New Britain herald., 1925-10-20

gave him a silence for the remain
der Of the meal, 1t was poor re-
venge, perhaps but they were in
no mood for speech. 1t cheered
them none to observe that the eff
flciency man ate the Strawberries.
Out in the hall an Immediately
CARRIED maid, Matilda, stood hold
ing Alice's hat and coat and a
bundle Of school-books.
Hurry, now, Alice; you're late
again" chided Constance. The car
has been waiting ten minutes"
Alice flung herself carelessly into
garment of fur, jammed rakish
little hat over her ruddy hair
seized her books and raced toward
the door. It was swung open for
her by Horace, the butler. Down
the front steps of the Brooke man
sion she leaped, three at a time,
crossed the pavement in two
bounds, and plunged through the
open doorway Of a massive limou-
sine. A footman closed the door
after her, then swung himself into
the seat beside the chauffeur. A
second later the fifteen thousand
dollar English motorcar was roll
ing impressively up the avenue.
Hedge had followed as far as the
front door and saw it all He
watched until the car disappeared
around a corner, then returned to
where Constance and Billy were
still standing
Does it take four persons to
send Alice to SCHOOL," he inquired
briskly.
sometimes six or seven" re-
marked Billy carelessly. ANY OBJ
jection?"
Hedge ignored the poorly dis
guised contempt of the inquiry with
which Billy tipped his aiswer.
Now ! desire to see you and
your sister in the library" he said,
and led the way.
Constance whispered TO her
brother. motioned him to follow
the efficiency man, and then hur-
ried upstairs to the telephone in
her boudoir.
Mr.. Hedge displayed surprising
amount Of patience when, after ten
minutes. Constance had not made
her appearance in the library. If
he felt any annoyance he concealed
it. He devoted the interval to the
work of examining a pile Of papers
on the comfortable. Billy Brooke
had settled back In a great leather
chair and was smoking a pipe.
There was glimmer of amuse-
ment in his eyes.
Presently Hedge looked across
at him.
Perhaps your sister has forgot
ten I wished to see her," he re-
marked.
"Oh, 7 guess not" yawned Billy.
She'll come when she gets rady.
And then you'll get yours"
Constance arrived soon and her
brother glanced up expectantly. He
was not heartened by the look that
he found in her eyes. They were
bright, but troubled. Her cheeks
: were far redder than they had
been fifteen minutes earlier. She
spread her hands In a helpless
! gesture and nodded her head slow
ly.
IT'S true, Billy" she half-whis-
pered.
mol"
Yes, Billy; true"
You're sure, Connie7 No way
out ?"
The unmistakable anxiety in
Billy's voice attracted the atten-
ton of Hedge. who studied the
brother and sister with plain inter
est. They seemed for the moment
to be oblivious of his presence,
NO way in sight?"
who did you phone TOT"
The Efficiency company. first.
said Constance. They confirmed
it. Then to fathers office. They
said he'd gone away and didn't
know where, or if they do know
they won't tell, which is Just as
bad"
Try the lawyers"
Constance nodded, They know
that man was to be sent here
she said YEARLY, "and say thai
father ordered it. And they sale
they would only communicate Will
- him in a matter of life or death
Those are his orders, too"
- Billy Brooke groaned.
: But Connie what the bla2eI
are We going to do?"
. At this point the efficiency maj
=, made entrance into the converse
o ton.
You'll do as your father wishes
of course" he said. TITS the, onl,
thing you can do. It's the onl,
seneible thing to do. These are hi
orders, that's all. Thank you. Mis-
Brooke, fer having satisfied your
self and your brother that I an
possessed of full authority. Now
we'll talk business.
Billy looked doubtfully to hi
sister. She met the situation b
sitting down and waiting for Hedg
TO begin.
And speaking Of business" oh
served Hedge, turning a stead
gaze upon Billy, what's yours"
Nine"
Certainly. When do you 60 t
work, and where?"
Il don't 60" drawled Billy.
rs it a fact that this grown ma
does not work." demanded Hedge
his question addressed to the CIR
g For the first time since his en-
trance into the house the efficienc
man showed symptoms of emotion
Constance was silent for an in
- slant. In nearly all things she wa
:, a staunch champion of her brother
In this she was not. She was nc
proud OF him as an idler.
NV brother does mt work " eh