The Hunt Ball Mystery

aid as they settled down in the private room of Ke

articular dislike to the fello

good-looking enough, but spoilt by

y a by no means

finger-tips. And t

s to-morrow. I made a point of inquiring how

ecessity of shaking him off. I can't tell you h

ear fellow. If only a su

t's hop

idea, for Captain Kelson looked ne

see something of the fun at any rate," Kelso

hink I can't amuse myself for an hour or two alone? You'll go off at t

like it

t in not looking sharper after my luggag

on alone and his guest should follow as soon as h

, they sat d

Harry," Gifford said. "He is

ht in every other capacity, I should say. You know they used to live

What is the

Quite a sportswoman, and as good after hounds as her brother. They say she had a thin time of it with her step-mother, and has come out wonderfully since the old l

has plent

The old man did not nearly live up to hi

ell, it might have been worse. Wynford has not passed into the hands of some Jew million

place had to go, you could not have fou

n it should arrive. Henshaw was in the hall, bulking big in a fur coat and complaining in a masterful tone of the unpunctuality of his fly. A handsome fellow, G

of the two friends; and, noticing Gifford's morning clo

ought to be soon," Gifford responded coldly, dis

id, addressing Kelson. "But I hardly cared to pr

e spoke the words almost vindictively, as th

d no effect on t

olly, ignoring the other's intent. "You will be a

as to get more of it than can be helped. And, after all, it is best to go inde

k of argument, and went out to his waiting dog-cart. Hen

said lightly as he passed Gifford, his tone clearl

tairs he heard an order given for "Mr. Henshaw's

f the rambling old house and its park crowded upon him. By force of one circumstance or another he had not been there for nearly ten years, and a great impatience to see it again took hold of him. He looked at the clock. At the best, supposing there were no hitch, his suit-case could hardly arrive for another hour and a half. Wynford Place was a bare mile away, perhaps twenty minutes' walk; the night was fine and moonlight, he

ck overcoat and a golf cap and went out, l

en, was struck by a certain peculiarity in his manner. It was nothing very much beyond a suggestion of suppressed excitement and that rather wild look which lingers in a man's eyes w

Place, sir?" the landlord inqui

es. Let me have a fly in a qua

e that time when he came d

nd there was a pleasant suggestion of revelry about the ivy-clad pile. Standing some dozen yards from the house, but connected with i

the moment to catch sight of Kelson, he had to introduce himself to his host, who had heard of his mishap and gave him a cheerily sympathetic welcome. Richard Morrist

rather in the light of an intruder

m concerned," Gifford responded with

rity to make yourself free of the place while you are in the neighbourhood. Edith," he called to a tall, hands

hear of your annoying experience," she said. "These railway people are too

h. Statuesque, too statuesque, Kelson had called her; certainly her manner and bearing had a certain cold stateliness, but Gifford had penetration enough to see that behind the reserve and the society tone of her welcome there might easily be a depth of feeling which his friend with a lesser knowledge of human nature never suspect

y girl on his arm, tall and fair, but with none of Miss Morriston's dignified coldness. This girl had a sunny, laughi

uced him, with an air of proprietorship it

loring the old tow

swered with a laugh. "They have converted

ut snug," Gifford observed. "I remember

k dress. They were slightly blotched and sprinkled with a dark colour in a way which was certainly not

nce," Kelson said, breaking

s full," Miss Tredwor

ily. "Then he shall

t rob you, Harry," he declared. "I'm

been resting at the Lion waiting for your t

nt out for a walk,

u did! Where

ifford answered rather evas