The Storyteller.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2139, 14 March 1908, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Storyteller.

THE MANOR MYSTERY.

By FERGUS HUME Author of “Tlio Mystery of a Him som Cab.” “Tho • Jmlo Eye,” “ •»> Black Patch,” “Jonahs Luck, “Tho Scarlet- Bat,” etc. [All Bights Reserved.] CHAPTER XXI Willy was alone when HalloJi canto back, anil iininciliatcly asked if Jtiles had been hoard of. The man had now been absent for four days, and Willy wondered, as every body else did, il he had been murdered by those who were anxious to hide the name of Newby's assassin. Hallon told her t-licit Jules was still absent, and then mentioned his determination to go to Soho and search. Willy hoard hint it: silence, and did not attempt to dissuade hint. Then she looked up. “If 1 could help you—” “But you can't, my dear girl. AYhat do you know about Solio?" said Percy impatiently. Willy did not immediately reply She was wondering if it would be wise for Iter to relate her adventure with Count Bczkoff. She guessed that Percy would scold her, and she did not like to be scolded. Nevertheless, for Dorothy’s sake, it would not do for her to allow him rush blindfolded into danger, as Jules had done. “If I tell you something, she said slowly, “you must promise not to be angry.” “No. How could I be angry with you I have no right to be. What s it?” Miss Winter wasted no time m fencing, but related the flight and the saving of Count Bczkoff. Hallon was as she expected, very angry, and told her that she had done a rash tiling. “You ought to have givj.ii the man in charge. T expect he knows the whole truth.” “He .said that lie did not," said AY illy, defending Iter,self. “Of course a scoundrel like that would.” “He is not tt scoundrel. Lie is very good-looking.” Hallon laughed scornfully. ‘That is r-o like a woman. All hands aim men are angels, and all ugly people devils. ,AA'ell, why did you fell mo this?” “I shill explain, if you’ll stop scowling at me.” “There”—Hallon smoothed l.is brow—“after all. its not my place to correct you. 11l leave that to Billy.” 1 Min ter in alarm. “Very well, I won’t. Go on; vtat is it ?” AA r tlly handed him Count Bozkoif’s card. “You see the address is in Soho. Now this may be the very •hSitTe where Sir Jolm was takan to. Go there, and seo Count Bczkoff. He may be able to explain what has become of Jules.” “By Jove!” said Hallon. copying down tho address on the cord, h r AA'illy refused to part with it adogether. “1 expect he knows ill at)Pit the kidnapping and the murder, and the whereabouts of Jules. Perhaps he killed Richard Newby himself.” “You have no right to say lhat,” cried AA'illy, furiously. Hallon whistled, as he returned tho card .and looked at her curiously. “You don’t mean to say that Bezkoff's good looks have —” “If you don’t hold your tongue,” interrupted AA’illy, with flaming cheeks, “I shall never speak to you again.”And site dashed out of the room, with a defiant look over her shoulder. Tho young man was vexed and uneasy, since ho saw what Bezkoff’s undeniable good looks had impressed the girl. It was strange, he thought, that so usually sensible a young woman should bo caught by outward show. However, she had rendered him an undoubted service, and there would be time enough to talk her out of a possible infatuation when he came back from Soho. Having come to this conclusion, Hallon made his plans for the journey, Ycry wisely, he - said nothing to Dorothy about his venture, as lie guessed she mould only fret did she 'know that lie was walking into possible danger. He therefore made an easy excuse of seeing after some details of liis motor business, and next day he caught the late afternoon train.

It was after five o’clock when Hallon found himself in a shabby street in Soho, and at the door of a shabby house. Raffish-looking men and dishevelled women loafed about, laughing and talking, mostly in foreign tongues. The street seemed to be a portion of the Continent, or, rather, resembled the Plains of Shinar, so many were the tongues spoken. Halloa congratulated himself that his revolver was in his hip pocket, and rather regretted that he had not asked Jlilly to share the adventure. It would have been one after that young gentleman’s own heart. However, here was Ilallon, on the threshold of the mystery, and ho had to go through with the matter. A slim, olive-complexioned woman, distinctly French, opened the door, aud when Percy, in her own tongue, asked for Count Bezkoff, she not only admitted that ho resided there, but showed him into a small, dingy room on the ground floor. "When she went upstairs to tell the Russian about bis visitor, Italian glanced round tlie illsmelling, ill-looking apartment, and wondered that eo clean and smart a man as Bezkoff, and an aristocrat at that, should inhabit so mean a dwelling. But on second thoughts ho remembered that perhaps this was only the Count’s official Anarchistic address. Then again came the reflection that Bezkoff had given this address to "Willy. Yet it seemed incredible that ho could expect an English lady to visit him so disreputable a neighbourhood. Buried in these thoughts, Ilallon stood by the dirty window, looking out on the dirty street. Behind him the door was opened, and so quietly that lie did not know that- anyone bad entered, until a shawl was thrown ever bis bead. At once the young man gripped his but before lie could draw it many hands grasped him, and immediately afterwards a stunning blow on tlia head reduced him to consciousness. Hallon’o last thought, as lie fell to the ground, w r as that a third victim, nil the person of himself, had been added to the Anarchistic list". \ .

CHAPTER XXII

Hobson, the rural constable, always complained that Bollati seemed to have a magnetic attraction for all sorts and conditions of tramps. He certainly was right in thus speaking, for cm occasions unusual numbers of ragged, unkempt figures congregated on the roads between Axieigh and Bel tan. Also, at various times, tunny gipsies, with their caravans and horses ami tribes of children, trailed along the highways to camp on tho common, looking picturesque enough, but decidely dangerous, in their wildness. Why these vagrants, gipsy and Gentile, should make .Beltan a rendezvous was not clear. Tho neighbourhood was not wealthy, nor t-lto villagers generous to the poor. But-t-lie tinny of tramps regularly drifted across the country twice and thrice a year, either making for the north of England, or dropping southward to tho • Channel. Billy Minter and his sister-had their abode on the high road, and, therefore found their cottage so infested by those undesirable creatures that oftentimes they made up their minds to remove. But the cottage was very pretty and cheap. Willy desired to live near Dorothy, to whom slto was greatly attached, and her brother found Bolt a n to be a convenient distance from" London, to which city ho went once a week, either on business or pleasure. For these sufficient reasons the two remained where they' wore, but waged continual warfare with the wastrels who begged. Not that the Mintons did not feel for the misery of the poor; blit, to tell the truth, this particular class of pauper was not honest. Billy prided liintself on his breed of fowls, as much ns Willy did her household linen, and tvlioit articles and birds disappeared on occasions, their owners did not feel very genial towards the next possible depredator who appeared at their back door. On the day that Percy Hallon went to London, on the quest which had ended so badly for him, AYilly, returning from the Manor House at six o’clock, was accosted in the gloaming by a wild looking figure in ragged garments and armed with a formidable cudgel. From his speech—what she could hear of it, lie spoke softly—he seemed to be foreign, but what his nationality might be, she could not determine. His greasy hat was pulled well down over his eyes, and only the tip of his nose was visible above a heavy moustache and a grizzled black beard. He held out his hand and mumbled something about starvation. Willy was not hard-hearted, and placed a penny in his hand. As site did eo the tramp’s fingers closed over her own.

“Let- me go. Hoiv dare you!” cried Mists Minter, not at all afraid, although the road was deserted. “I’ll' give you in charge.” “Perhaps it would bo safer for me to be in gaol,” said the tramp in excellent English, and with a refuted accent-.

AY illy nulled her hand away a ltd stepped back astonished. She knew the voice, yet could not tell who spoke. “Who tire you?” “Cupid in di-sguise. Love in a mask,” saitl the tramp, airily. Then, with a swift glance around, ho pulled off, not only his hat, but his hair and heard and moustache. From ugly he became handsome, from old ho became young, from black he became- golden. Willy gasped, “Count BezkofF!” “At your service, now and always,” said the Count, gracefully, and carefully replaced his disguise. “AATtv are you here?” asked Miss Minter, confused. “Why are you dressed so dreadfully?” “You are the cause,” said BezkofF, somewhat sadly. “I am the cause? AYliat nonsense yon talk! Explain.”

“Here, in the high road, at this house, in this condition of rags and tatters?” said Bezkoff,-rapidly. “That would be unpleasant for you. Miss Minter, and dangerous for me.” “AA’liy dangerous for you?” “There are many eyes on me,” said Bezkoff, sinking his voice. AYilly looked round with a "nervous air. “You are talking very strangely, Count,” -she said, wondering what it all meant.

“I can explain my strangeness, if you will take me to your cottage.” • “In that dress! AA’hat would the servants say?”

“They would applaud your generosity in giving a weary old tramp a piece of bread and a drink of tea on your lawn. Never fear. I have played many a.part like this, and no one will guess.” “My brother is at home,” said Willy, hesitating. “I am perfectly ready to reveal myself to your brother.” “That would he dangerous,” she said, hurriedly. “Ho has not a good opinion of you. Mr Clair—” “I quite understand,” interrupted Bezkoff, quickly. “Pardon my rudeness, but wo cannot talk hero. Take me on to your lawn, in my character of a tramp. I can explain much to yourself and to your brother. Much,” repeated Bezkoff, significantly, “which may help to unravel the mystery of Richard Newby’s death.” “But —but—will what you are about to suv incriminate you?”.

Bezkoff laughed, but His blue eyes filled with a tender light as lie glanced furtively at the girl. He quite understood that she was concerned about his safety. “I am not altogether what 1 should bo. Miss Minter,” ho said, frankly; “but I think when I explain myself to you and to Mr Minter, that neither f lier of you will -have so bail an opinion of me, as say, Mr Clair has.” Wiilly hesitated no longer. Catching up her skirts, she walked swiftly along the road, and Bezkoff followed at a slow pace. The cottage was only a stone’s-throw distant, and Miss Minter, entering the gates, intimated that the so-called tramp should seat hiimclf oil the dry lawn while she went inside for food. Bezkoff therefore propped- wearily on to the burnt turf, as he really was tired, and watched Willy's white dress vanish within doors.

“She is as sweet and fragrant as a Hover,” the Russian told himself, “and as noble in her looks as a goddess. Strange, that having escaped woman’s wiles for so many years, 1 should fall in love with a country lady. And my love was born of a glance. I think her love Ins been born also. Well, perhaps this evening she may show some sign of in-

terest in me. And then —” He paused and shuddered. “1 am taking a perilous path,” lie concluded, ami looked eastward, to where Abbot Hurley’s Tower rose blackly against tho pale sky. Shortly Aliss Minter emerged with Billy -at her heels. Brother and sister walked straight to where llezkolf lounged on the sward. “You are Count—” began Billy, brusquely, when the Russian cut him short.

“No ttatttcis in the open,” lie said, softly. “The night lias a thousand eyes, and oars, too, for all 1 know. ' - What the dickens do you mean?” asked Billy, l iken aback. “I ,shall tell you, if you will take me into yonder arbour.

“No,” 'saitl Billy, alter a glance at his sister. “Conte into the house?” “In litis dress?” Bezkoff rose, and looked doubtfully at bis rags. “Booh!” said the young man. “Wo are supposed to be eccentric, and entertaining a trump cannot make our reputation worse. Conte along.” Bezkoff" obeyed, feeling that- Billy was friendly. And indeed, Mr Minter, who was invariably guided by Willy, had just received a rapid- explanation of her ad venture with the Russian when ho hail taken relngo behind the hedge. Billy, being less suspicious than Percy/-had not scolded bis sister. Of course, ho was on his guard, as Mr Clair had reported Bezkoff to be a rascal. All the same, ho wished to give him the benefit of the doubt until lie explained why bo was masquerading as one of the fittbmerged tenth. Therefore, in a,few minutes the trio were seated in Billy’s study ..with the door and window closed, land the lamp lighted. The first- thing Bezkoff did, when free front possible observation, was to remove his disguise; And Billy started when .lie saw the handsome, refined face of the young man. It did not look like the face of a blackmailer. “Will you both promise to keep what I am- about to tell you secret, until I give you leave to speak?” asked Bezkoff, when seated. “Why should we?” asked AA illy, bluntly. “Because, if you speak beiore it ss necessary, there will be danger from Anarchists.” “Pooh!” said Billy, coolly. “I don’t believe in such cattle.” “Yet I am one,” said Bezkoff, oddly. “So ’Mr Clair says. He also declared that you tried to blackmail him.” “I did,” assented the Russian, wincing. Billy’s young face grew hard. “Then you arc a blackguard, after all!” Bezkoff glanced sideways at Willy's anxious face. “I was. I jim not now, Mr -Minter. An angel met me and changed my nature. Not- that it was ever very bad,” added the young man, laughing nervously. “My picsent position is owing to family misfortunes and to political fanaticism. But I see clearly now, what I never saw before, that my country cannot he saved by bombs.” Billy jumped up. “Good heavens, are you ono’ of those beastly murderers who blow people up?” Bezkoff choked down a laugh. “No, I have never taken anyone’s life, Mr Minter, not even that of Richard Newby.”

“Yes, yes!” broke in AYilly, quickly; “that is what you camo to explain, Count, is it not?” “Not precisely, since I do not know who killed Newby.” “Then do you know if Jules Sehwytz is alive?” asked Billy. Bezkoff looked ostentatiously surprised. “AA'hoishe?”

‘'The butler at the Manor House. Ho went to iSoho.to sec, on behalf of Aliss Clair, if he could find the house wherein Sir John Newby was confined. He had disappeared.” “And,” added AYilly, before tho Count could speak, “Air Hallon, whom you met, has gone to the - address you gave me, to see you, and inquire about Jules Schwytz.” “AVhen?” asked Bezkoff, quickly, and ho changed color. “To-day—this afternoon

Bezkoff bit his lip. “I wish you bad not given him that address, Alis 3 Alinter. There may he danger.” “Danger?” echoed Billy, angrily. “And you gave my sister that address, so she tells me, that she might see you in London.”

“I did not wish her to come to that place,” said Bezkoff, hurriedly, “■and so you see mo here, disguised. I could not- come as myself, seeing that Mr Clair has put the police on me. But that house in Soho b, dangerous. I trust that Mr Ilallon will not get into vrouble.” “Can’t you save him?” asked Willy, turning white. “He may not he in danger,” said the Count, reassuringly, “and yet ho was foolish to go there. My fault, I admit. I should not have given you that address.”

“She might have gone there herself,” fumed Billy. “No; I came down to prevent that. But I’ll go at onco to London, after I have explained myself to you; and if Mr Hallon is in trouble I shall save him oven at the cost of my own life.” “Oh!”—"Willy started to her feet—“is it as dangerous as that?” “Yes,” said Bezkoff, simply; “that Soho house is full of danger.” “Is it the house wherein Sir John was confined?” asked Billy. The Russian looked at him doubtfully. “I cannot answer that question as yet, Mr Minter.”

“You promised to speak plainly.” “As plainly as I can. But I mush consider my own life. Should I reveal too much I may be shot or stabbed.”

“Tell mo one thing,” said Willy, sitting down again. “Was Richard Newby killed in mistako for Sir John?” “I cannot tell you.” “That means you will not?” “It means that I cannot. I am only a humble member .of the society, Miss Minter. The Vowels know tho truth. I do not.” “Tho Vowels ?” said Billy, perplexed. Bezkoff gave the same explanation to him as lie had given to Sir John Newby on the Manor lawn, and then ’ continued: “I wish to tell you both how I came to be connected with such a society. The history will not tako me long.” “Go on,” said "Willy, looking at him intently. “To be brief,” said Bezkoff, “I was bom at Moscow, and my parents were wealthy and noble. Owing to tho jealousy of a liigli official niy father was accused of conspiracy, aud was exiled to Siberia. He escaped ,and returned. The police came after him, and be was captured in my mother’s boudoir. In trying to defend him she was shot. “Oh!” said Willy, in horror. “Yes,” said the Russian, and rose, his blue eyes blazing with swift an-

ger, and looking like two sappliires, “you happy English people cannot understand what we suffer from a corrupt Government. My father returned to Liberia and died there in misery ; my mother, as I say, was shot. My only sister and myself were turned out to starvo in the streets, and our wealth was seized by tho high official who had caused all tho trouble; and then Anna disappeared.” “Your sister 1” said Billy. “What bccomo of her?”

Bozkoff made a gesture of despair. “Do nob ask mo. All I can say is that, when I was starving in 3t. Petersburg, her body was dragged from tho Neva. Oh!”—ho clenched his hands as Willy uttered a pitying exclamation —“can you wonder that T hate tho rotten government which has ruined my family without cause? I joined a now society that had been formed, which was to work in England. It’s 'aim was to try and accumulate money to assist tho downtrodden millions of my country in one gigantic effort to upset tho present wicked men who are in power, aon know what they aro—you have read the horrors of the war —of Red Sunday—of the prisons—of—but why go on. You cannot understand—things with us aro too terrible.”

There was a sympathetic silence. Thon Billy spoke: “And this society?” “It is called the Vowel Society, as 1 have explained,” said Bozkoff, rapidly. “I got money from my uncle, who, in fact, allows me an income, not knowing that I am a member of the society. But I have joined it in tho hope of aiding my country. Should I leave it I would bo killed.” “Do you want to leave it?” said Willy, abruptly. “Yes,” said Bezkoff, and brought his hand heavily on the table. “As soon as I can I hope to leave it, but I do so at the cost of my immediate death, unless—” “Unless what?” asked Billy, deeply interested.

Bezkoff started and passed his hand across his forehead. “Don’t ask me that—yet,” ho said, significantly; “but I found the society was as corrupt as the . Government it fought against. I see now, what I did not see when I joined, that violence will not save Russia. I do not care to bo forced to blackmail English gentlemenl—to insult English ladies. At the dagger’s point I have been forced to do things against which my soul revolts. Mr Clair did well to scorn me. Since we had—as wo thought—lost Sir John, and his millions, I was sent to extort money from Mr Clair. You know how he defied me; how I was turned from his house in disgrace—l—a Russian noble. But I shall be free some day. How, I know not.”

“How many members are there of this society?” asked Billy, bluntly. “Only thirty, who are controlled by five more—A, E, I, 0, and U, as I told you—thirty-five members in all. The aim is to get money in any way, honestly or dishonestly, as occasion serves. We tried to inveigle Sir John Newby into our nets. I was chosen to do so, and therefore I came to know him. But he was too clever, and would not do business with us. But Richard—”

“Richard Newby was mixel up in these matters, you mean?” “I think so—l am almost sure,” said Bezkoff, vehemently. “There was, I fancy, some idea of trading on tho resemblance between the rich brother and tho poor one. But I cannot he certain. I failed with Sir John, and Richard was taken charge of by another member of our society. It was E who sont- him to St. Petersburg—hut he did not go, for some reason. He came down here, and here was killed.”

“But who by—who by ?” 'demanded Billy, insistently. “I cannot say. Perhaps by the member who was sent to spy on him. I. was told to go to the Manor and state that Mr Clair had struck the blow, since Mr Clair had been seen by our spy near the Cuckoo’s Grove. But I swear,” said Bezkoff, earnestly, “that I am as ignorant of the real truth as you are. I tell you these things, because you. Miss nlinter, have done me a service, and I wish both you and your brother to think well of me. Jules Schwytz may have been captured when he was spying. Mr Hallon may be detained also. If this is so, these things point to the fact that the Anarchists have to do with the murder of .Richard, who was certainly involved in their scheme.”

“But,” broko in Bill, quickly, “you are a member of the society, so you ought to know everything.’’ “Only tlie Five know everything,” said Bezkoff, decisively. “I am a very humble member of the society. However, I shall go back to ISOIIO and learn what I can; but let me impress upon you the necessity of leaving matters in my hands. -Should you call in the aid of tho police, Mr Hallon and Jules may be killed.” “Oh, poor Dorothy!” cried Willv, rising, and very pale. “You must save Mr Ilallon—you must save him 1”

“I swear that I will If he is in danger,” said tlie Russian, impressively, and catching her hand-; “for your sake. Miss Minter, I sliall save him, even at- the cost of my own life.” Willy withdrew her hand. “No—no! I do not wish that,” she said, reluctantly.

“Let us inform tho police?” observed Billy, greatly excited. “You have forgotten my warning, Mr Minter. Say "nothing to the police, at all events for -the present. If you do, Hallon will be smuggled out- of tlie way, and in some manner put to -death. It is all my fault,” groaned tlie young man. “I should not have given you that- address, M "iss Minter; but in tlie excitement of the moment I never reflected of the danger of doing so. It struck me afterwards, and so I came -in disguise, as I said, to stop you from going to Soho. But I never dreamt that you would send anyone else to tho house.” “Then what is to be done?” asked Willy, anxiously. Bezkoff, who had assumed his disguise again, turned quickly. “I have told you, Miss Minter, I’ll go up and see what I can do.” He moved towards tho door, “As soon as I can, I shall write—only give me a week, to do what I can. Only one thing remains to be said. Should you hear nothing of me or Hallon or Jules withiu a week, search the vault.”

Billy rose, quite amazed. ‘‘Search the vault!' 1 lie echoed. “J)o you mean Abbot Hurley’s crypt?” “The same!” Bezkoff opened, the door. “The whole secret of these troubles, and I truly believe, of the murder itself, is to be found in the vault. Wait for a week, and then search. Good-bye!” And with one last glance at "Willy, and a liod to her brother, the Russian passed out

of the room and house and grounds, so rapidly that ho was gone almost before they could realise his absence. - When alone, brother and sister, deeply agitated, looked at ono another. “How infernally muddled everything is!” said Billy, in a disconsolate tone. “What is to be', done?” “Wo must obey the Count, and: wait for a week,” said Willy, firmly.;* “If wo do not —” “What then?” “You hoard what lie said. Percy; will bo murdered t” (To be Continued.)