The Cotton Factory Times. — 1905-06-16 (Manchester, Greater Manchester, England)

CHAPTER XXXII. THE GLARE IN THE SKY.  Martin West read and re-read Mrs. Langleys telegram, the wording of which was somewhat confused, although it was her urgent wish to see him. " It is Fate dragging me to Drayfield," he told himself. I cannot resist it," and he laid down his palette reluctantly, wondering at the reason for the message.  " However, it's plain that I'm wanted," he murmured, and in a short time he had packed a handbag, and was ready to start on his journey. There was a regretful look at the picture on the easel at which he had been working, and as he turned away Herrick came lounging into the studio. "I expected to find you hard at work," he said. "You're putting in plenty of holidays, Martin." "Holidays, indeed," retorted Martin. "It is clear you don't understand the meaning of the word." "Well, I ought," yawned Herrick. "For I've had enough of them. Of a sort. I've done nothing for months, it seems to me, and I'm sick of everything." "You'll find something to do in time." "If you had any idea of the difficulty in getting employment you wouldn't have a hope for the future any more than I have. Who was that man you spoke about, who wants someone to go to China?!'.  "The appointment had been filled up," replied Martin. "Read that," and he tossed the telegram over to Herrick.  "How long do you suppose you will be at Drayfield." asked the latter, as he read the message. "Not a moment longer than will be necessary," said Martin. "I've done all I can down there, and vowed never to go near the place again. Then Mrs. Langley wires to me." "I wanted to have a talk with you," went on Herrick. "I've got an offer to go to the Cape." "Is it a good offer?"  "Three hundred a year. I'm to say yea' or `no' by twelve on Thursday. To-day is Tuesday. What shall I do?"  "Go," and Martin repeated the word as if to impress it upon Herrick's mind. He had lost all hope of clearing away the mystery of Squire Wyvern's murder, and it would be best for Herrick to get away from England. The decision was come to suddenly, but Martin felt that it was the right one.  "Very good." replied Herrick. "I'll say yes, then. I'm to have my passage paid out, and now there's nothing to hinder me from going. You'll be back to-morrow, of course, and we'll have another chat over the subject, but it's settled once and for all that I go. Martin." "Yes. I shall be back to-morrow," was the reply, and with a hearty hand-shake the friends parted, Herrick making his way to the office to announce his acceptance of the offer to go to the Cape, and Martin to Drayfield.  He found Mrs. Langley anxiously awaiting him, and in a few words she had explained the cause for her message.  "I have heard nothing of Margery since she left here," said Mrs. Langley, tearfully. "She told me the name of the place to which she was going. 'Prior's Hall.' I remember that quite well." " Tho very place for which I have been searching," exclaimed Martin. "I will go there at once." "But I haven't the slightest idea where it is," said Mrs. Langley. "Margery only mentioned the name."  "We must find out where it was that Miss Summers took her ticket for. That will be some guide, at any rate. I will go to the station at once," and accordingly Martin returned thither, beset by a thousand fears.  Disappointment met him at the station, for the clerk from whom Margery had taken her ticket was absent, and would not return until the next day. No one else could give him a clue to her destination, and nothing could be done until the clerk •carne back. Thus some precious time was lost, but the following day he had discovered that Margery had taken a ticket for Wolverhampton. There was a late train thither, and as eleven o'clock chimed from St. Peter's belfrey Martin West stepped out of the station at Wolverhampton. Prior's Hall had been found at last, and in a few moments he was being driven there, the promise of a sovereign having removed the cabman's objection to the long journey. Glancing from the cab, out on the black country, a red glare in the sky far away attracted his attention, and although this was an ordinary sight in these parts, he watched it with a curious interest as the cab drove onward.