Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-29

his nerves, and small wonder, were quite un
strung, and even while sitting safely beside his
oiu school chum on the sofa near the fire, he
Kept a tight hold of him, like child by its
motners knee. Seeing this, Commission rose
quickly. Bernard was on his feet in moment
startled by the suddenness of the movement.
What's the matter" he demanded, looking
anMously around, and cycling both door and
window suspiciousy.
You are the matter" said Commission, touch
ing the bell. II must get you some wine. You
iook so awfully i'll, old chap. This will never
do. tell you, Bernard, you are all right I'll
stick @ to you through thick and thin"
But II were arrested?'
ou won't be arrested Everyone thinks you
are dead. You'll stay here until we sift this
matter to the bottom, and then you can take
your place again in the world as Sir Bernard
Gore"
"Sir Bernardo"
"of course. You inherit the title and the
money also''
Not the money, Dick?"
| "Yesl Durham told me to tell you, as he could
mt come himself. He is reading the will
and Beryl will find himself feft out in the cold.
You get everything"
Bernard threw up his hands "And I'm a
hunted fugitive"
STEADY, old boy Bit on the bullet. You're
dead man, and will remain one until we dis
cover who killed your grandfather"
And how can we"
| Shut up Bernard" Commission made an. i'm.
perative sign as a knock came to the door. Gore
at once turned his face to the fire and began to
arrange the logs, while Lord Commission spoke to
a sharp, dark, wien child who entered the ROOM
She was no more than fifteen, but had such an
old face and such woIhanly appearance that
she looked much older. Her eyes were as black
as coal and her thin lips tightly closed
most unpleasant-looking creature with waspish
nature.
| ooh, Victoria" said Commission, as this goblin
dropped curtsey, Il want you to bring up some
port wine.-NIrs. Moon will give it to you-and
some glasses also"
| eyes, m'lordl"
"Bring plate of biscuits too"
eyes, m'lord!"
! "And, Victoria" said the young man, as she
retreated "there is no need for you to mention
that I have visitors at the castle"
"That's mistake, Dick,' said Bernard when
the door closed.
4 "What is?' asked Conniston staring
"Telling that girl to hold her tongue. She
has no reason to suspect me, and quite as likely
as not thought me merely your guest Now she
will fancy all sorts of things
IT hope not" said Commission, uneasily, "but
she's such little devil that | thought it best
to give her one for herself. And if she chatters
she will lose her situation. am so afraid lest
she should be in communication with Jerry"
| "Jerry?"
",Juaas The grandson of Mrs. Moon who rob
bed Taberley. He arG Victoria were as thick
as thieves and about equal in wickedness.
If the girl suspected anything she might ask
| Judas to help her to learn more of the truth
than we want known. Both would sell their
nearest and dearest for pound. But don't
bother, Bernard" said the easy-going Dick,
again crossing to the sofa, everything is right
"I hope so, hope so,' muttered Gore. "If
| am arrested cannot make any defense"
"We'n talk of that later. Here comes Mrs.
Moon with the wine, and speedily that sus-
meet she must have out bottle for her private
| drinking. I saw Mrs Moon" said Commission,
az the riantess entered with silver tray and
the wine "dont let Victoria leave the castle on
any account"
ssT should think not" said Mrs Moon, setting
down the tray. "She works little enough as it
| is without trapesing about holidays. I'd
keep her under lock and key on bread and wa
ter If I had my way, and if she wasn't too strong
for me, the bosom that she isl-begging your
dear lordship's pardon. Anything else, my
| lord?"
''No You can CO."
"And glad am to co." said Mrs. Moon, with
drawing with ponderous step.
| Conniston opened the bottle of port and care
fully poured out full glass, which he passed to
Bernard.
whole glass Commission made him take another
in spite of his protestations, and then the color
came back to his sunken cheeks When Connis-
and then sat down.
GLOW did you escape?" asked Commission, light.
e IT threw myself into the river and swan
across"
''In the fog"
eyes 1 was guided by the piers of the CheI.
sea Bridge On the opposite side took off my
coat and hat and left them lying on the bank, SO
that It might be thought I was drowned"
(which is exactly what people do think"
said Dick, complacently.
"Thank Heaven for that Well, then went
into a public-house found open--it was not yet
midniqht-and made up a story about having
been robbed and thrown into the river"
"That was dangerous. The publichouse peo-
ple might have advised you to the police"
"I don't think the landlord had any love for
the police" said Gore, dryly HE looked like
an old convict himself and displayed fellow.
sympathy don't know if he believed my story
However for sovereign he gave coat and
hat and asked no questions. | walked across
Waterloo Bridge in the fog and escaped obser-
walton. But for the fog expect my military
breeches and leggngs would have betrayed me
and provoked questions. But | managed to es.
cape.
night, and by dawn was out of London. lost
myself several times in the fog and twice had a
at wayside station to Gravesend, and crossed the
river to Tilbury"
Commission nodded. 'You are quite safe here
| I will show you the way to the vaults, and should
there be any chance of your being discovered yon
can hide there"
''Does Victoria know about the vaults:"
oT can't saw. Probably that ,Iudas hrah has