THE SENTENCE OF THE COURT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12040, 11 May 1901, Page 5

THE SENTENCE OF THE COURT.

Bj 11 BAD ON HILL, Author d "Th- Queen of Sight," "Guilty Gold," "By a Hair'E-Brcadth, , ' "The Spies of tne Wight," etci, etc.

[COPYRIOHT.]

CHAPTER XV (Continued.) "Let me see, I forget your name,' said Vipan, when he had ordered two whisKies and a split soda. "Mvtton, sir-Tom Mytton,' tne Steward replied, charmed with the affability of a gentleman whom he regarded as the '" heavy swell" of the neighbourhood where his employer resided. Tom had spent a fortnight at Monk's Hadley in tho spring and had come under the observant eyes of the local magnate at a cricket match. "Ali, yes, I remember! exclaimed Vipan, genially. "I suppose that the yacht is <it Weymotith as you are here? And Sir Henry and liady and Miss Selwood'/ Are they on board'/ I ask because t if my engagements permit, I should wish to pay my. respects tb them." The -steward explained that Sir Henry and Lady Selwood were on the Chrissa, but that Miss Selwood was staying at Portland for a- few days on a sketching trip. " You don't say so? What a dreary spot lor a young lady to stay in! Is she alone there'/ said Vipan with no great show of interest. " She- has got her maid with her," Mytton replied, having recourse to his glass. Home subtle inflection in the steward's Toice caught Vipan's quick ear. "Ah, your littlo sweetheart—if village gossip spoke true," he said; "but you luok a little out of sorts, man—a trille mil of conceit with yourself. I hope that all goes veil with you in that quarter? There has been no hitch in your love-making, eh'/ Come, have another whisky and tell me all about it. You may count upon my advice, and, if I can be of any use to you, upon my assistance." Tom was in just the humour to make confidences, and he was flattered by the interest••which this wealthy gentleman took in his affairs. But he had a certain native delicacy that revolted against discussing his sweetheart in a railway bar. "The course of true love don't always rim smooth, sir, so they say," he giggled sheepishly. "Oh, yes, it. does—if people use judgment/' said Vipan, gaily. "I have had a bit of experience in th.it line my.seif. If you have got off the track somehow, there is sure to be a way of placing you on the rails again. Out with it, Mytton, my boy, and have the benefit of an old stager's advice." Tom was no match for these seductive wiles. In a flood of indignation, from which Vipau easily picked out the kernals of solid fact, he poured out his woe.s, revealing his jealous suspicions of the redheaded warder and tlie strange request which Daisy had made for the loan of his garments. The millionaire listened to the. end with a fine show of sympathy. "It looks fishy, certainly," he said; " but there's no reason to despair yet. I'll tell you what I'll do for you, Mvtton. . I have' a friend holding a high appointment in the prison. 1 am on my way to see him now. I will ask him to have a watch kept on the man; for 1 daresay he'll be able to'spot him from the description you've given me. Then I shall b'e able'to let you know definitely whether your feat.' are well iounded." "I'm very thankful to yon, sir." Tom replied. " And what bad I better do about the clothes'/" "Let your sweetheart have them by all means," Vipau advised, earnestly. "And whatever you do don't mention'your suspicions to her again. Just allow her to think that you are eager to oblige. I'll do the rest.' , . Again the .steward murmured liis (hanks, and inquired where lie should see his benefactor u> learn the iv.-ult of his efforts. "At the Imperial Biirdon Hotel," said Vipan. " I am shipping there for the next few days. Yon must take your chance of finding me in. for 1 have a lilt to do. And, we here, Mvtton," he added, confidentially, "as I am acting on your behalf in a way that Miss Selwood might resent as an impertinent interference, you had belter not mention to a soul that you have seen me in Wcymoutli. You owe'me that nuieli for the trouble I am taking—not to make mischief between mo any my neighbours." Tom Myttnn protested'that lie could not be guilty of such base ingratitude, and vannlv shook Vipan's preferred hand. So they separated, the steward to return to the yacht and Vipan (o walk down the platform to where the I'ortlaml train was about to start on its return journey. ■' The stars appear to be fighting for inc." he muttered as he took his seat in a firstt'lass carriage. Pulling from his pocket a well-creased copy of a London morning paper lie read, for'the tenth timo on the journey from town, the following paragraph: — "The Honourable Mark Traveller, the only scion of aristocracy who, so far as we arc aware, has adopied the profession of a- private detective, met last evening with what it is feared will prove to be a fata) accident. Mr Traveller, who had been calling on a gentleman in lieaulieu Mansions, Victoria street, missed his footing nnd fell down the well of the lift from the fourth floor. He was at once removed to Westminster Hospital, where he lies suffering from severe concussion of the brain. The house surgeons cive no hope of his recovery." Vipan laughed and folded up the paper for yet another perusal when the mood should take him. CHAPTER XVI.-WOMAX'S WIT. .Simon Dnrke rose obsequiously from the armchair in bis brother's parlour to welcome his patron. He was alone, for Mrs Ralph Durke was in the, kitchen and the warder was on dutv. As the prison bell whs ringinti for the return of the quarry gangs to dinner the master of the bouse might be expected in at any minute. "I 'ope I did right in sending for you, sir; at least I 'ope vou'll think so when you hear how 'ot things is getting down this way," the constable said, proffering a chair. "You did quite right, , replied Vipan. mastering :is was his customs all the details of the tawdrv little room. "Has Miss Selwood been sketching 10-dav' , " Simon started and looked at his' employer in awe. He had said nothing in his wire about Sir Henry's daughter or the ostensible reason of her visit to Portland. "Yon appear to know as much as I do. sir." he said. Vipan smiled snccringly, and well satisfied, nevertheless. It was a little way of his to mystify his adherents with the idea that he was not in the least dependant upon them, and be was glad of the chance to show Simon that he was not invaluable. " I expect I know a (rood deal more, my good Durke," he chuckled. "Hut having only just arrived from London I am without the information I asked for. Be good enough to answer me." " She hadn't turned up at the place where I saw her yesterday when I was mouchinf. , round this morning, sir," said Simon, and

(bough crediting Vipan with the faculties of a wizard ho thought it as well to add, "Bow and Harrow Cast'e it is, sir, what she's painting—a. haucient ruin over-' anging the sea—as you must be aware." Vipan nodded, as though to assert his knowledge; and his character as an omniscient oracle was saved from further damage by the entrance of Ralph Diirkc. The warder on seeins ihnt the distinguished visitor had arri«*il disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a "thumbpiece "' of bread and bacon. There was too much business on hand for him to expect a regular dinner that day. "Xow just for form's sake describe the episode that led yon very properly to wire for .no," said Vipan, when Biilph had been introduced to him. "You came on Miss Selwood and her maid sketching, I know, and connected their presence at Portsmouth with a certain convict. Lot mo know exactly what passed between you." And lighting a cigarette Vipan lolled back while Simon glorified his own astuteness in interviewing Irene on the previous day. "1 minded the Monk's Hadley gossip, sir, about Vat hurst • and Kir Henry's daughter, and I smells a rat," concluded the village constable pompously. " Very smart —worthy of Scotland Yard!" Vipan commented, bringing his hound to heel with a sneer. " I, however, arrived ht Weynioiith tiro lwiirs ag», and have learned a good deal more than that. Have you observed any change in our young friend's manner latclv. warder?' , "We donlt allow the lags the luxury of having moods," said Ralph Dmke, with a brutal leer. " But 1 watched him close in the quarries this morning, after brother Simon gave me the office, and it seemed to mo lie stepped it a bit springier than usual. I don't see, though, how his gal can have communicated with him." "Well, it has been done, and I can (ell you how it was done!'' Vipan replied coolly. ''The medium of communication is a gentleman of your own cloth, Duike—3 red-headed warder that's been gut at by the jircttv little lady's maid. Ciin you put a name to him?" Ralph Durke's evil face flushed purple. His wrath against his colleague swamped his wonder at Vipan's powers of detection. "Put a immc to the swine?" he blustered. " To think that Pat Magee should go and run athwart us like. that. But k> was alwavs a'soft un for a wench—the gingernobbed sweep.' " M.iijec is doing more than carrying letters," said Vipan, glibly, as- though he had been aware of the culprit's name. "He is aiding and abetting a plan for tho convict's escape. Those two innocent lambs have got so far as to provide the suit of plain clothes that lUthurst is to do his bolt in." Simon Durke assumed the air of being the saviour of the situation, hut Ralph broke into unrestrained blasphemy. Vipan smiled sardonically at his pair of took "Pray do not miscall the carrotty Mr Matjee. Tie is playing my game up to the tick," lie said. "I want tiiis escape to succeed—up to a certain point. I want Bat hurst to break loose from his cell. I want to bring him to where a fugitive convict meets with a forcible argument, for remaining in her Mujestv's safe keeping for ever and over, Amen." The two Durkes laughed coarsely and exchanged intelligent winks. " As a fact you want hint shot, sir?" said Ralph, after a jiau.se. " In that' ca>c you won't be for blowing the gatf on Magec to the Governor? Let him run loose for a while, eh?" "That is the policy," said Vipan. "at anyrate so far as you are concerned. It may be that I shall have to take him in hand myself in order to discover the details of the intended escape, but I shall Iry and get them through the women first. Come with me, Simon, and show the way to this interesting mill." Intimating to tin , warder that he would return later. Vipun left the house with his satellite. Together they threaded the dusty roads of the great penal settlement, and passing along the cliffs that overhang the south-easlerr. shore approached the trees (lint seiwn the ancient castle. The niral policeman's al tempts at conversation passed unheeded during the walk. Vipan was sludviug the role ho meant (n enact. '"You had better lay up among those bramlilcf ami keep voiir eyes mill cars oiien." hi , said, oftev obtaining a final direction. "I ivill go on alone." He plunged into the leafy shade, and traversing the little wood with stealthy tread quickly reached the open cround facing the old Xorman patewav. His wicked heart Ihrilled at the sL'ht that met him— tho shdit of the girl who had repulsed ail his advances with a cold cotirfesv that all his brazen effrontry failed to break through.■ '• I had given up all hopes of her, but by l> this, escapade of heis shall deliver her into my hands," he muttered between his clenched teeth. "A judge's daughter caught in!the act of assisting a convict to escape! That ought to give a man of reseourcc a prelty considerable ))i)ll over her, but it is not to-day that she must see my cards." Irene Selwnod who had pitched her campstool in a glassy glade fringed with gorgeous bracken, made a prettier picture than the grey pile she was mlv transferring to her canvas. Her broad sun-hat, had been tossed aside, so that the salt breeze ruffled the golden splendour of her hair; evencareless motion brought into relief the graceful outlines of her matchless figure; far below and beyond stretched the blue background of the sparkling summer sea. Whatever she might suspect it was no part of Vipan's plan to confess that he had expected to find her there. Ko he did not go to her directly, but sauntered towards the ruin nnd only affected 1o recognise her on his return. He stared, slatted, and raised his hat. "Why. Miss Selwnnd!" he cried, "this is a pleasant surprise, which means, I suppose, that the yacht is hereabouts. I see (hnl your good taste lias pounced upon the onlv artistic scene on this miserable rock." Irene, who liad recognised him on his first appearance from tho trers. gave him her hand coldly. It said much for her steadfast nurimsc that she was able to conceal the deadlv fear with which this man's presence filled her. Coming on the top of Simon Dnrke's appearance the dav before it seemed to presage disaster. That the two principal witnesses against her lover should arrive at Portland at the crucial moment could hardlv be a coincidence fo be explained by chance. Yet till she had material proof tint danger threatened her project she would not abandon it, she quickly decided. ''Yc«. Sir Henrv and Lady Sclwond are here with the vacht al Wcvmouth." she replied. "For the matter of that the whole, of Monk's TTiidlcr s?ems to h: migrating into JJorsetshire. Our village policeman, Dmke, was jiiowlin;; about here yesterday, and now " "And now T have turned tip," said Vipan, flingimr himself uninvited on the grass at her side—nn iinnertineni'o which she prnmpt.lv respited bv drawing closer iho skirts of her dress. "I know you don't like me. Miss Selwood." Vipan proceeded, notini! the action and turning it to ready account. "I should be so Aid, though, if I hnd your svmpalhv for the cause of my being in this outlandish place. Will it bore you, I wonder, if I make you my confidante in a matter with which yon have no personal concern but which merits your pitv—any good woman's pity?" lioathini! and mistrusting the man. Irene mastered herself sufficiently to simulate a

little feminine curiosity, Mr Vipan should show his hand, she told herself, and answcrei, flippantly: — " You sound very tragic and mysterious. What is this terrible affair? Are you making » collection for some charity?" Vipan sighed deeply. "Your young life is so bright' arid happy that perhaps 1 ought not to trouble you with serious things," were his deliberately chosen words. " Serious!" he. went on'to exclaim, a shade too theatrically. " Surely one needs a stronger word 'than that when the liberty, perhaps the life of an innocent man is at stake." lie watched her closely for the eftcct of his artfully baited snare. It was his design to openly ignore the secret grief that had been gnawing at her heart for the past year and yet to stir it by a pretended community of purpose into a wild outburst of confidence that should betray the details of her scheme. ' But Irene was on her guard. >>ot by the quiver of an eyelid did xho show how the callous reference to her " bright and happy life" had wounded. "I think that you must be qualifying for the stage, Mr Vipan. If your part Is an interesting one 1 have no'objection to your rehearsing it here, and I will stop you when I feel tired," she replied, calmly'mixing some fresh colour on her palette. '•I have como down to Portland, Miss Sfhraod, to endwivom to secure the escape of Cyril liathurst from prison," was the lie with which Vipan opened the statement that he had concocted, lie paused impressively; but the bravo girl gave no sign of emotion, and he had to proceed under the discomfiture of knowing that his first shot had failed. He had recently been informed of circumstances, he said, leading to •i strong presumption of iiathursl's innocence, and having been one of the principal causes of his conviction he could not rest till the victim of his mistake was free. Unfortunately, lie protested, he had no tangible evidence to lav before the authorities, and it was therefore only open In him to make the act of reparation himself —at a very serious risk. He intended to spend money like water in bribing warders and guards; lie was forming nn elaborate scheme- for Fafe-suarding the convict after escape; he woufd provide him with an income of a thousand a year as soon as he had him beyond the reach of discovery, in America, under n new name. " In short. Miss Selwood. I have put my hand to the plough, and f shall not turn back—even if the furrow leads me to a cell such as that in which that poor fellow now lie?," Yipim concluded dramatically. "I shall bear the dan"ers and chances with :i light heart if 1 know that I have a Godspeed from one true woman. That is why I have been so presumptuous as to confide in ynu." Would she yield, he wondered, to this fine display of false .sentiment, joining forces with him n> his bogus rescue and revealing the plans she had formed for a real one? That she was moved, and deeply moved, underneath her mask of calm his devouring gaze satisfied him, but was her agitation due to a belief in his cock-and-bull story? The beautiful eyes resting for a moment pensively on the blue expanse of sea told him nothing. Her words did though, and that quicklv. ''You are more than presumptuous. Mr Vipan. you are very silly," she said. "You must be out of your senses to come to me—the daughter of the judge who sentenced this man—with a disclosure of the. plans you are forming for his escape. On my return to llw yacht I shall inform lny father of what' yon have, told me; he will doubtless know what steps to take for warning the prison authorities." Vipan rose hastily, suppressing an angry oath. This was not defeat, it was a rout, for he had not only failed to gain a, clue to her scheme, but, lie had paved the way for her to throw upon him suspicion of having done what he knew that she herself was contemplating. A pretty thing, indeed, if this fragile girl contrived her lovers escape and m> managed (hat the onus of it lay upon him, of all the people in the world. He hardlv knew how to answer her, but he reflected that there had been no witne.«es to their interview, and he would, if her threat were ever fulfilled, bo able to meet her statement with u Hat denial. More than that, he would be in a position to prove through Tom Mytlnn ami others, should " Cyril liathurst"' get clear iiwuy, who was the. real abettor. Judging Ireuo by his own bast , self, lie thought that she would only carry out her threat in the event of having to exculpate herself, and lid had ytl a second striii't to play which might turn this failure into a double victory. The thought] gave, him boldness, and ho might have answered rudely bub for the sudden termination of their tete-a-tete. Daisy Council hail emerged from the trees, walking briskly towards them, and Irene was smiling—possibly in anticipation of entangling him before u witness, So he raised his hat and went away, firing the ambiguous parting shot— "I am inclined to hope that relleetion will dispose von to mercy. Miss Selwood." Irene was not smiling when Daisy came up. Hhe was trembling from head to foot, and a big tear plashed on her hand. "That beast here!" exclaimed the faithful maid, forgetting her manners in hcv excitement. "Making von cry. too!"

"I'm a little unset. Daisy," replied Irene, steadying herself bravely. "He has got wind of'our nlans and has been trying to Pimm me. But," she added, with a disdainful ghir.ee at Vipan, who was disappearinj! amongst the trees. " I met him with what father would call 'a bluff.' He has learned less than nothing—and, anyhow, I am "ointr on with it." •'And you will do it. miss," said Daisy with conviction. "Mwe has gone on" as chirpv ;'s fi l'Ct canarv—with another 'fiver.' He had the cheek to ask me to name the dav. I have arraneed with him to come for the letler of instructions for Mr Ilathur«t to-morrnw morning, so that w<? ran bring the clothes out ourselves in the afternoon, after Tom has produced them, and hide thorn in the. ruin (here— wh»re we. se!tl«d. 1 wouldn't trust my redhead»d heantv with that secret."

"We shal' b«ve to hi careful," said Tre»c. thon-'lilfullv. as she lipn.in to pack un her painlini,' thiit<?«, "\fr Vipan knows that T ''mw hero; it wnuM bo fatal if h<! watched and saw us hide the clothes in the ruin."

CHAPTER XVIF.-A GOOD DAY'S WORK. Irene Selwood might have spared herself anxiety on flint heart, fur Vipiin had no need to dog her footsteps further. On reaching the brambles in which Simon Diirke lay concealed k< was met by nn aniiouncement which offered instant opportunity for retrieving his failure. The constable roso from his liiding-place ami pointed along the bridle-path leading towards the prison. The broad baclc of a man in ■& dark-blue uniform, making his way leisurely eastward, was visible among the bushes. "That's him. sir—the red-headed warder," exclaimed Simon in a liOiirse whisper. "He's been carrying on with Miss Selwood's maid all tlio lime you've been Hone—not a- hundred yards .{rum here, but ton far for met« hear him. She gave him a banknote." "Get back to von: , brother's some other way, then. I will follow Mngee and have mv talk with him alone." •So saying. Vipan hurried after the receding warder, takim , care, however, not to catch him till he had gone a quarter of a mile from the ruined castle. Hearim; footsteps behind, Maw looked round and stood aside for the well-dressed stranger to pass, but Viuan stopped short, and smiled at him. "Off to spend that note, eh, Magce?" said the millionaire genially. The warder s red face flushed a dull purple: his breath came in gasjis ; he looked this wav and that as though about to take to his lipols ami run. He could only stammer feebly: — "What are you gcttin' at?" "Oh, you know," said Vipan, and then with a sudden change of manner he added: "Yon know, too, the penalty attaching to a man in your position for aiding the escape of a convict committed to your charge. Come! it is useless for you to deny it. You arc implicated with Miss Selwood and her maid in plotting for a convict named Ttntliurst, official number 24, to break prison." Magee could only moisten his parched lips and murmured hoarsely, "You're a. London 'tec, I s'spose." "Not quite so bad as that!" Vipan laughed at the pitiable object before him. " J nd now, my man, having reduced you to

a proper state of terror," he went on more seriously, " I propose to administer relief-— if you are wise enough to accept it. Under certain conditions there is no reason why you should not carry out the programme drawn up for you by Miss Selwood, and receive the reward she has offered. The principal condition is that you forthwith give me full information of what that programme is j the second, Unit it meets with my approval." "Why should.,l put .myself under your heel?' , said Magee, sullenly. "You are under it now, my friend; if you do not comply with my request 1 shall go from here to the (iovernor of the prison and acquaint him with such of I lie facts as are within my Knowledge." Vipan answered. " Hut, as there is a certain reasonableness in your wanting to know my position in the matter, .1 do not mind enlightening yon. lam a near relative of this rash youiig lady, acting on behalf of her family. We have no particular objection to her helping an innocent man to escape, provided sho docs it without covering herself with notoriety ami-disgrace, such as would" follow failure and detection.' 1 "If she acts cautions afterwards there won't he any fear of thai, sir," said Magee, brightening\ip a little. "It is precisely on that point that we, her fricmls. are nimble to form an opinion," returned Vipan. " -Miss Wcluond declines to furnish iis with the details of her scheme, and we can put no more faith in I lie assurances of an inexperienced girl that every precaution has been taken than we can in those of an interested party like yourself. There you have it in a nutshell—l, on behalf of the family, must hear and approve of the plan, or Will so to the. authorities and have, the whole thing stopped before unv harm is done." "Would ye be for telling the ladv that I'd split til her?" Magee inquired. He wanted no hitch in the payment of the reward, or in bin courtship of pretty Daisy, who would he likely to give him short shrift for Mich a breach of faith. " On the contrary," Vipan reassured him, " we do not ourselves wish Miss Selwowl to know of our interference—unless it should be absolutely necessary to throw obstacles in the way'of her proceedings, and only then in the event of our having to inform the Governor of her doings and yours." Magee's first and second lines of defence —personal safety and greed—being thus broken down by cunning assault, capitulation followed as a matter of course. A minute later he was walking amicably at the side of his vanquisher, pouring into his ear the whole scheme for the spurious Cyril Balbnrst's escape, describing the iwrt that he himself was to play in pretending to bo overpowered in the cell, and hying bare every item in the final instructions which