A SURPRISE PACKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18547, 3 November 1923, Page 5 (Supplement)

A SURPRISE PACKET.

BY THEO. DOUGLAS. , (Mr«. ! /H. D. 'Everett.)

• (Copyright) Mrs. Western, the lady-housekeeper, was an important perron at Saintsbury though she had not behind her the authority of long service. She came to fan? Jacob North bristling with recommendations, to replace a chief servant of the working order, who had proved troublesome. An elderly bachelor is an easy prey to his domestics; he may also fall a. prey in another sense, but in the direction matrimonial, Sir Jacob had been found a hard nut to crack. Mrs. Western stood between him and annoyance; she remodelled his household, and found him— some search and trouble, and the rejection of unsuitable candidates— first-class personal attendant and valet. In short, in her two years of service, everything which Couched the master of Saintsbury had moved on velvet; and he was so skilfully managed as to be unaware of personal bit and bridle, and of the real strength of the hand upon the reins.

Mrs. Western was engaged not only as housekeeper, but also as chaperon to Sir Jacob's orphan niece, who was now finishing her education, abroad. Madeline North was a simple, little thing, and easily grew to think Mrs. Western adorable." But there was also two nephews, sisters' tons, who proved more difficult; and both of the-** young men had been bidden to Saintisbury for . Sir Jacob birthday. Perhaps they did net accept the invitation with any great willingness, as there was metal more attractive elsewhere; but Tom Blake, a lieutenant in the Navy, was persuaded by his mother, who entertained hopes that her son might be named as Sir Jacob's heir, and Sir Jacob had a pretty fortune at his disposal. Blake, who loved his profession, was comparatively indifferent; but to the other nephew, Reginald Murray, these testamentary dispositions wore more than commonly important*.

Mrs. Western presided over the break-ast-table the morning after their fcrrival, vith a nephew on either aide, but the* ;hair opposite to her was vacant. _ Sir facob was keeping his room until midday, icing threaten*:!* with a fit of the gout; but Louis was looking after him, the invaluable Louis, so there was no need for any>ody to be anxious. The lady-housekeeper iv-as chatty and genial. "I am so glad it occurred to Sir Jacob to have you two iere," she was saying. '"He thinks a jreat deal of keeping his birthday in the )ld-fashioned way, and your presence will leip to make it a family occasion. So [ want? you to he prepared, each with four offering, so that he may not be disjointed. Oh, no, nothing expensi/e, ;o be a tax on your purses. That he would not like; but just ingenious, something that will take him by surprise, and •aise a laugh. It need not cost you more than sixpence. I give you the hint, so that you may think it out; and tomorrow's breakfast is the time. Sir Jacob s sure to be down to do honour to the jeeasion, unless his gout is worse than v think. Ii is a pity he should have had in attack just mow," for it makes him so irritable. We have to study him, and keep off subject:! which annoy. . I wish [had had the i opportunity, Mr. Blake, - to Bay a word of caution to you last night. Dear Sir Jacob is so indignant with the Government because of the alien peril, that any reference to it excites him. But, lam sure you won't again! Another cup? The coffee iB kept hot." "Really I was not to blame, Mrs. Western. It was my uncle who began it. He spoke of the spy-signalling which goes on round the cojssst, of which there can be no doubt, and he said unlikely people were suspected. He fold me the police had inquired about his valet, Louis Becker. And the man speaks like a German, you must admit." - - .' "Poor Louis, it is such a shame. He has the greatest admiration for England, and nobody could be more loyal. He was completely upset by 'the suspicion, and the worry brought on your uncle's gout. Louis is a Swiss, you know; neutral country, so that is all right. And he suits Sir Jacob perfectly, and aiudies him in everything. ."'.;, If every other foreigner has to bo interned, they must certainly leave out Louis, for we could not do without him here. Well, if really you will have no m-re—! And you will bear in mini my little hint about to-morrow morning? Nothing costly; oh, dear no; not exceeding a few pence; but something to be a surprise. And ,■ we are sending the car into M«Wrum a, eleven, if either of you cares to go." , -.. „ It proved to be only Reginald Murray who wished to avail nimself of the car, Blake, who was used to exercise, preferred to walk. "Beastly nuisance about the present," grumbled the former,, when the two young men: were alone, "Why couldn't she have given me a hint before I left town? The Meldrum shops aren't Bond Street by a long chalk and to talk of getting for sixpence something original, to be a surprise! It will* run me into a fiver, see if it doesn't. Hfave you anything in your eye?" -".- Blake ws lighting up bis favourite short pipe preparatory ,wto setting v out:., "Don* 1 know vet; *■ shall thtek it over while I walk, rßut I fancy the sixpence will be my limit. * I'm not very flush, as, you know." ' Meldrum was little more than two miles from • Saintsbury, and Blake's business there was transacted quickly, so he made a round of the return .'•« walk;- following the coast. There on the right hand was the " sea he loved; and above ./the' cliffedge, dotted over the inland slope, were situated sundry villas of the better sort, each surround ad with more or .'!: less of, garden enclosure. ?■ Blake looked, at ths houses with curiosity; was it from one of these that the spy signals were given, which had set the police on, th& alert? Where on this, fair English seaboard-did the traitor lurk, who ■ was in German ~i >y ? He wag sorry his uncle's servant had been suspected; it was natural Sir Jacob should be annoyed. Buf? inquiry was hardly surprising, when lit was so j plain that the ', fellow, was a foreigner—and an unprepossessing, foreigner ; into the bargain, unwholesomely servile, ..so he thought. Swiss or. no Swiss, ■ iniiftn establishment of Blake's own: he should bepaf? to the door. But, if the man was really harmless, of course one had'. got , to be just. And then the road turned ; inland, skirting a wood ; an or finely placed on the crest of the ridge and looking seaward, he came into view of his uncle's house. ~ ,

■■ Saintsbury : war nothing more s than a bigger villa, built at a period which, though it valued comfort, set no store op. architectural beauty. 11 did not' spread out wide, : as a house rosy where there is ho cramping of site, but stood drawn together f like 'a cat with its hack up, a brick lantern-tower corresponding to the. animal's fail. It was the sight of this tower which pub a certain idea •. into Blake's head, so unlooked-for that :-• « made him start, and then smile at nis own folly, putting it aside. ,y • ■ ■;: u. He woulS not be . satisfied despite the fr.'lv ofr the suggestion, till be' had ex ; iored r the tower, the' lantern, room gt which was used, as he knew, for lumber *Tfdid not wish the h iK S &JS! Thekkef, f stood Silently, and it opened ■ readMT « sua l collecThere, within, was decrepit chairs awaiting repair couple of foreign-look-awaihng repair j^ b . s P ortina nt«wx and in ?- d straw an! a coil or two of f abi n P a corner. He could drterti S3 of the flash-light apparatus which he suspected, ard his sole satisStion seemed likely to be that of proving himself in the wrong. , ; , --■•■ ■;.•'•-■■:■■. But as he stood there, moving the small lamp up » nd down, and surveying I the square apartment on each side, a dutmct footstep crossed the floor above.;. Soma person was at work there, secretly at midnight, for a line of light showed round the; edges of the trapdoor, closed over his* head. Blake would catch him red-handed in the act. •'■■'■ . '••.•';•>• ':.■' '-^o'■'.:>J'";. But the ttor Blake surprised was hot' engaged ,in signalling to the enemy] he was endeavouring to ;do away ; with '■;■ the evidence of his guilt. ';■ K * Blake sprang- upon him, crying ; out: " You scoundrel, v What^ar©£ybu-;doing here*'' , * .- • ■ , */■ ':'' ■■■'■ ' •">■ ' ■'-'-.".•. -•':'* ,'.;■.'.'v.'.; :^'; ;■•■,:': '■'.:■.,■■ ■ : >£*::*;H ''■;'.... 'V .' ■ ■ ■■■■■■•>■ ■'■,'.■■ V ■.'■. ■:• ■■:.. US '"•:' „•;.■■. ■ '"-■ •"'■ ■■ ■■■:■■■. .-.." ■-■•!

The inan, surprisea •»« __ - was helpless in that strong gn|. Ee p..t an nought, bat endeavoured to excuse Bmsdf His assailant, bowser, refund toKEn. Becker might reserve his defence for Sir Jacob and ttia po«ce, an f SwhUe he 0 Bike orisoner in the lantern • chamber. ./v.* s ™*? nresenUv marched him ■"»»«»; there; seated , KmSI one of the damaged chairs, and; v ound n hnn to it with proved sailorV/ashiori;: an abject and miser "TheTSuS returned to the app- storey or a more detailed examination, , mew- ••■;■?. dilation there had been «»; . trived'-and probably ? had been in. use for SaS months. lis to :H ive it precisely as found, then, a ~ whimsical idea occurred to him, and he ;,■ ;arried away the detached .; potion, J* ether with the key of the lumber room vhich, for additional security, he turned.. upon his prisoner. .:•:• '.;'/■"-,'. • _, - ' : Sir Jacob woke earlier than usual, t. : .. »nd, presently • grew tired \- of .- wait- . ing for Louis to appear .and, undraw ~ his curtain?, the bearer tit an.early cup , if tea. Sir Jacob was not accustomed to vait for what he wanted; he snapped on , ;he electric light and .reached for His ;-. vatch. Heavens!—it was later even than ;■ le thought. ." Ten minutes beyond the lour! What did the rascal mean ? # He pressed the bell in a- long sustame<l; ppeal; and, when further minutes passed without notice, pressed again. At last K 4 \ here came a \ timid knock at the door—a. .- eminine knock, and it was the housemaid vho presented herself. They did not know vhere Louis was; he had not been; seen hat morning— could not find him in , ;he house. But, if Sir Jacob pleased, here vas his tea; and should she draw back the iurtains and put his bath ready? Sir Jacob was far from pleased, though —; breed to accept her service, aud his lan- :-~- 'uage when left alone was forcible rather ' , ban polite. What could have induced , jouis to take himself off in such a fash- ■. on? He proceeded to dress without„ as astance, and shave himself for the first ,ime for many months, patches of plaster >eing the result. But while he was thus ' >ccupied, another scene was enacting beow. '■''».■ ■ Blake was the first to appear, and. he / arried a large parcel done tip in paper, - which ha carefully deposited beside bis \ mcle's plate. He stood gazing thoughtully f»t the red heart of the fire, till disurbed by Mrs. Western's entrance. A change had passed over the ladylousekeeper; she looked as if wrought up 0 nervous desperation, whether the pas- - ion that moved her was anger or fear. she left Blake's salutation unanswered. 'Is it a joke?" she demanded. "They ire looking everywhere for Louis, and I iave found out where he is. Why have ,-ou shut him in the tower? I must beg ;>:,•;. ou to release him at once, for the m:onverdence is great." \- . " How do you know he is there? was ho counter question. " Because I called to him through the [oor and he answered. Give me the key. f not, I shall have to break it open. Sir .'.;•■■, Tacob will be fearfully annoyed. Why iave you done this?" /•- :,..'.■' "J ' went up in the tower late last tight, and I caught him in the act He vas manipulating a wireless installation. The police were right in spotting the man is a spy. I shut him uq, because it will >e for my uncle bo deal with him. Now \ < ou understand." '•'.. - ' • . ' Mrs- Western was pale to begin with, >ut now even her lips whitened. "The olice! Have you sent for them? Are hey here?" ■> ' M .... e . .»' Not yet. I" am waiting for our - I'acob." -'•'?'- . "Then—oh, Mr. Blake—l beg you to , et the man go. He—he shall never offend .gain. I give you my word. He is no Jermctn, hi- is a Swiss, and he has been nisledl. If only you,knew.all Ivltis an let of mercy; you • will not refuse. If rou persist, it will kill your uncle— tnnoyance—happening in hut >wn house. Sir Jacob would never hold ; { . ip his head —" • " '•-',. " What is Louis Becker to you? he isked sternly. " You know him .for ometbing more than a servant here. You ire ready to answer for him. How is ' " He is my half-brother," iihe answered, i sob breaking her > voice. - "Do you jmdeistand now ?" Ob, I entreat you, «** v -, Blake 'shook his head, and she fell back rom him, for now there wan another en- ~. trance. Sir Jacob came into the room, ind with him Reginald Murray. r . .. . ,y : j-:-Mrs. Western grasped at the selt-COm- ?{ nand which had all but escaped her, and. -- - ~ ,-ith the agitation of a moment before still , v hrilling the air, exchanged greetings; with he two newcomers. She took her seat ,;■;,' ;:;;;;: t the head of the table, outwardly com- & . ; ; »sed whatever was the inner ■>. tumult/ - ,f her mind. '•■ Sir Jacob did not imraedi-;;;;<..; tely mention the defection of Louis, or / xamine Blake's? lumpy parcel. s *He beau to unfold the morning's paper.;--*. MO, on't pour out my coffee yet, h* earn,, ;v; ;; 1 you will like to open your letters., £ or -. e saw his packet still untouched beside '% 'was'plainly his intention that she houli examine it then arid ; there; but vhat a farce it was, wiy ™8 e ftt °« ,:> dfts' if Blake continued obdurate. > Bhe , St as well leave them to pour out solee for themselves, and go and put her hings together, as she would have to quithe house with Louis, She took the . mmm broke fee , two €l ****** seals. &e within was a letter; of a few hues, i:i but so directly expressed -that the sense ; could be gathered in a moment j andwith; X it #& velvet ring-cab©,- and a flash of dianiionds. ... * i ~ She had succeeded m her utmost hope. Sir Jacob so wished : her to remain with v Sm that he offered her bis name and fortune; and there he was waiting for her :-■ to put on the ring, now at once , under his'eyeV What was she to do? bhould she brave it out; and after this would Blake, the nephew, dare to speak? He had no Proof against hex but the admis ; > ; ■, m hi JaVisel It was her sole chance; ; but if it failed ■'::■;,' '-'-H /:/ '".'' 'Y'' .: : '' ~,; '"■'' : She feet 'for; a couple of minutes with --r-r-----her i M bent over the letter, while Sir ; - ; sitting opposite, .« turned ; his paper and cleared bis throat. iro Sablv tne printed sheet informed him not at ah though he held it at reading distrS Hal she -audacity ■ enough I seems she had, for she ■ on its intended finger, and smiled as she . held up «®^\»«!l& see. He did not P/Uca WM» „ wag; the smile and the gesture S ,To m andßeg^W^ave^ some good news fe . congratulations. r «® ay Let m e present > sented to be your »nnt. WJ",/% town the future LadrN«tn. t #&&, ... rWginald began, to mm f h ™ rea l dis- v % tions, which gfjJ3Bis will got you , ; , : : may. Blake S er g;belbre I say **;_,. ? citcd;;-and : ynngramma R]g Jwo V- .__ ■- "»f?r*4-ith /mawaga. Be has . -,( L0n , ,8 S "tcCry in the tower; it seems " roßde %2S Ski "have been at ; work . ti»ei». German K r^ing apparatus set . . jSi&Jknownsf IVfr. BU": he took ' down Tar of it to show y Q u for mirSS* but the rest. is there 3 ostaa Louis .- gSSl>' And he is sons to call in the. - lil=e - .... ' . Lor-is Becker did summon the poltc*-. but he had the wisdom not to> r«t?jra and;; ace the inquiry which followed. No loubt he had an aecomplica in the \ neighbourhood, possibly more ,* lihan. one, ~ and Lhev contrived; to smuggle ; him. - amy. - Blate never knew -by „ whose; collusion Becker escaped from th 9 : - tower room to send his impudent message fh, probably, nice he had iWriggled'hipßelf free of the rope with which 'bis i captor bound him n the night, locked door.presented no liftjculty. Up to time present, Saintshury .las seen him no more; and, should he ; " ever have th* hardihood to return, the ': irate; Sir / Jac will give ? him short shrift, completely of the asserted'- kin- - ship with his wife. ' For Blak« said no wordfyivihe-Mnfip&ion wrung from Mrs. Western ; whether' in this he did .. well or HI for his own ultimata iti would '; ba premature s yet'; 7 to say Hie ¥ ;■;■< Jiousekfiopeir;has become ■ Lady Nort'i). »nd ;;;;; she is an attentive wife to; her elderly husband,-careful 1 of hi* interests end. the . due ordering of hie home. >And Sir Jacob is again provided with an excellent : vale», who, if he baa not all the taints of the departed Louis, is warranted to be .?onn ; •Boll; to tho,, backbone. w K " • • THE ! KKD.I ■ ■'■■^'-■•'''''' " v " : '- ■''