Baxter, remember that." "At present, yes; bui there is no telling wliere it may end. While you talked to the mistress I was showing the maid the river. There was a crescent of moon over it, too. Lord, what a deal moonlight nights have to answer for."

Dubuisson did not answer, but for an instant he remembered the moonlit terrace at Abbots Chase.

They found their opponents waiting upon a level piece of 'ground running beside a thick untidy hedge which screened it conveniently. 'Not for the first time a little knot of men gathered there in the early hours to settle some question which had occurred over the cards or dice box, or to jeopardise life in the nobler cause of a woman's honor.

Grave salutes were given and exchanged, and Baxter and Hyde walked apart. Sir Rupert, his hands thrust deep in the pockets of his heavy coat, stood under the hedge as though lie were 'barely an interested spectator in ■what wan going forward. Yet for him there ivas a retrospect. It was not the first time he had waited thus, sometimes indifferently, sometimes with deep anger in his heart, shown perchan«e in a hasty glance at his enemy. He glanced curiously at his opponent now. 'but certainly with 110 visible sign of anger. He may have looked to see if there were any shadow of fear in Dubuisson's face. Tt was a grave face, he could see that, for the profile was clearly lined aigainst the distant landscape; it was a set face, a handsome face, Sir Rupert thought, and there was no fear in it.

"The young fool is headstrong and it may cost a life." he muttered. "Ts it that I am impatient, or does Hyde go to work slowly at these preliminaries?" The captain and Finlev Baxter were carefully measuring the ground; the surgeon at a. little distance was bending over a small case which he had placed upon the grass. Then 'With comprehending nods of their heads Baxter and TTvde parted and went each towards his principal. "We are ready," Baxter said, and Duhuisson took off his heavy coat, folded it across, and threw it on the ground. "Don't forget mv advice. I shall count three, and at the word three ynu will fire. There is nothing to choose in the way of position. The light is excellent." Duhuisson nodded, and without a word allowed Baxter to put him in his place. Sir Rupert also removed his heavy coat but rather more leisurely. "You've been an infernal time over the arrangements. Hvde." he remarked. "T thought we should be on our way back by now." "Mr. Baxter was particular." said the ea.ntain. "and T don't blame him for that. Tf you don't make everything taut vou mny regret it when the moment for action comes. Tt has come." Sir Rupert walked. leisurely to his

place, and Finlcy Baxter watching him, came to the conclusion that he was no novice at these encounters. He glanceu at Victor Dubuisson, too, but there was no emotion of any kind visible in his face.

.Each man took his pistol indifferently, hardly glancing at it. The surgeon stood erect now, his hands behind him. Very slowly and distinctly the conditions were repeated. Then came a moment's silence. "One!" The two men facing each other stood, motionless, ready, tense. "Two!" ' '

It was impossible to discern any movement in Sir Rupert Ashton, but Victor Dubuisson's figure seemed to stiffen a little as though he had drawn a deep breath slowly and held it. "Three!"

Two shots rang out but not quite simultaenously. There was a rent in the sleeve of Sir Rupert's coat, the left sleeve, close to the shoulder. His right arm was stretched upwards. He had fired into the air!

No one moved for the space of fifteen second perhaps. "What the '' and words failing him, Hyde looked into Baxter's face as though it had suddenly occurred to him that a solution of the mystery must be written all over it. Baxter's face had probably never before worn such a blank expression. "Well, of all—say, Captain Hyde, is this a novelty game you have brought us out here to play?" "No, Mr. Baxter, no; but if your conscience pricks you at bringing a surgeon all this way without giving him a job, I'm willing, most willing, to oblige .you. By gad, sir, for the future I'll fly the admiral's flag in these affairs or I'll remain at anchorage." Baxter did not answer. Sir Rupert advanced towards Dubuisson.

"Mr. Dubuisson, I hope you are satisfied. Your letter gave me 110 option ,I>ut to meet you. With honor. I could . make w other answer to it; and honor I has g;::i1e:l my action this morning. I ■ have no quarrel -villi you save that you , gave me no loonboV for explanation; yyu have no cr.r'rH with ne, although you think differently. I had nothing to do with putting Bow Street on your track, and I have never uttered a word concerning Lady Betty Walmislev, either with regard to you. or to connect her with French prisoners or spies. From Mr. Baxter and your letter I learned for the first time of such a suspicion heing abroad." "I can only accept your statement. Sir Rupert," said Dubuisson. "Be a little morn generous, and believe it," and then Sir Rupert turned to Hyde and Baxter and repeated his explanation. "Nor I," said Baxter. "The captain and I are desirous of changing places with, you for a few moment." "I wil be no party to such a thing," said Dubuisson. "Nor will I," Sir Rupert said firmly. "Think of the surgeon, brought 'all this distance for nothing," Hvde remarked. "Come, Mr. Baxter, if you will recall 'our conversation you will remember my savins that no opportunity was given me of denying the charge," said Sir Ru- ! pert. '-'Your answer, I believe, was to the effect that there was no room for useless questions on the paper. What else could I do but come here to-dav?"

"I see no reason for firing in the air," said Baxter.

"And I saw everv reason for not taliins; the life of a friend," was the retort. "The bullet grazed mv arm a little, so our good surgeon will not go without work altogether."

The wound was of a slight nature, and quickly attended to. The surgeon closed his case, for which there had been little need; and after an enquiring glance at Finlev Baxter. Hyde replaced the pistols in their case and shut it sharply. He was still disgusted at the turn events had taken.

"There's vour letter," he said, taking •the one he had heen authorised to hand to Duhuisson under certain circumstances. and giving it hack to Sty Rupert. "T am almost inclined to regret the necessity of returning it." "My (rood friend, you will see the affair from my point of view presently," was the answer.

Baxter did not return Duhuisson his letter to Lady Betty.

"It may he satisfactory to you, Mr. Du,buisson. to question me about, this affair." said Sir Rupert, turning to his ■late opponent, "and perhans T may yet he of surviee to vou. W !11 you return with me to Bury Street? We can trust Cantain Hyde and Mr. Baxter not to quarrel if they follow in the other coach."

"T will come." Duhuisson answered after a moment's hesitation. Tt was not that he implicitly trusted Sir Rupert,, but rather flint, he was convinced that he could h,eln him to identify his enemies if he would. There might yet he m<eans of forcing Sir Rupert to speak, of catching him by questions. Besides. the "ircumstnncps of the duel compelled Dubuison to be gracious. ITe was. in a sense, under an ohlimtion to his onnonent. who. although deliberately fired nt. hid nnsw»red bv firing in the air: indeed, the obligation was rather galilw to Duhuisson. (To 'be continued on Saturday).