Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1904-07-30
CHAPTER 1v.-(continued.)

.borld like to know? Why has Berys
.an his consent? Has he made any in
,,;r;ss about this fellows past life? he
49, from heaven knows where, and
ibv tbey allowed him to slip into that
a;4ion I cannot think. 1t was mad.
5Iess-nothing less!"
The man he called Scott smiled as ne
+ool- null at his drink.
ooh surely that was all right, Dun
IN, The executors could have made no
Llander In fact, there did not seem to
10 the slightest doubt about it. He was
tho right msn, sure enough.
Al am not so certain" flashed out the
otber "All the time | thought the evil
1spce pretty shaky. 1t all hung on that
g,nsy's story How do we know it was
sot ut-up Job. This Estercourt's
swiudler | tell YOU I'll lay you hun
bred to one it will come out sooner "r
latsr that he has tricked and deceived
III London over this business"
Scott made no reply. He himself was
staunch admirer of the young duke.
b,t he knew it was useless to argue with
a man whose every remark showed only
too plainly his bitter hate and jealousy.
Anyhow, he's going to marry Lazy
Viola" he unused, after little silence.
Not if | can prevent it" said the earl.
uniting his glass down with a bang.
'rye sworn a big oath that if Lady
Viola won't have me, no other man will
have Ter. and least of all this Young
knaye who has dared TO enter our
wOrld"
Il should advise you To be careful"
yentured Scott, in Il quiet tone. Ester
court is not a man to be interfered with,
and. from what | have seen of him.
should say he's thoroughly sure of his
position"
"AlI the same, I'll ruin him before I've
done" said the other. with bitter. reck
less laugh. Lady Viola will never be
Duchess of Estercourt"
HAS it occurred to you that YOU will
be inhicting injury on Lady Viola if you
seek to harm the duke" asked Scott
gently.
Lord Duncan's face grew fiery again.
Why should | pity herr" he said, con
temptuQusly. HAS she had any pity on
me- Has she not ruined my life?"
"She did not willingly hurt YOU. 1t
was unfortunate that You should have
cared for her, Duncan, | admit, but sure
ly you cannot blame Lady Viola be-
cause she could not reciprocate Your af-
fectiong She is so sweet and gentle a
woman-the number of men she has had
TO disappoint must have caused her no
end of sorrow. Blame your luck. if YOU
WILL but surely not the woman YOU have
loved III vain!"
How can you sympathize?" asked
Lord Duncan, with rising anger. You
are not in love with her-you are not
suering as | am. Bah, 1t is waste of
time to talk about it with you"
His companion flushed.
Il may not care for Lady Viola in the
same way as YOU do" he said. in a low
tone, but / am her friend, and | do not
wish to see her suffer. | am your friend.
too, Duncan, and | should be sorry If
your feeling against Estercourt led you
into any trouble. Well" he added as he
rose, Il must be off. | am due at Il
bridge party at 10. So long, old fellow!
See you tomorrow some time"
He went out then. and Lord Duncan
leaned back in his chair with an ugly
expression on his face. Smythe watch
him for a few seconds, then, with the air
OF one who has suddenly made up his
mind to a certain course of action, he
got up and approached the earl.
Il beg your lordship's pardon he said,
respectfully, "but might / have few
words with you?"
Lord Duncan looked at him in surprise
May | ask who" he began, bat
the man broke in:
my name is Smythe Detective
smythe. Perhaps your lordship Will
recollect-I was engaged in the Ester
court case
'Oh-er-yes," arawled the earl. "You
were the fellow who routed ont the heir"
overheard your lordship's converse
ton just now" explained the detective.
fou did not notice mel was writing
some letters. | am very sorry, but |
trust Your lordship-''
1T is not of the slightest consequence"
sad the earl. Il assure you, Nh Smythe.
you are at perfect liberty to repeat every
word to the duke"
1T is not that my lord" said the
other quickly. Il thought perhaps
could be of some use to your lordship in
the matter"
fail to see how
know everything from A 10 Z in the
case suggested Smythe. with a mean
ing smile
on could only assist me if You knew
Of any hitch"
1t is possible l might find one. | have
ship"
Sit down" said the earl, looking at
nm keenly. "WeIl talk this over. Have
drink -
The detective bowed. There was a
4oaet confidence about his general express
s'on that communicated itself to the earl.
ahG' intent as he was on running his rival.
j ne could, he resolved to hear what the
detective had TO say.
Inc story was curious one, ard in
crested Lord Duncan more and more a.
1t vent on. 1t was to this effect:
Hnythe had, in the course of one Of
nis Investigations, got into conversation
WIN gypsy. After they had had one
Two drinks, the gypsy became conf
en'ial, and let out the fact that if he
'lao only been asked. he might have
even soue valuable information with
Terence 20 IN important titled person.
80! tne interest being aroused. he ques
ohea MIN carefully. and elected the fact