The Bantrye Fortune

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 999, 16 June 1930, Page 5

The Bantrye Fortune

COPYRIGHT PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

vi

FRANK PRICE

CHAPTER VIII.— (Continued.)

He looked round for some other means of making his presence known, but there seemed to be none. Only a corner of the house, with one window', was visible, and, though the road was deserted at the moment, it would uot be judicious to attempt to eail attention to himself by shouting. A little farther on, where .the w'all turned, there was a narrow laue which probably led to some gate or door communicating with the back premises, but before investigating that he grasped the iron gates and shook them forcibly to make quite sure that they were securely fastened.

The gates rocked and clashed together with a jangling noise, hut remained shut, and he was about to turn away when he heard the sound of light steps moving over gravel. A moment later Naomi Bantyre stepped out from a side path a little distance up the drive and, glancing toward the gates, paused, staring incredulously at Mark. As she stood there in wide-eyed astonishment, with the sunlight slanting down through the branches of old trees on her fair, uncovered head, he clutched the bars and peered through in silent adoration.

For several seconds they looked at each other thus, then she came slowly toward him. “How did you get here?” she asked. “Why have you come?” “To see you,” he answered. “But how did you know where to find me?” The fact that he should want find her did not seem to strike her as in the least out of the way. “I'll tell you that—and other things —but not like this. I can’t talk to you through these bars as though you were a prisoner.” He saw her give a quick, nervous glance over her shoulder at that. “Can’t you let me in—or come out yourself?” “The gates are locked,” she said in a whisper. “I know. But there must be a key. Where is it?” “Cyprian has it.” “Cyprian?” “Cyprian Cousins. He is the son of Mr. Hector Cousins, with whom I am staying. 1-Ie says he is in money difficulties, and the gates are kept locked to prevent anyone getting in and serving him with a writ.” “Do you believe that story?” “Why shouldn’t I?” Her tone was uncertain, and she scanned Mark's face as though trying to read his thoughts. “You can easily put it to the proof. To keep writs out, it’s not necessary to keep you in. Find this Cyprian fellow and tell him to open the gates and leave you free to talk to me." “But what shall I tell him about you?” “Why need you tell him anything if lie’s not your gaoler? You’re a free agent, and it's enough foi' him to know that you want to be with me.” Mark was hanging on to the bars with both hands, and his eager face was pressing through. He was oblivious of the energy and conviction ringing in his voice, but Naomi noted them, and a little smile came to the corners of her mouth. “I don’t think I have said that I want to be with you." she murmured. Mark fell back from the bars abashed. He had been taking too much for granted. Speaking out of the fullness of his own feelings, he had assumed that hers must be the same, and had been presumptuous.

But the situation was too urgent for him to waste time in apologies, and he said earnestly: “You must hear what I have to say to you. It is of the utmost importance; your future is vitally concerned, and unless you know the designs that are being developed against you there will be trouble ”

He broke off, looking past her. A big, broad shouldered young man, standing well over six feet in his plus fours, had come out of the path from which Naomi had emerged. He saw the two at the gate and went toward them with a heavy frown on his florid face. CHAPTER IX. CYPRIAN The young man advanced to Naomi's side. “What’s this?” lie demanded curtly. “Who is this person?” The girl drew herself up haughtily, allowing the resentment she felt at liis tone to show itself in her manner. “This gentleman is a friend of mine,” she said quietly. “If you will open the gate and let him in I will introduce him in proper form.” “A friend?” The young man glared at her suspiciously and then turned angry eyes on Mark. “How does he come here? I didn’t know you had any friends in England.” “That is not the only thing about me of which you are ignorant,” she said sharply. “Others are that I am not prepared to put up with rudeness from anyone, nor to be cross-examined as to my private affairs. Will you open the gate?” The man’s scowl grew blacker, and he was on the point of uttering a blunt refusal. Mark thought it was time to take a hand. “I called to see Miss Bantyre on the assumption that she was visiting at a private house,” he said. “If I was mistaken, and this is some sort of institution to which her friends .may Tie denied access, you might oblige-me with a copy of your rules and let me know whether permission to visit must he obtained through a magistrate or the police.” "What the devil do you mean?” The young man’s already highly coloured face went bright scai-let and veins on his neck and forehead stood out. Mark had deliberately slowed the utterance of his last three words, dwelling with significant emphasis on the filial one, and he saw that the shot had gone home. “Who said anything about the police? Miss Bantyre is a guest in my father's house, and nobody has a right to interfere with her!” “Is it your father’s custom to protect his guests from interference by locking them inside his grounds?” Mark asked mildly. “Miss Bantyre knows why the gates are fastened! ” the young man growled with an uneasy look at her. “You told me it was for your protection. and, of course, I should not dream of causing you any unpleasantness, Mr. Cyprian,” said Naomi, sweetly; “but this gentleman lias come to see me. I am sure he hasn’t any writs to serve on you!”

“I have not,” said Mark; “so hadn't you better unlock the gate? No doubt you have a perfect legal right to prevent my trespassing on your property if you like, but you have no right of any sort to keep Miss Bantyre from going out if she wants to. Y'ou are not' really going to try to do that, arc you? This is England and the 20th century, you know!” Though Mark’s manner had been one of mild persuasiveness, its effect was by no means soothing. Cyprian Cousins stood glaring at him with his powerful shoulders hunched and his hands hard clenched. His whole attitude proclaimed that he would prefer to resort to a course of action not at all appropriate to the 20th century. Viewing his muscular form and heavy face, Mark had quickly come to the conclusion that Cyprian’s strong point was brawn rather than brains, and the indecision he displayed now confirmed the opinion. He was completely at a loss. If either Naomi or Mark liad displayed

anger he would have felt competent to deal with the situation. Nothing would have pleased him better than to be given an excuse for going out into the road and driving this smiling intruder away, after giving him a beating that would teach him the unwisdom of returning. But he could not do that without some excuse and Mark’s suavity gave him none. Besides, there had been that ominous suggestion of a resort to a magistrate or the police! What had the fellow meant by that? He was trying vainly to reach some decision when Naomi’s voice sounded imperiously at his side: “I have had rather too much of this, Mr. Cyprian! Open these gates at once!” Involuntarily his hand went to his jacket pocket and he stepped forward. Then, as his gaze met the smiling watchfulness of Mark he stopped and a look of sly cunning came into his eyes. He withdrew his hand empty and made an elaborate search through all his pockets. “I must have left the key in the house! I’ll go and fetch it,” he said, and went quickly up the drive. Naomi turned and watched him in surprise. “He was lying!” said Mark. “The key is in liis pocket all the time.” “But what does it all mean?” Naomi swung round with an agitated expression. “That’s what I am here to tell you.” “You? But it must be something that concerns me! What can you know of me?” “Heaps of things, but most of them will have to wait because they concern myself as Well.” She looked at him quickly. He was at the bars of the gate again and their faces were very near together. “Don’t look at me like that, or I shan’t be able to keep them back, and if I once begin I shall never leave off!” For a moment their eyes held each other; then Naomi drew back. “Oh,” she murmured, and there was a light in her face. She knew what it was that would have taken him so long to say, and her heart was glad.

Mark looked up the drive again as sho moved. Cyprian had disappeared round the bushes in front of the house.

“I wonder what he went off so suddenly' for?” said Mark. “Gone to consult somebody, I expect. Is his father in the house?” “No, he went out this moruing, and—” “Hush! Listen! What’s that?” Mark interrupted, and they both strained their ears. Faint sounds of shouting reached them. Naomi laughed. “Cyrian is telephoning,” she said. “The instrument is in the hall, and he must have left the door open. I heard him talking to somebody after breakfast. He gets all hot and bothered, and roars into the mouthpiece at the top of his voice.” “It must be' interesting for whoever is at the other end! But that’s what he went in for. I wish we could hear what-he is saying. He will be. ringing up to ask for instructions from his father, or Wayne Garfield.” “Mr. Garfield? Why should he go to him for instructions about me—and you?” “It’s you he wants to know about, and he would go to Garfield as soon as, or sooner than, his father, because they are both anxious to keep you from meeting anybody of whom they don’t approve.” “But why?” she asked. “What is it to them whom I meet?” “A great deal. Haven't you-guessed that there was something fishy about them? You didn't swallow that story about the reason for locking these gates, did you?” “I thought it was queer. Mr. Cousins was so anxious that I should not want to go out alone. He spoke of that this morning, and tried' to get me to promise that I would not go anywhere without Cyprian. But I thought I saw the reason for that.” “Has he been trying to push his son down your throat already?” demanded Mark fiercely.

“Push him down my throat? What do you mean?” “Has he been hinting that a marriage between you and that thickheaded ass would be to your advantage?” "He didn’t put it that way, but he certainly mentioned —” She broke off, staring at Mark with a troubled ex-

pression. Coming close to the bars which separated them, she said. “How did you guess he would do that? How do you know anything at ail about me? Why don't you tell me?” “These people are trying to swindle you out of a fortune.”

“A fortune?” Her eyes grew round with amazement, then she smiled. “But they couldn’t; I have no fortune, and Mr. Cousins is going to give me money.”

“Give it to you?” “Yes. That is why he has had me traced from where I used to live with my mother in South Africa to Genoa, where I was having my voice trained, and asked me to come to London. 1 was told it would be to my advantage if I came, but there wasn’t anything about marriage in the message, nor in what I was told when I saw Mr. Garfield and Mr. Cousins at the office yesterday, after you liad saved me from being hurt in the street.” “What were you told?” "That there was money due to me from the estate of a relative of my father who had died ” “Henry M. Bantyre?” “Yes.” “A relative of your father? Was that what they called him?” “Yes.” “But how could money be due to you? Hector Cousins is claiming everything as next of kin. Henry Bantyre died intestate.” “They told me that. My father was a distant relative and I have no'legal claim, hut he and the man who died lately were great friends when they were young. Mr. Cousins says that Henry Bantyre had often LO.d .— j that he intended to leave me an income than would make me independent for the sake of my father’s memory, and, though the will was never made, Mr. Cousins feels that the wish should be carried out.” “Very generous of Mr. Cousins!” “That is what I thought.” “Did you believe in this wonderful magnanimity?” “How could I doubt it? What other motive could there be for bringing me here? I had never heard the name of Henry M. Bantyre until yesterday when I met Mr. Cousins and Mr. Garfield at the office, and it was all like a fairy story—at first.” "Only at first?” “Well, their manners seemed peculiar at times, and they asked questions that seemed extraordinary, but I suppose that was necessary to establish my identity, and they tried to make themselves pleasant. I had taken a room at a private hotel that w r as recommended to me and left my things there, but Mr. Cousins insisted on my coming to stay here. I wanted to see something of London, and they took me to several places—that's how he was at that hotel last night. We went on to a theatre, and then Mr. Cousins brought me here in his car. They were very attentive, but I couldn’t help noticing that they seemed anxious not to let me out of their sight. Even when I was dressing for dinner I believe one of them was watching in the hotel lobby; and I had such an uneasy feeling of being under observation that when I saw you in the dining-room it was like meeting an old friend, and I wanted to go straight over and speak to you.” “You really felt I was a friend?” Mark’s face was pressed eagerly through the bars. “Yes, but you didn’t give me much encouragement! You looked ready to run away if I went near you!” “Not because f didn’t want to speak to you!” he exclaimed fervently. “I have never wanted anything so much in my life as I have wanted to meet you again ever since you bundled me into that taxicab and sent me awav yesterday. But in the hotel last night I was in a horrible position— I'll tell j'ou all about that some time, but it has nothing to do with your affairs, and we must think of them now. And if you had spoken to me then, it might have spoiled everything. All would have gone differently, and I should not have learned what I know now.”

“What do j'ou know?” she asked, quickly. - “That these villains—the Cousins

and Garfield—are plotting to rob you of a fortune.” “You spoke of that before. But what fortune? I have nothing but the few hundred pouuds my mother left me, and my voice —if ever that is worth anything.” “Don't you know jour father’s name?” he asked. Of course —it was Bantj’re.” “I mean his Christian names.” She hesitated, and a troubled look came into her face. Presently she said, slowly:

“No. My mother never spoke of him. The onlj- thing she ever told me was that he died before I was born, and I did not question her because—well, I got the idea that they were not happy together, and she wanted to forget. Of course, I always wanted to know about him, but I would have done anything rather than give her pain. What do you know about him?” “Your father was Henry M. Bantyre,” he said. “What? Do j-ou mean ” As she stared at him, trj r ing to frame questions, and struggling to grasp the import of his words, there was a crashing among the bushes which lined the drive, and Cj’priau Cousins, with flushed face and ej'es glaring balefully at Mark, burst through them w-ithin a few feet of Naomi. CHAPTER X.

IN THE HOUSE “I have found the key. Y’ou can come in if j’ou are quite sure j - ou want to.” Cyprian’s tone was a threat. Mark had not the least doubt that he had sneaked back under cover of the bushes while the>‘ were talking and listened to their conversation. That was awkward, but he was not afraid cf Cyprian, for whose intelligence he had conceived a profound contempt. But he believed the offer of admission to be the result of instructions received over the telephone from others who might prove more formid- : able opponents, and he had no inj clination to walk into a possible trap. “It is for Miss Bantyre to say whether I shall go in or she shall | come out,” he said, with a meaning ! glance at Naomi, who was still standj ing as though thunderstruck by the | disclosure he had made. •Nonsense!” said Cyprian, noisily. “Miss Bantyre can’t go wandering

about the roads without a hat. If you want to talk to her you must come into the house.” He unlocked the gates and opened one. Mark was prevented form reminding him that many people take country walks without headgear in these enlightened daj’s by Naomi saying:— “Yes, come in. 1 must get a hat—and other things.” "Other things?” Cj'prian swung round on her as Mark passed through the gateway. “All my things. I am going to pack, and as soon as that is done I shall return to the hotel I went to yesterdaj\” “You can’t do that!” spluttered Cyprian loudly. "Why not?” She faced him sharply. “Will anyone trj’ to prevent me? Will you?” And, as he only gaped at her in obvious uncertainty what to say, she turned to Mark. “You will wait and take me there, won’t you?” "Nothing will give me greater pleasure!" said Mark, going to her side. “The sooner j’ou have packed the better. I'll promise that you shall not be interfered with.” “We'll see about that!” exclaimed Cyprian. He slammed the gates to with a clang and. Naomi and Mark having alreadj’ started for the house, hurried after them and fell in at the girl’s side. Mark could see that Naomi's mind was full of questions that she would have liked to pour out to him, but he warned her to silence with a look. He could not answer them without giving some indication of the source of his knowledge, and he had no wish that this should reach Hector Cousins or Wayne Garfield. He was not feeling too comfortable. Matters had fallen out differently from what he had anticipated and this early showing of his hand might lead to difficulties he could not foresee. It was all very well to be getting Naomi out of the clutches of Cousins and Garfield, but there were those others to be considered —Grierson, Mara Whittou

and their friends. He would have to render an account of his actions to them and they might not be pleased with the w ay things had worked out. That would be regrettable, for he wanted to keep on good terms with them since it was only through them he could hope to find the evidence which would establish Naomi's right to her father’s property. Without that, nothing could

be done and he wondered if be had been unwise in saj iug so much to her before he could bring forward proof. Naomi's arm touched his and be looked in her face. Cyprian seemed to be pressing close to her and she had shrunk against Mark as if for protection. Their hands touched and his fingers closed on hers. She looked into his eyes and smiled —a smile confidence and trust, and he felt his clasp returned. His pulses leapt and all misgivings vanished. All things were possible to him if she would onsmile on him like that! He l-1 equal to the Cousins and Garfield. Grierson and his gang, and defeatiu.all their plots single-handed! They reached the house and went into a gloomy hall. “I will go straight to my room and pack,” said Naomi. “Wait for me here.” She ran lightly up the stairs which led from the hall. Mark followed her to the bottom step and stood watching until she had disappeared and he heard the sound of her bedroom door I being shut and locked. Then he ; turned and looked at Cyprian, who was 1 standing glowering at him from the door by which they had entered. For i a moment they faced each other in silence. The atmosphere seemed ; charged with antagonism, and Ma k : could almost feel the other mar s I anger flowing out against him in great waves. Presently Cyprian spoke with a sneering accent: “So you are going to take her away. ! are you?” “I am.” “And she is willing to go with you. Well. I'm not surprised ” "Why should you be?” “No reason at all—considering w bat ! she is.” “What do you mean by that?” “Do jou want to pretend you don't : know? I heard you tell her Henry M. : Bantyre was her father. That’s true i enough. She’s a love-child. Her mother was no better than she ought to be, and it looks as if the daughter was the same!” “You swine!” (To be Continued Tomorrow.!