THE BONDAGE OF HATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 1514, 9 November 1912, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE BONDAGE OF HATE.

BY CAPTAIN FRANK H. SHAW, | Author of " The Cove Tides," " A Life'? Doto- 1 tion," He. ALL SIGHTS RESERVED. CHAPTER VIII.-(Continued.) Sir George shrugged his shoulders. ''Tell me what you want. I'll make no promises, though." Let me have the ring that is now oil Mrs. Grenfell's hand. That's all I want. I pretend to an understating of intaglios, and I am told that ring has been in Mrs. Grenfell's family for at least three centuries." "I know that; she has told me so repeatedly. She has documents, and so on. You know what women are likethey put a lot of belief in such matters. Family heirlooms stand for a lot with them. But* l don't see how the ring can help you in any way." " I donfc think that ring is the one Mrs. Grcnfell wore when she showed it to you," said Farquharson firmly. "It may interest you to know tliat there is something üboijfc intaglios which the average person doesn't know. At a certain definite date tho style of cutting altered materially; where convex surfaces were hitherto engraved, concave surfaces took their place. And that alteration in style happened at a period later than that of Mrs ; Grenfell's original ring. See what 1 mean?" 'No, I confess I'm considerably in the dark, Farquhars.oll. Either you're trying to make out that, her ring is a forgery, or else—''

"Or else that the ring she is wearing now isn't tho one. she wore previous to the murder. In other words, that her original ring has been taken and this imitation put in its place." "But why— It seems such a useless thing to do: to steal a ring of small intrinsic value and substitute one that, on your showing, is of still less value." •' Yes— the value of the ring only is taken into consideration, I admit your argument. But if—just for the sake of argument', let it stand thus: Whoever murdered the unfortunate woman desired to show concrete proof that ho had performed the crime. That ho had, mark you, or she. Not merely that tho crime had been committed. If, then, the murderer, or murderess, produced that ring, it would bo prettv fair proof, I should think, that he had done the deed. It may all sound lame enough to you, but in my own mind the matter is quite clear." "It isn't in mine, Farquharson. Everything's befogged. Your so-called clue is such a trivial circumstance as to be ignored. Why, the ring itself might easily he a forgeryl mean the original. Who knows but that my—Mrs. Gronfell knew of the substitution."

"That is ono of the chances, and I grant you that, tho whole thing is full of chances. But 1 have learnt in the course of my life in Tibet and thereabouts that no chance, however trivial, can bo ignored. I've seen a whole village destroyed for far smaller reasons than this. Will you let me have the ring?" Lasher hesitated, and Farquharson understood his feelings. It would be something perilously approaching sacrilege to strip that |XK>r dead hand, but the soldier thought, rightly jHsrlwps, that the living was of more consideration than the dead. His sweetheart's life might easily be hanging mi the veriest thread, and if that thread siupped—. "And if 1 let you havo the ring, what then?" Then 1 hold my first- clue in my hand. Then 1 can begin to seek for tho actual murderer. I. say murderer advisedly, for it seems to me, "judging by what evidence I have heard, that only a man's hand, and the hand of a strong man at that, could have struck the blow." Lasher shuddered a little; it was as though the stab had been administered to his own breast. "Well, God forbid that. I should betray any Latin jancour! It won't make my— my poor girl sleep any the sounder to know that her murderer lias escaped. Take tho ring if you will, but for heaven's sake, let me go now. Even as it is. I can hardly bring myself to believe that —that" The man s voice broke. His companion knew that Lasher was moved to his deeps. " Will you give it me, then ? I don't think I want the world at large to know that it ha* gone from her finger."

•'Wait here." The husband that should have been, rose and went out of the room, treading slowly and heavily, like an old man. When he returned he laid the intaglio in Farquharson's palm. "Thanks; 1 won't intrude on your sorrow any longer. 1 regret that I should havo caused you further suffering, but perhaps later, when the mists have cleared somewhat, you will understand." . A little later Farquharson betook himself from the liousfi,

CHAPTER IX. THE -VAVT. THE ARMT, AND THE LAW. Although it was late, Farquharson decided to remain no longer on the scene of the crime; nothing could be gained by so doing ; and everything was to be gained by invoking the assistance of the law. He was driven to the station, and after a short wait found a train that bore hira townwards. In the train he had much food for reflection; his senses were in a riot. For the first time since reaching Plymouth and reading there the grim news that had greeeted him, he had time for close and clear thought. "There isn't much to work on," he mused. " I should think no man ever commenced a mission of this sort with such a small clue. An intaglio ring that might have been a forgery, and nothing else, in favour of an unsuspected assassin. A quarrel, a will in her favour, and who knows what else against Moira ? And yet —I swear she's innocent; I'd swear it if it. meant death the next minute. Let's narrow down the possibilities, i Leave Moira out of it; and what remains ? An unknown assassin, entering the house at midnight, one who was perhaps familiar with the house. He 1 could have done it, but how could he have entered it? Ho might have got in before the place was locked up for the night, and lain concealed until his time was ripe, but even so there would be the question of his escape. I fear we're on a wrong tack there, unless — yes, that might be it. Good heaven! I wonder." , It had come to him that Moira was shielding someone. Only on such a surmise could her actions be accounted for. | Someone had come to her for protection and help; a lover —no. He hated himself for that thought. The girl was pure as snow. If not a lover, who then ? A brother, maybe ? He realised now how little he know of the girl he loved; how much he had taken on. trust. Not that he blamed himself for this; he was oldfashioned enough to believe that love conquered all obstacles, and if Moira Seymour's father had been a forger and her mother a murderer it would have made no difference in his feelings for the girl. If she were shielding her brother, what next ? Here he found himself confronting a blank wall. He had heard of girls lending themselves to the most unblushing deceit for the sake of someone-' they loved well; probably this entirely hypothetical brother had a claim on her which she could not ignore. And if she had already suffered so much was it not likely that she would be prepared to suffer more ? "If that is so, if she is playing the quixotic game, it rests with me to save her from herself," he said grimly. And turning over the problem slowly, looking at it from every point of view, brought him no nearer to a solution. The train steamed into Paddington station, and it was necessary for him to pay heed to the immediate necessities of twentieth-century life. Paper boys were yelling loudly, and all spoke the same tale. The winner of the latest handicap was forgotten; all thoughts were concentrated on the tragedy of Wykenford.

" Result of tho inquest," lie heard in a dozen strident voices as he left the station, and papers were thrust into his face. He revolted; it came to him with a sense of sick disgust that his sweetheart's name must by now be the plaything for the mob, something to be bandied from lip to lip like a bubble, torn and tattered, smeared with filth. He recovered his baggage and was driven swiftly to a quiet, old hotel that he had used before leaving London. The head waiter recognised him at once, and came towards him with his letters; it was as though he had merely taken a week-end trip, and yet many years had passed since last he had set foot in those sombre rooms. Your old room, sir, yes sir all is in readiness." . Ho had not troubled to look at his correspondence. Nothing mattered to him now; Moira filled his every thought. He bathed like a man in a trance, and then hastened to a telephone directory. There was just, a slight chance that he might find Leatliam at his office; but repeated calls elicited no response. Valuable time would be wasted in sleep before he could secure an audience with the lawyer, and meanwhile the real murderer might be making bis escape. No; he'd run any risk rather than that should come to pass. "That might be the same Leatham." he muttered, scanning the directory ; " ' C. W. Leatliam.' Yes, it. might be. Can't trouble to be conventional now; I'll risk it." And he called for another number. The "C. W. I.oatham" of the directoiy lived at Hampstetfd, and there was sorao delay in obtaining an answer, but when it did come it was satisfactory. C. W. Leatham was senior partner of the firm of Leatham and Totness, and, what was more, lie was at home.

"I expect you'll consider it unconventional, but tiie. matter is urgent," said Farquharson rapidly, when -he. had obtained the ear of the householder. " I want vou to let me call oil you as soon as I can get there. My name is Farquharson."

" I shall be in all to-night; and I see no reason why you should not call, if the matter is as urgent as you say," said Mr. Leatham. "Thanks; then expect me as soon as I can drive out there." He rang off and ordered a taxicab. He had eaten nothing in the way of a real meal since lie had breakfasted aboard the Baroda, but he took no account of mere physical needs. Mr. Leatham had dined well and was seated in his study when Farquharson was announced. The soldier was surprised to find him a youngish man, not more than forty at the outside; pleasant-faced, but with a somewhat steely look in his eyes, even in repose. He was reputed to possess a marvellous knowledge of criminal law. " I apologise for bringing business into your home, but the circumstances are somewhat unusual," said Farquharson, before accepting the offered seat. " I come on behalf of Miss Seymour, who is accused of the Wykenford murder."

" Ah, I see. Yes, yes, a case that presents many points of interest. I think " I want you to take up Miss Seymour s defence, if you are not already engaged on the case." " We are free in the matter, and I uhall be glad, personally, to interest myself on Miss Seymour's behalf. The case interested me as soon as I read of it. The fact of a mere girl—" " Miss iSeymour is innocent. 1 have no doubts on that head," said Farquharson, laconically. "Precisely, but. have you concrete proofs? You see, the law is an aas, a« the man in the. street puts it, but it is. a stubborn ass, and will not accept anything less than actual proof of innocence. But rest easy, we will watch the case on Miss Seymour's behalf, and" "I don't care whether he's engaged 10 times over," came a, hearty voice from outside the study door; "I'm going in, Briggs." And the door buret open, to admit a somewhat striking personality. _ A man not much above the middle height, but surprisingly broad of shoulder, his head set on squarely and somewhat aggressively, so that, with the dogged chin, it would appear as though the owner of that figure would allow few obstacles to stand in the way of his life's progress. A mop of curls, cut short, but refractory none the less, crowned the bullet head, and a pair of eyes exactly similar to those of the lawyer stared out at the world with j far-seeing interest ; but now those eyes I were lit up by a light that was pure affection, coupled with some small amusement. "Farquharson, my boy, I wouldn't be 1 kept out —if the end of the world were at hand it would bo just the same." Tho soldier got to his feet and for tho first time in many hours he smiled. " Bobby Leatham! I thought you were I brothers, but, I'd no idea I'd find you here." " Just came in and beard you'd called. I've got three months' leave, and if anybody'd asked me whom I'd rather see than anyone else in the world, I'd have said Maurice Farquharson. And here you are, by jove! looking as fit as everno ; you're a* bit tucked up, come to look at. you." "Worried, that's all. Jove! but I'm gktd to see you." " If I know the signs, you're hungry ; I've sailed with hungry men before. Fred, what do you mean by allowing a man to starve in your own house? I'd be ashamed to admit it." Lieutenant Robert Leatham seemed to bring a breath of hw native sea-air into that somewhat stuffy room, where the law books were covered with dust. He shot out his hand and caught Farquharson by the shoulder ; he drugged him under the light and scanned every

feature of liie by no means insignificant looking face. " Haven't, altered much. Fred; what about that food? When did you feed last, Maurice?" " I've forgotten — _ time ; no, there were sandwiches and things. " There you are, and but for my insisting on coming in you might have had. this man's death at your door, Fred. You might have been brought up on a charge of murder—hello, old man, got you on the raw a bit?" Mr. Fred. Leatham was pressing the bell, and when his irreproachable man appeared he ordered a cold collation to be served at once. Bobby Leatham meanwhile kept up a running fire of talk, punctuating it with frequent handshakes and profane ejaculations. " Remember the time out there in Bombay, when I got mixed up with the socialist crowd, who were all ior doing mo in ? I never thought that the sootj fakir was a fellow-Englishman, not I." He referred to an ancient incident in which rarquharson had figured ; the soldier had, indeed, saved the sailor some rough handling at the hands of a fanatical mob. " Thought vou'd have forgotten that as completely as'l have done," said Farquharson. "Oh, the life of a naval officer might he nothing to you, but it matters a good deal to the aforesaid naval officer. Comes of having a lawver for a brother: I can't get rid of ' aforesaid*' and 'whereases, and all that rot. What are you doing here, anyway?" " Major Farnuharson has come to consult me on a, matter of considerable importance, Bob," put in the lawyer. "Fire away: anything that 'affects him affects me. ' How's Rosie, en passant?" " I don't know—she was well when I last heard, but that was before I left Aden." " You cold-blooded monsLer! You possess the sweetest woman in the world for a sisteryou .know how it is with me -and yet you don't know what lias been happening to her for the last fortnight— more, than that, perhaps!" " Look here, Bobby, I know you're gone on Rosie. Well, put yourself in my place. I got back to England this morning; the first news that greeted me was that Miss Seymour, the girl that stood to me for as much as Rosie does to you, was accused of murdering her guardian. Now you may understand why I'm here and why I've not opened a single letter since I arrived." "My dear chap, I'm sorry; you don't know how sorry. Is there anything I can do to help?" Farquharson shook his head slowly, and the butler entered with a tray. "Yes. there is, though—here, you go on jawing. Fred, and I'll attend to your needs here. Mental and physical nourishment at one and the name time!" He was frothing Burgundy into a glass, and almost before Farquharson knew what was happening ho was eating cold chicken with an appetite. He found that he stood in need of the food ; the first mouthful of the wine i invigorated him beyond measure. ; Bobby ceased talking, but he made it plain by his manner that lie; was at once prepared to attempt the impossible in the service of his friend. " And now I should like to have your opinion of the case," said Fred. Leatham, judiciously. " I have followed it in the papers, of course, and I see that Mies Seymour is to undergo a magisterial examination—that will come off on Thursday, I suppose. Tliat is the first day the magistrates sit at Hallingtoii. But one cannot always get at the inner fact* of a case from the papers." Farquharson spoke at length, citing everything that had oome under his notice. From time to time Mr. Leathan shook his head portentously.

" It's a black case," he said, when the soldier had finished. " I don't deny that circumstances are not in Miss Seymour's favour."

"But she's innocent," protested Miss Seymour's lover. " Why, I'd as soon imagine my own mother— be to her soul ! — guilty. Or my sister; what da you say to that, Bobby V

" I say that a woman you'd ask to be your wife wouldn't commit such a dastardly crime as that, Maurice," was the sailor's sturdy reply.

Yes. we allow for all that; but the law does not. The law needs facte, and facts must be supplied. Now, what leads you to think Miss Seymour innocent?"

" First of all, my sure conviction. Next —this." He produced the intaglio. "This ling was taken from the dead woman's finger after ,her death. It was an heirloom; and she boasted of it being in the family for generations. For generations, mark you. And yet, I dare wager the welfare of my immortal soul that that ring was made within the last 10 years! And my belief is that the genuine ring has been abstracted, and this spurious one substituted. Find the original ring, and you find the actual murderer." "I'm afraid you set me an impossible ta.sk ; and I am not a detective, at anyrate." '' I know you have to deal with evidence as it crops up. But there's nothing to stop me from getting a detective to follow up this clue, whilst you're watching the case on my behalf, and Miss .Seymour's. Coming to the question of expensel'm not a pauper, and the day you prove Moira innocent you can name your own fee." "We shall do our best, quite apart, from any question of fee, Major Farqunar--3011. If you will cxcuse mo I will look through the papers again, and to-morrow I wiir take an early train to Hallingfcou and obtain an interview with Miss Seymour. She may be able to give me points that will serve *o elucidate the mystery." Can I see her, too?" Farquharson's manner was very eager now. "I don't think it likely; but I will do my best. Fortunately, i know some of the local justices, and it may be possible to stretch a point. I will leave you for a while, and— He went out of the room, and Bobby Leatham hitched his chair forward. "My dear old chap, how can I attempt to offer my sympathies ? But. I'm sick for you ; yes, as sick as a dog." A strong, brown hand sought Farquharson's hand; and the grip told much. 1 "It is a bit hard; you'll understand it, perhaps, because I believe you care for Kosie as much as I care for. Moira; if i that's possible." " Rather; I've come homo on leave, when every other fellow iD the service is hanging about the Mediterranean, unofficially, of course, hoping to get mixed up in whatever scrap is coming off out there —and scrap there will besimply to make your sister listen to my proposal. Don't think there's much chance, though; I've nothing about me to recommend me to such a girl as Rosie. She wants someone with brains and looks; a figure of a man, not a Dutch galliot like me, without more brains than a man can just get along with." With an effort Farquharson drew himself from his own miseries. He understood that beneath this cheerful sailor's air of jollity there was a real steadfastness of purpose, and a downright honesty of intention that appealed to him ; he was a man of a similar stamp himself. "Rosie couldn't do better for herself.," he said. " For my own part I wouldn't ask for a better chap as a brother-in-law. But—" "I know; you haven't time to plead my cause; and when it. comes to that I'd rather plead it myself, thanks. But here's something: you saved my life out in Bombay; a small thing enough; but I'm grateful. And you may count on me to help you to the last strand. When the navy and the army get shoulder to shoulder there won't be much escape them, 111 warrant. Is that a bargain." Tliev clasped hands on it, neither knowing whither that compact was to lead them in the near future. (To be continued on Saturday next.)