The Washington herald., 1910-11-17
The House of Ill-Luck
By BLANCHE EARDLEY.

It is proved" Dacre said dryly. II have
learned that a man who died and was
buried In Switzerland In November as
Jaspar Knight was victim 20 consump-
ton. and that he was accompanied by a
friend, who stayed with him TO the end
The name OF the man who died." he went
on, was not really Jaspar Knight, but
Stephen Usher, and his friend took his
place"
TITS lie!" Usher said savagely. Il
knew him for ages, and was fond OF
him. When he died I came to England
and then obeyed my uncle's conditions
and married in time 10 get the money"
Stephen Usher was known by several
people TO have suffered from consump-
tion." Mr. Dacre said, 'and when I saw
you my first thought was. How well he
looks for a man who has been dying with
consumption, and your appearance alone.
Mr. knight. is against you.'' he added.
You may talk till you are black in
the face" was the sneering retort but
you will find IT precious hard 10 prove
your cock-and-bull story"
"On the contrary" Mr.. Dacre said
quietly. Il have taken every detail and
inquired into IT, I knew that I was, per-
haps. doing a tIckllsh job, and none OF
us had ever seen Stephen Usher in the
flesh. You might have passed had it not
been for one or two mysterious things
about YOUR wedding. which took place
so opportunely on the last day OF tho
prescribed year"
Usher broke into a sneering laugh and
turned to Sir Douglas.
"All this sounds very important You
think. I suppose that 1 am going to be
frightened into giving you money. but
l offered il once and II was refused
II don't accept charity. and neither
does my mother" Sir Douglas said
haughtily. Il must warn you that I
shall leave no stone unturned TO find out
the truth OF all this. I don't care about
the part that concerns myself muck" he
went on, but am not going 10 allow
my dead cousins name TO be taken by
fraud "
How long have you had these opinions
about me2' Usher said slowly. IT'S
hardly sDortsmanlike 10 let a man be
your guest and then listen to lot OF
rot about him behind his back, not even
giving him a chance 20 defend himself"
|. You shall have every chance" Sir
Douglas said quietly. Mr.. Dacre will
not take any unfair advantage OF you,
and you may produce all the proofs you
like 10 establish your identity"
THE telegram you sent to Mr.. Coxon
telling him 10 get out OF the way"
Dacre said suddenly was too late: for,
acting on my Instructions, Detective-In-
spector Thaw OF Scotland Yard, Is
watching the house. and he may be ar
rested at any moment"
You're very clever" Usher snarled
dropping for a moment his usual charm
~ shr4e ! f7rrh@
ter end. and II you drive me too far
you'll be sorry for it."
1T was a pity" Mr. Dacre went on,
that Miss Craven and her brother came
down here with you. I recognized item
at once. Tho lady was known under an
other name some twelve years ago, and
her brother. too The case was ons OF
administering drugs 10 patient OF hers
with the intent 20 have d will signed in
her favor. and her brother forged the
viii; but they got of somehow, and I
was not surprised TO see them here with
you"
You seemed to have learned most
things" Usher sneered He was recover
ing his self-pOssession. and q baleful
light EhOne In his eyes az he glanced
at the two men. I'm afraid you don't
know everything. though, and / warn
9NN SaAAh a 4GH PEI SNAuLH me you VIII
suffer for II. / can fight. too, you know,
and in way you won't like"
lie paused suddenly The door had
opened. and Rosemary came into the
room. AT the sight OF the three men she
flushed and would have left It again,
but Sir Douglas said quickly:
Don't so, Miss Ffrench This is not a
secret conference We have finished our
conversation"
mo Stephen Usher said slowly; Eve
have not finished yet, Sir Douglas.
have little news for you It Is your
turn to listen now, and. by heaven, you
shallg
Sir Douglas crossed over to Rosemary's
side. DO you wish 20 go?' he said 'T
viii not allow you to be annoyed in any
way"
Then. before she could reply. he said to
Usher:
Perhaps this is the time TO tell YOU
and Mr.. Daere that II wanted a reason
for fighting you l have one, for Miss
Ffrench is my future wife"
There was a moments pause. Then
stephen Usher broke into q loud laugh
That's very interesting. but I'm afraid
you're trife too late, for Miss Ffrench
happens TO be the Rosemary Fenchester
whom I married in November
There was a silence in which the throb-
bing Of three hearts could almost be