Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-03-27

Continued.

was it? Do you know him?' Then
he turned with an encouraging smile
to Norah. We shall find her now.
IT was Mr.. Cyril Burne, my lady.
she said.
"Are-are you sure?' she asked in a
low voice.
Yes. my lady, quite sure. There
was a streak of light where they were
ard saw him quite plainly. Oh, I'm
quite sure it was the artist gentle
man
Guilford Berton broke it.
That does not help us much. MIR
Burne may have been helping her
with her CLOAK: he was very attentive
10 her all the evening
DID no one see her after that?'' he
asked generally.
No, sir No, my lady, none OF US
saw her after that"
Perhaps we had better ask Mr.
Burne? he said to Norah in the same
low voice. Il don't suppose he can
give us any information, but We will
leave no stone unturned."
Norah inclined her head slightly
and he went up to the inn door. as
he did so an elderly man with busnF
eyebrows came out 1t was Mr.. Fur
long He was filling his pipe. and
glanced at the group, and then at tie
phaeton; his eyes rested upon Norah's
face with intensity. and he stopped
the filing of his pipe. Then he touch
ed his hat, half lifting it in London
1se~ md, going to a bench outside
the Inn, sat down, leisurely lit his
pipe. and sat smoking, apparently pay
ing litti,, ,l "a, .ention to what was
gong Oh.
Guiliord BertCn glanced at him half
curiously, and was entering the ion
door when Mrs. English appeared.
She looked fiurried and upset, aud
dropped a succession Of courtesies to
NCrah
Good morning. Mrs. English. said
Guiford Berton. rs n Burne I'M"
Mr.. Burne, sir she replied oh
no, sir; he's not here He hasn't oeen
home all night"
Berton gave a little start ami
looked over his shoulder at Norah.
Not been back 10 the inn? Is he
not staying here?"
Well, you may say so. sir, she said
in a nervous way. But he's reen
away-to London think-for the
last fortnight He came back all lii a
hurry, as you say, last evening, and
dressed for the ball, -and-thats
the last I've seen of him. Won't III
step in sir, and you my lady? I'm all
in fiuster this morning what with
Becca South going off all Of sudd n
and Mr. Cyril not coming back"
No thank you, we won't come in
Mrs. English. You expected Mr.
Burne to return then?'
Why. of course, sir. He've only
got on his black dancing clothes. and
all his things is here. can't make
out why he didn't come back; but I
thought that he'd stayed at Ferndsle
perhaps"
Mr.. Burne did not stay at Fe. ndale
Park"
Then where can he have gone, my
lady?' continued Mrs. English. It's
true as he's rather a strange gentle
man. a-rushing off as you may say.
without a word Of warning; put he
wouldn't 60 up to London in his dane
ing things would he my LADY,"
Just 50. Mrs. English; as YOU say.
that is net very likely. But I don't
quite see where he could have stayed
the night"
If he'd stayed at the inn at Fe :
daie-but. Lor. sir. it's a rough place,
and Mr.. Cyril wouldn't have thought
anything of walking home here. no,
he wouldn't have stayed there. and f
he had he'd come back this morning
if only to change his things"
Guilford Berton went up to The
phaeton and leaned on it.
1T is very-curious" he said.
thoughtfully Really l think Mr.
Burnes disappearance as remarkable
as Becca South's"
The group had become considerably
augmented by this time, and they all
listened in eager interest to the pro
ceedings.
you have not seen Becca South
this morning." asked BertoG OF Mrs.
English and she seemed quite hurt by
the question.
"Lor', no, sir! Begin your pardon.
l should think I've been asked that at
least a hundred times. I didn't see
her all yesterday. I don't see her
often on the best o days. The last
time ! saw her, | think-she paused
moment-'at least so far as I can
remember was the day Mr.. Cyril
started for London, She came with
message from him to fetch his watch.
as he'd left behind
At this fresh link Of connection be
tween CyriHs movements and Becca's.
Norahs face flushed and she bent
down to hide it, and arranged the fur
wrap at her feet
This deserves to be called the SAINT
leigh mystery said Berton to her
with a smile, Really. I don't know
what to do next unless we inquire at
the railway station"
Noyah gathered the re,ns in her
hand
But pray don't you trouble to 10