SHORT STORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13456, 8 April 1907, Page 3

SHORT STORY.

A DETECTIVE'S ADVENTURE. "I All in rather an awkward position," -aid the visitor, slowly, "and 1 want, you to extricate me. 1 am very confident of your ability to do so, because of the successful way in which you solved the Workingham mystery." " If you will state your case I will give it my attention," replied Desmond, ignoring the compliment. "Then you'll come with me to my home?" went on the other, who had (riven the name of Phillips. '" All my documents are there, for, not counting upon a refusal, 1 did nor bring them." "What is the distance to your house*" "Three miles or so. I have a cab outThe Jehu evidently knew where to drive, fop no instructions wore given him before the two entered the vehicle. Phillip? relapsed into silence, nor did he speak again until the cab drew up to the door of a largo brick house, situated in a street that Desmond did not remember having seen before. "Here we are." he said, ascending the steps and throwing open the doe,-. "Fol- ! low me. ' And Phillips led the way along a dimly-lit passage and entered a cosy room at the other end. "Now that you have brought me this long distance you will kindly give me the facts of your case at once," said Desmond sharply. "I may -ay frankly that I do not like this secrecy " "You are safe in our hand-." said the other. "There is no need to be afraid." Desmond noticed the plural. "You are not alone then?" be said, with a quick glance around the room. "By no mean-. 1 have a few friends here.''' He touched a bell as he spoke, and four men entered the room. The detective was startled, but he did not show it. Phillips, hurst into a laugh. "Draw your chair up to the table and take a cigar," said he. The others all proceeded to make themselves comfortable, so the detective proceeded to do likewise; so far as lie could see there was no cause for alarm.

"Now, sir," began Phillips, "1 must, tell you, first of all, that you are not required to solve any real ease of mine. 1 and Mr. Smithson have "made a bet regarding you. We were talking the other nay about the Workingham affair, and as 1 said you had found the truth very cleverly, he remarked that circumstances wore greatly in your favour. Wo began to argue with this result: Wo have imagined a case and wish you to solve it. We shall tell you a story and act part of it. If you succeed in proving to our satisfaction who the murderer is—for the case is one of murder— will receive the sum of £100. If you fail, you will receive £10 for your trouble. What have you to say?" " I do not like, being made the subject, of a bet," said Desmond. "You must, co in for it," put in Vernon. The- almost pleading tone caused the detective to look more closely at his pale, thin features. "Very well, then, 1 agree," said he, and his eyes still upon the other's face ho thought an expression of relief crossed it. "Thank you," said Phillips. "We will start right away. It has been decided that, 1 tell the first part of the story. Last night I and Lovely there entered this house at ten o'clock. I called Smithson up from Ins chemical laboratory in the basement, and Walters from his portion of the house, and wo awaited the appearance of Vernon and Jackson. But as these two failed to come

after ten minutes had passed we all went upstairs to Jackson's room. There a dreadful sight met our gaze. He was lying deed upon tho floor, and close by was Vernon, just recovering consciousness. "It was plain that Jackson had been murdered, and all things pointed to Vernon as the one. who had done the dastardly deed. He had been stabbed by the hitter's knife. We formed the idea that he himself had been knocked senseless by a blow upon the head, dealt by tho dying man in a supreme, final effort. We charged Vernon with the crime, but, he denied it; but you shall hear his explanation from his own lips, Mr. Desmond." "At nine o'clock," began Vernon, trying to keep his own voice steady, " I entered the house at, tho front and proceeded straight upstairs to Jackson's room, having to seo him upon a purely private matter. There was no one about that I could see; indeed, everything was so quiet when I opened the door that I thought Jackson himself must be out. But as 1 went inside quick footsteps sounded behind me. I was about to turn when I received a crushing blow upon the back of tho head. I staggered forward, caught a glimpse of Jackson lying on the floor in a pool of blood, and then fell down senseless, to awnko some time later and find myself accused by you gentlemen as hi« murderer. But I am innocent, I swear it." ..Ho made this declaration so earnestly as to call forth sarcastic comments from Smithson. ~ " Have you anything more to say? questioned Phillips. " Can you account for the fact that, your knife caused Jackson's death?" '•I cannot. Until it was shown to mo as the one used I had not seen it for a week," replied Vernon with emphasis. "That will do. Now, Mr. Desmond, you have heard the main facts. Circumstantial evidence of the strongest kind is brought against Vernon. His siory is a simple one. Can you prove his guilt more conclusively, or establish his innocence? You may ask any questions you please. "Had Vernon any motive? Had Jackson ever quarrelled with him, Smithson, or Walters?" .said Desmond, after a moment's thought. "He had quarrelled with both me and the accused," put in Smithson, rather sullenly. -~„,. ,i "Did you see Jackson last night? asked the detective, turning and looking at him. " Me? Yes, but I left him well and hearty at about ten minutes to nine, and proceeded downstairs to my laboratory. Jackson looked at hi? watch and gave me the time. "Walters con be left, out of it," thought Desmond. "It rests between Smithson and Vernon." . "Have you any more questions to ask hero? It not you shall see the position in which wo found the two men," said Phillip-. "I have no nioro questions at present, was the reply. "All right. Vernon, you and Lroveiy go upstairs and get ready for the parts you are to play. You understand what to do. Knock when ready." Tho men addressed arose and left the room. Vernon giving a backward glance that puzzled the detective. " J think they will be ready for us shortly," said Phillips. This sort of thing is rather nerve-shaking. Smithson looks really ill." ' ~, "Ho you mean to accuse mo of— began Smithson. .... "Of poor nerves?" put in Phillips, with a warning glance at, the other. "Oh, no. You look really white and troubled, that's ail."

"Ho wants some of his own drugs," said Walter?, with * forced laugh. "Come, come, don't get. to word--. _ Listen. "Vernon is knocking. lie is awaiting us."

Phillips put down, his cigar and led the way upstairs, the other- following. " This is the room," he said to Desmond. " Lovely is in the position we supposedly found Jackson. Enter, please."

Tho detective did so. He could not suppress a start of surprise. There, lying upon the carpet, was- Lovely, attired in a brown check suit. His arm.- were outstretched; his face fixed as if in death. A small, blood-stained knife and a heavy-knobbed stick were by his side. Tho affair seenrx] too grim to be mere play.

" Vernon will show lis how he entered the room," said Phillips. '"This may seem unnecessary, but it is his own wish. Perhaps he wants to do a bit of realistic acting. Beady, Vernon':" "I am."' The man having first turned the gas low, proceeded to tho door and closed it behind him. After a moment's wait, ho opened it again and, stepping inside, spoke as to himself: "Evidently Jackson is out. I'll go downstairs and await his return. The business —"

He stopped suddenly and made as if to turn. To the watchers it, was as if some unseen person had struck him an unseen blow. He uttered an exclamation, half of terror, as lie staggered toward the centre of the room. "My God," he muttered, as he came to the body of tho pj-eudo-.Taeks.on ; then ho fell down in a dead faint. He had gone too far with his acting. This latter was reality. "He's- - overdone it," cried Phillips. "Fetch water. Here, Lovely, get up and help." . . In a very short time.Vernon opened his eyes and "glanced quickly around. The others had their attention elsewhere for a moment. "Bend down, quick," he whispered, just loud enough for the detective to hear. "Save me, for Gcd's sake. Save me. It —"

...!,i ■; iii ■ i ii 11 " Here you are."' shouted Lovely, running up with the brandy. "Pour it down hi» throat. Now help him on the couch." The whispered word* of th* prostrate Vernon hail brought the detective to the conclusion that there was something behind all this; what at present he con Id not imagine. fie saw thai the Bert thing to do would be to proceed as if ho stispeefed rn> thing. So, with a jesting remark, he proceeded :

" Where was the supposed Jackson slabbe.'?"

Lovely pointed out tin:' place. "Hut a «tab thcro would no: l>e. fatal," aid Desmond,

Phillips frowned sharply at him. "Ho bled to death." he said, "Yon will under-' stand that a ■ -.:• quantity of blood would flow "'rom such a wound."

"Certainly, certainly. J suppose I ran examine hi*, clothes!"

"There is absolutely nothing in any of the pocket;. No clue is to be found there." •'Nothing whatever? This is the watch Mr. Smithson referred to, I suppose?" "Yes. Jackson looked at that when he told me th'« time," replied Smith* i . " Very [rood." Desmond drew if out of I/ively's pocket and opened the case to glance at tin dial. His heart gave a sudden jump; only with difficulty did he restrain a feeling of triumph. But his face was ai unmoved a- before a- he went on with his inquiries. "There is a dark corner re," he skid, entering the passage-. "Anybody hiding in it would be unseen by a man ascending the stairs. You could have waited her*'. Mr. Stnithson." "What theof course but 1 went straight downstairs after leaving .Jackson. It must be plain that I could not Ire th-» one Vernon allegesalleges, bear in mind—struck him." "Quite plain, eh? Yet such a thing is a? probable as the supposition that a dying 1 man struck him with Mich force as to render him unconscious for nearly an hour. But I have se-eu all that, I require. Shall we co below again?" Phillips agreed, and the five men went downstairs, Vernon having by this tim» quite recovered. They seated themselves around the table again, and after a B*o- - or two. the question was put to Desmond' whether ho had formed his conclusions. "Yes. to my own satisfaction, if not, to your.-, was the reply. "In the first place, Vernon is quite innocent. His story I believe to be true. Perhaps in a law court my evidence would be insufficient to convict, but 1 unhesitatingly declare Mr. Smithson to bo the murderer. ' "For a moment there was a strained silence in the room, to be broken by a loud oath from Stnithson. whoso face had suddenly become livid. "Your proofs," ho shouted, hoarsely. " Yes, your proofs," «hoed the others, eagerly. "First, this slued of <inxh that I found in that dark corner of tho passage upstairs belongs, if I mistake not, to the coat Mr. Smithson has on. Thai, proves that ho stood there against the wall, does it not? Secondly, lei me n-k a question: Has anyone of you been in Jackson's company of lute between the hours of 8.50 and 9 o'clock? But, of course, as he only exists in the imagination, the question is—" " No. no, I have been in his company about that time," put in Phillips, quickly. "You see, the real Jackson is Lovely," he added, in explanation. " Have you seen him, then, do anything with his watch?" " I have seen him take it out and open the front; but what ho did 1 cannot say." "Your watch, please, Mr. l/ovely. Thank you. Now observe the hands. Do you see anything peculiar? But, of course, yOu know all about it, don't you?" «• " No. Why, the lianas have caught in one another. The watch lias stopped at, about seventeen minutes to nine. And Stnithson declared that Jackson told hint the time from the watch later than that.

The statement was untrue. You, Smithson, must, have been in the room when Vernon entered tho house. You heard him ascending the stairs, and took Jackson's stick and hid in the passage with tho rest, as Vernon has stated."

"You arc correct, Mr. Desmond. Allow mo to oongra —" * Smithson sprang up with a cry of rage " Curse you," he. shouted; "curse you." And before the unfortunate detective could do Anything to defend himself the man lifted the chair high in the air and brought it down with a dull thud upon his skull, knocking him senseless to the. floor.

Desmond knew no more until he found himself in bed in hi* own home, with a nurse sitting beside him. "How long have I lioen he-re?" ho asked, weakly. "You were- brought in a cab early this morning. I and the doctor were sent for by a stranger. Do you feel lx>tf<>r now?"

" I am getting stronger every minute. What was the stranger like? Can you describe him'.'"

" Neither the doctor nor I saw him. bub there is a letter lie left for you, with instructions that you bad to read it as soon as you were better. Will you sit up?" When the nurse had arranged the pillows ho toro the envelope open. His head was aching badly, but in his anxiety to hear the truth about his adventure ho forgot that. The first, thing he pulled out was a £100 banknote; then followed the following letter: —

"My dear Friend,—l call you this because you have saved my life.. As you no doubt will guess, last night's affair had ' more reason for it than a more bet; it was a matter of life- and death. Wo are- a peculiar society, of American origin; mom 1 cannot say for obvious reasons. The story m* told and acted for you lad actually occurred, only th" real Jackson was not killed outright, lie was lying unconscious in the house the, whole of the time. It was absolutely necessary that wo should know who had attacked him, so your aid was invoke*!. You proved that I, who was accused, with groat reason, I admit, am innocent, and found Smithson guilty, for after his assault upon you he confessed all; According to our rules ho. will not livelong.. I must warn you not to attempt to trace us. By the timo you read this wo shall ! havo vanished. Again do J thank, you. Believe me to bo, always your debtor, "Jamebtonk Vebhon." And this was all. Though Desmond has since devoted days to the search for the street -and the. brick house, or for some of the men whom he saw there, he has not succeeded. They have disappeared as utterly as if the earth had swallowed them up. Did the real Jackson recover from his wound? Did Smithson meet with the penalty hinted at in the letter? 'Those aro question he may never have answered. But he will never 'forgot that night's strange adventure, when he solved a mystery by the two hands of a watch catching in oacu other.