Literature.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 134, 9 June 1904, Page 4

Literature.

"-MVBA BROCKLEY'S JOKE. (Continued.) "I am glad to see you, Hervey," 53" the manager, as he: entered the jom. "I am afraid thei" is no oubt that tho cheque is a forgery ; od the man you and Jane took for ack Stevens was clearly not he. fill you kindly give this officer an ccurate description of the man as ou saw him in the bank, and of his tovements afterwards, so far as you bserved them ?" you let me spoak to you lone first, Mr Brockley ? I have rfave reasons for asking it."

sMr Brockley hesitated. The more [Uickly the matter was investigated, jid.the police put on the track of the »rger, the better. "Could not heorge's business wait until afterrurds ?"

But George was urgent, and the tianager yielded, more because it earned quictaer to yield than to ar[uc, than for any other reason. As soon as the detective had rehired, Georgo began at once : "Mr Brockley, I came to-night to isk you to make no further iniifuiries nto this matter. The error was nine in accepting a forged cheque, ■f I had known of Mr Hammerton's icath I should have refused it unieSitatingly, for I was, and am, convinced that it was freshly written viien it was presented for payment. t will refund tin.' fifty pounds to the Wrak, and I beg you most earnestly Bo let the matter rest." Mr Brockley stared.

"Let it rest?" he exclaimed. .'Make no effort to trace a forgery ? Do you know what you arc asking is something very like compounding S felony ?" >"I do not know what it may be (n law, but if you persist you will repent it to your dying day. Mr Brockley, I implore you to listen to me."

"I could not, if I would, now ; for t have already informed the police. and telqgraphed for one of the directors to come down. The matter is but of my hands."

>."Then, Mr Brockley, I can only t«U you the facts that I wished, ii might be, to keep from you. You have been a true friend to me, and I would be the last to cnuse you suffering, if I could help it. Mr Brockley, have you ever noticed the Extraordinary likeness between your daughter and her cousin ?" you mad, Hervey, or trifling Wth me to gain time ? What haf nonsense of this kind to do with the forged cheque, I should like to know ?"

. "I told you that the man who cashed the che«rue so closely resembled Mr Stevens that at first sight 1 took Mr Stevens for him. It was only close observation that convinced me that Mr Stevens was older looking than the other, and wore a moustache while the other did not. I'believe now that the person I took ■for Mr Stevens was a girl in disguise. Stop a moment," for Mr Brockley interrupted him with an indignant exclamation. "I have, I »m sorry to say, further evidence. This cheque-book is my mother's. You will perceive that there is a cheque gone, with no record of its use on the counterfoil. Look at the number ol that cheque." Mr Brockley did so, and started. "My mother says that she never used it. The last cheque she drew was the previous one in favour of the Burwell Gas Company, which she ■drew at the request of Mrs Bryant, r our landlady. While she had the book out only two persons, besides herself, were in the room, Mrs Bryand and Miss Brockley-. My mother did not open the cheque-book again until this afternoon, shortly before starting for the flower show. She then Eaw a cheque was missing."

Mr Brockley's face had exhibited a variety of expressions during this speech : impatience, astonishment, indignation and finally contempt. Without a word in reply, lie opened the door, and recalled the detective. "Mr Coomber," he said, "our task will be easier than I expected. Mr Hervey has practically incriminated himself. He comes to intreat me to stop the investigation, offers to payup the fifty pounds, which, as yet, of course, he has not had time to spend, produces his mother's book to prove that the forged cheque was drawn out of it, and then coolly tries to stop my mouth by throwing suspicion on my daughter, because, forsooth, sho was in the room when Mrs Hervey drew some other cheque. On his own admission, the cheque comes from his house, he cashes it when he is alone in Che bonk, and then makes up a cock and bull story that it was presented by an unknown clergyman, closely resembling my nephew, but really a girl in disguise. I think we can make a fair guess at the real culprit. I give Mr George Hervey into your hands on a charge of forgery." "I am afraid I cannot arrest Mr Hervey without a warrant," said the police officer. "And if you will excuse me, Mr Brockley, 1 would recommend you to pause a moment before applying for one. I understand that port at least of Mr Hervey's evidence is corroborate by your set vant; and before I left the office I Saw Constable (Jregson, who was on this_ beat to-day, and he says that at about 3.45 this afternoon, or, maybe, 3.50, as he was walking up on the other side of the street, he saw a clerical looking young gentleman come out of the bank. He noticed the overcoat, the dress trousers. and passed much the sume remarks in his mind as did Mr Hervey." "Then I suppose you think that this young clergyman went first to Mrs Hervey's desk and stole a blank cheque, do you, Mr Coomber ?"

" I said 'a clerical-looking young gentleman,' Mr Brockley. Constable

Gregson did not! ask to see his Letters of Orders, nor, as far us I understand, did Mr Ilervey," and the, detective smiled a complacent smile at his own pleasantry. "If you have !io objection, Mr Hervey," he continued, after a moment's pause, during which neither of his hearers ap-. peared disposed to reflect his smile,

"I should like to hear your reasons for assuming this person to be a woman."

"I do not intend to say anything further at present. My late remarks were intended only for Mr Brockley's private ear."

"You are not wise to incriminate yourself further, Ilervey. lam truly sorry for yon, and will do what 1 can to incline the directors to mercy ; but, to my nilml, I fear no further doubt is possible. I could have forgiven everything but the dastardly attempt to shift suspicion from 'yourself to my daughter. Coomber, I shall hold you responsible for Mr Hervey's safe production to-mor-row."

"I will walk home with Mr Ilervey, and let one of our men watch hi» house till he is safely in the bank to-morrow."

" I have endeavoured to save you pain, Mr Brockley," said Hervey, with some emotion. "And I hold to my offer. lam responsible for cashing the cheque, and I will make the loss good."

"Further words are an insult, sir Coomber, see to your prisoner."

Hervey bowed and left the room, Coomber following him closely.

But all the detective's efforts could not induce him to utter another word with regard to the occurrences of the afternoon.

On the following morning, before Mr Brockley's usual breakfast hour, a knock at the front door announced the arrival of the expected director, who had travel.ed by a night train. By the time that the meal was on the table, the new-comer was in full possession of Mr Brockley's views on the matter of tho cheque ; before it was well over, Coomber was once more upon the scene, and had given his version of the facts and the conclusions to which they pointed. "Is Mr Hervey safe?" asked the manager, impatiently. "Walked up with me, and is waiting downstairs with Mrs Hervey," replied the detective curtly. The director looked at his watch. "We have an hour before the bunk opens," he said. "Let Mr Ilervey come in and tell his story."

George's story was tho briefest recapitulation of the facts, and ended with the acknowledgment of his own responsibility, which he had made the night before. Mr Cumberland, the director, put a few questions, but elicited no fresh information. At last he displayed the cheque, and asked Mr Hervey if he could detect any change in its appearanco since he had first seen it.

"Yes, tho ink of the writing is blacker than it was yesterday ; it had a blue tir.t, and looked much fresher." "Did Mr Hammerton ever use blueblack ink ?" " I do not know. I have not observed." "You were ignorant of his death at the time you cashed this ?" "Of course, or I should have refused payment until I had been able to consult Mr Brockley." (To be continued.) YES OR NO ? NEW PLYMOUTH PEOPLE ARE RESPECTFULLY ASKED TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS. Is there anything in the evidence of one a senses ? Is there anything In the testimony of one's friends ? Can reliance be placed on statements from peoplo we know. Are the opinions of local citizens of gireater moment than those of strangers ? Wojild you sooner believe people living in some far-away place than citizens of your own town ?

We think not, for homo proof can easily be investigated. Mise Jondan, Junction Road, near this town, says :—"For some years I was troubled with backache, and also giddy headaches. The pains in my back were very severe, and I could not stoop without pain and Whan 1 idM the agony in getting straight again was e\on worse. Then giddiness would ;oomo on suddenly, and I would nearly fall. Medicines seemed to do me no good until I took Doan's Backache Kidney Tills, which I prooured at the Co-opera-tive Store some months ago. The relief thds remedy has given me is splendid ; ftis really marvellous how completely all pains have been lanishdd."

It is important that you get the genuine remedy—that which Miss Joi«da» recommends—■therefore ask for Bwn's Backache Kidney Pills, and see that the word "Backache" is in the name. Koran's Backache Kidney Pills are sold by all chemists and storekeepers at 3s per box (six boxes 16s 6d) or will be postpd cm receipt of price 'by Foster, McClellun & Co., 76 Pitt street, Sydney, N.S.W. But be sure tr«-y are BOAN'S.