The BLACKMAILERS.

Lake County Press, Issue 1063, 7 May 1903, Page 3

The BLACKMAILERS.

By W. Murray Graydon,

a Stirling "Romance of Cnoland ano Huetrnlia.

Author of "The Thirlstones of London," "Heaping the Whirlwind," &c

SUAIMAItY of Opening CHAPTERS. Malcolm Frazer. the owner of a cattle station. is standing at the hut, in the wilds of Western Australia, when his mate, Jim Connop, iclurns from the nearest settlement with letters and papers. From the latter they learn that finds are being raised ill Melbourne and Sydney for tin expedition to search for Sir John Vallenger and his companions, who have been lost while exploring. While they are discussing the question, a stranger, haticss and bootless and in rags staggers up to the hut and appeals for help. He is Charles Travels, one of Sir John's companions. Of the sixteen who formed the expedition, all but Sir .John, Travels, and Maurice Yorke, the scientist, have perished. Sir John, is lying almost unconscious at the traveller's hut at a short distance from the home station. lie remains conscience just long enough to enable hint to sign a will, by which lie loaves live hundred a year to his nephew, Osbert Challoncr, and the remainder of his estate, real and personal, to his adopted son, Laiirrenee Douglass Vallenger. Before starting on the expedition, Sir .John had willed his fortune to Challoner, and had cut. oft Laurence with the proverbial shilling. In the moment ■?f repentance he never dreamt that his adopted son was settled in Australia and known as Larry Douglass. Meanwhile, in England, Sir John's death had been practically assumed, and though legal formalities demanded time, Osbert Challoner. ignorant of the tragic happenings in the bush, was enjoying his uncle's riches on the Norfolk estate of Burlingham Manor. But while congratulating himself on his good fortune, he gets a rude shock in the shape of a letter from Sir John's solicitors, narrating the real circumstances of the famous explorer's death, and also telling of the new will which is to evict Challoner from the estate and breed tragedy, and also much bloodshed and sorrow. In Australia Larry Douglass had not met with success. lie had married an adventuress, and rued the day. Selling his station he decides to try his luck in another part of the country, but on the eve of his departure, his wife betrays him to Gentleman Jem, a notorious bushranger, whose gang attack (he homestead, and get away with Larry's wealth. The desperadoes, accompanied by the treacherous wife, have hardly left when a posse of police arrive and pursuit is arranged. Gentleman Jem is shot, and so also Ip Larry's runaway wife. Shortly after Larry hears of his uncle's death and his own good fortune, lie sails for England and takes up his inheritance at Burlingham Manor. C)ne of his tennants, a retired Colonel, is engaged in some secret work, and resents all attempts to cultivate his friendship. His daughter is out riding one day, when her horse bolts. Larry, seeing her danger, rides to the rescue. ■ This and a subsequent service wins for Larry the friendship of Colonel Lovering, and he visits the latter's house. Meanwhile Challoner and his friends C outran And Margrave are yachting in the vicinity. They are likewise plotting Against Larry, who is seen to be on the best of terms with the colonel's daughter whom he sees much of and to whom he becomes engaged. On the strength of this the colonel reveals to Larry the secret of the shed. He has constructed a submarine boat. Preparations are in full swing for the wedding when Gontran seeks an interview with Larry in London. And then the conspiracy is set rolling, Larry being informed that his erring wife was not killed, as he supposed, but is alive and in England. Gontran promises to produce her at any time he may appoint The story proceeds with

which stopped and started to p...ice Yaxley jumped out and ran to the animal's head. " I'll look after him, sir—T don't mind a wetting.': he exclaimed. "You and Miss Lorna take shelter in Mr. Vallenger\s South Lodge. We just passed it—you'll find it not fifty yards behind. And the gates are likely to be open." " 'that's a good idea, Yaxley," said the colonel. lie sprang to the ground, and lilted Lorna out. Tha two ran down the road and vanished in the darkness. • ••••• The circumstantial story Jim Sanderson had told Larry, the letter from Garnet's stockman, the accounts he ' had subsequently read himself in the papers—all these things pointed to Renee's death as a certainty, and proved that the unfortunate woman was buried on tin' ridge-crest in the heart of the Australian bush. On the other hand there was Garnet's cool and convincing statement, his daring demands, his assertions of forgery arid deceit. Would he be mad enough to play such a bold game unless he held the winning cards ? So Larry had reasoned, first one way and then another, and now, on this eventful evening, as the period of suspense drew to an end, he could no more sec light amid the conflicting theories than a ship without rudder or compass can steer herself into port. A clap of thunder drew him to the window, and he stood there listening, watching the purple lightning play across the park, until the rain burst in torrents from the storm-charged clouds. " What a night," he thought. "It is a fitting one for deeds of evil." lie waited a few minutes longer, his eyes on the clock. Then he got into a mackintosh, slipped a loaded rovolvcr into his pocket, and let himself out by a side door into the darkness and rain.

CHAPTER XIII. SHELTER FROM THE STORM.

Colonel Lovering was much surprised when Larry failed to keep his appointment and when he did not put in an appearance during the next two whole days, the colonel became alarmed. He determined to follow Larry to London to see for himself that all was well with his young friend. The journey, however, proved fruitless, and he returned. On his way back he was met by Yaxley who had <lri\en Lorna into Norwich on a shopping excursion. It was a little more than half past seven when Lorna and her father, will) the groom perched behind, drove away from the stables. The horse was a spirited animal, and curried them at a rattling pace out of the city. "It feels like a storm, sir," remarked Yaxley. A little later tho massed clouds were spreading. They soon covered i|i>' sky from horizon to horizon, and Ihe night turned black and threatening. A puff of wind rustled the In'dgelops, and the muttering of thunder was heard. " We won't stop at the Manor," Raid the colonel as they drove through Builingham village. " The storm may last for hours and we had better try to reach home before it breaks. We shall very likely find Larry at Pairelands," he added consolingly. The main entrance to Uurlinghain Manor was passed and shortly afterwards when the colonel had turned into the lil I le-travelh'd side road that shortened Ihe distance. ;t loud clap of thunder was followed by I*l ill If ciime down faster and faster, and the rising wind began lo roar like a hurricane anion).' the trees. A vivid fl;l.*dl Ol lil'lll llillff |e\i-;||,-|| |, M ;, |, il| slant the whereabouts of the parly, «uid * second out terrified borne,

CHAPTER X IV. FACE TO FACE.

The South Lodge—one of several on the Burlingham Manor estatewas a small Gothic cottage of stone lying across a well-wooded strip of the park, and about half a mile distant from the house. It had not been occupied for the past ten or twelve years, and the grassy winding road that led to it bore no traces of wheels or hoofs. Larry look a bee-line course, striding unerringly through timber and copse, and scarcely feeling the rain that pelted him from head to foot. He presently came out upon the road, and passing a few yards beyond the Lodge, he posted himself beside a great fir-tree. His vigil was a shoi t one. He heard the creaking of one of the iron gates as it opened and closed, and caught the faint sound of approaching footsteps on the gravel. The next instant a flash of thunder revealed two figures—a man and a woman. Larry's heart sank, and the hope that he had been nourishing while he waited began to ebb quickly away. But he was not. yet convinced, not yet prepared to admit the worst. " If Garnet intends to conduct this interview in the dark he will find himself mistaken," he thought, as he advanced to meet the couple. " Is that you, Vallenger ? " came" a sharp voice. "Yes," Larry answered. "This way, please ; follow me." " Hold on," said Gontran. " A word with you first. What a beastly night we have chosen ! Mrs. Douglas fortunately has a mackintosh, but I am soaked almost to the skin. Don't you think we had better move on to the house ? You can let us in on the quiet." " That will not be necessary. There is sufficient shelter at hand," Larry replied. " And we shall be able to see each other quite as plainly as if we were at the Manor," he added, meaningly. " Go on," assented Gontran, with a curt laugh. " I am quite at your service." In silence the three walked to the lodge, Larry several feet in front of his companions. He opened the door closed it behind his companions, and bidding them wait for a moment, he groped his way across the floor. He scraped a match and with shaking fingers he touched the flame to the wick of a large lamp, without any shade, and backed by a tin reflector, that stood in readiness on a table. A clear, steady glaze of light streamed forth. illuminating the bare, cheerless interior of the little room. II- shone on the mildewed walls and ceiling, on the two boarded-up windows, and on something else, which none of the three observed—the tracks of wet feet leading to the partly open door of an inner room. It was a fateful moment, and Larry strove hard to repress his agitation. " Now," he said, one concealed hand on his revolver, " produce your proof, Garnet." " I am here for that purpose," Gontran answered coolly, as he shook the wafer from his drenched cap and overcoat. " Airs. DougLas " The woman turned towards the light, threw off the hood of her mackintosh, and stepping forward. The mass of tumbled hair, the large eyes, the details of the features — Larry's keen glance noted them in a flash, and as quickly hope died within him. Ho was convinced ; Garnet had not lied For he knew that he stood face to face with Renee, and i ha i I lie grave in the Australian bush Was either empl> ol nonexistent, Her 1,,-aiitv laid prtl t.l> faded, and she looked older and more vie-

ious, but tfiere could be no mistake about her identity. •' My God ! " The words fell hoarsely from Larry's lips, and his flushed cheeks turned to the grey hue of ashes. He si a ied speechlessly, swaying on his feet like a drunken man. •" Come. Vallenger, don't take it so hard," urged Gontran. " You might have been prepared for this. And you needn't worry yourself It lies with yourself, you know, to purchase silence and freedom." " Larry forgive me," his wife pleaded ; and she spoke with Renee's well-remembered voice. " I deceived 1 you, and I am sorry for it. I wanted you to believe that J was dead. Rut the bullet only grazed me that night. Look," nnd lilting the hair from the right side of her forehead she revealed a bluish scar. " And afterwards," she continued. " when 1 came down country and learned that you had inherited a pile of money " " Yes, I understand," Larry interrupted in a dull tone. " Ry Heavens how can there be such wickedness in the world ? And that letter from ! the man, Porter ; you wrote it yourself. It was a forgery." " I paid him to write it." " You fiend ! Had you not done me injury enough ? " " I would undo it all if I could. Rut it is too late. I am your wife, Larry, and " " Stop, I have heard enough. Garnet rid m« of this woman. Take her away, and never let me see her again." " It shall be as you wish," Gontran replied, " and then " He broke off abruptly as a sound suspiciously like a sob was heard close by. " We are not alone," he added. " There is some one yonder '. " Impossible," declared Larry. " There is some one here, sir, and thank Heaven that such is the case," exclaimed a fiery voice. As quickly the door was thrown open and out from the inner room strode Colonel Lovering, supporting with one arm his daughter, who clung to him with averted eyes. Gontran, with an oath drew R<«nee to one side. Larry, his face distorted almost beyond recognition tried to speak but could only utter , an inarticulate word. " We are not spies or eavesdroppers, sir," cried the colonel, whose face was purple with suppressed rage ; " Our presence here is epiite accidental, and easily explained. " We were overtaken by the storm while driving home from Norwich, and we sought shelter in your lodge. One word before we part Mr. Vallenger. Who is that woman ? " " God help me," Larry answered, "she is my wife." He spoke with an effort that brought beads of perspiration to his brow, and, glancing at Lorna, he read in her eyes a look of horror and loathing that cut him to the -very heart. " Will you let me explain ? " he asked. " There is nothing to explain, .sir," the colonel replied furiously. " You are a liar and a scoundrel, and I am thankful that I have found you out in time. I never wish to see your face again. May God forgive you the dast.idly wrong you have done me and mine." " These are hard words, sir," replied Larry. " I do not deserve them." " You deserve a thousand times worse. Get out of my way. Let us pass." As .Larry stood irresolutely, his hands clasped, and his teeth fastened on his lips in an effort at self-con-trol* Lorna gave a. sobbing cry and I swooned. Pence started forward but Gontran drew her roughly back and whisperccL a few quieting words in her ear. Colonel Lovering lifted his daughter's slender form in both arms and strode to the door, which j Gontran opened for him. " Stop sir," Larry appealed. ! " Wait but a moment. You misjudge me, and you have branded me with names that are false. Will you ' hear nothing in my defence ? " " Not a word," shouted the colonel, hoarse with passion. " By your I own admission you are a liar and a scoundrel. You infamous hound if you attempt to communicate with j my daughter, or ever venture near I Burelands again, I will thrash you within an inch of your life." The door closed, shutting the two : out in the darkness and the storm. Larry would have followed, but the way was barred to him by Gontran, whose face showed the disappoint- . ment, and the terrible anger that , had gained possession of him ; for he knew that in all probability the , game was lost. " Let them go, Vallenger," he said, savagely. " You will only waste your breath. By Heavens ' this is a pretty night's work." " And you are responsible for it," cried Larry. " You are more to blame than my wife who is merely your tool. You have ruined my lite left me nothing to live for. But I'm going to deal with you as you deserve, you blackmailing cur. I'll kill you if 1 hang for it." He was insane for the moment with rage, and stepping back a pace or two his eyes wild and bloodshot, he whipped the gleaming revolver from his pocket. Gontran, not to j be caught napping, leapt forward so swiftly that he was able to strike the weapon to the floor, and the next instant he was felled by a terrific blow from Larry's fist. He got, quickly to his feet, and the two grappled before Larry could recover the pistol. To and fro they struggled, fighting desperately, their panting curses drowned by Renee's shrill screams of fright. They struck the table and upset the lamp, which was fortunately extinguished, as it fell with a crash of broken glass. Then they came heavily down together, and Gontran. by a fierce jerk, wrenched free of his maddened antagonist. Larry's head came down in violent contact with the stone tiles, and he was stunned for a moment, unable to rise. Then, sitting up, he heard a rush of feet and the slamming of a iloor, and realized that he was alone The lit|| bud not cooled hi 9 passion. liutl stumbling across the floor aud

splinters of glass, and pools of oil, he ran out of the lodge, into the rain and darkness, and never stopped till his blind fury brought him to the gates. There was not a sound to guide him, and he realized the folly of giving further chase. With a groan he threw himself into a dripping patch of bracken, and lay there, face downwards, with his arms clasped beneath him. His misery seemed greater than he could bear. | None of the servants were aware of their master's absence from the house that evening ; none heard him come in, or knew at what hour the library lamps were extinguished. When Larry appeared at the breakfast table the next morning lie bore little trace of what he had gone through, excepting his thoughtful and abstracted manner, and the fixed peculiar expression of his eyes. He was neatly attired and cleanly shaven ; he read his letters and ! glanced over his papers. His first act was to stop the alterations that were hein« made, and dismiss the workmen. For two or three days he refused to see any i>erson whatever, and from morning to night he was either locked up in his private office 'or was tramping the plantations and coverts with a gun on his ; shoulder. By that time it had bej come evident to old Harper and the ! other servants that something was j seriously wrong-. and the rumour gradually gained credence in the | neighbourhood that the engagement ; between Mr. Vallenger and Colonel I Lovering's daughter had been brokj en off. Among the letters that arrived by | Tuesday's post was one from Garnet —the second since the previous Friday. It was a lengthy communication, and when he read it, Larry j sat in a brown study for an hour or more, an unlighted cigar between his lips. " I must have a friend to help me in the matter," he finally decided. " Some one who will act entirely for me, and who can be trusted to manage the negotiations with tact and firmness. I dare not trust myself in Garnet's presence, for I could not keep my hands off him. By God's mercy and that alone I was saved from doing murder in the South Lodge. Of whom shall I make a confidant ? Challoner ? Yes, that is the best choice. With all his faults he is a good chap at ! heart, and 1 believe we always had a sincere liking for each other. And it will be a good thing for him to brook off with Garnet, which he is certain to do directly he learns the true character of the man he has been so intimate with." Larry scribbled a few words on a telegraph form, and without delay sent it oxer to Lingwood station. Osbert Challoner received the wire early in the afternoon and he had time for a hurried interview with Gontran before he hurried off to Liverpool street. By half-past seven that evening he was at Burlingham Manor and when dinner was over, and the two young men were in the seclusion of the library, with cigars and the whisky between them, Larry began his narrative. He concealed nothing, but told in minutest detail everything that had happened to I him from the day he set sail for the I colonies until the dramatic episode ! at the South Lodge. Challoner listened intently, having frequent recourse to the decanter, and occasionally breaking in with a forcible ejaculation. When the long j story was finished, he sprang to his feet and paced the room in a state of virtuous indignation, that was , splendidly feigned. "By heavens this is monstrous, : incredible," he cried. " How you have suffered poor old fellow ! And what, a beastly hole you arc in ! j You are wrong in suspecting Margrave I give you my word he can't . Ibe mixed up in this business. As i I for Gontran I have known one or ' ! two shady things he has done be- j fore, though 1 never dreamed that he | ■ could stoop to anything so utterly ' low. It means penal servitude ; j but, of course, you don't want to prosecute him ? " He put the question with covert ■ eagerness, and waited for a reply. " No, I can't appeal to the. law to j deal with the scoundrel, much as I j should like to," Larry replied. " But there are other ways to punI ish him. I feel as deeply injured as 1 yourself, old chap. I'll thrash the infernal blackmailer within an ,nch of his life ; or, better still, I'll call him out and shoot him, if he's not . too great a coward to cross the ! Channel with me. It's a pity duelling is so rigorously suppressed in ■ England." " My dear Challoner, I appreciate your sympathy, and I am grateful j for it," said Larry. " What you suggest, however, is impossible. I j would thrash Garnet myself, were it not that I wish to keep my hands ' out of the mire. For the same reason the question of a divorce from Re—from this woman is not to be entertained. But you can help me in another way, if you will." "What is it? 1 am wholly at' | your service." Larry produced Contrail's two letters, and Challoner sat down and read them. They were unsigned and in a disguised handwriting. " liy Jove, what audacity ! " he exclaimed, and now tell me what I can do for you." " I want you to act in my place," replied Larry, " with a view to preventing Garnet from touching a i penny of my money. Deal with him as you like, but don't fail to obtain a private interview with my wife. That accomplished, and Renee willing to act independently, I authorise you to offer her what these letters demand—four thousand pounds down at once, and two thousand pounds annually hereafter as long as she lives ; and this, on condition, mark you, that she agrees in writing to return to Australia at once, and to never let me see or hear of her again. If she refuses to dissociate herself from Garnet, then I will cut both amounts down by onehalf and won't be threatened into paying a penny more. There are other details which we can discuss later, it you think you or* able to settle thie matter for •*•"

" There will be no trouble about that," declared Challoner, with suspicious readiness. " I know how to handle Garnet, and he won't dare to refuse to put me in communication with your wife. I'll bring her to terms within a week, and ship her off to Australia." "Do so and 1 will be eternally grateful. And when* that is off my mind " He stopped abruptly. " What then, old chap ? " asked Challoner. Larry walked to the window and looked out into the starry night. "Then England will see the last of me—at all events for years," he said, his voice choked with emotion. " I will go abroad and roam wherever the fancy takes me. It will bo a long, long time before 1 can bear the sight of Burlingham Manor again." (To be continued.)