THE SEAL OF A TRAGEDY

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 160, 8 July 1922, Page 23

THE SEAL OF A TRAGEDY

(By CHARLES O'MAHONY.)

CHAPTER XXIV. Hester Manners was now an important factor in Xetta's life. Not for a moment had she accepted the girl's explanation of her extraordinary conduct, but she appeared to do so, and Hester imagined that she had been fully exonerated. Her employer appeared to trust her just as she had done before the discovery of the attempted ransacking of iipr desk; she was sent on important missions, and on at least two occasions Xetta pave her the key of her desk in order that she might bring her certain documents.

Ever since 6he had been in Xetta's employ Hester Manners had been accuetorned to taking Tuesday as a holiday for herself. She had informed Netta that he- only relative, an old aunt, lived in Xotting Hill, and that she would like to be aMe to see her at least once a week. Thus it was settled, and, although on two occasions out of five the pressure of Xetts's affaire rendered it necessary for Hester to give up her Tuesdays off, on most occasions ehe was able to go and ccc her aunt. The Tuesday after the scene in the boudoir Hester did not take off. There was a heavy week's entertaining in front of her" employer, and Hester had to arrange the invitations. On the following Tuesday she did leave, 'Irut she was back rather earlier than usual, because Xetta was giving a 'big dinuer party.

So far there was no public announcement of the engagement. Netta had nothing to gain by rushing matters, and in any case she did not wish to do anything that vrould draw Lucy Humphrey's attention to the house. She had tried "to discover Lu-y's whereabouts, but without the slightest success, and as she was •still doubtful of Hester, due decided to Save her watched.

In consultation with Harold ehe selected a private inquiry agent, and the man quickly set to work. Netta found herself waiting impatiently for the girl's day out, and when it came she could scarcely pass the hours. She knew that the detective nad followed Hester from the house, and of course by now they ■would be at dotting Hill. It was arransed that le should make his report, to Harold.

Hester returned as usual and although she was with "her for the-rest of the evening Netta discovered nothing. She was uiet, punctual, attentive, and conscientious. Was she acting? To a born actress like Mrs. Cardew she was and before she went to bed thattoight Netta dropped aline. to the inquiry agent, bidding him to come to Grosvenor Square ■with his report and not to go to the offices of Nutwood, Baker and Ellis. The man came at eleven, and was conducted to the library, wheVe Netta ■presently joined him. * Sap '•Well, any news?" she asked. "'A g-eat deal, ma'am," said the detective, who was evidently very pleased ■with himself. "Then tell it as quickly as you can," she said,' endeavouring" to hide her agitation. "First of all, ma'am, I followed tier to a house in Notting Hill—not her aunt's. She entered it tuid "stayed there an hour, and when she came out she was dressed differently. To tell you the truth, 1 almost let her slip, and it was only her walk that, aroused my suspicions. However, 1 was soon on her track, and she led mc a pretty dance. Three times round Notticg Hill I should think until she stopped at a small house in a side street and knocked. Then I • noticed that she was wearing a wedding ring. " I think yo u said she was not married, ma'am?"

"I took her into my employment on, that understanding," said Netta, whose tense expression betrayed her interest, '■"but, of course, a great many young ■widows and even wives conceal the fact that they are married, or have been married, in order to obtain employment." '"Very true, but it will surprise you to ■hpar that Miss 'Manners has a litile girl about three year old, and that tho name of the child is Dorothy. I distinctly heard the child address her as mamma." "Indeed, how interesting." "1 think you said ma'am, that her name was Hester Manners?" 'Mrs. Cardew nodded. "That is strange, but I am positive that the woman who lived in the house, and who evidently looks after the child, addressed her as Lucy." At that moment Netta for the life of her rould not place the name of Lucy. S>e had heard it recently t but when and where she had quite forgotten. "Did you learn anything else?" she asked. "Or, I made -very discreet inquiries, you may be sure, ma'am, and I was told that the name of the -woman of the house was Mrs* Davies, and that she was paid ten shillings a week for looking after , Dorothy." * "That is a' large proportion of Miss Manners' salary." "I am afraid you'll have to call her Mrs. after this," said the man, with a grin. "Thank you," said Netta, ignoring the last remark. "You have done very well. If I require your services again I will send for you." She had brought his fee -with her in s° ,d - , „ , "I am satisfied with your work, she said, "and may require you in future." '"Thank you, ma'am." said the deteet've, saluting. "You know my address?" Hester Manners a married woman with a child of three! Netta smiled grimly to herself as she realised her companion's cleverness. She knew that the stolid face, the prim manner, and the timid obedience were all of a clever disguise. And her real Christian name was Lucy! Netta was repeating this to herself as she happened to be in the hall, and in n flash she solved the mystery. Captain Eayne had talked of Lucy Humphreys. Good Heavens! Was it possible" that Hester Manner? was Lucy Humphreys, the wife of the man who had been convicted of the murder in Park Lane? Was it possible that the woman was in that house with the sole object of discovering Xetta'e secret? The thought naralrspd her, and in her fi-ight she declined to believe it, but at the same time only the nroximity of a rliair saved her from collapsing on the floor of the drawing-room. She eat there breathing heavily, and great beads of perspiration stood' out upon her forehead. ' She felt as though she would die of suffocation, and she struggled for air..

Hester was a spy. Hester was tryinff to brinir about lier doom. Tlio paid companion was there to trap her and Harold. g She was repeating: many things incoherently to herself when Parker entered flip room. His presence reminded her tl,at here.was an opportunity to conher fesrs. . • . _^_

"Parker," she said, sudenly, "do you remember what the name of the man Humphreys' wife was? Her Christian name, 1 mean?"

"Yes, ma'am, it was l/ucy." "And she had a child—a little girl, What was her name?"

Parker looked puzzled. "Mrs. Cradge could tell you that, ma'am," he said, referring to the housekeeper; '-she knows all the names and has a. wonderful memory."

"Then consult Mrs. Cradge, will you?"

Parker returned in a (ew seconds. "Mrs. Cradge says, ma'am, that the name of the little girl is Dorothy, and "that she is three years old, ma'am." "Thank you, Parker," Xetta uaid; K that is all."

Lucy Humphreys was her companion. "What snail I dor What can I do!" she murmured again and again. "Shall I send for Harold? He ought to know, for he is in danger, too. Shall I confront Lucy herself?"

Restlessly she rose and walked about the room, trying to find distraction in rearranging the ornaments, but peace would not come. The woman's name rang in her ears and the sound frightened her.

Suddenly she stood very rigid and stared in front of her. Lucy Humphreys, alias-Hester Manners, was in the room.

"May I speak to you, Mrs. Cardew?" she asked, and Xetta thought her tone defiant, but she was mistaken.

"Certainly—Hester, what is it?" she asked, steadying her voice.

"May I go at once?" she cried, and ■ now that Netta had gained control of herself she detected the note of misery in the woman's voice. "What, do you wish to leave?" ' "No, but I must have a few days off ! at least. Will you let mc go. Mrs. Car- ] dew, and not ask any questions?" Netta would have liked to have been able to say "Yes" and nothing else, but she was afraid that if she proved too amenable she might arouse Hester's suspicions. ! "Is it a very urgent matter that calls you?" she inquired. "You appear to be very distressed." I "Oh, I shall go mad! , ' shrieked the woman, advancing neare r . 'T can't stop \ and talk while—" She had alniopt betrayed herself. Netta seemed not to have noticed. "Of course you can go, Hester." she said. „ J The woman scarcely gave herself tinte to murmur her thanks, and very was dressed and out of the boustv. N§iy$ s saw her gn. an_d smiled to hereelf. i "I do not think she suspects,"' she njjvrmured. "and her anxiety to get awavfilii| jin "with my plans. But it doesn't sanSer the problem." «*» s' Xetta always was the pprfe"t but the evening following Hesters $y$ den departure found her still and upset: She had not the heart tp,a2ti the part of the conventional hi=fess. and her few gueets who knew her hriUijnilCi qualities ascribed it to indisposition,' '' Harold was not present, and she; Juia"' not sent for him nor acquainted him with the astounding development in thpir secret. She had not had the courage, and then she was aware that on the following morning, every paper of im-j portance would contain the announce-; ment of their engagement. She wishe! to get that over first, and then to tnke joint action with her future husband.

She was still debating whether o write and tell Harold everything when he was announced by Parker. He entered the room with flushed face, and she saw thnt he was angry. „ The moment Parker had left them alone he turned <o her.

"Look here, Xetta," he cried, thrusting a newspaper into her hands, "I wish you had had the decency not to publish this. You might have given mc a little, time to get used to it, and (Elsie a few more days of privacy. I didn't wish her to be humiliated."

'It's true, isn't it?" she said. He did not reply. "Harold," she cried, "you won't go back on your word, will you ?" "I decline to answer you," he said, walking over to the window. "The m"re I think of our hellish conspirncv to keep that poor man, Humphreys, in gaol, the greater the coward and scoundr , 1 1 feel A union such as we contemplate, Xetta. can only end in disaster." "If we don't unite," she answered, scornfully, we won't have to wait long for the glorious end you predict." "What do you mean?" he asked, aroused by the feeling in her tone. "Something that will surprise you. Harold, you remember that night when you sent mc upstairs to find Hester Manners ransacking my desk?" "Yes?" "Hester Manners is in reality Lupy Humphreys, the wife of the man who —" "Great heavens," he cried, almost reeling, "is—is it possible?" "It is," she said, grimly. "Oh, I have suffered tortures since I four.d her out. You don't know what I have felt like." "Are you sure of what you say?" "Only too sure." "How did you manage it? When the private inquiry agent didn't turn up at

"Only too sure." "How did you manage it? When the private inquiry agent didn't turn up at my office I assumed that he had noth-. ing important to communicate." "I sent for him to come herp, instead," she replied, "and very-glad I am I did so; too. He followea her to a house in Notting Hill, where she changed her clothes, put on a wedding ring, and went off to a Mrs. Davies who is minding her child tor her. You remember that a child was mentioned during the trial. The man heard the little girl address her as 'mamma,' and Mrs. Davies, who evidently knows nothing about Hester •Manners, referred to her as Lucy. The child's name is Dorothy. I.have had confirmation of all this. There we are, Harold."' She sat gnd watched him, and a gleam of satisfaction crept into her eves as she noticed the terror in his face. "■"Where is this woman now? , ' "She came in yesterday and asked for leave of absence. She was in a terrible state of agitation. Of course, I gave her permission, for it suits my purpose to have her out of the house." "Will she come back ?" "I think so. She does not suspect that I know. If she did she mi<?ht not. It i* possible that sbe has discovered nothing to help her." "That's fairly obvious," he retorted half angrily. 'She is merely playing the part of spy. She watched you like a cat watching a* mouse. But the greatest dancer is. those letters, Xetta. So lons as ther are in existence our liberties are in peril Just imagine the sensation their publication would produce, or even the knowledge of their existence. We have cone too far now to draw back. Remember our attitude, throughout the trial. T posed as your business man, your solicitor—u TO 'as the. daughter of the man who had made our firm. Once let it be.

known that there was anything else and we are doomed. You must destroy those letters."

"Xot until we are married will I permit those letters to be burnt. There, the time they cease to exist rests with you." Before replying he paced up and down the room several times.

"You will over-reach yourself, Xetta,'' he said, standing in front of her. "It is not human to have everything one wants."

"I don't want everything," ehe said with a sniil , "'unless you regard yourself as the world."

"Far from that," he said in a low voice. "I think I am the greatest hypocrite in it."

But these self-accusations won't help us to tackle Lucy Humphreye," said Xetta. "You declared just now that we had gone too far to draw back. We must 2:0 on to the bitter end. What am I to d 0 . ,;" "Let mc think," he murmured. "I have it," said Xetta, sitting up in her chair. "Shall I give her notice, because after our marriage I shall not require her as a companion? That is the best idea, and it won't arouse her suspicions." ■ "'1 suppose it is, , ' he admitted. "The worst service we can do ourselves is to give the woman the impression that we are afraid of her. If we can get heT out of the house without arousing open hostility she will be harmless. You and I as man and wife can protect ourselves afterwards. Don't look so glum, Harold," she added, "you might try and appear pleased just out of compliment to mc. One would imagine that I was ordering your instant execution." ""I am in no mood for jests," he said, curtly. "You referred to our marriage. I suppose it can take place this year?" "Within a month, if you like. 1 don't mind, although that would rob mc of a fashionable wedding."

don't talk that noneenso!" he cried passionately. "It's all fashion and Society with you. You are heartless, Netta. I might have known that, long before you ran away with Robert Cardew."

''I hale to hear that man's name," she said viciously.

"Well, let it be when you like," he said, "but I have one stipulation to make, Netta. We must be married in a registry office. I am not going to commit an act'of sacrilege by marrying you in a church." The deep/feeling in his voice checked her words of scornful protest. "I am -willing," she said, softly, rising and going towards him. He made no attempt to kiss her, and his involuntary movement away from her stopped her in time. "You are the worst lover in the world," she declared, parodying recent words of his. f&fiThe less we talk of love the better," >Jbe said, and left her. $SJja-- t>e continued dally.?