Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-16
CHAPTER XXXIV.

Office OF Mr.. Fleming He was little
pleased to find that the lawyer took the same
view Of the mystery as himself. There was
a great deal to be done yet 1t was getting
very late indeed before Field made his way
once more in the direction of Wandsworth.
He had an important paper in his pocket.
and he had given directions for two Of his
most trusted men to meet him outside No.
100 Audley place by II o'clock.
But those other men had other tasks to
perform first, and they might be some time
yet. With this knowledge in his mind,
Field repaired to the garden in front of
the house and there decided to wait for
developments. It was not a cold night the
bushes in the garden were thick, and Field
felt that he would be just well there as
anywhere else. His patience was not I'M
duly tried. He chuckled slightly to him.
self as he saw Beatrice arrive. He had a
pretty shrewd idea what she was here for.
1.-THE old fox is not quite certain of his
goal" he told himself. HE thinks he has
got everything in his grip-that the forged
deed will do the mischief, but perhaps there
are other papers. That is why he has sent
for Mrs. Richford. We shall see.''
If Sartoris had known what reposed in
Fields breast pocket he would not have
been quite SO easy in his mind. But he did
not know it, and Field did not know what
was transpiring inside the house. He wait
ed a little longer till Mary Sartoris came
up. She seemed to be greatly agitated
about something; she stood in the garden
hesitating. A little later and she was join
ed by Mark Ventmore Field was glad to
see so valuable an ally here.
From his hiding place Field could hear
all that passed 1t was satisfaction to
be able to gather up such a deal of nforma-
ton. Richford would have to come into the
net presently. and Richf ,rd was in England
which was more than Field had expected
OF course. with everybody else. he had
heard Of the famous diamonds that Richford
had given to his wife, and supposed that be-
fore now the diamonds had been turned
Into money. Into funds, Richford would
have had a good chance of getting away:
as it was. he must still be in London.
$50 that fellow is still here" Field
chuckled. did she say Edward street?
The very house that have my eve on. We
will bag all the birds. Hullo. here come
some morew
Mark and Mary Sartoris drew back as the
man and woman respectively called Reggie
and Cora came up. They had their listeners,
but they did not know it. Perhaps, if they
had. they would not have made their plans
quite so openly. AS 1t was, they had laid
bare the whole Of their new scheme to the
quickest ears In London. Field slipped
from his hiding place as Reggie and Cora
closed the front door behind them. Mary
gave little scream.
There is no occasion for alarm-at least,
as far as you are concerned, Miss Sartoris,"
Field said. Il have heard everything that
those people said"
This is Inspector Field of Scotland Yard"
Mark said.
Mary's lips quivered. but she said nothing
Her own instincts told her what Field was
doing here. She had always felt that the
bubble must burst some day-she had al
ways known that her noble efforts were al
together in vain. And yet she would have
gone on sacrificing herself to save Carl
Sartoris from the fate that was inevitable.
Are you down here on any special bust
ness Mark asked
"On business connected with the disap-
pearance of Sir Charles Daryl and other
matters" Field said. 1.-THE one thing con-
tains the other. But you need not have the
smallest apprehension for the safety OF
Mrs. Richford and her diamonds She is
not going to lose them"
How did you know that she had those
diamonds in her pocket?" Mary asked.
you forget that I have been hiding here"
Field explained. Like yourself, I heard
every word that passed Just now. Every
moment I expect to have two of my most
trusted men here Directly those two
emerge from the house and get into the
road, they will be arrested. In my busi-
ness 1 often find that when you are looking
for one bird you frequently find another.
Mr. Reggie and Miss Cora are old friends
of mine and the Paris police. They are
very clever at DISCUSSES; they work together.
she as countess. and he as a general
officer. Both of them were on the stage
and both would have made very good
names, but the honest role was too dull for
them. You may rest assured that those
two will be out Of the way before day.
Mary listened with mixed feelings She
felt that in a measure she was mainly re-
sponsible for what was going to happen. It
looked as though 1t would be an eventful
evening.
"Weil, we can't stand here all night"
Mark said impatiently. He was vaguely
frightened for Beatrice. in the house with
those rascals. II can help you. You and
I together would be a match for the lot of
them. What do you say to try?"
But Field had no feeling that way at all.
The cool. shrewd officer did not rush things
in that fashion. He had his birds secured
and he could afford to wait.
II cannot possibly permit you to interfere
with my plans, SIR" he said coldly. "You
must recollect that am responsible to the
authorities, and that have my reputation
for the arrest Of certain people, and that
being the case
For my brother, for Carl Sartoris?"
Mary gasped. 'Oh, is that really so?''
fact" Field said in a gentle tone. mo,
1 cannot permit you to enter the house The
thing Is absolutely inevitable and you could
not possibly prevent 1t. cripple like your
brother could not escape me, and any hasty
action of yours might mean the escape of
the other two. I am exceedingly sorry,
Miss Gray
Mary started as she heard her own name
from the lips Of the inspector. The express
sion told her that he knew everything The
blow had fallen at last, as Mary always
knew that it would fall, but it none the
less bitter for that Tears rolled down her
cheeks, but she said nothing further. Mark
looked at her with distress in his eyes; he
and Field exchanged glances
This must be very painful to you. miss
the latter went on. by staying here you
can do US no good-you are only giving
yourself unnecessary pain. Is there any
house you can go to. any place where you
can stay for the night? A hotel?'
Il have no friends and no money" Mary
said through her tears 'Since coming to
England I have given myself wholly to my
brother. I have done my best to make
the path smooth for him and have failed
It was no fault Of mine that Sir Charles"
THAT Sir Charles was not warned" Field
said hastily. Don't say any more. please
Don't place yourself in such a position that
I shall have to call you as Witness"
Mary swallowed down her choking sobs
Two figures stole across the street, and
Field gave a low whistle. His two trusty
subordinates had come at last. AS they
passed by the gate Field strobe across to
them and gave them their Instructions
Mark turned to Mary.
pray let me be your banker" he said.
LET me provide the money SO that you"
But cannot" Mary protested. II dare