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


Wanless. The latter had arrived
whilst Ailsa was having very late
breakfast. The girl looked pale and
anxious. and as " she had not had
her proper rest lately
II dare say yon will think me ter
ribly law" she apologized to Grace.
but all this mystery and excitement
is telling on my health. did not get
TO bed til nearly daylight"
Are there any fresh develop
ments?" Grace asked eagerly.
There are fresh Developments
every day. so far rs | can see Allsa
replied But | had better. perhaps,
tell YOU what happened last night.
The girl went on 10 tell her story,
TO which Grace listened with deepest
interest
but | am sure that we are coming
10 the end of il now" Ailsa conclud-
ed. We have established the fact
that our poor invalid is the sister OF
Lady Altamont. and AZ any moment
that woman NAV 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. II expect he
wants to have his evidence quite clear
kbefore he takes definite action in the
matter And besides, he has more
than one matter to 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 TO the purpose
OF my visit" Grace went on. 1t seems
that Inspector Burles has been any
thing but idle for tho past few days.
He wrote me a guarded note. that
received today 10 the effect that the
jewels are In Paris at the present
moment II Is Just possible 10 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 10 be spared" Ailsa asked
Ny dear Ailsa. after all he is my
brother. Mind you | am not excus-
ing him for moment He has
| brought most Of this on himself. and
he should be punished. still. in JUS
tica to Cecil. he is doing his best 10
make amends for the past; he is pre-
pared 10 tell the whole story in n wit
ness-box u necessary And would It
not be better To save all that If we
could?"
y dare say" Ailsa smiled And yet
tina, dreadful woman escapes
Indeed she doesn't" Grace said
eagerly "If she were tried for both
crimes. she would not get longer
sentence And Burles will look after
her so far as tho matter of the in
| jured woman is coslcerned. He wants
me To go 10 Paris today so that | can
| be at hand Ia identify the diamonds
If necessary. My mother is not
sufficiently we'll o go. and Cecil Is
| detained on important business"
But surely he could put that off
| for you. dear. II seems to selfish"
Indeed my dearest Aisa. it is
nothing Of the kind" Grace protest
| ed. Cecil cannot go Some OF these
| days YOU will know why. and you Will
| respect his reasons If YOU could on
| " underestimate only dared to tell
| you. it IS for your sake that Cecil re
| mains i'm London for the present. But
my lips are sealed
rs IL anything 10 do with Ronald
Braybrooke?" Ailsa asked.
Well 1t has oh, | pray you not
TO ask me any more. For the pres
ent let us only remember that | have
| not one friend in London who would
care to accompany me. but YOU, Ailsa.
! came here today TO ask you II you
| would 30 along It will be no new
thing to me. there will be nothing TO
be afraid Of DO say that YOU viii
come along
Alsa hesitatcd. On the whole, the
| offer was a tempting one. And the girl
lonEed 10 be away If only for few
| hours from the dreadful atmosphere
| OF No. g. If only old Susan could
| manage 10 do without her, the thing
| might be done
Don't hesitate" Grace said as she
eagerly followed up her advantage.
but say at once definitely that YOU
will come You will never regret 1t.
Very well then. | will come If
can possibly manage H. Ailsa said
with a 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 il was only ques-
| ton of a day or two. The old wo-
man became quite solictous as she
regarded Ailsa's white face and black
| trimmed eyes
Perhaps you had better go.
dearie," she said. I'm too old to
need change. and | shouldn't know
what to do with IL If had H. But 1t
must be weary work for a pretty young
creature like you. We shall manage
ell right with the aid OF the doctor
And you are pretty certain to be back
nv the end of the week
So the thing was settled TO Graces
satisfaction. There was little needed
In the way of clothing. but presently
another difficulty occurred TO Ailsa.
1T Is the question OF money she
said. They tell me that | am an
heiress now, though | would stand
penniless TO see Ronald back again.
still my fortune has not brought me
anything so far. Positively ! have not
the money to pay for my ticket"
"Oh. that is all right" Grace said.
oheerfully. You are going as my
guest. Pack a small bag. taking as lit.
s.e with you as possible, and let us
start directly. have cab still wait
ing outside for us. Now come along. p"
| Ailsa was young aud strong; her
spirits rose once she found herself on
hoard the boat. with the cliffs of Calais
in the distance. Her eyes were shin