SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9691, 15 January 1910, Page 2

SIR JOHN'S HEIRESS.

V .BY F- L. DACEE, \ Author of "A Loveless Marriage," "A Change of Heart," 9 -'Trenholme's Trust," "A Case for the Court,"

Etc , etc,

CHAPTER XXl.—Continued

He scrambled to the side of the lake, which happened to be at its shallowest here; then he paused to renaii) his breath, listening the while with all the cunning of a madman, as he was at that moment. The trees creaked and groaned in the grasp of a savage wind, and the rain was falling in heavy drops. He passed one hand over his achinu head, and felt that it was bleeding, and, setting his teeth hard,he anathematised the rajah. 'He has escaped me! But I have escaped him, too!' The second thought set him thinking, and he added: 'Ah, if I could only escaps them all!' As he crept toward the tiwer, he wondered if they would be likely to search there. And would his nerves stand the horrors of that awful place? Yes—better a dozen ghosta than the police—if ghosts there were. He reaclnd his hiding place, but, while he was croucmg there, he was startled by the sudden scampering of scores of tiny leet within a short distance of him, and he shuddered. An army of rats! he could not stand ; that! , « I He sprang up, and darted off, running at a great speed, until he was so far away that the lights of the Castle seemed mere twinkling sparks. 'They shall never capture me alive!' he said to himself. Then he heard the clang of a horse's hoofs on the rocKy way, and he slunk behind a tree. 'Great heavens—they are here!' he murmured. The horseman flew past, and Cartingtnn saw that it was Victor Linton. He shouted, but the wind mocked at him. 'He would help me, for Hilda's sake. Why have I not trusted him more? Linton—Linton! Help!' He held his face up to the cool, pelting rain. How refreshing it was! Oh, if he could have lived hia life over again! It he could only have one more chance! 'Liberty-liberty!' he cried aloud 'I must not—l will not lose my liberty! Death first! I will follow Linton. I will go to Nant Glaslyn Valley, and hide there until he comes. He will help me—he will help me, for Hilda's sake!' He went onward at a swift pace, until the dim lights of Llanberis twinkled through the falling rain. Ah, it would be madness to expose himself, to thrust his head into the lioi.'s mouth! There were police posted everywhere. As he turned into a deep and narrow pass to the right of Llanberis, he thought how fortunate it was that the night was dark, that the rain fell and the wind blew so boisterously. He chose the most unfrequented ways, pausing but rarely until he stood in the shadow of the great engine house at Nant Glasyn, until he saw the immense gaunt frames that spanned the mines, the frames that held the pulleys which were to make thousands of revolutions a day, bringing with every turn wealth foi ■• Victor Linton. The ground was lit tered with iron hoops, steel rails, balks of timber, pieces of machinery, > and a hundred and one other things, some of which Carnngton hac stumbled over in his flight. So work was begun in real earnest, he thought.' How horribly cold it was out there in the bleak wind, and the rain! His blood was cooling after bis fierce exertions, and he shivered, his teetl chatering. He had run and walked a Jong, long distance—fifteen or sixteen miles—for the had not come by the direct way, and he was tired, while his temples throbbed with t | fearful pain. He was drenched tc the skin, too; and his left arm was almots powerless from the effect oj the rajah's savage blow. . Having struggled to the door oJ the engine house, he found it locked, His senses seemed to be leaving him—he dropped to his knees. H( would creep to the furnace holes anc die there, out of the rain. The big boilers were under repair, and ther< was no fire,in the furnaces. Why hat He not thought of this shelter before' He chuckled to himself as he crept 01 his hands and knees right under on< of the boilers into the ash pit. Ah how warm it was? Very soon he wa; asleep. ***** , The morning broke brilliantly Captain Carnngton awoke half deliri ous. His thirst was almost unendur " able, and he had not strength to draj himself out of the ash pi\. Whei ■ would the workmen arrive? he won dered. A hopeless feeling took pos session of him. The sun was jus peeping over the hills, so it mus be after six o'clock. •They will find me in a littl while,' he muttered, 'and I could no resist if I would! It is all up witi me.' He held his breath, and bis hear beat faster, for the sounds of : horse's measured tread'vibrated 01 \ the quiet morning air. He sank info the farthest corner of his hidinj place, his eyes distended with terror. Nearer came the horse and its

rider, and Carrii.gton uttered a faint cry of joy. 'Flack Bess,' he gasped, 'and Victor Linton ! M.v luck has not deserted me yet!' ~ ji a He saw Linton dismount and lead the mare to the stables which had been erected for the use ot the pit horses. A minute or so later the young • man reappeared, and Captain Carrington crawled out of the ashpit. 'Victor!' he called. Linton shrank back in silent : amazement as he turned and saw the captain, who was a pitiable object. 'Great heavens, Carrington, what are you doing here'? 'You ran se<. for yourself, Linton,' was the feeble answer. '1 think that I was mad last night Anyhow, I got a notion into my head that I must kill somebody, and the rajah suggested you. His power is extraordinary at times, but I overcame tnat, and decided to shoot him instead We mtt by trie lake side by appointment, and he hit me over the head. The next thing I knew I was struggling for life in the water—no doubt he had left me thir2 for dead. Then I resolved 10 fiee from Woodcroft to escape arrest by the police, and the stormy night favoured me.' , Linton was too overcome to speak. His heart melted with pity for the unhappy man before him as he reflected that the police were now probably scouring the country in search of him. Captain Carrington read the expression in Victor's eyee, and smiled grimly. . 'Now what are you going to do for me, for Hilda's sake?' he asked, adding pathetically after a pause, 'you don't bear me any animosity, do you?' 'Good Heavi:s, no! I am sorry for you—very sorry—and my anger against you was caused by the trouble and disgrace you have brought into your daughter's life!' He roused himself suddenly. 'There is a cask of ale in the engine house,' he said. 'Will you have some? It is all I can offer yet.' 'lt will taste like nectar—my throat is like a limekiln 1' Victor assisted the captain to his feet, then unlocked the engine-room door, and they went in. The young man rinsed out a glass with some ale from a large wooden cask, refilled it, and handed it to Carrington, who drank the contents at one draught. •New life in my veins! Another glassful, and then we'll talk ! I don't suppose there is any time to waste? When do your men start work?' 'Eight o'clock. I should not have been here myself until that time if I had not borrowed Black Bess last night. I usually drive over with my partner. But about yourself? How are you to escape? The moment your flight is discovered the fact will be flashed all over Britain!' There was a brief silence. 'lt's of no use going any further,' | Carrington said, with quiet convic- ', tion. 'Can't you hide me here—in the mine, say? I could mingle with . the workmen. I know that it is selfish to drag you into the business, but what am I to do?' Linton was startled at the suggestion. He paced the floor for a |. while with puckered brows; then he gazed over the rolling country. If he . could shield the unhappy man! He gave no thought to himself. 'You remove your mustache and \ crop your hair close.' he said. 'Here . are a pair of shears. Take off your [ coat, vest and collar, and I will burn (them. In this chest are some over- . alls belonging to my partner; he , wears them to protect his clothes ] when descending the shaft. There | I are several sets, and I will tell him , that I have borrowed one. Fortun- , ately, fresh men are constantly ar- > riving from various parts of the country, and little, if any, notice > will bet taken of you. We cannot commence, operations in the mine for ', a couple of weeks yet, so you must \ pretend to make yourself useful m I the works—sawing timber or aDyr thing.' \ Carrington looked as relieved as it 1 he had been reprieved from death. ? 'Trust me for playing my part!' \ he said huskily. 'And when it is safe :> for me to move " Linton took the shears, and Car--3 rington leaned back in his chair, and absolutely laughed when the mustache was cut off. Then his silky hair fell about his shoulders as it was cropped. 'The scar on your che. k?' sug- . gested Linton. 'You must smear your r face with dirt. Now toss off your \ clothes and put on these.' Within fifteen minutes 'Handsome . I Carrington' was completely transt formed into 'Bill Dodgson, labourer.' t 'There is half a chance,' Victor said. 'I defy your own wite to know B you now! By nine o'clock 50 or 60 t men will be at the works. Then I a shall have to explain to my partner that you are a workman whom I t specially wish to have ensraged, for 3 Mr Growcott is absolute manager t /of the mine.' 'I t I 5 TO BE CONTINUED