ONE IMPASSIONED HOUR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9065, 14 April 1908, Page 2

ONE IMPASSIONED HOUR.

By OWEN MASTERS. or of "Nuu'a Repantancs," " Clyda's Love Dream," " Her Soldier Lover," " For Love of Marjorie," " The Mystery of Woodcroft," etc.

cnAPTEr: XXXll.—Continued. "I didn't count upon the siege begin ing so soon. Is thcie any othei wa> out of tliia trap f . East worn! 3in 10k his head. "One, but the door is bi.rred on the Other suit*. It Simatonds knew " "Papa, I will tall Simmonds. These men dare not interfere with me. Let me go now." Miriam sprang to her feet. "I think it can be done, said Warren. "I must go, too. 1 promised Allan that I would motor to the colliery at seven. . . . What shall you do thin, ur? ~^ ut frying pan into the lire? "Trust me," laughed Charlie. He was rubbing his hands together now. The chase was exhilarating. "I know the secrets of the Priory too well. Away vou go, Miriam, and meet me on the other side. Since the woman from Biarritz has gone, my oath to Rosenberg is all right." Upton Warren comprehended. "Come along, Miss Eastwood. If they attempt to rush the door - "Oh. I'll stand behind," Charlie growled, "and slam it goes after y Down-.stairs they went, and Miriam's heart was beating almost ro suffocation. The detective's eyes shone, but his face was grave. Eastwood was furiously mirthful. "Onn word," whispered Warren. "I won't leave until I see you out of thU. If a man is guarding the other "Let me loose, and I'll make short work of him. Dash the law ! I'm in the right! I have done no wrong, and thoy shall soon know the stuff that Charlie Eastwood's made of.' Which was unreasonable and unconvincing. Breathlessly they paused and listened. The knocking had ceased. "Now," said Warren. He drew Miriam directly in front of him, and pulled open the door. In a flash they were outside, to find that the policemen were holding a parley a considerable distance away. There were two in uniform, and a p'.aiu-clothes man. The latter very promptly pounced upon Warren, and spoke severley. "My dear fellow, I positively don t understand your jargon. Obstructing you in your duty? On, wel , break in the door, and be dashed to jou. Take my arm, Misa Eastwood. 7. urn dying for a cup of tea.' Miriam was shaking in every limb. She walked unsteadily to the house. _ "Now," Warren whispered, rapidly. "You get Simmond3 or somebody to work on that door. I must stay here, and talk to the man with the warrant. He is after us." "Oh, ves—yes" And away Miriam flew.

CHAPTER XXXIII. SEARCHING THE MINE. "He civil, and be discreet," Upton Warren said to the officer. "Turn yojr head the other way; it will be worth your while." "I shall report you." "I don't think you will. lam known at Scotland Yard. See here. He exhibited some papers—he had a sheaf of them, neatly folded and banded. "I was sent down here to bring a murder to Charles Eastwood, and I have proof here that he is innocent. The officer squirmed. He clapped a hand over the pocket containing the warrant. "Still " he began. "Yes, keep as still as you can. Don't be in a hurry; you can't arrest a man before you have discovered him. The right man will be caught —he is trapped now. I will be responsible, and you sha'n t lose anything." "What am I to do?" "Hammer on yonder door, go where you like, do what you like, but don't see anything.' "If you didn't represent the Yard " "But I do." He fllappod the man on the shoulder. "Honour bright?" There was a nod of complete understanding, and Warren went indoors. His bump of,location was enormously developed, and swinging past the wondering butler, he walked with unerring scent to the scene of operations. Simmonda was working with bit and brace for dear life; down came the steel rods, and open went the door into the tower. At the same moment a terrific assault was made upor. the other door. Warren oiniled, and whispered to Miriam. "It's all right; that is mere bluff. I've squared our mar. Mr Eastwood has only to keep oat of sight. Charlie Eastwood stumbled into the corridor, the light of battle in his eye "Telegraph for our legal man, Simmonds. No more hiding away; I'll fight theso people to the death, an J the Lunacy Commissioners will soon be busy with some of them He took his daughter's arm. "I am going to my own room —or any other room for that matter. "Keep a»'ay from the windows, ' sir," Warren bnid. "And will molebtyou: I've arranged that." "Dash the windows, and you, and everybody else! I'm sick of this farce. Simmonds, let the servants know that the master has come home. And I wi'l enjoy a proper dinner to-night. It's weeks since I had a square meal." Miriam 'looked from one to the other, half frightened, but Warren smiled reassuringly. "You will do as you like, sir, of course, but you will be discreet."

"And you will stay to dinner," Charlie said. "No, I'm oft* to the colliery to see what's going on there. Allan telephoned me, and I promised." At. that precise instai.t the butler entered the corridor from the ballroom, his plumage enormously ruffled. His fa'-o was pale, his voice tremulous, and he reeled rather than walked. He seemed to be oblivious of his surroundings, and kissed his master's hand. "Oh, I'm all right. Hadley. As sound as a bell. What, Charlie Eastwood run away? Never! He can act the fool with the best fool alive but nothing worse. Hadley—nothing worse. . . . What did you say? The thirty-foot shaft finished. I say, Mr Warren, listen to that, and wait a while. By the Lord, I've turned as faint as a woman" He slid into a seat, and great beads of perspiration glistened on his brow. "Did you hear that, Mr Warren? The thirty-foot shaft is ready. The foreman has just brought the news, and the search must begin to-night." Pie bowed his head, and his shoulders trembled. "I will lead the hunt—it may last hours —days. Hadley—the j dinner, hurry it; Simmonds send the foreman into the library; Warren, | youjjmust not go. Telephone to Allan Berrington—any li 3 you like, but he mustn't come here—by Jove, no" "No, indeed," saia Warren. But how was Allan to be stopped? The pumping was still going on, but the hope was a forlorn one. Hundreds of tons of the old workings had caved in. The water had washed away the pillars, and the mine was impenetrable. Charlie Eastwood and his daughter and Upton Warren filed to the library. Simmonds and the form an well-sinker wert already there. The very air seemed big with forshadowings of something tremendous. "We've struck one of the levels, sir," said the foreman. "Thirtytwo foot from the surface. It's like the streets of a town clown there. I can send the chaps home now if " "If—if," repeated Eastwood. His arms were folded over his chest, and he began to pace the carpet. "No, take them into the kitchen and feed them. I'm going down the shaft —I and these gentlemen." He swept a hand in the direction of Warren and Simmonds. "Your men won't have much to do - -only to attend to the winch. Go — and expect us in an hour." Warren went to the telephone, and was soon talking to Allan Berrington. Charlie Eastwood listened, alert, but ill at ease. "I can't keep the appointment," Warren was saying, "so don't wait for me. Oh, yes, everything ia Al here. No, you had better not come to the Priory to-night. Miss Eastwood is spending the evening with her father. What am I doing here?" "Lie to him—lie to him!" interj jected Eastwood. I wouldn't have him in the mine with me for a big red apple." Warren grinned. (To be continued.)