The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1909-11-26


Il know. said the Duhe. gravely
and with the simple directness Of his
age and position Il know they're
talking about Beatrice and young
Michael Grant. Ii appears that he
cannot be found either; but | vii.
lay my life-'pon my soul, | wil,-that
there's nothing in that There's nc
reason for IT, TO begin with Why Oh
earth should Beatrice go off with
young Grant? And is young Grant the
sort of a man to play a scurvy trick =?
NOt bit Of it, There is nothing in
that. whatever the chattermongers
may say. and beg, Marriott, and you
Sir Anthony, that you will squash any
such umors instantly and firmly. as
| myself should do. may tell YOU in
confidence that the rumour had reach
ed certain quarter two days ago. but
| was able very satisfactorily to dis
abuse her mind-well, you know what
| mean"
That's good" Sir Anthony an
swered; but all the same, society is
being shaken right away down to it's
by this extraordinary mys-
terry. Not only society, Sir Hercules.
but the middle classes and the public
are beginning TO be filled with furious
curiosity You have no idea OF the
efforts my department has been com
PEELED 10 make TO prevent continual
ton of the extraordinary nonsense
that appeared in the press when the
little Duke disappeared"
Sir Hercules Marriott had said very
little during this scene. but now he
leant forward and spoke. His face
was singularly earnest. The old blue
eyes, with the network of fine wrinkles
round them, were grave, and he ca
ressed his pointed white beard with
his left hand
Il think | ought TO tell YOU some
thing he said. My boy has disap-
peared, 100"
The other men looked at him in
amaZement.
What dye mean?" the Duke said,
testify. Another confounded mys-
-ery. What?"
Not another" the Admiral answer.
I'd, but part of the same. Michael
Grant and my lad and the Duchess
know more about all this than we
three do; and what it all means is
absolutely beyond me-"
The old Duke snarled. Il am not
going to stand it much longer" he
said. Something must be done at
,nce."
Exactly" Sir Anthony replied.
But what?'
"Confounded if know" said the
Duke, hopelessly.
Il wish | knew where Michael Grant
was said Sir Anthony Heller.
Il wish | knew where my boy Basi,
was" the Admiral echoed him.
Il think" said the Duke. that
will take a little milk and brandy.
VIII you order it for me, Marrott?"
The Duke slipped his mixture.
We'll" he said, after a moment or
two, Il suppose | must be getting on.
am going up into Piccadilly to see
the sCoundrels who make my boots"
Sir Anthony smiled at the Admiral.
Very well, Duke" he said Il think
shall stay here with Marriott; but
we will see you into your cab. or have
you carriage waiting?"
Cab be blowed," said the Duke,
and carriage, too. If | cannot walk
from Carlton House Terrace up into
Piccadilly then | am indeed the de-
crepit old fool that | am represented
10 be in Punch. Thank'ee. I don't
need any of your kind help"
He got up grumbling and irritable,
still, a prince of England
still, but yet-in another aspect-a
futile. senile old fellow. whose lips
moved and quivered. whose face was
but hardly rejuvenated by the rouge
upon his cheeks, whose stays were
too palpahle to deceive anyone at all
Despite his protests Sir Anthony and
Sir Hercules were accompanying him
TO the high, carved door of the smok-
ing-room, when it was suddenly opened
by the porter, and two young men
walked in together
They were perfectly dressed, in
shining silk hats, frock-coats, and
light trousers. Both of them might
have stepped straight from the hands
of their Wallets.
The three elderly men, who were
standing in line at the moment ol
this entrance. started back.
by Gad." said the Duke.
Good heavens." Sir Anthony Hell
lier calculated.
Basil! BY all that's lucky" sale
Sir Hercules Marriott
"Halloa, guvnor." said Basil Mar
riott. Il wondered if should fine
YOU here. Grant has brought me in
How are your"
Il am very fit, my dear boy" sale
the Admiral. but where the deuce
have you been?"
y Went of TO the Continent for da,
or two" Basil answered, simply
How do you do. Duke? How do yo,
do. Sir Anthony"
Sir Anthony's fingers were limp al
he shook the brown, muscular hand o
the young captain, but Sir Anthony
eyes stared away from Basil I,
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