THE GREEN GHOST

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20260, 21 March 1934, Page 12

THE GREEN GHOST

By

STUART MARTIN

(Author of “The Fifteen Cells,V “Itahe Jardinuf* *'2'hc Surf Queen,” etc.J

CHAPTER Vif. The “ Ghost ” Reappears. Dr. Foster did not follow him. To be railed neurotic was humorous, hut the incident had another aspect and he felt that he would give something to be able to press the difference to an ksue. And then the feeling of resentment gave place to one of contempt, and with a shrug of his shoulders the doctor also turned on his heel. He walked aft and gazed thoughtfully at the rising ami falling stern. He did not want to quarrel with Hughes, but lie saw that Hughes was not and never had been in a mood to discuss this tragedy calmly. Impulsive and aggressive to an absurd extent, lie was the type of man who would not harken to any view but his own. Foster began to wonder how this individual could hope to be a success as a secretary, where all the talents of diplomacy and tact were required. The notion came to him that Maud Barron had not thought too highly of Hughes’ abilities to manage her father's affairs ; but there lingered in the doctor’s, mind a vague intuition that Hughes was not so tactless as he appeared, and that his main opposition to Foster was in another direction. He was awakened from his reverie by the sound of someone calling his name. He turned to find himself faced with Maud Barron, Mrs. Gibbs, and his captain, who had just come out of the wireless room. “ We have been seeing the mysteries of the wireless,” explained Maud as they advanced. . “ The captain has had us under his wing all afternoon.” “ Showing ’em the tricks,” smiled the captain genially, “ because it’s the last time I’ll see my Indies passenger list. Perhaps you don’t know, Miss Barron. I just had it from the owners that Captain Swatliling will take the ‘ Meridian * after me. We go into dry dock after we disembark—” “ Aren’t you coming back, sir ?** asked Foster, for this was the first time lie had heard of the move. “Xope. Going on the East route.” He was watching Foster with a pair of clear blue eyes. “ What about you, Dr. Foster ?” asked Maud. “Oh, he’ll be back after a spell ashore,” said the skipper, “ He’ll have time to work up his poison stuff, eh, doc ?” “ Yes,” answered Foster, “if we are going to dry dock I’ll have some time free to go after research work. I’m due for several lectures, and one of the hospitals is interested in my studies concerning tropic poisons. But I’ll sign on again when the old ship’s ready for They walked along towards the saloon, and the ladies went to their state rooms shortly afterwards. Foster returned to his cabin to attend to his routine work and then prepare for dinner. His heart was not in his ship’s duty just then. He felt uneasy and distracted, restless and unable to focus his attention. He wondered if he would ever hear the truth of the death of James Barron. If the ship went into dry dock he would drift away to his studies, and the Barron ghost would no longer come within the scope of his investigations. He knew that Captain Swatliling would not be back in England for some time, and his thoughts turned towards the girl, who would be without anyone to help her, save the usual cut and dried officials. She was now an orphan, but he reflected that she surely had relations or friends ; but he was not sure on that point, for James Barron had never been a man who appeared to have friends, and he remembered that once the merchant had said his daughter was practically alone. Well, it was not a matter in which he could force his help. If she wanted him she would send for him —if he was available. He made up his mind that he would be available. She was the quiet, reserved type; the type that was devoted, beyond suspicion, wholesome, and hated loudness either in voice or dress. Did she require his protection ? He did not know ; but he knew that he must not come up against Hughes, for that person was a force; for good or evil had to be seen. So. after thinking it out, Foster kept his distance and devoted himself to his studies as best he could. He had much data to he tabulated and many extracts from plants and poisons from snakes to be noted and classified. The Meridian was disembarking her passengers at Plymouth. She reached the shelter of the harbour on a windy, blustery evening. Rain was scudding across the deck and the Hoe, high above the harbour, loomed out of a mist that was half rain. The port authorities came out and Dr. Foster went on deck to fulfil his duties with them. The passengers were all ready, crowded in the deckhouses and saloons, waiting for the tender that was to land them, island Barron stepped out into the rain and held out her hand to Foster. “Doctor, why have you avoided us?” “Er—avoided? Not at all. But mv duties, you know, keep me busy. You are looking very well now.” Yes, she was iooking well. Her cheeks were flushed, hut whether it was the wind or her suppressed excitement he could not tell. “I have been indebted to you.” she began. But lie cut her short with a smile. “Xot at all. Not at all. I am dclijrhted to be of use.” “May I continue to rely on you, on your help and guidance if I need them?” “Certainly. Certainly.” “I may take you at your word.” “Do so, I beg.” “Thank you so much. You are sure He laughed and held her hand. “Of course I mean it, Miss Barron. I’ll give you my London address.” “It would be useful,” she murmured. He fumbled in his pockets and produced a card on the back of which he wrote hurriedly. “I shall always be found there,” lie said. “And if I am not there when yon write T won’t be long before I return.” “Good. And you know where to come if you wish to call at Shirley. You have been before, you know.” “A long time ago, but I remember Shirley. Well, I hope you reach home safely and keep up the improvement. If you are too busy perhaps Mrs. Gibbs would send a note to the Meridian when, she gets on the road again to tell me that you are hack to vour usual.” They shook hands and parted, and Foster watched her as she went down the gangway. Why had she insisted on his promise? He thought he detected a nervousness in her. He watched the pale yellow liat she wore as it took up a position at the stern of the tender. He saws Mrs. Gibbs avd William Hughes next to the yellow hat. And j

then as the tender moved towards the shore there was a swift flutter of hands, a handkerchief moved up and down, and the rain blotted out the yellow hat in the general obliteration of items. Dr. Foster went down to his room and stayed there. An hour or two later the Meridian steamed out on her way to dry dock, which she reached next dav. That same night Dr. Foster left Southampton by a late train for London. He began his studies the following morning and continued them at an almost dangerous state of concentration for a week. He ceased his research work one morning just before lunch when the maid of the boarding house handed him a telegraph envelope. Foster tore it open, and read: “Please come to Shirley immediately. Need you urgently. Green ghost lias a p pea r ed. —G i bbs. ” Hughes’ Intentions. Foster packed a suitcase and caught the first train from Waterloo for SurbiShirley was one of the old manor houses that one sees now and then in that typical piece of. .English landscape that lies beyond the village of Hook and stretches in undulating serenity to Epsom, Leatlierhead, and beyond to Dorking. As Dr. Foster drove out to the mansion he looked gladly at the landmarks he was passing and recalled the pleasant timea he had passed in the district. He recalled the day at Box Hill. They had rambled over the place, viewing the steep slopes from either side and then they liad got into the car and gone deeper into the country, away down past Guildford and through lanes he could only dimly remember. But mainly he remembered how Maud had, on Box Hill, taken off her hat and shaken her hair free to the wind and sun and marched up the slope lithe and graceful as a fawn. At the top they had stood, ajl of them, on the side facing Dorking, watching the other hills and the lazy smoke of the valleys and the picturesque landscape that spread at their feet. What a change had come over her life since then! What a change had come over his since then! He thought of Captain Swathling, and then his mind reverted to William Hughes. He wished he could analyse Hughes, but he felt that lie. was not quite able for that at present. He must see what direction Hughes was heading. Hughes was subtle and he was cunning too; and masterful also. Hughes had claimed the girl, if not in words at least in deed, claimed her with a definite finality that could not be mistaken. Had he any real right to the position of protector? The answer to that could only be found by watching and waiting. He was brought to the present by the taxi drawing up at the door of Shirley. So absorbed had he been in his speculations and dreams that he had not noticed having swung in from the main road and through the gates of the grounds. He was shown into the morning room by Mrs. Gilibs, who met him in the hall. “I am glad you’ve come so quickly, doctor.” she said. “Maud urged me to wire for you. It came last night and has nearly driven her out of her wits.” “The apparition?** “The very same as that which haunted her poor father, doctor. I was awakened by a scream, and when I got to her room she was in a perfect state of collapse. It had conic to the window.” “Did anyone else see it?” “No. The house was all dark, everyone had gone to bed. It was somewhere about two o'clock in tlie morning. Naturalv, I have tried to keep the aflfair from the ears of the servants, but these tilings have a way of getting out.” “What about the Alsatian hound? Was it disturbed?” “I heard him barking afterwards, but that was when I had put on the lights, and got Maud’s maid up to attend to her.” “Was anv search made?” “Mr. Hughes came to sec what was the matter. He is a very heavy sleeper and did not know anything until —” “Hughes? Is lie here?” “Yes. he lias been staving ever since we came back from Jamaica. We have someone else, too. Miss Monteitli. She is practically the only other beneficiary under Mr. Barron's will. Her husband was Mr. Barron’s brother, a young one who died—” “You said Miss Monteitli?” “Yes, she goes under her professional “What profession? Art, the stage, or what?” “She was a singer, I think. I don’t quite know. Mr. Hughes dug her up and brought her here to keep Maud company until all the legal formalities are finished. He knew her, I think—” “Did Miss Monteitli hear or see the apparition?” Mrs. Gibbs hesitated and bit her lip. frowning. “Maybe my old tongue is running away with me, doctor, but things arc not the same, somehow, now. I don’t know for sure, hut I have heard rumours that Mr. Hughes is expecting to marry Ma ud—” “I think T'd better go up to see Miss Barron,” said Foster quickly. lie went up and saw her. with Mrs. Gibbs following at his heels. Maud Barron lay on a couch in front of a big fire in her bedroom. She was wrapped in a gown and had two bright spots on her cheeks. It was evident at once that she had undergone a severe shock. Her nerves were in rags and her lips trembled as she tried to speak. Foster held her hand and felt her pulse leaping “Don’t try to tell me anything just now,” he said soothingly. “We will ox*t you all right, don’t fear, and clean '"all your worries up as soon a* possible.” “We had a local doctor this morning,” said Mrs. Gibbs, “but he wasn’t very sat. isfactory so Maud asked me to wire for you.” “Ah. in what way was he not satisfactory ?” “Ho treated the whole thing as a dream, a sort of nightmare. Tried to laugh it off ” “It was no dream! I saw it! T saw it!” cried the girl; and Foster patted her hand, gently, and nodded his head. “I know it wasn’t a dream,” he said with conviction, but his brows were wrinkled and hjs eyes were far away. “T sent for you.” said the girl rapidly, “to ask you to stay here and help me. You remember you promised vou would. Xo one else believes me. You saw it, in Jamaica. You know T am not a vie tim of hallucination*.” “I saw it sure enough.” (To be continued daily.).