THE WELFLEET MYSTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7341, 30 May 1885, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE WELFLEET MYSTERY.

BY MR9. GEORGIE SHELDON. Author of "The Forsaken Bride." "Brownie's Triumph," " The Lily of Mordaunt."

CHAPTER XV. "YOU CANNOT MEA.K IT."

The building in which Guy had his rooms was an irregular affair, venerable both as to date and architecture, and was occupied by barristers, students, aud agents of all descriptions. It was located in Holborn, and was adapted to all classes and conditions, and here Herman Gregory, Esq., had his spacious office on the second floor, front, with chambers baok, while Guy's rooms, in the same portion of the building, were on the upper floor, back. Being built in the form of a hollow square, it overlooked Holborn on the front narrow alley-ways on the sides, and an open court within. Guy's windows opened upon this court, acd here, day after day, he might have been seen bendfng over his books, intent upon making the most of every moment of his time.

The evening was the only time that he allowed himself any rest, when he would go out to take such exercise in the open air as he felt that hie health and strength demanded. Here Mr, Edmonds came to him as often as he could, to assist him in his studies, and to cheer and enoourage him as well, for he was greatly depressed at times, growing poor and pale from his close confinement and tbe constant anxiety regarding the shadow that was resting upon his fair name. Upon one occasion, after Mr. Edmonds had paid his customary visit to Guy, he stepped in at Mr. Gregory's office for a little social chat.

He found him sitting by a window in the shadow of a heavy curtain, leisurely sipping his after-dinner glass of wine, but seeming at the same time intently observing something in that portion of the building on the opposite side of the court. He sprang up, however, as Mr. Edmonds entered, greeted him in the most cordial manner, inquired regarding his health and his mother's, asked after Theo, of whom he always spoke with peculiar gentleness, and then what news, if any, there might be in Welfleet.

After these inquiries had been satisfactorily answered, he remarked:

"I do not 86;- much of your protege up yonder ; how does be seem to be getting on ? " Gay is doing as well, perhaps, as I could expect," replied the Minor Canon, his face taking on a thoughtful expression, " better, in faot, in his studies, for he applies himself most diligently. If he would give a little more attention to his body 1 should be better pleased." " You think he shuts himself up too closely then?" observed Mr. Gregory, inquiringly. " Yes, much too closely; he is so extremely sensitive that, although he is an entire stranger here, he yet morbidly imagines that thi;-e is some brand upon him, which everyone whom he meets is sure to recognise. Consequently he will only go out at night, and does not get sunlight enough." " Poo? fellow; it is hard for one so young to have such a blight fall upon him," Mr. Gregory remarked, in a tone of sympathy ; then ho added, •' and I fear he has not man the worst of it yet." He leaned forward as he concluded, and peered out of the window, across the point which he had been observing when his visitor entered.

" How so ?" inquired Mr. Edmonds, wondering if he had learned anything new to Guy's disadvantage. "When did you see John Knight last?" abruptly asked the lawyer, without heeding his question, while he arranged the folds of the curtain as if to conceal himself, yet kept his own eyo intently fixed upon something without.

" About an hour before I left Welfleet."

" Hum! Where did you see him ?" "In his private room at the cathedral, busily engaged in copying rnunic. He has become almost a reoluae since the loss of his nephew; goes nowhere, and receives no one

fhe can help it. He tella me he is engaged upon a book of voluntaries which he ia composing, and hopes soon to have published." "Hum! he was perhaps more interested in bis music when you saw him, than he is now," said Mr. Gregory, craning his neck awkwardly, as if following the movements of someone across the way. " I do not understand you, sir," returned the Minor Canon.

"No? Well, perhaps you will, if you will take the trouble to come here and cast your eye toward the third window of the upper storey in the building opposite us. I shall request you to do so cautiously, however, in order not to attract attention." Mr. Edmonds arose, crossed the room, and, imitating the lawyer's caution by getting behind the curtain, peered forth at the third window of the upper storey in the building acrose the court.

What he saw there greatly astonished him. It was a haggard, sallow face, pressed closely against the glass, the hair tossed in disorder about the forehead, its eyes gleaming with evident excitement, and fixed with an intense look upon a window a little to the right and far above Mr. Gregory's. It was the face of John Knight, and Mr. Edmonds recognised it instantly. "Do yon see?" queried the lawyer, grimly. " Yes, I see," waa the reply, with firmlycompressed lips. The Minor Canon recalled that day when he and Guy had been walking together in Welfleet, and had unexpectedly encountered the choirmaster. He remembered his fierce, excited manner, and the vindictive language he had used as he avowed bis intention to hunt the murderer of his nephew to the death.

Heretofore the Minor Canon had entertained a deep sympathy for the lonely, miserable man, believing that his grief for hie nephew had almost undermined his reason. Bat something now in that face opposite made him recoil from him with a sort of inward horror, and to feel that if he waa mad there was reason to believe enough in his madness to indicate an implacable hatred against young Walton, and a determination to fix the crime upon him and wipe him from the face of the earth.

" What do you make of him ?" demanded Mr. Gregory, regarding hie companion with a keen glance. " A scoundrel who is determined to rain the life of an innocent young man, for some inexplicable reason." " Juat so, just no. I agree with the first part of yonr statement, my friend, but am not bo sure about the latter part of it " the lawyer returned, rubbing his chin in a reflective manner.

" Why not, may I ask ?" "You said he was trying to ruin him for some inexplicable reason. He doubtless had a reason, and he may imagine that no one save himself is keen onough to comprehend it. I think, however, if such is the case he is mistaken." "lam as much in the dark as ever. Will you please explain ?" Mr. Edmonds asked. " Your protege confessed to a—a fondness for my ward, I believe, during the late trial."

" Y es," replied Mr. Edmonds, with a start. "Well, has it ever occurred to you that Miss Tbeo regarded him with any particular favour ?"

CHAPTER XVI. EDWARD SIEWASI,

" No. On the contrary, it has struck me that she was very shy and reserved, for her, in his presence," answered the Minor Canon. "Hum! that may be; but I never saw her flush at anything that Herbert Knight said to her, as she did when informed of young Walton's confession." " You astonish me," said Mr. Edmonds.

"Ah ! Well, I think I may be able to increase that seneation before I conclude," observed Mr. Gregory, beitowing a grim glance upon that haggard face which could still be seen at the opposite window. " Well!" Mr Edmonds waited almost breathlessly for what was to follow. " Certain indications," he began, "lead me to think—to be very certain that John Knight himself loves my ward with a passion of which very few men are capable." "You cannot mean it," exclaimed the amazed Minor Canon.

"I do not mean it; I know it. Not only do I know it, but he made it so evident to my poor little ward that she has taken the alarm and requested me to inform her musicmaster at the earliest convenience that she wishes to discontinue her music lessons. She has not breathed a word of her fears to me, but I flatter myself that I am Dot an nnobserving man, and I have made this discovery wholly by myself. I have discovered, too, that John Knight is of an exceedingly jealous disposition, but his excessive vindictivenesa against Walton puzzled me, until I made this discovery of which I speak; now I can understand that he thinks there will be very little chance for him with such a rival in the field, and he is determined to ruin him if he can.

" Yes, yea, yes!" said the Minor Canon, nodding his head with each repetition of the word, and as if he was answering at the same time certain questions that had long puzzled him. Then he locked np with a start, hie breath coming quickly, his face losing all its natural colour.

"Do you thrak, do you imagine—" he began in a restrained tone. " If you please," interrupted Mr. Gregory, also in a repressed way, " I prefer not to ' think' or ' imagine' anything further just now. " But," and now he emphasized every word in a forcible manner. " whenever John Knight makes his appearance in this region I intend to keep my eye upon him." Mr. Edmonds hung his head for several moments in troubled thought. At last he said :

"I hope Guy will not discover that he is watched and apied upon by him; it will render his life here wretched, take his mind from his studies, and unfit him for everything." " 1 will do what I can to shield him," Mr. Gregory replied, " though I have particular reasons for desiring that John Knight should have no suspicion that I am watching him. Can I in any way assist young Walton in his studies between the times of your coming ?" " Thanks," replied Mr. Edmonds, heartily ; "he may like to borrow a book of you occasionally if you will be so good as to let him have access to your library. He is doing finely and will make an admirable lawyer, and I believe it will not be many years, if he continues to path forward with the energy and perseverance which he now exhibits, before he will stand among the first in the profession which he has chosen."

Guy Walton had been in London several months. He was not living in luxury, nor, indeed, in very much of comfort. Upon looking into tha state of his affaire, after his guardian had informed him that he " washed hie hands of him." he found that the strictest economy would have to *be practised by both himself and his sister in order to make their scant income meet their needs, until he was prepared to go forth into the world to earn bis own living, He remarked as much to Mr. Gripper, but that gentleman explained at some length that, not finding their income sufficient to meet their expenses at Welfleet, he had taken the liberty to use from their principal, believing that it would hold out until Guy should be able to get into business for himself, and Misß Walton ehould marry, which so handsome a girl was sure to do at an early date.

So Guy could afford to hire only three rooms in the upper storey of the .building which we have already described, and which were lighted by dormer windows; and these were but scantily furnished with what w;w absolutely necessary. It was so entirely different from hie former pleasant home in the Minor Canoe's comfortable house that it seemed very dismal to him, and he grew lonely and heart-siak at times.

He had a neighbour, however, who was very cheerful. At least, Guy thought he mast be, for he kept up a merry little whistle most of the time when he was in his rooms. Than, top, this same neighbour had managed to create a little wilderness of beauty outside of his own windows, by setting along the edge of the roof boxes of plants and vines, which he trained to grow on lines up over the dormer window, until it looked like some enohknted garden suspended between heaven and earth.

One evening, upon returning from hie accustomed walk, as he reached the landing before the door, Guy found a stranger standing there. He was a man of perhaps twenty-eight years, or at least Guy judged him to be about that, by the dim light which the poor lamp of the hall afforded.

He had a frank, open face, honest, smiling blue eyes, with a merry look in their depths -.vhich could not fail to win one instantly;

a month which was rather grave and sensitive to go with the eyes, and an off-hand manner which of itself possessed a peculiar charm, even before the genial voice completed the spell. He was clad in a garb half-sailor and halfcitizen, an indication that he had been a follower of the sea, and could not all at once divast himself of the habiliments to which he had been accustomed.

" Pardon, ,, hebegan upon seeing Guy, and touching his cap with a sailor air, " 1 am your right-hand neighbour; my name is Stewart—Edward Stewart." "I knew I had a neighbour on my right,' Guy said, smiling, "acid lam very glad to meet yon, Mr. Stewart. Come in, and be* lieve yourself welcome. ' He unlocked bis door, and threw it open as he epoke. Lighting a lamp, he offered his visitor a chair, and then sat down himself, wondering what his object could have been in seeking him out. He was, however, soon enlightened. "Thank you, ,, Mr. Stewart returned, lift* ing his cap from his glossy brown head and tossing it lightly upon the table. "I have noticed of late that you seem to admire my little garden oat yonder, which hes stirred a sympathetic chord in my heart and emboldened me to intrude upon you and crave the pleasure of your acquaintance." "You are very kind," Guy began, feeling drawn at once toward the genial stranger, yat shrinking from him too, for he could not be quite sure that it would be right to accept the friendship of anyone without first warning him that there was a blight resting npoa bis character.

" Perhaps, too. you will grant me permission to turn gardener for your premises also, and send a little of my superfluous growth Vt brighten up your window a trifle, pursuot'i the stranger, smiling. " That is a very friendly suggestion," answered, ''but I would not like you io trouble yourself on my account." "It would be no trouble. It will give ISM something to do, and time hangs rather heavily on my hands. lam a very idle man, Mr. Walton, and sometimes I feel as it I were a very useful individual." " Ah !" returned Guy, while he wondered how he had learned his name, for he, as yet, seemed to have had no opportunity to introduce himself.

"Yes," continued young Stewart, "I was brought up in the navy, where, as you may know, no drones are allowed, and I have had some pretty hard knocking about. However, a little less than four years ago a wealthy uncle died, having first willed me his property, provided I would leave the service and give proper attention to his handsome estate." " That must have been a very gratifying provision, 1 should imagine," Guy observed. "Well, that is—as it may be," answered Mr. Stewart, carelessly. "You see & rover, such as I have been for the most of my life, cannot settle quietly in one space all at once ; so for a time 1 am devoting myself to the attractions of London, Igo and come as I take a notion."

Guy could not help wondering how it happened that the heir to a large property should hide himself in such very modest lodgings, and in such an humble locality. " For a similar reason," pursued the young man, »s if he had read the thought in his face and was willing to ansrer it, " haying always bunked in close quarters ' 'midships,' I could not quite made up my mind to lose myself m any of your grand, gloomy hotels ; so I have the cozy suite next to yours, end get near the sky, and sun, and fresh air, as possible." "London must seem very close to you, after a life on the broad, blue sea," said Guy. "London is close, and it cannot seem otherwise," was the quick reply. " London is a wretched place in many respects. Don't you find it so ?" "It makes but little difference to me as I am situated," Guy returned, drooping a little at thus being brought back to tko ntorn realities of his own life.

"Yon are a student, I take it," observed Mr. Stewart, glancing around upon his booke.

" Yes, I intend to make the law my profession."

" Then you have a batter opinion of it than Charles Maoklin had," said Mr. Stewart, with a laugh. " What was his opinion ?" asked Guy. *• I don't think I ever heard it." "Hβ said: 'The law is a sort of hocuspocus, that smiles in your face while it picks yer pockets; and the glorious uncertainty of it is of mair use to the professors than the justice of it."

"I am not sure but that would be true in many instances," Guy returned, with an appreciative smile of the humoroue Baying, " and it is a disgrace to the profession that it is so often put to an ignoble use. But," with a gleam in bis dark eyes. " While I live I mean that there shall be at least, one honest lawyer in the world. " Then I shall know whom to employ in case I am so unfortunate as to ever fall into its clutches. I am afraid, however," Mr. Stewart added, with a grave look at Guy's pale face, " you are employing yourself too closely; or perhaps you may have recently recovered from ao illness—you are not looking very robust." Guy flushed.

" No," he said. " I have not been ill, but I have known something of trouble, which has perhaps worn upon me as much as an illaesa would have done."

"Ah! excuse me," Mr. Stewart said, gravely as though he feared he had trespassed where he should not, then rising, he deliberately changed the subject by remarking: " If you will allow me I will take a look at your windows with an eye to their future embellishment." He stepped toward one of them, opened it, and sprang lightly out upon the roof. But Guy cried oat against this venture* some act. "You will fall and be dashed to pieces," he said. "Never fear," said the young man, with a light laugh, "the most daring Tabby in the neighbourhood is not more sure-footed than your humble servant. Everything is in prime condition for a garden out here, and we'll have a brighter outlook for you before many days." " I shall feel that it is dearly bought if you risk ao much to accomplish it," i'kid Guy, admiring the fine form of his new friend. "I shall risk nothing, Mr. Walton, I assure you, and if I can add anything to your comfort, or pleasure, I shall be more than gratified. Now if you will excuse the lack of ceremony, I will say " Good-night" here, and take a short out home; the thought of all those stairs down and up again is appalling tome." Guy felt as if he could not stand thero and see him commit so rash an act; but some strange fascination held him to the spot until Mr. Stewart had sped over the roof with the agility of a squirrel, and with another "Goodnight," disappeared from his sight behind his vines and flowers. Then Guy drew down his curtains and arranged his books for the night with a lighter heart than he had known since coming to dreary, smoky, foggy London.

CHAPTER XVII. A STRANGER.

We must go back to Welfleet for a little while, to make the acquaintance of a stranger who made his appearaV ■Jβ there shortly after Mr. Edmonds' last vigils to Gay. He arrived one evoni~ at r^sat; Tras rather an antiquated-tossing individual, and had something of a military air about; the cut of his garments as well as in his boaring. , He was about the medium heigbii, robust of form, having a fresh, ruddy complexion, and possessing a countenance whicL. was somewhat remarkable for its expression of innocence and benignity „ although a pair of restless, piercing blue es sometimes gave one the impression that there might be r* reserve force and . energy ~ underneath hi; external suavity and simplicity. ■> : fi ■;.■ '■; * His hair was snow-white and . of most luxurious growth, while it seemed as if old Time, mischievously inclined, had tried to rsskethe man look xb ridiculous as possible hy leaving his eyebrows untouched, and in all the lustre of their pristine beauty, which was a decided red; and these, in their indignation at being out of harmony with the rest of nature, stood bristling straight out like a frill above his eyes. :. -.. His arrival at the Welfleet Tiger created quite a stir at the usually quiet inn, for he alighted from the carriage which had brought him there, with a flourish, walked into the office and registered his name wift a flourish number two, remarking to the clerk that he. was an entire stranger in the city, but had been directed to it as being rich, in romantic interest, and its ancient cathedral a marvel of architectural curiosity. - , • - ' ■■■■ : r , "I am a ouriowty-hunter, if yon choose," he said, as he laid down his pen, tipped back hie hat, and walked to the door to take a look

oai ; "something of an archeologiat, I may eay," he'added, somewhat pompously, while he glanced over his shoulder as if to see whether the clerk had been crashed by hia weighty rhetoric. Then he continued :" My name, as you will perceive by referring to your book, is Dodge—Simon Dodge, and to be frank with you, I've not done ranch daring, the last few years bat dodge about the world to see what I conld see. Bat I'm a little weary of it, and now I want to 'dodge' into some quiet hole and lay by for a time. Any. lodgings to be had in these parts ?" The clerk had been chuckling to himself; daring the above speech over this queer specimen of humanity, who had so suddenly dropped down into their monotonous old towu, bat ho was quickly brought to hiTwlf with a half-j;ailty start when the man turned square around, as he asked hie question, bringing those forcible eyes of his to bear directly upon hia own. " Samson preserve ua! he'd pitx a man to the wall with that look of his," was his inward comment, and then recovering bis composure, he answered, politely : "Plenty of them, sir." •

"Quiet, comfortable ones, suitable for ta old codger like me—that is, providing, of course, that; he could pay handsomely for them?" Mr,, Dodge questioned, with a sly wink, while he slapped his pockets significantly, as if he intended to convey the impression that there was plenty within them to pay for whatever he might want. " You could not find any bat quiet ones in this place, sir," returned the clerk. "Asfor their being 'comfortable,' well, yes, per* haps." " Service held in the cathedral every day ?". inquired Mr. Dodge, turning once more to the door, while his glance wandered off toward the great tower, whose* ivy crown rose majestically above all other structures, and could be seen from almost any point in the city. . "Yes, sir; every morning at seven, and every other evening at six." - " Good ; I'm a very strong churchman," remarked Mr. Dodge, calling up a pious expression, which, with his restless eyes and bristling brows, sat rather queerly upon him. "I never miss a service if I can avoid it," he added, " and for that reason I would like to get a lodging as near the cathedral aa possible—getting on in years, you see," smoothing his abundant white hair with an air of pride, consequently don't feel like putting myself out more than I'm obliged to.", " Yes, air—yes, sir. Perhaps Mrs Davis can accommodate you ; sha'a near by the church."

"And who may Mrs. Davis be, if you please ?'' "She's a widow, sir—"

" What!" and Mr. Simon Dodge wheeled rou&d, "pinning" the inoffensive clerk "to the wall" again with hie piercing glanoe, and as if he imagined he had malice aforethought in speaking of a widow to him. "Beg your pardon, air, but she's the widow of the late beadle, and having not much but the house she liven in, she earns something by keeping the robea clean— washes and irons them for the choir-boy?, you know," explained the clerk, humbly. "Yes, yes; Mr. Dodge replied, apparently satisfied, " and does she take lodgers also?"

" Well, no; not exactly—that is, she only has M/r. Knight." "Mr. Knight?" repeated Mrj Dodge, inquiringly. " Yes, the organist and choir-master at the cathedral.

" Ah! oh !" reflectively ejaculated Mr.» Dodge. " I thought perhaps ii; might be as quw'i a place as any for you, sir ; convenient to service and so forth," appended the clerk. " I should say it would do exactly," re' plied his listener, as if he had settled in hie own mind that he should lodge with the* Widow Davis, provided she wonld take him. Accordingly, when he had eaten his supper, the house was described to him, and, after receiving the necessary directions, he ifcatted out to seek it.

He strolled in a leisurely manner toward the cathedral, around which he lingered for some time, peering into various nooks and corners aud around the inclosure in a way which betrayed the greatest interest and curiosity. Upon turning a corner ho suddenly came upon a small urchin, who was leaning against the iron fence and enjoyably engaged in munching a rosy-cheeked apple. "I say, youngster, could you tell me where the Widow Davis lives V he asked, stopping and viewing him with some interest. " Shouldn't wonder if I could," mumbled the small boy, indifferently, and without suspending his masticating operations evea to look at his questioner. " Well, suppose that you do, then," said Mr. Dodge, with an internal chuckle over the coolness of the urchin.

The boy flashed a pair of keen black eyes up at him. " What'll ye gi , me ?" he demanded, his half-eaten core within easy reach of his gluttonous teeth in case the terms should not prove satisfactory.

" Well, I sometimes come across a stray sixpence when I find a lad who ahows off smart and willing." " Then I'm him," said the boy, with surprising energy, and, cooking his head on one side, squinting one eye, he took aim, ufsd his core across the street, hitting a lamp-post square in the face. " D'ye see that winder juet 'round the corner beyond the church; that one with the red curtain?"

"Yes, that is Mrs. Davis , , is it ?" " No, 'taint, nither; that's John Ktiighf s." "John Knight's?" repeated Mr. Dodge, with the same enquiring tone that he had used when speaking of him to the clerk at the inn.

"Tha£fi the Widder Davis , house, bat that winder is in John Knight's part; he's the grand fiddler np in the cathedral; he's got that part of the house to himself. Ye orter hear him," the boy went on, with a wise air, " he'll sing like Heaven, and play in that queer-looking house in there 'til ye're like to rise off yer feet; but, gorry! air, ho'e got , eyes like—like—" He hesitated as if at a loss for a proper comparison. " Like what?" demanded Mr. Dodge, fixing a piercing gaze upon him. " 1 ike-the devil, sir ! There 1" and he heaved a sigh of relief that he had dared to free his mind. "How so?"

" They burn a hole right throt yer every time they look at yer, end if yr. aJ.oulc , try to hide anything from him they'd ea'c is sight out o' yer in quiok time. Jer-i-co !" This expletive was caused by his glancing up and finding the eyes of i-imon Dodge fixed with a peculiarly intent look upoa him. " Well, what is the matter ?" asked tbs man.

" Yer own would match 'em, if they were only black!" he answered, still gazing at him as a sort of fascination held him. " Who are yer, anyhow?" Mr, Dodge instantly broke into a jolly little laugh, his face setting into a very innocent expression as he dropped a sixpence into the un bin's hand.

" There! take that for telling me where Mrs. Davis lives," be eaid. •! The first door there is Mr. Knight's, and the second, I take it, ia where I'll go to find the woman 1" " Yes, sir. Thank ye, sir." And hastily pocketing his silver treasure, the boy darted off, and was oat of sight around th 6 corner before the small hand on Simon Dodge's watch had ticked off thirty seconds.

" Eva the brightest ragsuxof&n I°>e teea this many a day," he murmured, as he directed his steps to the door pointed out to him, and rang the bell. fTo be continued,]