“The Other Man’s Crime,”

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 January 1933, Page 7

“The Other Man’s Crime,”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

COPYRIGHT.

CHAPTER XXVI. —Continued. “No, miss. You’ll be quiet enough, there,” the boy assured her. Stella had been generous to him, and was already a favourite with all the staff. So Stella went into the writing-room and a moment later .Jack brought in the visitor. Stella’s eyes widened as they rested on the hard face and smartly dressed figure of Mr Clement Cullen. “You!” she exclaimed indignantly. ‘“Your name is not Mason.” "That is true, Miss Drake,” Cullen answered quietly. "Put I knew that if I sent my own card in you would not see me.” "You are right there,” Stella answered. "You are the last person I wish to see, and I shall be glad if you will go at once.” Her voice was like ice, yet Cullen did not move. "If you won’t go I will,” said Stella, starting for the door. "So Miles Hedley means nothing to you. ” In spito of herself Cullen’s words brought her up short. "What do you mean?” she asked. "You saw wliat I wrote on the back of that card. I meant it. I can tell you more about the' reason for Hedley being in prison than any other man, except himself and Maurice Tavener. And” —ho paused and looked at her — "they won’t tell.” Stella stood quite still, gazing at him. Tie went on: "Vou’re trying to think that I’m putting up a bluff, but you know better. I’m not particular in what I say. A man like me can’t be, but this time I’m' telling you the truth, and .you know it. ’ ’ Somehow Stella did know it, but then a thought came to her.

"Why,” she asked, "should you bring your information to me?” Cullen nodded as if he appreciated her

question. "I’l ttll you. I have two reasons. One is that I’m stony broke and need money; the other and bigger one is that I want to get square with Maurice Tavener. ’ ’

A shiver ran through Stella. Though Cullen had not raised his voice, had, in fact, spoken in quite a low tone,

there was a deadly malignity in his words, and she sensed that his hatred for Maurice was a terrible thing. But Maurice —Mauice could look after himself. This man had something to tell her about Miles and she believed it was worth hearing. "I am not particularly concerned with Mr Tavener,” she said, "but if you can tell me anything worth while about Mr Hedley—anything, I mean, that may be helpful to him—l am prepared to pay for it.” Again Cullen nodded.

"Suppose,” he said, "I could tell you that Mr Hedley never did what he’s accused of—never killed anyone —what’s that worth to you?” Stella started, she gazed at Cullen as if trying to read his very soul. "Do you mean that?” she asked. "I mean it,” he answered. "I want a hundred down, and, if you think it’s worth it, you can j>ay me another four hundred pounds when you’ve heard what I’ve got to say.” "That sounds fair,” said Stella. "I agree.” "All right,” said Cullen. "But it’s rather a long story. You might as well sit down.” Stella sat, and Cullen took a. chair opposite. The big room w-as very quiet, except for the distant roar of London’s traffic. Then Cullen began to speak. Ho was quite frank on every point, except that he did not mention the particular hold which Yedder first, and he afterwards, had on Maurice, and Stella listened with breathless interest. Once'or twice she shivered slightly. When he had finished she sat silent for some moments. At last she spoke. "Then Maurice Tavener killed Tedder and paid Mr Hedley to take the blame. ’ ’

"That’s about the size of it,” Cullen answered. "Tavener knew just how badly Hedley needed the money for your mine, and .took advantage of it.”

Stella’s lips tightened. "And Miles never told me,” she half-whispered. "He wouldn’t, Miss Drake. That was his contract with Tavener—to keep his mouth shut.” 'Stella considered a little.

"But where do you come into this?” she asked suddenly’ - . "How do you know the truth? You were not there at the time of the -quarrel, and Vedder Avas killed on the spot, so he- could not have told you.” Cullen shrugged. "Tavener told me, himself,” he answered briefly'. "Mr Tavener told you! Why'?” - "Because he had to,” said Cullen, and curtly as he spoke Stella understood. "You mean you had some hold over him ? ’ ’ "'Yes.” "And. ymu planned with him to buy our mine?” Stella accused him. "I make money any way' I can,” replied Cullen, "but that’s beside the point. Is what I’ve told you worth what I’ve asked?”

"I have promised y'ou one hundred pounds, and that you shall have,” said Stella with decision. "The rest will depend on y'our evidence in the new trial for which I shall apply'.” Cullen smiled mirthlessly. "Nothing doing there, Miss Drake. You see for yourself I can’t go into the box. And even if I did what would be the good? My evidence is onlyhearsay'. What you have to do is to get Tavener to talk.” Stella rose. "If you will wait here I will get you your money',” she said. "I shall have to send a messenger to the bank. ”

"Very good,” said Cullen calmly. As Stella left the room he chuckled softlv.

"I don't know what she’ll do. but she’ll do something,” he said under his breath. "Anyway' I wouldn’t be in Mauric-p Tavener’s shoes.” CHAPTER XXVII.-—STELLA GOES TOO FAR. "Is Mr Bartlett in?” Then before ins clerk could answer Stella went on. "Don’t perjure .yourself any more Mr Swayne. Tell him from me that I have seen Mr Hedley, and that I am coming over at once to talk about him. ’ ’

Bartlett, seated at his desk, go-t up as Stella came in. There was a rueful look on his plump, clean-shaven face, which made Stella smile. "Don’t look like a- school-boy caught stealing apples, Mr Bartlett,” she said. "I quite

BY T. C. BRIDGES. (Author of "The Stolen Masterpiece,” "The Gold Magnet,” ‘‘ThePrice of Liberty,” etc).

"Maurice Tavener paid him to take the blame. He gave him ten thousand pounds to do so.” "The money he sent out to your father?”

"Exactly. The money dad has used to- develop the mine, the money on which we are now living in luxury, while Miles lies in that horrible prison.” In spite of all her strong self-control Stella’s voice rose a little, and Bartlett understood the strain under which she was labouring. ‘"Tell me,” he said. "How did you learn this? Was it from Hedley?”

"No. Miles is staunch. -He never said a- word. It was part of his bargain with Maurice that he should not speak, and even to me he gave no- hint of the truth.” Bartlett nodded.

"Thta is like him. A straight man if ever I met one. But who did tell you?' It couldn’t have been Taven-

"It was Clement Cullen?” "I never heard of him,” said Bartlett. "'Who is he?”

Stella told of Cullen’s arrival in Bolivia., his attempt to buy the mine and how it had been foiled by the timely arrival of herself with Miles’scheque. She went on to speak of 1 the way in which Scorson had trapped the fellow and dumped him in the wilds, out of his aeroplane. Then she told how Cullen had come to her in London and what he had told her. Bartlett sat with his finger tips pressed together, listening with keen interest. "Now what do you make of it?” she ended. ‘ 1 Surely we have grounds for a. new trial.”

"I make two things to begin -with, first that Cullen is a very dangerous crook, and secondly that, for some reason best known to himself he loathes Tavener and is trying to- get square with him. But, unless we can get Cullen to tell his story in the witness box, I can’t see where We are any better off. Hedley, you see, won’t move in the matter, for he considers- it a matter of honour to keep silence.” Stella’s face fell.

"Cullen won’t go into the box,” she said with a sigh. ".He told me so.” "I don’t blame him,.” said the lawyer drily. "If p m ]lo t badly mistaken he’s been blackmailing Tavener, and that’s a crime the law looksoil ■with very little f a v.our. * *

"Can’t we pay .him to give his evidence?”

"I don it think any money would tempt him, for it would be only a step from the witness-box into the dock, and he wo-uld probably get a ten-year sentence.”

"Then what are we to do?” asked Stella in despair.

"Frankly' I can see nothing that avo can do in the matter, unless avc could get Tavener to talk, and that is not likelv. ”

"Then Miles has to stay for all those y-ears in that horrible place! Oh Mr Bartlett, it is such a dreadful prison. To me it seemed to reek of crime and horror. I don’t see lioav any decent man could live there a Aveek Avithout going mad.” Her face and A'oice alike Avere so piteous that Bartlett Avas much moA'ed.

"My' dear,” be said, "I’d do anything I could to help you, but what can I do? If Hedley) Avould help himAvould be a. different matter.” "Can’t you think of any Avay to f'c-t Miles out?” He shook his head. ° "It’s no use my saying I can Avhen I know I cairt. We* should he merely* raising false hopes. The only advice I can giA e y'ou is to go home to y'our father and AA-ait. ” "For five years!” cried Stella.

"I know it sounds like for ever t<-< you. but five years pass quickly. And you’ll still be little more than a oi r ] Avhen be gets out.” °

“I shall never be a girl again,” said Stella sadly', as she took her lea A-e.

As her taxi passed Avestwards up Oxford-st., she sat back thinkingthinking, and paydng no attention*’to her surroundings. But the more she thought the more hopeless the situation seemed. Whichever way she turned she AA-as up against a blank Avail. It was equally hopeless to appeal to Cullen. Maurice, or Miles himself. She felt desperately lonely for Bartlett was literally the only' soul she knew in 'London. So her surprise may be imagined Avhen, on arriving at her hotel, the page informed her that a gentleman Avas waiting to see her. "Who is it?” she asked.

"Mr TaA-ener, ’’ Avas the reply'. Stella’s flrs-t indignant impulse Avas to send a curt message to the effect that she Avas not at home, a n q o - 0 straight to her room; but, for a mere girl, Stella Avas very cool-headed. It occurred to her that, if she saw Mnu-’"ic-e and could force herself to be ciA'il t'< him. ‘’he miuht p-ain useful information. She could play' the hypocrite if necessary- f~- Arn o <,’.<j cake. (To be continued.)

understand and —sympathise. ” For a moment the lawyer looked a little surprised at this unconventional greeting, then he laughed. "You’re too smart for us, Miss Drake. And so you have found where poor Hedley is.” "I have not only found him but seen him,” said Stella, as she took the chair which Bartlett pushed forward for her. "Now the thing is to get him out as soon as possible.” Bartlett gazed at his pretty visitor, then he shook his head. "I only wish we could, Miss Drake, but it’s impossible. Though the sentence was undoubtedly too severe there is not a chance of a fresh trial.” "Not even if he never did it, Mr Bartlett?” Bartlett’s eyes widened. There was no doubt about his surprise. "I don’t know what you mean, Miss Drake. As our American friends say, you 'vc got me guessing. ’ ’ "No need for that, Mr Bartlett. Miles never killed that man, Vedder. He never touched him. Maurice Tavener is the guilt}'- person.” This time Bartlett was so startled that it was some moments before he could find

words. "But—but —” he got out at last, "Hedlev confessed that he had done it.”