Time, The Avenger

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 411, 4 November 1911, Page 2

Time, The Avenger

(All Rights Reserved.)

+ THE UNRAVELLING OF A STRANGE WILL MYSTERY.

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

TWENiTY-FIRST iXSTALMKXT. Madame only just, caught the last words, hut she had heard enough to make her congratulate herself on having got her little piece of work done before the policeman came along ; then remembering: that the man would soon be returning she came out of her hiding-place and hastened towards Wittonbury. At last she reached home and went softly upstairs to her own room. Having unlocked the door and let herself in, she at once fastened it, and before she lighted the gas took the precaution, by the light of the little lamp she carried, to hang a heavy plush curtain across the window ; then she lighted the gas, and having removed her cloak and put it and the skeleton keys in a drawer, which she locked, she took up the envelope addressed to Lionel Richard Hudspith and examined it closely. It was a thick parchment envelope, sealed in three places, and on the seal was the Hudspith coat-of-arms. Evidently the contents were bulky and madame longed to open the envelopc. " No, it is for him only, and he shall be the one to open it. God grant it may help him to establish his innocence ! " she murmured. For a little time she sat looking at it, then she took out of a drawer a large parchment envelope and slipped the one she had taken from the Hollies into it. She fastened it se:urely and looked at the typewritten address : " Richard Hesketh Dalrymple, Esq., Housesteads, Wittonbury." '* It was a good idea getting a lot of typewritten envelopes addressed to the gentlemen round here. If it is traced it will be one of many, and I ?ould account for it by saying it would have been easy for any one to appropriate one of the envelopes," she thought ; then locking the letter up she undressed and lowered the gas. She removed the heavy curtains after which she got into bed and soon fell asleep. The next morning madame was very chatty during breakfast. When they had finished, she asked Louise if she would make one of the lovely toques in the making of which she excelled, and having seen her settled at her work, her mother went up stairs to her own room, and took out of the drawer the letter that was addressed to Mr. Ralrymple. Then she took one or two letters that were waiting to be posted and naving put on her bonnet and mantle left the house by the private entrance instead of going into the shop and in a few minutes the letters—among them Mr. Dalrymple's—were safely in the post and madame on her way home. It was a busy day and she had little time for reflection, but several times her thoughts wandered to Housesteads, and she wondered what its master would say to the letter he received. At last seven o'clock came and the shop was shut, then madame was going to ask Louise if she felt inclined for a walk, as she was too restless to stay indoors, when Mary opened the sitting room door and announced Miss Holmes and Miss Penman. Madame rose and came forward with outstretched hands, but she saw at once that something had happened which had disturbed them both. Miss Holmes looked excited and her niece appeared troubled. " I am very glad to see you," madame said as she clasped the elder woman's hand. " I've come because I'm in great trouble, and I want your advice," said Miss Holmes. " I'm sorry to hear that, and I am afraid you share the trouble, whatever it is," said madame as she turned to Miss Penman and shook hands with her. " Of course she does, and I think you'll feel for me, madame. But before we go into the matter I must ask you to keep Louise out of the room." "Certainly;" and madame looked the surprise she scarcely felt, as she already suspected that Miss Holmes had missed the paper; but her manner was perfect as she left the room, and, meeting Louise on the stairs ready dressed for going out, she 3aid '. " Are you going for a walk, Louise ? " " Yes, ma mere; I thought I would take a little stroll." " Very well. I had intended going with you, but Miss Holmes and Miss Penman have called." " Well, ma mere, I am triste that I cannot help you entertain them but my head it will burst if I have not Dne little walk." " Then go ; you need not hurry," said her mother. With a smile Louise went down the stairs and into the street. " You may have intended going with me, ma mere, but I did not mean to have you. Oh no, there are times when Louise does not want you, and this is one ; but I should like to know what brought Miss Holmes at this time, and why ma mere wanted rac out of the way. But Hugh waits, and I want to what these people call clench the matter," she thought, as she turned towards the country, but not in the direction of Gelder Hall, In the meanwhile madame had re-

turned to the sitting room and seating herself a little in the shade but where she could see her companions' faces plainly, as the evening sunlight streamed into the room, she said : " Now, tell me your trouble, Miss Holmes. Perhaps the very telling will make it lighter. You need not fear Louise overhearing; she has gone for a walk." " Do you remember me telling you about a paper that the late Mr. Hudspith left in my charge with strict injunctions that it was not to pass out of my hands, save into those of his son Lionel ? " asked Miss Holmes. " Of course, I do. I was greatly interested in your story," said madame. " That paper is gone, madame," said Miss Holmes in a solemn tone. " Mon Dicu, you don't say so ! she exclaimed. " Yes, madame, I do; and I don't wonder you're shocked. It's enough to horrify any one." " But who can have taken it ? What value was it to anyone but Mr. Lionel ? " " That's what puzzles me ; but it's gone," said Miss Holmes in a tone of despair. " Now, my friend, do you think you have made & mistake ? " said madame. " I haven't made a mistake. The paper has gone, and I'll tell you how it happens I'm so sure. After the jewel robbery at Gelder Hall I got. a bit fidgety, and I took, to looking if my bits of brooches and things were safe, then it struck me that paper was the most precious thing I'd got so every day I'd take a peep to see. that it was safe in the drawer. Yesterday it was all right, but this afternoon, when I opened the drawer, I couldn't, see it, so I turned everything out. Then I lifted the drawer out, thinking it might have got stuck at the back, but there wasn't a sign of it, and I can tell you it upset me. I knew for certain in which drawer I'd always kept it, but for the sake of satisfaction I hunted through every drawer in the table. As I expected, however, it was not to be found. Then I had my tea and came to talk the matter over with my niece and jou," said Miss Holmes. Madame looked thoughtful. Then she said : " Have you missed anything else?" " Not a thing. When I couldn't and the paper I had a look round, but there was not one article gone." " And your doors and everything were safely fastened, I suppose ? " asked madame. " Yes ; at least all but the parlour window. Janet declares she fastened it safely last night, and that when she went in to do the room this morning it was unfastened. But it's quite likely she left it unfastened ; she's so careless," said Miss Plolm.cs. " Still, I don't see why anyone should want that paper. You don't think it would be of value to anyone but that poor Mr. Lionel Hudspith and he wouldn't steal it. If he knew anything about it he'd come and ask for it," said madame with decision, "Of course, he would ; but it might be of use to someone else. Just suppose it was the will leaving all to Mr. Lionel ? Then wouldn't it be of value to Mr. Marcus Hudspith and his son ? " said Miss Holmes, lowering her voice. " But they don't know there is such a. paper," interposed her niece. "I'm not so sure that Mr, Marcus didn't suspect something at the time, only it seems queer that all those years have passed before he tried tc get it into his hands," said Miss Holmes. At that moment madame's face brightened, and her voice was full of snergy as she said : " Miss Holmes, do you remember when you were telling me of it, I warned you that someone in the lane might hear. Possibly Mr. Hudspith may have been passing." Miss Holmes raised her head, and nodded emphatically. "If any one has overheard, it's been Mr. Hugh. I've noticed he's been up and down the lane a great deal lately, and he's stared at the house. He's not very particular what he does, and if he thought, the paper would be of value to him or his father he'd help himself to them." " Aunt, you really don't think that badly of him ? " said Miss Penman. " I do. And I don't think much oi Mr. Marcus either ; but. if I find they have meddled with the paper they shall suffer for it. Do you think you would put it in the hands of the police?" asked Miss Holmes, looking at madame. " Certainly. It's the only way tc discover the truth. It can easily be traced. The address on it is enough to ensure that, and the police will take a real interest in finding it because all Wittonbury will remember what happened years ago," she replied. " Well, madame, you may be very wise, but I think I know better than tell the police all about the letter or parcel for Mr. Lionel. I'm not going to have all the tongues in Wittonbury wagging. No, if I po to the police I shall just tell them I've io.-d a valuable paper," said Miss Holmes " Yes, that will be the best course to take. How stupid of me to thins you would take the police into yom confidence ! " " Then, madame, will you conn with me to the police-station ? asked Miss Holmes. " With pleasure. I will just put my bonnet and mantle on;" and will these words madame left the room, returning in a few minutes ready dressed for walking. Then the. three ladies left the house and proceeded tc the police-station, where they asket to see the superintendent and, as Inhappened to be in, they were showr into a room where he was busy looking over some papers.

" Good evening, ladies," he said, ! pleasantly. He had known Miss j Holmes and Miss Penman for many ] years, and he knew madame by sight j and had heard the lovely hats and | bonnets she turned out. discussed by j his wife and daughters. He. had also j a vivid remembrance of having tc: ■ find the wherewithal to pay a heavy ■ bill for millinery. " Good evening, Mr. Millburn. T'vf j come to see you about a mail or oi importance, and one that must be kept strictly private," said Miss: j Holmes. ; The superintendent was a grey . haired man of about sixty, keen but ; genial. " I suppose these ladies know what it is ? " he said, glancing at j Miss Penman and madame. j " Yes, they're in my confidence, j The fact is I've lost a very valuable I paper." she said. | " Lost ! " he repeated. " Perhaps I should say it lias been j stolen, because it cannot have gone j in any other way." j " Do you mind telling me how this paper was of value ? Was it a hank- : note or a draft on a bank ? " he : asked, fixing his keen grey eyes on ; her. " It wasn't anything of the kind- : at least not that I know of," she j said, suddenly remembering that her late master might nave put money in it to aid his son in his endeavour to prove his innocence. j "Do you mean to say you don't : know what this paper was ? " he ■. asked, looking at her steadily. ! " Not exactly. I know it was of great value, but " then she stop- : ped. " Look here. Miss Holmes, if I'm j to help you I shall have to know all." j " I'm willing to tell you all I ear., : Mr. Millburn. What I've lost was- a j large parchment envelope containing I papers, and there was something on | the envelope." j " Now we are getting nearsr. Tell i me what was written on the envel- j ope." Miss Holmes drew herself up stiffly. I " Indeed, I shall do nothing of the kind. I've told you I've lost—or I , should say had stolen —a big envelope with papers in it. and J think that, j should be enough for an experienced j man like you." " My dear Miss Holmes, there are j aundreds of big envelopes containing papers in Wittonbury. I must know ; more about it or I cannot help you." " There are not hundreds yellow with age and I won't, tell you any more," she said, decidedly. " Then I don't see how I can help yon. But when did you miss it ? " Miss Holmes told him where she Sept it and related how she missed it and searched the drawers through. " Did anyone but yourself know where it was kept ? " " My niece and madame." " Excuse me, ladies," he said, bowing to them ; then he turned to Miss Holmes saying, " Would it be of any use to them ? " " Not the least : besides they are honest women. You ought, to be ashamed of yourself. Mr. Millburn!" said Miss Holmes. " I only asked as a matter of form. Now, is there anyone in Wittonbury to whom the contents of the rmvclopc would be of value ? " he asked. Miss Holmes rose. " Mr. Millburn I came hce hoping you could help me ; instead of that. you cross-question me about what doesn't concern you. so I'm going to find out the truth myself," she. said, with dignity. "Very well, my good lady. I'm not clever enough to discover a pa petabout which. I know nothing. If you change your mind and decide to confide in me, I'll do my best to help you," said the superintendent, as ho rose from his chair. " Find anything out ! I was a fool to expect the police to help me. What have you found out about the man who was drowned in Dead Man's Pool or about Miss Hmispith's jewels ? " And with these cutting remarks the old lady left the room, followed by her niece and madame. The superintendent threw himself back in his chair and thought deeply. " I shouldn't wonder," he muttered but that was all he said. Outside the police station Miss Holmes paused. " I'm just going to Deloney's house. The shop will be shut, and I ant going to give him an order to print some notices about the missing papers. You'll come with me? " she said to her companions. and both declared their willingness. When they left Deloney's the printer having received orders to print a number of large bills, which were posted up and down the town. They were as follows : " Stolen from the Hollies during Wednesday night a large parchment envelope containing papers. The said envelope v.-as disco!-ru"'-"! by age. Any one giving information that will lead to its recovery will be paid twenty pounds. All information in be given to Miss Holmes, the Hollies." Outside the printer's rcsi lence madame bade her friend.--, good -five .tin! returned home; then, in t'ie sol'tude of her own room she laug'rd is'ir! IP- " Oh, what a farce : Poor Miss Holmes ! But some day she will thank me if all goes we;!." Ami the laughter ended in a si-.:!.. To lii 1 Con! i::: i. -11.