A LOST WITNESS,

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 255, 3 November 1897, Page 6

A LOST WITNESS,

THE MYSTEEY OF LEAH PAGEI

BY LAWRENCE L. LYNCH, Author of "Shadowed by Three," "A Slender Clue," "Dangerous Ground,' "Madeline Payne, :J " A Mountain Mystery," "The Diamond Coterie." " Romance of a Bomb Thrower," "Out of a Labyrinth."

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CHAPTER XIII. NICKERSON'S THEORIES

When Captain Connors and Mr Talfourd parted at the door of the Chief's office, it was with mutual confidence, and a very clear understanding. A moment later, Niekerson again appeared before his Chief. Well, Nickerson.' said the goodnatured personage, 'have you considered to your heart's content ?' Nickerson shut the door and came close to the desk. | 'I thought that you might have a new idea "to start me with, when you j had talked with Talfourd,' he said, his, eyes searching the Chief's face. 'Till-1 fourd ought to know something.' 'He does know a little something. Sit down a moment ; I'll condense the thing for you. ,Eh ! Cousin, come in.' Polly Cousin had opened the door noiselessly, and now stood upon the threshold, with the Chief's card between his fingers. 'Come in, Cousin. You may as well hear it too.' Cousin approached the desk and stood beside Nickerson. 'I've just got this,' he said, tapping1 the card. 'I want to say a word about it before we go further.' 'Wait!' broke in the Chief, 'until I tell you both the little I have learned from Mr Talfourd.'

He ran very briefly over the main points of the interview, and when he had finished, all three were in possession of everything that was known or guessed at" by Mrs Paget and the Talfourds. 'It's a slim starter,' commented Nickerson. 'It's a long degree better than nothing,' said^Polly Cousin. 'Well,' said Nickerson. turning to go, 'I'm glad I. waited. I think now I'll give my earliest attention to MiFrederick Quinlan.' Without a word, Cousin laid the card he had been trifling with on the desk before the Chief.

'Connors,' he said, quietly, 'do you want my co-operation in this case ? One moment, Nickerson —' 'Of course I want it, Cousin,' said the Chief. 'Wait, Nick.'

'Then,' said Cousin, '1 think that you would do well to organise your forces. But first, give that card to Nickerson; it's directly in his line.' Connors looked doubtful. Til tell you why I came in just now,' went on Cousin. 'I know a little of. Fred Quinlan ; in fact, we are acquaintances. I wanted to give you the benefit of my knowledge.' 'One question,' said the Chief. 'Do you want Nickerson to take this off your hands?' 'You mean the Quinlan business? 1 would prefer it; yes.' 'Then give us what you know about Quinlan, and let him be off.' 'Frederick Quinlan, in society, is one man, and Fred Quinlan, at his

CIUUa cilh.l >.. _~ ~..u.— a ..s-.x-n ft. nnother,' said Cousin, crisply. lies suave and agreeable in society, and quiet and orderly everywhere. He belongs to one or "two, or maybe more, small social clubs. He drives good horses, and keeps a yacht. All this ■the world knows. But all the world does not know that he belongs to the Daybreak Club, and plays there ibeavily.' He couldn't get in there if he didn't,' said the Chief. 'The thing's no more nor less than a select gambling house.' 'Correct, Captain. Quinlan is also in at the dirty turf business pretty often. He owns a jockey on the quiet and he owns a racer or two in the same way. He bets largely behind some of the regular turfmen. And that is not all. He doesn't depend ■wholly upon upper-tendom for his society. He's anything but fastidious sometimes, and I guess that yacht of his could tell some queer tales. Is that enough for a "starter," Nickerson?'

'Quite,' said the detective

'Then take this; I leave Quinlan to you.' Cousin pushed the card toward him, and as he took it he turned to Connors.

'Well, lam off..' And Nickerson set. his cap upon his head and left them, with a nod to the Chief and a wink to Cousin.

When he had gone, the Chief seated himself before Cousin, who remained Standing as at first. 'Now, Polly,' he said, 'what is it?' 'I'm quite willing to take up Quinlan later,' Cousin said, with a preoccupied air. 'But just now he's straight in Nickerson's line. Besides, I want to go in the opposite direction.'

I 'Oh, that's it, eh? Which way?' ! 'I want to go again to Pagets.'

' 'Why?' 'Because, if Mr Talfourd goes there, and, as you have said, thej' are not on cordial terms, I'd give something to arrive just after their meeting. Mr Paget will be in just the mood for such a talk as I wish to have with him.'

'Will he? Now, if T know Mr Paget, he will be in a very ugly state of mind by the time he is done with Mr Talfourd, or Talfourd done with him.'

'Exactly; and that is what I want. The only time to hope for much conversation from that overbearing old aristocrat is when he is goaded to the point where a little added pressure ■will loosen his tongue in spite of his dignity. And now tell me—you be-g-an, but did not get far—what are Nickerson's theories?'

'Oh, don't you like your own better?' laughed' the Chief.

'Connors, I don't believe you appreciate the value of that man. He's the best reasoner I know; and there's not his equal for patient, thorough, burrowing work.'

'That's true. Put Nickerson on the scent, and he's the right man in the right place. To dig up the past, neatly and thoroughly, the man has not anequal. But for looking aheadwell, you know Nickerson.'

'Yes, I know Nickerson; and I know that his reason, abstract or otherwise, is better than yours or mine. Mckerson can see much further than

he can go. Now, I'll wager that he has favoured you with half a dozen plausible causes for this disappearance.'

'He has that.'

Cousin took out his note-book

'Bun them over,' he said. 'I'm willing to utilise Niekerson's peculiar talent.'

CHAPTER XIV

SIR FELIX DEFINES 'HIS POSITION.

As Sir Felix Wyntoun alighted from his cab at the street entrance before the home of his friend Talfourd, he saw Max himself emerge from a side door which opened upon a porte cachere, where stood a waiting carriage. Max was followed by a Jady of dignified presence, dressed in garments of sombre richness, to whom he gave his hand, assisting her to her place in the carriage. As the vehicle rolled away, Max saw Sir Felix, and hastened to meet him. 'I aitf glad to see you, Wyntoun,' Max said, as. he took his hand, 'although I am in rather gloomy spirits. I'd like to receive you in my home, for the first time, tinder happier auspices, but ' 'Don't mention it. I beg,' broke in the young Englishman, earnestly. 'That I haven't been able to respond to your invitations before has been my misfortune. If my visit now is rot untimely, intrusive,- 1 am very glad. 1 .Max Talfourd turned us they were walking1 toward the house, and scanned the face of his friend. Their eyes met squarely; in one was honest questioning, in the other honest sympathy. No word ■ -was spoken uutii they had reached the entrance, and' then Max said, '1 am going to take you up to my snuggery.' lie led the way across the wide hall, up the stairs with its moss-like carpet, across another hull, and bo into a room-Max Talfourd's own. When they were within, and the door closed. Max again extended his hand. 'You are a friend in need, Wyntoun.' he said, pressing the hand of Sir Felix between both his own. 'Sit down as comfortably as you can—and tell me, how much will you let me impose upon your good nature?' 'I cannot,' answered Sir Felix, sinking into a comfortable seat. 'But if you will begin, and go "right ahead," as I've heard some of you Yankees say, L will tell you when to stop.' Again their eyes met. 'Perhaps,' lie added, 'I ought to say that I came just now because T fancied, I feared, that you might be in trouble.'

'I am!' broke in Max, letting1 his eyes droop, and not quite able to keep his voice steady. 'I am in deep trouble.'

'I was about to say,' went on the young nobleman, without withdrawing his gaze, 'that I came to offer you all fny sympathy, and any service I can render.'

Max had just seated himself near his friend, but arose and began pacing the floor, keeping his face half averted as he spoke.

'ft seems like a nightmare !' he said, 'it has all come upon me so suddenly. Up to the present hour T have hardly had time to think, to face it all squarely. A short time ag-o her mother came—Mrs Paget, —and we have been trying" to talk about it • —she, ray parents, and L It was she who left us as you came. I think I must have been at that moment; upon the very yjoint of breaking down.' He stopped in his nervous march. 'I know,' he continued, in a more subdued tone, 'nor how you learned it.'

'I saw it. in the evening' paper,' Sir Felix explained. And then, to give his friend time, to recover, he went on : 'I was calling" upon La Belle, Fabrice. Young Quinlan, whom you know, I believe—' Talfourd nodded— 'young1 Quinlan was there, and we were glancing- over the items of interest in the papers.'

'Oh !' Talfourd came back and slowly resumed his seat. 'What did Frederick Quinlan say ?'

'I can hardly tell. TTe did not say much, but his agitation surprised me. Are you two great friends '?'

Talfourd uttered a short mirthless laugh.

'As great friends as an accepted lover who is rejected by the stern parent and a rejected lover who is accepted by the stern parent are likely to be.'

'And is that the 'state of affairs ?' Sir Felix looked as if new light were dawning upon him.

'That is the state of affairs. T can say this now, for we have decided that it is best that the engagement be made public. You must, understand that it was not announced, because Mr Paget did not favour my suit ; he preferred Quinlan. But Airs Paget has been, all along, her daughter's confidante. She sent for me as soon as Leah's absence was discovered. She thinks it right that the truth concerning our engagement be now made known.'

'It will certainly be best, for the young- lady at least. I'll wager that was your idea, Talfourd.' 'You couldn't suppose that Leah's mother would suggest such a thing ?'

'I don't suppose it for an instant. And I do not suppose that many in your position woiild suggest it for themselves —Mr Quinlan, for instance./

Max Talfourd frowned. 'I don't quite see your drift, Wyntoun. What would you have clone under similar circumstances '?'

'You must remember that I do not know the circumstances, even as you know them. As to what I would have done, I would have done, I hope, just as you have ; provided, of course, I had full faith in the lady.'

'I have full faith in Leah Paget. Let us understand each other. My friends must see her from my point of view. No one can help me who does not look upon my promised wife as above suspicion.' Sir Felix' smiled indulgently. 'I am quite willing to adopt your point of view, my dear fellow. I assure yon that mine is far from lucid. I have seen Miss Paget for just one evening, and danced with her twice. lam not an adept at character reading ; I do not pretend to any of that sort of wisdom. But if Miss Paget is not a pure, true, and generous woman, then I will live a single life forever. I never would dare to doubt such clear frank eyes, and a voice that might belong to an angel of truth. I hope that is strong enough ? It is not trumped up for the occasion.' 'Thank you.' Max Talfourd put out his hand, but some thing like a sob rose in his throat and stopped his speech. 'It is not a time to intrude my affairs iipon you,' went on Sir Felix, 'but I am going to be quite frank with you about myself. Can joxx guess why I came here, to America, at this time?'

'I could not at first,' said Max; 'but to-night—not long ago—' He broke off, and rising went across the room and took a paper from an open escritoire. 'That explained it,' he said pointing1 to a marked paragraph.

Again it was the 'Evening Call,' and the paragraph was the one concerning La Belle Fabrice and her titled follower from over the seas.

Sir Felix scanned the paragraph

'Confound their American impudence,' he exclaimed, flushing hotly. Then he read it again, and this time he looked up, flushing still but smiling- too. 'But it is true,' he said boyishly.

In spite of his trouble, Max Talfourd laughed. 'I have nothing to say,' continued Sir Felix, 'except what yon have just said for yourself. She is an actress. I do not even know her real name, and she does not encourage me. But I am ready to swear by her truth and goodness. 1 love her, and if she is not Lady "Wyntoun some day, it will be becauses .she refuses to look favourably upon the particular branch of humbug that I represent.'

'] don't think you could set yourself up for a fair specimen of the nobility and gentry, Wyntoun. But I can't refuse to say "God speed" to your wooing. I am inclined to think that you are right too. La Belle Fabrice—' he broke oft" abruptly.

Do you know her?' asked Wyntoun,

'I—L suppose every one knows professional people, in one way or another.' He spoke in a strangely constrained voice, and generous Sir Felix, fancying that he was still striving for self-possession, went on, more to give his friend time than to free his own mind.

'Of course, you would hear and read much of her. She was the fashion in London, as she will be here, once, she has made her debut. But I was more fortunate, or unfortunate; time will tell which. I met her in town often, during the season, and later we spent a fortnight together at a house party in the country. Oh, site bears every day inspection wondrously. Most actresses are at their best behind the footlights, she is at her best everywhere.'

'Of course,' assented Talfourd, trying to smile. 'And have you—' He paused and looked his question.

'Have I declared myself? No. She won't give me an opportunity. But Talfourd, my dear fellow, let's talk about your affairs. Are you going to take me into your confidence?'

'L am only too glad to do so.' He drew his chair closer to that occupied by his friend, and told him the story of the day—of Mrs Paget's summons, and his visit to Leah's home; of his visit to the Chief of Police and the editor of the 'Call;' of his talk with his parents, and lastly, of the visit, of Mrs Paget.

'All has been done that could be done, it seems,' he concluded. 'The resources of the city police and detective force will be exhausted, if need be, in the search. Paget will leave no stone unturned, of course. And yet I do not feel satisfied. I feel as if there were something, perhaps under our very eyes, that would give us the keynote to this mystery—a raotive of some sort, on the part of some one, now unsuspected; and I feel as if this were being overlooked.'

Sir Felix seemingl to muse

was silent a moment,

'I think I understand,' he said. 'If one could only have his family Paul Pry, his private detective ! Now, why may it not be true that, sajr in a case like this, a gentleman, a man of the world, knowing its ways, its ins and outs, as only such a one can, is not just the man for the office ? Because v,-,,,,. «~.*<,i, ,iot.v,4!,c, jj^-nirt]jri, can run down his assassin or his burg-lar nine times in ten, does it follow that he is a man to unravel a mystery of this sort ? There should be. detectives and detectives ; don't you think so ?'

'I suppose there are. But those of the sort we want are few.'

'Naturally. Do you know 3 rour Chief of Police ?'

'Connors ? I know that he is an honest man, and second to none in the line of work that is most often brought before him. We cannot demand everything of our police and detectives. They cannot be expected to be prepared for remote possibilities. I am not disparaging Connors and his men. But I will say this, Wyntoun : If Leah Paget is not restored, or her whereabouts accounted for, within the next twenty-four hours, 1 shall look for nothing further from the police. The cunning that can battle them for so long will be more than their match in the end.' 'And then—?'

'And then — what ? Advise me, Wyntoun.'

The face of the young Englishman brightened. Max had again riseh, and ■was pacing the floor. Sir Felix arose also and slipped his hand within his friend's arm.

'First,' he said,- 'tell me just how you stand, relatively to" this search. Are you going to be known as one of the instigators ?'

'Not at present : rot unless I see some new clue to follow, some fresh avenue. We have agreed that the fact of ray engagement is to be made known, in the quietest way possible. I do not mean to send it to the newspapers, understand. Of course, they will get it. But not from me. You can help me there, Wyntoun.' 'I ? How ?' 'By saying", at the clubs, or when any one speaks of this, that you know of our engagement. It is delicate work, but you can do it gracefully, if you don't mind.' 'Of course 1 don't mind. Do not let us have any more of that. I willi do what you wish. When you are convinced that everything has been done, and if the result is still failure, have you any plans ?' Max shook his head. 'I would give all I possess to know, at this moment, where to find an xintrammelled, independent, well - informed bentlemanly private detective; one who is master of his own time, and could furnish both brains and working power.' 'And how would you use him ?' 'I would retain him privately. I would let Paget and the police go on as they would, and I would give any man carte blanche.' The face of Sir Felix brightened. He gripped his friend's arm tightly between both, his hands. 'My dear fellow,' he said, 'I know the very man yon want !' Talfourd turned upon him, his face flushed with excitement. 'W Tho is he?' he cried ; 'where is he ?' 'He was in London a month ago; he may be at the North Pole now. He is an English gentleman, and a genuine one, cultured, refined, and clever. Heis a detective, too—a private one, of course—working only upon such cases as he finds interest in. Money cannot hire him to work upon aforce or to do common, work. He never touches robberies, forgeries —anything" that simply means money and does no harm to life or character. I believe he is the best detective in the world.' 'And his- name?' 'His name? I daresay you have heard it. It is Francis Ferrars.' (To be Continued.)