Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-04
CHAPTER XXXVI.


Lady Ryder was out Of town. She was
staying at a country house in the mid
lands, chaperoning her nieces-Louisa' s
twin sisters-but Sir Thomas Ryder was
at home.
1t was for him that Louisa had asked
when the butler opened the door in an
swer to her ring.
''Sir Thomas is in the library. miss.
said the man. will you come into the
drawing room and I'll tell Sir Thomas
you are here. miss
MOI she said. don't announce me.
I'll go to the library"
Sir Thomas put down the paper which
he had been reading when his niece en-
tered He did not seem at all astonished
to see her. No doubt the exercise of his
profession had taught him never to be
surprised at anything in life. He rose
when he recognized who it was. and care
fully folded his eyeglasses and slipped
them into their case and into his waist
coat pocket. Then he said:
my dear Louisa, this is quite unex-
pected! Is your father with your
NO" she replied. Il came alone. May
I sit DOWN."
Certainly, my dear child he said.
genially, and himself wheeled a capacious
armchair round to the fire.
II am not disturbing you, Uncle RYDER
mo. no! Take off your cloak, won't
you? / was only looking at the evening
paper. preparatory to turning In early;
She glanced at the paper on the table
that page was uppermost that bore the
startling heAdnne. in unusually large
type: 1.-The Murder in the Taxicab. Sen
-sational Developments" The chief or the
criminal investigation department studieo
the accounts in the newspapers, the opln-
ions of pressmen and reporters. Every
thing interested him-he weighed every
thing in his mind; no silly advice, no
empty tittle-tattle, was ever dismissed by
him without it's due need of consldera-
ton.
Uncle and niece now sat opposite each
other, facing the hearth. He looked
straight into the fire, knowing that she
would not wish him to see the misery In
her face.
..Win you have something, Lou?'' he
asked. kindly. "A cup of tea or some
thing?"
mo, thank you, uncle. We had dinner
and father has gone to the club. | came
to see you about Luke"
''Yes?' he said.
"All along" she continued, lever since
father saw you yesterday. I wanted to
speak to you. Silly conventionality kept
me back"
TT certainly is not usual he began.
NO" she broke in quickly, Il know it
is not. But this is an unusual case, far
too serious for silly ideas OF tact or con-
vention to creep in. The man whom l
love best in all the world is falsely ac-
cnsed of a most abominable crime. He
was arrested-by your orders, l suppose
about an hour ago.
He put up his hand in gentle depreca-
ton.
Stop a moment, my dear" he said.
quite kindly, but very decisively. IF you
have any idea at the back of your head
that /, personally, have any influence at
my command with regard to Luke de
Mountford's fate, then the sooner you get
that idea out Of your head the better. II
you came here tonight with the notion
that by pleading with me you could save
Luke from the consequences of his crime,
then get that notion out of your head,
my dear, and save us both from a very
painful interview: Luke de Mountford
was not arrested by my orders; am only
an automaton of the law, which takes
it's own course, without any personal in
reference on my part. Officially las an
automaton-did just as duty and the law
of this country directs. Personally, 1
sent through your father some sound adj
vice to Luke de Mountford.'
She listened. impressive and silent, to his
reproof, and then said. simply:
II beg your pardon, Uncle Ryder,
must have expressed myself badly. /
knew quite well that you, personally,
bear no animosity against Luke; why, in
deed, should you? ! had no intention
whatever, in coming to see you tonight,
of making a scene Of lamentation and
supplication. On the contrary. 1 knew
quite well that-acting from the best of
motives-you advised Luke to fly from
justice, since in your opinion his con-
demnation is fOregone conclusion.
Father hadn't the chance Of passing your
to Fairfax Mansions. Edie told us that