New Britain herald., 1925-07-06

to Long Paston Manor, so he set out to kill two birds with one stone When { h 0 rectory parlormaid showed him into the study. an- nouncing him as the Reverend Mr. Danvers," he got a bit of a jolt. The only occupant Of the room was the rectors daughter.
 Seated at her fathers pedestal table, she looked up and turned a sort of a glad eye" on the we'll groomed. not illlooking young cleric, klyne could have pinched himself for feeling a secret joy that the glad eye" was of q modified type - not at all the dazzling opti- cal sunburst accorded to him in his own personality on their first meet ing in the garden.
 You wish 10 sec my father" she cooed.
 Adelas slow smile was sphinx like. You were announced as the Reverend Mir. Danvers.'" she said. Have you visiting card about you, or, if not, would you mind telling me your Christian names?"
 Klyno never neglected detail. He was provided with pasteboards de- scribing him in his assumed char acter.
 The Reverend Charles Edward Danyers, Adcla read the card aloud, and 10 klyne's dismay from several books of reference on the table she selected a volume which he saw was Crockford's Clerical Di- rectory for the current year. Flip ping over the pages, she glanced at one of them and then regarded the visitor with an impudent leer.
 "Charles Danvers, you are fraud" she laughed. You are not down in this piouS rcgistser at aIl Whats the game? What do you want with my dad? No good, I'll go bail".
 This was a nasty one for the in- 'estigator. But it would be nastier one, if it was due to his real per- sonality having been recognized. The latter point he could not deter mine. He would have to leave that to chance, but he would have 10 bluff, and bluff hard, if he was to remove the obstacle to his pose at Long Paston Manor as a curate.
 "Of course I am fraud" he smiled at his fair accuser. Clever of you to spot me, Miss Larkin. l think, however, that l shall have your sympathy and, I hope, your help, when ] explain my reason for the masquerade. These black togs cover a multitude of sins. I am out 10 touch Mir Wilfri1 Symes for a subscription to CT any old charitable object that may occur to me. l looked in 10 see if MT. Lar kin would give me sort of locus standi by engaging me as tenn porary curate."
 The rector has gone to London for the day, so you're off the car- pet" said Adela severely,
 "Ah, that accounts for it." said Klyne.
 Accounts for Nhat?"
 "1 have rather keen eyesight. If l am not mistaken, you are writing your fathers sermon or one nl them, for the coming Sabbath. Doubtless his jaunt to the metropo- lis will have cncroached upon his available working time"
 You ought 10 have been d dctec- tive" was the disconcerting answer. accompanied by look of disgust.
 That is practically an admis- sion" rejoined Klyne, and it em- boldens me to crave your aid as your fathers epresentative. Have l your permission to describe myself to MT. Symes as a curate of this parish ?"
 Adcla surveyed the postuIant over tho tips of her joined fingers. You can guess what that would entail" " she smiled frostily. ITO put your self in order and justify my conduct you would have to turn up here on Sunday and preach the sermon l am composing. The text is, All men are liars"
 1 Il believe I could deliver 1t very creditably," said klyne dryly. And l shall be most happy to do so." "I shall hold you to that" was ] the brisk reply, well, I do not like Mr. Symes and I have no objection ! to his pockets being raided. will give you q letter ol introduction to ] lim."
 1 Saying that in Mir. Larkin's ab- : Sence you are acting for him 2" ''Ot course, and that you are our assistant priest. That sounds more imposing than curate, and we are out for imposition, ain't we?" i Laying aside her sermon, she drew letter paper to her and wrote a few lines. Then she placed her production in an enrelop, snd Stur, { it down, afterwards handing it to the visitor with a queer little bow.