Novelist. TIE & TRICK,

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2426, 28 January 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

Novelist. TIE & TRICK,

BY HAWLEY SMAKT, Author or "Brkk/je Lanuton'," "Bkokkn "Bonds," "Sogt.w, Sixnkks," '-Tuii Gkeat Tontine," "At Fault," &c, &c.

CHAPTER LII. THE LAST TRICK IS TURNED For an instant tho police agent was puzzled what to do. Ho was nearly a hundred yards away from tho impending tragedy. To charge now -would bo to precipitate it, and yet thorn could bo no doubt as to what Hammertoes doom would bo unless intervention arrived speedily from some quarter. Ho was about to spring; to his feet and call upon his men to follow him when his attention was arrested by seeing a man look cautiously from out of one of the two tonte which lay on tlie further side of the three men. The new comer on the sceuo evidently grasped the situation at a fiance. Ho bounded out of the tent, and with a shout which fell clear enough upon Leronx's ears, of " Como on, Cyril, I am not going to stand by and see cold-blooded murder done," dashed across towards tho group. He was much nearer to Patroconi and his victim than Loroux, and in his cricketing days there had been very few quicker men between wickets than Jim Glanfield. Patroconi knew at the first shout that tho "perverse Englishmen " were refusing to meot thftjr sentence quietly, but he never turned his head, and raising his pistol steadily shot ITammerton through the heart. Sarmi on his part turned promptly at tho sound of Glanfield's voice, and upon seeing that his foe was close upon him, with the light of battle in his eyes, fired quickly—perhaps a little too quickly, for it is certain that he missed his man, and as lie raised his pistol to iire a second shot lie was confused by seeing WJjol drake close upon his friend's heels. Ho hesitated for a second ; fatal hesitation,

for, as his finger pressed the trigger Glanneld struck up his ami and threw himself upon him. As for Patroceni, having disposed of Hamvuerton, ho wheeled quickly around, impassable as ever. His pistol again rang sharp and true. A stumble, a flounder or two to recover himself, and then Wheldrake fell forward on his face. A grim smile of triumph lit up the Count's features, destined to bo short lived, for as ho hurried forward to Sarini's assistance, now engaged in a grapple of life and death with Glantielcl, Leroux's voice rang through the air, calling upon his men to follow him, and that they did so closely, probably saved tho Police Agent's life. " He has his poignard, and can take care of tho Englishman by himself," muttered tho Count, as he turned to confront this new danger. At a glance he saw that the police were upon him. About a dozen armed men were running; towards him in a cluster as fast as they could. Patroceni's eyes sparkled. For one second lie stood irresolute, and the next instant his pistol was again discharged, and one of his assailants bit the grass. But which was their leader'? That, unluckily, was the thing Patroceni could not determine. -Three times more did his revolver crack, and twice with fatal results. The ardour of the attacking party perceptibly cooled. With one exception they all halted; but Leroux came on with all the determination of a cheetah. "Oh ! for one more barrel," exclaimed the Count, as he dashed his now useless pistol at tho Police Agent's head, and, drawing his poisnavd, prepared himself for the struggle. " I'll send one more fool to the other world anyhow before I'm their prisoner." In another moment Leroux had sprung' to his throat like a wild-cat. They were well matched, and Leroux had not been some few years in the Neapolitan police without having taught himself scientitic use of the dagger. He dexterously caught his companion's wrist as he dashed in, only to find his own similarly pinioned before he could strike. Then it became a question of strength and endurance as to which should first free his daggerhand. His? comrades now took heart of grace, and hurried to his assistance, but ere they could interfere the young man had proved the stronger. Leroux wrenched his hand free, and buried his dagger in Patroceni's side. " Habet," murmured the bandit, as he sank to the ground, with a cynical smile on bis lips. Leroux stood for a moment breathless and triumphant but bleeding, for firmly as ho hud struggled to hold Patrocen's wrist, he had not escaped some ilesb wounds. " Quick," he cried, looking down upon the prostrate foe, " Carry him to the nearest tent and run down to the brook I'or the doctor one of you. It was a near thing for you, Signor,' he continued, turning to Glanliekl. " I arrived too late, I fear, to save your comrades," and as lie spoke he walked towards ITanimerton.

Mechanically, Glanfield followed him. It needed no expert to see that Hammertoes course was run ; ho would never "stock cards" again. But there were others to look to besides the dead man. JS T o less than three of Leroux's immediate followers were stretched upon the grass, and one of these would never carry carbine more. By this time the doctor had come to Wheldruke, whom Glanfield had already pick'eel up, i»nd was holding in his arms. Cyril lay with his head upon his friend's shoulder, quite insensible, the doctor drew back the lids, and peered into his eye ; then rapidly tore open his shooting jacket and waist-coat. A small wound, from which the blood was slowly welling, was distinctly visible. The doctor placed his haud on his pulse, and then said. "leant say for certain till we probe the wound, but I should fancy no vital organ is touched, and that this is by no moans a hopoloss case. Force some spirits between his teeth if you have any here ; and he Avill soon come to himself, at all events. Carry him into the tent at once, and let us have a look at this one," continued the doctor, as he turned to where Ssirini lay tightly bound hand and foot. " I don't think you need trouble much about him," replied Jim. " There's nothing the matter really, and he'll be quite himself in a quarter of an hour. The bpgger tried to shoot me first and knife me afterwards. But when it came to close quarters I proved the stronger, and was able to reciprocate his polite; attention by nearly chocking the life out of him. Leroux had to translate this for the benefit of the Italian medico, and he had also had to translate that worthy's favourable verdict regarding Whcldrakc. At this juncture Sir Jasper arrived on the scone, lie, like the ladies, had been aroused by tho report of firearms. It must not be supposed that the baronet had lost much time in arriving at the spot. Ho was sound asleep and in bed when the crack of Patroceni's revolver announced the commencement of the action, and it must be borne, in mind that thn whole affair was i.i matter of a very few minutes. He had left Maude and Mrs Fullerton in tears of tho direst dismay, fully convinced that the butchery of their respective lovers

was in progress. Nothing but the most peremptory orders on the part of Sir Jasper had prevented their rushing out on the plateau to see what was taking place. But the baronet was so very resolute on this point that they feared to disobey. By the time Sir Jaspor had tumbled into his clothes, partially pacified his sister and daughter, and stepped on to tho plateau, the skirmish was over. That there had been sharp lighting lie saw at a glance, and made his way rapidly towards where the little group had gathered round Sarini. " Does anybody know who this fellow is ?" inquired the Police Agent. He should be a man of mark amongst, them. Dressed like a peasant though he is, it is easy to see he is not of their class. Besides, there is one distinct peculiarity about him." " And what is that, Signor Leroux?" inquired the doctor, inquisitively. "Like his chief, you see," rejoined the police agent, "he abstained from the wine. Not that for one moment I suppose he don't drink it; but the o'licers never frequent the same tavern as their men." Sir Jasper had arrived in time to hear his last remark, but it being couched in Italian he was unable to understand it. Taking off his hat to Leroux, he said— " I suppose, sir, the camp is in the hands of the police, and that 1 have the honour of speaking to tho chief of the party who has rescued us V " Signor Leroux at your service," replied the Police Agent, recognising at a glance that he was speaking to Sir Jasper Eversley. " Yes, the camp, I'atrojeni and all the men are in our hands, and you will be all at liberty to depart for Naples in two or three hours —in short, just as soon as preparations can be made for that purpose. But it has not been altogether without some loss of life. .Messrs Hammertou and Whcklrake are, I am afraid, past all our helping." " Hammerton f exclaimed the Baronet. " Good heavens, how did he come here '?" " That, Sir Jasper, I have no more idea than you have. About a quarter of an hour ago I thought he was safe in Naples. Now he lies there, and he pointed to die prostrate form, over which some one had already reverently thrown a cloak.

" Tlicgamo is up, I suppose," said Sarini, struggling a.s well as his bound hands would permit him, into a sitting posture. " ahat cursed E;i»lishman. His h ncls wore like a vice. They choked the very life out of me. Feel for my poignard, I could not. I wanted both my hands to try and release my throat from his deadly grip. His Excellency escaped 1" "No ; he is a prisoner, and badly wounded," replied Leroux. " Are you the leader of the police 1" inquired the bandit. Leroux nodded his head in the affirmative. "It is a marvel that you are alive," said Sarini ; " if it had not been for the coward's trick you played us with the wine you would have found your task none so easy." And tin; bandit dropped backwards on the grass, and subsided into sullen silence. Bub the feverish curiosity of the two ladies was no longer to be suppressed. As she made a hasty toili'tte Mrs I:\illcrton announced that she must know what was going on, even if she died for it. "I declare my hand shakes so, Maude, I cannot fasten my dress. All that tiring and shouting must have meant an attack on the camp, and," she continued, dropping her voice, " something dreadful has probably happened.' " You don't think Cyril or Mr Glanh'eld have been killed, do you ?' said .Vlaude, in a hoarse whisper. "I daren't think," rejoined her aunt, as she clutched her by the wrist. " Come, we must know," and as she spoke, Mrs JTullerton opened the hut door. Leroux's quick eye was the first to catch sight of them. " I think, Signors," said he, hurriedly, "one of you had better interfere. This is hardly a (it scene for ladies. Besides one of your party is lying dead and another badly wounded, and women are apt to get hysterical and slightly unmanageable at such sights. Mv own appearance, too," he remarked, glancing down at his blood-stained clothes, " is hardly reassuring." " He is quite right, Sir Jasper," said Glaniield. "Come along; we had better speak to them at once. Not a word about Hammer ton at present, remember. They suppose him safe in Naples, and will therefore feel no anxiety about him." But no sooner did they near the hut than Maude sprang forward. " Cyril! Where is Cyril 1" she exclaimed. " He is killed, I can see it in your faces." " No, my dear Maude, I assure you he is not," replied Sir Jasper. " Wounded, but " "You are not telling me the truth," interrupted Maude. " He is nothing of the kind," interposed Glanlield, roughly. " He is wounded, but not seriously. The doctor says he'll come round all right. This will never do," he continued, as the girl showed symptoms of becoming hysterical. " We want you as soon as you have pulled yourselves together to take the nursing in hand, between you. Take

her into the hut, Clara, and remember, we really want you, as soon as you have steadied your nerves a bit." " It's quite true what he tells you," observed the baronet. " There has been some wild work, but we are free. And Wheldrake, though wounded, is not dangerously so. You shall know all about it as soon as you have composed yourselves." " It's very odd," said Glanh'eld, as he and Sir Jasper walked back towards the tent. "I cannot make out how Hammerton came here, and now I think of it, what has become of Jackson '!■" The Police Agent here met them. " I've just been talking to tho doctor," he said. •' He thinks with care there is no reason why Signor Wholdrake should not do well. But for Patroceni, my dagger hit too deep. It was a life and death struggle, Siguors. One cannot be delicate with one's blows upon such an occasion. If I had not killed him he would have killed me." Suddenly a couple of the gendarmes wore seen coming toward them from the edge of the wood, with a prisoner between them. The portly hutl ;r look perfectly dazed. His rubicund face had lost its colour, and his legs shook under him. "We found this man," explained one of the escort, " hiding in the wood. We presume he belongs to the English milord's party." " Well, Jackson," explained Glanfield, as the butler approached them, " You seem to have been having a lively time of it. What is the matter with you f " It's no use, Mr Glanh'eld, I can't stand it. I'm not steeped in crime yet. I can't look on at murder and keep on anticipating my latter end. I'd sooner it came at once and was all over, than go on in this way. I suppose they are going to settle us all now, such a night as I've had ! Do you know, sir " — and he dropped his voice to mysterious whispers—-"that the wood is ful! of murdered men ? That Count and his Lieutenant are insatiable monsters. They must have been murdering the whole blessed night." " What! did you see them T " No, Mr Glanfielcl, I only saw them commit one—there was only one left alive when I got to the scene of carnage. He was a trying to wake the other corpses. When that Count and Sarina came upon him he grovell-d for his life. Of course, I don't know what he said, but I saw the poor creature grovel; and then that Count he shot him just as you might a rabbit, Mr Glanfield ; and then I crept away and hid myself in the wood, and there I've been shivering and shaking ever since, till these two policemen found me and dragged me out, that is, if they are policemen. The Count and his head man were dressed like peasants this morning. I shall die of horror if I am not taken out of this charnelhouse ; and as for Count Patroceni, whether he shoots me or not, I don't care."

" Well, your troubles are at an end, Jackson," said Sir Jasper. " The police have had the best of it, We are free men and shall commence our return journey to Naples tin's afternoon." "And these murderers," said Jackson, glancing around him with scared looks ; " are they still at large? If that Count is loose we shall never have a quiet night's rest until we gut back to England." "You may set your mind at ease," remarked Glanficld. " Count Patroceni's hours are sped, and as for his band they are. to a man in the hands of the police." " Ho didn't leave niauy to fall iuto the hands of the police," rejoined Jackson. "They're all lying dead by the side of the brook there." Then the doctor emerged from the tent. " He is going fast," he said, quietly. " You struck home, Signor Leroux, an internal hemorrhage has set in. He is very anxious to know how the Signor Whelrlrake is, and he is also very desirous of seeing you, Signor," continued the doctor, addressing Glanfield. " Perhaps you would not mind coming to him at once, for he is sinking so rapidly that I cannot undertake to say how long he will be conscious or capable of speech." Glantield followed the doctor into the tent, where the dying man lay stretched on his pallet bed. His naturally sallow complexion was somewhat blanched, but his dark eyes still glittered with all the fierce, untameable light of yore. "Ah, Mr Glanfield," he said, "I am glad to have the opportunity of saying good-bye to you. A fine moral lesson this, to a lover of the racecourse like you. Never despair, luck may always turn at the last moment. I bear you no malice, though by this time, if the police had not intervened, I should have shot you ruthlessly under the necessities of the situation. I have become a brigand by force of circumstances ; and you know that our profession would very speedily come almost useless if we did not impress these two facts upon the public : First, that treachery to us means death ; secondly, that if our prisoners fail to redeem their lives we take them. Well, it was u, close shave, but the cards van all your way at the finish, and you have won the tiick, I am not one to whimper becaues I have lost the game, and there is one comfort," he continued,

with a cynical smile, "they will not be able enforce the penalties for the revoke. My time has come lam glad to hear that Mr Wheldrake is likely to do well. I am getting faint. Give me a strong dose of that spirits and water on the table there ; it will give me strength for a little longer." He swallowed two or three mouthfuls from the cup that Glantield silently handed him. "That's better," he muttered, "'lie like you," he continued, "is a victim to the exigencies. Tell him the baccarat here is played as we played it at Wrottsley Robert Coleman, the'footman, Robert Coletnon, don't forget the name ; he was Uannnerton's confederate. Find him. And he can tell you everything and, now, good-bye," and the Count extended his hand. Glanh'eld clasped it, and, as he said afterwards, "It was a queer sensation, shaking hands with a man who had deliberately determinated on your extinction a few hours before." " Sarini is a prisoner, I suppose 1" said the Count. "Ifhe is not too badly hurt, let them bring him here. I should like to see him again before I go." A few minutes more and Sarini closely guarded entered the tent. My the Police Agent's orders they had, however, removed his bonds, and the bandit was enabled to walk freely up to the bedside of his dying chief. " Farewell, old comrade. I have got niy death-wound at last. It was a strange device bv which they trapped us. And if by any chance you escape from their toils once more, give the Police Agent who planned this ruse a widish berth. I thought to have settled with him myself, but—" and he mentioned to Sarini to stoop down to hear what he had to say. Sarini bent his head to listen to the dying man's last injunctions. "I have dealt with two of our betrayers—Hammerton and Giovanni" —whispered Patroceni. " I leave you to settle with the third, should you escape, avenge me on that fox Leroux." " If ever I should regain freedom I swear it," replied Sarini in a low whisper. Patroceni feebly clasped his old corrrado's hand for a few seconds, then murmured " good-bye," and turned away his face. The doctor promptly ordered the tent to be cleared. And when next he went to look at his patient the famous bandit had fallen into that sleep that knows no waking. (To be Concluded next week.)