The Moseley Mystery, AS TOLD BY A LADY EX-DETECTIVE.

Lake County Press, Issue 2117, 10 May 1906, Page 2

The Moseley Mystery, AS TOLD BY A LADY EX-DETECTIVE.

*?H| By John K. Leys, p*': Author of "Dark Doings." "Th< Black Terror," "The Lindsays," "The Sign of the Golden Horn," &c, &c.

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PART 4. CHAPTER IX. I AM CONSULT El > MY MTSS TROUP. "It. i.s a long Lime since Mr Moseley tins beer, here," said Miss Troup (n me one evening, as she ami 1 sat together in the drawing room after dinner. ' ".Not so very long," said I, carelessly : "perhaps he has gone out of town." "I hope so," she said in an oracular manner. I manifested a mild surprise, and .Miss Troup explained herself. "J. mean that. I hope there is no serious reason for his ahsence." I looked as if "Mr. Moseley and Ins nttairs tied no possible interest for jne, wondering all the Lime what Miss Troup's motive could be for speaking to me on the subject. Surely, 1 thought, she does not hope to got anything out of me ? 1 knew 1 was no match for Lady Parrell's secretary in point of cunning : but I nattered myself that. Nature had at leasl gifted me with the power of holding my tongue. "T very much fear." resumed "Miss Troup, "there is n serious breach between Mr. Moseley and his aunt." "Indeed '" said I. "Surely you are mistaken. Ras Lady Parrel I (old you so ?" "Oh, dear, no !" "Then I suppose that Mr. Moseley has taken you in*" his confidence V said I. This was just what I knew Mr. Moseley had done; but 1 wanted In nee whether Miss Troup would admit, it or not. "Mr. Moseley ?" she repeated. "Certainly not. Whal ran nave made you imagine sueh a. thing? But | can use my eyes. Miss Hamilton. 1 can see that Lady Farrell is no! happy. She used to be continually writing in her nephew, continually having him here. Now she never mentions his name ; and he never even calls al the house. It is easy to see that there is an estrangement." "One would think so, certainly: but perhaps il is only a temporary difference." I replied, determined not to commit myself in any way. Miss Troup gave a com tempt nous glance in my direction. "What I have been thinking," said she, "is whether it might not be possible to cflect ■< reconciliation he tween Lady Parrel I and Mr. Moseley. The office of peacemaker is a very happy one." "I am afraid I hat neither of us would have much influence in such a matter," I replied. "I am at all sun- of I hai ." answered Miss Troup, quickly. "I have tmt much influence with Lady Parrel I, certainly : but y nu. us her guest, and flic relative of Iter late husband, must, have a good deal." I fried to deteel a. tone of sarcasm in Miss Troup's voice as she said these words; bill there, was none. She spoke as seriously as if she had never entertained any doubl as to Hie reality o\ my assumed character. I shook my head gravely. "1 am afraid Lady Farrell would not thank me for my interference," I said, .gravely. "Not now . perhap : : not just, yel ." said Miss Troup. "Hut by-and-by she would be sincerely graleful to you It is SO sad when relatives are (lis united in I hat way . especially w hen they have no other near relations Surely, it Mr Moseley 1 as offended his aunt , she mighl forgive him !" " Perhaps ymi are tint aware." said J, "of the .Seriou.-,. Hie extremely painful tint are of I he e\ ei t \>. hich ha: caused the separa l ion." I knew that Miss Troup was per fectly well auar it ; hj H I thought there could be no harm in keeping up the fiction oi her ignnra ice. and no harm in talking about whal she knew os well as I did. My last reman. hardly squared '•• ith no pretended ignorance of any serious quarrel be tween Lady Parrel I and her nephew ; but no doubt Miss Troup had lal en ury former observations for what they were worth A I any rate, she did not apparently notiee i he discrepancy . Of course, Mi--; Troup , fleeted igno ranee of I he fraufl w hii hj hud been perpei rated : and .- lie listened t o me; as I recoilllled the deta Is, •-- it li an expression of one ■.■ mi manner \--i,"|| was I i uly adiuirabie I here v. a ■ cm sterna I ion m -i t ■ luper -d li; '.'. el! brpfl rompo aire • mpa ' by with I .-"I Farrell. miuc,l"d « p-h a respect ful satisfacl ion I ha I she w a we|! able I ~ afford the loss even oi i hj ...■ I lioiisaud pound ; and I hue w a: a d- I'efelll ial disapproval of Mr .M0,.-| •-. '.-. conduct . not wit holll a lit t |e I inf.l.' sy mpa 11'.' for his weakness "I have rm rloubl ." said I, iii cm elusion, "thai Mr. .Move ,- p-is that so lone as I his su - jij «• i < i i ri'imi ins i n his iiunt '■"• mind he cannot \ isi t her as before " Miss Troup mind, and rc-mrd-d one nf the iron (In- . ~ i t lie li..;irl li \vi t h n tin iiirnful. • on t enipla I i ■ e stare. The : ad pay,. ..,, .-,. way | ( , ~ frank smile as sh- | urin d In me and said ' "I have iusl I li I uini.iue Mi ... Hamilton. thai i' i a fortunate t'hitiy for me ! liu t I I, new not bin- of I Ins remil Inure t ,. Mr Mo elm, \ y nu know, I ,ud '. I 'a fv -II "i'i -n • in ploy ■■ me to k I lie \u-f |.-l 1..,- , and cheques, li the dial had pa - -.-d through my hand . suspicion murbt have fallen upon pool me ' " "Hnw would have su ,piei>.n fallen Upon you '?" I a kei|. -.-. I hj a w nlul-l ing air. "N ■ could think I ha I it could matter in ym '■ h"ther Lad; Farrell sent h<-r n-ph-w •. or four. or fori;, thousand i ml "True : but u If n one , in a de f,,,,,.,,1,.., , p,,:.n ion. in,.' ' nlw a\ more r.r leas liable to be suspected when

mythinc goes wrong. I am clad I lad nothing to do with it." "So you didn't even know that a •ht-que was going to Mr. Moseley that day ?" I inquired, carelessly . "Not I." said Miss Troup. Yet Lady farrell had herself I old ~,. that she had handed the counteroils of all the cheques she had signal to Miss Troup, for I he purpose of having them added up. The sharp j •yes of the amanuensis would he certain lo not ice the cheque for so large ~. sum as one thousand pounds. She must have known thai Prank Moseley was receiving the cheque by that rhiy's post. liu I if she not iced that I had laid a trap for her. she betrayed not a shade of embarrassment, either in face or in manner. ••Mut even if Mr. Moseley has committed this most regrettable, and, I may say. most culpable act ." eon- j finned Miss Troup, "it is surely sad to think that his aunt should ;ast j him off entireiy! .Vow, I happen to know that Lady Farrell made a new will this morning. 1 am divulging what perhaps I ought not to divulge; but it is in the interests of my emplover's own relative, and for her interests as well. It is not 100 late to have the present will revoked. Why should the poor young gentleman's fu!nre be entirely ruitied '.'" Miss Troup was speaking earnestly, and I believed that she was speaking sincerely. Notwithstanding her contemp' for frank Moseley, she was sorry for Hie evil fortune that had befallen him. She was ready, as I believed, lo defraud his aunt and let I he I.lame of her own guilt rest upon him : bul she was not so heart less ;,s to be indifferent to the fact that. her conduct—supposing her to be Unguilty person—had ruined him. "Bill I don't see any way out of the dilemma." said I, after a moment's consideration. "Mr. Moseley indignantly denies that he altered the cheque.'' Miss Troup smiled sadly. ••No one." she said, "has a more sincere ree-aid for Mr. Moseley than 1 haw- -if I may say so in a respect fill way—but i! is easy lo see that he is not remarkable for strength 01 character. He may have had a pressing need lor money ; and the lemp tation of alteriuc his aunt's cheque mav have presented itself suddenly in |,,n,. I'rnbabl.V he thought that Lady K an -el! would readily forgive him. Something of thai kind must ka\happened." adder) Miss Troup. indial 1 shook my head, "for (between ourselves i there rati I-' no real doubl that Mr Moseley did alter t he , lra ft. No one else could possibly have done ,! : and li Is.- cnuld possibly benefit hy it." ••So I .ad;, farrell I hinks." I r-.in:n il is clear that a reconciliation is im possible." ■• Hut why impossible '•'" iirc.'ed Mi.-- - Troup. "' -nd.v farrell is not a \ in diet i \ e woman • >n ' If '"<'" ; l;l ■'> manners sh- is the soul 01 kindness i Vou will forgiv- my speaking ihuii-,,.|\ . Mi.-,-, Haiuiltoii i Why should s(,e 'insist upon a confession from her nephew belt.re she consents to |.,r-.ve him " Whv humiliate him in t hat way V What possible e i ,-ould ,t ■ 'Then you w oiihl pn -p > •' '■That you should u '•■ y our inllu ence with Lady farrell. as -oou as you lilld a c.nnvellieu! oppol't (in; t.'. the interests of peace She ha- only ~.,|15. as if this miserable auair h.ul never happeu-'l ■■li,,. ~\e„ if slf uere -.. illmu t.. do this. Mr. Mo-eley Uiiul.l probably I hi,,;-, il inrom.;- i.-ul v. i" hj lie- honour I ~ visit his aunt . .•-" long a- she con Mimed to mis I him." "lie 11 I c-'M'f !■""'■' ' il ' l ' !l " still su pe'ls him." wa . the r-a.ly response, "fie \\ li! I hi iik. from In aunt's rereiv ini; him. ' '>•'' !| !' : ' '"" will pul down her chine, s •■■ prhle and imiu illinyn.-ss lo a-'i o-v i'-de.e that she ha-- alter.-,; h-r nmal ••Then y ou would patch up a re eoifiiial ion without ■<<■> .e.iruu; a ~ , n ~,' | |,j., m y siery -a i' uo'it any ,val renewal of conhd.-ie e ~u Lady Parrell's part , of any proof m in ~,,,-enie OU Hie pad Of Ml' Mo-ele; •■" I inquired. '•What I say i ." : I Mi l'r..up, emphatically , "hj t 1,,-,,,,.. be by L o ;,. What |>o --ible :; ! i'ii " ~,' Mr. Mo..e|,e '- cm inuim: I o deu; i hat he altered t he cim M m- '' I'o ~' ■■ aunt Hiink> Unit the chequ-' altered itself. I i is an iinl'ort iliiale bica ne-,s and lalkin-j aboul il won'i make il any bet ter. I am only an humble de pendent in ' hj" fa mil • ." -'"n ' inued Miss Troup, ii-iiie from li.-r i hair. ■•but I say let Hi-' whole iiiihapp; atYair be buried in obli\ lon ll , aunnl be Ilded. S.I let it be loieotle;, |i v ~u have any rco-ard. Mrs I 1.,,,,, I ( ■ -n . either for Mr Moseley . or his aunt . v ~,, -,,. ,11 try I o make them lake I 111 : uniomnntic but sensible vii-w ->f I If mat ler. The only nt her aliernat ive i i hal painful t ejiaral ion will never be inheritance all og'-l If'' " \ nr| having HI lered I hese wi.rd:- M i: ■ 'J'l oup I in ned and lei' I In- n | eoiild mil deny. to myself Ilia! .... i.ai .it.- had aid made a certain imp.-" io„ ~e. f .eeuie.l oniy km likely I hal I .ad; \ : ;,n > II and her |,r.p|..-W V 0111-l , ..111 llllle lo be es I 11111:.' ed. ami I ha t unless by sr miriu h' I'taill, M-l-eh-y '; llllioience : llollbl Inall his e.\pecialio|i . I'.ui could such an outward r.-coi, , il ia | mu a: M is- 'I n -up sucue ■ i ed be of an- a ■. ail '.' U ould il last . even if ,! were effected '.' ,\ml could it be ef I d a' all " \> ould flunk ■ seal I r, ci,,,, |„ and mil ••) his aunt ' hou: e a.- b-•fore. I ~,,-,, ,ne ~,■ he must kmc,.-, that In: aunt indeed 11111 l In b-' ruiil \ of lids , lime " \\a- Il |io Ible lo make Lady farrell belie- e him ill nneeni know in;: him in I „■ iruilty '.' To all I hese quel ions in' l'"U 101 l . air-wered. "No " j As lor Mis.- Troup's ob.i--.-t in al ; i einpt nu- I " briny, about a re. oie-ili : al nu, b'-t "•■en h- i' employ '''' • l,! ' 1 : l-'rauk Mo- eley th,,i , I iimojnied. wa- ; iKii 01- dilli.mil in dn ni" H "■ ""Id j ■.Mi, Mi I cup evacll; , I had lio | doubl if I he V, ho|,- Mill! lei ol I he J altered ( he, llollbl I.e. a' ' he i-.\ I pies, -d il . "bill led in obll\ i"ll." 11l | ~.,. ~,,i ~r L'.uiHy . I rue i o I 'rank or false i o him. it ' ould not If I'm her I inter,, i I hal If hould b- bam h< 'I j ir 11..- hou' " \,,d I could see that Mi: ; Troup | i,.|i,-,| u| in;. I rieudly ml ere.-.l in | her in her elforl li sh" tailed in , !i;-i„.;;iil: him and his aunt I ogel iur | again, no harm would result from j

liei uiiiv, m. ..ui "'I. I. to-, i'-/'. '■'■ sh,' I were guilty, and if .she suspected thai I w as al ( 'uniborlanil sipia re wit hj no ol her ohjeel I han I o find out I If guilly person, t hen- was lit He w on ,|er t hat she should be anxious I o ef feel t his reconcilial ion. The lirsl con se.pieiic- of it. she surmi-.-d, would be my depart lire from I he sc.-ne ; for if Lady farrell agreed lo forget l Inwhole affair, there would be no reason for h,-r retaining my services. Hid Miss Troup suggest her scheme to me. really h0p,,,,; to enlisl my help -.' or dill she ilo so simply w it li 11!,, object of finding mil my true character '.' Probably, I I bought . : h<calculated on reaping some ben.-lii either way. If 1 brought about a peace between Lady farrell an.l frank Moseley . she would be t he jrainer ; if I declined to act. in t he mailer, she would have ;i coutirma tbm of her suspicion as to the reason for my presence in Lady farrell s house. That night, just as I was preparing to go upstairs for the night, 1 had a message from Lady farrell, askine, met o step into her room. 1 found her standing in front of t he lire, with an open letter in her hand. A perplexed and yet pleased look on Ik-i- face. "This doe:, credit to your powers of penetration. Miss Hamilton,'' she said. ".I list sit (low u lor a minute. I have had a note by the lasl delivery from your employers, Weeb.V anil Tur u.-r. They have not only been watching Mr. Marlon's movements, but they have very cleverly managed lo introduce a woman into t he house where he has lodgings, under the guise of a, housemaid." She paused ; and 1 wondered whal was comi m: nex I . "You suspected I hal I here lllighl Insome collusion between Miss Troup and this man Marlon, to whom my nephew handed over the cheque?" "V.-K." "Well, it seems clear t bat I hey are at least acquainted with one another 1 lo vim recognize that person ?" Sh.- handed me a photograph as she spoke. If was Miss Troup ' "Where did you get I his from '.'" I asked, quickly! "Wei-by and Turner's neeut found it m an old album in Mr. Martnn's bookcase." was the answer. "They w a ni it sent back a l - me e, in case it. should be mi ---ed ; but I should not l l.ink i hat t her.- is much fear of I lint . | for il - ms I luil the album was stilfw it hj dust ." The portrait had evidently been : nkeii some y .-ars before, but t he likeness was unmistakable. "Vmi must ha \ e e i \ en a \ cry yoioi! d-'-cript ion • if my ,t ma nia-nsis,'' .--a id Lad;- farrell. as I handed back I he phoi oeraph l o her. • , ~ ~,,.,;,].■ i heir I ae'eni i . i pick (,i] ■■ her , a ri e ir> mi I he ! others in Hi- ail,urn Mu< afier all this is no proof armor - Mis-, Troup." "No proof ,-.•>■: ainl- ." 1 returned; ! "bm ,t is a link in I he chain." "Il may turn on! to be 0n..." said Lady fan','!' I hon-hl fully. as she "L is j, !,,::. - and. if I rim no' on- " aid ! to my --if. a - I w-td up stair ■ i'ii \ i' i li; v I I M \K I! I II f \( '.,' l \I\T\S t'f Of mi: ii \i:\ \:\ ci mi;<»n ,i -... ~n!d be w,-ii I o call on Me -i ' : \\— by and I ui Her, and -uli w it ii j ill .. lo- to Lien- w hal wa- : he next i ,l,p io lake . and I : horn hi ' hat !,',"',!„■"''" ' " i I I im" a tall, i Lome mac who j I approach.-d I < '■-■' v'-in itli.-d I : ~ lell me i hat I did not know him ; | |,ni in: i a- w ,- were about I o pa--• ,-a |, ~: h,r hj- I opp-d and rah • -d hi I "fin don me madam.' h- aid. "but j I , , on m • liimUii- ' lait I am | .p-;il.ii,:: 'o Mi I lambi.-'. ■'" I -laied iii liiiii with.mi km.wiii-wh.-i! to -a, 1 1n..1 i cm/ed In - \,,i.-, as Mi - I cups bee, |! w ;c partly He- udd-.iu-s ■ of in- address, part l\ ii- ' oinshin-iit a I I If man'' nu.lac.l\. which for mom.ml ram., d me i,, lose my pr-.'-enc of mind I had not even I he power In j t hini w hei h.r i ■ hould admit , ir d-iiy I my deaiily " ! ,-,- I ,im i icht ," -.aid t he -.t lam-, ,-,- "and I "nope you w ill pardon I If ale up: , - ol rm. address I wa- just on my -,-. ay to call on y ou al I ,ady l-'arr-l ' -. -a h-'ii i :-i -a you lea \ •• i he hole e " I I needed no |ell.-cl ion to a- sure me : I hal t hi:- w as not I rue I'd.- man had j been w ait ilie, about in Ha- hope i hai j I would make iny. app, a ranee "As I here is no by to inl c | dm'-' me.' he coil! lime,l, "w 111 y nu | allow me in ml educe my sell V \L . name is Libboii- Harvey t.'ibboii I had l he h-uiour oi know inu y our : fa i her and your d a- .-d br-u her i f.'ilbert \i-ry well indeed V ' j bet her. especially . h.r- mien ■ p..ken j i ~ me aboul y on. and ;il y our ! home ill Lor,- . i ||a!| ' \\ Idle : peak inc. \ll < -' d-bon had j lurifd ~n,[ walked b; my ; id- j Ihou-li a ; aid or I wo awi.y fi mu m- ! Hilherlo I had noi niter, ,| ~ w ~r.l . i but il was plain i hat by my • il.-nc- ! I had admit l-d I hal I w a Mi -- I lain |,|-y . o| forest Hall, a - fully a - Il I ; had said il in w -u'd: ■ ' IP, t he mer,-. I accident in I In- ; \,. in-Ill." w -■l' l mi Mr i ; il ii. ' I'i did j a r.-mark dropped by a casual :n- ; ipiaiiilance, I leal tfd t hat a sad j , Imnee had come n\ -I I lie but line ol j -, mu family . and I d.-i.-i mined in | look up my nld iriend liilb-rl Ham b|,.-, I hen I fi.inid mil hj" « ■' "" mo,-,- | |,| I he;,,. 1 oi hi' dealh \ so.mer. liecau: -• i had been abroad | f,,i : nine I mm I'm! I I ie-i.c.!,' I hal j p., -■ ibl,' I ini-ht I ■■ of --, r\ ice ' " his | ,-,-lai i\-e- It hoiiv!it t luil in any case j I should Id..- io know l hem h-r 111 - ; sake So I -I to .... ork. and I I .<rr,\ j ~,,,, to Lady farrell': I had iusl j di cucred i in- i mhi hou -'• v, h-n I i aw v oil come do-A II ! Il- ' I nop I I'i' j l„ your broth -r May I hop,- for I If i honour nf .- our aeipiainl am-e "' Tin w as ■ aid with a .mile, a-- if j : |,e - peal er had lil I hj ■ doubl i.s I o I he j ~n ••,■,- hj, would l-.-i-.-lvr II i . ,„ edles to a; thai I beli.v ; eil lil H- of i his plam,ible si nry 'l'll., point about l he lik.me- lo nu ' bcl h-r ■ i rm k me, for I he likenc '! ! had I ii \,t;. I'emai kable. and ali \ our friend - I new of i '. It w a p. ■ ible. I Ihomlil Hi-.' I.- had know n Hilb-l l My In ol her had !■■■, n lor a . short I inn- helm,, his death, in a i

n-.-n am jle house m the Ctty. l'oor| boy ! he had given up his cherished I wish i o become a soldier, in the vain j hope ot making money In business, j end thus rei ri,-\ in- t he disasler of j my fill her's bankruptcy. Mut I he I point 1 was now ilebat ing '\ ii hj my j self was whether •»• iml I should al low i Ids Mr. i libbon to make my acquaintance. " I low -l raiij-e a I him.: is eh. e !" exclaimed my companion, as if I o j gi\e I line to collect my idea-, j "I! wa- l he mere. I eh '■• t hal I j .- hould hav e mel y our brol her at all, i and should have' mad- friends w ith ; him a - I did : I If mere;., chance, a I -..-a in. I ha I on my ret urn I ~ I his i coiini ry I should ha\ •■ li-ard y our lath, ■!■'- m meiili.m-d : l h- i.fi'esl ! rli; .• also. I hat I should ha\>- tuc- ! I',-,-, led iii i ra>i nu y ou her,-. "How did y ou nianam- I luil ?" I asked, abrupt ly. I t. wa: a prudent quest 1,,,, ; ~ put . bill Mr ' libbon was not a whit rotic-rn-d by it "I am afraid I am hardly at liberty lo lell you .'ill the He-.oh, of my >••;- smile "The friend from w limn I got my informal ion made a pom! of l ha ' | fancy ynil i al her w i: bed I n hide yourself from I he v. nrld ; bul lint . I hop,-, from your brol If I ' • old friends '.'" "Oh I mu \,i\ plemed lo know .. ~u, Mr. l libbon II ' ■ plea- aid lo meet any •■"•■■ who was a friend of my fii.t her or lay brol her." I did nuke i his reply without deiiberal im, I kie-w p-rl'-ct ly well that ;i ureal deal oi wha! Mr. Lib bon had i old in- wa: absolutely false. 11,,1 I asked my. -si. What had 1 lo fear from 'his man '.' Valium. : absolutely nnlhing. If I Were io I'epel Ill's aiKallCeS, I should lose all chain ' learning anything from him. If i alb-wed him to know me, I might possibly l urn I he acquaint ance l ii some us- : and I could drop ii whenever I chose. Another reason, no doubt, I hough I did not acknowledge it-- existence I" myself, was -curiosity. I was longine, to know what motive the man had for wish i in.' (> i know in,-. Mr. 11 iblion acknowledged my t ardy acceptance of him by a noi un.uracv..- slowly moved Inward main l hocu-Ju'are. I -lai I a 1 him from time to lime, and I wa - force,! lo aiimil to myself that I here was Mi i b-ami.-s in his appi-aranre. lie was. as 1 have said. undeniably handsome. his black beard and moustache suiting well his pal- i omplev ion. 1 hj v. as well dressed, and had i hj" manners of ii gentleman. His mouth, however. I did not like. When he smiled, his tivth showed under his short I.hick moustache in a:i uuplea-sanl way There was an air of restraint, of a consid-ral ion for effect . in his smile I lis eye; 1 liked St ili less. They were ■ Lil k . . nniew ha i prominent , and bold I fnnciiil i ha l I hey could be cruel Mr (,'ibbon did nol make the l.luuder i if :.t ay i im. too 1, >ng in my company . "I will not presume i o offer you my- escort on so short an acquaint ance," he said, w li.-n we had readied I he ma in ■ oad near v. hirh w e liv-d : "bill I hope l his. is not to I IS last meetine. X>-< p-rhaps I on-11l noi l o call at ( 'umb.-rhind square I i mi-h< no! be con-.-ni.-ni -slid. t -i my self, with an inward mil-' "M:-- I'roup i- mu In know i if , air i l iuy, or I a in much mis Ulil ;,-; he po! e. Mr , SPboi; ! hl'ev. in, an inquiring ■-aid t luil a- I mi-ht be li\ inv in a d.-p.-mi.-i-- posHion iii Lady farr-i! T 1 ~ |-e,el\ - \ !Sll <T:\ I lle."e : nu, - in i he in-iri.iii}.- '.''' h- • is:. ■- ; ed "s,iin,.: mi.-, \ ~i -, ,r\ oil en ' I in;!.- hope I o nice! y, oil ! here. " l- i quite po- sibie,' ~.id I, i ry ■ in- lo mak- my mauii.-r as ph-as.-in i .1 I Cl|!d I ■ iua nk i'i , : i '. i nt he ma n my .ham! . bul la- m |,|,.|My expected that i he hand hakim: , , i ,-mouy should be perfo: med . and I ,\ I- bled I he point When I wa-, e ;; abme 1 re\ lewed ii!! > !;.• c i renin' i a n.es , if I lii- si ran-,e i : in- . w ii lum l bein- abb- I o cm,10 any \,-ry deliuile eni.-clnsion about I If 111 Tile only 'hllie I could see plainly \-.a-- that Mr. (libbon desired to ma I--- a fa \ ourable : mpre-si. m up, ei inc. an,; t I.ai he had in all pn iba hi lily some -unisler purpose of Ins own in View (»i I her I bin--, however. I have i, eye , ill en I o mention I ; w a.- evident I ha I my ii.-w a, quaint ance was a n ,\ merman. ■ -' ! hat . al leas! , he had li\ei| in \lneii.-a i,,r -ex.-ral years I had mu men I he \,iul,,r l w an- ;r lie .pok,- In M is | r, , l j 11 in I lie : qiinie; il had ui • I ill i ',- marked in hi ■ conversation with my.—ll 11.- had ■ aid "SI nop." I no, instead of 'step-: I wenl on lo Messrs. Ue.-by and turner I he.' e\pr I lliems-lve' a-' 1,.-,,,,; hi-hly pl.-ased with wh.al I had don-' ; bul I '-oou saw thai I hey bad no m-ye," I irnis 'ol any \ alue t ■■ offer. 11 v, as cl.-ar i hal I mu-.t t rusl in my own i not li.-r 'a i ' and such aid- a foil une iui::h! i hv>,\: in my w ay en \r it:i; \ i \ i i: i -11 f.i. -1 (i. lis, oiile day alter I lis- I I not it in; Im.in I .. • io i lie p.n k, w hi'li .... a on I; a lew mi mi' e - wall Horn I 'uillb.-i land ,;n,,1 e I ~ : ,„■ \\ ilel is i i - hould hud Mr l.'ibbon -.-, ~;: it.- I her--111 I lie hope nf meet 111- 111- ! lei ' I he more inc! urn,l I o do I In- . a- I in | in.indue, v .. . 11. am nulh i:v: hj ;in,l clear v, Inie I v. a - wai le-d by \ -non - pl-.-inoiillory : ■, :„,,< I hat I If my 1..-.ir.-m, for du-tim. and --A.-.-p j mi: purpo - and i 1,., i ,-,,,..,.,,,;,-,, i l s , I could not ha\ -• niy room i ,. m\ self i a ii-.ual I had no! I n ~ ~,'y 1,,,, - ~, | |„. I pa i k. w hen I espied Mr (,' ibbon si! i I in- on a ben, hj nn,i< r one ~i | la- i I in- . : im 11, ill): a , me r I b- I blew i ' | a\\ ay I he nioiuei; i he .;, u me, and \ rose ! ~ me--: i - >\. | m- bemr.-n I ial I ly in answer l .. ~,.- .aim al nm "1 was be-inuin- I o feai I hal I should never :•-, .- ou a-ain." I;.- be I mm, ii-, 1,,- siclled iibui- by my side | "Iml I. I wa: cui -id,-rim.' whether I j ou-iil mil In red ill Lad' farrell' i and a I. liel Is-, - nu v. m ,- W eil " "I hope y ~n v\ ill nov -r ,|o any j ! lour - n bullish." I said, some a hal j l a rl ly "I 'won't . Ih.-u -ance y ~,, don't ; v ni; it bul y ou mu ! Id i j -.on in--- and i If n in I hi nl-asaul j path, .in, •• I .on d-biii :, .! from .-.,1! j in ■ on • on in : he ~, dim-ir .-, ~-, " I |e SI,III ol di. pb-;,-m e ill hi . bold :-p Il j

Into (i prohibition against his '--filling upon mi' in ;i regular fashion at all. '' Lor in;- part ," hi' ri ml inued, " I think n is .1 thousand limes nicer hero than m a formal, sf ul'iv drawing room." A ix| i ,, mis iiroposil i'.ii I saw lit t 'i giv .• a qualitied imsi'iil . I i j hi,|. gj ve ! hi; del si ils of our conversation. 11. I ni'iiff I chiefly upon in v oh! hi'iiii', my brother, and Mr. i; il.i,on's adventures in different; parts of tin' globe. Amoiij,' nllici' tilings, Mr. (.'ibhon told mo that lie 1,.,,1 ',,,,,,. ~„•! . in one of the Western Siai.'s of America, a gent lemau bearing my nam.-. I I I w n i ;j. hj I i! probable I luil iliis musl be an uncle of my father's, who lia.l .migrated 1(1 the Si ad's many years before, and of whom w.' had quite lost sight . 1 i houghl in' u ril in;; Id him. Iml Mr. i iihlion ' ould n<a remember what i ~u ii In* had "■'•'•n him in, and had imviT known his address. In lall, of i his I ind i In- minutes slipped aw ay. Neither Miss Troup, nor Mr. Mosoley nor Lad; Larred was ever mention-,-il Tin' mystery of I he cheque, the quest ion of Mr. ( Million's rein I ions nil hj Mi •:■ Troup were never liinled : , i I saw i ha I i lie A agio American : u as a i viiiiirk.'ilil.'.- clever mair, and I i hat I '■' as more likely to do harm I i han good hy quest inning him. j In alioiil half an hour I said l.hal jit was i im'- for me to ret urn I o Ciim- | lieiiand-sipiaie, ami Mr. Gibbon aci compnnh d me to t he park g.a le, con- ! Tim:! in;; himself W i I ll ext I'licl illg a I kind of promise from me I hat I j would el him al I lie same place on some fu t ure day, On m.\ way hark to l.ady Kan-ell's II tormented myself with speculating i upon Mr. (iihhon's object . He was so ! agreeable and polite, that had I not. i been forewarned I might have believed in him. His manner was not al - I Logothor thai of a well-bred man, but it. was not offensively vulgar. He j seemed to be a person who had spent I his life in money-making, and who j had now determined to indulge; him-s-clf in a little romance—the romance ! of discovering and befriending his old I friend's orphan Lister. In going up 1.0 my own chamber on i my return to the house, I passed the I room appropriated to Miss Troup. I She. like myself, had been driven iidiii her lied chamber by the house- ' keeper's decrees ; for I he door of the i room was "pen. and part of the furjnilure was standing in the passage. \s I passed. I heard the sound of voices through the open doorway. Mul, il . Marl ha put your si reiigth | into it." I he housekeeper was saying. "I'lcnse, ma'am," answered the trirl, in an injured tone, "I've rubbed : .in,! rubbed, and il won't come oh". •! Leastways, the marks on il won't come out . and I've got my hands t hat s( icky I can't clean I hem. 1 I never did see such stuff to stick. 'lt's | like glue." ■\\ hat.-\ cr can it be '.' And however ■ .an it. have come here '.'" said I he Something in my own mind seemed ! to echo Mrs .lack: oh's words. 1 stepped into the rnuin, making a ii.re-ence hi asking so question ai houl my ou n apart meal . .tm\ as Mrs. . .1 ,n kson u as a usu eri ng me, i bent do ,i n ami examined i he marks on I lie ; leg nf a i able, al u hich Mar' !ia had ! been si rubbing. The; w ere mil; diirk, j dull. ■ • i.-i-y stab ■ I ...| me sec ; our luiinls. Marl ha." | I :-anl to the girl. ! Ila> im; e.\amin.-d them. 1 begged j |,.r i ~ ai- pen,] i he cleaning of I he ! room . \\ in!'- I said a word or 1 u o to I her mist iv.ss. Having obtained l.nd.\ Larr.'ll's [ iiui hori! ,\ to do v, ha t I nidged I o be ! „.|\ an';, i a a cab |, .;■ a chemist . Lor- ' ' iimitd; . Miss Troup was oul of the \\ hen ' he chemist arri\ ed. 1 brought ; I ,ad.\ La i-rell into I he room I n hear i him del i \ i-r his \ erilict . « hi le 1 oil I'e | full; e\ciudcd all I lie ot her sen ants. ! ,-\ I-,; Mi •■ ■Jackson herself, from I he ! apart meld ■ ■ | Mease do not express ; our i >pi nil hi • iii;.| ;•■'." said 1 In t lie chemist , as | lie b.-iil over Mar! ha's hands. I la \ i ng e.xa in i ned t he marks upon | I hem, and also I he si aim, on the leg i ol the table, he looked I 11l lo see ' that only I ady Karrell and m; self ; were in i lie room before .-.peaking. •|i is well lo be cautious," said i he, wit hj a smile : "hut 1 confess I ! see no necessity ifV it in this case. ! This sule-i niiiv, t lie presence of which ! seems i n have alarmed I his ; oung ; lady is a very simple one. It is onl\ j bii dlinie." 'ltirdlime !" echoed Lady Farrell. ■• | |nw can birdlime have com" here?" ••II js just possible that you ma; ; be asked to give evidence on I he ! point . Mr. Thomas." said 1 to the ! druggist . "I presume ; ou ha\ e no j ibaibl as lo i he nut ure of illis stuff'.'" •■\',>l I he least in the world," ho | ivt unted "It is birdlime. or some ! \ ■ r\' similar Mil': i a uce. l.'.i.h I'arrell's face wore a ver; ! serious air a • she paid Mr Thomas j I;,- fee and dismissed him. ■ What does t his mean. Miss I la.mil- ! |,,n '.'" she asked, when he had left 1 . he i num. •I ~.| us : .•,. whet her there a re any ~i h..r ; races oi birdlime in I he room I before Miss Troup returns," I replied , \\e called in Mrs. .laekson and a j i hoi ..ugh search v. as begun. Miss Troup's drawer- and her box w ere locked ; and of I heir contents, we could of course, no not lung Hut w hen u ■■ found in l he empl,\ graie a inor: el ~i paper, '.', Ilicll had a smear oi birdlime upon il . \t:d after charging Mrs. .lacl.soii i" prevent (as far ~ she could i I he : .'ii :i 111 s I Hiking a bout Ihi lit I le oe, iiiitucc, I ,ad.\ l-'ar rii weni I •.i iier room . peclo ai i ng me in follow her ■ |'|, ;i:.e :,,, |, iqi ! In: scrap of paper en full; ." said I. hamling my empb i. .a i he sera 11 of pa per with l he ' ll'e.l r n'l it •<■,!■■ .In! as I asked her. and lliell ! uriied ■ " in" impel ienl 1; . ■•Well, w ha I .!" ; ou make of I his '.' Iloli'i allee! the m.v.-li I'i'.U- 'l'eil II!" ;•! one v, ii.i i ; on think \ in I ha \ e , | j ■■, 1 ha\ ■• hi ' "'. eied mil lung I hat !■.. not hii.e ol a conclusive nai ure," I ■' r.ui ; ou Ihiuk vim have lighted upon alio! h.r link of I hj" chain "" •I ih." ■ I . lirml.v ' |'. ■ 11 m e a|| I 11 a ! is in ; i " I r 1111 111 i. " . r .-,| I ~,,,'.,- I '.•irrei;, anxio'r I; " I will unilersl ami I I.at it is old; suspicion, ma a i. irniii I accuse I ion aga I ic I :i n.v ■| have oul; a feu uncoil 'led ,ii cum ,t ances i o go upon ," I said. 1 I would be indeed unfa ir I o con ,j..,,,;i an; oil.' on such ev idenee iv 1 have ;el' ' "lied".l.' ■• | ~|| ~„■ ; our bare : If pici.Ue . I hen , 1 will 110 l lake I hem lor moi e

hnn they aro worth." "Let us look at the facts,'* said I. it'lor a moment's pause, "in the light >f the assumption that Mr. Barton inij Miss Troup, and, not your nephew nice been guilty of robbing you of lie i luce thousand pounds. What do ,ve Know '? That Barton is a disrepu.able man ; and that (he four thousand pounds your nephew lost were osi. to men who may have been in rollusion with him. Having heard of ,our nephew's losses, Harton offered 0 lend him the money, that he might my I hem. Mr. IJster fold me so. To tvhoin Inn. ymi could Harton have mihi'il for payment '!" "I agree with you, so far," said Lady Carrcll. "Assuming thai Burton and Miss I'roup were working together, they imiKl have known that. Mr. Moseley would write to you for money. Miss Croup saw the counterfoil of (lie ■deque you had written, and learned from it that she and her uecomplies were only going to get a fourth of the sum they had expected—nor even that, for probably the arrangement was that Ihe men who had swindled your nephew were to have a large share of the money. Miss Troup saw you seal and address the letter. It, was only gummed, I suppose ?" "Only gummed." "She saw that the cheque could be easily altered, and that the blame of the fraud would fall on your nephew; and she trusted that your affection for him would induce you to forgive him. She did not think it possible that, in the circumstances, she would be suspected. By the help of a little birdlime and a piece of string she fished your letter to Mr. Moseley out of the letter.box in the hall. Then she opened the envelope with steam, 1 suppose, took out the cheque, altered it, re-enclosed it in the letter, and posted it." "The treacherous woman !" "But all this is not proved," I urged. "I beg you to reniemlyer that. 1 may never be able to prove it, though f trust, I shall succeed in doing so. Give me a little more time. Hut, I hope you see that, there is a little ground now for believing your nephew to be innocent?" "Yes, I think there is—l think there is. But, T can't tell. 7 don't, wish to deceive myself with false hopes. If he is innocent," she added, evidently unaware that. she. was sjieaking aloud "it* he is innocent, 1 have treated him cruelly—cruelly." (994) (To be Continued.)

SYNOPSIS OF PARTS 1, 2 & 3. .Jam- Hambley (ind.s herself in London, lu-r nu-ans all but exhausted and starvation t hrealening her ami Jicr only companion—her little sister Nora. She is wondering how she can keep die wolf from the door when she sees an advert isment emulating from a hig firm of private enquiry agents. Why not he a lady detective she asks herself ? At first, the work seems repulsive, hut at length the feeling of necessity conquers her prejudice, and she calls at the firm s olJiee. Much to her surprise, she is engaged, and at once entrusted with an important case —.Lady Farrell, of 11 ('umherland-square, has been defrauded of three thousand pounds, end this is the mystery which Jane is set to solve. Assuming the name of . I til in ilamilton, she takes up her residence in I In- Farrell household as a ‘-poor relation.” It seems that Lady Farrell had sent her nephew—a wild young fellow—n cheque for one thousand pounds. which had been altered and cashed for four thousand pounds. La fly Farrell Iv-lievcs her nephew to be guilty of forgery, and while she and .lane are discussing the matter, the nephew walks in and the lady detective recognises him as Frank Moseley, an old friend, for whom she still feels affection. The situation is embarrassing, and .lane is loth to believe Frank guilty of the crime. She subsequent ly questions him regarding Lady Farrell’s generosity hut t heir conversation is interrupt ml by the entry of Miss Troup, her ladyship's companion, whose manner suggests suspicions. Having arranged for her sister's welfare at, school, .lane resumes the case and pi avs the spy upon Frank and Miss Troup. This, however, does not result in any important, discovery, hut when she subsequently sees Miss I roup in close conversation with a strange man, her thoughts revert to the mysterious .Mr, Raid on.