FLIES In THE WEB

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 149, 23 June 1906, Page 11

FLIES In THE WEB

By FERGUS HUME, (Author of "THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB," etc.)

gTJCOPSSB OF CHAPTERS I. AND 11. , „h Tiwse. a Hebrew money lender, is J3 h hv the caretaker of his offices. Mrs f "" anoareutlv murdered. A woman's sniffed with sand !e found In the •SEe and in tbe presence of ««'ernl wit°?«e's Vawse arouses up sufficiently tn » e fe words which arouse suspicion against o hPd-i Mendoza. his niece. r&e se.-oud ;L; i'utroduc-es us to Mrs Benhilio's hoarding bouse, where a mooting ti.kes , "fetwecn Marion Wallace, and cer 11 Ir Holand Carver, whilst Marion's fah>- ' sir Athelstan. is absent attending he 'inquest on Tawse. Marlon speaks oi Tawse as having heen her fnther's old ibooifelluw. Itol.-infl Carver appears to be hiding some trouble. Beland presently receives ;i visit from n we n Mallett, ;i who is the suit- „ favoured hy s ir Athelstan for his daughter's bund. Malltti had frequently assisted Tawse in huslness. and from knowlpilpe thus framed accuses Roland's hroj, pr of forgini; T.-iw-c's name io a bill. . 3 a prosecution had l>e<n .ibout to take dare, he suggests rhnt Fred. Carver way the murderer, lie endeavours by means 0 ( threats to -varan a promise from Ro],.nf! to withdraw his suit in regard lo jjariou. Sir Athelstan evinces peculiar regard for a governess engaged, at Mallett '3 Indication, for young Dick 'Wallace, hj s orphaned grandson. CHAPTER IV. —(Continued.) Hardly had '-ho word:* left .Marion's lips vrhen the door opened, ami .Sir Athelstan entered, followed hy a tall, handsome, dark woman, with bold eye? and a rather aggressive manner. She was beautifully dressed, aud wore a spotted veil which she put up as she entered. Wallace was laughing and chatting with her when they entered, but bis face changed as he a w Roland in his daughter's company, and lie looked angry. "How arc you, Mr Carver."' said he Etifflv. and extended a hand encased in a primrose glove. "I did not expect to find you here."' "Miss Wallace gave mc to understand that you went hack tn Brighton to-mor-row,"'said Koland coolly. "=,o I came to E ay good-bye.' •'Quite so. quite so. said Sir Alltel- - Btan nodding '"nnd 1 am glad to see you also, Mr Carver, r wish to have a chat with you. Meantime, let mc present you to Miss Lizard, who has consented to take charge of my poor son's boy.'' -Very pleased to meet you," murmured "Miss Lizard, in a deep rich contralto voice. "1 think 1 have seen you before, Mr—Mr—" "Carver." said Roland, seeing that she had not caught his name. Posecssed of the information Mis.-, Lizard looked nervous, although it was strange that so apparently bold a woman could display such a cheap emotion. "Carver,'' she said, with an effort., and turning away in the direction of Marion. "Xo. 1 do uot know the name. Probably I am mistaken. But. I thought I knew the face." "I fear 1 am not unique in my looks.' remarked Roland dryly. "Even in the family I have a double. My brother is reaetlv like mc." "Your brother," repeated Miss Lizard. md took a long look at him. "Ah, I i'on't think 1 have ever met your brother; It least the name is not familiar to mc. Dear Miss Wallace." she smiled on Marinn, who looked -tiff and uncomfortable, '1 do hope we shall be friends.** "Of course you will," said Sir AthelBt.ni heartily. "Marion has the same taste as I have-, and mine" —he bowed gracefully to Miss Lizard, while Marion bit her lip at this adulation of a newly tnsaged governess. "My daughter will he hard to jiWsp if she is not satisfied with you. Miss Lizard.'' "On the contrary,"' said the governess. feeing Marion's disdainful look, "it is I who have to give satisfaction to my employer." "You have done so already." said the baronet, smiling, "and to afford you and my daughter .an opportunity of making each other's acquaintance, may 1 suggest that you will take Mis-s Lizard to your bedroom. Marion. She will stop to luncheon." "I shall he delighted.' 0 murmured Miss Wallace, who looked anything but pleased, and at tho same time east a puzzled look at her father. it. was difficult to understand why a stiff, haughty man like the haronet should be so friendly with a newly-engaged member of his household. ''Will you come with mc, Miss Lizard," and she moved to the door with a glance fit Roland. Miss Lizard followed slowly, and stopped before Carver to extend a slender aaud. "I hope we shall meet again. Mr. Carver. Dear Miss Wallace, do forgive mc for keeping you waiting," and in her turn she moved to the door. With a last mule at Sir Athelstan. who was watching ter with an admiring look, the new governess left the room. When alone with Roland, Sir Athelrtan's smile disappeared, and he straightened his tall, slim figure. As usual' ho was beautifully dressed and did not look iis age. owing to the care he took of his nan and complexion. It was a stiff and flaughtyman who faced the young lover, though Koland was too brave "to be afraid W black looks. Nevertheless he knew that Wallace intended to make himself oisagreeable. and braced himself to fight in his beloved. "This won't do at all. Mr. Carver." said we baronet, and motioned that Roland Mould resume his seal. 'May I ask what you mean. Sir Atheleta »-' The baronet sank into an easy Wan.cross his elegant leg-, and placed |M tips oi hi., fingers together, for by "US time he had removed his -loves. "I "ink you know very well what 1 mean, * ,r - % daughter-" fin;!!'.? l° v , c with me ' an(l [ with her " jAU-hed Roland calmly, although his p"".| VaS beatin ? loudI Y. "wo are enE a !iea. *'Xot with my consent, therefore the must be broken ~ff" a «;•"' !„ ask wh >" :' nu or, Jf't to mc as a suitor? s r lV an .. ex rd-im in one word: -ou au ' poor. LanJ h c at -r' 5 three words,*' rejoined RoJJJw control. "I admit that I an. noor. ™ir xT, t0 make money." tuousiv rv° WBVcd his hand contempto ,„v 0U will nevpr mike enough BceuVn "J dau S hter the home she is 0 -tustomed to." cate Pa e r .? me '" said Ca """ "*rith deliS ion e i? Pt ' 1 am sure fr °™ *h*t W" A? ld mc that you had inherited but 11,., ? U8 \ nd a 3" ea " from Mr Tavsc; ed ." r " ° ila non has been accustom Bb 7 '■ nci better home than 1 will ..: .. '" ab.e to lead her to " fetn,c = St c iT itll } '° U - Mr Carver * U Possessed tl- c not for man y y ear * ' kquest of ? e t0 etl i°- v - But t™ ! ?!' V late lamented friend-" fciudKly " iDter P olated Rola *d

| Sir Athelstan turned red. "And my friend," he said hotly. "We were at school together. Tawse had good blood in his veins—" "Good Jewish blood, no doubt." "Which is excellent in every way, sir. The Jews have far longer pedigrees than most Christians. Tawse was eccentric, nnd so went in for money lending, which I admit is not the most desirable of professions. At the same time, since the man is dead, we need say nothing about that. To come to the point. 1 have taken a house at Brighton, and intend to settle there with my daughter :ind with my grandson. If you choose to give up this nonsense about Marion, 1 shall be pleased to see you; other- . wise, I forbid you my house." ! "I must put up with your refusal to see mc within your doors," said Rolandrising, "us I certainly will not give vrp Miss Wallace. Why do you object to mc? 1 am well-born. I have sufficient talent to make money, and I love i Marion." "You are poor." said the baronet, still seated and very aggressively, "that sotties the question." "Is Mr Mallett rich, then?" "That has nothing to do with you." 'Pardon mc. it has everything to do with mc. You wish to give Marion to that man, when I love her and wish her to be my wife." "Mr Mallet loves my daughter also." "But she does not love him. 1 am her choice."' ""You certainly are. not mine," cried the baronet wrathfully, and rising to intimate the conversation was at an end. "What my daughter's future may he is my business." "And mine. I refuse to give her up. You shall never force her to many Owen Mallett." "We shall see." said Sir Athelstan, with a supercilious smile, "but I'll give you a chance," he added. "Find out who killed Tawse, and 1 will think over your desire to be my son-in-law." "L accept." said Roland quickly, and left the. room abruptly. He saw that the baronet had made the offer out of mere bravado, and did not intend to give him the chance of retracting the same. CHAPTER V. CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. "Hullo, Carver, what's up? You look as though you had lost a sovereign and found a sixpence." "I haven't found even so much aa thnt." said Roland sourly, for his temper was none of the best. Jack shrugged his shoulders in a gay French fashion at the abrupt welcome, and lighted one of Roland's cigarettes. This young gentleman of fashion and would-be journalist was a neat youth, - not very tall, but extremely well-made. He was dark and clean-shaven, with two handsome blue eyes, which twinkled merrily on all occasions. Jack looked as neat as a new pin and was invariably well-dressed, although rumour, which docs not always lie, said that he. never paid his tailor's bill. "Well?" he demanded, "and what can I do for you?"' "Help mc to find out who killed Jacob Tawse.'" Jack's cigarette dropped arid he. looked amazed. "What about Rebecca Mendoza?" said he at length. "I don't believe she killed her uncle." "Why do you say that?" asked Werner sharply. "Mallett says that she is innocent, and Mallett had a great deal to do with Tawse." "I know," Jack nodded. "Mallett did n lot of Shylock's shady work for him. Still it is strange that Mallett sh&uld declare the innocence of the girl in the face of the evidence and stranger still that he should tell you, whom he regards as his enemy." Roland wriggled. He bad to make, a clean breast of it to Jack and did not relinh doing so. "Mallett came to tell mc that I must give up Miss Wallace so that he could marry her." "What check. I hope you punched his head." i "No. I wasn't in a position to do so. Sec here, Jack." Carver leaned forward and spoke with great earnestness. "You know my young brother Fred?" "Yes. He's at Oxford, isn't he?" "He is, but in some way he got into the clutches of Jacob Tawse. The other day Fred sent a wire asking mc to come j down to him. I went, and found him in such a bad way that I had to stop with him for a fortnight, and only returned to town after the murder of Tawse." "What was the matter with Fred?" "It seems that he borrowed a lot of money from Tawse, and was being worried about Ihe interest. To pay the same, he made matters worse by forging a hill in the name of Tawse—" Werner jumped up. "Impossible," said he. "I know that Fred is a fool but I never thought fin wis a scoundrel." "Unfortunately, the circumstances are as 1 tnld you." said Carver with a gloomy air. "Fred was half mad with fright, and Tawse threatened to have him arrested. Tawse got hold of the forged bill. It was a bill at three months for one hundred pounds that Fred forged. Well, Tawse pot it, and kept it in his safe. That bill has disappeared from the safe " "Oh," Jack gave a long whistle. "Along with many other papers." "Exactly. The person who killed Tawse whether it was Rebecca Mendoza or not stole the bill along with other papeis. Mallett told mc so. I expect. ;ts executor of the will—which he is, as I heard incidentally—he looked over the papers, and from his knowledge of the contents of the safe, probably is able to make a. fair guess as to what special papers have disappeared." • "Hum," said Jack, using his favourite ejaculation. "I wonder if Lady Winceby.'- papers have gone also?" Roland stared. "Lady Wineeby, what has she to do with Tawse?" "Heaps. Lady Wineeby gambles. I can confide in yon, Carver, as you have confided in mc about your brother. Lady Wineeby, as Betty told mc, is always in monetary difficulties, and dare not tell her husbrmd. who is a screw in spite of I V.= piety. Pom" months ego 'he applied r T-i""-=p. nnd rrot ip.oncy out of him on a • : 11—not n fr.ryed r.ue. but a bill -ign d hy I- She crave Tawse something : i flop. too. which Betty can't tell mc of. i At all events Lady Wineeby is in a fright lest the person who sJ;ole the papers should blackmail her." "1 don't see how «he can be blackmailed on a simple bill," argued Carver. "It's

different with Fred's bill which is forged." '"There is something more belonging to La§y Wineeby in Tawßa's possession," said Jack impatiently. "In the assassin's possession you mean." ''Yes, I suppose so. But I must try and learn that from Mallett. Lady Winceby's papers may not have been stolen, and if Mallett has them, I'll be able to deal with him. He's a scoundrel who will do anything for money. However, the point is this, Lady Wineeby came and told mc of her difficulty, and promised to let mc marry Betty and to use her influence with the Earl to gain his consent if I would get back these papers. Consequently I am taking the deepest interest in the case, and am resolved to hunt down the assassin. But from what you tell mc about Mallett being the executor, it may not be necessary to embark on a detective chase. Mallett may have Lady Winceby's papers and I may be able to get them from him." "Yes," said Roland quickly. "But I wish you to help mc to hunt down the assassin." •-Why?" "Oh, what en ass you arc, Jack. Can't j-ou see Fred's position? Mallett knows About the forgery. I suppose Tawse told bim and can get Fred arrested. Such a terrible thing would break my mother's heart and would ruin my career. And, again, Mallett hinted that, as the bill Was missing from the safe, Fred had murdered TaVse to get it." "What bosh. I thought you were with Fred during the fortnight Tawse was murdered?" "1 was. I took Fred down to "Bitt-rn near Southampton, so that if Tawse tried to have him arrested at Oxford he would not be able to find him. But two or three times I wont to sc my roothe;- nt Marlow so as to set her mind at rest about Fred, who is her favourite son." "The scamp generally is the favour.te," said Werner complacently. "My mother adores even a scallywag such 'as I a.m. but docs Mrs. Carver know what Fred has done?" "Good heavens, Jack, nf course she does not. The mere kn-wledee of Fred's danger would kill her. She merely thinks that Fred lias got into a scape about money, and fancies that I am helping him out of it. But- what T mean! to say, when you interrupted, is tint I woa away from Fred for a couple of days at a time, and did net know whrt ho was doing. Now Mallett accuses mc nf being in town on the night of the cisbth No° vember " "What, on the night Tawse was murdered ?" "Yes. I was not. as I ran prove, for I stopped on that night with niv mother at. Marlcw. But " Roland looked anxious, "Fred, who resembles m? closely, might have come up. Mallett. might have seen him, or perhaps Mallett has set n spy on my actions and on ihose of Fred. At all events, he seems to know much more than is desirable." "But, Carver," asked Werner much perplexed, "Do you mean to say that Mallett accuses Fred of th" murder?" "Yes, I do. He accused him in so many words. I told hiiu that Rebecca Mendoza was guilty, a:;d this he denies. Then he said that if 1 gave up Miss Wallace to him he would hokl his tongue." "Oh, did he." cried Wcrrer quickly. "That would seem to imply that he was not so certain of your brother's guilt as he pretended to be. And what dia you say?" "I asked for time to deliberate. He gave mc a week. You see, Jack, although I am cert in that Fred is innocent, yet if Mallett makes trouble he may be arrested." "But Fred, having remained at Bittern, may be able, t j prove an alibi." "Ah," said Roland sign .fir antly. "But thp question is: can Fred provt an alibi?" "You don't think Fred killed the man, do you?'' asked Werner astonished. "'No, No!" said Carver hastily. "Didn't you hear mc declare Fred's iunocence. But as Fred is really my double for looks, he might have come to town and Mallett might have seen him. ' "What does Fred say?" "I haven't asked bim yet. I waited to consult you." Werner reflected for a lew minutes, then looked very squarely at his friend. "Is that all you have to tell mc?" he asked pointedly. "Not quite all. I had—as I said—an interview with Sir Athe stan, and he ordered n-.e to give up Mar.on or never enter his doors. I refused. Then he declared that he wanted her to marry Mallett." '""Why, in heaven's name?" demanded Werner perplexed. "Mallett is nobody; and a poor barrister, and a bad lot if all the talcs I have heard are true. Perhaps they are not, but certainly I nevetknew smoke to exist without a fire. Finally and lastly aud entirely, Mallett's face would hang a much better man than he is supposed to be." "I don't know why Sir Athelstan wants Marion to many the bounder," was Roland's gloomy response. "But he. seems quite bent upon his doing so. The fact is Sir Athelstan has engaged a new governess on Mallett's recommendation. She is a fine-loking woman of the adventuress type called Hariiet Lizard. Wallace apparently admires her greatly, and, from his manner, I should .think that he has met her before, as he was too friendly with her when he brougm her to see his daughter for the second time. Now, it's my impression, Jack," said Carver raising his finger, "that Sir Athelstan wants to get Marion out of the house to marry this Miss Lizard." "Well," said Jack philosophi a'ly. "There's no fool like an old fool. Lizard —Lizard —a queer name. I fancy I have heard it before," he reflected for a moment, then shook his head. "No, I can't recall where. But as rgards getting rid of his daughter. Why < ant he let her marry you? That would settle the matter ill the same way." Carver rose to pace the room in an exasperated manner. "I can't say why he refuses to let mc marry Marion, but he does. Still, he made mc an offer." "What sort of an offer?" "A queer one. He said that if I found out who killed Tawse he would allow _mc to marry his daughter." " Hum." said Jack thoughtfully. '"' Odd, that Sir Athelstan s ould make the same offer to you that Lady Winceby did to mc. And you accepted?" "At once," said Roland promptly. " I did not give him a chance to change his mind, as I fancied that he had set mc what he thought was an impossible task out of bravado. I accepted and left the room straight off. Then I wrote to you to come along this morning, as I want you to help mc to learn the truth." "Certainly." absented Jack cordially. • And in any case 1 am bound to get those napcrs <jf Lady Winceby's. whether Mallett <ir the assassin is in possession of tl—m. We'll hunt down this assnssin together." " Then you don't think yourself that it is Rehbeca Mendoza." " Ah, T can't say. We'll have to thinkover the matter. Let us walk now to

Scotland Yard and see the inspector •who had charge of tbe case. "\»e may learn something from him." " All right. Amuse yourself -svith the paper, and I'll dress." " Bother the paper. 11l write a letter to Lady .Wineeby saying that I have hopes of getting her documents," and Werner sat at the desk while Roland went to his bedroom. The desk was a large, old-fashioned mahogany one -with many pigeon-holes and drawers. Jack scribbled off his letter in his usual sprawling caligraphy, and hunted for an envelope. None was to be found, as Roland had apparently exhausted the supply. Knowing Carver extremely well, Jack had no compunction in searching for what he required, and pulled open various drawers impatiently. Still he did not find the envelope, and swore softly between his very white teeth. At length he scrambled under the shelf of the desk to the cupboard where various piles of dusty music manuscripts were put away. Also he saw blue envelopes addressed and unaddressed, and heaps of papers. In the hope of finding at least one decent envelope Jack hauled out a quantity of papers on to the carpet, and began to run through them. Some papers were loose, and others were tied up with red tape. Nearly all the envelopes were crumpled and so much soiled that he could not make use of them. At last he reached the bottom of the dusty pile, and was prepared to Bhove! them back into the cupboard, when he saw a parcel of blue papers hound by an elastic band of grey indiarubber. Jack started and grew pale, as well he migut. The pa-pers were inscribed '• Jacob Tawse." (To be Continued Next Saturday.)