Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-10


|-aH covery. 1t might prove to be an i'm.
SSaktAD portant clue, on the other hand it might
point to more violence than Bennington
had anticipated.
There was absolutely nothing further TO be seen
in the vault, so Bennington climbed thoughtfully
out OF 1t again He readjusted the floor and open
ed the door Of the dining room to listen Il
seemed to him that the voices in the study had
been raised little. If he could give Beatrice
warning he would do 80. Very quietly be
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 satisfied. He had told Beatrice
as plainly as if he had spoken in words, that
he was close by and that she was to look to him
for protection if necessary. That being so, he
crept silently away again.
1t was wise precaution, for the front door
opened and two people came in. giving Berripr-
ton 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 disappear
sncel of Sir Charles Darryll?
That the precious pair were after no good need,
| ed no saying. Bennington grimly Congratulated
himself on the fact that Sartoris had provided
| him with weapon which was in his pocket at
| the very moment, He would lounge in the vicin.
| ity of the study, and if anything happened, if
Beatrice called out for assistance or anything of
| that kind he would be in a position to render
efficient service. 1t was no part of his game to
show himself to these people without urgent rca-
sons for so doing.
He waited there while Beatrice was confront
ing the trio; she had made her discovery, and
the others were aware OF the fact. Beatrice was
conscious that her heart was beating faster. She
lanra cd for &
her courage rose again she remembered that
Bennington was close at hand and ready to assist
her.
II will not stay here any longer" the girl said
''It seems to me that am in the way. Please
to step aside and let me pass. Do you hear
me?"
The man called Reggie grinned. He did moi
make the smallest attempt to move from the
door, He would have touched Beatrice had she
not drawn back.
Il 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 I mean,Y Beatrice
cried. She was getting angry now, and the sneer
ing smile on the fact of Sartoris did not tend 70
soothe her. "Out of your own mouth Won have
proved what I did not know-that YOU are dan
gerous thieves"
"oh, indeed. DO you not know that such Ian
guage is actionable|
II know that it is true" Beatrice said coldlv
There are your photographs up there Did YOU
not say only moment ago? l am greatly
obliged for the information"
The girl stepped across the room and removed
the two photographs from their places. Nobody
intertered; as matter OF fact they were ali
secretly admiring the girls courage
These two faces | know" she said. e'That il
Countess de la Moray, and that is the man who
called himself General Gastang Dhev were stav-
ing at the hotel in the night that INV poor. dear
fathers body so strangely disappeared. The Coun.
tess was so good as to extend to me her deenest
sympathy; she asked me to go and stay with her
in Paris"
The woman called Cora laughed. The comsdv
of II appealed TO her and she could not helm Il
She was thinking of the easy way in which che
had deceived Beatrice Something like an oath
came from Sartoris. He had his own very rood
reasons why Beatrice should be deceived in tbis
matter.
"I assure you that you are quite mistaken. . hs
said
Indeed | am nothing of the kind" Reatrce
cried. Nov that know the truth, can sss
the likeness plainly enough, I don't saw that 7
should have done so had not had 40 strona
hint little while ago, but you cannot dis
guise features out of recognition. And sav
that those two people are no more than vulgar
swindlers."
Again the woman laughed, but the mans face
| grew dark.
"You are very bold" the man called Rsgs;.
gFowed' IF you have any friends near 80
| 1t was on the tip of Bestrice's tongu. :. ~.
that she had, but she wisely restrained bsr..,s
At the same time it was good to be remindsd
that Bennington was close by and that nerbanS ~
was listening to the conversation at the present
| moment.
| II am stating no more than the truth R..
triee went on. "The so-called Countess 60.
me and she pretended sympathy she msda .i.s 20 20
believe that she was an old friend Of nv fsthsr
Then she went away, leaving General Gastans -
talk to me. viii tell you presently ,vbst ~ y
was going to do have been fnding out thins. ny
/ for myself" F'As'
The woman did not laugh this time; there wa.
an angry spot on either cheek. "@'
! 10 BH CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY.