The Nemesis a of Crime

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20829, 13 June 1939, Page 4

The Nemesis a of Crime

Synopsis of Instalment I.—Primrose Csthcart, last descendant or the Gath* cart family, suddenly rendered penniless, and forced to seek tne shelter offered by Mr and Mr* Larramy, her uncle and aunt. Mrs Larramy tells Primrose the story or their neighbour, Mr Oellender's matrimonial romance. On leaving the Diplomatic Service Horace Gellender had married and brought his wife home to his country *eat In Clayshire (where the opening scenes of the story take place), it was

reported that Mrs Gellender was a countess In her own right, and divinely beautirul, but to the surprise of all, she proved to be a sma'l, plain woman. She, however, possessed wonderful eyes that were ru.-cinating to un uncanny degree. Odd rumours soon got alloat or strange doings a? lladstcok Mall, aud Horace and his wire quarrelled. The reconciliation was signalised by s county ball, a: which Mrs Larramy overhead a conversation between Horace and his wife, showing, apparently, that the reconciliation was complete. Shortly afterwaid* she heard the sound or running footsteps, and was surprised to see a woman with a bundle running towards the road, where she was driven oil m a trap, in the darkness there w'a 3 a souud like a child's cry. Three months later Horace received from his wire a lb-artless letter, bearing a foreign post mark. lie only heard of his wire once arter that through a friend. Primrose Calhcart and Horace meet again, and lie invites

—By — ACEITUNA THURLOW

A story of ThrllUng Romance and Exciting Adventure

her to the Hall to see his jewels, which are kept in a strong room specially barricaded. Their friendship grows stronger, and Primrose wishes that she could help him to discover the whereabouts of his lost child.

Primrose obtains an app jlntment as governess with a Mrs Lemaire, who is about to start oij, a yachting cruise to Norway, her charge being Mrs Lemaire's daughter Molly. Before she leaves her aunt’s Horace Gellender comes to tin her good bye, and gives her a brooch set with diamonds. Prlmro<e finds her charge to be an “uncanny-looking child," who Is being brougli up on a curious system uT Mr I.emalre s. One day, Primrose mentions Mr Oellender’s romance, when Mrs Lemaire takes the part or Mrs Gellender with some vigour. Every

evriing. Mrs Lemaire and the men, who all seem to be in love with their hostess, retire to the smoking room, w-iich Primrose ha* been forbidden to enter under any circumstances. What goes on in that room is kept a profound secret. Primrose nearly latliotns the mystery one evening, but Mrs Lemaire puts the subject aside by discussing plans of a shore excursion. Next day inc men start out on a sporting expedition and Mrs Lemaire and Primrose go lor u long drive. They stay at a hotel Tor the night, and when dressing fur dinner, Primrose puts on tin* brooch given her by Horace Gellender, which unaccountably startles Mrs Lemaire when she sees It. After retiring for the night primrose Is awakened by the feeling that somebody Is in her room, ami jumping up discovered it to be Mrs Lemaire. slip is Horrified to lliid the bed-clothes reeking u: culoioiuim. Mrs Lemaire retires, excusing on tne plea o! neuralgia. and then Primrose nutices that her Jewel case In which she keeps Horace GellerrJer’s present is open. Next day she hesitate* whether to slay or reiurn home, but decides to stay. Meeting All nunlei. sue asks him U» take care or her brooch, and he agrees to iock it up in his cash box. Tho Story Proceeds “For the sake of my poor child, 1 will do what you wish," lie said brokenly. *l promise that if through your uic r ency 1 am brought lace to face with my wife 1 will do her no harm. And yet," concluded Mr Gellender with a heavy .sigh, “I do not know, and try as 1 will l cannot genuinely forgive. To me it is more difficult to pardon those I love than others to whom 1 am in all probability indifferent." He had spoken his last sentences almost as il' he were in a dream, and had forgotten the existence of an audience. At the close of his speech, however, he seemed to realise where he was, and the fact that he had been talking to interested listeners. lie turned fiercely on Maurice. "Get on with your story,” lie said, "and. for God's sake, make it as short as you can." Without further preamble Maurice began, and gave a clear account of all our adventures. Mr Gellender listened without interruption. “Do you mind describing the lady?” he said at length. Maurice tried, and faiicd egregiously.

"Small, thin, not good-looking, very scinating. She has wonderful eyes,

markable variations in its tones. She dresses well —she has ugly hands—" "1 will go and get the brooch," 1 said quickly, "you may lie able to tell something more when you have seen the portrait on Hie back." The luggage sent by Mr Lemaire from the yacht had arrived. After a great deal of rummaging I found my little jewel box and opened it. 1 rather expected that the brooch would he missing. It was there, however, where I had placed it the night Mrs Lemaire had found me examining the porlrait in Spitzbergen. 1 ran straight down to the drawing-room. They all rose and surrounded me, as I stood under the standard lamp, and began fidgeting with my fingers, trying to discover the spring. in a few seconds 1 was successful, the small gold lid flew open—disclosing an empty space where the portrait had been. Mrs Lemaire had taken the opportunity to remove the miniature, before despatching the possessions of her defunct governess to her relatives. The dead tell no tales, and she believed'that she and I had been the only people who knew of its existence. There was a murmur of disappointment. "It is needless to say," said Mr Gellender, after our indignation had somewhat subsided, "that 1 have no recollection of any portrait, nor did 1 know of the existence of this spring. My wife, however, had this brooch, with the other jewels which had belonged to my mother, and I have a vague remembrance of once hearing her say she intended to have her miniature done, to send to Frau von Schultz, the lady at whose house we had first met. It is quite possible that she may have had the portrait painted and fitted into the hack of the brooch, ready to send away, when the news of Frau von Schultz’s sudden death prevented her from despatching it.” "Do you really think —” I began, and then stopped short. The Plan Discussed "I do more than think, I am practically sure that the person who you have known as Mrs Lemaire is in reality my wife. There is only one way of making this a certainty. Let us go up to town to-morrow morning, and drive straight to Levington House and demand admittance. May 1 ask you to accompany us, unless it is too much for you, Miss Cathcart? If 1 find things are as I think, 1 shall insist on taking the chile into my own custody. She is devoted to you, and would let you take her where you wished, whereas she would be terrified of me, a stranger." Mr Gellender's face as he said this was so stern that it almost frightened "Uf course I will come," I answered. •1 would do anything for Molly. Poor little soul, she has had a hard time lately.” While the men still discussed their plan of action, Cousin Cornelia hurried me off to bed. She firmly refused to stay and talk, as she said, truly, that 1 should have a long tiring day before me in the morning. By her command I breakfasted in bed, and as soon as 1 was dressed descended to the drawing-room, where 1 found her extremely anxious to have a full account of my private affairs. "I am so thankful to have you back, safe and sound," she said affectionately. "That dreadful letter of Mr 1 lemaire's telling me of your death, gave me a great shock, even though 1 knew it to bo untrue. 1 can't get rid of the thought that he was very nearly right. It makes me feel quite like a murderess, for 1 had no business to let you go.” -What reason did Mr Lemaire give for writing instead of his wife?” "He said that she was 111 with nervous prostration, and couldn t bear to approach the subject. She had been so fond of you! This will be accounted for if we find Mrs Lemaire and Mrs Gellender are the same person. You see, 1 should remember Mrs Gellender's hand-writing, as I had several notes from her while she was at Hadstock.

"If you recollect, it was Mr Lemaire who wrote before to let you know when and where to meet them, and then he arrived with the news that his wife had been unexpectedly summoned to the yacht. It all points to one thing, and I sincerely pity poor Horace Gellender, for this would-be murderess is still his wife.”

She then questioned me about Maurice, and into her sympathetic ear I poured the story of my doubts lest my marriage might spoil his career. “1 have yet to learn in what way the Gathcarts are inferior to the Hunters,” exclaimed my cousin hotly. "You arc becoming quite a little snob, my good child. Js money the only thing in the world?" “That is exactly what I have been telling her,” said Maurice, who liad come in that moment to fetch me. "I am glad to find someone to back me up. Come along, darling, or* we .shall miss the train. When we eet back Mrs Larramy we will tackle her ridiculous ideas together and squash them.”

Mr Gellender met us at the station, and we succeeded in getting a firstclass carriage to ourselves to London. It was seven years since Mr Gellender had left Hadstock, and he was quite dazed by the Hurry and noise after his hermit-like existence. We set out at once for Cuthbert Hoad. There was a strangely deserted look about the house, 1 thought, as we pealed the hell. A long interval elapsed, and we rang again. Finally came a sound of feet, and the door opened to disclose the unfortunate footman who had earned his dismissal through admitting us before. He did not look exactly overjoyed at seeing us again. “Is Mrs Lemaire at home?” “No, sir.” “Then we will come in, and wait till she returns.” “Mrs Lemaire went away by tram this morning, sir.” This was a considerable shock. Maurice stepped up to the man and put something into his hand. "Do you know where your mistress has gone?” The man thought a minute. "1 think, sir, it must have been to Dover. I heard Mrs Lemaire telling Roger to be sure and sent a wire to her there, in case you called. The other servants have all had notice and the house Is to be let. My mistress refused to give me a character because I let you in on Thursday. I am leaving the place myself in half an hour.” "1 shall be much obliged if you will not mention our corning to anyone." said Maurice, "and if you will cull ut this address in a day or Iwo 1 will see what l can do about getting you another place. 1 suppose you didn't J happen to hear what hotel .Mrs Le'‘Thank you." said Maurice pleasantly. "Good morning." (To be Continued.)