Time, The Avenger

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXI, Issue 2721, 21 November 1910, Page 4

Time, The Avenger

(Ali Rights Reserved.)

THE UNRAVELLING OF A STRANGE WILL MYSTERY.

By HEDLEY RICHARDS,

Author of "The Haighs of Hillcrest," "From Mill to Mansion,," "Diana's Inheritance," Etc., Etc.

TWENTIETH INSTALMENT

CHAPTER XXI. MADAME'S PURCHASE

" Hugh, I want to impress upon you that it is my desire that you should marry Mona Dalrymple," said Mr/ Hudspith.

"She wouldn't have me, ami, tc tell the truth, I don't care for her,' Hugh replied carelessly.

They were in the morning room, Nina having driven into tlie town. Mr. Hudspith had seized the opportunity of speaking to his son, and now he leaned forward, saying impressively :

"Hugh, I have saved a good deal, but if this place was to pass away from me—if my cousin was to appear and prove his innocence—it would make a great difference to you ; but supposing Mona Dalrymple was your wife, it wouldn't matter. She is a great heiress."

The earnestness in his father's manner struck Hugh and there was anxiety in his tone, as he asked : "Is there any danger of this cousin coming forward ? " Mr. Hudspith lowered his voice as he said : "I have heard something that has made me uneasy ; but not a word to Nina or any one. I only tell you tc let you see how desirable it is for you to marry money and that without loss of time. I know there is some entanglement with that girl .at Gelder Inn, but I advise you to keep her in the dark until you have won Miss Dalrymple."

" I don't think she will have me," said Hugh, decidedly.

"I think her father would favour your suit. Speak to Mr. Dalrymple first, then go to Mona backed by his consent."

Hugh rose and paced the room. He was' -thiiiking ■of Louise. He tvould father have her without a penny than Mona with all her father's gold and her raother's land.

"If this cousin should appear and prove his innocence you would still be a wealthy man, and Nina and I would be provided for," he said.

" You would have something, but I want you to have a position such as I have, and Mona Dalrymple will make a charming wife."

Again there was silence. Hugh was weighing his chances of acceptance. He did not think Mr. Dalrymple liked him ; in fact he felt pretty sure he would be refused, and even if her father consented he "was sure Mona would not. But if he did as his father wished, and Mona refused him, it would stand in his favour when he brought Louise home as his bride.

" I'll see Mr. Dalrymple," he anBwered.

" Then do it at once. You will not gain anything by delay."

Without a word, Hugh rang the bell and ordered his horse, then left the room, and shortly alterwards Mr. Hudspith saw him ride hown the avenue.

" I think iTalrymple will consent to the marriage which, will one day make his child mistress of his old home. Of course, he will know it is doubtful whether he can prove his Innocence," Mr. Hudspith mused.

"When Hugh reached Housesteads he was told that Mr. Dnirymple was on the lawn.

"Then I'll join him there," he said to the footman who was going to, show him.into the drawing room.

Going round the end of the house, he went through a small gate and passed "into the park. The ' portion near the house*was always called the lawn, and there Mr. Dalrymple was seated, smoking and enjoying che fresh summer breeze.

"Good morning, Hugh," he said, is the latter held out his hand. " Won't you sit down ? " he added, moving a low basket-chair towards aim. . .

Hugh sat down then looked round to see if the drawing room windows were open, but they were not bo he gathered courage. He did not feel particularly nervous as he had nothing at stake. "Mr. Dalrymple, I'm thinling of marrying and settling down, and— and what do you say to giving me Mona ?" he said, blundering under the keen gase of his companion. "You mean that you want to marry my daughter ?" "Yes." "Then I say no, most emphatically. I happened to overhear a little conversation on the day of the inquest betweejti you and the girl at the Gelder Inn."

"Young men must have their fling, You had your own young days, Mr Dalrymple."

"Yes ; but I acted fair and square. I was never accused by any girl of breaking her heart. Hugh Hudspith, [ consider your offer an insult to my daughter, and I absolutely forbid you to mention the matter to her."

"Oh, I'm not going to fly in your Face. I told my father that l^had not the ghost of a chance, but I suppose he thinks as I'm heir to the Gelder estate that it covers a multitude of sins," said Hugh, in his usual blunt fashion.

"If you owned the estate, it wouldn't influence me. But are you the heir ? " said Mr. Dalrymple.

"It looks like it. If the othci lellow turned up, it's not likely be

could prove his innocence. Bu^ ] never thought my position wouUmmfluence you, and perhaps I'd better say good morning, as I see Lady Dalrymple and Mona coming out oi the garden;" and in another moment Hugh had departed. Mr. Dalrymple smiled. " His father put him up to that. Hugh doesn't care for her. I wonder if that poor felJow met Hudspith and told him the truth about me," he reflected. Then he shuddered as he thought what it might mean if U was proved that the man who had been drowned in Dead Man's Poo) had been with Mr. Hudspith the night of his death.

" Well, he doesn't look as if the loss of, the jewels troubled him," said Jones, the principal draper in Wittonbury to Smith, who had the largest grocer's shop in the place. They were standing talking in the High-street when Hugh Hudspith rode past.

" No, he seems to take life easily, but Miss Hudspith— I beg yourpardonl Good morning, ladies," said Smith, raising his hat as madame and Miss Penman, who had just come out of the latter's shop, paused.

They returned his greeting, and, having shaken hands with Mr. Jones, Miss Penman remarked . that they were saying something about Miss Hudspith.

" I was saying that the loss oJ her jewels seems to have told on her. I never saw a young lady so altered in a short time," said Mr. Smith.

" She felt her mother's death very much," observed Miss Penman.

"Yes, of course; it was proper and natural she should. But there's something more than that. There's worry and anxiety written as plainly as possible in her face, and I cannot think that if it's the jewels she's worrying about why Mr. Hudspith doesn't get a detective down from London. I consider the police here have been fools. That poor man who was drowned io Dead Man's Pool has been more than a week in his grave, and there's not a thing more known about it," said Smith.

" Mrs. Hayes is fine and vexed that they,don't stir themselves. She says the man will never rest in his grave until the truth is known," remarked Jones.

"Do you believe that story she is telling about seeing his face at the window?." asked Madame.

Before anyone could reply a voice at her elbow said :

. " It's not only Mrs. Hayes and Sally, the servant girl, but Slater, at the Vine Inn, has seen him." Looking round they saw a little Yed-haired man,, the principal tailor in Wittonbury. " When did he see him ? " asked Jones. " Only last night. He'd shut up the house and was going to close the shutters in the kitchen when he saw the dead man's face looking at him, and there was a grin on it, just as though he was enjoying himself. " What did Slater do ? " asked Miss Penman. "He rushed out of the room and sat down in the bar all of a heap, and it wasn't until he'd had a drop of brandy that he ventured into the kitchen. But the face had gone and tie put the shutters to in a twinkling." ' . ■ ■ "I don't know what to think. I uever did believe in ghosts," said Miss Penman. "It's most likely someone is personating him for a lark. The matter wants looking into. A detective '< trom London v/ould soon clear it ip," said: Mr. Smith. "Shall I send you one down, Mr. Jones ? I am going to London tomorrow;" .said maclame. " No, thank you, rnadamc. I've to do with my money. And I jxpect you'll be niore pleasantly engaged than hunting up detectives." " Yes ; I'm going to buy a lot of pretty things. You must send your wife and daughters to see them when I come back." " That means spending more money. I believe women would buy a love of a hat or a duck of a bonnet if the end of the world was coming," replied Mr. Smith. "But the end of the world.isn't coming. It's only that something aas stirred sleepy little Wittonbury jp," said madame.

" And enough to stir it up, a man drowned in the pool, a jewel robbery ■md a ghost. I don't think whatever Happened I should be surprised," remarked the tailor who had told them about the ghostly visitant at the Vine: Inn, and -wncf* evidently believed in it.

" Adieu, messieuTß ; my business will be waiting me;" and with a smile and a bow which appeared to smbrace the three, madame moved on, Miss Penman accompanying her.

" Now, that's what I call a graceful woman," said Smith, as the three =*azed after her.

"First-rate" manners^ She puts Miss Penman quite in the shade," remarked Jones. " She's a French woman, and they are always good style," observed the tailor. Then the three men walked leisurely down the street. When madame and Miss Penman reached the little shop in Marketstreet they saw that a pony-carriage was standing at the door, and as they entered the shop they heard Louise expatiating on the desirability of certain hats. " She's talking' to Miss HudspiJ.h. I'll wait here," said Miss Penman ; and madame came forward into the show room. She had not seen Nina Hudspith for some time, and was struck with the change in her. Not only was she pale, but her face had an anxious, worn look. But her manner retained its former pleasantness, as she said : " Good morning, madame." " Good morning, Miss Hudspith.

What kind cf hat do you require ? ' she asked, looking at one or two that Louise had brought out. " I want a large, shady one, please." " I understand. I think I have just what you wish ; but lam going to London to-morrow, and I shall have new stock in shortly, if you prefer waiting," replied madame, as sh< brought out a box which contained a few of her best hats.

" Now, that suits you. It woukl require trimming with a little chif fon," she said.

Nina Hudspith went to the mirror and as she surveyed hersolf sho, too, noticed the change in her looks, nnd she sighed.

" Yes, it will do. Can I Imvo it to-morrow, madame ? "

"Certainly, Miss Hudt*ptbh. My daughter has a genius for trimming hats. She seems to know by itiMtlnct what will bring out tho best nolntu in each face."

As madame spoke, Miss Hu<l»plth glanced up at Louise who wns regarding her intently, and who mentally pronounced her a hnudsomo girl but too bold-looking, totally unconscious that Louise was thinking that sho would one day bo Mrs. Hudspith of Gelder Hall, and a much greater person than the pale-faced little body she was waiting upon.

Nina wished the mother and daughter "Good afternoon," and took her departure ; and Miss Penman then joined them. All that day madame was busy, and early the aext morning she took the omnibus for the station, and was in time for the London train.

Late that night she arrived in the metropolis and took up her abode at a quiet respectable hotel, and after a long night's rest she set off to a certain shop of which she had been told, and there procured several skeleton keys, after which she visited various warehouses and looked at the principal milliner's shops ; but not one of her purchases gave, her the satisfaction that she derived from the bunch of keys that were securely stowed at the bottom of her bag. Two days later madame returned home, and gave a long account of what she had seen and done to Miss Holmes and I'Tirs Penman, -who called about fin hr.-jr -"■•■ V:r return ; but she .}]■''• • <■•-. --red about

CHAPTER JZXIT. '.' ViiS the thirr 1 nigjit aifcei' iiia(lalse TB retuTQ. As the clock struck twelve she left her room and quietly locked the door ; then she paused Dear Louise's room to listen, but there was not a sound, and madame reflected with satisfaction that the powder she had put into her daughter's tea had done its work. It was quite harmless but it would ensure Louise a sound sleep, and keep her from spjing on her mother's actions, which she was quite capable of doing If her curiosity was aroused. On other occasions when madame had found it necessary to be out at night her daughter had been away ; but this time she had not been so fortunate, hence precautions had been taken. Down the stairs and out of the house went madame, then she walked quickly through the principal streets, where she was less likely to be noticed, as both shops and houses were in darkness, than 'n the poorer auarters, where a drunken brawler was not an uncommon thing.

Few would have recognised her in lier dark cloak, with the hood drawn well over her head ; still she went at a rapid pace until she reached the Gelder road, then she walked more leisurely. It was a dark night, but madame knew every inch of the way. Presently she paused at the gate leading into the garden at the Hollies, and opened it very "quietly ; then she stole up the path and paus;d outside the parlour window. With a, knife she deftly moved back the fastener, then gently lifted the winiow, and moving the holland blind on one side stepped into the room, after which she closed the window, and taking a small lantern out of a big pocket in her cloak, held it so that the light fell into the room and the dark side was presented to the window.

Two seconds, more and she was sitting in front of the writing-table, which had numerous little drawers at each side. Taking from her pocket the bunch of skeleton keys, she unlocked first one then another drawer, till she saw what she wanted, and a faint sigh of satisfaction escaped her as she read in large letters :

"To be' given to my son, Lionel Richard Hudspith.'*

Placing the paper in her pocket she locked the drawer, and moved quietly to the window, which she opened, and in another moment had dropped nimbly into the garden ; then, she let the blind fall gently into place and she was going quickly down the lane in the direction of the town ; but she had not gone very far when she heard footsteps approaching, then voices, and she slipped through an open gateway and hid behind a hedge as two men came along. Peering through she was just able to make out that one was a policeman and the other a working man. She heard the latter say :

" I'm not keen about coming along here at night after that affair in the woods and what you heard about the man walking, but when your missis is ill you have no choice but fetch her a bottle from the doctor's. Da you go far ? " " Just to Gelder Park gates. The inspector has got ik into his head since the jewel robbery that one oJ us must have a looiv.-round every night." To be Continued.