The Holly chieftain., 1915-07-30


to be coming here"
Craig took the girl for minute into
his arms.
"Good-by. dear" he said II want
you to take this paper and keep it
carefully. You will be cared for al
ways. but l must 60"
But where must you go?" she
asked, bewildered.
Il have an appointment at Profess
sor Ashleigh's," he told her. Il cannot
tell you anything more than that.
Good-by."
He kissed her for moment pas
sionately. Then suddenly he tore him.
self away. She heard him run lightly
down the stairs. Some instinct led her
to the back wi ildow. She saw him
emerge from the house and pass down
the yard. Then she went to the front.
The man in the blue serge was talking
to the landlady below. She sank into
chair. puzzled and unhappy. Then she
heard heavy footsteps. The door was
opened. The man in the blue serge
suit entered. followed by the protest
ing landlady.
There's no sense In coming here
to worry the young lady" Mrs Malony
declared, irritably. "As for Mr.. Craig,
told you that he'd gone out"
Gone out, eh?" the man repeated,
speaking in thick. disagreeable tone.
why. l watched him in here not ten
minutes ago. Now then, young lady,
guess you'd better cough up the truth.
Where's this precious uncle of yours?"
My uncle has gone out" the girl
replied. drawing herself up. HE left
five minutes ago."
What's that In your hand?" he de-
manded.
Something my uncle gave me be-
fore he went out" the girl replied.
Il haven't looked at it yet myself"
"Give it here.' he ordered
She spread it out upon the table.
you may look at 1t if you choose"
she agreed. my uncle did not tell
me not to show 1t to anyone"
They read 1t together The few
lines seemed to be written with great
care. They took, indeed, the form of
a legal document, to which was af-
fixed the seal of a notary and the
name Of a witness:
~, John Craig, being about to re-
ceive the just punishment for all my
sins, hereby bequeath to my niece,
Mary Carlton, all moneys and prop
erty belonging to me, list Of which
she will find at this address. | make
one condition only Of my bequest, and
beg my niece to ferventIy respect it.
1t is that she never of her own con-
sent or knowledge speak to anyone Of
the name Of AshIeeh, or associate
with any Of that name.
l' JOHN CRAIG.
The man folded up the paper.
"I'll take care of this" he said Its
yours, right enough. Well just need
to borrow 1t for time. Go and get
your hat and coat on, miss"
Il shall not" the girl objected. "My
uncle told me, if anything happened
to him, that l was to remain here"
"And remain here she shall. as long
as she likes" Mrs. Malony insisted.
I've given my promise, too, to look
after her, and Mr.. Craig knows that
am an honest woman"
you may be that" the man re-
piled. "but it's just as well for you
both to understand this. I'm from the
police and what say goes No harm
will come to the girl, Mrs. Mallory,
and she shall come back here, but for
the present she is going to accompany
me to headquarters. II you make any
trouble, l only have to blow my whis-
tie and l can fill your house with DO
licemen."
I'll CO." the girl whispered.
In silence she put on her hat and
coat, in silence she drove with him
to the police station, where she was
shown at once into the inspectors Of
fee. The man who had brought her
whispered for moment or two with
his chief and handed him the paper.
Inspector French read 1t and whis-
tied softly He took up the telephone
by his side.
Say, you've something of a find
here" he remarked to the plain
clothes man. Put me through to Mr..
Quest, please he added, speaking
into the receiver
The two men whispered together.
The girl stole from her place and
turned over rapidly the pages of di-
rectory which was on the round table
before her She found the "A's" quick
ly. Her eye fell upon the name Of
Ashleigh. She repeated the address
to herself and glanced around. The