The San Francisco call., 1907-03-17
CHAPTER XIV
Lord BIenavon,s Surrender

- HE came in very quietly. little
pale and wan in this cold evening
flight. She held out her hand to
me with subdued but charming
smile OF welcome.
see me-" she said softly. You can help
me. too. about this unfortunate Young
man who has been thrown upon my
hands. -
Then she saw Ray. and the words
seemed TO die away upon her lips /
had TO steel my heart against her 70
shut ont the pity which 7 could scarcely
help feeling. She was white 20 the
lips She stood as one turned TO stone
with her distended eyes fixed upon him.
II was like trapped bird. watching its
impending fate. She fsitered little
on her feet snd--I could not help it,
hurried TO her side with a chair. AS
she ssnk into IL she thanked me with a
very plaintfve smile.
THANK you," she said. simply. Il am
not very strong, and ] ala not know
that man was with you
Ray broke in. His voice sounded
harsh; his manner. / thought was IN
necessarily brutal
i can understand" he said. that
you hnd my presence little unweI-
come. need scarcely say that this is
not a visit OF courtesy. You know very
well that willingly would never spend
moment under the same roof as you.
am here TO speak a few plain words,
10 which YOU viii do well 10 listen
she raised her eyes to his. Her cour-
age seemed TO be returning at the note
OF battle in his tone. Her small. we'll
shaped head was thrown back The
hanos which grssped the sides of her
chair ceased 20 tremble
60 on" she said.
We Will not play at cheap dipfo-
macy" he said, sneeringly. Il know
you oy dozen names, which you alter
ano adopt TO suit the occasion. You are
creature Of the French police. one OF
those parssitical creatures who live b,-
sucking the honesty out OF simpler
persons You are here because the
more private meetings of the English
touncil or Defense are being held at
howehester. II is your object bv brih-
cry, or theft. or robbery, or the sed,,c-
tive use OF those wonderful charms Of
yours. 10 gain possession OF copies OF
any particulars whatever about the
Enznsh autumn -maneuvers which
curiously enough. have been arranged
as sort OF adoendum 10 those on vou-
sloe OF the Channel. You have an allv.
1 regret 10 say, ia the Dukes son. xou
are seeking TO gain for yourself a far
more valuable one In the person of this
boy. You say 10 yourself. no dorht
Ike father like son. You ruined and
disgraced the one. You think, perhans.
the other will be as easy
Stop" she cried
He looked al her curiously Her face
wac drawn with pain. In her eyes was
the look OF being stricken TO death.
It Is terrible," she murmured. that
men SO coarse and brutal as you should
nave the gift OF speech. / do not wish
70 ask for any mercy from YOU. but n
l am 10 stay here and listen. Won will
speak only OF facts"
He shrugged his shoulders contemn-
tucusly.
You should be hardened by this
time, he said. but | forgot thar we
nad an audience IL is always worth
while 10 play little to the gallery
isn't III Well. facts. then. The bov is
warned against you. and from today
this house is watched by picked de-
tectiTes Bienavon can avail Won no4l,-
ing. for he knows nothing. such clum-
sy schemes as last nights are fore
doomed TO failure. and will only get
you into trouble. You will waste vour
time here. Take my advice. and 20
She rose to her feet. Smaller and
Trailer than ever she seemed. as She
stood before Ray. dark and massive.
Your story is plausible" she said