(Published by Special Arrangement.) THE LADY FROM NOWHERE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XII, 16 September 1899, Page 470

(Published by Special Arrangement.) THE LADY FROM NOWHERE.

A DETECTIVE STORY.

By

FERGUS HUME,

Author of The Mystery of ■ Hansom Cab,* The Third Volume,’ ‘For the Defence,’ The Lone Inn,* &C-, Ac.

CHAPTER XXV.

HOW THE DEED WAS DONE.

Gebb quite agreed with Parge regarding the guilt of Alder; and on looking back, over the collective evidence, he wondered that he had not suspected him before. No wonder he had come forward to defend Ferris; for bud as he was, the man had some conscience, and did not wish to see a guiltless person hanged for his crime, even though that person was his rival in love. What Gebb could not understand was, why Alder had Iteen so kind to Dean; and it was to ascertain this amongst other things that he left Parge as soon as he was able, and went off to Aider’s rooms. The man was dying; and for the clearance of all persons concerned in the matter, it was absolutely necessary that he should make a confession of his guilt, even at the eleventh hour. ’I could tell you much that 1 have discovered,’ said Gebb, slipping the incriminating letter into his pocket, •but as Alder is dying there is no time to lie lost in getting him to confess.’

’1 agree with you.’ replied Parge, promptly. ’I knew that he was dying. as 1 saw an account of his accident in the papers. Get him to confess, and for that purpose take Mr Hasson with you as a witness; then come back to me. and tell me everything. 1 wish to write out all details concerning this very extraordinary case, and put the report in my collection.’

’lt certainly merits it,’ replied Gebb, putting on his hat, ’and I daresay this confession will be the most wonderful of all. By the way, why did not the servant give up this letter before?’

'Because she is a cunning, artful, little minx,’ burst out Parge in great wrath, ‘and wished to make money over it. She found it, as I told you, while cleaning out the grate, when the room was stripped by Alder. The letter was torn across, as Miss Gilmar evidently did not think it worth while to adopt Alder’s advice and burn it. It was lucky she did not. or her death would have gone unavenged: as it is ’ ‘As it is, the man will escape the law,’ interrupted Gebb. ’but I daresay he’ll be punished somehow. I'm sure he deserves to be. Did Mrs Presk know of 'Tilda’s discovery?’ •No! Tilda kept the diecovery to herself: and intended to sell her information to the highest bidder. It took me two hours to wring the truth and the letter out of her: but I did in the end. and for the evidence I paid her five pounds.’ T’ve no doubt ,Miss Wedderburn will pay you when she comes into the estate.’

‘What, the five pounds!' exclaimed Parge, wrathfully. ‘Why. I expect the reward.’

‘But the reward was to be paid by Alder himself.’ argued Gebb: ‘and although it was a blind you can hardly expect the man to pay for his own detection.’

•His next heir must pay it!’ said the ex-detective, doggedly. 'Miss Wedderburn is the next heir.’ •Then I’ll apply to her,’ cried Parge. ‘l'm going to be paid for my trouble.’ •Seems to me. Simon. I've had all the trouble.’ said Gebb. dryly. ‘You've sat in your arm-chair and done nothing.' ‘l've found out the truth, if you call that nothing.' retorted Parge, growing red. ‘l’ve used my brains, which is more than you have done. There is life in the old dog yet, Absalom!*

'And temper also,' rejoined Gebb, who was rather sore about the reward. "Eh, Simon? Well! well! We’ll argue the matter hereafter. I must go to Alder.’ 'Don’t forget to take Basson.’ ’No, I won’t. But if you are right about Alder you are wrong about Dean; he did not kill Kirkstone.’

’Then who did?’ grunted Parge, rather displeased.

•Miss Gilmar herself!’ retorted Gebb. and departed swiftly, leaving to his friend this —to him—indigestible morsel. Parge raged a trifle after Gebb had gone, as he did not like to be put in the wrong, but when he recollected his, triumph in the new murder case, he was quite content to set it against his failure in the old one. So he sat placidly in his arm-chair, and enjoyed his success. and the prospect of getting two hundred pounds with so little trouble. All of which was satisfactory to his wife also: as it kept Parge in a good temper for one entire day, a state of things which was little less than miraculous in that frequently disturbed household.

In the meantime Gebb, with a des]>erate fear in his heart that he might be too late, went as quick as a hansom could travel to Basson's rooms. Keeping the cab at the door, he ran up the long staircase so quickly that he arrived at the top with failing breath ami beating heart. The perennial legend, 'Back in five minutes,' was still on the barrister's door, and Gebb on knocking was again greeted by the boy in the small suit. This latter admitted that his master was at home, but stated that he could not be seen. ‘ 'Cos he ain't well,’ explained Cerberus; ‘he’s had a shock!’

'What kind of a shock? An accident?” asked Gebb.

'No.' replied the boy, after some consideration, ’not that sort of shock. Quite another kind.’ ’Well. I’m sorry to disturb Mr Basson.' said Gebb. "but you must take him my card and tell him that I must see him. It's a matter of life and death.'

The boy still seemed - unwilling, but Gebb thrust the card into his hand, and insisted, so in the end it was taken to Basson. In less than a minute Cerberus returned with the information that his master would see Mr Gebb at once. With a nod the detective stepped into the dingy inner office, and found Mr Basson with his arms on the mantelpiece and his head bent down on them in an attitude of dejection. When he heard the footsteps of his visitor—and firm, quick, businesslike footsteps they were—he turned slowly, and displayed a very pale face and eyes so red that they looked as though he had been crying. 'What is the matter?' asked Gebb, rather taken aback by this evidence of grief. ‘l've had a shock,' replied Basson, using the very same words as his small clerk had done. ‘Nothing serious. I hope?' ‘Serious in one way. not in another. Still lam glad to see you. If you had not come to me I should have paid you a visit in the course of the day. You have a right to know.' ‘Know what?’ demanded Gebb, .beginning to feel uncomfortable ; he knew not why. •That Alder is dead.’ ‘Dead!’ Gebb. with a burst of anger unusual in one of his self - control, dashed his hat on the floor. ‘By —— he used a strong word, ‘so he has escaped me after all.’ ’What!' cried Basson, leaning forward in the chair he had flung himself into. ‘You know.’

T know that Alder killed Miss Gilmar. 1 heard it this morning. 1 haie the evidence of his own hand-writing to prove his guilt. When did you hear of it? How did you hear of it?’ ‘I heard all about it at eight o'clock this morning, shortly lietore Alder died.’

’Then he confessed his crime?’ ’He did. 1 was sent for at seven o’clock at his particular request, and he told me the whole story. In order to dear any innocent person who might be suspected I wrote down what he said, and got him to sign it. The doctor and myself were the witnesses, and the confession is locked in my desk yonder. I was coming round to your office later on in order to place it in your hands. How did vou find out the truth?’

’lt's a long story, Mr Basson. I’ll tell it to you some other time. But I learned that he killed his cousin, and I came here to get you to go with me. ami force him to confess.'

’He did so voluntarily.’ said Basson, sadly, ’and made what reparation he could for his wickedness. Do you wonder that I received a shock, Mr Gebb? It was terrible to hear a man 1 had known so long, whom I had liked so much, confess himself a murderer.'

•It is terrible. I grant you.' replied Gebb. somewhat moved by the grief of. the old Bohemian. '1 should never have thought it of him myself, as is proved by the fact that I never suspected him: He seemed a kindly, honest. pleasant gentleman. Perhaps, however, there is the excuse that he did the deed in a fit of rage. From what I have heard of Miss Gilmar she was a woman to irritate an archangel.'

Basson shook his head. ‘There is not even that excuse,’ he said. "The crime was committed in cold blood. He planned and carried it out in the most ruthless manner.’ ’But why in heaven's name did he desire the death of his wretched cousin?’

’Money. Mr Gebb —money. Alder was desperately hard up—on the verge of bankruptcy; and as his cousin refused to help him he killed her. To gain her wealth was the motive of the act. Well." added Basson, with a sigh, ’he did not enjoy his ill-gotten gains long; for in the midst of his prosperity the hand of God struck him down.' •You have fhe confession, you say?' ’Here it is!’ Basson unlocked the drawer of his desk, and took out a sheet, or to be precise, several sheets of paper, anti handed them to Gebb. The detective turned to the end. saw the three signatures, then slipped the papers into his pocket. ’lt will take too long reading this just now.' he said, apologetically, ’and 1 have much to do. Will you be so kind. Mr Basson, as to tell me thfacts in your own way? I am curious to know how so many people concerned in the case came to be collected in Grangebury on the night of the murder.’

’Alder •collected them." said Basson, nodding: ‘he planned the whole affair in a most wonderful manner, so as to throw suspicion of the crime on everyone but himself. Had he lived he would have eseaped all suspicion.' ‘I think not.' replied Gebb, feeling for the letter he had received from Parge, 'his own handwriting would have committed him. This is one of those little accidents which mar the plans of the most accomplished criminals. However, that is neither here nor there. Let me hear the confession.’

Basson thought for a moment, then began. ‘lt seems that Miss Wedderburn was not the only person Miss Gilmar wrote to; she corresponded also with

Alder about business matters; for, as she had left her property to him by will, she did not think that he would net ray her to Dean. As a matter of 'act, she was simply putting temptation in the man's way, for Alder was desperately hard up, and was looking forward to the time when he would come into possession of Miss Gilmar's money. However, she did not know that, and kept him advised of her changes of address.'

‘Did he know that she wa« in G range bury ?* 'Oh, yes; but he did not viri. her there, for already he was • sinking of getting rid of her by vio'eut means. The difficulty was how to do it without incriminating himself. Then two accidents helped him. The first was that while on a visit to Kirkstone Edith told him that she was ben- on getting the necklace for Arthur Ferris, and was going up to Grangebury on ihe evening of the 24th July to get it. Ferris, she said, was to escort her. Later on, while Alder was still in the Hall, Dean told how he had discovered Miss Gilmar's eonfessi-.u, and wished to give it to me. He was afraid, however, to come to my office lest he should be recognised. Afterwards Alder induced me to lecture at Grangebury, and wrote to Dean telling him to come up and see me there. Then he gave Ferris tickets for my lecture, and told him he could wait for Miss Wedderburn in the Town Hall, while she went to see Miss Gilmar. So, now you see, Mr Gebb, that on the 24th July Alder had these three people likely to be suspected on the spot.’

’A very ingenious idea,' said Gebb. ‘1 suppose he didn't care on whom suspicion fell?’ ’1 don’t think he did,’ admitted Basson candidly; ‘but he preferred to be guided by circumstances, and he really wanted the suspicion to fall upon Dean, as he had threatened to kill Miss Gilmar. Well, you know about Arthur and Edith.’ ’Yes. 1 know that he waited in the Town Hall, and that she got the necklace and joined him later, and that they both returned to London. Also, I know that Dean came up. and as he was too late to see you, gave the confession to Alder. But I don’t know how Alder managed to get away from the Hall without suspicion.’ 'Oh, that was easy,’ replied Basson. ‘He was busy seeing after the tickets on my behalf, and looking at the house; so none of the attendants knew where he was at the moment, I ut believed him to be in another part of the Town Hall. When Edith came back with the necklace he sent her into the Hall, and got rid of Dean, who had missed his train, by giving him money and telling him to stay all night in Grangebury—a fact which favoured his plans; then the coast being clear, he went alone to Paradise Row shortly before ten o’clock, and saw Miss Gilmar. In accordance with his instructions, she was alone in the house, as she had sent Mrs Presk and Tilda to my lecture.’ ’She admitted him?’

•Yes, and locked the door after he was inside; but he did not see where she hid the key. He then told her that Dean had found the confession, and Miss Gilmar, as you may guess, was in a great state. She immediately. with her usual superstition, got out the cards, to see what would happen.’ "And she turned up the death eard?’ •Yes. How do you know?’ ‘Because I found it in her lap.' •Yes,’ said Basson again, ’she picked up the death-card, and while gazing ; it in horror Alder, who was striding about the room smoking, slipped behind her, and with a cord torn frou. the nearest curtain, strangled her. He then robbed her of all her jewels anil slipped them into his pocket. Then he tried to get out but found the doors locked, and did not knew where the kevs were.’

"Mrs Presk had the key of the bi<K door, and Miss Gilmar that of the front,’ said Gebb. •Quite so: but Alder did not k-ct.i that. He did not dare to get out by the window, lest he should be taken for a burglar and arrested; so he stepped down to the kitchen and waited till Mrs Presk came home. He heard her go upstairs and then call ’Tilda, so that he knew the crime had been discovered. When the servant went up to the Yellow Boudoir Alder ran out of the back door, and returned to the Town Hall. The people in charge of the money and tickets thought that he had been with me, I fancied he had been with them, and as no inquiries were made, you see no-

body could guess that he had been away and had committed a crime.’ ’Ami why did he leave the jewels in Dean's room at Kirkstone Hall?’

"Ah, you know that?’ said Basson, much surprised. ’Why, he hid them so as to throw the blame on Dean. Everything was suspicious against the man." He was presumably guilty of the first crime, he had threatened to kill Miss Gilmar, he was in Grangebury on the night of the murder, and the" jewels—as Alder arranged—were to be found in his room.’

‘They were found,’ said Gebb. ‘I fount! "them, and for the moment believed Dean guilty. But about that ticket found in the Yellow Boudoir?’

•That was purposely dropped there by Alder to further incriminate Dean.’ "‘How did he get the ticket?’ •In giving the confession it fell out of Dean’s pocket, and Alder picked it up. So you see, Mr Gebb, that in every way chance played into Aider's hands.'

• “The wicked flourish like a green bay tree,” but not for long,' said Gebb grimly. ‘But tell me, ’Why was Alder so kind to Ferris?’ ’Oh. that was his deceit,' said Basson, with a sigh. ‘He fancied that when Dean was accused of this second murder Edith would never marry Ferris, as being the son of such a man. He was kind to him because he wanted to ingratiate himself with Edith, so that she might marry him after parting, as he thought she woidd, with Ferris.’ •Infernal scamp!’ cried Gebb, swearing. ‘when he knew that the poor devil was innocent. Have you Miss Gihnar’s confession?’

’Here it is! Alder gave it to me. It clears Dean entirely, so I suppose he’ll receive a free pardon.’ •I suppose so,’ said Gebb, putting the confession of Miss Gilmar into his pocket along with that of Alder. ’But his life is ruined. I’m only sorry for one thing: that Alder did not live to be hanged.’ •Well. I cannot agree with you; after all. he was my friend.’ said Basson sadly.

‘He was a blackguard,’ retorted Gebb. anil took his departure.

CHAPTER XXVI. THE END OF F]J ALL

One month after the death of John Alder, the two detectives; Parge and Gebb, sat in the room of the former, discussing the now solved mystery of the Grangebury murder case. On the table there lay a cheque for two hundred pounds made payable to Absalom Gebb, and signed by Edith \\ edderburn. The conversation was mostly about this cheque, and how it should be divided between them so as to compensate each with due fairness. The matter was. a delicate one, and could not be settled without some sharp words on either side. •After all, Simon,’ remonstrated Gebb in vexed tones, T did most of the work and deserve the reward for my pains.’

"ton don’t deserve all of it,’ retorted Parge captiously. •1 don’t claim all of it. I say divide it into two parts of one hundred pounds each. That will pay me. and much more than compensate you.’ T don’t know so much about that,’ grunted the fat man. ‘l’ve done a deal of thinking over the case, I can tell you. And it was me who found out the murderer. So in justice I ought to have the whole two hundred pounds.' Gebb snatched up the cheque and slipped it into his poeket. ‘lf you talk like that you won’t have a single penny,’ he cried wrathfully, for he was disgusted with the avarice of his coadjutor. Tn the goodness of her heart Miss Wedderburn considered that she should pay the reward out of the estate, and did so —to me; there was no word of you, Mr Parge, when she signed this cheque.’ T daresay not,’ growled Simon savagely; ‘that's gratitude, that is; yet if it hadn't been for me her father-in-law to be would have swung for a murder as he didn’t commit.’

"Don’t you make any mistake about that, Simon,' replied Gebb, dryly. ‘Mr Dean could have proved his innocence without you in both cases. The confession of Miss Gilmar shows that she killed Kirkstone, and the evidence of the hotelkeeper of The Golden Hind proves that Dean slept there at the very hour of the murder. He would have been declared innocent even if you hadn't discovered the truth.’ ‘Well, I did, anyhow.’ declared the other sulkily. ‘So did Mr Basson, if you come to that.’

’Rubbish!* cried Parge. ’He only heard the confession of Alder.’ ’Well, and didn’t that reveal the truth? As a matter of fact, in the face of that confession. Miss Wedderburn need not have paid the rAard to anyone. However, she thought that 1 deserved payment for all my work, so she gave me this money. It is only because you are a pal, and because 1 know you’ve helped in the matter that 1 give you fifty pounds for yourself.’ "Fifty pounds!' roared the fat man, growing purple with rage. ‘You said one hundred just now!’ "So I did; but I’ve taken off fifty for your greediness, Simon. I don’t "need to give you a single stiver if it comes to that.’

’l’ll never help you again.’ ’Much I care!’ retorted Gebb. ‘I can get on without you. And I can’t say as I care to work with a man as doesn’t know when his friend is doing him a good turn. You say another word, Simon Parge, and I’ll reduce your reward to twenty-five pounds.’ If Parge had been able to move he would no doubt have fallen on Gebb; but chained as he was to his chair, he could do nothing but glare at his junior with a fierce eye and a very red face. He knew very well that Gebb was acting in the most generous manner in offering to share the reward, so, fearful of losing all by opening his mouth too wide, he sulkily signified that half a loaf was better than none.

‘I daresay it is,’ said Gebb tartly: ‘but you only get a quarter of a loaf. I brought two fifty pound note® with me, but as you have been so avaricious you shall only have one. There it is.’ and Gebb clapped a Bank of England note into the hand of Parge, which dosed on it readily enough. ’And you keep one hundred and fifty?" he said, with a frown. ‘I do; and I’ve earned it, Simon, bv the sweat of my brow. But now that I've behaved towards you a deal better than you deserve. I’ll go and bank my money. You’ll not see me here again in a hurry.’

‘No, no!’ eried Parge, seeing that his greed had carried him too far, and softened by the money, which, after ail, had been earned very easily. ‘Don’t go, Absalom. I can’t do without you.’ •Haven’t I been generous, Simon?'

‘Yes, you have. Don’t take a man up so short. Sit down and have a pipe and glass of grog, and a talk over the case.’

With some dignity Gebb accepted the olive branch thus held out. and resumed his seat. Afterward Parge seemec so repentant of his late behavious that the dignity of Absalom disappeared altogether; and. moreover, the whisky and tobacco proved strong aids to patching up the quarrel. In ten minutes the pair were chatting together in the most amicable fashion.

•Well. Absalom,' said Parge, with a plethoric grunt, ‘and how does the matter of that Grangebury case stand now? You know I'm shut up here, and never hear a word of what's going on. Tell me the latest news.'

'Miss Wedderburn has inherited the Kirkstone property.'

'She owns the Hall then?' 'Yes. she inherits the Hall, and also Miss Gilman's personal property. It was left to Alder first, and failing him to Miss Wedderburn. so she is now a rich woman, and 1 dare say will make a better use of her money than the old skinflint who left it to her.' ‘She'll buy a husband with it. I suppose.' said Parge, ill-naturedly.

"Don't you make any mistake.’ contradicted Gebb. friendly to both Edith and Arthur. ‘She was engaged to Ferris in the days of her poverty,, and she’ll not throw him over now that she is rieh, but there is no purchase about the matter. I daresay Ferris will yet succeed with his pictures. In the meantime, he is to marry Miss Wedderburn. anil good luck to both of them, say I. They are as decent a young couple as I know.’

’When does the marriage take place?’

"Next month. Old Dean can’t live long, and he wants to see the pair man am! wife before lie leaves this very unjust world.’ "Unjust world!'echoed Simon incredulously. "Dean has lieen pardoned, has he not. Absalom?'

"Of course, pardoned by the State for a crime he never committed, after passing nearly 20 years in gaol for Miss Gihnar’s sake. I don’t wonder the old fellow is dying. He is worn out with trouble, and a sense of harsh injustice. He has one foot in the grave now, and I expect he II drop

into it as soon as his son marries Edith Wedderburn.’

•And he didn't kill Kirkstone after all?’

No. replied Gebb, with something of a dismal air. Tt appears from the confession left by Miss Gilmar that she struck the blow. Do you remember the bowie-knife mentioned in the evidence as belonging to Dean?’ 'Yes, the knife with which the man was killed.' said Parge. The sister borrowed it from Dean, didn't she?’ les. anil it appears that in her rage against Ellen Gilmar. for presuming to love Dean, she threatened her upstairs with the knife, while Kirkstone and Dean were quarrelling in the smoking-room. Ellen wrenched the knife away, and said she would take it at once to Dean in the Yellow Room. She went down with it, and found that having quarrelled. Dean and Kirkstqne hail parted, the former having gone up to lied. Ellen entered with the knife in her hand, and laaid it on the table. Then Kirkstone, who was in a bail temper, began to insult her. She retorted, and in a short space of time they were at it hard. Then when Miss Gilmar said something unusually cutting to Kirkstone, he rushed at her to strike her. She snatched up the knife to defend herself, and held it point out. In his blind rage he dashed against it. and the point pierced his heart. He fell dead on the spot. "Oh.' said Parge reflectively, "then it was really an accident?" •Y'es; but Miss Gilmar was so terrified that she hardly knew what to do. Then, remembering that the knife belonged to Dean, and that he had been fighting with Kirkstone, also that he despised her love, she determined to inculpate him. so as to avenge herself and save her own life. She ran upstairs and told him that Kirkstone wished to see him again in the Yellow Room. Dean fell into the snare, and came down only to find Kirkstone dead with the knife in his heart. Then he was seized with a panic, and fled back to his room, whence he was dragged when that wicked old woman accused him of the murder.' ’Didn't Dean suspect her?'

"No; he fancied that Laura, to whom he had lent his knife, had struck the blow; but afterwards when reviewing the circumstances in prison it occurred to him that Miss Gilmar might be guilty.’ Tbit how did Miss Gilmar quieten Laura ?’

"Easily enough! She told her that Dean had taken the knife and had killed Kirkstone. But it seems to me.’ said Gebb. meditatively. ’that if Laura had only given her evidence clearly, the truth about the knife would have been found out.’

T daresay.’ rejoined Parge, tartly. ’But if you had been in charge of the case, as 1 was. you would have found out. when too late, that Laura, being weakwitted and under the thumb of Ellen Gilmar. was afraid to tell the absolute truth."

'Nevertheless, the case was muddled.’ insisted Gebb. ‘Absalom! ' cried Parge, fiervely ‘You can take the best part of the reward if you ehoose, but you sha'u'l throw discredit on iny past work I conducted the Kirkstone murder ease to the best of my ability.' ’And punished the wrong man.* That was the force of circumstances.’ Tt was the want of getting the necessary evidence.’ retorted Gebb, with some heat. ‘However, we have improved since then in detective matters, as in others.’ ’Oh, . have you?’ growled Parge Then why did you arrest the wrong man in the person of Ferris?’ You have me there, Simon, you have me there,’ laughed Gebb; which admission put Parge into great good-humour.

•And criminals nowadays are just as stupid as they were in my youth,' he said, waving his pipe. "For in stance, why did Alder kill Miss Gilmar?’

'Because he wanted her money.’ ‘Well, by threatening her with Dean he could have got her to allow him a good income. There was nt need for him to strangle her.’

Perhaps not; and especially in poor Mrs Presk’s front parlour." She hasn’t been able to let it since. And. to make matters worse, Matilda < rane has gone away with the five l>ounds you gave her.’

"Mrs Presk had better give up the house at once.’ said Parge, nodding. No one will occupy a room in which a murder has taken place. ’Taint natral to live with ghosts. What about that Yellow Boudoir at Kirkstone Hall?'

’Oh! Mr and Mrs Ferris are going to pull it down when they come back from their honeymoon. I expect they will build another wing.’ 'By the way, is Ferris going to stick to that name?’

Well, no: but all the same he isn't going to call himself Dean."

'Then he is going to take his wife’s name. I suppose?’ suggested Parge.

Gebb shook his head. ‘By the wil.l of that ancestor who left the Hall to his descendants, all who live in it not being Kirkstones have to take that name. If Alder had lived he would have called himself John Kirkstone.’

'Like the one that was murdered A bad omen!’

'Well, he never had a chanee of changing his name. But I expect I-erris and Miss Wedderburn will call themselves Mr and Mrs Arthur Kirkstone.’ 'Well,’ said Parge, raising his glass. T hope they will be lucky.’ ‘So do I.’ responded Gebb. ‘if only because they paid this two hundred pounds.’ •Of which I got only fifty,’ grumbled Parge, and so got the last word after all. [THE END.].