The Delta independent., 1915-11-19

Blanche had broken her word for
perhaps the first time in her life; but
it had never before been extorted from
her by duress, and it would be affec-
tation to credit her with much COM
junction on the point Her one great
| qualm lay in the possibility of Toye's
turning up at any moment; but this
| she had obviated to some extent by
coming straight to the cottages when
he left her-presumably to look for
| CaZalet in London, since she had been
careful not to mention his change
of address. Cazalet, to her relief, but
also little to her hurt, she had found
| at his lodgings in the neighborhood
| full of the news he had not managed
| to communicate to her. But it was no
time for taking anything but his peril
to heart. And that they had been dis
cussing, almost as man to man, II
rather as innocent man to innocent
man; for even now, or perhaps now
in his presence least of all, Blanche
could not bring herself to believe her
old friend guilty of violent crime,
however unprecedented, for which
another had been allowed to suffer. for
however short time.
And yet he seemed to make no Sc
cret of it; and yet-it did explain
his whole conduct since landing, as
Toye had said.
She could only shut her eyes to
what must have happened. even as
Cazalet himself had shut his all this
wonderful week, that she had forgot
oil ~ in hut
would never, in all her days, forget
again
There won't be another case" she
heard herself saying, while her
thoughts ran ahead or Jagged behind
like sheep. It'll never come out-I
know it won't"
why shouldn't it?" he asked so
sharply that she had to account for
the words, to herself as well as to
him.
Nobody knows except Mr.. Toye.
and he means to keep it to himself"
why should he?"
II don't know. He'll tell you him
self"
Are you sure you don't know?
What can he have to tell me? Why
His eyes and voice were furious
with suspicion, but still the voice was
lowered.
He's jolly good sort, you know"
said Blanche, as if the whole affair
was the most ordinary one in the
world. But heroics could not have
driven the sense of her remark more
forcibly home to Cazalet.
"Oh, he is. is he?"
I've always found him So"
so have l, the little I've seen OF
him. And I don't blame him for get
ting on my tracks, mind you; he's
bit of a detective, / was fair game,
and he did warn me in a way. That's
why 1 meant to have the week" He
stopped and looked away.
II know. And nothing can undo
that" she only said; but her voice
swelled with thanksgiving. And GAIA
let looked reassured; the hot suspi-
cion died out of his eyes, but left them
gloomily perplexed.
Still, / can't understand it. I don't
believe it. either! I'm in his hands.
What have l done to be saved by
Toye? He's probably securing Lon
don for me-if he isn't watching this
window at this minute!"
He went to the curtains as he spoke.
simultaneously Blanche sprang up, to
entreat him to fly while he could. That
had been her first object in coming to
him as she had done. and yet, once
with him, she had left it to the last.
And now it was too late; he was at
the window, chuckling significantly
to himself; he had opened it, and he
was leaning out.
That you. Toye, down there? Come
up and show yourself! l want to see
you"
He turned in time to dart in front
of the folding doors as blanche
reached them, white and shuddering.
The flush of impulsive bravado fed
from his face at the sight CT hers.
You can't go in there. What's the
matter?" he whispered. why should
you be afraid of Hilton Toye?"
How could she tell him? Before she
had found word, the landing door
opened, and Hilton Toye was in the
room, looking at her.
Keep your voice down. said GAIA
let anxicusly. Even If it's all over
with me but the shouting. we needn't
start the shouting here!"
He chuckled savagely at the jest;
and now Toye stood looking at him
1--WE heard all you've done" contin-
ued Cazalet. 81 don't blame you a bit
II 1t had been the other way about.
might have given you less run for
your money. I've heard what you've
found out about my mysterious move
ments and Won re ahsnlutel ripilt n q