Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1915-05-15
CHAPTER XII
A Visit to MacBee.
BY Howard p. Rocky
Copyright 1914 Howard y. Rocky


to long delayed breakfast when Car
rington arrived.
The indicated utomobile-taken
on long detour by Cornish's chauf-
feur-had rolled into the garage at
Harcourt Manor only half an hour be-
fore, and Farndale had just been adj
vised of the fact by telephone. He
had spoken with Sir Thomas and
learned that his daughter, although
confined to her bed, was resting quiet
ly and during the conversation, had
also been advised of the departure of
Darlington for the city.
Now Darlington was eager for news
and briefly, Sir Harry told him all
that had occurred. "To cover our
tracks and to avoid suspicion, sug-
gest we take call to Scotland Yard
and report ourselves to MaeBee.
pleading ignorance of Harcourt's
whereabouts and expressing surprise
that he is not also there" Farndale
said.
"Right-oh" Darlington agreed.
There is hardly chance that they'll
know we didn't come in last night in
Cornish's car--just as we tell them.
Of course none of the Manor servants
except Fergus know what happened,
and we can rely upon him absolutely"
Sir Harry nodded over his coffee.
The only difficulty lies in the posi-
bility of the yacht being stopped and
searched" Darlington went on a bit
anxiously.
Remote chance" said Sir Harry.
"No reason for any one being suspi-
cious of her, and the alarm couldn't
have spread in time anyway"
81 hope not" Darlington said. Cor
nish might even deceive them if he
should be overhauled."
"He'd never submit to search of
the yacht" Farndale asserted. "If a
lookout has been set for him-which !
doubt-he will simply cruise about
trying to avoid discovery until the op-
portunity to land Harcourt arrives"
Surely he won't try .thatw Car
rington protested. 1T would be mad
to take such a risk now"
"On the contrary" Farndale as
sured him, at is the safest and best
plan of all if the landing can be made
unobserved, and the yacht then slips
away quietly without him. Rather
than risk Harcourt being found on
board, Cornish may bring him ashore
to a safe hiding place. and then let
the yacht run for it. If MacBee gets
suspicious, it is better that he be led
to believe that Harcourt is aboard the
Murita, when he is really in England.
In that event he will be safest right
here, while the police, having search
ed the yacht without finding him, will
be more puzzled than ever"
"But where the devil can we hide
Harcourt if Cornish does land him ?"
THAT is the question:" Farndale re-
piled. IF they are forced to land,
Cornish will communicate with me at
once--if we can do so without taking
chances of discovery. Then we must
find some safe place quickly. But /
have every confidence in Cornish's
ability to outwit the police. Dicky,
that man is a wonderw
"And his daughter is simply mag
nifcent!" Darlington added with
enthusiasm.
Sir Harry smiled knowingly. "She
certainly saved the situation last
night" he said "Her ruse worked
splendidly. Fortunately the man Mac
Bee sent did not know Harcourt per-
sonally, but even if he had seen him
often, her imitation was almost per-
feet"
We'll" said Darlington, lets get
along and see MacBee. want to sat
isfy myself that he doesn't know too
much that he shouldn't
The Inspector looked tired and worn
when they were ushered into his pres
ence, but he greeted them pleasantly
and thanked them for calling.
81 understand that some of the
others concerned in this matter have
been less considerable" MacBee said.
81 am told that Mr.. Cornish and his
daughter sailed last night"
81 believe the yacht left this morn.
ing said Sir Harry. They contem-
plate a somewhat extended cruise, as
Miss Cornish is not particularly we'll"
Something very like a smile witch
ed about MacBee's lips for an instant.
IL am rather surprised at Mr.. Cornish
not having advised me of his inten-
tons when he knew that wished
every one who attended Lord Har-
courts dinner to be within easy
reach. But you are of course seeking
news of Lord Harcourt himself"
MacBee was looking squarely at
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