Time, The Avenger

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 422, 13 December 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.

THIRTY-SECOND INSTALMENT. " Mr. Lionel took the cheque and put it in his pocket-book. Then he walked out of the room just as though he'd been wide awake and Mr. Marcus sat down and seemec deep in thought. I wondered what it all meant. I thought there was something queer about it, so I made up my mind to see if Mr. Lionel did bring the bank-notes, and began putting things in order at the other end of the room ; but for fear he should hear me moving about, I took off my slippers and went in my stockinged feet. " Some time elapsed then I heard a slight noise in the next room, so I climbed the steps, and, looking through the chink, I saw Mr. Lionel give his cousin the notes. That gentleman then counted them, put several in envelopes with the notes in them, and told him to go into the hall and ask for the letter-bag, and be sure he put the letters into the bag himself. Mr. Lionel took the letters and left the room and his cousin sauntered after him. I suppose it was to see that he did as he was told. Then both of them came back, and Mr. Marcus told him to lie down. When he'd seen Mr. Lionel stretched on the couch, he passed his hands up and down as he had done before, and left the room. I wondered how long Mr. Lionel was going to lie like that. But as he did not show any signs of waking, I got down and went anout my work. After a bit I heard a noise in the next room, so I was quick up the steps, and peeping through the chink I saw Mr. Lionel standing up and stretching himself while he gave a great jawn.

" After a minute he left the room, and I came to the conclusion there'd be nothing- more to see, so I set to work sharp, and finished the room. But I did not forget what I had seen and I made up my mind to hold my tongue and see what came of it. I'd an idea that Mr. Marcus had been up to some mischief. " Within a week everyone in the house knew about the forged cheque, and I guessed it was the very cheque Mr. Marcus had given his cousin to cash, and I didn't know what to do. I'd a pretty good idea that Mr. Marcus wanted to get Mr. Lionel into disgrace with his father, and work it to his own advantage. I saw that my knowledge would be of value, so I decided to speak to Mr. Marcus and I managed to slip a note into his hand telling him I knew

something that would put a spoke in his wheel, and asking him to meet me outside the park gates at ten the

next night ; and I got Miss Holmes to let me stay out later, saying a friend of mine was ill, and I wanted to sit with her while her mother was out. Then I arranged for Joe, the ippcr footman—who was courting me and whom I afterwards married—to meet me at the lodge gates at halfpast ten, because I didn't trust Mr. Marcus too far, and it's a long, lonely walk from the gates to the Hall.

" Mr. Marcus was there before ten, waiting in the lane, and he wanted aic to go away from the gate, but I told him I shouldn't go out of earshot. You see, I'C an idea Mr. Marcus might think the best way of silencing me was to give me a knock on the head.

" Then I told him just what I tnew, and he didn't say much, but he used one or two strong words about the crack in the panel. He next ashed me what I was going to do. ' Hold my tongue, if you make it worth rny while.' I said.

" ' You are a sensible girl. Of course I shall make it worth your while. I'm not a spendthrift like ny cousin, and if you'll meet me in the picture-gallery at six to-morrow ;vcning, I'll give you a hundred pounds in gold ; then when the matter is settled I'll give you five hundred more in notes, and if I inherit ;he estate, I'll do something handsome for you.' " Sir, I accepted the offer, and soon after Mr. Lionel was sentenced I told Joe I'd some money left me by a cousin, and of course we could be married. Joe was not very keen, and he didn't ask me many questions —not near so many as Miss Holmes did. And we were married. Just about then the Gelder Inn was to let and Mr. Hudspith let me have it when he knew I'd got a legacy and could keep it going. So Joe and me began our married life there and Mr. Marcus promised me that if ever he came into the estate I should have the inn rent free, and he made me swear never to tell my husband what I knew. Good Lord ! I daren't have told him ; he'd have gone to Mr. Hudspith .and told him the whole truth. He always swore Mr. Lionel was innocent, and many a had halfhour have I spent after hearing him vow that whoever had wronged hire. would suffer for it. He spoke the truth, my lord, as he died early ir our married life ; then I lost my only son and now my granddaughter is dead," said Mrs. Hayes.

"Is it her death that has softened your heart and made you desire tc set this terrible wrong right ?" asked Lord Hatton sternly. " No, my lord ; it's revenge I

to make her his wife, and now she is in her grave. I told his father all, and demanded that he should make his son marry my grandchild. He consented, but that night he stole into the inn and tried to murder me," said Mrs. Hayes, who then gave an account of what had happened on the night she left home to go to Atherton. When she had ceased speaking, Lord Hatton who vms very much upset said :

" I am glad that, whatever the motive, this crying wrong has been put right—that is as far as possible. Woman, I shall go down to my grave feeling that I have deeply wronged a fellow creature, and it is your fault. If you had been true and spoken then, and not let the lust for gold cause you to sin all would have been well. Now it may never he possible to undo what has been done. Who can tell me where to find Lionel Hudspith ? " said the old lord, in a tone that showed how keenly he was suffering. Madame rose, and taking a step forward, said : " I can." CHAPTER XXXIV. THE WHOLE TRUTH. " You can find Lionel Hudspith? " exclaimed his lordship and Mrs. Hayes at the same time. "Yes. Judge Hatton, let your mind travel back thirty-eight years. Do you remember the girl who said to you, ' As sure as you and I live, his innocence will be proved, and when that day comes we shall meet again' ?"

The old man stood up and stared at her as he said : "My God, I do ! Are you"— Then he hesitated. "I am Julie," she answered slowly. The old man stood looking at her. Evidently he was trying to trace some likeness in this graceful elderly woman to the beautiful girl he remembered. At last he said, " Yes ; she would make just such a woman." By this time Mrs. Hayes's mind had been on a journey into the past, md she exclaimed : " Do you mean to say you are the mademoiselle who was governess at ilousesteads to Lady Dalrymple's elder sister and brother ? " " Yes, it is quite true. Years ago [ vowed I would clear the name of the man I loved. For a long time I could do nothing ; but after a time I succeeded, and I know where Lionel Hludspith can be found. His innocence would have been proved, I believe if you had not spoken, but it las saved time and trouble, and you will feel happier," said madame, laying her hand on Mrs. Hayes's arm. Lord Hatton moved impatiently. " Where is Lionel Hudspith ? " he asked ; and madame saw that he was anxious to hear, and at once, as far as possible, right the great wrong that had been done.

" Lionel Richard Hudspith and Richard Hesketh Dalrymple are the same man," she said, quietly.

" What ! " exclaimed both her hearers.

" It is true. When Lionel Hudspith came out of prison, he went to Australia, and was adopted by a Mr. rleskcth who left him all his money; then he came over here as Mr. I-les-ceth and married Lady Dalrymple, and he has never been able to claim lis own name." "It is stranger than a romance," said Lord Hatton. " But how did ?ou discover all this ? " ie asked. Madame told of how she had first lecome possessed of one fact and :hen another, relating how she had teard No. 645, the man who was supposed to have been drowned, blackcaail Mr. Dalrymple. " What a pity this fellow is not iving ! His evidence as to, the identity of Lionel Hudspith would have seen invaluable," said his lordship. "He is not dead ;" and madame related what the detective had told her and also that she had seen Mr. Hudspith enter the wood the night bc:ore the man was found drowned. Lord Hatton looked very grave, as le thought that this man who was such a villain had been a friend of lis—not very intimate ; still, they lad been on visiting terms, yet he

.vas a forger and a murderer ! While he was thinking of this, Mrs. Hayes exclaimed, " Good Lord ! I never imagined Mr. Jones was a defective ; but I remember now he did isk me a lot of questions about vvhen I lived at GeLlcr Hall and such ike." Lord Hatton roused himself. " Mrs. Hayes, I will order my :arriage. You must drive with me to the inn, and after I have seen this detective, I will draw up warrants for Mr. Hudspith's arrest and give them to the superintendent myself," he said. " Yes, sir." Then she added, humbly : " Do you think I shall have to go to prison for my share ?" " I don't think anything will be done to you as you have voluntarily confessed. You may be arrested just before the trial-—probably the day before—on the charge of complicity but you'll not get punished ; chough, mind you, I consider you have been a rery wicked woman. You have ruined Mr. Lionel Hudspith's life," he said sternly. " Oh, my lord, I've suffered ! When my husband died, I felt that I must tell the truth, but after a bit I thought I wouldn't ; and again when my son died, I nearly spoke, but I hardened my heart until the Lord took poor Gertie, and I knew how shamefully Hudspith's son had treated her ; then there was no keeping quiet. But you needn't tell me I've been wicked ; I know it, and I'm suffering for it," she said, with the tears running down her checks. Madame took her hand. " Good-bye. God will make a better woman of you through this trou-

" I'm coming wirti you to me door," lie said ; and as Tiny valued along the hail lie told he,- tha*- he should not. lose sight of Mrs. Hayes until she was safe at the inn, in the detective's care, lest she should change her mind and warn Mr. Hudspith. " She won't. And now. my lord, you understand that I do not wish Mr. Dalrymple to know that I have had any hand in this. He must sup-

pose the detective has told you "that he is Lionel Hudspith. Neither lienor Lady Dalrymple must know that Julie is alive. It would only cause embarrassment. And you must tell Mrs. Hayes it is my wish to keep the

matter secret." " I believe you are ric'nt ; but it is hard that you, who have done so much, should remain in the background," he said. " That is my place. Good-bye Judge Hatton. You see, my words have come true."

" Good-bye madame. You are one of the best women I ever knew." And with these words ringing in her ears, madame got into the trap and was driven back to Wittonbury, and having had an early dinner, she opened the shop. In the midst of tho tumult of thoughts which filled her mind she had time to wonder that no further letter had come from Louise who had only written once.

A couple of hours from the time madame left the Knowle Lord Hatton, having seen the detective and left Mrs. Hayes in his charge, had driven into "Wittonbury, where he. left two warrants for the arrest of Mr. Hudspith with the superintendent of police—one on the charge of murdering Joseph Dutton, and the other charging him with having forged a cheque on the County Bank some thirty-eight years ago. After this he told the coachman to drive him to the Hollies, where Mr. Dalrymple was still staying, though rapidly regaining his strength. When the maidservant opened the door he asked if he could see Mr. Dalrymple and the girl requested him to wait a moment while she inquired. In a. very short time she returned, followed by Miss Holmes, who told iiim the nurse and her ladyship were in the orchard, and she had been sitting with Mr. Dalrymple, who was now able to sit up a little. He had been up the previous day, and was getting well much quicker than they had expected, and he had expressed a strong wish to see his lordship, on hearing he was at the door. It was with mingled feelings —joy that -at last the truth was discovered and sorrow for the wrong he had unconsciously done him —that Lord Hatton followed Miss Holmes into the room where Mr. Dalrymple was resting on a couch, but partially propped up with pillows. " Glad to see you, Lord Hatton," he said, pleasantly. " I am very glad to see you, and I have brought you some wonderful news ; but as it is good news I think I may venture to tell it. Your innocence has been proved, Lionel Hudspith, and I have come to sympathize with you in your troubles and to express my regret that the law compelled me to sentence to penal servitude an innocent man." The sick man's face was a perfect Kaleidoscope—surprise, joy, satisfaction chased each other in quick succession.

"At last ! Thank Heaven it is proved at last ! But how ? Has the letective found proof ? " ho asked.

"He was gathering it, but Mrs. Hayes confessed;" and Lord Hatton gave him a full account, and also told him that Marcus Hudspith had been guilty of the murder of the man who was drowned in Dead Man's Pool.

He had just finished when Lady Dalrymple entered, and after shaking hands with her, Lord Hatton rose, saying her husband had some wonderful news to tell her ; but before she let him talk any more he advised her to give him some food. " I have a great deal to say, Mildred, but I think I should tell it, all the better after a cup of bovril," said her husband. A minute or two later liie nurse appeared with it and some toast. iVhen he had refreshed himself and :he nurse had departed with the iray Lady Dalrymple drew a low chair close to the couch on which her bushand lay, and placing her hand on his, she said : " Now, Richard, tell me this news." " Mildred, my dear, you must prepare for a great surprise. Perhaps foil may think 1 imposed on yon but t knew I was an honourable upright man, though the world called Lionel rludspith a forger." Lady Dalrymple sat up, looking at lim in amazement. " I am Lionel Hudspith.. and ir.y innocence has been proved. Speak. Mildred, are you vexed that I married you under another name ? " No, but I can hardly grasp it. I thought your father had spent most of his life in Australia and made his money there." " The gentleman who adopted :n.did, and left me his name and fortune. (To bee Continued.)