The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-06-17

I an angry movement Of his hands he
checked her words.
Excuse me-" he said, very CURLY,
"but | cannot hear a word or more
on this matter. What your object is
in coming here to make such a ridicu-
lous statement, | do not pretend to
know, nor can | guess. At the same
time / must point out to you that it
is, to say the least of it, extremely i'll.
advised, and, though | shall say moth
ing Of 1t to the duchess, with whom
indeed, you connection has now
ceased, l regard It, nevertheless, as
al affront to a great family, with
whom | have the honor to be on
friendly terms"
He had just made an end Of speak
ing when the bell of the telephone
rang outside in the hall.
Perhaps Grant was expecting a mes
sage, or perhaps he saw the relief
ffrom the situation, for he jumped up
at once and, with a brief word Of
apology, strobe out of the room.
The girl rose also, her eyes again
trimming with unshed tears, her little
gloved hand trembling ~piteously.
For some reason or other-what, he
could never divine, either her or in
after years-Basil Marriott went up
to her and took her by the hand.
Miss Hobson," he said, in a low,
earnest voice, may | tell you that |
believe you thoroughly, and what
ever you say | know you yourself be-
lieve in. l am sure your motives are
good"
She looked gratefully at him for a
moment. But what-what have you
to do with this unhappy business?"
She faltered. more than you may
suppose" she replied, though | can
not tell you now"
But | also am strangely involved in
it, and determined to do what | can
to find out the truth. Give me our
address, and let me communicate
with you, if | may"
He had been holding her hand all
the time he spoke, nor did it seem
to either of them at that moment that
there was anything odd in the situa-
ton. But now she withdrew it swift
ly, and a little blush mantIed her
cheeks. There was something singu-
larry compelling about this handsome
young sailor.
THE address is, The Rectory,
Trink, neal Chelmsford" she said,
and as she did so Grant returned into
the room.
Il will wish you good afternoon,
Mr.. Grant" the girl said, recovering
her self-possession, and certainly by
no means apparently crestfallen by
Grants anger. She bowed and left
the fiat.
well, of all COMPOUNDED, imperti-
nent nonsense l have ever heard in
my life," Grant said, turning angrily
to Marriott, this about beats the
lot. Do you know whom that girl is
accusing of having something to do
with the dukes disappearance"
Miss Decies? ?" said Basil.
Yes" Grant answered; Miss Au-
gusta Decies, the aunt and ~chaperon
of the young duchess-one of the
most respected, if not one of the most
popular and irreproachable old ladies
in the whole of society. The girl
must be mad!"
Basil did not venture an opinion.
Well" he said, Il suppose we had
better go to 100A, PiccadiIly, at once"
The hanson brought the two young
men to the ducal house in a few min
utes.
The door opened almost at once.
A tall footman was standing there,
Remington, the butler, was in the
background, and a bearded man in or
binary dark clothes, who seemed sim
gularly out of place, was standing
close by.
1t was odd, Marriott thought, to see
some n who was obviously the but
Ter attending upon the opening of
the door, while the bearded man was.
Of course, a person from Scotland
Yard.
Grant and his companion were adj
mitted at once. AS they entered the
sailor began to feel Immediately the
electric, indefinite, and yet very real
influence which pervades a great
house at a time of crisis and alarm.
ITO Be Continued.)