CHAPTER IX. MR CASSTDY HEARS SOME NEWS THAT PLEASES HIM, AND PROCEEDS TO ACT UPON HIS INFORMATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 269, 2 June 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER IX. MR CASSTDY HEARS SOME NEWS THAT PLEASES HIM, AND PROCEEDS TO ACT UPON HIS INFORMATION.

Mn John C'.ssn>v was in the way of good luck. The very morning after this interview with Wary Elaey he discovered the whereabouts of the missing Pollard. One of the detectives he had employed and dismissed, when he thought further search unavailing, had discovered, in the course of his investigations, facts that made it of direct interest to him to get his hands on Mr Pollard. It was a matter of forgery that occurred tome years before, that involved a considerable interest). Pollard was not the foiger, nor was he in any way implicated in h, but he knew the man who was, and, so the detective believed, could throw light upon an exceedingly complicated ailair that had grown out of the crime. And ho, stimulated by a higher rew aid than John Cassidy could afford to pay, he had worked untiringly, on his own account, to find the man, and had finally .succceJed. .But the finding of Pollard availed him nothing, for he could not arlcst him, having no charges to prefer against him. Cas.sidy could arrest him, for Ca^idy could prefer charges. So he was compelled to notify him of the discovery, thus doing his work without money. A telegram brought Mr Cassidy to the spot — the necessary charges were made, and .James Pollard found himself inside a paiticulariy strong gaol, at the very tiaie, of all others, when he wished to be at liheity. He could give no bail, the jail in which he was incarcerated was hundreds of mile* from Brownholm, and his trial would not probably take place for months. The detective desired Pollard to make his disclosure, which he was entirely willing to do, on condition that he be released ; but, unfortunately, that condition was one that the detective could not comply with. It was out of his power, for Cassidy held the key to the position. The detective had over-reached himself, as detectives usually do. Theic was no earthly use in asking for his release, for Cassidy had no interest whatevei in the matter of the forgery, and had good reasons for desiring Mr Pollard to be kept sately in that especial gaol. He was the only one who could interfere to piotect the Elseys, and in gaol he was powerless. Mary Elsey did not know of his whereabouts even. In the meantime, John Elsey *as made acquainted with the situation of affaiis. He denied ever having signed a deed, but of w hut avail was his denial in the face of his sign.ituie ? There was his name in black and white: under it was the name of his wife, and in the proper place were the names of the u ltnesses. It was a good and sufficient deed, and one that could not be gone back of. M r Cassidy asserted that he bought the farm and paid for it- that Mr Elsey's "-(.ntemunb of the loan was a fiction, and the deed duly signed and recorded in the court hou^e at the country seat bore him out in it. He stated further that he told the oli man, when he bought the faim, that he I could occupy it till he had decided what to- ! do vith it — that he was away when oil | nih struck, and that the moment the pro- ! perty became valuable, he asserted his right*. Nobody belie\ecl the story, but Cas=idy cared nothing for that. The farm was his in law, and that was all that was necessaiy. Maiy Elsey knew not what to do. She was aware ot the fact that John Cassidy had the law on his side, and that he doubtless could substantiate his claim to Elsey Faim and all that had come from it. He could force her father to account for every diop of oil that had come from the land -in short, they were worse off than ever, for they had absolutely no home to go to— no refuge jor shelter. And where was Pollard, who had promised to protect her '! Mr Cassidy followed up his blow promptly. He made his appearance a .second time before Mary Elsey, this time at her request. She was paler than before, and her face show ed traces of deep mental suffering. ■ You have tricked my father out of his land,' said she ; 'he supposed he was signing a mortgage.' 'He did sign a deed,' was Cassidy 's reply. ' I know it,' replied Mary. 'It is nob necessary to discuss any point of morals with a brigand. You have possession, which is enough for a man like you. Let me know the worst at once. What price must I pay for the restoration of the land to its rightful owner ? What is the amount ?' I Cassidy looked her full in the face as he answeied : k Your hand. 1 will not insist on it immediately - 1 will not be hard on you. You | may take a week to bring yourself to the point.' Mary looked about the well-appointed J room and shuddered. | ' Leave me,' said she, 'and come again for v our answer. ' ' When ?' 'To-morrow. Leave us in undisturbed possession twenty-four hours, and at the expiration of that time I will give you my iinal decision.' ' ] will do it. 1 shall be here to-morrow, Maiy Elsey,' said Cassidy slowly and deliberately. ' I shall then expect to know your hnal decision. If you choose to become Mrs Cassidy, well and good. You shall have all that you dared to hope in your wildest dreams — your brothers and sisters, your father and mother shall fare asjoudo. But, if you decide otherwise, I shall assert my rights. I shall hold possession of the land, and shall hold you to a most strict account for everything that has thus far been expended. You have to choose between me and the streets.' And the man departed, feeling that he had made his point. The next day he was again at her house. She appeared pale, bub dry-eyed. She had been weeping, but she was determined that he should not sees it. ' I have come for your answer,' said Cassidy. ' I can give it in a few words,' said she. ' You have acquired a title to my father's farm by fraud, and you intend "to make that the means by which to force me to a marriage which I — At this moment her father entered the room with letters for her. ( To be Gontimicd. )

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