THE SECRET OF THE OAK PARLOR.

Evening Star, Issue 14999, 5 October 1912, Page 3

THE SECRET OF THE OAK PARLOR.

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By Riciiaiid Wyverx, Author of ' Paying a Debt,' etc., etc. CHAPTER XXV. " ZEXO's LAST MISSION.'' Unaware of the still form of Zeno in the kitchen, listening to his movements, or the deadly purpose which nerved her action, Austen took one turn across the room, then throw himself into the arm chair in front of the now dying fire. He had drank heavily during the night, but its effects were passing away. His head now ] throbbed with a dull, fierce pain, and, j leaning back in his chair, ho clasped his j hands on his brow. I As he lay dozing thus his brain was active, and to-night it somehow dwelt on the past, which seemed to pass into review before him .\ It was not a pleasant picture, for even in his youth ho could scares recall an action free from sin or the taint of crime. Ho had always acted unscrupulously. His hand had ever been for himself and against all other men. One incident in his past life stood out clear beyond all others. The scene was a] room in a house in Coram street, where Leonore, the beautiful daughter of Madame J Ulcivet, had pleaded with him to fufil his i promise and make her his wife. He re- j fused, and his words roused her fiery! southern nature to a tempest of anger, j In her fury she cursed and spat upon him. ] After a, time he seemed to yield, and cave a pledge to redeem his vows, thus soothing her anger to calm, and recalling the smile to her lips. Then with cruelty unspeakable, he dealt the blow that 'killed her. With masterful cunning he had thrown suspicion on Horace Avillar and Stephen Hilsdon, deceiving even Relief, and so escaped. But even now, though he knew it not, a vengeful Nemesis, in the person of Zeno. stood behind his chair, regarding him silently. She had thrown back her veil, but the hard, white face showed no sign of relenting : no pity shone from the blue eyes, only the lire of revenge, seeking gratification. There was a gleam of steel, and the'next instant the dagger had pierced through the heart of Sidney Austen. An agonised cry broke the silence, then died away in a gurgling moan, a quivering motion of the body, a, spasmodic gasp for breath, and that was all. Zeno stood still until his figure stiffened in death, then left the room, shutting the door behind her. In the hall she turned out the electric light, opened the outer door, passed on to the stairs, and, unseen, left the premises. With swift steps she made her way to the hotel in Covent Garden, and the morning light was breaking over the housetops as she entered the sitting room, where Madame Ulcivet awaited her return. Calm as was her wont, the old lady rose from her chair, and asked in unruffled tones : '"Has justice been satisfied?" "It has: he is dead,'' answered Zeno, sinking down limply on a couch. The terrible strain she had undergone- now proved too much, ami she fainted. Calmly .Madame Ulcivet applied remedies at hand, and when Zeno recovered consciousness i took the girl in her arms and kissed her again and and with tender caresses and soft, soothing words lulled her throbbing senses. Justice, as she recognised it, had been done ; the price of dishonor and death had been paid by death. For long the two women sat in the shabbily-furnished room, until the sunlight streamed through the windows. Then Zeno roused herself to action, for j other duties claimed her attention. It was with some trepidation that- Lorraine, early the next day, entered the offices of Hilston, Ltd. Ten-thirty had been the time named, and he was there punctually to the moment. Almost the first person his eyes lighted upon was .Mr Hartley, who had formerly been manager at the Holborn branch. The latter came forward eagerly, and shook hands with Lorraine, saying : " I. am very pleased to see you again, more especially in this office. Wait here a moment, and I will inquire if Mr Hilsdon is ready to receive you." While Lorraine was waiting a- young lad, with a very bright, open face, came close to his side. "Why, is it you, Sam?" asked Lorraine. "So you have gained promotion from Holborn to here." ."Yes," he answered, with a bright smile. "Mr Lorraine, will you shake hands with me!" Lorraine gave him his hand, which the lad grasped eagerly. " I was 60 sorry, but. mind, I never | believed it. I looked for you many times. You were good to me, and I would have given you half my pay every week—-I would." Lorraine, when in the Holborn office, had taken an interest in the bov, and been kind to him, for he had no relations. The spontaneous nature- of the lad's sympathy, and the simple words he spoke, went straight to his heart. He pressed his hand, but could not speak, for a lump rose in his throat and tears gathered in his eyes ' : A few minutes later and Mr Hartley conducted him into the presence of Mr Hilsdon. The latter greeted Lorraine curtly, or with what those who knew him called his business manner, and motioned him to a seat. A few preliminary remarks and one or two questions, then Lorraine began his storv. He told minutely how he lost the cheoue. and all that followed down to his dismissal by Retlef. Mr Hilsdon listened attentively, nor did he once interrupt Lorraine hy'asking questions, but his deep-set eves 'watched every look and move of the speaker. At first the young man spoke with hesitation and diffidence, which gradually vanished as he proceeded, while the irresistible air of truth in his tone and look was not without effect on Hihdon. A brief silence followed the conclusion of his singular narrative, when Hilsdon. without making any comment on what Lorraine had related, said : _ " T do not quite understand the relaUcnshin. business awl otherwise, which existed between Austen and Retlef." Tn reply, Lorraine related what he kn<nv of their secret partnership, then Mr Hilsdon asked : "Have you ever met Horace Avillar?" and Lorraine reph'ed in f he negative. For a few miiinW Mr Filfon'-snt in deep thought, reviowinir the whole situation.. The narrative of Lorraine and what Mrs Avillar had told him the previous evening, taken in conjunction with the attempt to extract money from him. led to thy belief that Austen raid Retlef had lon* been working for his downfall. " There w still one su'hie-et which requires an explanation," ho said, with a keen dance at Lorraine. " Did these two scoundrels advise you to eeek the society of my daughter''" "Openly Mr Austin did, but secretlv tned to turn Mi:\s Hilsdon against me,'" answered Lorraine. The eyes of TTitedon flashed. He did not and. seizing the opportunity, Lorraine told him of his bovjfh acquaintance with Winifred, and their accidental meetnig in Oxford street after three vca-rs. _" You came fmovontlv to m'v house " said Hil-don ' " ' "I did. but on L dv Catherine's inritation." replied I. • •,» fj rm l v . "With such a cfut.>_> hanging over vnur her-.d, do vo u Muskier that vou were'acting right?" ""No, it was wrong of me, but " and he hesitated. "Weil." said Hilsdon. " I love Winifred. I tiied to keep away, but could not." The words came with such an outburst of boyish simplicity that even the stern features of Hilsdon relaxed. • " Mr Lorraine. I believe vou have told me the truth right through! and vou are not likely to suffer by doing so." Hilsdon meant to hare "said something further, but the sharp ringinc of the telephone bell interrupted Aini.

■_ ( It proved to be. a message from I/ady Catherine, requesting his presence in Park lane as soon as possible. For a second or two Hikdon hesitated, as if doubtful how to act, but the message was an urgent one, and ha felt impelled to obey it. Turning to Lorraine, he raid in a grave, but not unkind, tone : "Mr Lorraine, as I have a bread v said, I believe that in this matter von have told mo the truth; that must suffice for the present, at least until I have an interview with Sidney Austen, which is to take place at my house to-night. Your presents may bo neceranry," and he paused for a moment, then went on, with a hard look at Lorraine, "You had better dine at my house." J At his words Lorraine colored, and Hilsdon continued : "I trust to your houor and discretion Meanwhile," he added, "you had better see Mr Hartley." The interview with the managpr proved very satisfactory to Lorraine, for he found tie was to begin work there on the following Monday. The reason for Lady Catherine's action requires some explanation, for she rarelv or never used the telephone to speak with ncr husband when he was at business The same morning, after breakfast,"her ladyship had retired to her boudoir, when a servant entered, and stated that a' vou'nlady who refused to give her name, de° sired to see .Miss Hilsdon. ) "Show the young hdv up here" replied Lady Catherine. ' A few minutes later and her Ir.dvship was surprised by the entrance of Z*no wearing a dark dress, and her features hidden by a black veil "Pardon me Lady Catherine," she said. It was Miss Hilsdon I sought to sneak with; but it is perhaps, better that I should see vou. '

While speaking Zeno threw back her veil, when Lady Catherine recognised her visitor and with a cordial greeting invited ner to be seated. "Winifred has gone out this morning, but I w„I gladly hear what you have to say, replied her ladyship. For a second or two Zeno hesitated, as it in doubt bow to proceed : then she said • ' I daresay, Lady Catherine. v OU arc aware_ ot the accusation made against Vr Lorraine and which has gone a long wav to rum Ins prospects." "Yes, I am aware of what- he has been accused, and ,t you know anvt-hing that v, tnrow hghton the matter'l hope vou , s /f k , om ' ™™™< i L «'ly Catherine, ouddenlv becoming interested 7p^7Tr a Sm -i' b ?& wl » c h'she carried, took from it a lame envelope "This contains proof of Kric Lorraine's mocence There are other papers in the envelope which will be equally welcome to him. and he will understand why i enclose them, she said. The pale features of Zeno flushed a Wi' t ,1 r n° h0 w,th f!eep emotion, which Lady Catherine observed "Would it not be well for you to see Mr Lorraine? suggested Lady Catherine, out /enn shook her head. "It may not," sha answered. «Winshould T deny it ?—I h,y e him" Zeno spoke in a low voice, and Ladv Catherine, drawing her chair nearer, lis. tened attentively. "\es. I love Kric Lorraine- there is no sin m confessing that T do so HiIne and mine are from to-day for ever separated. I agisted Retlef and Sidney Austen to lure him into the net thev hul spread, and in doing so suffered a woman', penalty by learning to love him It i* some consolation for me to know that I nave placed in your hands proofs of his innocence. T meant to have given papers to Miss Hilsdon. hut perhaps it 'is better they should remain in vonr char.™ " Lady Catherine took the envelope, ffno pulled a. second letter from th* hair already mentioned, saving: "Oiye this to Mrs Avillar. ft will reveal the mystery of her husband's di-an-pea.rance." ' .More and more surprised, Ladv Catherine took the letter, gently urging Zeno to remain until she couid send a carriage for Mrs Avillar. Ail her efforts in that oirectmn were, however, useless, for the girl answered : "T go to join my mother. Tn a few brief hours we leave this country for ever Southern Italy is my mother's native land. \\ ? go there, to a home which friends have piovided for us." Lady Catherine invited Zeno to dine with her that day, assuiing her that the contents of the two envelopes, as described would ensure her the- gratitude of'all! This invitation the girl quietly but firmly declined. "My life, my"—a pr.u-e —" actions, separate mo from all mankind. Peny.it me to go; and, Lady Catherine, will yon sav to Kric Lorraine that, while T aided those, who would have encompassed his ruin, I have redeemed that- sin by giving him what will prove his innocence." While speaking Zeno had risen from her seat, and. moving close fo her side, Lady Catherine asked -. "Will Sidney Austen suffer for his share in the conspiracy which was to involve my husband as well as Mr Lorraine?" Zeno turned away her head before answering ; then, in a tone oE voice which puzzled her ladyship, said : " He is veyond suffering." The appearance of Zeno. her manner and undeniable beauty, had impressed Lady Catherine. There was something now in her bearing and look which implied that the ways of mankind were nothing to her. that, even life itselE was a secondary affair. " I hope your future will l>e a happy one." said Lady Catherine, as she took her hand. "The. happiness of the individual, Lady Catherine, is due more to the seeing and making of others happy than anything else. The good things of life in themselves give but a selfish happiness, evanescent and changeable as the wind." A few more sentences were exchanged, then Zeno departed. It was some time after the departure of Zeno before Mr Hilsdon reached Park lane, where he found Lady Catherine in a state of unusual excitement. With an eagerness which she made no effoifc to conceal, Lady Catherine told him of the visit of Zeno, and all that had taken place at the interview. Hilsdon listened, and when she had concluded said : "This packet is. I see, addressed to Mr Lorraine. You had belter despatch a servant to his rooms, with instructions that he is only to deliver it to Mr Lcrj raine himself." This having been done. Hilsdon, after a long, deep silence, said : " I hope I have not misjudged Horace Avillar." "How can you have done that?" asked Lady Catherine. "I 'nave no doubt you can recall the j rceno in the Oak Parlor at Wares Hili. ! The woman ieprc-:cnted there was Leonore, | the sister of Zeno. who was cruelly nnirI dered in Coram street. That scene was arranged in some mvslerious way by Retlef, and—well, his accomplice." Regard for his wife's feelings prevented him mentioning the nam<: of Sidney Austen. "They implied that I had committed the crime, and now seek to blackmail me." Lady Catherine had become very pale. ""No one could believe such an unlikely thing.' replied her ladyship. i "All successful men ha v c enemies, and thero aiv? nianv who would gloat over my downfall." said Hilsdon. His wife made no reply, and after a little lie continued : "I believed Horace Avillar guilty, but now am beginning to realise that I have wronged him." "Do you believe he is alive?" asked her ladyship. "Yes." .he answered (shortly. "I do not believe he is dead." Then Lady Catherine suggested that, as lunch war> ready, he should partake of the meal, and afterwards drive to Beaufort Gardens with the letter which. Zeno had left, for Mrs Avillar. This Hilsdon did. but on reaching Beaufort Gardens he found that Mrs Avillar was confined to bed with a severe cold, and, therefore, she could not see him, but he gave- the letter to her maid. Nor was Lady Catherine's footman more fortunate in seeking Lorraine ; • two journeys to that youth's rooms were without result, and the letter left by Zeno still remained it: her ladyship's hands, this being '«lut' to Lorraine having ti-sh lunch in. lk»

City with Mr Hart-ley, nor did he return to his rooms until it was time to dress for dinner. Before dinner he had a- brief interview in the library with Mr Hilsdon, in whose presence he opened the letter which Zeno had left for him. Its contents effectually proved his iunocenee. The original envelope was there which had contained the cheque and other papeis ; also a list of the accounts which Lorraine was to pay with the money drawn from the bank. In addition was a memo in the handwriting of Relief, acknowledging the receipt of thu cheque for £l5O from Austen. 'There was also a rote from Zeno, in which she stated that she had cashed the cheque on the- morning after Mrs Avillar's party, and handed the- money to Mr Relief. ' Mr Hilsdon examined the papers with great care ; he said but little—only looked very stern and grim. After dinner, while the gentlemen were seated in the dining room over their wine, a servant whispered something to Hilsdon, who immediately rose and kit the room. He followed the footman to his wife's boudoir, where he found Mrs Avillar and Lady Catherine. The former, on receipt of Zeno's letter, had risen from her sick bed, and come to him for advice. The contents of the letter went a loDg way towards clearing up the mystery of her husband's fate. Briefly, it explained that he was confined in a retreat, or private lunatic asylum, in the suburbs of Jans. In her weak state Mrs Avillar became very excited. Ladv Catherine strove to soothe her, but in vain. "Why is he there, and who could have immured him m such a place?" she asked of Hilsdon. . " There is only one man can answer that question," and he glanced at Ladv Catherine. No name was mentioned, but the two women knew he referred to Sidney Austen. J "We must -find Austen; he has failed to keep the appointment which he made with me to-night," said Hilsdon. A short time later Hilsdon. accompanied by Lorraine and Andrew Truscolt drove to Austen's chambers. Here thev tailed to obtain admittance, but after a search discovered the caretaker, who opened the door with his master key. Lorraine turned on the electric light and the three walked into the sitting room wnen they saw the stiff, rigid figure of bidiiey Austen. He lav still and lifeless, the purple stain on the front of his white shirt showing how death had come to him. (To be concluded.)