CHAPTER I.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 33, 19 January 1884, Page 5

CHAPTER I.

WHAT SALLY CHISLEY RAW. Oh, the Lord forgive me ! I b'liove 'twas the Evil One hisself as tempted me ! Why didn't I mind my own affairs? Oh, why didn't I ?" It was a very humble Fatima who sighed this, and Blue Beard's luckless wife could not have shown a deadlier look of horror than now dilated the round black eyes of little Sal Chisley as she cowered down in the gloom of the old clothes-closet, in which she had hidden herself for the indulgence of the curiosity that had already turned upon her in punishment. Great drops gathered on her forehead, her heart beat like a trip-hammer : her hair would certainly have risen on end but that the short, kinky curls— the bequeathed gift of a quadroon grandmother — w ere twisted too closely to be unwound. " Oh, what will become of me ? What will they do to me if they find me here ? What did I come for ?'' wailed Sally, in a panic that had come upon her in as sw ift retribution as Fatima's blood-stained key. You must know that Sally had listen sd to a conversation carried on in cautious whispers that morning between her mistress I and the latter's maiden sister concerning certain mysterious movements of a gentleman who had taken a rear room on the first floor, which was all let out in this way to various lodgers ; and their remarks had made a forcible impression upon Sally's active mind. " Xow, don't you set up your mind to be prying into it, Eliza Jane,"' said the mistress. " It's nothing to do with us that he expects visitors in a coach so late at night. He's paid me handsomely, and given me notice not to be alarmed at seeing the strangers." "But he's a very queer man, sister Abby." "Yes, I know ; but what of that? He's a medical student, perhaps, or an experimenter of some kind, and that's what's going on to-night. Don't you go to prying into it, and setting the lodgers to talking about old maids.' 1 And with this speech the corpulent .landlady had given a commanding glance at her thin, angular sister, and taken nerself away to her duties. Sally's sharp ears had caught every word, and Sally's fertile, lively imagination had lent even more meaning and mystery to the words than either of them had dreamed of conveying. Presently her duties took her through the lodging-rooms to gather up towels and fill the water-ewers, and once in that of the mysterious lodger, her roused curiosity had been still further sharpened by perceiving the addition of certain locked boxes to the ordinary furniture of the room. Sally tiptoed around, examining everything with eager eyes, muttering : " 'Speriments to-night ' Good gracious now, Sally, don't yer wish yer might see 'em too. Don't blame Miss Elizy Jane ; not a mite, I don't. It's awful dull here in this poky house anyhow. I wish " And here Sally's eyes lighted on the Closet door, and blazed all over with sudden gleam. " That closet is locked, and don't belong with the room. Missis has got a lot of winter bedding stowed there, I know, 'cause I went in with her one day to get blankets. Hurrah !" The last because the quick-witted daughter of Eve had pounced upon an expedient. " I know where she hangs the closet key, and I can forget to give her back this key. The gentleman don't come in till long after supper. What's to hinder my spying around, and getting the work done, and then being awful sleepy and going to bed early ? Missis never comes up to my garret at night. 'Twouldn't be nothing to slip in here and lock things up behind me ; and 'twould be jest as easy getting out again, 'cause the gentleman must go into the bedroom to sleep, and I can get around like a cat. It's jest as easy as can be. And what fun ! My ! wouldn't Miss Elizy Jane like the chance ? Sure's I'm alive, I'll see the 'speriments, too !" From that moment Sally had scarcely a fugitive thought on any other subject, though her fleet step and dexterous hand despatched the evening housework aftei a fashion that called forth even the mistress's tardy praise, until she found herself reposing upon the pile of blankets she had piled up into a comlfortable couch, just at the right height for the keyhole or for-the yawning crack in the long-seasoned boarding. At first she tickled forth into low bursts of mellow laughter, giddy with the triumph of a successful ruze, and enjoying hugely the excitement of the position ; wondering what " Miss Elizy Jane " would say if she I could see her, and how the missis would storm if she knew that the sleepy figure upon the garret bed was only the bolster dressed in Sally's nightgown and cap. She enjoyed the exhilaration of a victorious general as she grasped the two keys that gave admittance to the " 'speriments " and egress to safety, and she shook them over her head as she had seen a Southern dance-girl shake her tambourine, and was sorely tempted to try a fandango j dance herself, then and there. But presently the silence and gathering dimness sobered her, and for the first time she began to conjecture as to the nature of the show she expected to witness ; and certain uncanny stories crept into her head, and the warm thrill and exhilaration died out into a vague and chilly expectation of something horrible and hurtful. Twice she lifted the key of the closet to thrust it into the keyhole and allow herself a hasty retreat, and the last time would hardly have failed, so faint had her courage grown, but that the Pound of another key, clicking in the lock of the outer door, warned her that her retreat was cut off. Sally sank back upon her blanket couch, and held her hands against her loudlybeating heart, while the firm, slow step echoed through the room- and paused at the mantel. It gave her new spirit when, in answer to the sharply - drawn match, a faint glimmer broadened to a warm glow, and revealed to her the illuminated room within. All alive again with interest, little Sally leaned against the door, her keen black eye close to the aperture. He wasa tall straight man, this mysterious lodger, and with the look of one aged more by wearisome cares than by the years that sprinkled silver plentifully in the thick black locks and long full whiskers, This

inexperienced, untaught girl oould not have given any words* to hor impressions, but she was keen and true in her intuitions concerning him. "It's oce of yer upper-crust gentry, I know, if he does wear clothes like common folks, and he's downhearted about something or other," soliloquised she. Sally saw him pass into the ti«y bedroom, and presently emerge Avith a bright new hammer and chisel in hand. "To open the boxes ! What a fool I'd have been to cut and run without seeing a little something first," quoth Sally, socretly, and cautiously changed her position to give a lower view. Yes, that was undoubtedly his object, though Sally was hardly much wiser for the array of glass vessels and the long cases that were presently transferred to the table. They seemed to be of much intorest, however, to their owner, for he examined one and all carefully. And next, he produced a heavy volume, and sitting down to the table, he pored over it with close* and anxious attention. Then, with a long, deeply-drawn sigh, he closed the book, and rising, paced to and fro across the room, his arms folded, across his chest, his head drooping loav. Twice ho made a pause close beside the closet-door, and the daring intruder there held her breath, lest it should betray hor presence. And once, as if something suggested surveillance of some sort, he laid his hand upon the knob and tried it, satisfied to find it locked apparently, for ho Aient back to the table, took out a Avell-A\orn diary or memoranda-book, and glanced back over many Avcll-woni and closely-written pages. "I Avish this need not have been required,"' he spoke, suddenly and sharply. " It is disagreeable business, and there's no telling how little a thing may rouse suspicion. But there's no help for it," he broke out again, "there's no turning back now. They ought to bo here within an hour." And Avith this he fell to arranging the bottles again, and he had scarcely settled back in his chair Avhen there came four low but peculiar knocks at his door. He started up quickly, and going thither, unlocked and opened the door, admitting some one Avho stood just without Sally's range of vision. She heard the bolt shoot into its socket again behind him, and immediately after a man's husky voice say : ''Good evening, sir. You're ready, I see." "Yes, Jack; and how is it with your part of the business ?"' returned the other. "All right, sir. I expect they'll be along at the appointed timo. You look tired, sir. 1 ' "Yes, lioav can I help it? It's an ugly business, Jack, and my heart revolts from it. But it must be carried out. " Jack had no ansAver for this, but he evidently felt the force of the assertion, for he shuffled to and fro a moment, and came forward far enough for Sally to catch a vieAV of a tarpaulin hat held in uneasy, fidgeting fingers that Avere broAvn and plainly familiar with labourof thecoarsersor, "You are sure you have found a man Avho understands the business ? We can't afford to have any bungling," continued he Avho Avas eA'idently the master. " Oh, yes, sir. An old hand at the bloody Avork, and one Avho doesn't tremble over it. It took a big sum to hire him, though." "And the young felloAv, the other one, doesn't suspect lioav lie is to be entrapped ?" "How could he, sir? We arranged to grab him Avithout giving any Avarning. I don't believe there's a chance for anything to fail. I carried out every one of your orders, eA*en to — having the coffin on hand, and taking it oft" Avherc none Avill be the wiser." A shudder ran through the leader's frame, and after that there Avas a long silence. " It's almost time for me to be out there watching Avith the others, and ready A\ith my help," said the subordinate. "Yes," came hoarsely, "Go as quietly as possible. I have given the landlady here a plausible story, but I don't Avant to attract anybody's attention if I can help it. GiA r e the same knock softly Avhen you come back." And once again the door Avas unlocked and re-bolted. The dark-browed man Avalked to and fro with hands clenched together. " A risky business ! I feel as if my oAvn neck Avere in the halter. Poor felloAv ! poor fellow ! I wonder has he a single suspicion of our meaning ? I didn't think I should be so nen r ous." Ta Sally it seemed treble the actual period of time before the signal knock again announced approach to the inner door-A\ay. The confusion of several people entering finally subsided, and most of the group came within the focus of that fascinated yet horror-filmed eyeAvatching from behind the closet-door. Tavo gentlemen faced her. The mysteiious lodger and a handsome young man, Avho, looking earnestly at the other, said, in a clear, musical voice : "I haA r e obeyed your commands, you perceive, sorely against my inclination, a good deal also against my judgment. I would, much rather face the thing openly there, in my proper sphere. NeA'ertheless I yield to your superior knowledge of this odious mystery Avhich has haunted me ahvays like a deadly nightmare." "You did Avell — nobly and generously, as I am proud to say you have ahvays done. I am constrained to tell ycu, now and here, that you have compelled me to honour and respect you," returned the lodger, Avith evident emotion. " Thank you. And you will give me nOAv a full explanation, as you promised. The other boAved silently, and taking but the Avell-Avorn diary, opened it at a certain page, and passed it to the young man's hand. The latter bent over the book, turning toAvard the table for better light, his noble face lit up with eager expectation. Behind his back the mysterious lodger made a swift, peremptory signal of' some sort, and Sally Chisley saw two men stepping swiftly forward, one Avith a large sponge and toAvel in his hand. How it Avas done she could hardly tell, but in an instant more, after the sounds of a slight scuffle, a cry of " treachery " Avas silenced in a low gurgle and gasp, and the young man was lying in the chair with closed eyes, helpless iii his captors' hands. Sally's teeth chattered; her heart was like a dying thing, paralysed as it were in a gasp of horror ; but ncr fascinated eyes followed the scene with desperate attention. What Avould they do next ? The closer gathering of the actors in a measure intercepted her view, but she knew that the table Avas wheeled away, a long box pushed into the centre of the room, and' that the young man's form, divested of its upper clothing, was laid upon it. She bit her lips to repress a scream Avhen she saw another stranger approach, with something long and glittering in his hand like the bared blade of a butcher's knife. " For Heaven's sake, be expeditious and sure of hand !" spoke the lodger, in a low, hoarse whisper. The cruel hand that held the knife went forward mercilessly. ' ' ' ' * Sally saw cloths laid to catch the blood, and beheld th ; e first red stain that poured over their whiteness, and here horror and desperate terror overcame tfie poop child,

She had one swimming, dizzy view of tho white, still, handsome face, with its closed eyes and pallid, stirless lips, looking up from the red swathes that covered the lacerated breast, and then sank back, for the first time in her young, healthy life, fainting dead away. When she revived and consciousness returned, the cautious whispering outside recalled her to a quick realisation of her position. When she had strength and courage onough to look again, she saw them moving the table back into its former position, and there was no sign of the young man. "It is such a relief to have it over. I feel confident we shall have no further trouble or danger. Take away the coffin in the coach, Jack, as quickly as possible. You understand how to dispose of it. I shall burn all this clothing and stained oloths tonight, and not a trace shall be left to attract suspicion." Then he turned to the "wicked murderer " as Sally fiercely called him, and thrust something into his hand, but what it was, or what he said, was lost to her, for the man Jack moved between. Scarcely fifteen minutes more, and the room wns back to its original undisturbed quiet. The vi«itors had gone, the boxes and their contents wore carried away, and the mysterious lodger walked softly into the bedroom, and closed the door behind him. But lie had left the light burning, and much as poor, sorely-punished Sally longed to fiy, she dared not, until she was sure that lie had retired. He came out, just when desperation suggested an attempt to escape, and seizing his hat, muttered : " I must have one breath of fresh air, or I shall never endure the night's vigil." And unbolting the door cautiously, he went out. Sally Chisley did not miss the precious opportunity. Though her hands shook, and her feet dragged like leaden ones, she shoved back her pile of blankots, unlocked her closet door, and sped across the room. As she closed the outer door it seemed to her that a low, gasping moan followed her. Shaking with superstitious terror, as well as nearly dazed with horror, Sally sped up to her on n poor bed, hurrying into it w ithout removing her clothing, and drawing up the ragged coverlet far beyond her head, she clung to the dressed bolster as if there was protection even in its dumb companionship. It was a slow, dragging night of torture for the poor, ignorant child, and when the longed-for daylight camo she scarcely found tho relief &ho expected, but all daylong she moved about stealthily, glancing nervously behind her as if expecting that glittei ing knife to descend upon her own breast, or that ghostly white face to rise up and confront her. She heard her mistress tell "Elizy Jane " that the lodger had a headache and wanted a bowl of gruel made, and didn't wisli to be disturbed at all, but would look after his room himself. And her teeth chattered at the thought of going into the room again, even to drop her towels or take a pitcher of water. She longed to tell her story, but did not dare relate her own share of wrong-doing. While wiping the dinner dishes she did venture to inquire of tho mistress "How folks went to work to take up robbers and bad folks ? If they had anything to do but just tell the policeman ?" "Bless your heart, of course you do !" returned the wary landlady. "It won't do to say a woi'd unless you can prove it all. They'd take up the one as told, if he couldn't make it cleai\" This was quite enough to complete Sally's panic. She had felt herself pursued by invisibledanger before ; now she seemed to see a tangible trouble crouching in front of her. What if the murdered man should be traced there, and hhe had to own to hiding in the closet, to coining out of that room at that fclend hour of night? Would they say she helped ? The girl went nearly mad, and ended by packing up her bundle and running away at the expiration of a week's time. She managed to get a free passage in return for her assistance to the stewardess in a Baltimore boat, and only drew a free respiration when she saw the roof and spires of this Northern dwelling-place fade out in the misty distance.