Time, The Avenger

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 400, 30 September 1911, Page 2

Time, The Avenger

(All Rights Reserved.-)

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,

ELEVEN TH IN ST ALMENT. CHAPTER XI. THE TWIN BROTHERS. Half an hour later madame reached home, and on going into the shop she found Louise in a very bad temper at her long absence ; but telling her to go and get her dinner, and that she could spend the afternoon as she liked, somewhat pacified her. Later, when madame was alone, she took up a London paper, and the first thing she saw was the name of Hudspith. It was an extract from the will of the late Randolph Hudspith which had to be published so many times each summer and winter. She read it carefully through, and as she laid it down, she said : " The man who made that will believed his son to be innocent, but I don't see what there is in it to give Mrs. Hayes any power over Mr. Hudspith. Of course, it may have been tampered with—the lawyer may have played into his hands. The real will may have left all to his son with a proviso that he proved his innocence; but how was Mrs. Hayes to know that ? She had left the Hall then. " I don't think that's the explanation of her words. There's a mystery but it will all come right if Lionel Hudspith's innocence is proved. I must work harder than ever, but the time is so short, and I'm past sixty now ! Shall I be able to do it ? " she asked herself. Then mamade raised her head, and a look of greater determination came into her fine eyes as she said, " I will do it, God helping me ! "

" Well, you are going it I Where did you get all those shiners ? " It was a few days after the man who styled himself No. 645 had left Wittonbury, carrying with him the five hundred pounds in notes and gold which he had received from Mr. Dalrymple. He was seated in a miserable-look-ing room in one of the worst parts of London, but the chair in which he lounged, though old, was well cuslioned. On the table beside him were a couple of bottles of brandy, while one or two empty ones stood on the floor.

It was quite evident that he had been drinking, but he had not lost his wits, and at once recognised his twin brother, who was the living image of him. Their pals always said it was hard to tell which was Jim and which was Joe when they were not in the same room ; but for several years they had not been troubled to discriminate, as Jim had been over the sea, much to the comfort of the English police, who found one of them sufficient to deal with ; but as they did not know of the existence of the two, and had always believed the man who fell into their Hands to be Jim, they were not conscious of relief.

" Where did you get it 1 " repeated Joe, and Jim turned a handful of gold out of his pocket. " I don't mind telling you, but not a word to the other chaps. I've made my fortune for life, and I'm going to settle down as a gentleman. I shouldn't wonder if I married a staid, respectable cook as can get one a first class dinner. One must have something to make life enjoyable when a chap retires from business. Just take a glass, old chap." Joe mixed himself a stiff glass of brandy and water, and told his brother to hurrj up. " Well, it was this way. You remember the time I was at Dartmoor ? " Joe nodded.

" Well, working alongside of me was a young chap as any one could see with half an eye, had been a swell. Good Lord, he looked that straight and innocent, the jury aa convicted him must have been a parcel of fools, and the judge as gave him the four years the biggest fool of the lot.

" My gentleman got out of prison before me, and he made tracks for Australia, where he fell in with a rich sheep farmw named Hesketh, who was worth a million. Well, he took to this yoirag fellow, and a bit later, when I was doing a bit of horse-stealing, No. 649 pounced on me. I tried to get off, and told the old man that the fellow he'd adopted was no better than me ; but it seems he knew all about it. No. 649 had made a clean breast of it, and there was a devil of a row. If I hadn't promised to hold my tongue I would have been put in limbo. I cleared out but I never lost sight of the chap. I knew when the old man died he'd get all the money and come to England under the name of Mr. Hesieth, so I followed him. It is a good many years ago now. Do you remember that little job you persuaded me to have a hand in and I dad to skip ? Then, when I was thinking of coming back those confounded Americans clapped me in gaol ; but I got back at last and I traced my gentleman. " Bless my bones if he hadn't mareied a lady of title, Lady Dalrymple; and he was a big man, this Mr, Hesketh Dalrymple. But the best of it was that he wasn't above three miles from his old home—Gelder Hall—and ftis very next neighbour was Lord Hatton, him as was Judge Hatton, the man who sentenced him, and not one of them had the least bit of nofcioE who lie ' was. Holy Moses ! I

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tongue, hoping the other fellow wit still keep quiet'. And Mr. Hudspitl will never let on that \if know:-, as Mr. Dalrymple is really Lionel Hud spith. D'ye see, Joe ? " " Yes, it's a darned clever notion .-,nd I wish j 011 luck."

" It's safe, too ; no fear of tin bobbies, and it's sure for twelve years. I reckon he'll have to shel out to the tune of about four thou sand a year, and a lump sura at the end ; and if I kick the bucket befon the twelve years are out, I'll make you my heir. You can have your in nings then," said Jim. " And what if he dies ? " said Joe " Then his son will have to pa; up. He'll he even keener than tin father to hold to the estate, seeini: as he's got his life before him," re plied Jim. " Well, you're a cute one ; ant when you do get them thousands £ year don't forget me," replied his brother, as he poured himself oui some more brandy and mixed it judiciously with a little water. After a while he said : "And when are you going to sec this Dalrymple again ? " " Oh, I'll let him i-ost a hit nnc settle down ; he's more likely to shell out if he's got into the old rut anc :hinks there's no danger. And this five hundred will take a bit of spend.ng." "So it will," and Joe drank his brandy and water. Then he rose, saying, "I've a bit of business od Hand," and left the room. " I'll be hanged if he's going tc have all the chink. It is a clever no tion, but if I haven't got the brains I'm no fool, and I'll be before him as sure as he's living. This Mr. Hudspith will have two to bleed him instead of one, and I'll have the first innings," he thought, as he walked along the street. " I don't think I'll try that Dalrymple ; Jim hadn't much notion he'd pay up, so I'll go straight to the chap at Gelder Hall. But I must get to know a little more about them, and where Jim stayed then it'll be plain sailing. It s a good job we are so much alike. I'm blest if any one could tell on« Tom the other," reflected Joe. Then a sudden thought struck him. "Hang t, if I don't go and read the case ip ! Then I'd better write down a bit of what Jim told me about Australia. It won't do for me to be caught tripping. I must have a pretty straight tale for this gentle man at Gelder Hall."

CHAPTER XII. LADY DALRYMPLE IS PUZZLED

Lady Dalrymple and Mona were seated in the morning room one day about a week after the latter's conversation with Lord Ovingham. They were both busy with their needles. Mona was working a table-cent re. which seemed to grow rapidly as hei needle flew backwards and forwards, while her mother sewed diligently at 'some little garments which would eventually rejoice the heart of a pooi girl in the town who had been left n widow after less than twelve months' bliss. Lady Dalrymple had heard all about her from the curate's wife, and she had made her a weekly allowance promising that she would get hei something to do when she was well enough. Just now that time seemed far distant as the poor girl was toe ill to do anything ; so her ladyship had made the little garments that would soon be needed, and a great womanly pity had filled her heart foi the girl widow and the child who would be born fatherless. This feeling had made her somewhat forget her anxiety about her husband, who

' appeared ill and full of a strange restlessness and irritability. She had told Mona that her father was vexed at her dismissing Lord Ovingham and refused to bear anything: she said in favour of Gar Hat.ton ; but she had said nothing of the vague measincss which each day grew stronger. But Mona was conscious of a change in her father, and knew that her mother was anxious and troubled ; moreover, she grieved that her father was so determined in his opposition to her engagement. Still, she tried to be cheerful and bright ; hut that morning she was feeling •ather low-spirited, when the door >vas opened, and a footman announced, " Miss Hudspith." " Nina ! " and Mona went quickly towards her. " I want you to come and have luncheon with mo. It seems ages since we had a chat," Nina said, as die kissed her friend. Then turning to Lady Dalrymple she iiujuired if she could spare Mona. " Yes ; and it will do her g"od. We have missed you, Nina." " I have wanted to come, hut I did not feel as if I could leave my ather at present." 1 know. Still, we have missed you," said Lady Dalrymple as Mona left the room. " How is Mr. Dalrymple ? " inquired Nina. "I don't think he is very well, though he won't admit anythin i: ai 1 him. How is your father ? " " He seems depressed, but thai is anlv natural, and I think Hugh is worrying him. I don't know what is wrong, hut that he is not satisfactory I am certain." Lady Dalrymple sighed as she said : " Hugh is strong-willed. You must try, Nina, to take your mother's place with him as far as possil.de." " Hugh wouldn't let me. He laughs at me if I try to advise him, and calls me a little girl. Of course, he is twenty-six and I am only twenty;wo." To be Continued.