Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1908-05-16 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

CHAPTER IX. (Continued.) "Well, better late than never," went on Mr Marchmont. "You're always welcome, you know, and I shall be glad of your company, for I'm a bit  war • "Shouldn't have thought you knew what the word meant." " You're like the rest of the world, my lad," anewered Mr Marchmont, that suppose a well-todo max never ought to be worried. I've had a lot of disappointments lately, and I haven't got over that affair that happened at Hilton's place. It was a shock I glian't recover from for a, long time." lark's lave grew serious, for the murder of Lord De Vaynes was a matter that he never cared to talk about. "It'll be found out one day, never you doubt," added Mi M.archmont, "I supposle it's no secret now what would have happened if he'd lived."  Mark had Se a ted him.self in a chair opposite to Joan. who was shaking her head at him warningly. "He'd mane Joan an offer, "blurted out her father, " I've always looked high for her, and "I think 11l leave you and Mr Danvers together," interrupted Joan, "this is a very painful subject, and you needn't have referred to it.  Her father watched her quit the room without making any reply until the door closed. "Very sensitive girl, that," he told Mark with emphasis, " and to think she might have been Lady De Vaynes if that affair hadn't happened is a disappointment she'll never forget." Mark did not answer, but his thoughts went back to tic little 'snuggery in the corner of his studio, and he annled in his grim way as he thought what her father might say if he liiid seen Joan iilliciating at the tea table there that afternoon. Then Mr Marchmont came to a sudden halt in his walk backwards and forward, confronting Mark. " You know Jacobs," he said. "You've met him here on or twice. I've had my suspicions of him lately, and I found out yesterday that I am quite. correct in thinking him a rogue—l've trusted him too far, and he's taken advantage of me." "It's this that you have been worried about, I ffelzsPeee?" Who wouldn't have been worried %" demanded Mr Marchmont testily. "I don't mind telling you Mark, that I stand to lose twenty thousand by what Jacobs has done, and the annoying thing is that I can't charge him with anything criminal. He's got hold of some papers relative to an important transaction that I'm concerned in, and unless I can prevent him from cutting the ground from under my feet he'll ruin my credit. It's a oomplicated affair that I needn't go into explana- • tions tbaut, but the upshot of it will be very dilm°ffieff to my reputation, if I don't get those paters off Jacob's hands. I naiad losing the money so much—twenty thousand won't break me —but credit's like glass—you can't mend it without leaving a nastiy mark—you understand me?" " Where is Mr acobs!;•" "Heaven knows!" replied Mr Marehment, "I've not seen him for several days—said he was going away for a hit of a rest, as if anyone in their wraes would talk of taking a rest when there's money to be made. I haven't had one tor Y ears. shouldn't be where I am to,,- if I'd taken a rest everj time I felt a bit overworked." What do you suppose Jacobs is keeping away for '7.'" then Ilebal'ornaute tryiniogato, he's got the best of his chance with Marthmout. vner tokl,ll-014 of," continued Mr trs.. I'd give a Y he's out of the counwhere he is, aed b. n sum if I could find out a iggffer one if I could get hold of the PePers he's " I ail* I cod gonehelo with." 9houldret t p y 04." replied Mark, "I Jacobs hut Imight your money for lavi,r!.g hands an , "laid you couldn't ask for a rower& ask for anything that I would Ist vivo mr. • you, my boy," reaponded the other. "I've  By