The San Francisco call., 1907-03-17

coidly. 1T may even be true. But
apart from that. 1 had another and
greater reason for coming to England,
for coming 10 Braster l came to seek
my husband-the father of this boy.
I am even now in search OF him.
I held my breath and gezed at Ray.
For the moment ii seemed as though
the tables were turned. No signs OF
emotion were present in his face, but
he seemed TO have no words. He simply
looked at her.
He left me in January she con-
tinued. determined at least TO have
speech with his son. He heard then
for the first time of the absconding
trustee de came to England, IL not to
implore his sons forgiveness, at least
to place him above want. And in this
country he has never been heard of.
He has disappeared. | am here to
lind him. Perhaps" she added. leaning
little over toward Ray. and in =
slightly altered tone, perhaps you can
help me?'
Again il seemed te me that Ray was
troubled by certain speechlessness.
When al last he found words, they
and his tone were alike harsh, almost
violent.
do You think" he said, that I
would stretch out the little finger OF
my hand TO help you or him? You
know very well that Z would not. The
pair Of you. in my opinion, were long
since outside the pale of consideration
from any living being If he is lost, so
much the bcitor II he is dead, so
much the better still
1T IS h.casIS" 7 know how you feel
toward him sho said. slowly, "that /
wondrrrd- yes. wonderedw
-Wcllg'
whether YOU could not. il you
choose solve for me the mystery OF his
disappearance"
There was as much as a dozen
seconds or so of intense silence be-
tween them. She never once fiinched
The cold question seemed to burn its
way into the mans composure- \
fierce exclamation broke from his lips.
IF he were dead" he said. and IL 1t
were my hand which had removed him,
I should count IL among the best ac-
tionS of my life"
She looked at him curiously--as one
might regard wild beast
you can speak like this before his
sonT'
at veil my words at no time and for
no man" he answered. THE truth is
always best"
Then the door opened and Blenavon
entered. His arm and head were BAN
daged and he walked with limp he
was deathly pale and apparently very
nervous He attempted casual greet
ing with Ray. but il was a poor pre-
tense. Ray, for his part, had evidently
no mind to beat about the bush.
Lord Blenavon." he said. this house
is no fit place for your fathers son. /
have warned you before. but the time
for advice is past. Your hostess mere
is A creature of the French police, and
her business here is to suborn you and
others whom she can buy or ca1ole into
a reasonable breach of confidence. IL
is very possible that you know all this,
and more. But 1 appeal to you as an
EnRlishman and the representative of
a great English family. Are you VIII
ing TO leave at once with US and 10 de-
part altogether from this part OF the
country. or will YOU face the conse-
quences?'
Blenavon was a coward. He shook
and stammered. He was not even mas
ter Of his voice.
tered. you have no right to speak TO
me like this"
Right or no right. / do" Ray an
swered. IF you refuse ] shall not
spare you. Last night was only one
incident of many. l break my faith as
a soldier by giving you this opportu-
nifty. VIII you Gomez
i am waiting now lOI CditidbS,
Blenavon answered. 'I have sent to
the house for one.
You will not return to the house
Ray said shortly. You will leave here
for the station, the station for London,
and London for the Continent. You do
this, and 1 hold my pence. You refuse,
and 1 SEQ Lord Chelsford and your
father tonight"
From the first I knew that he would
yield, but he did IL with an Ill grace.
Il don't see why l should go" he
said, sulkily.
Either I alone or you and to-
gether are going to catch the o'clock
train to London" Ray said IF I 60
alone you viii be an exile from Eng
land for the rest Of your life, your name
will be removed from every club to
which you belong. and you viii have
brought irreparabIe disgrace upon your
family. The choice is yours
Blenavon turned toward the woman
as though for aid. But she stood with
her back to him. pale and with thin.
scornful smile upon her lips.
The choice" Ray repeated. glancing
at his watch, lis yours. but the time is
short"
II will 60" Blenavon said. 'I was
of f~. 1ox- g