Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1924-06-06

Ahi. LeuSdL, lie Sdlup 1 nave COLuo
to ask you If you know anything Of my
daughters whereabouts?"
Nothing whatever" Francis replied.
Il was on the point Of ringing you up
to ask you the same question"
did she tell you that she was leav-
ing the Sanctuary?'
"She gave me not the slightest inti-
nation of it," Francis assured his
auestioner; "in fact, she invited me to
meet her in the rose garden last night.
When l arrived there, she was gone.
] have heard nothing from her since"
"You spent the evening with herr"
ITO my great content"
What happened between your
Nothing happened. / took the op-
portunity, however, Of letting your
daughter understand the nature of my
feelings to her"
Dear me May I ask what they
are?" ~-
II will translate them into words"
Francis replied. Il wish your daughter
to become my wife"
"You amaze mel" Sir Timothy ex-
claimed, with the old mocking smile
at his lips. How can you possibly con-
template association with the daugh-
ter of a man whom you suspect and
distrust as you do mew
IF / suspect and distrust you, 1t Is
your own fault" Francis reminded him.
You have declared yourself to be
criminal and a friend Of criminals
am inclined to believe that you have
spoken the truth. I care for that fact
just as little as l care for the fact that
you are millionaire, or that Margaret
has been married to murderer. l in
tend her to become my wife"
Did you encourage her to leave
mer
Il did not l had not the slightest
idea that she had left the Sanctuary
until Lady Cynthia told me, halfway
to London this morning"
Sir Timothy was silent for several
moments.
Have you any idea in your own
mind" he persisted, "as to where she
has gone and for what purpose?"
Not the slightest In the world"
Francis declared. II am just as anx-
ious to hear from her, and to know
where she is. as you seem to be-"
Sir Timothy sighed.
Il am disappointed" he admitted. Il
had hoped to obtain some information
from you. l must try in another direc-
ton"
"Since you are here Sir Timothy"
Francis said, as his visitor prepared to
depart, may I ask whether you have
any objection to my marrying your
daughter?
Sir Timothy frowned.
The question places me in a some
what difficult position" he replied
coldly. I'm a certain sense I have
liking for you. You are not quite the
ingenious nincompoop l took you for
on the night Of our first meeting. On
the other hand, you have prejudices
against me. My harmless confession
of sympathy with criminals and their
ways seems to have stirred up cloud
of suspicion in your mind. You even
employ a detective to show the world
what a fool he can look, sitting In a
punt attempting to fish, with one eye
on the supposed abode Of crime"
Il have nothing whatever to do with
the details Of Shoplands investiga-
tions," Francis protested. HE Is in
search Of Reggie Wilmore."
Does he think I have secret dun
geons in my new abodeT' Sir Timothy
demanded, 'or oubliettes in which I
keep and starve brainless youths for
some nameless purpose? Be reason
able, Mr.. Ledsam. What the devil
benefit could accrue to me from abduct-
ing or imprisoning or In any way lay
ing my criminal hand upon this young
man?"
None whatever that we have been
able to discover as yet Francis ad-
mitted.
"a leaning towards melodrama. ad-
mirable in its way, needs the leaven OF
well-balanced discretion and sense OF
humor," Sir Timothy observed. The
latter quality is as rule singularly
absent among the mymidonS OF Scot
land Yard. l do not think that Mr..
Shopland will catch even fish In the
neighborhood Of the Walled House. AS
regards your matrimonial proposal, let
US waive that until my daughter re-
turns"
"As you WILL" Francis agreed. I
will be frank to this extent, at any
rate. If l can persuade your daughter
to marry me, your consent will not af-
feet the matter"
Il can leave Margaret matter or
TWO mlInon pounds" Sir Timothy SAID,
pensively.
I have enough money to support
my wife myself" Francis observed.
"Utopian but foolish" Sir Timothy
declared. "All the same, Mr.. Ledssm,
let me tell you this You have curl
Gus attraction for me. When was
asked why I had invited you to the
Sanctuary last night. frankly could
not answer the question. / didn't
know. I don't know. Your dislike OF