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struggle, and he went to be: with the firm intention of using papers to, bis' own 'yesuni ry. ad- o vantage. In other words r t6 blackmail the Earl. But fo him. self he did not: use so odious a word." He was merely Sonn obs wan now de held pa-| go tain a quid pro quo. rs which 'were 'of value to Lord whi Aa and he would hand thém over in exchange for a sum of money. Be" 0 a The. amount that he should ak was the question that was troubli him. It must necessarily be large, for he was not the man to risk skin for 'a mere scag. . But how made any difference might have made even forts to please. Bom to tell that his | stranger was to come in conta with hi SES large! Just so much as the Earl's and purse would: s The following morning he rose early. and proceeded to make: dis creet enquiries. He had many sources: of Kleaming information, ped thie: most likely ones. He ascertamed that the Earl specu. lated, and that he had met with both successes and reverses. He had, always settled, and sometimes the sums were great." He learnt, too, of his friendship with Joel, but this did not give him unalloyed pleasure; for he had met that gen- tleman upon one oc¢iasion and had not; emerged with too much credit fiom the encounter. This 'accomplished, he decided to go to, Wolverholme by 'the 'one o'clock train. It was & run of an Hour, and he calculated to be at the Castle by about three. o'clock. | gq A stiff whisky and soda with & sub- stantial lunch pregeded his drive to the 'station; i + Nothing but a first-class ticket wolild satisfy him, and he felt as if he was 'already spénding th fortuna that he was about to put into his. pocket. There was none ot the villain in Ackroyd's appear- ance. His clean-shaven face was refined, and his eyes met one frank- ly, one-of the greatest assets of an adventurer. He found that he had ten min- utes: to spare, so he went to the re- freshment rooms, bought half a doz- en shilling cigars, and partook of enother whisky and:soda." Aleohol is a wonderful aid to the perpetra- tion of crime. Next he visited the bookstall, and laid in a liberal sup- ply of 'current: literature, Ha was cue who must always be doing. It was beyond him to sit quietly with his thoughts, probably because they were. generally unpleasant, «For the greater part of his life-time he had not been able to say to himself, "I have no immediately pressing worry." 8 He walked along the 'train, but all the first-class smoking carriages were empty. He did not care for solitude, but. finally made himself comfortable in the vorner of one nearest the end: Just as the train was about to glart, a porter opened the door and fy flung a kitbag and dressing case on to the seat. The luggage was quick- Ir followed by its owner, who took a seat in the oppesite ' corner to Ackroyd. The train moved from the station and the newcomer produced a book from his bag: and began to read. Ackroyd snipped off the end ot a eigar, which he lighted. His newspapers 'were piled up on the seat beside him, and the jolting of the train suddenly sent them on to 'the floor. : He leant to piek them up; and as he did so his eyes met 'those of 'the stranger. : Askroyd smiled ingratiatingly,! and made a banal remark about the weather. Lord Harecastle, for it was he, replied politely but coldly, verholme Castle, a 'footman' ery ran to-the door of 'their' 2 age, and after'a salute, quietly be" gan to gather together Lord Hare- onstle's belongings. 'A high dog- cart' was waiting 'outside, 'and he mounted the driver's seat and took the reins into his: hands; "Who is that gentleman?' Ack- royd asked a porter. . "That is. Lord Harecastle, the son of the Earl of Wolverholms,' was the reply, and Ackroyd cursed himself for a fool in mot having rasped this during the journey. He od how far it was to the Cas- tle, and when he found that it was about fivs miles distant, he decided that walking would enable him to reach there about the time he wish- Harecastle commenced his drive in the Jost of spirits, Hs was fe with the joie de vivre, for 'he was {ii that state 'of exaltation which comes. to & man when he knows 1 that his love for a woman is recip- rocaved. He felt, too, that his fa- ther would join with bint in his'hap- piness. Ethel Fetherston was in every way a fit wife for the future Earl of - Wolverholme: Well-born and of ample means, her reserve! ad and pride had alons saved her from {Ke honor of the publication of her portrait the various Bociety weeklies. For fame of that kind she had no desire. Until the day of her engagement she had given him very ttle en- couragement, and until she had ac- tually accepted him, he' was In doubt if she loved him.' This un- certainty and suspense accentuated his present happiness, and it was with # light heart that he entered the Castle for the purpose of an- nouncing his engagement to his fa- ther. He ascertained that the Earl was in'the- library, and 'after a hasty wash he at once went to that room, He found his father 'in cheerful spirits, and met with a warm wel- me, ¥ v3 R86 you 'are here at last, Cyril, and Tam very glad to see you: "You look better, father. 1 hope on have no return of those ats tacks," Harecastle' said with soli itude: : is 4 2 "No, 1 am feeling very fit. Ot course you are gong 0 make a jong stay. There is a lot 'that: I want to talk over with you. I am rapidly becoming an' old' man; and 1 think that it is time that you ro lieve me of some of my duties: Ls <1. will do anything that 1 can.' 'There is one hig that lies very close to ni heart, Cyril," 'the Earl said gravely. © an [43 St is that?" z 2 . only encouragement. for| ersation, but discoura raged | cor +: The Earl which lay i be: suppressed his bel Cor 8 1 terview is t .- Won't you trust: "Tam Sotho wofsy ou but you do not seem to a) what this means to me, My whele future is at stake' Shey had to do "1 am' truly sorfy. I wish you|8nd scoop' X liad consulted me before ti atep." - 7 That was impossible real 'reason for fe loved mo, until h wear their hearts 'on sleeves; so. that all 'the world can judge the|" I really} state of their affections, cannot accept this decision," he re-|' Phe ee Yagalp rom his| .The Est! again rose. from his sent, and moved to x as if to end the tutorsicw, > castle firmly stood ground. | "I 'await your reason'. + Father and son stood another. . Cyril: looked at the Earl. 'and he fidget at' the door, the Fark "Tell him that, T am: engaged;" | rk the Earl said irritably; and as the door 'elosed, he was sorry for hi decision; for iti would have put end $0 an interview that waa em barrassing' in tho extreme. "Iam utterly bewildered at conduct," Harecastle t "You make me imagine things." "In die time 1 will explain actions," the Earl said with {ul attempt at dignity. "Tp again and again that T am nots ing 'without very weighty reasons, which 'at Ehosent 1 am: unable to explain. Run up to towh at once; and put an end to the engagement.' 1 give you permission to Eve my ) opposition 'as a reason. That will satisfy her; if she has pride: £Tt 4a of myself that I am think ing. As your son, I owe you duty, but therecis a limit to m obédience, and I "fear you h Ve! ato reached that limit, father." "The Earl passed his hand wei over his forehead, and ag footman entered. Cg The gentleman says that siness is of the utmost impor wy lord, and that he h from London' for the expr pose of seein; 7" ging you. : i : ""Agk him in here," the Earl said gerain hurriedly. (To be Continued.) Hare: J is| These SEE UN yr Wenter 1 had nol trusting and so owing that Ethel ey that lips. told me. | SP Page brass plates i Cl of trouble, "A Mri Ackroyd desires 'to ses profoundly nd : impre our Jordsbip, * he announced fo ner 'of his offi