The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1920-04-22


secret service man, you understand. or
anything of that kind, but an impor-
tant man In the state department"
"Of course you knew nothing to
tell" suggested.
Il took chance at lying to him
about her expected arrival. I thought
II only decent to have look Mt the
woman first. He told me nothing ex-
cept that the British embassy had
made Inquiries and that the matter
was delicate and must be handled
carefully"
WAS this inquirer lnme-a small
dark man with black mustache9
asked, suddenly interested. "Such IA
person has been hanging about here,
so the boys tell me2"
!. mot at all i may as well tell you
1t was Raynor-yOu probably remem-
ber him. He's a specialist In internn-
fional law. and they took him into the
state department just after the Lusi-
tania business. He's a gentleman and
a good fellow-Tve played golf with
him good deal-and hated to lie to
him. but thought I'd see this woman
before telling him she had reached
America"
confess that was q trine dis
mayed by this. Raynor knew slight
ly. Professionally and socially he
stood high, and even without the pres
tige Of his official position he was not
chap to sneeze at; but l didn't want
Torrence to know l had any doubts rs
TO the perfect authenticity of my un-
cle's widow.
"Oh, every transcontinental pilgrim
Is probably scrutiniZed closely these
days" l remarked carelessly. MRS.
Bashford has lost brother In the
war. and i haven't heard anyone talk
more bitterly against Germany. And
her companion certainly has no illu-
sions about the kaiser"
81 don't like the business" he de-
clared stubborny.
Let's do nothing foolish" insisted
"lf Raynor has reason to suspect
either or both Of these women, wen
hear further from him."
i've put myself In n hole" he said
angrily. "Of course I've got to advise
him Immediately that Mrs. Bashford
is here"
"Just wait few days; undertake
to keep them under surveillance; you
can put the whole responsibility on
me. If they attempt to leave. I'll wurn
you and Raynor instantly. but they
have settled themselves as though
they expected to spend the rest of
their lives here"
told him Of Mrs. Bashferd's adven-
lures In reaching the house without
convincing him that there was any
thing funny In her experiences, and he
left on my promise to report to him
daily at n given hour and instantly If
anything unusual occurred. was on
my way back through the grounds
when Antoine arrested me.
Pardon me. but I'd like to ask what
you think of II, sir?" he asked hoa rse-
ly, falling into step.
IF you mean what do think of
Mrs. Bashford." replied sharply, q
think she's quite charming and de-
lightful and all any one could ask In
every way"
IT'S der manner Of speaking of
spookish things. Mr.. Singleton. II
SSh oSC" htthB III WIuO" 6DC
ner so lately bereaved. And the older
iady's quite us bad. sir. The maids
teli me they keep talking all day about
lairies and pretending they're queens
ana such like. and talking poetry To
each other. The late master never i'll
dulged In such things, sir"
lie would have lived longer If he
had 1t was probably the poetry and
Iairies that attraded him to Mrs,
Bashford."
Yes. SIR" he acquIesccd with
guip suppose you're right, SIR"
you should be grateful to Mrs.
nash1ord FOR not bouncing you all for
the row you made last night. 1t could
oe done; In fact. Mr.. Terrence has
suggested that legal means could be
round for getting rid OF YOU"
Ihat would be very sad. sir" he
said humbly.
isn't Mrs. Bashford kind to your
Hasn't She taken pains to make YOU
oil feel at homer"
wen, yes. sir. But she's taken FL
Sic Dack into the house, and there's no
WORK Tor her. there being two women
jill the inundry already: and she's told
me Dutch must be given his old place
IN charge Of the poultry; and both be-
Ing Germans. you Will recall"
ITS just her kind heart, you idiotl
You've all been spoiled; that's what's
the matter with you"
1T causes feeling; that's all. sir"
1T needn't cause II II you brace I'm
ana act like man." ! retorted. Then.
sorry had been so harsh, ] added:
we must take good care Of Mrs.
Bashfoid. Antoine. 1t would be your
OLD masters wish. 1t would be wise
TO Keep guard at the house for the
present In case your mysterious stran.
ger turns up again"
lie couldn't have failed to note my
change OF tone about the unknown
visitor. but lie made no comment.
The guards set. sir; front md
rear"
"Whila thnra'o