THE JADE EYE,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12391, 28 June 1902, Page 5

THE JADE EYE,

[AH Rights ResfiTjil.l

By FERGUS HUME

(Author of " Tl'.o Mystery of a Hansom Cab," '■ The Bishop's Secret." &c.) SYNOPSIS 01' IN'STAIAIENT 1.-Jack Tyson, a young artist, reads an advertisement offering & reward for the recovery of "the j'aae Kje." His model, Rcbekah Silt, thinks she knows something sbout it. Tyson calls on Count Ivm, who h»s offered the reward, and f.a;e ho docs not Vr.ow oi the eye itself, liut is iwire of the whereabouts of an image to which ;t Moses. This is an Indian idol in a museum at Chesleigh, in Essex. The collrction in this museum was left to the town by P'iscus Glvnn, Tvson's uucle. SYNOPSIS OF INSTALMENT ll.—Tt transpires that Ivan and :i Persian named Hafiz «1; ;n a dead lieat for the image, whilst the .)**, Marthos (whose adopted daughter. Lil Brach, is engaged to Jack), is mix?d up in tbf a£iv;. The pupil of the "Eye" is really a valuable diamond. Jack and Retakah go down lo Chesleigh and meet Mrs Jury, the lite Priscus Glynn's housekeeper and legate*, in the museum. SYNOPSIS OF INSTALMENT lII.— the lady and Jack talk Rebokiu disappears, but she starts for London in tlio same carrin2o wliich takes Mrs Jury there. .Tank is surprised to find Lil Brach at Mrs Jury's cottage, and lie fees Hafiz at the. Museum! The next morning news comes to his hotel from Lil that her adopted father lias been etraneled. SYNOPSIS OF INSTALMENT IV.-Jack and Lil go lip to town and attend the inquest. Marthas's will reveals that he had i daughter, Rachel, who left him: also a Bister, who turns out to bo Mrs Jury, and produces a certificate of the daughter's death, and takes possession of the property. / CHAPTER VII.-THE MYSTERY DEEPENS. "Mrs Jury," cried Jack, stopping at the door in sheer amazement. The woman rose and came forward to take 'tis hand. "Mrs Solomon," she said with a flush on her fnded cheek; "after many years 1 am able to call myself by unreal name. Are you not surprised, .luck?" "Well no. I have s&m Jonas. He told me of your good fortune." She looked disappointed. " I am sorry. I certainly told Mr Jonas that he could tell you. Knt I had honed that I should see you first. So you are informed of my velationship to Marthas?" "Yes." Jack looked at her steadily. " Also that- you have inherited his fortune. I suppose you will now oßer a- reward." "For the discovery of his assassin?" queried Mrs Jury, as it may be more convenient to call her. And on receiving a nod in reply, she continued, " I do not see what good it would do. Still if you think it ought to be done, Jack, I shall consult my husband." "Where is Mr Solomon?" "He is coming here fov me. I want you to see him. Then we can talk of this reward. I was' not on good terms with my late brother. He did not approve of my marriage. But I regret his terrible death, and I hope to avenge it." " His daughter is dead, I understand.' , "Yes. Rachael died six years ago of smallpox. I saw very little of her. As you know, I have lived at Chesleigh all these years." "Did you never communicate with Marthas?" •" No. He was the first to write, and • then it was to ask me to take Lil to stop with me for a time." > "1 know," Tyson paused, then looked at her steadily, " Do you know, Mrs Jury— 1 must call you that as I can't get used to your new name." Mrs Jury sat down again. "Always Mrs Jury to you, Jack. When my husband and I are settled in our new house, yon must come in and see us. Then you will get to know me under my proper name. Do you not find me changed!" She certainly looked younger and brighter. Her dress was more careful, and the gloomy look on her face had given place to a cheerful expression. The coming of her husband and of good fortune had acted on her like an elixir of life. Jack said as much, and Mrs Jury blushed like .1 young girl. "Yes. You are right, Jack. I love my husband dearly, and all these years I have missed him sorely. He /-as in the States trying to make money. He did not succeed, and returned to England two months ago. I should have taken him to live with me at the cottage, but. this unexpected death of my brother, and my coming into the money has altered my plans. However we can .talk of that later. You were going to say something." " Oh, yes. I reinemher," said Jack. " I thought that you went up to Town to see your brother." Mrs Jury never changed colour or gave the least sign of emotion. " Xo," said she sadly, " my brother and I never met. Now that he is dead I wish I had called to see him. It is strange that he should have been murdered on the very night I was in London. Perhans if I had gone to see him, my presence might have prevented the crime. But I did not go new Lincoln's Inn Fields. My visit was to my husband at his lodgings' in Pimlicn. We heard of the death late the next day, when we were discussing the advisability of calling on Marthas, to see if he would help niv. husband to get some employment." Mrs Jury made this statement with such frankness, that Jack felt ashamea of his suspicions; she met his eye quite bravely, and exhibited no signs of nervousness. It was impossible that lie could be telling lie. Still tliere wits the fact of the eye sketched on the mirror. He questioned her on that point. Mrs Jury was rather startled. • "I am glad you have spoken of that." she said after some thought. " I want your advice on that very point. You know the imape that belonged to your uncle?" "Yes. The idol ii: the Museum. Go Oil." "Well, about three weeks ago a man called to see me about it. He said he came from the East, and he inquired about the image." "Was he a dark man in black clothes, with a round cap embroidered with gold?' , asked Jack, and when Mrs Jury nodded he went on. 'I know the man; he is called Hafiz." "The.i if you know him, I wish you would tell him not to trouble me about that idol. He asked bow Mr Glynn came into possession of it, and if an eye was missing when it came into the cottage. I could not answer these questions as Mr Glynn had the image in his collection before I became his hou«fcjjisr. I "-aid thr.t- I knew nothing about the Kye or about the idol; that it could !)(■ seen in the Museum if necessary. This man was anxious to get the Eye. and demanded if I knew where it. was. I said that I did noi. Then he said if I uet it for him he would give ins a thousand pounds. Of course 1 laughed, and again declared that I knew nothing. But be still persisted that as the image had been with Mr Ulvim the eye must he about lhe place. Then to keen me in wind of tUU (iffar, he s-kolihed an eye on the mirror with a bit «f so:ip. L was

annoyed, but I left it ih-iv n- I inlvii'-.d to i'.sk yen ali'jiit tin; mailer when you canu , down to see me Tin. , idi.- 1 belongs In ymi ill trust frir yir.ir mi»"in<; cousin, so yon arc the, person lo dprtl wit!) the mutter." " Humph!" said .luck who found this explanation clear enough. " HaGx was trying to frighten you. 1 Know he haunted Chesleigh as I saw him there myself." "Where did you fee him?' , asked Mrs Jury quickly. "He was lurking round tho Museum at 10 or after 10 on tho night 1 stopped down in Cheslcigh. Hut tell me, what inada him use a bit. of soap to sketch tlin eye?" Mrs Jury shook her head, and o. rather careworn expression raina over her face. " I really don't know," she said rather impatiently, " 1 wa- \vfl.«iiinj» stmip i-liina in the drawing-room, Mini the soap dish was beside tlii! basin of walrr. Had/, caught up th<> soap and draw the eye to keep me m mind »f what he. ;t-Uf,]. "lint don't Ictus (all; any nior«. <if the matter. I know nothing about it-, and 1 must, ask you !o tell this man to leave me. alone." "Has he been troubling you since?" "Yes. He has been following me about London. I can't get lid of him." •lack looked surprised. "How did he find yon out?" he asked. "I il"n't know, lint- I <,ee him evennow and then. . He. koeps an eye. on me. 1 think lm believes I have what he wants in my pocket. Hut how, Jack, let us tails of more agreeable matter?. I want to offer you (.lie cottage to live in rent-free.". "Mrs Jury! That. is. indeed kind of you." " Xot at all. I intend to live in Town as my husband wishes it. We may even go abroad. Our plans are not settled. It all depends on what Solomon wishes to do. I shall give you the cottage, bag, and baggage, as it stands, mid yon can pay me a nominal rent. Also, Jack, I wisb to buy your picture. I -will give you a thousand pounds for it, and Mr Jonas shall hand you the money, Indeed it was the idea of Mr Jonas that I should buy "it." Jack's breath wai taken aback by all this good fortune, and he felt a trifle shamefaced when he recalled his suspicions of the woman who wished.to be his benefactress. Sho had given a perfectly reasonable explanation of her presence in London on the night of the murder, and shs had also satisfactorily explained how if. came about that the eye had been sketched on the mirror. Evidently she had nothing to do with the murder of her brother, and was not involved in the mystery of the Jade Eye. That she should offer 'him the cottage, and buy the picture wis an act. of kindness that Jack had never expected. He stammered out something to this effect. Mrs Jury cut him short. "I like you," she said: "you have always been kind and good to ine when I was a lonely and a poor woman. And anything I can do for you will only repay my debt to your uncle. He behaved well to me. and I cm never think him enough for his goodness. He is dead and I cannot repay him in any way save by helping you. With Ihe cottage and a thousand pounds you can marry Lil Bracb." "Yes, I can do that," said Jack, his face lighting up, "and I am sure she will be delighted. She loves the cottage, and I was jnst •wishing that I had such a home lo offer her. I accept with gratitude, Mrs Jury, and—" he blushed, " I hope you will :ome to the wedding." Mrs Jury laughed in a rather embarrassed fashion. "If I am in England I shall certainly come to .the wedding." she said rising. "But I fear my husband is not coming for me! Never mind, you can see him on another occasion. We are slaying it tho Tudor Hotel, Pimlico. Come ,md see us tIiCM. I want you to see Solomon. As to all this business Mr Jonas will arrange everything. w lien will you go down to the cottage?" "As soon as possible," he replied promptly. "I want to put it into order for Lil. I only hone she will mnrry me. within a reasonable time." By this time they were descending the stairs. "Why should she not?" asked Mrs Jury looking at him quickly. "Well," Jack hardly knew how to reply, " you see, Mrs Jury, Lil thinks she ought to monni a certain tiriie for your brother, and—" " She need not. do that!" said flie woman with a fierce look. "I do not wish to speak evil of the dead, Jack—especially as I have benefited by the death, but Marthas is not worthy of Lil's affection. He adopted her to suit his own selfish tnds, and be left her penniless for the same reason. If she was not going to marry you I should make her an allowance, but sinre s!:e will soon become Mrs Tyson, I cm show my love ior you, and my regret for her position by doing you both a kindness. Tiiat is why I buy the picture and lei you have the cottage. And now call up a hansom. Anything more you wish to talk to me about can be said when you come to dinner, to meet my husband." "Will you go down to Che-sleigh again?" "Yes; I'hiivc some things at the cottage which I wish to take away." At this moment the hansom drew up. Mrs Jury got in and told the man to drive to the Tudor Hotel, Pimlico. Jack thanked her again for her kindness and premised to call on Mr Jonas to arrange about taking possession of the cottage. When the hansom had driven away he stood at the door of the mansion, wondering at his good fortune, and staring after the retreating vehicle. As it turned the corner he saw a man cross the road. At oncn Jack recognised .him by the Email round cap with the gold embroidery. It was Hafiz, and he disappeared after tlio cab containing Jlre 3ury. Forgetting that he was bareheaded,' Jack ran along, tho street and turned the corner to see- what the Farsee was doing. Ho arrived just in time to see him get into another cab and follow Ihe wovnan. Then the smiles of the passersby recalled to Jack the fact that ho liad no hat on, and he returned to his studio. It was no use following Hrifiz. "What the deuce dors the fellow mean?" lie wondered, as hn began to work. "I can't see why lie should think Mrs Junius the Eye. Yet that is his idea undoubtedly, else he would not keep a watch on her. " She has been good to me, and may 1)2 in danger from this creature." Ho reflected for a moment, and then throw down his brush. "I'll call and see Count Ivan," slid Jack ivitli a determined air, " hn will know how to deal with the man." Count Ivan proved to be at home. The gigantic Tartar servant vim answered to the name of Nicholas, said that his master was sleeping. J.uik would hive left his card and departed, but Nicholas insisted that he should wait. Count Ivan had given instructions thst whea Mr Tyson, called he should be asked in. Rather puzzled by this thoughtfiOuess. Jack went into the drawing-room, and in a few moments was

oino4 by the Russian. •• Good-day, Mr Tyson," said the Count ■lvaeio'.isly, '"have you come to give me he Jade Hyp' , " lie spoke in rather 9. high-pitched tone, ind when he- I'.irncd towards the light I'yson noticed that- his eves were unlaliinlly bright. He seemed like a man n a di'esrn, and sat down with a lieavy liglu as though 119 could not stand. About lie modi there was a queer smell. Jack •emembered to have smelt the same in Paris in the room of a man who was reputed an opium-smoker. Ho sniffed, for ilie odour was disagreeable, Ivan guessed bis thoughts ami laughed. " I smoke opium," he confessed coollj, " yes that is"llie smell, and I daresay it is Sisaai-eeable to you. I learned the" habit in China, and when I am worried I always take to it o.isiin." _ "Perhaps I had butter come another way," said .Tack, looking at him with strong distaste. "Your head is'not clear." " There you are wrong; my head is very clear indeed. Opium dues not always rtupify, and I have only had two pipes as yet." "It's a bad habit, Count/' " All agreeable habits are bad, Jlr Tyson. But I assure von it is only on special occasions (hat I take to the black smoke. At present T am worried, and so seek refuse in oblivion." '' Arc you worried about the Jade Eye?" asked Tyson, fioing stnight to the point, and Tvan nodded. "It nearly came into my possession," he said, "but now I have lost it." "Ah! So Marthas had it after all?" Ivan opened his bright eyes, and seemed to he at onre. on the alert. "How did ynu liiinw that Jfarthiif had the Jade Eye?" he asked quickly. "Well," replied Jack, considering what

he should ray, " I met Mart-has coming to visit you mi (lie day I called here lust. f thf.uylit it might be tn lend you money, lint al'l.'.';' Ins murder, f learned —it matters v.ol bow—lh.il the Jade Eye was in his shop. Or vr.tlicr." add«d Jack, correcting himself, "ir,hacl been in \\h; shop. After his murder it- disappeared." '■ Anil you no (l»ii!)t t-liink (list T killed him to get it," sakl Ivan with a laugh, but also looking keenly at the young man, "romo now, Mr Tyson?' , Jai;l; flushed a trifle. ''Some such thought was in my mind," he said. "I have uo right to. suspact you. though." "You rcrtainly have not!" replied thi Count with a fierce looh. '' Another and loss amiable man would he inclinur] lo make trouble five , . , this accusation. Mr Tysun. lint I can afford to latiyli at. it." lie' iwe, and struck (ho silver bill that wa.-: nn Ins writing table. " I don't ueeivse- you!" cried Tyson hotly. "I only thought it a qiifer coincidence t::at the Jade Kvv should In missing after tin murder. As you wanted (he J;uh: Kye, I fancii'd—" " H'ifiz ,il«o wanted the Kye," interrupted Ivan, with ,1 sneer; "why not accuse him? Ah! here is Nicholas." he added as the big man swung into the room. "Nicholas, E want- you to tell Mr Tyson, where I was on the night the 'lew was killed." " I don't wish to know," protested Jack, "really. Count, I apologise for my suspicions." "I must put myself right," replied Ivan determinedly. "On what date was the murder committed?" Nicholas was turning over ilia pages of a diary which lay on the table. "Little Father," he said standing very erect, "it was on the 241 h of April. You were supping with the ladv. Miss Sail." "With Rebabli!" cried'.Jack quickly. Count Ivan nodded. " I remember now," he said easily, and the fumes of the smoke seemed to have passed away, leaving his head dear. "I went to the tho.itre tn see her dance. She did not appear, and an apology was made for her absence. With Nicholas on the box of my carnage I drove to the house of Miss Salt in South Kensington, and found iier unwell. All the same she insisted that- I should stop and'have supper. I was fit her house from half-past-nine till 12. So you see, Mr Tyson, I could lint have committed lllis crime. If I remember rightly, it was about 11 o'clock that Marihas wr.s strangled." "You arc quite right, Count." said Jack coldly. "1 am sure you did not- tee the. wretched old man on that night. I apologise for iny suspicions." Ivan waved Nicholas out of the room, and lioivcd ironically. "Yuti are very good," he said. "I may tell you that Marthas came tn see me and offer the Jade Kyc for sale. He refused to take the £590 I offered, and insisted on getting £2000. I refused. "Why did he put up the prices" asked Tyson astonished. Ivan shrugged his shoulders. " Probably because he was a Jew, and Jews are never satisfied with what- is offered. He got an idea- that there was money in the business. I did not tell him the story I told you, Mr Tyson. In fact I merely said that I wanted the Kye. Unfortunately, I betrayed my eagerness, and he refused to sell. He took the Jade Eye away, and wrote me a letter offering to sell it- for £2000. I declined to give such a ridiculous sum, and I saw nothing more of him. Xo one was more surprised at his death than I was,—and marc disgusted, Mr Tyson! Whosoever killed the man did :o to obtain possession of the Eye." Jack nodded. " I see tlut you suspect Hafiz," he said, "but you are wrong. Simewhere about ths hour of the murder, Ilaiii

was at Chesleigh. I saw him myself lurk-' ing about the jluseitm—keeping an eye on Janshce, I suppose." Ivan started In hi.? feel, and began In pace the lloor excitedly. " But it is impossible," said lie, " I told Hafiz that Mavi has had the. Eye, and asked him to sec if lie could get it at. a less price. It is rny belief that llafiz offered a price, that Marthas refused to take it, and that the Version then strangled him. I have no proof. \n. But lam sure." '■ I swear that ILifiz wai at Chesleigh!'' said Jack. "lie is not guilty." Count Ivan threw up his lamb. "Tiini I do not know who can have got possession of the Jartc Eye," said lie. "Shall yon ever b? able to leuvn?" "I think so," said Jack grimly: "from what you say the Eye is uHfss without tin image." " But assuredly. Ye- , ." "Then I shall'take the image nut of the Museum and keep it in my own possession. Anyone who wishes lo replace (he Kye in the forehead mush come lo me. Theii I'll know how (n deal with the ronUev." '•How.can you take away the idol Janshee':" asked Ivan frowning. ''Very easily. I am the executor of my nnde's will. He left that imago lo his daughter." "I did nut know (tat ho had a daughter." "Why should you?" replied Jack. "Yi-s: my Uncle Fiiscns was married, and lost his wife, after she had given birth to n daughter. When the child was two yours of age she was stolen. The nurse took her out one day mid nt.ver came back. There was no reason for tin child being so stolen. My poor uncle always thought that sho would reappear, and died in that belief. When she does (urn up and establish her identity, I shall give up the idol to her. Meanwhile I must take «etns lo put it in safety, As. the Jade Kye lias been the cause of a crim?, Count, who knows but that the idol miy lead to trouble?" "True, , ' said Ivan thoughtfully. "I suppose you would not sell the idol to me, Mr Tyson?" "Certainly not. Wliy do you want it?" "I told you. To lake Iμels to my island kinediim. and—" " Pardon me, Count, I cannot believe (hat wild story." "II is t'riif. for all that." said Ivan coolly. II: did not seem at all vexed at having his words doubted. "I can tell you neither more or less. But I am willing to wait until you catch the assassin of Martinis, and recover the Jade Eye. The idol is unless to me without it. I expect you will bo able to (rap the assassin in the way you speak of. When will you remove Janshce from his present position?" ''I don't know." said Jack not wishing to be too communicative: "at present the idol is quite safe. No one will touch it. lint this man, Hafiz, is keeping a watch on a. certain Mrs J'.try. Do you know that?" Count Ivan shook his head." JTo. Hafiz has his own gniue to play. I see but little cf him. Who is Mrs Jury?" "•She was my uncle's housekeeper." "Ah! Then she may know about the Jade Eye." "I don't think so. 'Hafiz does ap ; parcntly, or he would not fullow her." * "Well, Mr Tyson," Ivan yawned. ''I can only advise you to see the police about Hafiz. He is a dangerous man, and if he suspects that this woman has the Jade Eve. she :'s in danger of her life." ""That may b?. I'll see to it. But Hafiz certainly did not kill Marthas." " As you pleaw, but these things do not trouble mo now. I am too happy. Ml Tyson. The Jade Eye! I can attend tc