TIE & TRICK,

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2385, 22 October 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

TIE & TRICK,

Ilowliot*

BY J LAVVLEV SMART, Arniou ok “BttKKzin Lancton,” “ Bhokkn Bonds,” “Social Sins' Kits," “ Tin; Gkkat Tontinu,” “At Faclt,” &c,, &c.

CHAPTER XXIV, CHISEL ON THE TRAIL. Wk must now look back upon the troubles of a gentleman wlio bus so far played a very inferior part in tins narrative. .Mr Cbisc-l, after some months' weary waiting, bad one morning received the welcome order to join bis master in Italy, for Unit country had been the scene of Wheldrake's wanderings. Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, Milan, <te., in: bad sojourned in every one of them, sauntering, so to speak, backwards and forwards through the country ns fancy led him, without any set lino of travel. Wherever he might be, however, Wheldrake scrupulously avoided his countrymen and the hotels and quarters of the towns most allected by them ; and so successful had he been in maintaining hi? exclusiveness, that he had encountered none of bis acquaintance to speak to, supposing their virtue did not suggest to them that, after the manner of the Lcvitc, they should pass by on the other side. So sensitive was Whvldrake on this point that on the few occasions he bad either seen or learnt there were old friends of his in a place, he had carefully avoided them, and at once cut short his stay. After various wanderings he at last, found himself in Naples, and at once started off to see the marvels of Pompeii. This curious reproduction ot the old Roman life had a fascination for him, and he moved at mice bin Naples to the little inn at Pompeii, and spent days in

exploring the imburiuil cities. Satiated at last l;y this study of the luxurious life of tiie Roman empire, he one day set forth on foot to Naples, leaving Chisel to follow hy carriage with the humane, with what disastrous result we have seen. When Chisel arrived with the baggage and found that ids master had never reached the hotel ho had specified, Chisel was hy no means put out. He was used to this. In his desire to avoid recognition. his master often reconnoitred the hotels before bringing his baggage, in order to be sure there were no gushing, garrulous acquaintances of his therein. To he patronisiugly pitied for misfortune is perhaps the most galling ordeal humanity is ever called on to encounter. So Chisel patiently awaited either his master's appearance or orders from him of some sort, but the night rolled by and tile next day followed suit, and still Mr Chisel beard nothing of his master, and. then it eame. to him that he must bo up and doing. Ho was cpiite conscious that if anything had happened to his master he had a dillicult task before him. He was a sharp fellow, but he had no knowledge of either Italian or of foreign customs, nor had he anyone to whom ho could apply for advice. His first step was obvious ; to no round the hotels and inqii ire whether Wheldrake was amongst the'guests was soon done, with unsatisfactory result; hut Mr Chisel did obtain one bit of intelligence, namely, that Sir Jasper and his party wore in Naples. Chisel turned it over in his mind a good many times as to whether he should take counsel with them : but he knew upon what peculiar grounds his master had left U’rottesley, and surmised that should Wheldrako turn up all right, these were the people of all others lie would least wish to meet. And this feeling restrained him. though, for the matter of that, none of .Sir .Jasper's party had much experience of the customs of the country. Then Mr Chisel got hold of an interpreter, who accompanied him to the police, where ho told his story, was crossexamined as closely as if ho himself might, he supposed to have made away with his master, his answers being carefully taken down in a folio volume, at groat length. Then the police gave him to understand that they would see about it, and loft a pleasant impression that if ho thought to throw dust in their eyes, and evade the eoiisi ipienc.es of his crime in that wise, he was very much mistaken. Chisel had now to discover that the Neapolitan police had a leisurely way of seeing about tilings that was simply maddening, and that his calling to ask if they had any information to give him only furnished occasion fora fresh examination of himself- In short, the police had gnt it. into their sapient heads that Chisel had murdered his master, and was adopting the stale device of raising a hue aud cry to divert suspicion from himself. Instead of making strenuous search after the missing man, they directed their whole energies to dogging the steps of Ids servant. They hud never been much use at the host of times, .save to carry out the behests of that abominable tyrant, King Bimbn, the last reigning monarch in Europe who dared to venture upon atrocities that would have driven the very Ashautces into insurrection. In (hose days they took things pretty easily, unless their palms were well oiled. While King Bmnba reigned it had been different, for that kinglet wasjpossessed of a royally irascible temper that badly brooked di-appointment. If Ids agents failed to apprehend the unfortunate who bad incurred the royal wrath, lie had a wav of incteing out the death ov impri-

soninont designed for the ohjict, of his 1 1 <_• te- 1 ;;!i!>11 on llie agent who 1 1ad fulled to apprehend him. Tho Neapolitan poll.i.', under these circumstances, became, an extremely acute body whenever loyally named the quarry. But it was nor likely they were truinjy to trouble iheir heads much about an obscure Kua-iisluu iu, iu whose fate it wan quite evident no om; look an interest., save Iris servant, and about that, as aforesaid, the online had formed their own opinions—it was not likely that this fat-headed islander was eoiotr to impose upon the •uperior intelligence of a Latin rime | It was always the same : such men always over-anted their part. In the extreme fuss he was making about his master’s disappearance, ho was sure, sooner or later, to expose how he himself had caused that disappearance. So Chisel was the daily vie.tim of this delusion. He called to inquire for news, and was quietly put through a most, insidious cross-exami-nation by one of tile smartest chiefs of the gendarmerie. Chisel at last got wearied and disgusted with the eternal response that they had nothing as yet. to communicate, but they were on the track. He determined to consult, Mr (iliuilield ; he was a staunch friend of his master’s, and he could count upon help from him. These cursed gendarmes would pay more attention to him than they did to a man of ids own station.

They would never dure to question Mr IJlimfield iu the way they did him. And now occurred iiuothcr surprise for Mr Chisel. He hud, as we know, been a good while before he could make up his mind to appeal to Sir Jasper's party fur assistance iu this matter, and when ho arrived at, flu ir hotel and asked Iu see Mr Claulield, lie was informed the whole party had departed fur Amalli that morning, ami would not be back for two or it might he for three days. Mr Chisel wailed two days, and thou once more called at the hotel, only to ho informed that the travellers had not as yet returned. He called again the next day, hut tho reply was the same. It was curious. He applied to sec tlie landlord. What did the landlord think ? Hid he fancy anything was wrong with the travellers P But the landlord merely shrugged his shoulders and laughed. The English milord had kept on his rooms, quite conclusive this to the hotel-keeper that no harm could have come to him, ‘‘ Ah, your countrymen are not like other people," said ho. “ They are as if they were bitten by tho tarantulas—they have no idea of the tMecfur u'mitc —they are always on the move. The don’t understand the siesta. Ah, who can say where an Englishman's wanderings will end ? They may not come back for a week: but they have left all t heir heavy baggage, and they have kept on my rooms. Milord Vendee, ho is very rich, and a great signor in his own country.” “Yes,” retorted Chisel, “but that’s no safeguard against a man coming to grief. It's a queer road, that to Amalfi, so I hear; and though they say such things don’t take place, yet Tin told that there are a good many of your people who were ‘out’in tho troublous times who have taken to tho mountain.” “Tho saints forbid, Signorreplied the landlord, crossing himself. “ It is best not to talk of such people. They have both long ears and long arms, but. even supposing there should ho some of them about, they would never meddle with Englishman, much loss so large a party as Milord Verslee. Ah,” lie continued, looking round cautiously, and lowering his voice, “they arc a pest to the country, and interfere dreadfully with our business.” “ I daresay,'’ replied Chisel, quietly. “I'll call iu to-morrow. Interfere with his business, 1 ’ he muttered to himself, “ no doubt they do. That sleek old villain yearns for a monopoly, 1 and feels quite equal to doing all the robbery iu those parts.” Ac''her day or two elapsed, and still Chisel could hear nothing of either his

master or Sir Jasper’s party. A shrewd, sharp, energetic man, sincerely attached to ins master, lie chafed terribly under tins enforced, inaction, .’Suddenly an idea struck Him. He was no good hero; he onnlil hit upon no dun which afforded a possibility of tracing his muster. As for the police, if they acted at all they would not in their own way, and at their own time. He would follow Sir Jasper to Amalfi. Tile carriages had been taken from the hotel, and would therefore bo easily traced along the road. By that means he could easily find Sir Jasper and his party or discover what had become of them. An excellent plan, but with one very serious drawback, which it was impossible that Chisel could conjecture. It was simply tills; Chisel is bent cm tracking Sir Jasper, whilst, unknown to him, the police are dogging Ids own steps. .Should Chisel bn successful in his search, the trail must inevitably lead him into the midst of Patrneeiii's band, with the gendarmes on his track, and this is likely to render the position of the captives extremely hazardous. However, all this was, of course, outside the ken of Chisel. That faithful servitor made speedy arrangements for hiring a hack, and with a light vali-e strapped on the back of his saddle, started forth on tho road to Amalfi. Enquiries at Pompeii, of course, speedily elicited the fact that Sir Jasper’s party had passed through three days before on tho ro id to Amalfi. “ Ves,” said tho hostess, 11 we expected them back tin; day before yesterday ; but, of course, ladici and gentlemen on their pleasure do not tie themselves down to time. They probably found the sea breezes and hilly scenery, of Amalfi so much to their taste that they stayed on there, or perhaps they m ule excursions from there in some other direction. There was no saying what an Engli-h----inan would not do in that way. Why, there was the Signor, your ina-tcr, spent whole days here wandering about tho-o old mined cities. How could people leave Naples with all its life anti music to look at these dreary cities of tho dead':' Ah ! if she had only a holiday, she wouldn’t waste it wandering about those old lava beds. So Chisel having refreshed himself, and finding there was no more information to bo gathered from ilia hostess, once more swung liinisidf into the saddle anti resumed Ids journey. It was often done, but it was a very long stage to pull through to Amalfi in one day. Cliisc 1 , who was vor.-ntiln in his accomplishments was n fair horseman, and consequently proceeded leisurely on his way so as to save Ids horse as much as po-sible. He had ascertained that Sir Jasper and his party had passed, but nothing had been seen of them since ; although they had spoken of their intention of stopping for some hours, if not for the night at the little inn, on their return. Nothing much to be made of this information, and Chisel pushed on in the direction of Amalti. He had not gone far before, lie perceived two carriages coming towards him. Now carriages are scarce on that road, and it struck Chisel as rather singular that there should be two evidenty travelling in company, and as they drew near lie noticed that they were both empty. Then it struck him that these were the carriages that had conveyed Sir Jasper ami ids party, and the drivers would be able at all events to tell him where they had left their employers. But this was precisely what they could not or would not do ; they either did not nr pretended not to understand the questions put to them, and Cldsid was about to abandon his enquiries in despair when another horseman came up and put a very different complexion on tho allair. Time is apparently of no consequence in Naples and its vicinitv, Tho passersby have; always leisure to participate in the hnsine-is of a stranger. The bare idea of anybody having any business and endeavouring to attend to it perhaps stimulates their indolent, nature, but certain it is that the new comer joined in the questioning of tho drivers with the readiest good nature. He spoke a littie English and his appearance evidently disconcerted tiie drivers. He spoke as a man having authority, and though Chisel did not understand what lie sajd lie could see that he was listened to with great deference.

“Ah,” lie said, “ You arc tho drivers who took the English lord off to Amalfi ? Not a bit of use your denying it because I know you both and saw you start. This gentleman is desirous of knowing where you left those ladies and gentlemen. Well, that is a question very easy to answer: you have only to say and then ho would bo satisfied.” lint this apparently was not so easy. The drivers stammered, and when pressed gave most evasive and equivocal answers, lint this only whetted the curiosity of the police agent, for such he was. Had the drivers lied glibly, the police agent would have troubled his head no further about the matter. His object was never to let Chisel out of his sight. Holding the theory that the luckless Chisel had done his master to death, he persistently tracked him, in order to obtain evidence of his crime, hut the minute these drivers made a mystery of where they had left their employers, lie was determined to know. A mystery to him was what a double acrostic is to some people, he delighted iu mysteries I His life was spent in elucidating them ; his manner suddenly changed. Instead of the genial boahimmie with which he first commenced ins inquiries, “No nonsense ! You know perfectly well who I am ; answer me directly. What have you done with the English, people yon drove from Naples?” Tlie faces of the unfortunate drivers were a study. Consternation was depicted on their countenances. On the one side stood the vengeance of the brigands, on the other the retribution which followed any trifling with the police. Mr Leroux was a Frenchman, and regarded as one of the most astute and determined police agents whom the Government had in their employ ; but after a little hesitation the drivers remembered that they were coining away from brigands, whilst they were going straight into the jaws of the police ; and, therefore, no little to Loronx’s astonishment, made a full confession of what had befallen Sir Jasper and his party. “ I can now tell you what you want, to know, Signor,” said the police agent. “The English Milord and his party have fallen into the hands of brigands. It is perfectly useless for you to endeavour to trace them, and, between you and me, this road is by no means safe to travel further. I know tlie habits of these gentry, and it is in Naples wo shall next hear tidings of them.” Chisel pondered for a few seconds over tho stranger’s remark, and then followed his advice and turned his horse about.

CHAPTER XXV. RE-APPEARANCE OF GIOVANNI. A rueful sight, was Jackson pacing the platform in a despair half comic, half pathetic. The sun had just sunk below the trees, and that pompons servitor was feebly wondering where ho was to lay his head. “ Thomas Jackson,” he murmured to himself, “you’re a man as has always done your duty by your employers. No one can ever say as the Wrott-ley’s wine wasn't properly hnllemd. No one can say as the Wrottsley plate wasn’t properly

cleaned, and as for the lamps and boots and shoes, no one can say a« Thomas Jackson didn’t sec that the juniors did their duty by them, but such a position for an upper servant to tie placed in 1 never did see. Bed | the savages don’t scum to know what such a thing is. Hot water! well, they don’t trouble that ranch, cither hot or cold, either inside or out. And drink, no butler that overlived could till glasses fast enough for such a sot of sponges as those. It seems to me there is a sort of game of cross purposes going on ; what with all this confidential talk at a time Hie fat’ll be in the fire, and the last of the Jacksons become the tenant of a grave amongst wild beasts in a foreign land. Pretty tiling this to happen to a man who’s made ids responses regular in Wrof.tsley Church for the last thirty years. N'o tombstone to mark the spot for inquiring friends and record my virtues. I should like to have it writ up that ids claret was always warm and ins champagne enld, but I suppose that's not quite tho tiling for an elegy. Mercy on me, who's tliis ? Jackson’s steps by tills time had carried him to the edge <>f the wood, and from tho wood slowly emerged a man with livid face and eyes that still burnt with the but half-subdued light of fever. His head was swathed in bandages, and he bore the appearance of one who hud gazed far through tho portals of the tomb. He looked about him in a sort of timid, unnerved way, as if in search of some one, and had not proceeded far before lie was hailed by one of the brigands who was idly smoking on the grass. “Ah, Giovanni, what, you are about aii-ain ? It’s not ninny who recover from ids Excellency’s hand-writing. Your headpiece must bo stronger built than those of most of ns to have stood such a blow ns I saw dealt yon. Santo Diavolo ! it would have killed an ox. “ I have been as near death ns a man can go and live. My brain racks yet, 1 ’ replied Giovanni, in a low, quivering voice “My knees shako, and I don’t think 1 shall over bo a man again,’ and as he spoke the broken-down bandit sank on the turf beside his comrade; “and Mattoo,” lie exclaimed, while a savage gleam shot from ins dark eyes, “I suppose he lias been handsomely rewarded. Is ho still here ? ” Pietro, for he happened to be the man Giovanni had addressed, eyed him narrowly for some seconds before he answered. “ Yon had best bo careful what you do in that, matter. I can see revenge in your face, but mind, I have no fancy any more than tiie rest of ns to find onr lives in jeopardy in order that you may gay olf a grudge against Mattoo.” “No, no,” interposed the other, nervously, “ I’ll bn true to my oath, never fear ; but that Pietro doesn’t, forbid that I should settle my qu irrol with Mattoo in ray own way. That’s not against mountain law.” “ I’m not sure,” replied tho other. “Yon can never keep the wine-oap from your lips, and when yon get drunk on service, your tongue runs riot and you endanger the whole us. Mattoo was right to let the chief kuow.” “It was a dog’s trick,” retorted Giovanir, sullenly. “There was no harm done, and lie might, have spared an old comrade. That I’m not beneath the turf is no thanks to him, and do you think I’ll leave a debt like this unpaid f”

“If your "uMcd by me you will, if ynu ou f l;i 11 jjor ibc rest of uh, remember there will bo a score mid more of daggers al: your throat. Moreover, I should doubt whether hi* lilxeellc.hoy doesn’t value Matteo’s brains higher than your brute strength.” ‘Mlal I am not to strike back,” replied (J iovanni, in tones which, though low, were pregnant with concentrated hate. “ Yon say right, Pietro, it is strength against brains. MaUco has reft me of my strength; let him take heed that 1. in my turn, don’t still his scheming brain for ever.” Ones more Pietro looked at him carious 1 v. “Yes, yon arc dangerous,” he said. “ If I were Mattel), I should deem it a misfortune that Ids Excellency didn't strike a trifle harder ; hut remember, if ynu involve the common safety, I will kill yon with my own hand.” “ A fortnight ago,” said the once brawny ruffian, as he gazed at his now shrunken limbs, “and the man who talked of killing Giovanni would have felt he had no hoi iday task before him. Now, I could not struggle with a child. Give me a pull at a wine disk, for heaven’s sake.” “ They have kept yon short of liquor, no doubt,” replied Pietro, with a critical glance at liis companion. “It’s ill feeding fevers on stuff like this,” and as he spoke the handit rose, and fishing a flask out of the little stream that trickled along the edge of the plateau on the side where the tents wore pitched, proceeded to administer a cap of wine to his invalid companion. “ Drink !” he exclaimed. “It will do you good. It will send the life-blood through your veins, once more. The fever has well-nigh left you, and your strength will come back.” The shattered bandit greedily drained the cup that was proffered him. That’s good stuff,” said he smacking his lins, “the first I’ve tasted since his Excellency struck me down up yonder. Hah !it puts heart in a man that. Fill it again.” “I will,” replied Pietro, “but remember that’s the last, and is more than yon can carry.” Pietro was right, for no sooner had he drained it than the enfeebled man sank back upon tbo heather and dropped'off to slumber, like a child. His comrade looked at him for a moment, and then threw a cloak over him, with more tenderness than could be expected from the rough marauder ho was. “There,” he said, “sleep like that means health and strength. He wants the wine now, but not too much—and who shall say what is Giovanni’s idea of enough.”

Old Jackson from a little distance had watched the colloquy between the brigands with breathless interest, He had taken it into his addled old head that he was living' in an atmosphere of plot and intrigue, and that the whole party depended upon his alertness and vigilance. He could not understand in the least what the two men wore saying, hut he could comprehend Giovanni’s gleaming eyes and vindictive expression, and drew his own conclusions. ‘‘lf I only understood their lingo,” he muttered mopping his brows ; hut still, to a man like mo, who's spent his life in studying faces to judge w'hat their owners would trike, it’s all clear as daylight. That scoundrel with the bandages has got an all round face, ho drinks all ho ooraos across, with a preference for something short very frequently. They don’t stick at trifles, that sort—specially in the lower order. A butler has great opportunities. I know your generous port wine face and your much-calculating sherry and seltzer countenance. It's the old story of the babes in the wood over again, and we’re the babes. Those two scoundrels were the villains of the fable, and that ruffian in the bandages was advocating the cutting our throats, while the other, I fancy, was for merely emptying onr pockets. How, Thomas Jackson, yon just pull yourself together and think what’s best to be done. You’ve got to pull the whole of ’em through, and it requires a man of gumption to do it, and you’re the only one of the lot that’s got any gumption, Vou

were the only one who had the presence of mind to call for the police. If they didn’t come it wasn’t your fault.” But the more Jackson puzzled his brain over this problem, the more intricate it became. The old man, in fact, indulged in a very Newgate Calender of bloodshed, and pictured deeds of violence that he was .perfectly incapable of committing. Ho gravely discussed within himself the advisability of knocking the sleeping brigand on the head, the garrulous, tender-hearted old man being as utterly wanting in the nerve requisite for the shedding of blood as a canary. Then Jackson took it into bis head that it was his duty to warn Ids fellow captives of their danger, and that they should all prepare to sell their lives dearly and die like Englishmen. Then he reflected that this would not much better things, that if it was intended to put them to dcatli there could be very little doubt about their captors carrying out their intentions, In fact, the more Jackson thought about it the less lie saw what was to be done. One thing was imperative, that it behoved him to keep his eyes open, and watch over the interests of the party. Giovanni slept as if there had been no whit of exaggeration in his statement that he had been in the very jaws of death. But for the rough though patient nursing of some of his comrades, he had never recovered that terrible blow dealt by Patroceni’s pistol. As the man progressed to convalescence, one curious thing was noticeable, he bore no grudge against the Count who had so sternly rebuked his backsliding, but cherished the fiercest animosity against Matteo, who had brought that backsliding to his Excellency’.-) knowledge. Haring those fever-tossed nights which were the first results of I’.itroccni's cruel punishment, many a savage execration and fierce threat against Matteo fell from his parched lips, and Pietro, who had taken his turn in watching by his comrade's beside, felt that those delirious words were likely to be mado good should Giovanni recover, Had there boon anyone conversant with all the complications of Patroceni’s drama, they could have formed but one opinion of them—namely, that it is pretty sure to end tragically. The Count himself is resolute to wring that thirty thousand pounds out of his captives. Hammerton is scheming to escape from the trap into which he has fallen. Chi-ad, in his anxiety to discover his master, bids fair to bring the gendarmes down on the brigands, and thereby endanger the lives of the whole party. Giovanni, in his fierce thirst to avenge himself upon Matteo, is likely to draw tho attention of the authorities also to the band, not from deliberately betraying his comrades, but by some savage act of bloodshed that will ring through the country. Matteo, although as thoroughly a bandit as any of them, spends but little time amongst the mountain-*. Ho has small stomach for fighting, and likes nut the crack of firearms or Hash of steel, and he is moreover far more useful at the pavilHon in the Villa del Rialt than he would he amongst the woods. Stationed in Naples, he is in a position to obtain all sorts of information useful to tho Count. Patrocsni’s band have only lately established themselves in the woods about Amalfi, and file travellers worth trapping, who leave Naples to visit that place, are not so numerous that they can afford to pass any over. Matteo enjoys great facilities for obtaining information on the subject of tourists’ intentions, and this he at once transmits to the Count. Then, again, the police are already in possession of tho story of Sir Jasper’s abduction, ami, what is more, the discovery has been made by Lcroux, the most energetic agent amongst them. Patroceni may be loth to sheil blood in the present instance, ruthless as he lias been at times in that matter when it dial served his purpose, but lie is likely ere long to find himself so placed that it will he unavoidable. Lastly, wc have old Jackson, thinking that it behoves him to interfere in an affair that he doesn’t understand. Much misery and loss of life has often been brought about by stupidity. An obstinate numskull lias many a time set the world by the cars. Swelling with importance at bis imaginary discovery, and still keeping an eye upon the sleeping bandit, Jackson continues to turn over in his mind to whom lie had better confide the result of the conversation he lias overheard, whether he had better inform Mr Gianfield or Captain Hammerton of the position in which they stand, for Jackson, by tins time, has worked himself up to a belief that their fate trembled in the balance, and has in a hazy way come to tlie conclusion that they are only safe while their evil angel—in the form of Giovanni —sleeps. Hois fascinated by tho recumbent brigand, and when Giovanni turns in his sloop, the dew stands upon Jackson’s forehead. The man is the very picture of file bandit as drawn in children's story books—big, scowling, with livid face and dark, glittering eyes pa-hlacii-browed, swarthy ruffian, such as might haunt a child’s droaras, Jackson has no doubt that this is tho Count’s right-hand man. and that when the cutting of throats is the business in baud, Giovanni pays a prominent, part in it. Jackson is fully convinced that the majority of the brigands have a natural taste for murder, ami that, though Patroceni may protect them for a little, the hostile element will prevail sooner or later, and their lives be sacrificed, and in the opinion of Jackson that time is not far distant. Watching Giovanni’s slumbers is to him like watching the sleep of the executioner on whose awakening ho is condemned to die ; the gaunt, haggard brigand fascinating him as the snake does the bird. (To be continued.)