The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-07-05
"Spencerw

ou seem to me somewhat superIor
young man. l think you could do
much better for yourself"
Billy twinkled yet more brightly.
should hate to disagree with your
iadyship,' he said. "but l am quite
sure l couldn't"
Lady Erythea turned and walked
away with dazed air.
Billy passed through the gate into
the lane. and made for the abbey Mt
MS best speed. He hoped that Aimee
might be waiting for him somewhere
within call. but there was no sign of
her. Thinking it likely she would be
IN the neighborhoou Of the garage, he
hurried in that direction. He was
within sight from the park boundary.
when Monsieur de Jussac, approach
Ing the fence from the abbey, saw him
and called him by name.
Billy was too far away to hear. Tie
Vicomte whistled, without result. He
saw Billy disappear in the direction
OF the crag-pits. De Jussac hesitated,
uncertain whether to follow.
be In a hurry" murmured Bertrand.
de took out cigarette, and smoked
1t refiectively. Bertrand was looking
little puzzled and anxious. Finally
he wandered slowly back towards the
abbey.
AS he neared the main entrance the
quack Of motor horn was heard,
ana an automobile drove up rapidly.
1t contained the stolid Inspector Panke
from Stanhoe. Beside him sat a slim
and active-looking man in gray
tweed overcoat.
DE Jussac, raising his eyebrows,
drew near unobtrusively. The man in
tweeds got out and stepped briskly up
to MIR. Tarbeaux, who was standing
on the steps.
You have chauffeur here" said
the man in tweeds quietly, "who calls
himself William Spencer"
"Yes. SIR" Said Mr.. Tarbeaux.
Bertrand de Jussac moved away,
i with the air of one retreating from
situation with which he had no con-
cern. He lit a cigarette as he went,
but once on the far side of the rhodo-
dendrons, Monsieur de Jussac began
to move with uncommon swiftness.
rs he on the premises at the mo-
ment?" said the visitor
Il do not know, SIR" replied Mr.
Tarbeaux with cold reserve eyeing
the police car. 'If you wish to see
her ladyship-"
II do. Inform her at once, if you
please, that the police are here"
Mr.. Tarbeaux went indoors, leaving
the visitor on the step. 1t was some
little time before Lady Erythea her
self came to the entrance, grim and
forbidding, ear-trumpet in hand.
II am Detective-Inspector Ark
wright. from Scotland Yard" said the
visitor. II wish to see your chauf-
feur, my lady-william Spencer"
"For what purposeT said her lady
ship. examining him icily through her
lorgnette
"That will transpire as soon as
have seen him." said Arkwright a
little sharply.
A face peered down cautiously
from second-fioor window. 1t was
the face of Aimee, very white and
scared. She drew back quickly be-
hind the window curtains, one hand
clutching and kneading them tightly
as she listened.
''Does this mean" said her ladyship
with distinct hostility, that you pro-
pose to arrest my chauffeur? If not.
what do you mean? He is the man
who restored the emeralds to me,
when the police failed to achieve any
thing whatever and I have complete
confidence in him. If that really is
your intention. 1t is my opinion you
are about to make fools of your
selves"
Inspector Arkwright looked both
surprised and irritated.
II am here with full authority, my
lady," he said abruptly, land my task
is to clear this matter up. Out of
consideration for you, I have come
here quite openly. and what my in
tentiOns are l must at the mOment
keep to myself"
'It is Spencer's afternoon off. he
lieve," said Lady Erythea coldly. "l
do not think he is on the premises"
The inspector was plainly taken
aback by his reception. His lips tight
ened to thin line. Just then a po-
liceman on bicycle came riding rap
Idly along the drive. 1t was Constable
Poison.
"Beg pardon, SIR" he said, dis
mounting and saluting the inspector.
"have you found the man you are
looking for here?"
"Why?" snid Arkwright abruptly.
"Well sir, l know him by sight, of
course" said Poison in a lower VOICE
-"the chauffeur, 1 mean-and as l
came off the Stanhoe road awhile ago.
/ saw somebody like him crossing the
forty-acre field and going towards the
crag-pits. I thought I'd better hurry
on and tell you. I'm sure 1t was he"
Excellent You are a man that
keeps his eyes open." exclaimed In
1