UNKNOWN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 378, 2 May 1910, Page 6

UNKNOWN

I WON BY PLUCK. ! The elder of the two men came to an abrupt luilt. ! ''This is the spot," lie remarked easI i!y. "just ciinib on to that little craig | there and you have the whole 'panorama spread out oefore you like a maji. ; There - mily room for one. lie careful or you'll pop down something like live hundred feet or so —sheer to the bottom. which isn't very soft. Fine view, isn't it, Medlicote ?" The younger did as the elder directed. Squeezing through the narrow space that led to the jutting piece of rock he | stood erect and a gasp of admiration escaped him as lie surveyed tile broait expanse of country beyond. "It's superh,'' he ejaculated. "A view like tlii< s worth double the climb yon have uiv. 11 me!" And lie flood on the rocky Utile space devouring the scene I villi appreciative eyes. '•Thought you'd like it. Medlicote," remarked the man who awaited him ft lew feet below, ''Now turn round and look at me—be careful not to slip." There was something curious in the speaker's tone, but Medlicote did not notice that anything was amiss until he iurned an,) saw JelT'evy Yost: o-aztrijr *.»r» at him with a strange glitte,- in his I eyes, and holding a pair of •.•evo've) -1 - levelled at his head. "Nice view both ways, eh?" Yost remarked. with a dry sort o£ laugh, thai; sent a chill down Cyril Medlieote's spine. "An excellent joke, Mr. Yost, but " "Ah!" chuckled the man with the re volvers, "that's just it—but you don't quite like it. do you? Makes you feel sort of creepy, eh? Rather taken you unawares, as it were, hasn't it? Ha! Ha! Ha!" Medlicote set his lips tightly. Tile man was mad, and he was in about as nasty a dilemma as could very we", he imagined. Xo one but a madman could laugh like that. Swiftly lie set his wits to work to. deal with the situation, but it was 110 easy matter to decide upon a course ot action. ' I

Behind the tiny patch of rock oil which lie stood was a sheer drop of sot-.s five hundred feet, as Yost had said: ;n front and beneath him was thi'- maviman with two firmly-grasped revolvers •pointing straight «t his head. The only means of leaving the summit of the rock to which he had been imvigled was by the narrow little path by which he had ascended—a mere cleft in tlie basalt—unless he took a leap down on to the little clearing where Yosr, stoo.l. Even if he succeeded in distracting his attention for a moment or two he would have no tome to traverse the path. He decided to temporise. "An excellent joke, Mr. Yost," he repeated smilingly. "I didn't know you carried those things with you. I hope they're not loaded, though. I'm not a particularly nervous man, but such queer accidents do happen, you know!" ''Loaded?" the other laughed. "['!] show you whether they're loaded!" And the next moment he fired one of the weapons into the air.

Mcdlicote's spirits sank, but he did not waver. To show the white feather was not in his way at all, and at a moment like this it' would probably be disastrous. The two men had met at a tourists' inn in Gloucestershire, and had joined forces in some expeditions amo'iirst the wilder portions of*the Cotswold 13 lis. The liking had been mutual, and thojsh there was a considerable disparity in age the two Iliad become exceli-'.utl friends. Lntil now Yost had appeared the very soul of geniality, and on this particular day had been in especially good spirits. lie had, too, been quite sympathetically interested when Medlicote had confided in him that he had won the aflections of a very ;nar;niii" girl, who feared opposition from her father upon the latter's return from a prolonged Antipodean tour. "Can you guess why I've got yon fixed up there, Medlicote?" JetTery Yost asked, a sudden grimness in his tone.

"Unless as.an alleged joke—no!" was the reply. "I presume you have no objection to njy smoking whilst we discuss the^ matter?" And the speaker produced a cigarette case. A new light entered Yost's eyes; possibly he was struck by his captive's coolness. For a captive, under the circumstances, Medlicote undoubtedly was. "Not at all!_ Enjoy it, Medlicote, for possibly it will be your last!" "I hope not. In what way, may I ask, can I avoid that unpleasant eventuality, Mr. Yost ?" Cyril's voice was calm and his hand was steady as his lit his cigarette. Mr. Yost's manner underwent a sudden change. Advancing a pace he regarded the younger man menacingly, at the same time seeming to tighten his grip upon his revolvers.

''Very we]l M as you appear to'wish to hasten matters, I'll explain without delay. You've been pood enough to honor me with your confidences in regard to the attachment you allege to exist between yourself and a certain young lady—Miss Oraee Levett. Of that attachment I have been aware for some time. As it happens that I have fully determined that stie shall bear my name is it likely that I should stand quietly aside and allow you. a new-comer, as it were, to take her from me? I have loved her for years—since her childhood, in fact—l have onlv to ask her to forget you and she will do so! Jeffery Yost paused; he was still watching Mcdlicote keenly, and the revolvers were still aimed' straight at his prisoner's head. , You know Miss Levett?" Cyril gasped, astonished' at the revelation. "Certainly. I always speak the truth, Medlicote. I suppose you think I'm too old for her to think about—that she wouldn't look at' a middle-aged man, eh? Wei, if so, yoxt're mistaken." Again •he paused; it was as though 'he were preparing himself for the casting of his last bolt. iuUtiS'jNS

ed. That Jeffery Yost was mad lie entertained not the slightest doubt; the idea that he was merely playing a practical joke had swiftly become dispelled. The man's manner was too grimly earnest for that. The question was. h iw could he escape from the danger that obviously threatened liiin? lie was nu -<mj a.niij pinoo uio.ij ,n;j—p.ic.wos ed death as well as, perhaps better than, most men. But there was Grace, whom lie loved and who loved him —Grace, who was only awaiting her father's formal consent to their engagement before naming the happy day when she would give herself to him for ever. And as these thoughts raced through his brain he heard again the voice of JeH'ery Yostharsh, triumphant, relentless.

I "I give you the choice of three things," he said. "Promise to relinquish Grace | Levett for ever, refraining from giving any explanation of your conduct; .pimp over the dill' behind you; or be shot dead where you stand. If you go over the cliff the verdict will be 'accidental death'; if I shoot you it will be 'suicide,' for I shall take care to aiT:ui<ve your hody so that it slinH appear that | you have killed yourself. I'll give you just live minutes in which to decide, Medlicote, and if you're sensible it -won't take you long to make your decision." Five minutes! Cyril bit his lip, but he regarded his persecutor without flinching. The thought now came to him that Yost was not as mad as lie had seemed to be. The determination in thy keen grey eyes was not the unreasoning obstinacy of a madman; the tell-tale light revealing the irresponsible workings of a diseased brain was not there. Jetl'ery Yost just then was the embodiment, of a resolute, relentless man, utterly indifferent to the means whereby he gained his end as long as he should gain it. ■ With a madman he could have attempted, with a clear conscience, some sort of deception, appearing to fall in with his demand to relinquish Grace and awaiting his opportunity to overpower him suid have him placed under proper restraint, even though such a. method of escaping his danger would be foreign to his whole nature; with a man who was sane it was different.

To save his life and win Grace !by ian artifice when dealing with any other than a madman was unthinkable; k> act thus' would be to prove himself a coward, and 'his head would he bowed with shame until the end of his days. Very calmly he lit another cigarette, and, with a steady gaze, scrutinised the man who stood beneath him. "You have sketched out quite an interesting programme of alternatives, Mr Yost," he observed. "I certainly have no intention of acceding to your demand to relinquish the girl I love, and neither have I the remotest thought of jumping over the cliff. So, under the circumstances, the sooner you blaze away and bring this somewhat unpleasant interview to a conclusion, the better V' J The revolvers were still-levelled at] Medlicole's headt, ljut Yiosit did not speak. His eyes seemed to be searching the very soul of the man he was torturing. He appeared to be awaiting the advent of some trace of fear he was unable to detect. Three of the five minutes were gone, when suddenly Medlicote made a beckoning gesture as though to someone a short distance down the hill-side to Y'ost'fc *ear. ' Instinctively the latter turned, and at the same instant Medlicote took a great leap, springing wr a spot slightly to one side of the man who held the revolvers. Yost turnen sharply; one of the revolvers clattered I to the rocky ground, the other exploded harmlessly; almost simultaneously Medlicote, with difficulty keeping his balance, swung his right arm round and caught tile former full on the neck. With a sharp cry Yost fell like a loer; his head struck a rock, and he lay insensible.

Medlicote knelt beside the injured man and examined him closely. Having satisfied 'himself that the wound, tiiousrh serious, 'would not .prove fata], he dressed it as weR as he was able with the simple aid of' a hankerchief. Then, alter picking up the two revolvers and putting them in his pocket, he lifted up the unconscious man and began the descent of the hill. Yost, though not big a man as himseilf, was a good weight, and the journey to the farmhouse, 'where he was able to procure a conveyance, taxed hii strength as no athletic'feat in his college days had ever done. The local doctor, who had cycled over, from the neighboring village, pronounced the patient to be in no immediate danger. But there had been' severe con-, cussion, causing a pressure on the brain, which would necessitate an operation he did not care to undertake. He suggested tlmt Mr. Yost's friends be communicated with. But there was nothing in the unconscious man's pockets or about his room that afforded any cjue to the name and address of any friend. His nortmanteau was locked, and the key could not he found. > * ■ The earlier the operation was performed the"better. Medlicote, who in a measure felt responsible for the conduct of affairs, offered to journey at once to London and bring down Wilmot Bland, the young surgeon who had recently leapt into fame through his skill in matters of this sort. Bland was a friend of his. But he was anxious also to see Grace and discover whether she knew anything at all about anyone of the name of Jefferv Yost. Medlicote pondered deeply during the journey. After seeing Bland, who chanced to be free that afternoon, he 'went on to the Levctts' house, which was quite Wear Harley Street. 'He was to meet Bland at Paddington in an hour's time. Grace, dainty and happy-eyed, greeted her lover with charming surprise. But she swiftly grew serious when she saw | his manner 'was rather grave. "No, dear," she said, in answer to his query, "I do not know and never have known anyone of the name you mention. Why did you ask?" ' With her fair head upon his shoulder

ne toid her; a .puzzled expression enterer her blue eyes. "It's a funny thing to say. nearest, but I should like to see this Mr. Yost. I've an idea —don't ask me what is is. lor if I'm wrong you'll never forget to torment me about it. How " "I know what you mean, Gracie—howcan we manage it? Why, I'll run round to Bland and get him to persuade his wife to make up a quartette. You and she are very good friends, 1 know.'' "I'll tell mother and then get ready—she. won't mind. I know!" This with perfect, eontidence in her ability in combat any possible maternal objections. Medlieotc gave her a squeeze and half-a-dozen kisses, and then bolted full speed for Wilmot Bland's. "He is my father! Whatever does it all mean?" As she whispered the startled words to her lover Grace Levett. gazed at the unconscious man with wondering eyes. "You will save him. Dr. Bland?'' she queried very earnestly. as she turned to til'? fanio;;= young sneicaliM. "Yes, I shall save .him. Miss Levett. But tirte is precious. I must, ask vou all, except Dr. Browne, to leave." An hour later he entered the room where Medlicote had remained with Grace and Mrs. Bland. "The operation is a success," he announced with calm gratification. "ITe will not recovov consciousness for som* 1 hours, and as T can do nothing muiv I suggest that, after some supper, we all enjoy a pleasant little stroll around this delightful spot." Which programme -.vas duly carried out. On the morrow Mr. Levett was fully conscious, and already, thanks to Dr. Bland's skill, on the fair road to com-! plete recovery. He avas asking for .-vupdlicote, and the latter, wonde'ring what he was about to hear, hastened' to his J side.

| _ "I remember it all, Medlicote," lie said, in a voice which, though weak, was ouite audible and steady. "Mv brain's clear now, and I'm -aDie to tell you wlv I was foolish enough to </o through that pantomime up on the hills. "Some years ago a friend of mine lost; his daughter, and it was in this wav lie lost her: She was on her honeymoon and her husband, a fine fellow enou?!i in every other 'way, was physically a coward. They were staying in the Lake district, and one day, out on Windermere, the boat was upset. The man could swim a. little—just enough to save 'himself; the girl coukl not swim at all. Mad -with terror, he saved himself and let her drown; subsequent remorse cost him his sanity. "When I heard of it, Medlicote," it made an impression on me. and I vowed that my daughter should never marry a man 'whose fearlessness I had not proved. , 1

"As you know. T have been abroad for some time, and hearing of vonr ensn cement to Grace, ■provisionally upon mv consent, I determined to keep secret mv return to England, and let no one know until I had found you out and tested you. I' made enquiries and found vou had gone on vonr holidays, f followed you, and easily struck up an acquaintance with you. The rest you know. I put you to the test, and'did not find you wanting, though"—this with .a </rim smile—"l got a trifle more than I '

gained for! Your hand, ,Medlicote—T shall be proud of you as a son-in-law!" And the hands of the two men met in a clasp more eloquent than words. There was a knopK at the door, and a fair-haired, dainty figure entered. "Father!" she cried softly. John Levett kissed her fondly as she bent over him. Then he took one small hand, and, reaching for Medlicote's, placed it in his. "My Messing!" he said, "f vowed I would never let mv Grace marry a coward, and—well, I'm here to prove my ■words!" A contented smile flickered over his face, and he lapsed into a peaceful sleep. Hand-in-hand, the lovers crept from the room.