The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-03
CHAPTER VI.
The Conspirntors.

The Red Ensign Hotel at Gilmington
has the self-satsfed. comfortable appear
ance OF a prosperous country inn. The
narrow stoned High street was quaint.
and the houses all leaned toward each
other, lending an old-world look 10 the
street. GilTaington was a resort OF great
interest 10 motorists. who made Sunday
piIgrimages TO Il, and the quiet OF the
little Surrey place became hideous with
the noise of hooters and the starting and
stopping OF different cars. In the window
Of private sitting room In the front OF
the hotel woman sat looking down upon
the crowds that drifted up and down the
narrow streets The noise and hustle
amused her, and made her think OF that
greater noise and hustle Of which THIS
was but the faintest echo The other DAYS
she had yawned and read novels, but this
Sunday crowd OF motorists was interest
ing to watch.
A man entered the room and disturbed
the thoughts that the crowds had given
birth to. AS she turned 10 him IL was
easy 10 see that they were relations.
Both had the same dark imperlous
faces, the womans being a shade less
determined than the mans, though the
Nh- co u ASl tA4oblI nGIS tAN al
lines than his. They both had brown
eyes, set q trihe too close into the aqui-
line nose. and then the tan OF the mans
complexion was in the womans substi-
tuted by a deep. rich carmine.
We'll what's neWS7" she said in a
sharp. petulant voice. Il do hope we are
leaving this dull little village soon: the
sight OF these motors starting of makes
me feel inclined 10 scream with envy"
My dear sister," the man answered
gayly. Il have come TO tell you that
we shall leave this most picturesque lit
tie Surrey village this evening on a motor
trip Of our own that will make up for
your ennuf OF the last few days"
"A motor trip" The woman's eyes
sparkled with animation. How lovelyl
But how did you persuade Jaspar-"
stephen" corrected her brother quick
~, shade Of annoyance in his voice.
MY dear Laura, do you remember that
the 'Jaspar Knight we both knew is dead
and buried. and in his place lives Stephen
Usher-the successful candidate for old
Ralph Savage's money"
A queer look stole into the eyes OF
Philip Craven, and before he spoke again
he went TO the door, and. opening il.
glanced down the passage. and then shut
It with a bang
Suppose I let you into a secret he
said slowly. Can ! trust you not 10 be-
tray it TO our friend, Stephen Usher the
second.
His sisters dark eyes glowed like live
Goals. 'Of course you can" she answer
ed. you know that / shall stand by you
In everything. though I did think it hard
that you should not have suggested me
10 Stephen as the girl 10 marry instead OF
-
MY dear girl, you forget that, much as
I should like TO have done you a good
turn. IL was impossible to do that" her
brother replied. quietly The girl Stephen
Usher married had 10 be very young. very
poor and very deserving. and that is why
I was obliged 10 bring IN that girl from
the agents-she suited the case admir-
ably, while you would not have done SO.
because. though you are a handsome wo-
man, my dear Laura, you are neither
penniless nor very young, and In your
late profession as a nurse might have
been found out by many people"
AT any rate" Laura retorted. now
that that girl is dead, l suppose Stephen
Usher can marry any one he likes. so
why should I not have look In? He Is
attracted by me. and I share his secret;
besides. 1t would be a very decent recon-
PF4lSN ttE the LoAblt nave L1htNs 1ou
might play the game for me, Philip she
went on coaxingly, "and always let him
hear Of me at my best"
She looked very handsome as she spoke,
and there was a tone Of genuine regret
in her brothers voice as he said slowly:
Your request takes me back TO the
secret I proposed to let you into. Wei.
/ think ] had better let you into il now.
and you viii see that We are not only not
out Of the woods yet, but that Stephen
Usher Is not free 10 contract a second
marriage"
Laura Craven's face pailed a little.
What on earth do you mean?" she said
sharply. You have been keeping some
thing from me. What is it?'
"This.' her brother said in a cautious
tone. Though you and Usher think that
the girl he married that foggy afternoon
last month was killed the same night
she was mott"
His sister gazed at him with amaze
ment But you identified her. The name
in the papers told us she was the same
girl he married. II was an unusual name,
remember, there cannot have been two
girls called by It; besides, you said she
was dressed the same
Precisely. and when you have heard