GRAND SERIAL STORY. JUDGMENT.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 5, 16 April 1920, Page 5

GRAND SERIAL STORY. JUDGMENT.

The IVSost Amazing Story Ever PersrsecL

FOR NEW READERS. ; SIR JOHISr MILLBANK, a successful, but stern judge, quarrels with his only son, JaICK, who leaves his father's house to fight his own way in the world; and i whilst serving with the Australian contingent, under the name of Dick , Foster, he meets, and falls in love ' with KITTY, the adopted danghter of Sir > Jolin. However, Sir John has ranged for her marriage with •LORD HAVERHAM. In a moment'of despair, Kitty writes to Dick, asking him to meet her in the Blue Room a? Rivercourt Mansions. At the appointed hoar, ord Haverham goes to the f Blue Room to write some letters, and, ! unbeknown to the guests, Sir John meets him there. An altercation arises between the two men, resulting in the accidental death of Lord Haverham. Latpr, Dick arrives in the Blue Room, ig carght and accused of murder, and found guilty. Whilst passing the senlence of death, Sir John recognises the prisoner as his own son Jack ! > A f ew days later, Sir John interviews the prisoner at his private residence under escort of the warders, and tells him he will have to serve at least three years' imprisonment. Just as they are leaving, Dick with the assistance of Kitty makes his escape, and that night they decide to drive into Winnerleigh; but the car breaks down, and they are forced to accept the hospitality of [ BEAUMONT CHASE, a millionaire. The following morning, Dicks host informs him that Sir John had called during the night and taken his danghter away. Dick, believing this story, leaves that morning for Winnerleigh. Kitty goes down to brealcfast, and is cross-examined hy Mr Chase, but on his promise of assistance tells him the whole story. "Will you prove to ihe that you will not follow Dick Foster if I send him to a place of safety?" he asks. "Prove it? asks Kitty. "How can I prove it, Mr Chase?" "Will you consent to marry someone else?" he says in a low tone. I PELHAM WEBB ARRIVES. ' B Kitty started, not comprehending. - E. "I do not understand," she said.'T shall never marry." 1 "It is hard to believe that, Miss MillBbank," replied the man sLnificantly, his B arden t gaze fixed upon her fair face. ■ "But it is true," she returned gravely. K"Mr Foster is all the world to me. There W can never be room in rny heart for anyone ■else, even though I never see him again. I ■ would lay down my life for him." ■ She spoke sadly, but with a frank simSplicity that was indescribably girlish. £ Even Beaumont Chase was moved, but he was not turned from his purpose. b Indeed, this girl, so different from the Kpther women he had met in his varied HjCareer, attracted him more than ever. "You would lay down your life for Dick Foster?" he said quietly. "Is that ■just a fashion of speech, or do you mean '"it?" ■ "I mean it," answered Kitty, meeting ■his gaze without flinching. B "I may remind you of that before the ||day is out," said the millionaire. "It is Bnot likely that you will be asked to give Ijup your life, but there are other more ■feasonable sacrifices you may be called upyon to make if "you are really- serious in Byour desire to help young Foster." >| * "Oh, sir!" cried Kitty with sudden im-

petuosity, "you will save him! You have the power and you will use it. You will not let this cruel and unjust plofc suoceed. Dick is innocent. He is good and true and brave. You will not let his wicked enemies triumph over him. You will save him, Mr Chase! Promise me you will save him." * "Have no fear, Miss Miilbank," said the millionaire quietly, "we will save him together, you and I ! " There was an odd significance in his tone. The girl Was conscious of it, though she did not understand it. j "What can I do?" she cried passionate- : ly. "I am helpless, helpless." I The millionaire smiled mysteriously. "That remains to be seen, Miss Miilbank," he said softly. "It is-possible, my dear young lady,.. that you do not know your power even yet — . In a little time He stopped abruptly, becoming aware that a servant, unseen and unheard, had approached across -the lawix from the house and now stood at his elbow. "Well?" he said c'urtly. ^ "There is a person just arrived, sir, who insists upon seeing you. He gives the name of Pelham Webb." Beaumont Chase smiled and gave a quick glahce at Kitty. "It is the man I told you ahout," he said. "Very well," he added, again adderssing the servant, "show him into the library — no ! not the library, into the Green Hall." As he made the correction, a faint- smile appeared upon his lips. The servant hurried away to carry out his instructions, and, the millionaire turned again to Kitty. "This is the detective man who- has heen dogging me. Of conrse, he is really after you and young Foster. I will Hear what he has to say and find "out what he knows. I want- you to overhear our interview. You know the conservatory which comi municates with the Green Hall?" j "Yes." | "I want you to conceal yourself there ' and keep quite quiet. I will bring the 1 man near enough for you to overhear ! everythirg that passes bejween us." ' The girl looked at him, puzzled. She 1 fe't he must have some motive for this rather curious proposal, but she could not guess what it was. "Very well," she said slowly, "if you think it best." "I do," he answered. "I want you to leam from this man's own lips just what he knows and what he is prepared to do. Then perhaps you and I will be able to devise some plan for outwittirig him." They parted on Ihe terrace and cntered the house by different doors. THE PRICE.

The Green Hall was a very nohle rc-ception-room at the south-western extremity of the .castle-like buildmg.At one end was a conservatory filied with ferns and nalms and costly flowers. Sliding glass doors enabled the conservatory to be shut off from the Green Hall, but these were now open. Beaumont Chase entering the room from the other end found awaiting him a sharp-featured little man of ahout fOrty. "Mr Pelham Webb, I think?" he said pleasantly. The man bowed. "You want to see me on business?" "Yes, sir, rather serious business." "All business is serious to a man of pieasure such as I am, Mr Webb," replied the millionaire genially. "Huwever, we won't be unduly mournful over it will we?" He rang a bell and to the servant who almost instanUy appeared he said : "Whisky and soda, and cigars." Then he led his visitor down the spaci-

ous apartment to & little table whTch stood near the entrance to the conservatory. Ko dropped into a chair and nodded towards another. ■*« "Make yourself comfortable, Mr Webb," he said. The detective seated himself, but with deliberation. His manner was of one who is very much on his guard. "You have heard of me, Mr Chase?" he inquired. "Who has not " replied the other politely. "jPelham Webb, the friend of justice, the righter of wrongs and the terror of evil-doers." The little man bowed stiffly. "You know the object of my visit here to-day?" he remarked. "I can guess something of it," replied the millionaire, "but I should prefer you to state it in your own words. Just tell me what you want, and if T "can help you, I will." There was a brief interruption to the conversation owing to the arrival of a servant with the whisky and cigars. When the man had departed, and they were once more alone together, the detective was the first to speak. "If you mean what you say, Mr, Chase, you wiil save rne and others a great deal of troublc," he said. "I always mean what I say," relorted the millionaire with his half-mocking smile. The detective had an uneasy feeling that he was being played with, and an ugly look came into his little cyes. Nevertheless he kept cairn.

"You will not deny that a -young woman and a young man arrived here a few nights ago by inotor car, and that you gave them shelter?" he said. "Deny it ? Why should I "deny it ? It is perfectly true." "The young lady was runnipg away from home ; the man was a f ugitive . from justiee. You understand that by assisting them you rcmder yourself liable — " "One minute," inlerposed Beaumont Chase from behind a cloud of lobacco smoke, "who are you acting for?" "The friends of the young lady." "I see. Then you are not interested in what bccorn.es oi' the man." "On the contrary, I am very much interested. I intend to seize him and Land him over to the regnlar police." "You think you ean do that?" "Ycs." "You know whcre he is?" ' "Yes." I " Where?". "On board your steam yacht, the 'Flying Spray,' now lying off a- certain little fishing viliage on the Suffolk coast." The millionaire smiled "You have been busy, Mr Webb," he said pleasantly. "I compiiment you, But, havirig discovered so much by your own genius, why do you come to me?" "I will be frank, Mr Chase," said thelittle man, learning forward confidentially. "The family to which the yourg girl belon,gs is a very distinguished family, and they wish to avoid any scandal." "Quite so, but you are not instructed by Mr Justiee Miilbank." ' "I am instructed by those who are acting for him. And they are naturally very anxious that Miss Miilbank should return home at once." "Naturally, and I think I can„help you there. I will do my best to persuade her to return. Now as to the man, you are deterrnined to have him?" "Yes." "I can't persuade you to drop that side of the case ? Why not let the lad have a dash for liberty ?" "That is quite impossible." "And you want me to hand him over?" "Yes." -i "If I refuse?" "It will make no difference to him. We shall act without you; but in that case, it will he difScult to keep the affair out of the papers. We wish to avoid that for the sake of the foolish young girl." "I see. Does anyone besides yourself know s where Dick Fostfer is hiding?" "Not. yet. For the present I am keering to myself all the information I have acquired." "Good. Now look here, Webb. You are a clever fellow. You are just the man I want. • How wxild you like ha become my own priva.e mqui-ry, agent at a fixed salary?" "I am not seeking a situation, thank you, Mr Chase," said the little man stiffly. Mr Beaumont '>uso, Jeaiiing tack in 1 is cbair, tbok his .••gar firan liU dps and watctied the blue smoce coiling f:om :ts • (Continued on page 6.)

JUDQMENT. (Continued from Page 5.)

tip as though he were greatly interestid 11; it. "Wouldn't the amount of the salary offer ed make any difference?" he asked casu&lly. "I think not," said the deteetive coldly. "Suppose I offered vou five thous-uid pounds a year and paid the first two yer.rs salary in advance?" suggested the r-nili-onaire quietly. The little detctive, well-trained as he was to control his feelings, could not together hide the effect upon him of this extraordinary suggestion He gave a little jump in his chair, and something like a gasp of astonishment cscaped hira. "You — you are serious?" he said unsteadily. "Quite." "That is a firm offer ?" "Absolutely." Mr Pelham Wehh drew a deep breath "If I accept your offer, I shall have to drop this case," he said. 'Naturally. I eould not share you w'th anyone else, I should want your exclusive services." "I see," began the detective slowly. "I • — er — I am afraid " "Think it over," interrupted Beaumont Ohase, rising to his feet. "I can give you half an hour. Take a stroll by yourself in the grounds. I can put you on to a number of very curious cases — cases «hat have been worrying me for years. You won't he idle if you decide to come to me. But don't decide in a hurry — think it over. Meet me here in half an hour." As he spoke, he linked his arm in the little man's and led him into one of tlve windows opening on to the terrace. Before he quite knew what was happening, Mr Pelham Webb found himself out in the beautiful grounds of Beaumont Hall, alone. Beaumont Chase slowly retraced his steps across the room until he came to the conservatory. On the threshold he paused and seemed to be thinking. His handsome face wore a very grr.ve , expression. And while he waited, Kitty suddenly emerged from her hiding place and onfronted him. Her cheeks were flushed and her tyes were very bright, and to the man it seemed that never had she looked more beautiful. "You heard all?" he asked. ' 'E-very word !" she replied eagerly. "Oh, Mr Chase, how splendid you are! How generous ! You will give this hprrid little man all that money and — and Dick will escape." "It- is a large sum of money." Beaumont Chase uttered the words quietly and thoughtfully, and a startled look came into the girl's eyes. A sudden fear seized her and all the colour faded from her cheeks. "But you will give it to him!" she exclaimed eagerly. "You will not draw back now ! You will not let him take Dick, You will give him the money!" The man's cairn gaze was fixed on the girl's excited face. "I have never in my life glven anytbing away," he said quietly. Kitty stared at him, her lips parted. "But I have bought many things," he went on « "and whenever I wanted athing I have always been ready to pay the price of it." "And you want to save Dick!'-' cried Kitty eagerly. "No ; I don't think so ! Why should I take any interest in the young man?" Kitty gasped. She was terrified and bcwildered. If this man did not mean to help her, why was he playing with her in this fashion? What did he mean? DesperateTy she determined to come lo an explanation. "You are Tich," she said impetuoUsly. "This money is nothing to you. You have it in your power to save an innocent man from a cruel fate. After all your kindness, I will not believe you intend to bet-ray him to his eneniies. Why do you torture me? How can you you be so cruel?" "Have you forgotten what I told you, Miss Millbank?" said the man, remaining perfectly cairn and uniuffled. "If F,-.-ter is to he saved, you must help. It cannot be done by me alone. You must do your part." "I will do anything!" cried Kitty iinpulsively. "\ ery well, then; I think it can be managed. In the first place, you must return to your father's house at once. Do you consent to that?" "Yes, yes; I will go back!" "He is very ill and he needs you. Your place is by his side. He is so ill that he has not yet been informed of your absence. If you go back to-day, he need never know of your — er-~your esc.apa.de."

"I will go back," said Kitty nervously ; "I only want your promise that you will protect Dick." "I will promise that. I will undertake to get him saiely out of the country. I will so arrange that he disappeors completely, leaving no trace behind. In another country under another name he can begin life afresh." "Oh sir! how can I t-hank you! How — " The man raised his hand and checked her impetuous flow of gratitude. "One minute! I will do all that, but I must make myself secure. There is a condition attached to my promise — a condition, which you must agree to — otherwise I can do nothing, the law must take its eourse, and Foster will be arrested and compelled to complete his sentence." "What is your condition?" said Kitty. And fear was in her heart though she knew not why. "You will make no attempt. to follow or communicate with Foster," said Chase. The girl nodded. "T agree," she said in a ,low voice. "For a whole year you will hear nothing. At the end of that period the hue and cry after Foster will have died down and you will know that he is safe. I shall bring you proof of it." "Yes?" "Then will be the danger for me. You will want to follow him. That will put the police again on his track, and my complicity in the aff&ir will come to light, with results extremely disagreeable to me." "I promise you have nothing to fear. If you will only save Dick, I — I promise never to see him againy" cried poor Kitty pitifully the hot tear® rushing to her eyes. "Pardon me, that is not enough. At the end of the year, when you know Foster is doing well and has gone out of your life for ever, I shall introduce you, in your father's house, to a gentleman of your own elass, possessed of ampl© means and in every way eligible. Will you consent to marry him?" The amazing proposal, so carefully led up to-, was out at last. The millionaire spoke ealmly and deliberately. There was something aJmostcold and business-like in his tone and manner, and it was behind an impenetrable mask that he concealed his real feelings. Kitty fell hack as though she had received an actual blow and stared openeyed and open-mouthed at the speaker. "Marry? Marry someone I don't know? You can't be serious, I — I shall never marry." ' 'Then I can do nothing for you," replied the man quietly. "I regret it, but I have thought this matter out very seriously. And I can see no other way. If I agree to save young Foster, you must consent to marry the maji I choose for you in a year's time from to-day. That is my final condition. Please say ye® or no." White to the lips the girl stared at him, scarcely believing her ears. But it did not take her long to become convinced that the terrible man oefore her was absolutely serious. As she gazed at him, a great horror took possesion of her soul. A moment ago she had told herself that she was prepared to make any sacrifice to save Dick. But she had never dreamed of this. She loved Dick Foster with all the passionate ardour of a young girl's first love, and her whole being revolted at the thought of giving herself to any other man. Her first impulse was to fiing herself upon her knees and beg for mercv, but the cold, resolute look in the man's eyes restrained her. Then she thought of Dick as a hunted man. With her mind's eye she saw him seized and draggcd hack to a prison cell. She saw him in a convict's garb, condemned for long years to wear out a cruel existence under the soul-deadening tortures inflicted upon him by coarse and brutal warders. She could save him from that ! She, and she alone ! But the price ! She shivered with a sickening sense of horror and disgust, and when she tried to speak no words would come. A slight sound at the other end of the room startled her and broke the almost unendurahle tension. She glanced in the direction iand saw that one of the big French windows was opening and that a man was about to enter. It was Pelham Webb! The half-hour was up and the. detective was returning for his artswer. On perceiving that Beaumont Chase was not alone, the little man was about to withdraw, but the millionaire beckoned him to enter. "Come in, Mr Webb," he said easfly, "This is the young lady you are in search of, You will be glad to hear she has deeided to return to her father's house to-day." (Continued on Page 10.)

JUDGMENT. (Contiued from Page 6.)

The detective advanced and bowed his littie eyes snapping furtivelv. "Well, have you considered my suggestion inquired Chase carelessly. The littie man bowed again. "Yes, sir"; and I regret. I cannot see my way to accept "your generous offer." "Ah !" "Lnless " "Well?" "You double it!" returned the littie man, with ari almost impudent grin. The mil'lionaire lauglied. 1'hen h'e turned to Kitty. "Our frierid^puts a high value on his servhes, Miss Millbank. Do you advise xne to engage him even at his own terms?" Kitty was standing rigid her face deathly white Her slim, graceful form swayed and seemed about to fail, but with a desperate effort she steadied herself and gazed at the man without flinching. "You will do what you think best, Mr Chase," she said breathlessly. "No, Miss Millbank," he replied graveJy. "I shall he guided entirely by you. It is for you to decide. I will aceept his terms if— — " "li I?" "Yes; if you accept mine." There was a moment's tense silence and ihen the girl's lips moved. . Her .words wero just audible. "J. consent," she said. And tlien the whole room seemed to spin round, a blaze oi light fillod her vision, and then darkness enveloped her and she feil to the ground unconscious. When she awoke she found herself, wrapped in a voluminous rug, in a great motor car, which was racing swiftly through a peaceful sun-lit country landEcape. (Another thrilling Instalment Next Week.)