The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

CARNARVONSHIRE JOINT POLICE COMMITTEE. DEPUTY CHIEF CONSTABLE'S RE- MUNERATION. THE COLLECTION OF ATTENDANCE FINES BY THE POLICE. ix The annual meeting was lield yesterday week at Carnarvon. The retiring cihairman CMr T. W. Griffith) presided at the outset, and the other members present were Sir H. J. Ellis- Nanney, Bart., Colonel the Hon. H. Lloyd Mostyn, Colonel Llojd Evane. Dr. Jones Roberts, Capt. N. P. Stewart, Dr. R. A. Prichard, Messrs J. Issard Davies, Wynn Williams, Ephraim Wood, Maurice Jones, D. P. Williams, Allan- son Pieton. J. Jones Morris, J. R. Hughes, R E. Jones, Dr. Robert Owen, Dr. Thomas (Bot- lc twnog) Messrs Jonathan Davies (Portmadoe), Harry Parry, Robert Hughes, R Jones Roberts, with the Clerk (Mr Bodvel Roberts). ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Capt. Stewart proposed the election of Colonel Lloyd Evans as chairman for the ensuing year, and expressed his belief that Colonel Evans would exercise his usual straightforwardness and impartiality in discharging the duties of the chair. Mr Maurice Jones said that coming from the eamo district as Colonel Lloyd Evans, and knowing hie ability to carry on the work, he had pleasure in seconding the motion. The proposal was unanimously carried, and in thanking the Council the new Chairman said he had no idea. that he would be elected to the chair, and he hoped the same courtesy would be ex- tended to him as had been shown to his prede- cessor. He moved a vote of thanks to Mr T. W- Griffith for his work. Mr Issard Davies seconded the vote, which was carried. DRUNKENNESS DECREASING IN THE COUNTY. Mr Jones Morris asked the Chief Constable whether he had read the Blue Book on drunken- ness, and whether drunkenness had decreased in Carnarvonshire? Chief Constable: Drunkenness has not increased but decreased here according to the statistics. Mr Issard Davies said that in Wales there was an increase in the number of caaes of drunken- new!. In fact Wales figured very badly- Mr J. R. Hughes: What have we to do with the whole of Wales. Mr Jones Roberts (Bangor) pointed out that the returns were most unreliable- In some places persons were summoned when they were only slightly drunk, whilst in other places such men would be assisted home by the police. It was merely a question of the vigilance of the police. DEPUTY CHIEF CONSTABLE'S RE- MUNERATION. The Chief Constable asked the committee to approve of THE appointment of Supt. Rees to act as his deputy should the necessity for doing so MMC. Mr Jones Morris protested against the pro- posal to pay the new Deputy Chief Constable an extra £10. In Merionethshire a similar request had been refused. The county was not in a posi- tion to pay £ 10 for wearing an additional title, which was not aooompanied by any additional work. The Chief Constable explained that the money was given under the usual scale of pay. and he did not think it could be altered without the consent of the Home Office. Mr T. W. Griffith asked whether it would be fair to treat the new Deputy Chief Constable differently to his predecessors. The Chief Constable: The appointment has not yet been made. Mr T. W. Griffith: Well, it ia generally under- stood that you have appointed him. Mr J. R- Hughes proposed that the appoint- ment of Supt. Reee be confirmed. If they took away the gratuity they would be dealing unfairly with one of the best officers in the county. Mr Allanson Picton agreed with Mr Hughes. Mr Jones Morris said that he had nothing to say about the capacity of Supt. Rees, but he grudged giving him money for doing nothing, particularly at a time when the county was groaning under the rates. Now they had an opportunity of showing the ratepayers that they desired to save money, and even though it be only £ 10 let them do so. He was surprised at certain members advocating the payment of L10 when at the next County Council they would be attacking certain institutions. Dr. R. A. Prichard remarked that Supt. Rees was approaching the superannuation period, and in view of this insult he might resign. Mr Jones Morris: That applies to three super- intendents in the county. Colonel Lloyd Mostyn stated that he was asked by his magisterial colleagues to congratulate Supt. Rees, and he was not aware that the ap- pointment required confirmation It would be a great pity for the reduction were made. If a man WA3 raised in the ranks he was entitled to a small addition in his salary, and if the com- mittee made the precedent suggested there would be no inducement for men to stay in the force. The proposal to pay the additional E10 was carried, the only dissentients being Messrs R. E. Jones, Jones Morris, and H- Parry. THE POLICING OF CRICCIETH. A request was received from the Criccieth Dis- trict Council for the services of another police officer during the absence of the local constable on duties connected with sheep dipping. The Chief Constable agreed that there were grounds for the application, but other di3tricts similarly situated might make similar applica- tions. It was decided to allow the Chief Constable to make his own arrangements- COLLECTION OF FINES. A letter was read from the secretary to the Education Committee asking that the police 11 1 r -L 1- .J t snouiu collect unpaia nnes ior IION-AICEIIUAIK_E instead of the attendance officers. The Chief Constable pointed out that if the work interfered with the duties of the attendance officers it certainly would interfere with the duties of the police, and he hoped that the com- mittee would not consent to the application. There was a long list of arrears in the Pwllheli division. Mr J. R. Hughes proposed the refusal of the application, and Dr. Prichard, supporting, thought the attendance officer in the Llandudno district had sufficient time at his disposal to collect -the fines. Mr Issard Davies pointed out that fines would be paid to the police, which would be refused if an attendance officer applied for them. It was no use putting one committee of the county against another committee. If the application was refused a special officer must be appointed. Mr Allanson Picton said that the attendance fimee were legal PENANCES inflicted by magis- trates, and the duty of collecting them should devolve upon the police. Mr Jones Morris stated that the police had no more power to go into a house to ask for A fine than he had. Mr T. W. Griffith remarked that the attend- ance officers in some counties not only collected the fines, but served the summonses, but Mr D. P. Williams thought it was tonly reasonable to obtain the help of the police to collect the fines. Mr Jonathan Davies (Portmadoe) waa of opin- ion that the police should collect the fines. The Chief Constable wished it to be made CLEAR that the police did not wander aimlessly about their beats, and the proposal would inter- fere with the par-rol system—the best system yet devised, and which was in force aJI over the coiwitry. Under that system the police were in certain spots known to their superior officers who knew where to find them. By nine votes to seven it was decided to ask the police to collect the fines. Mr J. R. Hughes: How many of the nine are members of the Education Committee ? A BANGOR PROSECUTION. Mr Jones Morris presented a bill for L59 18s lid, the costs of a case which was brought for- ward at Bangor. It was one in which a person was summoned for keeping open a milkshop on Sunday, and the decision of the magistrates was reversed in the High Court, a tic question was whether the county or that Supt. Harris, now retired, should pay the money. Of course, Supt. Harris, in bringing the case forward was only performing a public duty. The bill was out- rageously high for simply drawing up a special case. Mr Robert Hughes, one of the Bangor magis- trates, stated that the magistrates' clerk was fortified by counsel's opinion. He complained that the police were not rc-preeentoed at the Higth Court, nor did anyono appear for the police when the bill came on for taxation. The Chief Constable, speaking with 23 ye&Tb experience, said that the police were never re- presented in eases at the High Court, which rested on points of law like the present one. It was decided to pay the bill. CHIEF CONSTABLE'S REPORT. A report was submitted by the Chief Con- stable that during the past quarter there had been a decrease in both indictable and non- indictable offenoes as compared with the cor- responding period of last year, and only two of the offenoes reported could be said to have been of a serious nature. The Aluminium Works in the Conway Vailey having been stopped apparently for an indefinite period, the services of the constable temporarily stationed at Dolg'a.rrog had been dispensed with. Dr. R. A. Priohard intima-ted that the works had not entirely oeasecL and would be re- commenced next week. NEW POLICE STATION FOR LLANDUDNO It Y/M stated that a report on this matter would be presented at the next meeting.

SALE OF A WELSH SPORT- ING ESTATE. At Chester, on Saturday, Mr W. F. Beavan offered for sale by public auction the Hafcd Cefn Plas Onn estate, near Denbigh, the property of the late Mr William Dickson Houghton. Si'uated in the Vale of Clwyd, the property, which contains over 1969 acres, comprises ten farms and holdings, a grouse moor, and 53 acres of well-grown coverts. The total annual rental of tho property was stated to be JE658. The bidding began at £8000, and increased to E14,050, at which figure the estate was knocked down to Mr Buddioom, of Nannerch.

LLANDUDNO'S HINT TO COLWYN BAY. Frdm the neighbouring town of i oomes a hint which many Colwyn Bay men ajml women will do well to take advantage of. » Mr D. Roberts, The Laurels, Council-f, Llandudno, says: "Some two years AG<> suffered from kidney eomplarnt; there severe pains in the back and loins. I felt £ pletely 'done up'—tired and lifitlesB. and my became a burden to me. I tried many REMEA' but nothing seemed to do me any good. Hearing Doan'S backache kidney pills so n O ly spoken of, I was induced to try them. I not used the pills long when I felt better- 1 J pains gradually grew and by the TIN^> had taken three boxes of the medicine 1 quite well, and have remained well ever SINC^ Doan's backache kidney pills will have hearty recommendation. — (Signed) D&* Roberts." Doan's backache kidney pills are two SHIJII™> and ninepence per box, or six boxes for tn J teen shillings and ninepence. Of all chemists A stores, or post free, direct from, the TOSW McClellan Co., 8, Wells-Elreet, Oxford London, W. Be sure you get the same kind pills as Mr Roberts had-

I THE NATIONAL SERVICE LEAGUE.-The Goldsmiths' Company have mado a grant of E25 to the funds of the National Service League. Captain Bocke has been appointed secretary of the league for the Weat HIDING of Yorkshire.

LLANDUDNO PETTY SESSIONS. I DANGEROUS MOTORING. HEAVY FINES IMPOSED. The Llandudno Petty Sessions were held on Monday, before Colonel the Hon. H- Lloyd Mostyn (in the chair), Dr. Dalton, Dr. R. A. Prichard, Messrs Ephraim Wood, J. Allanson Picton, Owen Owen, Robert Roberts, J. Adey Wells, and J. O. Thomas. Mr J. McMaster, the neIdy-appointed chairman of the Llandudno Urban District Council, took the oatil to qualify as a justice of the peace. MR BONE v. THE COUNCIL. Mr E. E. Bone asked the Bench to adjourn his case against the Llandudno Urban District Coun- cil, in which he intended applying for an order to compel the Council to abate an alleged nuis- ance. Mr Conoily, on behalf of the Council, agreed to the adjournment, and said that if a nuisance did exist, the Council would do their best to abate it. The Bench granted the adjournment. DRUNKENNESS. R. Hamer, Normanton, for whom Mr E- E. Ikme appeared, was fined 2D 6d and costs for being 'se' drunk on licensed premises. David Moses Jones, Nant-y-Gamar. charged with a like offence, was also fined 2s 6d and costs • For drunkenness, Enoch Williams was fined 2s 6d and costs; William Lloyd Jones, 53 and oosts; David Evans, 2s 6d and costs; Ellen and Daniel Owens, Is and costs each Owen Owens. 2s 6d and costs; and John Williams, 2s 6d and costs. A MOTORIST HEAVILY FINED. Alfred John Mitc-hell, of Chantry House, Lon- don, was charged with driving a motor-car to the danger of the public in Llandudno, on March 27th. Mr James J. Marks appeared for the pro- secution, and Mr E. W. Johnson (Messrs Cham- berlain and Johnson) for the defendant. P.C. Williams (29) said he noticed the car passing the end of L)oyd-street very fa-gt, like lightning. He went up Mostyn-street, and saw the same car coming from the direction of the Grand HoteL and proceed up Church Walks, at the r&te of 25 to 50 miles an hour. There were two men in the car- There were several people on the road, and also a large number of children, who were going to the Pavilion to attend the election of May Queen, and also to the Pier Bio- scope. He subsequently saw the car outside the Empire Hotel, and took its number. The de- fendant admitted that he was the owner and driver of the car, which, he said, had only just been brought out of the garage. In cross-examination, Witness said he was quite certain that he had got the right car. The road at the end of Llovd-street was 20 yards wide, and the car covered the distance in less than two seconds. Mr Johnson How long would it take you to walk from Lloyd-street to the Grand Hotel? Witness: About two or three minutes. Mr Johnson And we are blamed for motoring it in four minutes. Griffith Evans, a cabdriver, said he saw the car, with two gentlemen in it, coming up the Promenade and going in the direction of the Grand HoteL He had never in his life seen a car go so fast. There were more children in the street at that time than usual. Cross-examined, Witness said he took notice of the car in question because it was travelling so fast, and making a great noise. Mr Johnson said that the evidence given by the witnesses referred to the car going to the Grand Hotel, whereas the defendant was charged with an offence in coming from the Grand Hotel. He desired to know which charge he had to meet? The Chairman said the Bench would go on with the case. In further cross-examination, Witness expressed his opinion that the car was going three times as fast as a horse, which travelled ten miles an hour. He, however, did not see anyone in danger. Thomas Hughes, a bath-chair man, estimated the speed of the car at 30 miles an hour. Mr Johnson, for the defence, said that Mr Mitchell, who resided in London, vras a gentle- man of high reputation, and had driven motor- cars for six or seven years, in almost every part of the United. Kingdom, and had practically driven through every road and lane in the coun- try without any complaint, excepting upon one occasion, when he fell into a police "trap" in Kent. He apologised for not being in court that day, as he had booked to Madeira. The evidence of the witnesses for the prosecution was not true, and he contended that the car was kept well within the speed limit of ten miles an hour while on the Promenade. Mr J. A. Ricardson, who was with Mr Mit- chell, said the latter was considered one of the most expert drivers in London, and had been driving for about nine years. They knew there was a ten mile speed limit on the Promenade, and they did not do more than ten miles within the speed limit, or more than fifteen beyond. There were some children on the Promenade, but not on the road. Mr Mitcheil offered one of the police officers to test the speed-meter, which recorded the rate the car had been travel- ling for two years. Mr Johnson remarked that that was new to him, and he suggested^that the case should be adjourned so that thet could stand or fall by the speed-meter, which would be conclusive proof of the rate the car was travelling. Mr Marks objected to the adjournment, and the Bench decided to go on with the case. In reply to Mr Marks, WTitness stated that the maximum rate at which he had ever known the car to travel was 25 miles, but that was not at Llandudno. ul£WJUU,.U.1JV. Mr Harry Crockatt, architect, Llandudno, esti- mated that the car was going at the rate of eight miles an hour. The Chairman said the Bench considered the case clearly proved, and fined the defendant £10 and costs, including advocate's fee MOTOR CAR FALLS IN A PIT. James H. McGuire, Leeds, was charged with driving a motor-car to the danger of the public on the Conway-road. on April 15th. Mr James "0 J. Marks appeared for the prosecution, and Mr E. W. Johnson (Messrs Chamberlain and John- son) was for the defendant- Thomas Roberts, gardener, Trevor-street, stated that about 7.45 p.m. on April 15th, he noticed the motor-car coming along the Conway- road, about 200 yards the other side of the Mostyn Arms HoteL It was coming at a terrific speed, and was swaying from side to side. He tried to climb the fence to get out of the way. The next he saw of it was in a ditch by the garage. William Phillip, fruiterer, considered that the car was travelling at a speed which was danger- ous to the public. David Williams, an Urban Council employee, said he was on duty near a hole which a burst in the water main had caused, to warn drovers of vehicles to avoid it. As defendant's car ap- proached, he ran towards it to warn them of the danger, but they took no notice, and turned the corner at the back of the Post Office, and fell into the hole. Police-Sergeant Williams said defendant told him he was a driver in the employ of Mr J. W. Bray, of Leeds. Mr Johnson submitted that the defendant had not been identified as the driver of the car upon the occasion, and no case of danger to the pub- lic had been proved. The Bench fined the defendant £ 5 and costs, including advocate's fee. CHIMNEYS ON FIRE. John Kerney and Morris Davies were each fined Is and costs for permitting the chimneys of their houses to take fire.

FLINTSHIRE TERRITORIAL FORCE. A LINK yVlTH THE DAYS OF CHARLES I. At the Assembly Hall, Holywell, to-day week. Lord Mostyn presented service certificates to the men of the old Holywell Volunteer Corps (2nd V.B. R.W. F.), now E. Company of the 5th Bat- talion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Captain Williams stated that the company numbered 70 members, whereas the full strength should be 117, and he appealed for the remain- ing men to be enrolled. Lord Mostyn, having presented the men with their certificates, said he noticed that the bills eallrng together tihat gathering was headed "Has Holywell done its duty?" When he saw this he was rather astonished. because he regarded the volunteers of Hofywell AS having done their duty from time immemorial. Long back to the time of Charles 1. they found that within 24 hours a regiment of 1300 strong was raised in the district of Coleshill- Holywell did its duty then. He hoped and believed their regiment would be one to receive colours from the King in June (hear, hear). Referring to the establishment of the Territorial Army, he said the country was making a great experiment, and if it failed there would be nothing left but conscription. His idea was that every young man should do his duty to his country (hear, hear). In proposing a vote of thanks to Lord Mostyn for his presence, the High Sheriff of Flintshire (Mr J. Lloyd Price, J.P.) said the me-n of the Holywell Territorial Force were descendants of the men who fought in defence of Flint CastJe in the name of Charles I., under the leadership of a member of the noble house of Mostyn (Colonel Sir Roger Mostyn).

A REMARKABLE LLAN- DUDNO CASE. Lack of vitality and weak lungs cured by DR. CASSELL'S TABLETS. Mr Rd. Jones, of 2, School Cottages, Bryn Pydew, Llandudno, writes — *1 suffered for about two years from lack of vitality and weak lungs., and I used to get very tired and ex- hausted, and I had a dry hacking cough. I tried no end of medicincs, some of which did me a small amount of gVxxI, but none as much as your wonderful Tablets. I consider them a remedy 'par excellence' for the weak, jaded or run down, and now, thanks to their use, I am enjoying life the same as I used' to." For nervous prostration., anaemia, debility, stomach troubles, paralysis of the q-crv heart weakness, kidiney troubles, and nearly all forms, of nerve and bodily weakneas, Dr. Cassell's Tab- lets are unequalled. They only cost 10Ad (trial size). Is lid aDd 2b 9d a box, OF ANY chemist.

THE SHOW GIRL BY MAX PEMBERTON, Author of "The Iron Pirate," "Red Mora." "A Puritan'* Wife," "The Hundred Days." &c. CHAPTER XXXV- [We meet the Marquis de Saint Faur and another old friend.] Hotel St. Paul, Paris. October 25th, 1905. Dear Paddy,—I am keeping my promise, and, at much inconvenience, hastening to let you know, both what was done last night, and what is proposed to be done to-day. That you have no news I gather from your silence. Had there been but & single ray of light, I know with what speed your kindness would have winged it on to Paris. An empty letter-bag chills my hope with its intimation of despair and hopelessness. Oh, I eonnot get away from it, Paddy- asleep or awake, the question rolls in my ears with a sound of drums. She is alive-- she is dead. A thousand arguments push reason and patience aside, now bidding me accuse, now reproach her-anon chanting an office of black conspiracy, again deluding me with fair promises. For would not Mimi, of all people in the world, have found a way, if any door were open to her cleverness? What trick, I ask, what mendacity keeps her silent? Has an unknown assassin dared a second crime, that the first may be covered? And why, and why-why did this come to me in the springtime of my happiness? What mockery of my destiny sent it to my door at such a time? I have seen the Marquis de Saint Faur, and he has told me that Lea's story is a black lie. Tho arrows of a base calumny rarely stick, Paddy, but they prick and bruise, and often leave a 6car. I am ashamed of having gone to his house, and yet not ashamed. His manner perplexed me utterly-we make nothing of him, and yet we may not dismiss him. Is it not becoming a mystery beyond all hope, all thought? ■ I am convinced of one thing, and it is this, that Lea d'Alen§on never intended me to hear the Marquis's name. It escaped her lips by accident, at a moment of stress, when the lie meant all to her, and the man who would deny it was, as she believed, beyond the confines of appeal. An accident of speech, a chance word uttered by Jules Far- man, informed me of St. Faur's unexpected Teturn to Paris, and last night I called upon him at his hetel. This was at nine o'clock. Despite the season, the famous corridor of the Rita Hotel showed me many familiar faces. I heard the American tongue, with its shrill suggestion of dominance; passed by notorious "affairs" and discovered the Mar- quis at last, one of four at a little table, and two of them as well dressed and elegant women as I have ever seen in this famous place. The Marquis himself is all that his ances- tors might have been before the "grand manner perished in France. Tall and stately, with a bearing dignified beyond words, his bow is not to be matched off the boards of the Theatre Frangais while his reception of me was that of a great nobleman who has been unwelcomely disturbed but would utter no complaint. In his hand he held the card upon which I had scribbled the words—"concerning Monsieur le Comte d'Antoine." But I had looked to see him in a private room, and my apologies were ex- pressed with all the earnestness I could com- mand. "Mr. Gastonard," he asked me, "must this be urgent? "It shall be when Monsieur le Marquis may please but no words will express my gratitude if it may be soon." "I have an apartment here," he went on, "will you do me the honour to come at eleven o'clock to-night? I said that I would do BO, and turned away. He had named me aloud, however, and one of the women-of singular beauty and much sweetnes3 of manner—uttered an audibler ex- clamation, and stared, I thought, more directly than good manners permitted. At the door the porter, who knows me well, told me that the Marquis was staying in the house. "And the ladies with him?" I asked. "They are the Princesc Helene of Ilidze and her cousin, Monsieur." There was nothing to call for remark here, and I went out and paced the boulevards until the appointed hour arrived. In the old days, Paddy, nothing gave me more delight than to walk alone in Paris when the lights were blazing and the cafes black with people and all the boulevards alive with the hum of leisure and frivolity. What a scene un- m atched, I used to think it; what drolleries one witnessed comedies fed upon sugar and water; tragedies brooding upon black coffee and a twopenny cigar—everywhere the fiddlers thrashing unoffending catgut; women talking against time—men against their sweet persuasiveness-waiters playing the acrobat-fat proprietors of restaurants perspiring and beaming at their doors—what a scene and what a people And the Jehu on his box and the turbnlenfc sea of crashing traffic coming whence God alone knew the ferocious cries of peace- able men—the glittering pavements—the spreading aureoles of monstrous lights- theatre flares as triumphal arches of shim- mering fire-great wide windows to be- witch you with their merry revelations —the throat of Paris grown hoarse but weary-ah, I say, what scenes and what a people And yet I could pass them by to- night without a thought, believe that they mocked me, cry upon the happiness and the laughter of others, say that the music was discordant, the women so many Jezebels, the men a company of chattering fools, the whole city a pandemonium whence I would willingly escape. So does trouble war upon us, so is this land fair or a wilderness, as fortune shall dictate. The Marquis was in his room when I re- turned at eleven o'clock. He wore a black smoking-cap and had lighted a cigar. You know the rooms upon the first floor of the Ritz, little arbours, as it were, cut out of those vfcst walls, but arbourB furnished as the old chateaux were, and often borrowing the treasures of chateaux for their ornaments. The apartment was lighted by a single read- ing-lamp, placed upon a table at the Mar- quis's side. Whisky and soda and tumblers stood to hand. He was alone and I perceived at once that he received me not unwillingly .and with some curiosity. "You are here to speak of my poor friend the Count d'Antoine," he said. "I know your name, Mr. Gastonard, and the story of these recent days. Be good enough to sit down. I regret that I should have been com- pelled to defer the hour of our meeting, but the reasons were self-evident. There are the cigarettes, if you will smoke." He lighted one himself, standing with his back towards me, but scanning my face, as I could see, in the mirror above the chimney- piece. F'ear of my own quick tongue bade me imitate him and smoke-for there is no weapon of discreet speech so sure as a cigarette in the mouth. When he had seated himself, I stated my purpose very frankly. "Yes," I said, "it would be about the Count d'Antoine. He was very well known to you, Marquis—I may say that he was your friend." "Most willingly one of the oldest of my friends and one of the most esteemed." "Then my second question needs no apo- logy. I have been told that my wife was his mistress. Is that story true or is it false? He did not answer me immediately. Per- haps my own pitiful state alarmed him; for I could not master my distress. It was there for all the world to spy upon—a man's heart stripped for others to revile. Is the story true or false, Monsieur If Marquis? Pardon my insistence-your an- swer means more to me than I can tell you." Again a little spell of silence, and that im- penetrable mask upon an immobile face to defy me. Oh, my God, why did he not speak? Did honour forbid, or the truth? "I understand you very well, Mr. Gaston- ard," he said at last, "and I think that I may reply as you would wish "You think, Monsieur?" He waved the objection aside a little mas- terfully. "Who can answer for a man's secrets— much less for a woman's? I believe that my friend the Count had never seen Madame Gastonard until he visited her in London." "Thank God for that-thank God "He had never mentioned her name to me so much I remember perfectly. And I think he would have done so if the facts were as you suppose." "I suppose nothing, Marquis. A woman sent .me hre-Madame Lea d AlenQon. "Madame d'Aleneon-lia! He smiled quietly, but a phase of anger succeeded the smile, and upon that a glance of mistrust. "Madame d'Alencon—what does she know of my poor friend?" "She met him at the house of Madame Martin, the American. This story of an in- trigue reached me first from her lips—she sent me to you believing that you were at Corfu upon your yacht. I had learned by accident of your altered plans-and so I came to you." He nodded his head, staring down into the blazing fire of logs which had been kindled upon my entry. "You did very well," he exclaimed, "very well to come to me. The Count was more than my friend—ke was almost a brother to im," "Then you know why he went to Eng- land? He did not look up, but his very attitude revealed something to me. This was a ques- tion he would willingly have been spared. "I—what should I know of it? "Pardon me—you were intimate friends, and the .supposition is not illogical. Then you knew nothing, Monsieur?" "Of what happened, nothing. Had it been otherwise the police would have heard from me the same day." And you hazard nothing, Monsieur le Marquis? He smoked quietly for a little while—but answered me eventually by an evasion. "You are asking me many questions—may I put one or two to you?" "I shall answer everything, Marquis." "They will be embarrassing questions, but they are not put without a purpose." "That is understood." "You first met Madame Gastonard at one of the Fetes about Paris, I think?" "At the Fete de Neuilly." "And were attracted by something in her appearance or manner? Would it be very difficult to tell me a little intimately of that, Mr. Gastonard?'" "By no means. I was attracted firstly by her orginalitv, and then by my belief that she was not born amongst these people. A Louis Quinze clock is beautiful at Fontaine- bleau, but you pass it quickly where there are hundreds like it. In the Rue de Pigalle one would remark it immediately. I saw that she had not been born to such an en- vironment. Her voice had the timbre of birth. There were gestures, phrases, a man- ner which cried loudly for a truer story. I stayed to talk to her, as one might rest to pick a rose in a awamp. That was the oddest thing, Marquis—the advantage remained with her. No one to my knowledge has ever patronised Mimi the Simpleton." "Why did they give her that name? "I can but surmise. She lived in her dreams apart from them. Their world was not her world. She walked through it with skirts lifted, upon the tiptoe of her birth- fight. To me it always seemed that her mind strove ceaselessly to recall something which illness or terror had bletted from its recol- lection. She was a born leader of the people —she ruled by right of blood-the most ignorant were conscious of it." "And she could give you no account of her past?" "So meagre an account that its pursuit were hopeless. She remembered an old woman named Marie, the great white road from Blois to Orleans, voices in a wood-and then the Showman's booth. The 'before- time' lay in the golden mists of childheod. She believes that it was a happy time-this memory of a burden as of happiness has come through the mists and has never been laid down. Oh, yes, Mimi was happy in her childhood, I have no doubt of it.' You pursued your inquiries none the less, Mr. Gastonard?" "I have spent thousands of pounds in the quest-" "And nothing further has been learned?" "Nothing has been learned." He nodded his head, and for quite a long while said no word. He was standing up when next he spoke and he looked me fairly in the face. "Mr. Gastonard," he exclaimed, "I sent the Comte d'Antoine to England." "You, Monsieur!" "As I say, I sent him to England, to see Madame Gastonard, and, if possible, to per- suade her to pay a brief visit to Paris." MODsieur-Monsieur! "For a purpose of an honourable, I will say, in fact, of a noble character; but one I cannot reveal even to you." pl, "Then you know her story, Marquis?" "I believe that I know it—but as belief which is not certainty might work an incom- ceivable mischief, my lips are sealed." But-but-" My astonishment did not move him. He continued in an inflexible tone. (To be Continued.) ———————————

BY AN UNSEEN HAND BY JOHN K. LEYS, Author of "The Lindsays," Held in the Toifa," 'The Bohon Square Tragedy," &c CHAPTER XXIV. THE ITALIAN'S PLOT. Shortly after Horace and his friend left Mr. Hovcndean's office Mr. Clarkson did a thing which he had not done twice before during the twelve long years he had spent in the service of the law—he left the office on his own private business during office hours. He certainly did not stay out long, only for the time necessary to walk hurriedly to the nearest post-office and despatch a telegram. The consequence of his doing so was that when he entered his favourite restaurant for luncheon that day, the first man his eyes lighted on was Paolo Raffanelli. He strolled ofer to the table at which the Italian was eeated, and sat down by him. "Well, I've done it," he said in a tone at once sulky and truculent—"and I never thought to have played a dirty trick like that in the dark, and for a blooming Italian to boot!" he muttered to himself. "What do you mean?" asked Paolo care- lessly. "I mean that I have done your bidding. I ha-ve kept back that young Australian's will and prevented him from signing it. If it t had not been for me he would have signed it this morning." "It was of no consequence-no conse- quence at all," said the Maltese jauntily. "Oh, indeed! Of no consequence whether he signed or not, was it? Very good," said Clarkson, pale with passion." I'll see that he puts his signature to it this afternoon-you can bet on that." The expression of the Maltese changed m if by magic. "That would not suit me at all," he said quickly. "It will have to suit you, then, for I mean to do it." "No, good Mr. Clarkson, don't do that; it would be a disaster." "I am glad to hear it." "But for you A disaster for you cried the Maltese, unconsciously raising his voice. That's right, scream away; attract the attention of every one in the place," said the clerk sarcastically. "But as for a disaster, I think I can stand all the disaster that's coming to me. I hope it won't hurt you more than it will hurt me." Mr. Clarkson, you must not do this," said Paolo, folding his arms and laying them on the marble-topped table and staring signifi- cantly <rt his friend. "You really must not. Remember our agreement." "Yes, and that reminds me-I want ten pounds from you! "Ten pounds! Corpo di Bacoo What fort" "For delaying the signature of Mr. Cuth- bertson's will. Now, there's two things you will please to do, or I swear Fll take the will to our client's house to-night and get him to sign it in my presence." "What are those two things?" asked the Maltese. "The first is to hand over the ten pounds you promised me for (lelowing the signature." An animated discussion took place as to the exact meaning of this agreement, but at length it was ended by payment of the ten pounds demanded. "And now," said Mr. Clarkson, as he pocketed the money, "my other condition is that I must be told the reason why you wanted the signature of this will delayed." The Maltese uttered horrible imprecations under his breath, but lie shook his head with a polite, deprecatory, almost timid smile. "That is exclusively my affair, I imagine," said the more accomplished rogue. "And mine, too," said the other, "if I choose to make it so. I won't be a blind tool in your hand." "But your function is completed. There need be no more bargains, legal or non-legal. You go East, I go West; or, you go West, I go East; and so we part." "If that is your last word, the will shall be signed to-night." "But what business have you with my motives, my reasons for doing things? "I want to know them, that's enough," said the other doggedly. Paolo suddenly changed his whole manner and attitude. Leaning forward and stretch- ing out his neck till Clarkson was forced to draw back, he said, in an impressive voice "Mr. Clarkson, if you are a wise man, you will not know them you will not seek to know them. You understand? It will be safer that you do not." The clerk started. He was convinced that some deep piece of villainy was being con- cocted. Could he be in any way connected with it, if the matter came into a criminal court? He let his mind run back. He had probably been observed talking to Raffanelli in that very restaurant. Could he explain his connection with the foreigner? Again, the clerks in the office knew that the will had been engrcesed, and was ready for signature. Suppose it became known that he had lied in this matter, could he show that he had done so through careless- ness, and not for Rome sinister motive? Truly the foreigner was right. The less he knew of this business the better. He buttoned his coat carefully over the pocket-book in which he had bestowed TH* two five-pound notes he had just received, and, rising, reached down his hat from fbe hat-rack. I Then, without any parting word to 1he Italian, without so much as a look at J:jll he stalked out of the restaurant. Paolo threw back his head and laughed — laughed with hie mouth, but his eyes werlt troubled. When he had finished his flask of chianti he lit a cigarette, and, strolling ouS on the pavement, signalled to a hansom- Ten minutes later he was set down at a handsome block of buildi rigs not far froffl Piccadilly. He went up by the electric lift to the TOP j floor, and, pressing an ivory button by th. side of the door, asked the servant wllo opened if he might see Major Bellew. J ur, t sit down a minute," said the Major. j when he was shown in, glancing over flis shoulder, but not offering to shake hands. He wrote rapidly, and at last, his task finished, wheeled round in his wriling-cbair. "Well?" he asked. "It's just as I thought," replied TH* Maltese gloomily. You thought votire-elf very clever that night at H^1 BUT 1 thought at the UIN- NUTT your -2 Jr getl. ng the young man to say that be had not Dlac16 his will would very likely put tho idea 0 making one into his head. That was itiet what happened. I went to see my friend Clarkson, a clerk in Mr. Hovendean's office* on tho following day, on the chance that ii. our friend were going to have his will MAD* he would naturally go to the solicitors through whom he had got his money. Would' you believe it? Clarkson assured me tb"" that very morning the young gentlernall came to his office and left instructions fo having his will drawn up." "Indeed? This becomes interesting, congratulate you on the perspicacity of your reasoning and the success of your enter* prise. Might one inquire what was th* nature of the instructions given by lJr* Cuthbortson t "Half to a certain Miss Lettice Nielsen;. half the remainder to his cousin Horace Cleeve and the rest to the next-of-kin of his late aunt Lavinia Cleeve." A curious smile flitted over the Major i lace, and was gone in an instant. "So I promised the good Clarkson te* pounds if ho would have the execution of th* will postponed till to-morrow. He wired to-day, asking me to m«et him. I went, he told me that, but for his interference, the will would have been signed this morning- He did interfere—or said he did—and the execution of the will was delayed. But it will be signed to-morrow morning, if .the testator is alive to sign it. Major, the tilno for action has come. We have delayed too long already." "I am not sure that I understand you, said the Major, speaking very slowly. "BUJ if you mean that I should join you in an1 action prejudicial to young Cuthbertson, may say at once that I cannot do it." For a moment the Maltese stared, open mouthed, and then followed a torrent of ex- clamation, indignation, and abuse, most Of which, being in Italian, or rather in Maltese* beat on the Major without producing the smallest effect. "I suppose you are swearing at me? he-. said, placidly, as Paolo halted for breatb- "But it does not harm me in the least. It only shows that you are-never mind what. I tell you plainly, once for all, that I have done with it." "Done with it!" echoed Paolo. "Then ▼ou had something to do with it at one time- You cannot deny that! No You deny it!" The Major eat examining his finger-nail** Baying nothing. "Did we not agree that this young who is of no particualr use in the world, should be-shall we say compulsorily retired;4 that you would, as one of his next-of-kin, herit a large share of his enormous fortune; that, having this money, you would pay JD8 the old debt you owed my father, with tell per cent, compound interest in addition to that originally agreed on and that Virgim* and I, having received this money from y°ai would get married and set sail for the United States? Was it not so agreed?" The Major seemed to be suddenly inter" ested in the weather. He rose from hie cliai^# went to the window, and studied intently th* small section of sky open to hig inspection. "You cannot deny ail this," cried Paolo, "No; for you are well aware that it ie true. I ask you, then, why not carry out our coI11" pact? Your part is absurdly easy; you have only to write to the young man under tillt name of Butler and tell him that you haØ discovered the writer of the anonymou* letter, and he will hasten to the house yolt indicate. TUM; is all we ask or expect you ta do. What could be more easy? "When I agreed to join you in this entePj prise I did not clearly realise what it meant, mid the Major, who had returned to his seat. 441 had not put it clearly before my mind thaC murder might be intended. "Might I ask, then, what you supposed might be intended by the little comedy yoi* played at Highgate 1" The Major was silent. Now, if Alexander Cuthbertson should unfortunately die to-night you will receive very large fortune, and we, Virginie and I who have done nearly all the work, barely what we are legally entitled to. It is mor? to your interest than ours that the worK ehould be carried out, and we ask you to fulfil your promise to help us. We ask you to invite the lad to the house, and then keep him in conversation till the proper momeD. arrives." "I will not do it. I cannot do it! "Why?" "Because this boy-he is only a boy it knowledge of the world—he and I are friends He has eaten my salt and I will not conspil* against him." h. "You will have no scruple in going throug" tho pockets of the dead man, but you prefe* pot to have any part in the dangerous wor* of killing him. That is the case, isn't iU" "You may sneer as much as you choose. tell you again I shall take no part in your devilish schemes. And now you may go "Take care. Major! You forget I nave if la my power to make you a bankrupt!" "I don't think you would find me wortj* powder and shot, but do as you like," the Major, turning again to his writiing-tablft, and leaving his visitor to find his way out RA best he could. That evening Alec Cuthbertson received telegram that ran as follows:— "Have just hit upon trace of writer 01 anonymous letter. Most important. ^on^J et nine p.m. to-night, 17, Grosvenor-road, will give you full information.—Colon*" Butler." Alee had quite enough interest in tbv clearing up of the mystery of his aunt • death to make him postpone an engagement he had with Lettice, and send a telegram to Colonel Butler ftaying that he would keep the appointment. As it happened Horace was out when th8 telegram arrived, and had not returned wholm it was time to leave for Highgate, about quarter before eight. So Alec put the teW* gram he had received into an envelope, whics he addressed to Horace, along with a scrap of paper to say that he was just starting lot Highgate. He had not been gone half-an-hour whelg Horace came in, and his brows contracted ill a frown when he read his friend's message. with the telegram enclosed. He had neves been able to understand that business of th. anonymous letter, and he was vaguely cliø- trustful of Colonel Butler. Five minutes later a second telegram VI. handed in addressed to Alec. After somu hesitation Horace opened it, and this is wba he read :— a If you get telegram in my name making appointment for to-night at Highgate or else- where it is a forgery. On no account keep the appointment. This is most important. am leaving now for Constantinople and fhsll be absent several weeks.-Colonel Butler. (To be Concluded.) J

Earthquake shocks in tho neighbourhood of Lisbon have resulted in considerable damgc tD houses and other buildings, while about 40 Pcrd sons have lost their lives, 100 are injured, 120 are missing. Lovers of children will see that sweets supp 43e to them are of the best quality. You CA" J>end on "Purity Brand" Sweets, they