The Portland daily press., 1898-04-29
HONOR AMONG THIEVES.
Chapter xxx.

and as l sat back modify, L fear took
little interest in the typical English land
scape. The joys of the world were dead
to me. consumed as was by the one great
sorrow OF my life. My mind was full of
the trlstful past. had reached London
from Paris on the previous night and
in response to telegram from the Earl,
saying he had left Osborne and gone to
the Hall, l had travelled down by the
morning train.
AS we entered the park and drove up
the broad, well.kept drive, the startled
deer bounded away, and the emus raised
their small heads with ressntful inquir.
ing glance, but dashing along, the pair
of spanking bays quickly brought me up to
the great gray portlco. AS soon as L
alighted I handed over my traps to one
of the servants and walked straight to the
great7oak- panelled dining room.
AS paused at the door, it suddenly
opened, and a man emerged SO quickly that
he almost stumbled over me. Our eyes
met. stood ahgast, staring as if I had
seen an apparition. In the semi-dark-
ness of the corridor doubt whether my
face was quite distipguishable, but upon
his there shone the slanting rays of light
from an old diamond-paned window.
In an instant recnognized the Features,
although had only seen them once be-
lore.
1t wasTthe foppish young man who had
been Elias companion on the lonely walk
in Kensington Gardens.
Why he had visited the Earl was an in
scrutable mystery He regarded me in
surprise for a single instant then, thrust
ing both hands neligently into.his trousers
pockets, strobe leisurely away along the
corridor, straw hat with black and
white band placed jauntily at the back of
his head. 1 watched him until he had
turned the corner and disappeared then I
,x.aI ho n -fo GE1i ,nd ov%
ment.
'sWell, Speedes," exclaimedFthe Earl in
q voice that was unusually cheerful He
was. standing at the window gazing across
the park, hut my presence caused him to
turf sharply. "Back again, then?"
Yes I think I have fulfilled the mis-
sion," managed to exclaim. Truth to
tell, this sextraordinary encounter had
caused me considerable perplexity and an
"You have done excellently," he said
nA telegram this morning from Lord
Warthorpe shows with what tact you put
matters to him, and am glad to tell
dent proved entirely satisfactory. I
wired the news to Her Majesty only half
an hour ago..
81 did my best,'' observed, perhaps q
trifle carelessly, for there was another
matter upon which I was anxious to
consult my eccentric benefactor.
Tho task was one Of unusual difficulty,
I admit, Decides, and you have shown
yourself fully qualified for a post abroad.
You shall have one before long"
At other times I should have warmly
welcomed the enthusiasm Of this speech
and thanked him heartily for the promise
of a more lucrative position, but now,
crushed and hopeless, felt that joy had
left my soul forever. and merely replied:
81 am quite satisfied to be as I am. I
do not care for the Continent.
sWhy?' he inquired, surprised. "If
you remain in the service here you will
have but little chance Of distinguishing
yourself. whereas in Rome, Constantine
pie, or Berlin, you might obtain chances
of promotion. %
81 have been already in Petersburg,
you remember" 1 said.
'tAh, OF course. But you didn't get on
very well there" he said. SIT is a diff
Quilt staff for younger men to work
amongst. You'd be more comfortable in
suit you, wouldn't it,
NO" I replied, very gravely. 81 fear
that henceforward I shall be, like your
4 self, a hater of society and all it's ways
"Oh!" he exclaimed, placing his hands
beneath his coat-tails, a habit of his
whsn shogt to to enter any earnest consulta-
SWELL, II you desire to know the truth, !"
said, "it concerns my marriage"
sAh, Of coursei' he observed, with
deep sorrow. ST had quite forgotten that
unfortunate affair. Yet time will cause
Eon to forget. You arc young, remember,
Deedss-very young, compared with an
ut Is scarceiy likely that I shall forget
SO easily" I said, after a pause. ''Since
have been I'D Paris haya made a dis
eovery that hks bewildefsd ne. copffds
in you because you are Che only person
me ysESst t Il the secret Of my wife's
"Quite right" he said, regarding me
with those piercing eyes shaded by their
gray. shaggy hrows. "If can assist,yon
or give you any advice am always
pleased, for the.Fomancs of your marriage
lie the strapgest have ever known"
"Yes," acauiesced. land the truth
have discovered that nay wife was aever
Ella Laing, as ! had believed, but that
sbe is really the Grand Duchess Elizaveta
Nicofayevna Of Russia. F."
1.-the Grand Duchess ~ he cried,
amazed, his eyes afane in an instant
'Are you certain of this; have you abso-
lutte prpofp'
Absolute. have seen her, and sheshas
admitted it. and told me thab she zaas-
pHefaded in England as Ella Laing be-
cause she desired to avoid Court etiquette
for n time" said.
''Gr6dekof1 lied." hs growled in an
ebullition Of anger. ST recognized her at
the Embassy bali when you pointed her
cut, yet the Am bassador assured me that
HeT Highness was at that moment in
Russia. We have both been tricked,
Decides. But he who laughs last laughs
longest"
He had folded his arms and was stand
ing resolutely before me, gazing upon the
dead green carpet deep in thought.
1.-The mystery becomes daily more puz-
cling" he said at length, seating himself.
'Tell Inc all that transpired between
you"
sank into chair opposite the re-
nowned chief of the Foreign Office and
repeated the conversation that had taken
place at our interview, while he listened
attentiyely without hazarding single re-
mark.
"Then again she would tell you moth
ing. exclaimed the Earl. when 1 had
concluded. ''She refused absolutely to
6iyulge her secret"
eyes II said. ~ promis I'd to forgive if
s. would only tell me the truth. She
refused So we have parted
"And what do YOU intend doing