The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-12-30
CHAPTER XVII.

walked up and down the confined space
between DAVIS Office table and the door.
DAVIS had refused to say anything In
the absence of the lady for whom he
was acting, and whom he expected mo-
mentarily.
The door opened behind him; and,
turning round, he saw Babette breath
less and flushed, unceremoniously enter
the room. He recognized her at once As
the maid he had seen at Mallingford
Park on the previous day, and he turned
dusky red as the thought that he had
been entrapped into some backstair in
trigue against his niece passed through
his mind.
"But am fortunate to find you here
still! I feared you would depart before
my arrival"
Mr.. Mallett bowed slightly, and watt
ed for her to GO on.
'.Ah, see!" cried the woman-"you
are Of the Mailing family WINGED
you have amazement in your
heart that I, mean domestic, should
dare to make an appointment with you!
But you will have more Amusement
when tell you why do this. Do you
know your niece, Miss Mailing, very
wellr'
Mr.. Mallett drew himself up proudly.
II came here to receive information,
not to answer questions. If you have
brought me here thinking that l should
help In any scheme against my niece,
you are mistaken. If you have any
news to impart which concerns me, I
will listen; if not, will wish you good
afternoon"
turned to the door.
"But one moment! have news to tell
you-news that concerns yourself very
dearly. What would you do if were
to tell you that this woman who calls
herself your niece is no niece at all, that
the whole estate is of right yours, that
your niece is dead and buried?"
She watched him keenly; but beyond
putting his hand suddenly on the back
of chair near him, he gave no sign Of
surprise.
Il should say that you labored under
a mistake"
II am going to show you something
that will put you right on to the straight
track leading to this woman's downfall
and your restoration to what has been
yours ever since your brothers death
Mallingford Park"
Mr.. Mallett drew a deep breath, and
then asked, laconically:
"And your price?"
Babette felt that there was a CLEAN
in the eyes watching her from behind
the table, and, she looked at DAVIS i'm
stinctively. He mistook the look to
mean, .You name the price," and he
said, Immediately:
Zone years rent roll"
Nm other words, between eleven and
Mr.. .Mallett.
DAVIS nodded his head afirmatively.
''The affair, so far as am concerned,
is ended"
Babette glared for an instant at the
lawyer and muttered, You VAMPIRE
Then turning to Mr.. Mallett, she said,
in her best manner, "He is mistaken,
monsieur; the price arranged between us
was FIVE thousand pounds on the day
you take possession"
''To be conferred by deed Of gift con-
ditionally beforehand" put in the law
yer.
Every good. I accept those terms on
the understanding that the lady in ques-
ton is proved to be an utter stranger
by blood"
ssYou will sign the undertaking before
you see our proof" DAVIS said, raising
the lid of his desk as he spoke, and
producing a ready-prepared document.
I'VE must have a disinterested witness
to the signature, if you please. Joe
Blake, come herev'
A wretched lad sneaked from the
outer Office into the room, watched Mr..
Mallett sign. put his own name to the
paper, and then shuffled out again.
'.Now we can proceed to business"
DAVIS. ''The next move is
yours, Ma'mselle Lestrange. 1t is plain
to be seen that the whole thing is dis
tasteful to Mr.. Mallett. He is man Of
and this companionship on
an equality with people so UNNECESSARILY
his interiors CRATES most disagreeably
on his sense of the fitness of things"
CTo be continuedo