The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-08


 very costly description, and the large stock of wines found in the cellars were of the best and most expensive vintages."
 Did you tell Myra anything of this?"
 Nothing of what had discovered. She knew that Garshore had furnished the house near York and had suddenly left England. But she, of course. at tributed his departure and the subse- quent disposal of the place to a, quar- rel that had arisen between us.'' "Then Myra knew that you loved the mann" said
 'She suspected it." was her vague re- ply. True. MT. Ralston. admit that I loved him. But imagine my great horror when I discovered SaI that I have told you-and more. I found that Rufford's flight from Broxbourne and Garshore's disappearance from York caused good deal of regret among the poorer classes, for he had gone out ofehis way in both places to court popularity. He distributed mon ey lavishly-a sovereign to a cabman for driving him to the station. half a crown to a railway guard. shilling to a newsboy, and so on. For long tir1e after his departure from Brox- bourne hundreds of people went on Sundays to see Baddow. the home of the convict financier. The notes he took away with him very nearly prov ed his undoing. Whenever one of them came into the bank the town where it had been cashed was noted. Thus he was traced to Stockholm. Copenhagen, Hamburg. Berlin, Warsaw and other places, but the police could never overtake him. Then came an interval of several months. and suddenly into the clearing house came notes from Bournemouth. This gave the direct clue to the police. whose attention was instantly concentrated upon that town At last it was found that Rufford had, in order to conceal his identity. blos- sonned forth into George Harvey, B. A, B. C. L., principal of Eastmere College. Boscombe, school for the sons of gentlemen. He had purchased the college. a good-sized place with nearly one hundred pupils. and had for months been quietly pursuing his scholastic duties. aided by several as- sistant masters"
 eHe was arrested?" I asked.
 No Again heA showed marvellous pluck and ingenuity. From the win dow of his private room he one afternoon recognized a workingman who passed the place casually as an old friend, Detective Sergeant Winter. That was sufficient. Without a word to any one. he slipped out at the back, and when the police came quarter of an hour later they found that the bird had once again flown. It is be- lieved that that night he crossed from Weymouth to the Channel Islands and thence to Cherbourg, and eastward across the continent. For year nothing has been seen or heard of him until a few days ago he had the auda city to come back to Yorkshire to visit his old friends. the Stapletons."
 Did you see hin?''
 .'Myra sent me word that he had come on a visit but preferred not to meet him. Therefore, Fl did not go over until after he had left
 Then. to speak plainly Miss May nard. the police would be very pleased to have information of the where abouts of Ralph Garshore-eh?"
 "Yes-they would. Only-only rely on your secrecy, MT. Ralston." she ex- claimed anxiously.
 .sYou mean that YOU will not permit me to drop a hint to Chief Inspector Morton-whom happen to know?"
 t'If you did-I should suffer. He knows that have discovered ther truth. and would also know that his Identification came through me-"
 '.we1l-and what of that?"
 For few moments she did not re- ply. but I saw that her soft cheeks pafed. and into her eyes came a wild anxious look
 'Tf you spoke a word he would avenge himself upon me. ]"
 .'He is in a position to do that Miss Maynard?" I asked in hard, serious voice. looking straight at her.
 t'eYes,i' she answered. hoarsely.
 'sIe is in possession of some secret of yours-then---"
 She nodded slowly. without uttering word.
 drew long breath. my eyes still fixed upon her in fascination.
 .Ts his power over you so supreme ?" asked at last. in a low voice. Can not assist you? Remember what I have already told you, Miss Maynard. am Myra's friend, and I will be yours also-if you will only allow me-"
 Her gloved hand picked nervousiy at her skirt. and I saw that she was filled with desire to reveal to me the whole ugly truth, but fear deterred her-fear perhaps of besmirching her own good name. Within the last five minutes or so. she had become changed. Her bright. fair face was now the countenance of a girl haunted by some terrible and indefinite dread of the fu- ture.
 To be Continued1