Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-19
THE
SECRET
HOUSE
BY
EDGAR WALLACE
Author OF 1.-THE Clue Of the
Twisted Candle" Kate Plus
TO-" "The Man Who
Knew" etc.
CHAPTER XVI.

the gardens in Brakely Square, her
hands clasped across her knees, her
mind in very tangle of confusion.
1t was happy for her (she arsued)
that there were so many considera-
tons attached to this wedding that
she had not an opportunity of think
ing out, logically and to its proper
end, the consequence of this act of
hers.
She had had wire from Frank on
the night previous, and to her sur
prise it had been dated from Great
Bradley. For some reason which she
could not define she was annoyed
that he could leave London, and be so
absorbed in his work on the eve OF
his wedding. She gathered that his
presence in that town had to do with
his Investigations in the Tollington
case. She thought that at least he
might have spent one day near her
in case she wished to consult him. He
took too much for granted. she
thought petulantly. Poltavo. on the
contrary, had been most assidious in
his attention. He had had tea with
her the previous afternoon, and with
singular delicacy had avoided any re-
ference to the forthcoming marriage
or to his own views on the subject.
But all that he did not speak, he
looked. He conveyed the misery in
which he stood with subtle sugges-
ton. She felt sorry for him, had no
ton, or his disinterestedness. A pro-
fitable day for Poltavo in ordinary
circumstances.
A maid brought her from her re-
verie to the practical realities Of life.
mir. Debenham has called, MISS"
said the girl. Il have shown him into
the drawing ROOM"
"Mr. Debenham?" repeated Doris,
with a puzzled frown. "Oh, yes, the
lawyer; | will come down to him."
She found the staid solicitor walk
ing up and down the drawing room
abstractedly.
Il suppose you know that l shall be
necessary guest at your wedding"
he said. as he shook hands. II have
to deliver to you the keys OF your
uncle's safe at the London Safety De-
post. have a memorandum here Of
the exact amount of money which
should be in that SAFE"
He laid the paper on the table.
You can look at the items at your
leisure. but roughly 1t amounts to
eight hundred thousand pounds,
| which was left by your late father.
who, understand, died when you
were a child"
She nodded. .
THAT sum is in gilt-edged securi-
ties, and you will probably find that O
number of dividends are due to you.
The late Mr.. harrington, when he
made his arrangements for your flu
ture, chose this somewhat unusual
| and bizarre method of protecting
your money, much against my will.
l might tell you," he went on. that
he consulted me about six years ago
on the subject, and strongly advised
him against it. AS 1t happened,
was wrong, for Immediately after, as
his books show, he must have suf-
| fered enormous losses, and altho
| make no suggestion against his char
| acter. he raised his hand deprecat-
| ingly,-"yet I do say that the situa-
! ton which was created by the slump
in Canadian Pacifics of which he was
| a large holder, might have tempted
| man not so strong willed as Mr..
harrington. At the present moment"
he went on, Il have no more to do
than discharge my duty, and l have
called beforehand to see you and to
ask whether your uncle spoke Of the
great Tollington fortune of which he
was one of the trustees tho as be-
lieve-as I know, in fact-he never
handled the money"
She looked surprised.
| 1T Is curious that you should ask
that" she said. Mr.. Doughton is en-
gagged in the search for the heir to
tina fortune"
Debenham nodded.
$50 I understand" he said. II ask
because 1 received a communication
from the other trustees in America,
and 1 am afraid your future hus-
bands search will be unavailing un-
less he can produce the heir within
the next forty-eight hours"
why is that?" she asked in sur
prise.
1.-The terms of the will are pecu-
liar" said Mr.. Debenham. walking up
and down az he spoke. The Tolling-
ton fortune. AZ you may know
II know nothing about H." she in.
terrupted.
Then I will tell YOU" He smiled.
'The fortune descends to the heir
and to his wife in equal proportions"
Suppose he Is not blessed with a
wife?' She smiled with something
like her old gaiety.
I'm that case the money automat-
ically gees to the woman the heir
eventually marries. But the terms OF
the will are that the heir shall be
discovered within twenty years of
the date Of Tollington's death. The
time of grace expires Tomorrow"
Poor Frank" she said, shaking her
head, land he Is working so hard
with his clues! I suppose If he does
not produce that mysterious individ-
ual by tomorrow there will be no re-
ward for him."
The lawyer shook his head.
II should hardy think 1t likely" he
said, because the reward is for the
man who complies with the condi-
tons of the will within a stipulated
time. 1t was because I knew Mr.
Doughton had some special interest
in it, and because also"-he hesitated
I-"I thought that your uncle might
have taken you into his confidence
THAT he might have told me who
this missing person was, and that he
himself knew; and for some reason
suppressed the fact?" she asked
quickly. us that what you suggest
Mr.. Defendant"