A. DESPERATE GAME.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10113, 7 October 1910, Page 2

A. DESPERATE GAME.

(OUR SERIAL.)

By OWEN MASTERS. Author ot "The Master of Tredcroft," "One Impassioned Hour," "The Devrri'l Heritage,". "When Love Rules the Heart," "Captain Emlyu's Bride," etc. 4...-'

CIi.U'TER XIII. A COX SESSION. It was quite a suden impulse that took me next day to Coyton, though for some time I had been making up my mind that it was there that my quest would really begin. Now that 1 had money, and I calculated that the pounds Nora Hardcastle had so mysteriously conveyed to me would last me a year, I began to see a little daylight ahead.' ivly appointment with Harold Reckitt I did not keep. He was in active search of Nora Hardcastle, and I could not help thinking that as things were just then, I had better avoid him lest I let something fall that should link me with her. His eyes were a good deal too quick, and his intellect too quick, to allow of any risks. So I sent him a telegram and went down to Coyton instead. Maynard Drew's house was distant about three miles from the station, and I trudged along the dusty highroad, turning over in my mind the best excuse I could, make for my 'visit. Not that I arrived at any decision.' One suggestion after another rose in my mind, only to be rejected,, but, nevertheless, I kept straight on, trusting that chance would befriend me.

tleman," Mrs Drew asked, catching her breath a little.

"It is Normington, Ronald Normington, you remember.' "I did not know you were married," I said, trying to echo his cordiality. "To the best girl in the world,", he said enthusiastically, " two years ago." Mrs Drew came up to me smiling, and shook hands with me. "Your room has been ready for you a long time," she said. "We expected you before this." Then she paused, wrinkling her pretty brows. "But why did you come here asking for Constance Yanneck?" she queried.

At the mention of the name Maynard Avheeled round, bending on me an inquiring look, and I saw that I was fairly in for it. Should it be the truth or a lie? I had only a moment to make up my mind. "I'm afraid I frightened Mrs Drew," was my hid for a little more timetime.

It did. 1 had gone about a couple of miles, and was nearing a bend in the road, when I heard a tooting, arid a minute later "the swiftly rhythmical throb of a quickly approaching motor car. Without stopping to think, I stepped through a half-open gate, and concealed myself behind a thickhedgerow. But I managed to obtain a glimpse of the car as it flashed by, and to recognise the occupant. When the car had disappeared, I continued on my way a little more j rapidly than before, hoping some-' thing from his absence. I approach- i ed the house with very mingled feelings, remembering my last visit and its sombre outcome. The place was very little changed. It was an oldfashioned house that had once been a farm, but which had been enlarged and added to until it was a spacious residence, devoid of form but with all the charm 'of inconsistency and the unexpected. The low wooden building to the left, which had been Maynard's workshop in the old days, had disappeared, but its place had been taken by a building of red brick from which even now issued the sound and hum of machinery at work. Evidently Maynard's ruling passion still held sway. I went up to the front door of the house, and rang the bell, and the summons was answered by a trim maid. "Is Mr Drew at home?" I asked. ""Kb, sir," was the reply," "but Mrs Drew is." "I would like to see Mrs Drew," I returned, a little startled, for I had never so much as thought of Maynard Drew as a married man. I was ushered into the parlour on the left of the hall, a much more tasteful and elegant apartment than any Maynard's house had contained in the old days, and a minute later a girl entered. "Mrs Drew?" I said inquiringly, with a quick glance at her loft hand.

"I thought you were a detective,' she breathed.

"That was a very bad guess," I said. "Detectives and I are not very dear friends—as you may judge—** that is if you know my " "She knows," Maynard abruptly interposed, "but about Constance Vanneck?" "I came here " "Why here?" "I am sorry if I am not wel " "Nonsense, Ronald, you know you are welcome. But—but—but—well, it is a little surprising." "I came," I said slowly, "to warn her." "To warn her!" "Precisely." Mrs Drew floated up to me and laid her pretty hand on my arm. "Are you her friend?" she asked, "you would not——" "I looked down into her sweet eyes full of the lights and shadows of questioning, and thereon took a sudden resolution. "Her friend!" I cried, "I love her far more than I love my life! But for her I should have thrown the whole thing up and gone to America, as my cousin wanted. It is that I may lay clean hands and name at her feet that I stay here hoping against hope to prove But this is all nonsense," I broke off, adding bitterly: "In a convict it is absolute impudence." "No, no," she cried. "But you really love her?" "With all my soul. And now, where is she?"

"Yes; may I ask " "Mrs Maynard Drew?" "Yes; but " I did not give her an opportunity to demand explanations, but caught her up swiftly every time. "I called to see your husband," I went on. "I am sorrv he is out, but he will " "Yes, I called to see him, but not primarily," I proceeded. "I really came to sec Miss Constance Yanneck." I kept my eyes lixed upon her face, but even 1 was a little astonished at the effect my words produced. She became white to the lips, shrinking back almost as if I had threaencd to strike her. , "Constance Vanneck!" she said in a hoarse whisper. "Constance Vanncck is not here." "She came here," I responded, still keeping my eyes fixed on her face. She made no reply. "Where is she?" I demanded. . The answer, spoken almost below her breath, and evidently not intended for me, was unexpected and bewildering. "I wish to God T knew where she is!" slie said. She was so evidently sincere hat for the moment I was too dumbfounded to proceed ; and then, before I could speak,-we heard the honk of a car which almost simulaneously passed before the window and came to a standstil by the front door. "There is my husband," she said joyfully, and she went to the door crying "Maynard! Maynard!" I smiled a little grimly to myself. I was trapped about as neatly as could be, and there was nothing for it but to brazen it out. I made no effort to a range any plan in my mind; I determined once again to trust to chance, and to drift along with circumstances.

"I would give five thousand pounds if I could tell you," Maynard broke in. And then for the space of a minute we three stood gazing into one another's faces, at cross purposes, no doubt, but with in realiy 'only one thought between us. I was the first to break the silence, and turning to Maynard I told my lie slowly but it was without faltering or hesiation. "She has been traced here," I said. "How she came here Ido not know. Did vou ever meet Harold lleckitt?" "No." "He was in our bank."

"J have forgotten him." "He is a newspaper man. I met him in Holborn, and he recognised me. We began talking of this murder, and I led him on to talk—hecause of Constance. He said that the police were looking for Constance Vanneck and Nora Hardcastle, and that Constance had been seen.' "Had been seen? Where? When?"

"I do not know. He would tell me no details, because he was working up an exclusive report for his paper. I kept him in sight. He came down here, and so I followed him." / "Down here! He on me to this house?"

"No. I met him near the station, and again we talked of the murder. But Ik; would tell me nothing. It gave me, however, an idea. I knew that you and she were friends, and so I came hero. I did not know that she had been here, but I had sworn to find her—because I loved her." Mrs Drew's eyes were shining brightly, and she smiled upon mo. "I should have, found her," I went on, gaining confidence as I saw they believed me. "I should have gone from house to house in the effort to find her. I-should not have come here but that I saw you with them at Delardi's. You remember?" He nodded a silent affirmative.

Maynard passed quickly through the hall, but halted at the doov 'of the parlour when he saw there was someone therein. The. pause, however, was only momentarily. With outstretched hand lie fame rapidly towards inc.

"Ronald, my dear fellow!" he cried, "is it really yourself at last." "Ronald! Do you know this gen-

"I thought hat if she should have gone there—her, I mean—l would •warn her that his man was following her. I came groping in the dark, but when. I spoke the name ,I saw the truth written in your wife's face. That is the whole story." "And then in his turn Maynard Drew lied.

"Yes, she came here," lie said slowly. "My wife and she were friends at school. That is how I came to know the Ynnccks—by marrying my wife. She came here seeking refuge and shelter. It was natural she should come here; my.wife was her dearest friend. She caino at night and stayed one whole day and two nights. When my wife went to her room on. iliat second morning, it Avas empty. We know no : moro than that." (To be Continued. 1 )