The San Francisco call., 1907-02-17


You are right he admitted. "The
inference is positive enough. The safe
has been opened between tho hours OF
10 at night and o'clock this morning
by--
"By either myself, Colonel Ray, or
your Grace" I said.
i am not sure that I am prepared 10
admit that" the Duke objected quietly,
1T is inevitabler' / declared.
only the very young use that word"
the Duke said drily.
II spoke only OF What others must
say" I answered
1T is a cul de sac, I admit" the Duke
said Nevertheless. Mr.. DucaiI1e ] am
not prepared without consideration to
accept your resignation. I cannot see
that our position would be improved
in any way. and in my own mind I may
add that ] hold you absolved from sus-
picion."
] held myself little more upright.
The Duke spoke without enthusiasm,
but with conviction.
Your Grace is very kind. an
swcred gratefully. "but there are the
others. They know nothing OF me. IT
is inevitable that 1 should become an
object of suspicion to them"
The Duke looked thoughtfuliy for
several moments at the tabio before
him. Then he looked up at me.
"Ducaine,' he said, "I will tell you
what l propose. You have done your
duty in reporting this thing to me.
Your duty ends there-fnine begins
The responsibility, therefore, for our
future course of action remains with
me. You, I presume, are prepared to
admit this
Certainly. your Grace" 1 answered.
81 see no useful purpose to be
gained" the Duke continued, "in
spreading this thing about. / believe
that we shall do better by keeping our
own counsel. You and I can work Sc
cretly IN the matter. I may have some
suggestions to make when have con-
sidered it more fully: but for the pres
ent I propose that we treat the matter
as an hailucination of yours. We shall
hear in due course IL this stolen In
formation goes across the water. II it
does--Well, we shall know how to ect"
you mean this?' asked bresthless-
". Forgive me, your Grace, but it
means SO much to me. You believe
that we are 5ustified?"
why not?" the Duke asked coldiy.
''It is who am your employer. 1t is
who am responsible to the country for
these things. You are responsible only
to me. | choose that you remain. I
choose that you speak of this matter
only when / bid you speak
10 me II, was lcllcI 1unledb bur4Die.
The Dukes manner was precise even
cold. Yet / felt that lie believed in me.
] scarcely doubted that he had sus-
picions Of his own. I. at any rate, was
not involved in them. ] could have
wrung him by the hand but for the
inappropriateness OF such q pro-
ceeding. So far as he was con-
was already done with. His atten-
tion was beginning to wander to the
mass Of letters before him.
Would you allow me to help your
Grace with your correspondence" /
suggested. 'I have no work at pres
ent."
The Duke shook his head impa-
tiently.
"I thank YOU" he said. 'sMy man
OF business viii be here this morning.
and he will attend to them. / will
not detain YOU, Mr.. Ducaine."
turned TO leave the room. but
found myself face to face with a
young man In the act of entering it.
"Blenavon!" the Duke exclaimed.
How are YOU. sir?' the newcomer
answered. Sorry 1 didn't arrive in
time to see YOU last night. We mo-
tored from Kings Lynn, and the whole
OF this respectable household was in
bed
knew at once who he was. The
Duke looked toward me.
~Ducaine." he said, "this is my son,
Lord Blenavon.
Lord Blenavons smile was evidently
meant to be friendly. but his express
sion belied It. He was slightly taller
than his father. and his cast of fea-
tures was altogether different. His
cheeks were pale. almost sunkcn, his
eyes were too close together, and they
had tho dirnness OF the roue or the
habitual dyspeptic. His lips were too
fun. his chin too receo,ng, and he was
almost bald
How are you. Mr.. Ducaine?" he
said. Awful hour to be out OF bed,
isn't It? and all for the staying OF a
few fat and innocent birds. Let me
see. wasn't 1 at Magdalen with Your
Il came up in your last year." !
reminded him.
'Ah, yes, l remember he drawled.
Terrible close worker you were, too.
Are you breakfasting downstairs. sir?'
II think that I had better" the Duke
said. Il suppose YOU brought some
men with your"
Half q Dozen" Lord Blenavon an
swered. including hss Royal High
ness"
The Duke thrust all his>lettcrs into