The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

________â€"____________________â€"fi CLOSE QUARIERS; OR. THE HOUSE IN THE CHAPTER XVIII.â€"(Cont’d) I decided instantly that it would be hopeless to try to get close to them if they halted at any other point savein the vicinity of the turret. Elsewhere I must remain too far away to catch any portion of their conversation. So I dart- ed across and entered the turret, noting on my way up the stairs the existence of the loopholed window where you finally saw me. It would never do to be caught there, so I went to the top and peeped over. You can guess how delighted I was when they came straight across and settled themselves in the angle be- neath. Then I crept half-way down the stairs and leaned as far as I dared through the loophole, being just in time to hear Gros Jean read a letter from his daughter. For- tunately the innkeeper had to speak plainly, as his , companions Were foreigners, and for the sameV’rea- son I had no difficulty in catching the drift of what the Turks said. “The letter was- quite short. ., It told him that H. had decided to leave France, and had made ar- rangements to proceed at once to Palmero, whither the writer would accompany him. “One sentence I remember ex- actly: ‘H.’ she wrote, .‘has friends in Sicily, and he feels assured of a kind reception at their hands.’ ” “Friends!” interrupted Brett. “That means .brigands l” “The information seemed to an- noy the Turks very much. They were very angry at what they de- scribed as the enforced delay, and discussed with Gros Jean the quick- est means of reaching Palmero forthwith. Then he told them that he had endeavored to find out the trains running through Italy to Messin-a, but they could not leave Marseilles until to-night, and he ~ thought. it best that» they should have a quiet talk on the situation before deciding too hurriedly upon any line of action. “The rest of their conversation was inoonsequent and desultory, alluding evidently to some project which they had fully discussed be- fore.” r Brett smiled grimly. “The com- missary in Paris always follows up the wrong person,” he said. “Had he only used his wits yesterday morning he would have discovered that the agent of the Embassy was in touch with Hussein-,ul-Mulk. Hence the presence of the quartette in Marseilles toâ€"day.” Talbot was naturally mystified by this remark until Brett explain- ed to him the circumstances already known to the reader. “Was there anything else?” in- uired the barrister, reverting to t e chief topic before them. “Only this. I gathered that Gros Jean did not know his daugh- ter’s whereabouts in Marseilles, but she had arranged that if cir- cumstances necessitated her depar- ture from the town she would leave a letter for him in the Poste Res- tante, giving him full details. Nev~ ertheless, this presupposes the knowledge on her‘ part that he would come to Marseilles, so I as- sume therefore that telegrams must have passed between them yester- day afternoon.” “Obviously!” said Brett. “Any- thing else?” “Yes,” and now Talbot’s voice took a note of passion that momen- tarily surprised his hearers. “It seems to me that this underâ€"hand- ed arrangement, if it goes through, condense the murder of poor Mche- met Ali and his aSSistants, and places on me the everlasting dis- grace of having permitted this thing to happen whilst an import- ant and special mission was en- trusted to my sole charge by the Foreign Office. Dubois has been able to commit his crime, get away with the diamonds, hoodwink all of us most effectually, and. in the re- sult, obtain a huge reward from the Turkish Government for his services. I tell you, Mr. Brett, I won’t put up with it. I will {ol- Iow him to the other end of the world, and, at any rate, take perâ€" sonal vengeance on the man who has ruined my career. For, no matter what you say, the only ef- fectifle way in which I can rchibi- litate myself with my superiors is to hand back those diamonds to the custody of the Foreign Oflice. No matter how the panicâ€"stricken sov- oreign in Yildiz Kiosk mo ‘33er- fice his servants to gain is own ends, I, at least, have t higher mo- RU‘E BARBETTE tive. It rests with me to prove that the British Government is not to be humbugged by Paris thieves or Turkish agitators. If I fail in that duty there remains (0 (no the personal motive of revenge! “No, Edith; it is useless to argue with me,” for his sister had risen and placed her arms lovingly round his neck in the effort to calm him. “My mind is made up. I suppose Mr. Brett feels that his inquiry is ended. For me it has just com- menced.” The young man’s justifiable rage created a sensation. “May I ask,” he said, “what reaâ€" son you have to suppose that I should so readily throw up the sponge and leave Monsieur Henri Dubois the victor in this contest?” “Do you mean,” cried Talbot, starting to his feet, “that you will _ stand by me '1” ‘ “Stand by you I” echoed the bar- rister, himself yielding for an in- stant to the electrical condition of things. “Of course I will. We will recover those diamonds and bring them back with us to London if we have to take them out of the Sul- tan’s palace itself!” “And now, Lord Fairholme,” he added, before Talbot could do other than grasp his hand and shake it impulsively, “we want your friend’s yacht. We will set out for Pal- mero at the first possible moment. We must reach there many hours, perhaps a whole day, before Dubois, who is on a sailing vessel, and even with the start he has obtained can- not hope to equal the performance of a fast steamer. Let Gros Jean and his Turks travel overland. We will beat them, too. Come, now, no more talk, but action., You, Fairholme, go ahead and prepare Daubeney. I will see to your lug- gage being packed. Talbot .and I will join in half an hour.” “Eh! what is that?” broke in l‘ Sir Hubert. “Fairholme, Talbot, you~what are Edith and I going to do ’1” “Mr. Brett, of course,” said Edith, in her steady, even tones, “did not trouble to include us, uncle, because we shall be, on the yacht first. A woman can always pack up much better than a man, you know, and I will look after you, dear.” ‘ ‘ Brett gave one glance at her flush- ed and smiling face, and forthwith abandoned argument as useless. An hour later the Blue Bell was skimming past the outer lighthouse in Marseilles bay. _â€"â€". CHAPTER XIX. Next morning they reached the Straits of Bonifaeio, and here they had to slacken speed somewhat, for the navigation of the rocky chanâ€" nel was difficult and dangerous. Far behind them they could see a huge steamer approaching. As the morn- ing wore, this vessel came nearer, and Daubeney, important now in his capacity of commander, an- nounced that she was the P. and O. steamship Ganges, bound for Brin- disi- and the East, via the Straits of Messina. » ' “She left Marseilles at a late hour last night,” he said, “and will call at Brindisi for the Indian mails.” An idea suddenly struck Brett. “Do you know how fast she is steaming?” he inquired. “Oh, about thirteen and a half knots an hour. That is her best rate. The P. and O. boats are not flyers, you know.” “And does she stop at Messina.?” Daubeney now caught the drift of the barrister’s questions. “I don’t think so.” Another hour passed, and the Ganges was now almost alongside. Although both ships were well through the Straits of Bomfacim and the Ganges should have fol- lowed a course a point or two north of that pursued by the Blue Bell, she appeared to be desirous to come close to them. Suddenly the reason became ap- parent. A line of little flags flut- tered up to her masthead. . “She is signalling us,” cried Daubeney excitedly. “Here you,” he shouted to a. sailor, “bring Jones here at aonce.” ‘ Jones was the yacht/sex ert sig- naller. He approached wit ateloâ€" scope and a. code under his arm After aprolongedgazeiand a-caro- ful scrutiny of the code, he one nounoedâ€" _ fl _ ‘This is how the message resdsi ‘Turks on board Stopping Messina. â€"Winter.' ” For once the barrister was start- led out of his usual quiet self-pos- session. “Winter!” he almost screamed. “Is be there '1” A hundred mad questions coursed through his brain, but he realized that to attempt a long ex~ planation by signals was not only out of the question, but could not fail to attract the attention of pas- sengers on board the Ganges. This he did not desire to do. Quick as lightning, he decided that by some inexplicable 'means the Scotland Yard detective had reached Mar- seilles full of the knowledge that Dubois and the diamonds were en route to Sicily, and had also learnt that he, Brett, and the others were on board the Blue Bell. He had evidently taken the speediest means of reaching the island, and found himself on board the same ship as Gros Jean and the Turks. Hence he had approached the captain with the request that the Blue Bell should he signalled. “What shall we answer?” said Daubeney, breaki 'g in upon the barrister’s train of thought. “Oh, say that the signal is fully understood.” Whilst the answering flags were being displayed Daubeney askedâ€"- “What does it all mean?” “It means,” said Brett, “that if the Blue Bell has another yard of speed'in'her engines we shall need it all. It perhapswill make no ma.- terial difference in the long run, but as a mere matter of pride I should like to reach Palermo before Gros Jean. If I remember rightly, Palermo is six hours from Messina by rail. Can we do it?” “Mac,” the chief engineer, was consulted. Of course, he would not commit himself. “We will try darned ha-r-rd,” he said. And with this emphatic resolve the Blue Bell sped onwards through the sunlit sea until, late in the ev- ening, the Ganges was hull down on her' quvarted. ' Macpherson came on deck to take a last look at the P. and 0. “It will be a gr-reat race,” he announced, “and I may have to kill a stoker. Butâ€"” Then he dived below again. The Blue Bell ran merrily on until the' small hours of morning, when everybody on board was suddenly w awakened by the stoppage of the screw. ' The passengers on board the Blue Bell one and all found some pretext to gain the deck in their eagerness to find out why-the vessel had slowed down. The answer was a reassuring one. She had burnt a flare for a pilot, and quickly an an- swering gleam came from afar out of the darkness ahead. . The pilot was soon on board. He was an Italian, but, like most mem- bers of his profession doing busi1 ness in these waters, he spoke French fluently. ' Brett asked him how long, with the north-easterly breeze then blow- ing, a small sailing vessel, such as a' schooner-rigged fishing~smack, would take to reach Palermo from Marseilles. . “It is a trip not often made, monsieur,” he said. “Fishing ves~ sels from Marseilles are frequently compelled to take shelter under the lea of Corsica or even Sardinia, but hereâ€"in Sicilyâ€"why should they come here '1” “Oh, I don’t mean a schooner en- gaged in the fishing trade, but ra- The Evenig Luxury on CEYLON TEA llnticipated with delight by all who ussiit LEAD PACKETS ONLY. BLACK, MIXED 0R GREEN. AT ALL GROCERS. HIGHEST AWAW’I‘. LOUIS. IDOL - \\\\‘.\\ \\\\\\\\‘\\‘\ \\\v\\‘ \\\\.\\\~ V assesses *3 ., \\\§;\\\\\‘ . a ; 01/1/1/1 11.4 A Ill -//11 . 1 r 1 (fill/f I I [I’ll/II 1/” till/Ill .‘. > g . o t , . s . . s .l ' H u - I \. 'YC on 5n“! : 4,0,! use; _ .me CANADA , v SUGARREFINEIG Ir- . A ' u... 0 ~‘ snares“ ~‘.- .~. ‘\ "2 e Wxthmxmmsfi \\\\\\\\'\V\\\\h‘l&‘ ‘3‘ s u s“ Il/utn/ {1/1111 r/ THE newest thing In sugar â€"and the bestâ€"ls thlsS-Pound Sealed Package of M Extra Granulated. In this carton 5 pounds full weight of Canada’s finest sugar comes to you hash' from the Refinery,“ and absolutely free from any taint or lmpurlty. Ask your ‘Grocer for the M Intern Will Save “Thank you,” said Brett. That a. 25-Pound Pail or iationalStoCk Food {worth of Corn or Oats 5 Because it promotes digestion and assimilation.°and A enables you to cut down the grain ration [5%, to 25% and still get better results. This savmg of grain represents a saying of good hard cash to you. WE WANT Yflll Tl] FEED lllll LBS. AT llllR RlSK It will not cost you a cent if you are not satisfied. See our dealer in your town or write us for particulars. Mcnlion this paper and the stock you own and. we Wlll send you a lube. size l6x22. of our three champion stallions. International oak and o. nailed, Tnmts 5i-Pound Package. CANADA SUGAR REFINING . ‘ :v:'.'::r You $7.00 A Palmero a difficult port to make '2” a place where “Oh no, monsienr. There is deep water all round here, no shoals, and but few isolated rocks, which are all well known. The only thing to guard against is the changeful current. Brett smiled. “It would be an ignoble conclu- ther 8’ small “3581 Charteredlfqr sion to the chase if the Belles pleasure, taking the place, as it were, ‘of a private yacht.” “Ah,” said the Italian, “that ex- plains it. Well, monsieur, with this breeze I should imagine they would set their course round by the north of Corsica in order to avoid heat- ing through the Straits of Bonifa- cio. That would make the run about 650 knots, and a smart little vessel carrying all her sails and properly ballasted, might reach Palermo in a few hours over three days.” '30me renews the blood, creates nervous energy, builds up healthy. muscle. 1-“! Soeurs were wrecked with her valu- able cargo. I most devoutly pray,” he said to himself, “that the breez- es and currents may combine to bring Dubois safely on shore. Then I think we can deal with him.” Soon after daybreak the Blue Bell, after a momentary halt at the Customs Station, crept past the Castello 8. Marc, and amidst much gesticulation, accompanied by a torrent of volcanic Italian, she was tied up to a wharf in the Galaâ€"the small inner harbor of the port. Edith, who could not sleep since the advent of the pilot, made an early toilet and climbed to the bridge, whence she had a magnifi- cent view of the sunrise over the beautiful city that stands on the" Conca d’Ora, or Golden Shellâ€"the smiling and luxuriant plain that seems to be provided by Nature for man’s habitation. Naturally Fairholme was drawn to her side. V . “Italy is a fine country,” he re- marked. “Yet there are more mur- ders to the square inch. there than in any other place on earth.” Edith laughed. “Really, Bobby,” she pouted, “you are becoming sen- timental. I halfvexpoct to findyou break out into verse.” . “I can do that, too,” she said, ‘though it is not my own. Hasn't Every prospect pleases, And only man is vile. I forget the rest of it.” Miss Talbot faced him rapidly. “Bobby, what is the matter with you? I' never knew you in such a melting mood before.” “How can I help it?” he half; whispered, laying his hand on her shoulder. “We have never been to- gether so much before in our lives. Don’t you realize, Edith, what it means to us if Mr. Brett discovers those diamonds within the next few hours or days?” He bent closer towards her and his hand passed from her shoulder round her neck. “When we return to England, if you are willing,.,wo can be married within a week.” ' A bright flush suffused her beau- tiful face. She bent her head and was silent. It is quite certain that Fairholme would have kissed her had not Daubeney shoutedâ€"â€" (To be continued.) Burn nor Rot . . For little money, get a. roof: . . ‘ ' that is weatherproof, won l: ‘burn, and is safe even from lightning-«Guarantee bond insuresit. No re airs, no paint- ing. Get :00 facts from M. S. 8; 8. Co. . PRESTON. our. . AgAAAAML i' ' V 2A A»; 211-155.: ‘