THE COLONEL'S ENEMY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3125, 27 February 1909, Page 2

THE COLONEL'S ENEMY.

BY WINTHROP B. HAELAND. Auihor of "Lady Elgin's Secret," "A Harvest of Shame," "The Elder Son," "Lord Ashton's Heir," Etc. '

CHAPTER Vll.—Continued

"But I fail to see where the scare would come in." the major said. "I have always been taught that most business men are people of integrity and unblemished reputation." "Some of them are; I will say that oi the majority; but the few, tie dangerous few, constitute a considerable number; many of them, such as those concerned in the Crombie swindle, keep quite for a time, go abroad, change their names, make money, perhaps, and then come back a dozen or more years later, when they think they ase forgotten; then they are ready for anything. Bills of sale and accomodation, financial alfairs, company promoting, dealing in stocks and shares, starting blackmail newspapers, getting up sham auctions in high-rei<ted premises, and all these things require an extensive, and expensive, and well-knit confidence. Now, if only one member of such a confederacy were imperilled by Col. St. Hilary's intended investigation, it would be a danger to the whole gang, for if we get hold of ona such man, we are naturally curious to the kind of company he keeps; and they know this as well as we do; that is why they would do anything to stop the inquiry if possible." "Surely they would be ill-advised if they thought they could do that by kidnapping St. Hilary?" "If he were once in their power they might hope to silence him by bribes or threats." *

"Then they do not know the man they have to deal with; a million of money would not induce him to suppress the truth or tell a falsehood, and fear is to him ai word without meaning." "So much the worsa/for him!" the inspector thought. "If he were less difficult to deal with there might be some hope for him; • and that he has been kidnapped I hiive not the slightest doubt." He kept thii opinion to himself, out of regard to the major, and took leave, after promising to call early in the morning, it was nearly two when he (eft, and there were not many hours left for repose; as for sleep, Frederick Lugard could not think of it.

The firk in the colonel's room had gone out, the bed itself looked painfully white and empty, and the soldier was haunted by a mental picture of his friend, St. Hilary, as he might look if extended there, with his feet close together, the marble lids over his brilliant eyes, and his beautiful fkce set in the statue-like sleep that knows no waking. The major nmde up the sittingroom fire, and lighted a final cigar to smoke while thinking over the day's events, and contemplating what might come "to him out of the shadowy figure. He had drawn his rhair near the fender, and rested his slippered feet on the polished bar, when the second waiter came in, after closing the door on Inspector Darlington.

"Will you want anything more tonight, sir?" he asked. "Nothing, thanks. I should like a cup of coffee early." "Anytime you please, sir; I wi+l see you have it. And I wish to say, sir, that if you should want me for anything in the way of giving evidence, I mean, I had better leave you my address, as I shall not ne here sfter thi£ Week."

"Going away, are you?" said the major. "You had 'better give me your addrass if that ia the case; but you did not mention it when you were at the police station with me." "I did not know it then, sir. I stayed out half an hour or so; there was nothing to hurry for, and the manager spoke to me in a way I did not like, so I gave notice. 1 don't mind being spoken to by a gentleman. I have been a soldier and an officer's servant, and when a gentleman's angry he is a gentleman all the same. But I can't stand being domineered over by anyone who was only a waiter himself a few years ago." "I see," the major said, slightly amused and reflected. "A soldier, were you? Why did you l?ave the service?"

"My time was out. sir. I did my twelve yearb and left with a clean discharge; here it is, sir; and," he added wistfully, "if you should happen to know of a gentleman, a milir tary gentltman preferred, who wants a valet, I shoud be much obliged. I am honest and sober, though I say it myself."

The major looked at him. The man's discharge gave him an excellent character, and his age was thirtythree. Lugard could see for himself that he was intelligent and discreet, a light weight for the saddle, and not big enough to be unwieldy in the rooms of a man who, above a ( ll things, liked a quiet attendant about him.

"Are you married?"" Lugard inquired. "No, sir." "You understand horses?" "Yes, sir."

"Well, if you like to take forty pounds a year, and, for the present, a pound a week board wages, you may consider yourself engaged to me," the major said. "You had better come with me to-morrow, if you can arrange it. Joseph Ditton, I si e—single,'"" thirty-three, and with a clean cisiliarfie after twelve .years' service; we ought t>) tuit each other."

'I will try my best, sir,". Ditton said, gracefully. "It's what I have betn longing for, is service with an officer again. It was like old times waiting on the colonel and you, and ycu shall never regret taking me on, sir. When I asked you to recommend me I was wishing you might want me."

"I fancy I had an inkling of that, ?rd t is well ycu spoke when you did." said the major, with a smile, "for I have been thinking about en-

gaging a man for some time past. You can go, now, Ditton. Let me have coffee at six, and when we get to London you can find some rooms for me near Piccadilly Curzon Street, Charges Street, or Ha!fMoon Street will do."

"How many rooms, sir, and what rent?"

"How many rooms? Say a first floor with a couple of bedrooms and a dressing r om. The rent we must leave to the conscience of the people of the house, if they have a conscience. Have you a good memory for faces?" "I have a gojd memory for most things, sir—faces and voices especially. I never forget them." " Would you remember the face and voice of the man whe went atray with Col. St Hilary?" "If I heard him speak, or caught a glimpse ol him, I could swear to him anywhere." "Then if, as I fear, we do not find the colonel in Canon Street, you will make it a special part of your duty to keep a lookout for that ma»\ and if ou once get hold of bim, mark him, track him down, never let him go." Joseph Ditton smiled, and the major saw that once in his grip the man he wanted might as well try to break away from a bulldog.

The man retired, and Lugard, rolling himself in a couple of rugs on the couch, slept fitfully through the rtext few hours.

One clock, belonging to a church or some public building near at hand, was afflicted with a clear, resonant chime which struck With maddening persistence on the wakeful ear every fifteen minutes, and struck the hour on a deep-toned bell with a muffled sound like a funeral knell. The major was glad when six t rough t the bright face of his new man with a coffee tray.

The soldier could hot eat. He had hoped that even during the night some tidings would coma, and the anxiety completely took away his appetite. He had a bath, and took a second cup of coffee and a cigar.

Half an hour later the inspector came.

"Have yiu heard anything yet, sir," he asked. "Nothing—and you?"

"Some of my men have been out all night. One has just returned from Crewe. Two gentleman, answering the descriptions of the colonel and the stranger, were at Crewe to-day, between three and four. They went to the Lion Hotel, where they mtt a third man, and the three went to London by the five-seven. They would be in Euston soon after eight. That is as far as we have gone at present." "Thank you for having done s) much. There is a gleam of hope in this, and I may find the colonel there when we reach London." "You will let me know." "Immediately," He went to the .station without waiting for Mr Dacre's telegram. He took Ditton in the carriage with him for company as he could not bear to be alone, and the five hours were not so irksome as they would otherwise have been. [t« be continued.]