Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-04
CHAPTER XV-Continued.

CHAFTEk Av.-COntlnued.
Mr. Jobling went straight on to London.
but Siyne took Salle and Capt. Dove to
a quiet but expensive hotel. where they
remained for a few days. which passed
in perfect whirl of novelty and excite
ment for her. And when they. in their
turn. crossed the channel she had for
baggage, at least. a dozen new trunks
containing the choicest spoils of the Rue
de la Paix. Slyne had pooh-poohed all
her timid protests against his lavish eX-
penditure on her account, and had also
provided for Capt. Dove and Ambrizette
in their degree. He had evidently for
tune at his disposal. and was bent on
showing her how generous he could be
He was also unostentatiOusly displaying
other good qualities. which had all gone
to make those days pass very pleasantly
for her. She could not fail to appreciate
the courtesy and consideration which he
consistently showed her now. His pa
thence with Capt. Dove. trying COM
panion at the best Of times and doubly
troublesome idle. more than once made
her wonder whether he could be the same
Jasper Slyne she had known on the olive
Branch. Prosperity seemed to have i'm
proved him almost beyond recognition.
He had a cabin at her disposal on the
CalaiS-DOver steamer. but she stayed on
deck throughout the brief passage, glad
to breathe the salt sea air again. While
he entertained her with descriptions OF
London and she watched the twinkling
lights that were guiding her home.
And then came London ITSELF at last.
somewhat gray, and cold and diScOnsO-
late looking on a wet winter morning.
But after breakfast in coy suite at
the Savoy. a blink Of sunshine along the
Embankment helped to better that first
hasty impression. And then Slyne took
Capt Dove and her in a taxicab along
the thronged and busting Strand to Mr..
Jobling's Office in Chancery lane.
They got out in front of a dingy build
Ing not very far from Cursitor street. 1t
was raining again. and Salle looking up
and down the narrow, turbid thorough
fare felt glad that she did not need to
live there.
Indoors the atmosphere was scarcely
less depressing. A dismal passage led to-
ward dark stairway, up which they had
to climb fight after flight to reach at last
dusty. ill-smelling. gas-lighted room. in
habited only by shabby. shock-headed
hobbledehoy of uncertain age and UNI
prepossessing appearance. perched on
preposterbusly high stool at still higher
desk, behind a cagelike partition.
II want to see Mr.. Joblng at once,
Slyne announced to him. And Mr.. job
ling's managing clerk looked slowly
round with a snakelike and discomfort
ing effect, due to a very long neck and
a very low collar.
"Show Mr.. Slyne in Immediately. Null
lins,' ordered a pompous voice from
within: and Mr.. Jobling himself, black
coated. portly. important parsonage there,
came bustling out from his private office
to welcome his visitors.
How dye do. how dye do. Lady Josce
line"' he exclaimed, and cooked an arched
eyebrow at Sallie's most becoming cos
tune; although the effect he intended
he was still suffering from a black eye,
painted over in haste-and by an incom-
petent artist.
II can see now what's been keeping
you in Parish he added, facetiously. and
having shaken hands with Slyne. who
seemed to think that superfluous. turned
to receive Capt. Dove with the same po-
likeness.
'Phew." whistled Mr.. Jobling. and drew
back and stared at the old man. I'D
never have recognized You in that rig
out
Capt. Dove pulled off a pair Of smoked
glasses he had been wearing, the better
to look him, with offensive intent, in his
injured eye. For Capt. Dove was still en-
during much mental as well as physical
discomfort in a disguise which he had
only been induced to adopt a couple of
days before and after an embittered
quarrel with Slyne. The stiff white col
lar round his corded neck was still threat
throat. He had been infinitely more at
his ease in his scanty, short-tailed frock
coat and furry top hat than he was in the
somewhat baggy il more becoming black
gafb he had dOnned i'm it's place. with a
soft wideawake always Tapping about his
ears.
Come inside" Mr. Jobling begged. hur-
riedly, and. looking round as he followed
them into his sanctum. Mullins" he
snapped don't stand there staring. Get
on with your work. at once"
You're later than ! expected" he re-
marked to Slyne as he closed the door.
but just in time. The courts closed, of
course. for the Christmas vacation. but
I've filed an application for hearing in
chambers, and
He paused as a telephone bell rang
shrilly outside, and a moment later the
shock head Of his managing clerk pro-
truded into the room. almost as if it did
not belong to a body at all.
'Mr. Spettigrew says that our applica-
ton in chambers will be heard by Mr..
Justice Gaunt in 57B. at 11s3O sharp this
forenoon announced that youth, and,
with final wriggle Of his long neck,
withdrew.
Devil take him. exclaimed Capt.
Dove. somewhat startled and much in
censed. II wouldn't keep a crested cobra
like that about me for
Lets see those accounts of yours,
now" said Slyne. disregarding that in
terruption. and Mr.. Jobling. having first
looked at his watch. produced from an
other drawer a great sheaf of papers. all
carefully docketed. He slipped off the
top one and somewhat reluctantly handed
that to his friend.
Slyne took it from him eagerly. and sat
for a time gloating over it with eyes
which presently began to glow.
But when Capt. Dove. growing rest
less. would have glanced over his Shout
der to see what was tickling his fancy so.
he frowned and folded that document up
and returned 1t to Mr.. Jobling.
''Give 1t here. now!'' growled Capt
Dove, menacing Mr.. Jobling with a clinch-
ed fist: and the lawyer. after an appeal
ing, impatient glance at Slyne. had no
recourse but to comply with that peremp-
tory order.
Are you quite sure of your hgures?"
Slyne asked. with a scowl. He seemed
a false step. And Mr.. Jobling nodded
with nervous assurance.
Il have inside sources of information
as to the revenue of the estates" he re-
piled, land a note of all the investments.
I've allowed a wide margin for all sorts
of incidentals. I think you'll find, in fact,
that Lady Josceline's inheritance will
amount to even more than I've estt-
mated
Slyne smiled again, more contentedly.
Nor was his complaisance overcome even
petition for a further small
cash advance to account of expenses.
Il wasn't even able to pay Mullins
wages with what you gave me in Paris.
said the stout solicitor, vexedly. Fees
and SO on swallowed 1t all up, and-I'm
actually short of cab fares!"
why don't you fire Mullins. them" de-
manded Slyne. with shade Of impa-
thence. 1--WE just got rid Of my chauffeur
- l.. H.