The BLACKMAILERS.

Lake County Press, Issue 1066, 28 May 1903, Page 3

The BLACKMAILERS.

H Sturina Romance of Snelaiti) anD Hustralia.

By W. Murray Graydon,

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

SI'MMARY of Opening CHAPTERS. Malcolm l'razer. a squatter, is standing at the door of his homestead, in the wilds of Western Australia, when his overseer, dim Connop returns from the nearest settlement with letters and papers. While they are talking together, a stranger, hatless and bootless, with mere rags about his emaciated frame, staggers up to them, and appeals for help. Jle is Charles Travel's, who has accompanied Sir .John Vallenger on an exploring expedition. The party has been given up for lost. Sir John dies in Fra/.er's house, after making a will in the presence of a local J.P. leaving an annuity to his nephew, Osbert Challoner, and the rest of his wealth to his adopted son, Laurence Douglas Vallenger, whom he had previously disowned in favor of Challoner. Challoner, ignorant of the tragic happenings in the bush, but hearing that the expedition had been lost, enters into possession. Laurence, or Larry, turns up from Australia and establishes his claim. Then Challoner and his friends hatch a conspiracy to blackmail the new heir to the Bt.rlingham estates. Hearing of his engagement to the daughter of Colonel Lovering, they produce a woman, alleging her to be Larry's adventuress ' wife, whom he believes to have been shot dead during a light with bushrangers, to whom she had betrayed her husband. Larry thinks he recognises her. Ilis confession is overheard by the colonel, and a scene follows. Larry however, convinces the colonel of his bona fides, and the old officer becomes his best friend. Larry goes to keep an appointment with one of the conspirators, Teddy Margrave, and as he approaches the rendezvous,-a shot is fired in the dark, and Margrave is killed. The police arrive, and suspicion points to. Larry, around whom an ugly chain of circumstantial evidence-, including the finding of the revolver near the scene of the tragedy, is wove*', at the inquest. The story proceeds with

CHAPTER XIX

EVADING ARREST

Towards .seven o'clock, when the night had fallen dark and thick, a line, but penetrating drizzle of rain came on. The men who were prowling in the vicinity of the gates of llurlingham Manor estate, and those who were on watch in the grounds, sought what shelter was afforded by walls and shrubbery. . The house was silent and gloomy, with curtains closely drawn, except where two jets of light splashed broadly across the drive from cither side of the front •ioor. Haggard and unnerved, a victim of restlessness and a prey to the most dismal apprehensions, Larry waited in the library. " By heavens, they won't dare to — they can't." he muttered aloud. " Who could be so mad as to suspect me of such a dastardly crime ? And yes. 1 could tell by their questions, by the way they looked at me " There was a tap at the door, ami Harper entered. " Dinner is served, sir," he announced with a catch in his voice. The butler disappeared. Larry had no appetite, and the thought of food was repulsive to him, but he concluded to make a pretence of eating, if only, to show the servants that he was undisturbed by the rumours which he knew had reached them. However, while he hesitated the clatter of hoofs and wheels echoed on the gravel. Then the bell rang and shortly afterwards Colonel Lovering was ushered into the library. * " Well ? " Larry asked, quickly. " 1 wish it was well, my dear Vallcnger." the colonel replied ; " but, unfortunately it is the reverse." " Then you bring bad news ? " " Yes. The inquest has been adjourned till to-morrow. And in the meantime " " Go on. What is it ? " The colonel cleared his throat. 'The coroner and Inspector Bamlield, acting together," he said, " have issued a warrant for your arrest." " My Cod ! has it come ±0 that? " cried Larry. He whitened to the lips, but it was only for a second that his fortitude threatened to forsake him. Confronting his friend with a cool bearing, he added : " I was partly prepared for this—it is not unexpected. 1 must put a bold face on the matter, and see it through ; but it is bitterly hard, seeing how innocent I am, to be arrested on such a charge, to be treated like a guilty felon. 1 will accompany you at once, colonel, and deliver myself up. That is the best plan." " It would be simple madness, Vallenger, and you will do nothing of the sort. You are in my hands, remember, and 1 have jour promise that you will obey my instructions to the letter " " Then what do you suggest ? " " Escape." Escape ? " Larry echoed, incredulously. " No, no that is quite impossible. You surely can't be serious. It would afford the strongest presumption 01' my guilt, would go far to destroy what chances I have. What have I 1 o fear ? " "Everything," exclaimed the colonel. " Don't you see how von are situated? Can't you realise the gravity of your position ? The law is a terrible thing and no respecter of p»rsons or class. You sire i-nt angled in a web of circumstantial evidence that is absolutely flawless. Margrave's letter to you, your presence on the scene 01 t lie minder, your revolver that was dredged from the dyke, the fact, that tin- fatal Sullet tits the empty car tri*%r-« hell,

! your admission of a grievance against Margrave, and that you went to meet him armed, the utter Jack of any proof to establish the real murderer —in the lace of all this damning array, against which you 1 have not a scrap of evidence to offer , do you still decline to make your escape ? nail will be refused ; and you will be committed for trial on the capital charge. By heavens, man, 1 tell you they will convict you, and hang you." Larry made a futile effort to speak. He sat down suddenly and 1 pot ring some neat brandy into a glass, he drank it at a gulp. " Hang me ! " he gasped. " My God ! Yes, they might do that. : And to be locked up without bail, to \ lie in a prison cell, waiting for trial ! Colonel you have opened my eyes to ' the danger. I'll do whatever you adi vise. But 1 am afraid it is impossible to escape." " Leave that to me. I'll get you ! safely away, and I'll hide you where the officers of the law won't have one chance in a million of finding you." " The world will believe me guilty." " For the present, perhaps. Meanwhile my dear fellow, the best talent I in Scotland Yard will be looking for ! Margrave's murderer, and in addition to that, you and I will have j some work cut out for us on the same lines. Ultimately we will establish your innocence, and I hope something else as well. There is no time to explain now—we are wastj ing precious moments. You shall know all about my plans when a fiti ting opportunity oilers. Quick, Val- ' lenger, send for this fellow Davis, j who awaits a reply." A moment later the man was in 1 the library. It was necessary to I take him into partial confidence and directly the situation was made j clear to him he agreed to do anything in his power to serve his master. He put on a mackintosh and a tweed cap, and the colonel stood oft' to look at him. " By Jove, you'll do splendidly," he said. " Up with the collar—it's a rainy night—and pull the peak of the cap down over your eyes. That's right, my man. They'll readily misI take him for you, Vallenger." " It won't take them long to disI cover the blunder." " But long enough to serve our i purpose, unless there should be an i unforeseen hitch." " What are you going to do, colonel ? And what is to be my role ? " " I'll tell you in a few words. I Come." He drew Larry into the , little passage adjoining the library, ! and closed the door. " There is not a minute to be lost, for Bamfield's arrival would spoil everything," he went on, speaking rapidly. " Don't bother about money. 1 have pro- ; vided for that and for other needs as well. You must go just as you are. with the addition of a cap. t wouldn't wear an overcoat, for you i will be able to travel faster without 1 it. When Davis and I start off the spies that are lurking outside will be there to see us, yoi: may depend upon it and it's ten to one we'll draw them after us towards the gates on the Acle road. At all events they won't be paying any attention to the rear of the house so | it will be an easy matter for you to , slip out and get away. Wait till ! you hear us rattling down the j drive. . You understand ? " " Yes, perfectly." "It is a dark and rainy night, so the chances are all in your favour," the colonel continued. " Cut across the park to the South Walsham road and then work cautiously but quickly round the village of Upton, keeping to the fields and hedges. Strike the marshes a little below what they call the Horse's Head, go straight out to the river, and hide in the reeds at the foot of the wall. 1 will join you there, and a low whistle will be the sign for you to show yourself." " I will follow your instructions," promised Larry. " But suppose you don't come ? You are taking on a good bit of risk, and if they suspect you "—— " No fear," interrupted the colonel " I shall not be stopped inside the grounds or at the gate, and the only delay I anticipate will be when I meet Bamfield somewhere on the road between Burlingham and Acle. On finding Davis in my trap the Inspector will naturally surmise what is in the wind, and he'll lose j no time in getting here with the warrant. While the police are searching the house 1 will drive to Burelands and slip out to the river. Davis had better lie low for a day or two, so I'll give him a few . pounds and tell him to go to Norwich." ! " I'm afraid the police will be sharp enough to pick up the right j trail," said Larry. i " Not a bit of it," was the cheery answer. " I shall be one too many for them, you'll see. And when they find the bird has flown, the railway line and the London trains will engage their Attention first. They'll never think of looking for you along the Bure. And now, I'm oft", Vallenger. Further delay is dangerous. Play your part well, and Heaven help you. Good-bye." A clasp of the hand and the colonel was gone. A moment later Larry reentered the library, where he list.-ned anxiously to the sounds of departure—voices, crunching footsteps on the gravel, and the dull noise of the front, door closing. Then the trap rolled briskly down the drive. It was the signal for nation. litit he waiti-d a few minutes longer, unspeakable bitterness in his heart as he glanced about the stately apartment with it* warmth

and comfort and luxurious fittings. " It is horribly cruel and nnj just." he muttered. " What have 1 I done that 1 should Imj driven from home, banished from all I hold dear like ;t guilty felon? Shall 1 ever see Uurlingham Manor again—ever come into my own with name and reputation cleared of this foul 'stain ? Or is it written in the l>ook of fate that 1 am to die an exile ■ and a wnnuerei .' j Innocent though lie was Larry ,sau as plainly us th>- colonel that conviction was almost a certainty if he should be brought to twial on the circumstantial evidence produced at the coroner's inquiry. To escape at ant hazard, to iind a refuge secure enough to battle the olHcers of justice—that was his only thought. And his desperate wvd roused the hull-dog pluck that, was his heritage and lent him nerves of steel. Larry quietly let himself out. of a side door and started upon his perilous flight. He was a fine runner, sound of wind and limb, and he kept at n brisk trot as he steered a course unerringly through the I heavy timber of the park. A short tramp over the spongy meadows, with a couple of dykes to be leapt, brought Larry to the river. lie crounched in the thick shelter of the reeds, at the base of the wall, and by lifting his head he could see lifty yards or more to his left, the I roofs of Colonel Lovering's sheds i etched dimly against the blue-grey ' skies. "I wonder if that is to be my i hiding-place ? " he reflected. "It , might do for a time but I shouldn't care to trust it for long." A low whistle brought his I thoughts suddenly to the present. He rose stiflly, shivering in his rain-soaked clothing, to see a dark \ figure approaching along the wall. | " Colonel," he whispered eagerly, I as he sprang to the top of the bank. | " Right you are," came the familiar I voice. " By Jove I'm glad to find you here, Vallenger. I felt a bit worried, for Bamfield's watch-dogs didn't draw after me as readily as J expected, and I was afraid they had the house invested." " No, I got away easily." " Run across anybody ? " " Not a soul." '* That's good. This way now. Quick ! Our time is too precious to be wasted. ,: " You met Bamfield in the park? " ! Larry inquired as he followed the colonel up the wall. i " Rather —before we reached the gates. He held us up like any high--1 wayman, flashed a lantern in our faces, and pulled out his warrant. i Then he stared hard at Davis, swore, and was off like a shot for the j house ; of course he had an inkling of the game. I drove home, dropping your man at Acle, and slipped quietly out of the house five minutes after I had entered it. I am j supposed to be in bed. Ah, here we | are." j The colonel was in line with the j distant roof of Burelands as he halted at the spot where he usually j kept his boat. Larry looked for it in vain. | " Arc your men still quartered in the sheds he asked uneasily. | Yaxley is there. The rest have been j paid off and dismissed. " And there is no one to see after I the Victoria ? " " She is in good hands," was the colonel's enigmatical reply. With that he gave two faint whistles —first glancing up and down the river—and the response was as prompt as it was unexpected. With a creaking noise that was barely audible the half-door of one of the sheds opposite swung open, and forth from the dark interior slid the little electric launch, with the skiff I in tow. Yaxley was in the former, ' ! which he brought speedily across, | and then stepped into the skifl". " Everything ship-shape, Yax- j ley ? " inquired his master. " Just as you told me, sir," was ' the reply. I Larry and his companion entered i the launch, the fore-part of which | held a quantity of luggage. " Sit , 'here, Vallenger," said the colonel, j ! indicating the stern seat. He bent I , over and whispered for several mo--1 ments to Yaxley, who then, with a j hearty " Good-bye, sir," grasped the , oars and pulled across channel. | " Where are we going ? " asked Larry who was not a little mystified " You'll know in good time." i " I can guess. We're off for Holland, via some steamer or ship from Yarmouth port." " Perhaps," replied the colonel. He gave a twist to the wheel, and the slim graceful little craft began to glide rapidly and almost noise- j lessly down the deep and narrow trough of the Bure. * CHAPTER XX. A REMORSEFUL. CONSPIRATOR. The sheds melted into the shroud of night as they fell behind. " Listen ! " said the colonel. | A sharp ringing rat-tat-tat—the drumming of hoof-beats on a hard roof —was borne distinctly riverwards on the faint breeze. -The sound was more than a mile off but it might have been close at hand so perfect was the delusion. " The police ! " gasped Larry. " Possibly," the colonel assented. " A horse and trap tearing through Acle from the direction of Burlingham. But there is nothing to alarm us in that." Another five minutes of silence. The clattering hoofs had suddenly stopped, and the launch nosed her way steadily down the curving channel of the Bure, further and further from the bridge inn and the village behind it, swiftly out among the vast level marsh-fiats, where nothing larger than a wind-mill broke the line of the horizon. Ahead, miles distant, the sky was streaked by the silvery glow that hung over Yarmouth. " We are doing nicely," said the colonel. " I was afraid of being seen as we passed the Angel, but happily there was no one about. And from here almost to the sea the river is a solitude. We may run acioss nu anchored wherry or tw<>, but they won't pay any attention t<>

" The Yarmouth police will be watching for us." suggested Larry. •' Yen, at the railway stations and on the roads into the town —that is very probable. It will never, enter their heads, however, that you could be coming by water. I don't deny that there will be some risk in threading the harbour, but we must taJte our chances and hope for the best. Even if we are discovered it's a hundred to one we shall give the enemy the slip and get clean away. And once we are on board " | He cut the sentence short. " You have a vessel in mind, then ? " Larry asked. ' •' Yes, I have," the colonel admitted. For an hour, with the exception of a few words spoken at intervals, there was silence between the two, Larry being absorbed in bitter and I depressing thought, while the colonel gave his attention to the steeringwheel and at the same time kept a keen eye in all directions. The winding river fell behind mile by mile, and not even a moored wherry was encountered in these watery solitudes. On and on glided tho launch, holding to the middle of the. stream. | Suddenly a black object took shape on the surface of the stream. i " Look ! What's that ? " Larry whispered. i " The Victoria," replied the colonel. " The first stage of our journey is ended." The news that Laurence Vallenger had evaded the officers of the law and that he could not be found when ' Inspector Bamfield went to serve the warrant of arrest spread rapidly throughout Acle. Nor was the interest only local, for the wealth and position of the fugitive, and the myI sterious circumstances of the crime attracted attention all over the country. Had any doubt existed as : to the guilt of the suspected murder of Teddy Margrave, his hurried flight of course dispelled that at once. The police took charge of Burlingham Manor, after searching the . house, the out-buildings, and every nook and corner of the estate. The discovery that Colonel Lovering was missing led to a speedy visit to Burelands, and then to the sheds across the river, which were found to be empty ; there was nothing to : show that a strange vessel had been built here, and for lack of proof to the contrary the existence of any I such craft was disbelieved. The man Yaxley maintained an obstinate silence that could not be broken and Davis who was arrested in Norwich, . truthfully declared he could give no information concerning his master. By some unaccountable oversight the absence of the electric launch was not noted, but when that little boat was brought up from Yarmouth harbour-mouth by a dredger on Monday afternoon with a hole in the j bottom, it was generally believed j that Colonel Lovering and the fugitive had escaped from the country by ship or steamer, and instructions | were cabled to the ports of Holland. I France, and Belgium. And there the I matter rested ; with that final step began the long and baffling silence. To go back a little. On that eventful Saturday night there was probably no man in all London so ; miserable and so disgusted with him- ' self as Osbert Challoner. He had read of Margrave's murder in the i morning's papers, and had followed the coroner's inquiry in later edi- j ; tions. A panic seized him and he I was afraid to walk the streets, to meet friends or acquaintances. He \ had seen or heard nothing of Con- j tran Garnet since they hud parted j on Thursday afternoon, and he ; could not screw up sufficient courage ; :to go to the hitter's apartments in Jermyn-street. ! " Extry ! Extry ! " The cry came from the streets, but Challoner paid no need to it as he pressed his fingers across his hot forehead. His face was flushed from steady drinking but otherwise his potations seemed to take no effect. He could not drown the accusing voice of conscience. " What a weak coward 1 am ! " he muttered. " Poor Larry, he's in a devil of a mess. And I dare not clear him, I am afraid to open my lips. But there is a limit to every- ; thing, and by heavens, if they go so far as to arrest him " Footsteps were coming softly upstairs. A quick rap sounded on the door. " Come in," cried Challoner. He was trembling in every limb, and was half-minded to retreat to the inner room. Gontran Garnet entered, closing I and locking the door behind him. ; He was in evening dress and carried | himself well, but there were dark rings under his eyes. With a nod, by way of greeting he helped himself liberally to the brandy, then stared fiercely at Challoner, who shrank away from him as if from some loathsome beast. i " What's wrong V " cried Goutran, ! with an oath. " You don't seem ' glad to see me." " I'm not that's Cod's truth." i " You fool ! What do you take me for ? " i " A murderer ! " hissed Challoner. ! " Keep oft'. Don't touch me." (To be continued.) !