THE MAYFAIR MYSTERY

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 278, 21 November 1913, Page 10

THE MAYFAIR MYSTERY

_ « - erand Dramatic Story of Love, Intrigue, and High Society.

By J. B. HARRIS-BURLAND, luthor of "TTorkera in Darl.-nest," "The Ho\ase of the Soul," "The Gold Worihiftpiri,' , '■Life'a Golden Web," etc., etc.

f !I___T_K X V.— ; Continued.! n •• ..-'.,' : r i ; Mr. ii 2 r ■-. ' I'.'s a ; ■-;.--- :o *. rl-: f .- a ;re"-.]<--man like H-ard ar;"' ing ■" < Ire.-nLead la__y?" ■ *■ •-.,:__. i-.r. i i-xi'f-t >„-• it- (.*;:: .n t: _- '..: ' w!- .- •-.- a:. . _-■:.!. and. _:,•: - . :' ! be ':>-•--.-. Rut I must ge; the ' , cthe.- :iv-- -_;■. ,usand before the oil fool V' r:. he r'-a-'-'u-.l .iime at haif-paist ••-•••.. ..--- f'.iang--i into a newer and , - " ■:_•-* fr u-n a eiyr-oard and looked ::, .;i2_r.fully .r : i» broad -<-:i ribbon. j '._ 1 to him-e-i". "Al! -hi- riiTo Into a ■ 7 ' ■■: money." lie _..!.•■ -rime orde.-F - , v,_, housekeeper, and -.ben left tilt flat. Hailing a Uv.'-ib in K'■nt.ngton Hg: Street, he berry Ma> •-. . Ku.'Vim, and leant back ' on :'■? cushion- '.'.!'! i .■ i-mile of content or. :,!:■. face. "\ d-b.-ite job, :hV." he =a:d to himp'-!:". and. thyiu-'ing his right hand into th- socket ■.:' hi.- overoat. !,:- tingerg r! *■■ I -.n to tlic -■>•■', lm': ,-f ~n autom., traviler who > throwing hlii-i'-'f at the I a pretty yr.ung erea-ure." \- : he eih turned Into K,r,-_''s Road, Eu'-i.im. Mr. Higson looked at his wate'i. Tl'i-n h- put his mouth to the speaking I tube and told ::,■■ man *o drive fast-r. "I mil. I n't be Late." h- said to himself. \ few minuf- later -he cab drew up o'i-s 1,. a tall, dingy block of fiat-, nig- .- ■:: i.lgh'ed. paid :1s rare, ani made h's ■ ■■ iv up three tlij',-- ~f .-airs. Th<-n he ' kn.-i.el a 7 a d e,r and rang the bell. _'•>■'•■— waiting for two mlnut <- he !.■: ,!.e,J and rang again. A shabby old '■■ i". an. dressed In fade I finery, opened ! ,i,r a few and In ik-d at him. j "11.,»v are you. Airs. Maville?" he j .a,-' ■ I. taking off his ha:. "Ik your ■• ■ lighter at home" "No, she ain't. Mr. Higson." the old -■• ■'u.n replied, witliout opening the door "\\',!l. 11l come In and wait, if I maj-." - ■• won't be 'omr- to-night. Didn't -. ■: _■■•• 'er wire?" ''■ did not." tiie detective nnswerpd. :. n leed. it would have been _.*ran:re !:' hid done f . an Miss Maville did : . ii'/W his real address. '■'■•]!. T am _-or-y; but it ain't no use i ■ ■oinin' In and waitin' for '■■r. be- '■"- . an I fiy, she won't be back till \ •row." '"■*■::. I'd like ?,-, have a. chat with .'■' ;.' -ild Mr. Hig-on. moving his left ]■:•• • -it the sudden -ut-lng of the door. 1 ')'.'■• no tim- f.-,r chattin'." the old ! wotii.u! ansvvereil. sharply. "If you com- ■ r ~-' '.. r e to rio.rr..-.v ~- five, you'll find j *-!'•'< in. I dare -ay .he'll be glad to Se. ; vol!" 1 .■■ door closed an inch or two. and ! then Mr. Hifstrn's foot stopped i;s fur- ! th, " progress. "f bee your pardon." said Mrs I M ■■lib. sharply, "bn: I think your foot ' V.,." he laiigi.H. 'T have a little T>r-. iii f,-,r y ,„r Juijlit-r. I'll leave it. i: ■ .'I iv: it '.id' _-uv mc the trouble of ■■'■'■'■- ■■■2 :t round again lo.norroiv. It's or!■, , bo\ of ciiiv; ,!:'.r<_." Th- do ,r opened, and \!r-. Maville held out i ritlier (Tfrlmv hand. She wis v-v '' "ii f ehoeoli-.r.. and had not had any for Ihree ,1.,-,.. "I: I. ir,,,, | ~, ~„,_ y rr . she fl !• "Til give them *■, my little girl day In :he ,>,_'■, :l j r fc i lr . ( , r ai,'-'. ,-s k, ■■■:■- 'er own <-:irri.i£.re." -'|'|. t'ia: s very n_i<'e for b-r —now, w '" ' , vo " '•'' U'e come in and -It down a Id: i T'm r.-._ly l-iit'ner tired - ■ hard ■.a', i- '.i.,rk. and a !>,u ? walk to Fuiiiam." "1,.,- he d-n... n,y buy- ,-an*t be done. T: "-•"' ■- urside down, and I ain't fi: • ' receive tin: 1 ain't—l didn't ought to be iil'.-lu' 'ere with you. To-morrow a- five." and she lungnd the doo r j n his j la--. Mr Ilij-on I>ejr an tn make his way dov.n-tuir«. Fur the time being he was I obliir-d to a.-knowledge hi- defeat. It would not have done to, lore,, his way i into th.- flat, or (.-en to make any further j jv-aoful attempts lo gain admittance, ' It wa- pnssihl,. that ii- had already ar.,u-..d Mrs MnvW.*-" suspicions. ' j "I'll wait outside." lie thought, and he pen-.I mi th,- next Janding to light a : cigarette. Rut before) he could strike a urate!, a door suddenls- opened overhead. ; an ! Mr- Mavill ■ ,ame luin-ying down the stair-. 1,i.,- fa.-, white, and a strand of I grey hi:, hanging over her eyes. She I <lut--ie,| iiim In the arm with one hand ' ■'"I'd held on to the laiii-tei- witli the; c! her. "Mr "Igson." -he gasiied. swaying to ] ar. I fro. "come up—at once—V's killin* I '■r. i.iiii-t —don't want no -candal— I thicatenin' to kill 'er. Quick—quiet, for I 1! ay.-if, s«ke." i '■'• lli.'Suu wa- up the stairs two steps ' re -3 Tim-, and into the flat before Mrs' v ■•■'!•• had moved from the landing '! h- small passage which served ! '■■ 11 was i:i darkness, and he j : • n ' - electric light. Then he ■ ■■ foun i an empty room, , ■ to a dour at the other ' ; ':-'••. Here he paused I !'!:- M:u ine entered the ; ' -' "'.'' -he --iid. closing '■ •' : • i-i'iiing against it, '"•■■'• '! ;n- o l>e n the ' •• I-' ::; a -ome- "■' ■ ' •-'■ .;.' before his : "' ''" ' ' ' ••'-' '' forty, his '"' _'■ '-' ''■"''■ f*k*\* of I.:- ---•'-..:.,.•.,,.,.,.,.. jj.. ■- 1,; a-ud moustaches ;■ übcru euunirt-te oi Eu . . ' * " A v::■• a'ui-aze with ', -" f*ai.uiu- thfcre i_u l ' "■-' " r '--'' lie i.ati never • ■■ - ,Jt anj man

>efore. The lip- xere parted in a snarl, ■houimr strong, white teeth. Tlie whole "tprestion wa- that of a man who had !o-t ai! control of himself. •in the oth'-r _=_■!.■ of the small room, n a corner, a- far a way from tiie man on he hearthrug as it was pos-ible to get. sibyl .Maville leant against the wall, her hands j.r.--.-d to ber ••;..-. her face as '.int.- as the pap'-r behind ie-r head. She ■vas a tall woman—.i t th,- tallest it-tresses on tin' London -tage—but she ■een-e.l to hay*- shrunk to something .mall a- -he cowered In the corner. Her a-t<-ned and streamed down about her Fur a -e-ij:..| or two there was silence, ['h- man on '.he hearthrug looked con-.eiiipiuou-ly at Hig--oii. The girl in the •orner did not seem to notice that anyIdle had enter, J trie room. "For pitv'.s sake," she moaned. "Tony -I've always loved you." The man laughed. "You have an uidi-.nee." he 5.,,:!. with a slight foreign o-ee.it: -that i- »••!!—vou act yoia- part ■uperLly. An audienc"—on.-, two. three —you wait for ihe applause." l"!ie girl's hand dropped from ber face vi i -he sto.d bolt upright. When -he ■aw .Mr Ilig-on ami her mother standing n th..- doorway, -h- lauirhed hysterically :nd fumbled .villi her hair. Mr- Maville ■ u-he-l tho detective a little farther into ihe room. "Said ns 'ed put a bullet in 'er." she .vhispered. "and '<■ would, ,-ir. if I 'adn't '••tchi-i you to 'im. You go for im iL'-oii. and take 'i- pistol. An Englishnan's worth two foreigners any day oi "So you are Mr Higson, eh?" queried "ne mun. whose hearing seemed to br ibnormally acute. '\,>u are tiie new <v,r. eh: Well. I do not think much oi ,'ou—in fact, I mink very little uf you — ■onimercial traveller, eh—take thai I" He took Mr Hig=on's box of chocolates run, ids left-hand pocket and Hung it at the ■ let.-< live. It iui.-scd its m-ark. and lit the jamb ~f th- door, when- it broke md sent a -uowt-r of sweet- like shrapnel ::t,, Mrs Maville'- face. "Sir," said Mr Higson. pompously, "nc ,iolenee, I beg of you. Madam," and h, lumed to Mrs Maville, whos,. jjking for sweets did nut extend t,, their ~-•- as irtillery, "I beg of you to retire. If I Lave riven this gentb-man any offence. I will explain that no offence was meant." and -o saying h» dosed the door deliberate]!' in the old woman's face. "(Jo for 'im with your fists," screamed Mrs. Maville from the other side of the door. Sibyl came forward, twisting her luxuriant hair into a knot and fastening it dexterously with two hairpins. "My dear Mr. Higson," -he said, hysterically. 'T was only acting a new part. I think my mother has jtone off her head." The man laughed, and the detective noticed that he still kept his right baud in his pocket. "I—l—really," stammered Mr. Hi-son, who bad also a part to act in this play. "So you are the Higson, are you?" -aid tlie man. with a scowl. "And I am Antonio—well, my name doe- not matter —I am this lady's husband." •'Her husband!" said Higson, playing the part of the horror-stricken and disillusioned! lover. "Sibyl's hu-band? Oh " And he covered his face with his hands. "Yes," growled the man. "and I'll kill you both—kii! you—kick you when you are dead —bah! —you dirty little traThere was a shriek from Mrs. Maville, who was listening outside, and the door opened. Higson slammed it to and turned the key in tho lock. Sibyl caupht hold of her husband's right arm and clung to it. "Tony," she sobbed, "I love you—only you." "You love too many." the man answered, pu-hinrr her brutally away frorr him. "You shall love no more —you shall die." Higson clenched his fists and camforward in a pugilistic attitude. "Now. then. Mr. Antonio,"' he said "we'll have a little dust up." "The police!" shrieked -Mrs. Maville beating on the door. ''I'll go for thi police." "You'd better not," the deteotivt shouted back. "I ran mana_te this liusi ne-s by myself. Well, Mr. — Wha' I- your name, by the by?" "Ruvo." the mau answered. "Antonii Kino, at your service." Then he bowe, and. took out a revolver. Sibyl screamed and the detective's face became a shad paler. We knew that the man wa armed, but be had not supposed hi threats of killing to be anything mor than the hot talk of a jealous husband "That's hardly fair, is it, Mr. Ruvo? he said. "We 'don't fight like that i: England. Rut why should we fifjht a all? I did not know this young lady wa married. I have been paying her mos respectful attentions—nothing in it a all. sir—nothing in it at all. A lev presents " He backed towards the door, and tak ing out his handkerchief blew his nosi He replaced the handkerchief in th right-hand pocket of his coat and di not remove his hand. "Tony," sobbed the actress, "it's a true —I swear it." •'Silence, woman, or I will put an en to you. This Higson. is he rich? "No. no." said the detective. "Well, you shall pay—either with you life or in money for this insult to m; honour." The detective smiled. He was please ot this new move in the game. "Ye-es, I will p-pay," he stuttered, nei vously. "Two hundred pounds," said Ruvo. "I—l have not so much money." "Well, you must get it. or I'll brin nn action against you. I will get divorce, and you shall pay damages." . Ir. Higson" smiled. "Let us talk thi over quietly." he said. "I dare say w can come to terms. I will pay all have—to avoid a scandal. If your wif would kindly leave us " "Yea, we' will talk it over," sneere lluvo. quietly. "I think you will b quiei -with this pointing at you," an. b- levelled his revolver at the detective' body. Mr. llipson unlocked the door an Sybil hurried from the room. When sh bad passed the detective! she turned t her husband, smiled, and kissed her ban to him Mi. Il.ig to n -aw the proeeedin I r V: fi «t<-d iv a looking glass.

i '-The old ganr-."" be said to himself. | ! "Well, perhaps I shall be able to teach , Mr. Ruvo a b»tier one.' I He closed tbe door, locked it. and then ; se.tted himself in a chair with both hands j thru-t in his. oat pockets. ■ "Now, then, sir.'" he said. quietly. '' j "You may as well put away that pistol. I I I'm a nervous man." j Ruvo laua'neil. and laid the revolver jon the mantelpiece, where be could reach I it by just stret.-liing imt hi- band. ; : "Voi are a mt'eraoie little man." he 'sneered. "I could wring your neck if I ■ ; wished to." | -I ertaiiilv. certainly." «aid Mr. Hi_son: ''"but I take it that you'd rather squeeze j -old out of mv p.,,-1. ■;. I haven't don- " |any harm, but perhap- I've been a fool.! and one ha- always to pay for one's folly j •in thin world. i"or instance, you have '(been f 0 ..1i-h. Mr. Ruvo." • I "What are you talking anout: " Mr IIi"-on'- ri.'ht hand rose quickly I ' from his pockel. and he covered Ruvo ' ; with his pi-lo]. : '. "No. don't move your hands." he said, j ' ' sharp!v. "but walk away from tbe mar,- | ' telpiece, or I'll put a bullet into you. r i Sit down there on 'hat ,-hair by the ; ' I window- look sharp." : i Kuvo's face was convulsed with fury.. j but he obeyed. Mr. Hi-.-on .lau__hc.-l. ; "I wa- ju-t ex plain in« to you.*' he 1 ' I -aid, "tha: if on,- i- a fool one must pa.v : i for one's folic. You were fool enough • to put your revolver on tbe mantelpiece because" you thought it unlikely that a . 'b.ver would come to see his sweetheart , ! with an automatic pistol in bis pocket, j J And now. my friend, you are going to. i P a . v " , • , ' I "Who are yon"'" Ruvo exclaimed, , | hoarse'v. "What do you want here? ' | ■■! wain vo-.1. mv friend." the detective ! replied. "I have been vvondering when ''abroad the last f-w months, haven't YOU ?" '" |* "Who are vni' What right have you '! to question mc like thi-? Put away that " I pi .ol at once, or I send for the poll ". 1 -No. that i- tiie 1.-isi thing you will "ijo, my dear Mr. Ruvo." , tj "You ar- tin- police, are you? Well. • | I've done nothinj wrong. You'll get ' I into trouble for this." M "I'm afraid, dear Antonio, that it is | you who will get into trouble. Now. le: 1, us talk this over quietly-1 think you ■ ' will be nub .-with this pointing at you. . i- You will certainly be very quiet .: you f attempt to move." - : The man's face was yellow, and the ! perspiration stood out on bis lore bead. , ! The expres-ion of bis face was hideous t I with fear and ra ."■. , ' '•.Now then. Antonio." said the detec- j t I tsve. after a pause. "When were you J j ' married':" I -Five years ago." | ! "Indeed? Then your charming wife | J ivas a married woman when she was; s I encouraging the attentions of young Mri r scotti" ' ( "I "1 don't know who you mean. I've. ; ' never heard of him." ' "Never heard of the murder in Ourznn I 'l Street? Well, you surprise mc, Mr. I ' i Ruvo." | "I must have been out of England at J the time." I "I >h no —you wrrc in England on the Mnipht 'of the murd.T. and you were in ' ; Curzon Street, and you were in the j library of the bouse where young Mr. ' Scott was murdered.' i -It is a lie- a horrible lie!" "No, it is unfortunately true, my friend. I have been looking for you ! for a lou_- time. No, stay where you are. plea.-c." Ruvo. who had risen to his feet, sank J back ajrain into bis chair. He was half mad with fear. , "When f'roenhead showed Lord Cham'pernowi ut of the house." continued 1 | Mr. Higson, "you came out from the •j shrubs by the -id- or the door and ■ .'asked lo'see Mr. Kv-lui Scott. Hre-n- ----' j head, wan was ~ friend of your- an , other scoundrel like yourself—showed . you into the library, anc went down to] tlie servant*' quart* r<." h i "It is a lie," growled the man; "that , Oreenhead-he is a liar." "In some respects, perhaps, but not in thi-. In any case, there is proof tint j you were trying to blackmail young I j_ Evelyn Scott. I have a I, tter from you ■to your wife—in my pocket. I have j t taken advantage of my opportunities, I j Mr. Ruvo. Tlic flat lias been searched j thoroughly. I have a letter from you j . to your charming wife, in which you | say you are going to call on Mr. Evelyn I Scott on that particular evening about ! 3 ten o'clock. It was a dangerous thing [ ] for her to keep, but she perhaps wished to have some hold over you. You look c like the sort of man that a ti'omui has to protect ■herself against." [ He rose to his feet, and, keeping Ruvo covered with his pistol, walked to the mantelpiece and put the revolver in his c pocket. "It is ail a lie." shrieked Ruvo. "1 c never did call!" i- -Well, Crecnhcad says you did, nn 1 t there is the evidence of the letter to prove that you intended to call. It i- j 0 also known that Evelyn Scott was mak- | d ing love to your wife, and that you are 1,, a man of violent character. Jn any c | case, you thought it best to clear out! .s ,of England at once." is : "It is a lie," the man muttered. "I i c ' never did call. This Greenhead—why 1. i did he not tell bis story at the inquest?"' "' j "He had reasons of his own for keepn ; ing his mouth shut. He is a scoundrel ■ t like yourself. Weil, I am not going to is | discuss this question of your guilt. That it I will be for a jury to decide, if I have t you arrested." •v |" "If you have mc arrested!" cxelajmed ] Ruvo, a fierce light of hope coming into c. j "Yes, if. my dear friend. I am not ie | one of tiie police. You can ease your d mind on that point." I "Not one ~f the police?'" Ruvo said, H joyfully. Then he groaned, "lt is money you want?" lie -aid. "I have no money.' i "H'm, I don't know," said Mr. Higson, thoughtfully. "I dare say you could lay your hands on a few hundred pound-." ir "I have no money. Resides, why V should I pay you money? I am innocent." 'd "That will be for the jury to decide." said Ilig-on. grimly. r- "I can prove an alibi." "You are very fortunate. But supposing I could produce a man who saw you in Curzon Street both at 10.1-"* and at ig 10.30?" a "He would be a iiar." said Ruvo, fiercely. is "Yes, I suppose so. Rut the evidence " c is pretty strong against you. my friend. 1 I have been into it thoroughly, and I ie may tell you that it is my bu-iness to inquire into matters of this sort. I am 'd a private detective." >c "What do you want with mc?" whined d Ruvo. "I have no money.'' 'a Mr. Higson rose to his feet and placed his automatic pislol in his pocket, id "I -want nothing further at present, ie Antonio."' he said, "except a promise o that you and your wife wiil stop this id little game of yours. If you fall into ig the hands 0 f the police, they might find out more about you than you would

'.-tre to !■'• ki;o-,\n. I will call Fisniii in I a day ..r tun; perhaps you will hay.- j ;"..iiml i>c.Ti!i- tn..n..y by tlieii. I "ill »i-li | "(in.' moni'iit. Mr." said Ruvo. "You I "Your revolver? Yes. I think I will j li-op tli.it a- ;>. H!''-m<'ii!ci nf our ji>.i-.\:r Kill" cli:it. i: ■■"■! ni.'lit." lip opened tl'i' dour an.) wi'.kfl ilown i line tin' .-(i:i!i.l i..f \:\o \\ iinicij"- \uii-cs r.:i~.-.i i:i anjrcr. Mr. lli.'-iiii .inilr.J. opv-nci] ami d<.--.1 ; tin- lull il.i-r .j-ii- ily. ami ran down the (■tiiirs. ■•Thorn i- tin- r.'.i! murderer," he ?aid to hiiii.-i-)f. a< In" Inive !>a k to hi- flat I in a ta\i.-:ib. -rw 1,-,n.: all [ wi.~h,-i ti. li'iirn. and I've ar urnpli-lipil what I i-anii" fur In tui-ntyfmir hmin' thii.- , Anloniu Ruvu and his wif<—aye, and! pi.rliaps her uW ther, too -will l.c o it (if ili,' country, and w'.'A spend the rest 1 of their !l\f-.- in cMvcri:i_' up their trunk*." j Mr. ]l_'-on wa-i plea-,-,1 with his nisjhfs work. It would never do fnr the r.-al murderer to bo .-.ri.'iit. That wo :M mean a (ie.ir loss of five thousand pounds. J (To hr ronlinurd daily.) i