“CRAZY QUILT."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19800, 18 November 1919, Page 4

“CRAZY QUILT."

$ Bv §■ e -ecus noire $

| eee | SHJ Anther of f-i "The Mystery of n. Hansom Cab" 'k "The Spider." W "The Grey Doctor" G;’ 'y "Rod Moaev," eto.. eto., etc. O © ' ®

CHA PICT XI X -Continned. "Sir Foils!" repealed the lean man with ii. faint laugh. •• Another honour thrust upon me which I did not, desire- Hot one thing led to another, jitid I was tempted to help more and more in philanlhropie work, until I became a knight and a burning and a shining light, which euou will he extingiiislK'd.' 1 •■ 11' vou would tell me the story, I would understand better -why you blame Yourself so much, said Cannock, rather helplessly, for the wild and whirling words of the man did not convey much information. Sir Felix shaded his grey face with his hand and nodded. "Yes! A ou hare a right to know. 1 kept things from you and the police for a long time, thinking that nothing would ever ho discovered. Hut when you got that photograph and -Jakes stole my sleevelink;'. then I knew it was all up and resolved to anticipate my arrest. I will be arrested, won’t I?” ■’ I'nless you can clear yourself, I fear so. - ’ " Of course," muttered the, old man, •‘ I told you so. Great is the fall, and vanity has brought it about. Wei). he spoke in a louder tone and became more businesslike —“ it amounts to this, Air Cannock. I never could manage Amelia, as she was always hankering after the stage. In time she defied me and ran away from school to join a travelling company under the name of I,aura Weld- Hy. that time I had adopted Pauline as my ward, having come across her parents during my philanthropic work- 1 kept the two girls apart, since T thought that Amelin's example might contaminate Pauline, who has not a. very strong nature." Cannock nodded, " Afrs Vra.in explained that." "AVell. I never said anything about Laura AVelcl at Paddocks. 1 wanted her to drop out of my life, as I. could do her no good. Xp.verMioless, ns a noma ii will, she refused to he dropped, and whenever she wanted money wrote to me." “ AVhy did you not refuse to give‘her any?" Pine's face became violently red and ho east down his eyes. “ It is not my right to judge anyone," he said in a low voice. " Having so many faults of my own. and grave ones, how can I ■judge another? 1 did help Laura, AVeld at intervals. Vou will understand that T call her hy that, name to make things clear togvou. But in by mind 1 always think of her as Amelia Hurst." “ Hid you know her husband?" " N*o. Pile wrote and told mo that she was married, but I refused to meet her husband." Pine wrung his hands in despair- “Oh, 1 could say much, hut T dare not at present. .1 wish to save myself if T can. All I swffiffUpdsliJmuymufßvfyymad r mb can say is that Laura, and her husband did not get on well together.” "Did the husband murder her?” asked Cannock bluntly, and again Pino wrung his thin hands. I hope not. But-—who knows?" " .Madam -lane does.” Pine started and looked seared. "Madam Jane. What do yon know about her? ’ "Only what yon saw in'the papers about the gambling house raid. Also I know that she is Pauline’s aunt, and that she said before she left me when I was helping Pauline to escape, that she would re (aim to see justice done-’’ "Oh, J hope she will.” said Sir Felix to himself, almost in a whisper. ‘‘Then there would bo a chance for me." He paused, (hen went on hurriedly, “I have known Madam Jane for many years. She was amongst the people I knew in DncksVmry. A brilliant and clever girl, although she is Martha Vrain's sister." "What?" Cannock was amazed, “That aristocratic woman the sister of your cook? Pardon me, but that is impossible." "it is true, though. The same molher, hut different fathers.” “ Illegitimacy?" “ AVell, yes," admitted Pine, reluctantly. “ But let us leave Madam Jane alone for the lime, being, as 1 wisli to fell you what J did on that night. Laura wrote to me asking me to meet her here at half-past nine o'clock." “ Afoot her here.” exclaimed the young man, much amazed. " But 1 didn’t know her. How did she hope to get into my flat." “ f can’t say. But she did get in hy fraud, as yon know,” "Yes 1 know. But. T am still in the dark why she should-have invited you to this place." "T can’t tell yon that. T never saw her to gain an explanation.'" i "But you said (hat, you came here?” “I did. Shortly after nine o'clock.” "It was about that time the medical ! evidence said that she was murdered.” Pine nodded and his face grew white i again. " i entered the room just after j the murderer strangled her. I came | before my tune ,you see, ami bo did not I expect me.” ••Then yon saw him?” Cannock rose in n hurry, i " Xo. All was dark when I enterj cd. I found your outer door open, and ' although I rang no one came to the j door. Then 1 stepped in and called j out the name of Amelia, softly. Thor* w:m no reply, and in the darkness I ! groped my way to this room. The passage runs straight from the outer door, you sec," said Pine, explaining how he came to stumble, on the room, "so I had no difficulty in finding it. Just as I got into the room -passed through that door”-- he jerked his bend hack " I was seized by someone.“ II The murderer,” died Cannock, greatly oxcilod. •‘ A'es. But T did not know he was a murderer (ben. Jt was all in darkness, remember, so [ expect be extinguished (be lights as soon as ho heard my ring at the door. All I know is that 1 found myself struggling with a man, and in the struggle one of my sleeve links was broken. At the time J was unaware of this, and only tried to get a wav from the man." "It was a man, then?” " Orta.iniy. No one could have had so powerful a grin but a man. He said no word, but merely struggled with me.” " AVhy didn’t you cry out?” " Because lie. had Ids hand on my throat. Perhaps he intended to .strangle me, ns he had already strangler Amelia. But he threw me on to the floor ami then ran away. I heard the outside door shut, ami rose to follow ■ him. As I wa.s near yonder door .1 turned on the electric light. And then —oh merciful find, I saw " He slopped and concealed his face in hi; hands with a. groan- “ "Yon saw- the dead body," insisted Cannock, not giving way to the emo. tion— natural' enoughi—which made Pine stop. “ f did, It was Laura Wold. Thor [ T saw in what danger 1 was of heiiifi j accused of the crime." | "T can’t see that," said Cannock I impatiently. “Why didn't yon sumj mon assist mice and make a clean breast 1 of things?” ' " I couldn't,” muttered the old man | with a, shudder. ”1 had my reputation (o consider, and all 1 desired was to ;:°t a wav .-0 ilia*. ;m mm should'know dial J had been hero—that no mej

should connect, me with Laura Weld. I turned out (lie light, nncl made for the door. Then I remembered that at I.aura’s lodgings there might he letters and evidence connecting mo with her. I turned on the light again, and, searching her pockets, f found her latchkey. “ I guessed as much. And yon drove to Saxon Plaee to enter the house and rifle her drawers and boxes." " I did. I took away all portraits and letters; everything 1 thought that would show we were acquainted. The woman of the house did not disturb me, as I knew she wouldn't. 1 guessed dm would think I was Laura coming home from the theatre. 1 got what 1 wanted, and then came nway." “And the sleeve links?'' '■ T did not discover their loss until I was at Paddocks, undressing and burning what 1 had taken JVotn the Saxon Place house. Then 1 feared that 1 must have dropped them either in this flat or at Mrs Binker's'' “One portion was here and the other in the Saxon Place bedroom. ’’ “1 see. Oh, you can prove that 1 was ai both places all right," Raid Pine, i with a ghastly attempt at a smile. “ lint .1 admit that I was and 1 have toll! you everything.” () " Everything?" asked Cannock in a meaning tone. Everything connected w;th the murder. What other things I know are my own private business and hare nothing to do with the case.’’ The old man lay hack in the chair, utterly worn out, and looked double bis age- --a mere bundle of clothes. " What are you going to do now?'' he asked weaklyCannock did not reply. The recital had taken a considerable Lute and be (lid not wish to call (Land out of boil. It would be belter.'' he thought, to wait until the next day, when the examination of Pine could he made in a more leisurely maimer. After thinking for a few minutes he looked up. " I am disposed to believe yon. Sir Felix." he said slowly, “luu I cannot undertake . the risk of letting you go until von sec Air Gland and tell him all that yon have told me. He must decide matters.'' “ Let us go to Air Gland now then,” said Pine, in a heartbroken tone. " No. It's ton late. A‘nn must stay here for the night. T have the spare bedroom of my servant, who is away. I only ask " - Cannock hesitated, as what lie was about to say sounded harsh and suspicious--“ ihat—well, 1 must ask you to let me lock you in.'' Pin? quivered, and his weal; eves filled with tears. “ Great is the tall. My wicked doings have come home to roust,,'’ he said in a hopeless tone. "As you will, Mr Cannoek. 1 dare not ask j you to take my word of honour, foi 1 have none.’' " Oh. I don't sav that.” “ 1 do-” Sir Felix rn-e, looking suddenly much stronger and more of his old consequential self. “The min 1 have brewed for myself must he drunk to the dregs. Lead me to the room, sir, and lock me in." Cannnc.k did so. feeling rather shamefaced. But as things were ho did not dare to ri«k (he man’s escape, j Already he had got into 1 rouble by I allowing Atadnm .lane to got an ay. ami j he did not intend to make such a mi-- | take with the philanthropist. Pine saw his nervousness, and guessed that he felt awkward. When he entered the bedroom of Jollis, he laid his hand on the shoulder of his host-. " Believe me, I understand," said Pine earnestly. “ Don't blame yourself, for you are only acting as yon should act. Only say. do you think I am innocentr" "Yes." paid Cannoek firmly, “I believe you are." Then he locked the old man in the room, and slipped the key of the door into his pocket. " And i on my soul," he muttered, "i really believe he is innocent.” CHAPTER XX. THE STOIIY OF .10LUS. Gland was now very much improved in health able to leave his rooms and move about more freely, much to his delight. His heart was in his wort, and he dreaded lest, his physical incapacity should result in his being shelved. But, during ins illness he had , never lost touch with his chief, who knew the value of a clever brain, and therefore was willing to leave the case in (Hand's hands, even though he was to a certain extent handicapped by his feeble, health. - And after all. so long as the little man’s underlings could report, to him necessary details, which he sent them to find out, i» was not needful for him in weary himpell in searching out these personally- Ot course he would have liked to do so, but under the circumstances lie teas unable to act, and therefore had to delegate his authority to others. But tlie scheme worked very well, and Gland found his sickness no hindrance to accumulating tacts likely to solve the mystery.' Also lying on his «ofa during the day, or sleepless in his bed at night, the detective was able to think over matters, and to decide how to take tne, next, step on the dark path, lie took a hird’s-eye view of the case -connected this with, that, arranged to search in oue direction, and to abandon all inquiry in another. In (his way he had the case so well in hand that, when he made a. personal visit to Scotland A'ard, he was able to satisfy bin chief that nothing had been neglected. Yet in spite of Gland's industry and zeal it is questionable if he would have arrived at any successful result, lint for Ids employment of Cannock'. True, that whimsical person had been dismissed as too feather-headed to undertake such serious business, hut it, was due to him that the truth had come to light. The little man admitted this frankly; admitted also thai Cannock s vivid imagination was valuable, since he looked m nnpr'’mising places, which a more sober person would have neglected. Cannock’s fantastical idea as it appeared in the more ninterialminded detective —that there was a connection between Paddocks and the Friendly Mansions cnnie had been proved to hare a. basis in fact. It was certain that Laura AVeld w ; is Pine’s ward, and that he had been on the scene of the murder. . In Gland’s opinion the evidence of the sleeve-links was decisive, and he felt certain of the man’s guilt. It must he placed to Gland's credit that ho ascribed In's success entirely in Cannoek'. and relaled the whole story to his chief. Thai high official approved of his inferior’s employment ot Cannock, although it was scarcely in order. ’ And he certainly agreed that Pine, had commit tod the murder. (To be continued.) ■ ; . i ,