Evening star., 1924-03-10

there said HextaIi. And II they,
are-why. then. ! shall have to speak
to them pretty plainly" -
What blessing Fowler happened,
to light on you!" she seid artiessiy..
about that one can depend uponi
Mili you really have to go back to
Must" replied Hextall with forced
determination. But I'm always
within call. you know"
There was no Darrell and no Kes-
teven at Lynne Court. And Lynne
court Itself, an old. gray-wailed, half
pine woods on a slope of the hills
which overlook the Sussex weald,
seemed to Hextall to be suggestive
OF nothing but peace.
The house itself was ancient and
picturesque; its gardens and pleasure
grounds were ideal; from a south ter
race there was glimpse of the Eng
iish channel; the whole place was one
IN which to dream away ones days.
And Paquita evidently saw what her
companion was thinking and turned
10 him with quick intuition as they
heached the Mouse.
Yes, she said in low voice. at
10 beautiful, and 1t would be all right
Here's my little brother, Ronnie"
Mindful of his promise to John
smith, Hextall looked with interest
at the boy who came running out to
healthy looking lad of seven, alert,
nuck spirited, Hextall fancied that
the evidences of the Spanish strain
In MIN were more marked than in his
IDENTIFY nothing wrong with him,
physically or mentally, and Hextall
turned his attention to a young wom-
an who followed him-a slight, rather
pretty. decidedly prim and proper per-
son--whom PAquita presently intro
duced as Miss Brock, the governess
Behind these two, at the door, were
gathered some upper servants,
staic housekeeper, a grave-faced but
leG footman or two. all evidently
WITHIN few minutes HextalI gained
the impression of an atmosphere of
great comfort and luxury-a big
f.oHse, troops of servants, every mod
sire, well-oiled domestic machinery,
anA; outwardiy. lacking nothing
And its young master was away from
il, rioting, ebauchinS-where?
Paquita, vigorous in spite of her
ing her nurses to their rooms; Hex
tall was left alone for a while in a
library which looked out on the
southward view. He was wondering
what was going to come of all this,
when Paquita came back to him look
ing good deal concerned. She closed
the door behind her and led him into
one of the deeply embrasured win
dows.
queer" she said. He says that the
other night he saw Kesteven!" 't
"kesteven. Where~ exclaimed Hex
tall.
sPaquita looked round at the door
and sank her voice to a whisper.
he Sh
said. He's a. quick child and he has
sense enough even at his age to keep
things to himself. He says that the
other nisht-a few nights ago--he
and he got up to look out of the win
dow at the moonlight. And on the
terrace, near the yew tree, he saw
Mr.. kesteven-with Miss Brock"
The governessp
Yes. What made him tell me was
that he heard me ask the housekeeper
II Mr.. Tress and Mr.. KesteveR were
here or had been here since i went
away. When she said they hadn't
Ronnfe pulled me aside and told me
Because it was Kesteven who got
Miss Brock for us. ] wanted a gov
erness for Ronnie, and he brought
Miss Brock
taken?" suggested Hextall, after a
pause.
-Noi I'm sure he's not Ronnie is
very obServant. What shall / do?
Shall ask Miss Brock what kesteven
was doing here"
Hextall quickly thought over this
question.
Mo-" he answered Don't, Wait
Look here" he went on earnestly.
Il want you to feel that you're all
right so long as you have my two
nurses with you. Be good.and obey
them-to please me. If there's the
least need for me, you've only to wire
and l shall be with yeu as fast as a
car can bring me. In any case I shall
be here TO see you the day after to-
I'm not afraid about myself" an
swered Paquita. Tn wondering
where my unfortunate brother is. OF
course, 1 know what'li happen. He'll
turn up in a day or tive, repentant
and remorSeful because he left me in
London, and he'll promise amendment,
and then Kesteven will come on the
scene again, and-but there, what's
the use of talking? Come and have
some tea" a,--- --'
Hextall remained at Lynne, Court
then, after a confidential talk with
the two nurses and a promise to
Paquita to be back on the next day
but one, set off in his car to London.
An hour later, as he was slowly rid
ing through EPSON town street, look
ing over an evening paper which he
had just bought, he heard himself
hailed by name, and glancing up saw
Rpwler seated in car which was
passing in the opposite direction.