For Honour's Sake.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7983, 10 March 1906, Page 2

For Honour's Sake.

By Bertha M. Clay. Author of ie Wife in Name Only," 44 Wedded and. Parted," "Dora Thome," "A Queen Antony Women," " J. True M<ujdaleneetc., etc.,

CHAPTER XL. Continued

"Come in," he said; he knew it v/as Gus, and the Major entered, but instantly, started back. "Good Heavens, Esric! What has happened?" "Shut the door, Gus; I'll tell you! u How hoarse, and changed his voice sounded ! "When does the first train leave for Loudon?" "At seven." "I must take it! Make some—any —excuse to the other men; to you 1 will tell thio truth. You know, or must kiitiw' it now, that 1 love Claude Vemot. 'She is in peril, just now I heard her call to me, as plainly as you hear my voice. Tnice she called, 'Esric, Esric, save mecome to me!' I must go! Don t scoff at such things, Gus! You won't think it was mere fancy!" ■ "Heaven forbid." Gus had turned very white; "but, Stewart, have you any thought—suspicion what this peril may be?" "Yes" said the other in a low voice—such terrible mission as was iu his face now is quiet in its*utterance. "That villian, Tollemache, and DavenaDt, and bis wife arc. iu it." He would not, even to bus, breathe that other hideous thought that bis own wife might, at least, know something of the plot. "I must go straight to my chambers; there may bo a telegram therefor me Maida would surely have seut to me. 1 will wring the truth from one of those concerned; and for Tollemanbe—" . He left the sentence unfinished, bat turned to tne mantel, and took down a six-chambered revolver. "Esric " Langdale's grip was in bia arm. "You don't think he would dare " Stewart's eyes met bis friend s; their Juok made the other fall back. "If lie diirerl that," said the Scotchman, "J would kill him inch by inch! He need do les? to earn J a bullet through his heart!" j

CHAPTER XLI,

SWIFT ACTION. Next day, from the station, Stewart telegraphed to his servant, Maclan, who waa in Pall Mall, that he was coming up by the first tram, and by thia lau would expect his master a little after eveu. The friends parted with a silent handclasp, and Langdale drove back with a heavy heart. Stewart, on reaching London, drove, of course, straight to Pall Mall, and at the door of the house | was met by Mao-lan. "There's a telegram for von, sir. It came at half-past eight this morning." He sprang upstairs to his room, Mao-lan following. There, on the table, lay Maida's telegram: "Claude missing since last night—seven o'clock. Have searohed everywhere. No trace or clue. Have you any? She wus last seen in the grounds." In all his anguish he kept the capacity for swift, clear thought, and ready and competent action; nothing was forgotten, nothing marred -by flurry. One telegram was to Langdale: "Found wire from M. C. missing. Not a word to anyone. 1 ' The other, to Maida, was even more cautiotisly worded, "for the aecreoy of remote postal authorities cannot be always guaranteed. "Wire received. I was away; hence delay. Am taking steps. Keep strict silence." In neither case waa any name signed; there was no need, and it might be dangerous. As Stewart handed the several papers to Mac-lan; he asked: "Did my wife return to town last night?" "Yes." Stewart's brow was so black as he turned to the door that Mac-lan stopped and looked at him. "You're not going to her?" ho said, involuntarily. "Don't fear for me, Mac-lan. I should never forget that a woman is a woman; but I am not going to her. She would take good cafe not to know too much!" He went out, hailed a cab, and was driven off at breakneck speed ho South Kensington. "If you want to earn gold " he said to the oabman, "drive your swiftest." He had with him that revolver, loaded in every chamber, and he had, also, a blank check; he might,, need to threaten lead, or to use gold. He was armed at every point. He stopped the cab short of The Ferns, and walked up to the house "Is Mrs Davenant at home?" he asked the servant who opened the door. "S'es, sir. I " i Stewart saw the involuntary gesure toward the drawing room. "Thanks," he said; "you needn't announce me." And be walked past the servant, and without even a preliminary knock, opened the drawing-room door.

CHAPTER XLII. .

THE CAPTIVE'S CONTEMPT. A step on Ibe narrow stairs, and Claude sprang to her feet; with a sickening ruab of terror—for it was ToJleruache's not Davenant's step. • It was nine o'clock in the morning now, and the girl had tasted nothing since tea yesterday evening, • bat a little broad and some water; bat the fearful tension uf every uerve.made her insensible to either hunger or fatigue. The key was put in the lock, turned, and the door opened, anil Basil Tollemauhe came in, closing the door behind himbut Claude, like Captain Stewart, al ways quiok-witted, even in the deadliest emeraenoy, noticed that he left the key. on the outside; hut that thight mean either that JDavenant had prohibited aoy other course j or that there was no need to look '

( the door, since the girl had no protector to flee to. She literally hold bei' breath as Tollemache caused, leaning against the dooi\ and looking nt her with au insolent smile, 'for which aloue she felt she couid have killed him; but she faeod him without flinching, and the very iatousity of emotion made her grow oven pnlor instead of flushing. "So." Tollcmaebe said, "you wouldn't listen to too aayour suitor; you'll have to obey me now as your master." No answer. The curved lips were set like marble: there was infinite scorn in the dark eyes, .but no fear; whatever the terror in her heart, she would show none to him. Tollemache went on, moving a scod nearer—she did not stir. "I just want you to understand the position Claude, You are alone ia the house with me. If you fancied I Davenant was here you've made a I mistake, It stand J to reason that would spoil the whole game; your good name wouldn't suffer if ygur guard iau kept watch and ward over you; but to -be alone in this place with me—and I'm not reputed to be a saint—is another thing altogether., You'll have to marry me in the end, for you'll be hopelessly compromised, so you may as well consent at once." (To be Continueed).