THE SECRET OF THE OAK PARLOR.

Evening Star, Issue 14981, 14 September 1912, Page 3

THE SECRET OF THE OAK PARLOR.

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By Richard Wtvern, Author of ‘ Paying a Debt,’ etc,, etc. CHAPTER XX. THE DESPERATE MOVE OF A SCOUNDREL. Lady Catherine watched Austen cross the room and seat himself beside Winifred, and she shivered again as if with cold. His cool, heartless words set her ladyship thinking. To her surprise, she found that the prospect of being released from her unhappy marriage did not now offer as much pleasure as it would at one time have done, while in her heart was a growing dread of Sidney Austen. She glanced in his direction, and saw him chatting and smiling to Winifred as if he had never made the awful suggestion against her father. As an individual, he seemed to have no regard for any man or woman who stood in his path. 3er ladyship knew that Mr Hilsdou had e Austen—had, indeed, befriended him on more than one occasion, when his extravagant living had brought him to the verge ot ruin. For these benefits he had never once expressed the slightest gratitude, but had treacherously schemed with Relief to bring about her husband’s downfall, even death. The Oak Parlor horror had, she fell, been in some extraordinary way arranged by the two schemers. Again Lady Catherine shivered, for she felt that, though not the instigator, she might be regarded as the guilty reward of his success. Naturally her ladyship began to doubt if a man capable of sacrificing his benefactor, as Austen had suggested, could be true to any feeling other than self-interest. She also began to doubt his protestations of regard‘for herself, and her trust in him was shaken. The scales were falling from her eyes, and the process was painful. On Mr Hilsdon the horror seen in the Oak Parlor had produced a scry marked 1 cflsct. A change had come over him which, during lire next lew days, Ladv C atherine was quick to observe. A nervousness foreign to him haunted his actions, and ho frequently showed tho restlessness of one looking for something to happen. He acted like a man expecting to Ire struck, but from what direction the blow was to come could not tell. Lady Catherine saw he was suffering, and, womanlike, her sympathy went out to him as it had never done before. Despite the occurrence in the Oak Parlor, and the sensation which it caused, most of the guests remained at Wares Hill over Christmas. It was the last night of the old year, and over the party in the drawing room hung an atmosphere of silence, probably due to the recent ghostlv scene in the house. “Lou do look glum. ‘Speed the parting, welcome the coming guest,’ ” said Mrs Redruth, addressing Andrew, with whom, to the dismay of Mrs Wigram, she had struck up a flirtation. The face of a fellow sitting by the bedside of a dying friend is not usually wreathed in smiles,” lie returned. ‘lour words sound well, Andrew but mean nothing,” put in Mrs Avillar. “ You are waiting to welcome an unknown guest. Greet that guest with a smile.” “The shadow of parting with an old friend outweighs mv interest m meeting a new one,” said Andrew. Did you ever find the old friend a bore?” asked Mrs Avillar. I know he did, ’ said Mrs Redruth. ‘ln your heart, Andrew, you are glad to be rid of him. Time and again he lias worried and annoyed you.” Better the evil that one knows,” began Austen. c ■ t loui quotation is rotten, Mr Austen. You must feel that the coming year is full of delightful possibilities,” said' Mrs Red'rnth. "My point of view, and it’s rather sad is that I will never look again upon the year that is going,’’ he answered.' “Do you want to look upon him again?” asked Mr Avillar. “Old friends-are apt to pall on the taste. You remember the lines; M here is the voice, howe'er so soft, 1 hat one would hear so verv oft?” No one would like to live through anv particular year again. I am sure I shouldn’t,” said Mrs Redruth, “even if I had the chaiice.** ; ’ 1 daresay. To do so would cause her ■U, “ , . with phamo > if that were pcssible,' whispered Mrs Wigram to Mrs Tremaine. “Unless one was allowed to profit bv said Austen.. “ You wouldn’t do that,” returned Mrs Redruth. “If you didn’t make the same mistake you would make similar ones.” How very serious you have become, Andrew,” said Mrs Avillar. Its the thought that I am a voar older—-a year nearer the end—that makes me solemn, ’ he answered. A few further remarks passed, when Andrew said ; is like cricket. There would not tie much run in getting runs if you knew, foi certam, that you could not be bowied. Every year you keep your end up by fair means is a run added to your score.” “ W hat would you think of a bat sman who grumbled all through the innings because his stumps had not been drawn iinen he was 36?" asked. Austen. "I should think him a nuisance to himself and everybody else.” returned Andrew. “I agree \vith that,” said Mrs Avillar. Hie man who moans and groans over the passing years is exactly the same. He doesn’t deserve, an innings at all. Hie stumps should bo drawn at tho start.” .“ What about those who keep their wickets up by unfair means?” aeked Austen.

" Don't trouble about, them," replied Andrew-. “ There is not a grain of genuine pleasure in any game, and less ~in the gaine of life, for a man who cheats." • " . best player, ’’ said Lady Catherine. “is the one who honorably waits for his chance, but makes the Ten - most of it when it comes.” At this moment the clock struck 12, and the old year passed away to make room for the now and coming guest. The mystery of the Oak Parlor still remained unsolved, and early in January the family returned to town. Meanwhile Lorraine had been assiduously discharging his duties at Kingswood street, Chelsea, and of late Mr Reliefs actions puzzled him more than they had e i ver i previously done, the fact being that the ‘ dealer in curiosities ” found himself in a very light comer, from which he was struggling to escape. For three days Mr Relief did not appear at business, but 'on the fourth morning took his place as usual, looking graver than his wont. In accents suitable to the solemn subject he informed his secretary of the death of Mr Felter in Paris, and his burial in that city, explained that he had arrived on the scene in time to see him breathe his last, and stated that he had remained in Paris until after the funeral obsequies, thus only reaching town that morning. Lorraine was not surprised, for his master had from time to tune informed him of Mr Feller's serious illness, but regretted that he had never been able to thank his benefactor for the kindness be had shown him at Low Ware. The same evening Retlef and Austen had a long conversation in the room over the small shop in Soho. Business matters were not going well, and the affairs of the firm were in such a state that desperate remedies were required. "Me must make use of another of Hilsdon's signatures," said Austen. ‘‘That’s plain enough." Only one bill had been drawn out over the signature of Hilsdon, which Lorraine bad so unwittingly written. This had been cashed, but a dread of rousing suspicion had restrained the two from further effort for a time. “ Cave must be exercised," said Retlef. “Besides, if I pay Madame Ulcivet £IOO for another of the signatures, the balance at my bankers will be almost gone.” “ I shall require £2OO to-morrow,” said Austen. ,

"Impossible.” returned Retlef. .. “ Your I extravagance is ruining the business. You I " 'll require to find the sum wanted else where.” “ Hilsdon's signature is good for any amount.” said Austen. “ make the next bid for £5,000. _ Get both the signatures from Madame Ulcivet, who should not have been allowed to retain them so long.” While speaking he looked straight at Retlef, for he did not believe the ]attorn statement as to the condition of. his bank account. ‘‘ The host plan would be to meet the first bill out of the proceeds of the third one. and so keep them flouting, otherwise m about a week’s time the forgery will he discovered.” ho continued. “I will draw out the bill for a sum which will incur the least risk in negotiating,” replied Retlef. sharply. “ You had the lion's share of the previous money ; this lime it belongs to me.” Avsten shrugged his shoulders. “We can settle later on,” he said. “ Get the cash, that is the main point.” A silence followed, during which Retlef sat fixedly regarding Iris companion. At length he said : “ There is another and Very effective way in which money can Ire raised.” “ How ?” “ First let me remind you that throughout all our dealings I have taken the risk. \You, so far, have risked nothing; now it is your turn.” “ Risk,” replied Austen. “ Why. the very fact of my being here to-night is a risk. How would Hiledcn act if lie knew of my secret dealings with you? All the same, speak out; tell me what you mean.” “ Seek an interview with Stephen Hilsdon.” answered Retlef. “Recall to his mind the scene in the Oak Parlor, and what it means to him. Tell him that a certain individual, an ex-detective, has in his possession evidence which would convict him of murder ; explain that this man lived for the bast part of three days and three nights in the house in Coram street, where the body of the murdered woman lay ; that he possesses portraits of both the murdered and the murderer I Circumstances have lately gone against this man, and he would now dispose of the proofs for a sum which would enable him to settle with his wife and family abroad. State boldly that you can produce the proofs and the man when the time comes.” Austen was not altogether unprepared for his companion's proposal. Still, it was something which he would not rush into lightly, the risk of defeat being too great. A long discussion followed, when Austen said : “ How would my action in the matter affect ray position with Winifred?” “ You would be tho hoTcter of the secret after this man I have referred to goes abroad. It would only be known to Hilsdon and yourself, and could be used in removing his objections to your marrying his daughter. Lorraine will be in prison before then ;,.tho only other obstacle is Lady Catherine.” “Oh : she does not count 'for much. I can twist her round my little finger,” answered Austen, with light indifference. “ Once married to Winifred, unlimited wealth, will be at your command,” said Relief quietly. Austen smiled. “ Yes,” he remarked; “but I fear Hilsdon wrll prove a hard nut to crack.” “ Should he decline to come- to any terms, or hesitate, warn him that the individual who holds the proofs will place them in the hands of Mrs Avillar.” His last words appeared to surprise Austen, but Retlef declined to make an explanation in answer to his questions, merely saying -. “ Should Mr Hilsdon prove obstinate, warn him as I have suggested." Still Austen hesitated, as one who dreaded a task forced upon him, and, had it not been his pressing ;jeed of money which urged him on would have probably refused, for he was too much afraid of his own skin to take unnecessary risk. As it was, he agreed to make the attempt, and on the first opportunity seek an interview with Stephen Hilsdon. It was a. bold yet dastardly move, at least on Austen’s part, bringing out, as it did, the heartless villainy of the man. He was prepared to blackmail his bene,factor without the slightest scruple, the man whose daughter he sought to marry, and whose wife he professed to love, and whose good name he would have compromised without a thought. Surely polished scoundrelism could scarcely go further in its disregard of right honor as did that of Sidney Austen. Courage would be required to blackmail Stephen Hilsdon, whose iron will and clear brain had baffled many such attempts in the course of his career. If Austen did not possess that courage he owned unlimited cheek, which might, at the coming interview, serve him equally as well. The same evening Lorraine bad reached his room, where he was considering his position in a more serious manner than he had yet done. He felt that it was impossible for him to go on longer as he was doing. _ The false position which he occupied in Mr Hilsdon's household must be ended. He_ had allowed himself to drift, and the drifting had not been unpleasant, hut truth and honor demanded that he should speak now, be the consequences what they might. Mr Relief’s secretary was therefore far from being- in a sociable frame of mind when Andrew Truscott entered his sitting room. . " I have made an appointment for you iu the city on Thursday,” said Andrew, without any preliminary' remark. " Where asked Lorraine, in surprise. “At the head office of Hilsdon’s, Ltd.,” was tho answer of his friend. “ Beastly cigars these I got to-day,” and while speaking he pitched the offending weed into the fireplace, then continued : " You see, it’s this way : I gave Hilsdou a large sum of money, which has been lying at my bankers for some time, to invest for me. You have no idea how sociable he became. I might have asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage, and he would have said yes. As it was, I did ask a favor, and the result is that voa are to get a post in his firm right away. So you can give Retlef, the shady dealer in curiosities, the sack as hard’as you can.” As he realised what the words of Andrew meant Lorraine rose to his feet, and stood staring in front of him like one suddenly struck dumb, while his friend, having lighted a fresh cigar, said further : I told Hilsdon it was no use offering you anything paltry, so I expect he will come down handsome.” As the light-hearted Andrew ceased speaking a cry such as a tortured soul might utter escaped from the lips of Lorraine. “ Oh, my God .’ It is hard ! To have such a chance offered me, and to be unable to accept it!” . (To be continued.)