THE PRIDE OF THE MORAYS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 232, 9 February 1910, Page 4

THE PRIDE OF THE MORAYS.

'ALL RIGHTS RTSSEHVEDi

By MATjKIUE SCOTT, Author of "The Mark of the Broai 'Arrow,- etc. etc.

PART 24.

There was silence for a moment. "Is that all ?" asked Dr Detmold. "Not quite. What if the .juggler-is pressed into the service and questions his wile's authority, even countermands it, and removes the patient from your care ? Might not suspicion of foul play arise under independent medical examination '?"

"I am no child. You cannot imagin : I have not prepared myself for all contingencies. Should the man Stanniforth present himself here in person be will be informed that his cousin, having shown such marked improvement that her detention was no longer justiiiable, had quitted my house. And my statement would be. substantiated by my chief attendant, Nurse Warham.''

"But she would really, not have left"—

"To all intents and purposes." "But what if they procured a search warrant ?"

"Carbcrry Grange, can keep its own secrets," replied the doctor. "As long as you can fulfil your part of the contract, I think you may rely on mo to carry out mine."

"Everything depend;-; on you, 3">etmoUl. Cora will marry me, unless these busybodics succeed in releasing"— "You need have no fear. There are tales of bygone conflicts, in which Carbcrry Grange has held its own against seemingly enormous odds. And your affair I take to be one of them. Your want of frankness hardly deserves so much consideration, but you may- safely accept my assurance that your wife is as dead to all the world as though she were really buried deep down in the Moray vault. All right. Good-bye.*' On relinguishing the receiver, the doctor appeared in do so with reluctance, more tluui once letting his hand hover over the knob which was the means of communication with the central telephone station. "3s it wise to run such a risk ?" }ie muttered. "Better, perhaps, to call him back, to decline the responsibility. What ]Jark;'r prophesied as 'a big thing* may turn out disastrous, unless —- Pshaw ! Detmold, are you turning craven in your old age ? When has the drug ever failed you ?" He went to the end of the room fitted as a laboratory, and switched on the light which displayed a tiny jet of gas burning beneath a copper vessel, in which it appeared some process of distillation was proceeding. Then from a corner cabinet ho took a china teacup, and very carefully removed all dust and moisturo from the inside, which was plain white—the only ormantation l)eing on the. handle, enamelled in dark blue and gold. Entirely unconscious that a pair of tsharp eyes wave watching his every movement, T)r Detmold then covered his face with a metal mask, fitted with two transparent circles,out of which he could see quite clearly, and then very cautiously unscrewed a nozzle in the top of the copper retort—still doing its silent work over the gas jet—from which nozzle a thin, bluish vapour ascended, as might a, jine of smoke. "Good !'•' he muttered behind tho mask.

And now ho proceeded ta invert the teacup over the slowly-exhaling va. pour, holding it by its handle in that position until the vapour was exhausted, by which time the inside of the cup was completely coated with a sticky, colourless compound, even on the surface, and to the unpractised eye perfectly invisible. Seemingly pntislii.-d with the result, he replaced th; nozzle, turned oIT the gas jet. and then, switching on a stronger heat from an electrical aP" paratus, dried the inside of the cup with great care, until the substance with which it was coated assumed the appearance of a hard glazed surface, leaving no impression when handled, nor arousing any suspicion of the fiendish process to which i/ had been subjected.

# Then, after removing the mask and Very carefully washing liis hands, he turned out the laboratory lights, ami carrying the teacup, returned to his desk and touched a bell-knob.

In a few moments Nurse AVarham entered the room, and justified Tim's assertion by throwing herself in'o a comfortable, chair with the air of a familiar. Dr. Detmold pointed to the teacup lying on his desk. "There is danger ahead," he said, seriously. "At an.y moment visitors may demand to sec Miss Stannifortji, One will probably be a medical man. ;i r 'ou must see that cup is used when serving her breakfast to-morrow. It is perfectly dry ; you need not be uncasy."

For even the hard face of Nurse Warbatn. evinced an amount of fear. "I hope you've been careful, Leo?" she replied, looking at him ly"Most careful. Dq yp.u be the same. Remember, the drug cannot be compounded under five clear days. If this cup should meet .with a mishap, I cannot renew the preparation before those people may be down on me." "You need not* fear ; the cup shall not leave my hands," she answered. "And after it has been used for the person for whom it is intended, it must be broken —smashed to powder. Will you remember ?"- "You needn't fear," she repeated. '■' l hate the proud stuck-up minx. She has a way of looking through and over me, for which "I could kill her. And nothing I can say affects her in the least degree."-

"No, I should suppose not, - returned the doctor coolly. "£'She comes of a fine old. stock. It's a thousand pities. Sir Talbot Hester must have blundered to render such extreme measures essential, and self-preserva-tion is the first law qf na-tur.e. it is a pity, j'i ""Would you feel the same amount of regret were she middle-aged and unattractive ?" demanded AVarbam, tartly.'

"Perhaps not," replied Detniold. "And yet woiild it not be equally regrettable if such a woman as yourself, let us say, should render herself so obnoxiously aggressive to those most interested in her welfare as to —yes, to necessitate the administration of a drug which would reduce her to a condition of hopeless, drivelling idiocy ? One cup of tea partaken of from that china cup, or one similarly prepared— Ah, yes, I'm sure you agree with* me, i-t would be a pity." For Nurse Warham's face had first turned white, and was now an unwholesome greenish hue, as she realized the threat implied in the suave purring tones of the man whose tool she was, yet against whose domination slu? dared not rebel. Conscious of her own lack or personal charm, her jealous antipathy always extended itself to a. patient in whom Dr. Detmold expressed more than'usual interest ; and in this case poor Barbara's dignified disregard of Ivr petty tyranny had aroused a spirit of vindictive hate, a fiendish malice that would rejoice, to watch the dothroii'moni. of her victim's reason and place no obstacles in the way of its execution.

"Come, come." continued Dr. Delmold, "you and I understand each other. Help me to establish this hold upon Sir Talbot Hester in order that a goodly proportion of the Vansiltart dollars will iiud their way into our coffers, and then we may retire in comfort —even luxury. And wlvn that time arrives I promise you to forswear chemistry for the rest of my life." "And not until then shall 1 feel safe," muttered Nurse Warham as she ivali-'d along the corridor loading from '.he doctor's private apartim'ius carrying the faial teacup—iuiended t. u wreck poor I'oibara's reason—very carefully in her hand.

Barbara had, since the night wh-n Tim had leapt. turning a double somersault in his flight, from the branches of the big elm-trees on to the bars of her bedroom window, lived in a state of anxious expectancy that ho would repeat the experiment ; but. the hoy, for reasons best known to himself, had not ventured to do so. He still carried the trays into her apartments, heralded by Nurse Warham. but Barbara did not find an opportunity for a word alone with him, though longing to ask if he had found an opportunity of posting her precious letter, that letter which, once in the hands of Keith Heriot. would, she felt assured lead so quickly to her release.

But Tim went about his duties stolidly, with an inscrutable face, and though Barbara watched the trees at night, the boy evinced no further interest apparently in what befell her. It was disappointing, to say the least. She could only hope and pray that he had posted her letter and bear her captivity as well as possible.

And then her fear that Tim had lost interest was suddenly dispelled. He carried in her breakfast-tray one morning, and. as was customary Nurse .Warhain r;:ujvd the dishes in their places on the table. Barbara had given Nurse iWarham her usual distantly-courteous "Goodmorning,'' ;1 !»l '".as watch'ng Tim, hoping for some sign, some nu-poken message. He in his (urn appeared to be concentrating his interest on the nurse, and having by a manoeuvre drawn that worthy's attention from the table fow.ono instant only, Barbara saw him deliberately run lys. elbow against the teacup and saucerlaid ready for her iisc, and then a crash of china brought Nurse Warham round with a .cry of rage, to see Tim picking up the broken fragments from the floor. 'And the cup was smashed to atomsJ

CHAPTER XXXII. + IN WHICH THE TABLES ARE TURNED.

Accustomed as she was to her taskmaster's moods under all life's varying failures, even Nurse Warham quailed beneath the storm of fury with which he greeted her mcr.l. of the accident, frustrating the fUndi*-h project so carefully planned. AcciduU !" he snarled., when ho could control his. rage sufficiently to permit speech. "Was it an accident?"

"What, else ?"- demanded the woman. "The boy, to give him his due, is not as a rule, clumsy, and, as J tell you, I was ir. the room." "You preserved, the pieces ?*-i "They are here. I took them from Tim as he"—

Dr. Dctmold uttered a fierco oath". "A part -of ... the cup is missing. Where is the' boy ? Can he have suspected anything, and purposely des-> trayed it ?''

"You're making* a to-do about nothing" began Nurse Warham, to bo interrupted brutally, with : "Nothing ! when I tell you I cannot replace"—

"I moan about the boy. I culled him soundly on seeing the broken china, and as I turned him out of the roomin order to silence your interesting* patient's sympathetic utterances, he ran how sing down the corridor, iMo doubt the missing portion, of the cup is still under the table where it fell." "Find it. and find him,"- commanded the doctor. "I must be assured he is no spy. On no account must he be allowed to leave the Grange." But neither the one nor the other could be found, no matter all Dr. Detmold's storming. Nurse Warham vainly searched Barbara's ' room for the bit of broken china ; and now the commotion caused over the breakage of a very, ordinary teacup raised conjectures in the mind of the unhappy girl that through the boy's intervention she might have been preserved from an attempt upon her life.

And then, though' Carberry Grange was searched frqm cellar to roof, no trace of the missing boy, Tim, could be discovered, the general opinion being, that he had run away, though the lodge-keeper had no recollection of seeing- hiin pass through the gates that morning.

"Not that 'c couldn't ha' got out, even if they, was shut,-' declared that functionary- "That 'ere young vaiv mint ought to ha' c been a tumbler, 'e ought. 'E could lep qver them gates easier than most fp.wks could walk through 'em on their twp legs." Dr. Detmold in his study received the news of Tim's disappearance with feelings akin to dismay. The bare possibility of having nurtured an enemy within l v np gave rise to

grave and disguieting reflections. '•'l tell j-ou it can't be," protested Nurse Warham. "He may have gone off in a huff, I don't deny that, but from first to last, I've never left 'em alone a second. And he's never taken any more notice of the girl than of any other patient—not as much, in fact." Dr. Detmold swore fluently in hit own Teutonic tongue for several seconds.

•"That's what appears to have blinded you," he said, savagely. "1 have little doubt that the young scoundrel was playing a part." •"I feel sure yott arc mistaken."

•"Time will show," returned the doctor, grimly. "Meanwhile the girl must be secreted, and all trace of hotpresence above ground removed from her apartments. Here is the key oi the vault. On no account give it out of your hand. Who is there ? One moment, nurse, if you please. I have some further instructions to give VOU."

This last for the benefit of the manservant, who presented three card* on a salver.

"H'm .'—yes. In five minutes show the gentlemen here," said Dr. Detmold, suavely. As the man closed the door, ho displayed the cards to Nurse Waihairi.

•"Dr. Keith Hcriot, Sir John Templccombo, Mr. Hermann Stanniforth."-

She looked at him, her eyes almost panic-stricken. "You see '?" he said, coolly. "You—will—interview them ?" •"I dare not refuse."

■"But here ? Why in this room ?" •"To gain time. I take it they intend going over my establishment, and Dr. Heriot may be interested in my study. Even if not, I must detain him here at all costs until you have got the girl safely out of the way: Harriet, our whole future depends on this venture, and on your nerve in carrying it out." "I'll get her out of the way, if that's all,"- replied the woman, brutally. "That is all. You have some chloroform '?'-' -"Plenty."-

"Don't overdo it. Kemember, she is worth much more- to us-alive than—nil, you understand." He touched a bell as she went out, and ih" next moment was bowing in his suave, purring manner, to Keith and ihe two men who shared his anxiety, respecting the late of Ihe unhappy girl. whose impetuous attempt lo right, the wrongs of Alison Stanniforth had brought her to such a pass.

"I urn always delighted to welcome a confrere," he said, smoothly, "and especially one giving such promise of present and future distinction as Dr. Heriot"— "Dr. Detmold," interrupted Keith, his eyes ablaze, "your compliments are singularly ill-timed, and totally unappreciated. I am here to demand an interview with a lady whom you are unlawfully detaining under your roof"—

"i must beg Dr. Heriot to confine himself lo facts," interrupted Dr. Detmold, quietly. "No patient is ever detained unlawfully under my roof. May I ask the name of the lady to whom you refer ?"

"The. lady is detained by you under the name of Miss Alison Stanniforth, but she is in reality .Lady Hester, the wife of Sir Talbot Hester." "Indeed ! Then Way I ask are you instructed, by Sir Talbot Hester i/ this matter, Dr. Heriot ?"

"No—l— But this is Mr. Slam.iforth the only relative at present in England of Miss Alison Stanniforth, and who repudiates your authority to detain his cousin"—

"But—pardon me," broke in Dr. Dctmold, quibbling, in - order to gain time, "a moment ago you stated that the person in whom you are interested while known as Miss Stanniforth, was veritably Lady lies tor Dr. Heriot ?" "That js the ease," replied Keith. ''And assuming your statement to foe correct—and 1 take it Dr. Heriot would scarcoly commit himself to such an assertion without being sure of his facts"—

"I am positively sure of them, Dr. Dctmold." "Then, in such circumstances, I should be accountable to only Sir Talbot Hester, the lady's legal protector and guardian," return *d Dotmold, blandly, Keith, bit his Up with vexation. Tt would seem as though an honest man proved a Poor match for a clever villain- . And then Hermann's interposition appeared for a moment to make matters even worse.

"Sir," ho said, "I have reason to believe you are forcibly imprisoning a young lady who has been living under the protection of myself and my wife for over a year and a half."

"My dear sir," interrupted. Dr. Deimold, "your reasoning' & inconclusive Any ypung* lady might have lived with you and your wife for ten years but that, fact would not confer upon you any authority recognizable by law. You preface yaur claim—through the mouth cE Dr. Heriot —by stating fit At the person ii» question, is erroneously supposed to be Miss Stanniforth. By what right, therefore, do you assume a legal guardianship over one whose actual identity a ppears a debatable point *?'-'* "Look here, Dr. Dctmold," put in Sir John Templecombe, hitherto a silent spectatorrpf the scene, "ft"may or it may not bo. known to yo.u that Templecombe, Ghasp v .is situated in this part of the county; of Sussex, and you may have overlooked the fact that I am a magistrate of this district. "■ Dr. Dctmold had overlooked the fact ; his uneasy eyes betrayed as muc^. ( 'I have convincing proof in the form N of a letter written by the young lady herself, that she is unjustly detained within these walls. And in those circumstances I have no alternative but to issue a search-warrant to"

"Totally unnecessary, Sir John,*' replied Detmold, feeling further quibbling usclosa, and relying on Nurse Warham's prompt despatch. "You are at liberty to investigate my establishment in detail* but you will not find the young lady in whom Dr. Heriot appears to take so deep an interest."

"She is—not—God ! villainy could not go to such lengths—not dead !'•' cried Keith, aghast. (To be Continued.)