THE GRIMLEIGH MYSTERY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9833, 4 August 1900, Page 6

THE GRIMLEIGH MYSTERY.

CHAPTER XIX,

When Farmer Carwell came home to supper he found the house in wild commotion. On hearing Tera's intelligence and on hi r proving the truth of it, Rachel fainted away, and had recovered her senses only to go from one fit of hysterm into another. She was as deeply in love with Herbert as a girl of her temperament could be, and the discovery of his* treachery rendered her for the moment quite beside herself with mingled rage and grief. Now that she knew the unhappy Zara had been his wife, she was ready to declare he had murdered the girl. He had grown tired of her, no doubt, as men will of the most affectionate of women, and had cast her off. When she returned to assert her rights and require their marriage to be publicly announced, the man had killed her brutally and in cold blood. All this Rachel shrieked out with amazing vigor, and it was as much as Tera coulu do to keep her in her room. For quite an hour she raved like a crazy creature. At the end of that she seemed worn out; her nervous energy had spent itself, and completely exhausted she fell into a deep sleep. Then only was Tera able to leave her. It was necessary she should do so, for Carwell, below, was clamoring impatiently to know what was amiss. ' Whatever is the matter, lass ?' he demanded anxiously, and a trifle angrily.' ' She is—very ill; bub now she sleeps. She will be better soon. But Mr Carwell, 1 have bad news for you.' 'Out with it then. It won't improve for the keepiDg. Is it about Rachel ?' ' It does concern Rachel,' replied Tera, in measured tones : ' but itcoucerns also Mr Mayne.' • Mayne ?' cried Jack, who was listening in bewilderment. ' What about Mayne? , ' He is a bad man. 'A bad man?' echoed Carwel), his ruddy face paling. ' How ?' ' To-night he asked Eachel to become his wife.' ' Well, there's nothing wrong in that,' cried the farmer, impatiently. ' I saw long ago that he was in love with the girl.' ' He has no right to love her, Mr Carwell. He is married already.' ' Married ! —the scoundrel. Who is he married to V

' To Zara Lovell!' ' Zara Lovell!' repeated Finland, incredulously, while Carwell sank back in his armchair. 'You must be mistaken, Tera ; how do you know ?' Tera drew a paper from her pocket, and placed it in the farmer's hands. ' I am not mistaken, as that certificate will prove. Zara, as you know, changed clothes with me, and in her hurry, I suppose, forgot that her certificate of marriage was sewn in the skirt, of her dress. I found it when I took off the clothes in London. I intended to restore ifc to her when I came to Grimleigh, but when I found that she had been murdered, I said nothing about it. I thought it better to wait until 1 saw a fit opportunity. That came tonight when Rachel told me Mr Mayne had asked her to marry him. Then 1 told her of his wickedness, and proved it to her by that paper.' ' Well, if he ain't a mean white,' s-ud Finland slowly. ' I'd like to boot him round his own farm.'

Farmer Carwell did not speak. With white face and angry eyes he was reading the certificate. It was dated a year o> more back, and it set forth that HerbertMayne, bachelor, and Zara Lovell, spinster, had been at Chesterhope Chu: eh made man and wife. Chestc-rhope was a village some twenty miles from Poldew. Mayne, no doubt in order that attention should not be attracted, had obtained a licence for marriage in that parish. With her tribe, Zara had camped in most of the neighboring districts. She had no doubt been resident in the parish of Chesterhope for a time mere than sufficient to comply with the regulations for a marriage licence. He had been b long while in coming to the point with Rachel—here, it appeared, was good cause for it. But now that Tera had returned —now that he knew that Zara and not she was the victim of the murder, he had lost no time in putting tbe crowning point to his duplicity. ' Curse him,' said Carwell, crushing up the paper in his hand. He was a good man, an elder of Bethgamul, and he rarely swore. But he knew well the misery Mayne's base conduct would cause his daughter, and now he did swear freely. Had Herbert heen in the room that moment, assuredly the outraged farmer would have treated him to no half measures.

'Great Csesar,' said Jack, drawing a long breath, 'what a knave. Shouldn't wonder if he killed the girl.' «No, no,' cried Tera, sharply. 'He is bad enough, without our making him out worse. He did nob do that.'

' I'm not so sure, , said Carwell slowly; he was recovering his presence of mind. ' The girl told Bithiah that she had returned to meet her husband. Mayne was then courting Rachel, remember, and the sight of his wife would no doubt anger him. It is quite possible he may have made up his mind to put her out of his way.' 'But Zara was strangled by a cord taken from Mr Johnson's study,' ctied Tera. 'How could he have come by that?' 'Oh, eaay enough,' said Finland. 'Mayne was often in that study. It would not be any tough job for him to collar that cord.' ' But where would be his reason ? Remember, he did not know that Zara was coming back to Grimleigh,' argued Tera. ' She told me she AVys goiny; to surprise her husband. No, if he did kill Zara, which I very much doubt, io was in a fit of rage he did it.' 'We will question the man himself,' said Carwell, rising heavily from hi* seat. ' I'll tee this man and wring the truth from him. I've a mind to go to. him now. 5 ' There's no need for that, uncle,' interposed the saior : ' he told Rachel he wan coming here to-night after supper. He'll probably be here in an hour or so. Lst's wait for him. There may as well be as many witnesses an possible to the skunks coufessioos. You come along, uncle, and have some supper ; you'll be the betUr for it.' ' I could not eat a mouthful,' muttered Carwell, resuming his teat. ' Go you and eat. Jack—you and Bithiah, with that heathen of )ours. I'll uo and see Rachel.' 'No, please, don't,' said Tera, anxiously. ' She is deeping beautifully now. You will only make her ill again if you wake her.' . Beckoned to by Tera, the Kanaka, still greatly troubled by tuis mystery and trouble, crept out nf his corner. He seated himself timidly at the table with the other two, and managed to make a «ood meal, even though the viands placed before him probably weird and strange to him. Nobody spoke save in ati occasional whisper, and the time dragged .wearily on. Jack sought solace in Ins pipe, and Tolai ci aw ted back to his corner. Tera went upstairs to Rachel's r.-;om, to see if she were still asleep. She

slept soundly. Tera did not disturb her, buc she returned to the nittina-room. As she came down the stairs she heard a cheery whistle from outside ; then the tread of rapidly-approaching footsteps, and finally a sharp rat-tat ab the door. Tera went to open it, and with a smile on his face Herbert stepped, into the room. The lamplight seemed to dazzle him. ' Here I am, , he safd, tossing down his cap. 'I'm earlier than usual, but I couldn't keep away any longer. , He did not appear to notice anything was wrong. He approached Farmer Carwell. ' Has Rachel nob told you, farmer, our news ? Where is she ?' Carwell said nothing, but stretching out a huge paw gripped the man by the shoulder and drew him toward the table into the bright glare of the lamp. He placed the certificate on the cloth before Mayne's eyes, and silently pointed Mayne started and gasped. Something seemed to catch in his throat, and he became inarticulate. ' You scoundrel,' said Carwell between his teeth. 'Do you know that paper ? Yet you dare to make love to my child, you —you —you murderer !' ' I—l—l am no—murderer,' faltered Herbert, down whose pallid face the perspiration rolled in great drops. ' I did not kill her.' Carwell shook him fiercely. ' Say your wife, you dog, you !' ' I —did—not —kill —my —wife. 5 ' I wonder why I don't slay you as you stand,' cried the farmer, his huge frame towering over the shrinking form of the culprit, ' You have ruined my daughter's life with your lies. I would ■' He stopped and burst into a harsh contemptuous lauph. ' Cur that you are, you are not worth an honest man soiling his hands on. Out of my sight with you/ He dashed the man from him violently. On the floor Herbert lay—a pitiable object, while the farmer stood over him, fighting down a fierce desire to kick him. Jack and Tera looked on in silence. Slowly Herbert gathered himself together, and staggering to his feet groped blindly to the far end of the room. He knew that he was detected, and he could neither deny nor excuse his conduct, much less show a fighting front to the man who had a right to call him to account for it. All he wished to do was to get away, out of the house, away from the scene of his disgrace, lest, worse should befall. Blindly he felt for his cap, and made to leave. ' Stop,' thundered Carwell. ' This girl, Zara, was your wife ?' ' Yes,' dropped from Herbert's lips almost in a whisper. 4 Did you kill her so that you might marry Rachel ?' ' No, I —l swear I did not on my honor " 'On your what, you skunk?' cried Jack. ' Why, you low lubber, you don't know what the word means.' ' Silence, nephew,' roared Carwell. He turned again to Mayne. ' I know not whether you are a Cain or not, vagabond that you are. But mark my word, if you are you shall swing for it. If I can manage the job. You needn't try to get away. I'll be too many for you. I'll hunt you down, I'll ' Herbert cast a terrified ghnce around. At that moment the noise of wheels and loud voices were heard. He seemed to think the officers oi justice were already on his 'rack. With a rush he was at the door. Jack sprang forward to catch him, but Mayne flung open the door, and dashed out into the nkiht —only to fall into the hands of Slade. Back whence he had come the policeman carried him, kicking and struggling. Immediately after came Mrs Slade and Pharaoh Lee.

' Now, Mr Mayne, I have an account to settle with you. Stand still if you please.' The wretched man fell back against the wall, limp and despairing. With shrill clamor Mrs Slade bounced forward to explain their intrusion to Mr Carwell. Pharaoh remained standing at the door, his hands behind his back. ' Oh, sir,' wailed the policeman's wife, 'I'm just heartbroken. Tell me if my Jeremiah loves you Bithiah, or she him. , 4 1 ? I love that man V cried Tera. ' Nonsense. Of course I do not. I am engaged to marry Mr Finland, here.' ' Thank y*ou, Miss. Then why did you uive Jeremiah one of your pearls ?' ' I did not, Mrs Slade. The only pearl [ gave was one to Zara Lovell on the night she changed dresses with me.' ' There ! I told you so Jemima," said Slade, laying a heavy hand on Herbert's shoulder. ' And I got the pearl from this man. I was up about the field on the night Zara came back, and I saw her speaking to Mr Mayne. I knew as there was something between them. I was sure it was her, as 1 saw her face in the moonlight. At first, Miss (this to Tera), I thought it was you, as she 'ad ycur clothes on. Later on I met Mr Mayne running down to Grinileigh. I told him as I'd seen him speaking to Zara and he asked me to say nothing about it lest Vliss Carwell should hear of ib. I wouldn't promise nothin', so to persuade me he gave me a pearl, which 'c said Zara 'ad given 'im.' ' My pearl !' cried Tera. * Yes, Miss, your pearl. I took it home and put it in my box. Jemima 'ere fo nd it, and would 'aye it as I got it from you.' • No, no ; I gave it to Zara.' 'There y'are. D'ye believe me now, Jemima?' 'Oh, yes, yes,' whimpered the little woman, whose jealously had brought about this catastrophe. ' I believe you, Jeremiah, indeed I do.' ' You are all mad,' shrieked Mayne, haggard and pale. ' I know nothing of Zara or any pearl.' ' You do !' thundered Carwell. ' You saw Zara on that night; from her you got the pearl you bribed Slade with ; you strangled the girl". I believe you killed your wife.' ' His wife ! ; said Pharaoh, darting forward. 'Is he Zara'* husband ?' ' Here is the certificate,' replied Jack, handing iv to him. ' That seems to *ay so.' ' His wife V wailed in a voice as Pharaoh read the piper. And ut the door stood Rachel, with outstretched arms. ' Rachel !' cried the •wretched young man ; and in a wild effort to escape her reproaches lie again made for the door. Hardly had lie laid his Imml on the hitch when Pharaoh threw down the certificate and sprang on him, Rachel shrieked and rushed forward as the two men swayed and swung with clenched teeth, but her father caught her in her arms and forced her back in his chair. Mrs Slade fell on her knees with a whimper, and Jack and the policemen endeavored to part Mayne and the gipsy. At that moment they saw the glitter of a knife. One flash, and the weapon was driven home. Pharaoh withdrew the knife and tossed j it at Rachel's feet. His victim was prove on the floor, a spout of blood gushing Irom his breast. ' Take your lover,' the gip-y cried, and before the terroi-stricken spectators could move he had opened the door and disappeared.

[to be continued.]