[All Rights Reserved.] A Race With Ruin.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue XIV, 2 April 1904, Page 6

[All Rights Reserved.] A Race With Ruin.

By

HEADON HILL.

Author of “Guilty Gold,” “The Queen of Night,” “By a Hair’s Breadth,” “The Peril of the Prince,” Etc.

CHAPTER XXX Vll. WILL THERE BE TIME? Disappointed, though not surprised, at finding the window of her new prison guarded from the path below, Nance strained her ears to catch the conversation that was going on. Failing tv overhear a single word, she sat down and waited. Brummagem Jem and Ted the Pounder, she told herself, were not the sort of “hardy annuals” to remain watching in the open air all night. Something would happen before then. Something did happen, of which we already have cognizance. The glow in I he sold hern sky from the rocket suddenly illumined the room, and she caught a glimpse of the streak of tire as it sank behind the tree-tops. Only a faint echo of the commotion produced in the dining-room below reached her, but it was enough to show that the rocket had some sort of significance for her captors. Then silence supervened, and she ventured to look from the window to see if the pugilists were still on the path below. They were not. but a broad band of light shooting from the French window on the ground floor showed up in clear relief the boots of some one sitting just within the room. Escape by means of the sturdy ivy stems was not yet practicable. It would be impossible to reach the ground without incurring the observation of the unseen man underneath. Despair was claiming her again when a strange muse, or, rather, succession of noises, at the door of the room drew her attention. First there was the scrooping of the key as it turned in the lock, presumably unlocking the door, as it had been previously locked. Then followed the turning of the handle in an attempt t .' enter the room, which w::s fu.ile, because she had shot the inner bolts. After that the faint drumming of fingers on the panels reached her probably a request for admission. And, finally, when she met all these advances with absolute silence, the patter of receding footsteps on the landing was distinctly heard. Ignorant as to who her unknown visitant could be, Nance was congratulating herself on having had the power of keeping him or her from entering, when a novel sound from a fresh direction filled her with a vague thrill of impending change. It was the rumble of carriage wheels from the side of the house, and, running to the window, she was just in time to catch a glimpse of Ihe brougham lamps as the vehicle turned into the drive from the stableva rd.

Could it be that her enemies had evacuated the citadel?

A glance downwards at the protruding boots showed that one at least had been left behind, but, encouraged by the hope that, at least the garrison had been weakened, Nance ventured to solve the mystery of the door. Cautiously drawing the bolts, she found that in I ruth the door had been unlocked, and that she was no longed confined to one room.

Half fearful that it might be a trap to lure her to unknown perils, she ran hack ami procured her hat and stole down the unlighted stairs. The hall also was in darkness, but she shuddered as through the open door of the lamp-lit dining room she .caught sight, of the broad back of Hooligan seated at one of the windows. Avoiding the front door, which would have brought her within range of his vision, she groped her way through dark and mouldy passages to a tradesman’s entranee in the long-disused servants’ quarters. The

door, which was the one by which Mother Fury and her companions had beaten a retreat, stood open, and, with a sob of thankfulness, Nance found herself a free woman.

Fearful of surprises, she made her way along the tortuous, overhung drive, and turned into the lane through the iron gates just five minutes before Tidmarsh. and six before Inspector Croal turned out of it. She did not meet them, since they both came from the opposite direction to that towards which she set her face.

For her first thought, now that she had fluttered from the snare, was whether there would be time to warn the people at the training-st file of the scheme for removing Starlight. Nance was a country-bred girl, be it remembered, and having learned the locality of the Rook’s Nest from Moses Cohen, she knew that she was live miles from Epsom—a distance which she could cover in an hour on foot, and in less if she could strike the railway and pick up a train.

The dying glow of the sunset in the western sky gave her the points of the compass, ami with that knowledge to guide her she took a southerly direction. and by tuck hit on the main road which brought her to Sutton. At the station she found that a train was due for Epsom Downs in ten minutes, and, rejoicing that her money had not been taken from her, she bought a ticket. In her impatience it seemed ages before the engine lights swung into view, and the moment the train came to a standstill she had hold of a carriage door and leaped in. She had no sooner sank into a seat than the window of the next compartment—a first-class one —was let down, and an authoritative voice called:

“Skinner! Where the deuce are you Skinner ?”

Nance shrank further into her corner. The voice was the voice of her archpersecutor, Mr. Leopold Tannadyce. “Confound the beggar! he’s missed it somehow, and he promised to meet us here and act as guide,” continued the moneylender in his affected drawl. “We shall have to find the stables without him, Bremner. 1 am glad I took the precaution of coming cmyself, when I remembered that you had been the girl’s landlord. I’ll see that you don’t play hanky-panky.” Nanee heard no more, for the train started on again, and the window was pulled up with a bang. The few words she had heard set her heart beating fast. At any rate, she was not as yet too late. If she could give the party the slip at the station, she should reach the training stables first by a short time, for she had the advantage of knowing exactly where they were, which did not seem to be the case with the others.

After a short run the train stopped at Belmont Station, and the window of the next compartment was lowered

again. “No: he doesn’t seem to be here,, sir.” said a voice, which Nance recognised as Frank Bremner’s.

“Well, keep your head out till the train starts,” responded the fainter tones of Tannadyce. “He might come up at the last moment.” Nance, with all her faculties alert, realised at once that the moneylender was still expecting the person he had vailed Skinner to join the party, and had delegated the lawyer’s clerk to look out for him. Tn a second she had decided on a bold course and taken it. She put her head out of the carriage window and. reaching over, touched Bremner on the arm, at the same time imploring his si-

lence by a gesture. It was a necessary precaution for Bremner started as though he had seen an apparition. The guard was already waving his lamp to the engine-driver; there was not a moment to spare. “Delay your arrival at the stables as long as possible, but when you get there act entirely on your instructions.” she whispered. “Then all will be well.”

The train moved on again before Nanee could gather whether Bremner in his amazement had fully understood. Bui she decided to act on the supposition that he had done so and would fall in with her wishes. There was now but one station (Banstead) before the terminus of the branch to Epsom Downs was reached, and her plan was to leave the railway at the former, which was but a few hundred yards further from Barron’s stables, and make up for the increased distance by running. By this means she would lessen the probability of being seen by Tannadyce on quitting the train, and if Bremner helped her in the way indicated she ought to arrive at the stables with a little time in hand.

She had hardly matured her programme when the train ran into Banstead Station, and. stepping lightly on to the platform, Nanee darted through the booking-office and out into the road. With a prayer on her lips that she might not have been seen from the first-class compartment, she headed straight for the stables, and ran as she had never run in her life before. Her knowledge of the classic Downs, gained in happier days, stood her in good stead, and in something under twenty minutes she' was at the great gates of the stable yard. It was pitch dark now, but a gas lamp on one of the buildings shed a feeble gleam on the range of stabling and on the trainer’s house beyond. The girl’s hand was on the iron bell-pull, when two men came out of the stable nearest the gate. One of them remained to lock the stable door, but the other commenced to walk towards the house.

“You’ve quite made up your mind, then, Sir Charles? I can’t persuade you to reconsider it?” said the man with the key.

“No; I’ve said the last word,’ returned the other. “I shall put the pen through the cult’s name in the morning. It would seem to me sheer heartlessness to run a horse when I am in such ter-

rible doubt and uncertainty about the lady who is my affianced wife.”

“It is simply chucking away, a fortune—flying slap in the face of Providence,’’ persisted the first speaker. “I can’t help that, Barron, sorry as 1 am to disappoint you and the colt’s other backers. I should never forgive myself if I won a triumph which my darling had died to secure for me. As 1 have been telling you this evening, it is my belief that she is in a grave peril, if she is still alive, at the instance of the scoundrels whose interest it was to prevent my winning this race.” With which Sir Charles Roylanee, who had halted to answer the appeal, turned and continued his way to the house, leaving the trainer to follow when he had seemed the stable door.

Nance’s eyes filled with tears at this signal evidence of her lover’s devotion. All through those three miserable days she had been wondering how her strange disappearance would affect him, but that he should forego his chance of rehabilitating his fortunes because he feared for her safety thrilled her with the proud conviction that “Charley” was true.

Changing her mind about ringing the bell, she called softly through the bars of the gate to the trainer, who came suspiciously forward. Visitors to the stable at ten o’clock at night were an unheard of anomaly in the traditions of the establishment. “For heaven’s sake let me in at once. .Mr. Barron,” said Nance. “I am Miss Beauchamp—you saw me on the Downs once with Sir Charles, you know. Some people will be here in a few minutes to remove Starlight from your care under legal distraint.” Tom Barron would not have been the great trainer he was if he had not possessed presence of mind. Recognising the visitor as Sir Charles’ companion on the eventful morning of the trial, he admitted her without a moment’s hesita--1 ion.

"So they’re going to distrain on Starlight. That’s artful of them,” he said, as he relocked the gates. "Yes. I knew it last Friday, and 1 should have warned you then if I hadn’t been prevented,” panted Nance.

"\Ve were only speaking of you a minute back, Miss.” said Barron respectfully. "I’m glad you’ve broken loose, and—— ’ "Never mind me—that’ll keep,” Nance interrupted him, and she broke into a

concise narrative of the imminent catastrophe that was even now swooping down upon the stable. Barron listened in tense silence, but ills snrewd eyes twinkled as she finished.

"There was a talk of scratching the colt just now, but there won’t be any need to do that if these sharks take him away from us, will there, Miss?” he said meaningly. "I—l hope not. 1 have fought so hard for that horse, Mr. Barron,” Nance faltered.

“1 know you have,” assented the trainer warmly. "Sir Charles, who is staying here to-night, has been telling me about it, but we mustn’t stand here talking when we ought to be preparing to receive the representatives of the law. There is no time to explain matters o Sir Charles, so if you will kindly step this way 1 will dud a snug hiding-place for you in the hay-loft while 1 ready Starlight for his journey. It wouldn't do for the plunderers to know that you had been here.” And Mr. Barron winked solemnly as lie unlocked the stable again and passel in, followed by the briuger of the tidings. CHAPTER XXXV 111. TANNADYCE'S TRIUMPH. In the meanwhile Sir Charles Roylanee was pacing up and down in the trainer’s parlour wondering why his host was so long in rejoining him. He looked years older than when we saw him last, the loss of his staunch little sweetheart having wrought, a change in him which no financial troubles had ever been able to effect. Inspector Croat had proved a broken reed. That officer’s confident assurance of being able to trace Nance by keeping observation on Ts-nnadyce had yielded no results, and for the past twenty-four hours the young baronet had seen noth ing of his detective ally. In his despair he had come down to Epsom to tell his trainer that he had not the heart to run Starlight mi the morrow, and he had aeeept.ed the offer of a bed which Tom had made in the straw-clutching hope of inducing his favourite patron to reconsider his decision. Il was a quarter of an hour before Barron came in with vague excuses for keeping his guest waiting excuses which were cut short, as soon as begun by the sonorous clanging of the yard bell. He uttered an exclamation of annoyed surprise that any one should disturb the establishment so late. ■’All the lads have gone to bed; I must go myself and see who it is.” he said, leaving the room hurriedly. In restless mood Sir Charles followed him to the house door and watched l-.ini cross the yard to the big gates, through which the figures of three men were dimly visible. The trainer had no sooner reached the gate than a heated altercation ensued, which tempted Sir Charles to stroll over to the group. On his nearing them Barron turned to him in a white heat of indignation. "Here’s a bit of cheek!” he spluttered. "Three d d process-servers come to collar your colt Starlight under a judgment, they say.” “Oh. is that Sir Charles Roylanee?" crackled the sharp metallic tones o’.' one of those outside. “Good evening, Sir Charles. You’ll have more sense than this firebrand, I expect. He hardly seems to realise the consequences of obstruct ing us. Be good enough to ask him to allow the law to take its course. His enemy’s voice came to Starlight’s harassed owner like a gust of fresh air or a bracing tonie. "Let them in, Tom,” he said, with quiet scorn. “That is, when they have shown their authority. I wouldn’t take that Jew's word for anything.” Showing his teeth in an ugly grin, but repressing a retort. Tannadyee hade Bremner and the sheriff's officer produce the necessary documents. The latter were in undoubted order, and, having inspected them through the bars by the light of his lantern, Barron, with every show of reluctance, unfastened the gate. As the trio passed in he eyed them with an insolent stare of affected pity. “By jingo! but you’re a rummy lot to fetch a thoroughbred colt away,” he murmured as they tiled by him. “You won’t know which end to begin, I’m thinking, and you’ll be a pretty sick crowd by the time he’s done with you.” “We’ll manage,” said Tannadyee short - ly. “Where’s the horse?” G rumbling in no unmeasured language.

the trainer led tie way to the btxile and unlocked it, the distraining party following close >u h.s heels, and Sir Charles bringing up the rear with the air oi a disinterested spectator. "There; I’vc givau juu access to the horse. You can - expe-.-i, me to point him out to you,” said Barron w.th a Hostile laugh. But L'auuaiyce was m no way put uu' by his ill-humour. After one comprehensive look round the interior of the building he becKoiied ms companions and marched s’raigut between the rows of loose boxes to the end cue, over which the name "Starlight” was ainxed in enamel letters.

"Ah! but you’re well posted. 1 see now what tnat snivelling rascal who came to apply for a job here was after the other day,” exclaimed Barrou with bitter emphasis. Taking no notice -jf him, the moneylender entered the box witn his assistants, and after a wary approach to the great raking chestnut with the eonspicious white star, succeeded in getting its head into the halter which his foresight had provided. Tossing the end of the rope to Frank Bremne,. who was looking heartily ashamed of himself, he bade him lead die horse oat. “There! 1 think we may take credit for having performed an unpleasant business with courtesy ard expedition,” said Tannadyee, with a sinister glance at the baronet who had preserved his unmoved demeanour.

Leaning against a corn bin, Sir Charles let his gaze follow the animal as it walked proudly to the door in the clumsy grip of the lawyer’s clerk. ■‘A very unnecessary business, if your object was to prevent Starlight winning his race to-morrow,” he said quietly“You have lost faith in his chance'? Or else the grapes are conveniently sour?” sneered Tannadyce- As men ever hate those whom they injure, so he hated the well-born victim of his rapacity, desiring that he should drink the bitter cup to the dregs. He would have preferred to leave Starlight’s owner in the belief that in losing the horse he had lost a certain win. “On the contrary, I am more confident than ever that if he had started he would have won with ease. But, as Mr Barron will hear me out. 1 had decided not to run him,” said Sir Charles coldly. “Oh! then you were forestalled after all by the 'machinations,’ as I think you called them, of ‘Parker’s Lightning Finals,’ and the mysterious sleeping partner whom you did me the honour to identify with myself,” said Tannadyce. unable in his elation to resist the thrust.

“Again on the contrary, I have backed Starlight to win a sum which would free me from your usurious clutches for ever. My reason for deciding to scratch the colt is one which would be absolutely unintelligible to your Semitie mind,” was the baronet’s reply, uttered with a studied contempt that goaded Tannadyee to retaliation. "Oh. come: you'll never eram me with I he cotion that yon meant to eland out of a big win because of that girl from ■Parker’s’” he hissed through his white teeth. “You can make your mind easy about her. 1 got the tip about her this afternoon. She went oil with Lord Hooligan— you know the beauty I mean —to a little place he’d taken on purpose near Miteham Junction, and I should imagine she's not worth looking for by now.” It was only the lash of Sir Charles's scorn that could have stung him to a rejoinder so sure of retribution, for he was always careful of his skin. But it was not h victim’s swiftly raised hand that was to punish the brutal speech. Tom Barron, who had been nervously casting furtive glances at the hay-loft trap-door during Tannadyee’s vile assertion, sprang forward, and with a mighty kick projected the slanderer three parts of the way to the stable door—out of reach of the baronet’s descending fist. "No need for you to soil yourself by touching such as him. Sir Charles.” cried the angry trainer. “Shoe-leather is good enough for the likes of him.” And with another apprehensive backward glance at the loft, lie followed the moneylender up so tlircateninglv that in less than ten seconds the three intruders and the horse were outside the yard gates. Tom Barron stood and watched them

through the bars till they had dwindled to a brown patch on the white chalk

streak of moonlit road; then he locked the gates and returned to the stable, from the door of which Sir Charles was just emerging. "Thank j-ju, Barron," he said, weari ly. "That kick of yours is something on the right side of the balance-sheet, anyhow.” “Keep a good courage, sir,” cried -the trainer, pushing past him into the build ing with less than his usual ceremony. Sir Charles watched him in mild surprise as he raised his lantern to the ■tiap-door in the ceiling, whence a ladder ran down to the floor. Even when honest Tom called out: “Coast’s clear, Miss,” he did not begin to understand till a pair of dainty ankles appeared on the ladder, followed by a slight girlish figure that drew from him the glad cry of —-—- “Nance? My Nance?”

"Charley!” was the single word, full of a thousand meanings, with which she flung herself into her lover’s out stretched arms. When she had told in a few bleatli less sentences all she knew of her cap ture and escape the trainer interrupted with a respectful suggestion that they should adjourn to the house. "You did brave work when you brought warning of what that rascal Jew was up to. Miss,” was Mr Barron's admiring comment as he piloted the way across the yard. "But in my humble judgment you did a braver when you kept quiet in the hay loft under all that calumny. 1 was in mortal fear lest you’d show up. just to give him the lie, and so blow on the deal.” "What deal?” asked Sir Charles innocently. “L rather wish you had shown yourself, darling, and crammed the lie down his throat in person. I can’t see that it would have mattered, as he has got Starlight in spite of your plucky attempt to warn us.” "Tell me, Charley,” said Nance, linking her arm in her lover's, “now that I