The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1909-08-05
By GUY THORNE.
CHAPTER xl-Continued.

ess Is determined to accompany us
upon our quest. | told her that 1t
was madness, that her place was in
London, that the press of two CONT
nents would be filled with rumors and
comment. 1t wasn't the slightest use,
my dear boy, she would CO. What
she said was just this: If you and
Captain Marriott are going into the
thick of danger to try and find out
the truth about my boy, / am coming
with you. l must have companion,
and we must all four go. don't care
twopence what the world may say.
What does it matter to me in compar-
ison with the recovery of my boy?
That is the great thing! That is the
only thing, and everything else is well
lost"
ut was then, my dear Marriott, that
l suggested to her that Miss Hobson
should be chosen as companion.
had already explained to her who the
girl was, and how different from what
the Duchess had supposed her to be.
The Duchess, in fact, had never
thought of her in any other light than
that in which she was first engaged.
I pointed out that il would give Miss
Hobson an opportunity of retrieving
her initial mistake"
"Why did you do that, Grant?" Ba-
sill replied.
Grant looked at him for a moment
with smile upon his face, as he an
Bwered slowly, Because, my dear
boy, l felt l owed the girl some rep
aration for my rudeness when she
first came and told us of her suspi-
cions Of Miss Decies, and also because
-" He hesitated for a moment,
and Basil preceded him into the big,
luxurious sitting-room.
WELL" the sailor said, IL might as
well tell you, Grant, that Miss Hob
son and myself are engaged"
The athlete chuckled quietly.
II am not unobservant," he said.
But this is not the time, after all, to
talk of such a question. We leave
London at twelve o'clock tonight. AT
ter you have had something to eat
we must go straight up to 100a, Pic
cadilly. II Is all arranged. The
Duchess and Miss Hobson will occupy
a reserved carriage to Dover; and
on the other side, from Ostend to
Cologne, the carriage has also been
reserved for them by Messrs. Cook
and Son. They are travelling as the
Misses Richards. You and |, my dear
Marriott, will go by the same train,
and also In carriages which have been
reserved for us. We must be to-
gether, but not necessarily as any
thing more than casual acquaintance.
And we shall seem to know nothing
of the ladies' until we are absolutely
In Cologne and staying in the Savoy
Hotel. Even then we must be most
cautious. We shall be prepared, at
any moment, to do anything that Is
necessary, but there will be no APP
parent connection between the ladies
and u.s."
Good gracious!" Marriott an
swered. what Is the need of all this
mystery?"
Marriott" Grant replied, you don't
In the least realize the big business
we are embarked upon. nor do you In
any way realize the cunning and the
power Of the forces that are arrayed
against US. Look here!"
He took Captain Marriott by the
arm and led him to the window Of the
sitting-room, which looked down into
the quadrangle of the fats.
you sect" he said, pointing, and
standing at one corner Of the curtain.
See whatf" Basil answered.
"That man down there" Grant re-
Piled. THAT man walking up and
down on the other side of the court
yard-that man with the blond NOUS
tache, and In silk hat? My boy,
they're on our tracks already. and 1t
will be only through the exercise Of
all our powers that we shall arrive at
our destination without those who
have the threads of this terrible con-
spiracy In their hands being aware
Of our every movement"
Basil turned to his companion. His
face had suddenly grown pale. He
was at last beginning to realize what
all this meant. The magnitude of the
thing had come upon him In a fash.
do you mean to tell me-" he said.
that that man is waiting to find out
what you are doing?"
"Of course he is" Grant answered,
shortly. my dear Marriott, you will
learn great deal in the next few
days about the kind of people we have
up against u.s."
Then what are we going to do
now?" Basil asked.
I'VE are going to the Duchess's at
once" the athlete replied.
"But that man
Leave it to me-" Grant answered.
pressing the electric button by the
fireplace as he spoke.
His valet entered In answer to the
summons.
Williamson" Grant said. you will
90 out at once to the nearest motor
cab stand. You will engage a cab,
and tell the man to drive into the
yard, and to pull up on the opposite
.tA> "a the donr NJ thia staircase. You