The Holly chieftain., 1915-06-18
CHAPTER XIX.

The professor rose from his seat In
some excitement as the carriage
passed through the great gates of
Hamblin park. He acknowledged
with smile the respectful curtsy Of
the woman who held it open.
you have now an opportunity, my
dear MIR. Quest" he said, "of appre-
c1ating one feature of English life not
entirely reproducible in your own
wonderful country. l mean the home
life and. surroundings of our aristoc-
racy.
where's the house?" Quest in
quired.
"A mile farther on yet The woods
part and make a natural avenue past
the bend of the river there" the pro-
fessor pointed out. Full of trout, that
river. Quest. How used to whip that
stream when was boy!"
They swept presently round bend
in the avenue. Before them on the
hillside surrounded by trees and with
great walled garden behind, was
Hamblin house. Quest gave vent to
little exclamation of wonder as he
looked at it.
This Is where you've got us beat,
sure" he admitted. "Our country
places are like gewgaw palaces COM
pared to this. Makes me kind of
sorry" he went on regretfully, that
didn't bring Lenora along"
The professor shook his head.
you were very wise," he said. "My
brother and Lady Ashleigh have recov.
cred from the shock of poor Lenas
death in marvellous manner, l be.
lieve, but the sight of the girl might
have brought it back to them. You
have left her with friends, hope, Mr..
Quest?"
"She has an aunt in Hampstead"
the latter explained. II should have
liked to see her safely there my
self. but we should have been an
hour or two later down here and
tell you," he went on, his voice gather.
ing note almost Of ferocity, "I'm
wanting to get my hands on that fel-
low Craig!
The carriage drew up before the
great front moment or two later.
Lord Ashleigh came forward with out.
stretched hands. the genial smile of
the welcoming host upon his lips. In
his manner, however, there was a dis
tinct note of anxiety.
Edgar, my dear fellow" he ex-
claimed. II am delighted! Welcome
back to your home! Mr.. Quest, l am
very happy to see you here. You have
heard the news, of course?"
I'VE have heard nothing!" the pro.
fessor replied.
you didn't go to Scotland Yard?"
Lord Ashleigh asked.
I'VE haven't been to London at ALL"
Quest explained.
I have bad news for you both" he
announced. Craig has escaped"
Dear mel" the professor mur-
INJURED, sinking into an easy chair.
This is most Unexpected"
We'll get him again." Quest de.
clared quickly. "Can you let us have
the particulars of his escape, Lord
Ashleigh? The sooner we get the hang
of things the better"
you know. of course" he began.
that Craig was arrested at Liverpool
in consequence of communications
from the New York police. I under
stand that it was with great difficulty
he was discovered, and 1t is quite clear
that someone on the ship had been
heavily bribed. However, he was ar
rested, brought to London, and then
down here for purposes of identified.
ton. / would have gone to London
myself. and, in fact, offered to do so,
but on the other hand. as there are
many others on the estate to whom he
was well known, l thought that 1t
would be better to have more evil
dence than mine alone. Accordingly,
they left London one afternoon. and