SERIAL STORY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 359, 9 April 1910, Page 6

SERIAL STORY

A ROYAL WARD. By PERCY BEEBXEIi. (Published by arrangement with. Cassell and Company, Ltd., publishers, of .London and' .Melbourne, the proprietors of the copyright). CHAPTER XX. (continued).

Lady Betty 'had' only told part of her story. iSe had said nothing about Victor Dubuisson. Mow she decided to tell the Duchess everything, but .she could not toll it hurriedly, for a great deal of explanation would 'be necessary. Betty hardly knew why she had said nothing about 'Victor Dubuisson. Modesty perhaps withheld the confession that she had gone to his rooms to warn him. Why had she gone? The Duchess would naturally ask the questiou, aud would expect the only answer which'could seem to ring truly—because she loved him. Did she? This question repeated itself over and over again as they drove towards Whitehall, and she could not, or did not dare to answer it. How could she love this stranger, this nobody, this man who was forced to flee from soldiers and hide from the officers of Bow Street? Yet Victor Dubuisson absorbed iier ,thoughts to-day. To him the news of Leipzig must come as a great blow. France was humiliated, beaten to the dust. He could not flglit for her now, and the chief reason for his coming to England was over. Yea, the news must necessarily make a great difference to him. As they drove along, it was evident that the crowd vfas rejoicing in the victory. "Bonev" was held- up to shouting and laughing ridicule, tue French and their upstart Emperor were crushed, and the general rejoicing served perhaps to show how great the fear of Napoleon had been. The crowds everywhere were dense. For once, staid men of affairs took a. holiday and 'joined in the' struggling throng, and the wastrels and idlers had .come from every court and alley. As the time of the procession approached, the taverns became empty; the enthusiasm could not have been much greater had the victorious army itsfeli been about to pass along the streets, kx the early morning the Brazen Serpent had its full quota of guests—men who had an eager manner as though they anticipated some great event to-day. Yet they did not speak of Leipzig, and hardly seemed to know what pivblic ceremony was the cause of the procession. They were busy in choosing which of them should take a part in some concerted action. "You can't!" exclaimed one man, pointing to a companion. "He'd recognise the ugly cut of your features m » trice."

"And yours," was the retort. "Anyway, he'd hardly recognise me," said another, "for, .whilst you were parleying that night, I was lying up against the wall yonder, with the wits knocked out of me." "Xever thought your neac? was. so thin," laughed another. "My memory's all right, anyway; and if I can get alongside that chair-vrielder in a quiet enough spot, I'l pay the debt I owe him, never fear." . "You've taken over long credit," said another man, "Are you quite sure you're not a little afraid of him?" There was a laugh at this aallv, and

the boaster began to quarrelsome ! at onee. Only Jacob Pinfold's reminder I that time was flying, and they ought to j be on the move quickly, put an end to the quarrel. j "Besides, we've nothing to do with j your personal revenge,'' said the land-i lord; 'our business is with a particular' man, and he's a devil to hold even when ; you've caught him. We've got reason •enough to know that. A man who can i escape down a rat-hole want* reckoning I with." 1 "That's true." said a man seated in a I far corner, who had not joined in the j conversation before: "and if he does not j come into the streets to-day. how j then ?" j , "He'll come, Lighterwood." was the answer; "and mavbe save you using your pistol at all." . "I'm not sure I wouldn't rather do the job myself, but. naturally, I want my understudy elo3e by me; and if be does not "come out. how then. T ask? Is the business postponed until further orders?" 'Are von wearing the white feather?" was asked in chorus. • "It doesn't look like it. floes it?" <r>!'! Lisrhterwood, drawing a brace of pistol® tfrom liis ample pocket. "T've n'ver known these to miss fire yet. I know my part of the business, but I want to sure my unconscious partner is at hand to do his. I've no desire to play the conspicuous role of dancing in midair at the end of a rope." A silence fell at this unpleasant suggestion. It is not always encouragingto contemplate the .possible consequence of even the most heroic enterprise. More than on<j man there would not lis re been ill-pleased, perhaps, if the business had to be postponed. "You needn't worry, Lighterwood." said Jacob, with "a gurgle in his throat which might be a' laugh; and he rubbed his hands with the satisfaction of a man who anticipates the attainment ot his ends without running any risk himself. "Don't worrv, Lighterwood. ji you have to fire, his neck will be there for the noose to catch on to. We've got a ferret readv to drive him out of his hole, if he el«cts to stay in it. Ford makes up excellently as a Bow Street officer, and your partner will run fast enough to escape from him. Ah! _ He's in a strong net this time, and, if he breaks loose, the devil himself must be his guardian angel. It's time to go, gentlemen. Don't you worry, Lighterwood; everything is beautifully arra.ll*,ed." Victor Dubuisson, unconscious of the interest he was causing that morning,

sat alone. The noise in the streets barely reached the house by the river. l Baxter had gone out upon his own busi-; ness. Dubuisson was glad to be alone to think quietly of Sir Rupert Ashton's strange story. He had not repeated it to Baxter yet; he must thing of it in all its details first—endeavor to decide what he ought to do. Sir Rupert was working out his revenge in his own way —surely he was justified? Dubuisson Lad shrunk from him instinctively when lie had spoken of assassination, and yet What lie said was true. Such men were furs, loathsome curs, fit only to be destroyed. If he knows for Certain that a

cur is waiting for the opportunity *<» bite, does a wise man wait until he is bitteil before he strikes? Surely not! He would.be a fool to give the cur the chance. Lady Betty had stood in this room only a short while since; had proved that, the curs were already snarling: had declared that she might quickly want his help. Perhaps she had not told him all her fears. First, his mother hunted from place to place; then, this woman whom he loved —it was indeed time for action, and revenge! But how'? Sir Rupert had shot two of his enemies. There had been no uncertainty. no firing in; the air then. His own father would have dealt out similar punishnfpnt, and he had the opportunity. Was the son to stand idle and do nothing? Even as Sir Bupert was, so was he. There was assassination in his heart. , To-day excitement was everywhere, the air was heavv with it: it seemed possible that anything might happen. Dubuisson could not remain there alone and inactive, and. hardlv knowing what, he did or where he intended to go. he went -down the rickety stairs, stumbling almost like >a drunken man. Once in tlie streets he moved with the crowd, taking l small notice of the men who surrounded him. The' dav was a holidav. everyone was inclined to he merry and talkatfve. Dubuisson could not help joining in the conversation about him. and since th,ev were going the same wav, and were all bent on seeing the «how. it did not strike him as curious that the same group of men continued to surround him. He had fallen into Hieir company by accident, and tool: no es"e. cial notice of an >- one of them. So they came into Whitehall, to a point where the crowd was dense, and as the

procession must pass in a few seconds, there seemed no reason why they should igo further. Dubuisson came to a tialt with the others, elbowed his way to a point of vantage, and, still surrounded by his companions, forgot them and fell into a reverie.

The win (low; on the opposite side of the street were luli of people—great ladies, many of them, aud not far from Dubuision an individual who appeared to know something of tke tashion&ble woi'id was pointing out notabilities amongst tliem and leu into a reverie. I'rie windows on me opposite side of the street were full 01 people —great iadiea, ninny or ihem, and not iar irom Dubuisson an individual who appeared to know something of the fashionable wo lid was pointing out notabilities amongst them to his less well-informed ■neigliDors. Unit's the Duchess of Petersham,'' lie said. "Is Lady Betty Walmisley there?'' asked a man. "Tney say she's the most beautiful woman in London; but I've never /seen her." •'She may very likely lie there, 'but the hain't come to the window yet,"«

was the answer. "Aye; she's a beauty, and they say ".here his voice was lowered, as he poured a story into his companion's ear which was pure imagination and had not the slightest foundation in fact.

Dubuisson heard- nothing of this conversation, and the subject of it was u«-

conscious of the .popularity her beauty ■ had given her. Lady Betty .could not • be ignorant of the fact that she had •many worshippers amongst those who knew her, but she did not know that the fame of her beauty had touched a crowd of people who had never set eyes upon her. A number of her worshipper* were about her now, some contented with a smile and a word, others desirous to be made us of now or at any time, and others, again, .who were bolder and wanted more definite recognition. • "I swear you promised me a dance, to-night, Lady Betty," said one man. j - "And me," said another. ' , • "Truly, gentlemen, I believe you are mistaken, or my memory is of a sort that is of little service." "Then, at least, make the proume ■*owsaid the first speaker. . | . "Would that 'be fair to other* who : have not the opportunity of making arrangements beforehand?" Betty asked, 1 with a smile; "besides, I " i "Surely you are not going to say that I you will not 'be at Almacks' to-night?" 'said one; and "surely not" came in a disappointed chorus at the suggestion. There was no necessity to answer definitely, for the procession wag slgluea, ] and room was immediately made for. Lady Betty at one of the window*. j "There "she is," said the man in the crowd to his companion. "I warrant there is not her equal in the three king-1 doms." i I Victor Dubuisson did not see her. | His eyes were turned towards the ad- 1 1 vancing procession, and resentment was j in his heart that the crowd should shout j welcome to the man who was the centre j ttf it.. I The Prince Regent .was handsome, if 1 j grown somewhat fat in these days. He I was the first gentleman in Europe, and j ,dre*sed for the part. He was dignified j in appearance, however much he might j |Jack dignity of character, and, after a! ifashion, lie was a favorite with the tcrowd. Statesmen might rail at him, and men, little better than he was, abuse him for his licentiousness; still, 'he was the Prince—the King, even, in all "but name —and so the crowd cheered him. If the applause of the multitude wa» not a true guajre of his popularity, the Prince was oblivious of the fact. •.Fortunately for him, perhaps, he conceived himself a very fine fellow—he petted into this belief .when he was a mere bor, and his parasites 'had kept it alive ever since. There lingered

' in him, besides, something of the cour- ! age and warlike .spirit of his fathers, and, helped by a vivid imagination, he .probably thought that in some way lie had personally contributed towards tlie : downfall of Napoleon at U-iji/jg. and in his breast there may have iieen sonie- ! thing of the conqueror's feeling as li< journeyed slowly along Whitehall. The procession had to hall for n mo- ■ ment. The bowing Prince was almost directly opposite Dubuisson. There was : loud cheering and the waving of handkerchiefs from main- window-. Dubuis- ' sou rciiia'ne l lwkmg at the , bf whom Sir TRuperi Aslitoil had told hmf

so much. He remembered his mother, he thought of Lady Betty—who at that moment .chanced to catch sight of his face in the crowd—and there was hatred in his heart. Tt was hardlv wonderful that Sir Rupert, when lie thought of this man. should feel capable of becoming an assassin. There was a sudden wave of movement in the crowd about him amongst his companions, and the next instant 1 two sharp reports rang out in quick succession. A soldier bv the Prince's coach sinrtwl in liN -addle, and oiv arm I dropped useless, struck bv a bullet. The cheering was hushed for a moment. •There was confusion in the ranks of I the procession and in the crowd. SomeI one had attempted to assassinate the j Prince Regent! The news flew wi'h lightning speed along Whifeha!!. was known far ofT almost before those who were about tile royal carriage had recovered from their consternation. Dubuisson turned quickly, ftir the man who had fired must be elosp beside him; lie turned to meet the staring eves of 1 -his companions fixed upon him. Tn an instant he realise 1 that the.v condemned ! him, and, perhaps, because of the 1 thoughts which had been his a moment before, because the idea of assassination j had not seemed so dreadful a thing, his throat grew dry, and a tremor ran through his, limbs. He had suddenly become conspicuous, and almost unconsciously he moved. He had no part in this crime: whv should lie stay there? A ru came from the roadway. A horsen- i.r'ongst the Towd. "Seize 'hat man! Mold h : m! That is the man!" , It was EverLm. - pointed to Dubuisson. ?5o man can tell beforehand how he

will act in a crisis. Dubuisson was innocent, and for a moment wag inclined to' stand his ground and prove that he was.; but there was personal enmity in Evertsen's ftl.ee, and just then someone in the crowd ventured to lav a heavy hand upon his shoulder. Dubuisson-s

anger was roused in nn instant. rThv should he allow this indignity or play into Evertsen's hands? "The crowd surged backwards, partly to avoid Evertsen's partlv because there were several men who imagined that the officer had pointed nt them, and wore desirous of freeing themselves from such a dangerous circle. Onportunitv hastened Dubuisson's decision. ' There was a per' ceptiblc loosening 0 f the mass behind him, and he took advantage of it. Fending low to avoid attention, he wormed his way swiftly towards a side street, and the confusion and shouting and comma'ids 'behind hiii) told him that, for the moment at least, his manoeuvre had succeeded. < The cheering broke out anew as the procession moved asrain, and Ladv Betty, leanintr pale-faced from the window, tried to see what had happened in the crowd opposite.

(To be continued on Wednesday)