The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-04-14

uTSC, tldt dkAy 0dy INV VA ga -
going to turn into desperate man;
and, secondly, that If you come into
collision, you must not expect him
to keep to the Queensberry rules.
Oh, and one thing more. All that
has passed so far is between you
and me. Elizabeth is to believe that
I have come into this business be-
cause desire to honor my ances-
tress' bond"
''May tell Herrick, madam"
OLD Harry wrinkled her nose.
Then
"Yes," she said. ''IIe should
be informed. If he resembled his
uncle, he wouldn't be 'one of the
best"
s'Lord Naseby dislikes him." !
said.
"Ca va sans dire. To find favor
in Naseby's eyes, you must be sane
timonious and servile and reap
where you have not sown. He de-
mands, but never supplies, and he
still has family prayers. But ! I'M
derstand he's failing"
''Herrick gives him another three
years."
The Duchess picked up tablet
and made note.
"I'll have that checked" she said,
and laughed at the look on my face.
"My agents are paid to find out
what want to know. Some people,
when they retire, devote themselves
to the study of bygone days: each
to his taste, of course, but I've al
ways preferred live ass to a de-
composed lion. For me, the crea-
ton took place some sixty years
back, and while ! respect the ages
that went before, the present is the
dunghill on which I shall always
scratch.
Sand now to business.
elizabeth must stay here-no
doubt about that. You will return
to Raven, to fetch her things. Moth
ing of hers must be left there, and
everyone living at Raven must for
get her visit as though it had never
been. Very well. Tonight I shall
write to Brief" She picked up a
penciled sheet. "And this is what I
shall say:
IT have the pleasure to inform you
that the Lady Elizabeth Virgil Is now at
Tracery, happily none the worse. ! am
10th to part with her-I wish had
known her beforehand since her place
d. - Dxfa Ctn hoo aA m n
restore her to you myself. This will en-
tail visit: but the occasion warrants a
breach Of the rule I have made, and you
may expect us on Tuesday at five o'clock.
81 had invited to stay at Tracery
Mr.. John Herrick, whose uncle ! used to
know. He is staying at Raven, by Dever,
not far from you Since / cannot now
receive him, I shall be obliged If he and
his friend. Mr.. Exon, may be invited to
Brief for the length Of my stay.
CHOW I think that will do very
well.
"You see, Brief can't refuse to do
as I ask: and so we shall all be
together within the enemy's camp.
Brief will be i'll at ease, because
he will have to pretend to be the
brother knew. And Virgil won't
be at his best, not only for reasons
we know, but because to entertain
Herrick will undoubtedly shorten his
life.
''I've set the stage, Richard Exon:
and on Tuesday at five o'clock, the
curtain will rise. But I can't give
out any parts, because I have none
to give. The performance will be
improvised, but it shouldn't be dull.
And now you be off, young man." l
got to my feet. "See your darling
first and send her to me. How long
will it take you to get to Raven and
back?"
I. Madam" I said. 81 can do it in
less than five hours"
The Duchess glanced at clock,
which said it was a quarter past
two. 49,.
"Then do it in SIX" she said, "and
dine here at half past eight. Bring
Mr.. Herrick with you" sl3
RIO BE CONTINUED