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  GREAT PORTER SQUARE:
  A MYSTERY.

  BY
  B. L. FARJEON,
  _Author of "Grif," "London's Heart," "The House of White
  Shadows," etc._

  _IN THREE VOLUMES._
  VOLUME III.

  LONDON:
  WARD AND DOWNEY,
  12, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.
  1885.
  [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.]




  PRINTED BY
  KELLY AND CO., GATE STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS
  AND KINGSTON-ON-THAMES.




CONTENTS.


   CHAP.                                                        PAGE
     XXXI.--Becky gives a description of an interview between
             herself and Richard Manx                              1

    XXXII.--In which Becky narrates how Fanny became acquainted
             with Mrs. Lydia Holdfast                             15

   XXXIII.--In which Becky narrates how Fanny became
             acquainted with Mrs. Lydia Holdfast (concluded)      24

    XXXIV.--Mr. Pelham makes his appearance once more             31

     XXXV.--Fanny discovers who Richard Manx is                   45

    XXXVI.--Becky and Fanny on the watch                          55

   XXXVII.--No. 119 Great Porter Square is let to a new Tenant    71

  XXXVIII.--The new Tenant takes possession of No. 119 Great
             Porter Square                                        87

    XXXIX.--Mrs. Holdfast insists on becoming an active partner  113

       XL.--Mrs. Holdfast insists on becoming an active partner
             (concluded)                                         118

      XLI.--Frederick Holdfast makes the discovery               134

     XLII.--Mr. Holdfast's Diary                                 147

    XLIII.--Mr. Holdfast's Diary (concluded)                     177

     XLIV.--Caged                                                207

      XLV.--Retribution                                          218

     XLVI.--In which the "Evening Moon" gives a Sequel to its
             "Romance in Real Life"                              224




GREAT PORTER SQUARE: A MYSTERY.




CHAPTER XXXI.

BECKY GIVES A DESCRIPTION OF AN INTERVIEW BETWEEN HERSELF AND RICHARD
MANX.


MY DEAREST LOVE--How, did you like my little messenger, Fanny? Is she
not steady, and bright, and clever? When she woke this morning I had an
earnest conversation with her, and as far as was necessary I told her my
plans and that I wanted her faithful assistance. She cried for joy. The
few words she managed to get out convinced me that, child as she is,
I could not be better served by a grown-up person. Besides, I want a
child to assist me; a grown-up person might spoil my plans. In what way?
Patience, my dear, patience.

Mrs. Preedy noticed that I looked tired, and I told her that I had been
kept awake all the night with toothache. She expressed great sympathy
with me. It is wonderful the position I hold in the house; I am treated
more like a lady than a servant. That is because I have lent my mistress
forty pounds, and have agreed to pay for little Fanny's board and
lodging. Mrs. Preedy threw out a hint about taking me into partnership,
if I would invest my fancied legacy into the business.

"We could keep on this house," she said, "and take another on the other
side of the Square."

I said it was worth thinking about, but that, of course, I could do
nothing until I received the whole amount of the legacy which would be
in three weeks' time. So the matter rests; during these three weeks Mrs.
Preedy will be very gracious to me, I expect. She said this morning,
when I told her about my toothache,

"You had better lay down, my dear."

Actually! "My dear!"

I did lie down, and I had a good rest, so that my keeping up all night
did not hurt me. I feel now quite refreshed, although it is night, and
eleven o'clock. Mrs. Preedy, as usual, is out gossiping with Mrs. Beale,
and I am writing in the kitchen. When she comes home I shall continue my
letter in my bedroom. I have much to tell you. Things seem to move on
rapidly. I have no doubt that in a very short time something important
will come to light.

After sending Fanny to you this morning, I went up to our bedridden
lady-lodger, Mrs. Bailey. From her I obtained some significant news.
She had passed a bad night; the noise in the next house, as of some one
moving about in the room in which your father met his death, had "come
again," she said, and had continued for at least a couple of hours. She
declared that it did not sound like mice, and that she did not know
really what to think. What she _did_ know was that she was almost
frightened out of her life. I suggested that Fanny should sleep in her
room for a night or two, and I told her about the little girl. "It
will be company for you," I said. The old lady was delighted at the
suggestion, and with the consent of Mrs. Preedy, I made up a bed for
Fanny on the floor, close to the wall, and she is sleeping there now.
I am satisfied she is asleep, because Richard Manx is not in the house.
I have confided in Fanny, and she is so devoted to my service that I
am certain, while she is in her bed, no sound can be made in the room
adjoining without her hearing it. Her faculties have been sharpened by
a life of want, and her nature is a very grateful one.

It was not without reflection that I have taken advantage of the
opportunity to change Fanny's bedroom. It will afford me a better excuse
for going upstairs more frequently than usual, and thus keeping a watch
on the movements of our young man lodger. It will also give Fanny an
opportunity of watching him, for I intend employing her in this way,
and in watching another person, too. Richard Manx has not seen my
little detective yet, nor shall he see her, if it can be prevented. My
instructions to Fanny are to keep herself carefully out of his sight; it
is part of a plan, as yet half formed, that she should be very familiar
with his face, and he not at all familiar with hers. Twice during the
day has she seen him, without being seen, and this evening she gave me
a