FOR THE SAKE OF GOLD.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5972, 24 August 1912, Page 4

FOR THE SAKE OF GOLD.

4 ( Vll I ;.,i\is Reserved.)

A SENSATIONAL R6MANGF, Dy tin; -ulhor of "Out of Darkness," \ Day of Beckoning," Ktc., Etc. PART 12. CHAPTER XVII..

The next morning Phil appeared excited and restless, wandering in and out of the rooms, never losing a chance of saying something nasty to Sybil, who, feeling that she could not bear it any longer, ran upstairs, and putting on her hat and jacket, set off for Bridge House to talk over Geoffrey's expected arrival with Joan and Mrs. Lucas. Finding himself alone—Miss Melita having retired to her own sittingroom—Phil set off, thinking he would walk aB far as ffitton and consult a solicitor who was a rival of Mr. Jackson, and longed to have a share of the patronage of the country families which had been so liberally bestowed on both Mr. Jackson's father and himself. Lewis was considered rather a tricky fellow, and be had the rep.utation of being sharp, and Phil hoped he might be able to see a way to set the present will on one side, and so benefit himself and his client. "I shall not be back in time for luncheon," he thought, as he crossed the bridge and turned into Red Path ; but he preferred being late to riding, as Phil was particularly fond of walking. Just as he reach»d the top of the hill where the road turned sharply, he came face to face with a gentleman who was walking at a smart pace. " Phil !" he exclaimed, holding out his hand ; but Phil took no notice of it, exclaiming : "What have you come back for ? Surely there was water enough to Jrown you."

Geff drew his hand back, looking at lis brother in amazement.

"What do you mean ?" he asked, trying to speak quietly. "What I say—that you are not wanted here. My father turned you out and made me his heir, but you *ot Sybil to sound your praises, and when he was weak in mind she persuaded him to alter his will," ;aid Phil, passionately. "It's a lie ! Sybil would never io such a thing, and Jackson wouldn't have drawn up a will unless he felt certain my father knew A-hat he was doing," replied Gefi. "Oh, yes, Sybil's a gem, and so'is Jack Lucas. I've a notion they had something to do with my father's Hidden end. He was all right the light before ; then lie went like a shot, and Sybil was the one to find lim, and you two were the parties ;o benefit by his death. I daresay pou paid her to hasten this end ; ihe may have given liiio poison for anything I know," said Phil, in his nad anger. "You scoundrel, stand out of my fray !" and Gefi gave him a slight iush, not noticing in his excitement •.hat Phil was standing at the very idge of the road, and that just ;hcre the railings were broken away, 'n an instant, Phil, who had stood .u a lounging attitude, fell down ;he bank, and Gefi, who knew he i*ould fall on soft grass, went juickly on his way. " A four-feet tumble won't hurt iim, and it'll perhaps teach him to :ontrol his temper. Whatever this A-ill is, it has vexed him terribly, mt that doesn't give him a right :o abuse people," he thought. Just then he paused, fancying he leard a cry, but as there was no urthrr sound he went forward, ;hinking he must have imagined it. ft'hile the brothers were quarrelling :here had been two listeners, both inseen themselves, but able to see ind hear. One had been a little -.oy, who listened to the angry altercation until he remembered that ]c had to be home soon, so he ran -,way before Gcff pushed his broker out of the way. The other was Harsh, the woodman, Peggy's father, who happened to be busy in the wood almost close to where the ?oung men were standing ; but the :runk of a great oak tree hid him from view as he listened intently, ft'hen Phil fell over the bank almost it the feet of Marsh, a sudden temp;ation assailed him, and raising the tnife with which he had been prunng some of the young trees, he plunged it into Phil's heart. Then is he drew it out he uttered a aint cry of horror at what he had lone. Many a time he had vowed le would be the death of Phil Basset, but in his heart he had not r,een a murderer. He would have iked to have thrashed Phil. He w?.s ant a shedder of blood, but this

sudden temptation—when the man A'lio had ruined his daughter's life 'ell right at his feet—was more than ae could withstand. j If he could have undone his work, Ja, how thanklul he would have ::c;-n ! But as he looked at Phil's 'itec hj? knew he was past help, and ft":th ;i horrible dread of discovery he .viped Hie blood-stained knife en the ii"ni;"s then putting it in his coat .ice'iet. he took the axe he had been • is'ii.' atd mp.de his way along the ivoir!. -limbing the bank and getting aver the railings further on ; then, Z'snT, quickly along Red Path, he r:a.■.■':-'! \''?, cottage just as the :locl-. rircck twelve.

As, !:e entered the kitchen Peggy li o'.eii ;.p ] a ud seeing there was joT:-S:V;:ik wro;;g, she inquired what •. .r: n\« ni/.ttcr.

"I'm a hit out of sorts, lass ; I d to leave my work earlier than • ..::.'. I guess I shall have to lay

i.jit..is afternoon," he said ; and he w. Nt into the back garden where he kept his tools, and, unseen by I'Tsy, he warned the knife carel.'.',y in a bucket of water, but the ijrKKS had almost cleaned it, so that the water was scarcely stained. Nevertheless, he emptied it away, th:n r..t-:rned to the kitchen, where Peggy had drawn his armchair nearer to the fire, bidding him warm him.sdf while she made haste with the dinner.

"Now, father," she said, when the table was laid ; but he could not eat and in a few minutes returned to his seat by the fire.

"I'll make you a cup of tea," she said, thinking how ghastly he looked, and wondering if he was going to be seriously HI, While these things had been hap; pening Gefi had reached Bridge House and turned in at the familiar gate, determined to see hie awaetfetart belom to «wt to tiw cart!*. ffhe

breakfast-room window overlooked the front garden, and as he walked up the path, Join, who was in the room talking to her mother and Sybil, uttered an exclamation of joy and ran out of the room.

"What is it ?" said Mrs. Lucas, looking at Sybil, who had gone to the window just in time to see Geff approach the front door.

"It's Gefl. lam so glad," she said, delightedly.

"Then he must have travelled all night." "Of course. I knew he would come as soon as he could," replied Sybil, who was overjoyed. While they were discussing him, Gefl had been met at the front door by Joan, whose face told something of the joy she felt. "My dear one," he said, as he took her in his arms and kissed her again and again. "Oh, Geff, it is good to have you safe at home again ; but you don't look strong," she said, looking up at him.

"I'm not quite up to the mark. You'll have to take care of me, Joan. I hope you won't dislike having to coddle your husband for a little while." Joan blushed. Then she said :

"Come and see mother and Sybil. She is here. By tbe way, do you know that your father has left you the estate and everything but a few legacies and twenty-five thousand pounds that he has willed to Phil?" "Then that accounts for Phil's anger," ho replied, as she opened he breakfast-room door ; and in another moment Sybil had flung her arms round his neck and given him a hearty kiss. "I see I am better appreciated than I used to be. I don't think Sybil ever treated me so generously from the time she took to long frocks," he said, as he turned to greet Mrs. Lucas, who received him warmly. "Oh, Geff, I'm glad you've come back. Phil is unbearable," said Sybil. "Phil seems to be in a very unhappy'state of mind, judging from the greeting he gave me," said Geff. "Where did you see him?" inquired Sybil.

"I met him in Red Path, and he said some abominable things, so I pushed h'lii on one side. But he couldn't have been firm on his feet, as he fell into the wood. It was where the fence was broken. I hope the tumble may bring him to his senseß." "It wasn't enough of a tumble to do that," said Sybil.

"What is this will my !:<ther has left ?" Geff asked, looking at her. "My dear boy, it is a most puzzling one ;" and Sybil told him the contents.

"I cannot understand my father leaving Phil out," he said, thoughthilly. "Perhaps there may be tion. But now tell us some of your experiences," said Mrs. Lucas. "Some explanation." The words recalled to Sybil's mind the paper that her stepfather had given into her charge, telling her that she was to give it to Geil. But as he had begun talking she made up her mind to wait until they returned home. While he was telling them a thrilling experience Mr. Croftstone joined them, and very soon they all adjourned to the dining-room, where luncheon was served, and Gefs explained that he had found there was a night train which enabled him to arrive in Witton that morning.

"I'm afraid that Aunt Melita will think I am a wretch to leave her to-day, as Phil is in such a bad temper, but I cannot leave our hero, even if I could leave all of you," said Sybil, half apologetically. "Aunt Melita will ignore Phil. She always did when he was out of temper," said Geff. They were a happy party, not that either Geff or Sybil forgot the squire, but he rejoiced in being with his beloved, and Sybil felt that all would be well now Geff had come home. After luncheon the lovera strolled up and down the garden paths, while Sybil kept Mrs. Lucas and Mr. Croftstone company, and it was nearly four o'cloek when Gefi came to tell her it was time they went home.

"I shall come in this evening after dinner. Will Jack be at home ?" he inquired as he said good-bye. "He said he should drive over tonight." "All right ; then I shall see him. Come, Sybil, I'm afraid Aunt Melita will have jnst cause for complaint if we arc much later ;" and drawing Joan's arm through his, the three went to the gate, Joan returning to the house, while GeS and Sybil walked home.

At the entrance to the castle grounds two or three men were loitering, who tnuchr i their caps as tjyeil and her coir eninr. unseed. "I wiml'T v.lint thuse fellows want ?" he sa'd, as they went towards the i'vinciniil entrance ; but on reaching it ('. ey '.ver- rurprUed to see a con;-le ef the gamekeepers and a woodman come out. "How are you, Jervis ?" raid Geff, addressing the hear! gamekeeper. "Quite well, thar.U yoe, s.r, and glad to see you back ; but I'm sorry ' it's such an unfortunate time." "Yes, I'm grieved that I did not get home in time to see my f.itV.T." "Yes, sir ; but this affair's even worse, though perhaps you don't know about it, sir." "What affair?" asked Gefl, in surprise.

"About Mr. Phil, sir." "What about him ?" s:v 1 Geff, seeing from the mni':; tv-um that it

was somethin:' uci' : <n a. and for a second he v o'.."■• v.'; <•;'■■.'.'ir,r Phil in his disa.-no';--:■:■•■!. '.• '•' committed suicide ; then las k'.> •■ .".dgo of his brother told him he v.'as too great a coward to face .-i.-.-ith willingly. Even vh> ihenc thoughts were passing through his mind the man spoke : "He's mi rde red, sir. Some one has stabbed Mr. Philip." "Murdered!" Ctti echoed; and Sybil turned, whits as d-tith. "Yes, sir, he's quite dead." "When did it happen?" Geff inquired.

"I don't know, sir. I found him in the wood, just where the fence is broken down, aho.it an h-'uir ago." "Where the fence.is broken down!" Geff echoed. '/Yes, sir. It's a sad case—a poor home-coming for you, sir," the man added : but GeoHrey had entered the hall, Sybil "keeping close to him, though she looked as though she was going to faint. ' Glad to see you, sir, though it's an unlucky time," said Tait, the butler, coming forward. "Yes, yes, Tait. They said he was

etab'.al. Ik it true V" said Gen". "Yob, sir ; he's been stabbed in th< heart. It's murder, Mr. Geoffrey, ana the constable has sent into Wltton for the inspector, and Miss Melita ordered a groom to fetch Dr. Lucas. Death has been pretty busy here this last week, sir." Geff did not reply, but followed Sybil into the drawing-room, where Miss Melita was seated, looking the picture of horror.

"Oh, Sybil, I'm glad you've come back. Since they brought poor Phil in I've been in terror lest any harm had happened to you. Gefi, I'm thankful you've got home, but I didn't expect you until night." "I travelled all night. But who can have done this to Phil ?" he said..

"I don't know, I'm sure. It's an awful thing. They say he's stabbed t:.r.;ish the heart. Poor Phil ! He wasn't fit to die," said Miss Melita. "It is an awful allair, and the mystery is, who can have done it?" repeated Gefl. 1664.

CHAPTER XVIII. THE INQUEST. Half an hour later Dr. Lucas arrived, and he was followed almost directly by the inspector of police from Witton, accompanied by the village constable, who, instead of being a thick-headed party, appeared very much on the alert, and rather to enjoy the sensation of having a murder 'in the village, and the victim a person in a good social position. While Dr. Lucas examin--3d the dead man, Aunt Melita, Sybil, and Geff waited in the drawingroom, where he had promised to join them.

Presently the door opened and he intered, looking very grave. "Well?"' said Gsff, in a questioning tone. "He has been murdered. A large knife has been used." "Poor Phil ! And I met him in Red Path, just above where he was (ound. I wish I hadn't quarrelled with him ; but he said such outrageous things." "You met him there ?" said Jack Lucas.

"Yes ; and he tried my patience ao much that I pushed him on one side, and he fell over the hank. Why, [ wonder" and Geff stopped. "What do you wonder ?" asked his triend.

"I thought I heard a cry as I same down the hill, but as it was not repeated I concluded it was imagination. Do you think it would be Phil ?" "He wouldn't have time to utter a sound."

At that moment the butler opened the door,, saying : "The inspector wishes to see you, sir ;" and a tall, grey-haired man entered the room, and bowing to the ladies, he turned to Geoffrey, saying :

"I'm sorry, Mr. Basset, that it's my duty to arrest you on the charge of murdering your brother, and I must warn you that anything you say may be used against you." "Arrest me!" exclaimed Geff, springing to his feet, while Sybil gazed at the man in horror. "It's my duty, sir. I have evidence—strong evidence," said the inspector. "You have made a great mistake," said Sybil, going to Geff's side and putting her hand on his arm. "I should advise you to leave Mr. Basset alone," said Dr. Lucas, in a quiet, significant tone. "Officer, you are out of your mind," said Miss Melita. "No, ma'am, I'm not. I know what I'm doing. I've got evidence and the gentleman will have to come 'with me. I'm willing to make it as pleasant as possible. He can drive in his own carriage, but he'll have to come. I'm not going to let him give me the slip." "Look here, inspector, it you've got any evidence against me, I should prefer having it come out at the inquest ; but as it will he to-morrow, and I suppose it will be held here, don't you think I might as well stay here ? You need not lose sight of me. You can dine with is, and I'm quite willing to be locked jp in my bedroom." The inspector hesitated. It was informal ; but, then, he hadn't got a, warrant. He was merely apprehending the gentleman on suspicion and, after all, he felt that he would like to dine at the castle, and, of ?ourse, the inquest would be held there.

"Very well, sir ; I'll agree to you staying here on the condition that I ion't lose sight of you, and that I nave the key of your bedroom door. But I shall have to speak a few words to the constable. ,; While he was out of the room Geff gave Dr. Lucas a hurried account of what had passed between him ■m;l Phil, and it was arranged that Mr. Jackson, the lawyer, should be present at the inquest. Then Jack told them he would go to Bridge House and tell Joan the truth, as some distorted rumour was sure to I'O'.xh them.

"lint you will come back and dine with us ?" said Miss Melita ; and Sybil looked pleadingly at him. "Certainly. I was going to ask yos if I might." It was a strange evening. The inspector refused to discuss the crime 01 toil them on what evidence he hail arrested Geff, and persistently warned him what he said might be ;:scd aeainst him. But when :he CocVv departed the others retired, the inspector occupying a couch in Gtrf's dressing-room and carefully looking the chamber door. ***** *

Directly after luncheon the next day Air. Jackson drove over with Dr. I.':cas, and while the lawyer was talking to Gen" the doctor had an interview with Sybil, who was greatly troubled about the whole alTair. "Do you think the coroner's jury will find Gell guilty ?" she asked, tearfully. j'l shall not be surprised," he re' plied, gravely. "You don't doubt him ?" "Ko. I know him too well ; but they have evidence enough to make it awkward for him." For a moment they were both silent ; then Sybil said : (To lie Continued.)