Denbighshire Free Press

(Copyright.) 4 BED 10NEY BY FERGUS HUME, Author of "The Mystery of a Hansom Cob, "The Silent Iluitse in Pirnlico," "The Indian Barigle," "Ilagar of the Fawn Shop," &c. CHAPTER XIX. THE RIID PCCKET-BOOK. tl Do you mean to say that the paper Mr. Busham destroyed was not Edgar's will?" "sked Janet, while her sister nt tered an 'exclamation of joy. j "I do mean it. I reported your conversation about our mutual friend to C;tss, and we both agreed that he was not ro be trusted with the Original will, fast, who is clever at imitating handwriting, procured a sheet of paper similar that upon which the will was written, and copied it out, signatures and all. I am afraid was & species of forgery, but as it had to be "one if we wished to checkmate Bus ham, we Contrived the crime. It was just as well we did [ Miss Gordon, as Busham had no compunc- tion in destroying the will. My wonder is that c^ver pettifogger such as he is could not see at the document was forged. Singular obtuse- hp U Tf it bad remained longer in his possession. no doubt would have discovered the truth," plied Janet, "but if you remember he merely tranced at it, and not crediting me with so an idea as substituting a copy for thef r'gma], took it for the genuine will. I can! tlever thank you sufficiently, doctor, for what fea^e done." "Nor 1 cither," chimed in Lanra, who, seeing"1 ,h*t there was a prospect of recovering her husband's money, I plucked up her spirits. :Now Mr. Uusham will not be able to rob me." "H'm," f:aid Janet, with a frown, "putting will out of iV -pu'gtion, my dear, you aro in the salll oaugeru, i orition as formerly. P. he finds out the trick JJr. Eni» ha.s played !!n., he muy denounce you." He wil' do so at his own risk," cried Ellis, j^otnptly "And yon may bo p tro he will never Jaru the truth from me until it can be told ih'p BafV,-y l° -rs- Moxton. Leave Busham to 8 e" shall know how to deal with him. In 'tie way or another we must clear up this Ytery. and exonerate Airs. Moxton. If there only some tine.:l *ne!" and Laura looked meaningly at one slj, er- "There i-< a clue, although i! is only a tflr Qne'' sft'^ Miss Gordon, hesitatingly/ ((To the identity of the murderer ? No, but a clue which may lead to his dis- ^n-ry. When Laura was lying in a faint, the who stabbed Edgar robbed him of his u bool^. '■ But how could lie do thai without, Moxton i-ili,, Iiiiii itslet Ellit, "You know e:¡ta.t did not die at once, but lived long I 0,Igh to scrawl those blood signs on his arm br'o<|l,nC'n^ Now, I know that your ^j-. ,ler ls innocent, as he has established an fa«t ''le assistance of his landlady, Mrs. «C f j f- cannot explain that, doctor, but un- pubtodly Edgar thought that .Rudolph 3t.abbed iltD. and so wrote on his arm to let Laura *now. 1^ You can read the cryptogram, I presume. *8- Moxton ? j Oh, yes, I know the signs very well. Janet TgVSht them u. me, and I shewed them to agar for amusement. He, no doubt, wished lUe to know that Rudolph had stabbod him. but ?'by he used the signs I cannot say. He hated ^dolph always, and would have got. him into l,r°,ibie if he could." "Well," said Ellis, after a pause. "I can ^mceive no reason why he ncted as he did. I d,),' S.0!1't suppose the truth will ever be revealed. l'lt about tl'ii pocket-book, Mrs. Moxton. do you know that the murderer took it ? p °n!y think so. It was a red Moroccf •5# ^°°k w't'1 Edgar's initials on it in gold. g 'ad it when he went out that, night, and 1 n 1 Put' 't into his breast pocket. When S(!et/1 Cai"e to Tindico I asked her if she iiad j it, as 1 thought that there might, be some j in it, and we needed money badly. *• Uy he carry money in it ? {l^es. when he had any." :rIO I?n that night were there any notes in the .II;et-búok ? *p0 cannot say. Rudolph declares that, he H'enty pounds from Edgar on that night. «o J co!l'ld not pay him save with an 1.0. U., n, 1 tllink; there could have been money <}.p book." J "4rien wl>*v BhoMlcJ the assassin steal it ? W y' indeed?" echoed Janet, who had Slient for SOTne time "tbat is what we t to iind out. As Edgar's jewellery was un I rúllch(>d, robbery could not have been the motive jj'1* the crime. I believe myself that the ^j^et-bcok must have contained some papers ^hie to the murderer, No person but he fu^ We taken it, for I examined very care- kiii'y the clothes Edgar wore when he was IDj. e<?: Jlr-d could not find the pocket-book. said Janet, earnestly, "it seenia to ^ble ^ol1 c'An ^hat. book, you will be J "r>0 J.ay hands on the criminal." <iif-ecj.°^si^y, Miss Gordon. But in what k" alII I to look. In the autumn many S ? s-ron!ff' lnr"l'rit'd overcoats, so that is not g; clue. Moreover, the pocket-book must >alWn>(ie havfc been destroyed if the murderef dls neck. No on the whole I think it ■ tiio\tu seo Busham, as I said before, 'ftf0r 7"'em8 will depend upon the sort of "He I'M? supphci." 64N will you nothinrr "'tJt of h' ,¡ n a r, °,vn ^'iee perhaps, but I may It ^.aj■ O8'tion to force his confidence." j j 6 fhpee LCnv -'aie. as this conversation between asied a considerable tune. Lanra h LQÍt "')fll.tigll,d and ill that Ellir,, in his "ty I bqld lueiical man, insisted that she 44 re-4re Xr"t'ak 'rc- lwrs. "J.t &- illuch rffi- and sleep as you can, °u nil ,°Il> aad don't worry. I will help 1 can in thjs matter, and 1 have no I uoubt 1 shall be able to clear you of aU J suspicion. bono-n¡o h. Ellis was accompanied to the door bv Jancf, who was hopeful of his success. "Yon will be certain to solve this mystrry- yon and Mr. Cass," said she. "Think how much you have discovered already by observa- tion. "And if 1 do solve it, and right your sister, i ivli:ij t,lieji, it.liss Gordon Janet laughed, and, in the ISntf'y darkness, Hushed. \Ve can talk of thai, when the time co nes," she said, answering his thought after the imnn-jr of women. "Vt'Lti this assurance the doctor was fain to Im content, and departed without the kiss of -which he had dreamt.. Needless to say, he was more in love than ever, and thanked Heaven that, he had been brought, into contact with so noble and earnest a woman as Janet, Gordon. Anxious to hear the result of his friend's visit, Cass was waiting up for him, and into 1MS astonished ears Ellis poured the whole stnry which exonerated and cleansed j Janet. Cass admitted that he had been wrong in his estimatl, of her character. "But how was one to read it pre perjy under the tic" lie sai(l, testi".v. "I C()Uld not believe in the woman without p;oof." "I did," said Ellis, smiling. Because you are in love yours was not legiti- j mate belief." On the same mad principle you would have trusted Lucrezia Borgia. Si ill, your experience is sufficiently strange, and I mi glad that your instinct, has been justified. Miss Gordon, on the face of it, has pro/pel herlf a. singularly able, and, 1 may say, a noble woman bur I must see more of her, and learn to knew her better before I cart rescind my former opinion—-that she is not the wife for vou. "To know her is to love her," said Ellis, with deep emotion. "Ah, you see I don't know her, therefore I cr.nnot. love her if I did you might object However, tlie. iillf,.in qtiegtioti at i)reseiif, is lioa,I to extricate her and Mrs. Moxton from their equivocal position. Until the assassin is found, and all is made plain, Mrs. Moxton dare not, explain our trick to Busham or claim her property. If she did he might be dangerous," "Can he be dangerous "So far as inclination goes I should say so, but whether he has the power is another ques- tion, and one not. so easily answered. However, for your satifaction, Bob. I can tell you that Busham is a liar. While f Villa 1 went round to Drake at the Pollcj Office and tried to find out if Busham had spoken to any policeman on that mgnt. i-t you remember he declared that he helu a long conversation with one at, or near, tne station. He trusts to that for an alibi." "But Drake does not know Busham he could tell you nothing, Harry." "Quite so, but he could tell me who was on duty on that night. I did not inform hint of my reasons, save that I was curious on my own account to learn who killed Moxton, so I found out the names of the police on duty that night. Queerly enough their term of service has conic round again for night, duty, so I went out, »nd questioned at, least half a dozen about Busham." "Well?" asked Ellis, impatiently. Well. Busham is a liar he spoke to none of them, and none to him. They never saw a gentleman of his description about on that night, so I judged that he dodged after Moxton in the shadows to avoid recognition. Now, Bob, votir best plan is to see Busham and accuso, him then we shall see if he can bring forward in his defence this supposititious policeman. "Good. I'll call on our mutual friend to- morrow. But I shall see Zirknitz first." What for?" "To a,sk him how Busham was dressed on that night. As the police would not recognise Busham by his face, they might by his dress. r.ln that way we can learn if anyone of them saw 4fiim following Moxton after they left the rail- gway station." V Having decided upon this course, which, sounder the circumstances, was the most sensible, both men retired to bed. Next morning, after a further discussion with Cass, the doctor set out for Bloomsbury. As yet he had not many patients, so he could afford the time but his practice was increasing, and he foresaw that unless he could bring the matter of the murder to a speedy conclusion, lie we,lid bf» oblige'! to throw it over altogether. But on J'.mct's account he was unwilling to do i this. As usual, IST. Yirknitz was still in bed, and Ellis waited for some time in the gorgeous sitting-room, which its owner- -apparently—had created out of nothing. When the Austrian j made his appearance he was as lively as ever, and greeted Ellis in his most genial manner. "Ah, Ellis, /iron ami, rnon ehcr, so you have arrived once more. Is it to take me to a i prison or to join me at drjefwr, the latter I hope friendship is so much more charming than enmity," ö "I have come only to ask you a few ques- tion:, Zirknitz; also to tell you something which may astonish you." D t "Astonish mo Cent ulle mavvai* plazian- j Uric, mon cher. I am never astonished at anything in this best of all possible worlds. You iiave noi re.L(i (,an(lide,' in which iliat saying occurs ? No. Ah, you should. Voltaire is the most witty of his race. EJ¿ bien. What is your astonishing news ? ¡ "I know your history and that of your sisters, and I have learnt how Miss Gordon took the place of Mrs. Moxton to tight her I battles. "You know that ? .A.!1, well, Janet must havo told you. if she did, she is right. Janet can do no wrong. She is the dearest and most. excellent sister in the world." "Are 3"0ii the beet brother to her? I ? Mon ami, I am a scamp. L liave no good in me. If I had it would not be so creditable to Janet that she is fond of me. So she has told you all her intrigues. What can I do ? "Inform me about Busham. You saw him (-)n tilit !I gilt "Certainly. He followed that poor Edgar froin ,lie station.' How was he dressed ? Zirknitz reflected. "It was eold that night," said he, musingly. "1 put on a fur coat. Eli Ah, yes. Busham had a coat of the sumo and a tall hat. I can say no more Ilmu that." A fur-lined coat, a tall hat. This was pre- cisely the s.'ant.y description given by Lanra of her ijicitienttir3, glimpse of the assassin. What if the lawyer, after all, should be the guilty person? Full of excitement. Ellis detailed to Zirknitz his suspicions, and cited the fact of the red pocket-book. The Austrian uttered an exclamation of astonishment on herring that this was missing. "Edgar, excellent Edgar, had it in his pocket r.t the music-hall. Eh! yes, I quite remember, tie took out the book to shew me a bill." "A bill? What kind of bill? "A bill of exchange or a promissory note, Now you speak, cher ami, it all^comes back to me. Edgar shewed me the name of his father on. the bile and dechred that it was forgefl A forged bill said Ellis, "and in the pocketbook which was stolen ? Ah, this, then, \Wfl,e r"?t!T for the cri™P- Zirknitz, did Moxton say who had forged tho bill?" ,h' 5; ^aid: 'My Budolph, see what I got from Busham this night "Busham! Busham! Could he 'have forged the bill ? ° "Eh? No, I think not, or he would not I give it to Edgar. "Still, a forged bill, obtained from Busham, and he followed Edgar out of the station. Ho wore a tall hat and a fur coat. As the assassin was dressed the same it, might be Bv Heavens! Zirknitz, I believe that Busham is tho guilty person, after all. Zirknitz shrugged his shoulders, but. did not offer an opinion, and as the doctor did not think that there was anything further to be learnt from him. he rose logo. At the door, however, lie paused, and made a chance remark which gained him greater results than any of his previous questions. forgot to toll you,' said Ellis, thiu. 1 h-'<.y, dT*el«d Busham. He thinks that, he has b c«.»jm to a portion of Mrs. Moxton s property because he destroyed the will. But what he destroyed, M. Zirknitz, was a. copy made by tne; the original is in hit possession," kztiaoipn-s eyes sparicied. "Then Laura will inherit all Moxton's wealth? Undoubtedly, as soon as she can claim it w-hout risking any danger from Busham. Ho knows too much." But not as much as I know. Listen, mon (( I can tell YOII a great deal about Busham wh eh will help you to save Laura. Eh, yes, I ¡ wiil see that she gets the money of that poor Edgar. e < So that you may get. a share of it, I sup- ¡ pose? said Ellis, orlly. Zirknitz laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "But, certainly. Why not ? I am her brother; I need money. If I help her, she must help me. Listen mou. cher. v\ ith this exordium Zirknitz poured forth into Ellis's ears a story about the lawyer and about his own treachery which at once pleased and horrified Ellis. He did not know whether most fr hate or Ldiiiir,) the scamp; but. in the end lie decided that it, would be diplomatic to hide his elings, and so ended his visit.

CHAPTER XX BUSHAM AT BAY. It was in a state of subdued excitement that litis left the rooms of Zirknitz. He now ?t">med to be nearer solving the mystery than he had ever been before. There was no doubt, that Moxton had been murdered in order to obtain the forged bill but Ellis was uncertain in his ow.i mind whether Busham had actually struck the blow. A silk hat and a fur-lined coat was nnt, a. distinctive dress on a cold evening for any mar.—a dozen might wear it. Still, tho coincidence of dress was striking. Busham might be the criminal, after all, and Ellis drovo directly to Esher-Iane for the purpose of satisfy- ing himself on this point. What the doctor particularly wished to know was, Who had forged the elder Moxton's ii, iiie ? If Busham had done so lie would scarcely have given the bill to Edgar, who had no great love for him. To hand him over an incriminating document and then murder him to get it back again, would have been the height of folly. If, therefore, Busham was innocent of the forgery-lie would scarcely risk his life in endeavouring to recover the bill. Thus, if anv- one had a reason to desire the death of Edgar, it must have been the forger himself. Having committed one crime he certainly would not hesitate to commit a second, if only to conceal tne first. This theory was excellent, and Ellis w shed to prove its truth. To do so it was necessary that, he should learn the name of the man who had forged the bill. Busham had given the document to Edgar Moxton its was L, asserted by Zirknitz, therefore Busham could inform him of what he wished to know. But would he do so ? Ellis, for want of experience of the man, could not answer this question, and arrived at Esher-lane in a state of perplexity. However, his head was clear and his will determined—a most necessary frame of mind for anyone who had to deal with so crafty a creature as Busham. The office was as dingy and dirty as ever. The lean clerks still scribbled interminable folios, iiid strained their eyes in the uncertain light. From the inner room came the rasping cough at Busham, which shewed that he was alive and plotting. Ellis sent in his card, which was received by the lawyer with anything but pleasure. However, he did not think it wise to betray any fear of the doctor, so gave orders that he was to be admitted at once. More than that, he threw into his greeting as much cordiality as was possible with one of his ue estible nature. 41 1 am glad to see you, doctor," said he, pointing to one of the two chairs. "That seems at range, does it not ? We had a tiff last time we met here, eh ? Quite so. But I never bear malice, not I. How is Mrs. Moxton ? The true Mrs. Moxton is quite well ? Busham's naturally pale face became of a greenish hue. What do you mean with your t rue Mrs. Moxton ? he demanded, narrow- ing his eyes until they looked like those of a cat. "What I say, and what you know. Janet Gordon, to fight her sister's battles, took that sister's place." You are well informed," sneered Busham. j 150a whose authority?" I have the best authority. Miss Gordon told me herself." "How dare you say that I knew of this pi t! cried the lawyer, savagely. "Ridiculous t 1 fnow nothing about the sisters." "That is a lie!" replied Ellis, coolly. Yoli know everything about them. For months you liave been watching for an opportunity to get them into your toils." "Who says this "Rudolph Zirknitz." "Bah! that silly fool! What does he know?" "More than you think," retorted Ellis. i-kiiitz is a scamp but no fool, and he told me all about the questions you had asked him. lie even mentioned the sums of money you have paid him for liis information." What information ? said Busham, fighting every inch. "Is it necessary for me to inform you?" questioned Eilis, with icy contempt. What information ? repeated the lawyer. Ho told you that the supposed Mrs. Moxton was really Janet Gordon. He betrayed his sisters for money like the contemptible creature he is, and in turn he has betrayed you." "I don't understand your hint of betrayal." "I think you do. But if you wish me to be more explicit, I can inform you that Zirknitz saw you following Moxton on that night." Busham sneered, and his brow cleared. "So you said when Mrs. Moxton—I beg your pardon —Miss Gordon was here. I then admitted that 3. was at Dukesfield on that night, and gave my reasons for being there. Also, 1 gave an account, of my actions." I know you did, Mr. Busham. A very pi-atty account which did justice to your imagination." 1 told the truth," cried Busham, gnawing his lip. "No you did not. You told what suited your purpose. You spoke to no policeman on li.t night, for those who were on duty then ha/c all been closely questioned. You never followed Mrs. Moxton to Pimlico, but you called there later and bribed the servant, Sarah, to tell you the truth." "Who says I did? "Zirknitz. I am afraid you were a trijle t-i or-confident of his silence, Mr. Busham." "Zirknitz is a liar! "Oh, no, only a traitor who changes sides when he sees a chance of making money." "He won't make any out of his "sisters," growled Busham. "I have burnt that will, and the Moxton property will come to me." Ellis smiled when lie thought on how slight a foundation this belief rested. "Well, we will say nothing about the will. But even though you have destroyed it, Mrs. Moxton takes a great portion of her husband's property as his widow." "She shan't have one penny," snarled Busham. "A jade, an adventuress, and a murderess! that's what she is. If she refuses to give me the whole of the Moxton property, I'll denounce her. He I he! then she will be hanged." "I doubt it, Busham. There is a prejudice against hanging women in this country. As to ,,a 1.' your saying that she killed Moxton that is a tie, and you know it. The man who murdered your cousin wore a silk hat and fur coat." Who says so ? "Mrs. Moxton herself. She saw the man strike the blow but could not recognise him." "Oh, that is an invention to save her nack," scoffed Busham. A man in a silk hat and a fur coat ? Bosh! Who is the man ? "Well, I am not quite clear on that point," replied Ellis, speaking very slowly, "but I fancied he might be you." Busham started from his seat with a kind cf screech hardly human. "I?" he gasped. You dare to accuse me of that crime 1 And on what grounds ? ou1 \vyre a similar dress on the night you tollowed Moxton." 6 Who says I did ? "Your dear friend, M. Zirknitz." Busham ground his teeth and said something not precisely complimentary to the Austrian. After a time he recovered his calmness, but not his colour. I ou accuse me of murdering Moxton T he said. "Oh, no, I don't accuse you, I merely state that such might be the case." "Bah! The accusation is not worth consider- ing. What motive could I have for killing my cousin It, is true that his father altered his will at the last moment and left everything to Edgar. What, then ? I had sufficient influence with him to finger that money, and I certainly intended to do so. Why should I risk my neck to upset all my plans ? "You might have hoped to get the money after Moxton's death, or, at least, a share of it." "Don't deceive yourself," snapped the lawyer. "I hoped for none of it. Edgar told me that, after his marriage, he had made a will leaving all to his wife. What motive, then, had I to commit so purposeless a crime. I could manage Edgar because I knew him, but I never met, I never saw, Mrs. Moxton, and could hope to gain no influence over her, especially with that infernal sister in the way. If she-" "Speak more respectfully of Miss Gordon," interrupted the doctor, angrily. "She is my friend, and I will not permit a word against her. You say that Mrs. Moxton killed her husband. Prove it! "She was always quarrelling with him," replied Busham, sullenly. "I know that for a fact, because Edgar told me so. He said that he was afraid of his wife, that she frequently threatened him with the carving-knife. When I heard of the murder next morning I went down to see Mrs. Moxton, as I was certain she had killed Edgar. As I walked up the garden I saw the flash of steel in a laurel-bush, and on going to it I found a knife stuck in one of the branches. It was a carving-knife, and there was blood on the blade and the handle. I was certain then that Mrs. Motxon was guilty, but having my own ends to gain I did not denounce her then, but simply slipped the knife up my sleeve and went away. I produced it as you saw to make Miss Gordon—for thanks to Zirknitz I knew my visitor was not Mrs. Moxton—give up the will. She made the exchange and took away the knife. I burnt the will as you saw, and by destroying it could hope to get a portion of the property. Now I mean to have the whole, or else I shall denounce Mrs. Moxton." "I don't think you'll do that, Busham, for I shall then state that you committed a felony by burning the will. No, no, whatever happens you can't, afford to denounce Mrs. Moxton. You might frighten her, and, perhaps-as she is only a wonian-Mics Gordon, but you can't frighten me. As to your finding of the knife. Mrs. Moxton threw it into the laurel bush after the murder, but she did not use it." "You will find it difficult to prove that," snarled Busham, beginning to feel beaten. "If she did not use it, who did ? "The man in the fur coat who snatched it from her when she was in her husband's grip." And who is the man in the fur coat ? "I think you know, Busham." "Indeed, I don't, confound you! "At least you know the name of the man who endorsed that bill." With a gasp the lawyer started out of his chair. "Bill ? What bill?" "The forged bill which you gave to Moxton at the Merryman Music Hall on the night of the murder." "I gave no bill. ,1 know of none." "Oh, yes, you do. Moxton shewed the bill to Zirknitz and told him that it was forged on his father. It was placed in a red pocket-book, Mr. Busham, and that pocket-book was stolen from the corpse. "Lies! Lies! All liral" raved Buaham, stamping. "I know nothing of any bill! I don't know who killed Moxton I Ellis did not waste words, but rising to his feet glanced at his watch with a calm air. I must go now," said he. I shall give you five days to tell the truth, Mr. Busham. Failing that, I shall place the whole matter in the hands of the police, and re-open the case. Good-day, sir and with that last warning Ellis walked But of the room. With a white face and a haggard expression, Busham sat for an hour or more in his chair. Twice one of his clerks opened the door and looked in, but awed by the expression of terror in the lawyer's face, withdrew. At last Busham wiped his brow, which was beaded with perspiration, and rose to his leet. "Shall I fly or stay?" he asked hiin,elf then, bringing down his fist on the table, he cried "No, by Heaven I'll stay and fight it out

CHAPTER XXI. THE BT,IH1> GIRL. In compliment to the great poet of his nation, Herr Schwartz dignified his English heme with the name of Goethe Cottage. It was a one- storyed house of no great size, buiit somewhat in the style of a bungalow, and st. nding in a fairly large garden, at the bottom of a rural cllt de sac, termed Alma-road. Shoitly after his visit to the lawyer Dr. Ellis callt d at this place, and having advised Schwartz of his coming, found the German and Captain Garret awaiting his arrival. So eager were they to welcome him, that they appeared at the gate before the bell .ceased to jingle. "Mine goot doctor," cried Schwartz, beaming, with outstretched hands, "you haf gome at last to zee boor lidale Hilda!" "Glad to see you, Dr. Ellis," said Garret, jerking out his words in abrupt military style. "We have long expected your visit. Come in." The three walked towards the house through a theatrical-looking garden, with many coloured glass balls ranged on squat pedestals along the borders of the flower-beds. There was also a tiny fountain, in which a small Triton spouted a smaller stream of water out of a conch-shell, an arbour fiery red with Virginia creeper, and wide walks of white pebbles which threw back a glare, even under the pale rays of the late autumn sun. The house was surrounded by a wide verandah with gaily striped red and white sun-blinds, cane lounging- chairs and marble-topped iron tables. Within Ellis found the place luxuriously furnished, but also theatrical in taste, and he was shewn into a drawing-room where intrusive colours of scarlet and magenta inflicted torture on a sensitive eye. Schwartz had money and a love of comfort; but the complacent way in which he looked round this terrible apartment shewed that he was absolutely without the artistic sense. A woman might have softened the general glaring effect of the room but the onlpwoiiian in the house was blind, and could have no idea of the crude ill-matched colouring by which she was surrounded. When they sat down Ellis looked at his com- 'panions, and was astonished how ill Schwartz appeared to be. Garret, as formerly, was haggard, lean and gentlemanly, with the same .9 military bearing and bored expression. Evi- dently he was a man who had, as the saying is, "gone the pace," and now, in his middle age—he was between forty and fifty-lacked vitality and zest. As usual he was carefully dressed, and looked eminently well-bred and evell-groomed beside his patron and friend. Schwartz himself was less complacent and jolly, also he was lean in comparison with his former portly figure, and his clothes hung loosely on his limbs. Instead of his face being smooth and red it was now pallid and wrinkled, and although he attempted to be his usual happy self, the attempt was an obvious effort. Occa- sionally he stole a troubled glance at the Cap- tain, but that gentleman hardly looked at him and manifested supreme indifference. Only when the conversation 'had to do with Hilda, did he wake up and take any interest in what was going on. "You are not looking well yourself, Herr Schwartz," said Ellis, when the trio were seated Rnd refreshments had been produced by the hospitable German. 11 Ach I 1 am ferry veil," replied Schwartz, hastily. "The hot dimes of the zun haf made nle thin, and I haf moch thinking apout the liddle Hilda." "Oh, you must keep up your spirits about that. I may be able to restore her sight. Was she born blind ? j "No," interposed Garret. "Took notice like other children for a few weeks, but afterwards the sight went. Do you think you can cure her I I "1 must make an examination first. It is impossible for me to give an opinion before I then." ] "Das is right, doctor. You vill zee the liddle Hilda at vonce. I would gif all my moneys if I you could make her zee. I "You are very fond of her, Herr Schwartz ? Tears came into the German's eyes, for after the manner of his nation he was emotional and sentimental and easily touched. "The liddle Hilda is the light of mine life," he said, in tones of deep feeling. "I haf lofed her for years, and she is to me mine own child. I am her zecond vater." "Father and mother and everything else," jerked Garret. "Much better than a scamp like me." "No. no," protested Schwartz, but with a ring I of insincerity in his voice, which Ellis at once detected. "You are a goot man, mcin friend." i Can I see Miss Garret-now ? j "Dis ferry moment," cried the German, j getting up in a violent hurry. "Will you gome with me, doctor ? And you, Garrret- "I shall stay here, Schwartz. Better have as few in the room as possible, or Hilda will be nervous." Ach! is dat zo ? Then 1 vill not sday. J Gome, doctor. The room at the back of the house into which Schwartz introduced Ellis, was like a fairy palace. A large, airy, high-roofed apart- ment, decked and furnished with rainbow hues. Chinese paper of the willow-plate pattern figured on the walls, curtains blue as a mid- summer sky draped the French windows, the carpet was of the same cerulean tint, and the furniture was upholstered in azure and white. Hot-house flowers were placed in every corner, there was a grand piano, and many birds in gilded cages made the room re-echo with tuneful strains. The windows were many and large, admitting ample l.ight, and looking out on to a velvet lawn bounded by a tall hedge of laurel. Ellis had never seen a more pretty or cheerful apartment, and felt sad at the irony which placed amidst all this beauty and light so attractive to the eye a blind girl. She was seated at the piano, when they entered, but rose when she heard the door open. Hilda Garret was tall for her age, in spite of the tender diminutive bestowed on her by Schwartz. Her face was as pale as marble, and as beautiful as that of the Venus de Medici. Indeed, in her white robe, with pallid face and still looks, she was not unlike a statue. The lack of eyesight took away all expression, and she lived and moved in a world of shadows. Ellis was profoundly touched by her beauty and helplessness and by the tender little cry she uttered when Schwartz took her hand. "Mine lofely laty, I haf prought Dr. Ellis to zee you. He is mine goot friend, and glever. He vill mak you to zee, mine heart." "Oh, doctor," said Hilda, clasping her hands, and speaking in a low, but musical voice, "can you give me back my sight ? That I cannot say as yet." replied Ellis. I cannot perform miracles. If your sight can be restored, 1 hope to restore it. But I must first ask you a few questions and examine your eyes." "Aha! I vill go away." "No, no, papa, you must stay. I wish my father would come in also.. I want him to hold my hand and give me courage." Zo! replied Schwartz, with a sad expres- sion at this preference. "Vait, mine liddle Hilda, I vill pring your vater to you." Hilda nodded and a charming smile over- spread her pale face. When Schwartz left the room she asked Ellis to let her pass her hand over his face as she wished to know his looks. Ellis readily consented, and Hilda, with the delicate touch of the blind, ran her fingers over his features. "You are nice-looking," she said, naively, when this was done. "I like nice- looking people. "Thank you," answered Ellis, laughing. "I am obliged for the compliment, Miss Garret. And now I must ask you a few questions." To this Hilda readily consented. It is not necessary to set forth the conversation or examination in extenso, as the questions were purely technical. Captain Garret entered, and held Hilda's hand while Ellis made an examination ofiher eyes. This took some time, but was unsatis- factory, as Ellis could not bring himself to pronounce an opinion. Privately he thought that he could cure the cataract by an operation; but lacking the self-confidence which a great man should have, he hesitated to express his private views. "i must make another examination," hb said, after an exhaustive conversation, "before I can commit myself to an opinion. Yet I think I can give you some hope." "0 father!" Hilda uttered the words in I a thrilling voice, and Ellis glanced at Captain Garret. He did not looked pleased; indeed, he frowned and withdrew his hand from that of his daughter. It occurred to Ellis that the Captain did not wish Hilda to see. The expression of anger was only a flash, but Ellis saw it, and gained the above im- pression. Had Schwartz been in the room, the Captain might have controlled himself better, but, Schwartz had not returned after Hilda's cry for her father. Even on his short acquain- tance, Ellis could not but think, how the good German must have suffered from his voluntary exclusion from his darling. However, Garret said nothing at the moment, and the doctor addressed himself to Hilda. I shall come and see you in two or three days," he said. "But you must keep yourself cheerful and not mope, Have you no com- panion ? "Schwartz and myself," put in Garret. "I mean no female companion? Janet Gordon comes to see me sometimes," said Hilda. "I am very fond of her. She is so kind and good. I wish she would come again." I "She shall come again, Miss Garret. I will speak to her myself. Garret uttered an exclamation. "Do you know her, doctor ? "Very well. She is staying at Myrtle Villa with her sister, Mrs. Moxton." "H'm!" said the Captain, with a glance at Hilda. "I don't know if Schwartz will like her to come here again." "Why not? "I will tell you outside, er perhaps Schwartz will tell you himself." But I want Janet to come," cried Hilda, I piteously. "I Jove her! Again the flash of anger passed over Garret's face, but he only patted her hand softly. "If Schwartz lets her come, she shall come" he said "and now, doctor, we had better go." "I think so. Good-bye, Miss Garret. I may be able to cure you, and if you want Miss Gordon, you shall have her for a companion." Thank ,you, doctor, thank you," and as they left the room Hilda began to play a triumphal march on the piano. The words of Ellis had inspired her with hope and corrfidence. Captain Garret immediately addressed the I doctor when they left the room. I could not speak to you plainly in there," he said, abruptly, "but I have the strongest objection to Miss Gordon coming here." I "On account of the murder ? "Yes. Hilda knows nothing of that; there- fore I did not explain. If Miss Gordon is her companion, she may hear of the crime; and J think of the shock it would be to her delicate nerves!" "She will never hear anything of the crime from Miss Gordon. That lady is most discreet." "She is clever, I don't deny, doctor-too clever, in my opinion. But she is shady. She sold programmes at the Merryman Music Hall; she is not the kind of companion I should II choose for my daughter." This came well from Captain Garret, who had been cashiered for cheating, who lived on another man's money, and who was an out- and-out adventurer. Ellis felt such a contempt for him that he did not argue the question. Let us hear what Schwartz has to say," he said. "Schwartz will be of my opinion," said the i Captain, gravely. ) But here, it appeard, Garret was wrong. Schwartz listened attentively to the recommen- datien of Ellis that Miss Gordon should be brought to Goethe Cottage as a companion for Hilda. His face grew a shade paler to the doctor's attentive eve. and he aDDeared to be uneasy. After a sharp-giance at Ellis, he maae up his mind and spoke it. "Miss Corton shall gome," he declared, de- cisively. "Schwartz! said Garret, in a warning tone, whereat the usually placid German flew into a rage. "I say she shall gome!" he cried, in his deepest tones. "Chanet is a goot girl; she vill not dalk of murders and wickednesses. She is glever Garret muttered something not precisely com- plimentary to Janet, and turned away. The German looked after him with an anxious expression but finally turned to Ellis, with a look of relief, "Dell Chanet to gome," he said; but she must zay notings of the murders." "I'll answer for her there," said Ellis, cheer- fully. And you can make right the liddle Hilda ? "I think so but I can answer you for certain next time I come. I shall bring Miss Gordon with me," and so, in spite of Captain Garret, it was arranged.

CHAPTER XXII. -JANET's DISCOVERY. On leaving Goethe Cottage, Ellis jumped on his bicycle, and was soon spinning along the country roads which connected rural Parkmere with the more urban suburb of Dukesfield. Usually Ellis enjoyed the exhilaration of riding and the pleasure of admiring the scenery but on this occasion, beyond the necessary guidance of his machine, he was preoccupied. It seemed strange to him that Garret should so strongly object to Janet as a companion for his daughter. The Captain was a supremely selfish man, as selfish in every way as Zirknitz, and more vicious. He was indifferent to his daughter, save that he looked upon her as a necessary link to bind him to Schwartz. Schwartz was clever and generous, and devoted to Hilda he had plenty of money, and Garret, the idle and dissipated, could not do without him. For the furtherance of his plans, he usually let Schwartz manage Hilda, and Hilda's business, as he pleased. It was, therefore, surprising that he should have taken so unusual a step as to object to Miss Gordon. "Garret and Schwartz can have nothing to do with the murder!" mused Ellis; "they knew Moxton only slightly, and they had no motive to get rid of him. Indeed, his untimely death has lost Schwartz a good customer to his gambling table, if that exists, as is reported; at any rate, an assiduous attendant at his music- hall. Garret was anxious on Schwartz's account hence he warned him not to have Janet in the house. He thinks she is too clever; perhaps he I fancies she may learn too much. I am too fanciful-too suspicious. Yet Garret certainly mentioned the murder. What is best to be done ? Janet must go to Goethe Cottage to keep Hilda cheerful; but shall I tell her of the objections —or this discussion ? No, I will not bias her in any way. If there is anything to be found out, she shall discover it herself." To this wise determination Ellis adhered. On seeing Janet that evening, he merely informed her that Hilda was mopish, and that he wished her to cheer the girl. Janet readily consented to this. "I am very fond of Hilda," she said, earnestly "and you may be sure I shall do what I can. Does Mr. Schwartz want me to come ? "Very much. Tell me, Miss Gordon, what is your opinion of him ? I think he is a good man, doctor. Several times I have been under the necessity of testing his kindness of heart, and it has never failed me. Then look how good he is to poor Hilda. If she depended upon that selfish father of hers, how wretched she would be! Yet she appears to be more attached to her father than to Schwartz." "I daresay, said Janet, somewhat cynically; "it is that frame of mind which created the I proverb about virtue being its own reward. People who do most are thought least of, and it is your selfish person who gets all the love and the praise. Look at my own case. All my life I have put myself aside for Rudolph and Laura yet they think nothing of me." They say they do." "Afere lip-service! exclaimed Miss Gordon, "they would not do me a good turn however little trouble it might bè. Laura is grateful to me now, because she is yet in danger, and I stand by her; but when all is well, she will think nothing of my services. As for Rudolph, he would borrow my last sixpence, and see me dying of starvation without returning so much as a single penny. Oh, I am under no dis- illusion about my own folk, doctor What I do, I do from a sense of duty." "With regard to your sister I can say, nothing, Miss Gordon, as I do not know her sufficiently well; but Zirknitz-well, he is a thoroughly bad lot, and would sell his- nearest and dearest at a price. Janet demurred. "I cannot believe thai he is I so wicked as that! But he is; and he proved it to me only the other day. He told Busham all about your impersonation of Mrs. Moxton; betrayed &U your schemes and plans while you were fighting single-handed against overwhelming odds and this because Busham paid him. Now, thinking Mrs. Moxton will recover her husband's fortune I —for I told him that the real will still existed —he has betrayed all Busham's secret doings to me. What do you think of him now ? l He is a scoundrel! I shall never speak to him again. Oh doctor, if you only knew what I have done for that man! I knew he was heartless and selfish; but I did not think he was wicked." "Heartlessness and selfishness usually ter- minate in wickedness. said Ellis, sententiously. "However, one good result has come out of his evil ways. I have learnt all about Mr. Busham's intrigues, and I have given him a few days to own up." "That he killed Edgar ? asked Janet,, breath- lessly. "No he did not kill him-at least. I don't think so. But I have insisted upon his reveal- ing the name of the assassin, as I am certain he knows it. In another three days he must tell the truth, or I shall place the matter in the hands of the police." "Oh! but, Laura; she will be arrested." "No! I do this to save her from arrest. Busham knows nothing about the false will, because I do not wish, to drive him into a corner by telling him how he has been tricked. But he might learn the truth from Zirknitz, to whom it had to be told, that I might learn his true attitude in this matter. If he does learn it he will have Mrs. Moxton arrested. Only by a threat against himself could I keep him in hand." „ "What do you think ke will do ? "Ah!' that I can't say. I know much, but not all' and the smallest amount of ignorance in any matter, is a bar to giving a reasonable opinion on it. However, Time works for me, and I shall be able to. defend Mrs. Moxton from her enemies. Go to Goethe Cottage, Miss Gordon, and cheer Hilda." "Do you think you can give her back her sight ? "Perhaps! It is a difficult case. I shall have to make another examination before I can arrive at any conclusion. In the meantime, I wish her to be lively and gay; 80 you must realise that wish." Alas! said Janet, with a melancholy smile, I have too much experience of the world to be gay. However, I will do my best," It will be seen from thi» last observation that Janet was rapidly coming under the influence of Ellis. She was a clever woman, and, in her own way, masterful; therefore, on finding someone stronger than herself, she was prepared to obey him. She loved him, and perhaps this was obeyed him without a struggle, :II,e felt i be happier for such obedience, although it. was new to her. When a woman finds her mastei in an honourable, generous, kindly man, her happiness is assured. j Therefore, Janet went to Goethe Cottage, and was welcomed by Hilda with enthusiasm. The girl was fond of her, and loved to be in such pleasant company. Warned by Schwartz, Janet was careful to avoid the theme of the murder and indulged Hilda in the light gossip of the day, culled from Society papers. She talked of literature to the girl, d read aloud to her: t she played and sang, and made herself agreeable in all ways, so that Hilda, became merry and happy in spite of her blindness. On the occa- sion of Janet's first visit, Captain Garret, hung about in a nervous manner, as though he expected some catastrophe to occur. But as the sole result of Janet's presence was to make Hilda laugh, the Captain did not appear when she called again the next day. What he dreaded, Janet could not conjectnre. The second visit was merely p. repetition of the first, but had in the end a far-reaching result. Hilda chattered, and sang, and talked to her birds, and fluttered about the room like a bird herself. She never made a mistake, she never stumbled nor hesitated the limits of the apartment, the disposition of the furniture, were known to her as well as though she had eyesight. Janet, watching her gyrations, could not forbear making a remark to that effect. "Upon my word, Hilda, one would think you had eyes I "Oh, I know this room and my bedroom so well," chattered the blind girl. "I have been here for nearly two years, you know. But the rest of the house is like the centre of Africa to me." She paused, with a childish smile, and clapped her hands. "Let us go over it," she said. "Certainly, if you wish. But what good will that do ? "I want to know how the rooms are 'fur- nished. You shall take my hand, and lead me through them, describing everything that you see. Then I shall astonish Papa Schwartz and my father when they come home." "I suppose they will have no objection said Janet, hesitating. "Of course not. Papa Schwartz said that r could go anywhere so long as a friend was with me. I stay in this room because I know it from experience and I might go wrong did I leave it. But I am not afraid to explore the house with you, dear Janet. You shall be my eyes. Come, let us start on our expedition. Seeing no harm in this innocent proposal, Janet assented to it as a means of amusing Hilda. Hand in hand the two girls walked into the drawing-room, which Janet described :in all its hideous colouring. Hilda was shocked. "Magenta and scarlet," she said; "it sounds dreadful! "But you know nothing of colours, Hilda 1 "No, but my dressmaker does. And she said that {fmagenta and scarlet were ugly. I can't imagine them myself. She saw the drawing- room, and I merely re-echoed her opinion. What is scarlet like, Janet ? It is a bright red." "But what is red like ? Janet was puzzled. She did not know how to describe the colour to one who had no con- ception of tint. "Red is—red." she said, at length. "I can say no more. Let us go into the dining-room, Hilda." The salon proved to be less glaring than the drawing-room, being papered and curtained and upholstered in dark green. The windows were few and filled with stained glass, so that the general effect was gloomy. In spite of her blindness, Hilda felt this. "I don't like this room; it is dark, she said, abruptly. "Come away, Janet." "How do you know it is dark?" quas. tioned Janet, as they went out. "I cannot say. I feel happy in my own sitting-room, because I know it is bright; but here I feel wretched. I can give you no reason, But is it not curious, Janet? I can always tell dark stuff from light. I got a pain in my fingers when I touch anything black." "Nonsense, Hilda!" d "Well, I can't describe my feelings any better to you. One has to be blind to under- stand these things. Where are we now, Janet ? "In Mr. Schwartz's study. It is decorated in dark red." "Dark againl" Hilda shuddered. "I don't like dark.. Where is the desk ? "Just before the window, where the light falla strongest." "Lead me to it, Janet." Janet obeyed, and Hilda ran her fingers along the top of the desk. Then she made a dis- covery. Papa has left his keys," she cried. "Now, I shall open all the drawers and take away the keys, just to punish him for being careless." "0 Hilda, don't do that. He might not like it." "Yes, he will. Papa Schwartz is never angry at what I do." "The more reason not: to abusa his kindness." "How severe you are!" cried Hilda, with a pout. Well, I shall leave the keys, but I shall open the drawers. After all, Janet, as J am blind I cannot see his secrets." Janet laughed, but as what Hilda said was true, she made no further opposition. While the blind girl was opening the drawers one after the other, Janet walked to the other end of the room to look at some pictures. She was recalled by a joyous laugh from Hilda, and returned to find all the drawers open. Janet took the keys from her with gentle force. "My dear, Mr. Schwartz will not be pleased. We must close these again." Oh, very well," said Hilda, carelessly. I was only joking. Close them again, Janet. This Miss Gordon was already doing. She closed and locked the top drawers without' looking much at their contents. In the bottom right-hand drawer, however, she made a dis- covery which amazed her. On the top of other articles she saw the red pocket-book. (70 be contiitutd.) 713

SITE BOUGHT A DOORBELL. Agent: Bejj pardon, but I have been requested by a number of persons to call here and show you our new patent electric wake-the-dead door-hell. It's very ltard on hands to have to J",ock, ma'um, H ui! everybody says the only reason why you haven't a bell is because you never thought of it. Housekeeper: "That's very true. I really, had forgotten that there was 110 bell. Put one in. Agent (half all hour later): "It's all done,, nm"lllll. Here's the bill. Thank you. l'U receipt it." Housekeeper Would you object to telling me who the persons were who complained that 1 had 110 bell ? Agent: "They were pedlers, ma'am. Good day, ma'am."

IlE KNEW. Von Blunier: To my mind this racing busi- ness is one of the greatest evils of the day. Its especially bad for the young men. Old lan, YOII have no idea how many a promising fellow has been ruined on the race track. For iiistayiee, tike a nephew of mine. He's ollly twenty, and yesterday he was down on the track betting right and left," Witherly: I-low do you know so much about him?" Von Blumer: "Why, I met him there."

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