SEAL OF A TRAGEDY

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 143, 19 June 1922, Page 12

SEAL OF A TRAGEDY

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SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CHAPTERS I. AXD ll.—Netta Cardew, aged thirty, has been married fifteen months. She bates and fears her husband, who 111-treats and neglects her. The daughter of a millionaire, Jonathan Weymouth, she has been sparingly reared, and looked forward to the time when the money would be her own. After her marriage her father disinherited her. Mr. Harold Ellis, her former lover, visits her. He comes to say that he is engaged to Elsie Stapleton. She takes it badly. He asks her to give him back the letters he wrote to her. She says they are in a safe hiding-place, but sometime they will go together to Park Lane to secure them. Cardew returns home, and passes Ellis on the stairs. He tells his wife he Is bankrupt, and that she must get assistance from her father. He sneers at Harold Ellis, and orders her to get five thousand pounds from her father within the week, threatening her with a convict husband if she fails. She promises to go to her father. CHAPTER HI. Xetta telephoned to Harold Ellis early next morning, and when he heard her say that she was coming to see him nt once he expressed his delight. She took a taxi to the city, and in less than an hour after their telephone conversation they were together in Ellis' ottice.

"I cannot stny long, Harold," said Xetta, speaking agitatedly. "I must see father to-day, and "

"I'm afraid that he is too ill to. see even you," said the young solicitor gently. "He is very ill." "Are you sure?" gasped the woman. "Only too certain,", he answered, "but can't you take mc into your confidence? If it concerns money matters 1 may be able to do something."

It was, of course, an easy guess. It was common knowledge that all her troubles owed their origin to her father having cut off supplies, and she exhibited no shame or surprise when her old lover plainly hinted that he knew what was the matter.

"As you are in father's coiilidence," she said, "I will make you my confidant. The fact is, Harold, 1 didn't come here this morning with the object of helping you. Of course, 1 will get you those letters, but my own worries are paramount. Robert is in a tight fix. He came in a few minutes after you left mc yesterday, and he told mc cveryihing. The long and the short of it is that I must get him five thousand pounds within the next forty-eight hours or we are both ruined."

He emitted a low whistle when he heard he amount, and then he turned hi s eyes upon her 3 and stared into them.

Five thousand pounds!" he repeated. "That means, Iletta, that Mr. Cardow has committed some—done something dangerous t* ■ -

She nodded. "Oh, we needn't be hypocrites, either of us," said the .woman, with* intense weariness in her voice. "Old lover 3 know each other's weaknesses. My marriage has not been a success, and 1 am not fond of Robert now. He has beaten all the love I was capable of out of mc. But I see I am distressing you. Tell mc what to do. If my father is too ill where can I go for the money?"

"Tl ia a difficult position for mc, Netta," sai'4;, 'Harold, rising and walking about the room. "But I had better tell.you everything. T will lend you the monej'. There, please, don't start thanking mc. There is no risk in lending it, because you are Jonathan Weymouth's daughter. He made a fresh will three days ago. I drew it up, and that is why, Netta, I do not hesitate to lend the money you want, although five thousand pounds represents nearly every penny of capital I possess. Fortunately, Elsie and I have until the autumn to get things straight for our wedding, but even if you are not able to repay mc by then I can manage, for the money is intended to form the nucleus of a dowry for Elsie, and by making her your heiress to that amount you can square matters with mc. So you see," he went on rapidly, "there is no gratitude necessary. Will you call back about three? I can then hand you the-motes."

She was incapable of thanking him. for his generosity overwhelmed her, and there was that in his voice which reminded her forcibly of the old days. She wont home and thought it all over, and it required a strong effort to get her back to the office. She did not wish to touch his savings if sh? could holp it. But Fate compelled lier to humiliate herself, and she was at his oliice only ten minutes late.

"There you aro, Netta," said Ellis, pushing across a sealed envelope, "that contains the, money. And now if you wish to make mc grateful'will you name a day for our visit to Park Lane? They have started to take out the furniture, and the place is unoccupied. The caretaker goes in a day or two."

"Any time you wish," said she, in' a tense Voice. "God bless you, Harold. I think Elsie Stapleton is the luckiest woman in the world."

"Would next Monday week do?" he asked, hastily, afraid of sentiment. "I 'will make it do," she answered. "Shall we say about six? I will meet you there. It will not take more than five minutes to get the letters, and I could get home in good time." . "That will suit mc admirably," he , said, taking her hand. "Good-bye."

"By the way, Harold, said Xetta, advancing towards his desk again, "you mentioned this morning that father had made his will. I take it that I am all right?" "You get every penny with the exception of a few "trifling legacies to old servants," he said. "Every penny!" she echoed, in a delighted voice.

"Yes, but not at once. Look here, Xetta, I will tell you the exact provisions of the will if you will promise faithfully not to tell anyone or even show by your demeanour that you know."

"I promise," she answered. "You can rely upon mc." ~ "Well, Mr. Weymouth, has made a strange will," said Harold. "I am afraid he will carry his dislike of your husband to his grave. Anyhow, this is how he disposes of his money. During the lifetime of your present husband the trustees of his estate are to pay you five hundred pounds a year in quarterly sums. During your widowhood you come into full possession of your estate."

"Five hundred a year—is that all?" she echoed, blankly.

"Yes, but thirty thousand a year when your husband dies," said the lawyer. "After all, Cardew is nearly twenty years older than you, and in the nature of things you must have a fairly lengthy widowhood. If you are thinking of raising money I must tell you that Mr. YV*c3'mouth has taken precautions against that. He won't allow you to borrow large sums merely for your husband to spend—that is how he put it. At your death everything goes to charities. There now, Netta, I have put myself in your power. Don't give mc away, will you?"

"Certainly not, Haroid," ehe said, smiling from sheer relief. "I was afraid that he might cut mc off with a shilling. Five hundred a year is better than nothing, even if Robert lives to a hundred. Good-bye, and many thanks. You —you will never regret this kindness." Cardew opened the door of the flat to her on her return. "Well?" he asked. "1 have got the money," she said, throwing the envelope on the table. 'There is all you want." He literally tore the envelope open savagely, and when he 6aw the notes he uttered many exclamations of delight. "Where did you get it?" he asked, after he had counted the money. "From —from father, of course," she answered. "When did you see him?" "Oh. this afternoon." She was lying easily now, although she knew that there was no reason why she should not have spoken the truth. Harold Ellis was nothing to her now. "You liar!" he cried. % "What do you mean." she gasped, frightened. "I mean that your father died at one o'clock to-day." "Father dead!" she cried blankly. * "Stone dead. The papers have got it. But we won't talk about that now. What I want to know is why should Harold Ellis give you five thousand pounds." . In a sort of stupefied amazement she realised that her husband wae actually jealous. It was difficult to convince her-

self that such was the case, but she only need have looked more than once at hie flushed face and evil eyes to learn that I this man was inspired by a jealous hate. "A nice thing," he cried, derisively, i "for a young man to lend a young wife i five thousand pounds. Oh, it will require a lot of explaining!" "You fool!" she exclaimed, turning upon him. "I have done your dirty work and got you the money to save you from gaol. Harold Ellis did lend mc the money because we were once friends. But he is nothing to mc. He is going to marry Elsie Stapl .ton. There, leave mc. I want to think about father. Poor old dad, at any rate, had the satisfaction of knowing that he was in the right." Cardew glanced at her evilly, and It was only with a great effort that he restrained himself. He was madly jealous now. The sight of Harold Ellis the previous day had started queer feelings within him, and the sudden appearance of this five thousand pounds had intensified them. But he was not the man to trust himself ul a quarrel, and so with a muttered threat he left the room.

CHAPTER IV. The passing of Jonathan Weymouth i aroused little public interest, ■ although J the newspapers devoted some space tO his biography. But it involved a tremendous amount of hard work for Harold Ellis. He had the dead man's will and property to look after, and the day after the funeral there was an important meeting with his fellow trustees, Sir George Ditton and Lord Claygate. These were two old friends of: Weymouth, men who had entered into partnership with him, and whom he had found upright and honourable. He joined Harold Ellis with them as trustee, although it was understood that the young solicitor wag to act more as a secretary to the board of trustees than anything else.

Meanwhile Xetta kept to her room and nobody worried her- Conscious that his wife's goodwill would mean a lot to him, Cardew let her have her own way, but he never relaxed a sort of jealous watchfulness, and be fallowed her about on -the few Occasions she tvent out.

Of course, it was impossible to keep the appointment with Harold at the gloomy mansion in Park Lane. The house was now empty, all the furniture having been removed, but as the love letters were hidden in the floor that did not worry them. Netta had promised to write to him fixing a time that vvduld suit her.

The days went by slowly for Xetta because sh e knew the contents of her father's will. According to Harold it was not to be read until one calendar month after the funeral, and Xetta found it hard to kill time. With Robert Carde*v it wis different. He Was expecting much from Weymouth, and he could scarcely conceal hie Unnatural excitement. At every meal he sketched in glowing terms their future when they had got hold of the old man's money, and Xetta was compelled to listen because she dare not betray Harold's confidence, and give the slightest hint of a coming diaappoihtmeni: - And thus the first three weeks passed.

It was on the Wednesday of the fourth week and only five days from the date appointed for the reading of the will when Netta wrote to Harold Elba bidding him meet her at a certain spot, in Hyde Parle. At breakfast that morning Cardew had informed her that he had business in Birmingham, and would be away for the ensuing twenty-four hours. That was the reason why she wrote Harold. She would have a day free from the jealous espionage of 'her husband, and in that time she would repay some of the debt she owed her old lover, j It was a forbidding February afternoon when she set out from Elsham Mansions for the railway station. She had plenty of time to spare, and she was going to have tea in the West End before making for the park. It was curious, however, how elated she felt, and she' admitted so to herself, murmuring inwardly that it wa« only due to the fact that she was rid of her husband for a few hours. The time dragged by slowly, however, and it was with a feeling of relief that she started to walk from Piccadilly Circus to the Park. It was five o'clock, and almost dark, and there was a suspicion of rain in tbe air, but she walked on briskly, almost joyously, and she arrived at the meeting-place nearly half an hour before she was due. Fortunately, in hie anxiety to get the fateful letters Harold Ellis came early too, and co Xetta had not to wait more than five minutes. "Ah, there you are!" he said, shaking hands. "I'm so glad you're early. Shall we take a cab t Walk? I have the key of the house. Sam in charge of it until the trustees arrange for the sale." "Let's walk," she whispered. "We must be careful. Now that the house is empty it is not safe." "Oft, that's all right, Xetta, - ' he assumed her, as they set out. "I've got a revolver in my coat pocket, and I haven't forgotten how to box." She laughed softly. 'You are a great simpleton," she said, "but I like you all the better for it." He laughed, too, conscious of the verbal subterfuge. He knew, of course, why she was nervous, but he was not willing to discuss jealous husbands with ■Ketta. All he wanted was those wild love letters of a little more than a year ago. He knew that Elsie Stapleton was not the girl to forgive easily. Nothing more was said antil they were within fifty yards of tbe great house recently occupied by Jonathan Weymouth. Suddenly Netta started. "What's the matter?" he asked sharply. "Nothing—nothing," she whispered. Hurry on." He looked around him quickly, but not in time to see the muffled figure turn into a side street. In silence he opened the door that led to the servants' quarters of the house. When they were in the narrow corridor that served as hall, Ellis gave vent to an exclamation of annoyance. "Confound their promptness!" he said: angrily. "They've cut off both the gas and the electric light. Wait a moment, Netta, and I'll find fa candle. There is sure to be one left in the kitchen." ,

He returned in a couple of minutes with a lighted stump, and then led the way upstairs in obedience to Xetta's directions."

"I think it is the blue room on the second floor," she said, in a husky voice. "Be careful." As she spoke, a sudden gust of wind extinguished the light, and for a few moments Ellis fumbled for his matches. "What's that?" she muttered.

Both stood rigid as statues, as unmistakable sounds of somebody moving about downstairs came towards them.. Netta's heart seemed to have turned to lead, and her face went snowwhite.

"We mustn't be found here!" she gasped, under her breath.. "Don't let anybody see us. If it is a burglar you must frighten him away, but he mustn't see us."

"All right," he muttered in reply, "don't be afraid. I've got my revolver ready for action."

Xetta glanced down at his side and saw the dim outline of his hand clutching a revolver. The sight of it inspired her with many thoughts and the silence bred more.

"Don't move," he whispered. "Someone's coming this way, but we are safe here. He can't know where we are. flush."

A sudden stumble and a muttered cuTse indicated that the intruder was at ihe foot of the stairs, 'and in a kind of suppressed terror Kelt* realised that he was climbing tbe stain. She clutched Harold's arm desperately, but he made no sound. Tbe silence and inaction were distressing. The intruder wis near them now-—he was within a few feet—and in the gloom they could see an outline of his body as he turned round the berjd in the staircase. Netta felt Harold raise his hand and steady his weapon. The burglar was very near him now. Suddenly a revolver shot rang out, followed by the sound of a falling body. "Good God, what has happened!'' cried Ellis, darting forward. Natta remained rigid in the shadow of the wall. (To be continued daily.)