Red Money

in so uncomforta

scrupulous woman, whose jealousy would probably twist innocence into guilt. It was certain that she would go to Pine and give him a garbled version of what had taken place, in which case the danger was great, both to himself and to Agnes. Lambert had spoken bravely enough to the marplot, knowing that he had done no wrong, but

d un-English looks, he quite believed that what Chaldea said was true. And he could understand also that Pine-or Hearne, since that was his true name-would occasionally wish to breathe the free air of heath and road since he had been cradled under a tent, and must at times feel strongly th

native heath, appealed to Lambert as a reason why he should not seek out the man immediately, as he almost felt inclined to do, in order to forestall Chaldea's story. As Hearne, the millionaire's wild instincts w

Agnes until I know what is best to be done about Chaldea. Meanwhile, I shall see the girl and get her to hold her tongue for a time-Damn!" He frow

a day or so. "I shall get a trap at the inn and drive to the station," he said, as he halted at the door. "You will receive a wire

d that afternoon sent notice by a gamekeeper that they were to leave his land the next day. Taken up with his own private troubles, Lambert did not pay much attention to those of the tribe,

, with a gasp, and a ho

g to Pine," said Lambert in a low voice, a

girl boldly. "U

astily, for he was determined not to commit him

d what was in his mind. However, she thought that the request showed a sign of yielding, and was

ington village. His mind was more or less of a chaos, but at all events he had gained time to reduce the chaos to some

rooding sombrely on the way in which this Gentile had rejected her love. Bending her black brows and showing her white teeth like an irritated dog, she inwardly cursed herself for cherishing so foolish a love. Nevertheless, she did not try to overcome it, but reso

" asked a harsh voice, and she raised her h

ra to get the gold. Did I not

ister!" said Kara, look

ly. "I am a great wi

i when the gold chi

n, brother. It's

hanged, sister?" pers

ders us off his land. And yet-" Chaldea stood up, suddenly recol

face, sister," said Kara, meaning that

s," said Chaldea sententiousl

n. He's trading a horse with the swell rye,

ers and then took refuge in talking to his violin, to which he related his doubts of the girl's truth. And he sm

mooth, boyish face and reddish hair. He had the innocent expression of a fox-terrier, and rather resembled one. He was neatly and inoffensively dressed in blue serge, and although he did not look exactly like a gentleman, he would have passed for one in a crowd. When Chaldea made her abrupt entrance he was talk

Pine sharply, and making a sign

travel to-mor

," retorted P

brother, if you

e knew only too well, since Chaldea had impressed him thoroughly with the fact that she had overheard many of his secrets. Th

ed her speech to Romany. "The ring will be here

a gleam of satisfaction in his dark eyes. "Go now and retur

Lundra t

e ring,

said abruptly, then dropping the tent-flap wh

d noted that he seemed very satisfied. "Wha

s you never heard of," mocked Pi

I am your

hmael Hearne," broke in the other man. "And

winkled in an evil manner. "You are afra

y. "But I won't have you meddle with my Romany business.

y m

-my trusted secretary-that is quite eno

h a look of meekness belied by the sinister gleam in his pale bluish

etly. "When I found you in Whitecha

ember. You made your fort

hadn't taken up your toys, you would have been now struggling in Whitechapel, since there was no one but me to exploit your brains in the toy-making way. I have rescued you

t w

be grateful are generally the least thankful to those

ve expression came over his clean-shaven face. "Does a clev

ombine the logic of the male with the intuition of the female. And I hav

to me in this strain," he said irritably. "I appreciate what you

you serve me well, Silver, I am your friend, and I shall treat you as I have always don

ray you, if that

r if you do, you return to your original poverty. And remember, Mark

he rough clothes of the speaker. "No need

the truth did come to light, there is nothing to be ashamed of. I commit no crime in calling myself by a Gorgio n

he observed mildly. "I am bound to yo

s understanding. If you-" Pine's speech was ended by a sharp fit of co

mp colonial sort of tent-life," was his o

haken him, "and can't understand how a bred and born Romany longs for the smell of the smoke, the space of the open count

sked the secretary, h

rusting my wife as I do, there was really

Lady Agnes is exce

he ha

py as a woman can be who is married

contrary, Pine sighed, restlessly. "Poor soul. I did her a wrong in maki

rection of squandering money. By the way, I suppose, since you are

what of it?" demanded t

would like to know. I fancied

see that my wife and Lambert do

rely, I wonder you ask me to spy on her

of the Oriental in us to mistrust even the most

n. He can't trust him

ch a way about my wife. What you think doesn't matter. Hold your ton

ning enough to know precisely how far he could venture

that he should deal with it as though it were his own. Here"-he passed along a letter-"I have written that on my office paper, and you will see that it says, I

glance at the contents, which were those the writer had stated. "But if Garvingto

imply do what I

suspect that y

h Ishmael Hearne. If he asks questions when we meet I can tell him my

the secretary. "And Garvington is afraid lest the gypsies should be mixed up with

ey are not burglars, however, and never will be. Garvington has nev

twice I have seen that girl who c

ted and looked earne

d also tried to make Lady Agnes cross her hand with silver for the same purpose

uld see no reason to suspect that the girl had betrayed him, since she had nothing to gain by taking such a

so. Garvington has threatened to shoot

y. "There is no chance that the Romany will ente

d Silver with an elaborate

mean, Mark? Do you think that I intend to break

ll sorts," retorted the secretary coolly. "And suppos

ld then know my true name and birth. I wish to keep that from her, although there is nothing disg

se Lambert

You are always ha

ur interes

not so sure of that. Self-int

ke me spy on her," sa

sentence. There is no need for her to see her cousin, and-as they have kept apart f

y sententiously. "And you may be living in a fool's paradise

married me for my money, so that I might save the credit of the Lambert family. But for me, Garvington would have passed through the Bankruptcy Court long ago. I have

ust her," observed

she is, and Gentiles are tricky." He stretched out a slim, brown hand significant

mbert, and he is t

to run away with him, and she wo

ainly doesn't c

family, and gave herself to me,

s are," he observed pleasantly. "Even if Garvington were sold up h

s estates that he agreed to my marriage with

man's foxy face became

Mind your own infernal business, and mine also. Go back and s

his departure he was still laughing. He wondered what Garvington woul

m out of the camp, and was staring after him wh

brother," she said w

t of a brown study. "Avali, miri p

ve to do with your happi

dding-ring

a true Romany and not the