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interfere, and they are very chary of doing so> Langton Hesselton is at present the Rajah of Oranipore," And will remain so, for all that you oan do to prevent it," answered the solicitor. If every person who had a direct interest in the death of another were to be tried at his demise, one half of the world would be con- tinually engaged in hanging the other. Take my advice and let his Highness take posses* sion of the throne of Oranipore in peace." He will never venture to do so," returnee Manvers the late Rajah's subjects hatec him, and fatal accidents are very prevalent in native States where people are unpopular. He will remain here and lead a life of ease and luxury, for the poor girl's fortune must have been considerably over a crore of rupees." Well, take my advice and drop the matter," said the solicitor. You will do no good, and if you interfere will only gain name for Quixotism." Much disheartened by the futile result of his interview, Manvers took his leave, hardly knowing whether to adopt his legal adviser's counsel or not. A private detective whom he consulted was more sanguine, but, aftef bleeding the major to the tune of a couple of hundred pounds, threw up the inquir assuring Manvers that, as he had failed, there was not a man in England who could carry out the job successfully. And yet, in spite of this sage counsel, the major's mind was not at peace; still the same vision haunted his rest, still in his dreams he saw the dark pier and heard the sullen plash of the water, and still the same whisper he could not understand. There were times when he almost made up his mind to cancel the remainder of his leave and return to India, in the hope that the active life with hie regiment might clear away the haunting fancies from his brain; and yet, when it came to the point, he could not make up bis mind to leave the land where the girl, who he believed had been foully murdered, slumbered in her grave. One day, when he was almost wearied out with his self-tormentings, it suddenly flashed across his mind that a friend of his had written to him to say that he had sent a tiger, which had grown too large for i pet, to the Zoological Gardens, and beggec him to go and see Motee—for so the annual was called-for old acquaintance' sake. A good tiiought; I will go and see how the poor bealt is getting on," thought tht major, who was walking listlesaly out of his club in St. J ames's-square, where the thoughi occurred to him, and,hailing a hansom,he was driven off rapidly in the direction of Regent's Park. As soon as the major entered the gardens he made his way to the dens where the large carnivora are kept, and, slipping a uuufio ■Hi« keeoer's hand, begged him to show him the cage in which the tiger Motee was confined, the anima! which had been presented to the society by Mr. Cumfield, the Commissioner of Jatpore, Close by, sir, answered the man, adroitly slipping the money into his pocket and, lead. ing the way to the den, he extended his hand towards a full-grown tiger reclining listlessly upon the sanded boards of her cage. Hi, Motee, Motee," cried the man, her* is a gentleman to have a look at you," The creature blinked lazily at him, but took no further notice of his address. Imprisonment does not seem to agree with her constitution," remarked Manvers. When I last saw her, in India, she was as frolicsome as a kitten." "And she is now, sir," answered the keeper when night comes, she tears about the cage like a llå thing, and, for the matter of that, so do all the striped and spotted creatures." That must be a very interesting sight," observed Manvers, interested in spite of him- self by the man's narration. What a pity that the public are not admitted to the gardens after dark." But some of them are, sir," replied the man; "and as I sees that you are a gentle- man, I think I could manage it for you. There is an old chap with a white beard And a face like a corpse ttat often comes in and talks to the i-epctes for hours in their native language. He brought over a dead!?; venomous cobta from the IDjees, ai-id he oomos to see how it gets on; it's as good as a play to hear what be says, and see what he docs too, for the matter of that." "An old man with a white beard!" T. claimed Manvers; an old man who talks in Hindustani to the snakes 1 don't know what name he calls his lingo 11". vvpiittd the keeper, but his own pac- ticular reptile seems to understand him thoroughly," When does he come ?" aaked the major, u Let me see," answered the man, scratch" ing his head, thoughtfully, 11 to-dsy is Thursday he'll be here to-morrow—hf always comes on a Friday—at least, nioig aiwavs." Can you get me into the gardens on that night?" inquired the major; "if you can manage it, I will give you a sovereign." It's worth all the money, air," replied the keeper; "but I'm on. You be at the Prim. rose-hill gate at nine o'clock on Friday night and I'll see you are passed. Ax your pardon sir," be continued, but might I ask you not to oome togged up like a swell; it would make matters a bit easier," The arrangement was soon completed, and Manvers left the gardenia prey to the wildest feeling of excitement. A deep-rooted con- viotion, founded upon no logioal base, made him feel certain that the white-headed visitor to the Zoologioal Gardens was Dr. Langtop Hesselton, and he at the same time felt per- fectly certain that strange revelations were nigh at hand. The intervening hours werb spent in a state of feverish exalteinent, and the appointed time found him at the gatd which bad bees seleoted by the keeper as tao place of rendezvous. According to the wish which the man had expressed, he donned a black felt hat and a serge coat, though, a( the keeper muttered, he wasn't half sbabb^ enough by a long chalk." The gate was soon opened, and as the pair passed through

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[NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.] THE AVENGING HAND,. ♦ A SERIES OF THRILLING DETECTIVE STORIES, By SIR GILBERT E. CAMPBELL, BART. 14VTROR OF « THE MYSTERY OF MANDEVILLE S^DABE," "A WAVE OF BRAIN POWER," &C., &C. [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.J No. V. THE SERPENT'S TOOTH. CHAPTER I. ON THE WEST PIER. LONDON was out of town, that is to say, that portion of society whose doings are chronicled in the papers not the common fry, whose jaunts are confined to a week at Margate or three days at South- end in the sweltering heat of July, but the real aristocracy,who, if they do not visit their own or their neigh- bour's ancestral halls, only bend their steps to tilp. iiiore select watering-places, where their own dass most love to congregate. The fit-st days of September had passed, and crack of the breechloader rang over the whilst the pheasants in the adjoining filiations listened uneasily, with the gloomy Pupation that in a brief space of time their tort, would come to die themselves for the ^Usement of the lords of creation. *he Queen of English watering-places was ry full. From the more ancient mansions ^Mnp Town to the new stone palaces which fta*e risen up so rapidly of late at Hove, nghton was filled with a dense crowd, f^ongst which the permanent residents were \l terly lost. r • hotels were full to overflowing, the p'P&'a-road looked like an alley in Vanity f an'i whilst the directors of the West Pier thgan to have serious misgivings as to whether strong and well built as it was, °uld bear the weight of the countless multi- udes who thronged its gates, under the warm *^8 of the sun or beneath the silvery beams the moon. He Btraius of the band had just died away the lights in the windows of the houses, 'hich stretched so far along the coast-line, *d begun to twinkle as a lady and gentleman entered the pier gates, and went slowly totvardstbe upper end. The lady was a little, fair woman, very plump and well developed, Vith her diminutive person tricked out so! gorgeously that she seemed like a plate in a kook of fashions which had just come out for Walk. She was talking volubly to her com- Paftion, a stout, heavily-built man, some ten vrri older than she, but dressed with as much petition to the dictates of la mode as the lady oerself. There is no use in grumbling, John," said be> there is any amount of time for the rtridges, and I tell you plainly that I should ,of ennui \i I was to go back to Loamshire fpOie we could get our party together. ,.°°tor Penrose Skellington said that I should ^le I had not a little ozone, and he ought J10 know, for he attends all the best people in to^n." But it is so awfully dull here," urged her "I don't know a soul, and I look JJjfc a fool, when you are nodding to every «er person you meet, while they stare at as if they wondered who the deuoe you .,ere logging about with you—as 1 daresay lb*v do." ,,f| That is your own fault, John," answered lady. You should have come up to r^n, and not remained behind muddling your **in over turnips and all sorts of horrors, s,tia then you could have come about with {}}IS and have really enjoyed yourself." Sir John Copston coughed a little dubiously, though going about with his wife was not ls highest idea of enjoyment, but, like a wise man, he held his peace, and his wife c'utiuued: "I only want a week or ten days ^orc, John, and then I am quite ready go back to Copston Hall, though the place *Wayg affects my nerves. 1 feel that i am for a society woman, Heaven help her! she will want to set up l°r a fashionable beauty yet," muttered Sir ohn beneath his breath. Eh, what is that you are saving ? broke 11 the lady, sharply, but before her husband j0l,ld invent a sulliciently plausible falsehood -*4dy (Jopston released her arm from his and up with both her hands extended towards a. S^ntleman who was slowly coming down pier from the opposite direction. àai I What" ManvtTs exclaimed she. Cap- 11 Mfti vern why, I thought you were grill- ing away in Calcutta or Bombay, or one of those dreadful places they send our soldiers to ? The gentleman she had accosted, who was a tall, handsome man. with his cheeks somewhat bronzed by the Indian sun, responded cheer- fully to Lady Copston's greeting. I I am delighted to meet you," said he. 1 am home on leave, and do not think I shall go out again, for the regiment will be home before my time of liberty expires." Well, Copston, are you not going to speak ¡ to an old friend P" he added, stretching out his hand towards Sir John, who was staring at them in some surprise. il Of course I am," returned the worthy baronet, but I am so unused to see a friend in this butterfly throng that I was quite dazed. Well, how are you, and how have you been getting on." II Vh, fairly," ansiyere(I Manvers, "Ibavejust got my majority and my- liver seems un- touched, so that f suppose I ought to con- gratulate myself." "Major Manvers," murmured Lady Cop- ston approvingly, "the alliteration sounds well. A literary man told me that allitera- tion was the soul of composition, at least he was not exactly an author, but he bad often had thoughts of sending articles to the magazines, and once he wrote a letter to the Daily Semaphore about a subscription for supplying postmen with pancakes on Shrore Tuesday, though I believe it did not appear." I should think, then, that your friend's favourite literature must have been the pages of a dictionary," replied Manvers with a slight smile; but tell me, how long have you been down here." A week, answered Sir John, with a half- suppressed yawn, and precious dull work I have found it, I can tell you." Well, lie must take pity upon each other," returned Manvers, with a bright smile. I only came down here yesterday, and as I have been away five years, 1 am i almost an outer-barbarian; however, I am sure that you will be kind enough to enlighten my ignoratice? "I don't know a soul here," replied Sir John, ruefully. You must go to Lady Copston if you want society gossip; by Jove, she can reel it off to you for hours, and com- press a dozen cases of libel into a ten minutes' conversation." Lady Copston, as usual, bad not been pay- ing any attention to what her husband was saying, and now breke suddenly into the con- versation. Oh," exclaimed she, laying her hand upon Manvers' arm, to I quite forgot you have come from India, major, and, of course, you know everything about everybody there ? "My dear Lady Copston," said Manvers, agha3t at the statement, III assure you that you give me credit for much more informa- j tioii thin I really posiess. We only know 1 the people in our own district; it may have been different in former times, but now our acquaintances are much limited." Well, never mind," said the little lady. "But tell me all about the Ghoul, for, of course, you know him ?" "The Ghoul!" repeated Manvers. 1— really—are you sure about the name, which seems to me to smack strongly of the Arabian Nights ?" IIow can you be so absurd r answered the lady. Of course, that is only a little sobriquet which we apply to the creature in question. Did you ever come across a certain Doctor Hesselton during your stay in the East A slight flush rose to Manvers' bronzed cheek at the mention of the name, but be, answered calmly enough. Hesselton Do you mean Langton Hes- selton P ,j Yes, I believe that is the creature's name," a sw red Lady Copston, I told you that you knew everyone—come, let us sit down, and vou shall tell me all about him. How lucky it was that I met you. Qaiok, or I shall die of suspense." She led the way to a seat, and the two men followed her, Manvers with a smile upon his face at her eagerness, and her husband with the expression of a man who^ was well acous- tomed to give in to a woman's vagaries. f; Come," continued she, as soon as they had ensconced themselves comfortably, and let me know who and what he is. "I don't know very much about him, began Manvers, when Lady Copston pressed his arm, whispering at the same time—"Hush, here he is," as a tall figure walked slowly up the pier with a girl hanging upon his arm. The pale beams of the moon imparted a ghastly look to the features of the man,, which were evidently always of a very pallid hue. There was not an atotil of superfluous flesh upon the face, and the skin seemed to be drawn over the bone without, anything between. The eyes, which were dark and piercing, seemed at times to send out scintillations of fire, and the moustache, and beard, which flowed down over the chest, j were of snowy whiteness. The frame, though perfectly ereot, was so spare as to suggest the idea of a skeleton, and the hand, which grasped a heavy bamboo walking can, more re- i sembled the claw of a bird than anything1 appertaining to the human body. He neither looked to the right nor to the left, but walked steadily on, not even exchanging a word with The companion of this strange figure was a very beautiful girl, rather darker than the usual run of brunettes, and with that luxurious wealth of black hair which showed that she was a native of some warmer clime than chilly England. Her hands, feet, and whole figure were small and equally propor- tioned, but there was a look of sadness about her face, as if even at her age life had lost some of its charms. This strange pair passed the Copstons and Manvers, aud took a seat near to the band in a sheltered corner. "That is the man we call the Ghoul," continued Lady Copston, as soon as she felt that she could speak with safety, Now, tell me all about him." I do not know much," answered Manvers, slowly. Dr. Langton Hesselton did not belong to the service; he was attached to the Court of the Rajah of Oranipore, a man of great wealth, but strongly suspected of being disaffected towards the British rale. The doctor had obtained a great deal of influence over him, and was looked upon with mnch suspicion by the authorities. He never, how- ever, gave them a chance, and if be had any designs he carried them out in the most in- scrutable manner. After the death of the ifajah he left Oranipore, and as I find him located here, I may naturally suppose that he returned to England." ''And is that all you have to tell me ? ex- claimed Lady Copston, in a disappointed tone. Ii Why, I knew myself that he had been physician to some native prince, but it is about the girl I want to know. Can you give me no information about her ?" Manvers hesitated for a moment, and then he began There was a certain amount of mystery attached to the young lady. She was believed to be the only legitimate child of the Uajah. She did not live in the palace at Oranipore, but in a bungalow in the Civil Lines, where she was surrounded by every luxury, whilst no expense was spared upon her education. Her father visited her occasionally, seemed fond of her, but all was enveloped in mystery. When the Rajah died the doctor went to the authorities and pro- duced documents which proved that he had been appointed guardian to the young Ranee of Oranipore, and that the Rajah's last wishes were that she should travel in Europe for a few years before returning to take up her sovereignty. There was no flaw to be found in the document, and the Government had to yield, though I think there was a strong desire to confiscate the kingdom, which had always been looked upon as a hotbed of rebellion. Anyhow, the doctor made arrangements for a Regency, and disappeared from Oranipore, taking his ward with him." What did the Rajah die of ? asked Sir John, as Manvers ceased his narrative. He was bitten by a snake, and died in an hour or two," replied the Major. And what is the girl's name ? demanded Lady Copston. Heera," answered Manvers "it means diamond Is it not a pretty name—but, hush, here they come again," As he spoke the tall figure of the dootor came slowly down with Heera resting upon his arm. You are not angry with me, are you :J they heard her say, as she looked into the pale face of the doctor, with an expression of intense anxiety. Angry with you, my child," replied Lang- ton Hesselton. Have you not a perfect right to act as you wish ? I am only glad that you have exercised your own judgment, but let this be a warning to you, do not act so hastily again. Remember, in the midst of life we are in death," His voice was inexpressibly sweet and melo- dious, and there was a charm in his accents which few could have resisted. And when we get home you will destroy It, will you not" continued she. "Y ou know that we are never to part again, and that all I have is yours." Did I not say jast now that life was un- certain," said the doctor, in his sweet tones, j Ii we may part sooner than you think, but be at ease, 1 will destroy it to-night." As he spoke the girl uttered a half-sup- pressed cry. "'hat is it asked her companion. inothitig, nothing," replied she hastily, "something pricked my arm, a pin I suppose, though I cannot think how one could have got there." A weak circulation and poorness of blood sometimes produce such pains." answered the doctor. Come, let us take two or three brisk turns up and down, and then we will return home." The proposal seemed to please the girl, but after a time, though Manvers and his com- panions eagerly watched for them, they did not return. "Gone, I suppose for the night," observed Sir John. k\ ell, of all living skeletons he is the most successful I have ever seen. Come, my dear Manvers, you will take pity upon me, and smoke a oigar at our place, will you not p" The little party rose and sauntered down j the pier, but as they reached the entrance j they saw the doctor and his companion. The moon shone brightly upon the pallid face of I the man, making the darkness and fire of his eyes apparent. He said a few words to his companion whioh they could not catch, and she at once quitted his arm and began to walk to the other end of the pier, whilst the doctor, passing through the place of exit, moved slowly in the direction of Palmyra- square. "This is very strange," remarked Lady Copston. What on earth can she be going to do h John, this is all very mysterious. 1 must see the end of it. Come along, major." l lie slight, delicate figure flitted on in the moonlight, and Manvers more than once [ fanoied he detected a slight tremor in the walk. The tall figure of the doctor could be seen proceeding slowly on his way, as though he expected that his companion would rejoin him shortly. Once he turned and gazed back, and as he did so Manvers shuddered at the baleful expression of hatred which he fancied he could detect on those features, which gleamed in the moonlight with all the pallor and rigidity of marble. The Indiau girl moved on to the seat which she had before occupied, and, stooping beneath it, appeared to be seeking for some- thing. Apparently she discovered the object of her quest, for rising to her feet she was about to return when she suddenly passed her hand across her face, and sat down in the same place she had previously occupied. Well, I am not going to stay here any longer, John," observed Lady CopaLon. Are you coming, major ?" No, not yet. I think I will stay a little and see the end," answered Manvers. Oh, oh sets the wind in that quarter ?" returned the lady, with a short laugh. Well, we are late people, and you will find us up. Remember we are at the Bedford." As soon as he was left alone Manvers turned again towards the sitting figure, which did not move a muscle. The band had departed, and the company were doing the same, whilst some of the officials had already begun to extinguish the lamps. An irresistible impulse caused the major to address that motionless figure. Pardon me," said he, raising his hat, I have had the pleasure of seeing you at Oranipore. Are you aware that the pier will shortly be closed, and that all visitors must leave it ? No reply, save the sound of the rising wind and the soft tap-tap pf the sea against the support of the pier. Manvers moved closer and repeated what he had said. Still no reply, and growing a little impatient, he laid his hand gently upon her shoulder. As if this touch had been all that was necessary to disturb its equilibrium, the motionless figure slipped sideways, and would have fallen to the ground had he not caught it in hia arms. As he did so his hand came in contact with the cheek, which was as cold as ice, whilst the form, which had been a little time before so full of lithe grace, swayed helplessly in his grasp. A horrible suspicion came over him, and regardless of what he did, be placed his hand upon the girl's heart. There was no pulsation, and the terrible conviction forced itself upon him that the Ranee of Oranipore was dead, CHAPTER II. IN THE REPTILE HOUSE. Hardly knowing what he did, Manvers placed the dead girl on the sea-t, and hastened to inform some of the men who were still loitering about of the terrible ocourrence. In a few moments a little group was formed around the figure which, huddled up in the corner of the seat, presented a helpless spec- i tacle, which was inexpressibly piteous to gaze upon. The pallor of death was distinctly i visible, even upon the dark skin, and the eyes, I which were w ide open, had in them an ex- pression of surprised alarm, rather than any look of agony caused by a sudden snapping of the silver chord, Why, it is the black lady who lives up Palmyra-square with that old ohap with the long beard," remarked one of the men. Where can he be, I wonder. I have never seen them apart before." By tliie tinw U1P hA1mpt.!1I of a couple of policemen, who had been apprised of the ter-) rible occurrence, appeared beyond the outer circle of the spectators, and, pushing through it, the functionaries of the law took possession of the motionless figure on the seat. "Do you know her, sir?" asked one of the constables, addressing Manvers, who was standing gazing with a horror-stricken countenanoe upon the sad sight before him. I can hardly claim acquaintance with the poor girl," returned the Major, "1 have seen her several times in India; she is the daughter of the late Rajah of Oranipore." "She lives in one of the large houses in Palmyra-square," returned one of the by- standers, 11 with her guardian, Dr. Langton Hesselton." In a comparatively brief time an ambu- i lance was procured, and the dead body of the unfortunate girl removed to her guardiau's residence in Palmyra-square. The next mornirg all the local papers had sensational paragraphs relating to the strange and fatal occurrence on the West Pier, and in due time these were copied into the great London dailies. A coroner's jury was sum- moned and several medical men, who had made a post-mortem examination of the deceased, deposed that there was every symp- tom of snake poisoning, but as venomous reptiles were not usually found upon the West Pier, the jury returned an open verdict, and the affair soon passed away from the minds of the Brightoniaris. Dr. Langton Hesselton appeared to be overwhelmed with grief, and after the funeral gave up the great house in Palmyra-square, of which he was onlv a monthly tenant, and wended bis way to the great Metropolis, where he was lost among the teeming myriads of Modern Babylon." Major Manvers, however, could not shake off the unpleasant impression whiofc the affair had caused him, and when he afetti hia j eves he could see the dark, deserts | Then, out of the darkness the dead tiuo of Heera would seem to start forth from the semi-recumbent position in the seat and raise her hands wildly above her head, as though imploring assistance from some unseen danger. Do what he could, the vision still haunted him in the midst of pleasant com- panionship and joyous voices the sad face and appealing eye of the Hanee of Oranipore were ever before him, and a mysterious hand seemed to 13e making signs to him which he could not j entirely comprehend. He had heard many ill reports whilst quartered at Oranipore of the doctor and his doings, and the remarks he had caught as the unfortunate girl and her guardian walked down the pier filled him with a vague mistrust which he could puot account for. At length he could bear it no longer, and bidding farewell to Sir John Copston and his other friends, he packed his portmanteau and was whirled away by the train to London. He bad a long talk with his solicitor on the subjeot, but the man of law. though listening patiently to his story, advised bim not to meddle in the affair, as there was not the shadow of a case against Hr. Langton Hesseiton. But he hAd a diteot interest in her death," argued the I have been to Somerset House, and have found that the fellow has taken out probate of the will, and that the doouni nt, in addition to giving to him all the dead girl's personal property, which is very large, oo ,tains a clause by which she has exeicised her riubt of adoption, and nnless the Government take upon themselves to I