THE CURSE OF THE CARDEWS OR AFTER THREE HUNDRED YEARS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 134, 25 February 1909, Page 4

THE CURSE OF THE CARDEWS OR AFTER THREE HUNDRED YEARS.

(All High (a Honer veil.)

B> w. urmiw f;n\YTH>K. Author o( ' Tin- lUncKnwiicrt.' 'Ksai'tnif the Wlm-twind.'" "The Heir th** t.outfOMM." KtC.

I»AI*T 111 "I heliettf two of th,m *«»t to in qwftt «l the gold during th « mmtmnib cvfltary." itl'M the "and they left their bone* I her©,'' "I womter"' amid Ueoflr«y. and jitHlHnil, "I ncle James wan nn tinnml er»»Mtt«*rtd he(Jprt. "I If l»*»t his* »i(»' ami threw soos. And Ocorge. poor (♦•llow. Ml a life. I no certain that. though I to t*ard that »»»> paternwt gnm'hw titer wtet with b<a»v IrntfI les ami buses. A» lor *l»loody »hv, he had |>ln>i,v •»( that, lie *(>!> iw Ikii war* in lml'» * "He ww*. sir. llwt all the*" thing* nrp ca|«aMe of explanation. Mr. Men/ies. Throhmtbt'il itftfst i!" ti linn; lum—ami we are tit >lls now in the twentieth rent art. J showlil Iw a loot incl-Tfl if I Iht* t*r»r<"* of Ilit Car*Vws in: t » »crioi»s light. It is interti'MTjar. tot ' »»Mring more, " "I "n,ti.in»> with too." replied the (Holiest or. thowjfh he spoke with* nut <utrt k t "I hate iitlftlltil my ilnly. Mr. fwr»fc"W. and there is an I'D 1»( the matter. Vow will nlmii the pt»| ers ' "for |tw present. Itt isb >0 ti>» throi-gli therm utfain. I will r *lmm» them to .*ow l»ter >»»r mtli! ►.'►• piny, lit-the Me. t : at HOW-- w-J ,*»■ l»f firtr»Ki »(ii.'«rh'."^ , »l »h»" (»»••» thut ,Vi t'ar»rer» innrrtl t>w l>«riiil '' ' »mi>—t»tiie rh-arlv. Iv f>r»' f »»n«t.. Ilr«« »li«- s* arrli (or th*' (g »-!d u tv" l nMsewifuwhiJ.' ."'rrne. :»»» it a-lmittifl « »il- " Well. I utm »rr, jtflad that there w n»» k»»r »»•«* to »»i>d»*r-" ta' ; e- nn •**( edition to tl»«' wil»t* o> ITrit ; :«ti ItiiiHiw." lie ad»l«'«l. with a fwieii. Iff 1 »K.t' t»» K'i'i att«i m.« hr «lr«»v»* westward in a h»»v»on> he lh«»»iisht of CartK'it forrnna "I «o:idrr it *!>•' ran Ix* a deijcenr »rari{ nf t.W Vti«iii l Tormina he rv-»ejti-d. "It i!» le : .»tran«!er (him !» hjVi' h»|i|<em«l. II '' wwibt »>e htr natural heritage to twte rm>. tin«l llml ste' now. !«iiiut" th' »-vrmittr •■>>«* blun^rril («;:»» th- rorwi-rvaforj ." |ltt> -»tn wtt* .xSvinftnC. I .nWlon «»* ln'iplit wntf lw;irtf iirtl. nr»l \ iol»*t *B* vTH-i'i i-f sr iw hiin i«n the | art. So t.'eo. rev .«»►•;. isfht wat i>«»ris»»t thu* .H( a'.ifh jc'rl. an I M hj" rrmfmhttiH th" afiricwl |in»rrhr>» nls in h>!» t'oflt it e a* with mo that th'* of «Pi:.• v i>'il I euT a?i!«e t»» »'to',id ltt!» liappin w*. "littler *up an l Mi ©d> Hn(c" were not (or him.

Pre ila, in one of th«w glorious dtivf that trnd it rhanii »i th**rr ii to I Pie it lirafltiei* 01' thf 'lh »*»*•!». tJeottrey »nt«*rtnin.d .» !>»■►►"fx of I'ru'iMlx on the ri\« r. t !•(►' id n\r far them phtil.v of lioat* i.f»P ri fc <!♦>»»•. »Ml h«n»|'er* MurM ni l' tv> «■ d *1 he;-> W<«l #«»} vtiv Ci .if ii iriifil.wrV 1.0r!% awl f'o.inc I ni. ttfd in the |*ir| le l»i* Ifirtft. . driven to Iteerhcond**. v. tji'tpfed wd'ciril* * a»d !«♦'•»" se.n. ntf . with Iv.o e.xuv' '»"*• r%~ ftn'trJ u> to*-n l>,v an evening train, f'-riatv and hi* s»»l' r. w>m«| |r, their fo >t>>r> wwlil tie morrow, tt ww* *. » * r r.-t *i.--i«. mil s>lw ft i.ift » Mr-r t n* Iwr h'iM'trn' the noht* rt ft- tr» t rr-vs lo »w <»>r <«•- twift' In''! ie. "I httd l:o i'l-'rt It Wt il fO | t) nl rln* told tJwKiry. "To thin** ot «t Ktriii't i Scjhl all thfir

"H hj «; l>f»» rtWrtitM.C tb»- r»»-»v»ntf t,< n >(»' iii tu tl It - rrpli«"d. • null in v; til wait it»» li>ii*;it Iliiin Sly J; *■ ir. IT** * «s tn le nmrrfitl in that hh>l' tb. w'n-l « birtrnthl h<" bad I «,'Vii in ("rr lewi" nt Ifc-vrhcomlto >r»t» an »• «• »»h thv »Jl»rn(lt »i<< on'l rm fint i*ds* If was inrtlvni'i". Muib h»d «'*> '»* » (hw» . t n'l * K! ' to lolFo.t. A (t>ii.«.T%«li>ry had lit- n inlo u billiard rt iim an-1 mtn ol Ihf »|«tir»ii» nl* w« rr lining nml;. (nrnk h* »l mtil A r tuft »'|! r»rr »•»!»* servant* lva«l Iwn bi.«JaFI 't. H>rN"» mill trujs wrr»- in .< niid wims in ll»«* rfllar*. n Mi | 'rmfw. ground.*. nntl "hnilr JrO »i'Fi' losing »•' •»' "fSlMrt lttiritv lh<* hrtiutt ml »N.ill«<l cnrtl. iM r? . The to»i was hfn*>*. hut tlwric was an accumulated iuitd to draw upon, for ttiorun,' t'»rtfcrw Will lived writ iwrlnr h : s Income. At II o'clock that light. after '<'* pi*#!* hail rrtircd. (.Voflrc) «il smofcitig tin I missing in IIh; library, an mom in ll»" Kli/nl»ttr. n wing nt' Ili»" Ihims*'. I'nriili'fl with nn||i|nt> rliai*s un«l talilrs and cabinets. »hi hi* nl lioiAf. valmiWi' I wmt «»»)*!* and «isgritvir»sr.«». and rare nirii !t trutn «ry corwr of the glo'**. though h<- li«il ri»n • aHy. and a l«»ng day on tlv riv.-r. lim ri>> frit M> iiH'lii>ali< n <or sli' l'. A' swinnwr !>tnnii b»»l gnllnwl ""'I hiirol. Kilt It** *»rtvlv b -attl tlw I**!big Ihumkr flitil |«'llini{ rain. Tlw fragrant tobacco ««!»•■<•. n" ' l ctirl>d upward Irani his ries ol tl «• pn»t and |iro»|Wl* of the intHrr. He Ihoiipht of »he uwinol©giNw and illwooroiflnK yor* that «rrrJti'iH>. ol hi» altered circuinslan(nt, ol ih ' Irowy meant to (tail with Violet. until, rememliering a l llir that he «isM to write for tlw «>arly lost. hj»« row and rnteml th*» )K»«n room, which communicatrd «»eh tNf library and o|*w«l on the HMitti t«rr»CH. A» he lighted tho candles pn the Itreferrrd this »miggvry tMi he had anything to do—the *t u ry of the Curve of the Canlvws Mini •fuildetilr upon hisi mind, and witha % I%ldnrw* that «»». to say th< a little startling. %" had that mn*ty otil lailo ronvc m abruptly to hi* thoughts ? he wonder»«d : «nrt he sltimcd towards the library.

TThrm |h«- packet of papers was hill I t|. r Th* next instant he heard. 'hrw dixtiiKt on Ihr outer 'n«>r ami an icy •wnsat >on nu» ; r... sfii hist vein*. A visilor at thw iioiir «>t (he night " What could it Who's iliwt; ?" he called. No riT«lv ; another faint rap. (!«>(• iVcj unbolted and unlocked the U« of. and thn«* it wiik; o|vu.

cti.vrrEK iv. * TUB VELVET tI.AW.

Ttr sudden and vivid rpfunrwc 10 (tradri 1 ) '* i>find of the story ''is drwl Mnmitor, rollowrd immediately' say ihp lm»t. uncanny. Hp k« by the myst«riou* rapping, trait, to no hrlitniT in the jwjpcrontural. but. under the rirainatancnt. he half-ev-l»fUil to find no one at til. He was therefor- urifllly rrlii'Uil and riot » litfe «>ir|>ri.o«il to Itehold a woman !»tamlinj( in the doorway, her tail. "»llm figure outlined against I hi- pale <ltin n-iktti>d on the Irrrnn; from the nn.<nii Iwhiml tlr .<tlorm-clo'«ls If Iter a|>|'-»n»IKV «*» v«pH-l) fa miliar Iht voice was more mi. (or tile moment it puzzled tCe »f:ret.

" Mat I come in. Mr. Cattle* ? " &Ik xtiil I lmvi< Iwvtt caught in ll»«r rain:" tind switins the action It th»- word, awaitinet no irniiiwion. srfa- •i»t<-r»"d the ituti room and closet the- tfoor. Sin- tviiiMtr«J a * rtterpnml Ih»kI and ca|e. •'linking vfl a .»howe» of ilmtv. and with a nod and a "Thank j«w" |»a«w«d through to lh. Klxnrt. attracted by thr »ißht 01 that «h»er(al o|'»rluntil- tJeollivy »ol* low#-l. .«ilenl ntid helpl.K*. nor ««)■ he »* »»nce capable of *|«eakinjt «hin hi* ii.«itiir. turning round under tin to confront him. rvvt*nle«l the il'i«h-il ami lovi'li fne»" of t'arrm 11 SIh- sunihd. flastiing •larH. *».>■% and while ■*.-"«iH»rita tJeoflrey

"Vs. I am here—a waif from ihi slorim. Von ilo not seem \er> glad to set- toe. My. fardew. If I am ► ni« home*" "l*«r ir»»iiit it. " liwlnj told Iter. .»illi oM'mltit-iou* gallantry. "I I""! l>otiotire«l. I n»«ii" >Oll : but I—l most ronf-ss that I ntn surprised. I'm >om know tlie hour? it Is past elettn o'clock."

"Is it so lale? 'flu II I shock tour Knstlish proprieties, ilo t not ? I forget sometitiH-s that I am not in S|»nin. wherv |sople ar«* l«-ss narrow-minded : but slern net:essity ami a dislike to a wetting is my ev»'ti.«e. Would v oti have hntl ml th.- night in tour dripping shrtihltery 7"

'lf I can l»e of any service to V Or»"——

"V«i hntw git en inc sla"lt"r. and I am rontenl lor Ih«* present." the girl irpliwl. She laughed, and threw herself gracefully into a liaskel-chair. j«h»* wore a jacket, ami a *hort skirt lh;»l littetl her to |ieriection. Her rh» «-" s were briglUL with colour, and a toreador totjue wa* coi^tet tisdily li-irheil on hi-r thick rateu hair, which Was slightly dishetelleil. Xeter t;*>i(|r>-t was oim|<elhil to admit, had Iter lieautv lieen tlisplated to such adtantage. At the same lime, howetrr. he was <|i»it«- uiimo\e*l l"> her chart us lie remained standinj;. grate and IhoUghlful. ' You hate lost jour ttat ?" It. asked.

llo|* h-sjtly. 31 r. CurtU-w. I.i-n-rt : yon »hnll hear mv sad Mory. Imlnit. it »» not a Kiting iiu«U<t. I have ln. |» j>t«»l>|»inp at tJivnt Morlow with <» ir»iiK on their houji Juiat. arxl tlii* mornfirg ■ »lorlrd on my bicycle fifrml the day with ?»onie other irN-wb «ho |i\c at High Wycombe. I Hft th»'iv early in th." i-venine. hi—v<l ihe road, and *o» *et right at n cottage : and tln-n—tlie r«»nilr> IHjuts in lonely and ttiiwktl-I wni ntlra.y again. cnim on. hihl I had no iilra wl'»r>- I *n»Wlkii the storm l»ruk- I twik refuge untk-r u trrv. and n llas»h of lightning • hou««l iim' the nam** of llcecliromlie «'ii a gate-Co*' ucro}>x llu» runil. Renwmlwriiig tluit yon livd li«' r«-. I |»»it my tnir>rle in<iik' the gate anil walked **(• through llw |»nr>-. 1 <t t in a li.sHit til the niwl ti'iiiiiriil to Wa?» it (i \ery leril' lliitis; to do *»"

* I lwr«* v«!t n«» nlUTim!»*«-. It H't'trji.'* rr plinl f.«tiriiej. -Hut wiiir i'ri«-utl» nt Marl"** ? Tl»v\ must I- \, r> H n,\ious olhuil >iri. No doubt llii'x »rv now jwiucLiii.u" " V.. ; I told I should proImlilv >{»|> ul High \V\coiiibv all 'Alt. ili> ii th»*y «iw no I i>x|ipcling < u l iwrti. You must go on BSSOOD {ik ul rn>ir»". Mi' riiiirr." ill** I llniiW llh- rain Im* ruMl." said t;Hirin>y. "I will Mart >nu on your ritrl.t riMMI."

"Il»»w good ol you rv|>livd Carmn. «t\v»>-tl>. "i niu sorry lo givo >n«i »«» iiiurli troubb* on«l klic nestl> il nf?»r>* rom'ortnlilv Into tile chair. Uit h a xbnis of n-sijfiwtion o«nfl,n Hit down. Ilerv was a pretty ilalr ol allair». to h«* mre. He boe.m to |»rl s«*rion*ly alarimil. and his Mimml run cold tor an in*lnnt as he (Hkliil on the tlionn's of lieinjt di*rovrnil in ilii> implonsant pnwlirnr nK-nt l»y llrian or Violet. On second thoughts, however, he told himself that no such disaster was to l»e feared : his guest*, anil thr scrvmilt as well, were In a»olber |'i»rt of the hoiiM». at n distance from tl.it Kli--7a If I hut i wii««. lint n 'MTtbrlttn 1»; must p-t rid nf his uninvited xisitor. «ihl that tery s.-.oin "What a Ir-nwtiful plan- you have lv«r»» said CariiH-ii. mVr Or pause.

-y o»ir l»r«»th»*r nunllj b*ft it to *»»», I Vw-i oiijrfil i« lie ». r\ ltnp|>>. Mr. rur«i.*v. ; an<l your wife.—mln* mill l.i* a loriiinuU- wo-

man. , Sh"* »|m»U«* in»l»rf«-rvntl> «*no»igh. | lK Aiiiß u' him tihil«* with an iiori fit. Ir»n<ll\ i*\pr» khmhi tlf»t hali-ebo-ixill fSi-ofirvy. H»* uhihl«t« «l ii »bo lm-tr that Violet i;«»«fond wo* lit Ikt"clicoiiil»". n»il coiichnlrfl not. "•It i» I," he rvplii-d. "who nil! l» (oriuiwti'" Then? *»* «M inU-rvol or Hilcncc, brok«*ii l»y t'nriiM'n. forward, and rrsting hath band* on h.r chin, she Ddiil. with a wnllir : "Will vow forgive me. Mr. Caruew, If I remind ypo that I out I oth hungry and thirsty ? It is a long time sincv 1 hod •upper." ■J foft your pardon.•" cxclamwd (taoflivy. ri*in» with ill-coiiccaled rvliktancr. ■ 'ITi? jmr-.ant* l.jtve fte liml. hut I (larrMi.v I shall be alilo to supply your wants." '■Thjuik you hi muth : ami tlwn. if you' will kindly »how ntc the way, 1 will atari for Morion.

Caotyrey devoutly hp; -<1 ih»t _ alio

wri'ihl |i.-r wonl. !!<• il.-pari'x'l rj|l t»iv it IHil v«» simple p. tux- S»H he P\|WTt«-«f—nil'l I .-I'n i:C(i with a tin »»i tji>euits. n "I fouitil these in Ihe iliuin '-room." he tuiid. " Kvcr> tiling rlJie ««s locked up, and I have not got the If yon don t mind, though" "t»h. that is plenty." C'«i-n«ii intemtptwl. "How funny to tliinW vou an" rolibing: your onn honv • As« «he Jtpofc* fhc wasroaming witli in si idtivc glancm about the room. * 'I hi* in a ver>" old |»urt s of the houw, in it not ?" J»hp a«l>«l. "Vow. it I* oi«e 01 Ihe original wina>». built in the enrl\ reign of KlraN'lh. The re*t h»-> Iwen nioiv or I w iill.-i^l.'" "Ami tltix wonderful black oak I a i"-I litis— RUtvly I her" oualil to be mTri'lK Ifhiiul it. A liidileii clmml»er. or a prl«"*l"it hole, or Komething oi tltat M»rt."' nivi-n-d. on the *|mr of a carelewt in»-pliW-e. "H >Oll wouUI like to" "Wln-re is it? Oil, do show it to me ami -let me o|>en it mjwlf. I love m> Meri«i»." t;«o'lri"y humouml the g'H- hj." w«»n----•Vr»-«l niti-rwnrtl.H if nuiih* subili* inlliiciMa- could have caM a f|« - H 01 -r him -nnd huving guiitled h r a t arils to one side. h«' iudicnle«l u ,>|h.| ihr.t had no apparent means of iik-nl il-ciitii n. She bore III: weight of (no finger* on the cono-ahil !»:>riug. and a panvl iiiMantlt aii'l ih>:>'.'l«"K.'>l> ,«liil rft.'alilljr h thu'p. dark iw#«r plwut a f«>oi fx,ii<!H". •llow ipuiinl !" exelainiLil t'arnn n ' What do yo'J keep in here? Your talualhs?" ) . *'l'a|Hrs, thul i# ulr." (Setiffrev r«plied : ami ns lie jfuddenly rctnctnI ereil what papers tlie\ wen", ami I •Muilliiig | o«sibilit\ thai the blot"! of Miguel Torrnnn ami his «l«"*ce»ulants flowed in his eomj anion'si veins, he felt n chilling s<-iiv of imprudence. He shot the panel into place with a sharp click. "Thank you." said Carmen. "Are I here otiv more ?" "Only Ihe or «". so far afi I know," lie l old her. "'lt is a splendid hiding-place." she declared. "I could m-ver f.iid it again. Hut I am wasting .\ollr lini" ond tuinv. Mr. I'ardeu. I must go in another lit«- minutes. lam sure it has stop|H-d ramim;." They sat down by i-aelt other by the table on which CeofTrey had l»ut the Hat. lb; opened tit.* tin and the lottle. and |hiiiMl out the foaming. creamy lii>uor.' ""

" You have brought only one gho-s." said the girl". * "ll is sufficient." lie repiiefl. "I am not thirslt ."

"'llut tou iiinsi Im» sociable : it is tour du!t. Iki not refuse. A toast to tour good fortune. Will tou join me ?"

"Vim are a very imi-erions daughter «f Spain." said fJ«oflre>. halfiin|a»ienlly and half in jesl. " I Mtp|Mis«" toil niusl hate your way." That Ihe errand could I"' inbuilt to s-i-uie his absence for n inouieiit net 1 r eul'-r<il Irs head. II" made a m-coiml 1 rip to the dining-room. as mtiselcSvly as l»".*ore. and when lu* t'i—thiited to the lilirart his tisiior l»a»l oppaiently not moted fro:n her foriiHT jKJsitioti, lie filh-tl the fresh «lass and handed il to her. keeping the ot her for himself.

"Sit «lown." -««"• t'nruwii. "Thriv. now vmi loo!; coiiifoi'ta'iU'. May I"? nml •»|H , niiig a silvi-r that linns at Ix-i* thaiHainp. si'loot» o'it a Miri!rt-*3'UtoU Turki.-h nml lit it- "l** I s-hock you ?" slk uil«lc<l. "It is the custom of »»> count r.\."

"Anil of mine. nl.«o. 1 am afraid." Cleonrev la»ghiiigl\ a«h»»lt«lHe drained Itis klhs> and ivlillitl it. For a fi-vv moments h«* list'-ned to tin* girl's li-lit chatter. olid wutrli«tl her as >hc sat hnrK in a languid at(itudi'. sipping her champagne and I low-in;; dainty whifTs of smoke. Kiili 'r Iter liiin;i'r bad passed oIT, cir she had forgot ten tin- biscuits. for ahr ilitl not touch them.

h : H is \ery I'l-nssiiilslir siiUl. bn-iiiic forward and ri'?artliii!( her companion int'nily. "but I u"i guinu rvoll> nlid trill* . in thr«-e mote min-iil«-s. You luil> >l'T|iy. Mr. fardew.''

■ (ill. no." protected <!cofire>. in S1 strangely thick voice. Hi- picked ii|» his class, and as In: ruisrd it to bis* li|« it Ml anil broke .»n l»i« kwv, splashing him with the rutilcitlx. Hi** arm dropi**! limply. \ d«iithl> faint tn-ss. a sinking s»-nsa-ti«»i». was stealing, ; "I him with ilarmiiu rapidity. His brain rieled. and th<* whole room swam. 'lbroiigh a mist In* viif(U''l> saw- the giil. ami then she s.ein«l to change I his eyes to a dark, Insured. sal'ir nine man. who wore a plui»s« , »l Kln'l .up and n glittering breastplate. ■ ttnicr. ijiilck !"• hi* gasp.*d. " 1 s i'licvr-1 am—ill."

I It* tried to rise. and sau'< h n* il> :»nrk Into the depth* of the chair. 11 is r>« rlnKHl. his limbs relavd. and he breathed like one who is prciuiml for the surg<-ou's knife. For the space of a minute there was utter silpnee in the room, savt for Iho ticking of the clork. Carmufi'K ga/e —it teas a blend of satisfaction and horror —never stirred I'rom tho unconscious man. At length she softly rose and bent over him lor an instant, and that she knew «er treacherous work ,to have lieeii w.-II done was shown by the cool delilxTation of her subsequent actions. "How wicked Jl am !" *•»«? hum. lialf atomic "Why did I consent to such a tilt; deed? Jf it were not lor his *akc"

For a f«*w .viomls she listened, then swiftly crossed the room. Her •liin fingers soon found and pr<*ss«-d .he i-rnrt spring In the wall, throwing the panel o|»en. A small box was visible within, and ha\ing taki-i. it out she reached her arm aimlessly to the end of the cuplnmid. ami )\- chance touched something that i)ltd the feel of pM»er and was protruding slightly from a crevice Intwee 11 two beftinji. With some dllli--7ijlly she worked It loose and drew it out. at the same time glancing 'everlshly over her shoulder at <!eof*'rey. She then hurriedly carried the pa| er and the Im>x to the big oaken table, on which were writing materials and n lamp. Her second f:nd was u strip of ancient and dusty parchment. „nil lo decipher the laded lin»-s and characters ufHUi it wu* t ■<■• ,ond her power. A brief hesitation, and »lu? thrust ii into her bosom, (To be Continued;