CHAPTER XX.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 345, 23 February 1889, Page 5

CHAPTER XX.

TJIL sl'J,( TKK AND THE WILL — CONULUSrON As soon as the court had been adjourned the justices repaired to the hall of banquet, leaving our hero and hib friends to themselveb. The first" anangement made by the latter was, that Mr Kirkland should remain at the castle through the night. Both Blanche and Malcolm requested it, and he cheerfully acceded. This having been settled, our heio waited upon Captain Scott aod Lieut. Kilcullen, to see that anangements were made for the accommodation of themselves and theircommand ; but that had been already attended to, good old Sandy having made ready for them, by older of his mistress, the very best room and provisions the keep afl'oi'ded. One other matter the colonel had to arrange with his lieutenant. He chose him because of his acquaintance with the premises. Said he : ' Conrad, — we know not what may happen. There is no telling what Reynard Bevern, especially if he 3hould drink deeply, may take it into his head to do. So at the request of Lady Blanche, who, pending the decision of the court, ia surely mistress of the castle, and, by her express orders, you may post sentinels in all the passages leading from the main hall to the sleeping-chambers occupied by herself and rhe friends, — meaning by the latter term,' he added, with a smile, * of course the old lawyer and myself. You may post ns many as you think fit.' The lieutenant promised that the matter should be attended to ; and ere long thereafter six posts were established, and a reliable sentinel placed on each of them, their duties in nowise to interfere with the proper functions of the servants ; or, for that mattei\ with those of any of the household. This done, Malcolm joined Lady Blanche and the old lawyer in one of her cozy sit-ting-rooms, where they weremet to consider the situation. • Mr Kirkland,' said our hero, breaking in upon a silence that had lasted more than a minute, ' I ask you, as one thoroughly acquainted with the circumstances, and also versed in the law, to give me your candid opinion. Do nob hesitate to speak what you really think and believe. It is the truth we want, let it be what it will.' The old man reflected for a little time ; then looked up, and said, with a ring of sadness in his voice not to be overcome : 1 My dear boy, 1 do not think you cave particularly for this estate. It is valuable, and its title is one of honour ; and it wrings my heart to think of its going to Reynard Bevern. And, further, if he gains this, and becomes Baron Ravendale, it will be next to impossible to convict him of any crime in connection with his predatory pursuits in times past. ' 'But,' suggested the youth, 'the king may refuse to recognise his claim to the

title. You will remember that in case the heir is not of kin, it requires the royal sanction to perfect his tiblo.' ' Aye,' returned Kirkland, ' and that his majesty has already partially given. He gave it, too, at the late lord's most earnest request ; really, his prayers and solicitations. Yes such was the condition of the poor old laird's mind at the time. He was tottery prejudiced against yourself, and equally prejudiced in favour of the other side. Ah ! it is bad ! — very bul !' The young soldier was deoply moved ; bub he held himself together resolutely. After a libtle thought, during which his gaze was turned more than once from the , lawyer to fche lady, he asked if anything could be done to delay the evil. Every hour gained might be of inestimable value. The old man could think of none. By-and-by, after looking ior a time upon the bereaved maiden, with all the love and devotion a father could have felt, he said slowly and solemnly : 'Malcolm, in the absence of ouronly sure hope — the new will — we must look to see the broad e&tabes and domain of Ravendale go to our enemy. I can give you no glimpse or glimmer of hope in any appeal we can makefrom the decision of thispiesent court. The only question l'emaining is : can we save our dear Blanche from the droad calamity that threatens '! If you want my advice I will give it. Let the dear girl be ready for the emergency ; and, should the worst com», you must bear her away to the king. He is, in spite of all the Court of Barons can pay or do, legal guardian of all oiphaned children within his realm, lam confident he will protect her from the impending fate, If you wish, I will go with you. It would be more proper that she should travel under my protection than under yours ; and, furthermore, 1 can explain to his majesty, that which I have seen and do know, a thing which you could nob do It may seem hard to drag the child from her ancesbral home, bub—' 'Oh, no !' cried Blanche, breaking in upon his speech. 'Ib can be a home to me no more it Keynardmust be its loi d and master. Leb me go ! Let me go !' And, after a calm and ciitieal consideration of the subject, it was finally decided that the lady should make leady to flee with Malcolm, in case the old a ill should be allowed, and its provisions put in force. It was a solemn occasion, and their hearts were heavy and sad. A thought of material wealth to be lost, occurred not to one of them. It was the terrible wrong that was threatened, and the fate worse than death that hung over the head of Lady Blanche. After this the party knelt, and joined with the old attorney in an earnesb, fervent prayer to the Throne of (Jrace ; and then, with such words of cheer as they could command, the good-nights were spoken, and they sought their pillows. Malcolm retiied, but not to sle^p. His head prcs=ed the pillow, and his eyes were closed, but a thousand hanowing thoughts and fancies came to hold sleep at bay. He heard the clock in the lower hall strike eleven ; then he heard the single chime of the half hour after ; and still the phantoms of his brain would not let him lose his over- wrought senses in fcrgettulnes?. And so he lay until the midnight hour had come and gone, and then at length, as the result of a sheer exhaustion of his waking eneigies, he sank into an uneasy, dreamy slumber. How long he had slept he knew nob, nor could he judge. He was in the midst of a dream — fora wonder, a pleasant dream, and full of promisc-~when he was aroused by a loud knocking at his door. Kemembering that a faithful sentinel stood watch without, he had not locked ib ; s>o, as soon as lie had become convinced that the knocking was no part of his dream, he called loudly upon the applicant to " Come in " Ib was bhe sentinel himselt who entered ; and by the light of the lamp which had been left burning on the dressing-table our heio saw that he was in a state of unusual excitement. ' Sir Malcolm, you are wanted at once--as soon as you can come — by the chamberwoman, Nelly Nichol. She said you would know if I spoke her name.' ' Where is she ?' ciied the colonel, at the same time springing from his bed and laying hold upon that parb of his clothing which he must necessarily put on. The man said he had left her at bhe end of bhe passage without. ' She has seen something, bir ; she would not tell me what. But there must be trouble somewhei c. The woman looked as though she had seen a ghost.' '0 1 Heaven help us now ! prayed the excited chief, a3 he donned the last article of raiment he would stop to put on. ' Remain with me, Angus, and do not go in advance. If it is as I suspect, we cannot be too careful.' As our hero emerged from his chamber, he was met by the old lawyer, in his nightcap and dressing-gown. His room was directly opposite, on the same passage; and the loud knocking had awakened him. ' Not a word !' whispeied bhe youth, quickly grasping the attorney's arm. ' Come with me ; but do not speak ; make no noise of any kind 1 The Spectre of Edgar's Tower is abroad, I think " A smothered cry, half of alarm, and half of hope and joy, broke from the old man's lips as he started to follow. At the end of the passage they found Nelly Nichol, in a state of wild excitement. 'O, Sir Malcolm ! I am glad you have come. 11 ib there ! — in the baron's chamber ! —the spectre of bhe bower ! — the spirit of the dead baroness ! She passed me close when she went in, and the light from bhe lamp ab the end of the passage shone full in her face. Come '' ' Sbop ! said Malcolm, gently baking bhe excited woman by the arm, and holding her back. He was himself strangely and profoundly excited ; bub he exercised a wonderful self-conbrol, appearing outwardly calm. ' Stop !' he repeated, speaking in a whisper. ' You saw her go into that chamber — from where ?' ' From the bower, sir.' 1 Had she anything in her hand V ' No, &ir. I looked for that the very first thing. I saw bofch her hands, for she was i wringing them, in this way, as though in great sorrow.' And Nelly carried her hands before her, and rubbed them together as she had seen bhe spectre do. • Now remember, Nelly, and make no mistake. When you saw the spectre before, iv came out from thab chamber, with bhe folded parchment in its hands ?' •Yes, sir.' ' Did ifc go back there again ?' 1 No, sir. Id went as straight to the tower as it could go, and there 1 lost sight i of it.' 'That will do.' He then bade Nelly to fall in behind him, and requested the others to move on, as he ' should lead, without noise. On reaching the door of the baron's : chamber it was found to be closely shut. He did nob atop to try it, but passed on to ! a point several yards beyond, and very near to the end of the passage in that direction ; and there, in a position which i commanded a view of the door they had i just passed, and also a view of the entrance i to the tower, he stopped and caused his companions to gather closely around him. ; As he now stood, faced about, looking toi wards the way over which ho had come,

the door of the baron's chamber was on his left, and in front, distant about five yards ; the entrance to the tower was on the right, at not move than half that distance. Directly on his left hand, extending at a right angle with that at the end of which he stood, was a narrower passage, running along between the northern wall of the baron's chamber and a wing of the great tower which extended around on that side. This passage was short— nob more than four yards in length — ending with the northern angle of the outer structure. The party had not been two minutes in the place where they had stopped when a strange thing happened. A sharp, grating noise, like that produced by the friction of two pieces of sLone, caused them to look in the direction whence it had come. Malcolm took the lamp from Nelly's hand and threw its light upon the spot, and presently they saw a section of the wall between the passage last mentioned and the baron's chamber moving trom its place. It appeared to be a stone about four feet high by three feet wide, but it was, in fact, a section ot wood, so cunningly fashioned and painted that it might deceive the most critical eye. It swung outward like a door — swung into a right angle with the wall — revealing an aperture through which the largest man, by stooping a little, might have passed. Malcolm quickly shaded the lighb of the lamp, and then, in eager, breathless whispers besought those with him to remain perfectly quiet. 'In the name of Heaven ! I implore you,' he ejaculated, 'make not a sound above your breath !' A few seconds later something white appeared at the strange opening. There was a flutter, as of a snowy robe ; and presently stooping low as it emerged from the pass it stood erect before them— not three yards away — the Spectre of Edgar's Tower ! It stood a moment, with its head bent ; then, with an audible sigh, it looked up and moved on — glided forward with slow and solemn step towards the entrance to the tower. Malcolm saw it plainly — a tall, queenly « figure, robed in spotless white from neck to heel, with a white, gauze-like scowl upon its head. And he saw the face— saw it most plainly as it entered a flood of soft, silvery moonlight that poured in through one of the embrasuresof themain passage. No wonder people had said it was the dead baroness. Even our hero himself might have been deceived had not his eyes been curiously opened. Straight towards the entrance to the tower moved the spectre, and when it had gained half the distance Malcolm followed, with his heart in his mouth, and every nerve strained to its utmost tension. Thus far the spectre had taken no notice of surrounding objects — had turned its gaze neither to the right hand nor the left : but a sound might startle it, — and that sound he would not have occur for worlds. At that moment he would have given half his life rather than that the surrounding stillness should be broken even by a whisper. Into the tower glided the ghostly wanderer ; but instead of going up the winding 1 stairs, which were on the left, it turned to the right, through a narrow archway, into a small room beyond, whence a broad embrasure looked out upon the lake. O ! how well the youthful soldier remembered that perch and that outlook ! There in the other years, when they were happy children, Blanche and himself had sat and gazed forth upon the wild, romantic scene for hours together. Into that room glided the white-robed figure, and with cautious, noiseless step, Malcolm followed. Ah !in afar corner was the old desk, where he and his precious playmate had kept their toys, and the scraps of paper on which they had made crude sketches of the outside scenery. Straight to that desk the snow-white figure moved, and opened it. By the bright moonlight he saw the white hand reach into the well-remembered depths ; and, presently, as a sad, rending sigh broke the solemn air, it Avas drawn forth, with something clasped in the delicately-moulded fingers— something that looked like a folded parchment. Had the king of terrors himself stared him in the face at that moment, Malcolm could not have resisted the impulse that came upon him. Noiselessly he stepped forward and took the spectre in a gentle, bub firm embrace — wound his arms tenderly around her, and drew her to his bosom, at the same time imprinting a warm, loving kiss upon the pure white brow. • Blanche ! Blanche ! Be nob alarmed, dear one ! lam here. It is Malcolm who holds you, safe and fast. Darling ! you are not afraid.' For a wonder the sleep-walker was not even startled. So tenderly and so gently had she been held ; and so sweet and so loving had been the sounds that had fallen upon her ears, that she had awakened as from a normal slumber ; and nob until others had come in, and she had discovered the strangeness of her surroundings, did she appear to be at all startled. Then, however, a low, quick cry of alarm broke from her lips ; but her lover, hiding her face for a little time on his bosom, soon calmed and re-assured her, ' Dear Blanche, we are only your friends. Here is Mr Kirkland, and Nelly, and I am here.' c But, Malcolm 1' — looking up and around with a vacant stare — ' I do not understand. Why am I here ? Did you bring me ?' ' I will tell you all about it pretty soon, darling ; but, first, will you let me see what that is you have in your hand ? Give it to Mr Kirkland. pleaee.' Mechanically she raised her hand, seeming to realise for the first time bhat she held something in it, and extended it towards the old law yei. He caught ib eagerly ; and with quivering ringers unfolded it. One look at the written page, and at the prominent seals, and a cry of joy burst from his lips. 'O! Mr Kirkland, what is it?' It was Blanche who asked him. *It is Life ! Liberty ! Happiness ! It is the missitty loill ?' 'Yes, darling,' said Malcolm, when they returned to her comfortable sitting room, •it is the missing Will which you have restored to us. lb is all very simple. Don't you remember, in the years agone, how, on two separate occasions, I found you, at dead j of nighb, once out of doors, and once, in the old tower, walking in your sleep V Yes, she l-emembered. ' Well,' he went on, ' the moment I had heard the story of the spectre, and that it was supposed to be the spirit of your dead mother- that even your father had thought so — I guessed the brubh. Even I, when I ' saw you bo-night, aa you stood in the Hood of moonlight, had I nob been forewarned, should surely have believed I gazed upon the face of Lady Barbara ; and I think Mr Kirkland felt the same.' 'In truth I did,' the lawyer said. 'My dear child' — gazing with fond admiration into the beautiful face before him — yon are an exact image of what your sainted mother was when first I knew hor. I don't wonder that your father, with no possible clue to the truth, should have thought he looked upon the face of his dead wife when you appeared to him in your sleep-walking masquerades.' ' Well,' pursued Malcolm, when the way was again open to him, ' it became clear to me that you, my dear Blanche, had again fallen into your habit of somnambulism,

and, naturally, I thought that in some waj you had. taken tho will. Knowing that the keys of the cabinet had been given into your keeping, 1 supposed that in your sleep - walking state you bad been moved to take the precious document away for safety. Yet the presence of the Avatcber in the chamber puzzled me. However, aFter the confe&sion of Duff Murtagh, it all became perfectly clear to me. You had dreamed of the will, and your suspicions of Duff had led you to dream of danger in its safety. In that state, still in your dream, you arose, and sought the old cabinet, in all probability taking the keys with you. Remembering the secret pass which your father bhowed to us both at the same time — O ! so long, long ago ! — Remembering that, you entered the chamber by that way. You know what followed. You saw the will, where Reynard had laid it down, or chopped it, and you took ib up and brought it away ; and your entering and leaving by that hidden pass added to the mystification of the villains. ' That you should have hidden the document in that old desk, in our old-time playroom, is not surprising. You and I both, in the other years, used to lock up our treasures in that same place ; and you rightly judged that no one would ever think of looking for it there.' Blanche could understand all that, or at least, she could comprehend it in a measure : but she could not understand how it was she could hide the will in a dream, and do everything so methodically, and yet have uo particle of recollection of it in her waking moments. ' Why,' said she, ' I often dream wonderful dreams, and when I wake up I can remember every circumstance just as it passed in dreamland. Why couldn't 1 know about what I had done with the will when I had awakened ?' Mr Kirkland thereupon explained to her the mysteries of somnambulism aa best he could. He told her it was an abnormal condition from ordinary dreaming, and her experience had been the experience of thousands affected in the same manner. ' But never mind that now,' he said, when he had explained all he knew about it. 1 We have found the will, and we will bless your sleep-walking proclivity for it. But for that, sure and swift destruction would have been its fate.' Ab nine o'clock on the following morning the court was in session. Mr Kirkland asked the privilege of an informal address to the honourable body. He then told them exactly how the last will and testament of the late baron had been lost. Reynard Bevern sworeand blustered, and denounced the whole thing as an infamous fabiication ; but his couneel, who plainly saw something more behind, gained Kirkland opportunity to proceed. When, however, the old attorney demanded the presence of Duff Murtagh, that he might be closely questioned as to what he knew about it, Reynard became frightened, and finally sank into quiet. But, later, when Kirkland had told another story — the story of the adventure of the previous night — how the spectre had been discovered in Lady Blanche as a sleep-walker, and when he produced the new will, and offered to read it to the court— then the beaten, utterly vanquished claimant leaped agaiir to his feet, and would have personally attacked the old lawyer had he not been held back. But the end could not be far off. When the judges had seen Lhe true will, and had become acquainted with Bevern's wicked attempt to steal it, and when, further, they had been informed how, in the other yeais, he had basely and by diabolical falsehood set the old baron against his dead s'ster's son — the boy of his love and pride — and still further, that the baron had made this new will immediately upon learning the truth, and had died happily in consequence — then — then — in their very hearts they gave in to the x'ight, and pronounced that the will just presented was undoubtedly the true and last legal testament of the late Lord Ravendale, and they should allow it, and so judge it to be. Then Reynard did the mosb foolish thing he could have done under the circumstances. He turned and cursed his late friends, the judges, and denounced them as everything that was vile and abominable. And be cursed his counsel, calling him liar, hypocrite, scoundrel, and dunderhead ! And then, striding to the middle of the hall, and shaking his clenched fist in the faces of all assembled, he promised them that he would be a scourge and a curse to them, and to the land. • Mark my words !' he said, in closing ; 1 you shall rue the day that saw you cross the path of Reynard Bevern !' And with this he strode from the place and from the keep ; and ere long thereafter he had gathered together his free companions, and led them from the castle. Within a week from chat time, Bevern was at the head of a formidable band, and had commenced an indiscriminate and extensive ravaging of the surrounding country. His course had two effects. It nob only turned his old friends of the gentry against him, but it led them to cultivate the acquaintance and the friendship of the new lord of Ravendale, whom they very soon found to be as true, and generous, and free-hearted in every way, as he was gallant, brave, and handsome. And when, two weeks after th<3 even* of the court, Colonel MacGregor, now Baron Ravendale, was ready, ab the head of a goodly force, to start upon the track of the daring biigand, these same old highland lairds insisted upon giving their assistance. The result was, that, in Dime, the whole robber band, two hundred strong, and more, was cornered in a wild mountain pass on the northern slope of the Ben Alpine. Malcolm had enjoined it upon his followers, that they should nofc slay the brigand chief, if they could possibly avoid it, as he wished to capture him alive, and give him up to a judicial trial. But it was nob to be. Reynard himself sought out his hated rival, determined upon a hand-to-hand encounter. And he had it. Malcolm could nob avoid it. He was so caught by the other that he must either kill or be killed. We can gue3s his 1 choice, and we will simply add, Reynard Bevern found Malcolm MacGregor as much his superior in arms— they fought with the claymore — ashe was in honour and rectitude of life. The robber chieftain fell ; and those of his followers who had not been slain surrendered ; and thenceforth the region round about was freed from the scourge thafc lied Iso long afflicted it ; and people of every degree — high and low ; rich and poor — blessed the day that brought the new Lord Ravendale amongst them. Of our hero himself, and of our heroine — the beautiful true-hearted Blanche — what need we say more ? Just one week after the extermination of the robber band they wore married ; and the occasion was one of joy and gladness to the whole country round about. And we can truthfully add — so far as Malcolm and Blanche, and all who were dear to them, were concerned —the joy of that hour was to continue, bearing fruits of righteoudness and blessing, to tho end. THE END.

Ib is dangerous to swallow the seeds of grapes.