The Washington herald., 1910-11-17
CHAPTER Xxx.



Sir Douglas was pacing the floor OF the
library with a worried look on his face.
Though Laura Craven had left Luck
House, she had left behind a sting that
even his love and trust could not ignore.
Rosemary had certainly ignored his mes
sage. and had preferred to meet Usher.
and yet surely her love could not be all
pretense; she could not be playing with
him while she was preparing her plans TO
marry his rich cousin. 1t could not be.
No girl could be so heartless. so design
ing. Besides. he loved her and would
trust her till with her own voice she told
him she had ceased TO love him.
He turned quickly as the door opened
and Stephen Usher came into the room.
On his handsome reckless face was an
expression OF amusement that made Sir
Douglas frown with annoyance
do you want TO speak TO me?" he said
curtly.
I thought should like to have chat
for a few seconds" was the cool reply.
ANY objeetion?"
II am not particularly inclined for a
chat to-day Sir Douglas answered. "but
since you are here I may as we'll mention
that l have changed my mind about let
ting Luck House"
Stephen Usher smiled. "Ah, so you
have had the advice OF your solicitor. l
see.
II don't think that need concern you"
was the naughty reply. 1T is quite sufl-
cient for you 10 know. Usher, that I am
not letting the place. Several reasons
have Influenced me"
That's a pity" the other said languid-
iy- Have you any particular reason for
your change of mind?"
Sir Douglas was silent. Like Dacre. he
had kind OF half reluctant liking for his
successful rival for Ralph Savage's mon
ey, and yet with It there was the feeling
that the man was not straight.
my reason is this" he said at last ''I
have been told that you have obtained
my uncle's money by fraud and wheth-
er it's true or not, till II is proved one
way or the other ! don't wish to have
any dealings with you. You see, am
quite honest with you." he added.
Quite" Usher smiled dryly. Il should
be interested 10 know who has DETAINED
mo to you. That fool Of a lawyer chap.
eh?'
Precisely. Mr. Usher" said Dacre's
smooth voice behind him. 81 have taken
the trouble 10 come down here and warn
Sir Douglas not TO trust you IN the least
degree for have been making a few In
quiries about you. the results OF which
are not calculated to inspire confidence.
For instance" he added slowly. II don't
believe you arc Stephen Usher
Ushers face paled with sudden anger.
but his voice was quite calm when he
spoke.
This is most interesting. May be al
lowed to ask how long this suspicion has
been fostered against me and why II has
not been mentioned before? / sent you
all the papers and documents relating to
my identity as Stephen Usher. and you
accepted them without a murmur."
Because at the time had no reason
20 doubt" Dacre said slowly '"fhen
quite a small thing made me think there
was something wrong somewhere. I be-
gar inquiries which resulted In my con-
sidering II my duty 10 come down here
and see my client. Sir Douglas Mallaby,
and tell him OF my suspicious"
Usher shrugged his shoulders and
glanced at Sir Douglas, who had been
watching him graveiy.
Are you also impregnated with this
idea OF my not being myself?' he said
lightly.
IF it Is true that you are not my eous-
in. then ii is my duty to ind out what
became OF him." he replied gravely.
Usher broke out into a loud laugh
Good heavens! It's ridiculous. What
on earth do you mean by Imagining such
a thing? All my life ] have been Stephen
Usher. and no one doubted II till now.
am not sure whether to laugh or be an
cry"
You Will find neither avail you when