Los Angeles herald., 1907-07-21

as steps came along the passage. Then she
laughed
II shall stay" she declared ''They won't see
me-" And she stepped quickly behind heavy
curtain into the window recess. The squire frowned
for moment, but gradually smiled. There
something in this feminine weakness which pleased
him, as weakness in woman always pleases the
man who loves her. After all, he thought, Estelle
was to be trusted. 1t did not matter If she heard
Good evening"" he greeted the men; you are
travelling late"
I'VE have to go when we are sent, SIR" said
the taller man. who was evidently in charge I'VE
left London this morning, and have been travel
lug all day. We got fly at the station, but a
wheel came off, and we've had an hours walk.
We want to get to Merrington at once, for fear
the party should get wind of 1t, and make off.
You never know"
NO" the squire agreed "you never know.
You are police officers of course?"
Eyes, sir; from Scotland Yard I am Detective
Inpector Bramhall, and this is Sergeant Collins.
Here my credentials"
The squire glanced at the paper under a lamp,
and handed 1t back
ri will lend you a dog-cart and good horse"
he promised. "If you will call here on the way
back a groom will accompany you to the station,
and bring the trap home" He rang the bell and
gave instructions for the cart to be got ready and
a meal prepared for the men meanwhile.
"Is it a serious matter?" he asked, when the
servant had gone.
"a matter of seven years, should say" the In
spector told him; 'if they don't find it murder.
You they were regular gang of swindlers;
forgery and all that sort of thing. A detective
got on their track in Paris but they decoyed him.
him while they got away. Anyhow. he died"
He nice chap the second man declared,
"and getting on in the profession I've often
worked with him. 1t murder if you ask me, r
"And you've traced them to Merrington?" said
the squire. 'Umph! thought knew everyone
in that quiet village"
"This is only one of them, SIR, the inspector
stated We've got the Others
What is his manner"
TT :sn't him It's 'her! Regular flash party.
and good-oohng as they make them You might
think she lady to look at, or to speak to.
She was the decoy duck, so to speak Well,
there's always a in everything, as dare-
say you know sir sir" ,.o ..,o. ,nu v,on
About two years ago. She slipped off there
a few months afterwards while we were hunting
for her in London; we've just found out"
The squire sat down slowly.
What her name?" he asked.
Her right was Lucas"
"Lucas?" said the squire sharply.
"Eetele Lucas; but she came down here under
the name of Carrington.'
Darlington" the squire repeated
He had courted Estelle Darlington of Merring-
ton and when he proposed to her she had told
him that she had taken her mothers name of
Lucas because her family was disgraced. She
had assured him, the other hand, that none of
that disgrace fell on her. He had married her,
and to this day knew no more.
you know the person, sir?" the inspector asked.
IT know--Miss Carrington-Yes-Are you
quite sure of your facts, inspector? Miss CARING
ton-or Lucas-seemed to me to be lady who
was entitled to my utmost respect"
you might we'll take her to be, sir. Most
likely she was brought up to be one. More shame
you distress me greatly" said the squire.
There long silence.
II am sorry, SIR said the inspector, "as the
lady is--as you knew her. You've been taken in,
1 am afraid, sir"
ssIt seems so," the squire owned; ''but cannot
help hoping that she may have some explanation
Perhaps If she knew that you wanted her she
would come forward of her own accord and ex-
s,.11 che aI,rrc tnxyor ia
curtain. The table creaked sharply and he started
"she knows that she's wanted right enough
the second man declared "and, as for explanation
well, was on her track before, and know every
line of her history She was bad lot, sir; an out
and out bad lot. 1 don't mean that she wasn't
respectable;' but she was the moving spirit and
the brains of the whole concern, and the decoy
duck as the inspector says. A splendid looking
woman, as you'll have seen, sir
YES" the squire assented: Yes; she seemed
to me very-a very splendid woman. Well, 1t is
my duty to assist you in apprehending her, and
So" He stared at the curtain afar in the shad-
ows. The freight flashed suddenly and he thought
he caught glimpse of white face between the
curtains "And so-the cart will be ready shortly.
You will like some food frst?"
"Thank you sir. OF course, we'll treat the-the
lady politely. as. she's-as you know her"
''Thank you" The squire's voice sounded
pained and he moved little in his chair II am
yery-staggered!" he owned.
"You would be, sir" the Inspector agreed. "But
of course, we shan't mention your name in any
way. I don't think we need take up any more OF
your Jl1ne, SlT
Thank you" The squire rang the bell. Il
should be glad If you would refrain from men
tloning the lady downstairs"
"Very good, sir. Good evening"
Good evening"
The men went out. The squire turned toward
the place where the window recess lay hidden in
the darkness and half rose with his hands on the
arms of his chair.
'Estelle!" he called under his breath. "Estelle!'
There was no answer He slowly; walked
slowly across the room into the darkness behind
the screen Presently he came out holding silent
woman by the arm, and led her to chair.
"Estelle!" he said again; but she did not speak;
only sat looking at the fire. Her face was inscru-
table. He turned to her with sudden despairing
gesture.
"Have you nothing to say, Estelle?" he asked.
And when she did not he made sound
almost like sob. Mine is old name to be
disgroced!" he said with catch in his voice.
tOf.I ,.iok