Evening star., 1935-10-06
Magazine Section

was careful to say nothing about
Lucille's father, but | admitted that
she had taken me fully into her con-
fidence.
And what's in the wind?" he asked,
giving me shrewd glance. "I'd like
to know what that man Barnett's
game is"
Its a pretty foul one. MIR. Rox-
burgh," said I'm not surprised that
Miss Paradene didn't care to tell me
until last night. If you don't mind. we
won't discuss it."
"Oh. have it your own way" he re-
Piled casually. and began to adjust the
handkerchief he had bound on his
hand. Damn the thing i came
down on a stone and got a nasty cut.
By the way, I'm sorry sent you
home by the low ground the other
night. tried it this morning myself,
and had to turn back. That's where
fell and cut my hand. All. is this Miss
Paradene?
Lucille had just entered the room,
and l introduced them.
MIR. Irvine has just been telling me
about last night, said Mr. Roxburgh.
told Mr.. Roxburgh had favor
to ask him. do you mind waiting
here at Falcon Castle? If I'm going to
Blairavon for the police, l don't want
Miss Paradene left here with only old
Dunstan as bodyguard.
"I'll stay gladly" Mr.. Roxburgh
assured me- and this put my mind at
rest about her safety.
We had an early lunch. and took
the opportunity of having a few
words alone with Lucille, promising
her that would tell the police no
more than was absolutely necessary.
Then l put MIR. Roxburgh on his
mettle.
I'm leaving Miss Paradene in your
care" said seriously. "Dunstan
tells me there's rifle and some ammu-
milton in cupboard upstairs, and I've
ordered him to bring it down for you
Don't hesitate to use it if Roger
Barnett shows his teeth"
Dunstan came with me as far as
the side gate. which led to the path
for the Inn. The last vestige of color
had gone from his face. and he looked
utterly worn out.
Its the young lady. sir" he said
when asked what was worrying him.
Il hope she'll be all right with only
Mr.. Roxburgh in the house. :"
His words fingered uncomfortably
in my mind during my journey to
Blairavon. l told myself ought to
have remained with Lucille, and asked
MIR. Roxburgh to go for the police;
but the difficulty was that | wanted
to have talk with someone in author
ity. so that Sir John Paradene's name
could be kept out of the affair as far
as possible.
1t was halt-past three when drove
up to the police station at Blairavon.
The sergeant on duty was a big,
ruddy-faced man with a broad Scots
accent. He told me he expected the
Superintendent later in the afternoon,
so gave only the bare facts about the
death OF MIR. Paul. Assured that the
police would reach Falcon Castle some
time that evening, turned the car
and drove back those fifteen miles to
the Inn as fast as the old car could
take me.
would have waited to see the
Superintendent myself, but my anx-
iety for Lucille's safety was increasing.
Curiously enough, it was not only the
danger from Roger Barnett that per-.
turbed me. What sent me cold with
misgiving was my fear of the un-
known. There were elements in the
affair that still puzzled me, and I did
not know what action might yet be
taken against Lucille. At the Inn,
swallowed stiff whisky and set out
with all speed up the hilltrack that