The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-15
CHAPTER 7.


nell was recovering from slight touch of
influenza that the servant came to announce
that Lord George Carman particularly
wished to see him.
''Haw.' began Lord George-it struck
Mr. Chan:pnell that he seemed more trans
cendental even than usual-"sorry to hear
you're seedy. Awkward affair last night
Burglary, and L don't know what. Devil
of a nuisance"
Stretching out his long thin legs in front
of him, Lord George surveyed the pointed
toes of his polished shoes through his eye
glass He appeared to be under the i'm
preston that he had made himself quite
plain.
rs that all you have come to say. Car
MANI
Lord George glanced up. He seemed sur
prised.
'Haw. Fact is. I've come to see you
so perceive"
yes" A pause. Another attempt at
speech. Fact is. don't you know, there's
been a rumpus at Azalea Villa, the resi-
dence of friend of mine-Miss Tottie
Darling"
Mr. ChampnelI knew all about Azalea
Villa. and also about Miss Tottie Darling.
as Lord George was probably aware. After
a pause of considerable magnitude, Lord
George went on:
Fact is fellow broke in last night. Col
Jared no end of things. Yes"
Indeed"
Lots of jewelry. Things I've given
Miss Darling. don't you know. They will
have cost me no end of money by the time
they're paid for. Not that mind Though
the lady don't seem to like it. But that's
not the worst"
What is the worst?"
It may sound incredible to those who are
acquainted with Lord George Carman, he
actually betrayed symptoms of uneasiness.
He looked up at the ceiling, as if seeking
for inspiration there, then looked back again
at Mr.. Champnell.
Fact is. 1 couldn't go to the beastly po-
lice, don't you know, really. So I've come
to YOU You're one of us. SO it's different"
If you're asking me, Carman, if you may
rely upon my regarding anything which you
may say to me as strictly private and con-
fdential 1 answer that you unhesitasingly
may"
That's a comfort"
sational-for him.
Fact is. 1 gave Miss Darling a written
promise of marriage. She kept it at the
bottom of her jewel box. And that's gone
along with the rest of the things. l
wouldn't have it hawked about for any
amount of money. The Lord knows what
would happen if it came to my father s
ears Especially just now-when they're all
at me to marry somebody else, you know. "
Mr. Champnell did know He pictured
the Marquis of Hammersmiths face-that
most evangelical of MISUNDERSTANDING him
self confronted by such document in his
sons caligraphy. What would the Carmans
exclaim at the notion Of having Miss Tottie
Darling as the future queen of their beer
vat?
THE loss of such a document may turn
out to be rather an awkward thing"
Rather. You've no notion!" Lord George
edged his chair a little closer. Between
you and me, Champnell-I don't say it is so,
mind-but we've had a word or two lately,
and 1 shouldn't be surprised if she's stolen
the thing herself. Pretended there's been
a burglary, don't you know, and then gone
and given my promise of marriage to a
friend. for him to put the screw on
Have you evidence which points to some
thing of the kind?"
Not a shred not title! It's only my
idea. 1 tell you don't half like it,
who lives in the house besides Miss
Darling?"
only girl. It's only dolls house sort
of place. There's only TOttie and a maid -
What has been taken besides the letter?''
NO idea. Know nothing about it. Only
what she's just told me. Come straight
from there. She seems to be in a deuce of
a way. May be genuine. Thought I'd come
to you and see what you could make of it.
I tell you. don't half like the idea of that
&c
round the town-especially situated as I am
just now
"A little fresh afh will do me good. I'll
come round to Azalea Villa as soon as I'm
dressed. Perhaps you will meet me there"
Yes" A pause. Il might" Another
pause. 'In fact, will. Yes. Goodbye"
The servant could hardly have seen Lord
George Carman off the premises when the
man returned to announce that a person
desired to see the Hon. Augustus who re-
fused to give his name. The Hon. Augustus,
who was about to prepare for his journey
to Azalea Villa, evinced no desire to see the
person.
Go and ask him to tell you what it is he
wishes to see me about
A husky voice supplied an unexpected an
swer.
All right, guv'nor. That's what I've come
for to tell YOU
The answer came from an individual who
was standing behind the servant, and who
evidently had, surreptitiously, followed him
up the stairs Now, without waiting for
any more ceremonious invitation, pushing
past the scandalized lackey, he entered the
room. He looked at Mr.. Champnen, and
Mr. Champnell looked at him. The Hon.
Augustus spoke to the servant.
You can CO." The servant went. BE
50 good. my man, as to be as brief as possi-
bic in telling me what it is you want with
me"
The visitor was an understood young fell
low, apparently not more than twenty-fouf
or twenty-five, whose endeavor to pass him.
self off as a respectable artisan was rather
handicapped by the suspicious closeness
with which his hair was cropped. He car
ried a seedy billycock in one hand, and an
ordinary black handbag in the other. For
some cause. he did not appear to be in the
most amiable of tempers When Mr.. Champ
nell had ceased speaking, he crooked his
elbow towards the window which Looked out
into the street.
"Yesl I see him! Don't let him make no
error-oh, no. Lord George Carman he calls
himself-a nice bloke he is"
Ha