THE SECRET FOE

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16546, 22 September 1919, Page 8

THE SECRET FOE

SENSATIONAL AND DRAMATIC STORY.

By EDGAR PICKERING, Author of “Tho Falconhurst Mystery,” “Love, tho Conqueror,” “Murder Will Out,” etc., etc.

CHAPTER) XIII.

MORTIMER IMPROVES THE OCCASION.

The court house of Monkstown was packed, whilst on the magistrates’ bench a few privileged spectators had boon given seats to view the most exciting drama tho little building had ever witnessed, and were waiting the appearance of tbo prisoner. The. excitement occasioned by the “Nothcrcliffo” tragedy as Jacob Orrae’s murder was called by the Monkstown Gazette, had been revived, and was at fever heat that morning when Neville Strange stood in the dock, charged with tho crime. Earlier in tho day Mortimer had driven to Mrs. Tcmplemore’s house, finding Adelaide alone in the breakfast room.

"You know what has happened I suppose?” lie *said. "Yes. The servants appear to have hoard of it,” answered Adelaide. ‘T was told this morning.” "Then if you care to hear the case we may as well start at once. The court moots at ten. / 1 will get you a seat on the bench, and can promise you an excellent morning’s entertainment.” She did not, join in his heartless laugh. Her hatred was too great to allow of any other feeling, hut she accepted the proposal with a crue.l smile. "I happened to have assisted at tho scene when Strange was arrested,” said Mortimer, as they drove into the town. "ft was posilively affecting. Naturally 1 gave tfie girl all the comfort I could after he had been taken away, and she accepted it in a manner which rather pleasantly surprised me.” "In what way?” "As though sho didn’t require comfoiling. Tho change in her was extraordinary.” „„ , , . , "Did that surprise von? asked Adelaide sarcastically. "What else would you expect from such a person?” Mortimer shrugged his shoulders. "I onlv know that she scorned absolutely different from what she had been,” he answered. People were crowding into the courthouse when tho oar drove, up to it. An obsequious constable, on recognising Mortimer, conducted them to their seals, and Adelaide heard an ejaculation uttered by her companion. “Hnncotol” ho muttered aloud. "What in heaven’s name has brought him hare?” Mr. Huncoto was seated near the witness box and preserved Lis placid look until a little stir in the crowd caused him to frown. A policeman was forcing a. passage through the throng, followed by Amy, who was given a scat near him. Tho magistrates had taken their places, and amid a sudden quieting of tho crowded court, Neville came into the dock. Mortimer’s gaze was centred upon him, but Neville’s was towards that pale, agonised face of the woman who was to have bean his wife. For whom at that moment bis love remained, although sho had betrayed him. It was all so clear now. Ho was poor, and the man whose mocking eyes were watching him would bo able to give her all that money could bestow. It was for this Amy had sold herself, and for this ho pitied her. The formal proceedings began, but he had no ears lor them. Ho was being accused of murdering Jacob Onno, anti the charge was too grotesque to be seriously entertained in bis mind. It was a farce—the tragedy was that the woman he had believed to be pure and true bad deceived him and shattered bis faith for evermore.

Inspector Joyce was giving his evidence, and Neville forced himself to listen.

‘‘Upon information reeeivod,” said tho inspector, “1 made inquiries regarding the prisoner’s movements on the night of the murder. He was known to have had a dispute with Onim, and had threatened him. In consequence, I caused tiie prisoner to bo watched, and in performance of my duty had him charged.” The old butler at Ncthcrcliffe repented tho evidence, he had given at the inquest. It proved nothing more than it had then, and ho stepped down, giving Neville a compassionate glance in passing to his seat, and a brief delay in the proceedings ensued. Then a hum of expectation camo from the body of the court, for Amy was standing in the witness-box, white with despair, yet her voice did not falter. She had’looked at Neville once, and for an instant her courage failed ns she confronted the prosecuting counsel, who stood swinging his gold eye-glasses to and fro easily. “I believe you and the prisoner were engaged to bo married, Miss Goodwin,” he began, as if the question were of very little moment. “That is so?” “Yes.”

“Now will yon tell the court,” he continued, “tho circumstances connected with the evening of the seventeenth of last month. That is not very long ago, and your memory is clear, I make no doubt,” and he paused for her answer. “Mr. Strange came to the house. I expected him. There is nothing more I can tell you.” “Just think again. Were his manner and appearance as usual?” “His face had been hurt, and I bathed

it.” “Did ho explain how it came to ho hurt?” “He had been struck, he said.”

‘Anything about a quarrel with this mar Jacob Urine?” ... , . miclcrstood that Mr. Neville had beci angry with him," answered Amy.. “Vt what time did the prisoner leave the house?”

am not sure. “Did he refer to the dispute or quarrel rith this man, Onno, at any other periid o£ the evening, or show any arumosty towards the poor lelloiv . “1 don’t understand what you mean,, roplfed Amy. “Mr. Neville did not spea: of him again. I think ho disliked I my raking him any questions. I ‘‘Very possibly," was the counsel s dry rema'k. , , , Th. ordeal seemed endless, and ns she ■stood a mark for every eye, Adelaide gloat-id over her distress. Hut the pitiless ecaminatinn ended at last, and she was *n!y conscious ot Nevilles iiigicl look ta she sank to her seat. The inspector gave a. satisfied- glanco at the Bench, priding Jiimac t that ho had achieved a notable triumph in tiackinn- tie murderer of Jacob Orme, and the nagistrates quilted the court to consider their decision, idortiinor was whispering something to Adelaide, "ho answered by a sneering laugh, and, in tbo bedy of the court, people were settling Neville’s fate. A few doubted his guilt, but someone had to bo hanged, explair.od others, and tho prison ol was more likely to be tho one than anybody The magistrates bad returned, and a dead silence followed tho hum of talk. Neville was standing erect, facing them, almost indifferent to the result of their consultation. Amy had testified against him, and her very calmness condemned her. “Wo have given careful attention to the evidence produced in this case,” said the old chairman, “and our decision is that it is not strong enough to warrjiot a* committal. Tho prisoner is oischarged." Neville heard the mumbled words with tho same cold indifference he had maintained throughout tho long proceedings. But ho had noticed Mortimer’s malignant interest in the case, and Adelaide's sneering face, but those wore forgotten when he looked at Amy. Sho was waiting whilst the chattering throng streamed out of the court, and had made him an imploring gesture when ho stepped from tlie dock, but it was not heeded, and the next moment she was alone, except for two or three of the officials. Then Mortimer came out of the magistrate’s room, and was speaking to her. "Will you lie advised by mo, Miss Goodwin?” he said. "You have had a very unpleasant experience, and would be glad to get back to Mrs. Meadows quickly. .My car is at tho door, and you will escape that gaping crowd in the street if I drive you home.”

"Yes, I’ll come,” replied Amy wearily "It doesn’t matter now.”

Gone was the brightness he had admired so often in hor mobile faro. Gone the trustful look in her eyes, and tho charm of her dimpled cheeks. The highspirited girl had become a woman suddenly, whoso set features and firm voice betokened a resolution that only death could conquer! •‘You must try and forgot what has happened,” said Mortimer, as they drove away. "I feel very sorry for Strange—more sorry for yon, and if anything I can do will make matters easier you may depend on me.” "Neville believes 1 have been untrue to him. That I had a reason for his being arrested. He’ll always think that until I’m able to prove lie was wrong. And if it means giving up my life to do so, I’d die gladly. 1 will do anything, dare anything that people may think or say, if it’s to prove how innocent I am.”

"You will want help to do this. Will you let me bo your helper, Amy ? Forgive me for using your name. Only think of mens a sincere friend, and you will forgive me.” "Why should I mind?”

“You make mo more desirous of showing my friendship by saying that,” and ho gave her a fender glance, but Amy’s sot look did not relax. ‘‘You will know mo hotter presently.” ho added. The car had stopped at Mrs. Meadows’ door, and ho hold out his arms to assist her to alight, retaining her in his grasp for a moment. It was an embrace that she made no effort to resist, and his sardonic smile followed her as she entered the house, (Continued daily.)