THE MYSTERY HOUSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21639, 3 November 1933, Page 16

THE MYSTERY HOUSE

By LAWRENCE PHILLIPS Author of "A Friendless Millionaire," "The Tangle," etc.

\ A STORY OF ROMANCE AND MYSTERY i

CIIA PIE [', XX r.— (Cont innod) Tho professor had received a ielegrani early that aitenioon which hail thrown him into iv state of nervous dread and horror. Completely broken, lie had called tlie girl to liim and shewed her the wire. T'tilts T jiet the promise by tho first post to-morrow, I tnko aclion.la 1 i'r. " What does he mean!''' questioned Leila, with wondering eyes. \\ hat 1 have told you. Unless ! ran send a promise from you to marry him ho will .set the police in aetion, and .1 shall go to prison," Mailed the unhappy man. " Leila, you must, promise, and save mo from this awful fate." Leila looked at him with frowning brow and tight-set lips. " 1 have told you that 1 will not promise," she an-wered. Elkington threw himself on his kneebefore her. " See," ho cried, clutching her hands, ... " I prav you on my knees to help me. 1 have sheltered, led, and clothed yoii all these years—you cannot refuse tc do this. Your father and mother art looking down upon you at this moment, wondering at your ingratitude.'' "You say that, you?" she cried. " Yea; .yes," ho affirmed, pressing his advantage, " they will wonder that i child of theirs could he so ungratefu as to send their greatest friend am her benefactor to prison. You wil promise, Leila, surely yoti will prom ise." She freed herself from his clasp, ant sank into a chair, the professor watch ing her closely all tho while. Then were a few moments of tenso silence and then Elkington, unable to bear i longer, began: I ask you not only for my sake, bu also for. . . " She checked him with an impatien gesture. "It I promised, should I have ti marry him at ojice?" she askei wearily, as the tears stole down lie cheeks. " Xo, no, Leila," exclaimed the pro fessor, delighted at this sign of yield ing on her part, and ready to promis anything. " No no, of course not. Don' third: that I should press you if it wer not for the awful position in which am placed; I hate tho man!" The word were almost hissed by Elkington as In remembered the slights and insults t ■which ho had been subjected. " Bu promise, Leila dear, and save me iron torment and the grave," ho begget dramatically. The tenseness of tho girl's attitud relaxed, as she sobbed almost in . whisper: "T promise, then." Elkington sprang to his feet, hi little eyes dancing with tho joy he ■words had created, and held out hi arms to embrace her. " Xo, no, not that," she exclaimed as she shrank away, " you havo brokei my heart," and she rushed from tin room. The -professor recked littlo of th girl's sorrow, but rubbed his hands am almost tlanced with glee. Then, rt fleeting that tho sooner Cater got won the better and safer it would be fo himself, he went off fo get a convey ante to Yelverton and to send a wain response to Caters. Meanwhile Leila, having bathed he face to wipo away the tearstains, lie to the Hall to tell Xarracott the awft: news. • Gerald raved and fumed against th professor, whose cunning play on Leila' feelings had produced this effect. H cursed his own blundering interference which ho recognised as having hastenei matters, and swore that he would kil Cater before allowing Leila to becom his victim. " Let us go away from this place am get married," he pleaded. " Let th professor clear up his own mess. Wh; should your life and mine he sacri ficed for that selfish little beast? Come Leila," ho implored. " Listen to me do as I ask! " "' J cannot. T have promised. Go awa; mid forget me," she sobbed. " Xever! " His cry rang out with ; note of keen anguish. "Xever! And shall go through life wanting yoi always, and knowing that you are th wifo of that beast to whom you giv yourself! I'll kill him!" ho agai threatened. She touched his brow with a linger ing, loving touch. " I'll promise you that if .1 marr; him and so save the professor I'll rui away on my wedding cay; or if 1 can not do that —■" Her voice trailed awa. to a whisper and only the movemen of her lins told him the end of he sentence. Tormented, he struggled afresh, bu in vain—her decision was inexorable. Later Gerald discussed all sides o tho problem with Paynter, finding sonn comfort in the latter's sympathy. At last Gerald stood up, saying hi must go for a walk, refusing Paynter' preferred company. " Xo, old chap, T. must think thi out alone. Don't wait up for me." Tho clock was striking eleven as h< went off, and Hugh Kennedy early nex morning received a wire which sen him off packing a suitcase. Jt ran: Come at onc'e. Xarracott in serious danger.—George Paynter. CHAPTER XXII M I'RDKB TTngli arranged with his clerk tc manage in his absence. I'ortunately ll was the long vacation and the court,' made no call upon him. On the way down his'thoughts ran into wild speculation as to what Paynter s telegram meant and what Xarracott's scrioui danger was. He stood at the gates of Xarracott Hall wondering when they were last opened when he saw on the other side what was the most, beautiful girl (as be mentally decided) ho had ever seen. Sin; came through tin.: side floor and asked him if he was going to the house. " J want to," lie saiti, raising his hat, " but these gates don't seem to have been Opened for a long til!!"." He noted tho extreme pallor of her lace ami dark rings around her wonderful eyes, wondering whether it meant sickness or trouble. " You are Mr. Kennedy, are you not? ]\lr Pavnter said that you were coining. O'i, von will do all that you can for Oer-'-Mr. Xarracott, won't you: " she pleaded earnestly. " It's horrible, horrible ! " Kennedy noted j he shp over tho name and drew his own conclusions. >• of course. 1 shall do all 1 lint is possible for my friend," he answered; " bu + I dou'- f know anything ol his trouble as yet. Can you tell me anytb.ii" "'1 hev will tell you everything! she declared in a sort of panting voice, n look of great distress in her eyes. " I will not keep you--please, please hurrv. That is the way." she coniinued. as she pointed out tho path to the drive. He followed Ihe road she had pointed out, more and more mystified as to the danger overshadowing his friend Gerald. As he turned the bend of tho drive he caught sight of Paynter pacing up and down tho terrace, smoking furi-

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ously. When Kennedy whistled to him t he mil briskly clown the stops toward ( 111111. " Vou am a good chap, Hugh," he . exclaimed as ho wrung his friend's hand so hard as to make him wince. " Hero's 1 (hi' denee of a mess ! " Ihifih replied that as everyone in the t neighhourhood was saying the snmt thi 11f.* ho supposed it must he true, hut I wonjil withhold participation in the statement until he had further particu- , h„-,. . " Whom havo you seen in tho neighbourhood ?" questioned Payntoi ' anxiously. " A charming vounp lady, and your j equally charming i;elf. She's much the more interesting, though. Can yoi; s, guarantee a proper introduction latei on ?" t George paid no attention to his chaff. s " She belongs to tho story; como in j and see Gerald," ho said. '• How is tho old boy?" asked Kennedy. following him. His friend stopped short. " Hugh, I'm worried to death about II him. lie's sitting brooding and brood 0 ing when he ought to bo up and s about. 1 can hardly get a word out ol - him." With that he led tho way intc tho house, and, Hinging open the dooi of tho library, called out: s " Here's Hugh, Gerald." a Kennedy hardly recognised hi: , friend, so strained and careworn die his face appear. He gave no sign of th< shock ho experienced, but took tin '1 outstretched hand and respondec i- warmly to his welcome. Tho three friends exchanged 6om< j idlo talk for a minuto or two, ant then Paynter blurted out: 0 " Let's get to business, yo.u chaps We'll tell Hugh all about it and ge 1 his expert legal mind to work." Hug! agreed, and Gerald was silent. Ho lef tho main part of tho talking to George t only responding—and then briefly—when directly addressed, t Paynter's summary of events rai thus: Gorald had gone off the previou 0 night for his solitary walk, and Georg d had begun to got busy with pre para r tions for bed, when ho heard stumblin; stops, and Nnrracott burst in, lookinj white and haggard. 1 " Good heavens, man, what's th matter?" lie exclaimed. e " Come at onco," cried Gerald, i: t a dry, husky tone. " There's a ma; e dead in the drive!" I " Great Scott, what are you talkini s about? Who is it?" shouted Paynte in liis alarm.. " It's —1 think it's Cater," answer?, ° Gerald confusedlj'. Paynter grabbed a torch. '! " Come along, show me whore h is." " I—l—think that he's been mm 0 dered—stabbed!" babbled Narracott a who seemed thoroughly shaken. " Here, pull yourself together, ol man. I expect it was a nasty jar fo r you, but for goodness' sake don't le . it get on your nerves." liis friend seemed to try to contrc himself as lie hurried down the drive Paynter turned tho light of his tore upon tho inert mass which lay, star in death, face downward before them c " Stabbed sure enough, and tb 1 weapon left behind, see?" Paynte pointed to tho knifo which protrude \ from between tho shoulder-blades. r " Yes, I know. I —l tried to pull i ■_ out. Look at my hands." c George saw that thoy wero covere with blood, r " We'd better knock tho people u r] at the lodge, and get help?" he suj [] gested. " No, no," said Gerald. " W e mustn't do that. I'll go along an s rouse the people at the inn. and sen for the police and a doctor." He spoke so emphatically that hi j friend looked at him curiously, an j then, putting down his refusal t Gerald's fear of frightening Leik agreed to the plan, j " (Jet along as soon as you car We had better leave tho body as i . is, I suppose, but I'll get a covcrin ■ from the house." They went off on their respectiv ' errands, and, after covering the bod > of the dead man, George returned t the house to await his friend's returr " There's going to bo trouble abou this," he murmured as lie filled hi • pipe, " big trouble. Who on earth hn done the man in? Someone who ha 1 a pretty heavy score against hirr ' judging from the force of the blow ! there was black hatred behind thai ' Funny that Gerald got so upset, thought liis nerves were better tha - 1 that. Good God! what if—" He cease j to speak aloud, arfd glanced roun • : fearfully as though afraid of havin i I been overheard; then he shook himsell - trying to dismiss unpleasant thought; ■ but that they remained in the bac j of his mind could bo seen in tho quic • | glances he gave at Gerald when a j last lie returned, sinking exhausted i , ! his chair. Ho seemed more collected ! but Paynter thought that he found i ' j diflicult- to concentrate, and certain! ; j reluctant to discuss tho tragedy. CHAPTER XXIII ! " I've told Gillard to get a move or , | but I suppose that il will be a coupl j of hours or more before we hear ain , j tiling of the, police," Gerald said, a he gave a mirthless laugh. Eventually the local constable arrived explaining tliaj, the doctor would h following in a few moments; ho ha lotb Gillard in the drive, and wante them to join him there. They went with him, and, Paynte having explained that his friend iia< found the body, the constable began t< question Gerald. Gerald gave his ac count in brief, bald sentences, and beyond the finding of tho body, hai nothing to tell. " Vou know it is .Mr. Cater, tin agent, don't you, sir? " queried tin constable as lie stooped over the body " Yes, when 1 tripped over it am nearly fell, I struck a match and fount it was the dead body of Cater ovei which I had stumbled." " Fair drove home that knife be.' averred Gillard. " I fancy .1 know: 'en." " Vou say you know the knife, Joe? ' asked the constable. " Whose is it? ' " I hain't gwinc to speak till 1 know; for certain," ajisworcd the gentlemar addressed. .Just then the doctor arrived. " What's this I hear—Mr. Catei murdered? idess my soul, bless m\ soul! " jie exclaimed fussily as ho bent down to make an examination. " Quit.t dead. What w;is he doing here at this: time of night. v " " Perhaps .Mr. Narracott could tay, sir, ' suggested I lie constable. Gerald shook his head. " The whole affair is a mystery to [ me." he remarked quietly. Ihe doctor looked at him with inter* •> t. .Mr. Narracott, the new souirc? \ cry pleased to meet you, sir, out a \ cry ghastly aflair to happen upon your coming among us." Gerald murmured something in reply, and then I lie doctor suggested that the body should bo taken to the inn. I In inquest will have to be held there, I hope they II lay hands on the blackguard thnt. has done this. Come along. Gillard, your trap is at tho gate, and 1 daresay we can carry him so far." So the mournful procession made its v.a.v in absolute silence, nnd Gator's body was placed in Gill.;ird s waggonette. Paynter was'absorbed in watching Gillard, who seemed to be eyeing Gerald very closely, ajid wondered as to the reason for it. (To ha continued daily)