The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-07-09
CHAPTER vl,l-(cont,nued.

Dear Mr.. Grant: I must apologize
for this. fear. unwarrantable intru-
sion. Although we have never been
friends, you must not imagine that my
present action is dictated by any un-
kind feelings toward you. 1t simply
means that could not bring myself,
for several reasons, to die In a railway
station waiting room: and there are
other reasons, which you are doubt
less BY now well acquainted with, why
! could hardly, at the present time,
quarter myself for this last moment or
TIVE upon any of my regular friends.
II do not, moreover, belong to one
of those institutions known as ladies'
clubs, nor do approve Of them. I
have, therefore, taken the great lib
erty Of arriving here while you were
out, being let in by your valet, who, OF
course, knows me. You will remem-
Der that l and my niece have been to
tea with you on two occasions. My
motives for suicide you can, doubtless,
make guess at. I will not enlarge
upon them here. Believe me, dear Mr..
Grant, yours very faithfully,
Augusta Decies.'
Grant passed the letter to Marriott.
He read It. Then together they look
cd at the grim. cynical death mask
before them.
''Sho must have chuckled as she
wrote that letter." Grant whispered.
She was terrible woman. There are
dark secrets in her life. She has out
witted us all. She has done her work
--her foul work In kidnapping the
duke. She has destroyed all traces
By which we can find him, while.
silent and mocking to the last, she has
gone beyond the reach of all mortal
hands, or all human laws
! They stood there In absolute silence
enca more.
Both started like frightened hares.
The key was being put into the latch
ef the front door.
Then they heard the door open and
some one enter. whistling to himself.
Il was the valet, who doubtless i'm
agined himself alene in the fiat.
Michael called him.
The noise ceased at once. and the
nan hurried into the room.
Fl beg your pardon, sir" he said. Il
thought" And then he stopped.
The horror in the chair confronted
him.
.what is the explanation Of this?"
Grant said. "You see, Miss Decies Is
here. She has killed herself"
lt was some minutes before the
man could speak. His eyes seemed
bursting out Of his head. his teeth
clicked like castanets. When at last
ho found words his voice was whine
of dlsnay.
= vas Just leaving the dat, sir: In
lact, had already closed the door
about IN hour and q half ago-when
lGise Decies came up from the landing.
OF course, 1 knew her. sir. for the aunt
q the dachess-the aunt OF her grace
the Duchess Of London.
'1liss Decies said that she wished
% write . note upon an important
matter. ana then she would wait ten
minutes on the chance Of your coming
back provided the lady with the
necessary requisites. sir, and then she
insisted upon my going out.
: Z can manage very well by myself.
Parker she said. sir. Though even
then should not have gone. sir, had
she not been almost peremptory about
NJ
He stopped. The story Was simple
onough. No blame attached to him.
"Well, you see what has happened.
Parkerl What dreadful thing has
happened," Grant said. Go down ut
once. tell the porter to come up; then
eolephone to the nearest police station
ond 10 the nearest DOCTOR"
The man hurried away.
Grant turned quickly to Basil. still
holdAng the paper.
ssvVhat are We to dot" he said. point
- . L. ~ terrible responsibility
80 q us. The scandal 10 enough
eiroaAy that affects the house Of our
3oad. should We not destroy this?''
sf think not" the sailor answered.
- mlschief II done already. It 10
80 impossible that these happen
.1 can be kept from the press. The
ou ~ can have but enc meaning-it
r. direct consequences Of the disap-
nfor - ck the duke. Keep Il to pro.
1ece Fseafs
Il ~ duchessf" Grant whisper
p. 1,13o ~ look Of pain and terror
1eopo upon his face.
. ns1st know. and know ct once. "
roxr1Sff fopltod. "But she can bear
- p ~ nrst time have seen
Ia 1SGA -. Geant. You know her
jls1l ne Z eM : plucky woman
M 1oo NJ eneo. md she viii even
l l1I = y iaienal blow ~ her sons
fes 4 Ikensd ! littls with