I THE FREEDOM COMPANY

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1933, Page 15

I THE FREEDOM COMPANY

Sy

CARMINE GRACE

.cHAirrKR xm. (Continued.) “No, my lord, only a man with wme cigarettes for Mr Temple. Ho said they were to be paid for on delivery. I hadn’t, any money' on me Just then, so I went to Sir Hylton who gave me the money, and I-paid the man and he went.”. ‘‘You saw no one else about?” “No, my lord, not a soul,” and Walter left the house feeling more satisfied. As he was walking up Park Lane he met Temple. “Have you been to see the Chief?” Temple asked. “Yes; but I was rather anxious because I thought I saw the girl, Elsie Cross, in the hall, who vanished into the Shadows. Sir Hylton said I had an optical delusion, when I mentioned it to him, because I was thinking of Enjd; I spoke to Purvis, about:it hut he had seen no one—so it must, have been, but I could have sworn 1 saw her. I don’t like it as I hear she is at'large and not quite sane,"'; “Don't you worry, old chap. I’ll ba there in a jiffy and look into it. See you again soon,” and he ■ left Walter at a brisk pace. When he was alone, Hylton wrote a letter, to his solicitor, of some length; addressed it, stamped H and rang the bell. Purvis appeared. “I want this letter to go at onoe by a messenger boy. I stamped it in error, but I want Craddock to get it to-night. You had better ring him up.” ‘ • “Yes, Sir-Hylton, it shall-be done at once.”

Purvis went into the inner -hall where there was a second telephone, and a messenger boy soon came and took the letter.

While Purvis wat In the small hall, a stealthy figure stole out from a recess behind a curtain and made for Sir Hylton’s study. , -.: - • . Hylton had quick ears; he -heard the stealthy steps and quickly rose. “So it was you Lord Winscombe saw ——” he began, when, with a crouchingl movement the girl sprang ,at him and plunged a dagger into his heart. “The Freedom Company is. avenged!” she shrieked, and then burst into mad laughter,” Hylton fell with a groan, and the girl, still, clinging to him, stabbed' him again and again. At that moment Temple dashed Into the room and pinioned the girl from behind. She was still holding ....the blood-stained dagger. . 7".‘..' d

Purvis also rushed upon the . scene, hearing the noise, and for a inoment stood petrified. “So you’ve killed him—you-^——” Temple almost hissed. “Purvis, take this dagger' away—cing up the Yard at once, and a doctor, and then take. ■ charge -of this girl while I see to Sir Hylton.” Purvis obeyed promptly and soon, returned.

“Tie her hands behind her back, and tie her. feet as well.” When this was done, Temple went to Hylton and felt his pulse and forced eome brandy between his lips. . But there-was no sign of life at • firstTemple raised his head -on his arm and gave more brandy.' There was a Blight sigh from Hylton, and his lips moved. Temple stooped. “Tenuple—that fetter—went?’-’ “Did a letter go, Purvis?” Temple asked.

“Yes —:sir— ■” the tears were raining down Purvlfi’ face. He almost threw the girl on .to a sofa, and bent over Hylton.-om the -other side of Temple.’ ■ “Then—they— can—•marry—Enid—• ’Walter,” he gave another sigh,: and died.

The doctor and two men from the Yard arrived at the same moment. One of the men was Gleeson. He took in the situation at a glance.

.. “So they’ve done in Sir Hylton,"‘he Baldi Temple nodded. “I. warned him. this afternoon that the girl, was at; large. Wheatley, you’d better take.charge of the girl—put the bracelets- on her-—we don’t want any; more —accidents."

“She’s, evidently Insane. If only I had got here sooner! !■ met Lord Winscomhe in Park Lane; he said he had just left Sir Hylton. He thought he saw a fair girl in -the hall as he came in and mentioned it to Sir Hylton, who said it was an optical delusion and laughed about it. But as he had mentioned that Elsie Cross was in London, Lord Winscombe was anxious, and mentioned it to me. But I got here too late, as you see." ' . The doctor looked up from his task of examining- the body of Sir. Hylton, and rose. “You did all you could, Mr Temple. Sir Hylton would have died anyhow—die was stabbed in the heart and the neck, and other vital parts.of the body. When these- men have 1 taken the girl away, I adyise your placing the body on the .couch, unless you can move a spare bed in here —-which would 'be better —the couch is hardly long enough, Temple nodded, he was nardly capable of speech. Though he was not thinking of himself, and the monetary loss it would be to him by the death of his employer, he was bowled over by his sincere attachment to Sir Hylton Clive. He looked down at the still form and thought how relentless fate was to strike a man down in the flower of manhood. A thousand pities As If Gleeson knew his thoughts, ha voiced them: “Cut off in the prime; a great loss to us—don’t know a soul to replace him. It would take a man years to reach his cleverness, and then he couldn’t do it. You worked with him, Mr Temple—you might follow his track, though you couldn’t be him. His cleverness was a gift. Perhaps you mightn’t care to run the risk, though. That’s the worst of our profession—you never know when you’ll ba done in. It’s a mercy he wasn’t married." “You’re right, Gleeson, your profession is a risky one —but I should like to follow Sir Hylton.” . -: • ■ , “Glad to hear you say that, Mr Temple. You will have to give, evidence at the inquest, and Lord ..Winscombe too. Well, we’ll be off now and take the girl. We can do no good here. Oh, Lord!—to think when I rang him up this afternoon it was the last time .1 should, hear his voice! Come, Wheatley, we.must be off. Good evening, Mr Temple, I-ex-pect you and the man would rather ■ manage alone.” Temple again nodded; and they left with the girl. The doctor lingered. “You’d better let me help in lifting him. Then you and your man and Purvis fetched a spare bed and laid a mattress and pi ow on It, and the doctor helped in lifting • Sir Hylton on to the bed. They covered him with a sheet. “I will ’phone from heie for a nurse to come and do the last offices. The police will notify the coroner, and his officer will communicate with you as to the inquest. Before I go, - think you and your man had * b ette have a pick-me-up, as you have both had a shock,” he addressed Temple. “I am sorry to have made your acquaintance under such tragic stances, and much regret that I have never seen Six Hylton aliYfi. 1 ilAYfi

always wanted to meet him, Purvis knows me; he came to see me when he had influenza, hut I have never met his master. We had a conversation through the ’phone once about Purvis, but that was all. Well, I’ll say goodnight. One of you will he here, I suppose?” . m “We shall'both be here,” Temple answered, promptly. ‘‘l have to see Mr Clive and tell him the awful news about his nephew, and then I must see Lord Winscombe—l may dine with him, but I shall come back here to sleep. I will ’phone to my people to explain.” “That’s all right. Good-night, again,”, and the doctor left. “It’s lucky I keep a change of clothes here,” Temple remarked. “I must change before I go to Mr Clive. He must know before he sees it in the papers. You must stop here to see the newspaper men. They’re sure to hear of it soon and be here in a swarm. Only give them the bare outlines, Purvis.” “Very well, sir. . And I might suggest that you have a whisky and soda before you see Mr Clive. You are looking pale, .sir.” Meyrick Temple sro’led tiredly and gave a heavy sigh “A wise suggestion; I feel playea out. You’re a good sort, Purvis. We’ll take the doctor’s advice. You must join me, I insist.”

When Temple reached Montague Saiiare and saw Mr Clive In his study, it was rather an incoherent narrative he poured into Mr Clive’s ears. It seemed’ a jumble of a fair girl—Sir Hylton—-the police—• the doctor —Lord Winscombe—Purvis —and himself. That someone was mad and someone was either injured or killed, was clear, but which it was, was uncertain. i “Now let me get this clearly,” Mr] Clive said. “Someone was mad and someone was Injured—l hope it was not Lord Winscombe?” there was a shade of anxiety in his voice. •: Temple’s face was distressed. “Mr dive—it was Sir Hylton—he is dead —he was murdered —■■ —” . j There was a pause, then Mr Clivej spoke. “This is terrible news you; bring, Temple. I cannot credit that Hylton is dead. .It seems impossible. He has been in many a tight corner, but he has always got but of it—die, was so fearless. Tell me exactly how it happened.” And Temple told him, omitting no detail. Mr Clive listened intently; “It was fate,” he said. “But I .am relieved it' was not Lord Winscombe, I don’t know how I should have broken it to Enid. Don’t think that lam not grieved about Hylton— l am, horribly. It’s almost tdo terrible to think about, Hylton was a lone wolf. He always seemed aloof from- everyone; but when he unbent, he was very human. I think all his heart and soul was in his work. Well, he gave his life for it—he couldn’t give a bigger tribute. Walter—Lord Winscombe, was here an hour ago.”“I am just on my way to him. I shall dine at his hotel.” “We have Just finished dinner — won’t you come in and have some? They can easily find you something.” Temple moved restlessly. “Thank you, no-—I must get on and see Walter. He has to be nt the inquest.” Mr Clive understood. “Very well, I won’t keep you if you feel you must go. Let me know If I can do anything. This will be a blow to my wife. She was very fond of Hylton." “I think all who knew him intimately loved him,” Temple’s voice broke, and he abruptly said goodnight and went straight to the London Hotel. ' " . ' ' “Lord Winscombe is at dinner, sir,” he was told. "I can’t help it, I must see him—> give him my card.” Walter came out at once. “Gome and join me, old fellow. But you look off colour—you’re ill. My God I What is it?” as Temple tried to speak, but no words came. “You werp right to be uneasy—he is dead,” Temple spoke dully. “Good heavens I” Then Walter calmed himself as he saw Temple’s white face. “You must come and have some food, old chap. You’re about all in,” he turned to the .porter. “This gentleman will dine. with me. Come, Temple," he took him by the arm and piloted him to.. his table; the waiter hastily laid another place, seeing that his lordship had a guest. “Jennings, I want a, bottle of Dumihy, and please bring it at once.” Jennings summoned the wine waiter, and the wine was soon on the table. “Drink your wine, old fellow; then you will be able to eat your dinner,” Walter said. ‘Where had I got to, Jennings, fish? Well, bring me more, and I’ll keep Mr Temple company,” Walter was talking at random to give Temple tinie to recover. When z they had reached the coffee, Walter leant acrosl? the table. “It was Elsie Gross,,of course.”. “Yes. She stabbed him ■ several times. I was too late.” “I wish I had obeyed my Instinct, and waited till you came in. We should have saved him.” . “He mentioned your name at the last, and his cousin’s name. He seemed anxious about a letter. Purvis said he had it. We told him, and he said, ‘Now they can marry—Walter—Enid.’ I don’t know what he meant. Did he mention a letter to you?" “No—nothing. I ’phoned to him to-day from. Mr Clive’s house to ask if I could see him. I had heard a rumour in Copenhagen that he was in love with Enid and intended to marry her. I went to ask him the truth about it, for I was prepared to stand aside and go away, to give him a chance,. (To ne continued.!