Hushed Up

ied myste

that he died from natur

nation's loss, and the truth was hushed up. But you, Phil Pol

inary in that, surely?

into a harsh whisper. "He died while smoking a cigar-a cigar that had been poisone

a brief pause, his brows knit da

nd to tell you that I know the truth," said the other with slow

" asked Poland, with a faint

advantage," remarked Arnold D

"But I tell you, Arnold, I refuse to lend any hand in this crooked bi

!" he laughed. "And I'm a crook, I suppose," and he thoughtfully caressed h

n't sa

t. No doubt the villagers believe the gentleman at the Elms to be a model of every virtue, especially when he wears a frock-coa

ng to be honest, Arnol

le here, in Middleton, knew the

losed door of his cosy study. "What's the use of discussing the business further? I've told y

lly blackguardly bit of business-the more so, indeed, when one r

r threateningly. "Taunt me as much as ever it pleases you. Allege what you like against me. I know I'm an infernal blackguard, posing here as a smug and respectable churchgoer. I admit

member, and I fancy she had her eyes opened last February down

uick, shifty eyes would have betrayed to a close observer a readiness of subterfuge which would have probably aroused suspicion. His exterior was that of a highly refined and polished man. His grey tweed su

d-world garden, so typically English with its level lawns, neatly trimmed box-hedges and blazing

of Andover, a small picturesque old place surrounded by high old elms wherein the rooks cawed incessantly, and commanding extensive views over Harewood Forest and the undulat

e Elms was, indeed, delightful after the glare and glitter of that fevered life he so often led, and h

led a most retired existence, reading much, fishing a little, and taking long walks

omfortably off, subscribing to every charity, and a regular attendant at Middleton church, the simple country-folk had grown to

each winter he went with a mysterious purpose

clean-shaven face and closely-cropped hair tinged with grey, presented the smart and dapper appearance of a typical British naval officer, as, indeed, he had been, for, prior to his dow

en divided. There were some who refused to believe the truth of the scandals circulated concerning him, wh

ient to thus efface himself in rural Hampshire, and live alone with the sweet young girl who

as a sailor and had been honoured and respected. He held her aloof from every one, being ever in deadly fear lest, by some chance word, she sho

Her influence upon him was always for good. For the past year he had been striving to cut himself adrift from evil, to reform, to hold back from participating in any dishonest action-for her dear sake. Her soft-spok

s position was in

ty thousand pounds into the pockets of their ingenious combination, yet

probably mean a six-roomed cottage with a maid-of-all-work, yet even

lla beside the Mediterranean at Beaulieu, half-way between Nice and Monte Carlo, had recurred vividly to him. He was unable to wipe those horr

om Milan with an entirely new and original scheme-one in which the risk of detection

ieved to be buried for ever-that terrible affair which had startled and mystified the whole world, and which had

ntil that hour Phil Poland's connection w

hat the truth was actually known, and he realized tha

nowledge? What did he know? How much did he know? The strength of

see the light of day, he told himself. Upon the suppression

no doubt. Did he intend to use this knowledge in order

ence, Poland asked in as

o suspect that Son

at you when you were walking with her that moonlight night out in the garden, I don't think th

w, to have taken her over that accursed place-that hell in paradise. She is always perfectly happy at the H?tel de L

lver box upon the table and slowly lit it. "But," he went on, "I do really think you are going too far in

py man in a hoarse voice. "By Gad! she

in this new affair.

't face her, if she knew. Her mother was one of

eye to the main chance and the future. Just take my advice, Phil. Drop all this humbug about your girl and her feelings if she learnt her father's real profession. She'll know it on

swer," was the ma

ful silence, broken only by the low hum of the insects, the buzzing of a fly up

e said in a hoarse whisper, "You may find yourself in a corner over that affair of yo

stance?" Poland said reflectively, hesitat

nodded in th

ed his friend. His countenance was haggard, blanched to the lips, fo

, "you may turn upon me, give me away to the police-tell them the trut

pared to fac

s your w

our da

my own

esponse, as he put on his grey felt hat and, taking his sti

s a statue. The blow had

, in order to recall his visitor. Bu

rned upon him, he would face the music rather than

ore of other names, halted, and raised his pale