The Washington herald., 1906-12-11

done"
What do you advise, Miss Beren-
garia?" asked Durham.
II advise Bernard 70 give himself up.
and face the matter out"
"Oh, auntr' cried Alice, taking her
lovers hand.
My dear. this hole-and-cOTner bust
ness is no good. And the discovery Of
the likeness between Michael and Ber-
nard Dsings a new element into play. If
Bernard let's himself be arrested, the
whole business can be thrashed out in
daylight Besides, as we stand now. that
Beryl creature-drat himl-Will make mis-
chief
He has found out that Bernard is
alive" said Alice.
That's impossiblew cried Durham,
waking up and sitting apparently on
thoTns. He doesn't know Bernard is at
this castle"
Alice has put the matter wrongly" ,"
said Bernard, taking out the letter Of
Beryl. she received this from Julius.
He says he saw me in the streets of
London. That means he saw Michael Gil
roy"
"Ah And made the mistake, as every
one else seems to have done"
Il doubt that, Alice" said Miss Plan
tagenet; I doubt that very much. It
seems to me that BeryI-drat hint
knows a great deal more than we do. It s
my opinion" added the old lady, look
ing round triumphantly. that Beryl has
used Michael as an instrument"
4 think so also. said Durham, quick
~. and il comes to this. that If ! acci-
dentally met Michael, or If he called at
my Office representing himself as Ber-
uard. I should accept him as such"
What for?" asked Bernard, angrily.
There you go with your temper" said
Miss Berengaria. Durham is quite right,
and shows more sense than I expected
from him. The only way 20 get at the
truth-which this Michael with his mo-
ther knows-is to give him q long enough
rope 10 let him hang himself. I daresay
If Durham won his confidence, the man
might presume on his being accepted as
Bernard, and might give US a clew. What
do you say Alice? Don't sit twiddling
your thumbs, but answer"
Miss NallesOn laughed. I agree with
you. aunt"
'Of course you do. Am I ever wrong?
Well2' She looked round
Durham answered her look. II will go
back to London he said, "and will ad-
vertise FOR Mrs. GiIroy-T
"She won't be such a fool as 20 obey
~ beg your pardon, Miss Plantagenet;
she may"
"She won't. I tell you
Then Michael may come"
What! with that murder hanging over
his head? Rubbish"
You forget Bernard IS accused.
Michael can clear himself"
Miss Berengaria snorted and rubbed her
nose. "Can he2 then I should very much
like to know how he can. Do what you
Ike. young man. but mark my words
your net viii catch no fish"
Tt may catch Beryl." said Bernard
thoughtfully. When he sees Mark ad-
vertising he viii be on the lookout
ITO have Michael arrested as Bernard. 9"
said Miss Berengaria. well, he might
And Is so, all the better for you, Gore Oh
dear me"-she rose TO put on her bon
net-"what n lot of trouble all this is
And IL rose from Bernard being true 10
me- said Alice, tenderly.
AS If YOU weren't worth the world, q"
said Bernard. assisting her to put on her
cloak
"Eh. what's that?" said the old lady
'Humi Bernard. your grandfather was
q silly foOl-no, 1 won't say that-bUt he
was an upsetting peacock. The idea OF
not thinking Alice good enough for YOU
she is too good for me-"
Il quite agree with you said the
lawyer. laughing; but you see, Miss
BerenEaria. Il was not the personality Of
Miss AIaIleson that Sir Simon objected to,
but her"
Il know-I know" said the old lady
tartly BLESS the man. does he take
me for an IDIOT" She sat down. I'm
a fOOlT
Every one looked at one another when
Miss Berengaria made this startling an
nouncement. As a rule, she called others
fools, but she was chary Of applying the
term 20 herself. She looked around. 7
am fool" she announced again. Alice
come and sit down. have something
% say that should have been said long
ago"
What is ft?" asked the girl seating
herself beside the old lady. Miss Bercn-
garia, a rare thing for her. began To
weep. The air here IS too strong for
me, she said in excuse. "Au the same.
/ must speak out. even through my tears
silly woman that / am. Oh II I had1't
been too proud 10 explain 10 that dead
peacock, she meant the late baronet-
'all this would have been avoided" "
Do you mean my grandfather would
have consented TO the marriage?"
4 mean nothing Of the sort. Bernard.
so don't interrupt said Miss Beren-
garia, sharply; "but I'm a fool Bernard.
beg your pardon"
IF you would come TO the point Miss
Plantagenet, and
Il am coming 20 IL. Durham" she said
quickly. Don't worry me. II is this
way; Sir Simon objected 20 Alice because
he knew nothing Of ner parentage"
Il know nothing myself" said Alice.
sadly.
We'll then. I intend to tell you now.
You are perfectly well born ans you have