“BALDOVIE.”

South Canterbury Times, Issue 6241, 13 June 1890, Page 4

“BALDOVIE.”

LITERATURE-

A. TALE OF CRIME AND MISFORTUNE.

That was a perfectly frank and straightforward answer, although not the one she had expected to receive from him * and it went far towards banishing bar doubts of his honesty. It had the immediate effect of producing the impression that she had been doing him grievous injustice in her thoughts. The revulsion of feeling was so strong that for a few seconds she even hesitated whether she ought nob to make him some amends by explaining her grounds for suspecting that he knew mere about the unhappy business than he had yet admitted. But she only said : ‘ Thank you, Mr Feuerheerd. The course you suggest is the right one—or rather it is the only one open to us. There is one particular question I want to ask. You knew a little of Mr William’s ways ?’ ‘ Very little,’ was the reply, shaking his head m deprecation of his ignorance. ‘Still you might know enough to have formed some idea whether or not there is any one who might have had a motive lor inveigling him away on that night. 1 ‘ I have absolutely no idea of any one, hut ’ He checked himself abruptly, and looked at her as if begging to be spared the necessity of saving more. ‘ Go on, please.’ ‘ Well/ he proceeded, after a brief pause, in which he seemed to make up his mind to speak out. ‘ I should much have preferred that the information should have been given to yon by Mr Dalgleish or the Fiscal—it is in their wav of business, and not in mine.’ ‘ Then there is something to tell—some suspicion V ‘There are two theories out of which we all believe something may come: and this letter you have found may be of material assissance. The first theory is that Mr William went away on his own accord, and desiring that for a time his whereabouts should not be known.’

‘ What motive could he possibly have had for leaving us when his father was so ill, and after he had only been a few hours in the house F’ ‘ About the motive we can only make vague guess, and I must ask you to let Mr Dalgleieh explain them to you. But we know he drew a considerable sum of money that day, and that he had as little idea as any of us—probably much less than any of us—that his father’s end was so near.’ ‘ To what doss all this point P’ 4 First, as I have mentioned, that he Went of his own accord ; and second, that, as the stranger who got the boat from Munro was evidently in his confidence, Mr William may have become involved with the man in some disagreeable scrape which he desired to conceal from you all.’ ‘ But the letter—he went to keep the appointment.’ 4 Ah, that introduces a new element, which suggests that Mr William may have been decoyed on account of the money be bad just procured. In that case, I do not like to think of what accident may have happened.’ She listened to the explanation of these theories calmly, to ouiwani appearance, but she was shuddering inwardly. It looked so plain—the money, the decoy letter, the stranger who had been able to present Will’s card, and then the capsized boat—everything pointed directly to the one horrible conclusion.

‘ Then, do you think there is no hope V she said in a subdued voice. 4 We will try to hope, or we could not exert ourselves at all. We are doing our best to find some of the railway and steamboat officials, who may have known Mr William, and who may be able to give us a description of any companion or servant who travelled with him. Then, if we can find any one who could identify that man, the large sum of money he must be carrying with him will help us to track him ’

4 My interest in bringing the criminal to "justice is nor. so keen as perhaps it ought to be. My first and greatest anxiety is to find Mr William, or at least to learn what has befallen him. From all that you have told me I do not derive much comfort, or see in it much prospect of getting at the truth.’ ‘But it shows you that you are leaving no stone unturned in order to unravel the tangled skein.’ 4 Yes, but it leads to the belief that he must be dead.’

‘ Oh, but you must not think that—at any rate, not yet. My moat esteemed friend, Mr Carmichael, used to joke to me in his kind way abont my habit of always looking on the worst side of things. He had a very accurate estimate ot my character, as he had of most people’s, and he was perfectly correct in this particular. I do always look at the worst side of things; but it is in order that I may may be prepared for it. Now, notwithstanding this peculiarity of my nature, even I do not give up hope that we shall see your stepson alive and safe. Surely then you will not abandon it?’ There was not a false note in his his voice. He made no affectation of extreme grief ; but whilst he spoke with ease, there was a customary respectful sympathy for her position in every look and gesture. Mrs Carmichael’s doubts of him became more and more dim. ‘ Although I cannot be so hopeful as you seem to desire me to be,’ she said, ‘ I shall not relax my efforts to clear up this s r racge affair. Good-day, Mr Feuerheerd.’ ‘ I presume you are going to see Mr Dalgleish ?’ ‘Yes.’ 1 Will you then grant me the very great favour of permitting me to accompany you?' She was somewhat taken aback by the request, but did not desire to give him a direct refusal. So she replied evasively:

* Your time is so valuable lhat I feel guilty of having already trespassed to long upon it.’ ‘ My time cannot be more profitably employed than in serving you in this or in any other matter.’ The object of the visit to the offices of the lawyers could not be accomplished that day. The head of the firm had been called to 800 a wealthy client, and no one could tell whether Mr Dalgleish would be able to return the same night or not. So Mrs Carmichael left a note asking him to call upon her when he came Deck, as she had important information for him. ‘ Will you go to the Fiscal next ?’ inquired Feuerheerd. * No, I shallf wait until I have seen Mr Dalgleish ; and, indeed, it would be better that ha should convey iho letter to the Fiscal.’ ‘ I am quite of your opinion, Mrs Carmichael. I suppose I can be of no more use to you this afternoon?’ he added, as if he would gladly accompany her ajlittle farther. ‘ No; but thank 3ou again, and gpod atternoon.’ . # The coachman received the brief order, ‘Home,’ and the horses started. '

Feuerheerd followed in the direction the carriage had taken, as it was for a short distance his way back to the office. His head was erect, he saluted acquaintances, stopped to exchange words with some of them, and acted in every respect as the cool, observant, successful man in business.

But all the time he was saying to himself, ‘T must have that letter’ and speculating on the means of obtaining possession of it.

{To he Continued,l