A BLIND LEAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14853, 2 December 1911, Page 3 (Supplement)

A BLIND LEAD.

BY LAURENCE L. LYNCH, Author of "A Slender Clue," "High Stakes,' * "The Unseen Hand."

-f~ : , !•' , I i ■ .1 PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

COPYRIGHT

CHAPTER IX.

FROM CKNTRK TO CIRCUMFERENCE. But ho was awake and at his open window when the first gleams of the early summer sun was illuminating tho high chimneys of the great city buildings' ; and, already the absorbed look, which. his friends so well knew and so scrupulously respected, was upon his face. For, at.the bust waking moment, a new thought had sprung into being, and almost compelled him to wakefulness once more. Ho had put it down resolutely, for the moment, but he knew oven then that it must be reckoned with before ho came again into conference with the others.

And now, standing at his open window, inhaling deeply and swinging and swaying his arms and body with rhythm and vigour, he was reopening his mind to this latest and most insistent thought. "My word!" lie exclaimed as he swayed and swung, " what an oversightfor all of us!" For it had dawned upon him that in considering the abduction and return of .Miss La Croix, they had nil overlooked, or ignored, that other disappearance, so nearly a counterpart of tho one they were seeking to probe, the disappearance of Miss Bertha Helm nth, of Edinburgh. " Ours is not a search for a person who is visibly lost," Hillary Lome had said to his comrades of the search, as he grew to call the quartette, for Dr. Flack would not allow them to bar him from any ot their- conferences, and declared himselt ready to abandon his work until Iris La Croix was found.

" Visibly lost is a phrase I like 1" Abinger commented. " I presume you meanah—something?" "A person is visibly lost," Lame obligingly explained, "when all can Fee that fact, and recognise the absence. But to institute a search for a person who is visible, at all times, to all people in all accustomed places, is a new thing under the sun ; or as near to it as a mere mortal may get. It has its advantages and its disadvantages." 'Gould you name just one advantage?'' asked the doctor, who was a frank pessimist in all things not quite clear to him. " Surely! Our first advantage is that wherever we may go, and whatever we may do, we will not be suspected of the business we are actually about. At least not until we get ' visibly' on the trail." It was not difficult to set a "flying squadron" of private detectives —mostly ex-police officers— to the task of scouring the city, and, after some thought, Larne had put this matter into the capable hands of Bruce Abinger. * A prompt and sufficient display of " real money'' will soon put a cordon ol watchers about a town, much less a single* district; and, twenty-four hours after he had received the order of his chief, Abinger and a friend of the police force. Inspector Rohan, whose services he had enlisted, had set an example of diligence, not to mention a display of skill, in the art of plain fiction, which awoke the interest and admiration of Lame himself. And the evening papers the day fol- ! lowing that first meeting in Abinger's ! officecame out with a pathetic and mys- ! terious tale of a lost little daughter, a distraught and beautiful mother, and a wicked and too clever husbandnow vanished like the child —with veiled hints j of cruelty—threats of utmost horror— j some hints at disappearing family dia- j monds, and a —verbal — trail of j shadowers, spies masquerading as kerb' , stone salesmen, agents, plain j)cdlers, etc., etc., until imaginations and adjectives failed together. The tale gavo entertainment, and, furnished "thrills,",,for maids, . matrons, and men. This first example of Abinger's talent along a. new line ended like this : "So persistent, so annoying, and so daring has this hateful system of espionage grown, that the poor distracted mother has at last been forced to take refuge with strong and able friends and protectors, and for the present this band of spies, cab followers, and alley watchers, with the persons who employ them, will find their only occupation in trailing the able legal gentleman who is, at present, tho lawfully qualified agent and guardian of mother and child." A badly-printed picture of a charmingly piquant child filled one corner of a first page; and a reward—so amazing in amount as to set amateur Sherlock Holmes' at work— outspread upon the corner opposite while posters, large and lurid, were conspicuously displayed everywhere. Tho papers on the second evening held an additional item, and increased the general interest. ' , "It is now feared, by the*"friends of the stolen child,, that her nurse, a goodlooking faithful girl, has also been seized and imprisoned ; and a sum equalling that offered for the finding of the child will be given for her safe return, whether she be found alone, or in company with the child." "That," remarked Larne, "will make sure that our searchers do not overlook any person of larger growth who may be unearthed in this houso to house visitation ; for I intend to leave no stono unturned l*ve in the city, and tho reason able proof that Miss La Croix is not in the city, will bo only second in value to the proof that she is! Meantime, our circle has been drawn— motor flight from the house in Belgravia, out into the wild in all directions, and all places that ay 'To let.' or have been recently taken, all institutions, public and private; all new establishments, and newcomers, will be—investigated." • And they were. In a search like this," Larne declared, " it is useless to attempt to cover great spaces, unless it is none thoroughly otherwise there is risk of losing our needle in tho too carelessly shaken up haystack. And so, onco we find a place, 'be it village, house, or locked room, which is not quite open, and ready for inspection, we shall not leave it nor pass on until wo,know its secrets."

"It does look like the hunt for the needle in the haystack in very truth!" sighed Effingham. "At least, let us not lose time!" And they did not. As for his own first task, he set about it at once. Ho had imagined that " Iris, the second," might not be willing just at that time to sit for a photograph especially at his request. But she consented with a- readiness which surprised . him, and allowed the "artist" to pose her as .he would, or as Val wished ; and so he was soon able to place this photo, in Lame's hand, and also an excellent likeness of the other Iris La Croix who had posed for it on the day when they had decided that they would announce their engagement two months later.

Purposely, though with repugnance, he had asked this present Iris to pose in much the same attitude as had the other, and the result, when the two pictures were placed side by side, was startling. "At first glance," declared Larne, one would think it needful to label the two cards, in order to distinguish them ! The resemblance is certainly wonderful. But —upon closer study — there is a difference, although— l confess I see it more clearly than I can describe it. It would indeed be difficult." " I think," said Effingham, gloomily, that I see what you mean—and—l think i can give it—a name." "Do it then. We need helps of this sort.'' , "This one, then," Effingham took up the first picture, "is the face of a girlwoman who has enjoyed much and felt much; she has known more of happiness than of trouble, and she has never had anything to conceal! This," touching, but not lifting, the second picture, "is a woman-girl, a girl in years, and a woman in experience ; and she has had — has learned how to almost conceal— !" " By jove, Effingham, 1 believe you are right! Butdon't you see what that might imply?" "1 see what you mean! This one," again holding up the first picture,' "if sitting for a likeness—would pretty surely look' more like that other. She would certainly show a change—but—"- hem he

lifted his head and met Lame's eyes squarely, "it would be in her eyes. The change" I find here now is in the whole woman—the soul of her " Effingham," 'Lame's eyes met and held those of the other, "for the first time in all my experience, in this kind of work, 1 am taking up a blind lead ! 1 have never seen the daughter of Jerome La Croix except in her carriage, or across an opera house— this girl who is now under his roof is not that daughter— 1 confess to you, now, that there have been moments when 1, Abinger, even Dr. Flack, have doubted and been half ready to believe that her abduction, and imprisonment, would be. sufficient to account for alt this change, that seems to you so impossible." He turned again toward the pictures, ignoring Effingham's start, ''How did this young lady take your request for a photograph?" he asked quietly. . . ~ "She took my request very amiably, almost—indifferently I" ; . "Ah ! i ha! Indifferently, eh?" Effingham nodded, saying, "This photo, you will remember was taken shortly before Iris disappeared. Mow, my Iris, if asked again and so soon for her photograph, would have- laughed and refused. This Iris never mentioned the earlier picture, although 1 said, purposely, and as a test, '1 want a good photograph of.you," Iris, our old schoolday photos are- not up to date!' and she merely replied, ' I don't care much for this photograph posing on all possible occasions ; but —if you really wish it, of course I'll sit for you.'" Lame, for a moment, seemed to bo considering this last statement, then, "That speech, under (lie circumstances," ho mused slowly, " seems almost concluhive," and. as if quite ready to" drop this feature of their discission he asked, "Are you wondering what use' I intend to make of these?" taking lip the two photographs. ""'" ", " You surely do not mean to use them, make them in any way public?" - "By no means, and, by the way, how many'.of these," holding .'out J the. newly- ' taken picture, did you —or order?" "1 ordered one dozen, the regulation number—if you are not on the stage-—but she countermanded my order, and said six were quite enough." "Indeed! She is certainly a young woman of prompt and decisive action." "Decidedly— " Hut you will oblige me by instructing the photographer to print for. uswell, one hundred "for a start;- I mean "to send one of these with a private circular letter to, —well, to a large number of chiefs of police, in as many cities, asking to be informed privately 'if they have ever seen this face. Of course all investigation will bo carelully and secretly conducted." Tho two were alone in Lame's office, where Effingham had dropped in to deliver the two photographs, coming quite openly, by way of the lift. Three days passed since their first meeting; and already these two had become friends. Val Effingham would have been glad to encroach upon Lame's time just then, and to ask his advice upon a purely personal and perplexing matter. But Lame was absorbed with many things, and, most and first, with this perplexing case,, and its question of absence and identity. And Effingham sighed and took up his hat. The movement .would have passed unnoted, not so the sigh. Larne looked up and turned away from his desk : "What is it, Effingham? Let us not make the mistake, at tho very beginning, of not being quite frank—when frankness is possible!". "To bo frank, then, I'm just, restless because 1 can't be doing something, anything to help push things !' ' Lame laughed. " I think we will let you ' grease the wheels.' In fact I had in mind, but pigeon-holed for the moment, a thing that may prove helpful. In truth all, anything, that will let us see as much of Iris' the second as possible may prove a help, and I meant soon, to-morrow, say, to talk with you about it. The young woman is troubled, you told me, and sensitivo about the secrecy of her imprisonment don't you think it would be well to consult her about an, effort you would like to make—in her behalf, but -very secretly, to find ■if < possible the author of " tho outrage. Of course — " Val Effingham's sudden gesture caused Lame to stop as suddenly— "Larne! it's the one thing I could not do! Think!"

"Hold hard, young man! I don't ask you to undertake the actual work. My plan would bo that you merely consult her, and, if she agrees it would seem that she must—you could ask her to letsay your friend A Dinger—hear her carefully" told story and plan for the work. You can be the outdoor man who follows the scent—and reports." ''..-. " And the object?" ■ " Bruce Abinger is the very man to see the weaknesses in a story long drawn out and oft repeated. Ho might got an actual fact where she means to give misleading fiction. It would be something of a game of 'hot and cold,' between the lady and himself. But most, should she happen to see danger in this effort, and try to communicate with,her confederates, we might be able to trace them. Of course you see, my friend, that unless we can find through ; this young woman some clue, some starting point, we are actually condemned, 1; fear, to let this house, to house canvass 1 have set going drag out its slow length, unless somo lucky chance, rather than outwit, furnishes the needful clue. Confound it, man, we ought to have a spy near that girl by night and by day! Well—what now?'"' For Val Effingham, who had reseated himself and replaced his hat, now sprang suddenly erect, with a' short exclamation that was almost profanity. "At last," exclaimed Val, "there's something I can do! Tell me, which would servo best, a woman or a man?" "Both would; serve best, of course. If 1 could supply her with a maid of my own selection and put in the,'house an extra man to act as footman or out of door man, at need, it might make our search a shorter one ■'.'... "Then we'll do it!" cried Effingham with energy'. "If " you'll ' supply the people I will make the place. Ono can 1 always buy off a. maid, and the man—" Hold on, good sir, a plain bribe, in this case, won't do. We must not let your hand appear in this ! Give mo the f maid's name and'l'll attend to her. You may look to the man, or to his place. You think you can arrange it?" " I intend to try. Give mo until tomorrow morning. That gives me the remainder of to-day, all of this afternoon, to do the deed. Good morning, Larne. Don't urge me to stay, I've got a job at last. CHAPTER X. A NEWMAN AND MAID. "Well, Effingham, happy to see ye! You don't often call at my business establishment. It's the only grudge I hold against you, young fellow !" Effingham made some appropriate remark and then explained the reason for his call. "Mr. La Croix," he said. "I believe it is necessary that you and I must put a double guard upon Iris." "Iris!" There were two' distinct men in Jerome La Croix; and it wae the tense, erect, keen-eyed man of money and business, who was now manifest. Iris !" he repeated. "Well?" The word was an inquiry. The face was a blank. Thore is a streak of real granite in most real men, and one finds it if one hits hard enough. Val Effingham silently thrust a thumb and forefinger into a waistcoat pocket and drew out a half-sheet of notepaper, folded many times to fit into its small receptacle. He opened it, smoothed it carefully, and silently proffered it to La Croix, who, taking it wilhout a word, read with eyes that narrowed and lips that tightened : —

My Dear Effingham,— l don't often interfere in another man's business, but this — me—looks like a question of ' do unto others, etc., etc.'' When you entered Do re's gallery yesterday with a certain young lady I chanced to be sitting close by, in motor coat/ and goggles, waiting for —another, and I observed that your every movement was watched by a man who seemed to have followed you there. It looked queer, and time being of no great value just then, I kept my eyes on the chap. You were gone less than half-an-hour, and when you came out and I saw •that the fellow still lingered near, still watched, and still followed—it ( set me thinking. Passing the lady's homo this i

afternoon on the way down town I saw tho same chap pacing the opposite side of the street. I purposely circled the house, and he was still on guard when I repassed. Under ordinary circumstances I should not put in my oar. 1 Still, the feeling that 1 should make the business known to you is strong, and sohere goes ! Don't hit me. Yours Fitzmaurick. "

"Urn!" grunted La Croix, and he read the note a second time, and more slowly. "What do you make of this, Effingham?" he said finally. "It was awfully good of Tommy to tell me," Val replied. ', "But it was not a surprise. The fact is I have been trailed' twice of late, when in company with Iris—that I have been able to discover for myself. How much oftener they have given us their attention I don't know, of course. , It's the fact that.the thing is being done at all that has brought mo here !" " Tjm !" Again the elder man inbreathed the rumbling syllable that usually, preceded and often ended a discussion not to his liking. " Were—ah—were you thinking of the police?" " . Good heavens, no!" Jerome La Croix, the man who had been, up to that moment, on guard, drawn up, as it were behind a wall of reserve,watchful, ready, and a trifle suspicious, suddenly disappeared, and Jerome La Croix, relaxed and at his ease, sat in his place. "I'm very glad of that!" he said fervently.' "I tell you, Val, the dread of having, sooner or later, to call the police into this business has spoiled my appetite —at times ! Come— have felt, ever since Iris came back, that we ought to confer together over this business; 1 for I've had a feeling that the scoundrels wero letting me off pretty easy, and might.have another shot in the locker. And then — " ho paused, and his ruddy luce grew yet more rosy.

■ Yes?"' invited Effingham."" '_'" ~ • Well, confound it,- 1 was a bit-set back when you twobetween you—put off that announcement,"and—" ■ •"Mr.- La Croix," Val interposed, "since you have opened the way it is only fair to myself to say that I simply yielded in this; yielded., I may say, pressure. I wanted it otherwise, and I hoped — at —that the trouble would end in a prompt open- and brief engagement and an early marriage. It is what I had planned forand now, since I can do no more, I want to make sure that nothing else, and possibly worse, happens! For, if the war is over/ as we say, why this continued espionage?'' " Why, indeed? And—what can. we do ? —having barred out the police? Have yon any plans?" " I came to suggestsomething." " Good !", Again the relief was evident. "Let us have it."

And now, having gained and prepared his audience, Val made known his plan. " I remember hearing you say once, before all this happened, and shortly after taking on your second car, that you really needed an extra man ; one who could be shifted from footman's duties, now and then, to a place on the new motor. A good mechanician, in short, who might be trusted- with the . ladies* cap when you needed Zahn." ■' *

"Yes?" The syllable was a question. " Of course we don't want to alarm the ladies, Lis must not suspect this. But you do need a man who could be on thewatch with his duties more or lees shifting, and his Teal business to look after his young mistress, in doors and out, all the time. And I think I can furnish the very man, sir, if you'll make the opening. It might save—trouble "Gad! I should eay so! And we'll do it! We'll do it, at once !" And they plunged into tho details with great vigour. ■

Harriet Goodnow, for two,; years the maid of Miss Iris La, Croix, was a model of a maid. Ae a maid, Harriet was practical, sensible, discreet, industrious, sober and honest. As a spinster off duty she was romantic, a devourer of novels of the high society school, something of a dreamer, and, at all times, on the alert for something to happen.'" And with reason, for, once on. a time, had she not had her fortune. told'/ ~» '

All tho above facts Hillary Larne had at his fingers' ends when next lie- conferred with Effingham. He also knew that tho next day was a half-holiday for Harriet. :,,.,.;, .. .',..'• \ ~,,,, :., . .

A holiday, or a half-holiday, meant, to Harriet, an outing, the shops, a matinee, tho gay streets or the parks. For Harriet loved them all in their season, and •it happened that a letter telling, with booklet and pictures, of a seeress and a crystal ball, a starry firmament .and an astrologer, of the wonders, in short, of Madam Lorraine Dalmeney's ?■" studios," reached her that morning. ' . The booklet declared that one born in April should consult a. seer at an early date, as in May, or certainly in June, and a card enclosod with the rest, gave to all noon-day first-comers admittance for the four Thursdays of that month, at whatever small fee they chose to leave upon the "sacred tripod."' ,' ; ." ■;..;--■ Harriet determined to go, and to be economical in her going. . ' . That this announcement should, come to her seemed to Harriet, at first, almost a miracle. But upon a second reading of the "circular letter" to Harrietwhile exceedingly interesting, it seemed ."anything but circular—she learned that madam,! the seeress, by " psychic vision" saw, at times, "when, the currents were quite unimpeded," the names of those who " by the strong reaching out of their inner wills," had brought themselves and their desire lor" knowledge .within . tho psychic plane of the seeress, and to these she had sent out letters at times, with splendid results for those who. had accepted this generous invitation. . ,^.i- : /•-,,,*.,: ; '■.;-■■ y.'y'i'\l ■■■

Harriet, while hastening her own " acceptance," wondered and feared lest the throng of favoured mortals who had penetrated : this, 'psychic plane" should, shut her out, , and in her sudden relief upon finding herself alone at madam's door she bubbled out into words, when, being admitted by the pretty coloured page, she found herself the only applicant... _ She was overawed by the stone effigies, the stars, and symbols; and especially at the gleaming crystal globe; for all these were strange to her, .But before madam's velvet robes and lofty bearing she stood firm. ' Had she not seen the belles of London in all their glory, and outlived that flitter? .

Neither, after the first moment, was she unduly overcome when the globe— which, for a certain impressionable class of patrons was made to revolve slowly, and so to glitter yet morerevealed to madam that she, Harriet, was about to make a journey, " for a very good, a noble purpose, and in.the service of innocence and beaut v." She would also meet'a dark man —would hear strange things, and, if she followed his advice, did what he desired, she would not only live for a time in a "rand new place, where the servants would wait upon her —not she on others— and where she need only see, enjoy, ride in fine carriages', and be stylishly dressed, and all the time most carefully cared for and protected. It was a glowing-picture, and so thought .Harriet. But madam was near losing her, appropriate gravity when the girl asked, naively : "The—-er, the gentleman? The dark man ; you know, does hedoes he mean — desire—want me— does ho want to propose?" " It is revealed in the crystal that he means you—some real good, but — " here madam's eyes were veiled while again she studied the crystal ball. " I—yes, I think it very likely that a proposal, from some one would come from all this— And there is money very near it. This, my child, will, I trust, prove a lucky day for you." And it did!

(To be continued on Wednesday next.)