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PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANCEMENT. The Bond of Silence By Lewis Ramsden, Author of The Word of a Somerleigh," Red Cavalier," Prisoners of the Council," My Lady of the Car," &c.. &c. [COPYRIGHT.] CHAPTER XXXV.-THE REAL HARRY LOXWOOD. A second glance told me, however, that. the (adv wus not Iris, though sufficiently like her in face and figure, to warrant, or at laait to excuse my mistake. And a more careful lonk at the gentleman who accompanied her told me who she was- who both of them were. He was, or had been about the same build as myself; hut it was now evident that Ilarry Loxwood, whom I had known as a slender youth at Oxford. and after, was now putting on flesh. This is most remarkable," I said, as I turned to Count Constantine, whose gaze had iilso followed the pair. This is Harry Lox- wood, and the lady must be your sister Ida. He has not yet seen me, and I must give him a surprise." "I will wait here while you ppeak to them. You will be able to prepare my sister for our meeting." I reached the real Loxwood just as his wife had taken a chair, and he was about to follow her example. When I put my hand on his shoulder he jumped as though a wasp had stung him, and turned with a defiant yet nervous glare. But he knew me in a moment. "Leigh, old chap! Why, who on earth would have thought of meeting you hereP 1 Still, I suppose everybody does come here at some time or another. And you have scarcely changed a bit since the old days. A hit more wiry and fit, if anything. How do you manage to keep so thin?" Oh, just work and worry, you know," I laughed. "Worry? Good Lord! I've had enough of that." "I see you have a touch of nerves. At one time you did not know you had such things; but when I touched you on the shoulder just now you jumped as though you thought I were an emissary of the Bond of Sileiiee." "Eh! What the dev Will you be good enough to present me to Mrs. LoxwoodI interrupted blandly. 011, yes, of course." said Loxwood, con- siderably flurried. "Ida, this is my old friend, Harry Leigh. You have often heard me speak of him." "1 knew you when you entered ju.t now, Mrs. Loxwood, from your likeness to your I sister, Iris." Mrs. Loxwood looked at me in astonish- ment with a pair of line, dark eyes, but not so beautiful, I thought, as those of Iris. As for Loxwood himself, he fairly gasped. Look here, Leigh, you always were one for springing a joke; J>ut this is the limit. for springing a joke; but this is the limit. Where did you hear—how did you kr.ow—— ?" You see, I happen to be engaged to Iris," I said with a casual air. "Since when;" he demanded. Well, our acquaintance commenced with a little mistake of hers at a certain fancy dress ball at Kockton Assembly Rooms. I I was the fellow who duplicated your costume of the Cavalier in red. Sinoe then Iris and I have been rather busily engaged in play- ing sort of understudy to yourself and Mrs. j Loxwood." Jfarrv, who was pretty smart, began to see I daylight, "Ah! That explains some of the things which ha.c been puzzling us. I have never had the pleasure of meeting my sister-in-law; but she must he a splendid girl—and a plucky one, too. You are a lucky chap, Leigh— almost a" fortunate as I was in meeting Ida." "Fortunate?" said Mrs. Loxwood, looking at her husband tenderly, but with a sigh. Not very fortunate for you, dear, I am afraid." L • im, lonunate. Do you think because we have had a hit of trouble together that I am I likely to think anything Jser Hear. hear!" I .-aid. "It is like this. Leigh," continued Lox- wood. "Ida and I were so chivvied from pillar to post by those brutes that we rather lost nerve. After a few days of rest we got some of it back, anyhow, and returned to Rockton to look after Iris. We could find no some of it back, anyhow, and returned to Rockton to look after Iris. We could find no trace of her; but to our astonishment we found a couple had been passing as Mr. and Mrs. Loxwood. From the description we I knew the supposed Mts, Loxwood was Iris. There was another lady, whom we believe to be the Countess llelga Sisman, a powerful member of the Bond. Who the man could he we couldn't make out; hut we heard he I had been injured in a motor accident, and was being nursed by the two ladies. I sup- pose you were her" "Yes; I had been having a bit of a scrap 1 with our friends of the Bond. I had one before, the eame right, and have had a couple since," I grinned. "If I had heard that I might hare guessed it was you," laughed Loxwood. Well, the three of you had disappeared, and no one could tell us where. So we made up our minds to come to London and face tilings out with the Bond." "A very sensible thing to do. But I don't think you will have much more trouble with them/* "is asked Mrs. Loxwood. Unfortunately—no. She is still in the power of the Bond, or rather of Prince Dusan. I have reason to hope, however, that she will lie quickly released. But I am a long time from my friend over there. TIe would like, I am sure, if you will kindly per- mit us, to join me in making a party with you." "Certainly! Delighted, of course," said Loxwood. H Who is he, Mr. Loighasked Ida, who in spite of her interest in the conversation had been stealing puzzled glances in Count Constantine's direction. Do you think you can guess, Mr?. Lox- wood ?" H I had a fancy-but it is impossible." fI Inink of someone you have not seen since you were a little girl; someone whom you then lost." "My biother Constantino!" she Avhispered in a tone of wonder and delight. The la pi are of the meeting Ijetween brother and fister was, in that place, neces- sarily subdued; hut as the Loxwoods were also staying at the Savoy we Avere soon in a private sitting-room, and for the next half- hour we Avere busy giving explanations, more or less clear, considering we were some- times talking together. Count C'onstantine contrived to give a very flattering complexion to the part I had played. "I think Iris i Aery fortunate, too," said Mrs. LoxAvood, adding with a smile at her husband which showed nhe really meant it —"Almost as fortunate as I am." "Pooh!" s-aid Loxwood. "Very nice of you to say so, my dear, but if I had shoArn half as much grit as Leigh has done we should have been out of the mess long ago." At the end of the time Constantino rose. "I must leaye you to your further eon- versation, for I have a little business to attend to," he said.

CHAPTER XXXVI.-THE DISCOMFITURE OF PRINCE DUSAN. A good hour lie fore the time Count Con- stantine had mentioned as that at which it was possible I might see Iris, 1 had secured a decent hack, and Avas riding in the ROAV, eagerly watching, as> I ranged the whole I portion of the Fark in which riders were allowed, for the appearance of her I hoped I might be fortunate enough to meet. I I did not think I could miss her, even if che [ vuuie during the most fashionable and 4 likely I should do so now. --w Nino o'clock parsed, and ihe thermometer of my hopes registered below z«.ro. A long. Ilong half-hour went by. and then, with an electrical thrill of joy I Will it bo believed that in spite oi my feeling of absolute assurance thai 1 should know her anyAvhere I almost missed hei r This was because her head was bent in thought, go that I could not properly see her face, and also because dress makes so much difference?, for it was the first time I had seen her in a riding liabii, a costume which well became her figure, youthful and dainty, yet full and perfect of contour. She was riding at a slow trot. A little way behind her came the groom, evidently Of the Slavonians, and 1 Sliol-t distance behind him again were Prince Dusan, and a lady of aquiline features who, I guessed, must be hL; sifter the Princess Petrovitch, these were also folloAved by a Slavonian serv- ing as a grocm. As I galloped up to Lis, coming from the Hing Hoad. she looked up. "Harry!" she cxclaimed, Avith a flatdi of joy, and then glancing behind her with a look of fear. Iris, my darling, it is all right. Do net trouble al>6ut th.o^e people behind." H Yon are free?" the said, astonishment obviously mingling with her delight. Yes; and you aLo. I Avant you to come with me. I am staying at the Savor." But— she commenced. You trust me tjlJ, 1 hupe;" I said with a laugh. "Of course, dearest. I Avould come with you anywhere. But COII- stant ine—" "LoxAvood and his Avife are with me at I the Savoy. Count Constant ine. too, I hope is safe. I released him last night from the House of Silence. But, hush -Sot a Avord about that to these people." The last information 1 uttered in a lew- The last information 1 uttered in a lew tone. Our exchange of words had only taken a few moments 1'0 that the groom huY- ing but just grasped the fact that 1 speaking to his charge, had increased his horse's pace, and was IIOAV, Avithout a Avoid, trying to thrust between ilz. "I 1. Go back to your master, my silent friend," I said, and partly by way of a joke I accompanied my order Avith mystic signs I had copied from llelga. The man looked utterly bewildered, and .1 Iris scarcely less so: but the groom fell back and turned obediently. "Come Iris, we A*, ill meet the Prince and his Rister. I think YOU lwd hetter let me do all tho talking that i, liceifill. Ride next the railings—r:o. Then I shall he between you and them." We had only turned and completed the necessary manoeuvre when the Prince and Princes villi their follower- came Tip. What is tlie meaning of this?" he de- manded, Avhite with passion. How do you come hero Mr Leigh—alias Loxwood;" Rather an impertinent question, is it not, Prince Dusan? The fact that I am here should lie sujheient." The Countess llelga lias failed in her] duly. Why have 1 not been Avarned of your escape?' "Very annoying no doubt, but an enter- prising gentljman like yourself, Prince, prising gentljman like yourself, Prince, should bo pro pa red for thes-e little surprises. I am sorrv i can give you no information," I said suavely. "I would like, Jwweyer. tc tell your siste", the I (and 1 bowed to the lady), that her further i hospitality cannot he accepted by Iris—Miss A sen. She in coming with me. We are, in fact, to be married as soon as possible." 'In Prince Dusan made an imperious sign to the two stalwart grooms, who rode closer. "I do not intend to use force in the pre- sence of ladies—unless necessary," I said, I significantly handling the heavy riding whip with which I had provided myself. At the S same time I rejieated, for the benefit of the grooms, the signs Avhich had been proved so cffic:\cicHI", Tho men halted doubtfully. Princo Dusan stared in angry astonishment, which I found tj There has been treachery somewhere, ho muttered. O<lnÜ"rl!" I laughed Ifti made an effort to master his rage, and looked at Iri-i. "Countess Iris," ho said, tnis man is free—for a time. But r(ineml>er there are your sister and her husband. Yanr brother Constantino, too, is still in my power." I was glad to hear thi«. It seemed to prove that Constantine's plan, whatever it might ho. had not miscarried, and that his ewape had not been reported to the Prince. Of course, it might have meant that Count • Constant ine had been re-captured, hut I did not think eo, or the Prince would not hay. VMVVII SO snr.'ij'ii' IMP. 3T1SS Asini will not discuss the matter with yon. If you wish to dispute her pas-sage and mine, perhaps the policeman, who is ap- proaching, will arbitrate. I can give hiin my address. I am staying at the Savoy. I would, also like to give him your address—at the house Avhich has the name of Dr. Cristileh inscribed oil plate. My last words were quite as effective as I could have hoped. Prince Dusan looked astounded. I have no doubt my knowledge struck him a being something entirely uncanny. Then. 100, he glanced around at my mention of the policeman, for there really was one com- ing foAvards us, probably for 'he purpose of keeping an eye on a rather unusual looking groi p. And the uniform of that representa- tive of law and order, the good old British H hohby," commands respect, even from the chief of n terrorist society. The Prince gave a sign to his sister and tho grooms to proceed. le it) e of his l-ago, though he fully believed that impotence to be onlv temporary, gave a diabolical ex- pression to his haughty and aquiline features. It does not end here, Mr. Leigh, he eaid vindictively. Probably not. If you are not careful it may end in another court, with an English judge and jury to pronounce sentence, and where no rule of silence prevails." I And here the proceedings, which certainly liid )f the c-lQ]",Clllts Cf the dramatic about them, suddenly developed into farce. The Prince, in his anger against me, had not observed that the groom behind him had not observed that the groom behind him had not moved on, lip.Villg some little difficulty with I his mount, which had grown restive and was rearing. Dusan must have givrm his own animal a rather smart cut of the whip. for it swerved close to the other and roared also, the pair giving quite a little circus perform- ance. j An impudent cockney errand boy, passing j on the ether side of the railings, struck in j with a shrill strident voice, and a snatch of I a comic song— it. ])oil)' wot The Turkey ti-ot The incongruity of tho tiling struck m (tense of the ludicrous, and rudely enough, no doubt, 1 laughed aloud. The policeman also, Avhose eye caught mine Avith a merry t winkle. grinned appreciatively. To the haughty and autocratic Prince I Dusan it must indeed have been disgusting.

CHAPTER XXXVI I.-MERELY A LOVER'S | INTERLUDE. "It seems like a dream," said Iris, as Ave rode away together. "A dream too pleasant to he true. 1 am afraid every minute I shall wake." "It is real enough, I assure you. Would you like me to pinch you?" I laughed. thank you. I shouldn't mind much if you did, but I Avill take your word in- stead, dear. 1 ought to be getting used to living in a Avhirl of extraordinary events by now. Did I understand you rightly that yoli had released my brother Constantino?" I told her briefly of my entry into tho House of Silence. "But how did you find it? You told me yourself you had no idea where they were taking us that night. You speak of coming from Hockton to London. But they said you had gone back to Ehospring Priory with her --the Countess Helga. Of course* that was not true." Yei, it was. u Oh she exclaimed, a;:¡ though the admis- sion had given her an unpleasant slioc,c. Jealous little maid! When I say I went, it Avas not of my own accord. I waa taken A there in a drugged sleep." ) And did she—did she tell you where the house was?" j Indeed, no. I had to escape from her pressing hospitality. I did it on Czar, that line horse she lent me," and I went on to describe how I had found the House of I | Silence. s It seems to me that Scotland Yard, or wl-atei-el- fliev call the place where those I clen-er detectives live, has lost a treasure," J she laughingly commented. I "It was luck rather than the astuteness of Sherlock lloimes. And noAv about your i « own adAentures. I heard that Prince Dusan « own adAentures. I heard that Prince Dusan wanted to marry von." H Who could have told- f" I "One has to keep oneself informed when I one has a SAveetheart so attractive as you- Tho point is that the accusation is true." I couldn't help it, could I?" I shook my head doubtfully. 1 don't know. You are such a be- witching little creature that I can't quite | blame poor man, so whom am I to blame P" i "Even if I am that I don't think it wo old matter much to him. It is my name Avhicti ocunts a good deal in SIavonia. Also my nioner. You don't know about that, so I am eure it was never tlnt- with you." I should think not, indeed." "He offered me the share of a throne." "ll-bat throne?'* f'That of Slai-onin. He is ambitious. He hopes to gain that." "And th-it didn't tempt -Not ii )ir. It might J¡;\H1 done at one time," she said, looking at me franklv vet with an adorable shyness. But since I have met you what good would it be to me?" "iio you indignantly refused him?" At first. And then—then < She he^iiated and paused. "Well?" "There was you and my brother Constan- tine, I lielieA'ed you Avere both in his poAver," she said in a low tone. And you Avould have married him to save us?" "Please, please, don't ask me. dear. I don't want to think of it. I felt I couldn't bear it; yet whnt Avas I to do?" "Poor little girl. it i,, ill and now wo will revert to a former topic—your jealousy of the Countess Helga." I I wasn't really—I mean I am not," she commenced indignantly. ) Don't contradict your future lord and master. I was goinjf to s«y I earn now better sympathize with your feelings. I have been [ frantically jealous myself cinee." You. Not over Princ^j^usan?" -No; hut Helga told me you Had thrown I 1110 over." "Thrown you over?" "Ye?; for a former lover since returned." f haAe never had another lover. Oh! How could you for a moment believe ?" "But I did. You see this is a full and open confession. 1 feit bound to believe Avhen I actually saw you in the supposed lover's arms—and kissing him!" "This is dreadful! Why, I have never kissed Think again." "I never have. How can you say you saw it? If you think such a thing of me Her face flamed, and I thought it was time to explain. "That dreadful Avonmn!" Iris exclaimed when I had finished. Then with the ripple of a smile at the corners of her pretty mouth: "It was a mean trick, and it must have been very horrid for you. Still, I can hardly think you could belieA-e me such a change- able creature as that, even on the evidence of I your own eves." Peccavi. Mea culpa, and all that. But, my dear girl, you must try to imagine how you would feel if you were to see a beautiful damsel rush to my arms, and hug me and kiss me." "My goodness! I think I should AY a lit to-" What ?" Scratch her. There" "Precisely. That was how I felt, only scratching wouldn't have been enough for me. I wanted something with more gore about it. However, now we quite understand each other you will know if, after we are married, you should see me kissing a pretty cousin, that there would be really nothing to Avorrv about." "Indeed, sir, I should not." Perhaps, then, it is as well that I have no cousins, pretty or otherwise," I laughed. "Now to change the subject again. You heard me tell the Princess Petrovitch that you and I were to be married as soon aa possible ?" I Yes," answered Iris, her beautiful ffoce taking a rosier flush than that brought by the exercise. Well, I am a man of my word, as you know, and as soon as possible seems to me very soon—say in a week or so." But we have knoAvn each other so short a time," she said, bending so that 1 could not see her face. And—and there is no real hurry, is there?" H From my point of view, yes. You see I have my good name to consider." Your good name? What nonsense she I Sxclaimed. Not at all. I am thinking of Mrs. Grundy. My regard for the good opinion of that old lady is profound. What will she say about I i man AVIIO OIIOAVS a young lady to inveigle Ilim into masquerading as her husband, and l then does mv take immediate steps to mako :he pretence a fact?" "I suppose you will now be always teasing me about that?" said Iris, laughing, and flushing more divinely than ever. Until Ave are ma tried, yes," I declared irmly. But we must now be getting to :he Savoy, and I shall be able to consult your ii«rer I upon the conventional aspect of ;ho case." "No, no!" exclaimed Iris. "Please don't 5jy a word mora to her than you can help about that part of our. adventures; and— and we will get married as soon as you like." (To be Concluded.) -A_

I I BAKE with the assurance J llijf of SUCCESS by using & feitHWfOK'S J f BAKING POWDER. i

HUSH MONEY. A party of local musicians were out" busk4 ing on Christmas Eve, and their music was not such as would soothe the savage breast." They Avere about to commence playing itt one of the streets Avhen an elderly dame came out, and, handing them twopence, jocularly remarked You need not bother to play. I heard you iu the next street."

A SEX DIFFERENCE. Mibtrcss: "I wouldn't hold the baby 6 near the tiger's cage, Jane." I Jane: "There's no risk. Th' tiger is 'luaH-cater,' and th' child is a gir-rul."

I A CurEI, REJOINDER. The discission between the two friends had become heated. But any idiot can see that," remarked one of them. jr That's where you have the advantage," was the ether's polite rejoinder. Servant: "The sperrits wouldn't light, marm. so I put a drop o' paraffin on the pndden

HARD UP. First Person What's the shortest day in the year? Second Person: I don't know, but it's Christmas by my financial account."

A DAY LATE. The little fellow was crying bitterly by the roadside, and the good, kind lady stopped and patted him gently on the head. Why, my little man, what's the matter? "Mati-cr, mum? 'Ere 'ave I been a-playing truant all day, and I've just remembered the Christmas holidays began yesterday."

YNCLINED TO SHIFT. I don't believe in alloAving servants to get the upper hand. I always malie mine keep her place." •' You are lucky. Ours never does for more than three weeks." Mrs. Brown tat Little Winkleton Station, twenty miles from anywhere) Goodness, George, I can't make out why the motor isn't here-and after you'd been so precise in tell- ing them the time and day of our arrival! It, (That unhappy v, reteli Brown had forgotten to post the letter.)

ALWAYS PICKING. Tho charred with frequenting n tho-roughfare "ith intent to commit a felony. n;j ,< ^eiive v.i.o ilmdovsed and arrested him told the magistrate that he had never known the man to Avork. The prisoner objected to this, and said he could prove to the contrary. Magistrate "What are you, then? Prisoner: I'm a picker,' sir." Magistrate: "A picker—what is a picker? Pr isoner: "Well, you see, I pick straw- berries in the summer, hops in autumn, pockets in winter, and I am generally picking oakum in the spring." HOW SHE CHANGED. I told the actress that her face was mftdf up horribly." What did she do? She changed countenance." Lady Diana (to her fiance, during the Christmas celebrations at Henpeck Hall): Don't be impatient, dear, when Mother Christmas' lias distributed the toys I will take you in to supper!

NOT AN EASY DEATH. They had scrambled through the first danea on the programme, and lie was leading her back to a seat. "I could die dancing, couldn't yon?" he asked. No," she replied. There are pleasanter ways than being trampled to death."

INDIGO GTESTION. First Lady: "Yes, my old man's been awful queer ever since Christmas. The doctor called it mental depression. fits of the 'blues' 'e gets." Second Lady: 1 know. That's simply, indi'gogestion."

A WIFE'S SORROW. You say that your wife threw a plate fifi you? Yes; it was an expensive china plate. Itf broke against my head." And wasn't your wife sorry after she Kad! thrown it? Yes, she seemed very sorry." How did she express her sorrow! She said she was a fool not to oontrol ffSIJ. temper better." Anything else? Yes, she said she didn't believe aha coulft match that plate if she hunted the wholtf world ovar,

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