Evening star., 1924-06-28

She laughed merrily as she handed
me the glass, and ! laughed, too,
catching the infection.
Bless you" l said. You're a good
sort, anyhow. Long life and every
happiness to you"
| did feel new man an kour later
she had had razors and things laid
out for me in the bathroom, and
when, washed and cleaned, / went
down to breakfast l scarcely realized
that two hours before l had been
found lying like an outcast on the
open heath. ! saw, too, that she look
ed at me with approval as l entered
the room where she was waiting with
a pleasant faced oldish lady whom
she introduced as her aunt, Miss Mil
lie Hepple.
Better" she asked as we sat down
to breakfast
Il should be more ungrateful-and
more graceless = than ! am if l
weren't" | said. Yes, thank you, I'm
so much better that if il pleaSes you
to hear it I'll tell you the story of
my adventures yesterday and last
night"
II won't deny that I've got truly
feminine curiosity about it she
York ham that stood before her Tell
me. by all means-if you want to-"
II do want" l answered, firmly. II
thlnk you're young lady of judg-
l
Just like to know what you've got
TO say ABOUT the whole thing. For
It's absolutely beyond me, and I don't
know whether l ought not to go back
10 Portsmouth and get in touch with
the police. However,
Over that breakfast table told the
Two ladies the whole story, from my
meeting with Quartervayne on the
clarence pier to my finding myself
on the top of Chilverton downs. I
RI t11
word of mouth what / have here set
out in writing. The telling produced
dlHerent effects in each listener. Miss
hepple, who later on admitted to me
that she loved sensational fiction, was
amazed to find that things actually
happen in real life which are at least
as strange as those imagined by the
professional Story-teller: she took
the whole in with zest and appetite.
But Miss Manson's interest was of
putting two and two together, reck-
oning chances, Speculating on prob
abilities. The more l told the more
thoughtful she became
abruptly.
she gave me straight glance.
You mean-that's the beginning"
she said. 'Or. if it's the end it's
merely the end of the first chapter
Of course, the thing has only begun.
curtain on act that's where you've
got to. Next-act 3"
Not with me in it," said |, de-
terminedly
How do you know" she question
ed: You may be ragged-forced-
into it. Anyway, as 1 say, it's only
the beginning"
What | want to know" observed
Miss Hepple from behind her tea
tray. "is-what does it all mean? You
don't know. of course, sir?"
I've no more idea, ma'am.' T re-
piled, than I have of the merits of
the Bacon -Shak espeare controversy.
All ! know is-what I've told you.
Up to now-the whole thing is a
mystery"
Have you counted that money!"
asked Miss Manson, suddenly.
Il have! There's hundred pounds
in sovereigns," / answered.
Hush-money, of course" she OBJ
served.
Something of the sort. no doubt"
said l. Still. considering what /
went through last night l think I'm
entitled to it"
Stick to it, anyway" said she. But
as to telling the police. l think I
should await developments Wait for
the next news. You never know"
Even as she spoke the next news.
the next development, was at hand.
A. maid came in to tell her that
Bradgett was in the hall and anxious