THE GREAT TRUNK TRAGEDY; OR, Shadowed to Australia.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 211, 11 September 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE GREAT TRUNK TRAGEDY; OR, Shadowed to Australia.

BY MORRIS REDWING.

Author of " Forced Apart," " Tracked to Death," etc.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE ASSASSIN REVEALED,

Lovinco glanced at tlie window, but saw no one, and lie imagined it nil a fancy on tlie part of the sick woman. Even while his thoughts ran thus, a step sounded on the rude floor, and someone entered the low room "Walter!' "Iva!"

A man bent over the bed and held the invalid to his heart. Lovinco came to his feet. He regarded the scene like one stunned. His face blanched, and his slender form trembled in a vain endeavour to repress an awful passion that was rising from the bottom of his soul. . Before him stood the assassin ot Arthur Pevrill — the demon of the Trunk Tragedy! The soul of the shepherd boy was flooded with the most awful feelings of his life. He saw kisses fall from the murderer's lips on the cheek of the woman who might have died had not he (Lovinc®) rescued her from tlie clutches of her cruel foe. The boy seemed smothering. He could not stand the scene, aud with a smothered gasp he turned and staggered from the room. Out into the chill air of night he went, and there under the stars he breathed more freely, and took note of the situation. "Found at last!" exclaimed the boy in a voice scarcely above a whisper.

Then his trembling hand found his bosom, and he clrewforth a gleaming weapon —a small six-shooter of Wesson patent. "From 'Frisco to Australia I haA-e travelled, disguising myself in various ways, for a purpose. Over the dead body of Arthur Pevrill I recorded a vow to find and slay his murderer. Months have passed, and noAV he is within my reach. I tremble like a child about to be Avhipped ,A\ Then my nerves should be like steel. Why is it? AmlacoAvard? Dare I not meet that man and fulfil my vow? My soul! this Aveakness must not be. I must he calm. It is imperative."

Standing like a statue in the still night, the" boy awaited the coming of the man AAdio, above all others, he hated and despised. In the meantime the man aa-lio had entered the sick room sat iioav beside the bed, holding one of the invalid's thin hands in his, AAdiile from his oavu pallid countenance shone a gloAv of hope and satisfaction. "I had no idea that you would follow so soon, Viletta," he said. "The crime of the St. Louis hotel has been discovered, and detectives are on my track. Strange. I thought all covered. Russel told me this."

''Russel Andrews?"

"Yes, our mutual friend." "Our mutual enemy, Walter."

"What mean you?"

"I Avould not noAV be here if Russel AndreAvs had been my friend. He it Avas who attempted to take my life, and in a most cowardly manner. It is a pity he Avas saved from the sea into Avhich he Avas flung by one of the passengers on board the Ocean Monarch."

"He told me about that," returned the man, Avho Avas no less a person than thehunted Martine. "I've been lying very ill in a loav. hut amongthe hills for a long time, and there Andrews found me a short time since. He told me of the trip on the Ocean Monarch, and of your shameless conduct, as he termed it. It saddened and angered me, Iva, yet Avhen I found you so sick and helpless, my loA'e returned, and I could not deny you sympathy."

"He slandered me ,the Aillain!" uttered Viletta. "It Avas his slanders that drove you from me before, Walter.You aaull believe me noAV Avhen you Bee how Aindictive that man can be."

"Yes, I belieAre you, I\ ra." . "Thank heaven for that! I was nearly crazed over your desertion. That man Pevrill lied about me, and he Avould have ruined me if he could. I Avas glad when he died."

The look that filled her eyes then was aAvful to see,and the sallow ghostliness of her face Avas such as to cause Martine to shudder.

"Don't mention that," uttered the haggard fugitive. "I haven't seen anything in my dreams of late but that, and I Avant to forget it." He came to his feet and gazed about him nervously. Even her dimmed eyes could see that an aAvful change had come over the man since last she saAV him, bright and debonaire, at St. Louis. He must have realised that the Avorld Avas against him.and that it Avas a hard matter to escape one's OAvm conscience, that must accuse every murderer at one time or another. "I am not Avell even noAv. I rose from a sick bed to Avander among the hills, and by merest accident came here. I am glad of it. -You know something of this detective who followed me; how was the tragedy discovered? Did it create a great stir ■> Russel told me, but he may have, exaggerated; he is prone to do so." 'Sit doAvn, I cannot talk unless you

He obeyed, yet fidgeted uneasily, wane she, in a loav voice, told the story of the finding of the body of Pevrill m the zinc trunk. JAnd I W as at once suspected ?" ( lt seems so." "I drank hard at the time, and may aave been indiscreet," he muttered. J-.clont think they can prove anyuimg against me, even should I ™m and stand trial. I've almost a lotion to do it."

Again he came to his feet and fiegan to pace the floor. Don't be such a fool, Will." tainSf Vyas Y a little of the °kl spirit manifest m that speech of Viletta's. He started at the blunt harshness 01 the AA'ords. That she had a sharp tongue he had not forgotten, and it may be that a reminder of it Avas not Pleasant to him in his present mood. • 1 must go," he said, gazingabout with a hunted look in his eye!. someone Avas here when I came in .'"~a boy." *rust W"° nly L°VinCO; y°U Can

If'+lK y°Velieve me ;do you know li the detective is still in Sydney ">" I suppose he is." 'He is of no use to the Avorld. I sincerely wish an accident might happen to him," groAvled the hunted ieion, in a voice that Avas most unPheasant.

Then he turned to go. ; You will come again soon, Will ?" :■ ies, if the coast is clear." i »*e stepped across the threshold

and closed the door. He stood an instant in the front apartment of the herder's cottage, and then essayed to move from the place. A boy confronted him. It was Lovinco.

"Ah ! good lad," uttered the outlaw, forcing a smile, "j-our mistress speaks well of you " "Stop, Walter Martine, alias Willis Keene ! I know you," uttered the boy in a thrilling voice. "You cannot go frpm here a free man." The felon regarded the youthful speaker in astonishment. He trembled, too, for the youth had littered his name, that was supposed by him to be utterly unknown in Australia.

"Boy, what do you mean ?" "I mean that the assassin of Arthur Pevrill has run his race. As you, cruel man, slew him, so will I, his avenger, slay his cruel assassin !" It Avas a bold announcement made by the Australian shepherd-boy. He stood confronting Martine with a mien that was grand. And before this boy the man of crime recoiled a step. There was something in the lad's eye that reminded him of another time and another scene, which was separated from the present by the wide ocean .

"Boy, who are you ?" The pale-faced fugitive made the demand in a harsh voice.

"You ask who I am. Look !"

The metamorphosis was almost instantaneous ; cap and other disguises dropped to the floor, and the unmistakeable face of a girl stood revealed.

"Merciful Heavens ! It is Mabel Irving !"

Martine recoiled as though receiving a terrible blow in the face. For an instant he seemed quite overcome.

" Tremble, coward ! " grated the beautiful, Avronged girl. "You robbed me of future "happiness when you murdered the man A\bo trusted you— Arthur Pevrill ! I have folloAved thatnoble man's assassin to Australia AAdth a burning desire to avenge his cruel murder. "What have you to say, Walter Martine, why I shall not shoot you dead in your tracks ?" With a gasp and a lifting of the hands, the homicide appealed mutely for mercy.

"Mabel, Mabel, hear me.' "Briefly, I will."

'Arthur Pevrill is my friend. I could no more have harmed him than a brother. "What aAvful nightmare is it that has taken possession of you, Mabel Irving? I did not harm the man: I swear to it!"

His voice was an appeal for mercy at the ending.

"The proof is oA-erAvhelming, Walter Martine. I Avas almost maddened when I learned the truth —aye, I Avas mad, and had I crossed your path soon after the truth Avas known, I should have raised my hand against you; now I can wait. Do you imagine for one moment that I would shed your craven blood? My brain has had time to cool, and I Avill permit the Commonwealth of Missouri to deal Avith the assassin of Arthur Pevrill."

Then she receded a step.

The coAvard nature of the man Avas up in arms at once. He thought he saAv an opportunity, and made ready to spring upon his accuser.

As he bent forward, something bright glistened in his face, and a cold ring of steel actually came in contact Avith his nose.

"Death and furies!" he gasped, recoiling.

"Not a move,' or I will send a bullet to your craven heart."

And she meant it

He could see that in the gleam of her eyes. A woman bent on avenging the murder of a lover is not a person to be trifled with. Walter Martine Avas well aAvare of this, and he governed himself accordingly.

He forced a sickly laugh to his lips and said:

"You Avere Avholly mistaken, Miss IrA'ing; I had no thought of harming you. In fact, I think you a most charming young lady " "That is quite enough, sir," the girl interrupted. "Move to that door."

He obeyed. "Stand!"

All the time she covered him Avith her reA'olver. He obeyed again. She stooped and quickly adjusted her disguise.

"Open the door."

The command Avas obeyed

"March!"

Hoav could he do otherwise? And yet it Avas galling, eA-en to a felon's pride, to thus crouch beneath the heel of a girl.

He passed into the open air. She folloAved, and the door closed behind them. The peasant woman inside had Avitnessed all the scene and wondered exceedingly.

"Go ah!"

straight

forward,

Walter—

A pair of strong arms, flung from the darkness, encircled Lovinco, and held him as in a vice.

CHAPTER NX. A RASH GIRL'S FATE.

The shades of night were falling when two men came to a halt beside the lonely grave in the hills.

It required but a glance to slioav us the AAncked countenance of Suel Finch, the Texan. His companion was an ordinary countryman whom he had picked up from a neighbouring sheep ranch.

The man who accompanied Finch carried a lantern and a spade.

. "It may be that; we ought, to have brought a horse and AA'aggon," suggested the Texan. "That depends," returned the other, Avho seemed to be a person of some intelligence. "I'm not partial to handling dead bodies myself, and it Avould be a precious long pull to carry a corpse a mile over these hills. I reckon it won't be necessary. 'TAvas eAidence o' the female's death 'at you Avanted. Ain't that so?"

"That's the truth of it, Marcus."

"Then just get the body out, an' summon a jury, an' see 'at the corpse be recognised, identified they call it, an' 'twill all be well."

"True. We'll need no team. We can unearth the coffin and summon the jury in the morning." "It seems so to me."

"Then fall to, Marcus, and dig."

"It's an o'er strange place to bury a human critter," declared the rancher. "Ef, as you suspect, 'tis here lies the body of a murdered person, 'taint noAvays likely 'at a coffin covers it at all."

"True again, Marcus," uttered the Texan. "I had not thought of that. But dig, it's no use arguing the point Avhen ten minutes' Avork A\ill decide the case."

"True for ye. Take the lantern and I'll soon open the grave."

The man'addressed as Marcus tossed the yet unlighted lantern to his companion, and fell to work lustily with his spade.

It Avas a Aveird scene, the tAvo men there in thoshadoAvs, one digging into that lonesome grave with fierce determination, the thud, thud of the steel blade giving forth an uneannA'- sound on the solemn air of night.

A creeping sensation was experienced by the Texan as he watched and listened. Poor Viletta! So beautiful, so full of hopes of finding the man she loved, 'after all the trials aud hardships of the long journey to Australia, now dead and cast into an unknown, unhonoured grave. And his hand had sent her there.

Can we wonder that Suel Finch felt a crawling sensation at sound of the grave-robber's spade?

How slow the moments —each one a minute, each minute an hour, as that awful thud, thud continued. Finch moved about uneasily. Even his iron nerves were touched with the hand of tremor at last. Would the man with the spade never reach the bottom of that awful excavation?

"Better light thelantern, sir."

The man ,now shoulders deep in the grave, paused long enough to utter this suggestion.

"Can't you see, Marcus? I thought I'd wait till the coffin was out of the ground before 1 lit the glim."

"Wal, mebbe you might spell a feller." .

The man crawled out of the hole and offered the spade to Finch. The latter could not well refuse, since the work was all for his benefit, and so he leaped into the open grave and drowned his had feeling- iv a lusty use of the implement.

He bent his energies to the work with scarcely a word, while Marcus proceeded to light the lantern and prepare for what was to come.

Clinir!

"Ha! you've hit it, boss.*' ejaculated the rancher, as the steel blade of the spade came in contact with a substance that sent forih a grating- sound. I reckoned there wouldn't be no coffin, but it seems I was mistaken.

"It seems so," said the Texan 'Come and finish the work, Marcus."

The man obeyed somewhat reluctantly. A box was uncovered, and Avith the united efforts of the two men it was, after much tugging and growling, brought to the surface.

It proved'to be a rough board affair, and had evidently been thrown together in haste.

"The body Avas evidently buried by friends of the assassin," said the Texan. I think Aye passed a deserted hut about forty rods down the trail yonder, and its my opinion it A\-ould be AA rell enough to convey the coffin thither."

"As you like," agreed the Texan's helper.

Placing the lantern on the top of the rude coffin, the t,Avo men laid hold of either end and moved aAvay.

TAvice they paused to rest before, reaching the deserted hut Entering this they deposited their burden on the iloor.

" Xoav for business ! ' said Suel Finch. "The cover's only nailed ou. It Avon't require much of a bloAv to loosen it."

"Xoav, see here," uttered the Texan's companion. "Why not let the coffin remain jest as 'tis till you git a jury

together in the mornin' ?" "No. I must look at the corpse," declared Finch. "There may be a mistake you know, and then I'd cut a cute figure before the community. I'm not such a fool as that, let me tell you. Hold the lantern up and I'll knock the cover loose Avith this stone in a jiffy." Suiting actions to Avords .tie Texan began pounding with a stone he had found on the iloor of the hut, In a moment the upper board yielded, and dropping his stone, Finch removed the cover Avith his hands.

Marcus lifted his lantern high, and it was Avith something of aAve that the Texan bent over the rude coffin, expecting to gaze into the face of his dead cousin.

"Inferno!"

It Avas an angry, gurgling cry that fell from the lips of Suel Finch. He clinched his hands and smote the air in a lit of supreme rage. Marcus uttered a cry of astonishment. What they saAV Avas Avell calculated to arouse the ire of men avlio had laboured so faithfully to unearth the victim of assassination.

After a moment Marcus burst into a laugh

It was ridiculous enough. In the rude box, under the glow of his lantern, reposed the remains of a sheep! About the dead animal's neck was a blue ribbon, indicating that it had been a pet, and this fact accounted for its burial in the manner described. "Laugh, you infernal fool!" snarled the discomfited Texan. "Well, hoAV can I help it?" returned % the rancher. " Who'd a-thought of looking in a grave for a carcass of mutton? It is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard of. I must laugh, master, or I shall bust!" The Texan turned to the door. He Avas white Avith rage. His dark face Avas a picture of wrath that it Avould be hard to picture. "Fooled !" he grated, "and by that miserable young herder Lovinco. By my life I'll make him suffer for this, I will if I have to cross the continent to find him." And then the Texan rushed out into the night. Under the silent stars he. communed with himself for some minutes. Then he turned to the north and hurried with rapid steps from the vicinity. . .•,.-. "Say, master, will you call a Innquest in the mornin'?" The mocking voice of Marcus called to him from the dim distance. An imprecation slipped back in answer, and then Finch hurried on, burying himself from view of the hut among the stunted timber.

After a feAV minutes the Texan came to a pause, standing on a rocky point that overlooked the country for miles.

"Ah ! what is that ? A light as I

live !"

After gazing a moment to make out the direction, Suel Finch hurried toward the light, which was streaming from the front window of the mountain home where the scenes were enacted as described in the precedingchapter. Only a part of the conversation passing betAveen Mabel Irving and Martine reached the ears of the villainous Texan.

He stood near the entrance, waiting the outcome of the confab betAveen the girl and Martine

He suav the fugitive felon emerge from the house and made no move. The moment the disguised girl stepped beyond the threshold the Texan flung his arm about her, pinioning her hands, and holding her in a grip of steel.

"Release me !"

"Oh no, I guess not my lady," uttered the sneering \ Toice of the Texan. "Step up, Walter, and disarm the pretty wildcat." Martine did as requested, somewhat surprised, and greatly delighted at this turn in the Avheel of fate.

"Scoundrels, release me !" moaned the now deeply terrified maiden. A mocking- laugh aloue ansAvered, and Ihe seeming shepherd boy was hurried from the vicinity of the

cabin. The man of the house was not at home, and his peasant wife had gone in to see Viletta, therefore not witnessing what had passed outside.

After going nearly half a mile the two men came to a halt.

"If you have a cord about you it would be well enough to tie this! boy's hands," suggested the Texan. The disguised girl protested to no purpose. Her hands were tied behind her, and m this condition she was permitted to sit down on a rock with a man on either side.

Helpless, and at the mercy of the two men, who were already in the world's category of murderers, is it any wonder that Mabel Irving trembled for her fate ?

The tables had been turned most suddenly, and poor Mabel was ready to cry with chagrin, as well as to tremble with fear.

The Texan was careful not to tell the story of his grave-robbing expedition in the. bearing of Martine. He was too cdiagrined over the outcome to even think of it.

"What ought we to do with the boy ?" said the Texan, in a stern voice, addressing his prisoner.

"You ought to release me. 1 have done nothing against either of you."

"A whining plea," sneered Marline. "Do you know, Bussel, this boy is a girl, and that you and I knew her once as Mabel Irving- of St. Louis '."'

Is it possible?'

Then Ihe Texan pretended surprise, when the fact was he had made the discovery before the maiden and her prisoner had left the house

"J. am surprised at this escapade, Mh-:s Irving-," went on the hypocritical Andrews. "J 1, must have been a powerful motive, that induced you lo leave ycflr friends and travel many thousaujfs of miles alone .->i.o in disguise. ' It. was a powerful motive.'' "What was it?"

"She's hunting down one who, she imagines, murdered Arthur Pevrill.

"Ah! Indeed! What a pity, when that immaculate gentleman committed suicide because he had more than one wife, and had promised to marry another. State's prison for bigamy was too much for Arty, and so he morphined himself out of the Avorid. That's the true explanation of the St. Louis trunk tragedy."

At the last the Texan laughed grimly. "It Avas murder most foul," declared Mabel.

"No, that's where you're mistaken," retorted Martine. if I'd known that Arthur avus so thin-skinned as to take his own life all on account of a girl I wouldn't have left the country as soon as I did. After 1 found him cold in death I imagined he had some good cause for tlie deed; but now, from Avhat I have lately learned, 1 am of the opinion that he was a silly fool."

"Villain!" exclaimed Mabel, quite beside herself Avith Avrath at the vile insinuations of this man against, his dead friend. "You murdered Arthur Pevrill and secreted his body in a trunk. You gave him chloroform and coolly robbed him of last cent, and fled. Oh, you scoundrel! you'll find the halter draw when once they get you back to America."

"Which Avill never be," sneered the calloused Englishman.

"The girl is altogether too smart," returned Russel Andrews. "If won't do to permit her to return to America, or to interview the police authorities of Sydney, after Avhat has taken place"

The two men then moved aside a little, and conversed in low tones, inaudible to the girl prisoner.

"It's the only way."

"May as well die for a sheep as a lamb," uttered the Texan Avith a grating laugh.

"Conic with us, Miss Irving."

Martine, the Englishman, stood at the side of the bound girl once more. There was nothing harsh in his A-oice, and Mabel thought he might have relented.

You Avill set me free, sir?"

"Oh, yes, in good time."

Then' the two men moved on with their captive. In the course of half an hour they entered the mouth of a dark cavern that was partially screened by bushes and climbing

vines. "What does this mean?" demanded the prisoner

"Keep quiet, Mabel, and all Avill be well. Don't rouse the devil in our natures. If you do you -will repent it."

Scarcely breathing, in her anxiety, the poor girl suffered herself to be led into the cavern.

"There is the spot." "And the lasso?"

"I have it under my hand." "Good!"

Ominous conversation indeed. Mabel Avas not to be left long in doubt as to the intention of the tAvo villains. She felt a stout, thick cord knotted about her Avaist.

"Now, swing her off."

"Mercy, I beg of you!"

But the girl's pleading cry was unheeded. Site Avas lifted from her feet and swung into the mouth of a shaft that seemed to be bottomless.

Down, down they lowered, until the wild scream of mortal terror was but a faint moan in the. distance.

"There, cut the lariat done. We arc safe."

The work is

Then the two inhuman scoundrels turned away and rushed from the cavern.

CHAPTER, XXT. THE TEXAN SURPRISED

Sydney once more. The great city by gaslight. The chief of police sat smoking in his comfortable office. He was alone at the present moment, and now and then glanced at a paper he held in his hand.

"These Americans are queer people," he muttered, with a faint smile. "They send a man on the fly to this country and forget to fix him out with the proper papers, then pay a hundred pounds to cable them. Well, there's no accounting for tastes as sure's you're born." At this point in the. official's solioquy the door SA\mng open on its hinges and a man crossed the threshold and confronted the great mogul of official life.

Ah, good evening, Andrews. You have kept yourself aAvay a long time." "Yes, major, but I've been making sure of the eAidence before I came

round."

"Sure of the evidence?" "Yes, against the scoundrel who murdered his mistress up at Planter's Station." "Let me see, what was the case?" "Don't you remeber? The felloAv calling himself Carl Van Orton. A mild-looking felloAv enough, but a bigger villain never lived.". "You don't tell me!"

It's a fact. I've been several days looking up the evidence, and I have found enough to comict him of murder."

"Ah—yes. to be sure. Do you refer to the thugs "

"No, no, to the American who pretended to be a detective. Surely you haven't forgotten ?" "You mean Jerry Flint ?" "Yes. He pretends to be a detec-

tive !

"By jove ! he not only pretends, but he proves it, Mr Andrews. You're too late with your evidence." " Proves it ! Too late Avith my evidence ?" uttered the Texan in a bewildered way. "Good heavens ! you don't mean to say that you've set that man free, major ?"

"I mean to say just that, sir." The chief seemed not in the least concerned over the troubles .of his visitor. Conscious of a duty well done, he could afford to smile and smoke, and smoke and smile.

"Man — Major, I mean, you have made an awful mistake."

'Oh, no, I think not."

Still smiling, the chief of police touched a button on the wall at the back of his desk.

"I am sure that I can soon convince you, my dear sir, that I know what I am about. I have here (lifting a paper) a cablegram from America proving the identity of Mr Flint as an authorized American detective, beyond cavil."

"Read it."

"i don't think it is at all necessary," returned the bland official. "The British service, knows and is satisfied, it is wholly unnecessary to enter inlo explanations to every Tom, Dick, and Harry who may demand it."

This was plain Jangimg-e, and it alarmed (he Texan, jiis little scheme 1o put .Jerry Flint, off Hie I rail had failed utterly, and (hat cunning dele.dive was even now al large, seeking to uiicarlh ihe plots Unit were builclcd against Ihe peace of both Rrilain and America.

The olive skin of the Texan turned to a sallow hue. '

"1 must insist, major, that you have made a mistake. These Americans are a cute set, and it seems quite evident that the head of the great British police force of Sydney has been muddled by a Yankee trick. '*

"You think so ?" dryly. "There are tricks that you may yet learn, my friend."

Then, nodding and smiling, the chief of police glanced toward the door.

When the Texan turned to depart, he found that his movement had been anticipated. Two men in police uniform stood on either side of him.

When the Texan essayed to depart, one of the officers laid a hand on his shoulder.

"You are a prisoner!" "Do you mean to arrest me ?" gasped Andrews.

"It looks that way, don't it, Mr Andrews ?" jeered the chief, grimly.

"But, sir, this is an outrage !" protested Suel Finch, alias Andrews "I am an American citizen ; you have no right to arrest, me—you dare not." "Why dare not ?"

"You insult the whole American nation in my person," declared the Texan. "My government Avill resent the insult, even to Avar."

"I think you won't feel so bombastic after you've been in prison awhile. You are quite sure you are an America n ?"

T am."

"So he said, and, of course, it only helps to confirm suspicions already aroused. Officer you will conduct this American to a cell in the city prison, and hold him until further orders."

Here was trouble, indeed. The olive skin of the Texan became yellow with fear, and lit; already saw the grim shadow of a halter in the distance.

lie saw, when too late, that he had made a mistake when he so boldly declared himself an American. It was this class of people who were under suspicion at the present time.

"I've put my foot- in it. iioav with a vengeance," muttered Andrews. "If it be discovered that I killed Viletta my cake is certainly badly mixed

dough

On the street they passed a man who Avas inuHied to the eyes. He started when he saw avlio the officers Avere leading. The prisoner gave the muffled individual a warning look as he passed.

"So !" exclaimed he, "Russel in the hands of the police! This is horrible; I wouldn't trust him more lhan a mile ; Sydney is no place for me ; I must, place it a long way behind at the earliest opportunity. I Avill learn how soon a ship sails for India, and make, that country, where the cursed Yankee agents never go." To one of the steamboat offices the muffled man made his way, and made inquiries about the sailing of an Indian boat.

Day after to-morroAv."

The man engaged passage, and signed his name John King. Then he walked about the docks and mused on the situation.

"I'd like awfully to see Bussel. I don't understand how it came about that he got into limbo. Wonder if I could interview him. It might prove a dangerous experiment."

While walking- on the street in the vicinity of the city prison a little later, the muffled individual came to a sudden stop. Tavo men stood on the Avalk engaged in an earnest conversation.

He felt a sudden chill creep to his heart, for he recognised both men, one being- the chief of police, the other no less a personage than Jerry Flint, the St. Louis detective.

"So the game is very near being run to earth," muttered the man. He saAV the two men move forward and enter the prison.

Jerry Flint had gone to interview the prisoner Avith the personal sanction of the chief of Sydney police. This seemed a most unfortunate circumstance.

"My soul !" muttered the muffled man under his breath. "I Avould give a great deal to bear what passes between them. Will Kussel Andrews betray me to regain his own liberty ? He is capable of anything. I know that iioav since his attempt on the life of Iva."

The proverbial honour among rogues seemed likely to be strained in this instance.

The detective, who had fully established his identity to the satisfaction of the Sydney authorities, Avas soon in the presence of the latest prisoner. "So here we meet again, Sue] Finch." The keen eyes of the detective penetrated the Texan like points of steel. Under that gaze, hoAvever, the cool villain remained as calm as an iceberg.

"I don't knoAv you, sir," uttered the prisoner sullenly. "It'll do no good for you to plaj' that game," returned Flint. "You are known, and cannot escape punishment. There may be eAddence enough found against you to hang you, in which case j-ou Avill never see the shores of America again."

"So you have come here to taunt me like the coward you are, Jerry Flint."

"No, lam not taunting you. I have

a question or two to ask you." "I may not be able to answer." "I think that Avill depend upon your inclination, rather. It may be well for you to pay respectful attention." "I am paying attention." "I Avould first ask you about Walter Martine."

"I know nothing about him." "I am free to say that I do not believe a word of that."

"It's all the information you'll get from me."

"Don't be stubborn, man. You may be glad to talk yeL There is a charge of murder resting against you." "Of murder!" For the first time the Texan showed signs of trepidation. "That's it exactly."

"But I don't understand it."

"You will know all about it in good time," returned the man-hunter. "If you cannot tell me about Martine L will leave you to your own reflections for the present."

The prisoner Avas still sullen, a_nd Flint left him and returned outside.

Here he parted from the chief, and hurried aAvav.

Not far behind followed the muffled form of the man Avho was watching the movements of thedetective with a terrible purpose in his heart.

CHAPTER XXTI. OCT OF THE DEATH-SHAFT.

.Terry Flint did not permit grass to groAv under his feet now. 'With the treacherous Texan. in prison he. breathed somewhat easier. He moved so swiftly that the man shadowing him lost (lie trail.

Since his escape from the clutches of the law, the detective had taken a different hotel.

Where was Lovinco?

This was a thought that puzzled and troubled him not a little. Once in Ms room the man of many trails meditated deeply on the situation.

"I must find Lovinco. His secret I feel that I may have guesed ,although it doesn't seem possible that she could come to Australia on the Ocean Monarch Avithout my knowledge. Women are curious creatures, and Mabel Irving the most beautiful and wonderful of any I ever met."

It will be seen that the detective has a heart susceptible to the- blandishments of the opposite sex as Avell as ordinary people.

It was a tenet Avith him that at the bottom of every disturbance of importance in the world av,*is a woman.. His experience in detective Avork had led him to feel that this was not a mistake, and he Avas quite sure the great trunk tragedy was to prove no exception to the rule.

He flung- himself on the bed and was soon in the land of dreams. He did dream, too —such a dream as to thrill him with the strangest rapture. The angel of the sick room was with him once more ,and her hand touched his brow and soothed the fever, Avhile her soft, sweet voice, like the tinkle of far-away bells, sounded in his cars.

He awoke with a start, crying out to the good angel—uttering the name of MABEL!

"Not here," he articulated, rubbing his eyes and gazing about him. "All a dream after all. I almost Avish it could have been real."

But it Avas not real,and daylight Avas already streaming into his Avindow.

Jerry Flint sprang up, performed a hasty toilet, and then Avent below. His confinement in an Australian dungeon did not serve to iftake him feel good-humoured,

The demon of the trunk tragedy had had ample time to leave the country, and this worried the sleuth not a little.

After breakfast and a cigar he took the street and walked toward one of the railway depots of the town.

He Avas thinking of the tragedy enacted at Planters' Grove. He suspected* that murder had been done by the man he had lately Aisited in prison, and ho believed it a Avise plan to visit the scene of the tragedy and make some inquiries.

It Avas for this reason that the detective entered a car and was whirled once more up the country,to the north of Sydney.

Once again he stood in the little village of Planters' Station. Almost the iirst person he met Avas a ruddyfaced peasant woman, Avho halted him and began a story of avoc aud trouble that was not to be understood, so rapidly did the woman talk

She wound up Avith

"I'll have er perlice up from Sydney just as quick as it er possible."

The detective A\-as interested.

The Avoman had told the story of the events of the previous night, Avhen Martine came to her humble home, and conversed with the Avounded female. The boy who had been seized Avas Lovinco, and it Avas possible that he had met with a horrible detail. Jerry Flint was determined to sift the affair to the bottom.

"I am a member of the detective force," he said, "and Avill look into this."

She seemed grateful for this assurances, and offered him a scat in her rude cart, Avhich ho at once accepted, and thus accompanied her back to her home.

When Jerry Flint, undisguised now, stepped into the room where'lay the wounded woman ,she uttered a loav, moaning cry .and covered her face.

Seating himself at her side, the detective said:

"I am astounded beyond measure to find you liAing-, Viletta Andrews. I saw a masked man strike you down, and even I held your apparently pulseless form in my arms .Noav here you are alive, and likely to get well. You ought to be thankful."

Moans and sobs alone reached his ear.

He saAV that she was weak and excited, and after a vain attempt to elicit conversation from her he came to his feet.

"Can you tell me anything about the boy?" demanded Flint, turning to the peasant woman.

"I don't know much about it, sir, only, I stole out in 'er dark and heard two men a-talking about a cave somre's, where they 63uld fix her."

"Do you knoAV of a cave in this neighbourhood ?"

"Yes, sir, one two or three miles, mebbe, up country."

After questioning her briefly, Jerry Flint set out to find the cave in question. He feared that LoAinco had been murdered, but he must not flinch from the investigation. His neAV evidence of the criminality of the man he Avas in search of would but plunge h m the more deeply into the irretrievable, gulf of ruin.