Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 9, 2025
Never once did I give in to the full belief that my dear old saint was wrong, so I gently suggested one day that I should like his fullest confidence about Miss Atheson. He avoided the subject. Still I was loath to believe. I made up my mind to save him by a transfer, but he forestalled me and asked a change; so I sent him to Sihasset." Mark found his voice. "That was the reason?
It would be very unfortunate, if, later on, it should prove that he had been deceived. He would find it difficult to explain matters to His Majesty if a Grand Duchess, supposedly dead, should suddenly prove very much alive and demand possession of a throne already occupied by her successor. So His Excellency wants the lady married as 'Ruth Atheson' with due solemnity and with proper witness.
"There is a British Ambassador in Washington. You have a free country, so I can always talk to him, even if I am a prisoner or on bail. I happen to be brother to a baron; that fact may prove useful, for the first time in my life. One word that involves her name in scandal, even as Ruth Atheson, brings the story out. And Great Britain does not particularly care about your certain Big Kingdom.
In fact, my information on that point is quite clear. I am informed that she was mistaken for another, a visitor in her home. Possibly she is here now. The passport desired is your permission for her to return to her friends." The Minister's face expressed blankness. "You have been misinformed," he answered. "I know nothing of Miss Atheson. Would you kindly give me some of the facts?
"I never knew my father, Mark," she went on, "and yet I heard of his death only a short time ago in Washington. His name was not 'Atheson. He was a very great personage, no less than the Grand Duke of Ecknor, Prince Etkar." Mark started, but Ruth put up her hand. "You promised. Let me go on." "My mother married my father, who then called himself Edgar Atheson, in London.
"So," said Mark, annoyed, "the constable has not been around for nothing." "You have seen him then?" "Everywhere." "Which proves he is a reliable constable, even if he is not a good detective." Saunders looked pleased. "But what about Ruth Atheson?" But Mark would have his innings now. He knew well how to keep Saunders anxious. "I am quite well, interested in Miss Atheson." "What!"
With all the ardor of a strong nature that has found the hidden spring of human love, Mark Griffin loved Ruth Atheson. She had come into his life as the realization of an ideal which since boyhood, so he thought, had been forming in his heart. In one instant she had given that ideal a reality.
Saunders half arose. "Sit down, Saunders," said Mark quietly, "sit down. What's so astonishing about that?" "You you are engaged to Miss Atheson? You can't mean it!" "I didn't say that." Saunders sat down again. "You know nothing about her," he gasped. "The Padre's friends are good enough to appeal to me." "But does the Padre know?" Mark's eyes began to steel and glitter.
Then he went out. At the bank he rented a box and left the papers he didn't want Saunders to see. He felt satisfied that nothing Saunders found would relieve him of suspicion. The burning of the papers would make the detective all the more certain that Mark ought to be watched. That would help Miss Atheson by keeping the detective on the wrong scent.
He likes you that I know and he always looks lonesome when he comes alone, with only two women to talk to. Sincerely, Ruth Atheson." That was all. The letter went into Mark's pocket as he saw Saunders looking over the top of his paper. "Getting acquainted in Sihasset pretty quickly, eh?" ventured the detective. "Yes," replied Mark, "bad pays get acquainted fast."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking