THE PECULIAR CASE OF MAJOR HALES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XV, 15 April 1899, Page 471

THE PECULIAR CASE OF MAJOR HALES.

The good folk of Newton Pynes were nothing if not hospitable, and allhough the majority 01 the better elass residents were fur from wealthy, still on the arrival of new-comers they quarrelled vigorously as to wno should be the first to . offer to entertain them. Hail Major Hales and his wife been conquerors returning from a wellfought field they could not have been more often ‘dined,' and both sighed with relief as they drove on their way to W'hiddon Park.

‘lts the last, thank goodness,' Mrs Hales saiil, ‘and 1 think I should have got out of this one if it hadn't been lor one thing.’ ‘What's that?' grumbled her husband.

heard that Sir Allan Karslake is tc be there, and I'm most anxious to n.eet him. They say that he knows more of the secrets of nature than anyone else—unburnt—and you know, Henry, what 1 want to ask him.'

Major Hales looked out through the mist-covered window pane and his face twitched, and he. bit his lips to keep down an 'irrita-ble oath, ‘For God's sake, Kate, do drop that nonsensical idea of yours. Surely you have forgiven all that long since.

She slipped her arm into his and gave it a. tender squeeze. ‘Don't be cross, Henry. It's not that I don't love you dearly, as you know, but I can never forget poor Dick's dead face as it looked up at me. ‘Revenge me,' it seemed to say, and what have 1 done to find out his murderer? Instead of devoting my life to hunting down the man who did it 1 married you.’ ‘Our lives were always in our hands in the Kyber,' he muttered. ‘A Pnthan lurking behind a rock with his jezail pots us at live hundred yards, and—there it ends." •Yes,' she said softly, ‘but a Pathau who shoots with a dum-dum bullet in peace time has a motive, which 1 erave to find out.' She saw his moody face, and leaned forward and kissed him. ‘There, smile. Henry. Forgive my wild talk. I'm happier with you than, perhaps, I should have been with Dick. Cotne, smile.' Captain Vane was an ideal host, and possessed, as if by instinct, the knack of sorting his guests well. People at his table found themselves sitting next to congenial spirits, and as a result thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Mrs Hales flushed with pleasure as she found Karslake on her left hand, and she shyly studied his masklike face. ‘I never give dinners. Mrs Hales,' he bent forward and said in a low tone, ‘but if you have anything to ask mo. pray do so. 1 am nt your service.' She crimsoned, for she had imagin

ed he was ignorant of her scrutiny, and she half turned away. A grim smile curled his lip, for he was a keen student of human nature.

‘There's a skeleton in that cupboard. he thought as he ■went on with his dinner. ‘lt will come out sooner or later.’

‘Sir Allan.' the soft voice exclaimed, ami he courteously bent forward, ‘will you listen to a story if I tell it von ?’

*( ertainly,' he replied, just glancing up and noticing the anxious look of Major Hales, ns he endeavoured to catch his wife's eye. ‘Your husband could see you if I moved that chrysanthemum. Shall I do so?"

‘No, no.' she whispered. ‘He doesn't approve of what I am going to ask von.’

Karslake, from under his heavy eyelids. watched the big, bluff soldier trying to hide his annoyance under a smiling' face. The sleepy eyes took in every detail of the heavy ami perhaps brutal face staring- across at him. ‘The man's afraid.' he thought. ‘Of what. I wonder? Of his wife? No. Of me—possibly yes. No claret, thank you.' he murmured. ‘.Now, Mrs Hales. I am all attention.' 'I was married ten years ago.' she began, ‘to my first husband. Captain Dick Bonham, who was in'the Guides. Will've heard of the regiment. I'm sure?' ’Yes,' he blandly added. ‘That regiment looted my father’s palace after an emeute.Yes. I know the Guides. Won't you try these meringues. They are excellent'?' His voice had not a trace of venom in it. and yet she shivered. ‘We were quartered at Malakaml. and 1 had obtained permission from the general to be with my husband. So we were as happy as’ one could expect to lie there. Major Hales, then a lieutenant, was in charge of a detatchment at. a small fort six miles off, and it was my late husband's duty to visit this party every week. One fatal day he was riding home in front of his escort when he fell from his horse and died almost before he reached the ground." ‘Yes,’ said Karslake, still watching the major. ‘I remember the ease now. Go on.' ‘The escort had heard no noise," she resumed, ‘and yet my poor husband had been shot, proving that the range must have been a long one. The wind was, it is true, blowing stronglv against the party, so that helped the assassin no doubt, but when the buller was examined it proved to be a Government one of the latest pattern. Oh. Sir Alltin. when I saw my darling's l ice I thought 1 would have died, and on his body I swore revenge! But no inquiry discovered the murderer, mid no doubt ho was. as Major Hales declares, a ‘snipper' who saw his ehanee. But I heard you knew many things,' she dropped her voice still lower, 'magical things, ami so I wanted to meet you.' She was a singularly lovely woman, and Karslake, as he looked first at her and then at the man across the table, mentally mapped out the whole grisly t ragedy. ■Oh you women,' he thought, ‘what, crimes you have caused. There's that man drinking too much wine and working himself up to row with mibecause he dreads what I may say.' ‘Was Major Hales a friend of yours tit that time?' he asked casually, ignoring the burning blush which red dened her face. ‘Yes, he was an old friend.' she replied simply. In fact I knew him before I ever met my first hush At that moment Captain Vane's sister rose, and the ladies left the table, whilst the men drew closer to one another. Hales rather unsteadily came over to Karslake and began angrily: ‘I saw you talking to my wifi- during dinner! May I enquire what the subject was?' His whole bearing was so insolent that several of the guests looked up in surprise. Karshike's cool insouciance rarely deserted him. and tilt hough he saw that a fracas was about to commence, he went on cracking a walnut as though he was not the central figure in it. ‘Certainly you may; we were discussing whether it would be possible after all these years to discover the murderer of her first husband.' He looked up suddenly at Hales. ‘And what, the devil has her late Ims(SEE ILLUSTRATIONS.

band, curse him!' hr muttered under his breath, ‘got to do with you. sir? It's no good looking at me. Vane, this cursed fool has been waking up memories which have been buried for years.' He was white now with passion, ami everyone drew away from him instinctively. All looked at Karslake wondering what line he would take. Very well. Major Hales,' he said, lighting a cigarette with hands which were perfectly steady, ‘it is quite obvious to everyone that you have fastened the* quarrel on me for your own ends. and. that being so. I will tell you how to find out what she* requires. She* calls for the* murderer—shall she call in vain?' The infuriated man glared at his antagonist, lounging idly in his chair, and then struck blindly out at him with all his force. •Take* that, you cursed nigger!' he shouted, hut the* blow never reacheel its mark. Karslake had been watching and had sprung up just in time. ‘Stand hack all!' he* said, between his teeth, ‘and leave* this wilel I least to me*.' There* was an expression of concentrated ferocity on his face which made* every man wonder whether he* was indeeel human, and then h<* looked full at Hales, who, breathing heavily, was about to renew the assa tilt. ’Drop your bands’’ The words seemed so simple, and yet their effect was astonishing! Hales seemed as if fighting against some invisible but potent force, for he* waved his hands irresolutely in the* air anel then let them drop heavily Io his side. His face* became free* from wrinkles ami lines, anel a bland, happy expression took the place of the* look of fury. ‘For God’s sake. Karslake.' said Vane, el rawing him aside, ‘don't be too hard on him! Remember bis wife is upstairs!' ‘Am I to be* insulteel with impunity?' retorted the* scientist. ‘He forced his folly on me. didn't he?’ ‘Yes! yes! I know, but look at all the* men talking; we* don't want to cause that poor woman distress.' Then, turning to his guests, he said: ‘Come, gentlemen, shall we go upstairs. Hales! Come* along.' ‘No! I'll wait for my friend,' the unfortunate* man said, keeping close to Karslake*. who smiled coldlv on those

around him, and then led the way upstairs. The instant they entered the draw-ing-room the Major walked up to his wife's siele and began talking in low tones to her, glancing up angrily if anyone else came near. At first she lookeel puzzled, anel then a great fear came into her eyes. There was an absence of sustained conversation in the room, and hence the words. ‘He's half drunk, that’s the

fact,’ were perfectly audible to everyone. The speaker looked up in alarm, and saw the lovely piteous face turned anxiously from one to the other.

Karslake, with the easy assurance of the man of the world, came forward. ‘My dear Mrs Hales! this is all my fault! Your husband chaffed me downstairs about hypnotising and such like matters, and declared them to be a myth. 1 then exercised my

will on him, and he is at present quite unconscious of anything but the past.’ His manner was so reassuring that all sighed with relief, and the wife smiled.

‘1 wondered what could be amiss, for he was calling me by my old name,’ she said. ‘But please. Sir Allan, forgive him now, and let him be his present self. I’—she smiled—•prefer him so.’ The other guests had moved away,

and only Vane was standing* near, watching with strained attention what lie felt to be the beginning of a tragedy. ‘I will do as you wish, Mrs Hales, but,’ said Karslake quietly, ‘1 had an idea you wished to find out Captain 1 lonham’s murderer.’ ‘Of course I do,’ she retorted, ‘but what has that to do with Major Hales?’ ‘A great deal,’ was the calm answer, ‘when a man is in his condition he is an admirable medium, and through

him we might find out what you so much desire to know.’ ‘Damn you! Karslake,' whispered Vane, all his sense of justice outraged, ‘leave the poor chap alone.’ ‘Stand aside! I tell you,' he replied in the same tone, ‘no one shall insult me without punishment.’ The wife stood undecided, whilst the three men grouped around her might have been casually discussing a matter of no importance from their outward appearance. ‘I know he’ll forgive me.’ she said finally. ‘Ask him to help us, Sir

Allan—poor old fellow—l’m sure he won't mind.' ‘You're a devil, that's what you arc,’ said Vane in the scientist's ear, ‘and I’ll be no party to your scheme.' Karslake smiled. ‘Curse you!' and the old man moved away. Turning to Hales, Karslake spoke slowly and distinctly. ‘Do you know who shot Captain Bonham in the Kyber?’ The woman's gaze was fixed upon her husband, whilst her face was pale and rigid. ‘Yes, I do! It was Mahomed Khan.

of the Guides,' Hales replied in an emotionless voice. ‘How do you know?’ ‘He was my orderly.' Mrs Hales staggered slightly. ‘Describe what you know of the murder!' The stern order aeteil like a stimulus to the hypnotised man, who sat heavily down on a ehair, and thrust out his legs as though In* were in boots with spurs on. He seemed to be looking moodily into the fire, for his face was frowning. ‘Did you say.' he began, ‘that Captain Bonham is riding up the pass?

May his tat stumble ami break his neck!’ the woman's mouth was half open, ami her eyes were glittering with excitement. •hou: (hat one man should stand between me ami my soul's desire! 1 Knew her first 1 loved her first,' the woman shuddered, ‘and but lor him, she would have loved me. Would that I had some friend to rid me of him. I'heit* was a hush, ami then the voice began again: ‘Eh! man don't tempt me! get away and do your duty! Ah! now he's gone, and I niiisl eat my heart out here, praying for another man's death. There goes the “assembly," and I must salute a man I hate!' Once more the voice died away, and the sounds of laughing conversation seemed almost a mockery to the minds of the two watchers. ‘My (iod! What did you say? That you had shot him! What? lie had injured me, and that therefore you slew him! By the Eternal, if 1 did my duty, Mohamed, 1 should call the guard at once. But, wouldn't suspicion rest on me if I did?’ he muttered. ‘No—it must be a secret between me and the Almighty. Poor chap, after all, I wish he was alive again.' ‘Stop. Sir Allan,' Mrs Hales gasped, I can stand no more.'

Karslake, seeing her livid face, exclaimed to Hales, ‘That will do—be yourself again and forget.' The Major rose and looked stupidly at the doctor. ‘1 feel a bit queer.' he said, ‘1 must have drunk too much of that sherry. *1 hope,’ he added. ‘1 didn't get excited; 1 had a sunstroke last year, and if I drink a few glasses of wine it makes me snappy.’ ‘Oh, no; you were argumentative, that was all.' Karslake replied. ‘Look out, your wife's fainting!’ She fell like a log and lay as one dead, whilst her husband looked as though about to follow her example. ‘Clear away, all of you,’ Karslake cried; for the guests had begun to crowd round, ‘and, Vane, help me to carry Mrs Hales into another room.’ In a few minutes she opened her eyes and glanced round at the doctor. ‘1 want to speak to you for a moment alone,' she said feebly. ‘You don't mind, Henry, do you?' she asked her husband. ‘All right, my darling—only get better soon.' he replied, and then the two were alone. ‘Sir Allan, 1 asked you to help me, and you have done what 1 asked only too well. Whether you suspected Major Hales I do not know, but you have the satisfaction, if such it is, of having made an innocent woman loathe herself and her sex. I have lost one husband, and I tell you here to your face that I will not sacrifice another. Oh!' she exclaimed bitterly, •that we women should be a curse instead of a help to men. That Major Hales did not intend to have Captain I'.onhani killed his own miserable account proves clearly enough. If he knew that I was aware of his secret he would shoot himself; and why,' her voice took on a pleading tone, ‘should he ever know—need he?' Karslake listened in amazement. He had thought to have heard threats against lhe man. and instead the woman was pleading for him. ‘That is a matter which entirely rests with you,' he replied. ‘I acted perhaps viciously, as your husband had been brutally rude to me, and so in a way we are quits. Shall it be so?'

And yet Karslake waits; for his knowledge of human nature tells him that one day tin* story will out. and then what then?