A SINGULAR DISAPPEARANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11630, 18 April 1901, Page 3

A SINGULAR DISAPPEARANCE.

I was standing close up to the green, uncut hedge, peering between the trees for a view of the old mansion beyond, when my name was called in familiar tones, and, turning sharply round, I found myself confronting an old friend, Detective Ridley.

; "Would you care to have a closer view of the place?" he asked, after we had greeted each other and I had expressed surprise and, perhaps shown a little inquisitiveness as to the reason , for his presence in 3Tultingdon. "I am going there to interview the occupant." "I should be delighted," I replied, warmly, for I knew my curiosity was to be satisfied. "It is business that brings you down here, then?" Yes," he said, as we started along the road. " A gentleman named "Wilkinson resides, or rather did reside, in this locality, but he left the house on the evening of last Tuesday, and has not yet returned. . His disappearance is of a most peculiar nature. There seems to be absolutely no clue*to his whereabouts."

" Have you any theory?" I ventured to ask. "You have thought of the possibility of suicide?"

" Wilkinson was not a man of that sort," Ridley interrupted. " Some time ago he made one of a shooting party at Sir George Bannistor's place, and there—so his wife tells mebecame acquainted with tho occupier of this mansion. This gentleman took a great interest in Wilkinson, and as the latter was working out some extremely valuable invention, Mr. Ganson offered to finance the scheme, an offer which was thankfully accepted, for the inventor was none too well off. In order to be near each other Wilkinson took a little villa not far away from hero.

" Last Tuesday he received a letter by post arranging a meeting with someone who signed himself ' A.B.' Pie went out, presumably to keep the appointment, and never returned. On the Wednesday morning Mrs. Wilkinson inquired of Mr. Ganson if he could account for her husband's absence, but he declared himself without any knowledge, and appeared very much distressed. This is where the matter stands at present." " May I inquire if you have seen the letter? Did Wilkinson leave it behind him?" We were entering the park by the lodge gates.

" I have it in my possession now," was the reply. We reached the house and rang- the bell. Almost immediately the door was thrown open and we entered, to be shown a moment later into Ganson's presence. My first impression of him. was rather a mixed one. In appearance he way of medium height, genial face, and pleasant manner. In fact, he seemed too supremely self-satisfied to bear out his statements when my friend's identity ana business were disclosed. "Yes, it's very serious," he said, shortly. Where can Wilkinson have gone to? Perhaps his wife has informed you about the new motor? Well, I've sunk a. lot of money in that, and I know practically nothing about the working parts of it. He alone possesses the secret. "Then should he never turn up alive the money and the invention will both be lost'" said Ridley. 'Just so. "ion can -understand my anxiety. lam glad Mrs. Wilkinson has sent lor you. I was intending getting a detective down, but I knew no one I could trust. So if there are any questions I can answer 1 will do so.

"Did Wilkinson come hero on Tuesdav evening? J dav Oh, no ' he has not been here since on " clay.

Did Mrs. Wilkinson tell you why lie went out that evening V* " Some note or other that ho had received, I think."

It was from a, man who signed himself by the initials 'A.B.' Do you know anyone they would fit ?" Mr. Ganson gave a start. "Can my wild theory bo correct ?" he muttered, and Ridley looked at him eagerly. " You must understand," he went on, "that I do not wish to cast suspicion upon one who may be innocent, but—well, the initials are the same. Wilkinson, as you will have learned, had his principal laboratory or workshop on these premises, and he used to come here every day. About a couple of months back he told me that another man had heard of the idea upon which he was at work, and had offered to finance him if he would dissolve partnership with me. The oiler was, of course, refused, but Birrell made it again, and, receiving a sharper answer, declared he would have the secret by fair means or foul. Can it dg that he has carried out some plot to this end ?"

"What is this man Birrell like?" asked the detective, thoughtfully. "I do not know," was the renlv. "But by tiie name I should say he was a, Scotchman."

"Wilkinson did not tell you much about him, then '!" said Ridley, evidently surprised. "You knew nothing whatever about his personal appearance ? The place mentioned in the letter for the meeting was the Woodman's Corner. Where is it ?"

"A little farther down the road than the park gates. Whywhat's that ?" Mr. Ganson started up and ran to the window. A rifle had been fired just outside. Following the report came two or three faint shots: then all was siient again. "You must excuse me for a moment, gentlemen," exclaimed Ganson, anxiously. " There seems to have been an accident of some kind." He hurried from the room and along the hall. We heard the dooi clang to, and we were alone.

Ridley began to inspect the apartment. "Do you know," he said to me, as we paused before an old oil-painting, " that I have the impression that Ganson rents this place, just as it is, furnished '! He gives me —ah ! here he comes !" And the gentleman entered, with a greatly relieved expression upon his face. "That stableman 'causes me a great deal of annoyance," ho explained. "There is a gun kept in the harnessroom, and the fellow will persist in keeping it loaded. To-day it ha-s accidentally gone off whilst moving'it. Luckily, no one is hurt ! Now, Mr. Ridley, are there any further questions to ask ?" "None at present," said Ridley, rising. " I must try and trace this man Birrell. Fultingdon is only a. small place, and ho must have been noticed. So we will bid you good-morning."

Half an hour later— was a very short distance, from the old mansion to the villa we were seated in Mrs. Wilkinson's cosy room.

"No, I regret I have got hold of nothing tangible as yet," my friend was saying. "But do you remember whether your husband ever mentioned the name of Birrell ?" Yes, he said he had been approached a week ago by a man of that name with regard to*his invention. Ho said he was puzzled to understand how the man had got wind of it."

" Only a week ago !" repeated Ridley, half-musingly. "That is strange!" He rose from his chair and paced up and down the room deep in thought. "He did not tell you on Tuesday evening that ho was going out to see him ?" "No, I judged that from the letter left behind." Just at that moment there was a slight knock upon the door, and a maid entered to speak with the lady. "A window broken, do you say ?" ejaculated the latter. "Yes, ma'am; it is the one in the lumberroom," the girl replied. "I heard a crash like breaking glass a while back, but I could not find where it had come from. Now 1 see it's the lumber-room, ma'am !" "But how could it happen? The door is locked. Mr. Wilkinson has the key!" She half turned to us in her astonishment.

" Will you alloy mc to ask a question, Mrs. Wilkinson?" put: in Ridley. Receiving consent, he looked at the girl. "Did you see anyone about who could have broken it.' Any boys likely to throw stones?" Why he should take an interest in so trivial a matter was a puzzle to me. "No, sir, no one! There was no noise either, except—" And she hesitated until a kindly-put question induced her _to proceod. " There was only tho gun being fired —though they are often being fired about here, sir. That can't have anything to do with it."

"Of course not," agreed the detective. Still," arid he turned to the lady, "if you would like this mystery elucidated we will go into the lumber-room." " Oh, it is of no account. The glazier must be sent for, Lucy." The girl curtsied and retired. " I do not think so minor a matter—"

"It interests me." said the detective. "Can I see the lumber-room?"

I stared at him in amazement, and Mrs. Wilkinson was also taken aback, it being some seconds before she could find words to agree. Then, with very little more ado, she lod the way upstairs. "It is locked, as I told you," she explained, as we halted at the door, "My husband always keeps the koy." , , . , Ridley examined the lock, and, seemingly satisfied with his inspection, drew out ot his pocket a bunch ' of small skeleton keys. He chose one of them, inserted it, and, aftei several attempts the bolt flew back, and the room was free of access. He gave a rapid glance around, and I hear d him chuckle as if pleased

with what he saw. Then he went to the wall where a large piece of the plastering had fallen off, and began to hunt about the floor, j He found what he had been searching for, J and walking to the window, looked through I it for what seemed to me a very long time. 1 "Have you a small mirror about?" he asked, suddenly. Mrs. Wilkinson answered in the affirmative, and busied herself procuring one. "The sun is high in the heavens now," he said to me. " Other people besides those in the army take lessons from the war in Africa!" .. To this apparently senseless remark I made no reply. I was anxious that he should getback to the work in hand, for the story of the extraordinary disappearance of Mr. Wilkinson had impressed me greatly. "Thank you," he said, as Mrs. Wilkinson returned with the desired article. " And now I must ask you to do me another favour. I think I saw a gun in the hall? . . • H'm. Walters, I know you can shoot. Now, I want you to load the gun, go into the garden, f.nd await my instructions!" "Whatever has come over you?" I said; but he laughingly bade me wait awhile and he would explain everything. So in a few minutes I was standing on the grass with a loaded gun in my hands. "Do you think you can hit the oak tree?" came a voice from above. Ridley had thrown up the sash and was loaning out. "Are you ready? Fire!" I lifted the gun to my shoulder and pulled the trigger. Then I looked upwards. But he had withdrawn his head, and I waited until such time as he should speak to me again. But he apparently had concluded the affair, for he pulled down th 3 sash and very shortly was at my side. "Is this foolishness to end now?" I asked, for his broad smile "narked" me somewhat. " hen are you going to trace that man Birroll?"

"I think I know where to find him," re turned Ridley, laughing outright. " Come, man, you look quite hurt. I see you have hit tho oak tree! "Very good! But are you ready for another walk? I have told Mrs. Wilkinson that I am going to interview Ganson again. Put the gun in the porch, Walters. . . . It's rather too big to be of use in this business," lie added, more to himself than to me.

Once again Ave walked up the weed-grown drive to the old mansion. "I'm afraid there can't bo much work for stablemen here," said the detective. "No horses have been down this road for a long period." The second time in that day Ave were shown into Mi. Ganson's room. He expressed his surprise at seeing us again so soon, and his manner now struck me as being uneasy even apprehensive. "I want you to write me a short letter," said Ridley, coming to business at once "As it is very important I hope you will oblige me in the matter?" "I shall be delighted," was the reply, out the voice expressed tho opposite. He crossed the room to his desk and procured the necessary stationery. " Plain paper, if you please," said the detective. "Now kindly write what I dictate." The other took up the pen, and Ridley, taking up a position behind him, began : "Mr. R. Wilkinson. Dear Sir,— Although your decision at our last interview was unfavourable

The writer put down the first few words, hesitated, arid started again. Suddenly he threw away the pen and faced round. " Whst is it about?" he demanded. "What does it mean?"

"It means—" and Ridley snatched up tbe piece of notepa-psr-—" it means that the game is up, Mr. Birrell!" Two more astounded men than myself and Mr. Ganson have never been, though the latter must have guessed what was coming. He sprang up with an oath and started for the -rope.

"Back, sir!" cried Ridley, stepping before Mm and producing a ready-cocked revolver. "I know that your accomplices are at hand. But do not attempt to summon them! Sit down, please."

"I should like to know the meaning of this," said Ganson, white with rage at being so easily trapped. "You have given the game away," said Ridley, in quiet tones. "Mr. Wilkinson is a prisoner in this house, in tho centre room of the second floor, south side. I demand his instant release!"

"It is a lie," cried Gannon. "How dare you charge me with such a thing? I tell you I know nothing of Wilkinson's whereabouts!"

Ridley looked at him for a moment before replying. "I have communicated with him," he said. "Don't be a fool. You're beaten out and out! You have got to submit to my terms!"

"Your terms! You—he began, but a movement of the hand that hold tho revolver quietened him. "You had better give me your orders!" he said. hopelessly, after a moment's thought. "The game is up, I admit!"

" I will ring for one of your men—l know you have two on the premises—and tell him to release Wilkinson and escort him here. The other will bring something to eat to this room. I am aware that part of T-our plot was to keep him without food until he agreed to make over the secret of his invention to you !"

Ganson gave a gasp. "You know all!" he exclaimed. Then, as a servant came in response fo a ring, he spoke tho necessary orders; and five minutes later there was a hearty handshaking as Ridley and I greeted the abducted Wilkinson, a free man once more.

"And now I suppose you will require explanations?" said Ridley, when Wilkinson had been restored to his overjoyed wife, and we were all seated in the room discussing the affair. Of course I was wrong in celling Ganson by the name of Birrellthe latter part was taken by one of the accomplices. When Wilkinson here went out to meet him the latter did not turn up, but Gansor. himself came to invito him into the house. When I asked Ganson to write that note it was to see what effect it would have upon him. for the words were the same as on the note our friend received on Tuesday. I was struck with the difference between Mrs. Wilkinson's and Ganson's statements as to when the first meeting with Birrell had taken place>—that man at us introduced into tbe affair to keep away suspicion—and then camo the news about the broken, glass. But perhaps you will explain how you broke the lumber-room, window?"

" Did Mr. Wilkinson, break it ?" I exclaimed.

"Yes," replied the rescued man, "my gaoler was kind enough to accidentally leave his rifle where I could get it. My first idea was to force my way out with it, but I dismissed that as being too risky. Then it occurred to me to shoot at the lumber-room glass—l knew it would be safe 1o do so— and thus draw attention. If anyone had looked through it they might have seen me waving my handkerchief. " I succeeded in my object, as you know, but almost ere T could pull the window down again the keeper had entered and I had to submit to being disarmed. They were imprisoning me until such time as I should give them the secrets of my invention. Then they would have disappeared, leaving me to got out as best I could, and someone would have rushed the thing through tho Patent Oflice."

" And they would have taken care that this person's connection with your abductors could not be proved," said the detective. "I hazarded the theory (hat there might be some connection between the rifle-shot and tho broken window, and, upon searching the room, I found tho place where the bullet had struck the wall and the bullet itself. Then I looked out, and I could not help but notion how near the south side of the building was to this villa". I sent Walters out to shoot also, to attract the attention of anyone on the qui- vivo. The mirror I used to throw a flash of sunlight across the fields, and happily Mr. Wilkinson was able to use the same device. Then I was sure of my ground. I must say that my statement about depriving him of the necessaries of life was a guess, but it was true. I don't think I need say any more. Mr. Wilkinson by his clever stratagem rendered' the ease very simple." Ganson and. his accomplices received their just rewards at the next assizes. It turned out that he was an adventurer of the most daring type, and that lie had been with Sir George Bannistor's shooting party under false pretences.