Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-03-20


Author Of 'One Of Three" Probation" "The
Weufclds." Etc,
CHAPTER II.-CoNr1NuED.
Oh, if Lady Elizabeth is in the
question:" began Mr. Starkie. benev-
'olently; and then they went out OF the
Office again, after which Philip heard
steps along passage, and presently "a
single person entered Mr.. Days office,
and called his name, a little impa-
tiently.
Where is hep murmured Mr..
starkie, finding his call unanswered,
and sounding gong in the hope of
'conJuring up some reply.
fhlllp rose from his seat, and went
INTO the office. Mr.. Starkie stood
there, an open letter in his hand.
6 want Mr. Day." be said.
Mr.. Day has gone, sir. He had an
appointment, and he said, as there was
nothing much doing this morning. he
had better go'
Why must he choose Just to-day to
have an appointments? muttered Mr.
Starkie, in vexation.
Can 1 be of any use9'' asked
Philip. thinking of the time which still
hung useless on his hands.
s. You are not Mr.. DAY, SIR" was
the curt reply; to which obvious truth
Philip murmured below his breath:
80 No. | wish / were;'' and then
added aloud: 9. But l know were he
lives, and l could 60 and fetch him, if
you like
AT this Mr.. Starkie looked more at
tentively at Philip. and his eyes rested
thoughtfully upon the young mans
face
"Your wish to oblige makes you for
get that. as Mr.. Day has an engage
ment, it would probably be lost time to
go after him." he remarked. 50 think,
perhaps, you may serve my purpose as
well as Mr.. Day. or rs well as any one
but MIR. Day. At any rate 1 am going
to try you Come with me-"
Philip followed his chief to his private
room, and there Mr.. Starhie read over
again the letter he held in his hand.
"9Ou will not mention your errand
he remarked.
Certainly not" replied Philip,
steadily meeting the piercing eyes which
were fixed upon him.
1--WE are making line of railway in
China, IN a rather ont-of-the-way dis
triCt. Y is the port. 1t was chiefly
through the British Consul at y that
we undertook the job, and we intrusted
the management of it to Bywell. dare
say you remember Bywell-he was only
here a week or two before he went
out9''
"Yes. / remember him. / never
spoke to him. though, or had any ac-
quantance with him."
He had to be invested with very
considerable powers. having English
and Irish navvies under him, as well as
natives; and the absolute command of
large sums of money. This was an
important post for him, as you may
judge"
Certainly, sir
swell, need not go into particulars:
but to come to the point, | have strong
reasons for wishing to learn something
about Bywell. He had the best of ref
erences with him from Blake and
Robinson. He had been with them for
a year. and the reason given for his
leaving was that they had to reduce
their staff of servants, which, as they
have failed since, seems likely enough.
But | must know more about him, if
possible; though Mr.. Grey is not sus-
picious: but then" in tone of impa-
thence. "he never will be suspicious. or
anything reasonable. until he is safely
married to Lady Elizabeth Preston"
Philip smiled involuntarily, and bent
his head to hide his smile. Mr.. Starkie
went on:
..Mr. Blake, one of the partners of
the firm Bywell was with, lives out at
Edgeton now. in small way. / fancy.
You can go and see him. and find out
all you can. If possible you must dis
L.,
nal people who recommended him to
Blake, and what sort of character he
was. And at the same time, you must
not let the cat out of the bag. Do you
understand"
Perfectly. Do you want me to go
this moment?"
.sYes. rs soon as ever you can. You
must see what mess we shall be in if
we get wrong with these people who
are so ticklish to deal with. / want to
have the affair settled as soon as posi-
ble.' said Mr.. Starkie, who looked
yexed and harassed. why do you
ask?'
..If it were after five o'clock --''
began Philip. =,
surd," said he. testify. whats to him
der you from going now.
ii ought to meet my sister-a younc
girl who has never been here in her life
before-at half-past four. that's all.
would not have mentioned it, adde
Philip, alphabetically. ''but can t help
it,
In truth. he liked the idea of the ex
pedition. and was vexed to think OF
missinor it. ami ut the same time sur
nrised to find himself contiding such de-
tails to the august chief of the establish
ment. -.
II would do any thing to oblise you,