Evening star., 1927-10-02

She paused and showed signs Of
brea king down.
Now the trouble. please" Peter
Bragg demanded briskly.
Eighteen months ago" she went
on. II met man in the park. where
| used to walk in the evening. My
life with Mrs Goldberg was very
unhappy. l never had a moments
pleasure. or any one to say kind
word. / let him speak to me. We
became very friendly. lie was always
sympathetic. and that counted for
much. He didn't want to marry me
| think he was married already, but
separated from his wife. l went on
seeing him, even after I knew. !
shouldn't have done it. but my life
was so dresry that couldn't break
off with hiA altogether. ! used to
write him letters-foolish letters. One
day. as | was reading the paper,
saw that he had been run over by
n taxi and killed"
A NGtS ventured a word of sym.
pathy, Peter Bragg remained
silent
I'VE were leaving for Scotland next
day" she went on, ''and. when we
came back. Mr.. Poynton, the gentle
man ! an engaged to. began to call.
suppose it was very heartless, but
| had almost forgotten about MIR. Sin
clair-that was the other gentleman g
name-when / received this letter"
She handed it across the table.
Peter Bragg took It.
1T is dated" he announced. from
IL Dinsmoor street, West kensinSton.
and it is signed" he added, turning
over the sheet, "by Philip Drayton
Una jor).'
Then he read aloud:
MY Dear Young Lady.
Il am writing YOU. with the utmost
reluctance. a letter that may distress
YOU and that treats OF a very dis
aSreaabln affair 4 servant of mine,
George Roberts, lies Ill in London
hospital He is pennleSs and has
family. He has letters written by
YOU. addressed to his late employer,
a Mr.. Sinclair. who was killed in
A taxi accident. The scoundrel should.
Of course. have returned them to you.
ana he assured me that he intended
TO do so. Now. however. he has met
with reverses and he insists upon
having a thousand pounds for them,
or inviting a MIR. Poynton. To whom
YOU are engaged. to purchase them
at that price. / did my best to make
Roberts see the enormity of his pro-
posed action, but he insists that his
first duty is to his wife and family.
[ have persuaded him TO intrust the
letters TO my. care and ] think you
had better see me and discuss the
matter.
Sincerely yours.
PHILIP DRAYTON."
Peter Bragg folded up the letter
and returned it.
The matter" he pronounced. "is
one of blackmail. Scotland Yard
would deal with it in moment. The
trouble is. as YOU have no doubt
realized. that you would become in
volved in the publicity that would
follow"
That is why | came to YOU" the
girl explained. Il don't want to
prosecute.
Have YOU any money to pay for
the letters?" Peter Bragg inquired.
Not one penny" was the reply
Il had 81 pounds saved, and | have
spent that for my trousseau.'
Are the letters very compromls-
ine?" Angus interposed.
She blushed slightly.
They would seem so to Mr.. Poyn-
tom" she admitted. "He is very strict
indeed. They were very fOOllSn. ANY
one reading them might easily mis-
understand"
Did YOU see this Major Drayton""
Peter Bragg asked.
The girl shook her head.
1T didn't seem to be any use.
couldn't raise a thousand pence
Peter Bragg touched a bell and
rose.
you will return here. Miss Bur
tom" he directed, Immediately
send for you. Until then. leave the
matter in our hands. Go on with the
preparations for your wedding and,
unless there is anything You ought
to confess-and I gather that there
is not--do not mention the matter
to Mr.. Poynton."
The butler was already upon the
threshold. With a word OF thanks
she left the room.
Well" Angus exclaimed. old
Phil Drayton, OF all men! Belongs
to one of nv clubs--or rather. one
used to belong to. Doddering old fell
low, he seems. but l should never
have thought that there was any
harm in him. Makes a bit buying