The Weekly Journal. — 1903-12-04 (Hartlepool, Cleveland, England)

DRIVE.  About two weeks after Whyte'. disappearance Mr Frettlby gave a dinner party in honour of his daughter's birthday. It was a delightful evening, and the wide French windows which led to the verandah were open, letting in a gentle breeze from the ocean. Outside there ga. a kind of screen of tropical plants, and :brough the tangle of the boughs the guests, ~.ated at the table, could just see the waters the bay glittering in the pale moonlight. wae mated opposite to Madge, and every uow aeil then he caught a glimpse of her bright 14.1,ind the fruit and sowers which  in the e-..-•SiTe of the table. Mark Frettlby iht t lII' head of the table, and appeared in ry good spirits. His stern features were inewhat relaxed, and he drank more wine ..4n usual.  Hie soup bad just been removed when somewho was late entered with apologies and ..ic los seat. Someone in this ease was Mr  eh, leolieSiOn;one of the t;s7 known Ton;ir !,,,a in Melbourne. He had au income of his "wn, scribbled a little for the papers, was to be ..‘n at every house of any pretensions in ielbourne. and was always bright, happy, and !oil of news. For details of any scandal you ....ere safe in applying to Felix Rolleston. He new all that was going on, both at home and ebroad. And his knowledge, if not very aceurate, was at least extensive, while his conversation was piquant, and at times witty. Calton, one of the leading lawyers of the city, remarked that " HoHeston put him in mind of what lkaconsfield said of one of the personages in Lothair, 'He wasn't an intellectual Cronus, hut his pockets were always full of sispenoes.'" 11- it said in his favour that Felix was free with his sixpences. The conversation, which had shown signs of languishing before his arrival, now brightened up  :"° awfully sorry, don't you know," said Fells, as he slipped into a seat by Madge; "but a fellow like me has got to be careful of his time—so many calls on it." " So many calls in it, you mean," retorted Madge, with • disbelieving smile. "Confess yon bare been paying a round of visits." " ell, yes," assented Mr Rolleston ; "that', the disadvantage of having a large circle of acquaintances. They give you weak tea and thin bread and butter, whereas— " " You would rather have something else," finished Brian.  There WAS a laugh at this, but Mr Rolleston disdained to notice the interruption. "The only advantage of five o'clock tea," he uent on, "is that it brings people together, and one hears what's going on." "Ah, yes, Rolleston,". said Mr Frettlhy, who wdll 100-icing at him with an amused smile. What news have you "Good news, bad news, and such news as ywi have never heard of," quoted Rollestou !.! r 4 rely. - Yes, I have a bit of news—haven't heard it 'r " _  Rolleston felt he held sensation in his bands. There was nothing he liked better. Well, do you know," be said, gravely fixlig, in his eye-glass, " they have found out the ~.ime of the fellow who was murdered in the J a SOM cab."  " Never!" cried everyone, eagerly. "Yes," went on Rolleston, " and, what's n.ore• you all know him." " Its Led tone. . _  " Hang ft! How did you know?" said RolIr.ton, rather anno7ed at beinig forestalled. " Why, I just heard it at the St. Kilda station." " Ola, easily enough," said Brian, rather confused. " I used to meet Waist* essitaatli,