THE NOVELIST. [Published By Special Arrangement.] THE SEARCHLIGHT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3084, 23 April 1913, Page 62

THE NOVELIST. [Published By Special Arrangement.] THE SEARCHLIGHT.

By RALPH RODD. Author of “Whispering Tongues,” “Marriage by Capture,” “The Sneak,” “A Step in the Dark,” etc., etc. [Copyright.] ’CHAPTER XIII. IE library at Dycedale Manor was perhaps the most beautiful room in a peculiarly picturesque house. Centuries ago it had been built out as as annexe from the main structure. Now it was overgrown with ivy, which seemed to bind' it lovingly to the parent building, • It was a lofty room, with timbered roof and bookshelves which entirely lined the walls. The windows were of stained glass, through which the light shone with mellowed beauty. Only one was transparent, and from it the student, glancing from his book, could gain a vista of the richly-wooded park. The place was the very embodiment of dignified quietude, and Mess o’ Swift’s, a little solitary figure in the great chamber, longed for the noisy activity of her beloved ironworks. The solitude was having its effect on old Sam Swift’s daughter; but it was not only the solitude that was depressing her. Boss was face to face with what she meet dreaded—failure. She had come to Dycedale in a whirl of enthusiasm ; the very case with which she had gained her object bad seemed to promise success Boss had laughed at Sir Mervvn’s qualms; she would have none of them.' The great Clifton Kendal had said that the only thing he could think of was to send down someone to discover whether it was a fact that there was man or woman at the Manor in communication with Cnlin’o enemy. Once find out that, and the lawyer was of opinion that the other questions might also be answered. Bess had been quite cure that, if anyone could find out what. Mr Kendal wanted to know, she could ; Bess had her father’s own belief in doing a thing oneself.

Now her confidence in her own powers was beginning to waver. She had been a whole fortnight at the Manor, and not only had she failed to discover anything, but it was fast being brought home to her that- there was nothing to discover. Never was there a more peaceful or better-ordered household. If Ress could have found one suspicious point ho watch she would have been happier. It was as impossible to suspect the homely old housekeeper as that pillar of respectability the butler, and the same thing applied to every servant about the place. Sir Mervyn and Colin had been quite right. Miss Ardyce’s household was above suspicion. The girl went on with her uncongenial task. How she, hated all those rows of silent books in their dull leather bindings! Title after title was written down, author, date, and place of publication,

and all the time Bess was telling herself that she would have to go away soon. It would be bad enough to have to admit to others that she had failed, but a thousand times worse to have to confess to herself that her grand plan for helping uolin Ardyce had come to nothing. She had so wanted to be the one to help him! The door of the library opened. Bess glanced up from the pile of notes which she was trying to bring into some sort of order, and she saw Miss Ardyce and her companion coming up the room. The lady of the Manor held her head as high as ever. Miss Mellor, on whose arm she leaned—it was ‘only when they were alone that Eleanor Ardyce would allow herself even that sign olf weakness—wore her habitual look „of harassed humility, and her pale blue eyes bore traces of team.

“ Morning, Miss Swift. How are you getting onr’ Bess got up as she murmured a noncommittal answer. She had not got on very fast, but was not quite prepared to throw up her task just yet. Miss Ardyce sat down in the big chair Bess had vacated, and she glanced at the notes and the big sheets of foolscap on which they were being transcribed. The girl drew up another chair. “Won’t Miss Mellor sit down? She is looking so tired.” Bess was so sorry for the faded lady of uncertain age. “Oh, no, I’m not at all tired, thank you.” the companion said hastily. Miss Ardyce glanced up at her. “Sit down, Jane, and don’t be foolish. Really you are enough to make Miss Swift think I beat you.” She smiled at her not unkindly; in her own way she was really very fond of the woman who had been her faithful companion for years. “If you do not think anything of 'the sort, Miss Swift, you’ll be quite wrong. I defy you to guess what this .silly creature has been crying about.” Miss Ardyce was in a gracious mood. “I’ve just been telling her that when I die she’ll come in for a very considerable share of my money. And instead of asking how long I intend to live, she melted.” The speaker sniffed contemptuously, then she patted Miss Mellor’s arm. “There, there, Jane,” she said, “you can’t help being a silly creature, and perhaps it is just as well.”

Mellor used her handkerchief

Miss hastily “I am sure, dear Miss Ardyce, I hope you’ll outlive us all. But if you will talk about such dreadful things, you force me to remind you of one who has a far better claim upon your generosity.” Miss Ardyce rapped , the table with her knuckles.

“Jane Mellor, I thought I told you I would not have that man’s name mentioned in mv presence again.” And having made than announcement, Miss Ardyce, like a true woman, proceeded to do the forbidden thing herself. “Whether I leave you a penny or not makes no difference to my nephew. For me Colin Ardyce has ceased to exist. He is merely an extremely unpleasant memory which I trust the beneficent hand of time will obliterate.” Then the inexorable old lady folded her hands and nodded her head with a gesture of appalling finality. Bess stooped to examine one of her notes, and she made a mark with her pencil. This was the first time she had heard Colin’s name mentioned in that house.

“ I can only say, dear Miss Ardyce, that you are very unkind to poor Mr Colin. I feel sure you will regret it gome day.”

“And I am quite sure I shall do nothing of the sort, though you may regret trying my temper too far.” snapped the mistress of Dycedale. “Nobody can say I passed judgment on the wretched young man. I entirely suspended it until he was publicly disgraced in a court of justice. Then, and not until then, I washed rnv hands of him.”

The heart of Bess the impetuous was beating furiously. It was so cruelly hard to stand there and listen to her friend being maligned without saying a word in his defence. “ft wag Dr Ledbury' who was on his trial, not Mr Colin,” objected Miss Mellor with unwonted hardihood. “I can’t help feeling that the horrid man may have taken advantage of some—er —some scrap of old gossip ” “You’re talking like a fool. The fact of it is, Jane Mellor, you’re like a silly young girl over a handsome ne’er-do-weel. You ought to know better at your age; you’re old enough to be his mother.” The listener’s feelings were of a mixed order. Somehow it was not pleasant to hear again of another’s infatuation for Colin Ardyce. and Bess was inclined to applaud that last remark. Then generosity triumphed. Jane Mellor was a dear to speak up for the absent like that. It was very brave of her, too. when her autocratic ‘employer had forbidden her even to mention his name. It was more noble still to be so afraid of profiting by his disgrace. “I shall never forgive this Dr Ledbury; I shall always feel that it was he who made vou turn against your own flesh and blood.” “Well, and if be did? It wasn’t his fault: and he has certainly nothing to gain bv it. I’m not going to leave mv money to a total stranger, am I? If he’d been a poor relation, trying to oust Colin, there’d be some sense in your dislike. As it is, you might as well reserve your anger for the policeman at the door of the court or the judge on the bench.”

Boss jn =t stopped herself nodding her head. Miss Ardyce had put her finger on the weak spot. If Norris Ledbury had no possible interest in the mistress of the Manor, then all the evil lie bad brought about was inexplicable. Suddenly sbe remembered the telephone message, that mysterious message from I)ycedale which declared that Miss Ardyce

was unwell when she was at that very moment travelling up to London to see her solicitor.

The girl forgot her role in the interest of the moment, and then she became uncomfortably aware that Jane Mellor s pale blue eyes were regarding her curiously. Bess dropped her own, and tried too late to appear absorbed in her work. ! f the companion guessed that she was taking too much interest in Miss Ardyce s affairs, she might, and probably would, give her employer a bint that she was talking very freely before a stranger. “So you see, Jane, you can do no good by pleading for your dear sinner. Indeed, if you’re a wise friend of his, you 11 hope that he has gone to the wilds where he is not known. There is still time for him to do honest work, and no good can come of his hanging about England in the hope of stepping into my shoes.” Miss Ardyce rose as she finished speaking, and turned to Bess. “You must not keep too close to your work. Miss Swift. I always insist upon members of ray household taking the air every dav. It saves doctors.”

Tone more than words suggested that the speaker intended to intimate that the recent topic must not be referred to again. But for once Jane Mellor, tisuallv the most tactful of companions, failed to understand. She had drifted a little wav apart, and was gazing out of the window. Now she turned, and, bv doing so, found herself exactly opposite the girl, who was still making a great show of sorting her papers. “Hear Miss Ardvoe. I know I oughtn t to keep anything from you,” Jane Mellor said. “Mr Colin is in Dycedale.” The announcement was made with curl ous abruptness, nor was Miss Mellor looking at her emploj'er as she spoke. If her half-veiled eyes were fixed on anyone, the object of her scrutiny was Miss Ardyce’s new employee. *‘T hope I haven’t startled you,” the speaker went on ouickly—ft was not Miss Ardyce who had started —“I thought I ought not to lot you think that Mr Colin had gone abroad when really he is staying with Sir Mervyn at the Towers. \ou might meet him any day, and the shock would be so bad for you.” “Rubbish! I’m m->t in love with the bnv.” snapped the old lady as she turned away. Jane MAlnr stole one more glance at Bess. Why had the girl betrayed excitement at Imr news? Even now her cheeks were flushed. The glances of those two met. Miss Mellor shook hr head, and she smil"d a sad little smile, as though she said. “Yon see what a hard-hearted dame we have to serve.” “Until lunch time.” she murmured, and 1 h«.n she followed her employer down the hiy room. The test she had just made had succeeded perfectly. As she went Jane Mellor was weighing the surprising discovery she had made: Miss Ardvee’s new protegee wao interested in Miss .Ardvee’s nephew. That in itself was sufficiently noteworthy under the circumstances, but what was much more important was to find out whether there was any connection between the girl’s interest in Cohn AHvcc and her presence at Dycedale Manor. CHAPTER XIV. Dr Ledbury sat in his consulting room in Harley street, and in the patient’s chair to the right of the desk was a small, keen-faced man of middle age, a man of strongly-marked features, who had a habit of pursing his lips and bending very bushy brows. Mr Percival was doing both at that moment, and the very tone in which he addressed the doctor proved that he was not a patient. It was so free from that rather piteously ingratiating manner in which the sufferer approaches the man who, he feels, holds the awful secrets of the future in his hands.

“My dear Ledbury, it is no good. I can go no further. I can neither lend you money nor raise it for you. There is a limit for each man; you have reached yours.” Dr Ledbury’s face had grown a little white, though he tried to conceal his embarrassment.

“As bad as that?” be said. “Oh, come, come, Percival, you’re not going to throw me over.”

“That is not a fair way of putting it.” returned the other. “A man doesn’t throw you over because he cannot carry you Qii his shoulders any longer. And I have been carrying you, Ledbury; that is what it comes to.” “I am not ungrateful.” “ A man can’t live on gratitude.” The eyebrows were bant lower than ever. “Now, I don’t want to bo disagreeable : I only want you to understand the position. I guaranteed your overdraft, and the bank threatens to come down on me if you don't reduce it. I’ve lent you money out of my own pocket—good mini, tonyou are unable to repay it, and you can’t even keep up the interest. Lcodjiess knows what debts vou have, but I should surmise that there are a good manv.”

“And von would not be far wrong.’

“At least you don’t mince matters.” “ Never,” returned T.-rdburv. And he tried to speak with a decree of confidence he would have given much to have felt. “Percival. I am dealing with 3-011 more as a friend than a man of business. lam unphiasanllv hard up. Things have "one wrong

of In to —old patients have died, young rivals v;ith influence have pushed their wav in. private asvlums are disapproved nf by the law. the best-known brain specialists to-dav are officials ” That’s all well ; but vhat are vou going to do?” The man who stood to lose a considerable snnr wag speaking without heat or passion. “ Yon know, doctor, this sort of thing costs monev ” He waved his hand round the room. “I dou’t eav you fling it about, but you do yourself pretty well.”

The other nodded readily. > “And the day 1 stop i am ruined. Norris Ledbury leaned acrcss the corner of the table “ l)o you think a man in my position likes wasting money ? If you do, you don’t know much about me or human nature, i ask for nothing better than a quiet life and an adequate income; I can’t have either. Suppose I leave Harley street and go to some cheap suburb, what becomes of my practice! It may not be big; but it is too good to throw in the gutter. Suppose I wear shabby clothes and favour penny buses, cut my clubs and all the rest of it, 1 should save a few hundred a year and lose a thousand.’’

The other nodded thoughtfully. “True,” hi admitted; "but tlie trouble is that what you make goes to keep Ur Ledbury and Hr Ledbury’s position, not to pay off Hr Ledbury’s liabilities. My dear fellow, I want to be accommodating. We have been friends for eo long. if only 1 thought that you had any chance of getting hold of a reasonable lump sum some day, hang- it, I’d stretch a point!” “ Unfortunately, when you speak of chance you mean something cut and dried—a reversionary interest that I could take into the money market and sell, eh, Percival?” The financier smiled at the specialist s knowledge of finance. “Right,” he said —“quite right. That is what we usually mean. In your case, Ledbury, I am willing to make an exception. Prove to me that you have a fair level chance of coming into, say, six thousand pounds ” “ Multiplied by ten or so. Yes, I have what you please to term a level chance. Personally, 1 rate it higher than that.”

Mr Percival smiled cynically. ‘ How odd that yon iorgot to mention it before.” ‘‘l knew that you wouldn’t believe me if I did. You don’t believe me now. Why should you? I can give you no names, no particulars, only the bare statement. And I admit that I am speaking of a probability, not of a certainty.” The other man looked at the speaker curiously. What impressed him most was Dr Ledbury’s obvious desire not to m;slead him. ' Most men exaggerate their prospects. This one was certainly not painting his in too vivid colours. ” You would hardly suggest that this possibility, or probability, or whatever you like to call it, amounts to security for any loan raised?”

” Not for a moment,” agreed the doctor, blandly. ‘‘l should not insult you by asking for so much as a five-pound note. All I want to point out is that fire probability exists of my acquiring a large sum shortly, from which I could, without missing it, pay back every penny I owe, together with a reasonable sum for your patience. Whereas, if you press me for immediate payment ” “I know —I know,” interrupted Mr Percival, ‘‘the old threat of the impecunious—‘ Press me, and I shall go bankrupt, and pay a shilling in the pound!” Lsdbury, you really must tell me more if you want mo to help you. What sort of a windfall are you referring to? Been gambling in rubber, or backing a ‘ wild cat ’ gold mine?” ‘‘No; nor yet backing horses,” returned Ledbury, smilingly. And then an odd look which Mr Percival found it difficult to understand came into the speaker’s eyes. “ I’ve been backing human nature, its frailties, and its passions.” “Find it remunerative?”

Ledbury shrugged h;s shoulders. “I’m a business man,” Percival went on, “ and I like plain speaking. Never mind human nature. Tell me where the money comes in.”

“ A legacy—a big legacy, Percival. Perhaps I ought to say a fortune.” “ That sounds very well. Who is the testator?”

“ I can’t give you the name —I said so before. It wouldn’t do, Percival.” The keen eyes were still on the speaker. A clever business man need not necessarily be sceptical. The financier knew that many doctors have received handsome legacies from grateful patients. “Man or woman?” he queried. “Woman.”

Percival gave a little quick nod of satisfaction. So many women have left their money to men who have won their gratitude or esteem. He was not going to sav so, however.

“Women live longer than men,” he grumbled. “And this lady is only 68,” the doctor returned unexpectedly. Then he leaned towards the man in the patients’ chair. “I am ashamed to mention it,’ he said, “but the lady’s heart is in such a state that her life hangs on a thread.”

“Creaking doors.” “Precisely. Nobody knows that this lady is a creaking door except her doctor and the lady herself. She may very well live for a considerable time, or she mav die painlessly to-morrow : the probabilities are in favour of the latter—l regret to say.”

Mr Percival smiled slightly at the last words.

“ Anri should this poor lady die you seriously suggest ?” He was riot watching his companion’s face now. but his hands. They fascinated him. Norris Ledbury’s strong fingers made as though thev were grasping something; they might already haye been raking in the gold he had spoken of. “Quito a considerable sum. Percival.” the doctor interrupted. “I canH giye vou the exact figures, but certainly over fifty thousand pounds—perhaps twice as much. Now you know just how T stand.”

The financier pot. up. “Very -well.” lie said abruptly. Tie was not at all the man to betray any feelina in such a matter. The sum he stood to lose would not ru'n him, though, not unnaturally, he hated losinp it. “Very well. Lcdbnrv. take your time—onlv remember the interest is accumulating.” “Oh, naturally.”

“I will arrange with the bank; for the

rest you must manage for yourself. .I’ve no more money to give you. But, for the present, at any rate, you shall not be worried. Now I must be going. Goodmorning !” Ledbury rang the bell, and the servant he shared with the other professional occupants of the house showed the visitor out with due ceremony. As the door closed, Norris Ledbury let his features relax, but instead of betraying signs of the relief his creditor’s patience should have caused, the expression of anxiety which was becoming habitual returned to his face.

He had talked glibly of probabilities. The very will on which everything depended might not yet have been drawn. He had been wonderfully successful in that part of his scheme which depended upon his own activities. Colin Ardyce had been disposed of; it was impossible to imagine him causing any more trouble. Surely there was no room in England for tlie .man who had been publicly disgraced. Miss Ardyce’s resentment' was deadly, and she was never tlie woman to change her mind.

The man passed his hand across his face. At one moment all seemed so satisfactory, the next so uncertain, and always there was the fear of time failing him. Time might play so many tricks ! M:ss Ardyce might die before she had made her will, or, having made it, she might go on living too long. The money might come too late to be of any use to the man who had all his life long been crippled by the want of it. The telephone bell rang. Ledbury picked up the receiver listlessly. He was giowing so obsessed bv his nil absorbing interests in his .profession. “ Hullo! Yes. Norris Ledbury.” He had recognised Jane Mellor’s Aoice at once, and all his apathy had gone. If the woman could have seen his face she would have realised how welcome the call was. But that would not have quickened her pulse in the least.

The man was crouching over the receiver. His attitude betrayed intense eagerness, and, as he listened to the words which came over theiwire, his expression underwent manv changes. He was alone in the room, there was no need to conceal his emotions: those who only knew the suave, self-composed Dr Ledbury would scarcely have recognised him in the eager, absorbed-man, torn by the relentless talons of greed. “ I’ve been waiting. You told me not to write. What do you say? She came up to London the very day of the trial. Had you forgotten our arranged code? What?”—the brows were bent in startled perplexity —“you did scud a message? Where?” The hand that was not grasping the receiver was working with impatience. And then, as the words he was waiting for reached him, Norris Ledbury’s jaw suddenly fell. “You sent the message to Oswald Gore’s house the afternoon of the trial ? But I was there. What time? You are sure? A woman answered you i Tel! me the words you used.” He wanted to make sure that she had not forgotten the prearranged sentence which was to have told him that Miss Ardyce had taken steps to carry out her threat of what she would do if her heir failed to clear his character. The wire was working excellently. Jane Mellor’s answer was very distinct. “ I said, ‘ Please tell Dr Ledbury that Miss Ardyce is unwell.’ ” The man passed the back of his hand across his forehead. It was moist. “ Well, now, listen to me, and then you’ll understand how necessary it is to be cautious. 1 can only hope that it did no harm this time; but, as a matter tf fact, that message must have been leceived bv Gore’s half-sister, a young person I don’t at all like. They call her Elizabeth Swift, and I have an idea she is interested in Colin Ardyce. It certainly looks bad, her never having given me your message, though possibly she may have forgotten it. What’s that ? You know that the will has been made, and that it is very much in your favour? Good !”

For the first time some of the cloud lifted itself, but only for an instant, for then over the man’s face there came a look almost of terror. “What!” His voice was shrill with agitation. “What? Speak clearly! Yon must be wrong—Elizabeth Swift at Dvcedale Manor ! Elizabeth Swift, one of the wealthiest girls in England, masquerading as a paid dependent of Miss Arydce ! Great heavens! Jane, what has she guessed? What docs she know?”

The calm, unemotional tones of <he woman came as a contrast to the man’s ur.governed agitation “I have yet to find out,” was all Jane Mellor said. (To be continued.)