CHAPTER XXXII. "A BREAST HIGH SCENT."

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2245, 27 November 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XXXII. "A BREAST HIGH SCENT."

Men of Sergeant Usher's profession, like all men engaged in the hard practical business of life, are as speedy in resolve as quick in execution. The detective conned the information he had just acquired on his way to his hotel, where he immediately paid his bill, then threw himself and his bag into the omnibus which, as he knew without looking at the time table, caught ths last train to town. There are many problems solved on the railway in these days ;it is bound to be so. Look at the many hours business and professional men pass on it, and that they should think out intricate problems in the easy embrace of a first-class carriage i^ but natural. 'It's a beautiful case,' mused Mr Usher. * I don't know that I ever had the solving of a prettier puzzle. How beautiful it begins to piece out. I could almost tell the public the whole story now; but I've a few minor links to collect before the chain of evidence is complete. I don't think the public will regard the police as duffers much longer when they've heard my exposition of the Bunbury mystery.' 1 Now, let me see,' continued Mr Usher, ' the first person I've got to see is Miss Lightcomb, and the first thing I want is a copy of the Era to ascertain where she may be ; that I'll buy at Charing Cross ; just a few words at the Yard to tell them what to do, and tomorrow morning I'm off to have a quarter-of-an-hour's talk with Miss L.' On arrival at the terminus Mr Usher, having possessed himself of the principal theatrical journal, took a cab and drove J home to his lodgings in Spring-gardens. A few minutes, study of the Era showed him Miss Lightcomb was at present enacting leading lady at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. 'It's a nuisance,' muttered the Sergeant, ' but lam used to it ; important witnesses always do get. into remote corners when specially wanted, here's this girl plays at Margate, when I can make no particular use of her, and now I want to see her special, of course, she's got to the other end of the kingdom. Well, there's nothing for it but just to give 'em instruction*, over the way (and here Mr Usher jerked his head in the direction of Scotland Yard), and be off to Plymouth by the first train in the raorniug.' Arrived there, the sergeant naturally proceeded to the theatre and enquired for Miss Lightcomb. On explaining who he was he was furnished with her address, and at once departed in quest of the lady. But here he was once more disappointed, the actress had pone to a picnic party, and would only returu in time to fulfil her duties at the theatre. Musing sadly over the absurdity of a witness in a grteat murder case condescending to the. frivolity of picnic*, and reflecting that after all Miss Lightuomb had very little conception tbpt she could give any evidence whatever concerning the Bunbury mystery, Sergeant Usher remembered that it was time to sustain nature, and went off in search of something to eat. Like an Indian on the war trail, the sergeant could do without either food or sleep if exigencies required it, but as an old campaigner he understood that husbanding of his resources, and neglected taking in neither when a lull in affairs permitted. He meant returning to town by the night mail if he could, but he had come down to have ten minutes' talk with Miss Lightcomb, and, of course, was not going back till he had achieved that. But the actress only arired at the theatre just in time to dress for her role, which as it happened was a heavy one, and sent out word upon receiving Mr Usher's card that it was impossible she could see him till after the performance, bo the Sergeant was fain to sit and pass critical judgement on Mish Lightcomb' s histrionic powers in the Bvide of the Caucasus.' But the curtains fell at last, and then Mr Usher made his way rapidly behind fcha scenes. 'I cannot say I am glad to see you said th c aofcresa as the sergeant entered her dressingroom*' 'You frighten me, and I really know nothing of this Bunbury mystery.' 'Now, don't you be alarmed, Miss Lightcomb. Nobody for one moment BuppoB6B you do, or that there is any little bit of information you would not willingly put at our disposal if you only fancied it bore the least upon the case.' 'I have told you I cannot recollect all who spoke to me that night, there were ho many gentlemen complimented me on my acting,' rejoined Miss Lightcomb wearily. The girl was tired out with her day's pleasure, and her night's acting and was anxious to get her supper and go to bed, and had no fancy for being crossexamined by Mr Usher. 'Don't you get figetty, MJsp Lichtcomb, 1 replied the Ser«r*int, taking in the sf.ute of thjags at a glance, ( I shan t detain you

three minutes. Do you know the original of this photograph ?' and as he spoke he produced the carte of John Fosidvke. 'No,' rejoined the actress, after glancing at it. { I didn't suppose you would,' rejoined Mr Usher. 'Now, do you know Mi f Cudemore?' 'Certainly, of course, Why ? "Did'nt you speak to him behind the scenes on the opening night of the B mm-, borough "theatre ?' 'Yes, now you mention it, I recollect I did, replied Miss Lightcomb, after a minute or two's reflection. 'I remember being so surprised at seeiug him there.' 'I need not detain you another moment, Miss Lightcoaab, that is the one fact I want from you. If I don't tell you what it means the daily papers will in three]days time. If you could only have recollected that when I called upon you at Margate.' •I'm sure I'm very sorry, Mr Usher, but really his name never occurred to me.' ♦I know it. Of course it i 9 difficult seeing so maDy new faces aR you must do to recollect who you m\y speak to on any particular inierht, and unluckily I wasn't in a position then to assist your memory. ' (To he continued.)