The Moor End Mystery.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 444, 20 October 1904, Page 2

The Moor End Mystery.

CHAPTEB XVll.—(Continued.) • And then ?' I asked, patting her hand.

'I only remember tugging at the handle of the door, and finding it locked. I can remember well feeling the key click round in my hand. Somebody shouted behind me; and I ran out into the dark. After that I recollect nothing except horrible eyes about me, until I woke and saw mamma leaning over me, and I was in bed at home.' * Well, my child,' I said,«l'm glad you've told me. It clears things up wonderfully. Are you quite sure you did not see a second man come in i* 'He didn't come in/ she said with a shiver. *He turned into two. There was only one—and then there were suddenly two. And the door was locked.' «Impossible!' I replied. 'Absolutely impossible, my dear! No man can walk through - a panel door without its being distinctly noticed. Matter is ponderable, you know, my dear—ponderable. Law of gravitation, you know —Newton's apple and all that. Pooh, pooh! The second man came in while you were not looking, and shut and locked the door behind him.' • But tbey were both him. He was double and was them both. I saw.' 'Now, Dorothy, my child, don't talk rubbish. How could one man be twoP Bead your Euclid, my dear, and learn your two-table.' ' Bat it wasn't a man,' she whispered, ' it wa3 a devil!' 'Fiddlesticks, child 1' I cried, annoyed that she should take up such silly superstitions. 'Devil? Double? Don't be a little owl! What you need is rest and quiet. Now I'm going to send you home.' •And will you promise to make them let him go ? Mr Kentland, I mean/ said she, with something rather like a blush. 'Of cour3e I shall, my dear. Leave it to me. He will be all right.' I orderel the brougham, to see her home rayaelf; but just :is we were starting a telegram arrived from my solicitor, Mr Boe:—' Come up at once. Important developments.' I looked at my watch. There was just time to catch the 12.58 train, so I packed off Dot in the carriage, and walked straight to the station myself. CHAPTEB XVIIL—WHEBE THE MATTEB ENDS AND THE MYSTEBY BEGINS.

(Dr Tring's Narrative, Continued.) I found Roe in great good humour. •Mr Kentiand is right, at least in part,' he said. * Acting on what he said I have made inquiries at the Assurance offices and find that Tobias Lott was insured for £5,000 in the Equitable Tontine Mutual; and that a certain Thomas Lott, his brother, is applying for the insurance money. Not being altogether satisfied of his identity, they have put the matter off and he is to call there this afternoon at four o'clock.' 'That explains it!' I cried. 'There were " two then, and they were brothers!' And I told him shortly the substance of Dot's account of the murder. ■ Ah,' said he, * that clears things up, doesn't it? I am expecting McEae, the detective, here immediately. I employed hi m yesterday to make inquiries into the bargee's story of the waistcoat; and he is to report at three o'clock if possible- Ah, here he is!' he added as the office bell rang. A short wiry man with iron grey hair entered, carrying a parcel under his arm«l see you have found something,' said Roe. The detective smiled grimly. *Yes,' he said. 'lhad very little time, but I managed to find thepawn"ahop where the bargeman left the

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By Victor Waite. Author of • Cross Trails,' &c, &c

COPYKIGHT.

things, and after a little manoeuvring, got hold of them. He undid the parcel as he spoke, and laid on the table a red spotted waistcoat.

' That is what we wanted, isn't it ?' said he. 'Do you notice this, sir 't ' He pointed to the left pocket which was torn.

' What does that mean ?' asked Roe.

• This,' said Mcßae, taking a wutch from his pocket and handing it to him-

It was a gun metal calendar watch of Swiss make. And on the back which was engraved with the initials TJj., was a deep dent.

'That's where the second bullet went!' I cried. The detective nodded. * Look at the calendar,' he said, quietly. The watch had stopped at 10.5 -on Thursday, August fourth. * That gives us the very minute, I think,' said M'Rae, with a satisfied look.

'And it agrees with Miss Oliver's account,' said Boe.

• And he repeated Dot's story to the detective.

'Ah, said Mcßae, thoughtfully, when he had finished, ' quite so. That is interesting. - The only point I do not understand is how the man, Thomas Lott, got away after shooting his brother. There was only one train from Moor End that he could have taken—the 10-14, and that, it is certain, he did not travel by. There were no passengers from Moor End that night. The porters and guards, are positive on the point. But at midnight he and not his brother, Tobias, was seen by Mr—Sharlow, was it not, Mr Roe?—at Euston. How did he get there?'

• I think this will explain it, said I, taking the scrap of handkerchief from my pocket. And I told them of Shadow's discovery.

'I see. He bicycled over to Gadesford and took the 10-45 from there so as to avoid being seen in Moor End. Capital! He must be a shrewd fellow,' said Mcßae, with professional enthusiasm. ' But how did he come to have Mr Kentland's pistol ':' 'No doubt Kent-land had lent it to Tobias Lott,' said I, with prompt mendacity. ' No doubt,' said the detectiveHe took out his watch.

' The insurance office at four, did you say, Mr Rue ?' said he- ' I think we have just time to run over and meet Mr Thomas Lott.'

In five minutes we were on our way to the City, and just as the clocks were striking four, arrived at the insurance office. As we entered I noticed a man standing by the desk on the right hand side, with his back towards us. The detective looked at him a moment, then walked up to him and laid his hand lightly on his shoulder. 'Mr Lott, I think f' said he.

The man turned. And I nearly cried out with astonishment; for it was Tobias Lott himself!

* Well, sir r' said he, looking sharply at the detective, « what do you want with me?'

* I want you for the murder of your brother, Tobias Lott,' said Mcßae quietly. Lott started and his face turned livid, but only for an instant. ' I think there must be some mistake,' he said, coolly. And then his eyes fell en me.' ' Ah, Doctor,' he said, smiling, and speaking in the most ordinary tone of voice, ' I'm glad to see you here. I shall feel much obliged if you can give me your assistance for a moment. This person here appears to be labouring under a delusion.' * You are Thomas Lott ?' asked the detective.

' Certainly not,' replied Lott, calmly 'Doctor, you can bear me out, 1 think ?'

I stared, too dumbfounded to speak. ' I don't care,' said McEae promptly, ' Whoever you are, you are wanted for the murder of Tobias Lott.' Lot smiled, a cynical, slow smile, • You are certainly mistaken,' said he. 'I am Tobias Lott, You can hardly arrest me for my own murder!' McEae turned with a bewildered look to me. ' Is this Tobias Lott ?' he asked. l Yes—' I said. 'Yes —that is Tobias Lott, but—confound it, I examined his body and was at the inquest myself.' Lott laughed. ' This seems to be an extraordinary case of mistaken identity,' he remarked, turning to the officer. ' I certainly have not been murdered!' As he. spoke I saw him cast a swift glance towards the door. The detective .caught that look, and laid his hand on Lott's arm.

' Not quite,' he said. ' Even if you can clear yourself of the murder charge you have attempted to defraud the insurance company. Come ' Then—how it happened I don't know—suddenly McEae came reeling up against me, and Lott darted to the door; but he was too late. McEae shouted. A burly constable appeared in the doorway and barred the way. 'Sold me!' cried Lott, and suddenly turned and came back with a serene smile on his dark face.

'I see you have laid your plans ■well,' he said, .perfectly calmly. ' Allow me to congratulate you, but ' his right hand slipped from his waistcoat, pocket, and I fancied 1 caught the gleam of glass between his fingers—' but there are other ways of doing it,' he went on blandly, and on the word, something passed swiftly from his right hand to his left, in which he held a handkerchief.

'No. You need not trouble, he remarked, as Mcßae pulled a pair of handcuffs from his pocket- 'They won't be necessary. Good day, Doctor.'

He raised the handkerchief to his nostrils. Something crunched faintly, and he drew a deep breath. Instantly he seemed to choke, and staggered back gasping against the wall. His eyes appeared to expand and grow blacker, his face turned a dead blue, and with a convulsive twitching of the limbs he dropped to the tiled floor.

A faint odour of bay-leaves filled the room, and I knew in a moment what had happened.

'Quick!' I said to Mcßae, who stood by, staring. 'The nearest chemist's strong ammonia and look sharp, man!'

Mcßae rushed out and I ran to Lott, who lay on the floor gasping and writhing in violent muscular spasms, I sent one of the insurance clerks, who had crowded round, for hot water, while I rubbed the man's limbs and attempted to restore respiration. But it was all no use; and before Mcßae got back with the ammonia it was over.

A small glass tube lay crushed in the dead man's handkerchief, and that was -all. The whole thing did not take five minutes, for the stuff acts like lightning when- pure. How he got hold of the pure acid'l don't know; the ordinary acid of the"Pharmacopoeia is only a two per cent, solution; but he did use the pure vapour, for nothing else coulc have done the work so promptly. 'What was it?' asked Mcßae, as we stood looking down at the dead man. 'lt smells like essence of almond, don't it? It's the quickest physic ever I saw.' ' Very likely,' said I. <He must have understood -the business well. He has given you the slip this time.' 'Yes, hang him!' replied Mcßae, ruefully.

'He is past that now,' said I, and I set out'for Roe's office to tell him what had happened.

It is strange how one finds the bones of dead superstitions buried in the minds of even educated people. My 'friends will insist on talking of the whole affair of the two Lofcts as a '.Mystery.' Mystery? Not at all 1 The thing was plain enough.

Tobias Lott was in serious monetary difficulties. He had apparently used clients' money in speculations, had lost heavily, and was unable to meet the deficit. On the night.of Dot's somnambulistic adventure the two brothers quarrelled, and came to blows. The pistol which Lott had taken from Dot went off in the struggle ; one bullet struck Lott's watch, the other killed his brother. I do not think it was done purposely. It was a mere chance that Dot had come there in her sleep to interrupt a meeting between the two brothers, and it was another accident that she should have been armed. My belief is that the whole business was a combination of chances; and that in all probability the pistol went off quite at random. But when Lott saw his brother lying dead before him it suddenly occurred to him to personate Thomas Lott, who had already been mistaken for him by Kentland and myself, and to apply for his own insurance money as a way out of all his difficulties. It was a bold idea, and it very .■nearly succeeded. There can be very . : little doubt that he saw the strength of the case against Kentland,'and counted upon that to secure his own safety. But that he recognised the risk he was running in going to the insurance ofiice is shown by his being prepared with the means of escaping justice. But in all this there was no mystery. Yet Dorothy insists in saying that there was only one Lott, and that he actually ■ projected himself'—l think that's the phraseprojected himself into two bodies, an

1 astral.' and something else equally | convenient. Which of course is twaddle, I can understand a girl believing such stuff, but a man should know better. And yet Kentland, who is tolerably sane in other respects, will have it that there never was any such person as Thomas Lott. It is certainly true, as he says, that the police never succeeded in finding any trace of his existence; but that is nothing. It is probable he had just come from abroad. He undoubtedly was a foreigner of some kind, as I always thought, and naturally was unknown in England. But Kentland would not hear of it. He actually wanted to have the body exhumed in i order to make sure.

' I'd like to dig up that other chap and see,' he said to me one day, ' I shouldn't wonder if you found nothing there I' 'An old wife's fable!' said I. ' Don't be a dolt! Of course there were two Lotts. I saw them both myself.' But I could see he was unconvinced. However, it is no use arguing with ignorance, so I said no more. Kentland never got the idea of mesmerism out of his' head either; which all comes of being brought up in the Colonies among savages. I have no patience with empirical piffle; so I avoid the subject now, We got Kentland out of prison, of course, in no time; though he had to pay a very heavy fine for his assault on Constable Spudderty. A few weeks after his release, Kentland and Sharlow had an explanation —if it can be so called. I never could quite get at what really passed between them, but I believe Kentland met Sharlow in the street and said:

' Look here, are you going to marry Miss Oliver, or not ?' Sharlow tried to avoid an answer. Whereupon Kentland broke in with : ' All right, I'll give you ten days to do it; and if you don't then, I will!'

But Dot settled the matter herself in the end,

I had gone up to see her—a sort of semi-professional visit you know—and found her looking particularly bonnie and nourishing. She seemed in uncommonly good spirits too- ' Now, I wonder if that fellow Sharlow has been proposing again,' I thought. To sound her I brought the conversation round to Kentland; and very soon made up my mind that my first surmise was correct.

She spoke of Kentland in the most indifferent tone, and at last in open criticism.

'He is beginning to look himself again,' said I. ' After his imprisonment he looked terribly pulled down.' 'But don't you think it was his own fault, doctor?' she said. 'I don't see why we should pity him.' I felt irritated, I confess; for Robert Kentland is worth a dozen Sharlo ws.

' Oh, no, not at all,' i replied. «He only risked his life to ' ' So silly of him to do it, don't you think?' she remarked, interrupting me.

' Very silly indeed, my dear. But really under the circumstances I am not surprised. If I were twenty years younger, I might be almost as silly myself!'

She certainly looked it that day, 1 What circumstances ?' asked Dot, with a faint blush. 'Do you think anyone in his right mind could have done anything so —so '

She stopped, and catching my eye became confused.

' So natural, eh ?' Dot frowned, and one small foot tapped smartly on the carpet. 'Doctor, please, don't be frivolous,' she cried pettishly, yet with a shadow of a smile about the corners of her lips 'I mean—don't you think Mr Kentland a little mad to—to '

'lt is a form of insanity very common in young men,' said I, putting on my professional air, ' very common in young men—and in young ladies, too, sometimes,' I added, hoping to give her an opening. ' Well, I think he gave us all a great deal of trouble and—l mean he really made things much worse by—you know what I mean.'

' I certainly don't know what you mean,' said I, 'but I do know that Robert Kentland is one of the best fellows I have met.'

1 But his manner,' said she, looking at her slippers ; 'heis so Colonial—and rough, Don't you think so, doctor V

'I think nothing of the kind!' I cried, sharply, for it provoked me to hear her pick to pieces the man who had risked his life and career to save her name.' ' Nothing of -the kind! He is my good Mend, and I respect and admire him very greatly.'

,'' Dot's head sank lower. • But ho talks such horrid slang—and then his accent, you know—and he is not a bit polished—like -' { Like some spineless fool plastered with 'varsity side!' cried I, thoroughly angry. « Certainly no.t! But he is a man. And one whom any woman might be proud to ' Before I could finish my sentence, to my astonishment, Dot sprang up, flung her two arms round my neck, whispered, ' Doctor, you are an old dear!' and fled from the room in tears -

•Well—well—well!' I said, arranging my collar. ' Strange creatures women—s tran ge- -very s ferange t' ;T And a-month later I gave the bride away; and the bridegroom was not Shadow after all. But what.puzzles me is how she could deliberately pull him to rags to hear an old curmudgeon/ like myself say I liked him. And'L' thought I understood women pretty well. Unaccountable—very unaccountable! To my thinking there was more mystery in that one little

scene than in all the Lotts that ever cheated the gallows. Mesmerism ? Supernatural? There is nothing supernatural but "Woman's Mind; and no Mesmerism but in her eyes. ... Eh P what's this I'm saying ? Nonsense! I'm getting out of my depth. What has an old bachelor to do with eyes ? Pooh—pooh 1 I'll have a pipe I

(The End.)