PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1107, 21 November 1917, Page 7

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Short Storv

THE GREAT MYSTERY,

Br J. J. BELL.

en ?* honr of *J»e morning, following his ninefrv-third birthday the JUrl of Mount Cockalorum was discovered on the floor of his ancestral pantry, the family corkscrew clutched jn his right hand, a peaceful smile on bis noble linaments. No pools of blue **Wsfigured the inlaid linoleum; signs of a struggle were conspicuously absent. Yet there was the gravest of suspicions that the good old earl as those who knew him not loved to 'call him, hadbeen foully and treacherously slam. The doctor hastflv summoned did not hesitate to state that death had been due to poison, though he declined to give the poison a name until he should have tune to consult the encyclopaedia at home. Inspector Fussman. one of Scotland lards most brilliant investigators, appeared on the seen* shortly after midday and was now making inquiries in the library. AH the guests and servants were present, also the doctor, the local policeman and several neighbours who had dropped in. Among the last was a young man who would have been noticed in any gathering—he would have seen to that. His name was Henry Perkington, and though of comparatively obscure origin, he had dared to lift his eyes to the earl's onlv niece, the Lady Varsalina. He now stood with his back to the fire, his shoulders against the mantelpiece, apparently oblivious to the scowls I directed at him by Sir Finnan Adison, j the earl's only nephew and heir-appar- ' ent who also, by the wav, fancied 1 the Lady varsalina.

"Thank you. that wfll do," said the Inspector to the trembling house-table-maid who had been the first to discover the tragedy, her alarum clock having roused her for once. "Now I wish to hear from the person who was last to see his lordship alive." The ancient butler dragged a goutv leg forward. Behind him came Si'r rinnan Adison.

- /Pardon me, Inspector," Sir Finnan 55: "^ u * J , m 1 a y X °"* *»* the butler when the dickens we are likelv to set breakfast to-day?" * - At these heartless words a murmur of horror and protest arose from guests and servants alike.

"If appearances go for anvthing," remarked Henry Perkington, with the utmost coolness, "Sir Finnan Adison has already breakfasted sumptuously—from a bottle." Half-suppressed applause greeted the young man's words, bat his chief reward was a grateful glance from the Lady Varsalina. "What does this person want here?" cned Sir Finnan. "Calves!"—this to one of the footmen—"l order vou to kick hhn out of the Castle. Quick!" The footman looked towards the young girl who had been mistress in the Castle all those long years. "Ham I to take borders from 'im. your ladyship?" he asked respectfullv! "Noodle!" shouted Sir Finnan, "do you forget that I am now the Earl of Cockalorum? Obey."or leave mv serdpce at once."

Js?l» Varsalina gently inter■jposed. % always did things awfully gently. £ -«inan,*' she said, "yon may be the Ewi of Cockalorum; bnt everything, except the estate itself, which does not pay its way, belongs to me. My dear Uncle's wflt- " "Produce it!" "AD in good time, Sir Finnan, all in good time/' came the quiet words from the young man at the mantelpiece. "What the deuce " began the new earl. The Inspector spoke. "Gentlemen, we are here to investigate the mvsterv of " "There's no mystery about it," said Henry Perkington. "But go on with your ridicr\oas inquiries, Inspector." The Inspector looked annoyed, then with a shrug of his shoulders turned to the butler. "When did you* see his late lordship alive?" "Last night, sir." "At what hour?" The aged servitor took out his watch, shook it, and after regarding it for thirty seconds, said: "The hour would be twenty minutes before twelve, your worship." "H'm! Where did you see him?" "Here, sir—in this very room. Oh, little did I think " The faithful soul struggled with his emotion. "Your feelings do yon credit," said the Inspector kindly. "What bronghtyou to tte library at that hour?" "A cup of cocoa. It were my dear master's custom to drink a cup of cocoa before retiring " "I should like one now!" interrupted Sir Finnan.

"I must respectfully request your lordship to keep silence," the Inspector said sternly. "Proceed, mv good man. It was your master's custom to drink a cup of cocoa, etc." "Whose make of cocoa?" the voice "omthe mantelpiece mildly onquired. "Don't answer any questions but mine," said the Inspector, frowning at the interrupter. Jf Was his lordship alone when you left him?" "He were?' - *** tne ******** save yourself I m bed?" "They was.'? "And. the guests?" "Likewise.' : „"W You kee P ear, y hours in the Castle?" !*Not as a rule. sir. But yesterday bein* my poor master's birthday, the dinner turned out something hextra, and everybody, save his late lordship. went off to bed about eleven." ftk "Someone didn't," put in Henry

you intrude again, sir, I will fc***.you removed," said the inspector frarnmgly. "And so when yon took' the cocoa to his lordship, the honsi was all in quietness?" ■ v The aged servitor hesitated. "Well not exactly quietness, air." "What do you meanP* < air." I •fflPgM? Where were the groans?" j in the bedrooms, sir. Nightmares, I should say. If you had seen the .dinner, aw—Ah!" - - > -~" "New mind the dinner!" hissed Sir Finnan, studying with relish Ms heaTly spurred, heel from which dangled a piece of the butler's trousers. "What about the breakfast?" If looks could have slain, tike new earl wouM hav* expired then and there-. The aged servitor was offered a chair, but preferred to stand. "Now ask him," said Henry Perkmgton, "ask. him-what became of the cup containing the cocoa, and also where the corkscrew came m."

' [7~ - - : V": ~~ X ...;-■'.- " I But Inspector Fussman's < patience I was exhausted. _ : Advancing to the, j hearthrug- he cnrtly demanded: "What" |is your Easiness here?" 7'" "■ ' . • , !, P«kington standing in> .'the' i fender, .drew hnnaelf tip to, Ms .full f,neigh*.i- 4 1 am.an. amateiir detective," Khe replied' with calm dignity. ■ : ""•".. - J For a moment' the two. men faced , each other. Then Inspector Fussmah / turned to the company, "Ladies and f gentlemen," he said hitterly,-"i throw: , up tho case,'/ Taking his hat from the , gas ; bracket, he went swiftly from the i room. .

}_. Ajid now.for breakfast," cried Sir I binnfin, giving The Iratlera hard thrust towards the door. "But'V-threaten- | ingly to Henry Perkingtbn—"if you I £?J J 0 ,,!*" 18 nose into this affair, 111 jolly well push it in." | "Push and go!" was the brilliant retort; c "Ah Henry, noble- youth!" whispered the Lady Farsalina. A" ghastly pallor overspread the' majority.of the contorted features of." the new earl. •"■ { "Beware everybody!" he hissed, and' staggered rather than skipped from the room. The doctor sneezed. It was his first ■ chance of making a remark. {

It was the afternoon»of the next dav but one. All the guests had departed. Henry, having searched their boxes, had not deemed it necessary to detain any of them. Sir Finnan Adison now Earl of Mount Cockalorum, was confined to bed with a rotten headache. The Lady Varsalina was in the strawberry garden looking for her uncle's will. Missing wills are often found in connection with strawberry marks. In the library Henry was making investigations and picking up clues; he was assisted by the aged butler. He had just removed from an ornament on the mantetlpieee a piece of string, a hairpin, and a cigar end. He entered them m his notebook and placed them carefully in his,'pocket. He then passed over to the writing-table, where he picked up an antique golden snuff-box, richly jewelled. < This also he put in his pocket, murmuring, "It may yet prove to be valuable."

"No word yet of the cocoa cup, James?" he pleasantly inquired of the aged butler, whose proper name was Eyekick. "No, sir. We wants to- get hold o' that, don't we?" "We do," said Henry, gazing thoughtfully at a fountain pen topped with a magnificent ruby, which he had just noticed. "By the.way, the clock has stopped, James—and at elevenforty, too! Curious coincidence."

The old man looked affectionately at the clock. "It have been stopped for nine years. It annoyed my master." "An, indeed," safd Henry, taking possession of the fountain-pen. "The old earl was a lifelong bachelor. I believe?" "He were. He hated all females except his niece. That's why he left her all the hard cash." "There was a will, then?" "Witnessed it myself, sir." There was a short silence, during which Henry appeared to be thinking i profoundly. "And if there had been no will?" he asked at last. "All would go to Sir Finnan—curse him!" "Willingly. But now tell me, have ■ you any theory as to what took the, earl to the pantry after his being; poisoned ?—for I assume that the j poison was administered in the cocoa' which I assume also he drank." I

The butler shook his grey head with a slight, rattling sound. ' "If it had been the cellar—but the pantry—no, sir; I've no idea." "And how did he happen to have the corkscrew in his hand?" "He must have got it in the pantry, sir. It were always there. But "

me j?Tencn winaow was opened, ana the Lady Varsalina tripped over the step, but picked herself up almost immediately. She -was wearing a trailing gown of diaphanous texture and a red flannelette bolero, for the weather was still chilly. Her hair had come down on one side, which gave her a childish, appealing look. With a faint, anxious smile she said:

"Any clues, Henry, dear?" (They were now nearly betrothed.) "Any amount, darling," was the cheerful, manly reply. "Any word of the will?"

With a sigh she shook her head, and seated herself gracefully on the hearthrug, gazing into the fireplace, where the fire had not yet been lit, owing to the coal strike. "I fear, Henry, some villainy has been at work. The last time I saw the will, it was lying behind the clock. ' I—l'm afraid' I am penniless, Henry." . "Don't mention it, dearest." He turned to the butler, whose tears were running down his face. "You may leave us, George," he said kdndlj', "and bring a bottle of champagne. Better have a drop of port yourself while you're about it." "May heaven reward you, Mr. Perki " "Not at all, not at all," said Henry, with a; wave of dismissal. Placing an almost black handkerchief to his eyes, the aged servitor trailed his gouty leg from the library. Henry threw himself on -the sofa, and uttered a blood-curdling shriek. Rising he took from his kmckerbock-

ers a pointed object. "What on earth !" exclaimed Varsalina. "Why, it's Finnan's toothpick! I gave it him at Christmas, seventeen years ago—before I dreamed he could be such a wretch." ' 'Sir Finnan's toothpick!'' repeated the young man. "This is—a clue!" He put his hand to his head. "If only one knew when last he was seen using it." 1 "I saw him using it in the lounge | after the birthday dinner; everybody | saw him." j "After the dinner! . . . Why, ) then he must have been in this room : lfter that! Great heavens! What liscovery am I about to make?" , polling a golding opera glass from his i xscket, Henry made a rapid survey of j the toothpick.

' "Oh, what do you suspect?" cried . the maiden, attempting, to rise, but falling back. "Goodness! my foot's sleeping!" I "Hit it with the poker," muttered the young man, busily searching the i sofa, "Varsalina," he said suddenly, "your uncle was not alone in that f fatal hour. Someone watched him sip \ ihe deleterious beverage—someone who I lounged on this very sofa—so near i and vet so far—and picked hi" 1 teeth " "But " poor nncle had no teeth ' Henry." ~ The butler entered with the champagne. His countenance had gained m colour. * "Shall I let it go, sir?" he respectfully inquired. 'l've taken the chill off of it?' "Bong!" replied Henry. "Let her pop!" A. heavy thud overhead provided a i pleasing echo. i "That must be Finnan getting up," said Varsalina anxiously. "He must

find yon here,, Henry>: He: is so •violent." ,; K ' ..-V ;.''l mean him to find me" here,?' was her gaUant lover's reply, . "James; have the feetmeh in readiness- and send for the constable. But "don't bring them in until I ring the bell. ''/■ ._ 'T am sorry, sir," the ancient servitor returned respectfully, "but the bell happens Jo be busted.. It anhoyed my poor maater." .•a; „ \ "Then I'll whistle. And while vou're 1 about it, James, you may as well take |w glass of-——" . ; "May heaven— —['■ ■ "Oh, don't worry about that,'? said Henry with a wave of dismissal. . "How generous-hearted you are, Henry!" sighed Varsalina. : ;' 'How different is your treatment of the servants from Finnan's! But oh, I wish you would not wait for Finnan to discover you here." "I must confront him with the toothpick." "You—you think he is guilty?." "Don't ask me. . . . He* is your cousin I would spare him if I could." "Noble Henry!" "Yes. If I solve the mystery I shall deserve a peerage. Let us hope Sir * innan may be able to clear himself—especially of any connection with the missing will." "Pray heaven it may be so," agreed the maiden. "Isn't a sleeping foot horrid, Henry?" - s j-j'^! l ' rotten - % the wav, how much did the will leave you, darling?" • Ere she could reply the door was opened to admit the new earl. "Good morning; I've had a ripping snooze, ' he remarked, smiling on them booth. Then—"By Jove, you know how to enjoy yourselves! Isn't there a little drop left? Not one! Confound that bell! I must get it mended one of these days." He went to the door, opened it. and shouted: "I say. old rusty joints, fetch another bottle and be quick about it!" He returned and dropped into the ancestral easy-chair, still smiling. "Well, Mr. Perkington, I believe I have to apologise to you. But I had had rather a thick night, and I could never stand being done out of my breakfast. Shall we let by-gones be ditto—eh?" He turned to his cousin. "Not got your hair-up yet, my dear?" "Sir Finnan—or. as I suppose I ought to call you, Lord Mount Cockalorum," said Henry, in" grave tones, and held up the toothpick, "is this your property?" "By Jove, so it is! Thanks awfully, Perkington. Chuck it over, will you ? Must have dropped it while I was talking to the old man the other night." "The night of his demise, you mean," said Henry with a stern gaze. "Right oh," admitted the earl. "Poor old chap, he was pretty sick of life, but I didn't think he was so bad when I mopped up his cocoa " "You—what?" "Well, you see, it was this way. I had come downstairs about midnight to try to get something to drink, for I had finished every fluid thing in mv bedroom. But everything was locked up, and I was going up again when I

heard a sound from the bedroom. So I went in and found the old chap looking jolly uncomfy. We chatted for a while, and then he said he had made up his mind to hop it. I supposed heineant to bed, so when he Lad gone from tho room I drank his cocoa —a ghastly tipple, but better than nothing—and adjourned mvself. But I got mightly little sleep, owing to the beastly groaning all around—l expect it was the salmon they had at dinner, you know " "Excuse me," Henry interrupted <oldly, "but may I ask what did you do with the cup containing the cocoa?" "Oh, you'll find the cup in the garden. Just when I was going to put out the gas, a cat started the opening bars of 'The Rosary,' and—l lost my temper. By the way, Mr. Perkington,

I lose my temper rather easily." "So it was a cat, was it?" Henry said with a chill irony. After a brief silence the earl, addressing his cousin, said softly: "I'm afraid, my dear Varsy, I shall have to pull vour friend's nose for him." "Lay a finger on my nose " began Henry. ''Thank you, but I will use. the tongs." "Oh, gents," cried the maiden, "don't quarrel!" "I want some fizz first," said the earl.

"Sir," said Henry from behind the couch, "perhaps you can explain your uncle's presence in the pantry, also' the corkscrew in his possession/' "I can. and I shall do so when jt suits me. "Indeed! Is it possible are aware of tho present location of your uncle's will?" a "Yes, I have it in my pocket." The earl smiled at his cousin.. "The old man has left you all his investments, as you aro aware, Varsy, but—on condition that you marry yours truly within six months. You don't mind?" "Oh—Finnan!" "ltemarkably fishy!" jeered Henry. At that moment the aged servitor entered tho room. "Dr. Fidgetts, my lord." "At last!" exclaimed the earl. "Show the old bounder in; and hurry up that fizz, and, I say, bring me a workable pair of tongs." The worthy physician pushed past the ancient servitor. "My dear Lord Mount Cockalorum," he cried, "I bring the best-of news. All suspicions of foul play are happily removed. There is now no shadow of doubt that your respected uncle's untimely end was simply due to the tinned salmon which formed part of the menu of his birthday party." "Hear, cried his lordship with thoughtless joy. "May I ask," sneered Henry, "what connection exists between tinned salmon, the pantry, and the corkscrew?" Just then the aged servitbr ' reappeared with a pair of tongs. --•'■•■ "Spare him/' whispered the Lady Varsalina, placing her little hands tenderly round Finnan's, neck. . ■ \ "In answer to your question/'; .said Dr. Fidgetts to Henry, "I should have thought it obvious to the meanest intelligence that the earl retired'to the pantry to draw—his last breath." At these wovds Henry grew pale. "At least/' he said with dignity. "I have acquired same valuable clues.' And"—this to the Lady Varsalina,— "they are worth more to me than you are.'* "Schemer!" sneered the Lady Varsalina, throwing herself into the arms of the Earl of Mount Cockalorum., who yelled at the retreating Henry I over her peroxide coiffure. "Git I" And Henry gat.