The Washington herald., 1906-11-29
CHAPTER VII-Continued.

naTd Is not the man 20 die when his liv-
ing is needed to prove his innocence"
This was truly so feminine an argument
that Durham, with a shrug of his shoul-
ders, held his tongue There's no moro
to be said" he remarked
II know that" snapped Miss Beren-
garla in d bad humor. Il am quite up
set by all the rubbish those fools have
been talking What's to be done next"
Il shall go down to Gore Hall and read
the will"
''Ha" said the old lady brightly. Can
you do that until you are sure of the
death Of Bernardo"
Yes He may be dead after all"
He isn't I tell you"
Then il is all the better he should be
/ thought to be so" said Durham. giving
/ up the point in the face Of this firm oppo-
sitiOn.
Why" asked Miss BerengaTia prompt.
/ ".
/ Because no search viii be made for
Gore should he be alive and in hiding
/ Yet, ] fear Beryl will search"
Il don't see why ne should. Oh. /
| SEQ what you mean. Sir Simon, the hor-
/ rid old Well, Wen say nothing about
that. But he has left the money to
Beryl, after disinheriting Bernard for
keeping faith with my poor Alice"
/ Not exactly that" said Durham. hes
itating. Il can't tell you the contents Of
the viii, Miss Plantagenet, as"
I know" she snapped. You needn't
/ tell me that I'll come to the Hail and
| hear 1t read. But, of course, 1 know il
already"
In that case there's no more to be
said, replied the solicitor, suppressing q
smile. Miss BeTengaria saw Il.
'Ha, said She sharply and pondering
| SO Bernard was not disinherited, after
all"
Il never said so"
You smiled. That's quite enough for
me. "A mods as good as a wink to a blind
horse Not that I'm a horse or blind
Thank God. 1 have my eyesight and can
I read print with glasses. Well keep your
professional secrets, but tell me this.
VIII Beryl-the deuce take him-hunt for
Bernardo"
Not If he thinks he is drowned. as Is
probable said Durham, rather surprised
at hearing strong language from the lips
Of the lady.
And If he thinks otherwise?"
He VIII certainly hunt" replied the
lawyer determinediy.
"Ha," said Miss Bere0E7ria r11tl,ingy
her nose. 80 that's il. is it,"
What do you mean. Miss Plantaga-
metz"
That Bernard has not been disinberit-
ed. That old scamp-no. we must talk
better OF hlm-that the good old man who
Is dead repented and left the money m
his rightful heir What a joker Miss
Berengaria chuCkied. There, thereU' she
went on, catching Durham's eyes. "It's
all right You have told me nothing.
can guess Well we'll. we must wait tiu
the viii IS read. Then we shall see what
IS 10 be done to prove Bernard's inno-
ceuce."
THAT viii be a hard task" said Dur
ham, with sign; then added. with some
little hesitation. Miss Plantagenet.
should Beryl make advances to you in
the way Of friendship. receive them"
Hum" said the lady Il detest the
fellow"
But for Brnard's sake"
What plan have you in your head?"
she asked sharply and peering into his
troubled face
None. But I think that after the read
ing of the will
Miss Plantagenet checked. After the
readinE-well?"
Beryl may make advances to YOU"
/ viii receive them. But if he thinks
will tell him where Bernard is 10 be
found, he is mistaken"
You don't know where he is. or II he
IS alive, said Durham, astonished to find
how quickly she fathOmed his thoughts.
True enough. But I will know before
many days are over my head. I quite ex-
Alice. and, of course. she will tell me
As BeTyl VIII find that the money is left
to"
Il did not say that interrupted Dur
nam, quickly. as the brougham stopped
at the Office door.
To Bernard" went on Miss Rersn-
garla, coolly "he will try and learn If he
Is dead or alive. If dead, he will-no. I
can say what he Will do, as I don't know
II the money, falling Bernard Is left TO
aim But II he thinks Bernard is alive.
ne VIII hunt him down so as 70 get the
money"
Durham stepped out Of the brougham
rather afraid of the old dame. She was :,
clever that she seemed to read his rnozt
secret thoughts. He was glad the drive
was at an end, and held out his hand In
say good-by To his surprise and vex-
a'Ion MISS Berengaria stepped OUT at hi, /
heels. m coming in to talk" she said /
ana marched up the steps. Il go down to |
night 10 HursetOn, and l want To ar
range what IS 20 be done Not vyor1 /
young man. / am Bernart's friend and /
SO are YOU If we don't combine it's all /
up with the poor fool" Durham follow
ed the energetic lady with a feeling Of /
ueiplessness, not knowing v=ry well how
70 get ria OF her. And he had particular
reasons loF not having her In the Office /
CohhIston was coming 10 see him. and /
d meeting between them and his amt
might be productive Of trouble. Nor tbat
MISS Plantagenet was his aunt as She
Wis only a distant relative But she al
ways styled herself so. and would an
sWer TO no other term Durham regret
,eu mat ne had accepted the lady's offer
70 DC orlVen TO his Office. But it was too
Ia.t oy TINS TINE, for Miss Berengaria
was j" We room. And in the room also
80 - iIo.H Oohi'ston, now out of uniform.
and looking much excited
Ha" said Miss Plantagenet not rocoe,-
nlzlng the young man. and who is tbis7"
She turned to Durham. who shot mast
her' making a sign OF silence TO his
friend q
"A client of mine VIII Won leava us
for a moment. Conniston7..
lhe name slipped out before he was
aware, and he could have stamped with
VeNauon to see how quickly Miss Beren-
garia grasped the situation. With n grim
smile she looked at the astonished young
man. so You are Dick" she said look
ing at him through a double eyeglass. n
haven't seen you since you made yourself
sick in my garden Bernard told Alice
by letter that he met you. Where are
you stayiug?"
Il don't understand" stammered Con-I
niston. while Durham, giving up Miss