OUT OF DARKNESS; OR The Priory Mystery.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 127, 1 February 1909, Page 4

OUT OF DARKNESS; OR The Priory Mystery.

(All Rights Reserved.)

By HEDLEY RICHARDS, Author of "A Day of Reckoning," "From the Mill to the Mansion," Etc., Etc.

PART 19. "Jackson let me in, and he told tne the reason of your visit. He also said you had fled in terror. He could not. imagine why, but Mr. L'Estrarige had come to him in an awful rage, saying he w a s letting people overrun the place, and he had the" impression there was some mystery connected with your flight and his anfecr. We had a long*talk. I believe whatever doubts he had of mc were dissipated, and it was arranged that I should occupy one of the attics. I knew the Priory was the last place the police would expect to find me in, and we decided not to let Mrs. Jackson kiiow I was there. Jackson went later to fetch my portmanteau. Of course, he told me what the ba.g I had found contained, and I made up my mind to see you and ask you to take it at once to Aunt Jane. I think she will recognise it, and it will be the first link in the chain of evidence that will prove me an innocent man." "Miss Ij'Estrange is ill, and cannot see any one," said Ursula. - "Then take it to Scholes. It will be safer in his custody than yours, because there would probably be an attempt to steal it from you if it was suspected that you had it. Ask Scholes to let my aunt sec it as soon as possible." "Do you know to whom the ring belongs ?" she asked. .

"I hive a strong suspicion. Aunt •Jane will know."

"Have you lit aid about poor .Jenny ?"

"No. ' What of her?" he asked, quickly. . Ursula then told him what had happened that morning. He listened quietly, and she s«w that he was tlceplv moved. "I hope Harrison is right, and I hat her reason and mentory will return. I believe the truth is going to he made .plain," ho said in a tone of emotion.

"I think so. I believe God is taking care of you, just as He did of me when 1 was a little waif. But is it safe for you to be here '?" ".'Perhaps not. Here is the ring. I will see you safely through the wood, and to-morrow you will see Scholes."

"Yes ; but I don't want you to run any risk on niy account." "' I must see you in safely," he said. . At the railings he paused. "Good-bye, Miss Calthorp. I shall follow at a distance, so you will be safe, and I shah run less risk." "(Jood-bye. 1 hope and think you will soon be free to go where you like, that all the world will know vou are innocent."

"God grant it. I would give much to have the brand of fain removed."

•'The time is coining," she said, as she turned and wont quickly through the wood, clutching the bag tightly. In a very short time she reached the house, and went at once to her room. Alter she had locked the bag containing the ring in a drawer, she sat down to think about the strange thing that h a d happened. In spite-oC the lawyer's declaration that he had seen Mr. John I/Estrange, she had not thought it possible he would venture into the neighbourhood. Now she knew that it was a fact, and; strangest of all, ho was at the Priovy. The thought of his nearness made her blood tingle, and she dwelt on the hope that .Jenny might have her reason restored and be able to throw light on the tragedy. Time passed", and at last her maid came to dress her for dinner ; but Ursula was still so much absorbed in, thought that when she went downstairs she did not notice that her uncle scorned unusually quiet and grave. When dinner was oyer, he followed her almost immediately to the drawing-room. "I've heard some news that has upset me. It appears the police have received information that Jack J/I'Mrange, who escaped from Dartmoor, is hiding in a cottage in the neighbourhood. I passed them on their way to search the house. I do hope he will get away. I have'never believed in his guilt, and T expect he is trying to collect' proof of his Innocence," he said". "Where do they think he is hiding?" and Ursula's voice was 'troimilous.

At the house of a'man named Binns, one of the gamekeepers, on his estate, Mrs. It inns was at one time cook at the Hall, and she and her husband have openly avowed their belief in his innocence. My opinion is that Horace 1/Estrange has given information to the police. It seems they received an anonymous letter, and as they had previously heard rumours that Mr. 1/Estrange had been seen in the neighbourhood, they, felt bound to act. I'm pretty sure the writer of the letter was his cousin, who 'doesn't want him to seo how- he is misusing the power he gave him.'-' ."Have you heard about poor Jenny's illness'?" inquired Ursula. "No. What is the matter ?" " Oh, it is something very strange;" and she then gave her uncle an account of what had happened when the poor girl saw Hor. ace I/Estrangc. . Mr. Uafthorp listened attentively ; then he said, briefly :

"I liope she will recover her reason;" and he took up a book. The n'-'xt morning Ursula drove into Hellifield, her destination being the lawyer's ollice, and on asking tosee him she was at once shown into his private room. ''.'•.' "I'm glad to see you,. Miss C«l~ j thorp," ho said, as they shooko hands.

"I've brought"you this, and, J wantyou to show it to Miss L'Estrange,'V she said, as she took the bag o\it of her jacket and gave it to hiin. ', "Shall 1 see what 'is- inside, offtake it as it is to Miss lr*Estrang»?" asked. ... '' See what it contains she, replied^•

Mr. Scholes um'astencd the string that was tied tightly round the top of the bag ; then as he took out the ring, he exclaimed : "The-ring with the missing stone ! How did you become possessed of it. Miss Calthorp?" CHAPTER XXVII. "Mr. Scholes, before I answer that question, may I tell you about something that happened when I lived at the Nook Farm?" Ursula asked. '•About Mr. John % L'Estrange ?" "Yes ;" and sho plunged at on« into the story of the convict's appearance, how he was hidden by Silas, and hor conversation with him. Scholes" listened attentively ; then he said "You came here with the conviction that he was an innocent man?" "Certainly, and soon after my arrival Nettie Finlayson asked me to help hr to prove her cousin's innocence. She had in some way got the iinpiession that I knew him. So far we have not discovered any fresh evidence, but I overheard two conversations between Mr. Horace L'Es■trange and Miss IJoycc," said Ursula, who thou related what she had heard and how she became possessed of the ling. "Certainly the conversation points to the fact that Miss Royce knows .something that gives her a hold over Horace L'Estrange," said Mr. Scholes ; then he paused abruptly, adding after a moment : "I heard from Or. Harrison that you were present when Mrs. Dcwhirsl said some extraordinary tilings about Mr. Horace L'F.strange. Ho you know the police have searched one of the gamekeeper's cottages, expecting to find Mr. .John L'Estrange ?" "Yes ; my uncle told me." "You don't ask if they were successful," he said ; and he looked keenly at her. v "No." He smiled. "I. think you know the search would be fruitless ; I dare even guess that you know where he is," he said. "I won't contradict you, Mr. Scholes. I don't mind even telling you that I lost the ring, and it was found by Mr. John L'Estrange, who tojd mc to let Miss L'Estrange see it. I believe he thinks it will do something towards proving his innocence." The lawyer smiled. "You should not have given me this last piece of information. I ought not to know he is in the neighbourhood, so we will suppose I never heard it."

"But you will see Miss L'Estrange at once?*' she said.

"Yes : 1 will drive over this morning, and I will call at the Grange on niy' way back and tell you the result."' "Thank you. T won't detain you any longer," she said, as she rose ; and Mr. Scholes went with her to the door, and watched her drive away.

"Thcs" are interesting developments, and I think we are on the eve of a discovery," he reflected as he went hack to his oMice. As Ursula leaned back, in the carriage she thought of Jack L'Estrange, and wondered if his hidingplace •'•'would be discovered; then she started as she heard her name called, and looking rpumUsaw Helen Koyce. Pulling the check-string, she waited until the former reached the carriage.

".! want to speak to you. Will you call at the vicarage "?" said Miss Koyce.

"Certainly if you wish me. Gel in, and we can drive there," replied Ursula, thinking of the last time she had heard Helen Koyce speak. '.'What has happened ? You look excited, as though something out of the ordinary was on the go," said the latter.

"Do I? Well, I was excited yesterday.' ~ Has Mr. Horace L'Estrangc told you about that poor girl Jenny ?."

A mask seemed to fall over Miss Uoycc's face «s she said :

"Yes, I heard about it. The poor girl's madness seems accentuated."

"Is it madness, or did the sight of him bring back the past ?" said Ursula, "unconsciously giving voice to her thoughts, and' speaking in a voice that was almost a whisper. "What do you mean ?-' and her :oinpanion gripped her wrist firm* ly. The .ring of apprehension, in Helen l.oyce's voice put Ursula on her guard. ...She had put her half-formed iboughts into words, and she knew it was not wise.

"Oh, the name of I/Est range "might strike a chord in her memory. ' By the way, have you heard how she is to-day ?" said Ursula. "111, but going on as well as can be expected. 1 we,nt to the cottage, and her mother refused to. let me .niter. She said the doctor's orders were that no one was to cross the threshold, except her own family and the nurses. They have two trained ones, and her mother and aunt -take charge when, they are off duty. She couldn't be better Watched if she was the Queen," said Misss ftoyce. The word watched struck Ursula as peculiar. "Watched !" she echoed. "Suppose I say looked after ?" said Helen Hoyce, with a peculiar smile. Ursnda did not reply., and they drove oiv in silence until they reach.?d the vicarage gates, when she told •the coachman to wait, and accompanied her companion to the house. In the pleasant, homely morningroom Miss Uoyce invited her guest to sit down ;. then she seated herself near her, saying : • , "Now tell me just what that girl said :" face clouded. Jenny's words seemed to ring; in ner ears. "Itldod— there's blood: on him >""' ; Shc shuddered. >"l'-.don't care to talk about it. Why 'didn't you ask Mr. Horace L'Kstrange ?" "How do you know I've seen him?" Ilecause you are friends —at least, I yd\t are often together, and there i? , »ome bond between you." Helen Rpyce turned white. "A bond! What do you meaii,?'* ■ "I don't know what you Vnow, About Win ;.; but there's a secret between joiii >ind I thought it,/likcly ae would tell you wfiat' oeciiuse, of. course, it, vexed ■ «►. For a; moment the,re was silence,,. then Miss li'oyce said .''/ ■ ! ; ' " Ai( a matter of -fact, lie did . Jttpt."

tell mc.; but, as you say, he wasannos'ed, and I thought he might have exaggerated her -words, so I asked for your version."

"Then I'll tell you exactly what she said.;"". and Ursula repeated Jenny's words. ~..' •-'.': "Thank ybti: I don't wonder Horace was -annoyed, but it was foolish; one ; *aimot expect sense from a mad girl.". ' "The doctor expects she will recover her reason, then she wilf probably remember what she saw bir. the night of heivhusband's murder."' "Upr words wilf never be reliable. Do you think any one would,believe what she said when it is shown she has btvn mad for over a year ?"

"If .experts- say she is sane her words will be believed,""replied Ursula.

' Helen Royce leaned forward, looking at her steadfastly, as she said : "Do you know, Miss Calthorp, I have the-impression that you know Jack L'Estrange—you lived near Dartmoor at the time of his ind I have seen that you believer he* is innocent. 'T could even imagine Vou would try to help to ' pnjye it"; -but if my suspicion is correct, and vou do know him, I advise you to warn him to leave the neighbourhood, to put the sea between himself and England. He has evaded the >oliec this tijne, but he may not always manage to do so," "You seem to know all that goes in. Perhaps you know who sent tho anonymous letter to the police," said Ursula. '.'•.-.

Hor companion's face flushed. "1 have given you the chance to let Jack L'Estrange know he is in danger, not only because I think you take, an interest in him, but I dc not wish him i.o go back to prison;" and her voice was full of feeling.

"You know he is innocent ; that is why it hurts you to think of him iit'ing arrested again. But if he was taken he wouldn't have to stay long at Dartmoor; before long his innocence "will lie made plain," replied Ursula.. '■-■' "You. think that girl's words will L-lear him ?" •

"That and other things. Suppose the ring with the missing stone was found ?" she said, speaking on the impul.se of the moment. "Ah ! It was an exclamation of iHsinay, amUUrsu-la saw that Helen (Joyce looked ghastly. "T think I will go," she said as she rose.

Without another word they left the room. At the door Helen Hoyce laid her hand on the girl's arm as she said, "I wish you had never come to Mythemroyd ;" then she turned away and Ursula walked quickly through the garden, and as she got into the Tarring;*-' she told the coachman to drive home. On the way her thoughts were busy, and "a half-formed suspicion began to take definite shape. That afternoon Mr. Scholcs called just as the tea was placed on the lablc in the hall, and when Ursula had given him a CU P sne said ; "Have you seen Miss L'Estrange?"

"No. As I entered the house Dr. Harrison was leaving, and he told me she was really ill and I couldn't sec her for a few days, so I came away."

"Did you see any one else ?"

"Yes, Mr. Hdijace I/Estrange came ap to the door just as I was leaving, and he did his best to find out why [ wished to sec his aunt ; but he got 10 satisfaction."

"Is the ring safe?" asked Ursula, n. a low tone.

"YeS, quite safe ;"■• and he tapped his breast coat-pocket. Then as the iooi' opened and Mr. Calthorp entered., he turned, round.

"Glad to see you, Scholes," said the master of .the house. "I looked iit to. see Miss' Calthorp on a matter df business," said th« lawyer, carelessly. ".We're always glad to see you," replied Mr. Calthorp, who concluded the lawyer's visit had some connection with the legacy Ursula had inherited from the Johnsons. "By the way, I hear the police did not find poor Jack L'Estrange, and I hope they won't. Perhaps I oughtn't tc sa3' it, as I'm a magistrate ; but 1 sincerely hope they won't discover where he is until that poor girl-has recovered her reason."

••' "I don't think they will. I'm a bit old-fashioned in my notions,, and I believe in I'ravidence, and I'm inclined to think a greater Power than man's is working to prove his innocence. Dr. Harrison says in less than a week he will -know whether Jenny's mind is clear. He fully bo lieves she will, recover her reasoning powers, but ho is not quite sure that she will remember the past Sometimes it , happens that it is blotted out, and they wake to a world in which to all intents and purposes they arc newly born." "God grant that she may remember the past," said Mr. Calthorp; and Ursula echoed his wish. CHAPTER XXVIII. Ten days passed—days of expectation to many, of dread to some. John L'Estrangc's hiding-place had Hot been discovered by the 'police, neither had lie been seen again, and Ursula comforted herself with the thought that He was safely hidden in the'attic at the Priory. Jenny was recovering, the fever had left her, she had come back to life with a clear mind,' and there was evidence that jhe remembered .the past. The? doctor said she , was not to be encouraged to talk it until she was stronger ; the days went by it was plain to see that she was fitting the past into the present, and would soon compel them to answer quesfions which so far they had •vaded. ''■■■ ' ,j (To be Continued;..

An allowance of 2s. a week is paid ♦n ships in which a chaplain is allowed, and i-Jr certain other vessels, to'any proper qualified member of the vessel's company who plays the Harmonium, ot - - any other suitable instrument, and. conducts, the choir luring Divine; service.

■« ■•■ ' ■ I Partly through the march of civilisation, the Europeunising of Africa, [ partly through the deadly precision I 9f the rifle to-day and'to the mini- | ber of rich people who can indulge their taste for the sport, niany dis- ' tricts' in Africa that half a century " ago were full of splendid wild cranio now-almost lifeless so far as antelopes i and other large tfai-*, aials are concerned.—"Westminster i 3a«ettc." - ' -, " 'British lifeboats hkvb' saved SSO fives yearly since the year '1824.