The Storyteller.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2116, 15 February 1908, Page 3 (Supplement)

The Storyteller.

THE MANOR MYSTERY

■1 tv EERG l : S 11UME Author of ‘■The Alysterv of a Hansom Chib,” "Tin* Jade Eye,” "’l ho Hlark Patch,” “Jonah's Luck,' "The Scarlet Hat, etc. [All Mights Reserved.] CHAPTER XllL Eor the first time In Ids life Percy experienced ilia*, uiieiinuy feeling described in the 'Hook ol Job: "Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of in> ilesli stood lip. So unexpected wa - the sight of Sir John Newby tint t’he young man verily believed for the uioment that the dead had returned. Aire Brail burst out laughing a'- his romternation. like the old w'teh r.lie was. and clipped her skinny hands 'together.

“Back from the grave! Back Irom the grave!" shrieked Mrs Broil. Sir John might well have returned therefrom, for in place of being the stout, red-faced, prosperous .speculator whom Ha Hon knew, lie was pale and wrinkled, bent, ami somewhat lean. His clothes—still the grey suit and white waistcoat which lie invariably wore —hung on his shrunken frame in loose bags, and even while he looked on his visitor’s scared face a nervous tremor seized him, which ho found hard to repress. In fact, the whole appearance of the millionaire was that of a man who had sustained a severe shock. }( .‘•You are surprised, Mr li a lion, he remarked, with a ghost of a smile, and the ghost of his former strong

voice. “I can't believe that it is you, Sir John,” stammered Percy. “We were not very well acquainted.” said Newby, drily, and walked slowly to a near armchair, into which lit* sank with a sigh of relief. ‘ Ton can go, Martha,” said lie to Mrs BrolL The former nurse and present housekeeper hastily arranged some soft cushions to make her masters

scat easier. “Let me get you a cup of port < wine.” she croaked, coaxinglv. "I i don’t want you to die on my hands, 1 now that you are hack, well and . strong.” “There is r.o chance of m\ dying f now.” returned Newby, significantly, i “The thunderbolt does not fall twice in the same place.” 1 This enigmatic utterance seemed to puzzle Airs Broil. “You never told me that you were struck by light- * ning, sir,” she exclaimed. A faint smile illuminated the tired i of the millionaire, hut not c r xT"ir i ryi^ds^jjSw<fftsli?f can i go, Martha/* he said, again. “Oh!” screeched Mrs. Broil with t an indignant glance at Hallon. “If 1 your fond and faithiul nurse is to e ] shut out from your confiedence for a ] mere stranger —” “There, there 1 I have told you ] everything, Martha, and—” *‘of course you have,” interrupted 1 the old woman, who would not be put down. “When 1 saw you late last 1 night enter this house, looking mo:e like a corpse than a living man, end when I heard the dreadful news of — ’ This time Newby interrupted, and very sinumly. “Be silent! You presume too much. Go, when I tell you!” Airs Broil tossed her gaily-decorat-ed head, and showed her many teeth in an unpleasant manner. But a glance at Sir John’s-white, haggard face showed that she had reached the limit of his endurance. She therefore -withdrew, muttering, and ehot a- Parthian arrow as she opened the door. > “Richard would never have treated his Martha in so brutal a way,”' she snapped, and disappeared. “These women—these women !” groaned Newby, with a faint sm.ie. “I have turned nay old nurse into a tyrant, by too great an affection.” Hallon .did not answer. He still stared at the man who had returned from the grave, and still wondered — rather foolishly—if the million iiie was flesh and blood, or merely a ghost. Sir John saw the wonder expressed on the young man’s face, end smiled -again. “You expect ~-to find me L Inn^-JffrHillon ?” lie remarked, ano *—'""pointed to a seat near at hand. - Percy sat down very thankfully. “No. Your body—” “Not my body, Air Hallon.” _ “Then that of your double.” “Quite so. And, remember, that I have a double,” said Newby, slowv—ly. . -Hallon started, as the meaning ol this speech d iwned on him. “Your twin-brotlier Richard! ’ he gasped. “Yes. He is the one who has been murdered.” “How stupid of me —began Hallon, wondering why he had not recollected the likeness between the twins at- this particular moment. Sir John mistook his meaning. “No,” lie interrupted, quickly, “you were not stupid to think that the murdered man was myself, seeing that Richard exactly resembled me m looks, and wore similar clothes to mine. Aly grey suit and white waist<.out and. slouch lint arc so well-known ” in the City, ami, I may say. out of it, tli'-H the mistake was perfectly excusable. But here lamin my own proper body. and. here arc my clothes, SO von nuyHie certain that 1 am—l, which is way or nutting 1 -• “j (lid-not exactly mean that,” protested "Percy. “But only lor the moment, seeing that yon arc alive. 1 ' wondered who had been killed in your place.” “Are you sure that Riclia <1 was killed in my place?” asked Newby, sigtiifica ntly. “I await to hear your explanation of that, Sir John.” “Why should I give it to you, Air Hallon?” retorted the millionaire, with a piercing look. “Oh, there is no positive reason why you should. And yet, I came up here, on behalf of Air -Clair, to learn, if possible, who had murdered you, and why?” 1 Does Air Cl rir lake so much interest in me as all that?’ I Hallon shrugged his square shoulders. “Naturally. Air Clair is one of your best friends and inherits two thousand s- year.” “Ah!” There was world of meaning in Newby » tone. I fear tli-at Air Clair will have to give up that income, seeing that I am alive. - I returned here last night, and have already cominunreated with, my law-

yer, with Scotland Yard, and with the Press. .Bv this evening it will ho knoivn that 1 am alive, and that nij twin-biother is the murdered man. “Well," said Percy, half to him-' self, “L might have guessed the truth from the fact of the .silver watch.”

•'What’s that?" asked Newby, qirckly. “On the corpse was louiul a silver waieli,” explained Hallon, “and as Air C! rir aid that von possessed a gold one —”

••Like this? Newby whipped a luas-ive gold wateh out ol his waistcoat pocket and showed it to Percy. ••Exactly. Well, then, from the fact ol the watch of the do id mail being silver 1 might have guessed that the body was tint yours. ’

• 111 suite.” said Sir John, loaning his chin on his hand and looking keenly a*, his v : sitor—“in spite of the fact that Richard was nia-quernding in inv clothes, and hid letters addressed to me i’l h's pockets? ••You seem to know all about the in itier. Sir John ?" “Of eon me. 1 read ail the papers.” ‘■Why did you not eoine forward and reveal yomselt ?'

1 1 could not, because — But why" —.'dr John broke oIV and arose— “why should 1 confide in you, Air Hallon?” Percy rose in his turn. "There is icosolutely no reason why you should, Sir John,” he said, politely. “I came here with the intention of helping Air Clair. But now that I find you are alive I will take my leave, and return to inform those at the Manor that your brother was the victim. “One moment-,” said the millionaire as the young man walked towards the door: “tell me how Aliss Clair took the news of my supposed death?”

“She was sorry, of course.” said Percy, shortly, and Hushing. “H’m! She would have been sorry for a dog’s death. And yet I had hoped to make her love me.” Hallon was about to say .that Dorothy loved him, but. refrained. Until he knew more it would be better to hold his tongue. The fact of Newby being alive altered circumstances. And now that Air Clair was deprived of his income he might be again anxious to secure it in another way that is, by Dorothy's marriage to Newby. . : • i i,i ( i von good-day, .Sir John, ho said, opening the door, “and I congratulate vou on your escape.” “From what?” asked Newby, colil-

“From death.” “Ah! you forget that my brother was murdered.” “Oh, no. But lie was killed m mistake for you.” _ "How can you be sure of that. - ’ said Sir John, quickie. Percy looked surprise. “Seeing that your brother -was so like you m looks," and wore similar clothes, I presume that the assassin stabbed linn in mistake for you.” “It- might- be so,” muttered Newbv, turning to the window and thrusting liis large- hands into Ins pockets. " , . Hallon made no reply, it struck him as strange that Sir John should appear to be so ignorant, since he assuredly liul been near the place where the tragedy was committed, and at the very hour of the murtUv. And why Richard Newby, who had been supposed to be in Russia, should have preceded John to the Cuckoo's Grove was a question which only the elder twin could answer, especially when Richard Newby -had been masquerading in his brothers clothes. However, as the millionaire did not seem inclined to be communicative, Hallon judged it best to return to Beltan and inform Dorothy of tins revival of the difficulty which had

hitherto prevented their marriage. Without further words he was about to withdraw, when Newby stopped

him. „ n “Come back and sit down, Air Hallon,” he said, without turning. “From what I read in the newspapers you were the person who found tho bodv in. the crypt.” „ “j ant l -Aliss Clair found the body. “What were you and Aliss Clair doing in the crypt?” asked Sir John, with frown. Hallon stiffened. “As you will not be frank with me, Sir John, you will pardon my saying that I see- no reason why I should be frank with, you. Miss Clair herself will explain.” “1 can’t go down to see Miss -Ola:: until to-morrow,” said Newby, biting his fingers, irritably. “The report of mv mi noosed death has made such a stir that I have much to do to put things right again. Aslo, I have 10 [earn who killed Richard.” “Don’t you know?” asked Hallon, involuntarily. “No ” Newby wheeled round. “Do you?” . . . “Of course not,” rejoined tho young man, warmly. “I came here hoping, for .the sake of Mr Clair to trace the assassin, who murdered—l thought, as we all thought—you. Now that I find you are .alive, of course everything is altered.” “Quito so. By the way, you talk to helping Air. Clair. In what way? “Air Clair is accused of having mur-

dered you.” Newby raised his thick white eyebrows. ’“lndeed! And by whom?” “A Russian called Count RezkofF

who —’ ’ Newby grew violently red. “Do you mean to say that he dares to to ()]/’ —he clenched his hands “what a villain! And do you believe this accusation, Air Hallon? ’ “Certainly not,” rejoined Percy, promptly, “And yet Count Bezkoff declares that a spy saw Air Clair strike, the blow.” “Aiigb!” Newby wiped the perspiration from his wrinkled brow, and took a turn up and down the room. Finally lie stopped abruptly before the found man, who was still standing near the half-open door, whh the handle in his hand. “Close it.” said Newby, sharply, “and sit down. 1 shall tell you what has happened.. You may as well know, since it will appear in the evening papers.” CHAPTER XIV. Curious to learn what he could, Percy resumed his seat, but left it to Sir John to begin tho conversation. “J see you know a great deal of the inward workings of this case?” said Newby. “Oh, no 1” Hallon disclaimed the responsibility promptly. “I happened to be on tho spot when the body of .your brother was discovered, and

also I hoard Count Bezkolf a accusation. But l know nothing else. 1 should think that you. Sir John, would bo 'the most likely person to solve, the mystery of your brother s death, since you were in the Cuckoo s Grove shortly after seven, when the crime—according to the medical evidence —was committed.”

Newby threw up his hands. “I’ll tell you what 1 told the reporters of (he papers,” he said, harshly, ‘ and you can judge for yourself. Aon remember that letter found on my broth er’s body?”

•Yes. It was addressed to you. Hid hinted at some digrace connected with your brolher.”

“Exactly. Now this, Mr Hallon, l did not fell to the reporters. Aly brother was a scamp, and had forged my name to several hills. I warned him that I knew, and sent him to Russia on private business.” “Connected wiit-h Count- Bezkoff mnl ,1 1 is revolutionary schemes?” “I decline to tell you that, retor led Newby, with emphasis. “1 said that l sent him on private business.” “1 beg your pardon, Sir John. Continue, please.” “Instead of going to Russia and this Air Hallon, is what 1 told the reporters—Richard went to Belt in in response to that letter. “How did he get it, seeing that it was addressed to you?” “Richard was my secretary and opened my letters. Finding that olio -he. naturally, did not show it to mo, since it hinted at further rascalities on his part, but went down to meet the person who wrote it. I can’t say who the person was.” “But why in your clothes?” “I can’t explain that, either, Air Hallon. But my nurse. Airs Broil, or, rather, 1 should say my housekeeper, saw the anonymous letter, and thinking Richard might come to harm —she dotes on him, 1 may tell you. or, -rather, did, since ho is dead —she urged me to go also to the Cuckoo’s Grove. I therefore left my portmanteau at the Beltan Station, intending to return lor it, and walked to the Cuckoo's Grove. By thestile I found the body of my brother, dressed in my clothes, which he -bad taken from this house. He was dead, having been stabbed in the back. I was horrified, as you may imagine, and was about to run back to the village and give 'the alarm, when -a sack was thrown over my head and I was bound band and foot.” “ Who by ?” “That- I can't tell you—the sack was over my head. A hand was til-rust- under it and a gag was placed in my mouth Then I was dragged into the underwood, and remained there for hours. Later —when it was dark, as I surmised, for I could see nothing by reason of the sack —food and drink were given me, and the gag was removed. I did not eat, blit being desperately thirsty I drank the wine which was thrust into my hands. It was apparently drugged, for I remember no more until I found myself in a small bare room in Soho.” “How did you know it was in Solio?” asked Hallon, quickly. “T found that out afterwards, when I got away. 1 never saw those who had kidnapped me. Food and drink, and the papers containing an account of the ease, were thrust into my room, but those who placed them there never appeared. You may imagine my feelings, Air Hallon, at reading my .own obituary, and knowing that I was numbered with the dead. I tried to escape, but could not, for the window was barred and the door was locked. Late last night, however, I found the door had been left open. I went out, and found the house deserted. I then walked home, and Airs Broil looked after me. This morning I sent for the police and others, and told them what 1 told you. It is my intention to try and fiiitl the -house in Soho, and then I may learn why I was kidnapped, and why my brother was murdered. Also, I may find out why I was allowed to escape, for undoubtedly the door was intentionally left open., The whole thing is a- mystery to me.” “In one respect it is to me,” said Hallon, wondering -at this queer history. “I believe that you were kidnapped .by revolutionary people, seeing that Bezkolf confessed that a spy followed yon. But when you were m their power I can’t understand why they should have .let you go without getting money out of yon.” “I see your point. I can only suppose that, as Richard was mistaken for me, I was mistaken for Richard, and that those who kidnapped me, whomsoever they wore, finding .that I was the wrong man, let me go when they realized their mistake. But as I tell you, Mr Hallon, I saw no one, I was asked no questions, my money was left untouched, and I was treated fairly well, considering.” “But the drugging?” “That was necessary, seeing that I had to be removed from Beltan to Loudon. -Had I my senses, I should not have gono quietly. However, I have told you my story. A\hat do you think?” “It is strange, and I believe it has to do with Russia. Probably you were required to supply money. Indeed, Bezkoff said so.” “Then why—if my kidnappers were Russians—why did they not ask mo for money? AATiy.koop out of mv way? Why let me go without attaining any possible end?” Percy shrugged his shoulders again. “J. can’t say. I am quite bewildered,” he remarked. “Well,” said Sir John, setting his jaw firmly, “I intend to use all the money 1 can to’Tearn who kidnapped sue, and who murdered my unfortunate brother. I’ll never marry until 1 learn tho truth.” Hallon rose. “And perhaps you may not marry then,” lie “aid, coldly-' “Oh. yes. Aliss Clair is to be my wife.” “I think not. She is engaged to me.” “To you?” Sir John fill-lied a deep red, their laughed harshly. “I think not, Air Hallon AYlicii I was dead you might have had a chance, blit now that 1 am alive and Air Clair loses his income, he will be- on my side, believe me. If he does not support me —” He hesitated. “WJut then?” asked Hallon, calmly, although his heart beat rapidly. “Then I’ll ruin her father.” “You shall not!” “I shall. I have a mortgage on the Ala nor. I’ll foreclose, and turn ■ Clair out of doors.” “You shall not!” said Hallon, determinedly. “If you harm Air Clair, or trouble his daughter, I shall bring home the crime to you.” > “Go!” said Newby, violently; and • without another word Hallon went. He returned to Beltan, somewhat l surprised at the rather calm way in

which Sir John had taken his threat. Instead of turning pile, or arguing :hu matter, or even denying the accusal ion, he had simply ordered him to go. Percy had made the accusation mere in desperation ITian for nny possible reason, since lie eon VI eanee’ve no motive why Newby should murder his brother. But now that the millionaire was so apparently prepared to be charged with tho crime—for if he hud not lie certainly would have been aghast and angered—Hallon begun to wonder if liiis elm nee shot had hit the ma.vk. ] i w is assuredly strange, that both brothers should have gone to 801 l l mi. aml to exactly the same place, and dressed in similar clothes. Uf course, the hint given by Airs Broil to Sir John explained his presence in the Grove; but why should Richard have gone Lliere in masquerade costume? And that disguise had evidently been carefully prepared. The dress, the h.it, the letters, all belonged to Newby, and only the silver watch had hinted at the real identity of the dead man. Certainly no one, not even Trask• or Swanson, had found that watch a clue to the true name of the dead, 'although both had entertained suspicions. But now that Sir John was alive the interest in tho case would bo revived, and the truth, might be arrived at. Swanson would doubtless be employed lay the millionaire to learn who had killed Richard. At least, Sir John had hinted at liis determination to enlist the services of the imlice .and to give a reward. Were'ho guilty, lie certainly would .not act in that way; and here, as Hallon thought, was a new element of perplexity.

However, there was nothing to be done save to tell Clair tnat Newby was alive, and that his inherited income was lost. Hallon felt, like Othello, that liis occupation was gone. To gain tho hand of Dorothy, ho had undertaken to find Newby’s murderer. Now r he had discovered, at the outset, that Newby was alive, and still -anxious to marry Dorothy. And from what Hallon know of Air Clair’s weak character, he foresaw that the chance of making the girl his wife was remote. Lady Panwin might still continue to be his friend. But she was as anxious as her brother to rebuild the ruined fortunes of the Uair family, so possibly Lady Panwin would go over to the enemy. “I am returning with my tail between my legs,” said Percy, bitterly, to himself, as he alighted at the Beltan Station. “Now that Air. Clair’s reputation is safe, and a millionaire son-in-law is in the field, I may whistle for my bride.” To'his delight, he found that Dorothy was spending the day with Willy Alinter. -Billy had gono for a run is his beloved motor-car, and the two girls wore -seated on the tiny lawn drinking afternoon tea and talking of their future. Willy saw nothing ahead of -her but everlasting communion with Billy; but Dorothy, as a prospective bride, had a more interesting time to come. When Hallon appeared at the gate with his bag, looking mournful and somewhat dusty -—for ho had walked from the station —Dorothy rose with a cry, f.nu flew to him.

“Aly darling, how glad I am to >cp you!” she said, taking the bag ai:d kissing him. “How tired, you look, poor thing! Quick, AVilly, seud for some more tea. Percy, sit down here.” She pressed him into a comfortable basket chair. “How surprised 1 am —and how delighted!” “But why did you come back 1 ’” asked Willy, who stood with the teapot in one -hand, an empty plate m tho other, and with an amazed # aco. “AA r e thought you would bo in London for days, hunting out the truth.” “Tho unexpected has happened,” said Percy, mournfully. “It usually docs,” said AVilly, signalling to her small maid-servant, who had -come out to see- if the ladies wanted anything. “And tho unexpected, in this case, is not very pleasant, judging from your downcast looks. AVell?” Hallon looked after tho retreating form of the maid, who had gone to brew fresli tea and cut more bread and butter. AY a i ting until she was out of earshot, he hurled his bomb. “Sir John Newby is alive!” Dorothy shrieked, and fell back into a chair; AVilly gasped, but kept her balance. It was AVilly, the strongminded, who first spoke. “You must be crazy, Percy!”

“I have had sufficient to make me crazy, my dear girl. To see a man alive when you saw him dead is not pleasant.”

“AVhat nonsense! If Sir John was dead how could ho be alive?” “I never said that he was dead.”

“But Percy,” cried Dorothy, sitting bolt upright and .leaning forward with her hands grasping the arms of her chair, “I saw him dead!” “You saw his brother Richard,” said Percy, grimly. “Impossible! Richard, according to All's Broil and that Count Bezkoff you told me about, went to Russia,” said Aliss Alinter, weakly.

“He should have gone there, but he preferred to come to Beltan.” “Why?” “I can’t tell you—no more than I can say why Richard masqueraded as Sir John, or why he was killed.” The girls looked at one another -and gasped again. As yet they could not realise the surprising news. Dorothy waited until tho maid had come and gone again, and then spoke, while AVilly poured out'a fresh cup of tea for each. They felt that they wanted a stimulant. “If Sir John is alive,” said Dorothy, in a small, frightened voice, “father loses his income.”

“Yes,” assented Percy, with a groan. “But ho can got it again when you become Lady Newby.” “I would lather die!” cried the girl, jumping up. “Don’t be silly, Dorothy! raid AVilly, ill rather a cross voice. “See! you have spilt your ton. Sir John won’t bother you any more.” thy.”

“Yes lie will,” said Hallon, gloomily. “He expressed his intention of again proposing to Dorothy. ’ “J. won’t let him!” said the girl, determinedly, and sat (Town again. “I tell you Sir John won’t bother you again,” said AVilly once more. “Can’t you see, Percy? If Richard is dead, his brother must have killed him. Remember the red-banded knife in the library. No one but Sir John could ha ve taken it lrom his desk.” CTo bo Continued.)