SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9677, 29 December 1909, Page 2

SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

BY F. L. DACRE, Author of "A Loveless Marriage," "A Change of Heart," •'Trenholme's Trust," "A Case for the Court," Etc, etc.

CHAPTER XVll.—Continued

Victor strode away, his blood at fever heat. His own troubles now became mere pigmies compared with the overwhelming disgrace that threatened the girl who was dearer to him than life itself. He remembered the national outcry when the discovery had b.en made that the Indian plans had ben tampered with, and how the traitor had been universally condemned. And the whole story would have to be revived! Oh, unhappy Hilda ! He ftlt within himself that Captain Carrington was the culnril, or had been (he guilty tool of some cleverer scoundrel. How could he put Hilda upon her guard—how break the terrible news ever so gently? He coula not—yet Half an ho<r had elapsed, from the time of uSh ordering the carriage, when he went back to the Castle; the vehicle was waiting. The butler was standing in the entrance hall, sleek and grave-looking. That scene lived long in Victor's memory. 'I he appearance of luxury and peace was so utterly at variance with the real fctate of things. Who would dream that, "Banlet" was Tom Perrin, one of the most relentless detectives that had ever lived? Who wouid have thought that the smiling cuptain now approaching him was a ihief, a forger, a traitor to his country! And tne graceful figure behind-the Prince Ali Narain?

"Going for a drive, Linton?" the captain a'ekeri. "A delightful day for it! I wish that we had been asked to accompany you and Hilda!" He looked worried, and spoke in an undertone, "ivly guest isso touchy; and it is hardly the thkg for Hilda to fly off without a w.rd, so soon after the prince's arrival!" "My dear captain, what has your prince to do with Hilda? He was not invited to the Castle; and really I don't care even to make his acquaintance!" A glance from Bartlet made him refrain from saying more. "Yes, we aie going as far as Nant # Glnslyn Valley and Carnarvon.'' I hi. l rajah was now standing hesiile Captain Carrington, and Victor deliberately tumid his back upon him. The Indian's dark face giew positively grav, and his eyes were ablaze, A minute later Hilda appeared in the great hall, followed hy Mrs Staples-Lambert, who had been assisting her to dress. The rajah bowed in bib graceful way, and stepped to one sidn. The captain fidgeted with his watch chain, occasionally moistening his dry lips with his tongue. He followed his daughter to the carriage, and whispered: "Hilda, my dear, you will ne home to dinner, I hop;? The prince will be so disappointed, anl, really, I have no wish to offend him!" His voice was plaintive. "I cannot help his disappointment," the girl answered in cold tones of surprise. "And you will do well, father, to get rid of him to-day if possible. I shall not be home to dinner." "My dear Linton, let me appeal to ynu! I dare not offend this man —or the consequences will be farreaching!" he added warningly. "Nothing can alter the course of fate, captain!" said Victor. Arid the carriage whirled away.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE BLACK SHEEP CAUSES MISGIVINGS. In saying what he did to Captain Vane Carrnigton, Victor Linton was carried away by the storm that was raging within him, and by his hatred of Prince AH Narain. Carrhigtun watched the carriage, in which his daughter and Linton were g»irg for their drive, cross the courtytrd; then he strode after it as far as the great archway and saw it whirl along toward the lodge gate. Thus he stood for fully a minute, repeating to himself again and again Li"ton's words, and recalling the young man's savage scowl. "Confound him!" he muttered. "How much does he suspect—how much does he know? I have hoped great things of that young man, and now I find that he is a dangerous enemy ! But my enemy or Ali's?" A fierce smile wrint/led his face. "I wish to Heaven he'd kill the infernal nigger!" A hand was If.id upon his shoulder, and he started guiltily. "Or that the nigger would kill him —eh, captain?" It was the rajah's smooth voice. "A dangerous habit, that of your?, talking aioud! A 'nigger'? I don't think that thtre can be any semblacn of friendship between us in the future; such an insult must not go unchallenged." He hissed the words into Cairington's ears. "Dog"—you know that the blood of kings runs in nr.y veina!" "I have oiily your wurd for it," sneered the other. "I hurl your opprobrum back in your teeth ! Dog—if you want a thrashing I am not tuo old to give you one!" They faced each other, with clenched hands and glaring eyes, then the rajah laughed.

•'Pool! Our fortunes for good or ill are bound up in each other. You hate me —ii is but natural—but Fpare your insults! I could ruin you wnh a word, but it would be my own undoing also wnile I am on British soil. I am poor, but you have glorious prospects, and 1 must share them." The captain frowned weakly, but made no reply. "I must share in your prospects," repeated the rajah, in his quiet, masterful tones; "and our mutual enemy must be swept way. For that enemy we have not far to seek, as I gathered from your mutterings. But why are we standing here, where inquisitive servants can see us?" They moved slowly away together, and the Oriental continued!: 2 "I am in love with the charming Hilda and her fortune—the fortune most of ail—l think I both love and hate her. You have seen bow she treats me—scornfully and contemptuously—and yet she has already felt the effects of my power! In a little while I could mould her will to mine; and in years to come she will make a splendid woman. I did not intend to say these things so soon, but I have by chance discovered your true sentiments* toward me, and I have discovered that the young lawyer is not our frhnd." His teeth gleamed, and he laughed in thai low way of his. he rolled a cigarette, apparently thinking ' deeply as he did so, "A daughter will do much for her father when it is to save him from a criminal's death!"

Carrington leaned against a tree tor support, a clammy moisture breaking out on his brow. "What you dream of is impos- ! sible," he said huskily; "you don't know my daughter's temper. By Heaven, she would kill you! I wouldn't permit it myself, bad as I have been. As I am now, I have something of father's feelings!" "And what is it that you object to, my friend?" "You!" answered the captain in tones of fierce disgust. The rajah smiled: his claws were hidden in their velvet shield again. He puffed at his cigarette. "Yaw' daughter's lover—ah, we mix life oil and water! I have se r jn Lira look at me. He hates me and he fears me." He shrugged his shoulders, and his brow darkened. "And now, Carrington, with what did he threaten you and me?" "Nothing definite; but he gave me the impression of overwhelming knowledge." The captain spoke moodily. "It may have been my fancy " "It was not! If you turn traitor a second time " He saw that the elder man's face was growing livid, and knew the danger signal well; his manner changed. ''P«;don my suspicions, my friend. I have no desire to offend you, ana an estrangement between us means ruin L.r botn. Mr Linton is our common i\ e. I will discover all—leave him tj me! And, as for Miss Carrington, I may sue for her favours in the ordinary way. You will not object?" "If she noes not—not." 'I he cap- j tain smiled sardonically, hut his face was very pale. Linioi: would be better out of the way. And' what was I he at the best? A dttrirremal, lmm a worldly point of \ k-w ; a; d he was already assuming ko many airs on the strength of tii.-t possible marriage with "Miss Carrington, of Woidcroft Castle." "He was quite resolved to treat me ba.'.ly," tiouyht Hilda's father; and tie could do to much if he choset Together we might have outwitted this infernal Pn ca i,f Darkne s, but | I dare not trust linn—l dare r.o! No, no—unless I sacrifice Air Victor Linton, I sacrifice nysilf; and I had hoped, things w-)ulJ'b so different!" He sight d. "You have matters in my hands?" asked the rajah "That is well—vou know that I never fail! Oh, you need not think that I shall do anything rash—l am an artist in everything!" Thuy returned to the Castle, and Carrington reflected: "I may remain her:', after all, and Hilda knows h;>w to take care of her self. She has the sJf -will und temper of Lucifer!" ****** It was a delightful chive to Nant Glaslyn Valley. '! he 1 had so much to talk aonut, although Victor's mifi'i v\aa occasionally depressed by forel.ociwgs, whkh were foi'eiun to his usually sunny an.i hop ful disposition. "I don't think that I shall feel quits happy," he by way of explanation, "until 1 can get into communicition with my tather. What must his. torture be if he believes that his good name is now dis- j honourid? Wc are advertising in . the newspapers, and assuring him j that all is well." He broke tiff sue- ' denly, for Hilda's eyes seemed to read his inmost thoughts. "And is that all that givtsyou trouble. Victor?" sne gently asked. "Are you not bothered greatly on my accoui t? It is a shame that everything snould go wrong at the same time! But have courage!" TO BE CONTIMJKD.