WOOING OF DARIEL

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1933, Page 15

WOOING OF DARIEL

By

May Wynne

CHAPTER XX.—.(Continued.)' I “Where’s Colin?" she asked, “ha ' was here tha noo. He epoke bl&ok words—and struck me down. He was his father’s son—and ill’s the curse they brought on me. Call Colin —'f° r -, if I’m to die—l'll dee wl’ a clean conscience. I told him sae. The Laird's a good man. I owe gratitude to the ■ Laird.” MoAlne was bending over the , speaker. "I am here, Ellen," he eald, “presently I will go and fetch a conveyance to bring you to the Castle.- But first I think you want to tell us soma-, thing, to fetch someone. Who is this Colin you are asking for?” Ellen Pearns was rallying fast now, coming back from the shadow of death by sheer force of will. She had recognised both' her companions and spoke to answer with an emphasis which spoke of truth. ‘‘Colin Brinloch, he ca's himself,” she Baid, “but Colin Pearns is his name which sud have been Colin MoAlne if the auld Laird had been an honest man. Hechsi but it is true." she added fiercely as she saw the amazed incredulity on McAlne's face. “I was but a bit of a lassie when Cluny MoAlne promised marriage. I believed him to my ain destruction. Before 'Colin was born my mlther : learned the truth and my father eent me from halm, though he never knew the name o’ my bairn’s father. . For years I lived in Edinboro’ town, till Colin was seven years. Thin I earns halm. My minnla was dead and my 1 father’ stricken. I went to t’ Castle and there Cluny kept me and the bairn for a while, then he hied me a halm soma miles awa but kept the laddie’till- he was ten years. Afterwards ha sent him to school. I saw Cluny on his deathbed and made’ a pact wl’ him never to claim the laddie or tell thee story but return to Glanferno in silence, I did sae and the neebors would not speak to me, I came here to the bit hut and have lived there syne, For years I never set e’en on Colin. He was a-mon-. ■ - the mon ye .see to-day——when he came to his Minnie. He knew me. He rembered all the secrets of t' place. Aye, aye, and before a month had passed I knew t’ black heart of t’ lad. He never kenned I guessed his secret; he never kenned how I watched him. He never kenned that I listened to his talk wl’ the wee mon wl' ginger hair and scarred lip. But ( I heard ——and I kenned the tale. He was quarrelling wi’ hisifreen about the Jewels he had stolen from t' Castle. Afterwards -. they came together again and plotted mair ill. It was then I heard how they blackened .t’ .name o’ t’ only man in Glanferne who had been, my freen ——and that's your lainsel, Graham MoAlne. u/ The speaker lay back panting; there was a mist over her eyes. Darlelwas crying in excitement and pity.’' Graham was very stern and pale, but he spoke soothingly. "All will be well, Ellen," he said, “You have suffered, but you snail uve to see better days. lam going back to the Castle to fetch help—and the doctor. Later, you shall tell your story to others. We will do all we can for you. Do not fear.” She caught at his wrist. “Listen," she muttered, “if Colin kenned I’d told, he’d kill me. He’s black hearted, black as his father. Ye’ll save me from Colin?" •

“Yes,” said MoAlne, “I will protect you from Colin.”

“I tauld him I wad «peak the truth,” moaned Ellen Pearns, “but he struck me down. ’ ‘He’d have, been glad to see me dee. He left, me there in V hut. Ye saved my life, lad. Yc saved .my life and I’ll speak t’ true word even if my aln son must abye it." She was bo exhausted that McAlne laid her back against the bank, then rose to his feet. „

“Oh, Graham," whispered Darlel, "Isn't it dreadful. Can It be true. True that Colin Is her son. And that horrible uncle. Poor woman 1 Poor girl,” "I knew Cluny McAlne was a. miserable specimen,” replied. McAlne, “I can believe the tale, in fact the part about him deceiving Ellen was, and is well-known. It broke her parents' hearts. I never heard about the son. Ellen disappeared for years, and when she oame back alone the bitterness of the neighbours drove her to take this hut. No one ever knew how she lived, but supposed Cluny McAlne had made provision. He must have left a large sum to Colin Brlnloch, and this accounts for a fortune left him by a sister which we often wondered about. Now It is clear. The thing Is—wo must bring this man’s guilt home to him. Evidently, knowing the Castle, he came here with the purpose of robbery. The role of ghost was a clever one. I will return to the Castle If you don't mind staying here alone with Ellen, and will bring help—-I’ll try and get Mcßoyle to come along. Anyhow, I' shan’t be long. Ellen needs immediate help.”

“Yes, go," entreated Darlel, “I can hardly believe the mystery Is cleared up yet. Oh, Graham, I do pity Ellen Pearns, but I’m just too thankful she has spoken. lam the happiest girl in the world. ’ Make haste and come back. We are going to have a. perfect time when all this is settled. This evening—— She laughed softly as Graham bent to kiss her then hurried off up the slope. It was lonely in the wood, and the flare from the burning hut had died down so that danger was over. All dangers——all difficulties were over, so it seemed to Darlel as she looked away from the unconscious woman to dream her own dreams of happiness. Bluebells nodded in the breeze a blackbird was singing—gloriously. It sang of love and sunshine. Even pity was forgotten as Dariel listened. And then, all at once a shadow came between her and the shaft of light. A man had stepped out- from amongst the undergrowth and stood before her, his face dark with angry passion. It was Colin Brinloch. Dariel knew he must have overheard every word of the amazing confession—and she was afraid. CHAPTER XXL Flavia Gonsell came back up the terrace of the Castle. She was in a very bad temper—and with reason. Her friends from New York—Hamel Durrock and Syd. Mollone —had had 'a long interview with her .earlier in the day and given her a startling view of the case they had in hand.:. They had also asked her to spend; the next few hours in ‘shadowing’ Charles Restyne. Flavia had undertaken -the task “ feeling that; for once her compatriots were blundering badly. Restyne had made confidences and Flavia had agreed with his theories. She was prepared to tell Mr Durrock that ho had been misled—and, in the meantime, Restyne had vanished. In spite .of herself Flavia was-annoyed at this. She saw chaos everywhere, Not a plan was left intact. ‘Til sure quit at once,” she grumbje& go to Par Jg. HanigL_.and

Syd. might to be able to find McAlne without me. He’s at the bottom of it all. It's absurd of Hamel to think I’m mistaken. Graham stole my jewels. I’ve proof. Didn’t he even send me back the money I offered for his mother and sister to go abroad: Yot they went I He must have got the money from somewhere. And ha got it through theft. It’s sure proven. No one else knew the secrets of the ■ Castle ’* The appearance of Captain Waikes did not soothe her. She attacked him instantly. - - . “You know of course that I am not buying Glanferne,” she said, “And, after this week, I'll sure not be paying your salary as I fixed. I'm off to Paris.” Tony Waikes smiled. H® was not the sort of man to forget to look after himself. . “I was looking for you, Miss Consell," he drawled, “My wife and I are leaving immediately. We have accepted a splendid offer to run an hotel in Cairo. I must say that Miss Deene has been very kind. It is owing to her thought for us that we have the post. lamon my way to Malllsh farm to thank her." Flavia laughed hysterically. “I must say I admire your consideration," she sneered, “I suppose I am i to be left here with these detectives, without a friend or fellow woman to help me. What about the servants still left? What about ’’ Waikes shrugged his shoulders. “I am afraid I cannot help you,” he said. “Since, with our going, the hotel finally ceases to exist, you will have to find other quarters. I may say I have been financed here by a generous friend. The hotel has not been wholly a failure. The business will be wound up by- my patron’s lawyers. I am at liberty to resign. The lawyers will pay off servants, and I shall of course close the place, and if McAlne is still absent, settle and hand over to his lawyers. The lease is still to run till next. year, so a caretaker will be put in by my patron. That is all I ban tell you.” ’ “I never heard anything so drastic and inconsiderate,” stormed Flavia, “You mean that by the end of the week we shall have to leave the Castle?" \ Waikes smiled. “You forget you told me you were leaving for Paris to-morrow," he reminded her.

Flavia . flushed’ with anger. "So I shall," fihe retorted, “unless I change •my mind; but my detectives—also probably Mr. Brinloch and Mr R&styne will be remaining here till MoAlne is arrested and my jewels traced.” “I am afraid they will have to find other quarters—just as Miss Deene has done," said Waikes coolly. He seemed to enjoy Miss Consell's anger. “They.will do nothing of the sort,’’ began Flavia, when a most unlooked for Interruption took place. For at that moment Graham MoAlne stepped out through the open casement, followed by Hamel Durrook, and the two came along the terraco towards those who 'stared, hardly believing their eyes.

Flavia drew herself up with great dignity. McAlne bowed gravely to both her and Tony Waikes, but did not offer his hand.

. "I am afraid I must leave all explanations to this gentleman," he said quietly, “as I am waiting for the arrival of Dr. Mcßoyle, to whom I have 'phoned, and wh<- will be, here in two minutes to come with me to an urgent case. Ah, there ha is coming up the avenue now. That is splendid." He turned to . Durrock. “Mr Mollone will coma down with us,” he said, “and If necessary—or possibly-—take down a statement., You will remain here and do .what. Is necessary.” “Sure," agreed Hamel Durrock with a brief nod—and without waiting McAlne turned back.

Flavia gasped. “You’ve arrested Mr McAlne,” she said to the detective, “and he’ll not be leaving the Castle! To begin with, I shall sure have the explanation." “Sure," agreed Hamel Durrook. “I’ll •tell you how the whole case stands In two minutes, but >—'' he turned to Tony Waikes—-"if-you will ask Mr Brlnloch to step out here,” he beamed, "I should be more comfortable.” He oast a keen look at Flavia. "You will be telling us where I can find Mr Restyne," he added. ’ Flavia stamped her foot. “I shall do nothing of the kind," she retorted. “Mr Restyne Is working on my 'behalf. He knows sure how to get busy. What does all this mean? Where did you arrest McAlne? Why Is he walking about as If he were free to go where he likes?"

Durrook stroked his chin as though to hide a smile. "He is perfectly welcome to go where he likes,” he drawled, "since I’ve sure never arrested him, and never shall. Graham McAlne never stole your jewels, Miss Consell. Syd and I could have told you that before. It was not a difficult business- to locate a clumsy thief. Mr Colin Brlnloch, assisted by Mr Charles Restyne, not only stole your jewellery, but have successfully disposed of .them, on the Continent.” Flavia gave a cry, but though she went very white she did not faint. “That’s a fool tale,” she said hoarsely. “I shall never believe it. Graham MoAlne stole my jewels and acted ghost. He stole -Colin Brlnloch'?. money, too. You’ll be mad if you don't arrest him." “It’s no use, Flavia -Consell,” said the detective. “You should know whether I and Mallone are likely to bungle, seeing how we laid the Posting Bello ■burglar by the heels for your father, and saved his fortune as well as his reputation. You’d better let yourself cool right down and then come inside.”

CTo be Continued.)