Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-01-01
CHAPTER XVII

1uAt LEX Nv IL.
Mr.. Mallett, in evident Impotence
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-
mentariy.
The door opened behind him: ana,
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 Mallngford
Park on the previous day. and he turned
a dusky red as the thought that he had
been entrapped into some backstar in
trigue against his niece passed through
his mind.
but l am fortunate to find you here
still. l feared you would depart before
my arrival"
Mr.. Mallett bowed slightly, and wait
ed for her to go on.
"Ah, | sce.' cried the woman-"you
are of the Mailing family"-he WINGED
-"and you have amazement in your
heart that I. mean domestic. should
dare to make an appointment with you!
But you will have more amazement
when l tell you why | do this. DO you
know your niece, Miss Mailing, very
well?'
Mr.. Mallett drew himself up proudly.
Il came here to receive informa ton,
not to answer questions. If You have
brought me here thinking that | should
help in any scheme against my niece,
you are mistaken. If you have any
news to impart which concerns me, l
will listen; il not, l will wish you good
afternoon"
He took his hat from the table and
turned to the door.
But one moment! l 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 buriedT'
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
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 n deep breath, and
then asked, laconcally:
And your price,"
Babette felt that there was CLEAN
in the eyes watching her from behind
the table. and, she looked at DAVIS in
stinctively. He mistook the look to
mean, you name the price, and he
said, Immediately:
Zone years rent roll"
I'm other words, between eleven and
twelve thousand pounds:" interrogated
Mr.. Malett.
DAVIS nodded his head affirmatively.
1.-The affair, 50 far as l 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. "IIe is mistaken,
monsieur; the price arranged between us
was five thousand pounds on the day
you take possession"
ITO be conferred by deed of gift con-
ditionally beforehand put in the law
yer.
Very good l accept those terms on
the understanding that the lady in ques-
ton is proved to be an utter stranger
by blood
You will sign the undertaking before
you see our proof DAVIS said. raising
the lid of his desk as lie spoke. and
producing n ready-prepared document.
I'VE must have DISTINGUISHED witness
to the signature, if you please. Joe
Blake come here
a wretched lad sneaked from the
outer office into the room, watched Mr..
Mallett sign. put his own name to the
paper, and then shuffed out again.
Now we can proceed to business, "
chuckled DAVIS. The next move is
yours. Ma'mselle I.cstrangc. 1t is plain
to be seen that the Whole thing is dis
tasteful to Mr.. Mallett. lie is man Of
refinement. and this companionship on
an equality with people - UNNECESSARILY
his interiors CRATES most disagrceably
on his sense of the fitness of things"
(To be contnuedl