Doors of Destiny

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18651, 1 June 1932, Page 4

Doors of Destiny

By CONSTANCE BROMLEY.

p An Enthralling Story; of Theatrical Life.

synopsis. Hope Sterling’, a young actress, sets tier first part In a play by a budding U.ama list named Brian Cbarterls. So rullj does Hope throw bcrseir Into her part that 'he gains a great success and abuses the .ivy or Magda Tempest, the leading lady, .-ho treats her with unconcealed 13oain.here is an accident on the J stage; a hammer dropped from above Knocking Hop senseless, , . th( , Michael Gelding, an odd-job tnan at the theatre, had formerly been employed as chauffeur by Harding, Magda s husband Magda hated her husband, and tompted Michael to tamper with the mo J? r ' c aC’ s .° that Harding, who drove It, was killed. Then sho flouted her deliverer and drove him to ruin, . . _ , ■ Meanwhile Lord Stonelelgh, who financed the play, Invited tna company to visit his houseboat. . There J.ord Stonelelgh natters Hope, and tells her that Brian Cliarterls is thv. assumed name of one who years -before had to fiee the country Tor a serious orrence. Madga is incensed by the attention paid to Hope, and perceiving a-weaK rail on the boat conceives a plan or revenire. She Invites Hope to lean against the rail, which gives way and precipitates the latter into the water. Meanwhile Lord Stonelelgh, who financed the play, invited the company to his hruseboat. Stonolelgh pays Hope marked attention, and unsuccessfully tried to prejudice Brian Cliarterls In Hope s estlm “; tlon. Magda becomes Insanely Jealous 01 Hope, and contrives an “ accident nj which the latter falls Into the water. Just as Hope Is on the point of drowning Brian appears on the scone and rescues her. He Kisses her and proclaims his love. Hope speedily recovers from her immersion and , though very nervous, Is ready to play her part on the opening night of the new play. Brian’s play is a great success ana Hope enjoys a personal triumph. Lora Stonelelgh natters Hope but Is sharply reminded that she Is engaged to Brian. . Michael Gelding forces his way Into Magda’s dressing room and threatens to kill her, but the old fascination triumphs, and Michael Is once more Magda’s willing slave.

Hope sees Brian Cliarterls in company with Lady Cynthia In a Bond Street shop, and Is vaguely Jealous or their apparent Intimacy, Leaving the shop, Hope meets Lord Stonelelgh end accepts an Invitation to a supper party. Mrs Bruce, who Is temporarily acting as Hope’s dresser, warns her against Lord Stonelelgh. , . . Ml's Bruce learns that Lord Stonelelgh has cnvcigled Hope Into his fiat by trickery. She goes to Ills fiat and brings hope away.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Some time later, os flic sun was rising over Stonelelgh Towres, and the looal police had taken charge of affairs, Hope had to submit to interrogation by Inspector Gatesby as to tho events leading up to the death of Loid Stonelelgh. ■ „ . . Seated In a big chair pulled up in front of the fire —for she was shaking and her teeth were chattering, in spite of the mildness of the June da} * Hope answered as best she could the questions put to her. "It all happened so suddenly,” she , sa ld. “I was asleep, when some noise awoke me, and I saw—him standing at the foot of the'bed.” “What did he want?" asked Inspector Gatesby. “He—he tried —he wanted to make love to me," replied Hope In a faint voice.

"And you repulsed him?" "Yes; I jumped up and put on my wrapper, and —we struggled.” "Oh, you struggled with him, did you?" Hope nodded. " What was this dagger doing in your room?” asked the Inspector, suidenly producing the jewelled weapon, all stained with blood. Hope shuddered, and closed her eyes for a moment. "It had been used by me when taking part In the turning of a picture earlier In the day." “Oh! Where did you put It when you had finished with It?" “It was left lying on my dressingtable.” "Are you sure of that?" “Yes; it was the last thing my eyes saw when I retired to bed." "When you struggled with Lord Stonelelgh,‘had you anything in your hand ?" "No, nothing." "Gan you -swear to that ” "Yea." "You never picked up this dagger during the course of the struggle?" "No; I never thought of It. Even If I had I should not have been able to reach „it. Lord Stonelelgh was between me and .the dressing table.” "Of course, you know Lord Stonelelgh was fatally stabbed with this dagger?" Hope looked near to fainting. "Yes; when he fell,l saw it—sticking In his back." "You did not strike the blow?" “No, no 1 I swear it!” "Do you know who did?" "No. How should I?" "Can you suggest how anyone ■could stab Lord Staneleigh In the back while he was struggling with you, and you not see them?" "No; unless it was someone who was hidden behind the window curtains." Tho Inspector had taken Hope’s replies down in writing, and when the statemeint was complete he read It over to her. "Is there anything here that you wish to dispute ?" “No.” "Then will you sign this statement, please ?" Hope took the pen he held out to her with a shaking hand and Inscribed her name. Dr. Jeffries entered the room at this moment. "Mr -Meredith wishes me to see Miss Sterling." he said. Hope lay hack in the chair, whilst beside her sat the faithful Mrs Bruce, who had listened In Hie Inspector’s questions with a sinking heart. The doctor look Hope’s wrist and felt tier pulse. "This young lady has suffered a severe shock. Inspector," he said. “Don’t you think it would he kinder to leave her to try and get a little sleep? I will give her a sedative." "Certainly, if you think so, sir, but she must not. be allowed to leave here. The coroner is coming to hold an Inquiry at twelve o’clock." The doctor surveyed the burly Inspector with a faintly sarcastic smile. "I don’t think sho could run very very far, if that’s what you’re afraid ■of,” lie said, cuttingly. The Inspector bridled, and rose to Ids feet. "Stic won’t gel the chance. T shall have a sergeant on guard at the door." Hope turned to Mrs Bruce, as the Inspector left the room, her lips trembling. "What does he mean?” site whispered. “Surety lie eannot think that I killed Lord Stonelelgh?" "Not nn, iny dear,” murmured Mrs Bruce, putting her arms round Hope's shaking form. "Don’t, get such thoughts in your head, dearie. | will stay with you. and if you can get a little sleep you will he better by-and-by."

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Outside in the corridor the Inspector beckoned to a waiting sergeant. "Guard this door, Wilkins,” he said, "and see that the young lady doesn’t leave this room. \Ve shall want her evidence at the inquest.” Smartly the sergeant took up a position outside the door, to the anger of some of Hope’s fellow artistes who still hung about the corridor. Mr Meredith Intercepted the Inspector as he went downstairs, but could get very little out of him except that Miss Sterling would be required to attend the Inquest at twelve o'clock In the Library at the Towers. There was nothing to do but get back to town with the rest of his company, for no filming would be possible in present circumstances. Poor Hope, soothed by the draught administered by Dr - Jefferies, after awhile fell into a troubled sleep closely watched over by Mrs Bruce, who once more saw a day dawn to tragedy- at Stoneligh Towers.

CHAPTER XXX. Brian Charteris arrived at Victoria Station at six o’clock that • evening from Paris, and was just getting into a taxi with his luggage when a newsboy passed him with a startling announcement on his news-bill: LORD STONELEIGH MURDERED I ACTRESS APPREHENDED.! Tossing him a copper and grabbing a paper, Brian told the driver to goto his Chambers. Once . inside the cab, the full import of what had happened stared him In the face. Ghastly-’head-lines—“HOPE STERLING APPREHENDED ON SUSPICION" stunned him past description. Hurriedly, dazedly, he read the full report of the Inquest that morning, held at Stonelelgh Towers, and learned that Hope—his darling—was detained on suspicion of complicity in the crime, at the County gaol of Leith. Like a man In a dream he leaned cut and told the driver to go to the garage where he kept his two-seater car. Putting his suit-case in It, he was soon after driving on the road to Leigh at a speed little short of dangerous. It was past eight o’clock when he arrived at the village Police Station and asked for the Inspector in charge. Briofly he stated his business and asked, as Miss Sterling’s fiance, if lie could see her for a few moments. The Inspector was with difficulty persuaded to accede to his request, and at last consented , to go with Brian in his car to the County Gaol, a mile away. • After a protracted interval, during which Brian paced about like a raging lion in a six by eight waiting-room, the Inspector returned and conducted him to the room where Hope das confined. Her joy at seing him was overwhelming, and to him she told the whole story, but whne she would have protested her innocence, Brian silenced her with a ldss upon her trembling mouth. "Hush, my darling. Do you think I need telling you are Innocent? I shall drive straight back.to town and come again to-morrow with my friend, Stanley Keen, one of the finest detectives in London. Whatever you do, dearest, keep your spirits. There’s not the slightest doubt that you can be cleared ol' this horrible suspicion before many days are over. For my sake, be brave, darling, or how shall I be able to have one moment’s peace about you?" “ Oil, I will be brave,” cried Hope, " You believe in me and so things must come right if Only you could lake me away from here!" “I wish to God 1 could, darling! But it can he only for a few days at the most. Before the adjourned inquiry lukes pluce something will have transpired to prove this charge ridiculous. Don’t worry, l will come to-mor-row and bring Keen with me. Cheerup, sweetheart!" He kissed her tenderly, and she felt a stream of new courage flood her veins at the thought that he would protect her and work for her release. Tenderly they separated, and Brian hastened to his car l'or the Journey back to London. His mind was made up to seek out Stanley Keen that night before he ate or slept. All he prayed was that the brilliant delective was not out of town. If anybody could unravel this mystery, he could, and, thank God, money was no object now. Brian’s oil-fields had brouht him a fortune, and he would spend It all if needs lie to set Hope free I

CHAPTER XXIIII. Stanley Keen was an enthusiastic lover of the Theatre, and never missed a first night performance il‘ he could help it. To this fact Brian owed the circumstances of finding him in town and still out of bed, when his car pulled up in Temple’s Inn after midnight. Keen admitted him personally, his servant having long since retired for the night; " Whatever brings you here at this hour?" he queried. " For goodness sake, give me a drink, old man, and I'll tell you. I've had nothing since mid-day to-day, and have just one over 80 miles In the car!” “ Good heavens!" exclaimed his friend, without more ado mixing him a sounds serious. Here, have some biscuits with that; you look done in," passing him a boxful out of a cupboard in the sideboard. Gradually, Brian told him the story of Hope’s detention on suspicion of causing the death of Lord Stonelelgh. \" A more ridiculous assertion was never uttered," lie declared hotly. " She is incapable of such a thing. Just because she’s been wearing the dagger all day while acting in a film, and left it on her dressing-table, they imagine sho must have used it to commit this ghastly crime." " I read the case in the evening paper just before going to the Theatre,” said Keen. " Lord Stoneleigh was found dead In tier room." Yes. He lias more than once pestered with his unwelcome attentions, and evidently loolc Ills further opportunity while she was a guest under iiis roof."

(To be continued.)