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"V" _n (ALL RIGHTS RKERVBD]. I For Love and Honour aS By HAROLD BINDLOSS, Author of "A Wide Dominion," His Adversary's Daughter," ".The Kingdom of Courage," The Mistress of Bonaventure," &c. SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS: Barry Elliot returns to England after an ab- sence of eight years. He had gone abroad to save a friend from the consequences of a poach- ing adventure. Tom Grayson had sti-ticiz. down & neighbour of his employer, and in order that Grayson, who was about to be married, [JIj:ht not lose his situation Harry disappeared. On the night of the affray Harry had been seen by Alison Elliot, the niece of Arnold Elliot, a ship- owner. While abroad, Harry sets himself to clear the name of his father, a ship's captain, who had gone down with his steamer on the Pacific coast. It is believed that the skipper vtjts not sober when he lost his ship, but Harry's in- vestigations lead him to conclude that his father was sacrificed by Arnold Elliot, and that the ship was lost for the insurance money. He meets Tom Grayson, to whom he conifdes his dis- coveries, and states that if he finds Salter. the engineer of the steamer, he will be able to learn the truth. 4 — Harry's eyes. 1 don't like it, when you can scrape it off." That," Vane commented, "strikes me au » rather apt answer." I suppose it's epigrammatic, because it isn't very clear." Alison remarked. Harry laughed. I seem to be doing my share of the talking, and I don't know that mv views are of any great importance, but e're not bashful in the West. Polish is an accidental. It's perhaps desirable, but I'm not sure it's worth very much in itself." Rank heresy, Alison Vane exclaimed. The girl made no answer, and Harry went on, challenging her with his eyes. The smooth surface is nice to look at: but I don't know that it's necessary to hide the hard, clean-grained wood, and, in the opposite, case, it only covers the knots and rottenness be- neath. Don't you think it's better that they tshould be seen and recognised?" Christopher laughed, and they changed the (subject; but when they strolled out on the Uwrace after dinner was over they found -,X?,ud Elliot sitting in her wheeled chair near the door, "I was a little eprly. but it's a beautiful evening, and I'd boon in All the afternoon," shy said, and turned to Harry, You know, sit at table."  Put h?w ? Vu.i get here?"" A gardener wheeled me across. "That's not right," said Harry. Send .Mm back. No hired person should wheel you, unless he does so for the love of it.  Maud smiled at him. The id&'8 rather proiL, But hcvr shall I get home? I Ta going to take you. After all, I'm one -)i the family. You ought to have a volunteer bodyguard, bound to do your slightest w ish." It would be nice, but I'm afraid it couldn't be managed," said Maud. You see, there are not many idle men in the dale, and they naturally prefer to fish or shoot instead .-)f waiting on me. You couldn't blanks them. Mv place is in the quiet background." Harry made her a little inclination. I think, he aid, they also serve who only si* and smile--wiietlier they fetel like it or nt)t--v.-h,on their friends are happy. Now and then it can't be easy." Maud's gentle eyes grew grave. "That Isust," she answered, "is very true." Vano and Christopher joined in. but by- «nd-bye they strolled away with Harry, and Maud turned to Alison. vnnt. do you think of your new rela- tive?" she inoni"t1. To begin v.ii't, he's a distant one. My father and his father were cousins. To go on, I think he talks two much; he's aggressive, and to i&.ke a delight in hitting at what he evidently considers to be our prejudices. I ^uppo.se men who get on out yonder be- <>rne rampantly colonial." Ilaa he got on? To tell the truth, I know. He seems to prefer to talk abuul iheidays when he was poor. In any cr.sc, it doesn't matter." kind; that goes a long way," said Maud, reflectively. It struck me that he lias the instincts of a courtier. I thought he was theatrical—too fond of making dramatic speeches." Maud laughed. Well," she said, "I be- lieve he miuns them, but he seems to have jarred on you. Did lie take the wrong fork at dinner?" No," replied Alison with slight annoy- ance. All a matter of fact, he seemed to un- derstand these things' perfectly. Still, if we are to see much of him, I wish he was more like the rest of us in other ways." Ah said Maud, quietly, perhaps it is because my hold on this world is a lighter one than yours, but I sometimes fancy we attach too much importance to the little tricks of speech and manner." Alison was puzzled by something in her twmpanion's voice. It had struck her before that, while Maud never uttered even a light v.ord in his disparagement, she was never en- thusiastic about her father's virtues, and he undoubtedly possessed a cultured manner. By-arid-bye the men sauntered back towards th-2IT1, and wlicn Christopher wheeled Maud »way to show her some new flowers and Vane followed them. Alisoii. somewhat to her au- was left alune with Harry. He, sat ii dose bv, a"d looked at her with » smile. Did you Keogn'.se when I met you 00 Arnold's lawn the other day? he inquired. Yes," &aid Alison, with her least effumve air. I didn't expect you to know me. You only saw me for a few minutes eight years ago, and I must lave changed since then." That's true," Harry agreed. "But I recollect the young girl who came down to the etepping-stortes very well. She wore her hair loose and long, and was at first inclined to be dignified and a little imperious. I think she was suspicions of me—which was very natural. She had a frock of the prettiest corn-straw colour and very little bronze shoes. Alison laughed. "Y ou seem to have an ex- cellent memory." "I have, for some things. Perhaps it was Ijecause you were the last English girl who epoke to mo before I—bolted—for Canada. But I recollect another point. Before I went away your suspicions had vanished. You had some confidence in me." He paused and looked at her with smiling eyes. I'm afraid you haven't that confidence now." "Aren't you taking thinga for granted?" Alison suggested. "1 beheve I'm right," said Ilarrv. I daresay it's perfectly natural, but vou;re pre- judiced .against me." Aliaon, who could not deny it, made llI8 answer; but be did not seem disturbed by her silence. "Well," he added, "you don't hide your feelings, and you're honest. If you'll only keep on being so, we'll end by becoinini friends. Alison was as astonished as she was indig- nant, and she determined to rebuke him. "I think you have changed more than I have done," she declared. "I mean that an En lq- lishman would not have expressed himself in that fashion." No," said Harry. "What you really mean is that one of your own particular friends would not have done so, which is quite possible. The curious thing is that some folks out yonder objected to my English ways, and here you consider me a Westerner. After all, I'm as English as you are." He paused and looked round at the tarn which lay gleaming in the valley and the ranks of solemn fells that towered with clean- cut summits against the evening sky. I'm glad I am," he went on. "I think this coun- try is the most beautiful in the whole wid I world—though I'm not sure that it's the best for an active man to live in." He rose. It's getting damp and chilly, and your father's coming along. With your permission, I think I'll take my cousin home." "She really isn't your cousin," Alison cor- rected him. Then I'd like, to think she's my friend," said Harry. "I don't despair of gaining your good-will, too." He left her, half-vexed and half-amused, and by-and-bye she stood at the gate watch- ing him while he carefully wheeled Maud's chair down the dim white road that wouna j through the valley. I CHAPTER V. It was six o'clock in the evening. and Gray- son was busy in Arno'd Elliot's London office when alaid an envelope on his desk. District messenger's waiting an answer, uir, he said. Grayson opened the note, which was em- bossed witn the name of a big hotel, and read: Can you come across and have din- ner? If go. tell the messenger." The initials H. E." followed, and Gray- son reflected. M'nnie was going out for the evening, and thougu there was a matter which still required his attention he would enjoy a talk with his old friend, and it was not often a dinner of the kind Harry would supply him with came in his way. The answer is tnat I'll he across in an hour," he said. By-and-bye he proeoeded to the hotel, and when they had dined Harry took him into the smoking-lounge, wiiere Grayson made himself comfortable in an ea>y-ehair. I've just come up," said Harry. I've been in several of the outports worrying Mer- cantile Marine associations and the Board of Trade shipping people." "What for?" "Looking for Salver," Harry answered, briefly. I can't help you there." said Grayson. The 011.11 left our service after the Calabria went down—I've sometimes wondered why, since nobody seemed to blame him. He ex- plained the caliio of the trouble with his en- gines satisfactorily." "What was his record?" "Excellent, on the surface — a first-class engineer; but I've cause for knowing that his subordinates didn't, like him. His last second called him a sullen, overbearing bully, and hinted that he was venial." V e lli.1 There Rie ways of making a little at your ounera' expen-j abroad, and I daresay his second was right oil the other point, because he nearly got into trouble once for ill-using his gvt'tvsera or firemen. But do you expect to get anything out of the man?" Yes," said Harry. "When he hears whfft I to I'm inclined t6 In ink he'll iaik." Then he changed the subjccfc. You ,11 have your employer with you shorter." He came up this tfterjioon. Gz re- plied. I believe Miss Elliot not his cfsr.ghier—wag with him. I suppose you )J.Y6 lI!t her î Harry looked displeased. .I heard 4ij,ip wasn't coming until next week. Is he often at the office?" 1 Off awl on. Watson practically runs the business now, and of course there are tbt} I dir:ot«r\" "I Vuppose none of the staff are there atter ix or seven o'clock in the evening? It's unusual, unless we're busy. I'm late now and then. however, and I have one set of keys." "Then you can take me across to-night." Grayson hesitated, but he made a sign of acquiescence. I'd sooner not, but you have my promise—and I'm heavily in your dbt." Harry smiled. You have no reason to be- lieve that there is anything to be found out which your employer would sooner conceal? N o. said Grayson. "There's not a com- promising paper in the office. It's a perfectly sti-fdghtiorw?rdbu?ine-?s." "Exactly: All I ask is an opportunity of reading through the documents relafing to the Ic.?n of the Calabria. I don't want to make copies—only to see them. You'll have them all together? Toere's a tin box full of them," said Gravson, tirilv. Harry rose. Then we'll go at once. 1 11 give Minnie and you a pleasanter evening as soon as we can arrange it." They left the hotel, and when they reached Lie street Grayson looked at his companion. You wouldn't find me so amenable if Minnie on your side," he remarked. "She believes in YOU, and somehow she has always been antagonistic to Elliot. Perhaps it was because lia advanced Watson over my head. For that, T-iatter !a))d he smiled rather bit- terly— felt it, too." Hvrrv hailed a motor-cab, which dropped them at the entrance to a narrow street, over which huge buildings ran up into the sky. The light was fading, but no lamps were burn- ing vet, and the street was almost deserted. As thev walked along it the roar of the traffic diminished, and when they turned into a little cou-t Mink like a pit between the towering vails, only a dull, reverberating rumble roaehed them. The place, which was strewn with dust and torn papers, smelt fusty, and thadingv buildings, with their brass door- plates, were silent and forbidding. Harry round with a s.-nile. ..It'I!Üt a cheerful spot to spend half one's life in," he remarked. Personally. I'd vso the in the big. sweet-smelling woods of the Pacific Slope. But we had belter get to work." The lift, had stopped, and they went up several flights of dur-ty stairs before Grayson owiir-.l » door. Then they entered a large, shadowy room crossed by row* of desks, and after switching on -t single light Grayson ooeiK'd :>J desk and took out a bundle of • -••». After this, ho unlocked an iron door, and tiii box flung back ilip Jill. • everything relating to sh e Calabria ts here, and IT vou get through the lot in an hour you'll he smart," he "aid. "There'^ s no roa'xv.i why I should be idle in the meanwhile. J Sirj ike, if you like." Harry filled his jvipe, and sitting down be- side the box read the enclosed papers one by out. The empty office was very quiet, except for faint echoes of the distant traffic, and onlv w fie re they sat was there a pale circle of light. Outside it shadows that grew steadily darker closed in. Harry, however, did not not'.e' this. He was absorbed in his task, and Gravson. who at length glanced at him impatiently, saw him sitting very still with knitted brows and a palwr clenched in his hand. He looked grim and determined. By-and-bye Grayson heard the purring of a motor in the street below, and crossed the room to a window. Opening it he saw a big car with blazing lamps at the office steps. A man got out. and Grayson, who started as lie recognised his employer, ran back towarda Ilarrv. Mr. Elliot will be here in a nrnute or two." he said. Ali Mid Harry; I'm inclined to think it would be better if lie didn't see me. Switch on a few more lights." Grayson dkl so, and his companion glanced quickly round the room. The rows of desks offered no concealment, because there was clear space between them- and the floor, and Harry indicated a couple of cupboards. "Could I get into one of those?" he asked. No," replied Grayson. "They're fitted with shelves for stationery." I remember," said Horry, coolly. There's the private office and chief clerk's room on the floor below but Elliot would be on the stairs before I could get down and open the door. I won't try the safe, because he might want something inside it." "Be quick!" cried Grayson, in despera- tion. He's coming up the second flight now. Get beneath the counter." The sound of footsteps that rang loHowJ. through the deserted building reached them; but Harry shook his head. No," he said, it isn't. wide enough to hide me. I suppose that window opens? The one he pointed to proved hard to move, but they managed to thrust it up, and when the footsteps grew ominously near Harry looked down into the dark pit of the office- keeper's yard. It was three or four storey? below him; but an iron pipe ran down near the window, and he made out a small strip of lead which covered a cistern some six or eight feet beneath, and a little to one side- of the pipe. He seized the latter ar.d shook it vigorously. Seems firm," lie remarked. Any way, I'll have to trust it. Shut the window gently as soon as I've gone." Grayson hesitated. Harry's anxiety to avoid Elliot suggested that his discovery might lead to trouble with the latter, and Gravson was bv no means sure that lii« (m. pr.un'ti una mm rr-j situation ne nan promised. On the other hand, Harry was his friend, and what he meant to do looked hor- ribly dangerous. He grasped Harry's shoulder. No," lie said. You shan't try it. It isn't safe." Harry shook oil his hand and smiled at him. "It mightn't be if I'd spent the last eight years here. I think it's safe to me." He got out upon the ledge, seized the pipe with sinewy hands, cad boiclv swung himself off. Grayson could see hi3 black figure sway athwart the shadowy gulf, and then tiie pine rattled, and there was a thud upon the leads. It was with intense relief he heard Harry cidl to him. "Shut the window," said litter. I've landed safely." Grayson did as ivr.s hi after- v r.. (. after- wards stood still a Kto:nt:.t-: or two ith his hand upon the inn or led;?, for the stn-in had told on him. He had just i.ached his desk when his employer walked ;11. I didn't cxpeet to find anybody here," said Elliot. You're working late." "Yes. sir," replied Grayson, taking up from the papers in front of him. Can I get you anything? Elliot leant against the desk. He was at tired faultlessly :n evening dress, with a th: coat over it, and his expression was genial. Yes," he said I wanj a cheque-book— I've used my last form-und yoa might give me a few pounds in loose gold. Isha.IIbe motoring down into Kent before the banks open to-morrow." Grayson was devoutly thankful that Harry had not sought refuge in the safe when his employer walked with him to the door of it. "Thanks." s:t; d the latter presently. Give me a bit of paper, and I'll initial it to keep things straight." When he had done so he glanced up at his clerk. You're not look- ing well, Grayson." I don't think there's much the matter with me, sir," replied the ratter, who was conscious that he had not quite recovered his composure. Elliot glanced at the end of the cigar upon the desk and the pipe which Harry had incau- tiously laid down near it in his haste. There's no reason why you shouldn't smoke after business hours, but aren't you overdoing it? he asked, with a smile, and added, "That's a nice pipe." Grayson grew horribly uneasy, because the pipe bore Harry's initial, cut in the band. lie was relieved when he saw that they had escaped his employer's attention, though he wondered with keen anxiety how long the latter meant to stay. Then Elliot took a strip of paper from a case and scribbled an address on it. If Watson wants to see me particularly to-morrow he can wire," he said. "If not, I won't come back before night. By the way, I had intended to take Miss Elliot to see the new piece at Terry's, but we'll probably get home too late. Would Mrs. Grayson like to EO? A flush crept into Grayson's face. Though he was not liberal in the matter of salaries, Elliot was, a-,i a rule, genial to the clerks, a.nd willing to dispense small favours which did not cost hira much. He had discovered that a trifling gift tactfully bestowed has now and thei) a large effect. -'Thank you," said Grayson. I've no doubt she would be deUghiett," Elliot him two then, to QttfcyWtt'S rittiti-ii-e, glanced back at the pipe. Well," he said, I have still some calls to make. Good-night to you." He went out, and Grayson, who drew a deep breath of relief, hurried to the window. Harry he called, anxiously. I'm still here," was the reassuring answer. Be re?dy to get hold of me if I miss the ledge, It won't be so easy getting up. Grayson braced himself for an effort; there was a clatter below, and Harry swung out of the darkness with one hand on the pipe. The other fell upon the stone sill, and for a second Grayson fancied it was slipping off; but he seized his comrade's arm and clung to it desperately. The pipe shook md rattled, -ind then Harry hove his head and shoulders into the opening. Next moment he sprang down into the room. I was uncommonly glad to hear Elliot go," lie gasped. Those leads were slippery." "Have von finished with the papers?" Grayson inquired. "Pvo seen all I want." said Harry, with some dryness. I found thsm interesting. But you look shaky. We'll get supper some- where." Grayson laughed sourly. I think I need it. My last adventure in your company nearly ended in the manslaughter of a north country landowner, and the present one has rather up- set me. I haven't spent eight years in the wilds, and I'm not used 1) this kind of tiling." They left the office a few minutos later; but on turning out of the court they almost walked into the back of a car which was standing against the kerb with a man who had lifted off the bonnet bending over the engine. There was no doubt it was the one Elliot, had arrived in, and Harry strode ctraiglit past. The narrow street was badly h a t the glare of the lighted, and he fancied that. the glare of the motor's lamps would only fall upon his back. He had passed it a few yards when he heard Elliot's voice. Grayson I he called. "I want you a moment. Grayson stopped, and Harry went on; but his companion overtook him in a minute or two. "I was startled when he stopped me," the jfatter confessed. As it happens, lie only wants me to telephone his friends in Park- lane that he may be a little late." He paused and added in a different tone: "I don't think they saw you." •'They?" said Ilarry. "Vour employer is the person I'm concerned about, and I under- stand he'd no suspicions." Miss Elliot was with him," Grayson answered, drily. She was oil the side nearest you." It was a bad light," said Harry, with a thoughtful air. "Besides, she doesn't know I'm ia town (To be continued).

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