The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-08-28

of her, and the girl had never pre-.
sumed in the least upon it, but had
always retained her subdued, sweet
manner.
Lady Hayward scrutinized her too,
during the progress of dressing, but
she shrank from the thoughts in her
own mind. She had grown fond of
her treasure ofa maid, and felt asham-
ed of her quickly-suppressed suspi-
cions,
Early next morning the telegram
was sent to Scotland Yards by Lord
Hayward, who rode over alone to
send it, and waited for the answer.
The reply seemed to please him, and
he rode back in good spirits to late
breakfast. He even faced, with mod
crate cheerfulness, Lady Hay wards
eldest sister, who was in a frightful
state about her necklace This lady
was one of his pet aversions she was
not pretty nor clever. like his wife.
but she was more eirreproachable, more
moral, more perfect, and she was an
an old maid. Probably she was the
only person in the world of whom
Lady Hayward was afraid. Miss
Collette was a severe censor in all
things, and kept her eye-gIass well
fixed on her younger sister, who had
an important position to fill before
the world. At present Miss Collette
was very angry because she did not
know what was being done about
the thefts; and she held that she
ought to be one of the council. But
Lady Hayward was obstinate she
had found out before that the exem-
plary Cecilia could not hold her
tongue.
This extreme discretion having
been observed, the Scotland Yard de-
tective arrived as visitor, and no
one paid any particular attention to
him. He was very quiet and adopt
ed the character of a man who does
not dance, or talk, or do anything
and it answered admirably. A num-
ber of other men with superb shirt
fronts hung about the doorways and
looked bored. Mr.. Hawk was admi-
rably gotten up for the purpose. and
had only to mingIe with these 9TH
ers and look as bored as they. Lady
Hayward was delighted at this excel
lent effacement of himself and kept
her eye on him with great interest.
She managed to speak to him very
late when the party was breaking up.
He had discovered nothing so far
not even "clew"-and she went up
to bed disappointed.
Visitors at Hayward Castle break
tasted, of course, at any time during
the morning; but the family and
household always assembled to morn
ing prayers at quarter to 8, and
breakfast formally began directly
afterwards. Mr.. Hawk had learned
this and was in the break fast-room
early-the only guest present. No
one else turned up but Lord and
Lady Hayward themselves. Rose
Mannering, who always appeared
with her charge at this time, ana the
servants. Even Miss Collette was
too tired to come down, though no
one was stricter, theoretically, on the
subject of family prayers. How crate
full was Lady Hayward. half an hour
afterward, that her sister had been
late that morning.
The servants all came in, led by
the butler and the stately house
keeper, and Lord Hayward read
prayers. Mr.. Hawk sat very quietly
in the shadow of curtain.
With all decorum the servants filed
out again, and Mr.. Hawk did moi
move. The moment the door CLOSED
on the last of them he leaned oyer tC
Lord Hayward.
MY Lord" he said, "may the
men servants watch the windows o
this room outside for few moments
Don't ask me to explain, there's NJ
time to lose."
The old butler came in at that mo
ment, carrying silver coffee pot
Lord Hayward gave the order.
"And tell them to keep their eye
open," added Mr.. Hawk. "We'v'
got to deal with the lightest pair o
heels in the kingdom"
Lady Hayward listened and look
ed, her heart in her mouth. Wha
was coming next?"
"Your ladyship," said Mr.. Hawk
"may l send for your maid? ?" Lad!
Hayward rang instantly.
"Why should you suspect her p
protested Lady Hayward. "She is
most superior girl. She has travele,
with me and know her well. N
suspicion must fall on her unless yo
have prOofs.O