New Britain herald., 1929-09-09
CHAP T E K T 7 A WOMAN'S INTRIGUE

Mrs. Seabroke's peculiar agitation and strange request were uppermost in my thoughts during dinner. My mother did not appear to observe my abstra ction and did not men, ton Newplace until she had seen me well through my food. Then
 That Professor LaXton--" she said. He seems a remarkable man. Is he coming back here tonight?"
 That was q startling possibility which had not occurred to me But l thought not. When the police had finished with him. Laxton would probably so to the nm where he had left his car, or he might even drive back to London,
 "Myes," said my mother, Che is 1 night-bird, isn't he?"
 So at least one person knew of our escapadc the night before,
 l got away at half past nine and walked out through the sand dunes to the little cliffs past the Sea brokes'. I had no reluctance to meet Veronica, whatever the oc- casion. But the more ] reflected lpon Mrs. Seabrokc's commission, he stranger it appeared.
 First. if Veronica had been visit ng in ITollam Bay the most natural thing for her to do would he to .akc the train to BlackWatcr. Rul- Lng out the train, a taxi 1,uling put both, to walk home by the road, which was three miles shorter Walking seven miles round the 2oast as q late evening excursion Aas, 10 say the least. eccentric.
 But l should not have boggIed >vcr it save for Mrs. Scabroke' s manner Of making the request And I should hava forgotten all about both if l had met Veronica it 10 o'clock stepping out in her ,ustomary business-likc style. The meeting with Veronica was very different.
 On the 25th of June, not far off he longest day of the year, 10 o'clock at night is broad daylight. At the very turn where l had stopped ia the morning l looked lhead and saw Veronica standing on the cliff, IS if she had never moved since. She must have seen me gain quite plainly, but again she made no movement. This time I walked on and up to her.
 Veronica held out her hand.
 Your mother told me-" said I, you'd be coming back this way She asked me to meet you and tell you a rather sad and startling bit Of neWS--"
 About poor Mir. Pell, I suppose " said Veronica, amazing ne. "Oh, it's all over the place"
 "E%en in Hollam Bay Alceaiy?"
 T darcsay - well, yes of course. In Hollam Bay, Has father got back yet?"
 Undoubtedly"
 Veronica looked across the es- trary.
 T told mother you were an un- derstandiNg person, Mir. Grcnofen'
 
 10 pass on the compliment bn- this eyerinG l feel that I deserve it less than ever. Believe me. Miss Seabroke, l understand nothing. In 24 hours since I saw you back there, half a dozen astounding things have happened and I comprehend not one of them"
 But" said Veronica, you under stand enough 10 realize when TWO women are in grievous trouble, don't you"'
 "I hope I should never fail A woman in trouble, Miss Scabrokc."
 Veronica looked me straight in the eyes.
 T don't think you ever would. But do you think l am capable Of asking you to do anything wrong -morally wrong, ] mean"
 No" I answered. q don't think you would ask me to do anything you considered morally wrong."
 Veronica looked along the path right and left, and back over the CHI NuSlb DtllllIu us.
 MT. Grcnofcn," she said, I've had a man concealed near by.'
 T am not surpriscd- l saw him this morning. He dodged down a moment too late
 You were not nearly SO under standing this morning as you arc now" said she.
 gaped for an instant, and ther it broke on me.
 "Youl mother-''
 "Di1n't say where you could fins me for nothing. But you didn't come cn. So I couldn't tell you. And since then-'
 Her Ereast heaved
 "Mr. Grenofen," she went on I'm going to ask you to take me wish you not 10 See him-simplS because l don't want you 10 be com. pelled 10 lie about him."
 It may even be that if Veroni,s z had said 10 me bluntly, Look here I'm concealing a murderer and V ant you 10 help me" I should lave answered "Righto!"
 Rut she did not put 1t that way ii l had sought crafty excuse fol rny conduct, l could have said tt myself. "Veronica never told mc anything about this man, and how was to knoW?"
 still it was useless 10 try to jus tIfy oneself. The condolences o this endless day were too powerful Accordingly l disregarded all ul terior consequences and satisfied myself with the gratitude of Yer onica's blue eyes.