New Britain herald., 1924-02-29
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

l half the houses ln Knight Ryder Street are empty. I trust your grace is not thinking of residing there."
 Not . not exactly" His grace was drowning, thoughtfully. There's no infection in the street. I hope?" Not yet. But there's an abundant
 fear of it, as everywhere else in the 1 City. This merchant in Frenchurch
 Street didn't trouble to conceal the opinion that I was crazy to be seek ing a house in London at such a time"
 Pooh. pooh!' His grace dis missed the matter of fear contemptu- ously. "These cits frighten them selves into the plague. It's oppor- 1 tune enough. It will serve to keep mems minds off the concerns of their neighbors. I want no spying on me in Knight Ryder street. Tomorrow, 1 Bates, you'll seekth is merchant and engage the house-and ye're to &C., quire the tenancy of 1t in your own name. Ye understand? My name is not to be mentioned. To avoid ques- tions you'll pay him six months rent at once"
 bates poWeu. feTlSclly' your grace"
 His grace leaned back in his great chair, and considered his servant through half-closed, slyly smiling eyes.
 "You'll have guessed, Of course, the purpose for which l am acquiring this house.
 "I should never presume 10 guess any purpose of your grace's."
 By which you mean that my pur- pose bolfles you. That is an admis- comedy We played a month ago for the benefit of Miss Farquharson?
 'l have occasion to. My bones are still sore from the cudgeling l got. IL was very realistic piece of acting, on the part Of your gracc's cursed French grooms."
 wen introduce more serious note into tho comedy. Wen carry the lady off. That is tho purpose for which l require this house."
 Tt it's a hanging natter
 'Oh damn your stiffness. X hang ing matter! When I'm behind you?"
 y never venture to hang your grace. But they'll need a scapegoat. if there's trouble, and they'll hang your instru- ments 10 pacify the rabbe's clamor for justice"
 Are you quite mad?"
 I'm not only sane, your grace; I'm shrewd. And if I may presume to advise your grace ."
 That would, indeed. be a presump- ton, you impudent rogue!" The Dukes voice rose sharply. a heavy frown rumpled his brow You for- get yourself, think"
 "I beg your grace's pardon" But he went on, none the less. Your grace. perhaps, is not aware Of the extent Of the panic in the City over this pestilence. The cry everywhere is that il is q visitation provoked by the sins Of the Court. That's what the canting Nonconformist preachers have put about. And if this thing that your grace contemplates Q"
 Listen, Bates. IT we are ili served on the one hand by the pesti- lence, we are very well served on the other. To carry Miss Farquharson off while she is playing at the thea 1. ter would be to have a hue-and-cry 1 set up at once that might lead to 1 discovery and unpleasant cOnsc- ] lgences. But the Lord Mayor has 1 ordered Inc closing Of all theaters on i and 1t is on Saturday after !, the theater, therefore, that this thing ! must De done, when Miss Farquhar- ] son will no longer be missed and her lisa appearance give rise to no excite l at a time when 1 his very fear of the plague is giving I people enough to think about" |
 And afterwards. your grace !
 "AfterWards?"
 When the lady makes complaint" :,
 Buckingham smiled in his knowi- . .Jgc of thc world. DO ladies ever 1 make complaints of this kind-after- l aards? Besides. who will believe er tale that she went 10 this house }, mine against her will? She Is an actress. remember; not a princess. ! I'd l stIil command sUn1c muasuro ,f authority in this country"
 But Bates solemHly shook his 1ead q doubt If your grace com hands enough to saTe my neck should here ie. trouble. and trouble there | siil be. Be sure of that. your grace. | There's too many malcortents abroad Ipying the opportunity 10 make it. ].
 Amazemeut ard scoTH were bicnt ,n BuckiHrham's counteranes- His fingers drummed the table what time | Ie reflected. Then he determined 10 ut the game short by playing trunps
 ''How long have you been in my .dFviro, Bates?''
 '-FIec years this mortb. your erare #I
 But you think the time has come Tien you may pick and choose the hings in which you will serve me tiH. Bates. I think you have been in ny s.s.si ice too Inng'
 .-Yogr grace.''
 .1 may be mistaken. iitt T shall essiire proof before oeigrinz it. zortunateiy for -On- it Iias within
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