The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-07

thoughts that She started when a low
tap sounded on her door.
She rose and opened it. and Philip
Craven stood there, cigarette In mis-
mouth
May 1 come in for chat. sis?" he
said
His sister nodded. and ~ entered. clos
ing the door gently behind him
Laura looked at him curiously. II was
not often that her brother condescended
TO come into her room for a goodnight
chat, and she guessed instinctively that
he had something important to say.
Well" she said. when he had seated
himself, what do you want?"
10 review our first impression of Luck
House and It's inmates" b. replied,
lightly. Rather an interesting lot. don't
you think SOP
Considering the lot consists only of
Sir Douglas and his mothers companion,
don't think there's much 10 review"
Laura retorted; unless you mean the
two old imbecile servants"
How do you fancy the idea of becom-
ing Lady Mallaby?" her broiSer said alb
ruptly.
Laura flushed holly The subject had
been IN her mind such short time that
1t seemed Ike a secret.
why discuss an improbability. she
laughed such plan, my dear Philip,
has been put out OF court by Lady NAL
labys pink and white companion, Miss
French"
Philip Craven smiled so you. too.
have scented the love affair. have your"
he said slowly.
Prom the beginning. she answered
CURLY. THE girl is fool; she can con-
eeal nothing.
|, No, she is unaccustomed to deceit" he
murmured: but in spite Of her love for
Sir Douglas she can never marry him.
That will be your privilege. my dear girl,
If you play your cards properly"
Laura's eyes began TO shine with ex-
element. There Is nothing in the world
| should love more" she said I'm a low
voice. Il could be happy with him, and
be a good wife TO him DO you know.
Phil" she went on, II am even begin
ming 10 regret that we have done what
We have"
Her brothers face lost its smile
Don't be a fool" he retorted; IF We
hadn't done what We have you would
never have met Sir Douglas"
IT suppose not" she murmured. But.
tell me, why are you so positive that this
chit of a girl can't marry him? There Is
nothing 10 prevent him, so far as l can
see, and. though / have done my best
this evening TO make her feel that she
ought not 10 stay without chaperon. II
she goes he can follow her"
II am afraid l must keep my knowledge
to myself little longer" he said slowly,
but you may take my word for il. that
what l say is the truth-this Miss
French will never be Lady Mallaby."
Laura bit her lip with vexation. Why
can't you tell me?" she said petulantly
81 don't see the sense OF keeping a secret
like this to yourself. We are in the same
firm. you know"
IF IL were any other secret would
tell you at once" he replied; but there
is no danger at present, and you can go
right ahead and make all the running you
can: and when the time is ripe you shall
know why there is no possibility Of Sir
Douglas marrying his mothers COM
panion.
She looked at him with bright. beady
eyes, and opened her mouth 10 speak,
then closed IL again, and sat gazing into
the fiFe with compressed lips.
Philip Craven smiled as he rose from
his chair well. I'm of now TO Join
our mutual friend. Stephen, left him
with our host discussing politics and
other harmless subjects"
"Does he know why Sir Douglas can't
marry Miss Ffrench?" Laura said
abruptly.
II don; think he has given the matter
a thought so far" was the reply, You
know what a curious chap he Is and how
little he thinks about women. But he
certainly seems struck himself with Miss
Ffrenchs remarkable beauty"
How Interesting IL he gets the upper
hand OF Sir Douglas, even in love at
fairs" Laura said slowly.
'Yes," Philip replied, 1t would be a
curious coincidence! Now l must be of.
I'm dead tired"
A few seconds later he was on his way
Ia Stephen Ushers room, which was near
his own in the west wing. He found
that gentleman smoking a cigar, and put
ting a pair of soft rubber shoes on his
feet.
Where is Sir Douglass" Craven said.
Stephen Usher smiled. Sleeping a deep,
chiIdlike sleep in the library" he replied.
He won't wake till nearly or 6, and
bX that time We ought TO have returned
from our first quest"
''Do you remember the words on the
chart?" Craven said
"Only vaguely" Usher replied. 81
know there was something about when
the moon at midnight would be high In
the heavens. il would be just above the
spot where the luck lay. and then there
was triangular sort OF arrangement -
Craven frowned moodily IF we fail
tonight, now are we going 10 keep on
searching? lie Will not press US TO stay
on"
Usher smiled. mo: but If an accident
happened 10 the car in this outlandish
hole. he won't be such a churl as 10 send
US away"
He may suggest a hotel" Craven an
swered dryly.
81 don't think so. Any way, I've come
down 10 Luck House on q certain bust
ness. and I'm not going to leave il untn
that business is accomplished Now the
next question is. how do we get out2'
II saw that q window In the dining
room was left unfastened." Craven re.
piled I'VE had better start at onee-it
is ten minutes 20 u.
AS they cautiously stepped across the
lawn a few minutes later. a face pressed
against an upstairs window was drawn
back hurriedly, and then the window was
raised and q figure leaned out watching
the two men disappear beneath the trees.
Then the figure left the window, and
went downstairs. searching patiently until
the open window IN the dining-room was
found. With noiseless fingers the bolt
was drawn and the shutters put up. and
Luck House was bathed in midnight ST.
lence once more.
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.
4