The Haslingden Gazette. — 1907-12-14 (Haslingden, Lancashire, England)

CHAPTER XIX.  MIRIAM CoNFlXOtiri RoDRIGURE.  -- Leon Rodriguez was not a man easily baulked in • purpose ho had set himself to accomplish and that was the conquest of Aide Morant. There was certain •igour , and energy in his character which could neve/ reeognise defeat. His sentiments towards Miriam were deadened by constant association, and he realised that she would throw him over without scruple when she no leper had need of his services. He had vigorously pressed his claim to her hand in marriage, but she evaded any decided reply, while she insisted on the completion of the conditions which she had ireposed upon him in the beginning of their compact. Nothing succeeds like success, he reflected. Luck -had befriended him iu the restoration of the diamond necklace. " Lawson is alive, and apparently flourish' ing, therefore two of the four restrictions are removed. That Michael should be in the company of Simeon, the famous French detective, a deadly enemy of mine, is the work of unkind Fate.  "In that association," his thoughts ran, "I scent danger to myself. When Simeon's eye caught mine, I became an abject coward and fled like a cur. Bah ! His very presence is a haunting nightmare. Of Death I have no fear. . it is the knowledge that he will always be a shadow walking sehind me." He turned his head nervously over his shoulder. "His house is closed, but should he suddenly return to Marlow, what is to become of me? Miriam would round on me straight. I would rather face a wild animal than encounter her rage, when she heard from Simeon that—the worst deed of my life." All the same Leon Rodriguez was not • man to lose his head completely, and he resolved to keep himself incognito till such time as he could leave England In safety. "Last night's catastrophe caps my exploits," his thoughts went on, "and means the gallows or suicide. Every act of mine lately has seemed to be in some way linked with the same people. The car takes fire a few doors from where I have a room. To dodge being served with a summons, for heaven only knows what would leak out in a police-court, I rush blindly into the wrong house. Fortunately I reached my own place unobserved. Lucky thought of mine when I fancied another car was in pursuit to destroy ' the plate, it saved the chance of the Panhard being traced to Miriam. Taken together, my lot has not of late happily east. I must reshuffle the cards, and deal myself an ace or two. Of knaves, God knows I've had plenty." The French windows were thrown open and Miriam beckoned to him. Blasé man of the world as he was, he felt he had never seen a more imperious, or more beautiful specimen ;of womanhood than she was stood awaiting ilia coming. Her step was elastic, and she gr4ateei. him graciously, holding forth her hands for the case, which he gave her. Of the greedy look which stole into her eyes, he mentally took note. Why should she vv.-sar that look of triumph? asked himself. Not for the value of the gems, he was positive. There must be some '1 history attached to the necklace, which he must set himself to discover, so that he might hold her in check should she become restive and attempt to defraud him of his share of ; the luxury in which she lived. Closing the window, he pulled a silken curtain across the lower sash, so as to prevent their interview being observed by the gardener, should he pass the front of the house. He turned and saw a morning paper crumpled, half hidden behind her gown. "Have you seen this paragraph?" she asked, pointing to a line in large type. Averting his head he answered : "so. I have not seen the paper to-day." " Afraid?" she said cynically. " Afraid?" said he, shrugging his shoufdere. "Why throw such a jibe at me?" "The body of a man, stabbed to death, was found on the pavement outside Trafford House. You have been intensely inquisitive to get from me the name of the Hermit who chooses to dwell in retirement there. Where were you last night?" ' " I retired to bed early," he said, pettishly. She -mailed disdainfully and rend: "The point of a dagger or blender knife was imbedded in the mail's chest." yi.l fingers sought his pocket.  " You 'need not tronbl:: to search tour coat, the weapon is not there, but here." producing a horn-liandlcd walking-stick from wsich, upon pre,sing a spring, a sharp and narrow blade protruded. Rodrigues started back, his eyes dilating at the production of this incriminating piece of cr'dencc.  point is gone." said she. Ile snatched at the knife, but she put it behind her. "Nay, I intend to retain it amongst my curios:ties. A souvenir to be brought forth occasionally to remind a certain perion when he becomes reraeory. The deed described in this paper is yours, Leon Itadriguez. Why hove you committed it?" she demeuded. She was prodding him none too mildly, and he grew restless and surly. "The blow was in:t. premeditated, the man as,ailed Inc. I was, I own, taken aback 4:ul I stabbed him. Had you treated me fair.: this would not have happened," he reproachfully. . .  n'o,:out; not to trnst you. ' IL aced. " Not trust me?"  "No, to, nor ony ma." He wa, too one(' to roply,  'Did you enjey yanr evening‘birell ronr..l the wall.; of 1.70:lo-d uet he rskrzl. eneering at hii te--;;I:11 Snlke-like, bc turr.rd upon Ler, crying vehelnrWly. " I u.e; loaN Cie door in the gate wrva the rian and would not Icrre go; Fe Im'Al lae peuany of Ilk r:vhnee...." Aliriant, fr.II the keiic, which 1.“.11 glared furl:oh:lf " Yon had ',cr.' in '..110 .hr ;crkcd  out. Ho mid:A l')".• he 1),...1 regained 'How ell 1:•,1"1.7 ,;, b " she demardM. By ine))ni )): !Icy," he "'tide! ' )-ho No. I only Ir-n,.1 wile." ho answered, "'17.1.7 key is ia your cabinet, :A tl:s For wh,,t purpose did you enter my house at nigiitr" "To satlsfy a easpicion that I have long entertained." " Did you meet with succe3s?" Her hands were clenched tightly, passion distorting her handsome face. "The expedition was a complete failure," he admitted. She was relieved, and he, not wishing to increase her displeasure, omitted to relate the incident of his scare in the corridor. "Your necklace is restored, and I have news of Lawson," here he hesitated. "Is ho dead?" she whispered eagerly. To be continued.)