Evening star., 1927-10-07
fContinued from Yesterdays Starr
CHAPTER XVII.
The MeSsa ge i'm Code.

personator Of Horace Gra!
progressed and terminated
Janet had never a very cleal
remembrance, She knew only
that something within her, yet strong
-er than herself, warned her not to re
veal the shock of her discovery. but tc
control herself and act as she never
had played part before!
4 Checking her hysterical laughter IN
sudden fear lest it migt get beyond
her. she seated herself again in her
own chair and talked feverishly OF
her convent days. the desire to return
home which had led to her running
away and her disappointment at not
finding her father there to receive
her.
Naturally he went to trace you
nv child." the pseudo-attorney had
said adnionishingly. ut could not be
done openly, of course; there must
be no hint Of such an escapade. be-
cause of your social future, but when
he returns in a week or SO :"
: "Then he is not sailing from Havre
today?" Janet found herself asking
with stiffened lips.
"No, he missed the steamer and
expects to leave from Liverpool next
Saturday." The silvery white wig
nodded. you'll be very comfortable
here, no doubt. with Mrs Madison un-
til his arrival IL you humor her. She's
getting old-but so am ~
He had said something then about
catching the next train back, and.
after what seemed an age, Owen came
to announce that the car was walt
ing. There were banal farewells and
at last the unwelcome visitor was
gone and Janet turned with shaking
limbs to the stairs.
"Owen, il Mrs. Madison or Mr.. Fer.
rars asks for me please say that l
have retired" she managed to utter,
clfnging to the newell post.
"Very good, miss, but Mrs. Madison
has already sent word to me that
she will be glad to see you in her
room when you go upstairs"
Was she betraying her agitation too
plainly? The buffers glance seemed
to be an inquiring one and Janet drew
herself up, replying carelessly
"I will go to her In "a Few min
utes, them"
In her own room once more she
closed the door and leaned against 1t,
her whole form shaking. What could
this masquerade mean? Had TINS
spy hoped to deceive not only the
girl who had not seen the real Horace
Gray since early childhood, but also
the elderly lady who had had but
one personal interview with the at.
torney? What had his object been?
He had not made a single reference
to the strange adventure through
which she had passed. Why had he
been sent here?
Should she tell Mrs. Madison Of her
discovery? Janet decided at once not
to do so, for that would mean further
revelations which she had been
warned not to make to her, by both
Duncan Burt and Ferrars, while as
for Mr.. Padmore, he had warned her
to trust no one. Now he and Burt
were both gone and Ferrars she dis
liked too much to take into her con-
fidence.
Whatever the purpose Of the mans
visit, 1t appeared to have accom-
plished nothing that could harm her
fathers friends or their common in.
terest, and she would keep her own
counsel. awaiting events.
Going to Mrs. Madison's room, she
found the elderly lady sitting up in
bed as at her morning visit, looking
like a faded miniature in softest gray
and swansdown, but she seemed fe-
verish and her eyes were very bright.
"You have seen him." she asked.
ibid he have any message from your
father, Janet? L cannot understand
why we have heard nothing!"
Should she repeat what the man
had told her? 1t was lie, OF course,
to gain time for some purpose she
couldn't fathom, but Janet remem-
bered that she must not betray her
knowledge Of him. Accordingly, she
gave an account Of the interview,
leaving out only the reference to Mrs.
Madison herself. and she saw the lat
terIs dismay, even though she tried
to cloak it with consoling words.
s'It will be only a few days later
than we had hoped, Janet. and you will
have to be patient. can only ask
you again not to 60 far from the
house alone. Mr.. Gray must have
been glad to see that you were safe
at home"
'"I think he was" Janet replied,
with a mental reservation. HE
seemed quite cross and said that
Daddy was very much displeased with
me, He used to be so nice! Do you
know him well, Mrs. Madison?"
by correspondence and telephone"
Mrs. Madison smileo. II had only
one interview with him at his Office
and that was some two or three
years ago. I must say thought him
rather brusQue, but he has a splendid
professioal reputation and your father
swears by him, SO fancy that is just
ono OF his peculiarities. He never
comes to any house parties, when
yolir father invites me to play hostess
forS him, only when there are just
mahi guests without their families.
Did you fnd him very much
chAnged?"