The Washington herald., 1907-10-20

mood from that in which they had paid
/ their first visit
/ When they reached the outer gate OF
the garden, which was a good way from
| the house. Iuce stopped short and said
Look here; viii you mind if I go uT
/ TO the house by myself? VIII YOU wait
/ for me here2 Walk up and down this
way. without passing that gap in the
/ trees where they could see YOU from the
/ windows. I won't keep you waiting a
/ minute longer than I can help"
St Quintin was alarmed
But what are you going TO do?' said
/ he
Nothing whatever. At least. nothing
/ 10 upset any one. I'm going 10 make 4
I few inquiries, that's all And I'll answer
I for II they viii not reach any ears you
need mind"
Puzzled and distressed. st. Quintin.
/ feeling that be had let himself in for
more than no had b9rgaiusd for, reIuc-
tantiy consented, and. turning back.
str3lied along the footpath under the
/ trees that spread out their branches
/ from the gardens Of the stately row of
detached houses that bordered the heath.
/ Meanwhile James Ince went quickly
up the drive and rang the bell As he
/ had hoped. IL was the footman he knew
who opened the door.
| rs Monsieur Leblanc at homer" he
asked without appearing 20 recognize
/ the man.
NO, sir said the footman. promptly.
James Ince raised his eyebrows.
Really not AT home2' he asked in the
I lowest of voices.
The servant hesitated
We'll. sir, that was the message 7
was told 60 give every one. and he wont [
see anybody I know"
Where is he as a matter OF fact?"
The man answered as before. reluc-
family, as If every word were being
drawn out Of him with tortures.
He's in his study. sir. or his lab0ra-
tory. He doesn't allow anybody 20 dis
turh him when he's in there"
Laboratory. eh? And where's that2'
oh. it's at the back Of the house, sir.
Yes on that side
The affirmative was in answer to InCe's
curious movement of the head 10 his left
can you introduce me into the room
where he is, saying that it's a gentleman
come on important business o.
oh. no. sir, | durSn't 90 that Look
/ here, Mr.. Ince. you wouldn't wish to do
a poor chap any HARM now. would your
! feel grateful-like 10 you, seeing you're
friend Of the gentleman that spoke for
me. and got me off for that affair Of the
sealskin Jackets"
And hard work he had, too, you ras-
cai"'
well, sir, believe me, II I could do
what you want I'd do it. But l can't
In the first place, Monsieur Leblanc locks
himself in"
Well, Will you tell me just what you're
doing herc?'
I'm simply a servant sir; nothing else,
honor bright"
Come. Saunders, that won't do for me-
Unless you're quite frank it's Of no use
expecting me 10 hold my tongue about
you. Who are these people, and what
are you ng for them?"
Well. sir, as for the first question, 7
can only say. "BIest if ] know myself
who or what they are Everything looks
square. Plenty of money; highly respec-
table visitors Everything tiptop."
Then, now. tell me the truth about
yourself"
We'll, if you must have it, I'm here
TO watch for the other party in the firm"
Oh, there's another party, is there?'
Yes, sir. And you've heard about him,
right enough. It's Bob Gurney. that got
seven years for stealing at bank-what
they call 'bezzlement sir
"Oh, so he's the partner Of these peo-
pie? Does he come here?"
NO. sir l keep him posted up"
How
We'll. there's a lot of gentlemen comes
here who're all after Miss Densley and
her money. For she's got money-lots
of it, by what I can make out-and land
up in Lincolnshire, too"
Yes? Well"
They come here in swarms making up
to her, for her money mostly. I think
And some Of them make an awful bother
because they can't marry her offhand
Mr. Burdock, he was one of them that
made "a row"
"Burdock, eh! And what became of
him?"
oh Monsieur Leblanc quieted him
down. talked him over. as he does with
them all Oh. he's rare one. as far as
the gift OF CAB goes. sir is Monsieur Le-
blanc. He beats madame, and that's say
ing a deal
And Burdock didn't come here again."
Why, no, sir; they say nobody knows
what's become of him." said Saunders,
simply.
1t was plain that he himself had no
sort Of explanation to offer Of that mys-
terry.
Did YOU let him out, the last time he
cameo"
NO, sir. And I didn't expect to have
to, for when they're angry and impa-
tieBt, like what he was. asking for Mon
sieur Leblanc peremptory-like and sharp,
! always know how il will end For
when they're like that, Monsieur Leblanc