The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8271, 26 October 1906, Page 2

The Ironmaster's Daughter.

Bv OWEN MASTERS. Author of "Clyda's Love Dreamt" "Nina's Repentance," "Her Soldier Lover,'' "The Mystery of Woodcroft," f( For Love of Marjorie," etc.

[".The Ironmaster's Daughter" was commenced on October 17th.]

CHAPTEK Vlll.-Continued. Then it dawned upon the scientist that Dick's knowledge of the world was incomplete. He had not done the cut-and dried 'grand tour.' Dick was rather pleased at the prospect. He had quite exhausted the resources of Britain, and set out with a light heart and full purse. He had returned just a year later, with a light puree, an i a heart weighed down wifh responsibilities. The man was now in ihe Bourse of making, and in a few days the half dormant intellect woke up, and the metamorphosis was as remaikable as it was sudden. The careleEßnesß, the bonhomie, the light, foolish laugh, the half-bored expression, the aimless groping after pleasure had given place to a much olderJookiog man, dark-broWfU, eager, critical, swift of morerent. and full of a lived, almost savage, purpose. To the friends of Uiob Tressidy, the change was as unpleasant as it was startling. To his enemies, it was a trifle dißoonserting They bad heard of his return, and dreaded his threats without knowing whj. On the Wednesday after his arrival in England, he rode to the sheriff's office, and paid ever the ohim upon the estate of Birohdene—the huge sum of «ixty thuusand pounds. The sheriff's officer was an influential auctioneer, a financier, a man WbQ graded upon the misfortunes fif ethers, ukeK, pily, vrell-groomed, and shrewd. When »- r J3i o ji'j: r esai3y was announced, he aFßurr.erl a regretful, suave, but, withal* a determined attitude, glancing grimly at & P»le of large posters whifeh hUd to be put up that day. These bills announced the ca ly sale of the Birchdene estate, together witn the entire contents of the mansion without reserve. 'Ah, 1 am glad to make your acquaintance Mr Tressidy,' the sheriff's deputy said blandly. •Are you Mr Dinks?' The deputy bowed, and rubbed his chin. His small, keeu eyea were watching Diok's stern face with curious inteieat. He remembered the yuoug follow as a careless daredevil, who rode and drove fast horses, to the danger of the public. •1 have called about my father's affairs,' began Dtak. Mr Dinks sighed, and shook his head 'I am helpless in the matter, Mr Tressidy. The posters and the advertiaeinent must go out to-day, and everything will bo sold next week. You might get a f rlond to bay in eny treasured articles, and, if you will point them out to me, I'll see that nobody nine them ap. The mortgagee will not wait another hour. He has already held over beyond the legal limit on account of Mr Tresisdy's illness, but my instructions from the sheriff are now imperative.' 'When you are done making a catalogue of your impotenoy, etc., I will finish what i was going to say," snapped Dick. Mr Dinks reddened with annoyance. 'The young puppy!' he thought. •Nothing breaks the spirit of these people. When begging favourH, they do it with such an air that it is an honour to grant them one!' '1 have called regarding my father's affairs, and the exact amount due to you? What is it?' Mr Dinks grew pmple, and touched the buttoa of an eleotrio bell. An imitation of himself appeared—not quite so prosperous-looking, and to. his factotum Mf Dinks. Bpoke pompously and rapidly. Within five minutes the imitation set before his chief an array of figures, totalling Bixty thousand two hundred and four pounds. Mr Dinks flashed a furti e glance at Tressidy, who bad left his ohair and was looking out of the window. •Ahem!' coughed Mr Dinks. 'Mr Tressidy!'

Diok turned round and ndvanced upon them. 'TheHe aro the figures, sir, but'— he lowered his voice to a persuasive whisper—-'if you find euy difficulty in raising the full amount, I oao arrange for the two-tbiria to remain on mortgage at four per cent.' The imitation endorsed this with a truly benevolent smile, and 'I know that we oan do it better and cheaper 1 than any other oflioe.' 'And with absolute secrecy,' added Mr Dinks. Dick uttered not a word, nor did be even raise bis eyes. He soßnned every item of the much befignred document; then, taking a blank cheque from his pocketbook, filled it in for the full , amount claimed, Mr Dinks winked at his faototurn, and the latter remarked that It was against their rule to take cheques in the execution department. 'I never interfere in these matters,' murmured the auctioneer. 'lt i 9 made payable to self ' eaid Diok, coldly and iuclsively. 'The bank is four doors away. Take it and cash it.. I will wait here.' 'Of course,' Mr Dinks agreed. His voice was faint. Could it be true—'—• He motioned to the echo of himself to begode, and, walking to a cupboard, produced some wine. 'Mr Tressidy, may I offer you He belt! up tbe decanter temptingly. 'Thirty old/ 'J nevor touch wine in the morning. * He rose, and went to tbe window agalD, and, for an instant there was the glare of murder in bis eyeb. He swung, round, aud resumed bis seat. •What is it, Mr TresHidyt You are ill!' tbe auctioneer said. '1 have just looked upon a traitor, air. Ilia name is Christopher Stauley. Tthink you understand.' Mr Dinks held up one flDger warningly. !

' 'Hush, sir. He's in the outer offioe. He is tbe catspaw of Lucas ! Isaaos—be, and others. But that faot doesn't absolve him. I have no doubt tha"; he is here now at Isaao3' bidding. Wait—wait. As soon as my man comes baok, Stanley shall be told that every shilling is paid.' He rubbed his hands. '1 am delighted, Mr Tressidy. 'lt is an awful thing <"or an old family to bo turned out by a soulless Jew.' Dick laugned hoarsely. 'And 1 am determined to have the works buck also,' he said harshly. Mr Diiks was doubtful. 'They have passed beyond 'recall Mr Tressidy. Isaacs won't sell—he fancies himself a modern Disrael, und the works give him a big pu'l. He has quite made up his mind, too, to lord it at Birohdene—-and then go iuto politics. The scheme has been in operation for years, and be found ready tools iu Chris Stanley and weeks, your office man ager. 1 am speaking behind close doors now, Mr Tressidy—and what I am saying is privileged and confidential. Vour father has been systematically robbed ever 6inoe he borrowed money for the African investigation. That was five years since. Tbe loan was negotiated in this office. But you cannot recover —you cannot convict—'you oannot prow. Your father would sign his own death warrant while speculating upon the possibilty of a new set of , stars a million years hence.' 'But if the offioe books have been falsifi'd.——' (% ba Continued.)