The San Francisco call., 1907-03-17

considered your story with reference
20 the Prince OF Majors Improbable to
the last degree. In justice to YOU
he continued more slowly. L must
your description of that incident
may after all be in accordance with
the facts Certain facts have come TO
my knowledge which tend somewhat
in that direction. 1 shall consider 1t a
favor, therefore. if you will consider
my remarks at that interview retract-
ed"
II thank your grace very much" I
answered.
with reference to the other mat
ter" he continued, there my opinion
remains unaltered. I do not believe
that the papers in the safe were touch
ed after you yourself deposited them
there. and 1 consider your statement
to the contrary a most unfortunate
one. But the fact remains that you
have done your work faithfully, and
the Council is satisfied with your sery-
ices That being so, you may rely upon
il that any feeling I may have in the
matter I shall keep to myself"
would have expressed my gratitude
TO him, but he checked me-
There is he said. zone other,
more personal matter concerning which
! desire a few words with you. have
had a visit from a relative Of yours who
IS also an old friend OF my own refer
to Sir Michael Trogoldy."
/ looked at him in amazement.
was. In fact. so surprised that I said
nothing at all.
Sir Michael. il seems, has been max
ing Inquiries about you, and learned
or your present position" the Duke
continued. He asked me certain ques-
lions which I was glad to be able 10
answer In your behalf. He also in
trusted VI a rnfa rrnfr oh
here in my pocket"
He produced il and laid it upon the
table. made no movement to take it.
The details OF your family history"
the Duke said. ARE unknown to me-
But II the advice OF an old man is IN
any way acceptable to you. should
strongly recommend you to accept any
offer Of friendship which Sir Michael
may make He is an old man, and he
is possessed Of considerable wealth.
Further, I gather that you are his
nearest relative"
Sir Michael was very cruel to my
mother, sir" ! said slowly.
You have nothing to gain by har-
boring ancient grievances" the Duke
replied 4 have always known Sir
Michael as a just il somewhat stern
man. Please, however, do not look
upon me In any way as Would-be
mediator. Ny interest in this matter
ceases with the delivery Of that letter"
The Duke rose to his feet. 7 fol-
lowed him to the door.
In any case. sir / said, Il am very
naueh Obliged to you for your advice
and for bringing me this letter"
by the by" the Duke said. pausing
on the threshold. Il fear that we may
lose the help OF Colonel Ray upon the
Council There are rumors of serious
trouble in the SouGan, and II these are
in any way substantiated he will GER
tsinly be sent there. Good afternoon.
Mr. Ducaine."
Good afternoon, your Grace"
So he left me. stiff, formal. having
satisfied his conscience, though I felt
in my heart that his opinion Of me
once formed. was not likely 10 be
changed. AS soon as alone I opened
my uncle's letter.
''127 Grosvenor square. London. ".
Dear Guy: 1t has been on my mind
years-ever since. In fact, I heard OF
you at college. to write and inform
myself as 10 your prospects in life You
arc the son OF my only sister, although
regret to say that you are the son also
OF a man who disgraced himself and
his profession. You have a claim upon
me which you made no effort to press.
Perhaps I did not think the worse OF
you for that In any case. wish you
to accept an allowance Of which my
lawyers will advise you. and IL you will
call upon me when you are in town I
shall be glad TO make your acquaint-
ance. I may say that II was a pleasure
to me to learn that you have succeeded
in obtaining responsible and honor
able post.
4 am. yours sincerely.
MICHAEL TROGOLDY"
I took pen and paper and answered
this letter at once.
my Dear Sir Michael: As 1 am your
nephew, and I understand. almost your
nearest relative. I see no reason why I
should not accept the allowance which
you are good enough to offer me- Z
shall also be glad TO come and see you
next time am in London, If IL is your
wish.
Yours sincerely,
GUY DUCAINE"
Grooton brought in my tea, also a
London morning paper, which he had
secured In the village.
Il thought that you might be inter-
ested in the news about the Duke. sir
What news, Grooton?' asked
stretching out my hand for the paper.
You will ind leading article on the
second page. sir, and another in the
money news 1t reads quite extraordi-
nary. sir.
I opened the paper eagerly. I read
was entitled .sNoblesse Oblige." and all
the paragraphs In the money column
What read did not surprise me in the
least when once had read the cir
cumstance. 1t was just what I should
have expected from the Duke. 1t
seemed that he had lent his name to
the prospectus or a COMPANY formed
for the purpose OF working some worth
less patent designed to revolutionize
the siik-weaving trade. The Dukes
reason for Eoing on the board was
purely philanthropic. He had hoped to
restore an ancient industry in a decay
ing neighborhood- The whole thing
turned out to be a swindIe. One angry
shareholder stated plainly at the meet
ing that he had taken his shares on ac-
count Of the Dukes name upon the
prospectus. and limited ugly things.
The Duke had risen calmly in his
place. He assured them that he fully
recognized his responsibilities in the
matter. II the person who had last
spoken was In earnest when he stated
that the Dukes name had induced him
to take shares in this company. then
he was prepared to relieve him OF those