The Devouring Fire

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1931, Page 13

The Devouring Fire

Sb

Lora Gorell.

' CHAPTER XX.—(Continued.) "My opinion matters nothing, Mias Cary. Don’t let your regard for H weigh with you In the slightest. What the law will require Is proof. ?f you’ll take my advice— ’’ “Yes, yes; that’s what I want to iflo." “ You’ll get Mr Latham first to be absolutely frank. To conceal anything now would be fatal. Secondly, tell him to engage a good lawyer.” " We’ve done that. His friend, Mr Scott, who’s brilliant, Jimmy says, Is going to him at once, to-night.” " Good. Then concentrate on what you know, that two people same, a man and a woman, and that Mr Latham was alone. He must prove that if he can. And,” Mr Birch kid his hand gently on the girl’s Shoulder, " don’t lose heart. There’s more in this case than you’ve yet heard. I’m not at liberty to tell you *ll that Farrant has told me, but it'll wne out In due course —probably to-morrow at the inquest—and I'm sure of this at least, that It won’t go Against him. Just the other way; it’ll help to clear him.” “ You give me strength, Mr Birch. I am very grateful,” murmured Frances. "And won’t you help? I mean, won't you yourself do all you Gan? I know it’s asking a lot; you told me so often that nothing would induce . you to take up work again. But you’ll help Jimmy, won’t you?” Mr Birch looked at her eagerly pleading face x with a gleam in his deeply reflective eyes. “ I am helping,” he said quietly. “As I’ve said, Farrant is very kindly taking me into ills, confidence, and talking things over with me; I’ve told him already 4>n the , telephone this evening that I «an’t help thinking he’« been hasty. Jt was then that he told me Mr Latham had confessed. That silenced me, of course, but now you’ve added to my knowledge.. 1 thought Farrant was pursuing inquiries about the woman; he’ll still have to' do that. Don’t be afraid, my dear; I’ll help you as far as 1 can." With these words in her ears, and With the load on her heart a little lighter, than it had been since it was precipitated upon her, Frances took aer leave.* CHAPTER XXI. '"By • Person or Persons Unknown." After the excitement of the preceding day, the inquest came almost as an Anti-climax. For the most part -ths proceedings were formal. Latham wm not present, but his interests were watched by Richard Scott. It was no part of Farrant’s intention to disclose his case at that stage; he knew how incomplete it still was and would remain until he laid hand? upon the other visitor to the library, and the arrest, though, known, was not dwelt upon. No evidence was advanced to connect the nephew with •the Grange on the night of the murder. After the housemaid, Miss Oliver, Ewles, and Mr Bryce had in turn given their accounts, Farrant was called and briefly testified to his being summoned to the scene; he stated how he had found the body and referred to Dr. Whittaker. it was the latter who introduced the feature novel to the punlio mind. He Atated the results of his examination and then began to excuse himse.f "I saw he had had a knock on the head,” he said in his high-pitched old voice, "and he’s not a young man. It was enough, in my opinion, to have caused his death, ana of course 1 assumed It had done so. lam thankful to say deeds of violence are foreign to my experience. 1 had tne impression, though, that there had been foul play, but it was not until Dr Gowan caned on me tiiat evening that J was aware of the full extent of it. J subsequently assisted Dr. [Gowan at a detailed examination, and there can be no doubt that Mr Grimwade met his death by being stabbed to the heart with a hatpin.” This, which was now no news to the jury who had seen the wound, caused something of a sensation in court. To none present did it come with more startling effect than to Frances or Mr Scott. The former gave a little cry which was fortunately audible only to her motner; she felt a rebound from the deptus of her distress and her whole being was flooded with thankfulness, bne sank back against her mother, overcome, and was scarcely conscious of tlie remainder of the inquiry. Mr Scott, on hearing the causa of death, aiso gave a sharp exclamation; he haif rose In excitement from his seat as though eageriy to question the witness, but thought better of it and cat back with shining eyes and a quickly beating heart. nr Gowan was then called and in brisk, matter of fact tones confirmed Dr. Whittaker's reconsiuered views; he detailed his discovery of the real wound in the evening, when he had answered Sergeant Farrant’s call. inis concluded the inquiry; and in a few minutes came tne inevitable verdict of ’murder by a person or persons unknown.’ Both Farrant and Mr Scott were aatisiled; the latter lingered to speak to Frances, the former with a constrained acknowledgment of her identity passed quickly out into the street, and, avoiding the many acquaintances who showed an embarrassing desire to talk to him and, if possible, glean some information, got on his bicycie and rode off. As he pedalled along, .his thoughts were as busy as his feet. Bo far so good, but he recognised very clearly that" he had at most completed only a half of his case. He descended at Mr Birch’s oot<.oe, put his machine against the little paling and entered. He was greeted with cries of interest by Mrs Fitchett, and a warm, but troubled, kiss by his Mary. “What’s amiss?” he asked, holding her at arm’s length and viewing her With affectionate concern. “Nothing, Harry, nothing,” she responded eagerly; "but that poor iriri was here last night, and I do leel for her. It must be awful, and J saw afterwards why she looked at jne so queerly; she was thinking of you and me.” “You mean Miss Cary? She was here, was ehe? To see you or Mr . Birch?” •■Mr Birch. She’s often here to chat with him, but last night she looked all to pieces.” "I’m not surprised; she’s up against It ail right. And it was pretty beastly taking him off with her there. But,” Farrant’s tone deepened In gravity, “remember this, Mary noth-

| ing’s proved yet, not either way, it 18I After a few minutes alone with Mary, Farrant went out into the llttio I garden to find Mr Birch, who was j waiting to hear the verdict. I "Inquest this morning, wasnt it? 'he said, as Farrant approached. Open verdict, 1 suppose, or did they bring, it In against Latham?” "No, open verdict. All well so far. I had a word with Mr Johnson, the coroner-, and told him in confidence how the land lay. I didn t wan. a verdict against Latham yet 1 ’ "No, that wouldn’t have helped, "We’re only offering formal evidence of arrest before the magistrates too.” "Of course." "Mary tells me Miss Cary was round to see you last night,” remarked Farrant, after a moment’s pause, casually "Yes, I told you, I think, she’s rather a favourite of mine. In fact, she came to beg me to help her. "What did you say to that? Bit difficult, Isn’t it?" . _ "I said 1 was helping her — and 1 am, ‘Just as you decide, Mr Birob,’’ said Farrant, rather vexed. „- Bul 1 thought you were helping me. “My dear fellow, don’t misunderstand me. I am; you’ve the first Claim. If the two conflict, Im with you. But I can’t help thinking that thev don’t.” , . ” “You mean, you aren’t convinced that Latham did It? But, I heard him admit it 1” „ "Did you? Are you sure? Miss Cary isn’t. Farrant looked his surprise. . “I’d better tell you just what she told me,” explained Mr Birch, and proceeded to narrate with exactness the conversation he had had the preceding evening with Frances Cary. "H’m,” said Farrant, at its conclusion: he rose from his chair and began pacing up and down, one hand on his elbow, the other pulling at his short moustache, in his characteristic attitude of thought. "That’s his story, is it. Weil, it leaves a good deal unexplained.” "Naturally. If he’s speaking the truth, he doesn’t know <any more. In fact, Farrant, you’ve a case against him, a strong case, but H’s far from conclusive.” "Agreed, but it Is strong. It s for him to answer IL” “Not entirely: It’s for you to prove it. At present you can prove that he was there —that he admits —that he had a very real interest in his uncle s death—that I don’t know that he 4 en j es —that,' what else?" "I know,” said Farrant rather ruefully: "The case has reached a damned nneatlsfactorv staae. I can hrOVO 3 good deal, enough to throw a heap 01 suspicion on him, enougn, with the words 1 overheard to Justify me abundantly in arresting him, don t you think, sir?” “Oh, certainly.” “And I can make a guess at the rest; but 1 don’t know, at least J can’t prove it —not yet. But 1 going io.” “What’s your next move? “I’m not but© that 1 ought to ton Miss Gary’s auviser,” replied Farr an., smiling, “but your one oi the tew people, sir, 1 can trust to play fair. Mr Birch was touched: ne looked up at Farrant with an answering smile which gave a fleeting tenderness to his lined and wizened face, then he became serious, almost sombre, again. “Tnere are so many deimitions of that,” he said, sighing; "but 1 n do notning to hamper you; ml J undertake. In fact, 111 do noiiuns at all; I’m past taMng an active hand in things; my work s none. My help to Miss Cary will be very indirect, it’s confined to talking to you really. You’re see King the truui: IX tuats nc service to her, well, there It is. “Yes', that's the omy fine-,” agreed Farrant heartily. "Heaven knows n Laiham didn’t do It, 1 don’t want him hanged. success on a false hasxt doesn t appeal to me; I’d ratiier Xlity criminals got olf tnan be tne means of bringing one to justice wrongly. "Anything in your report, anout that woman of the pass-nook, whai was her name, some actress oi other?” demanded Mr .Biron, suddenly. ■ . h “Hosalinde de Burgh. No, “orbing yet; but there will be.” Farrant stopped his pacing; he gianceu at his watch and said, "Weil, sir, to sum up, you think I’ve got the wrong man or at any rate that it’s sull very doubtful if l’ve got the right one. Maybe. I feel pretty sure myself, but, when I see you again, I’ll know. 1 don’t rest now till I've cleared up this woman business." He nodded with decision at Mr Biron and made his way out of the garden. „ “Tne old man’s not quite himself to-day,” he thought; "lie’s let Miss Gary prejudice him, which is why he epoxe against sentiment; but he’s an uncanny knack of being right all the same. At any rate I’ll go ahead for the present as if everything James Latham says is gospel and see what comes of It.” CHAPTER XXII. Murrell Aqaln. Outside In the lane Farrant took a few stepson the direction of Grange, and then he hesitated. His thoughts, washing along on this tiue of sentiment, flowed in the direction of Frances Gary. She was in love with Latham; it was on her account that Latham had quarrelled with his uncle; the Carys were poor, and sh 3 stood to gain equally with her lover over that uncle’s removal before a disinheriting will was made. Farrant was strongly disposed in her favour, but appearances were notoriously deceptive; the words of pleading he had overheard her use to Latham were presumptive of her innocence, but they might have had reference io something other than the actual murder. So reflecting, Farrant felt that before proceeding elsewhere he should at least do something to resolve this uncertainty. The reasons Involving Frances made It Impossible for him yet to dismiss her from complicity; his private opinion of her made him decide to tackle her without evasion. {To be continued.)