The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-05-04
CHAPTER XII.
a Friend In Need.

a Friend In Need.
lady Altamont might have had need
for further uneasiness had she only
been i'm ,a/pdsition 10 oyerhear the IN,
-0Taiew between Ailsa and Grace
Wanless The latter had arrived
whilst Ailsa was having very late
breakfast The girl looked pale aud
anxious. and as IL she had not had
her proper rest lately
n dare say YOU will think me ter
rihly lazy she apoloEized 10 Grace,
"bu' AN this mystery and excitement
Is telling on my health | did not get
10 bed till nearly daylight"
Are there any fresh develop
ments?" Grace asked eagerly,
There are fresh developments
every dav. SO far as can see. Ailsa
replied But had better. perhaps
tell you what happened last nisht.
The Girl went on 90 tell her story
10 which Grace listened with deepest
interest.
but am sure that we are coming
20 the end OF II now Aisa conclud-
ed we have established the fact
that our poor invalid is the sister OF
Lady Atamont and ar any moment
that woman may be arrested by In
, spector Burles-indeed, cant quite
understand Mr. Burles's action in the
matter"
our friend the inspector is taking
! his time" Grace smiled. Il expect he
wants 70 have his evidence quite clear
! before he takes definite action IN the
matter And besides he has more
than one matter 10 clear up. There
is the question Of my mothers jewels,
for instance"
The point had escaped Ailsa for the
moment. she had forgotten all about
the jewels.
And that brings me 20 the purpose
OF my visit, Grace went on. Il seems
that Inspector Burles has been any.
thing but idle for the past few days.
he wrote me guarded note. that |
received today. 90 the effect that the
jewels are IN Paris az The present
moment II Is just possible 30 get
them back without putting deal OF
expensive legal machinery In motion.
and, indeed. | should prefer that way
myself In the first place, II would
spare my brother much humiliation
Are you quite sure that he de-
serves - be spared Ailsa asked
Ny dear Ailsa. after all he is my
brother. Mind You. | am not eNCus.
ing him for a moment. He has
brought most OF this on himself and
he should be punished. SIN, In jus.
tice TO Cecil, he is doing his best 10
make amends for the past he is pre-
pared 10 tell the whole story in a wit
ness-boX il necessary. And would il
not be better 20 save an that IL We
could"
Il dare say" Ailsa smiled. And yet
that dreadful woman escapes"
lndeed she doesn't Grace said
eagerly n she were tried for both
crimes. she would not get a-Alonger
sentence And Burles Will look after
her so far rs the matter OF the in
jurcd woman is concerned He wants
me ~ 20 20 Paris today 50 thar I can
be at hand 10 identify the diamonds
1 II nece ssary NJ mother is not
sufficiently we'll 10 go. and Cecil is
detained on important business.
But surely he could put that of
for you dear II seems 20 selfish
Indeed my dearest Ailsa IL is
nothing of the kind. Grace protest.
ed cecil cannot go Some OF these
days YOU VIII know why and YOU viii
respect his reasons If YOU could on.
IS underestimate | only dared 10 tell
Won. II Is for your sake that Cecil re-
mains in London for the present But
my lips are sealed
Is it anything TO do with Ronald
/ Bravbrooke?' Ailsa a1Eed
We'll. il has oh. pray You not
I 10 ask me any more For the pres
ent let us only remember that have
not one friend in London who would
/ care 70 accompany me, but YOU, Ailsa
! came here today TO ask YOU II you
would go along II will be no new
thing 70 me. there Will be nothing to
/ be afraid Of DO say that Won viii
come along
Ailsa hesitated on the whole, the
/ offer was a tempting one And the girl
I longcd 10 be away if only for a few
/ hours from the dreadful atmosphere
OF 40 - II only old Susan could
| manage 10 do without her, the thing
might be done.
Don't hesitate" Grace said as she
eagerly followed mp her advantage
| but saw AZ once definitely that You
will come You will never regret il %
Very wei. then. | will come II !
can possibly manage IT, Ailsa said
with q smile. Only must consult
old Susan first
Susan heard the proposal with her
usual stOlid Indifference. She could
manage perfectly well. she said she
was not afraid Of anything happen
ing. and after all II was ouly ques-
ton Of day or two. The old wo-
man became quite sOicitous rs she
regarded Ailsas white face and black.
trimmed ewes
Perhaps you had better go.
dearie. she said I'm too old to-
need a change. and ! shouldn't know
what to do with it If had 1t. But It
must be weary work for a pretty young
creature like you. We snail manage
all right with the aid OF the doctor.
And You are pretty certain 20 be back
bv the end of the week