THE GRIMLEIGH MYSTERY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9821, 21 July 1900, Page 6

THE GRIMLEIGH MYSTERY.

♦ ! CHAPTER VII. felade was present at the inquest. He was deeply interested in the proceedings, and every now and then he might have been seen to smile in a saturnine way. For hia own purposes he had impressed on Brand the necessity of absolute silence concerning the discovery in Johnson's study. ' That one of them curtain cords was used to choke the girl proves a good deal,' he said, emphasising with a stumpy finger on the palm of his hand, ' but it don't quite show as Johnson killed the girl/ ' But even before you found out about the cord you were sure that he was guilty.'

' And I'm sure now, Mr Brand —thatl am—but I wants certain facts to build up a complete case against him—facta as he can't deny. Now,, this window cord is one tact,' but for all that someone might have been in the room and took it just to get Johnson into trouble. Now, my wife Jemima, she's as sharp as sharp. She's been speaking to old Mrs Johnson, who talks a lot, and Mrs Johnson says as this girl and her son had a quarrel over her refusing him,, afore (he murder.' ' That strengthens the case agaiust Mr Johnson.'

' Hold on, sir. Mrs- Johnson says as the window cord was missing three days afore that row took place. Now, sir, if Johnson killed the girl he wouldn't have got ready the cord and taken it away so long afore be needed it. If he is the murderer, he killed the girl ia a fit of passion 'cos ishe was running away with the pearls a3 he wanted to pay his debts with. Going on this evidence,.air, someone must have taken that cord with the idea of murder—and that someoue, by reasoning aforesaid —as the lawyers say, j wasn't George Johnson.? ' Then you thiuk that our pastor is innocent ?' said Brand, hopefully. ' I don't say nothing, sir, beaause I don't see clear." Wait till I sees him at the inquest, and then we'll talk.' So at the inquest Slade was oboervant of the minister's demeanor. However, he gained little from his scrutiny. Johnson had exhausted his earlier grief, and was cool and collected, and perfectly willing to repeat the story he had told Chard. He answered the questions which were put to him, but made no voluntary statement. By adopting this course he was abie to keep his secret of the lost and restored bills. Yet several times it was in his mind to tell Chard of the stealthy footsteps and the theft. It was just possible he thought, that someone might* have seen him looking at the pearls, and afterwards, ascertaining in the same way that Tera had taken them, have followed the girl to murder her for their sake. But atter debating, the subject in his mind he decided to hold his peace, and the evidence he gave,, while exonerating himself, could throw no> light on the darkness which environed..

Nor had Chard procured any other evidence likely to elucidate the matter at all. He had not heard the story of Herbert Mayne's meeting with Johnson on the night of her disappearance, near the field in which her body had aiterwards been- found. Herbert had told this only to Bachel and the policeman Slade. The first had remained silent, lest the pastor whom she admired should be accused of a crime which she was certain he had not committed ; the second, after relating the incident, to Brand, had agreed with him that until they found fresh evidence, it was best.to hold their tongues. Therefore, no - one- bub these three knew that Johnson had actually been netr the scene of the crime, aud in the minister's admission to Chard h® had merely stated that he had searched two hours for the girl. Johnson repeated his former story, and the jury did the best they could with it, for no other evidence was procurable. There was,, indeed, some talk of Finland and his departure ; but as everyone knew that he loved Tera, and could have secured both the girl and the pearls by marrying her—a course to which she was genet ally known as willing to consent—no one.'thought of taxing him with the crime. The peculiarity of the silken tricolored cord used passed unnoticed, strange to. say. A L ndon detective would have been struck by it immediately ;. but Chard and his subordinates were unaccustomed to such finnicky data, and it escaped them altogether. On such spate evidenoe it can easily be guessed what verdiot whs given by the thick-headed jury chosen from the Grimleigh wiseacres. They decided that Tera, a <a< Bithiah,. a na-tive of Polynesia, had been murdered by some person or persons unknown ;; and when the proceedings terminated all those present thought they hud heard the last of the matter. Slade chuckled and rubbed his hands; for now that Chard seemed likely to abaudon enquiries as useless, lie could go to work, at hia leisure and build up a case as he chose. So far he had suspected Johnson alone, but on reconsidering, the incident of the curtain cord having, been stolen three days before Teta's disappearance he concluded that some other person was also concerned in the matter. Who that person might be, Slade, in Ids present state of i indecision,, was not prepared to say. Having fulfilled the official part of his duties, Inspector Chard returned to the Grimleigh police office for a rest preparatory to riding back to Poldew. While there* he was informed that Koran Brand wished to speak to him, and on the assumption that the man, having been connected with Tera, might, have something of importance to say, he admitted him at once to an interview.

' Well,, Mr Brand,' said Chard genially, 'and what can I do for you? ' I want to know about this poor girl's murder, sir,' replied Brand, in his heavy, solemn way. ' What ate you going to do now f ' Why, Mr Brand, I have no very definite plans. But I may tell you that I intend to search for those peiyrls.' ' What will that do ?' 'Reveal the identity of th.® murderer. ;There is no doubt in my raind, nor can 1 there be in yours, that Tara was murdered for the sake of the pearls. Now, Swhoever has them will subtly turn them , into money. To do so he must sell fchem to some jeweller or py,unbroker. I intend to communicate with the London police on this poinr. They may discover who sold or pawned them, and thus be able to lay hands on the man we are in search of.'

' What makes yom think of looking in London, Mr Chard V

' Because that sailor Finland went up there a weak after the girl disappeared.' ' Ho went to join his ship/ said Brand, who believed in Jack's innocence.

'So he said,' replied Mr Inspector, dryly ; ' a very good exc«si; to get away from the town without suspicion.' ' But I don't see why you should think Finland guilty. He assured me most solemnly that he never set eyes on Bithiah on that night.' ' Oh, I daresay. But Finland is Carwell's nephew—the body was found in one of CarweU's fields —so it is not beyond the bounds of probability that Finhind placed it there' ' 1 dou't believe it,' cried Brand vigorously, ' Bithiah, I believe, ran away to

marry Fin'and, and by such marriage he could have secure! both her and the pearls. Why should he kill her?'

When Korah placed the matter in this light Inspector Chard was puzzled, and, unable to answer the question, lost his temper. ' I don't pretend to be infallible,' said he, harsh'y, 'and I may be mistaken. All the same, I believe Finland to be guilty.'

' Then why don't you arrest him ?' ' Because I have not sufficient evidence to enable me to get a warrant,' replied the inspector tartly, 'nor do I know where the man is. However,, it is my intention to find out if possible the whereabouts of these pearls for which the girl wa3 murdered. When I learn who disposed of thena, I shall be able to capture the murderer.' ' He won't be Finland, sir.' ' That we 3hall see/ retorted Chard, and closed an interview in which he felt he was getting the worst of the argument.

Brand left the polioe-office with the conviction that Tera's murderer would never be discovered by this>mulish officer. Slude had twice the man's brains and decision, and Korah resolved to rely on him for the conduct of' the- case. He looked round for the policeman, but not finding him, and feeling he must talk with someone about the matter, he hurried up the hill to < Johnson's house. As Slads suspected Johnson, and as the queer incident ot the lost window cord proved that there was some ground for such suspicions, Brand thought he would do a little business on his own account and question the minister. In the course of conversation he thought some evidence might be discovered, likely to incriminate Johnson. Korah was inclined to beseech the young man to fly lest he should be arrested,. and lest disgrace should fall upon the chapel people of Grimleigh. Even as matters stood now Johnson was in a dangerous position.

On entering the study^. Brand cast a look at the window, and saw that as Slade had stated, one of'the tri-colored cords wa3 missing. This fact made him wonder if Johnson had really strangled the girl with it,' and if so,, whether he committed the crime in order to secure the pearls for the payment of his debts or in a fit of despair caused by>the rejection oi his love. If haggard looka, which might be the outcome of remorse, went for anything, Johnson was guilty, for the man was white and worried-looking. Dark circles were under his eyes, his manner of greeting his visitor was uneasy, and he looked as though he had not slept for hours. On the ofrher hand, thisphysicaddeterioration'Hiightbe caused by griefs for Tera's death.

' Do you wish to pee me particularly, brother Korah ? ' asked Johnson, lifting his heavy eyes with a weary look, ' I am scarcely fit to talk.'

Brand .sat down and assumed a stern demeanour. 'Is this sorrow on account of your earthly passion,, brother, or because an immortal soul has been lost, ?'

' Bithiah's soul has not been lost,' cried Johnson, stirred out of his apathy to honest iudignation ;,'she. was a good girl, a true Christian. Her- death was a martyrdom. 5

'Yet she died in sin,' pei-aisted the narrow-minded missionary. 'She fled from your house with evil, in her heart, aud with the pearls.' ' The pearls were her own'property.' 'No, brother, they were entrusted to her care by Buli that she might buy g( ods for the civilisation of Ko:au. She was his steward, and had no right to remove the pearls from your keeping. But these matters,' added Brand, taking a mote worldly tone, 'we car* discuss .at leisure. The question now,.and the one about which 1 came to see- you, ia the funeral.'

' I have arranged with Inspector Chard about the funeral,'said Johnson, wearily. • To-morrow the poor remains are to be buried in our own cemetery,, and I shall read the service over, the dead. Poor Tera, it is all I can do for her.'

' You will bury Bithiah the Christian, but not Tera the pagan, brother. Do you think you are. wise to act at the funeral ?'

' Why not, brother Korah ?' ' There may be a riot.' 'A l iot ?' Johnson looked surprised ' And why should there be a riot ? '

The missionary looked perplexed, and tugged at his grey\ beasd. ' Brother, brother,' he said in a tone of remonstrance, 'do you not: know that public opinion credits you with, the crime f Johnson rose slowly,, with a look of horror on his colorless- face, but this speedily gave way to aa expression of indignation. * Who dases to say such a ? ' he demanded..

'It is the general opinion,' rejoined Korah, coldly. 'You were near the, field where the body was found on the very night Bithiah. disappeared—on the very night when—if we go by medical evidence—the.girl, was murdered.'

' I was looking, for her. Bithiah of tan walked near that field, and I thought it likely that Lshould find her there. Kill her? I swear- to you, Brand, that I would as soon,ha.ve killed myself as her. I loved her dearly ; why, then, should I commit a crime contrary to my earthly love, 'o my ieligious principles ? ' I do not accuse you —the public TH>ice does that,' replied Brand, still cold and unsympathetic-* 'Youare known to be in debt——''

'lam. not in debt now,' interrupted Johnson, hacriedly. * All my debts* are paid.' 'Paid.?: Your debts paid?' Braad was thunderstruck, for this was the lust thing he expected to hear. ' How did you pay them ?.' he demanded, suspiciously. * I did not pay trem, Brand." ' Then who did ?' ' I don't know,' was Johnsan's extraordinary reply. lirand looked at him sternly and droned out a.pso-v«b, 'Therefore shr23 they eat „f the fruit of their own ways, and be filled with their own devices/ he quoted,

' What do you mean, brother ?' 'Brother,' repeated Korah, rising with indignation. 'I am not* a brother to you, man of sin that y,sa are. Yo&r debts are pud! Yes, I believe that. You do not know who paid them. Liar ! You paid them jouiselS with the wages of your sin-' ' My sin ?' gasped Johnson, aghast. 'Do not add deceit to your iniquity, man, you killed that girl ; you stole her peaHs ; when you wsat to London it was to sell them. Now you have paid your debts at the cost of Bithiah's life. 'Be sure thy sin will find thee out.' It has found jouout —murderer.' ' I am no murdaztsr,' cried the minister, vehemently. 'As I am a living man I had no hand in her death. I never saw her after she left my house. I searched, but in vain. Who paid my. debts Ido not know. Yesterday I found a pile of receipted bills on this table. Who put tlum tlure I know no more than you do.'

' You cannot impose upon me by such a story,' said Brand, coldly. 'Debts like yours ate not paid by unknown people. If such were the case, all you have to do is to see your creditors and ask who paid them.'

' I intend to, but as yet I have not had the time. After the funeral of Teta I am going to London to see my creditors and learn the truth.'

Brand smiled. ' You are going to London,' he repeated ; ' thai is, you intend to seek s;;Yy in flight, W vh } it is the

best thing you can do. I shall not betray your secuetJ * I do.not intend to fly. I ha,ve done nothing; wrong.' ' Man,, man, why will you try to deceive me I 1 am your friend,, and !or your sake, for the sake of our Utothi-sda, I implore you to fly. What wil your congregation say if their pastes is hangtd for murder V Johnson drew back with a shudder. ' Hanged ? No, they dare sot. I am infocent.' ' You have yet to prove i!ia.t.' 'Brand,' cried the wietched man, imploringly, 'you do not believe that 1 killed Tera ?' 'From my soul I believe you did,' replied Korah, sternly, ' and if I did my duty I should deliver yoata justice. But for "the sake of Bethgamul I refrain. Fly., man, fly, and repent of your terrible 3Ja.* God help you, hs I cannot,' and with a gesture of casting off a sinner, Brand walked out of the room. [to be continued.]