LITERATURE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5294, 26 June 1895, Page 1

LITERATURE.

THE THIRD VOLUME.

BY FERGUS HUME, Author of "The Myßtery of a Hansom , Cab," "ihe Lone Inn," "The Chinese Jar," &c.

(All Rights Reserved.)

Chaptbb XXX.

MBB BBZBL AGAIN.

On returning home Claude found that Tait, contrary to his expressed intention, hod gone oat. Dormer, who was paoking a portmanteau for the Horriston journey, conld not inform Larcher when his master would be back, but ventured an opinion that he would certainly return to luncheon. Meanwhile, he handed to Claude Borne letters, which had just arrived, and with these the young man managed to pass a fairly uncomfortable hour. Uncomfortable because one of the letters was from Mrs Bezel, and proved of so puzzling a character that Larcher was in a fever of impatience to disouaa it with Tait.

The little man returned to luncheon, as was surmised by Dormer, and was met in the hall by Claude with the open letter of Mrs Bezel in his hand.

"My dear fellow, why did you go out ?" said Larcher, complainingly. "I have so muoh to tell you. I have seen Kerry, and now here is a letter from Mrs Bezel."

"What, is she on the stage again?" said Tait, eagerly. "Let me sea the letter."

"Not yet," replied Claude, putting it promptly behind bis back. " You must first tell me why you left the house, when you ought to be packing np for Horriston." Tait shrugged hia shoulders, bowed to the inevitable, and went into the dining-room. Here he sat at the table and began to carve some cold beef, thereby throwing -Claude into a rage. :

"Yon cold-blooded little monster," he oried, tapping on the table, "will you satisfy my curiosity ? " "Why should I? "said Tait, grinning, ■*♦ yon won't satisfy mine." " Then read the letter," retorted Claude, throwing it aeroßs the table. To his surprise Tait placed in on one Bide. "Not ye_ ! " he said, resuming his carving. "We must have a talk first. Have some beef ?"

"I don't want beef but information."

"Ton shall have both," said Tait, calmly. "Do you prefer beer or claret ? " "Beer!" replied L_rcher, resignedly, falling in with the tricksy humour of his friend. Tait was a man with whom it was impossible to quarrel. " Dormer, fill Mr Larcher's glass j put the claret ]ug beside me, and leave the -room. ■ We will wait on ourselves."

As- stolid as a wooden image Dormer obeyed these instructions, and wheeled out of the room. Tait ate a few monthfuls of* beef, drank a glass of claret, and prepared to talk. His first remark was a bombshell, i

"I have seen Paynton." said he, ■lowly. "The denoe you have," cried Claude in surprise; "and how did you manage to take his oaß tie by storm P" - * -

"Easily enough, by the help of a lie and a little strategy. I went oab to see if yoa were at your post, and caught sight of Kerry crossing the fields. As 1 knew Jenny wonld be at the Linton's— for she goes there to Bee the old lady every morn* ing— l gnesßed that Bose Cottage wonld be undefended ; so back I ran to the house, picked up a book which I had promised to lend the young lady, and went to pay my -visit.

" How did you get inside the gate. It is generally locked." "It wasn't on this occasion," replied Tait, complacently. "I opened it and walked in, to find old Paynton (.trolling in the garden. Catching sight of me, he turned back to re-enter the house, bnt, luckily, 1 waa between him and the door, bo we met face to face."

" What kind of a man is he to look at P "

" Oh, a fine looking old chap, with white hair and beard, a skull cap, and a dreesing gown. Qnite the get up of a necromancer/

"Did he speak to you," asked Claude, having considered this description. " He asked me politely what my business was ; whereupon I presented the book, and (mentioned that it was for his daughter. He replied that she was atthe Linton's, and would' be back soon, when be would give her the book himself. Then he asked me to excuse him, and bowed me out ofthe -gate. Bat/ added Tait, with emphasis, "not before I had Mentioned that Mr ■Claude Larcher waß staying with me." " Did my name produce any effect P" "Bather! -Paynton changed colour, and mumbled something unintelligible. Then he turned his back, and walked quickly into the house, leaving me to close the gate myself. Depend upon it, he knows something, Claude." " But his name isn't mentioned in connection with the caße."

"Of course not. Paynton isa feigned one. And, .as I have said before, there are, no doubt, ao tors in the tragedy of whom we know nothing." " There is one of that sort mentioned here," said Laroher, nicking up Mrs Bezel's letter j " read that -fait, and see what yon make of it."

It proved to be a short note hastily written, and ran as follows :—

" My dear Claude, "If you are 6till in doubt as to

who murdered you father, ask Mr Hilliston to tell you about Louisa Sinclair, who lived at Horriston twenty-five years ago. She kuowß.

" Your affectionate mother, " Margaret Bezel."

" Louisa Sinclair," repeated Tait, Blowly, having mastered the contents of thia letter. " No, I never heard of her. It is strange that Hilliston haß not mentioned her name."

"No donbt he bad good reasons for not doing ao," said Claude, bitterly. "Tou need not look so astonished, Tait. I have long ago come round to your opinion of my old guardian. His intimacy with Paynton and the effect of hia visit on ___erry would convince me, not to Bpeak of that 'anonymous letter.'" " Ah ! Kerry refused to speak." "Be would not say a word, and moreover, stated that he was not Denis Bantry ; that he had never heard of Horriston. In fact, he acted his part excellently well till the last; then he broke down, asd afraid of letting the oat out of the bag, he ran away."

"Exactly what his master . did," aaid Tait, thoughtfully, " depend upon it, Claude, we will learn the truth from one of those two."

■ "If you think so, why go to Horriston P " -'Because I want to learn the real name ot Paynton, and, moreover, here is an additional reason. I must find out Louisa Sinclair."

"There is no mention of her in the case."

"Quite true. And there is no mention of Paynton; but for all that he knows about it. Oh, you may be sure there are circumstances to be discovered at Horriston whioh never came to light at the trial." "My mother is anxious for the mystery to be oleared up." . "&o I see, and I am glad of it," said Tait, with an affectation of carelessness. " I thought she was to ill to take an interest in the matter."

"Am I to ask Hilliston abont this woman P " said Claude, looking up in some doubt.

"No/* replied his friend, after a few momenta' deliberation, "onr success in this depends on keeping Hilliston in the dark concerning our movements. If we tell him too much he may thwart us, as he has done already in this Paynton business. Say nothing about Louisa Sinclair, . or about my visit to Horriston. Tell him I have gone to town, and let him figure out the reason for himself. By the way, when do you see him ?" "On Friday evening. Both he and bia wife are ooming to dine,' and stop all night at the vicarage. You may be sure Hilliston will pat me through a thorough crossexamination regarding your absence."

"Befer him to Mr Linton," said Tait, coolly. "I am writing to that gentleman telling him I am unexpectedly called to town on particular business, i What that buaineas is Hilliston will be anxious to kpow. I don't think he'll enjoy hie evening at all. A guilty conscience mars all pleasure." " When do you leave P"

."By the 4-20 train this afternoon. I'll write yoa about my diecoveriea as Boon as I find oat anything worth scribbling about."

"You'll find nothing," said Claude dolefully; "after. five and twenty years." "I'll find out who Louisa Sinclair is, and then astonish Hilliston with the extent of my information. Begarding Paynton, I am not co certain. That discovery rests betweeen yoa and Denis Bantry." "I'll do my best, but I am doubtful," replied Claude, and so the conversation terminated for the time being. It left a lasting impression on the two who took part in it. Tait duly toole his departure with Dormer, leaving Claude in possession of the house. As he leaned out of the window of the smoking carriage, he said a last word to his friend-

" Don't tell Hilliston about my going to Horriston," he said significantly; "but if yon get a chance inform hiß wife of the fact." '

"Why?"

"I'll tell you that when I comeback, said Tait, as the train moved slowly off. " Give her the information, and observe the effeot ; it will astonish you." But Tait" counted without his host ; he was ignorant of Mrs Hillieton's powers of self-control.

(To be continued.)