THE COLONEL'S ENEMY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3131, 6 March 1909, Page 2

THE COLONEL'S ENEMY.

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

CHAPTER Xll.—Continued,

"And he is not likely to do any- \ thing that would attract attention," Mr Fletcher con tin led; "he is one of those thoroughbred gentlemen who are at home everywhere, and would go from one end of the world to the other, without speaking till he was spoken to." Mr Fletcher was certainly not gifted with the same unobtrusive j faculty, for he made friends at every I stage of the journey. By some peculiar process of divination, hj« singled out, or was singled out by, some quiet stranger, who, after a glance or a sign, imperceptible to the major, would find a pretex for speaking, and then have a confidential conversation that never lasted long, but seemed full of interest to both. This happened time after time, and when they landed at Boulogne, they were followed by a man who seemed to pay special attention to Lugard's new valet. "How do you do; Mr Ditton?" he said, "I hardly expected to find you here. It was only the other day I left you in Liverpool." "That is where 1 have seen you, somewhere." said Ditton; "but I cannot say where exactly." "I have been at the bar of the Cornwallis now and then in company with a gentleman named Darlington. Now you understand." "You are a detective." "Yes; but do no talk so loud. This place is full of eyes and ears, and see what I have seen, I should say that nearly ninety per cent of, the visitors are wanted for sonething or other. Is that Maj. Lugard?" "Yes." "And the other?" "Mr Fletcher." "Of Sheriff's Court—l know. It is a pity he cannot look a little less like what be is—or was. No one on earth would ever take him for anything but a police inspector on or off duty. I should like a word with the major, if you can manage it." " Why not go to him an 1 tell him your busines3 in a straightf jrvvard manner?" "As I have already told you, the place is full of eyes and ears. Now, if the major .couid manage to recognise me, as if I were an old acquaintance that hp has not seen for years, I could take his arm and talk a little to him." Ditton quickenad his pace and was soon by his master's side. In a few works he made known what was wanted, and Lugard turned with a well-assumed expression of surprise and pleasure. "Veryglad, indeed, to see you again," the Liverpool detective said, as he took the hand that was offered him; "and," he added in a lower tone, "take my arm, please, or give me Vours, and do not look to the right or left while I am speaking. You have heard that Col. St. Hilary and two friends travelled from Crewe to Euston?" "I am satisfied of that by my own inquiries." "And there met a man who induced them to take the train for Dover?" The major replied eagerly in the affirmative. "Well, then, sir, those two gentlemen, whether they are the colonel and his friend or not, are now staying at the Hotel Neapolitan, not ten minutes walk from here. They answer, to the defceiiplion in every particular, and one of them—the larger and taller of the two—speaks to the other aa colonel. We had instructions to detain them if possible, but that could only be done Dy an apptal tj thy French authorities, and we did not feel justified in going as far as that, especially as the two gentlemen have made no attempt to leave tha town." "Have they been her? long?" "Some hours now. We have followed their every footstep, and they have only called upon a few druggists and opticians; and as one of them wears spectacles, and the other looks like an invalid, there is nothing strange in that." "Nothing, perhaps. But could you not have made some inq iries?" "There was no occasion, sir, while they remain in the town." "Have they signed their names in the hotel book?" "No, sir. They are going away this evening." "St. Hilary is in the habit cf taking drugs for hib nerves," the major said; "and, as he is particular about his prescriptions, that may account for him going to more than one drug store. But a few minutes will settle the question now." "Let me go first," the detective said, as the hotel came into sight, "and follow closely on my heels. If we are mistaken, and get treated as intruders, we must make the best of it. But the two gentlemen here are the two men who came from Crewe,' and they answer to the description of those you want." He led the way, after giving the waiter a ring, and Lugard followed him with his heart beating high. Mr Fletcher and Joseph Ditton were close behind when the detective tapped at the door on the first landing! and a pleasant voice told him to enter. The major went in first, with Ditton next, and saw two gentlemen, in height ar.d dress and general appearance so much like St. Hilary and his companion that Lugard and his man were startled; but the two gentlemen were strangers, though Ditton had to look at the taller one a second time before he could believe ft. CHAPTER XIII. THE MAJOR'S RESOLUTION. Ma". Lugard no sooner saw that he hid fceeu misled that he realised*how

easily he might place himself in a false position. He did not for a moment doubt that these men had been purposely appointed to throw him off the trail, but in the absence of proof he could rot say so; and if they were aceomplices of the man who had instigated the colonel's disappearance, it was better to have them watched and fallowed closely, than to tell them they were suspected, and so put them on their guard. "1 must ask your pardon for our somewhat unceremonious intrusion," he said, taking the lead before Mr Fletcher could speak, "but I was induced to believe that I should find a friend of mine, Col. St Hilory. here." "There is nothing to apologise for," eaid tne elder of the two, in a strong, deep voice that told Joseph Ditton this was not the stranger who had gone away with fit Hilary. "Mistakes are easily made when people are travelling in strange plares. "You have only come to the wrong door, sir, that is all." "We have been following the wrong men." the major said, with a sigh, "guided by a description which apDlies as well to you and your friend as it would to the gentlemen we are in search of. Would you mind answering me a question?" "As many as you please." "Were you at Crewe recently?" "Certainly," the stranger said, with a good-tempered laugh. "My friend Cornell and I walked around the town together." "Your pardon. What name did yo give your friend." "Cornell—Alfred Cornell. He represents a wholesale druggist's firm, and I am travelling for my partners. lam an optician. If you happen to want anything in our way, I have some samples here " "You and your friend went from Crewe to Euston, having a third man with you?" Mr Fletcher put in, sternly. "You were met by a fourth man, and, after some conversation, you and your present companion left Euston for London Bridge, where jou took the train for Dover." "No, sir. We took the train for Folkestone, where we spent a profitable, if nota pleasant day," said the optician; "and you will permit me to say that you appear to have taken an extraordinary amount of interest in our proceedings." "We had a reason for it," Fletcher said, heedless of the gesture with which the major tried to silence him. "A gentleman is missing under very peculiar circumstances, and we have reason to believe that every obstacle will be thrown in the way of our search for him." "That cannot possibly concern us," said the druggist's representative, "nor justify you in the tone you are talking. We are simply what my friend has said. Here is my card and my order book. Mv friend can show you his, and give you any explanation you may require. If, as I judge by your appearance, you are connected with the police, and have followed us as suspected persons, why not say so at once, and, if you like to detain us till you are satisfied, you are welcome to do so at your own risk." i [to be continued.]