GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4979, 11 April 1889, Page 4

GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY.

LITERATURE

CHAPTER LXYI. She said, ‘ I came to the same conclusion long ago ; but when.you said he was to be your husband ’ , Ah/ said Helen, ‘ we women are poor creatures,; we can always find some reason for running away from the truth. Now explain about the prayerbook.' ‘ Well, miss, I felt sure he would steal it, so I made Ned produce a fac-simile. And he did steal it, What you got back was your mother’s prayerbook. Of course I took care of that.’ 1 Oh, Mrs Underciiff,’ cried Helen, ‘ do let me kiss you,’ Then they had a nice little cry together, and by the time they had done the report was ready in duplicate. • I’ll declare this before a magistrate,,’ said the Expert, ‘ and then ITI send it to you.’ At four o’clock of this eventful day, Helen got a message from Burt to say that he had orders to arrest Robert Pen fold, and that she must wear a mask and ask Mr Wardlaw to meet her at old Mr Penfold’s at nine o’clock. But she herself must he there at half-past eight, without fail, and bring TTnderclift’s declaration and report with her, and the prayer-book, etc. Accordingly Helen went down to old Pentold’s at halt-past eight, and was received by Nancy Rouse, and ushered into Mr Fenfnld’s room ; that is to say, Nancy held the door open, and, on her entering the room, shut it sharply and ran down stairs. Helen entered the room ; a man rose directly and came to her ; but it was not Michael Penfold —it was Robert. A faint scream ; a heavenly sigh, and her head was on his shoulder, and her arm round his neck, and then clung to each other, and then gazed ao-ain with love unutterable. After a while they got sufficent composure to sit down hand in hand and compare notes. And Helen showed him their weapons of defence, the prayer-book, the Expert’s report, etc. A discreet tap was heard at the door It was Nancy Rouse. On being in - vited to enter, she came in, and said. ‘ Oh, Miss Helen, I’ve got a penitent outside, which he done it for love of me, and now he’ll make a clean breast and the fault was partly mine. Come in Joe, and speik-for yourpelf.’ On this Joe Wylie came in, hanging bis head piteously. , ‘.She is “right, sir,’ said he, ‘I am come to ask your pardon and the lady’s, Hot as 1 ever meant you any harm ; but to destroy the ship, it was a bad act, and I never throve since. Nance, she have got the money. I’ll give it hack to the underwriters ; and if you and the lady will forgive a poor fellow that was tempted with love and money ■why I’ll stand to the truth with you though it’s a bitter pill.' * I forgive you,’ said Robert, ‘ and I accept your offer to serve me.’ ‘ And so do I,’ said Helen. ‘ Indeed it is not us you have wronged. But oh, lam glad, for Nancy’s sake, that you repent.’ ‘ Miss, I’ll go through fire and water for you,’ said Wylie lifting up his head.

Here old Michael came in to say that Arthur Wardlaw was at the door with a policeman. ‘ Show him in,’ said Robert. *Oh no, Robert,’ said Helen, * he Alls me with horror,’

‘ Show him in,’ said Robert gently, • Sit down all of von,’

Now Burt had not told Arthur who was in the house, so he came, rather uneasy in his mind, but still expecting only to see Helen.

Robert Penlold told Helen to face the door, and rest to sit back ; and this arrangement had not been effected one second, when Arthur came in, with a lover’s look, and, taking two steps into the room, saw the three men waiting to receive him. At sight of Penfold, he started, and turned pale as ashes ; but recovering himself, said, — “My dearest Helen, this is quite an unexpected pleasure. You will reconcile me to one, whose worth and innocence I never doubted, and tell him 1 have had some little hand in clearing him.’

His effrontery was received in dead silence. This struck cold to the bones and, being naturally weak he got vio lent. He said, — * Allow me to send a message to rny servant,’ He then tore a page out ol hia memorandum-book, wrote on it : ‘ Robert Pen fold is here j arrest him directly, and send him away.’ And enclosing this in an envelope sent it out to Burt by Nancy. Helen seated herself quietly and said, ‘ Mr Wardlaw when did Mr Hand go to America.’ Arthur stammered out, ‘ I don’t know the exact date.’ * Two or three months ago ’ ‘ Yes.’ ‘Then the person you sent to me to to tell me that falsehood was not Mr Hand.’ ‘ I sent nobody.’ “Oh, for shame ! —lor shame ! Why have you set spies ? Why did you make away with my prayer-book ; —or wbat you thought was my prayer-book? Here is my prayer-book, that proves you had the Proserjune destroyed ; and I should have lost my life but for another whom you had done yonr best to destroy. Look Robert Penfolcl in the face if you can.’ Arthur’s eyes began to waver. ‘ I can,’ said he. ‘ I never wronged him. I always lamented his misfortune.’ ‘ltou were not the cause V „• Never !—so help me, Heaven. ‘Monster!’ said Helen, turning away in' contempt and horror. ‘ Oh that is it, is if V said Arthur, wildly. e You break faith with me for him. You insult me for him? I must bear anything from you ; but at

least, I will sweep him out of my path.’ He ran to the door opened it, and there was Burt listening. ‘ Are you an officer.’ ‘ Yes/

‘ Then arrest that man this moment. He is Robert Penfold, a convict returned before bis time.’

Burt came into the room locked the door, and put the key into his pocket. ‘ Well,’ said he to Robert,‘l know you are a quick hitter. Don’t let us have a row over it this time. If you have got anything to say, say it quite and comfortable.’

‘ I will go with you on one condition,’ said Robert. ‘ You must take the felon as well as the martyr. * This is the felon,’ and he laid his|hand on Arthur’s shoulder, who (cowered under the touch at first, but soon began to act violent indignation. ‘ Take the ruffian away at once,’ he cried.

‘ What ! before I hear what he has got to say ? ’ ‘ Would you listen to him against a merchant of the city of London, a man of unblemished reputation V ‘Well, sir, you see —you see we have got a hint that you were concerned in scuttling a ship : and that is a felony. So I think I ’ 11 just hear what he has got to say You need not fear any man’s tongue, if you are innocent.’ * Sit down if you please, and examine these documents,’ said Robert Penfold. ‘As to the scuttling of the ship, here is the deposition of two seamen, taken on their death-bed and witnessed by Miss Rolleston and myself.’ * And that book he tried to steal,’ said Helen.

Robert continued, ‘ And here is TJndercliff’s fac-simile ot the iorged note. Here are specimens of Arthur Wardlaw s handwriting, and here is Undercliff’s report.’ The Detective ran his eye hastily over the report which we slightly condense. (7b he Continued .)