CHAPTER XXVI. MR.CUDEMORE'S MANŒUVRES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2239, 13 November 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XXVI. MR.CUDEMORE' S MANŒUVRES.

Sergeant Usher arrived in town, lost no time in making his enquiries. Herbert Morrant is confirmed in every respect. People perfectly conversant with the appearance of James Foxborough recognise the photograph for him at once, and these are officials at the Syringia for the most part, who all disclaim any knowledge whaterer of Mr Fo3sdyke and deny ever having heard his name till his sad fate put it in all men's mouths. Sergeant Usher begins to have a shrewd suspicion of the truth, but is more puzzled than ever as to the ideutity of the mysterious stranger who graced the opening of the Baumborough Theatre with bis presence, and yet the sergeant has little doubt that he was the chief actor in the tragedy. For the present Mr Ushur is at fault; quite undecided, indeed, as in what direction to make a fresh case for the recorery of the trail. He has called at Scotland Yard to report himself, and learnt that tney have no tidings what. ! ever of James Foxborongh. Mr Usher is not much surprised at that; ho does not think it probably that any clue to Foxborough's lurking place will be picked up by his brethren, but has a strong suspicion that he himself can indicate where he is when necessary. Iv the meantime, he wants the accomplice, or the Foxborough of the Hopbine, who evidently was not James Foxborough of the Syringa Music Hall. "It is very odd," mutters the sergeant, " but here I am carrying about in my pocket book which would probably identify him in a moment if I could only hit on the right person to submit it to. This note addressed to the dead man is in no disguised hand, and there are doubtless plenty of people could identify it if I only knew 'em. Both Foxborough'B bankers and the stage manager of the Syringa don't see any attempt at simulating his hand, and from the writing they showed me I also should say there was no effort at imitation. It only wants a little thinking out. Query, was Miss Hyde the cause of the murder! Why should she be? She is not Foxborough's own daughter, and John Fossdyke from all accounts has been an exceedingly kind friend to her. I know a little more about the thing than any one else, but I admit I am still quite in the dark as to who committed the murder, if murder it was, and why he did it." 1 Let me see,' muttered the sergeant, as he once more sat meditatively, smoking over his own fireside. * Why did Foxborough want all the money he borrowed; I don't know as yet, but I fancy I can get at that. Next, what has become of Foxborough, I feel pretty certain I can get at that. Then, how did the dagger of Foxborough, with which Foasdyke was undoubtedly killed, arrive at the Hopbine? Lastly, who was the Foxborough who went down to stay at the Hopbine, went to the Baumborough theatre, invited Fossdyke to dine, and undoubtedly caused bis death ? I have got his handwriting, which he doesn't know. I've got plenty of witnesses to identity which he undoubtedly does know, and I feel pretty sure that he has never left the country. Further, I have made a discovery of which he is not likely to get a hint, and upon which he must principally rely as his safeguard. • It's a good game, a very good game," exclaimed Mr Usher, •» but I'll give checkmate for a crown before it is over." It was a very jubilant evening at Tapton Cottage when Morant's letter from Baumborough reached them. •My darling Nid,' wrote Herbert ' I cannot tell you what, nor could you understand its importance any more than I do, but we have made a discovery about that miserable Bunbury affair, which the celebrated detective in charge of the case deems of the greatest consequence to your father. He told Phil Soames, in my presence, that nobody had served yoar father better than you had in accidentally bringing to light the trivial circumstance. I can't explain it, Nid, because I don't the least understand its importance for one thing, and I'm bid hold my tongue for another, though I suppose you would say that couldn't possibly apply to you. Anyway, deare.-t, tell your mother that it's good news, and I feel sure your father will be fully exonerated. Denr old [ Phil has made me a splendid offer, and holds open to me a choice that I shall deserve kicking if I fail to avail rayaelf of. Did you ever hear of a Beer King 1, Mademoiselle ? You are, I trust, destined to be a Beer Queen. Shall you be awfully shocked at treating our friends to beakers of Soames and Morant's extra, or urging them to try just one glass of the Philherbertian stout ? The invention of that composite name is my first great stroke in the business. As for the alarum about which you chaff me, there is a hatred between us as yet too deep for expression, but he is master, and I obey his brutal behests implicitly. Time, not his time, may bring about a reconciliation, but his horrible indifference at this season to the glories of sunshine are disgusting. He often appeals to me to be up and about long before it. 1 God bless you Nid, remember you are to be a breweress, so don't adopt the blue ribbon, not the Garter, the other one, nor turn up your pretty nose at oysters and stout. I never did even before I was one of the initiated malt and hops brethren. Love to your mother, and tell her, though I cannot explain it, that our best news is good new?. —Ever, dearest Nid, your very own,

"Herbert. Yes, a letter like tMs was certain to spread joy through Tapton Cottage. It was good news to both ladies, and the bright flush of happiness in her daughter's face could not fail to evolve some sympathy from suoh an essentially sympathetic woman as Mrs Poxborough. She warmly congratulated her daughter. • I think I understand Herbert, Nid, f she said, ' and a man 6uch as he has described Mr Soames will be the making of him.' 'Mr Cudemore, ma'am,' eaid Eliza Salter as she entered the room, ' wishes to know if he can see you for five minutes ?' • Well, he can't see mo,' cried Nid, ' I hate the sight of him. Oh you, poor mother, I am so sorry for you, but I must run away. Herbert's the only ' disagreeable' I ever take off your hands, and he, of course has a claim ior his preteuded gallantry while I was insensible. I have no doubt it was the park-keeper really rescued me and thit he regarded the conflict from a safe distance.' 'You don't believe anything of the sort you silly child,' replied her mother smiling, • but if you don't want to see Mr Cudemore you had better vanish, because I must see him. Hm hns oomo, I know, on a matter of business Off with you ' ' Show him up, Eliza.' Kid gathered up her skirts and fled pre-

cipitately, while Eliza proceeded to fitful her mistress's behest-. > ; 'Good morning", Mrs Foxborough,' said Cudemore as he entered. 'I am excessively sorry to have to intrude upon you at such an unfortunate moment as this, but business unluckily refuses to be postponed, and your husband's either illtimed or misjudged absence has occasioned an unpleasant complication which necessitates my appealing to you.' 'Pray sit down, I am quite willing to hear what you have to say,' rejoined Mrs Foxborough, who had no very favourable opinion of the money-lender. She knew Mr Cudemore had, though in urbane manner, most rigidly extracted his pound of flesh on former occasions. She knew that he was their creditor now for a very large sum, about the investment of which she had no conception. She had bowed meekly to her husband's decision to borrow it. It was not wanted to sustain the Syringa she knew, but about his provincial speculations she was in total ignorance. He had at times made money out of them, undoubtedly; without one of his provincial companies they never could have mastered the money necessary to start the Syringa, and that they had been obliged to borrow money besides she was only too painfully aware. Mr Cudemore had been a very exacting blood sucker in the early days of that onncern paid off at last, but as Mm Foxborough ruefully remoinbored, once more a terrible creditor. ' It is most unpleasant for me, of course, and more especially under the peculiar circumstances, but please remember, Mrs Foxborough, I am only the unwilling mouthpiece of other*". Your husband's absence has f lightened the people who have advanced him this last money on the socurity of the Syringa, and my instructions are simply to give notice of their intention to withdraw the mortgage at the end of six months. You can't suppose, Mrs Foxborough, that I wish to be disagreeable, and should you deem thin iocouvenient I ehall be happy to give you my assistance in raising it elsewhere.' • That, of course, Mr Cudjmore, will be a thing for future consideration. In the meantime I can only thaak you for your good intention".' But Mr Cudemore wan not to be got rid of like this. He had by no means Bud his say as vet ; in fact, this was mere skirmishing. The battle royal is not always fought at our own discretion, but we at all events can endeavour to exercise some pressure about bringing it about. ' I think you had better take me into your confidence,' he nr>jed. 'These people may get impatient when the time comes, and if you don't find them their money foreclose, and you would lose possession of the Syringa.' ' But how can I take you or anyone else into my confidence when I am in total ignorance myself? If I have to find the money at the expiration of the time and can't, well then I suppose the Syringa and I must part But it is most unlikely my husband made away with such a large sum as £6,000. Some of it, of course, he may have spent, but I am sure there is something to show for it. He invested it in some manner, and I think before the time you mention it is probable I shall discover where he is, or whether he is alive. I don't know, but I am quite sure he never committed the crime laid to his charge, and I hear the police are coming to the same opinion.' 1 I am very glad to hear it,' replied Mr Cudeinore, sauvely, *but I ueed scarcely say I can have no wi4i to tounh upon so painful a subject. Still there are circumstances under which I could find you the money.' •It will be time enough to di>cuss those circumstances when the necessity for finding 1 the money arises,' rejoined the lady sharply. Whatever his design Mr Cudemore felt that ho could not prosecute it any further for the present, and took his departure. ' The miserable trickster, ' said Mrs Foxborousrh, as her eyes sparkled. ♦He means he would find the money if I gave him Nid, as if I wouldn't »-cc the child dead and the Syringa burst first. I wonder whether the people who lent the money are altogether guided by him, and what induced poor James to borrow so large a sum. What could he want it for?' From this date Mr Cudemore was constantly proffering assistance. He claimed too, certain authority over the Syringa, aud neither Mrs Foxborough nor her stage manager was quite clear whether he had such rights or not. He said he had a right to examine the books weekly on the part of the mortgagees, and as Mrs Foxborough had no copy of the deed she was not able to gainsay him. Mr Cuderaore said that olause had been specially introduced, as she would see when her husband's copy was discovered. Mr Cudemore's dogged persistence was remarkable. In vain did Mrs Foxborough decline his offers of assistance. She was almost rude to the man, but he still would keep perpetually calling. Then he tried to frighten her about the loss of the Syringa, but Mrs Foxborough told him plainly she hud done without the Syria j?a before and could do so again. She did not want to lose it, but if her retaining it was to be a matter of favour then she preferred it to go. Cademore was evidently very much in earnest, or he would never have put up with such continuous rebuff*, and about what his real motive was Mrs Foxborough had never had any doubt from the very beginning. He rarely saw Nid upon the-e occasion?, and, certainly could not claim to have met with the slightest encouragement from that young lady ; but the man was crazed about her, and determined to win her at all hazards. Tbat she had the slighest fancy for him never crossed his brain for a moment. On the contrary, I think a wicked determination to make her pay dearly for her ostentatious indifference should she ever be his wife was much more often in his thoughts. •Yes, my dainty lady, the time may come when you'll wish you had shown me more civility, aye, and your stuck-up-mother too. I shall marry you at last, little as you may think it.' And it did look preposterous, and only that Cudemore was quite off his head upon the subject he might have seen so himself. Whether she lost the Syringa or not Mrs Foxborough and her daughter would be in no such needy circumstances that he might look to bend them to his will against their own judgment, and he must have been bliud indeed if he had failed to see that neither lady favoured his pretensions. As for Nid, her feelings were more than mere indifference towards him ; they amounted to actual dislike, and in face of her engagement to Herbert no pressure would have been likely to make her accept Mr Cudemore. 1 My dearest Herbert,' wrote Nid. ' So many thanks for the good news contained in your last letter. It is grand to hear that the police have no longer any doubt of papa's innocence.' •Well upon my word,' remarked Morant, as he laid down the letter for a moment, ' that is a most ingenious twisting of my work. What I "meant was, 1 Seem to have some floubt of Mr Foxborough being the delinquent after all.'" 4We get on pretty well, but mamma frets dreadfully, and to add to her trouble that wretched Mr Cudemore is always worrying her. He claimed some control over the Syringa, though whether he has any real right to interfere we don't know, but he's always coining here pestering about it, and poor mamma j has quite sorrows enough without their being aggravated by a monster like that. ! How very good it is of Mr Soames to

give you such a nice start. Next time I see you — ah, wheu is that to be — I shall expect to find you have taken a treble x degree. You will grow awfully rich, brewers always do you know, and that will be nice, because you will be able to give me all sorts of pretty things, and I appreciate pretty things. I don't want to interfere with your work, but do snatch a day the first time you've a chance and come up and see us. It will do mamma good, and you might make out for us whether Mr Cudemore is entitled to assume any control of the Syringa. Good-bye, Herbert dearest. Mamma's love, and believe me, ever your own Nid." Mr Morant's first impression upon perusing this epistle was that it behoved him to go straight to town and kick Cudemore, but upon second thoughts he derided to postpone that ceremony for the present.