Sword and shield., 1885-10-17

that she WAS the falrpSt WOhllil OH eafth,
well verify for man To live or die for
Then he began to rctrace his steps to the
library. AS he crossed the hall he saw a
strange sight.
Whitaker. the irreproachable, the digni-
led. with Indignation written III every line
Of his blacll-cOated limbs, was standing NJ
the front door against which he leaned his
full weight, whist with his right hand he
was struggling with some object which pre-
vented him from absolutely shutting the
door. Closer examination showed Frank
that thiS WAS the end, about six inches, of a
stout walking-stick; Il contemplate OBJECT,
vet as it was held powerful enough TO f0ll
the old servants efforts. Whitaker was
putting and blowing, not so much from his
cxerlions as from anger. His face was as
red as a turkey cocks. Nothing impressed
Frank more strongly with the feeling that
unusual things were happening at Halle
wood House than the sight of this respecta-
Bile cid retainer in such abnormal difficulties.
"What's the mattcr?'' IL said going 10 ,ae
door
ITS man, Mr.. Carruthcrs," puifed out
Whitaker.
what does he want?'
lie asked for Miss Claus0n, sir; told
him she was away from home"
well, what thcn?' Frank grew interest
ed The parties outside and inside remain
ed in the deadlock.
lie asked for her address, sir; told him
/ did not kMafv."
'Well, what theng'
''Ile called me damned liar, Mr.. Carru-
Tiers, said Whitaker, with supreme emo
ton, and in voice SO low that it showed how
ashamed he was Of the eoccurrence-''a damn
ed liar, sir." The repetition sounded almost
fearful.
Open the door and let me have a look at
him, said Frank.
Il wouldn't, Mr.. Carruhers, if were you,
sir believe he meditatcS making an at
tack of personal violence"
"Neyer mind, open the door. He won't
personal violence me; and You can stand be
hind me-"
This, as he waSa head and shoulders taller
than Frank. Whitaker felt to be sarcasm
However, bog accustomed 10 obey, he
opened the door, and Frank found himself
face to face With a man about his own age.
\ strengthening. muscular fellow, dressed
i'll the very height Of fashion-too far up, in
fact, to look a gentleman.
Maurice lIervey, Of course. Having given
Beatrice more than twenty-four hours grace,
he put in execution his threat of looking her
up. Not that lie expected 10 see her; not
that he was prepared with plan Of action
in case she proved recalcitrant; but he knew
that call would alarm her 1t was only when
he heard from Whitaker that She was out
of town that tile idea Of her attempting to
eyade him hy. .Aight occurred to him. 1t com
plctely threw him off his balance, made him
to the old servant and even
when that functionary replied as 4 gentle
mans servant should i'll such straits reply,
by simply closing the door, induced him to
put his stick Between the door and the post.
IIeryey looked at Frank: Frank. little
guessing what this mans existence meant to
him and Beatrice lookedat lIcryey. "Well?'
he said, coldly.
Il wish TO repeat few inquiries which |
made Of the servant when lie so umcivilly
slut the door in my face, said IIervey.
Il beg 10 repeat the servants answers
which you s0uuciyiIly lyreceiyed, said Frank
You do MOI hnoY her address,
IF you are speaking Of Miss Clauson, do
not"
Hevey hesitaied. You are not Mr.. Tai
DerI?' he said.
4 am not, said Frank, c0ldy
''Mr. Talbert can no doubt give me the in
SO doubt. But presume he will want
Q kGoW Your reasoas tor asking"
I'll Wait and src him
Il don't tl2i~4 yen will or course have
10 power to prevent Your calling again, but
-ou yill not wail here
lIevey srowled. ''Will you Try and turn
ne out" he said. deiianily.
Certainty not, said Ffank, pleasantly. |
You stand higher than | do you must
weigh two >ien. heavier; son lo0l in per- I
Get condition OA, 10, | saaIl merely send
Gund 10 tAa STABLES ard have the dogs looscd. /
u may even send as far rs the village and
ctch the constable ! Shall not Interfere
urthcr than that"
llervey mutjrIcd what Frank knew was
II oath. He turned away Is if about to take
crank ; warning Suddenly he changed his
mind and came back.
Does Nj. Tll5art know lis nicce's al
ress?" ne ASKED.
Fer second !1r.nl; felt almost sick. His
nter!ogator had tried 10 as5 the question as
it bore no hidden meaning, but he had
allied. As by inspiration Frank knew that
his man, whoever he NIGH; be- was aware
hat Beatrice had fled. No" IL, said. look
lg him straight IN the face, .Ar. Talbcrt
ocS not know il"
Without word llerycy turned and strobe
way. Fraak, With his head in Torment,
'alked across 10 the library. Dimlv he
ucssed at something-n0t the truth. but
lmething which FROM its vague tcrr0rs was
orse than tie truth. And III consequence
that half-formed gurss he turned traitor
once, and began to fight on Bedtrice's side,
lady 10 aid .rr ana t. keep her unclcs in
le dark. He paused Il the door, and called
} Whitaker. Whitaker camp You set
Ill fellow down properly, Mr Carruthcrs,"
e said, approyinsly.
did l? Ii were you, Whitaker, should
ot mention the aildir TO your masters.
Sir, said Whitaker with emotion, Il
lould be ashamed to breathe a word about
Both Mr.. TaIbcrt and Mr.. Herbert would
so mortified at the thought of a servant of
leirs being called such an opprobrious
pthet"
= should moi mention it TO the maids eth
VI ni!ttker.
''Sir" exclaimed Whitaker, III tone Of
'eat surprise.
"AA, forgot 70 whom was speaking. l
= Your pardon. Whitaker quite forgot" ="
Yes, sir, you did, said Whitaker, with
nc dignity; but, nevertheless, if only in
der to show there was no ill-feeling, TAX !
z, the two half-crowns which Frank ten
red him. !
Who was this man so anxious to ascertain
aatrct's whereabouts? Leaving out of the
iestion his ungentlemaniy behavior to
hittaker instinct told Carruthers that he
Is not of the class from which Beatrice e
ew her fri nGs Spurious metal; no eigh- Q
en- carat stamp anywhere, he felt certain.
GRACE and Herbert would look gentlemen,
lether dressed in the pink of fashion or
mging about in rags-not that they ever