The Abergavenny Mail

M???M?????saM??s? ? ||jSj 0 *|| [ALL MUHTS .RVED). I ills kbl" THE SECRET OF THE SANDS i! ? I 1*1 By FRED M. WHITE, S By FRED M. WHITE,0,Pl a Author oi Tregarthen's Wife," The Weight of the Crown," The II Edge of fch- Sword," "The Cardinal Moth," A Fatal Dose," &c. iI _tG- _IJ".il7.iB_ PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS: I SIR HORACE AMORY, of Oversauds, a highly- esteemed county magnate. VERA, his daughter. DICK AMORY, Sir Horace's scapegoat son, who is on the Stock Exchange. LADY MARIA AMORY, a widow, devoted to Dick. JOSEPH BASTABLE, a speculator in land, formerly Sir Horace's steward. ftONALD BASTABLE, his son, a barrister is London. SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS: I I 1 -1 .1.1 Vera Amory gets & letter trom ner Drotner UlCK. He is in trouble, and asks her to meet him at the Red House, a deserted building near the quicksands, at six o'clock that evening. She tells Ronald Bastable, the son of her father's old factor, between whom and Sir Horace Amory there is a bitter feud. Ronald, who is a barrister in London, tells Vera that he knows something of Dick's troubles. He visits the Red House. and finde Dick in a state of funk. As they are speaking together the door opens, and they see a hand, slim and white, with a superb old mar- quise diamond and ruby ring on one of the fingers. Before they can move it vanishes. In his club next morning Ronald reads an account of a. nivsterioua happening in the City. The office of Mr. Bowen, Dick's enipovei-, has been the scene of a daring robbery, and Mr. Bowen himself has been spirited away. Ronald is interrogated by two strangera who declare their intention of renting the Red House. He notices that one of them wears a ma.rquise ring aimilar to the one he had seen the previous evening. Ronald goes to Oversancie to speak with Vera. She passes with Lady Amory, and as his eyes rest on the elder woman he is aston- ished to see the very hand and the very ring that he had seen at the Red House. Dick, on his return to the Red House after a -wi.%it to hie sister, is puzzled to find on the taolo five matches, arranged in a peculiar formation. The two men whom Ronald had met come into the house, and Dick conceals himself. They see the matches, and one of them ,.¡how, signs of terror. Dick hears them planning a diamond robbery, and rushes from the place towards his fatiier s house. Joseph Bastable. formerly a stewai-ti to Sir Horace, but now an important man in the locality, confides to his wife, and son that he in- tends to beggar his old master. Ronald puts Sir Horace on his guard. Subsequently he meets Dick, who explains that he has overheard two men planning to break into the house to steal Lady Amory's jewels. CHAPTER IX. I For a long time Sir Horace had understood that matters were not going well with him. By slow degrees the other banks in the town had been weaning his best customers from him. Occasionally he had to decline re- munerative business from sheer lack of funds. He was not the kind of man to ask favours, or he might perhaps have shared these good things with his London agents. lie had a great idea, too, of standing well with his fellow-tradesmen. It was pleasant to walk about the place and be saluted respectfully by the people. The Baronet was, moreover, kind-hearted-he could never listen unmoved to a tale of distress; he never pressed a man, by any chance. There were some assets of the bank that the auditors would fain have written off. But Sir Horace had a weakness to regard them as money. When he felt anxious it afforded him a certain relief to put these fcums to his credit. Of course, he would pull round some day. Sooner or later things must take a turn for the better. Kennedy's loan would not be always round his neck. A cruel stroke of luck like this he had never anticipated for a moment. There was a touch of the malignant about the way in which Fate had played into the hands of his enemy. Yes, everything was clear now. No longer was he blinded by the sense of his own im- portance. He would not be called Sir Horace Amory of Oversands much longer. Within a week the story would be all over the place, and Amory and Sons a thing of the past. It was a frightful prospect. Yet, now that it had to be contemplated. Sir Horace, to his astonishment, was calm and collected. He did not seem to mind in the least; he was almost looking forward to the peace and hap- piness which would come when he had stripped himsejf Qf everything and retired to «ome little cottage. » .He went out into the hall presently and called to Vera. As he did so he saw Lady Amory making her way slowly up the stairs. Usually she retired 'much earlier. Sir Horace saw how the lights were sparkling on her jewels. Half that she possessed would set him free from all his troubles. Vera was not 60 full of trouble and misery herself that she failed to read the pain in her father's eyes. She had wondered why he had been so moody and preoccupied of late. Now ehe saw without being told- She knew that ruin had fallen on the house. A smile trem- bled on her lips. I will come and talk to you, dear," she said. You shall tell me all about it. I had no idea that things were so bad." But, my dear child," Sir Horace pro- tested. Surely it is not quite so "No, but it will be if you go into Shore- 4 mouth to-morrow with that anxious face. You are going to tell pie that we are ruined. I shall be able to bear it." Sir Horace gave a sigh of relief. Sit down by the ifre," he said. "I want to have a long chat with you, Vera. We must try to-night to decide what is best to be done. We can't stay here." You mean that we shall have to leave Oversands, father? Yes. I shan't trouble to sell it, as the place is mortgaged to the hilt. I have had a good many misfortunes lately. Vera, and when I could stand it least I had Dick's debts to pay for the third time. Practically it is Dick who has ruined us. I ought to have re- fused after the first time-I should have led those people clearly to understand that they need not look to me again. But pride, which has always been my curse, stood in the way. There are other things as well." You have heard bad news to-night, fatlier? Yes. Young Bastable came and told me. It was very kind and thoughtful of him. I I Jaad not expected such delicacy in a Bastable." "Who is also an Amory. Don't forget that, clad. Well, I daresay that accounts for it. A considerable time back I borrowed twenty thousand pounds from old Kennedy. That money I have never been able to pay back. I did not worry about it, because Kennedy has always renewed; in fact, he told me more than once that I should benefit by his death. He is dead." 1 h Mr. Kennedy dead! We shall never sea him again. Such a dear old man "And very fond of you, my child. Well, lie is dead, and the of his estate de- is dea d an d the mana i ;amsetanbtl"e. The twenty volves upon Joseph Bastable. The twenty thousand pounds I spoke of falls due next week, and Bastable won't give me a day's grace. He will proceed against me, and the whole place will be talking. Can you see what it means? Vera knew little of business, but she could flee the size and weight of the weapon which circumstance had placed in Bastable's hands. Father," 6he asked, why does that man bate you so? Because he once did me a terrible in- jury," Sir Horace &aid, in a low voice. I had always trusted Baetable. I always trust everybody, for that matter. He was en- trusted by me with a large sum of money. There was a financial panic at the time, and my old friend Cartwright, at Smeaton, had asked for help. He was in soro need of fourteen thousand pounds in gold. I aent it to him by Bastable. It never reached its destination. Bastable elected to go by way of the quicksands—the tide was out, and he and sky other messenger were going to cross the river by the stepping-stones. Bastable came back alone. His companion had slipped in the darkness and was never seen again. The ?old had vanished with him. You know what 4he sands are like. Well, that was the story. It was a lie, Vera. I cannot prove it, but £ 'm sure that murder was done that night. Fsom that moment Instable began to grow insolent and indifferent to my interests. I discovered that he was making investments in Shoremouth-he who had not a penny! He knew perfectly well that I suspected tiim, for it was impossible for me to conceal my suspi- cions. I am telling you something now that I have kept to myself all these years. I need not say that this must not be mentioned to a soul. It is strange that the son of the man who did me this injury should warn me of my danger. He is a gentleman, dad, and in a. degree a relative." Well, I am not going to wait for Bastable to strike. I can dispose of my business to one of the banks; in fact, I have had a good many offers. Skepton, the stockbroker, will take Oversands off my hands as it stands. When everything comes to be settled up we shall have, perhaps, three hundred pounds a year to live on." "I shall not mind, father. We shall have nothing to be ashamed of-" She stopped, thinking suddenly of Dick. She rose from her chair and crossed over to her father's side. Very tenderly she bent and kissed him. I'm glad you have told me this," she said. I am proud that you should confide in me. I won't worry in the least. Of course, it will be a terrible wrench to leave Oversands. I love the place where I was born there is not an inch of ground that has not its pleasant recollections. But I daresay I shall be happy elsewhere, and the luck may turn." It may," Sir Horace agreed. "I have one or two promising ventures on hand. Still, the time is very short, dear. If I could meet this claim of Kennedy's, things would be very different. I could amalgamate my business with one of the other concerns, and then we could go on." We are talking nonsense," Vera smiled. "I am going to bed. Mind, you are not to sit up half the night grieving over these things." Sir Horace promised due obedience. But half an hour later he was still sitting looking moodily into the fire. He came out of his reverie presently conscious that someone was moving about in the drawing-room. Nobody could have any legitimate business there at that hour. Lack of courage was not one of Sir Horace's failings. He strode off towards the drawing-room. One cluster of lights by the side of the fireplace was glowing. In the centre of the room was Lady Amory, appa- rently looking for something. She had not yet taken off the resplendent white dress she had worn at dinner. The dusky hair was still piled up on her head, and she shimmered with jewels. What are you looking for? Sir Horace asked. Lady Amory glanced up vaguely. She seemed to see nothing for the moment. My box of matches," she said. I can do nothing without the matches, you know. If I haven't got them, I can't make the sign. When they see the sign they grow frightened and run away. I saw one of them yesterday in the road." Sir Horace expressed his sympathy. It was best to humour the poor lady when she had one of these dark moods upon her. Amory stooped and picked a box of matches from the lfoor from behind a Chippendale table. He handed it gravely to his companion. "Is that what you need?" he a-sked. "I hope you,won't have any more trouble with that sign. Besides, nobody will worry you at this time of night." They come at all hours and in all guises," the poor lady said. They are the boldest people in the world. But they are afraid of the sign." She stood with her head drawn back in an attitude of rapt attention. She was listening to something Sir Horace could not hear, and made a striking picture with her white dress and flashing gems. ,in You t' foriunate to have all these, Maria," Amory said. He touched a five- pointed diamond star that blazed upon her breast. It must he nice to walk about wiih a fortune on your drv.vs. But at the same time it is foolish, not to say dangerous. Why don't you let me tnke care of these things for you? Let me put them away in my safe. You have only to a-sk me when you want to wear them." The Woman drew back, with coM suspicion in her eyes. No." she whispered, "they are safe with me. Only show the sign, and they dare not touch one of my beloved stones. They are all I have to care for." She fondled the^stoiies almost affectionately. A sudden temptation gripped Amory. Her was an easy way out of his troubles. If only he had that diamond star he could defy Bastable to do the worst. lie need not leave Oversands; he would retain the respect of Ill" fellow-men, and hold his head as high all ever. Give me one of these," he said, hoarsely. Lend me one for a time. Maria, I am in great distress. Try to understand what I am saving to you. Unless I have money soon I shall have to go away from here. I shall have to dispose of the place and take a cottage. All the luxury and comfort you enjoy will be gone for ever. You can save me if voti like." To a certain extent s he did understand. Her eyes showed that. Cut there was no answering smile on her face, nothing but sus- picion and alarm and fears With a low cry she broke away from Amory's detaining hand and fled up the stairs. She locked the dress- ing-room door behind her, and proceeded hurriedly to remove a ina-sis of jewels from the drawers of a table. These she thrust between the mattresses of her bod, She was trcmbiing from head to foot as she did so. "No, no," she whispered, fiercely, "not that way. He would have robbed me if I had stayed with him longer. I can give them to nobody but Dick. If the others 'come in the night 1 must be prepared." >>he took up the box of m'acches and ar- ranged the strange signs upon the dressing- table. Then, with a half-satisfied sue ret i red to her bedroom. CHAPTER X. I 'De Lava and Sexton lay; Snugly in a dry ditch by the side of the drive. It was safe to remain there for the Resent and smoke cigar- ettes. 'By peeping through the bushes tiiev could command a good view of the house. They were waiting tilt all the lights siiould be out before beginning operations. Their patience was -being tried. As a general rule the lights of Oversands wert- extinguished by eleven o'clock, but it was past twelve now, and the study window still glowed, as also did one or two of the bed- rooms upstairs. De Lava fidgeted. This waiting gets on my nerves," he said. In action, my dear Sexton, I am the uravesc of the brave. My courage would be a telling theme for poetry. Your Walter Scott would have revelled in a character like mine. But when 1 have to wait and wait, I am like a timid schoolgirl. Tiiat is the window on the left. Do you mean the one with the light in it?" Sexton asked. The same, my friend. That is the dress- ing-room of our lady of the gems. Usually she seeks her blameless pillow at an early hour. She is, unhappily, of weak intellect; but that is rather a fortunate thing for us. Ah, the light is out! Sexton shook in his shoes. Courage was not one of his strong points. He was new to this kind of thing, and from the bottom of his heart wished he was well out of it. Anything allinD tVir cunnin« Ir razealitv he would

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REPORTER" RAILWAY GUIDE. I Hereford and Ledbury to Worcester, Birmingham, and London Sundays. a m a m a ma ma ma rap mp mp nip inp mp m Pilip m p m p m p mlP mil. m p m Hereford dep7 30 8 44 9 35 1130 12501257 2 20 3 10 4 20 5 8 6 20 8 25 8 10 945 Withington .7 39 9 45. 1 7 3 2-2. 5 19.oo oo. 8 20 9 55 Stoke Edith .7 46 9 52 1 14 3 30 5 26 8 28 10 4 Ashperton .7 53 9 59.oo .oo 1 21 3 37 5 33 8 36 Ledbury .8 1 10 81132 1 30 a 3 46 1 20 4 435 426 417 45 8 47 10185 5 Colwall .8 139 101021114712 2 b 1 41 2 58 3 584 33 554650/'757. 8 59 10285 17 Malvern Wells 8 22 1031 1152 1 46 14 44 37 5 59 d 8 2 9 5 1934 SM Malvern, Great 8 299 181037 U5512 9 1 30 1 513 6 4 10 4 42 5 06 5 6 588 10 9 0913 1038'?n 10 9 13 10385 30 Malvern Link 8 32 1043 1 56 4 144 46. 6 9 18 15 9 18 ..1842? 34 Bransford Read 1050 4 22 ?8 24 **?8 10495 41 Henwick I057. ? 4 28 6 19 8 31 9 28 10565 47 Henwick 8 34 9 2811 4 1225 2 7 3 17 4 305 1 5 10 6 24 7 9 8 34 9 15 9 33 10595 !q Worcester F.S. 8 479 521110 1 472 133 354 365 55 306 277 358 40 9 38 u 6~ „ Worcester 8. H. 8479 52 1110 1 472 133 354 365 55 306 27/7 358 40 9 38 11  Birmingham 10 51025 .? 1 27 4 22 6 158 128 12 1017 4 i7q S Wolverh'mpto..n .10441110 1 22 1 58 4 20 4 38 6 478 13 8 42 11231123 6 28«Va Eveshasn 9 1410531147 3 4 2102  4 38 6 478 138 42 1140 4 12?n Evesham 9 1410531147 3 12 5 23 6 2715 11231123 6 286 28 Evesham 10301245 1 40 4 20 7 11 9 10 Oxford .759 ? 10 0 ? g 528S 8 8 Reading .1110 1 322 25. 5 0. 7 59 10 0 8 52*  London arrlH02 10,3 5 4 155 52. 8 581050 I9 429 42 a Calls Tuesday at 2-45. b Calls if required te pick up for LoBdon. c Calls at Colwall to set down from Hereford and beyond on notice to guard at Hereford, d Sets down from North of Shrews- bury and from Cardiff, Bristol, and beyond, on notice to guard at Hereford. London, Birmingham, and Worcester to Ledbury and Hereford. Sundays. a ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp mp ma mp ma m London dep 5 40 i 45. 9 501033 1 40 1 45 4 45 4 55 7 30 1020 Reading .? 6 40 10431120. 2 30. 3b07 35 11 8 Oxford 8 5 8 35 1125 12 0 3 8 6 208 55. 12 0 Evesham 8 2 9 10 9 47 1156 1231 1 40 4 17 7 13 7 30 1029 9 23 ..133 Wolverh'mpton 7 10 9 10 10 81120 12 01 3 375 5 356 38 ?. 9 151W 3 40 Birmingham 8 5 9 33 10151135 1145lalO 4 0 5 50 5 00 7 5 9 251160 "3 20 Worcester S.H.7 159 15 9 50 1030 1039 1228 1 5 2 22 3 30 4 0 4 15 4 50 6 35 6 55 7 488 101122 2 35 6 30 Worcester F.S. 7 209 209 531053 112412431 9 2 24 3 32 175 6 377 7 7 17 8 8 1811271 02 386 33 Henwick 7 239 239 58 2 29 3 37 4 22 6 42 8 211130 2 43 Bransford Road7 29 9 30 3 43 4 28 6 48. 8 271136 2 48 Malvern Link 7 39 9 40 i?ii ii *5 1 2i2 3 53 4 37 6 56 7 22 7 29 8 35 11461 17 2 57 6 48 Ma?ern,Great7 479 4510171111 11401259127248359422442?5207 4 7 32 7 36 8 22 8 44 1152 1 233 1655 7 10 7 42 1 8 481157 3 57 0 Malvern Wells,7 519 4910211115 1 312 5 4 4 4 46| 7 10 7 42 8 48 1157 3 5 7 0 Colwall .7 58 9 5710281122 1 372 59 4 9 4 55 297 15 7 49 8 5412 6 3 117 6 Ledbury 8 1210 710391134 1 49 3 9 4 22 5 2 5 39 7 40 8 0 9 31215139320717 Ashperton 8 20 1046 1 56 3 16 5 10 8 9 Stoke Edith 8 28 1 0,552 6 2 213 2*2 (1 161 7 30 Withington .8 36 1058. 2 11?3 33 *55 12 1" 88 25| ia<a 7 37 AshperEtodn it], 18 36 11015108?? 1153 1220? 1 2 22 3 42 4  5 5 30,5 i 8i 8 318 35,8 54 E-? 12 01 7 50 Hereford arr8 45 1110,1l53 1220 1 332 22 3 42 4 55 5 30,5 58 8 38 358 54 ?20 7 50 1ST A train leaves Wolverhampton at 7-15 a.m., Birmingham 8-5, Worcester F.S. 9-4, Malvern 9-18, and arrives at Hereford 9-50. a Saturdays depart 1-23 p.m. b Reading West Station depart 5-5 p.m. c Stops if required at Colwall to set down from Birmingham (Snow II). Ledbury and Paddington (via Worcester). a a m ma m p mp mp m p m Ledbury 8 ] 10 81122 1 304 435 42 H' PLaedddbiunrgyto..n.?lIlO 11 mla ml& D1!P m[p mfp m¡p m Paddinton 1110 3 64 16 5 50 8 5811050 Sundays-l,edbnry 5-5 pm, Paddington 9-42 pm la m a m|a mp mjp m p nip mp m Paddington15 40l9 50 1(40)1 4011 ? IP.. 4 55 Ledbmy.11341 49|3 9?5 215 89 /8 0 9 3 Thursdays and Saturdays only Paddington (dep) 7-30 pm, Ledbury (arr) 12-10 pm Sundays—Paddington 10-20 am, Ledbury 3-20 pin Ledbury and Paddington (via Gloucester). am ampm pm Led bury  8 20 11012 l 1 58 l4 p2m7 l9 pm7 Ledbury lamla.mlpmlpmlpm Paddington 1240 12 35 6 0 j 8 30 330 am a m | a m pm pm Paddington laml&m\am\pmlpm Ledbury 1123 1 1514 20 7 45 1 Hereford, Rose, and Monmouth. a m a m a m p m p m p m p m Hereford dep6 20 9 5312552 54 106 25 Ross arr6 50 1026 1 29-2 28 4 456 58 „ dep 6 58 8 1810351*35 2 55 5 0 7 5 Kerne Bridge 7 6 8 27 10461*47 3 65 97 15 Lydbrook 7 10 8 3210521*53 3 125 147 20 8 Mond's Yat.7 15 8 3710592 0 3 195 197 25 Monmouth, MH 7 258 4 11191?2*1313 305 29 7 34 gonmouth, Troy 7 29 8 51 11172*17 3 35 5 33 7 38 Tintern I ?12521 4 23 Chepstow arr | 1262 4 39 a ma ma mp mp mp mp m Cbepstow dep 7 9 1130 2 48 6 38 Tintern 7 2511463 4 6 54 Monm'th, Troy 7*30 9 30 1225 3 386 27 408 15 Tintern T goi 7 33 9 34 1234 3 42 6 6 7 43 8 20 8ymond's Yat 7*45:9 461246 3 526 15 7 538 33 Lydbrook 7*50,9 531255 3 586 21 7 598 40 Kerne Bridge. 7*53 9 59 1 04 36 288 48 45 RoM arr8 310101 114 136 388 138 56 „ dep 8*81028128 4 246 57 1 9 50 Bedford 8*35 1058,1 564 537 271. 1015 Rail Motor Car. No Sunday trains. Hereford, Leominster, Bromyard, and Worcester. a mia ma mp mp mp m Hereford dep 7 2710533 3õ 5a12 Leominster dep 7 25?7 9 8 257 5 11205138 3 4 107 38 Steens Bridge 7 25 9 512284 207 48 Fencote 7 36?9 16 1239 4 31 7 59 Rowden Mill 7 429 2212454 37 8 5 Bromyard 7 52 9 32 1255 4 47 8 15 Suckley 8 3 9 43 1 5 4 58 8 28 Knightwick .8 7. 471 95 48 32 Leigh Court 8 149 54 1 16 5 128 39 Henwick 8 24 19 4 1 26 5 22 8 49 1 29?5 288 51 1 Worcester (F. St arri 8 2$6 111100 17 3, 1 29 5 28 8 51 „ (S.H.) arr 8 3110131 345 358 57 amamp mpmpmpm Worcester (S.H.)dep 8 )51035 2 355 207 48 (F. St.) 8 18 1038 2 395 22 7 53 Henwick 8 23 1043 2 44 5 23 7 56 Leigh Court 8 33 1053 2 54 5 338 8 Knightwick 8 41 1H 3 25 418 16 Suckley 8 4 11 6 3 7 5 "8 26 Bromyard ?.85911173186 OK 40 Rowden Mill 9 6 1127 3 20 6 7 8 47 Fenoote 9 1811363 396 188 56 Steens Bridge .9 26 1144 3 47 6 269 4 Leominster M 1146 3 54 6 338 11 Hereford a.r.r 1 9 1 1u 011121436 61a3 b554o ?6 7 2303 943, a Hereford dep 6-30 p.m. Mondays, Wedaerfdays, and Fridays. 1 b Moadays, Wednesdays and Fridays only. Liverpool and Manchester to Hereford and South Wales. Sundays. p M.p ma ma in a m a ma m[a. ma ma nip mp nip mp mp m p mp mp mpmp mp mp mp ma m|p m Manchei»tei LR. 12 5j 8 25 9 25 1040 1215 « 3 0j 4 257 1012*5 — 9 0,1155 Shrewsbury dep 2 2 353 .3.0 I ?2 7 1 8 15 9 10 1030 12 0 2 40' 4 25 7 10 12*5 9 O'l 155 Liverpool 1155f 2 35 8 159 10 1030 12 0 ? 2 40. 4&307 01155 9 2011 0 Chester .11 2 2 7 8 409 45 1023 1217 cc 2 15 4 25 5 30 7 45 11 2 9 3511 2 Shrewsbury dep 2 202 353 30 6 45 8 25103011 5 12331 0,2 25 Q 5 0 5 156 10 7 45 9 20 2 20 5 53 30 Church Stretton I 7 208 57 132247? 5446 378 16 5 34| Craven Arms 4 8 7 38 9 14 11 0 1 453 0 4b35 6 3 6 53,8 32 — 5514 8 Ludlow ? » 4 20 7 5710 51113 1145 2 63 11 5dO 6 07 5|8 50 — 6 104 20 Woofferton June- l Woofferton June. &« 5? 8 1010151124 1153 2 18 3 21 5d 6 327 17i9 2 6 20 Berrington & Eye^H 3^ 8 18 1021 1130 2 24 5dl5 6 38 9 8. Berrington & Eye Z  441 82816271135 12 9 2 313 35 5d21 6 507 309 15 6 304 41  c 2 39. 5d28 657 9 23. d a Ford Bridge 1% 8 3511034 2 39 5d28 6 57 9 23 — § j gd Dinmore 8 41 1040 1224 2 46 5d34 7 3 9 291.1 0 S Moreton  8461046 2 51 5d39 7 8 9 34 ••• S 2 Hereford arr 3 253 435 5 8 57 11 0 1158 12 8 1236 1 38 3 3 3 55 65dd 3g 7 8 7' *i5 945ilO25.3 25 — 6 555 5 r, 6 61 720 Hereford dep3 353 5 5 157 159 109 541243121612251 46 4 2 6 13 6 22 6 50 8 58 5810353 35 7 158 10 Abergavenny 4e33 5 638 11 1012 1 40 5 0 7 27 458 559 301 4e33 — 19 0 New p ort 5 125 ? 0 8 32103,1?10432 0 5 22 7 8 59 189 4811264 50 8 2119 20 Pontypool Rd arr 4 50 a .8 3210331043 2 0 1 15 2 36 5 22. 7 3 a .8 59 189 481126 4 50 8 29 20 Newport 5 15 1 9 4 110572 45 1 383 13 5 40 7 334 ? §? 9 48 10 5'11149 5 15 8 2710 0 Cardiff 5 43 SJ 9 25 11183 15 2 03 34 6 8 7 55 8 J 102712105 43 8 501027 Swansea 9 04 1055 12484846 I 4 6 5 40. 7 55 9 2.5 ?. 121714 15 7 tO 8 501?4 1027 a Saturdays excepted. b Mondays only. c Calls if required for Hereford. d Mondays, Wednes- days, and Fridays only. e Abergavenny June, s via Aberdare. Saturday midnight. Hereford and South Wales to Liverpool and Manchester. Sundays, p m a m a m|a ma ma ma ma ma ma mp mp ma ma mp mp ma mp mp mp mp mp mlp m a nilp m Swansea .855 5a 0 1050 11101140 2 45 3 35 5 35 8*55 5 0 3 10 Cardiff .1235 7 15 6 30 8 40 9 30. 1238 1 02 25 2 374 15 5 40 7 0 7 401235 7 32 6 7 Newport .1258 7357 5923 9 52 1 2 1 312 45 3 64 37 5 40 7 18 7 30 8 11258 7 5716 29 Pontypool Rd 7 347 349 56 1030 10401 28 2 8 3 19 3 405 13 615 8 583 8 407 0 Abergavenny 8 58 10 1030 1110 2 38 4 3 6 40 8 25 9 01 Hereford 'arr220 8419KM042U81118 1215 2 15 2 26 3 4 5 5 06 0 740821 9272209407?7 Hereford dep 2 25 7 30 9 20 1046 1053 1126 1140 1230 2 33 3 35 4 15 4 305 12 6 86d308 0 9 32 2 25 1025 8 0 Moreton 7 39. 1149 1238 4 39 b 6d39 Dinmore 7 46 9 33 11 5 1155 b 3 47] 4 45 5 25 6d46 8 14 Ford Bridge 7 53. 12 1 4 511 b 6d53. Ford Bridge 7 53 l i *i 5 12 5 1 1250 3 t ? 4 565 37 6d588 25 10458 25 Leominster 7 57 9 45 1115 12 5 1250 3 58 4 56 5 37 6d588 25. oo. 1045 8 25 Berrington & Eye 8 7 9 54 1122 1214. 4 6. 5 45 45 d Woofferton June. 8 15 10 2 1128 12221 4 4 13 5 115 54 )dl3 8 39 1059 8 39 Ludlow 8 25 1013 1136 12311 12 4 22. 5 20 6 2 7d25 1I 7|8 50 Craven Arms 8 45 1030 1155 1250,1 24. 4 38 5 396 27 1128 9 6 Church Stretton 9 4 1048 1 44 4 50 6 43 11449 22 Shrewsbury arr 3 30 9 35 11131149 1230 1 44 4 50 "?3 7 4 7 13 1040 3 301220 9 47 Cheater 5 301113 1 30 2 16 3 375 27 7 1 8 30 1234 5 4 15 1234 Liverpool *iS 48 121? 1 3.5 2 25 4455 25 7 20 9 101 34 .13 It, Manee.ter L R..15 331220 1 35 2 27 450533 7 10 9 01. oo. 1 3 551 28 a Mondays excepted. b Stops to set down beyond Hereford, c Not Monday mornings, d Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays only. Saturday night. Ledbury to Birmingham, Derby, Manchester, Liver- pool. Sheffield and Leeds. Sundays. ampmampmp mpmpmpmpmpmampm Ledbury dep8 1 10 81 30 2b45 4 205 426 417 458 4710185 5 MaJvern .8 17 10371513 64426 27 58 109 1310388 40 Worcester arr 11102 133 355 56 277 358 409 3311 69 5 Worcester dep 9 a 8 10111235 2 25 3 49 5 40 7 5 8 299 10 1015 1129 9 10 Birmingham. 10 211 3 1 423 36 4 42 6 488 1010 59 55 11 512229 55 Derby .11251238 3 22 5 25 6 28 8 201025 1125 1238 1 42 1125 Manchester 2 38i5 20 7 17 8 401012 2 40 2 40 4 30 5 25 Liv6rpool 3 5016 15 8 15 ?9 30 ?11 5 5 5 5 10 6 0 Sheffield 1233 1 40J4 20 6 30 8 5940 1225 1 50 3 01225 Leeds arr 1 28 3 0 5 327 30,9 1511 5 1 30 3 10*4 421 30 a Foregate Street b Tuesdays only. Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, Derby, and Birmingham, to Ledbury. Sundays. a ma ma ma ma ma mp rap mp mp ma mp m it.ed8 12 62 58 8 105511202 50 4 204 37 2581220 Sheffield .1129 4 26 10201120 1 32 3 18 6 22 4 27 1 30 Liverpool .1130 83010 5113012553 305 0 11301115 Manchester 12 0 9 20105512201 50 4 20 5 50 12 01230 Derby .2z256 15 10551240.2 28 4 356 157 45 6 32 3 0 Birmingham.3z40 8 40 1 151 553 825 507 489 0 8 45 4 55 Worcester arr 4z28 9 39 2 93 8 4 30 6 54 8 45 10 0 9 56 6 3 Worcester dep7 15,9 50 2 22 3 30 4 507 17 9 451122 1015630 Malvern 7 4711014 2 45 3 56 5 97361011H52 ? 1044 6 52 Ledbury arr8 121039 3 9 4 22! 8 0 1216* 1 39 7 17 < Monday mornings excepted. Thursdays and Saturdays.

Ledbury to Gloucester & Cheltenham a m a. mp m p mp m ? m Ledbury dep 8 201012'1 584 279 7 Dymock .8291021 2 714 36 9 16 Newent .8 38 1030(2 16(4 459 25 Barbers Bridge 8 45 1037 2 23(4 5?9 32 Gloucester 8 58 ,o 502 36 5 59 45 Cheltenham 9 38 1132 3 2|5 56,10 8 Paddington arr 1218?2 35? 6 2 018 5 3506,3 10 308 1 a mja mp m p m|p mp m Pa ddi nton dep.7 309 01155:3 15 Cheltenham 6 4010 7 1154 2 5216 15 Gloucester 7 llOt5l23 53 6 55 Barbers Bridge 7 12 1056 1246 '3 '5 4:17 17 Newent 7 2111 5 1255 3 527 16 Dymock 7 321lW 1 54 47 28 Ledbary arr 7 431127 1 17 ?4 18417 7 2428 No Sunday Trains. Hereford, Hay, Brecon & Merthyr. a p m|p Mp m{p m Hereford dep 9 12453 50 5*5 4 8 15 Credenhill 9 1259 4 25*1 en Moorhampton 9 4 18 ?4 11 5:u 3$ Kmnersley .9 501 154 l!l5'1218 43 Eardisley 9 55 1 20J4 5*37 8 48 Whitney 1021 1-)714 3 5 ::43 Hay. 10121 37 4 4tt5*5219 5 Glasbury 10211 46 4 4 "9 0 U Three Cocks June. arr 10251 4 5 0 18 Talgarth .10332 315 06*1 25 TaIyHyn Junction arr 1044 2 15!5 12 owBC 36 Do?laia 1 153 4? 6' Merthyr 1 28 3 4?e6 Brecon arr 11 82 3!515 6-44?l 9-48 a ma m!p mlp mp m Breeon dep 7 010301 101 g 6 MerthyT 9 381212 50 Dowlais 9121 320 Talyllyn Junction 7 11 1050 1 25j6 16 Talgarth .7 25 11 »1 35 6 27 Three Cocks Junction arr 7 3111 8;1 526 38 Glasbury 7 85 1111 676 39 H& 7 112312 8 6 60 Whitney 7 53 1134 2 !16 68 Eanhøley 8 01145(2 23j7 5 — Kinn =ey 8 5 0?111154?52 1666 60 Kinnersley .8 S 1150i2 2817 10 Moorhampton .8 12115712 357 1.7 Credenhil 8 22 12 92 45 7 26 Hereford  an I 8 33 1220 2 56 38 < Wodse(d*y* and Saturday* (cùJ Ko Sonday Trains.

■iav e met qune cooiiy; out tiiere mlgClt D trouble here, and bloodshed as well. Ilis teeth chattered. "It is good to have so stout a comrade," De Lava said. But I implore you not to be violent, my dear fellow." "I'm not used to it," Sexton growled. "I can be cool enough in the face of some kinds of danger, as you know. I can face a judge and jury and lie myself clear out of the docii. That even you were afraid to do on a certain occasion. Besides, I am not fright- ened of a few lucifer matches on a table." The retort silenced De Lava for the moment, and he grew pale. All right," lie said. I'll not chaff you any more. There will be just time to smoke one cigarette, and then to business." The cigarette finished at k-n^rh. De Lava rose to his feet. He pushed boldly -moss the grass until he sto:>d under the window of the dressing-room. It was not far from tht ground, and, the wall being covered with ivy of ancient growth, the task was an easy one. The gems are in a drawer up yonder," De Lava whispered. The thing is simpler that I had imagined. Why was I so generous as to let you come into this good thing? Why didn't I keep it to myself?" Because I shall be useful later," Sexton muttered. "Generous! You I am sur- prised that you can pronounce the word. You couldn't spell it." De Lava chuckled noiselessly. This humour appealed to him. Give me the torch," he said, and the knife. Wait here and keep vour wits about you. If anybody comes in sight give a whiiftle. It's a soft job for you, my friend, and one that you will be well paid for. Honest, too, by comparison with some of your exploits." With this De Lava proceeded to climb up the ivy. He speedily reached the window and pushed back the catch with the thin blade of the knife. A moment later and the adventurer was in the room. He pressed his finger on the button of the torch and the tiny lance of brilliant flame shot out. Here was the dressing-table, and there the drawers where, so gossip said, the mad Lady Amory kept her gems. Gossip for once in a way was correct, and De Lava could not know that he had come a (lav after the fair. With growing impatience and muttered curses, he turned one drawer out after another. Finallv everything in the table had been ransacked; but not a single gem was to been seen. With a furious oath De Lava flashed his light about the room. He replaced the cover on the dressing-table, which he had dis- arranged, and as he glanced down the curses died away on his bloodless lips. The five matches' The sign of the dagger! The sight petrified him for the moment. The white lips quivered. Those fellows must be in league with the devil," he muttered. They read my inmost thoughts; they know what I mean to do be- fore I know myself. Now, this poltroon of a Sexton never heard of the gang. He did not know till just before we left the Red House that I meditated this expedition to-night. Therefore, he is playing no tricks upon me. Yet there are the .igns-large, legible, menacing. The mere sight of them turns my blood to water." He was sweating from head to foot, leaning against the dressing-table for support. He was fighting desperately to regain control of himself. Gradually the colour crept back into his cheeks, and the trembling in his limbs ceased. After all. there could be no im- mediate danger, and the task of the evening was not yet done. The gems must be somewhere near. In all probability they were in Lady Amory's bed- room. This increased the; risk, of course, but De Lava was not the man to retire at the first indication of failure. He slipped out of the room and joined his companion. Sexton sighed with positive relief. We can be off now?" he asked. There is nothing to wait for? On the contrary," De Lava said, drily, there is a good deal to wait for. There are the diamonds, my dear sir." "You don't mean to say you haven't got them?" Sexton said, dismally. That's about the size of it," De Lava re- sponded. This doesn't appear to be our lucky day. The diamonds are not where I ex- pected to find them. Our fair friend -has taken it into her head to hide them elsewhere —probably in her bedroom." Then we had better return to our hotel," Sexton suggested. "Without money to pay the bill! My dear fellow, if you think 1 am going back now you have mistaken your man. An obstacle or two —bah! what of that? On the contrary, I am more than ever resolved to have those stones. I will enter the lady's room. If s he is asleep and I can get the diamonds without disturb- ing the sweet serenity of h'r slumbers, so much the better. If I don't find them, I shall be under the painful necessity of awaking her. Ah. no; I will use no violence. Henri De Lava is too devoted a s tave of the sex for that. Stay here, but keep your wits about you." Sexton groaned, while De Lava slipped through the window again quite gaily. With the electric torch in his hand he crept into Lady Amory's room. He was slightly dis- mayed to find that the electric light over the bed was still burning. Lady Amory, however. lay fast asleep, as her regular breathing testi- fied. It promised to be an easy matter, after -.]I. But the diamonds were not to be dis- covered. At the end of half an hour De Lava had searched everywhere to no purpose. His heart was hot with baffled fury and disap- pointment. His fingers crooked towards the bed. If the worst came to the worst, he would not hesitate to wake the sleeper and demand to know where the jewels were con- cealed. He was spared the trouble. He turned as an exclamation fell upon his ears. Lady Amory was sitting up in bed, a wild fury gleaming in her eves. There was no siurtsv* tion of fear on her face. She sprang up and huddled herself into a wrap. "What are you doing here?" she cried. De Lava stepped back amazed. Maria! he exclaimed. Maria There is some mis- take. Lady Amory-" I am Lady Amory. Once more, what are you doing here?" The words were cold and cutting. There was no mental weakness in the woman now. Her eyes were bold and resolute; she knew exactly what she was doing. "I am Lady Amory," she went on. "What you are is only known to Heaven and your own foul mind, 1 Itiri the last person in the world vou wanted to see. The shock of meetnif, you ¡- has given me back my reason, for the time, at all events. To-morrow the cloud nuw fail again. Ah I guess what you want. You have heard of Lady Amory's diamonds." De Lava bowed and smiled. "You have saved me the pain of introducing a disagree- able subject," he said. You always were a wonderful woman, Maria. Behold me for the time being penniless. The confession is humiliating.* but true. You have the vv here- withal to set me on my legs again. The household is asleep, nobody knows that I am here. It would distress me beyond measure to be compelled to resort to violence, Maria. "Would it?" the woman asked, with a bitter sneer. Then a heart and a conscience must have been born in you since last night. You will get nothing from me. What you find you may keen." For an instant she glanced at the bed. De Lava saw the look, and, like a flash, put the right interpretation upon it. He began to drag at the mattress. The whole thing came away to the floor, and the pile of flashing stones lay disclosed. With a chuckle of triumph the thief grabbed them. This action roused Lady Amory to fury. The sane look faded from her eyes, and she became wild and ungovernable again. She beat with her hands madly on De Lava's shoulders, and raised her voice until scream after scream rang through the silent house. With a muttered curse, De Lava tried to ehake her off, while the gems scattered them- selves about the floor in a shimmering stream of blue and yellow fl&me. The din was at its height when Sexton uttered -a warning cry. De Lava dashed t) the dressing-room window and looked out. Sexton was struggling with somebody, whilst another figure was climbing up the ivy. Drop back or I fire," De Lava said in a hissing whisper. If you don't stop I'll shoot the pair of you." (To be continued.)