Evening star., 1921-06-17

| but I cannot very we'll be more ex-
plicit. The matter is one in which
! good many other people are con-
cerned. and might add that it Is
hopeless mystery to me. All know
| is that a crime was committed; that
this young lady was present under
suspicious circumstances; that /. In
/ certain evidence I had to give, con-
cealed the fact Of. her presence, and
that now third person turns up. who
also knew Of the young lady's pres
ence. but who was not called upon
to give evidence, who is working on
his own account to clear up the whole
affair. He happens to be a friend of
mine. and he warned me frankly to
clear out"
Il am beginning to follow you"
Duncan said. thoughtfully: Now
II know absolutely nothing of her."
Wrayson answered. Il found out
where the young lady was from the
Baroness de Sturm, with whom she
was living in London. and. came over
to warn her"
the Baroness de Sturm?" Duncan re-
peated: rs she, then, an orpha n 90
NO" Wrayson answered. "She, is,
Tor some reason-I do not know why
-estranged from her family. Now
tne question arises, has this fellow
iSiS Souc OSeT 10 Track her OOwn? ?
Is he an English detective:"
Duncan turned deliberately round
and stared at the person whom they
were discussing.
Il should doubt it very much" he
answered. For my part, 1 don't be-
Iieve for a moment that he is an
Englishman at ALL"
Il am very glad to hear you say so -
WraysoR declared. But the question
is. If he is not on this business. what
the devil is he doing here"
Have you the entree to the cha
teau? Duncan asked abruptly.
Il am invited to dine there this
evening"" -wrayson answered.
Then. If 1 were you" Duncan said,
II should make a point of ascertain
ing. If you can. the personality of this
Nine. de Melbain"
Wrayson nodded.
''and I will do So
my own idea" Duncan said. delib-
erately. "is that 1t Is in connection
with her presence here that the land
lord of the inn and the villagers have
received these iniunctions about
can about her. and in the meantime
will look after the gentleman over
there. He wants to be friendly-I will
make a companion of him. When you
come back tonight we will have an
other talk"
ITS awfully good of you" Wrayson
said And now-rve one thing more
to say"
Duncan nodded.
Go on" he said.
"I have taken you into my conf
dence so far as was possible" Wray-
son said slowly. II am going to ask
you question now" -.
Il cannot promise to answer it,"
Duncan declared. taking up his pipe
and carefully refilling it.
Naturally! But am going to ask
1t. Wrayson said. An hour or so
ago I was talking to the young lady
in front of the inn. and you were
watching US. l saw your face at the
window as she was driving off,"
"Well?"
The monosyllable was hard and dry.
You are neither an inquisitive nor
an emotional person." Wrayson said.
PLANTATION"
''Of WHAT"
''Of your, suddenly becoming both.
Duncan had lit his pipe now, and
smoked for few moments furiously.
Il will not handy words with you"
he said at last. you wan an expia-
nation which cannot give"
Wrayson looked as he felt. dissatis-
fed. -.
Look here" he. said, I'm not ask
ing Tor your commence. I'm simply
asking you to explain why the sight
of that young lady should be a matter
of emotion to you. You know who she
is. am convinced. What else"'
Duncan shook his, head.
I'm sorry" he said. You may
trust me OF. not. as you like: All I
can say about myself is this: I've
been up against 1t hard-very hard.
So far as regards the ordinary af-
fairs of life simply don't count. I'm
a -negation-a purely subjective per-
sonage. may be able to help you a
little here-I shall certainly never be
in your way. My interest in the place
there. will tell you that's purely
of sentimental nature. My interest
in life itself is something Of the same
sort. Take my advice. Let 1t go at
that" rs
Il WILL" wrayson declared. with
sudden heartiness.
Duncan nodded.
'Ill go and look after our little
friend in the yellow boots" he said.
CHAPTER XXvI.
Punctually at half-past. Z the car
riage arrived to take Wrayson to the
chateau A few minutes drive along
+. ~ -