“AN EVIL ANGEL”

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20508, 26 May 1938, Page 4

“AN EVIL ANGEL”

(By JOHN MIDDLEMASS.)

An Exciting Mystery Story.

CHAPTER XAVIII.— Continued; “Information has reached official sources, which points to you as the murderer of the late Earl of Vesey.” “It is a lie, ’ shouted Jacob, beside himself with indignation. “I am Lord Vesey—the late Earl was my cousin. Philip Morley is my friend, and quite incapable—” Morley held up his hand, as though to beg for silence. He was far more composed than was emotional Jacob. “On what information am 1 suspected, and who gave the information?" he asked, addressing the official with calm composure. “You were by your own confession in the late Lord Vesev’s house on the evening lie was murdered —the last person in fact who was known to enter, it, and words passed between you on the subject of hisintended marriage on the morrow with the lady whom —" “Enough—details are unnecessary. It is true I was in Lord Vesey’s house on that fatal evening, but our interview was most amicable. I left him smoking, sitting in his' chair—the only I individual, who was aware of this in- I terview was Cointesse Feodore.” | This last sentence was addressed to ; his friends, then turning once again to his unwelcome visitor he said: — “I am ready to accompany you, officer—l make no doubt that these my friends will ere long prove my innocence.” “Traitress” muttered Jacob between his teeth—“By the living Jingo she shall pay for this or—” Again Morley stopped him with a gesture. Supreme in his perfect innocence, his manner was most dignified and calm. Only when Hamilton Browne, grasping his extended hand, assured him in broken accents, that not a stone should be left unturned to set him free, did he momentarily lose his self command, as he returned the pressure. and murmured with a quivering lip the one word “Marie.” The thunderbolt had fallen. Morley was gone, while his three friends stood staring at each other. Paralysed by consternation neither of them seemed to know what action to take, nevertheless to each one of them the pass word was “Marie.” If they would serve Morley, Marie must be their fTrst consideration. Long into the night they sat, it was only with morning dawn that their plans were matured. A’Court would look after details and interview I)t\ Randall, Jacob would by by Morley’s side in the police Court, on the morrow, while Hamilton Browne gave it as his intention to go off to Paris, and hunt up the antecedents of the Comtesse Feodore. CHAPTER XIX How She Took It The outcome of the plans arranged was that Dr. Randall, a willing coadjutor, himself conducted Marie back to Belgrave Street on the morrow, without letting her know what had happened. To face Comtesse Feodore, and enquire the meaning of this paltry but terrible vengeance, none of Morley’s friends felt inclined: thus Jacob gave up his projected visit to the Grange. He knew too well now what the business was that had brought Comtesse Feodore to town, and Dr. Randall and Nina were left to effect the move of the girl, who was still much of an invalid, but had nevertheless to pass through a most trying ordeal. In this move Emma Lane proved a willing and useful helper, but, while she did all in her power to assist, she nevertheless guarded a resolute silence even to Nina, though it. was evident she knew much more than she deemed it wise to say.

The only information she vouchsafed was that the Comtesse was in town, and having desired her to bring up some wearing apparel she required, she would therefore accompany the little party to Belgrave Street, and see them safely landed,* then she would join the Comtesse at the Grosvenor Hotel, if she were not- already in Belgrave Street to welcome Mademoiselle Marie.

This was not in the least likely, and probably Lane knew that it was not, but a lying farce was by no means rarely acted by the astute and mysterious waiting woman.

To leave French in charge of the Grange had been the doctor’s suggestion, but French declined. “He belonged to Miss Marie, and he would go with Miss Marie —let the blackies look after their mistresß’ effects. He'd had enough of the whole lot.”

“Bravo, French," was A’Court's commendation when, on meeting the party at Paddington, this statement was "made to him by the recalcitrant butler.

"But where is Philip—l want Philip. Why are you here, Mr A’Court —you are not Philip."

He had some business he was compelled to attend to—asked me to come and help with the lugsatfe," said A'Court hesitatingly, while he exchanged a glance with Lane that showed him she was not ignorant of the truth, though how she knew puzzled him not a little, since the arrest of Philip Morley had not yet been announced in anv paper, Jacob being only - a t. that very hour in the police court where Morley was being charged.

shill the murmur went on—- “ Where is Philip? I want Philip,” and those in the boudoir round the couch on which Marie had been laid, and to whom the truth had not yet been told, listened with long drawn faces to the poor child's wailings. Even Lane was touched. There was such a strong admixture of horror in the cup of bitters this ill-fated girl was called on to drinkAt last the bomb fell.

“He cannot come, sweet love, he lias been detained by—” It was to Nina the dread task had fallen, but a sob still nid the fatal word. Marie started up.

“Tell me,” she cried—“tell me the truth—what has happened? Is he dead ?”

“No—no—not dead. Only accused—” “Accused of what?”

“Of having murdered the late Earl of Vesey. Better brutality than suspense.”

It was Emma Lane who administered it.

A loud and piercing cry echoed through the room—followed by a peal of strange uncanny laushter, that harrowed every heart. “Philip a murderer! It is too funny, too absurd! Scarcely a subject though to joke about, after all I have suffered. Oh, my poor head—” and still laughing hysterically she held her head with both hands—“do you think I shall go mad?” she asked. "It were perhaps the best. Oh, Philip—Philip —my Philip come to me, and tell me it is not true.”

Then laughter ended in passionate tears, which those about her witnessed with no little relief.

Tears, it is said, are a woman’s safety-valve. In this instance they assuredly were.

Accustomed to the variety and rapid changefulness of her moods, yet even Nina was not a little amazed at the way in which, after a while, she pulled herself together, and assured them that, certain as she was of Morley’s innocence, there was no cause for undue alarm. Instead of sorrowing it were best to set to work, and get him with all speed free from suspicion.

In spite of doctor’s •warnings, and the admonitions of her friends, she would be an invalid no longer—work had to be done for Philip, and that work she would do. She insisted on being made acquainted with every known detail. Then she said there were two people she wished to see at once, Comtesse Feodore and Jacob— Lane had long since taken her departure—“ Would Nina therefore telegraph to the Comtesse and ask her to tea, or should she go to the Comtesse —also telegraph to Jacob.” Jacob was at the court. Susan would give him the message as soon as he returned. “And Feo?”

Nina hesitated for a second. To deal what she feared would be anonter blow to Marie was very painful to her. She was, however, compelled to speak. “Comtesse Feodore has gone to Paris. She left by the eleven o’clock express.”

“Gone to Paris? And Lane?” “is to follow with the luggage b’ the next boat.”

“Traitress—fiend!” cried Marie, starting to her feet. “I pray heaven that I may never have another woman friend.”

"Oh, Marie dear, do not talk so wildly 1”

But Marie went on. “1 believed in Comtesse Feo, trusted her, loved her—did not even credit the story that she had betrayed my Philip—thought when I saw her it would be all explained away, but now —now —why has she sought thus to wreck my happiness?”

“Jealousy—dear Marie, jealousy. She herself loved Philip, and he set her love on one side, but never mind, dearie. Philip will be righted, I feel, I know he will. Jacob, Lord Vesey is a powerful ally, since lie has full belief in Philip's innocence.” Still—try to comfort her though Nina did—evidently the stab Marie had received from the full assurance of the Comtesse's perfidy had not inflicted a wound that would be lightly healed, nor when before another half hour had passed, Gervase A’Court, who had gone to the court to learn the latest information, returned with the tidings that Philip Morley would be committed to take his trial, were poor little Marie's spirits raised, though she was still most sanguine of the result. Added to this expected result of the arrest of the previous evening, A'Court also informed her that he had received a big cheque from 'Comtesse Feodore who —called to Paris on private affairs—begged him to sett Ip up matters at the Grange, and send off her black servants with her effects.

Not a word did she pen about the trouble she had brought about —“Why after doing so had she started for Paris. Surely her testimony would be required, since apparently it was the only testimony that existed, unless Morley was foolish enough further to incriminate himself. What did it all mean? Had she repented of the evil she had done, and did she hope to repair it by flight?” No one would understandPerhaps Hamilton Browne during his Parisian researches might be able to throw some light on the matter. Meantime, It seemed there was little to be done, except to engage the best counsel that money could command, and trust to fate for the issue. Trusting to the issue of fate was not, however, at all the intention of impatient Marie, who was kicking violently against the pricks, and overflowing with activity and vengeance. • If only Jacob would come. .Jacob always knows what is best to be done," she. said. “Telephone again to him. Nina and say I cannot wait." •*My love, lie is not there, do be calm. dear child, you will be quite ill “ "111. who cares? Ah. Jacob!" At that minute he entered the room, and she held out' both her arms to him. encircling him in something very like an embrace. .(To be Continued.;.