The Third Man.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 35, 31 March 1894, Page 13

The Third Man.

Storyteller.

(By J. G. Bethune, author of “ The Eye of Hercules,’' “ The Cypher F,” etc.) (All Eights Reserved.) CHAPTER XI. Walmsley was doing: his utmost to ■win the favour of the lady, and was succeeding - . She noted his correct language, his deferential manner, and bis gratitude, -which did not become offensively effusive. While the preparations for his meal were under way he could not he'p wondering how it -was that the venerable woman was left alone with him below stairs. He knew that a man and young lady were above, for he bad seen them, and he heard them moving about now and then, and once or twice caught the murmur of voices. It was clearly the place of the gentleman to answer the knock at the door, at that hour, and not havingdone so, and knowing that a stranger was below, he should have presented liimself and learned his business. Walmsley hoped he wouldn’t, for he could hardly look for the considerate treatment from him that he was now receiving. Still he expected every moment to hear him descending the stairs to order him out of doors again.

“ May I enquire the name of the one to whom I am indebted for this kindness P ” respectfully asked the detective, as he took his seat at the table, and began disposing of the eatables and drinkables. The hostess stood a few feet away, with her pretty hands folded in front, surveying with evident pleasure the comfort she was the means of giving to one in dire need of it. •‘I am sure ray name is of little account, but 1 have no objection to saying that it is Mrs Langdon.” “Thank you, I shall remember it as long as I live.” “ And yours ?” “ G-eorge Foster,” was the atrocious falsehood promptly uttered, while the speaker’s mouth was filled with meat and bread and butter. How the detective would ha ve liked to pursue the questioning further, taking in the names of the other parties in the house, and the visits of Judge Hollywood to the lonely dwelling ! But he was too wise to do so. Curiosity like that would have awakened suspicion at once and dissipated the confidence he had won by his diplomacy. He could only hope to remain under this hospitable roof by conducting himself like a gentleman.

He was sure that never in all his life was he so ahung’ered, and he ate until ashamed. When he made as if to stop, the old lady, who remained .standing a few steps away, hastened to set more food before him, and to insist that he was not making half a meal. And so it came about that Hetective Walmsley ate and ate until he was absolutely unable to hold any more. With a sigh of contentment he rose from the chair- and resumed the steaming business by the fire. I will try to find some old clothing for you in 'the morning, 1 added the hostess. “ I shall* have to ask you to stay-in this room. There are blankets with which I hope you can make yourself tolerably comfortable, at any rate, more so than if you remained out doors. I will leave Tiger to keep you company, and he will not molest you in the least, unless you should attempt to go upstairs.” CHAPTER XII. . TKiEK. The hostess cleared away the table and made matters tidy, before bidding

her guest good night and passing up stairs. As she did so, she carefully closed the door behind her, and the detective found himself alone with the dog, appropriately named Tiger. He smiled as he recalled the parting words of Mrs Langdon, to the effect that the brute..would not molest huh unless he attempted to follow her. It was too plain a hint to be mistaken. “ She need give herself no alarm on that account ; no business could be urgent enough to make me repay her kindness in that fashion ; well, you’re a pretty looking customer, aren't y° . . j The last question (uttered with so much respect of manner that ncj offence could be given), was addressed to Tiger, who was still sitting in thb corner of the room, with his eyes fixed on the visitor, his appearance and manner saying as plainly as sq many words : . “ I’m watching you, old chap, arid will be glad of the first pretext th make mince meat of you.” = The dog seemed to belong to some species of blood hound, the giving him more intelligence than usually displayed by that breed! Besides, his weakness of scent when groping about the grounds proved that he could not be of pure blood. He was as black as night, with inky muzzle, tremendous fangs,, a neck like a bull, and the strength of a horse. He was sitting on a piece of rag carpet, his jet black eyes showing now and then a phosphorescent glitter as he followed the movements of the visitor when shifting Ins position. “ You look at me as if you were a cross between a royal Bengal tiger and the car of a Juggernaut,” observed the detective, Avith the same deference of tone and manner; “ I was in luck that I didn’t bump against yoiji outside, when the mistress was not present to restrain your ardour. I have grave doubts whether the five bullets in my revolver would bb sufficient to make you lower your colours.” The big fire on the hearth threw out a good deal of illumination, but a well-filled lamp stood on the table, so that it looked as if man and beast would be able to admire each other as long as they could keep their eyes open. There was abundance of wood, too, heaped at one side of the blaze, and this, with the heavy blankets piled on a chair in one corner, assured the guest of comfort for a long time to come.

“An hour ago,” be reflected,“when, from my perch in the tree, I found my view of the npper room shut off, I voted myself the unluckiest fellow in Christendom, and now I feel just the other way. My clothing is almost dry,” he added, pinching the garments, “ my body is warm on all sides and clean through, and I have a stock of provisions aboard enough to last m!p a week, or rather to the close of another rainy day. I don’t know wdiajt will he the result of this masquerade, hut it will be strange if I don’t pick up some information before leaving the neighbourhood.” | He had seated himself on the sic|e ofjthc fireplace next to the doo|, as close as he dared go, through fear* of wounding Tiger’s sensibilities. lie thought it possible that he might catch a word or two, but the prospect was anything but promising. “ With youi permission,” he said, glancing across the room to wher'e the black terror sat. As he spoke he ran his hand far down inside his’s trousers leg and brought up a roll ox tinfoil. Inside were live perfectos, so securely wrapped that no moisture had reached them. The old pipe was broken by bis involuntary descent off the tree, and he had thrown the fragments and tobacco away. “ This completes my bliss,” he chuckled, leaning forward and drawing an ember from the fire with which to light it. AVliile engaged on the preliminary puffs, Tiger strode across the room and stood by his knee. He wanted to assure himself that everything was open and aboveboard “ Will you have one P” asked

Walmsley, extending one of the weeds towards him, but the brute paid no attention. “ Don’t smoke? that’s right; I wouldn’t advise you to learn,especially as I want all these cigars myself. You seem to be a gentleman of correct habits. I would take it as a favour, however, if you would resume your old quarters. You are one of those fellows with whom I don’t crave a close acquaintance. Whether Tiger understood the hint or not is uncertain. More than likely he was satisfied with the look of things, for he walked back to his corner, and resumed his watchful a. tit .def ••thank you,” added the guest looking around at him, “you have no idea ho,w distance lends enchantment to the view in your case. I wish I could convince you that I have no itn tention to go upstairs, and it isn’t at all neoessary to keep those confounded eyes of yours fixed on me all the. time It’s apt to become embarrassing in the course of a few hours ; but it’s all right, I suppose. . “Yes,” added the detective, after he had smoked a few minutes in silence, “ There’s a woman at the bottom of the business. Judge Hollywood, like a good many men before him, had been bitten by the serpent of female beauty, or rather some woman has given to him a cup of the dhatoora of the Hindoos, which produces imbecility in a once vigorous brain. He is infatuated with her upstairs; while carrying with him every evidence of his unutterable sorrow, he comes to.this out of the way place to spend hours in the siren’s company. “Dr. Gardiner may try to shieldhim, but I shall not ” muttered the officer, shaking his head and gazing into the glowing embers ; “ his crime is without palliation or shadow of excuse. Ho wonder he feared the scandal and disgrace, for, when it becomes known, his name will be a by-wurd and reproach throughout the nation. It is the darkest crime I ever sought to uivrayel.”- .... .■• ■■ ■•••■-• As the officer sat, his back was toward the door opening on the stairs immediately behind him. He checked h's mu-sings as he caught the hum of voices and heard footsteps, but it gave him no aid : he could not distinguish the leasf syllable. Tiger, seeming to be "well satisfied with things, now let the fore part of his body down to the floor, so that he lay at full length, with his nose resting on his paws. He meant to be as watchful as ever, and, though he might drop off to sleep, would start up at the slightest disturbance. Looking around at him, as he assumed this posture, Walmsley gave way to a momentary touch of humour, and said — “ Good night, and pleasant dreams to you.” He lit another cigar with the stump of the old one and flung the latter into the flames; even this slight movement caused the brute to raise his head and look inquiringly at him. “ It’s all right; you needn’t worry I wonder whether the folks upstairs would be apt to think it strange if they detect the odour of a 25 cent, cigar. Tramps don’t patronise That sort of weed as a rule, but I told Mrs Langdon that I had money, and tried to think and act as though' I wasn’t quite so low down as my uniform suggests, but she would doubtless draw the line at perfectos.” “ I wouldn’t feel a particle of uneasiness if I was sure there was no one upstairs but the women, and they wouldn’t be apt to feel quite so easy if they were alone. I should think that man would investigate a little on his own account. If he were too indifferent or lazy to come down and open the door, however, it isn’t likely he Avill feel enough curiosity to look further.” “How shall this crime be brought to the door of Judge Hollywood P” continued the detective, following his bent for speculation. “ The doctor has certified that Mrs Hollywood died from natural causes, and his word will go tenfold further than mine or anyone eise’s. If I could secure the

disinterment of her remains, it isn’t likely that the finger marks on her neck would show, and who could be ! made to believe the judge has ever committed any crime, much less such a monstrous one ? I would be hooted and jeered at by everyone.” “ llutall the same,” he added, pressing his lips with a dangerous gleam in.' his bright eyes, “ I shall follow the trail till the truth is struck. My responsibility will end there, and if the offence goes unpunished, it will not be the first one by a -large majority.” “ What will the judge do when I go to him with the proofs of hia' wrong ? Probably snap his fingers in my face. What will the doctor say ? Turn his back on me and refuse to believe. It is well, perhaps, that human friendship is occasionally" strong enough to override truth, honour, justice, right, and-every thing else. 1 have loved the judge as a bi'cther, but not to the extent of loving him when he is a murderer.” Detective Walmsley was never in more deadly earnest than while turning these thoughts over in his mind. They augured ill for the man. against whom they were directed. He threw more wood on the fire without offending Tiger, who only only raised his head and waited till he was through. The drizzling rain continued, made more distinct by the wind which was rising, and which often swept the drops against the shutters. Walmsley shuddered to think what would have been his fate if he had staj r ed outdoors. “ I would have been as dead as Julius Caesar by this time and nomistake. A man has-to go to Europe once to learn how to go there aright, and I needed this experience to find all the points necessary in acting the tramp.” Profoundly interesting as were the themes running through his brain, the detective could not tight off the apapproach of drowsiness. He thererose and walked over to where the heavy blankets lay on the chair. ~ Tiger was instantly on his feet, and kept by his side as he moved back by the fire to spread them on the floor. “If it’s all the same to you,” remarked Walmsley, preparing toll e down, u I prefer to sleep alone.”

CHAPTER Xlll. TWO i'OItiMS AT. THE WINDOW. The blankets were carefully laid on the floor, the detective conducting the proceedings with great circumspection, for he wonld not have offended Tiger for the world. The latter surveyed operations for some minutes, and evidently concluded they were not some underhanded method of getting upstairs, for he swung back, to his old place in the corner and stretched himself out as before. “ I’m afraid there is no way of winning your confidence,” remarked the officer, as he assumed the horizontal posture ; “ you hold an innate distrust of me that can be removed only after a long acquaintance.” As Walmsley lay, his feet were' toward the fire and he faced the stair door. He had given up all hope of learning anything of the people above or of what was ‘g6ing"Ofr,~ soi, long as Tiger remained his companion. A look at his watch before winding ■it up showed that it was between ten and eleven oclock, 7 and the stillness above, which remained unbroken, led him to conclude that everyone in the house had retired for the night. “ I don’t know that it would pay me to keep awake, and I couldn’t if 1 wanted to. A fellow can tight off sleep only by action, and not always then ; when I was on a cavalry raid during the war, I rode half of one night as soundly asleep in the saddle as I will be in half an hour.” But he did not sink into slumber as soon as he anticipated. His actions in moving round seemed to have shaken off the drowsiness that was weighing down his eyelids, and he found himself fully awake after lying down. And then, as the old feeling began stealing through him, he was roused to. 'the fullest w r akefulness by a shock that w ; ent through him like

the charge from a Leyden jar. He liad made a startling discovery. Some one was stealthily comingdown stairs. The steps creaked once or twice, and then he heard the slow pacing of one foot after the other on each descending step. This continued until the bottom was reached, and then there came a pause. The door dosed with the old-fashioned latch, .and a moment later the rustle of this was noted as it was gently lifted. Had not the wind fallen for a brief while and the room been perfectly still, the keen ear of the listener would not have detected these almost inaudible proofs of what Avas going on. It was the old detective instinct that caused Walmsley, Avhile lying with his face toAvard the door, to raise his hand and rest it across his countenance, in such a Avay as to hide moot of- his features, while he Avas able to look out from betAveen his lingers, without shoAving that his eyes were partly open. He didn’t mean that this prowler, AvhoeA’er he or she might be, should be able to secure a fair vieAV of his countenance. He did not forget that, since coming to this lonely spot, the ordinary disguise of his countenance had been remoA r ed, so that any one acquainted Avith his features Avould be quite sure to recognize him, despite bis ragged garb. He Avas confident that no one Avas there that had ever seen him before this evening, but it might be aAvkAvar d to have bis Ausit recalled after assuming his own personality. It Avas not to be supposed that the person at the bottom of the stairs Avas Mrs Langdon, for there Avas no ■conceivable motive for such secrecy on her part. She bad seen and conA*ersed Avith him, and the presence of Tiger Avas a guarantee that he Avould be attended to, if be should be presumptuous enough to disregard his Avarning. It Avas either the man, the young lady, or possibly some inmate of whom as yet he knew nothing. The door Avas noiselessly pushed open for a feAA" inches. Walmsley did not hear the slightest sound, but Tiger Avas up on the instant, and glided to the foot of the stairs, thrusting his sooty muzzle through the space that had just been formed. A small hand, Avhite, tapering, and symmetrical to per: f ect'oii, flashed like a jeAvel into the light and rested on the bull bead of the brute, Avho immediately Aval keel brek and lay down. T 1 a i the hand vanished, but the detective kneAV that on the loavci* step avds standing the siren attentiA r ely studying him. Neither the gIoAV from the fire on the hearth nor from that of the lamp cm the table reached her, and the door Avas held so near 1 A* shut that the form was Avholly in the shadow, but it was there beyond all denial. He observed a movement, like the flickering of darkness itself, if such a thing can be conceived, and once there Avas a changing dash from a

pair of lustrous eyes like those of the houris of Paradise. “ She is more suspicious than the others,” he thought. “ She has heard, the story of the tramp that didn’t talk and act like one ; the rest may he satisfied, but she is not ; she has come down to steal a look at liim and assure herself that he is not an officer of : the law who has scented crime. If she were certain that I am what 1 am she would order Tiger to tear me to pieces, and how the brute would jump at the chance.” The officer’s heart heat faster at the thought that possibly the girl might venture closer in order to gain 1 lie coveted sight of his countenance. In that event he would probably stir, as if awaking - , so as to frighten hex away, for he was determined to prevent the coveted view. But, if she held any such intention .she abandoned it. After standing motionless a brief time longer he beard-her t ».-ending the stairs again. She left the door unlatched, perhaps fearful that the slight noise might disturb him. f That settles the question cf my breakfast,” he concluded. “ I shall

leave here at the first streakings ofdaylight, much as I would like to stay and thank Mrs Langdon for her kindness.” There Avas plenty of matter for deep thought' but he kneAV that despite it all he would soon be asleep. Accordingly he turned, Avith his face aAvay from the door, and drew the blanket partly round his features, so as to necessitate not only an entrance into the kitchen by the seeker after knowledge, but the disturbance of the blanket, a risk Avhich he Avas conA'inced no one Avould take. Sleep Avas not long in coming ; and, tired and Avorn out as he Avas, it remained unbroken throughout the remainder of the night. Having sunk into slumber with a clearly defined intention of waking at a certain hour, he did so, as experience has proA en any person can do. Rising to the sitting posture he suav that the fire had become smouldering ashes, and the lamp had burned to a crusted, smoking Avick. The room Avas chilly, but the lieavy blankets had kept him Avarm. At the first motion he made, Tiger was on his feet, alert and watchful as

ever. “ Once more will you leave,” remarked the guest, walking gently to the cupboard and helping himself to a basin, which he filled with water from a pail on the bench and performed his ablutions. “While I am about it,” he concluded “ I may as well save some of the provisions from spoiling.” And he proceed# 1 to do so with promptness and vigour, the dog manifesting a continued interest in the proceedings, and ready to pick a quarrel on the slightest provocation. His Avatch showed that it Avas barely six o’clock, and day Avas just beginning to break. No sound indicated that anyone was stirring overhead, and he belie\'ed there Avould be none for an hour or more unless a servant that had kept out of sight ever since he had been in the house should appear on the scene. His hasty meal and preparations consumed but a few minutes, Avhen he softly closed the door after him. Tiger cast one lingering look after 1 him, as if regretting to lose such a, chance, but he obeyed his mistress, and allowed the man to go in peace, since he had made no effort to ascend the stairs. But his departure from the lonely house did not mean his immediate abandonment of the neighbourhood. He stole noiselessly over the stiffening ground, folloAving the AA r aggon track of the night before, until beyond sight of the house. He meant that if anyone Avas looking from an upper Avindow he or she Avould not read his purpose from his actions ; but Avhen beyond the possible range of any A'ision, he turned off into the Avoods and approached the dwelling by a roundabout course, carefully screening himself among the trees, and taking a position that allowed him to see Avithout risk of being seen. He had hardly done so when the figure of the young lady appeared at a corner window, next removed from the apartment into Avhich he had vainly sought io peer the night before. She Avas clad in her night robes, and Avas gazing out upon the beautiful Aveather Avith evident delight. “ She is lovelier than any Avoman I ever looked upon,” Avas the conclusion of the astonished AVhtlmsley the moment he caught sight of her countenance, though the distance Avas too great for him to see as distinctly as he Avished. She Avas a brunette, with lustrous black eyes, a wealth of raven hair, regular features, and, so far as be could judge, a form of exquisite symmetry. But she remained only a moment, Avhen she vanished, apparently to complete her 1 toilet. Almost at the same moment another form appeared at a Avindow at the other extremity of the house. It Avas that of a man, and one searching glance caused the astounded detective to exclaim : “It’s Judge Holly wood! He Avas

there all the time ! Who was it that drove oft’ in the carriage last night, and what .was his errand P” (TO I!E CONTmJKD.)