Novelist.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2757, 15 March 1890, Page 5 (Supplement)

Novelist.

BIMSTONDELL, OR AN UNLUCKY MARRIAGE.

Uy MRS \T. R TTR 'iY, Auth'ir of "Mr La-tyear's Visit t" A»i-k'Hi d," '' Tlip Myttfeiy of Sluane CollHgs" ill!., &<!.

CHAPTER XlX.—"Where is MIR.VN'D.V Lionel was waiting when Matthew entered '"the breakfast - room on Thursday morning. " See what an odd billet-doux I have had," and he handed Miranda's card to his brother. " Whatever made her send you informal notice not to disturb her like this?" queried Lionel after he had read it. " Can't say I'm sure. She might have been pretty certain that the faintest hint of such a wish would have been sufficient for me." Both laughed and sat down to breakfast in better spirits than they had enjoyed that week. " 1 saw nurse as I was coming down stairs, and she says Rita is really improving. £ am so glad, Leo." " Yes, I almost fancied that she knew mc when I. kissed her this morning." " When she and I return from our trip, Rita will be ready for a change with you." "I trust so, but *he must trpat me," said Lionel, laughing, " the estate won't stand too much travelling. By-the-bye, Matt, where is that money 1 You said you would bank it, don't you know ?" " Ah, yes, of course ; it's in my pocket. By Jove, though, it isn't." " But you hadn't that suit on last night; it must be in your other Buit. Where is that ?" " Let me see; yes, rremember. I took it into my bedroom for safety, and intended to tell Tiger Tim to brush the suit." " How one dops miss Jenks !" For since the discovery of Miranda's debts, soon after her marriage, the hrothers had agreed to dispense with their valet, and owing to rents falling, and increased expenses in other wavs, had not been able to afford another "Smithson was telling me, Mat, that Tim decidedly disapproves of your pet name for him. He said he wasn't a wild beast, arid didn't see why Mr Matthew should pok* fun at him." " I must lend him a copy of the In»oldsby Legorids, and so improve his acquaintance with our English literature," said Matthew. "Well, I think I will conclude my frugal meal, and go and 1 ok after the filthy lucre. If the bag is empty don't call me Judas; that's quite too kackneyed." As Lionel was passing his brother's door a few minutes later, he glanced in to see if Matthew was ready for his ride. To his astonishment, the moment be appeared, Matthew made a dash at him, shook him well, and cried, •« You've kept it up long enough, old fellow! Do band over that

money ; 1 must really he off; we were so late this morning, and I've fifty things to get." " What on earth do you mean, Matt? I have never touched that bag since I gave it to you last night." " You —have—never—touched — it 1" exclaimed the younger brother, turning white, and sinking into a chair. " Then we've been robbed." " But, Matt, not a soul but you and I knew that the money was in the house." "Parker knew." « Well r "Do you think that, he carao back in the sight and robbed us?' " It's not in the least likely. No! you must haves put it somewhere else for greater safety." " I am positive I left it in toy coat-pocket, and the coat I put by my bedside, just as it is now V Almost mechanically, Lionel turned out the pockets as if he fancied he was more likely than his brother to find the missing money. Of course he was equally unsuccessful, and, like Matthew, he subsided into a chair, and gazed steadily at the coat, which had somehow, both felt, betrayed the treasure entrusted to it. Lionel spoke first, " Matt, you had b tter go 1.0 old Parker and make him tell you where he was all last night; dori't let him know why you are asking. If he gives a good account of himself, why we must put the affair in the hands of the police. I don't think we will tell Barney we wish to avoid any more villiage gossip, if possible. will wire to Scotland Yard, and Ift them under ake the case." " I quite agree with you, but it's very mysterious, I must say. If we had any doubtful characters in the house—" " A good detective will soon find out who has taken the bag," said Lionel, "we have not many servants now to suspect." This was true, for the menage was comparatively small, the woman who was styled housekeeper, being really only a superior housen.aid, as Matthew had rather enjoyed supervising the domestic arrangements. Miranda had taken his place with a great flourish of trumpets, but had gradually allowed the house-keeper to assume most of the re=il duties oE that position. After Matthew had ridden off, Lionel sent for Smithson, and questioned him. "Who opened the outer doors this ii.orning?" "I hardly know, sir. I fancy Titn did, but we were all rather late this morning, Mr Lionel. We have been pretty much upset all tlie week." <l Yes, yes, of course ; but that is all over now. Find out if you can, •Smithson, without letting the other servants think there is anything wrong, whether any doors woro open this morning." " Very well, eir. But I hope," added the faithful servitor with a troubled look on his wrinkled face, " that you don't think there havo been thieves about, do you?" " No, Smithson, but Mr Matthew has lost something, and I want to know if anyone could have got into the house last night." " I could swear as I locked every door safe and sound afore going off to bod as usual, sir. But you and Mr Matthew was a goodish bit later than roe," he added interrogatively. "Yes, we were, and if there is anythiiig missing, you may rest assured we shall not blame you," his master said kindly. About half-past one Matthew returned, and Lionel askod hiin what news he had brought. Parker went straight from here to the Calpston Arms and got so drunk that he was looked up in the bar-parlour all night, and the landlady found him there in the morning sound asleep. She is positive he was there all night. " No one seems to know whether any doors were open this morning, or windows unfastened, or to have noticed any suspicious - looking tramp 3 about," remarked Lionel. " It's very odd how that bag has disappeared." " I think the best plan will be to wire for a detective from town," said Matthew, eating his luncheon, with Berene unconsciousness of the near relation of his own, whom a clever roan would speedily point to, as the thief, " I feel very uncomfortable about it, somehow," observed Lionel, " let us wait until to-morrow, anyhow." "And meantime the culprit will havo made good his escape." " Well, if you like, I will ride into Calpston after the doctor has bpen, and send off the message, But when is Miranda going to put in an appearance, don't you think she has slept quite long enough 1" "I'm aure you are very good tn trouble yourself about her," retorted Matthew, I expect she's got ago id j novel, und a good lunch too, so really Idri'i see any cause for uneasiness on her accomi'." 41 Smithson," sn d Lionel, addressing the butler who just then entered the room, "do you know if Mrs Matthew has rung for any lunch ?" " No, sir, shi haß not. i-etty was just asking if she shouldn't take her something." " Run up, Matt, and sea for yourself," said Lionel, who tried to avoid noticing as much as possible, Matthew's evident indifference to his unattractive spouse. The younger brother shrugged his shoulders, and went reluctantly up- , stairs. I have knocked and called ; tier and can get ao answer,"

" Why didn't you go in then?" " Because the door is locked, and the key is not in the key hole. "Queer, isn't it? Will you come and see?" "Of course I will." And the two brothers went up and examined the door of the bedroom, then those of boudoir and dressing-room respectively, " It's strange that the keys should be in these two doors, and not in the others," said Leo. Matthew looked extremely uneasy. " What shall we do, Leo ?" he appealed, in a helpless sort of way to his elder brother. " I think we must force the door open, Mat, but we must make no noise, because of Rita." "Send for Ned from the stable; he's a handy young fellow, and his brother is a locksmith. I daresay he could pick this lock for us." "I'll go for him triyself, Mat, Meantime hang about here, and for goodness' sake, old fellow, don't let anyone see your face. I'm sure it will only prove a case of a rather heavy sleeping draught." Ten minutes passed, and Matthew had looked at his watch at least once every mfnutp. An indefinable fear had crept over him; he could not analyse the sensation, only he was sure that some fresh blow awaited th«m on the other side of that locked door. Eleven minutes— would Lionel never come ? Twelve —and then his brother, followed by the same sheepish groom who had been Susan's admirer, entered the corridor, and Lionel said they had heen looking for the necessary tools, which, not being what a skilled locksmith would Have had ready for use, made the job rather a long piece of work. It was finished,at last, arid Lionel dismissed Ned, whilst he went into the froom with his brother. A glance showed them that the bed had not been slept in. It was turned down in the neat , manner of a careful housemaid, and Betty hadarranged everything exactly as Mrs Matthew, who was exceedingly particular, insisted on, whether there was the full complement of servants or not. Silently the two brothers entered the dressing-room, dreading to come across some gruesome spectacle. The note on the dressing-table attracted Matthew's attention, and he hastily tore it open. " What is it Matt ?" cried Lionel as his brother sank into a chair with a groan. Silently the posr husband handed him the letter, and Lionel read it in dismay. A folded piece of paper had dropped on to the floor, and when he had finished the note, Lionel read that also. It was the cheque, which Matthew had given Miranda, partly torn, and written on the back were these words : " Returned with thanks. Had you known how to be generous you would have saved my life." " Leo," cried Matthew, jumping up impetuously, " she is a liar. You know, 0I1! Leo, you know, that what she savs is not true. I never had one thought about your angol wife that I cou'dn't have told you. Speak Leo, tell me you believe me." Lionel grasped his brother's hand. " As if I did not know you thouroughly, Matt. That fiend—l beg" your pardon, again, Matt—is, I really believe, not answerable for what she says or does. She is insane, at least that's what we must assume, and let everyone else assume, too." " Leo, could she have taken that money 1" " Humph ! she might, but what on earth could she have done with itr "She may have merely run away, which looks very much as if she were guilty of that other crime. Perhaps all this about drowning is intended for a blind." " Let us go and search the Pool," cned 1 ionel; "we shall surely find some trace if she really has committed suicide." " I am going to burn this first," said M atthew, feeling in his pocket for matches. " No, indeed you must not. Don't you see there may be an inquest, and you must produce that to show what she said Bhe would do with herself." "I cannot let such awful insinuations go forth to the world. I shall burn it. Don't, Leo," as his brother tried to take the obnoxious epistle from him. " Nonsense, Matt, we will explain all this as the ravings of a lunatic. Besides, if we are asked why we went at once to the Pool, what could j we say? We have nothing but this note to lead us to the conclusion that she has done anything but go away for a quiet vinit to her fr'ends. Come, let u» b» off; she may have tried to drown herself, and not quite succeeded, and we shonld certainly lose no time in going to see if there is any sign of her." Somewhat reluctantly Matthew followed his brother from the carefully closing the door behind him, and the two made their way rapidly towards the sequestered pie.ee. of water. " By the-bye, Matt, did Miranda ever come here ; did she know the way V " Oh, yes, I brought her here once, and told her the story of the poacher, too. Besides, she and that sneak, Brown, camo here, for I met them as they were returning, and she said they had been to get ferns." Nothing more was said by either until the Pool waa reached.

They were making their way down the steep path at "the side, : when they encountered a keeper, who gasped out, breithless with his asty climb -up the rocky; ♦.rack, " Oh, sir, there's a hut Boating on the water," I was just coming to tell you." . Both brothers quickened their pac«, and, arrived at the level ground in front «f the Pool, gazed eagerly in the direction indicated by the man. " I'm afraid, sir, its some one who's been coming along b_y the top ef the Pool, and, not knowing : the: way down this aide, has gone right on and missed her footing amongst those brambles there, and slipped ill." Do yon know whose hat it is ?" asked Lionel in a hoarse whisper. Face to face with what looked- like a terrible reality, instead of an empty threat, both he and Matthew were deeply affected ; indeed the latter could not have uttered a .word to save ; his life. : His eyes seemed glued to that tell-tale hat, which lie had instantly recognized as tiiat usually worn by Miranda about the grounds this summer. It was of white fancy straw, largo and girlishlooking, liberally trimmed with/pale blue ribbon and blush roses. .' Frequently had Matthew laughed at the idea that such a 1 hat was at all suitable for the no longer juvenile face of his wifr. , The man hesitated and looked at M-itthew before replying. Then he said in what he int>*nded as an aside to his interrogator, " I've.seen his misus," iadicating the uniucky husband by a jerk of his thumb, " wearing just such a head-gear as that." " Do you think we could reach itf "We might with a long pole from that rock t'other side, but it 'ud be as much as we could manage to get there at all." " Well, we will go round to the top, and see if there is anything there," said Lionel. ' " Hadn't wh better send for the police," suggested the keeper, "if there's anything wrong they . are th« ones to put it right, you know sir." " Very well; run back to your cottage and send your little boy for Barnes, and bring back a long pole and a good piece of rope, if' yotr have them." The man went off, and in half* an-hour returned with a long stick and a stout coil of rope. He was accompanied by the under-keeper and one of the gardeners. The whole party made their way to the top of the pool, and were unanimous in declaring that here, where the bushes were broken, and the fern and grass trampled down, the unfortunate" lady must have fallen in. A new turn was given t» their thoughts by the gardener's remark, " that it didn't look as if the lady had got into the water by accident." For an instant all eyes were directed at Matthew, as though they believed that he had deliberately cast his wife into the pool. .'"A nd then, they, involuntarily smiled at the absurdity of the idea. Matthew Briston would not willingly hurt a dog. Barnes arrived at last, fussy and important, and Lionel, well knowing his mail, took him aside, and told him that unfortunately Mrs Matthew Briston had committed suicide. She had been suffering greatly from neuralgia, and instead of seeing, a medical man, had foolishly dosed herself with all manner of strong drugs and opiates, thereby affecting her brain, and causing temporary insanity. In proof of this, Lionel, with many injunctions not to repeat its coni tents, showed Barnes the letter which Miranda had written the night before. The policeman at once accepted this theory, and quickly let every body know the main facts of the case. Some sharp eyes spied the handkerchief, and this was taken as proof positive that Mrs Matthew Briston's body was now lying at the bottom of the Pool. The daugor of the indiscriminate use or abase of patent neuralgia cures, as recommended by various ladies to .each other as perfectly certain to do yon good, " was made the text of numerous husbands" sermons throughout the ensuing week, which was a lively time for the little village, what with the fruitless search in the bottomless Pool for the body, and the many eurious comments on the last spiteful letter of the lost. Miranda. The indignation of the injured and defrauded Mr Philip Brown was very great indeed, and though he bad heard in the after, noon, of the rumours -of Mrs Matthew's disappearance, he hardly tiel.pved she had really cheated him of his promised hush-money, until he paid a visit that evening ; to the shrubbery, and lifting the stone, under which he had told Miranda to place tbe money, found only the letter accusing him of causing her death. He prudently resolved .to destroy the compromising document, and debated much what his next move should be. He decided to call on the brothers Briston. (To he con'-innffJ.)