Time, The Avenger

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 399, 27 September 1911, Page 2

Time, The Avenger

(All Rights Reserves.)

By HEDLEY RICHARDS, Author of "The Haighs of Hillcrest," "From Mill to Mansion,," "Diana's Inheritance," Etc., Etc.

— THE UNRAVELLING OF A STRANGE WILL MYSTERY.

TENTII IN ST ALMENT. Moving quickly along the front o: the house, she turned down at the end, where a long line of lime trees prevented her being seen, even if any one was near enough to distinguish her. But she had not gone above half a mile, and she was beginning to wonder what had become of the man she had seen, when she heard a gruff voice say : " You've kept me waiting a long time No. 649." At these words madame's heart gave a great jump, and she stood still listening breathlessly for the answer. " Confound you ! What do you mean ? " she heard Mr. Dalrymple say in a tone of concentrated passion. " Come now, it's no use trying the innocent dodge. You remember me down at Dartmoor. We were both younger in those days. I was No. 645, and you 649 ; and you remember me when I spotted you in Australia three years later, when that rich old sheep farmer had adopted you as his son. Golly, it was a rum thing that when I was doing a bit of horsestealing you should drop on me. I say it was as good as a play—it was set a thief to catch a thief, and you did it. How the old man did long to put me in limbo ! But I knew too much about you, so he was obliged to let me off.

" I told you we were safe to come across each other again. You see I'd a kind of liking for you when I found you'd gone up in the world, and I never lost sight of you. I knew when you came to England, and four years after I came back to the old country. I soon found out all about you, and I made up my mind to pay you a visit. But an old friend of mine persuaded me to join him in some risky jobs and I had to leave the country in a hurry and went to America. It is a fine country and I did well on the whole ; but I happened to be nabbed when I was cracking a crib and the sentence was a pretty long one. Then when I came out I made tracks for England, and one of my first jobs was to pay you a visit." " What do you want ? " asked Mr. Dalrymple, curtly.

" Now, I don't call that sociable. I think you might ask an old friend to see her ladyship. She's a handsome woman."

" Hold your tongue, or I shall kill you," said Mr. Dalrymple in a low tone ; and there was something in it that cowed the ruffian, who said : " Oh, if it's to be business, I'm willing. What do I want ? Five hundred pounds." " And if I won't give it you ? "

" Then I shall tell the folks in Wittonbury that Mr. Hesketh Dalrymple was born the Mr. Lionel Hudspith who forged his father's name to a cheque for three thousand pounds and was sentenced to four years penal servitude, I took care to look up the case in an old newspaper, and I know all about it, and can prove you are the man."

For a moment there was silence, then Mr. Dalrymple said in a tone of forced calmness :

" If I. give you fine hundred pounds it must be on the understanding that you never come near me again, or ask for more money." " All right : I'll keep clear," said the man gruffly. " Then stay here while I draw the money. I happened to draw a large sum out of the bank to-day, ■so I can give it to you and have done with it."

" Very well, I'll stay here," was the answer ; and Mr. Dalrymple left him.

Less than a quarter of an hour elapsed before he was back. ,: Here is the money," he said, putting a bag into his hands. " A hundred gold, and four hundred in notes."

" How am I to know you are notcheating me ? I cannot see to count it," said the man in an insolent tone.

" You can take it or leave it ; and one thing more—this is the last you will get out of me. You can say and do what you like, but not another penny of my money, will you have," said Mr. Dalrymple, decidedly. " It seems to me you're taking a pretty high hand ; but as I've got what I wanted I'll wish you good night." For a moment Mr. Dalrymple stood guite still, then he ejaculated : " Thank God, he's gone. Oh, if my innocence could be made plain ! " Something like a sobbing sigh fell on his ears, and he listened intently ; then as all was quiet he went towards the house thinking it was the sighing of the wind among the trees. " All the same it sounded like a woman's sob," he reflected.

CHAPTER X. A MYSTERY

Mr. Dalrymple was right ; it was a woman's sob he heard. Madame had lost control of herself for one moment, and her agony of soul had burst forth in that moan ; then she had remembered all that was at stake and i-ecovered herself. If would never do for Mr. Dalrymple to know, or even suspect, that the girl he had wedded long ago, and whe had proved to be another man's wife was living in Wittonbury. Probablj

him about that previous marriage but however he viewed the past, H would ruin his present happiness if he discovered she was in the neighbourhood.

Madame did not love Lady Dalrymple. She believed she was a gooc woman and she saw she was beautiful ; but it was not in human nature to feel very kindly towards the woman who had taken her place. Bui she did not wish to spoil their hap piness ; moreover she had work tc do. She had to establish the innocence of the man she had loved with the one love of her life. Never for one moment did she abandon he; purpose. Circumstances had prevent ed her taking any steps, but durin?; the years she was tied to the husband who after pretending lie was dead, had reappeared when she inherited a fortune—during those ye:m of her marriage she had never relinquished her purpose. Two children had been born to hei before Louise, but they had died am: she had not sorrowed much. They might have grown up like thcii father, she thought. She saw hei fortune wasted, and troubled less ; but it was not till four years ago, when her husband died, that she was able to come to England. At first she had settled in London, and tried in her spare time to discover something of Lionel Hudspith, but it was only six months ago that she had discovered anything. One day Lads Dalrymple had come to the establishment where she was employed as head milliner—it was also a costumier's—and madame had gone tc speak to the principal, but, finding she was engaged, madame drew back and waited, partially hidden by a screen, but herself able to see.

Mr. Dalrymple was waiting while his wife and Mona chose some gowns and madame, watching him, thought he reminded her of the man she had loved long ago. Then he had pushed his hair from his forehead and she noticed a little ring she had given him. It had been her father's and was of curious workmanship. He had worn it at his trial and he had told her it would be returned to him when he came out of prison. His chair was very near the screen, and his back towards her, so, feeling sure that she would not be noticed, madame had come a few steps nearer and looked at the ring as he leaned his head on his hand. It had been with difficulty she had controlled herself but she had been able, and afterwards she learned all she could about the Dalrymples, and, finally, making her health an excuse she had taken up her abode in Wittonbury. Now, as she stood there, endeavouring to regain her self-control, she thought how strange it was that she should have come to Housesteads that night and overheard all that the ruftTan had said. She knew now for a certainty that Hesketh Dalrymple was really Lionel Hudspith.

"It is the finger of God that has led me here," she thought as she passed swiftly over the grass and out at the front gate.

"It is a good omen that I should not find my journey fruitless, and it is well that I know this wan is blackmailing him," she muttered, then hastened forward, anxious to overtake the man before he reached Wittonbury, or. at any rate, to be able to see where he was staying. "He will come again and again. What will be the end of it? " she asked herself. At last she caught a glimpse of him, and slackened her pace, but she still kept him in view, and followed him until he reached the Vine Inn, a second-rate public-house in the poorer part of the town. Hiding under an archway near she saw him distinctly as he stood beneath the lighted lamp at the inn door while he. waited for admittance. She even heard the landlord say as he opened the door : " You're a late bird ! "

" What's the use of staying in on a summer's night. ? It's confounded nonsense having t.o shut the pubs up so early ; but, anyhow, you'll not have to stay up to let me in tomorrow night, as I'm oil by the eleven train in the morning," was the reply ; and as the door closed after him niadame stole out of her hiding place and went quickly homewards. When she reached her own house she unlocked the door and went up stairs to her own chamber. But she did not sleep well, and when Louise came home she told madame that she looked like a washed-out rag.

" Yes, I have a headache. I think I shall take a stroll, and leave you to attend to the customers," said tier mother. Strange to say madame's stroll led her to the station, and she had the pleasure of hearing the man who had been Mr. Dalrymple's visitor the previous night ask for a ticket to London. Moreover, she saw him depart in the eleven o'clock train, and when the tail end of the train had disappeared she drew a sigh of relief and turned to leave the station.

Suddenly a thought struck her. She would cross the line and go by a circuitous held path, from which it was easy to reach the upper Gelder Woods.

It was a long walk, and by the time madame reached the gate, leading into the Gelder Woods she felt tired, and she was glad to sit on the trunk of a tree and rest.

Years ago she had come with her lover through that very gate, and a flood of recollections rushed through her mind.

It was a long way from there to the Gelder Inn, and presently she rose and went quickly forward ; but. when she readied the inn it was turned half-past- twelve and she decided to get a glass of milk and some home-made bread and butter. As she entered the inn she heard voices and was going to ring a hell which stood on a table in the passage when she heard Mrs. Hayes say : *"' mil <-!>y.. "hat y„pu_Jikf _ Mi

There was angry familiarity in th<» tone, and madame resolved to know what they were talking about. So

she stole along the passage until she reached the kitchen door which was slightly ajar, and peeping through the chink. she saw Mr. Hudspith standing by th' Gallic, with his back to her, while Mrs. Hayes whose face was as red as a turkey cock, stood on the rug facing him. " Do you mean to defy me ? " he asked, quietly ; but that he was very angry the listener felt certain. " I don't mean to be dictated to. You needn't, stare at me in that way. I'll have none of your tricks." " riease to speak quietly. Suppose any one was to hear you addressing me in this fashion." " There's no one to hear. Sally's away at Wittonbury, and Gcrtic's gone a trip with some friends, ami folks who come to the inn take care [ shall hear them," she said, in a riuieter voice. " Still it isn't policy, and I would like to come to an understanding tvhile we are alone." " What, do you want me to understand ? " she asked, in a more reasonable tone. " I want you to see the folly of letting that granddaughter of yours ;o so much with my son." " I don't know that I should object so much to her being his wife. Df course, Mr. Hugh isn't a saint ; but it would be something to be mistress of Gelder Hall." " Are you mad ? You know I should never consent to such a thing," he said, angrily. " I'm not so sure. I've the whip hand, Mr. Hudspith. Have you forgotten your uncle's will ? " she said, in a significant tone. " Confound you ! " and he came towards the door ; but. fortunately lor madame, he stopped to say a few more words, giving her the opportunity to glide out of the house and reach the bridge where she was standing looking at the stream as Mr. Hudspith came out of the inn, and she turned round meeting him just where the road to Gelder Hall branched off.

He looked keenly at her, and she met his gaze in the most unconcerned manner. Then he went his way, and >he walked leisurely to the inn door iust as Mrs. Hayes appeared at it. " Good morning, Mrs. Hayes," she ?aid pleasantly. " Good morning, madame. Will you come in and rest ? " " Thank you. I'm tired, and I should like a glass of milk and some Df your home-made bread." "If you don't mind coming into 'he kitchen I can get it quicker. Sally's out." Madame didn't mind and she followed Mrs. Hayes into the kitchen, and in a few minutes was enjoying a ?lass of milk and some home-made bread and butter.

" You're looking tired. Mrs Hayes," said madame sympathetica!

" Yes, I feel a bit put out.. My landlord Mr. Hudspith's been here and he's talking about raising the rent. Perhaps you saw him ? '' and the little ferrety eyes were fixed or, niadame, inquiringly. " I saw a gentleman turn along the lane to the lelt." " That's him. Gelder Hall lie? that way. I daresay you think it strange that a grand gentleman like him should be interfering about my ait of rent, but I've always had dealings with him. You see, I was in service at the Hall before T married."

" It's strange he should raise your. rent after all these years," said malame. " Not it. Mr. Hudspith is very keen and awful fond of money. Hut there isn't no use worrying. 1 can ifford to pay it r.s I've saved a nice little nest-egg. 'But one never cares to part with money," said Mrs. Hayes. " I'm sure you naid me very wil.ingly." said niadame. with, a smile. "Ah, that's another matter. A woman's always willing to pay for inery ; and that bonnet you made me was a beauty, and Gertie locks just sweet in her hat. 1 hear \ou're doing well, madame, and I'm sure you deserve it." " I do my best, and that's all one can do. How is pretty little Miss Lxcrtie ? " Mrs. Hayes looked pleased with the compliment, but her face clouded as vhe said : " She's not very well. She mopes a bit," " I suppose there is a lover in the case ? " said madame, as she put lown her empty glass. " You've made a good guess, madame. There is a lover—a gentleman. [ may say—and of course there's a iittle opposition ; nut it'll all come right in the end," replied Mrs. Hayes Madame rose. " I suppose it will. But I should look well after her ; she seems such

m innocent girl," she said. " That she is. But no harm will

come to her, madame." " Tell her I'm glad she likes tho hat," and paying for what she had; uad madame left the inn. But instead of taking the shorter road she took the one that led past Gelder Hall.

I : ' Poor woman ! Flow careful she ] ivas to tell me the story about Mr. i Hudspith calling about, the rent ! i There is a secret between them, and ! it's something to do with the late i Mr. Hudspith's wni. Whatever it is ! it. gives her a hold over him," she ! thought. I As she passed Gelder Hall a young i lady on horseback tame through the gates followed by a groom, ft was Nina Hudspith, and as she saw madame a look of recognition came into her face, and she bowed pleasantly , saying , " Ckiod morning, madame/" Madame bowed in return, thinking that Miss Htid.spitn had quick eye: ! o.s ohr h«<" < nly oaee been in the lit L*lC -li"- ,p % - T -iket st-cet ■' AfeA " -.t..-i »..' »! -. . ..L.A/