THE GRIMLEIGH MYSTERY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9820, 20 July 1900, Page 6

THE GRIMLEIGH MYSTERY.

CHAPTER VI

There are policemen who in their own eyes are wholly estimable. In Grimleigh dwelt such a one. He was a leas,.solemn, taciturn being, with red hair arad moustache, a freckled face, and the coldest of blue eyes, shrewdly observant ia proportion to their coldness. The man really possessed capabilities, though for want if opportunity they had grown rusty.But that was not his fault. To arrest drunken sailors and seek out rural malefactors of a half hearted type, and to see to it that public-houses were not open after prescribed hours—of such order were the duties of Jeremiah Slade. And the paltriness of them filled his ambitious soul with disgust. For this village con stable was an omnivorous reader bf the detective novel, and ardently admired the preternatuta! acuteness and dexterity brought into play by the fictitious miracle-mongers, who therein are-de-picted as ever able to solve the most impenetrable of mysteries. He longed for a chance to distinguish himself after the same fashion, and he chafed that opportunity was so long withheld. But now j his hour had come, as we are told it comes to all men who know how to wait.

Now Jeremiah was a married man— < married within the last twelve months ito a diminutive, albeit not over shrewd, black-haired tyrant, whose greatest of all desires was to live at Poldew. If only Slade could be iranst'erred to that centie of gaiety—so different, from Grimleigh—the little woman would be perfectly happy. At least she thought so. Now. if on y Jeremiah could distinguish himself in the performance of his duties sufficiently to attract theinelligent and ever watchful eye of Inspector Ch*rd, it was not beyond the bounds of probability that the much desired transference might come to pass. Therefore waMistress Slade ever goading her good man to accomplish the impossible. She was as anxious as—nay, more so than he, that sor.ke tragedy of a.mple dimension* should take pJace. She, too, saw nothing but promotion and glory in the mysterious murder of Tera, and the morning after the body had been transferred to the dead-house, she chose to attack Jeremiah on the subject while she prepared his breakfast. Slade sat over the kitchen fire reading ' The Moonstone.' He hoped therefrom to extract inspiration for the task which he was about to undet take. It is truly an ill wind that blows nobody any good, and the Slades looked on the tragic fate of Tera as the foundation of their humble fortunes.

'Jerry,'said Mrs Slade, pouring out the tea, 'you have your cnance now. If you can find out who killed that girl we'll be sent to Poldew, sure/

* I'm going to find out, Jemima,' growled the policeman ; ' I'm reading up tor the business now.' ' Bah 1 v our novels ain't no good, Jerry. This is real life, this is.' ' The chaps that writes takes their ideas from real life, Jemima. But I know what I'm goin' to do.' 'What is it, Jerry? Sit in to your tea.' ' P.C. Slade hitched up his chair to the table and loosened his belt, the better to enjoy his breakfast. ' I'm going to see tbatfMr Brand, the missionary.' * Why, Jerry, what's 'c got to do with it? ' I've been makin' inquiries on my own hook,' said Slade, nodding, '»nd I've found out from some of those Bethesda folk as Mr Brand was a-goin' to take that nigger girl back to her island. Now she's murdered, he won't like ii. ' Sides,' added Jeremiah, his mouth full of bread and butter, 'Mrßrand, he don't like the parson.' ' What good does that do ?' | ' Good ? You never will read to improve your mind, Jemima, Why, don't the book say as the detective always gets 'old of the enemy of the cove as done the crime ?'

' But Mr Johnson ain't done it, you. fool. Lor !' suddenly enlightened, ' praps it is 'im.'

Jeremiah nodded three times, and drank bis cup to the dregs. ' And don't, you go talkin' about it neither, or you'll never get to Poldew. D'ye 'ear ?*. •I'll be as silent as the tomb,' said Mrs Slade, who was a virago chiefly so far as domestic matters were concerned. ' What makes you think as Mr Johnson did it, Jerry ? I've seen'itn myself, and he's that pale he couldn't kill a little %•'

* Dyer know Mr Mayne ?' At the mention of this name the virago side of Mrs Slacle obtruded itself. ' Yes, I do, and ashamed I am to 'ear you mention it. Oh, don't look. at. me like that, Jeremiah. I know how ymi and 'c used to go on with them gjgsy girls.' 'That was in the exercise oft my dooty.' 'ZaraLovell wasn't your duty,. Jeremiah. The way as you and Mr Mayne be'aved to that girl was disgraceful, it was. If them gipsies 'adn'a gone away, her 'usband, Pharaoh Lee,, would 'a knifed you.' 'He wasn't her 'usband ; only, goin' to be. You 'old your tongue !! cried Jeremiah ferociously. ' All that's d« aA. and done with two year* ago. I ainft got nothin' to do with Zara m>w.. Ain?c I married to you ?' 'That you are; and the best day's work it was you ever did in. your life*' ' An' I'm going' to do a bettec,, as '11 get us to foldew, if you'll only, 'ear reason. Now, it you're agoin?' to- weep I'll get away.' 'I ain't crying, Jerry,' said Mrs Slade hastily, wiping her eyes with her apron ; ' tell me, lovey, what's this about Mr Mayne?' ' Well, I knowed'e was at tbe fimdin' of the body, which I wasn't," said the mollified Jeremiah; 'so I arsk'd him a few questions, seem' as we was always of a friendly turn. Md Mayne told me as 'ow Mr Johnson was in love- with this girl, and she ran away from J im. not forgetting to take three thousand pounds worth. oi pearls with 'er/ ' Lor% you don't say,' screeched Mrs Slade, her eyes starting out of her head. 'Mr Johnson says she- run away,' added Jeremiah. % ' but I ain't read my books for nothin'. Them as does the deed always tells lies.' His voice was veritably tragic now. *If she did run away, Jemima, she only got as far as that there cornfield. There, in the dark night, the vdlain strangled 'er in all her youthful beauty' (this was clearly theinfluence of the detective novelist), ' aa* stole the jewels to pay 'is debts ' 'Lor, cried Mrs "Slade again, 'you don't say as Mr Johnson has dtbts ?' 'All Grimleigh could't pay what he owes. Oh, 'c is the murderer, sight enough, Jemima ; so I'm a goin' to see Mr Braod, and find out what "c knows about this parson chap. Then I'll call on 'im, and 'aye a squint round 'ia parlor/ ' You ain't likely to find nothing theie.'

' Don't you be so mighty sure about that, niusu,s ; I might find tlsem peails '

in the meantime Grimleigh was in a great state of excitement. It was rarely i hat a murder occurred in their quiet neighborhood, and this fact, coupled *ith their intimate knowledge of the victim, roused their interests in an extra

ordinary degree. The inquest was to take place in the afternoon at the FjSherman's Rest, a hostel near the *sbed in which the body had been laid out. The town was on tip-toe of exeiterrrtnt. ; Amongst the witnesses whom Charrl intended to call was Mr. Johnson, and he | sent up the astute Slade to ssrve the I minister with a subpeema. Jeremiah was ;delighted at this chance, which, as likely as much, would bring him iato the study of the man-he saspected. Heresolved to use his eyes- s&arply. Fortune ioftea acts generously when she acts at all, and as Slade was climbing the- hill •he met Koran Brand. This was the ?ery man he wanted to see,, and he at once saluted him. j 'What is it?' ask«d> Brand, amjpatiently. He looked old«r than usual, land a trifle pale. It wae- evident that the 1038 of Tera had affectad him in ao :unusual degree, as in truth- it had ; for without Tera, Brand did nofc care to re.turu to Koiau. It was therefore with no ■very great goodwill that he submitted to be stopped by this raw-boned Goliath. "Who are you ?' asked Korah, with a growl.. 1 _' Jfereimab. Slade,' replied the officer. *I am police-constable in this town. lam on my way to serve Mr Johnson with a subpoana.' 'Oh, the shame, the shame tiaat has fallen on Bethgamul,' said Brat_d, in tones of deep gtief ; 'our dear sister is taken,, and our pastor has to bbw down his head/ ' Ho ! s got to appear at the inquest, if that's what you mean, sir ; bufc this subpesma '-—Slade looked round anxiously, then approached his mouth to the missionary's ear—" Why shouldn't it be a warrant V Brand, turned a shade paler, and fixed a keen eye on Slade, whose meaning he ar, ouce s«ized. ' Do you know any reason why ie should be a warrant ? ' he asked sharply; ' I hare my own idea, sir.' ' What is your idea?' Slade took time to consider, and pulled his red moustache. ' See here, Mr Brand/ he said, softly, 'do you want disgrace to fall on that chapel of yours ?' ' Why, em). I would do anything to avert that.' . . ' Well,, then, sir, don't ask me questions übout your parson/ The missionary bene his shaggy brows on the man and stroked his beard. 'Do you suspect Mr Johnson ?' ' Yes, I do ; but nobody else does, except—yourself/ 'I ? ' Brand started back in dismay. ' Get thee behind me, Satan. Why should I suspect him ?' Jeremiah tapped him on the chest. 'If you hold your tongue, 1 hold mine,' said he, an«l turned away. In a momenfc Brand was after him, clutching his arm. 'Man, what do you mean?' ' Gammon ! You know Johnson killed that girl..'' 'Oh I 3' Brand withdrew his arm with a moan. • I feared so, I greatly feared How do you kiaow ? ' ' I'll bell you, if you'll answer my questions and work with me.' ' Any questions I can answer 1 will ; but wont with you—why should I do that? 5 ' To get that parson chap arrested.' 'No, no. Think of the disgrace to Bethgamul. I waut him saved from the consequences of his sin/ ' We'll think about that when we prove his guilt,' said Slade, dryly. • But, see here, it's a chance of his escape I'm offering you.. If I tell Chard all I know, you won't get your parson off, I can tell you. I want to find out the truth of this mystery to get promotion. Help me to find out who killed the girl, and I'll perhaps make tilings safe for the man as done ii/ This was purely a treacherous offer, as Slade knew that he could not get piomoi tion unless the murderer of Tera was discovered and hanged. However, Korah j Brand, did not know this and hoping to I save Jbhnsor —which for the sake of the chapel he really wished to do—he at once decided to accept Slade's offer. 'I'll helpyou all lean,' heßaid, 'oncondition jthac you don't tell the inspector, should we find out the truth/ } ' Il's a bargain, then/ Slade-was delighted with the result of this diplomacy. Already he felt worthy to rankrwith..the heroes of any of~his favorite- novels. ' Now then, Mr Johnson's in debt, isn't he?! ! ' Yes, deeply in debt - the follies-c-f his youth. He now knows howttrueis the text, "Be sure thy sin will find thee out'/ : 'He'll find it truer when I've done with him,' said Jeremiah, grimly.. 'Well, sir, these pearls the yirl had with her ?' ' Yes, she took away some pearls. Johnson said so/ ! ' Very good. Then Johnson murdered ;hc-r for those pearl 9, so that, he-might sell ithem and pay his debts.' & How do you know ?' ' It's a theory/ i ' A very bad one,' said Brandy ,a worldly mature appearing through, his religious jveneer. ' The girl left thahouse with the jpe iris during Johnson's absence/ i ' Yes, but Johnson followed her.' i 'What of that? He did, not see her. |He says he did not.' ! 'Oh,' cried Slacle, contemptuously, i'he'd say anything ta. save his neck. | Why, Mr Herbert Majne met him coming from the cornfield.in,which the body !was found, that very, nights. You believe ime, Mr Brand; Johnson, met the girl there, strangled her,.soldi the pearls, and hid her body in the corn." ' You can't prove that.' 'We can prove it between us, Mr Brand. You cau prove as Johns' n was sweet on the girl, and .she'd have nothing to do with him You. can swear as 'c 'ad the ptarls. His servant, by them bills and letters she nicked up, can show that he was in debt, and Mr Mayne can declare as Mr Johnson left the cornfield on the night the girl nan away/ ' But all this is mstely circumstantial evidence,' argued th«- missionary. ' Men have been, banged on as much before now. But I daresay we can make the case- stronger. I'm going to serve this on Mr Johnson, so in his study maybe I'll see something of them pearls.' ' If he had t\w pearls, you may he sure he has disposed of ti em by this timet,' said Brand, with a sudden thought. ' Aft®r Bithiah.want ho was. in Loudon for a week. He- said it was to search for her,* but I daresay it was to sell the pearls.' ' Might be, sir. But iS he's got the money for them he'll have paid his debts.' ' We must find out if he has/ | ' Very good. I leave that part of it to you ; and now, sir, l'il get to h\isine»s. You wait tor me here, and I'll come back after I have a squint rouud that room, and tell ) r er my impressions.' With a complacent nod Slado made off, and Brand watched him enter the minister's house. Ho was absent for some ten minutes, dining which Koiah stood staring at the sort, and wondered how he could return to luh mission work at Koiau without Tera. Absorbed in these thoughts, he failed to horn Slado'a returning footsteps, and it was only when he felt a touch on his shoulder that he turned to see the man's triumphant face. ' What have you found ?' he asked, guessing tht»t Slade had made some discovery. ' Well, I saw Johiißon, and he took the subpeena, turning »spa.c as all villains. Then I looked about me a bit. I noticed the curtains on the winder.

'T know.,. I know, 3 groaned Brand 'vanity and: vexation and gauds 01 the Morld.. Gay curtains they are, tied back with red, white, aad blue cords.' ' Yes, but one of tiiem cords is gone, Mr brand,' ccied Slaile, txultiugly. We've got 'im- That girl was strangled ;with. a red, white, and blue cord. It ain't* drawing back the cniuiu now. No, sir;. it's rouud her throat.' [to be continued.] iiii in——ii 1 m