Denbighshire Free Press

[ALL BIGHTS EE SERVED.] THE RED BICYCLE BY FERGUS HUME ffuthor of The Mystery of a Hansom Cab," "The Turnpike House," "Tracked by a Tattoo," The Crowned Skull." &c. CHAPTER I. The dingy little cart containing the clean linen of the Rectory was on its way to its destination by an unusually roundabout route. Neddy Mellin, the washerwoman's son, who disliked work as much as he loved play, which was natural in a lad of thirteen, grumbled openly at the uncongenial task of driving ,the large white donkey. The animal herself, who answered to the name of Nelly, grumbled also in her own way, as she objected to in- novations. Hitherto she had been accustomed to take the short road to the parson's resi- dence now she was compelled to go by the long one, which was particularly annoying on this damp, misty November afternoon. With the obstinacy of her race she refused to trot, and although Neddy whipped her, coaxed her, and threatened her, Nelly still behaved as though she were attending a funeral. Mrs. MelliiT did not mind. Throned amidst the bundles of linen, she peered through the fog for something she particularly wished to see. Only when the cart arrived mid-way down a melancholy, deserted thoroughfare, bordered by dripping elm-trees, did she speak. Then the cart stopped, as Nelly fancied she heard an order. There," said Mrs. Mellin, pointing with a fat, red finger at a dreary mansion which stood in a disorderly garden. "Maranatha I never did 'ear of sich a queer name in all my born days." It's a Scripter name, and has to do with cursing," explained her son, who, being a choir-boy, knew something about the Bible. Then don't let me 'ear you use sich a wicked word, or I'll take the skin off your back," said his mother, wiping her large crimson face with a corner of her tartan shawl. Maranatha It gives me the shivers, it do." "You're using it yourself," muttered Neddy, in an injured tone. Me, being ypur elder and your ma, has a right to use words as ain't fit for you," said Mrs. Mellin, tartly, "and as we've got the washing of the new gent as has come to live there I'll say the name often enough, I'll be bound. But not you, Neddv. Say the 'Ouse, and I'll know what you mean. And for 'Eaven's sake, child, don't 'it the donkey. I want to look at the place." Mrq. ?tfell;ll franpft forward so as to get a better view, and stared at the square, ugly building, the damp red bricks of which were almost hidden by dark curtains of untrimmed ivy. Smoke came from one chimney, which showed that the house was inhabited, but as the shutters were up and the door was closed, mere was a sinister look about the whole place which made the washerwoman shiver. In its wilderness of shrubs and long grass, girdled by gigantic elms, all sopping and dripping, the mansion loomed portentously through the mists. It looked like a house with an evil history, and the queer name on the gate suited it extraordinarily well. Mrs. Mellin was not imaginative, yet she shivered again as she signed that Nelly could pro- ceed. Tired of standing and anxious to get her day s work over, Nelly changed her funereal pace for a more active one. Maranatha murmured Mrs. Mellin, as the cart turned into. the Parade. Well, baronet or no baronet, he won't get much good out of Maranatha. Arter suicides you may paint a 'ouse, you may furnish a 'ouse, and you may advertise 'ouses till you're sick, but them as comes to live in sich allays leaves afore the term's out. An' I wonder 'ow. long he'll stay? I Who 11 stay? asked Neddy, curiously. I wasn't speaking to you, child. 'Old your tongue and drive on. I do 'ope as Mrs. f Craver am t 'card. This will be news for 'er. And that Emily Pyne is sich a gossip, as uev,-r was." All the way to the Rectory Mrs. Mellin continued to talk in this way to herself, while Keddy kept his ears open to drink in every u j ve was a slender b°y> with a wonder- tuiiy deucate complexion, curly golden hair and innocent blue eyes, looking, on the whole, like a stray angel. And when in the choir he not onjy looked like an angel, but sang like one, as his voice was remarkably beautiful. But .all Neddy's goods were in the shop- window, since he was as naughty an urchin as ever existed to worry a hard working mother. He told lies, he played truant, he associated with the worst boys in the parish, smoked on the sly, and behaved like the un- scrupulous young rascal he truly was. Ye,t, when necessary, Neddy could play the saint so perfectly that his conduct, taken in conjunc- tion with his angelic looks, quite imposed upon the Rector, who believed him to be a modern Samuel. Mrs. Mellin had her doubts, as experience told her otherwise, but, naturally, she kept them to herself, and proclaimed on all and every occasion that Neddy was too good to live. All the_ same, she Avas on her guard against his wiles, and rebuked him sharply when she noticed that he was listening to her soliloquy. By the time she had finished telling him where bad bays went. and how they fared when they died, the cart arrived at the Rec- tory, and Mrs. Craver appeared at the back door. The parson's wife was a busy little sharp- door. The parson's wife was a busy little sharp- faced woman, arrayed in a shabby black silk, with collar and cuffs of ragged white lace, carefully mended. The stipend for looking after the souls of the Hedgerton people was I by no means large, and the Rev. George Craver found it difficult to makc^Jipth ends meet. Indeed, they would not have"met at all had not Mrs. Craver been a notable house- wife, who looked at both sides of a penuv be- fore parting with it, and who made shillings do the work of pound?. She scraped and screwed and pinched, and buzzed about the house from dawn till darkness like a busy bee, keeping her eye on cvrythillg and on everyone. According to custom, she welcomed Mrs. Mellin into the kitchen and proceeded to count the washing, while Neddy sat outside in the cart smoking a surreptitious cigarette. After the usual weekly wrangle over missing articles, scanty starching, bad ironing, and excessive. charging, Mrs. Craver gave the washerwoman a cup of tea and asked ques- tions. It was her duty, as she concc-ivcd it as the Rector's wife, to know all that went on in the dull, seaside parish, and Mrs. Mellin could supply her with more information than most people. Therefore Mrs. Craver sent the general servant, who was her solitary facto- tum. into the wood-shed to clean knives and brush boots while she listened to the weekly report. Mrs. Mellin began by a reference to her sister-gossip and rival spy. I do 'ope, ma'am, as that Emily Pyne ain't been teliin' eu things, as she ain't to be depended on, with her silly tongue and I' blind ere." The washerwoman spoke as if the lady in question had only one organ of vision, whereas she had two, and very sharp eyes they were. No. I haven't seen Miss Pyne," said Mrs. Craver, briskly. "Has she been doing any- thing wrong?" Eavcll forgive her, ma'am she never does anything right," said Mrs. Mellin, piously. Not that I've got anything against her, for the time being, 'c-cpt her gossiping constant when she should be working, and dressing above her station to which she 'ave been called. No, ma'am, never do I speak against Emily, though she did try to catch Mellin, when we was gels, failing, nater'ly, when she 'ave a game leg, and remaining a spinster through 'Eaven's 'and being 'eavy on 'er, may she be forgiven." "Well, well; what's the news?" Mrs. Craver had heard all about Miss Pyne's wickedness before, and spoke impatiently. Mrs. Mellin wiped her face, sipped her tea, and shook her head. There ain't ro news as is startling, ma'am, as bombs and bloodshed don't come 'ere while we 'ave the King—long^ may he reign over us. But that 'ouse in eadysmith-road, as is so unlucky, is Jet at last." Maranatha? Which the very name do give me the shudders, ma'am. It's a wicked name." It is an- odd name, agreed the sharp little woman, and I asked the Rector about it. He says it is a Syriac word, meaning the Lord comes, or has come." Neddy told me it was a cuss, ma'am." He shouldn't know anything about curses it his age, Mrs. Mellin. Mr. Craver said that 5t. Paul used the word as expressing ft -urse. There now "—Mrs. Mellin was admiringly ;riumphant—" to think as how Neddy do pick ap things. And a curse is on that 'ouse, Mrs. Craver, ma'am, for never 'ave it been lucky. The gent as built it fifty years back lost his arm, as my mother told me; the family as :ome after him buried two children in a year; a suicide was the nex' pusson as lived there, and it stayed empty for years till Mrs. Splurge took it to be ruined by the breaking 3f the bank her cash was in and 'ave her daughter run away with a young man as wasn't what he ought to be. It's a cussed 'ouse, and looks like one." H'm! It has a bad history. Well, and who has taken it now? A baronet." Nonsense Why should a baronet take a furnished house in this dull town?" Mrs. Mellin set down her cup and folded her tartan shawl round her in quite a tragic man- ner. That's what' I arsk myself, ma'am," she said, impressively. Mrs. Splurge, 'oping to make money after losing her all, advertised the 'ouse to be let furnished. But for two years it hev been standing as empty as my 'usband's ead, people fighting shy of its bad luck, as you might say, Mrs. Craver, ma'am. And now Sir 'Ector Wyke hev come, bag and baggage, with a 'ousekeeper as I hevn't seen, though write me she did, saying as she'd en- gaged me to do the washin' "Sir Hector Wyke?" Mrs. Craver searched her memory. I seem to have heard the name before." 'Ave he done anything bad?" inquired the washerwoman, eagerly. Anything as would make 'im 'ide his guilty 'cad. Baronets is bad, as we know." Rubbish Baronets are no worse than other people. But I fancy I have heard my sou, Mr. Edwin, mention the name. I'll ask him about Sir Hector when lie comes down at the week end." Shouldn't be surprised if Mr. Edwin 'ad quite a gory story to tell," said Mrs. Mellin, hopefully, for, like all her class, she loved horrors. Anyhow, I'll keep my eye on the ouse aiirl the 'ouscke,-I).Pr. What is her iitne? "Venee, she writes it. Jane Vence, and a heathen name it is, ma'am. I haven't set eyes on her myself; but ore as hev tole me ses as she's an old witch in looks, with a tongue as wicked as that of Emily Pyne's, and I can't say wuss nor that." "Mrs. Vence." The Rector' s wife re- peated the name so as to remember it. And what. other servants? "None," burst out Mrs. Mellin, trium- phantly. "And that's the wust of it., ma'am. I do say as a baronet should be'ave as a baronet, and not come to live in a musty, fusty old 'ouse with one old woman." It is strange. When did Sir Hector come? Two days ago, ma'arn. I wonder you 'aven't 'eard." "No. You bring the news to me." "And proud I am to do so, me thinking as Emily Pyne would be before'and. I s'pose the Rector will call, ma'am? I suppose he will. We don't often have a baronet come to Hedgerton." And the Rector 'ull find out all about Sir 'Ector, I s'pose? "Mrs. Mellin, you are much too curious about your neighbours," said Mrs. Craver, severely, and quite overlooking the fact that she was encouraging the woman-to gossip. Learn, to mind your own business, and don't pry into other people's concerns. Probably Sir Hector has heard that the air is gcod here, and has come down for the benefit of his health." ¡ "Ho!" Mrs. Mellin rubbed her nose and took no notice of the rebuke. He's ill then, is he ?" Now I come to think of it, Edwin did-men- tion his name," murmured Mrs. Craver to herself, while the washerwoman strained her ears to listen. Sir Hector Wyke? Yes. He is a rich man, very popular and fashionable in London. Not so young as he was, and en- gaged. to a young lady." "She hev throwed him over," cried Mrs. Mellin, eagerly, and his '(,:Ht is broke, so he hev come down 'ere to pine away and die. 'Eaven, what grass we are, and 'ow soon we're cast inter the oven "Don't be silly, Mrs. Mellin. Sir Hector has probably come down for his health, and wishing to be quiet has only brought his housekeeper with him. There is no mystery about the matter." Baronets who live in style don't come to cussed 'ouses with one old woman to look after them," said Mrs. Mellin doggedly. "Mark my words, ma'am, there's going to be a tragity at Maranatha, and it won't be the fust, ma'am." We don't have, tragedies here, you foolish woman." "Oh, don't we, m n.'am ? Mrs. Mellin stood up to give her words due effect. Why that "ouse in Ladysmith-road is full of 'em. And. n you rememDET, xv.cnaru acnes liis was to death only five years back, and Mrs. Warner ran away with the purser of a ship as went to Chiner; while the children as hev been scalded to death and drownded i6 'un- dreds, you might put it. No tragity!" Mrs. Mellin snorted. Why, ma'am, my own sister Laura was in one." "She only rail away," said Mrs. Craver, also standing up to intimate that'the confer- ence was ended. i And 'oo did she run with? "■ inquired the washerwoman mysteriously. She was 'ere to-day and gone to-morrer, as you might say. Twenty and more years ago she was as lovely a gel as you ever see, but disappear she did, leaving nothing be'ind to tell her where- abouts, and not a line hev I 'ad since. Why, you remember Laura yourself, ma'am, as you was only a five year bcle when you come 'ere with Mr. Craver." "I remember that your sister disappeared during the first year of my husband becoming Rector of Hcdgerton," said Mrs. Craver, drily. She was a pretty girl, but flighty and dis- contented. And as she was always fond of the theatre, I daresay she went on the stage. Of course, as she was twenty-five when she dis- appeared, she was old enough to choose her own way, although I can't say that either I or Mr. Craver approved of her choice." 'Ow do you know, ma'am, that she made that choice?" questioned Mrs. Mellin, with dignity. "Play"r.ctillg Laura loved, there's no denying, but she mightn't have gone play- acting after all. No, ma'am, some villain lured 'er away when she was parlour-maid in Maranatha with the wife of the gent as cut 'is throat in the back room. No wonder I shiver winn I 'ears the name,.ma'am, for that 'ouse Was the ruin of my lovely, ihnercent sister." "Mrs. Mellin, you àre allowing that house to get on your nervcs-" Me being a martcr to 'em and taking 'og-'ead's cf physic," murmured Mrs. Mellin. So think no more about the matter. Take Sir Hector Wyke's washing and be thankful. Meanwhile, tell me more news, and be as quick as you can." Mrs. Craver made this request so as to lure Mrs. Mell in from the subject of the house in 1 Ladysmith-road, ",3 she sawplainlyenough that the woroal w as becoming quite hysterical over the place. The laundress fell into the trap and talked cf this person and of that with great gusto, telling what he said and what they said and what she said, with full details of what all said. Mrs. Craver examined and cross-examined and re-examined the good lady, and there was scarcely a person in the place who was not discussed thoroughly. At the end of half an hour the Rector's wife was I in full possession of all that had taken place in the parish during the week, and mentally arranged the facts so that she might report to I her husband. Not that he wished to hear, being something cf a book-worm. But Mrs. I. Craver always presented her seven days I budget regularly, because she thought that it assisted him in his clerical work. Perhaps it did, as it certainly kept him advised of all that went on. When the examination was con- cluded Mrs. Mellin retired with many bless- ings on the head of her hostess and climbed back into the dingy cart. Neddy, having tossed aside the fag-end of his surreptitious c:garctte,' drove away meekly, while Mrs. Craver witnessed the departure. The washer- woman, still haunted by the memory of the newly-tenanted house, cried back a warning. You'll see, ma'am, as a tragity will 'appen at Maranatha. Mark me, ma'am." CHAPTER II. When it became known-chiefly through the agency of- Mrs. Mellin—that a baronet was living at Maranatha, the excitement was very great. It appeared strange to one and all that a titled and wealthy gentleman should leave the pleasures of London to take up his residence in a dull place such as Hedgerton truly was. Originally a rude fish- ing-village, it had of late years been exploited by the jerry-builder, so that it might be im- proved into a watering-place and a play- ground for trippers. A huddle of quaint houses was buried in a hollow by the shore and faced the estuary of. the Thames, into which stretched for no great distance a rough stone pier. Sometimes floating on water and sometimes stranded on mud were many fish- ing-smacks, which went out regularly to the harvest of the sea, while river steamers occa- sionally called to discharge cargoes or to land passengers. Since Hedgerton had been digni- fied by the name of a watering-place the steamers called more frequently, especially in summer, and, on the whole, did fairly well. But somehow they did not bring to. Hedgerton the prosperity anticipated by the jerry-builder. The place did not thrive, in spite of doctors' recommendations, cheap fares, and lavish advertisement. Above the hollow wherein nestled the original town stretched a flat, well-wooded country, dotted sparsely with houses, and there was a railway station at Redleigh, three miles away. New Hedger- ton, as it was called, consisted of many hastily-built bungalows, extending in a lean line along the cliffs, but these were occupied only in summer, and therefore remained empty for the greater part of the year. There was all asphalt esplanade running spaciously from east to west in front of these bungalows, a small bandstand, and a crude hall for pub- lic entertainments roofed with galvanised iron. At intervals roads branched at right ancles

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from the espianaae, passing Detween nouses old and new to run finally through woodlands or between the hedges which divided vast meadows from the highway. In spring and summer the country looked very picturesque with the foliage of trees, the blossom of orchards, and the rainbow hues of multi-' tudinous flowers, but the change was marked in autumn and winter. Then the balmy air grew raw and chill; there were damp mists overlying the land morning and evening, while the lack of life gave the place a melan- choly aspect, At the fall of the year the choly aspect, At the fall of the year the inhabitants of the district retired into their houses like rabbits into burrows, as the cli.mate of this particular part of England did not tempt them to lead an out-of-door life. On the whole, therefore, Hedgerton was not a desirable locality either for a pleasure- seeker or for an invalid save in summer. This being the case, the Hedgerton gossips asked one another daily why Sir Hector Wyke had come down to the place during the season of mists and rain, of leafless boughs and ruined orchards. No one was able to give an answer, although it was frequently ( suggested that the baronet's health was bad. 1 But a man in bad health would scarcely come to so unhealthy a place at so unhealthy a time. Therefore there must be some other rea- son. Everyone tried to learn what it was, and everyone failed. No information was supplied by the tenant of Maranatha, who lived a very secluded life, and appeared greatly desirous to be left to himself. He saw no one, and when he took his solitary walks he spoke to no one. Even Mr. Craver was denied admittance when he sought to wel- come the stranger to his parish, and ho re- turned home to tell his wife that Wyke was I probably a misanthropic creature, who dis- liked his fellow-men. The description aroused M,rs. Graver's curi- osity, aud she was even more particular than usual in examining Mrs. Mellin when that spy came to report what had taken place in the parish during the week. The washerwoman could only state, after three weeks' watching, that her bills and the bills of the trades- people were paid regularly, that she saw no one but Mys. Vence, who was not inclined to be communicative, and that the house ap- peared to be as neglected now as it was when Sir Hector first went to live in it. It would seem that the mysterious baronet did not so much live in Maranatha as camp in it, since no attempt was made to brush up the resi- dence or improve the garden in any way. Sir Hector, save for occasional walks, stayed in- doors, like a snail in its shell, and Mrs. Mel- lin augured ill from this suspicious retire- ment. She chiefly blamed the house itself for the doings of its tenant. rncre's a cuss on it," she declared with relish, when Mrs. Cravei: was speeulatirg as to the meaning of the whole queer business. If Solomon hisself, as' was 'appy with a thousand wives, lived in that 'ouse he'd ha' been miserable within the week. Why, the name tells you what it is, ma'am. What do I Maranatha 'whisper to you but ruin, which there 'as been, and suicide, which 'appened, I and bankruptcy, with the elepement of gels- which we know is common there. No, ma'am, say what yon like, it.'ll be murder nex'; and 'Eaven be betwixt us and 'arm, save and bless us." Mrs. Mellin always ended these I. dismal prognostications with .the observation that she hoped she would not be called upon to give evidence at the inquest, as murders got on her nerves. Mrs. Craver was little less fortunate with her son when she asked questions, fortall that Edwin could say amounted to nothing. Sir Hector Wyke was a rich man and a popular .man, who had been in the Army, and was now 1 a gentleman at large. Edwin had met him in society, and liked him fairly well, althou-h- as he put it—Wyke was not a man he would care to make a chum of. Mrs. Craver suggested that he should call on the baronet and renew his acquaintance, but this Edwin refused to do. He said that if Wyke wished to improve the acquaintance he could call at the Rectory, and as the recluse showed no disposition to do this, it would be best to leave him alone. The Reotor agreed with his son, and Mrs. Craver therefore found herself in a minority. All the same, she re- 1 mained intensely curious, and frequently won- dered what mystery lay behind the whole business. She even questioned, 111- a delicate way, Hall the postman and Jervis the police- man, but was unable to learn anything from either. Hall simply said that he delivered few letters, which were received by Mrs. v^ncc whom he described as an old ha,a-while r Jervis declared that he saw nothing and knew nothing and heard nothing likelj to say why the tenant of Maranatha lived so hermit-like. It was quite painful for brisk little Mrs. Craver to learn that she could discover nothing—she who knew the history and daily doings of every soul in Hedgerton. "I'm sure, George," she said, plaintively, to the Rector, one-half the world does not know how the other half lives." Then I'm sure it isn't your fault or Mrs. Mellin's or Miss Pyne's either," retorted her husband, whereat she was offended, and won- dered more than ever if she would discover i,h.e inflame lier curiosity still more an event occurred at the end of four weeks which startled her and startled everyone with its far reaching consequences. Sir Hector had been leading his secluded life for quite a month, when the event happened It began in quite a commonplaec way with the delivery of a letter by Hall at Maranatha. About seven o'clock on a foggy November evening Hall was travelling along the esplanade on his I red-painted Government bicyclc when he alighted to examine his bag. He knew that he had delivered all letters save one, and searched his bag to find the last missive. By the light of his lamp the postman looked at the address-, and saw that it was directed to Sir Hector Wyke at Maranatha. With a grunt of satisfaction that his duties for the day would soon be over, Hall was about to mount his machine again ",Ifon Jervis appeared. The bulky form of the constable loomed por- tentously through the mists, and Hall guessed who he was Jervis," said the postman, pausing for a moment. Hall," answered the officer, as if deliver- ¡ ing a countersign, and flashed his bull's-ey« on the weather beaten face of the first I speaker, a shocking night, ain't it? Rain and fog and bitter cold." "Why not? 'Tain't Jtine roses as youli smell in November, Jervis." No, worse luck. and night dooty ain't 110 catch at this time of the year. Now, I'll be bound, Hall, as you're nearly finished, and can get home to your warm bed sharp." ) And to tripe and onions, as my old woman does to a turn, Jervis," said Hall, licking his lips. I've only got this one letter to deliver to Sir Hector Wyke, as folks is talking about so." —, Don't see why they should talk," said the officer, bluffly. Sir Hcctor pays his Avay officer, bluffly. Sir Hector pays his way and keeps himself quiet. Ain't a"ny of my business, or of yours." But lie never E-ees no one, and never comas out, and never has any callers." He's got one to-night," said Jervis un- expectedly. "You know Sankey? Him as drives the trap to and fro this place and Redleigh?" Jervis nodded, and stuck his big thumbs in his belt. Got a rotten old fly on the job. Well, I saw it to-night with a fare in it, when Sankey stopped to ask me where Maranatha was. I gave him the tip as it was in Lady- smith-road, so Sankey drove oÎI. I wonder his blessed old nag did the three miles without falling a corpse." "Did you tee who was the fare?" asked Hall, pondering. No. Wasn't any of my business. I see as you're as curious as the rest of 'cm abont that bar'nit. Why, Mrs. Craver herself has asked questions by the dozen, as you might say. Anyhow, Sankey left his pnsienger ;t Maranatha and drove back to Redleigh, for I see him returning." "Oh," remarked Hall, in guttural tores, t so his fare stops all night with Sir Hector, I s'pose." Why shouldn't lie,. or her, for whether the fare WL3 male or female I don't rightly know." Well, Sir Hector ain't 'nd no one to stay wiLl: h-jn 1. Dessay," returned the poi^ccman, ^care- lessly, "but he has to make a/start. I just tell you what, Hall, you're getting like the rest of the folk hereabouts with'their jaw." Sir Hector do live such a queer life, J Jervis." 1 He lives the life as pleases him, as I s'pose lie's got the right to.2' f I tell you there's something strange ill -t baronet coming down to this dtill place when I the weather's so bad," persisted the postman, ominously. Have you seen the ged? "Twice. A weak little govt with a waxed I moustache, and dressed tip to the. nines with fine clothes. I touched my helmet, but he only nodded, iiid nrver f-topp^d to pass the timc, o' d,l,,v." 1 ".Well, he woukin t, he being a swell and I you only a copper, Jervis." 1 "That's a nasty way of talking, ITall. I S'pose I was to report you to- your superior ■ for idling when your letter should be de- M livered." m And s'pose Ito tell Sergeant Purse at Redleigh as you stopped me on the esplan- ade to gossip about wat ain't any business of yours," retorted Hall, tartly. Two can play at that game, p.olicc;lTI." Go and earn your salary," said Jervis, loftily, and walked away. "You go and hang yourself," was the not very obvious reply of the peetman; and tho two opponents were parted by the heavy fog which dropped its curtain be5tVcen them. 1 Chuckling over having had the last word, t I Hall mounted his machine and pedalled slowly round the corner, only too anxious to deliver the last letter ,Inl g"t Iho:y-e-- to his -< tripe and omens. He knew that the nest, J turning was into -anti it was < as well that he did. for the misfi were so thick that he proceeded with some difficulty. The man could hear the noise of the waves < through the fog, and shivered in the chill-raw air. As there were few lamps, he found him- self in complete darkness when he bicycled up jt the road, and therefore had to "ride cau- tiously. Finally, he was compelled to dis- mount, srnd take his machine en to the pav6- ment, feeling for guidance along the fence on the Shortly he came to the first gate, and the electric torch he carried ( showed him in black-painted letters The Firs"; so he passed that gate, as net being the one he wanted. The second gateiie also passed, as it was inscribed The Elms," and j then walked for a long way into the 1 dense gloom io find Maranatha-, which stood 1 by itself. Fir-ally, he r.iumbl'ed on the third » gate, the inscription cf w11:c:h told licm that ft he had reached his gca-1 he the «. electric torch on to the black letters. Kail 9 left ]I sloin iilg rgainst the fence ifi the dim light of the street larrn.-f-Or at this point there was one—and orejied the gate to walk slowly up the path he-tween the tangled herbage and under the dripping trees. It curved gradually-a. ccbMe-skmc path over- •2 grown with weeds—until it ended in an open space before the house. Through the mists a light beamed from the fanlight "over the door, and Hall, anxious to get home, rapped loudly in the approved style of t?;e postman. I There was no answer, although he waited {or quite a minute, and he searched with 4iis .f torch for the letter-box. Just as he found it and was about to slip in the letter the door suddenly opened. A stream of radiance poured forth to illuminate the untidy.gardcn, and a man dashed out in a violent' Irurry. I In his desperate exithJ drove Hall fgainr-t s. one of the brick pillars of the porch-, and by the time the postman recovered his breath the man had disappeared, running swiftly. "Here's a rum go," said .Hall, speaking to I himself. "f wotdcr if that's the blessed [ baronito, and what b'" U}) k;? litre!" j —lie raised his vo!ce rs ho faced the open. i door—"anyone I can't wait. here all There was no reply. The bcat-e preserved | an ominous silence, which miiclc II ill shiver,! as Mrs. Mellin had dene.' Fearing that was something wrong, and rcmemborinctk* sinister chatter of the nc-i-^tbourhoo-d, Haw steppod hastily into the ha1' 1. -It was cf n*§ great size, cart)eted throughout, and fur. nished with a black oak settle cn one sidf and a small rosewood table on the oilier, to gcthcr with a hat rack and an umbrella! stand. Doors were visible right and- lefts while beyond, were stairs and n narrow pfl, l sage beside them leading towards the back 0 the house. A swinging lamp illuminated t ifeall, and in its light everything appeared t be duaty and lyteared for. Mrs. Vence cc-jff tainly was not a particularly good hous keeper, or she would not have neglected b work in this fashion. -a Astonished by the continued silence, tW" postman stood hesitating in the hall, ",hi the sea-fog poured in like smoke through t oppn door. He did net know what to do. Til" sudden opening of the door, the violent e- of the unknown man. and now this-ominoi* silcnce disconcerted Hall. He had just his mouth to call again when there came tw sound of a long, faint- eigh, and the door < the left opened slov.ly to reveal the totteri figure of an old woman. Shes saw the postman, and suddenly gather her strength as she moved forward 5 sciz^ his arm.. J| "Where is he?" she demanded, fain and with a gasp. Did you catch him? i "Cateh who, Mrs. Vence?" ,&3ked He placing the letier on the rosewood tab since Mrs. Vence did net seem capable taking it. The man who ran out." No. He opened the door and pushed p me and bolted." Bolted I Mrs. V-ence screamed. "1' villain Come With unnatural strength she dragged J tarUwl postm,.n through the cloor 011 the and into a comfortable study, cleaner in 10 than was the hall. On the hearthrug bef the fire lay a man in evening dress f| upward with a knife in his heart. 9 uttered a cry of horror, and his teeth cm tered like castanets. Murder! be ga« i- Murder! echoed Mrs. Vence, wi»- v- fihrill scream. "He did it-tl,,a man bolted. Catch him. Catch him She pn the postman fiercely out of the room in a mendous hurry. Get a policeman. C* him. Ortick I Quick!" Hall did not need much urging. WT$ pale face and dry lips he ran out of house, down the path, and through the t intending to mount his bicycle and rleo Jervis, who could not be far away. T110 made a startling discovery. His bicycle gone. ot a sign of it remained. "The murderer has gone off on it," Hall, blankly. (To be conlinvcd.) -y.