A MYSTERY OF MAYFAIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13480, 3 July 1907, Page 10

A MYSTERY OF MAYFAIR.

[PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.]

BY JOHN STRANGE WINTER,

[COPYRIGHT.]

CHAPTER XVIII. XIGGI.VS VISITS COUNT RODRIGUEZ. "Can* I see the gentle lidy?" whined a canting voice.

Count Rodriguez was lying back in a long deck chair, a tumbler of iced drink at his lips ; he put the glass down on the table beside him and turned his head, looking in the direction of the French windows openling on the terrace; he flew into an unreasoning rage, bounded from his seat, and !threatened the fellow with his clenched fist. The man's countenance took >>n a sneering smile, as he said: "Yew strike, an' yevv'll be kickin' yer 'eels in the stone jug. Twig? Yer wrists 'ml tek the darbies jist nicely, no error." Rodriguez lowered his arm, saying an-! igrily: ""Why the devil have 3-011 come to! Ma rlow'.'" I "'Cos I loves yew, my tulip." I The Spaniard's eyes shot an evil glance; at the ruffian, who treated it with jeering: contempt. j "My noble toff,- don't yer try yer gimes! on me, or ye'll git the worst o' the tussle." He rubbed his unshaven chin, eyeing the! other craftily. "That there murder that's! in the pipers this morn in'—awful, ain't it? Pore cove cut off in the flower of 'is youth.; Don't concern yew, o' course, do it, my noble patron?" and Niggins winked, scratched his head, and grinned to see the pallor on the other's face. Rodriguez turned aside and emptied his, glass. "Nice, jguv-nor? Cool in' an' soothin.' I'm bla/.in' 'ot, I've got a thirst on me—" | "Speak lower, the servants will hear your voice. Here," he said, harshly, thrust-! ing a bottle of whisky into Niggins' hand.! The ruffian held the liquor to the light audi tasted it cautiously. I "Not drugged, guv-nor, so 'ere goes,"! and he took a long drink from the neck of j the bottle. "Rare physic, my tulip," he remarked,! cocking his head. "Now wot about that! there body I was a. tellin' yer of?" j " I don't want to hear about it." said I Rodriguez, anxious to curtail the conversation as quickly as possible. j " Don't yer now? Well, that's a pity. 'Cos why? 'Cos yew'll 'ave to." he said, wagging his head insolently at the other. "Axjn' yer pardin, my gallant toft', that! there murder is somethink as yew don't! like and I does," chuckling. ! "How can the affair concern us, you fool'.'" ' j "No snappin'. I ain't goin' to standi jaw, nor too much lip, not from yew. Tek' a bit of ice, or yew'll 'ave 'ydrop'oby, theni yew'll bark when yer sees liquid. As I tells the Kidder. I tells yew, kep yer 'air : 011 when speak-in' to a respectable 'ouse-j 'older what pays 'is taxes reglar." Thrust-! ing his head forward he said, slowly: "That! there murder is a concern both of mine and! youvn." !

The .Spaniard blanched, and his shaking hand pushed, the damp hair away from his forehead. "Mine?" he said, scarcely comprehending what ho was saying. "You and Xiggins is in it 'up to the bloom in' armpits. "Cos why'.' I was in a doorway last night a-repairin' of a lock, an' I see yer rush from them there palings into the arms of a cove 'that jumped from nowhere as I could see. The nark clung like a leech, yer whips nut yer knife an' V gits the blade in "is witals ; an' you were gone like a, flash of greased lightenin'.*' ■ Nigg'ins deliberately took a second drink ;from the bottle, chuckling at the other's trepidation. " Have you come here to spring this idiotic story on me?" Rodriguez asked, " I can prove an alibi. I slept at this house last night, retired to bed at ten o'clock, and rose at nine this morning. The servants ''Miss Guthrie can prove the truth of this statement." Niggins pinched his lower lip between his finger and thumb, indicating his derision. " Very party, very party, indeed. I've 'gone in for alibis—several on 'em. Paid a- dollar a head for 'era. good "mis. too: swear black's white. Don't go for to bluff yevself, you act liberal, an' yer' ain't nought to fear. I'm strife: Niggins ain't the sort to round on a pal." "Money, always money! Well, my friend, you have come to the wrong shop. I am not in funds this morning." "Rut the gintle lidy is; she can supply the quids." Rodriguez shook his head. He knew that Miriam was not the sort of woman from whom be could extract money against her will, and just then her purse was closed to him. "How about that there necklet ye was in stch a 'owling "urry after?" " Have you got it? So soon !"' exclaimed Rodriguez, in a burst of excitement, lie was thinking of Miriam's promise, that it he could place the diamonds in her hand there was one obstacle the less to their marriage. "Give me the necklace," said he impatiently. "'Old 'aid, gov'ner. Yer in over much of a 'urry to grab the sparklers. Where's the quids? No brass, no sparklers, old flick." said lie, with a grin that drove Rodriguez nearly mad. "Show me the diamonds, and confound you for a suspicious idiot." ".list stay where yer is; no snatehin'," I said Niggins. sidling to the window. "Come from. there, you mule: you'll be !seen from the river." I "Not me. guv'ner. I'm safer where I is. vew ain't particular whose goose yer cooks, but yer not. a-goin' tor cook mine, not if I can 'elp it. so yer jist stay where yer is. I feels safer. Now if von moves I jist teks my bloomin' 'ook. Then good bye, Maria Hann, good-bye." Keeping a wary eve on Rodriguez, he opened the case, and displayed the diamond necklace. " Now yew jist git the quids, an' yer shall 'ave 'these ere lovely glitterers." I "Come further into the room, while .1 (fetch the money," said Rodriguez, persuasively. I " No." thanks, guvnor. I prefers the out|si.de bettern of. the inn. No fear of a digin the ribs wid that there blade which settled poor Froggy's 'ash." "Don't stand in the window, any way, you'll be seen by people on the towingpath," said Rodriguez, as he quitted the room to seek Miriam and obtain the money. Niggins was a cautious man and not easily beguiled'. "Pistols go hofi' accidental like, and plugs a pore, 'armless cove." he reflected. "No. 'ere I'm rooted,", he thought, though sorely tempted to have another drink from the bottle on the table. Rodriguez came into the room unobserved by Niggins. who was watching a sculling match on the river. When his arm was touched he started guiltily, crying. " Tain't me yer wants. Oh, it's yew. is it, a-snakin' on a chap an' a-giviu' mi the jumps." " There's the money." said Rodriguez, emptying a small leather bag on the table. " Kcrrect, three 'tmdred quid. There's the luvly dimunds, an' yer mighty lucky to git 'em so cheap." "Go, the gardener may return to his work in a. few minutes." At this Niggins only sniffed a little and snapped his fingers. Then he took up a decanter and glass, and helped himself to a liberal supplv of brandy, to which he added a small dash of sod a. "Now, 'ow about that there stebin' biz that the pipers are full of. Dead body outside Trafl'ord 'Ou*e. Mighty funny, ain't it? Niggins might tip "em a, 'int." " Blackmailing!" Rodriguez's hand dropped info his pocket, and Niggins hastened to resume his post at the window. " No, yew don't. I'm not Froggy. River nice an' 'andy to chuck a cove in, when yer tickled 'is ribs with a bit of steel. Not me. cocky, I'm bloomin' artful. Blackinailin' is a toff's name [or purlin': in the profession we call it squeezin' the lemon dry." Rodriguez was fuming, and to hasten the fellow's- departure pushed him from the window into the garden. Spluttering and pulling, Niggins scrambled to his feet and swore soundly.

" Look'e 'ere, that's ■», \sault Yer kip yer 'ands in yer pockits, an' don't tek advantage ov"* a cove when 'e's back's turned."

"Confound you, lie off," said Rodriguez, impatiently. '• Mr. Billington— " — j'ou, will you go ' 'But that there's a 'angin' job, Mr. Billington—" " I'll send some money by post to your address. Go, now, I've done. ' Well, think of me kindly, don't forgit; Xiggins is- a-goin' to be '. toff, stick up collar, cuffs, an' a chimbly'pot 'at. When I lives with yew* we'll 'ave a rattlin' slapup time. But don't get trying any of yer fun-en traps on Joseph; if yer does." and the fellow's face darkened', " yer'll jist git the drop,'' significantly twisting the knot of his belcher under 'his left ear. "So long, old pal, so long, an' give my blessin' to the gintle lidy." Xiggins impudently cocked 'his cap on the side of his bullet head, grinned at the other's impotent rage, winked, caressed his nose with his index finger, slouched from the lawn into a, fisherman's punt, and was soon lost to sight round a bend in the river. Rodriguez toyed with the jewel-case, his mouth drawn into a sharp line of resolve. He cursed the folly which had led him to j commit a sensless and unnecessary crime. The blow had been struck under the inI Alienee of an insane fright. Groping along! the dark corridors in Trafford House he | had stumbled over Simard's entanglement. ! Superstitious to a fault, he never paused jto ascertain the cause, but tore from the house like a man possessed, dashed !through the door in the wall, and was {seized by Alphonse, whom he stabbed in 'order to releaselhimself the more easily. ! "1 am lightly served," he mused, "what I excuse have 1 for breaking my word to IMiriam? None: yet why did she with- ! hold the person's name? I borrowed her I key, sneaked up to town, and failed to [discover anything. Now lam just as likely as not to swing for my treachery." j

He spurned the soft, springy moss at his feet.

"Strange that Niggins was in the. same 'neighbourhood. Was that vogue planning lan entry into Trafford House? Anyhow. I am at his mercy. Parbleu, better to—" I but he. did not care to think further, terJror cramped his heart and brain, and to I allay his feelings he walked to the edge of the lawn, gazing speculatively at the ] fast-flowing current gurgling round the 'roots of a decayed willow tree. j "Safety must he purchased at any price. IT have not the courage to face a judge and | jury. Where are the funds? MiriamV nnirsestriiigs are tied in a double knot, and II dare not confess last night's work. She would thrust me out into the streets to istarve. Til make this necklace the step-' I ping-stone- to matrimony. No more ac-| I complices. I light by myself. But Ts'igjoins As he mentioned' the name he I was stern and grim, an angry scowl on bis handsome face.' "Should that ruffian become unmanageable, there is the 'grave readv for he or me to fall into." | The stubborn, determined set of his mouth showed that his mind was fixed (upon a. .scheme such as he would not hesiI tate to make use of should Niacins'prove iimprudent or too exacting. Tic walked islowlv hack to the house, thinking of Aide and of Miriam. To him the girl was tin i enigma, an obscure riddle, which he could i not" guess. She had never alluded to the Iscene on Simard's lawn or the subsequent I flight to town. What could have been too ! reason? For his own safety he. decided to [be cautious in his dealings with Miriam. I He had a purpose to serve, and to accomplish that purpose he would not allow any I obstacle to intervene, because he really! ]eared for, not to say loved, the woman j •who for him had a. mystic charm. Her Cold and calculating thirst -for gold sicken-. 'eel yet attracted him. and her indifference| to human life exercised over him a horrible 'fascination. . , ~ I Miriam was beautiful, /villi the temper of a fiend ; but she held this unscrupulous .parasite, of the world in meshes which he [could not ami did not wish to destroy. CHAPTER XVlll.—(Continued.) All)!-: SPURNS TIIK COUNT. i Rodriguez insensibly relaxed his pace 'to iadmire Aide walking on the terrace, .... He I hid alwavs treated her with polished deference, and she in return could not help I feeling grateful for his courteous desire to, [anticipate her wants. Never having give* her cause to avoid his society, she welcomed [him when lie sought to draw her into conversation. His gay chatter was a. relief to j !the monotony of her life. His taste was, I exacting and' lie lingered for a minute in [order to feast his eyes on' the picture of ! healthy and charming girlhood. He took; joif his straw hat as he approached her. j i saving in his most agreeable manner: " Von, hue ilot an early riser. Miss Morality The I sun has been shining for some hours." j I "Am I late?" she said, smiling, as she! lent the leaves of a new magazine. I "Yes, rather late: the bloom of the ! morning is gone."' said he. bending over 'the table at which she was seated. ! " Well, judging by your faded looks, early [rising is not particularly encouraging to a ' sluggard."' I lie was piqued by the smartness of the I retort, but answered her in his smoothest ! tones. ! " We are fortunate to meet alone," he said ia. little hesitatingly. j " Mrs. fridge's absence is a relief. I hope ! sincerely that she will not hurry hack." i " Thanks to me she will not. I dislike j the woman." i "So do I," said Aide, in cordial agreejinent. | " We have at least one taste in concord. :Cannot we find another'.'" I Aide rose, swept him a courtesy, a slightjly ironical smile on her lips. "How dcil'ightful to find an affinity in this house ; oi- of—" "Of separate interests," he .suggested, looking across the river and sighing. "Yes. of separate interests.' " You are not happy?" said lie, throwing a tender thrill into his voice. \ "Need you ask? Two women of totally idifferent natures bound together." | "Why then remain if you do not agree?" j "Because 1 have neither home, friends, nor money." tears springing to her eyes, "1 am a stranger, count, in a strange land, land know not where to go." | .She seated herself again and brushed away two big tears with a cobweb of a, j handkerchief. Her face was wonderfully !refined, and her complexion increased the purity of its expression. Her girlish charmi touched Rodriguez's susceptible heart and| for a moment Miriam was forgotten. He glanced at the house, saw that the room lie had quitted was empty and that the . gardener was weeding in a distant, portion . of the grounds. "Did it ever strike you, Miss Moranf, that in this house a drama within a, drama , is being playedV" j Aide did not reply, not understanding ] the meaning of the question. Under the | pretence of cutting the leaves of the reiview, she feigned not to hear. ! Don't think me impertinent or presum-, iing," he said mildly. "Do you appreciate i tragedy?" he persisted. j She met' his eyes with a. cold gaze of! surprise. She drew her chair to a greater distance before saying indifferently: "1 do) i not care to ask you lor an explanation of! I your words." j j " You dislike tragedy, and prefer a. [comedy?" ] ; " I. may seem rude to a guest, but at this! j moment J care for neither comedy nor tragedy. 1 prefer to read," settling herself iii| her (hair and fixing her eyes on a page of! i the review. I j "Snubbed, ami my stay evidently remarkled upon," Ik- thought. "Can yon not' guess the reason of my length)- visit?" ] "I have no desire to guess it," she an-j swered, without shitting her eyes from the • page. i j, Lor one so young and charming you are Irather cruel. Have you ever considered our !companionship? Shall we. form a defensive j alliance? You and 1 together might over-] (throw the powers that be." i [ Aide's silence was not encouraging, but! still he persevered. Though he was be-! tween two women and might topple to the! ground, he did not flinch from declaring to] jibe girl his ideas of undermining Miriam's: ! influence. ! "You will understand. Miss Morant, how! f loth 1 am to speak against your guardian's! authority; you will shortly he of age and jtheu can defy her. Miss Trnll'ord's severity: •to you is unbearable, her harshness is iiotl'i-{ ling short of barbarity. 1 may oc able to J change the situation if you will join forces; [with mo." " * ~. J

> "As how?" said Aide, haughtily.- When ■ roused she could hold her own, there was j i no girlish shyness or timidity in her speech or in her face, and If knew himself to be , on delicate ground. He lounged on the turf at her feet and plucked a lew blades of grass; ne was j fluctuating between Miriam and Aide, he I , wanted to keep in with both and offend [ neither the younger nor the elder woman, j • How was it to be done? He would flatter I and make love, and having come to tins'{ conclusion he immediately began the asi eault. j "Do you know that I am captivated by! you? 1 cannot break the spell nor do [| wish. lam a willing slave. Cupid has I strung his bow, let fly his arrow, and my I heart is the bull's-eye which the inischie- j vous imp has struck. Of course, I know j that there is no hope for me," he said, j "Please don't leave me. If 1 have taken i undue advantage of our being thrown to- ' gether let my interest in your welfare plead | for me." He rose and was about to take j her hand, but the girl's imperious gesture ! stayed him. i "I thank you for your disinterested anxiety; my welfare I can guard myself and need no alliance of defence. A thousand thanks, all the same." • There was a dignity and a rebuke in the j pose of her head which convinced Rodri- I gtiez of his precipitancy and he hastened to i add: " Yon will not tell Miss Trafford—" ] j " Certainly not. I shall not so for 211-1 coinage your vanity." ! "'"Have I forfeited your esteem for ever?"' ; She laughed prettily. "Sue!) esteem as! I can offer, you are welcome to." j "Pray, do not judge me harshly." | "I will not, for a male flirt is a'harmless !creature and should be allowed ■• certain' | amount of liberty. But the butterfly must I be careful not to misconstrue indulgence or attempt too high a flight, for he may damage his wings. Have' no fear; I am'not a I tale bearer, lie prudent and don't repeatany of your set speeches, which only annoy me. 11 you do not wish me to absent myself from dinner, breakfast, and lunch, | please go back to commonplace everyday j 'conversation.'" " < "You are thinking A Michael Lawsou." She frowned, but remained silent. "If he is alive, why does he remain silent?" he asked. She gave no answer, only there was, an' instant drooping of the long lashes cover-! ing her enchanting eyes. She dared look!] lat him no longer lest they should reveal the secret hidden in their limpid depths. " During ihis unexplained absence, has he sought you?" he persisted. A rich colour mantling her dieeks encouraged 'urn to continue. "Only a de- '■ generate man would abandon the'girl he j professes to adore." "Does he know whew I "in?" " A true lover—"' | "Is he not true?" j She clasped her hand.'", her voice sinking | into _ melancholy, which ended in a. smile of faith. Her spirits began to rise, and she I said impulsively, her eyes shining through her tears: "Letters may be intercepted"" "No proof," he contended. " We left town very suddenly." "Not enough excuse to serve him for his want of perseverance. Why should you pine in solitude for a forgetful man, when j I would give my heart's blood to win your I' favour?'' " j, "If you insist on speaking to me of love," said she, pride coming to her rescue, j "I shall be compelled to inform Miss Trafford of your conduct."' -She moved away. "1 have every confidence in Mr. Lawson's honour," she added, with an air of dignity. "Excuse me, I must bid you good morning," and with a chill bow, she" left! him. (To be continued daily.) j