The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-10


on an GRAND, which, she says, Is one of danger.
On his return he finds stranger had been to his
rooms with plausible excuse and had re-
moved the contents of the portmanteau. The five
sheets Of paper, however, are safe in Breakspears
pocket, and he has reason to think from the
way in which his belongings in his rooms had
been overhaulcd that these Lad been the object
Of special. and of course unavailing search.
Breakspear suspects Miss Oakley Of completely.
CHAPTER lV-contlnued.
One Thing Before All.
He put the key-and mis- chagrin-into
his pocket, and, changing the subject,
made himself as agreeable as possible 10
Miss Oakley. When they arrived at
Brighton, which they did in an hour and
a half, he helped her down to the plat
form, walked with her to the carriage sent
by her friends, and held out his hand
'Good-bye, Miss Oakley" he said.
"Good-bye?" she echoed, in surprise.
But surely you are coming out after
awhile to see me at Red Down Fian?'
mo. I'm sorry must go back by the
next train,' he answered. II only came
for the pleasure of the journey with you.
You know I told you I had business
which would prevent my staying over
Sunday, and you will find letter from
me saying the same thing"
Vivien bit her lip and the tears sprang
to her eyes, for she was in nervous,
exciting mood. IT am sorry" was all
she said; and dared not look out of the
brougham window as he stood, hat in
hand, waiting for her to drive off, lest
he should see the tears.
He came for the pleasure Of the jour-
ney with me-" she repeated to herself
slowly, as if analysing each word. 'That
might mean a good deal, if-he really had
business. But what do men mean when
they talk about business which keeps
them away from woman they've seemed
to care for? They mean that there's
something else they would rather do
some one else for whom they've begun to
care more. He's going back to the girl
in that photograph. Oh I'll find out who
she is or I'll die trying to do it!''
1t was full three quarters of an hours
drive to Red Down Hall, and once out Of
the station, Vivien threw herself back
against the cushions of the brougham with
sigh of desperate resignation to long
moments of 1naction. She wanted to be
doing something towards regaining the
ground she had lost with Breakspear, yet
there was nothing she could do for the
present. At least, she would not remain
In Brighton, since he was not to be there
She could make some excuse to her friends
for cutting short her visit, and go back
to town as soon as possible. She could
say that her uncle was really not we'll
enough to spare her longer. Oh, 1t was
Breakspear-loved him all the more for
the fear Of losing him!
| suddenly, before the carriage had gone
half a mile, 1t stopped, and the footman
touched his hat at the window, which
was closed. "a gentleman in a cab has
been following u.s." he announced, when
the window had opened, land, coming
| Close. ordered the coachman to draw IN,
as he wished to speak with you, miss,
| mentioning your name. Says he is a
friend of yours. with an important mes
sage but If it is a mistake"
1T Is not a mistake Vivien inter-
| rupted In a hard voice, her eyes meeting
those Of man who had just got out of
q cab and was approa ching Her first
thought was thankfulness that Breakspear
was no longer with her. II know the gen.
| tleman; I will speak with him for a
moment" r@.s. iii .-s...E. =
The footman went back to his seat be-
| side the coachman, SO that Miss Oakley
might talk to her friend undisturbed. The
| latter lost no time in leaning an elbow
| on the ledge Of the open window, and, his
head near to Vivien's, began to speak in
| a low voice.
II couldn't come to you in the station,
| on account Of that fellow he said, with
an un-English accent tho his mastery OF
the language seemed complete. $50 was
| obliged to catch you up in this way"
Where do you come from?" she asked
with half controlled sharpness IT didn't
expect you" f... ....a- -.-...
II should have thought you would
| Didn't you see me at Victorian
mo. I believed you had not come"
| "You hoped had not, no doubt
| II was there early-very ear]y-on plr-
pose for the five minutes you wanted
IT was detained. When I did arrive
you were with him. What was the mean
ing of it? Was 1t your arrangement OF
his?"
ooh, his!'' exclaimed vivlen, lying
glibly. So. ..... @.-
II was in the next compartment. You
ought to thank me-"
| 1T was you, them who" -
! "In the nick of time. I was listening. y
"But he looked in there afterwards"
! HE couldn't put his head thru, and Sc
could only see a part of the carriage.
kept myself carefully in the other part til
he had satisfied himself that the place
was empty. I heard practically every
word you said. I know that you accom-
plished nothing"
Good heavens! Didn't do enough fol
you yesterday-and last night? What dc
you want more?''
1 well, I failed last night, in spite O.
what you did. don't blame you for that
but after you got my telegram you knew
what you had to do
/ "You gave me no Instructions You only
said: Failed in most important part ,
/ II could not say more without CIPHER
must work cautiously. But YOU are {
woman of brains trusted the rest t.
your imagination You must have under
stood. Yet you had him alone with yo,
for an hour and a half, and did moth
/ ing
II could do nothing. Already he sus
poets me. You say you heard everything
Then you know about the key?"
! "Pshaw! A woman of your clevernes.
can soon mend that. You told me h
1 was In love with YOU
| $50 he was-or near it. But now-sud
denly-everything is different. I believe
there Is some one else. saw a photo
graph in his rooms last night
\ WHAT The man spoke out in
louder tone, then checked himself 9TH,
photograph on the table, set up among
lot Of lilies?"
!. Yes, yes!" returned vivien, eagerly
There was lock Of hair. too. He wa.
looking at them when I came in. And The
moment he spoke, / knew he had changed
l towards me-