Rhyl Journal

fPUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.) THE LADY FROM NOWHERE A DETECTIVE STORY. BY FERGUS HUME, Author of "The Mystery of a Hansom Cab," The Third Volume," For the Defence," f "The Lone Inn," &c., &o. [COPYRIGHT.] CHAPTER XV.—THE REVELATION OF 1\1:1\ PKAIN- "Arthur Ferris, the son of Dean!" repeated Gebb, looking alternately at solicitor and barrister. Well, I never heard of such a thing. Did you know of it, Mr. Alder?" Alder shook his head with unqualified amaze- ment. "Not I!" he said. "I suggested that Ferris was shielding Dean, only be- cause I am certain Dean is the assassin, and only the assassin could have given that necklace taken from the dead woman to Ferris, but I had no idea. that there was any relationship or even acquain- tance between them." "Nevertheless, it is true," replied Prain, with a nod. I was Dean's lawyer, as you know, and he told me much of his family history. When his wife died, he placed his son Arthur with some of her relatives, and went himself as a bachelor down to the Hall, to court Laura Kirkstone for his second wife and meet with his fate. \V hen he was imprisoned for the murder of Kirkstone, the rela- tives of Arthur gave him his mother's name of Ferris. I have kept my eye on that young man all my life—or, rather, all his life of twenty-five years, and have even assisted him on occasions with money. He is the son of Dean right enough, although he still keeps to the name of Ferris." "Oh! he knows who he is, then?" said Gebb, (harply. „ Certainly! He has known it for many years. Has he any idea of the whereabouts of his father?" questioned Alder. No; he would have told me if he had, as he is well aware that I consider his father innocent, and would not give him up to the law even if I knew of his hiding-place." 44 Do you believe that Dean is innooent in this instance, Mr. Prain?" The little man moved restlessly and evaded a direct reply to the inquiry of Alder. "That is a. question I cannot answer," he said dubiously. 1 asked Ferris if he obtained the necklace from his father, but he denied that he did, and added that he was ignorant of his father's whereabouts. He declared that he had not seen his father since he was five years of age." "Oh, of course, he would say all that! crieu Alder, with scorn, in order to shield his father, as I suggested; although until you spoke I did not know who Dean really was. The evidence against Dean seems clear enough to me." "In what way?" asked Gebb, anxious to hear Alder's ground of accusation, since he appeared so certain of Dean's guilt. "In every way," retorted the barrister. "Dean hunted Miss Gilmar down and killed her in Paradise Row. Being hard up, as he must be, seeing that he is an outlaw and in hiding, he stole the jewels she wore. He, no doubt, gave the necklace to Ferris, as I know the young man is as poor as a church mouse, and kept the other jewels to himself. I don't say that Ferris knew at the time his father had killed Miss Gilmar, but when Mr. Gebb here stated that the necklace was taken from her dead body, Ferris is quick enough to put two and two together, and guess what his father had done. He, therefore, holds his tongue and re- fuses to say from whom he got the necklace. A man with his life in jeopardy would not keep silent without a strong motive, and what stronger motive can Ferris have than one which concerns the safety of his father? To me the affair is as clear as day." "Your case is very ingeniously constructed, I admit," said Prain, dryly, and you argue the rope round Dean's neck in fine style. Nevertheless your theory is—theory and nothing more." "Well," sa'd Alder, with a shrug, "what does Mr. Gebb say?" "Mr. Gebb says nothing at present! rejoined that gentleman, after a moment's thought. Least eaid soonest mended. When I gather more evM dence I shall speak more freely." Where do you intend to look for evidence? At Kirkstone Hall. I shall ask Miss Wedder- burn why she fainted on the occasion of my men- tioning about Ferris; although I did ask her once, ftn" Ihcanie<5xPlain that," observed Prain, quickly. I said I would not do so without the young lady's permission, but as I have been forced to tell you about Dean's relationship to Ferris, I may as well reveal the rest. Miss Wedderburn knows that Arthur is the son of Dean, so when you asked her about him, I dare say the thought struck her that you knew of it through me, and intended to accuse him of killing Miss Gilmar to avenge his father. With a revulsion of feeling she fainted. There—you have the explanation from my point of view." "That's all very well, Mr. Prain, but I wish to have the explanation from Miss Wedderburn's point of view. Where is she now?" "Still at the Hall," said Alder, gloomily, "but the intends to leave it, now that I am master there." "Oh!" said Prain, with a smile. "She refuse; to be its mistress?" "Yes! I don't mind confessing it. She is in- fatuated with Ferris, and when I went down the other day to ask her for the last time to be my wife, she refused me, and declared that she intended to marry Ferris. But I don't bear him any ill-will," said Alder, generously. "We both love Miss Wed- derburn, and she prefers him in his poverty to me with my money. Still I don't know how she can bear the idea of marrying the son of a murderer." Perhaps like myself she believes in Dean's inno- cence," said Prain, dryly. If he is guilty of the first crime, he is guilty of the second." "Well," said GeLb, thoughtfully, there is some- thing in that. Unless Dean had been guilty of Kirkstone's murder he would not have been so bent upon punishing the woman who accused him 01 it and it is just possible he murdered her out of revenge. However, I believe myself that Dean is innocent of both crimes. As to the second, I shall see Ferris again, and try to learn if he got the necklace from his father; as to the first," added Gebb, emphatically, I shall search Kirkstone Hall for Miss Gilmar's confession." "Her confession!" repeated Alder, surprised. "What confession?" "Ah!" said Prain, taking no notice of the barrister's question, and addressing Gebb, so you are coming round to my opinion—that Miss Gilmar killed Kirkstone." "It has been my opinion for some time," re- joined Gebb, coolly, and I believe that Mist Gilmar left a confession behind her telling the truth. I don't think she would risk its discovery by carrying it about with her, so it is probable she wrote it out and concealed it in some hiding place at Kirkstone Hall." "In that case search the Hall," said Alder, dis- believingly. "You have my full permission to do so." I shall certainly avail myself of it, Mr. Alder. So Miss Wedderburn leaves the Hall. What about her protegi, Martin?" "That lunatic! I don't know. He had better xtay where he is for the present, although I think myself he should be locked up. What does Miss Wedderburn think? She says he is mad, but not dangerous, and asked me to let him stay on at the Hall until she is settled—with Ferris, I suppose—when she will take him with her. A nice companion he will be to a young married couple." "I'm afraid that marriage won't take place for wome time," said Prain, gloomily, even if Arthur idoes escape he's too poor to keep a wife." In that case," said Alder, rising to take his leave, there may be a chance for me. While there is life there' hope, you know." Prain shook his head with a doubtful smile. While Arthur Ferris lives Miss Wedderburn won't marry you," he said, positively. Alder stopped at the door and looked back. "See here, Mr. Prain," he remarked, earnestly, "I'm all fair, square, and above board. Gebb here will tell you that before you came I defended Ferris, because I consider him innocent. But I believe that his father killed Kirkstone and my cousin, and I am certain that both crimes will be brought home to him. In that case I have my doubts as to whether a proud girl like Edith will marry the son of a murderer. If she does not, she will accept me, of that I am certain and I shall do everything to bring such a marriage about." "Well," said Prain, "I've known Edith all her life, and I don't think she will marry you." "We'll see about that," rejoined Alder, confi- dently, and swung out of the door with a look of determination in his blue eyes. Prain shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, for he thought that the barrister was over-confident for a lover. Then he took up his hat to go, and addressed a last question to Gebb. "Well, sir," said he, grimly, "and what do you intend to do now?" "Three things, Mr. Prain, and I don't mind ten- ing you what they are. I intend to question both Ferris and Miss Wedderburn, I intend to search Kirkstone Hall for that confession of Miss Gilmar's, which I really believe exists, and I intend to call upon Mr. Clement Basson." "What about Basson—can he prove anything?" "He can prove an alibi in favour of Ferris," said Gebb, and forthwith related to Prain all that he had been told by Alder regarding the lecture in the Grangebury Town Hall. Prain listened attentively, and nodded his head approvingly, for he was pleased to find a loophole for Arthur's escape. "Very creditable to Alder," he said, when tha detective finished. "His conduct in speaking up for Ferrie deserves our praise. Few men would be go generous to their rival. But if this is so, why did not Ferris clear himself before the magistrate? He would be free now, had he done so." "Well," said Gebb, thoughtfully, o far as that oes, we come back to Mr. Alder's belief. Ferris is shielding his father." If he is," said Prain. "Dean must be guilty." H It looks like it. But I tell you what, Mr. Prain," cried Gebb, emphatically, as sure as I sit here Dean is innocent. Whosoever killed Miss Gilmar was expected by her a friend with whom sho was at her ease; that is proved by the smoking and the wine. She would not have been at ease with l> mignt Have been disguised at a fortune- #Alfor" suggested Prain. "No I don't believe it. No disguise could have hidden him from the eyes of a woman who feare ] him so. Whosoever killed that woman, it wasn't PThen why is Ferris shielding Dean?" "We don't know if å. ia j you, yourself, said that dwwd it." "I know I did; I know he doesl" cried Prain in despair. "God bless m. soul, what a case this is! The more we talk about it the more confused does it become. I tell you what, Gebb, your only chanca of arriving at the truth lies in either forcing Ferris to confess where he got the necklace, or in hunting down Dean." "I'll try the first of your suggestions at once," said (xebb, putting on his hat. "And if Ferris won't confess to me, I'll write and ask Miss Wedder- burn to come to Town." "What good can she do?" She can make him confess the truth. What tho man won't do for justice he may do for love. H ov/ever, I'll see him at once. Justice will make tho first attempt—Love the second." "And both will fail," cried Prain. "You'd better catch Dean, my good man." "That's easier said than done," retorted Gebb, and the two parted, each more or less exasper- ated and very naturally, for tne perplexities of the Grangebury murder case were enough to anger the mildest natures, and those of Prain and Gebb were rather the reverse. Irritated and puzzled by the complexion of affairs, Gebb did not let grass grow under his feet. but at once visited the prison in which Arthur Ferris was confined. He easily obtained permission to sec him, and entered to find the young man looking ill and worn, but as firm as ever in his policy of silence. Gebb came to the reason of his visit forth- with. Well, Mr. Ferris, you are a nice gentleman to stay here, when a word from you in the Court would clear you of all this." "What word?" asked Ferris, suspecting a snare and speaking cautiously. Why! Word where you were at the time of the murder. I know you did not kill Miss Gilmar." How do you know that? asked the young man with a start. Because you were in the Grangebury Town Hall listening to the lecture on Dickens," replied Gebb. "Mr. Alder told me." It is very kind of Alder to defend me," replied Ferris, frankly. Yes, Mr. Gebb, it is quite true. I was not near Miss Gilmar on thai: nignt. I am innocent." "Then why didn't you say so?" "I did, several times." But why don't you produce your alibi?" "Because I don't choose to," retorted Ferris slowly, and turned sulky again. "S you are Welding your father after all?" W ho told you about my father?" he asked tremulously. Prain," said Gebb. Your father is Dean, who swore to kill that woman for accusing him of Kirkstone's murder. He escaped and killed her and gave you the necklace, and you won't speak because you want to save your father's neck." IMy father has nothing to do with it, Mr. Gebb. I did not get the necklace from him. I don't know where ho is. This is my last word," said Ferris, firmly; and it was. Gebb begged and implored and threatened, but to no purpose. Whatever Ferris knew he kept to himself. CHAPTER XVI.— MISS vVEDDERBURN Having failed with Ferris, owing to the artist's obstinate refusal to speak, Gebb thought that he would hear what Basson had to say. He knew from Prain that the barrister had defended Marmaduke Dean, and although he had not siicceeded in obtaining an acquittal, believed that his client was innocent. Dean, of course, must have known that his counsel held this opinion; so, on escaping from prison, with a desire to prove his innoccnce, it was not unlikely that he might have called secretly on Basson, and implored his assist- ance. If so, Basson might know a good deal about I the man, if he could only be induced to speak out, and it was to gain his confidence in this matter that Gebb paid him a visit. "Of course he may know nothing," thought Gebb, as ho walked the next day towards Blackstone Lane, in which Mr. Basson—according to Alder—had his abode. On the other hand, if Dean called on him, which is not unlikely, he may know a good deal. I wish to learn where Dean is hiding how he manages to live and what his movements were towards the end of July last. Basson may be able to inform me of these matters if he can. so much the better; if he can't, I'll go down to Kirkstone Hall to search for that confession, and see Miss Wedderburn before she leaves the plaoe. If she can't force Ferris to speak, no one else can; the lDan is as obstinate as a pig." With this elegant simile Gebb turned out of Fleet Street into Blackstone Lane, and shortly found him- self climbing the narrow staircase of No. 40. Mr. Basson being poor and briefless, and evidently care- less of his ease, lived at the very top of the high building. After ascending four flights of steep stairs, the detective camo upon a door with the name Clement Basson" painted on it in black letters. Also there was a dingy scrap of paper, on which was written, "Back in five minutes so it seemed, much to Gebb's disappointment, as though Basson were not in his office. However, two or three sharp knocks brought forth a grinning boy in a suit several sizes too small for him, and this lad having put Gebb through a short examination, with the inten- tion of discovering if he had a bill or a writ, or a Judgment summons in his pocket, at length relented, and announced that Mr. Basson was within. Evidently the "Back in five minutes" label was used to beguile creditors into thinking that Mr. Basson was absent. That announcement, and the conversation with the juvenile Cerberus, gave Gebb an immediate insight into the state of Mr. Basson's finances, and his Bohemian mode of hand-to-mouth living. Shortly he was ushered into a dingy chamber, very barely furnished, and very dirty. There was a yellow blind pulled up askew on an unclean win- dow; below this a deal table covered with green baize, ink-stained and worn-out, which was piled up with dirty papers. An ancient book-case, with a brass screen, was filled with an array of untidy- looking volumes in calf skin, with red labels there were two ehairs-one for the lawyer and one for any possible client, a rusty grate, fillea with torn-up papers, and an empty Japan coal-scuttle. In the midst of these ruins of prosperity. like Marius amid the remains of Carthage, sat Clement Ba-sson, a tall, jovial looking man, with a fine head of grey hair, a quick eye, and a neatly trimmed beard and moustache. He was carelessly dressed in a kind of sporting fashion, and wore an old cricketing cap on the back of his head. The man was clever, kindly, and quick-witted: he was also thriftless, weak-willed, and untidy. His worserqualities weighed down his better and with many qualifications for climbing to the top of the tree, Mr. Basson pre- ferred out of sheer idleness and laf" of concentra- tion, to dance gaily round the trunk in ragged attire. He looked like a survival of Grub Street; one of the feather-headed crew who wrote pamphlets and starved in garrets, and naturally belong to the reigns of the early Georges. he was quite out of place in the late Victorian epoch: an ironical sur- vival of the unfittest. "Good day!" he said, in a rich baritone voice, advancing to meet his visitor. What can I do for you, Mr. Gabb?" "Gebb, sir; not Gabb," answered the detective, seating himself in the one other chair. The boy saiu Gabb," retorted Basson, returning to his chair. He was thinking of his own gift maybe," and he laughed heartily at his rather feeble joke. "Well, Mr. Gebb, have you brought me a brief? "No," said Gebb smiling, for the man's good kumour was infectious. IJm in a different branch of the law to a solicitor. I don't deal in briefs so much as in handcuffs." "Ah! You are a detective. A Bow Street Runner." Yes. In charge of the Grangebury murder case." "Just so I" said Basson, with a. nod and looking grave. I read about it in the papers, and now I remember, your name was mentioned. Well, and have you caught the blackguard who murdered the poor woman? Not yet. I've come to see if you can help me." I? said Basson, much amused. You've come to the wrong shop then. How should I know the assassin? "If I can believe Mr. Alder you knew him once," was Gebb's reply. "Ah! So Alder has been speaking to you about me. He thinks that Dean is guilty, and I was Dean's counsel in that Kirkstone case. Is it that you are driving Mr. Gebb?" It just is. Dc you believe that Dean is guilty?" Basson did no. reply immediately. He lighted' a German pipe of porcelain, and, blowing out the match, placed it in a little pile which lay near the inkstand. Then he puffed out a cloud of smoke, and through it looked at his visitor. "Why do you ask me?" ne demanded abruptly. "I want your opinion. I know from Mr. Alder that you did not believe Dean guilty of Kirkstone's murder." "No. That I did not," rejoined Basson, hastily. No more than I believe Mr. Ferris—poor boy— guilty of this one. I was coming to tell you that he was at my lecture on the night of the murder, but Alder said he would speak to you about it. Did he?" Gebb nodded. "I know that Ferris is innocent, but he has the necklace in his possession, and that is a suspiciou circumstance." "I saw about that in the papers," said Basson, nodding. "Well, and how does he say the necklace came into his hands?" He declines to tell me.' "Does hot With his neck in th. noose so to speak." Precisely, Mr. Basson he did not even confess his presence at your lecture. He said he wa.s inno- cent, and for the rest held his tongue." Basson stared, and pressed the tobacco in the pipe bowl with his little finger. Now, that's queer," he said. Why does he act in this way?" "I think he wishes to shield his father." "I didn't know he had a. father. Thought his father was dead." As good as dead, I am afraid. Dean is his father." "What!" Basson's pipe fell out of his hands, and he looked at Gebb in amazement. Dean, the man I defended, Ferris's father?" Yes. Ferris lived with some relating, who changed his name when his father was condemned. Now, Mr. Basson, I don't believe Deaa is guilty of this second murder; but on no other stCMnd than that he did Kin me weman, anu gare uerris tne nocklace to pawn, can I account for the young man's silence." Docs he say that Dean is guilty? asked Basson, picking up his pipe. "No; he denies it, but refuses to confess how he became possessed of the necklace. Mr. Basson, tell me on what grounds you believed that Dean did not kill Kirkstone." "No motive," rejoined Basson. "People don't commit murders without motives. But a year or two ago I got an anonymous letter, which strengthened my belief in his innocence. Wait a bit, and I'll get it for you." He opened a small safe standinc at the end of the room near the bookcase, and after five minutes' groping in its depths, at Length out a. iiagy I bit of paper, which he brought back to Gebb. This lie spread out on the table, and raised his finger to enforce the attention of the detective. Dean declared his innocence to me," said the barrister, with forensic force, "and I believed him. But he thought that Laura Kirkstone was guilty- that in a mad fit she killed her brother. I did not agree with this, for I held then and I hold still, that Ellen Gilmar stole that knife from Laura, and mur- dered Kirkstono before she went upstairs to call Dean and inculpate him in the murder. Now when Dean escaped from prison I received this letter; read it." Gebb glanced his eye rapidly over the scrap of paper, which contained two lines of writing running thus: "If you see Dean. tell him not to hunt down a wretched woman. When she dies justice shall be done." To this thpfo was no name and no date and no envelope. Gebb inquired after this latter. "I'm sorry to say I destroyed it by mistake," said Basson, with regret, but I remember that it had the Norminster post-mark on it; therefore, I am sure the note came from Miss Gilmar." But why should she write to you?" inquired the detective. She fancied Dean on escaping might visit me tc get my aid to prove his innocence." "I thought such might be the case myself," said Gebb, thoughtfully. Did he come near you at any time after his escape?" "No," said Basson, emphatically. "I never saw him from the time he went into prison. I don't know where he is; I wish I did, as this note shows that Miss Gilmar knows herself to be guilty, and has left some sort of confession behind, to be read after her death and clear Dean." Where do you think this confession is to be found?" "I don't know. She may have hidden it in Kirk- stone Hall, or may have had it with her. When I got this note I went at once to the Hall to tax Miss Gilmar with writing it. However, she had fled out of fear of Dean, and I could not learn her where- abouts. The next I heard was her murder at Grangebury under the name of Ligram." "Do you think Dean killed her?" asked Gebb, anxiously. I don't know. He might have found her and tried to force her into confession, and failing getting her to do so have killed her, but I don't know." Well," said Gebb, getting on his legs, "I had an idea myself that there might be a confession concealed in Kirkstone Hall. Now, on the evi- dence of this note, I am sure of it. I'll go down and search. But tell me frankly, Mr. Basson, do you know where Dean is to be found?" "No," said Basson, solemnly, "I swear I don't." "I must rely on myself then," said Gebb, with a sigh. "I'll see you again, Mr. Basson." "I shall be glad to help you, sir," replied the barrister, and bowed the detective out of his dingy room. Gebb retired in an exultant frame of mind, as he had discovered beyond all doubt that a con- fession by Miss Gilmar was in existence which would probably exonor!«>) Dean from all complicity in Kirkstone's murder. The question was, where to search for it. On his way back to the office Gebb tried vainly to find an answer to this query, but it was banished from his mind when he discovered that no less a person than Miss Wedder- burn was waiting to see him. She approached him at once when he entered, and there was a sparklo of rage in her eyes, which intimated that the object of her visit was not a peaceful one. "Here you are at last, Mr. Gebb!" she said, in a wrathful voice, and pray, sir, what do you mean by arresting Mr. Ferris?" "Oh, that's your trouble, is it, Miss?" answered Gebb, coolly. "Well, my dear young lady, arrested Mr. Ferris because he pawned a diamond necklace!" And what had that to do with you, may I ask?" This much, mis3. The necklace was the pro- perty of Miss Gilmar, and was removed from her dead body." "Nothing of the sort," cried Edith, vehemently. Ellen was alive when she gave away that neck- lace "Gave away that necklace I" repeated Gebb, starting up. "What do you mean?" What I say I" rejoined Miss WTedderburn, tartly. I gave the necklace to Arthur, and it was Miss Gilmar who presented it to me in Paradise Row, on the night she was murdered." (To be continued.)