The Ekalaka eagle., 1915-08-06

the value Of my time," he said, "that
feel bound to make some return for It,
III bear in mind the amount in this
check, Mr.. Betteredge, when the time
comes round for remembering it,
"What do YOU mean?' l asked.
Her ladyship has smoothed matters
over for the present very cleverly,'
said the sergeant. But this family
scandal is of the sort that bursts up
again when you least expect it. We
shall have more detective business Oh
our hands, sir, before the Moonstone
Is many months older.'
If those words meant anything and
if the manner in which he spoke them
meant anything-it came to this: My
mistress letter had proved, to his mind,
that Miss Rachel was hardened enough
to resist the strongest appeal that could
be addressed to her, and that she had
deceived her own mother-gracious,
under what circumstances-by a series
of abominable lies. How other people,
In my place, might have replied to the
sergeant l don't know. 4 answered
what he had said in these plains terms:
sergeant Cuff, l consider your last
observation as an insult to my lady
and her daughter.'
"AIr. Betteredge, consider it as a
warning to yourself, and you will be
nearer the mark"
Hot and angry as l was, the internal
confidence with which he gave me that
answer closed my lips.
l walked to the window to compose
myself. The rain had given over, and,
who should l see in the courtyard but
Mr.. Begbie, the gardener, waiting out
side to continue the dog rose con-
troversy with Sergeant Cuff.
"My compliments to the sergeant"
said MI. Degbie, the moment he set
eyes on me. eff he's minded to walk
to the station, I'm agreeable to go with
! him."
What" cries the sergeant, behind
me. care YOU not convinced yet:"
"The dell bit I'm convinced" an
swered Mr.. Regbie.
"Then I'll walk to the station" says
| the sergeant.
"'Then I'll meet you at the gate," says
Mr. Begbie.
I was angry enough, as you know.
But how was any mans anger to hold
| out against such an interruption as
| this? Sergeant Cuff noticed the change
In me and encouraged it by word in
season. "Come. come," he said. "Why
| not treat my view Of the case as her
circumstances have fatally mislcd me:
II won't say a word more about her
ladyship or about Miss Nerinder. I'll
only turn prophet for once in way
and for your sake. l have warned you
already that you haven't done with the
moonstone yet. Very we'll. Now I'll
| tell you at parting of three things
which will happen in the future and
| which, believe. will force themselves
on your attention whether you like 1t
or not"
| $50 on" said, quite umabashed and
just as airy as ever.
'First,' said the sergeant, ''you will
hear something from the Yollands-
when the postman delivers Rosanna S
letter at Cobb's Hole On Monday next.
'In the second place. You will hear of
| the three Indians again. You will hear
of them in the neighborhood if Miss
Rachel remains in the neighborhood
You will hear of them in London if
Miss Rachel goes to London.
| s.1 To- ct nv
later, hear something of that money
lender in London whom l have twice
taken the liberty Of mentioning al
ready. Give me your pocketbook an(
| I'll make note for you of his name
and address, so that there may be nc
mistake about it if the thing really
happens
He wrote accordingly on blank leaf
"Mr. Septimus 1.uSer, Middlesex place
Lambeth. London"
We both turned round. There wa:
the everlasting Mr.. BeglDie, too cage
for the controversy to wait any longe
mt the gate. The sergeant wrung my
hand and darted out into the court
yard.
l had kept the pony chaise ready il
case Mr.. Franklin persisted in leavin:
us by the train that night. The appear
ance of the luggage. followed down
stairs by Mr.. Franklin himself. inform
ed ne plainly enough that he had helt
firm to Il resolution for once in his life
With that he shook me by the haN
and went out to the pony chaise. fol
lowed him down the steps.
Tell us where You are going to. SIR
said. holding on by the chaise ant
trying to get at his future plans in tina