THE STORYTELLER

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14767, 5 October 1921, Page 8

THE STORYTELLER

" IMPHM!" SAID MRS KNOX i (By Mary Stuart Boyd, author of "Kavanagh's Lucky Bean," "The Fortunate Isles,"' etc.). CHAPTER VI. —Continued. Except for Mrs Knox and the lovers, ihe hali hart previously been nearly empty. \el the first promise of sensation found it suddenly full of peo-i-ie. Prom drawing-room, library, recreation hall, and waiting-room, guests flocked, eager to enjoy the new excitement. Mr Coulter speedily became the centre of an interested group. He was telling Miss Anderson, the manageress, how. having gone up to his room to look for ft paper, he had found that his Burberry rain-coat and his portmanteau had both been taken away. When did you last see these things'." asked the manageress. Tins morning. I swear they were both there when I went out golfing. The coal was locked in the wardrobe, and 1 had the key in my possession. The thief must own a key that tits.' •No one has left the hydro. S 0 the thief may be -lit! an g us." The manageress cast a suspicious glance around: 'The maids were working upstairs alii morning, turning out rooms. They inijst have seen if any unauthorised pea-sim enlered Mr Coulter's room. oi| was ahoiil that corridor.' •i/h! o'h! The ejaculation of the moon-faced youn,-. chamber-maid called attention t- where she stood gazing openmouthed* ;d Mrs Knox. Miss Anderson pounced upon her. •Well, Wilson, what is it? You were working up there. Did you see anybody go into Mr Coulter's room?' '.No, pEcase, ma'am. 'Then what are you making a noise about?' demanded the sorely tried manageress impatiently. She wis jealous for the good name of the house, and Ihe inexplicable robberies were getting on her nerves. •Please, ma',un. I never seen anybody go 'into his room, but 1 seen somebody cumin' out of it.' ■You did? Then why didn't you slop him'." . please ma'am, it weren't a him. II were a lady. An I never knew then but what it were her own room she were a-conim' out of.' •And who was the lady? Now. be Careful what you say.' •That's'! Iter siaiuun' over there. An' may I drop down dead this minute if I'm telling a lie,' said Wilson, hurstiug into uncontrollable tears. But io one, had any attention Lo span: for Wilson's emotions. Ail the interest •was centred on Mrs Knox. who. wtici the accusing linger was pointing in her direction,,had risen from her scat. now stood erect, a target for all m-quk-itive eyes. •Mrs Mpakes!' Coulter murmured uneasily. Until this moment he had not recognised his erstwhile landla ly. As a prudent measure he made i scarcely perceptible movement, to the rear, and so became a less promine.nl member of the parly.

'Mrs Knox —of course, we all know it's an utterly ridiculous question !o ask"—Miss Anderson spoke apologelie-ally--'bul do you know anything of the articles that Mr Coulter has missed from his room?'

■lf you're rcferrin' to any goods bclongin' to the man that calls himself Claude Coulter, I ken naelhing about them. But if you're speakin' of a gold-handled umbrclini and a waterproof coal, and a real llatlier portmanteau that were stolen from my house in Glasgow when he was lodging with me under the name of Edward Smilh, and went away without payin' a penny, they are locked in my wardrobe, ready for their rightful owner, an' that's Mr Cruickshank, when he comes to claim them.'

:, Oli, this is sheer nonsense! It's a dangerous iibei!' Mr Coulter spoke with an admirable affectation of incredulity. Everybody knows am, and that the things are my property. This latly has just come—can anybody here vouch for her respectability V •Well, wellS' the manageress interposed briskly, 'iho tilings urn evidently not lost at any rate. If they are in Mrs Knox's wardrobe they can easily be recovered. I am sure Mr Coulter will be willing to overlook the matter, and nothing more be said about it.' hi her fervent desire to maintain the high reputation of the establishment under her direction. Miss Anderson fell almost willing to regard the occurrence as a little eccentricity on tin: pari of Mrs Knox, to whoso story she did not attach the slightest creden.-e. 'But, perhans we should see the tilings flrst.— Mrs Knox, may I trouble you for the key of the wardrobe?' Raising (he skirt of her dress. Mrs Knox dived into her liner; pouch and produced the key. Taking it, the assistant manageress hastened up»la ■•&, closely attended by one or two of Hie more actively inqui iitive guests, among whom was Mrs Norton. The others clustered round Mr Coulter, who was vigorously asserting thai he liudJiiever seen Mr; Knox he-fore, and insisting that, as she was undoubtedly mud, '•■■"■' friends ought to he wired for lo remove her. Speaking to no otic, Mrs Knox quietly hided her lime . lengray stood aloof, smiling contemptuously. In her opinion Mrs Knox was a lunaiic w!:o ought »«• l:e under restraint. He: proud spirit wu> amazed that her lover should condescend to vindidat-c himself from so preposterous a calumny. "t'ou see the bag and I tie umbrella have rny initials, C.C., or' the;::, and in the coat-pockets you'll find communications addressed lo me,' Mr Couiler made, voluble explanation. "J'hiii socalled Mrs Noakcs muse be one of the clover gang of thieves who have robbed so man*/ °f us guests. Once she is in custody, we'll have .-; eha;:oe or finding out who her accomplices are, r-nd o? recovering our belongings. I*ll Lo precious to SCO tnr cbcrjue-book again !' Nothing succeeds ! ; k- cheek, i'hc sympathy of livj ccrripuny ua■•• entirely with Mr Coulicr. rroic every side nr.UgonUtic glances were levelled at Mrs Knox. Whispers of 'Don't let her escape," 'Telephone for the police,' were heard; but. secure in In? justice of her cause, the good iaJy never flinched. 'Give me a grip of that cent and of that umbceiia,' sec demanded, spots or BCirle: Oamirg in her cheeks. 'See.' If you examine thai umbrella you'll giie vvh' r.j a wee pinie has been taken off. When Urn umbreiia whs stolen there ■ as ?n inscription on the pla'.e KaTln' ihe •jmor'-i'ia was the *-:ift of Mr Cruickshank's grateful pupil?.' 'Stuff and nor.s?nsc! SSlly rot!" Mr Cm-'iie- e.'.'.culale.'l; bid. his manner wae '.tsa ■ssr:."c/i, dim h.2 evinced no dr.sir.- to c-sprovc Mr> Knox'-- words. An' i! you'll lak* a '. ■. ?' '.no Lining Cf !;•.- coat >-•' ii see where it's beer. mer.Jci. ?f.' Mr Cnuokshan* tore it tti*> only wi-e. he Jiad it- no. and L duraod

it.' She was turning over the coat in quest of the place, when, quite accidentally, she made the discovery Coulter would have given his ears to avert. 'There's something hard sewed in the lining.—Here, you, miss! You sen what it is,' she said, thrusting I he garment into the hands of the manageress. 'Miss Anderson, 1 must trouble you for my property,' Mr Coulter cried excitedly, darting forward and trying to snatch the coat out of her hands. 'We have endured the insolence of this maniac long enough.' Mrs Knox warded him off with a firm hand, and the manageress, Willi a whispered word to her assistant, proceeded quietly to snip the stitches with her pocket-scissors. A moment later she gave a cry of surprise, and a gasp of consternation jan through the company as she held up a slendcd gold chain, at the end of which hung a magnificent cross of diamonds. •The diamond cross!' 'Lady Moffat's diamond cross!' The visitors might be engrossed looking at the dazzling trinket, but Mrs Knox's attention never left Mr Coulter. She was just in time to prevent his stealthy attempt to escape. Through the happening of more exciting '.natters, the customary event of the day—■ (he arrival of the afternoon bus-from th u station —had passed unnoticed, and its passengers had entered the lounge unobserved, except by Mrs Knox, who had reasons of her own for anxiously awaiting its coming. 'Here. Mr Cruickshank, that's him! That's the thief! Keep him, or he'll he off,' she cried, completely roused out of her usual calm, and Coulter found himself (irmly gripped by two pairs or muscular hands —those of Mr Cruickshank. who had come in answer to Mrs Knox's telegram, and of an old pupil, wilh whom he had renewed acquaintance coming up in the bus. 'Mr Cruickshank. keep a tight hold of that man, and' tell these folks who he is.' Blinking a little through his eyeglasses. Mr Cruickshank surveyed his prisoner deliberately before making pronouncement. 'He appears to me to hear a striking resemblance to a young man called Smith, who decamped from your house, Mrs Knox, with some ol my property.' 'Let me go ! This is all a put-up job,' Coulter blustered, struggling fiercely. He's another In the gang. I can explain everything.' 'And Lady. Moffat's diamond cross cm you explain it ivviy too c Miss Anderson inquired quietly. 'That old woman musl have hid it in I he coat.' 'Did she conceal Ihese pawn-tickets there also?' Ihc manageress asked, holding up some lell-talc slips ..f paper. 'Gentlemen,J must ask you to have I he kindness to retain I his man till the police come. I had I hem 'phoned for when I guessed where I ho guilt lay. Though, Mrs Knox, I must confess that at one moment I fancied they might be warded fur you.' Ilita Ballengray had shrunk back, and was gazing with ashen face at Ho: fortune-hunter who had so narrowly been prevented from wrecking her life. She was trembling violently, dreading the moment when the attention of the curious might be diveried to herself, ye I powerless to move from the spot, when an arm passed gently round her waisl. diew her back into the shadow, out of sight of the others. 'Rita, my poor, ] ' child.' tier aunt's voice murmured. 'iMi. Aunt Alice! You here!' 'Yes. deal'. I've come to lake you home,' Mrs Ballengray said as she led her humbled niece upstairs. 'The car is waiting. I'll help you 1" pack, and we'll leave at once.' 'How did you guess I needed you?' Ilita sobbed when Iheyhnd gained the shelter of her mom. 'And after 1 had been so hateful to you and uncle yesterday! What nuidc you corne?' 'I had a telegram saying. 'Your hlecc requires you. Come at once." I thought it must have come from you, dear.' 'No; 1 know nothing about it. Some angel must have sent il,' Liita sain wilh conviction. Meantime Mr Coulter —or Smith — stripped of his pretensions, had passed out inlo.'ihe night in Hie safe custody of the law. And Mr Cruickshank had accompanied him to Ihc poliee-slali-m to prefer the charge before returning to spend the night at the hydropathic. Then excitement waxed higher than ever. For once in her life Mrs Knox found herself the centre of attraction. Admiring listeners Imne; breathlessly op her words. The mosl luxurious arm-chair was hers. Hers, 100, ihe much-eoveted corner by the drawingroom lire. 'Dear Mrs Knox, words cannot express what the hydro owes to your bravery in exposing I ha l dreadful man. What 'further villainies you have saved us from no one will ever know,' Miss Anderson said '"gratefull,v. 'Bill you must tie exhausted after all thai strain —simply worn out. Wiial rcfre.-h----mcnl can t offc- you? Do ask for anything you fancy. The whole resources hi Ihe house are at your disposal.* •: think,' Mrs Kn-x said slowly, giving uUeraiiiV: i.o ihr craving l!i :l had been hr-ff, ever since she It'll home- —'! Know ! would iike a good big teapot of tea all to myself!' CHAI'TEH V!I.—HAMES BUST. M'-s Knox. Kii!i scarcely knowing whether -he was standing on tier head or on her heeis, had at length broken awuj from ill.; crowd of eager questioners end gone lip to her room .n search of a lillic quiet, and seclusion, before it was lime to prepare for dinner. Stiff was considering !ho edvis.ihT't y of lying down for a little, when 'i gentle knock summoned her [o the door, where she found Ida's aunt waiting to speek {■■ her. 'May 1 come :i: f'.'f a moment'." Mrs Ballengray asked in a confidential whisper. '! wan! to thank am from Ihc bottom of my hear', for wind you have done for my niece, i know y >u must have sent the telegram Hod brought me here In lime to help her in her tcrnbio trial." She had taken Mrs Knox's hands, and was pressing thern warmly between her nwn. 'ttila has beer; wc!i brought up. I can't understand how she could ever have hern deluded a« to believe that wret"li was a gentleman " 'W'-'i. ho took me in.' Mrs Knox's lone suggested that any one who had proved astute enough In deceive m-r might quite he excused for deceiving the rest of the wo'-hl. '•leaven itself musl have prompted you to <-end Ihc mossace!' Tears of gratitude stood in Mrs Ballengray's eyes. 'ni!n Ins a proud spirit. No one knows what rash step the poor child might have lak-n if she had : n alone in her hitter humiliation among all tho'ie gaping people.' 'Aye. I've noticed they're gey inqaisiUvni inyseiV Mrs Knox agreed. 'f was out. at luncheon when ; o.ir wire tame, but the moment I gol it I . OH/tOT-ed over, and arrived here just >n

Lime to see that creature exposed. I'll take Ilita home wilh me now; and in a few days we'll go off to Cairo, or some bright place where esorj thing will be new to tier. Ilita :s young. She'll soon gel over the shock of her disillusionment.' 'l've heard there's naelhing like. ''_ change for healin a broken heart.' Mrs Knox spoke sagely. 'Though I can't saj I've ever suffered from that complaint mysel',' .-he added truthfully. ■\Ve may never mee| again, dear Mrs Knox, but her uncle and I will never forget what, a dreadful fate you saved the poor girl from. Will you be here long'." Mrs Knox understood the signiticance of the inquiry when, three days later a handsome dressing-bag arrived' for her, with the Ballcngray's •grateful thanks.' As hitherto Mrs Knox's toilet appointments had been limited to a hair-brush and comb, and a tooth-brush, the uses of many 'of the silver fittings were unknown to tier. Nevertheless, throughout the rest ol her life the bag remained her proudest possession. During the remainder of her stay at Invercairn Hydropathic Mrs Knox took precedence as a personage. Cacti newly-arrived guest heard the talc ot how 'the intrepid dame, single-handed, had been the means of bringing just retribution on the subtle thief who, until she came on the scene, had cleverly despoiled the visitors, and who, but for her daring intervention, would have succeeded in beguiling an heiress into a secret marriage. When Mrs Knox, to oblige intcresle J inquirers, was induced to relate the story of her early acquaintance with Edward Smith —alias Claude Coull.T she invariably prefixed her rccil.il by saying, 'Thai was before I unexpectedly came into a fortune" —a casual statement which, naturally enough, gave rise to rumours of great wealth, and certainly did nothing to detract from Ihe prevailing opinion of Mrs Knox's importance. When the fortnight's holiday was ended, Mrs Knox resolutely turned her face homeward.-. She had taken her 'promised 'llirig.' It was over, and once again the uncompromising facts (if domestic life had to be encountered. ' Fresh air, outdoor exercise, variety of well-cooked food, and probably lessened indulgence in tea-drinking had worked a surprising improvement in the good lady's physical appearance. When Mirren opened the door of Cue flat to tier aunt she instantly remarked on Ihe difference. 'My word, aunt, but you are looking fine! \nybody' would think you were ten years younger. That shows the good a change does.' But Mrs Knox was too staggered by the altered aspect of her house even to hear what Mirren said. As if by the touch of some magic wand, cheerfulness had dispelled the accustomed gloom. In the lobby the dismal marbled well-paper had given place to one of a soft primrose lone, which gave Ihe effect of sunshine. The paint was t'lesli, and a gaily coloured rug lay on Ihe stained boards.

In the kitchen grate a bright tire burned, lighting up the newly-tinted walls and while-washed ceiling, and displaying Ihc hues of Hie carpet, and of the turkey-red curtains that draped the windows and well-bed. ■Sirs me! bill this is changed days!" ejaculated the amazed householder. 1 think 1 ken thai carpet. What's it doin' on the kitchen floor?' ■Yes: thiil's Ihe carpet out, of Mr Cruiekshank's parlour—l'll no deny it; but dinna you say one word till you've seen the rest of the. house," implored Mirren. 'I took you ill your word, an* I've spent some of your money. An' if you're no pleased with anything I've bought for you, Peter an' me'll buy it back for our own lonise. You being away. an' 110

lodgers to attend to. i thought it was ~ grand opportunity of gelfcin' the house done up.'

•I'm thinkiu" it. wasna 00l o' Ihc need of it," was Mrs Knox's laconic comment. Bui. knowing her aunt, Mirren knew that she was pleased, and felt encouraged to go on with her record.

'When I spoke lo Mr Forbes, he was quilc willing to paper and paint the best rooms; and Peter and his appreniiee did the rest of the house on Saturday afternoons and o' nights." In the sitting-room that until latelv had been occupied by Mr Cruickshank Ihe greatest surprise awaited Mrs Knox. The appearance of the. apartment was completely altered. The wails were pearl-gray. Ihc woodworkwas cream enamelled, as were the new low book-shelves on either side of the fireplace. Creamy casement curtains had ousted Ihe flabby lace ones from their time-honoured prominence. A fire was burning, ami a vase- of seartel tulips decorated a table that was neatly laid for dinner

'lt's a real pity ye harlna made Ihey reforms before Mr Cruickshank ieft. He'd maybe have stopped one Mrs Kivix remarked with grim sarcasm. 'Wha's the dinner for'."

it's just for Mr firuieks'iank him- ; self! That's another surprise for you!' j cried Mirren joyously. 'He came on Tuesday, and said, if his old moms | wasn't occupied, he'd like | fJ conn) hack, lie eouldn/l sland llic woman I a! llilM.ie.nl. He said her tongue never lay. And. forby— Ihnugh he never said j i! --I .ialousc she wasn't any to-' honest. And when Mr Gruirkshnnk | :-a\\ how nice the rooms wore since | they had been done up. be sa'd himself Mi:-:i he'd pay half a-crown week j more. And ihere's an engineering student laken tlie back-room from rmxi week. It. looks real nice since It was tosheil up a hit. And he's willing to pay eightcenpehee more Ihnn Mennis i Kavunagii did. With him. and' Mr \ liruhrkshrmk. and your annuily. and Urn mon.y lying in Iho bank, you'll be real I comfiirt:*:bio off.' •'Deed will 1. an' that's the truth.' acpijeseed Mrs Knox. 'An' I'm Hud nhiifecl lo you for what you've done, an' Lo Peter 100. An' I'm sure'—'Tuts! H was nothing bul a pleasure, i Mirren interrupted . 'Come away hen j Ihe house. You must he wearying for I a cup of tea after your .journey. And '' I've got real good kippers.' 'Mirren.' Mis Knox s-ml solemnly a little inter, as she replenished her cup : for the third lime, 'since 1 left home I j have travelled. I have seen Ihe world, i I don'l deny but what I have learie I I things, an' Hie very first lime I'm mil i I'll buy :i cookery-hook. .Bui one Ihir}I will maintain until my flying day, and j ihnt is. dial "K,.sf or Wesl. hame's best." Ave, Ihal's Ihe gospel Iruth. ; and so it is. Aye. [mphm !' The End.

I Ix'injr Mlii rl nf BHirium is i*r#*tlil«-il ', willi 111.- larger! Imiriiii! i';ii' in tin 1 wurlil. The iTii' ill Iw'i so.-linns an j nrdinarv bmj\ in frnnl. willi :i lar/sv i-nai-ii-lik" trailer allarh"d. II 11. - | lei-oniniodalinn fur I"i persons and i sl""[iin.: quarters fur li'ii. The I railer ; consists -if a kili-hi-ii. Imllii'iinm. iml I ;i i-ornliinali'iri kitincrio.q and clinin ■ I mom. 'l'ln' niat'liiiic is designed fur I niilin , - r in \f"ica. Tackle Ilia, rresn cold in Uie hoar) j by inhaling freely "Nazol." Also lake j a few drops on loaf sugar, and allow j Ihe sugar to dissolve very slowly by i pi -icing it between the cheek and the j (Tuna*-- (2) j