The Spectator., 1916-04-14

know the misery and loneliness he suffered that you might not have one hour of unrest. What are your plans?" he asked abruptly of the teacher from Miss Farlow's.
 That depends" she answered, lay ing her hand protectingly over the girls.
 You could leave Miss Farlow's on the moment?"
 "Yes"
 "Then you will stay and be Miss Florence's companion?"
 Gladly"
 What is my fathers name?"
 "Hargreave, Stanley Hargreave"
 The girls eyes widened in terror Suddenly she burst into a wild frenzy of sobbing. her head against the shoul der of her erstwhile teacher.
 Jones appeared visibly shocked. What Is it?"
 We read the story in the newspa- per-" said the elder woman, her own eyes filling with tears. "The poor child, To have all her castles -in-air tumble down like this! But what au- thority have you to engage me?" sen- sibly.
 Jones produced a document, duly signed by Hargreave. and witnessed and sealed by notary, in which it was set forth that Henry Jones, but Ter and valet to Stanley Hargreave. had full powers of attorney in the event of his (Hargreave's) disappear ance; in the event of his death, till Florence became of legal age
 Said Jones as he put the document back in his pocket: What is your name?"
 Susan Wane"
 Do you love this child?"
 With all my heart, the poor un- happy babel"
 Thank you."
 Inside the home he conducted them through the various rooms. at the same time telling them what had ta- ken place during the preceding night.
 They have not found his body?" asked Florence. My poor. poor fath- err"
 "No."
 Then he may be alive!"
 Please God that he may!" said the butler. with genuine piety, for he had loved the man who had gone forth in- to the night so bravely and so strange ly. This Is your room Your father spent many happy hours here prepar- ing 1t for you"
 Tears came into the girls eyes again. and discreetly Jones left the two alone.
 What shall do. Susan? Whatever shall do?"
 Be brave as you always are. I will never leave you till you find your father"
 Florence kissed her fervently. What Is your opinion of the butler?"
 'I think we may both trust him ab- 1 solutely."
 Then Florence began exploring the house. Susan followed her closely. | Florence peered behind the mirrors, the pictures, in the drawers of the desk, in the bookcases What are you hunting for child?" "A photograph of father" But she found none. More. there were no pho- tographs of any kind to be found in Stanley Hargreave's home When Norton awoke, he naturally went to the door for the morning pa l pers which were always placed in a neat pile before the sill. He yawned, gathered up the bundle, was about to l climb back into bed when a head line caught his dull eyes. Twenty-one minutes later, to be precise, he ran up the steps of the Hargreave home and rang the bell He was admitted by the taciturn Jones. to whom the reporter had never paid any particu- lar attention. Somehow Jones always managed to stand in shadows.
 ''I can add nothing to what has al ready appeared in the newspapers" |" replied Jones, as Norton opened his | batteries of inquiries.
 MT. Jones, have known your mas l ter several years, as you will recollect l uere never was woman III tnlS house, not even among the servants | There are two in the other room. l Who are they? And what are they l doing here?' Jones shook his head
 Well, l can easily find out
 Jones barred his path. and for the first time Norton gazed into the eyes of the man servant They were as 1 hard as gun metal.
 My dear MT. Jones. you ought to know that sooner or later we report CTS find out what we seek"
 Jones appeared to reflect MT. Nor ton. you claim to be a friend of Mir i Hargreave?" 'I do not claim. l am. More than that I do not believe he is dead. He was deep. He had some relentless en- emies-I don't know where from or what kind-and he is pretending he's dead till this blows over and is for