The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-11-25

Il didn't expect TO see you here
Irant," he stammered. Il How
$ the Duchess?"
At that pointed question Grant look
d swiftly and earnestly at the greal
nan. Then he spoke. Il believe tn
Duchess is very well, Sir Anthony,
ie said-"as far as / know"
oh, ah, yes!" Sir Anthony return
d. Yes, quite SOL"
The old Duke had been watchin(
his curious scene with his ancien
yes, and now its meaning seemed tC
nave penetrated 10 his brain.
He had been a great courtier O..
he past, he was still a courtier witt
marvellous aplomb and readiness
when such an occasion as this de
manded it. Glad to see you back
Grant" he said, land I suppose that
Ill this is now over?"
1T is over, Duke" Michael Grant
replied. 1.-The little incident of the
Dukes disappearance has been proved
to be nothing, after all"
Nothing, after ALL" Basil Marriott
echoed.
"All this is a little bit beyond us
my dear boy" the Admiral rejoined
catching the note at once; but still, ]
am glad it is coming to a happy con.
clusion."
Then there was a curious and EN-
barrassed silence, while the three ell
derby men looked strangely at the two
immaculate young aristocrats who
stood before them, showing no sign
Of any emotion upon their faces.
Grant spoke and broke the silence.
Il am surprised" he said, ito find
that there are still quite a lot OF PEG.
pie in town"
They're not left in town, my dear
irant,' the Duke replied; 'bnt we're
III up for a couple of days because,
as you probably know, the Shah is
here, and will go down to the Isle OF
Wight after the usual receptions and
so on"
"Oh, that's it, sir?" Grant answered.
Il had been Il of town for several
days, and so | did not know. Then,
| suppose the Park will be full this
afternoon? 1t is a fine day."
by Gad!" the Duke replied, Il be.
lieve there will be a good many cal.
riages in the Park"
MAY / say something to you pri.
vately, sir?" said Grant.
with all the pleasure in the world"
the Duke answered. And Grant led
him a little way from the others.
May | suggest" said Grant that
your Grace drives in the Park this
afternoon? Perhaps your Grace might
ask Sir Anthony Heller to occupy a
seat in your barouche, and perhaps,
also, you will allow Captain Marriott
and myself the two front seats?" He
said no more, but looked very earn
estly at the two old men.
The Duke realized in a moment that
something was afoot. He said moth
ing except, Delighted, my dear Mr..
Grant, | am sure. 1t will be a pleas
ant drive in the afternoon, and | be-
lieve that the Shad and the Prince will
be in the Park about four"
Thank you, sir" Grant answered..
bIdlI DOWtu, ltII the Duht lOI q
moment, and spoke quickly to Basil
Marriott. Basil nodded. Then Basil
went to mis- father.
Father" be said, quietly, "you must
get into riding kit this afternoon. and
be in the Park towards four o'clock.
| will tell you everything later"
Sir Hercules looked strangely at his
son for a moment. "All right, Basil"
he said. What all this mean | have
not an idea, but | trust implicitly in
you"
The Admiral turned. Goodbye,
Duke. Goodbye, Heller" he said,
briskly. Il think ! am going to get
home and take a ride in the Park be,
fore tea. Glad to have met you, Mr.,
Grant" And the gallant old sailor
trotted away out of the club.
NOW, then, gentlemen said the
Duke, "supposing we go down to Carl
ton House Terrace t~ogether?'
And in company the Duke, Sir An
thony HELLER, and the two young men
descended the stairs into st. James's
Street.