sitions and chairs they gazed into the small fire that was burning brightly in the grate. Upon the table were the remains of lunch. Charlotte's expression was one of repose, but her husban

d meditatively upon a hissing jet of gas that was escaping f

ceased to show or even feel surprise at anythin

the house-I have my reasons-and take ro

ady became ra

Edward, it see

eld up a si

up to Abbot's and take a suite this afternoon. I intend to allow you

at least the effect of keeping her silent. Her husband rose and we

ack in an hour with a cab. You needn't un

doing the bidding of a man for whom she had hitherto had such scant respect. The change that opportunity had worked in her husband would not have been welcome to her but for the promise of bette

ning-room with its pillars of marble and the windows with the long red curtains. Then her thoughts ran to the fiv

k and portmanteau they had that morning brought from Bushey, she placed in the hall to await her husband's return. It was four o'clock when Edward softly close

to stop, and getting out, walked carefully back to the corner, where, with his eyes, he followed the movements of two men who were looking up at the num

-I thought so

iving there he dismissed him, and taking another cab deposite

ms, he left her, and entering a pass

*

elitha Villas, a smart and exceedingly well-groomed little man was cont

n on the shores of Mount's Bay he had considered that a complete rest was due to him. Besides, he told himself that it wanted two

and steep streets of the Cornish town, and he had found out her identity from

m to the window and letting his eyes follow the dainty little lady as she leant out of her trap to give an order

nwall who doesn't worship the ground she drives over-no, nor a woman either, which is sayin

ell-bound at the object of the old man's talk.

ration at the trim little figure clad in its well-made white mackintosh that reached almost to the heels of the tiny brown walking boo

into his calculations, he had looked upon her merely as a unit

ence he could not but feel awkward and ill at ease. He had half an idea then and there of abandoning the whole affair, and going back to London, but second thoughts brought back memories of two

alone was her future. He remembered, too, the generous balance now standing to the credit of himself, Mr. Sydney, in the Royal Bank of Spain. To this, as he was pleased to read Mr. Baxendale's letter, he felt himself quite entitled, as

te of delighted bewilderment at Abbot's Hotel, and the thought of retur

n who can pass muster anywhere and in any society can hold their own by reason of their ability to efface themselves when necessary. He had been w

nutes previously it now took on a new significance. If anything had been needed to endorse his decision to go on with what he had begun he found it in the picture, for he was confronted

he noted with satisfaction that the dark grey suit he had bought in Jermyn Street fitted him to a nicety. His linen was spotless, and a small black pearl showed with a dull richness in his dark blue tie. A thin gold chain across his waistcoat and a signet ring with a deep claret-coloured stone gave a touch of well-being to his app

ed cry of astonishment he turned the paper more to the light and his listlessness gave place to concentra

RIOUS DEA

UEL TO THE MUR

OF THE BUS

o the "Eve

Sydney Kyser, a partner in the great firm of Spanish Bankers and Merchants of Eastcheap. Our reporter in an inter

scrip of certain Spanish bonds in the possession of the firm, had been fixed for the following day, Mr. Schultz was naturally astonished at the non-appearance of his partner. Thi

as also unaware of her master's absence from England, taking for granted that he was at his cottage at

nt from a fire still burning in the grate in the dining-room and from the remains of breakfast upon the table. The only people near were the representatives of Mr. Kyser's solicitors, who had evidently read in the Post

astily ordered from one of them on the previous evening, and that the cabman had driven an elderly lady and gentleman to Bushey station. His fares se

train. In London all trace was lost of them, but a porter states that they were seen again early the next morning entering the 7.10 for Birmingham. Here the scent is lost for the present, though from the minute descriptions furnished by the diffe

company with a clerk who had that day been dismissed, enter a grill-room in Gracechurch Street. The two representatives of the firm after leaving Bushey ca

n communicated with, are, in the mean time, doing their utmost to tr

en as he thought of poor Uncle Jasper and Aunt Eliza, the mirth

r that he thought he would take a S