Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-14
CHAPTER XXXII.

| Bennington was at a loss to know whether
to be pleased or not at his discovery. Il
| might prove to be an important clue; on the
| other hand, it might point to more violence
! than Bennington had anticipated. 1t was
| not an old collar, as Bennington could see by
] the date of it; apparently it had only beer
worn once, for there was no laundry mark
upon 1t, though 1t was dirty, more dirty
| than a fastidious man like Sir Charles
would have used.
There was absolutely nothing further to
be seen in the vault. so Bennington climbed
thoughtfuily out of it again. He readjusted
work to remain. He would wait now for
Beatrice to emerge and see her safely on
| her way home little later on, perhaps
and he would have great deal of useful
Information to impart to inspector Field
He opened the door of the dining room
and listened. 1t seemed to him that the
voices In the study had been raised little
| If he could give Beatrice a warning he
would do so. Very quietly he pushed back
| the swinging baize door and looked in. At
the same moment Beatrice was adjusting
her hat before the mirror. Their eyes met
and Bennington was satisfied. He had told
Beatrice plainly as If he had spoken In
words that he was close by and that she
was to look to him for protection If neces-
sary. That being SO, he crept silently away
again.
- was a Wise pIcCdutlOiI, LOT TIE ITOnt
door opened and two people came in, CIV
ing Bennington hardly time to get in the
shelter of the dining room. He was at no
loss to identify the newcomers, for had he
not met them In that very room when he
had discovered the gang who were more or
less instrumental in the disappearance of
Sir Charles Darryll?
That the precious pair were after no
good needed no saying. Bennington grimly
Congratulated himself on the fact that Sar-
torfs had provided him with a weapon
which was in his pocket at the very mo-
ment. He would lounge in the vicinity of
the study, and II anything happened, If
Beatrice called out for assistance or any
thing Of that kind, he would be in a posi-
ton to render efficient service. 1t was no
part of his game to show himself to these
people without urgent reasons for SO doing.
He waited there while Beatrice was con-
fronting the trio; she had made her discov-
cry, and the others were aware of the fact.
Beatrice was conscious that her heart was
beating faster. She looked around for some
avenue Of escape. Then her courage rose
again as she remembered that Bennington
was close at hand and ready to assist her.
Il will not stay here any longer" the girl
said 1T seems to me that l am in the
way. Please to step aside and let me pass.
Do you hear me?'
The man called Reggie grinned. He did
not make the smallest attempt to move from
the door. He would have touched Beatrice
had she not drawn back.
II do not desire to detain YOU" he said.
Only you made certain remark just now
that calls for an explanation. You mean
that this lady and myself"
You know exactly what / mean" Beat
rice cried. She was getting angry now and
the sneering smile on the face of Sartoris
did not tend to soothe her. "Out of your
own mouth you have proved what 1 did not
know-that you are dangerous thieves"
ooh, indeed. Do you not know that such
language is actionab le?'
? Il know that 1t is true Beatrice said
colby. There are your photographs up
there. Did you not say so only a moment
ago? I am greatly obliged for the informa-
tion."
The girl stepped across the room and re-
moved the two photographs from their
places. Nobody interfered;- as a matter of
fact, they were all secretly admiring the
girls courage.
These two faces 1 know" she said THAT
is Countess de la Moray. and that is the
man who called himself Gen. Gastang
They were staying at the hotel on the night
that my poor dear fathers body so strange
ly disappeared. The countess was so good
as to extend to me her deepest sympathy;
she asked me to go and stay with her in
Paris"
The woman called Cora laughed. The
comedy Of it appealed to her and she could
not help 1t. She thinking of the easy
way in which she had deceived Beatrice.
Something like an oath came from Sartoris
He had his own very good reasons why
Beatrice should be deceived in this matter
Il assure you that you are quite mis-
taken" he said.
Indeed l am nothing Of the kind" Beat
rice cried. Now that 1 know the truth, 1