“AN EVIL ANGEL”

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20507, 25 May 1938, Page 4

“AN EVIL ANGEL”

CHAPTER XXVII. (continued) This seemed to surprise Frencl “The motor and an escort being avail able, why did she walk and go alone? he wondered. To simple-minde French, Comtesse Feo’s tortuous way would ever be inexplicable. The were not a little so to mere enlight ened Nina, and she herself was be ginning seriously to consider that fo many reasons to go back to Belgrav Street would be most desirable, 1 only Marie was fit for the journey Not a little pleased therefore was shi when, during their tete-a-tet luncheon, Mrs Cooper Informed he that Philip Morley had undertaken t< Interview Dr. Randall and, If possible get his consent to her speedy de parture. Meantime Comtesse Feo had reachet London by a train almost followinf the one, that had carried the tw< men to town, and, stepping on to th< platform at the Paddington Station she looked very brisk and alert, hav ing totally set on one side the Orlenta langour with which she was usuall; oppressed. If, however, she wa congratulating herself on a clever es cape from observation, her self-felici talions were somewhat premature Two people were getting out of tin next carriage, Lady Bertrand ant Gervase A’Court- ‘ The Comtesse’' whispered the lad; to her companion. “By Jove, and alone ! Shall I offe my services?” She laid her hand on his arm. “No. She is incognita, or I an much mistaken.” “I wonder what she is up to. Onl; a dressmaker perhaps, though it i: ralher intriguing—” Lady Bertrand laughed. If they had heard the order givei to the cabman, as Comtesse Feo sprani into a hansom, they would have beei still more intrigued. CHAPTER XVIII. The Thunder Bolt A parti carre had been dining to gether in the now joint quarters o Philip Morley and Jacob, Lord Vesej Qld Sue delighted in these littl dinners, where she could show he skill. “Lor’ bless you, that ain’t com panv” she woulji say, if any of th underlings grumbled “They is part o their selves is Mr Browne and M A’Court—intimates like them don’ count ns company—They is all my—boys—^ Sue s first rate cooking, and unde the able direction of an old valet, win had been with Jacob lor years, rend ered little dinners in South Street un equalled in excellence. The succulent repast was overcigars and cigarettes of variou brands had been set on the table—tlr lights had been lowered soothingly and the four friends were left alon to indulge in the bien etre. which witl good digestion usually follows a we] chosen meal. But of bien etre in this instanc there was but little. Three at leas of the convives were heavily weighte< by private worries, and Gervas A’Court, if unencumbered on his owi account, was too much interested h the affairs of his friends to be enjoy ing perfect mental ease. For some time after the servan left the room silence reigned. Englishmen are not wont to be quickl expansive. It was Jacob who broke into th< hush by exclaiming—“lt is a devilish queer business that’s what it is.” “Fresh developments?” enquirec A’Court, who was very anxious foi information. The story of the ring was told b? Jacob with full details, Morley mean-

An Exciting Mystery Story.

(By JOHN MIDDLEMASS.)

time smoking vigorously but uttering not a word. With breathless attention the other two men listened, especially Hamilton Browne, who did not move a muscle. , even forgot to smoke- A’Court was I more fldgetty—merely a case of temperament, lor he too was strangely impressed, and gave a long drawn j "Whew!” when Jacob had finished. I This was immediately followed by the J announcement—- “ She has come up to town.” I “Who?” j “The Comtesse, of course. I saw her at Paddington Station, when I was seeing Lady Bortrand off to stay with her brother. We came up to- | gether from her place, where I have j been for the last few days, as you ! know.” "Absurd to say you saw the Com- , tesse. We left her at the Grange. A chimera, my dear Gervase.” | Philip Morley was Incredulous. | “My dear Philip, you will tell me next I don’t know my own father. It was the Comtesse, I insist. 1 wanted to speak to her and offer assistance, only Lady Bertrand thought I had better not.” “And what became of her—Whom did she meet?” asked Philip. "No one. She got into a hansom and drove away.” "I’d give a tenner though I am a poor know where that hansom drove her to” said his lordship, who was getting more and more fogged and uncomfortable, as events unravelled. “Perhaps she is going herself to have the ring tested by an expert,” I suggested Morley. ! *Then you think she took it out of I your bag?” i “I do not think she did so herself, but that she sent Lane to get It I strongly suspect.” “Emma Lane!” The exclamatory utterance of this name was the first word Hamilton Browne had spoken since the subject had been under discussion. “Yes. Emma Lane—You seem astonished-” Browne pulled himself 'together, feeling he had somewhat given himself away by this sudden outcry. “I thought she was supposed to be a quiet, harmless person.” “Humph for your quiet people. They are generally the least to be trusted” said Morley. “All I know she was prowling about the corridor, when I came out of my room, and she warned me that the Grange was damp, it would be therefore better for Marie’s health if she went back to London. What the devil she meant, I did not i know then, and I do not know’ now.” “So. You have acted on her

“I have. I went to see Dr. Randall, as soon as I got to town, and I expect he Is at the Grange by this time making arrangements for a move, which he thinks with care will be quite safe, the journey being a short one. Pity the Comtesse is absent if she really is. Shall I wire to Marie and ask if she has returned?” “No—no” shouted Jacob. “Marie is free of speech. She cannot keep anything dark. Wire to Nina Fonblanque if you want to wire, she is much safer, or I’ll tell you what, I’ll go by the first train in the morning and find out for myself what the deuce is up.” “What excuse will you make for reappearing at the Grange?” “Trust me for finding an excuse. I am pretty good at dodges, though if I mistake not it will take all one’s wdts to be upsides with that wily little darkey.” “You do not believe in her?” “I never did. I should not like even to tell you fellows what I suspect—time—time must have its swing —lt won’t be long first or I am not the coon I believe myself to be-”

“You are as prophetic and pessemistic as Mrs Cooper” said A’Court laughing. “Well—well. I doubt if Mrs Cooper is always far wrong in her prophecies. There is invariably a substratum of reality about people gifted with second sight, though we less favoured mortals don’t recognise it, and jeer. What do you think, Browne, you look as if a weight of care was on your brow?"

“I think that I am sorry I came away from Labrador, and "that I will either return there or go to some other far lying place before long. All intrigue bothers me.”

“Don’t desert us till we are out of the wood" said Jacob. Perhaps, however, our suspicions are mere fallacies, and that all’s well that ends well, will be our shout.” “Amen" said the others but not fervently.

None of them could throw off the dread of the future, which this ringepisode had produced, capable of oeing explained away, though they were compelled to acknowledge that it was.

“No use to ask you }o return to the grizzlies?” said Browne smiling as he turned to Morley, when after a short silent time he ’again spoke. "No fear —Done with grizziieas now I have got my little girl all to myself. Bless her.” And there was such a look of triumphant happiness in Philip Morley’s eyes mat none of tn three friends an« v* \*d nim—for IP? gfr.s. of uncanny trouble still stalked, the fact being that not one of them really believed in the Comtesse Feodore, though she had sought with much wiiVng -grace to make them her “To-morrow,’.’ said Jacob—intending to talk over his plan of going to the Grange, when the door opened, and tiie confidential valet entered with a soft tread, and a very serious expression on his face. “You are wanted, sir,” he said ad(lressing Philip Morley. “Wanted? Who wants me?” “An officer from Scotland Yard.” “So. Tell him to come in. What the devil is up now. Something about that ring.” A man in plain clothes forthwith entered the room, leaving the door wide open, so that two policemen were plainly visible on the staircase. No one spoke, only Jacob shook himself like some shaggy dog, who had just emerged from water. "Philip Morley” said the man. "I am Philip Morley.” Tn the plentitude of his six feet and generally athletic proportions. Morley rose from his chair, and stood before him. "I am sorry to be here on a painful mission. I am sent to arrest vqu. Here is the warrant." "Arrest me! What the devil do you i mean? —What have I done?” .(To be Continued.),