diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/55795-8.txt | 10386 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/55795-8.zip | bin | 185035 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/55795-h.zip | bin | 190633 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/55795-h/55795-h.htm | 10540 |
7 files changed, 17 insertions, 20926 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2415fdc --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55795 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55795) diff --git a/old/55795-8.txt b/old/55795-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 2f46542..0000000 --- a/old/55795-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10386 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sealed Message, by Fergus Hume - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Sealed Message - -Author: Fergus Hume - -Release Date: October 23, 2017 [EBook #55795] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEALED MESSAGE *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by -Google Books (Princeton University) - - - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: Page scan source -https://books.google.com/books?id=_bQVAAAAYAAJ -(Princeton University) - - - - - - -The Sealed Message - - - -BY -FERGUS HUME -AUTHOR OF -"The Mystery of a Hanson Cab," "The Pagan's Cup," -"The Mandarin's Fan," "The Red Window." - - -Copyright, 1907 -By G. W. DILLINGHAM CO. ---------------------- -The Sealed Message - - -CONTENTS - -CHAPTER - -I. A QUEER FISH -II. THE MESSAGE -III. FAIRYLAND -IV. THE FAIRY PRINCESS -V. GOLDEN HOURS -VI. THE PAST OF ADONIS GEARY -VII. LOVE -VIII. LEGAL ADVICE -IX. MRS. CROSBIE -X. THE AMULET -XI. THE OTHER GIRL -XII. A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY -XIII. THE TABLES TURNED -XIV. THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS -XV. A TRAGEDY -XVI. THE DWARF "SCHAIBAR" -XVII. "AS IN A LOOKING-GLASS" -XVIII. THE FIRST MARRIAGE -XIX. SIGNOR VENOSTA -XX. A DARK MYSTERY -XXI. MAJOR REBB AT BAY -XXII. A CONFESSION -XXIII. TOD'S DISCOVERY -XXIV. THE SECOND MARRIAGE -XXV. GEARY'S ACCUSATION -XXIV. THE GODS ARE JUST - - - - - - -THE SEALED MESSAGE - - - - -CHAPTER I. -A QUEER FISH. - - -It was a sultry July afternoon, and in the azure arch of the firmament -flamed an unclouded sun. The corn was ripening to a rich yellow in -some meadows, and the newly mown hay in others was being piled on -lumbering wains by perspiring laborers. The red earth of the sunken -lanes was caked, and their blossoming hedges were burnt up by the -merciless heat. Under spreading foliage, or knee-deep in rapidly -drying pools, stood weary cattle, switching lazy tails to brush away -the teasing flies. Honey-bees, ostentatiously industrious, buzzed -noisily from flower to flower, and the sleepy birds twittered faintly -midst the grateful shade of leaves. The land was parched for want of -rain, and the languid hours dragged on slowly to the wished-for -evening. On some such day, long ago, must Elijah have sent his servant -up the mount to watch for the growing of the small black cloud. - -Only by the trout stream was the weather endurable, for the -overhanging trees made the atmosphere of translucent green deliciously -cool. Yet here and there spears of dazzling light pierced through the -emerald twilight to smite the waters. These moved smoothly in amber -floods between the grassy banks, and in places swirled pearly-white -round moss-grown stones. The stream brawled over pebbles, gushed -through granite rifts, and gloomed mysteriously in deep and silent -pools, gleaming mirror-like under exposed tree trunks. May-flies -dipped to the waters, swallows darted through the warm air, and -kingfishers glanced here and there, each a flash of blue fire. And -ever the river talked to the voiceless woods as it babbled seawards. -From the woods came no reply, for the wind had died away, and the -tongues of multitudinous leaves could no longer speak. Had they been -able even to whisper, they surely would have rebuked the gay spirits -of the two young men who had invaded their sacred solitude. - -"This is simply ripping," murmured one, who lay on his back with a -battered Panama over his eyes, "we are doing ourselves up to the top -hole, I don't think. Heavenly, ain't it?" - -"It would be, if you did not chatter," retorted the other, fixing a -fly on his line; "why do you desecrate this beauty with slang?" - -"Because I'm not a poet like you to spout blank verse." - -"There is a medium between mutilation of the language and pedantic -usage thereof." - -"Huh!" with scorn, "who's pedantic now?" - -"My dear Tod, as a lawyer, you should use better English." - -"It is only a barrister who requires a superfine jaw," retorted Tod -elegantly, "and I'm only a solicitor of sorts. Don't worry, Haskins." - -Aware of the futility of argument, the other man merely shrugged his -square shoulders and threw a skilful line in a pool wherein lurked a -famous wary trout. The fly fell lightly on the water, and would have -deceived any fish but the trout in question. There was no response to -his dilly-duck-come-and-be-killed invitation, and the angler made -another cast with still less success as the fly hit the stream -heavily, scaring the trout into retreat. Haskins said one word under -his breath, but Tod overheard and giggled. That was exactly like Tod -Macandrew: he had no sense of the fitness of things. - -"Silly ass!" commented his friend savagely, spinning up the line, "you -frighten the fish." - -"Not on to your hook, anyhow," chuckled Tod into the depths of his -hat, "what a sinfully bad angler you are, Jerry." - -"As bad an angler as you are a lover, perhaps," snapped Gerald, -throwing his rod on the grass and squatting to manufacture a -cigarette. - -Tod sat up abruptly with a wounded air. "I call that beastly: to taunt -a chap, because a girl won't bite." - -"Won't kiss, you mean." - -"I'm taking an illustration from your infernal angling," said Tod, -with aggressive dignity. "If you were a lover yourself you would -understand." - -"Oh, I understand well enough," replied the other lightly: he paused -to run his tongue along the tissue paper, then added calmly: "I was in -love with Charity Bird myself, before you came along, Tod." - -"Well, now that I have come along, perhaps you'll call her Miss Bird." - -"Right oh! Miss Bird in the hand is worth two----" - -"There are not two," interrupted Macandrew indignantly, "but only one -schoolgirl cousin. As if," cried Tod to the woods, "I would sell -myself." - -Gerald Haskins cast a sly look on Tod's ungraceful figure. "I see: you -present yourself to Miss Bird as a desirable gift?" - -"Well, she wouldn't have you as a gift, anyhow, for all your _Family -Herald_ good looks, and halfpenny journal fame." - -"Notoriety, Tod, notoriety only. A volume of verse, a book of stories -and a dozen of essays do not give me the right to class myself along -with the immortals. I'm a failure at thirty, Tod--in my own eyes, I -mean. Think of that, Tod, a failure at thirty." - -"Don't chuck it," advised Macandrew politely, "you may be a success at -forty." - -"That won't compensate me for coming grey hairs and inevitable -wrinkles," said the other bitterly, and smoked in dour silence. - -Tod crossed his legs and held forth. - -"Gerald Wentworth Julian Haskins," he remarked solemnly, "all the -fairies came to your nasty little cradle with gifts save the one who -could have endowed you with gratitude. Consider your beastly good -looks, and abominably healthy constitution, and silly popularity, not -to speak of your undeserved five hundred a year private income, and -take shame to yourself. Why with half your advantages I could marry -Charity to-morrow." - -"H'm! The advantages you mention were practically offered to her, but -she didn't seem to desire possession. I expect she prefers the last -representative of an ancient Scots family with an embarrassed estate, -a reputation as a rising solicitor, and a heart of gold enshrined in -an agreeable-looking body." - -"Agreeable-looking!" Words failed Tod, and he sprang up to wreath a -strong arm round Gerald's neck. Haskins remonstrated as well as he -could for laughter, but was forced to the very verge of the bank. Here -Tod made him look into the mirror of the still pool below. "Caliban -and Ferdinand: Apollo and Vulcan: Count D'Orsay and John Wilkes," -growled Macandrew. "Look at this picture and at that, you blighter." - -Almost choking, for Tod was powerful and none too gentle in his grip, -Gerald humored his friend sufficiently to stare into the water glass, -thinking meanwhile of a near revenge. He saw his own handsome brown -face with bronze-colored hair and mustache of the same hue, curling -under a straight Greek nose, which divided two hazel eyes. He saw also -Macandrew's round, ruddy countenance, devoid of hair on chin and lips -and cheeks, but haloed with crisp red curls, suggestive of his foxy -nickname. Tod assuredly could not be called good-looking, with -freckles and wide mouth and aquiline nose, proof of high descent. But -so much good humor and genuine honesty gleamed from his sea-blue eyes -that he did himself a gross injustice in undervaluing a most -ingratiating appearance. Tod was Tod, when all was said and done; the -best fellow in the world, and the most unnecessarily modest. But -Haskins was not going to pander to Tod's desire for compliments. - -"You footling idiot," he breathed, possessed by a spirit of mischief, -"as if you weren't worth a dozen of me. Talk about ingratitude--you -shall be punished, my friend--thus!" and souse into the pool they -went. When Tod got his breath again, after some spluttering, he used -it to a bad purpose. Gerald, keeping himself afloat, watched the stout -little man climb the bank dripping like an insane river god, and heard -him excel himself in language which he could scarcely have used in -court. - -"I'll pay you out for this," swore Tod, hastily stripping off his wet -flannels, and Haskins, fearing his righteous wrath, swam upstream, -clothes and all, with light easy strokes, laughing until the woods -rang. - -"What about your confounded fish?" sang out Macandrew, when his -apparel was drying in the hot sun, and he was sitting unashamed amid -the grass. "You won't catch any more." - -"I haven't caught any as it is," shouted Gerald, swimming back. "I -want to come ashore. Pax, Toddy, Pax, you--you unclothed biped." - -"Wait till I get you here," cried Tod, shaking his fist. - -"He is not wise who ventures into the enemy's camp," quoth Haskins, -and crossed to the opposite bank of the stream. Owing to the heat he -had earlier shed all his clothing save a silk shirt and a pair of -flannel trousers, so there was not much left to dry. In a few minutes -he also was sitting in Adamic simplicity on the farther shore, -imploring Tod to throw over a tobacco pouch and a pipe. But Tod -wouldn't: and smoked, chuckling, on his side of the stream, while -Haskins remonstrated. "I'll sleep then," announced Gerald, seeing that -his efforts to soften Macandrew were unavailing. - -"No, don't," shouted Tod. "I want to talk about her." - -"Not a word, unless I get my smoke." - -"Here you are then," and Macandrew threw across the necessary -materials for the pipe of peace. "Now then!" he cried, and the woods -rang with his cry. "What am I to do about Charity?" - -"Marry her," cried back Haskins, lighting his briar; and after that -introduction the conversation resolved itself into high-pitched -talking from bank to bank, while the stream rippled between. It was -lucky that no one was within hearing--as the young men well knew--for -Tod shouted out his dearest secrets to the wide world. - -"How can I marry her?" bellowed Macandrew, lying on his stomach in the -attitude of Caliban reflecting on Setebos. "She hasn't any money, and -I have very little also; there is the Dowager to be considered." - -The Dowager was Lady Euphemia Macandrew, Tod's highly respected -grandmother, who had looked after him since his parents had died. She -wanted Tod to marry an heiress cousin, who was still at school, and -Tod wished for his wife a charming dancer who was absolutely proper -and extremely pretty. Consequently Tod and Lady Euphemia were fighting -with all the ardor of their fiery race, and the domestic peace of the -House of Macandrew was a thing of the past. - -"You should consider the Dowager," sang out Haskins, who knew and -approved of the grim old lady, "she's your grandmother." - -"No one denies that," yelled Tod crossly, "talk sense!" - -"Hear then the sense of Gerald, son of his father," shouted the other -in a high tenor. "Mrs. Pelham Odin, who is--as you know--the clever -old actress who looks after Charity, won't let you marry her, seeing -that you have no money. Lady Euphemia is equally opposed to the match, -because Charity is not born, as the French say. If you marry against -the wishes of these two Mrs. Pelham Odin won't leave Charity her -savings, which must be considerable, and Lady Euphemia won't speak -either to you or to your wife. Isn't this the case?" - -"Ancient history--ancient history," roared Macandrew, like an angry -bull, "but your advice, Jerry?" - -"Chuck Charity and marry your cousin," said Haskins tersely. - -"I won't." - -"Then why waste my time in asking for advice which you have no notion -of taking? Go on your own silly way, Tod, and don't blame me if you -tumble into a quagmire of troubles." - -"I believe you want to marry Charity yourself," shouted Tod angrily. - -"No I don't," cried Haskins, feeling if his garments were dry. "She is -all that one can desire in the way of beauty: but I want something -more than a picture-wife. Marriages are made in heaven, and Charity's -soul does not respond to mine." - -Tod rose sulkily and dressed himself. When clothed again he took up -the discarded rod to try his luck. "I love her," he boomed, and cast -his fly with the air of a man who has brought forward an unanswerable -argument. Perhaps he had, for Macandrew was as obstinate as a -battery-mule. - -Seeing that Tod's attention was taken up with a peaceful sport which -precluded retaliation for the late ducking, Gerald made his trousers -and shirt into a ball, and flung them deftly across the river. They -hit Tod fairly, and made him stagger and swear. What he would have -said or done, it is impossible to say, for at this moment he -proclaimed with a triumphant yell that he had a bite. And at this -moment Gerald slipped into the water again. "Hang it, don't," screamed -Macandrew, "you'll frighten the fish off the hook. Woosh! Come up!" -and Tod tugged hard while the rod bent to an arc. "Mighty big fish," -breathed the angler. - -"Don't believe it's a fish at all," spluttered Haskins, seeing that -the line remained stationary, "you're making no play. Caught a weed -maybe." - -He swam to the line, and dived under, while Macandrew danced and swore -on the bank. "Leave it alone, leave it alone," cried Tod, in high -wrath, "it's a big fish. Oh, beast; oh, animal: oh, jealous reptile," -he went on as the line slackened, "you've done it." - -Even as he spoke Gerald rose to the surface, spitting water from his -mouth. In his right hand he held an object which he flung on to the -bank, and then crawled up himself. "There's your fish, Tod," he said, -rolling on the grass to dry himself, "your hook caught in that -cylinder, which had got wedged between two big stones. Look at it -while I dress." - -Tod handled the cylinder gingerly. It was made of tin, and had -apparently been covered with brown paper, for the remains of this -clung loose at either end from under splotches of red sealing-wax. -Oddly enough, there was also a string tied to the cylinder, at the end -of which dangled the remnant of a bladder. Evidently the bladder had -borne up the somewhat heavy cylinder for a certain time, and then had -burst, to drop it toward the big stones amid which it had been wedged -when Tod's hook had caught it. "Look's like a parcel of dynamite," -said Tod, in a nervous tone; "poachers fishing by night with dynamite, -O Lord!" - -Haskins, who was slipping on his socks and shoes, looked up. "It's -been in the water a good time anyhow, judging from the rotten brown -paper and that decayed bladder. There's no chance of an explosion. If -you are afraid to open it chuck it over." - -"No." Macandrew dropped on to the grass beside his friend. "We'll go -to Kingdom Come together, if necessary. Lend me your knife!" - -Between them, the young men prized off the lid of the cylinder, with -some difficulty, for it fitted tightly. The contents proved to be as -puzzling as the vessel itself, for Gerald drew out a moderately long -roller covered with brown wax, and scored delicately with regular -lines, almost invisible. There was nothing else in the cylinder but -this roller, and Tod eyed it with wonderment. "What the deuce is it?" -he asked, twirling it round. - -Haskins pinched his nether lip and reflected. "It's a phonograph -record," he ventured to suggest, "see the marking, Tod, and the wax, -and here," he tilted the cylinder end uppermost, "there's a name -engraved on the butt, plainly, for all the world to see." - -"Jekle & Co.," read Tod, fitting in his eye-glass to see clearly. -"H'm! I never heard of the firm." - -"That's not improbable: your knowledge of many things being limited." - -"Oh, come now. Did you ever hear of the firm your own conceited self?" - -"No. But it's a firm that makes phonographs anyhow." Gerald slipped -the treasure trove into his pocket. "We'll take this back to the inn, -and see what it means." - -"We shall have to get a phonograph then." - -"That goes without the speaking, you bally ass. But when we do slip -this roller into its parent machine these marks will talk." - -"But how can we get a parent machine? I suppose you mean a Jekle & Co. -mechanism of sorts." - -"There must be a machine of that sort in the district, or this roller -wouldn't be here." - -Tod stared at the waters blinking in the sunshine. "I wonder how it -got into the blessed river. By accident or by design?" - -"By design assuredly," said Haskins promptly. "It was wrapped in brown -paper and sealed at both ends. The bladder was attached to keep it -afloat. Then the bladder went bang and the cylinder sank until you -fished it out, Toddy." - -"Queer fish and queer chance, anyhow." - -"There is no such thing as chance," said Haskins slowly; "some cause -we know not of, brought us to the stream to-day to get the cylinder." - -"Why, we only came holiday-making," protested Tod; "you are always -talking this infernal psychology." - -"Supernal psychology, you mean," retorted the other, "seeing that I -follow white magic and not black. This," he patted his pocket, "has a -meaning. We must learn that meaning." - -"And so get into trouble." - -"Perhaps." Haskins shrugged his shoulders. "But trouble is the sole -thing which urges us to rise." - -Tod groaned. He could not understand his friend's mystical way of -looking at the seen world through the unseen. Keeping the conversation -on an ordinary level he inquired: "Why was the cylinder set afloat?" - -"Why does the sun shine? Why does the fire burn? You ask too many -questions, Tod." - -"I am not likely to get an answer from you," snapped Macandrew, taking -up the impedimenta which they had brought to the river bank. - -"You will in this instance, my son. The record, when it talks through -the Jekle & Co. machine, will tell us why the cylinder was sent -downstream. Shipwrecked people throw bottles overboard with documents -to tell of their danger, as you well know." - -"H'm! It's the first time I ever heard of a phonograph record being -used to convey news," grunted Tod crossly. - -"The person who floated the cylinder is evidently up-to-date." - -"Perhaps it's a blessed joke." - -"Maybe. Anyhow, I'll take it to the inn, and learn as much as is -possible. Don't chatter about it though." - -"Why not?" - -"Because--because----" Haskins hesitated, not being able to express -himself with his usual decision. "I can't say. Anyhow, hold your -tongue until we know what the record has to say." - -Macandrew nodded, and the two walked homeward. - - - - -CHAPTER II. -THE MESSAGE. - - -"The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh -village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile -hills. Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the -comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed -confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden. A broad -stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch. -Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, -for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, -ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages. -Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged -stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the -whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses. With -three narrow windows above and two narrow windows with a moderately -wide door below, the house looked sullen and secretive. One could have -an adventure at such a hostel: it breathed the spirit of romance, and -cut-throat, trapdoor romance at that. - -Before the inn stood a horse trough, in front of the door, the two -rude benches under the windows. But those who frequented the Devon -Maid preferred to take their beer mugs and bovine conversation on to -the bridge. It was their Rialto, whereon they met in the cool of the -evening to discuss the doings of their small world, and such news as -might filter into the isolated villages through carriers and tourists -and newspapers. The population of Denleigh consisted almost wholly of -agricultural laborers and their wives, a slow-thinking lot, with -infinitely more muscle than brains. Both men and women were of great -stature, and even their children looked bulky and overgrown for their -age. It seemed as though the children of Anak had gathered to design a -new Tower of Babel. - -The room in which Haskins and Macandrew sat at dinner was small, with -a low ceiling, and one inefficient window smothered with curtains. It -was crowded with Early Victorian furniture of the most cumbersome and -inelegant description. Table and chairs, sofa and sideboard, bookcase -and desk were all of solid mahogany, deposited on a flowery -Kidderminster carpet, somewhat worn. Antimacassars adorned the -horsehair chairs, wax fruit under a glass shade embellished the -sideboard, and green glass ornaments, with dangling prisms, appeared -on either side of the black marble clock which disfigured the -mantelpiece. On the faded pattern of a Prussian blue wall-paper were -steel engravings representing "The Death of Nelson" and the "Meeting -of Wellington and Blucher after Waterloo," together with colored -hunting scenes and illustrations from "The Book of Beauty," and "The -Keepsake." There were also samplers, and a fender-stool, and a canary -in a gilt cage, and a cupboard of inferior china, and two screens of -worsted-work representing parrots and macaws. The apartment was stuffy -and unwholesome, and more like a curiosity-shop than a place to dine -in. - -The young men had changed to easy smoking suits, and were doing full -justice to an admirable meal, consisting of roast beef with -vegetables, superfine apple pie, Devonshire cream, and first-rate -Stilton. They drank cider out of compliment to the county, and knew -that when eating was at an end two fragrant cups of coffee would add -to the enjoyment of their after-dinner pipes. And this satisfactory -state of things was presided over by a stout and genial waiter, who -was as black as the dress clothes he wore in honor of the guests. - -A bull in a china-shop would not have seemed much more out of keeping -than was this negro in the heart of the Devon hills. How he had -drifted into such a locality heaven only knows, but he appeared exotic -and strange, like some tropical bird which had flown from Equatorial -Regions to make a nest in cool, gray, misty England. Adonis Geary was -the incongruous name of the man, and he was at once landlord and -waiter. Save that he possessed but one eye there was nothing -unpleasant in his looks, and from his constant smiling and ready -service he appeared to be of an amiable disposition. For over fifteen -years--so he told his guests--he had owned the inn, and also had -married a six-foot girl from Barnstaple, who was as meek as she was -tall. This oddly-matched pair had five or six coffee-colored children, -who tumbled about the small house and made it lively. The _ménage_ was -unusual, to say least of it, and like the inn itself. The presence of -the negro hinted at romance and mystery. - -As yet Haskins had said nothing about the phonograph. Some instinct -told him to be silent about the discovery of the cylinder before this -suave son of Ham, although he had absolutely no reason to mistrust the -man. All the same he intended to use Geary's wits to obtain a Jekle & -Co. phonograph in such a way as would not arouse suspicion concerning -the particular use he intended to put it to. Yet why suspicions should -be aroused by frankness Gerald could not say, for, on the face of it, -there was nothing to point out that the cylinder was dangerous. -Nevertheless Haskins' sixth sense made him hold his tongue and impose -secrecy upon Tod. Consequently Macandrew held his peace while Gerald -cautiously approached his aim of getting the machine. It seemed -incredible that a phonograph of the special make required should be -found in that unpretentious inn, or even in the village itself, seeing -how buried both were. Still Haskins argued from the discovery of the -roller, so marked, that a Jekle & Co. phonograph was to be had in the -district. Being a novelist, Gerald had already spun a web of romance -round the adventure, and was conducting the same to a close with -constructive skill. Tod watched the progress of this real and tangible -romance with careless interest. He thought that it was all moonshine -and would end in smoke. "The Story of A Mare's Nest," Tod called it -with fine irony, and giggled when Haskins stalked Mr. Adonis Geary. - -"There is very little to do in the evening here," began Gerald, -finishing the last of his cheese, and addressing the landlord-waiter. - -"Very little, sah," replied Mr. Geary, who spoke moderately good -Anglo-Saxon, yet betrayed his negro origin in an occasional word, and -by a guttural intonation, "but you can walk to Silbury with the odder -jemplem, for howlin' fun, sah." - -"Howling fun in a country town? My eyes," muttered Tod, still eating. - -"Dere's walking and de bicycle and fishin' and----" - -"Yes! yes! yes!" broke in Gerald artfully, "but I mean evening -amusement--indoor doings. What you call----" - -"Parlor tricks," interpolated Macandrew. - -"Exactly! Well, Mr. Geary, have you a piano, or a harmonium?" - -"Dere's a harmonium in de chapel whar I preach," explained Adonis -doubtfully, "but de instrument of de Lawd no good for debble's -singing." - -"I have no intention of going to the devil for my amusement," said -Gerald tartly, while Tod choked over his cider. "Have you any cards?" - -"Dem's de debble's pictures, sah." - -"Then pass along a concertina," remarked Tod, pushing back his chair -with a sigh of repletion, "or even a Jew's harp, or a----" - -"Why not say a phonograph, while you're about it, Macandrew?" said -Haskins, with feigned crossness, "we're as likely to find the one as -the other in this place at the Back-of-Beyond." - -"With great respect, Mr. Haskins, sah," said Geary, falling into the -trap promptly, "dere's my wife's phonograph. My wife Hannah let you -hab dat phonograph to hear de godly hymns." - -"Just what I want to hear," said Gerald untruthfully, "but what on -earth made you get a phonograph?" - -Geary smiled expansively, displaying magnificent teeth. "Dere was a -traveler who came dis way wid phonographs, and he stop here. He so -pleased wid my wife Hannah's cooking dat he gave her de phonograph, -and den sell many, many, many all round--all round," and the landlord -stretched his arms to embrace the globe. - -"What kind of a phonograph is it?" asked Gerald, with a triumphant -look at Tod to bid him watch how Romance was working golden threads -into the gray fabric of the commonplace. "I don't want to hear a bad -one." - -Before Geary could reply there sounded through the window an -up-to-date note from the outer world. The "Toot! toot! toot!" of a -motor horn brought the young men to their feet and to the window, -which looked out on to the bridge. A motor car draws the attention of -the grown-up as much as a military band attracts the notice of a -child. Mr. Geary departed with dignified haste to see what new and -aristocratic visitor was coming, and--since Tod's bulky form filled in -the whole small window--Gerald followed at his leisure. The coming of -the motor car stirred up the same bustle in this lonely inn as did -the mail coach in the days of old. Even Mrs. Geary emerged from the -back-kitchen to view the spectacle with three small children clinging -to her lengthy skirts, like the Lilliputians to Gulliver's coat-tails. - -"Toot! toot! toot!" The horn sounded cheerfully and close at hand. A -magnificent Hadrian, scarlet as the sunset, swung down the long -descent and hummed across the bridge with a powerful drone. There were -two men in front, disguised in the orthodox goggles and caps and -shapeless coats, but the body of the car was empty, save for a -large portmanteau and some small parcels done up in brown paper. The -rustics crowded round the car, to comment thereon, and to misname it -"a steam-engine," while the foremost man, who was handling the -steering-gear, slipped from his seat to stretch himself and to salute -Geary. - -"Hello, Adonis, is that you?" he said, nodding brusquely. "I want a -wash and a glass of brandy. Then I'm off again. I must reach Leegarth -before sundown." - -"Come dis way, Major," said the landlord obsequiously. He seemed to -know the traveler extremely well, and from his concluding remark -Gerald was positive that he did. "Dere's a lil' glass of your own -pertic'ler brandy, Major. Dis way, sah. Glad to see you, Major." - -"Major!" From the title, and the tone of the arrival's voice, Haskins -had an idea that he also knew the owner of the motor car. When the -goggles were shoved up over the cap, and the high collar of the coat -was loosened, suspicion became certainty. "Major Rebb," said Haskins, -advancing a step. "I guessed it was you." - -"Oh--Haskins," drawled the newcomer, and Gerald could have sworn that -not only did he start, but that he darted an inquiring look at the -negro landlord. It was Geary who replied: - -"Dis jemplem and his friend, dey stop wid me for one, two week, -Major." - -The Major recovered himself. "Yes, of course; what am I thinking -about, Haskins? Mrs. Crosbie told me that you and Macandrew were on a -walking tour in Devonshire. Why are you stationary here of all -places?" - -"Why not here, as well as anywhere else?" replied Gerald carelessly, -"we struck this inn--Tod and I, that is--and intended only to stop a -night or so, but the food is so good, and the fishing so capital, and -the expenses so small, that we decided to remain. We're off in a -couple of days. Tod goes back to London, and I make for St. Ives to -write a new book. But you, Major? What are you doing in this galley?" - -"I have come down to see a relative at Leegarth--an elderly aunt!" -Tod sniggered at the window. From what he knew of Major Rebb--and he -knew a great deal from club gossip--that retired officer was not the -man to waste his time in looking after elderly relatives, unless,---- - -"How much money has she got?" asked Tod impudently. - -Rebb laughed, for Tod was a licensed jester, and said things without -reproof for which other men would have been kicked. "Enough to make it -worth my while to come down here," said Rebb coolly, "but I won't give -the business into your hands, Tod, so there will be no pickings." - -"I'm jolly well sure of that, when you're about," retorted Macandrew, -in a soft voice. - -"Dis way, sah," cried Geary, like a parrot, "dis way, Major." - -"You know Adonis then?" said Rebb, entering the inn followed by -Haskins; "he's a decent sort, isn't he? I have put up here sometimes -for a night. Where's the brandy, Adonis? Hurry up; and give my man a -glass of beer." - -Gerald had unconsciously led the way to the sitting-room occupied by -himself and Tod. Here Rebb sat down, drawing off his gloves, while -the brandy was brought. He was a tall, thin, upright man, eminently -well-bred and somewhat stiff. His closely clipped hair and -well-trimmed moustache were so dark, and his complexion was of such a -deep olive color, that people declared that he had in him a touch of -the tar-brush. And the scandal was emphasized by the significant fact -that Major Rebb had commanded a West Indian regiment in Jamaica before -retiring from the army. But whether tainted by the African or not, he -certainly was a handsome man, and wonderfully well-preserved for his -fifty years. Mrs. Crosbie, to whom Rebb had alluded when first -addressing Haskins, was a wealthy widow who greatly admired the -fascinating Major. Report hinted at a match between them, and report -said that Mrs. Crosbie might do worse, for Rebb was well-off and much -respected by the outside world. Those--of whom Tod was one--who knew -more than the Major approved of declared that Rebb's character was not -without blemish, and that he gambled both on the turf and on the green -table. But no one could positively say that the man was a rascal. He -had the vices of his generation. That was all. - -While Rebb drank his brandy he told Haskins and Macandrew the latest -club gossip, and stated--not without a roguish glance at Tod--that -Mrs. Pelham Odin wanted Charity to marry a titled fool, who had lately -come into much money. Tod was very indignant at this, and said many -things which Rebb had heard before, since the little man's infatuation -was an open secret. In the middle of his eloquence the Major went off -to wash his hands and face, and Haskins dragged his friend out to see -the start of the car. In five minutes Rebb was in his place and his -chauffeur swung up alongside. - -"Good-night, you fellows," cried the Major amiably. "I'll see you in -London. Night, Adonis," and then the car spun round the curve to mount -the hill on its way to Leegarth, wherever that might be. Tod yawned -and sauntered back into the inn, hinting that he would go to bed soon. - -"Funny thing that we should meet Rebb, here," said Gerald. - -Tod raised his thick red eyebrows. "Upon my soul I don't see it," he -remarked, "you don't want the whole country to yourself." - -"He seemed to be startled when he saw me, and he knows Geary well." - -"He admitted that he knew Geary, and as to being startled, he well -might be, dropping across a pal in these wilds." - -"I am not a pal of Rebb's," said Gerald stiffly. "I don't like him, -and I'm very sorry that such a jolly little woman as Mrs. Crosbie -should think of marrying him. There's something queer about him." - -"Bosh!" said Tod, lightly whiffing away his friend's suspicions, which -indeed had little foundation. "Rebb is no worse, nor no better, than -any other man. We all have turned-down pages in our life's book, which -we should like no one to read." - -"That's quite a high flight of oratory for you," said Haskins dryly. - -"Oh I can gas as well as most, when necessary," retorted the other, -"but you are asinine, seeing a bird in every bush." - -"H'm!" murmured Gerald, unconvinced. "All the same, I shall keep my -eye on Major Rebb." - -"And so take a lot of trouble for nothing. So long as he does not -cross your path I don't see why you should worry. Hello!" Tod had -entered the sitting-room by this time. "Here's the phonograph." He -examined it narrowly in the failing light. "And Jekle & Co. at that. -By gum!" - -"What do you say now?" cried Haskins, pleased that his surmise had -proved correct. "I'll bet that we are on the verge of discovering a -mystery. Wait until we hear a few hymns, and then we can experiment -with our river record." - -"But why bother about the hymns?" grumbled Macandrew, who by this time -was quite as curious as Haskins himself. - -Gerald glanced at the door, and closed it. "I don't want the nigger to -think that anything unusual has happened." - -"More suspicion," said Tod, and glanced in his turn, but at the -window, "you needn't fash yourself, as we say in Scotland. There's -Geary walking down to the village." - -It was indeed the negro strolling with a crony along the brookside, -and when he had sauntered out of earshot Haskins did not worry about -the hymn tunes. He slipped the cylinder record on to the machine, and -set the thing going. Then, for the next minute, he and Tod listened in -amazement to a message from Fairyland. - -"This to the wide world," babbled the machine in the sweetest and most -melodious of voices. "This to the Fairy Prince, who will come and -waken me from dreams. Come, dear Prince, to the Pixy's House, and -watch that the jealous ogress, who guards me, does not see you. I -cannot read, I cannot write; but I talk my message to you, dear -Prince. To the stream I commit the message on this first day of April -in this year five. May the river bear the message to you, dear Prince. -Come to me! Come to me! Come to me! and waken your Princess to life -with a kiss." - -The machine still continued to work, but the voice became abruptly -silent. There was no more of the message, so when the point of the -phonograph reached the end of the inscribed wax Gerald removed it. -When it was again in his pocket he turned toward the amazed Tod. "What -do you think of that?" he demanded triumphantly. - -"I think that the date explains the whole thing," said Tod grimly. -"See: the first of April. Five! That means, nineteen hundred and five, -which is this very year. Some one's having a joke." - -"I don't believe it," said Haskins, and began to scribble in his -pocketbook what the machine had said. He had a good memory, and -reproduced the message from the Fairy Princess very correctly. Later -he determined to verify the same, but meanwhile kept the precious -roller in his pocket and asserted his determination to search for the -Pixy's House. - -"What bosh!" grumbled Tod, disdainfully. "Maybe there's no such place. -But if you will be a lunatic, ask Geary about the matter." - -"No," said Gerald decidedly. "I shall not say a word to Geary, and I -must ask you to say nothing either. This is the first piece of romance -which has come my way, and I don't want it spoiled by sharing it with -other people." - -"My way," echoed Macandrew, staring. "I like that. You forget that I -found the cylinder, my son. I am the person who is supposed to have -received the letter." - -"Toddy, you are not a Turk or a Mormon, so this delicious Princess, -who speaks like a silver bell, is not for you. Keep to Charity Bird, -and allow me a chance of finding a wife." - -"O Lord! Jerry, you ain't serious?" - -"Yes and no! After all I am young, and--as the cook said--of that -'appy disposition that I can love any one. Why shouldn't I seek in -some Fairy Woods for the Sleeping Beauty?" - -"Sleeping!" sniggered Tod, lighting his pipe, "then she must have -written that silly message in her sleep. Or perhaps she talks in it," -he added, recollecting that the message was a spoken one. "A nice wife -to have, upon my word. You won't get a wink of sleep." - -"Toddy, you are of the earth, earthy, and an unimaginative beast. -Romance doesn't appeal to you. I shall search for the Pixy's House!" - -"In what direction?" jeered Macandrew. - -"Up the stream. This Princess is apparently imprisoned in the house -and must have flung the cylinder therefrom into the water. Ergo, the -Pixy's House must be near the water. I shall go to Exeter and bring -back a canoe. Then I shall explore and find----" - -"A mare's nest! Don't be an ass. It's all bosh." - -"It's romance! romance! romance! But not a word, Toddy, either to any -one here, or to any one in London. Promise!" - -"Oh, I promise. But----" - -"Silence! you profane the Mysteries of Fairyland. I shall explore and -learn the end of this adventure. And you, Tod Macandrew?" - -"I'll see what's the best lunatic asylum for you to occupy," said Tod -caustically. - - - - -CHAPTER III. -FAIRYLAND. - - -Notwithstanding his fantastical babble to Macandrew, Gerald was a -shrewd young man. He prosecuted his search for the unknown sender of -the message, less to find a wife than to see the end of the adventure. -At the enjoyable age of thirty, he was not particularly keen on -getting married, although his friends persistently advised him to do -so. But, as Haskins pertinently observed, it was absurd to marry -merely for marrying's sake. "When I meet THE woman," said Gerald -wisely, "I shall ask her to be my wife. Otherwise----" And a shrug -would complete the unfinished sentence. - -Tod was quite ready to leave the conclusion of the fishing adventure -to his friend. Being in love with a particular girl, he thought of her -only, and had no wish to search for another girl, even though she were -an illiterate princess, who fluted like a nightingale. What with -earning his living, and fighting Lady Euphemia, and wooing Charity -Bird, and tricking Mrs. Pelham Odin, who was strongly opposed to that -wooing, Macandrew's hands were quite full. Within two days he betook -himself to London, keen upon seeing _The Moon Fay_ ballet, in which -Charity was dancing. But before his departure he unwittingly did -Gerald a service by learning something about the Pixy's House, and -that same something was less romantic than unpleasant. - -According to Tod the thing came about by accident; but Haskins, who -believed that everything was designed, even to the winking of an eye, -insisted that Macandrew had been purposely lured into conversation -with the laborer, who had mentioned Leegarth, and the Pixy's House. At -a nine o'clock breakfast, on the very day of his departure, Tod -mentioned to his friend that he had been taking a morning walk. "I had -a beastly wakeful night last night," grumbled Tod, while Geary brought -in a dish of trout and some hot rolls, "it made me sick tumbling and -tossing, so I dressed and strolled out at six o'clock." - -"Why didn't you waken me?" asked Haskins. "I would have come also." - -"Not you. I'd have been cursed for an hour. Every one knows what an -infernal sleepy-head you are, Jerry. However, I walked up the hill on -to the moors, and had a glorious view of the surrounding country. I -saw the stream where we fished, in the hollow two miles away--trees, -and occasional glimpses of the water, you know. And ever so far away, -there was a square-towered church with a cluster of red-roofed -houses." - -"Quite poetical, my Toddy," murmured Gerald, helping himself to eggs -and ham, and rather bored by this geographical description. - -"The morning made me poetical!" said Macandrew simply, "it was -uncommonly ripping, you know. There was a laboring Johnny coming -along, and I asked him the name of the church. He said it was Leegarth -church, and Leegarth village." - -"H'm! That's where Rebb's wealthy relative lives?" - -Todd nodded. "As it was early I had a mind to walk over and look -about, but I first asked the man if there was anything of interest to -see. He grinned, and told me that I might call at the Pixy's House." - -Gerald looked up and was about to speak eagerly when Geary appeared -again with a fresh supply of rolls. "Oh, the Pixy's House," said -Haskins carelessly, "what's that?" - -"Why, you know----" began Tod foolishly, when he caught sight of a -warning scowl on Haskins' face, and a look of interest on that of -Geary's, "you know," went on Tod artfully, "that I can't talk if you -interrupt." - -"But it's all so dull," objected Haskins, with a shrug. - -"Not what I am about to tell. This laborer said that a lunatic lived -in the Pixy's House, looked after by another lunatic." - -"The blind leading the blind. Go on." - -"The first lunatic is a girl, and the second an old woman. The girl -never comes out, and no one has ever seen her, but the old woman does -shopping and all the rest of it. That's all." - -"What infernal rubbish!" said Haskins crossly. He did not like his -unknown princess to dwindle to a commonplace lunatic. And yet, when -he remembered the spoken message, it did seem a trifle mad. "Well, and -did you call at the Pixy's House?" - -"Not me. I walked in another direction, and came back to breakfast. I -have no use for crazy people." - -"Wid all respect, jemplem," remarked Mr. Geary unexpectedly, "de story -ob dat man is all twisty-turney." - -"Oh!" said Haskins, apparently careless, but really with anxiety, "so -you know of this queer business, Geary?" - -"Berry lil'--oh, berry lil', sah. Dat Pixy House ver' ole, an' ver' -tumbledown in heaps. Only one mad pusson dere, jemplem." - -"Which one--the old woman or the young one?" asked Tod abruptly. - -"Oh, dey boff dere, jemplem, but de young lady is de mad pusson. She -bin dere afore I come--years an' years an' years--oh, ebber so long -'go. Dis pou' lady, she want to kill peoples wid knives, and de ole -womans, she watch her dat she no get out to kill. De ole woman's not a -mad pusson, jemplem; oh no, dat all wrong. She watch de odder. You no -go near dat Pixy House, jemplem," ended the landlord earnestly, "or -dat young lady, she kill you boff, dead as coffin-lids." - -Haskins felt disgusted. He desired to find Fairyland, and it seemed as -though his search would end in discovering a lunatic asylum. "What is -the lunatic's name?" he asked. - -"Mavis Durham, I tink, an' de ole womans, she called Bellaria!" - -"Funny names," mused Tod, "and rather pretty. Mavis means a thrush, I -fancy. But Bellaria?" - -Gerald recalled a charming book of Italian folklore, which he had read -some months before. "Bellaria was the Etruscan dawn goddess, or the -goddess of flowers, I forget which," he remarked; "strange that any -one in a secluded Devonshire village should be called so. H'm! Is this -old woman an Italian, Geary?" - -"I do not know, sah," replied the man promptly. "I no go to dat -Leegarth, no, never, never. And you no go too, jemplem. Dat Mavis lady -hab de knife in you if you go dere." - -"Homicidal mania," said Tod learnedly and cheerfully. - -Haskins shuddered; it seemed terrible to think that the owner of that -silvery voice, who had sent so delightfully quaint a message, should -be a dangerous lunatic not responsible for her actions. When the -landlord took his departure he made an observation, rather to himself -than to his friend. "The message was sane enough," he said, thereby -contradicting his first impression, when Geary spoke of the lunacy. - -"Well, I don't know," answered Macandrew doubtfully, "all that fairy -business and talk of not being able to read or write seems queer. I -suppose you'll chuck the adventure, now that you know this?" - -"Probably!" said Haskins evasively, so that Tod should not worry him. -But in his heart he had a longing to probe the matter deeper. - -Later in the day Gerald escorted Tod to Selbury, and saw him off to -London. Macandrew left with the impression that Gerald would carry out -his prearranged programme and travel to St. Ives on the ensuing day. -But when Haskins walked back to Denleigh he was far from having made -up his mind to such a course. It seemed incredible that the sender of -the message should have homicidal tendencies. All the same, if she had -not, the law would certainly have prevented her incarceration in the -old Leegarth mansion known as the Pixy's House. That she could not -read or write was quite possible, since she had used the phonograph, -and yet, in this age of education, it appeared improbable that anyone -could be so ignorant. The wording of the message was that of an -imaginative, but not of a weak, brain; and the spirit of poetry it -breathed appealed to the young man, himself a poet of no mean order. -"On the whole," decided Gerald, "I shall go to Exeter to-morrow and -get that canoe." - -On that same evening, when Geary went for his usual walk, Haskins -again slipped the record into the machine, and again drank in the -music of that perfect voice. Then, for the sake of hiding his secret, -since the landlord unexpectedly returned, he set the phonograph to -grind out the godly hymns which were Geary's delight. These were -dismal enough in words and tunes, but all through them sounded in -Gerald's charmed ears the silvery lilt of the Fairy Princess' tones. -The owner of such a voice could not possibly be crazy. - -Haskins rather regretted that he had not asked Major Rebb about the -Pixy's House and its occupant. Rebb doubtless knew the village of -Leegarth excellently well, since he came down occasionally to see his -elderly relative. For the moment Haskins was tempted to write and ask -questions, but on second thoughts he made up his mind to explore for -himself. He was even glad that Tod had departed, for now the secret -was entirely his own, and he wished to share it with no one. He -therefore abstained from talking to Geary on the subject, for he had -learned all that was possible from that source. And what he had -learned was so decidedly unpleasant that he did not wish to hear more. -As it afterward turned out his reticence was wise. - -The next day Haskins informed Geary of his intention to remain in -Denleigh for another week, and the negro expressed his delight at the -decision. Adonis was a cheerful soul, who had traveled widely, in the -humble capacity of a steward on board various liners. He therefore -approached more intellectual society than he could obtain in lethargic -Denleigh. Haskins, with an eye to copy, after the fashion of the -literary man, found Geary's experiences both entertaining and useful. -As for the landlady, she was a nonentity, who worked like a horse, -and was as dumb as one. She seemed to be somewhat afraid of her -ever-smiling husband, and Gerald thought that there might be some -cause for such dread. With all his suave manners, Geary's one eye -hinted at sinister doings. But, as yet, Haskins, knowing him only on -the surface, had no fault to find with his personality. - -There was some difficulty in finding a precisely suitable canoe -in Exeter, but having made up his mind--a singularly obstinate -one--Gerald never rested until he had attained his object. In a couple -of days he returned to the Devon Maid with a light birchwood affair, -which he had purchased from a returned Canadian emigrant. This the -young man temporarily bestowed in an outside shed, and informed his -landlord, casually, that he intended to explore the waters of the -Ruddle, as the stream was called. The name evidently came from the -streaky red banks between which it flowed. Geary advised his guest to -travel downstream toward Silbury, as the canoe would there be impeded -by fewer stones. Needless to say, as Leegarth was in precisely the -opposite direction, Haskins had no intention of taking this well-meant -advice. And, indeed, because of the very difficulty in navigating the -upper reaches of the Ruddle, he had purchased the canoe, for he could -carry so light a craft along the banks when stones and weeds blocked -up the waterway. - -When Gerald took his Indian coracle down to the river, next afternoon, -he saw how wise he had been in not buying a heavier boat. As the -little stream wound its devious way through the dense woods it grew -yet more narrow, and, on the whole, somewhat shallow. Here and there -deep pools were to be found, inshore, but as a rule the current flowed -lightly over a shingly bed, foaming round gigantic stones or bubbling -over the trunks of fallen trees. The distance to Leegarth, as the crow -flies, could not have been more than three miles; but the stream -twisted so oddly, and the difficulties of navigation were so great, -that Gerald sometimes doubted if he would reach his journey's end. -Several times he was forced to climb the steep banks and drag his -canoe through thickly growing saplings: but, on the whole, the tiny -shallop behaved with the dexterity of an eel in slipping through -dangerous places. Nevertheless his traveling was more like the -exploration of unknown lands than like a civilized river trip in -mapped-out England. - -Late in the day--about six o'clock--and when the western sky was -beginning to glow with the hues of a soapbubble, the adventurer found -himself in a less toilsome position. After the choked stream, where -the trees met overhead, it was a relief to float into an immense pool, -fenced in by precipitous red cliffs draped with vividly green -vegetation. Gerald emerged into this haven with a feeling of -thankfulness, and laid down his paddle, both to rest his weary muscles -and to examine his romantic surroundings. The pool was nearly -circular, and, as the narrow Ruddle flowed in at one end, and out at -the other, the whole resembled a bead on a string. On the placid -waters, brimming like those of a mill-dam, the canoe floated idly -until it touched the left bank. Haskins therefore saw, on the right -hand, a tall cliff of ruddy earth, overgrown with bushes, and -surmounted by a fringe of trees. Between these, he espied a ruinous -gray stone wall, clothed thickly with ivy. As there were two or three -small windows in this wall, Gerald guessed that it formed the side of -a dwelling-place--and guessed moreover that from one of those same -windows the sealed message had been thrown into the pool. It was, of, -course, merely a surmise that the Pixy's House was built on the top of -this inland cliff, but, bearing in mind the cylinder with its attached -bladder, Haskins felt certain that he was correct. The imprisoned -Mavis Durham could only have launched her message from the cliff top. - -Gerald had now practically arrived at his journey's end, as he had -discovered the palace of the Sleeping Beauty, shut in by Enchanted -Woods. He therefore paddled swiftly under the cliff itself, to see how -he could storm the castle. Tod would have called it a lunatic asylum, -in his coarse way, but Gerald the poet preferred the more romantic -appellation. Also, after hearing that wonderful voice, he made up his -rash mind that he would not believe in the alleged insanity of Mavis -Durham until he had seen her, and had spoken with her. If she were -really a homicidal maniac he could return with some regrets to the -workaday world; but if she was all that he hoped she would be,--well! -Gerald drew a long breath as he thought thus. If she were as beautiful -as her voice, as poetic as her message, he did not know what would -happen. Yet, as a young man, dizzy with the wine of life, he should -have known. But such things, for good or for evil, were yet on the -knees of the most high gods. - -At the upper end of the pool the adventurer found a stone landing -stage, with an iron ring, to which he fastened the canoe. He leaped -lightly on to the rugged platform, and climbed up a rude stair, to -find himself facing an arched opening hewn in the face of the cliff. -It was masked, more or less, by neglected bushes, and evidently had -not been made use of many years. Still, it undoubtedly led upward to -the battlements of the Enchanted Castle. So Haskins pushed his way -through the trees, and clambered up a ruinous and twisting stair, in -complete darkness. Here, indeed, was an adventure not often to be met -with in this unromantic age, and the young man's body thrilled as he -experienced hitherto unknown emotions. He was Sir Galahad searching -for the Grail; Columbus staring at a newly discovered world; a -Calender from the Arabian Nights stumbling upon the magical Beauty of -the World, a jinn's daughter, lovely and unapproachable. - -Up and up went the stair, twisting and turning like an eel, until -Haskins, losing count of time, thought that he was mounting to the -North Star. Finally the steps ceased to wind, and the explorer -clambered up a straight flight which terminated in a small opening, -out of which he emerged on to the top of the cliff, and immediately -below the ivy-draped wall. The house stood about twenty yards from the -verge of the cliff, and the space between was filled with long grass, -with stunted bushes, and with tolerably tall trees, all in full summer -foliage. On looking up Gerald saw pointed roofs of weatherworn red -tiles, twisted stacks of chimneys, and gray stone turrets, the whole -so overgrown with greenery that it looked as though the mansion were a -portion of the earth itself. There was no door in the wall visible. If -there had been one (as was probable to reach the landing stage) it had -been blocked up, or was hidden by the darkly green ivy. - -"Faint heart never won fair lady," thought Gerald unoriginally, and -began to swarm up the natural ladder afforded by the tough roots of -the creeper. Out of breath he gained the top of the wall, and, -flinging his leg over, sat astride to view this Jack-and-the-Beanstalk -Country. Then he beheld--Charity Bird! - - - - -CHAPTER IV. -THE FAIRY PRINCESS. - - -Seated on the wall, like Humpty-Dumpty, Gerald gasped, for two -excellent reasons. Firstly, he was a trifle breathed with the arduous -climb, and, secondly, the sight of the girl whom he believed to be -Miss Bird amazed him out of all common-sense. She stood under the -wall, arrayed in a plain white dress, without frills or trimmings or -ornaments, and looked more like a Vestal of Rome than a young lady of -the twentieth century. And to add to Haskins' astonishment she did not -appear to be the least startled, or even surprised. - -"So you have come at last?" she said softly, and the voice had in it -the same melody that Gerald had noted when the phonograph delivered -its fantastical message. - -"Charity! Miss Bird!" He could hardly get his tongue to move. - -The girl looked puzzled. "My name is Mavis Durham," she said simply. - -Haskins knew that he was awake, for he had grazed his knee while -climbing and the pain assured him of material existence. Otherwise, he -would certainly have believed that the whole thing was a delicious -dream. But on looking downward more intently he saw that, although the -image of Charity in physical appearance, this girl who declared -herself to be Mavis Durham had a more spiritual look on her face. Her -eyes were turquoise-blue like the dancer's: she possessed the same -wonderful hair, the color of ripe corn, about which Miss Bird's -admirers raved, and her features were cast in the same classic mold; -but she had a mystical, etherial, evanescent look about her, which -hinted at more spirituality than was apparent in Charity's -pronouncedly material charms. It might have been the dying light of -the evening, or the exalted state of mind consequent on emotion, that -raised Gerald to a high plane, but the girl looked as though she would -vanish like a wreath of mist under the influence of the newly risen -sun. - -The resemblance between Mavis and Charity was certainly marvelous, and -Haskins could not account for the similarity; but after a long and -searching look he became certain that the girls were two different -flesh and blood human beings, and not one, as he had momentarily -supposed. On acquiring this assurance in his innermost being the young -man drew a breath of relief, since Charity was more or less engaged to -Tod, and he did not wish to poach on Tod's preserves. The question of -the resemblance he determined swiftly to leave to a later date for -answer, and meanwhile surrendered himself entirely to the incredible -romance of the adventure. Surely no more poetic happening had taken -place since King Cophetua had gone a-wooing his Beggar Maid. - -But by the time his reflections had reached this point the Princess of -Fairyland--for that she certainly was--betrayed excitement and -uneasiness, waving her hands to intimate that he should hide behind -the ruddy leaves of a copper beech, which over topped the wall and -leaned against it. "Bellaria will catch you," called up Mavis softly, -"and then I'll never see you again. Get behind the beech. I'll return -soon." - -She sped lightly away, while Haskins, still trying to assure himself -that he was not dreaming, shuffled along the wall until he gained the -covert of the spreading branches. Here he was safe from any espial, -and while Mavis was absent he gently parted the leaves to view her -enchanted palace, whither she had called him. A phonograph and -Fairyland! it was an odd mixture of poetry and science. A page with a -silken-bound parchment; a dragon-chariot to waft a mortal prince to a -spellbound queen; these were natural in the circumstances. But to be -summoned by a phonograph! Why, it linked the age of motor cars with -that of King Arthur. - -Haskins saw below him a moderately sized quadrangle, smoothly turfed -in the center and bordered with beds of flowers stretching to -moldering walls. To the right, and straight in front--somewhat after -the shape of the letter "L"--were two ranges of a gray stone mansion -clothed--as was the wall--with thickly growing ivy. There were two -stories, and the architecture was Tudor, picturesque, and graceful. -Along the lower story of the front wing were elaborate oriel windows, -filled in with lattice-work and, as Gerald shrewdly suspected, with -stained glass. An archway pierced this wing, and apparently led to -another part of the grounds. The range of buildings on the right was -less elaborate, as the windows above and below were square and modern -in their looks. To the left were ruinous stables, and outhouses more -or less tumbledown, and, of course, the fourth side of the quadrangle -was closed in by the wall upon which the young man was seated. What -with the gray wall, the beautifully shaped oriels, the peaked roofs of -mellow red tiles, and the mantle of greenery which overspread all, the -place looked like a picture from the Christmas Number of _The -Graphic_. - -Yet if the house was neglected, the garden and lawn certainly were -not. The turf was as smooth as a billiard-table, and the beds of -flowers were carefully tended, as he could see from the absence of -weeds and the efflorescence of blossoms. These were chiefly those of -humble cottage flowers. Tall hollyhocks, golden snapdragon, -sweet-william, pansies, marigolds, ragged robin, and musk carnations: -all these grew in artistic profusion and confusion, making the -quadrangle a world of beauty and color and perfume. In the center of -the lawn rose an antique sundial, supported by three battered female -figures, and over all this dreamy, old-world haven of rest arched the -shadowy sky, blending night and day in vapory blue and rosy flushings. -Haskins felt that a new planet had "swam into his ken"--all that he -had dreamed of, as too fair for earth, was here transmuted from the -ideal into the real. "I must certainly be in Dreamland," thought the -young man, "or in Paradise, or in Prospero's Enchanted Island, or in -the Vale of Avilion, where it doth neither rain nor snow." - -But his poetic musings were cut short by a rustle among the coppery -leaves of the beech. He looked down from his wall and saw a vision of -loveliness rising from the foliage like Undine from the well. "I went -to see what Bellaria was doing," explained Mavis breathlessly, and -perched on a sloping bough, so near to the wall that the young man -could have embraced her without difficulty. He felt very much inclined -to do so, for he was rapidly falling fathoms deep in love. But a -feeling of respect for the unprotected girl restrained him, and he -listened spellbound to the music of her voice. "Bellaria was cooking -the supper, you know," went on the girl prosaically, "so there is no -chance of her coming to call me for half-an-hour." - -"And what then?" asked Gerald soberly. - -"You must go away. Bellaria would be very angry if she knew that my -fairy prince had come." - -"Am I the fairy prince?" asked Haskins softly. - -Mavis raised her brows with a trill of heavenly laughter. "Of course -you are, since you came over the wall. I have been watching here for -months to see you arrive. You would not have come had you not got my -message." - -"No," acknowledged Haskins sensibly; "that is very certain. No one -would look for a fairy princess in this tangle of woods. But," he -hesitated and smiled, "you are not sleeping." - -"Yes, I am! Not with my eyes closed, of course; but I am sleeping -through life. All my days I have lived in this dull old place, and my -guardian will not let me go out and see the world." - -"Who is your guardian?" asked Gerald, and received a shock. - -"Major Rebb!" - -"Good Lord! Major Rebb! Huh!" So this was the elderly relative whom -the man had come to see. Haskins congratulated himself that he had not -questioned the Major. Had he done so there would have been a speedy -end to romance. The word "elderly" had apparently been used by Rebb -to conceal the existence of this lovely girl from too inquiring youth. -No young man would search for anything elderly. Haskins felt like -Saul--as though he had gone to seek his father's asses and had found a -kingdom. - -"Do you know my guardian?" asked Mavis, quickly noting his surprise. - -"Well, yes! I have met him in London." - -"Oh, London! London!" The girl clapped her hands in a childish way. -"How I wish to see London. My guardian says that he will take me there -some day, and then--oh, and then, and then, and then----" - -"What then?" - -"I shall live. Just fancy," she continued, swinging on the bough. "I -am twenty years of age, and I have lived shut up here with Bellaria -ever since I can remember. My guardian comes and sees me sometimes, -and give me all kinds of presents. He is always very kind, but he will -not let me leave the Pixy's House. I'm not shut up, of course," she -added, contradicting herself, "the grounds are very large. There's a -big garden of fruit and flowers beyond that archway, and a park of -trees with undergrowth just like a fairy wood. I have heaps and heaps -to do, looking after my flowers, and embroidering, and cooking, and -playing games, and listening to Bellaria's stories. I am quite -happy--and now," she leaned forward until her face nearly touched that -of Gerald, "I am happier than ever, because you are here." - -"Are you?" inquired Haskins, stupidly and thickly. He did not dare to -move, or to follow his impulse, lest he should alarm her. She was as -trusting as a tame bird, but a chance word or a too eloquent look -might teach her that fear existed. - -"Yes, of course I am. How silly you are. In Bellaria's stories the -prince always comes to the princess, in the end. Mine would not come, -so I sent that message. And now----" She stretched a hand to caress -his face: "Oh my prince! my prince!" - -"I may not be your prince after all," said Gerald weakly. He certainly -felt unworthy of being so. - -"But you are--you are!" cried Mavis, with conviction, "you would not -have found my message otherwise. I flung it from one of the windows -into the pool below. And you picked it up, so I know that you are my -prince. And then," she added, naively, "you are so very handsome." - -Haskins was pretty well hardened to admiration, since he knew more -about women than was good for him. All the same the outspoken speech -made him blush. "Who is Bellaria?" he asked abruptly, changing a too -embarrassing subject. - -"My nurse, who has looked after me all my life. I call her the Ogress, -and my guardian the Ogre. Not but what they are both very kind. I have -all I want, save liberty." - -"And why cannot you get that?" - -"It is not the custom of the country." - -Haskins looked puzzled. "What do you mean, Mavis?" - -She raised her clear truthful eyes. "Why, you know, don't you? Major -Rebb told me that all girls were brought up in seclusion until they -reached the age of twenty-one, and then they were taken out to see the -world. I wish ten months were past," sighed imprisoned beauty, "for -then I shall be one and twenty, and able to leave the Pixy's House. -Bellaria says that I won't like the world; but I shall, I shall, I -shall." - -It was both cunning and clever of Major Rebb to suggest such a reason -for her seclusion to the girl herself, as it prevented her feeling -that she was being detained against her will. But she was apparently -unaware that he ascribed a more terrible reason to the world beyond -the gates, and that she was looked upon as a homicidal maniac. Of -course this was wholly and entirely absurd. No one with such steady -eyes, and who spoke so artlessly, could be tainted in that way. She -was limited from sheer ignorance, and innocent beyond belief of evil: -a child of nature, as unsophisticated as Undine herself. Gerald -doubted if she would know the meaning of the word "murder!" - -"What is Bellaria's other name?" he asked, after a pause. - -"Dondi--Bellaria Dondi, who came from Florence, in Italy," said Miss -Durham easily. "She is ugly, and old, and very cross; but I love her -all the same, for she loves me and means well. And, oh! she tells such -lovely, lovely stories, and can repeat poetry by Dante and Ariosto and -Leopardi, for ever so long. I can repeat poetry also," she added -hastily, with the complacency of a child. "I know lots of Homer, and -of Shakespeare, and of Keats, and----" - -"Stop! stop!" interrupted Gerald hastily. "How can you when--according -to your message--you are unable to read?" - -"Oh! Schaibar taught me." - -"Schaibar?" - -Mavis nodded with bright eyes. "You know--the Peri Banou's brother in -'The Arabian Nights.' His real name is Arnold--Mr. Arnold: but I call -him Schaibar because he is a dwarf, with a long beard and a short -temper. He used to recite poetry, and I learned to recite also. But -Schaibar has gone away," she said, with a falling cadence. "Months ago -he went to Australia, and promised to write, but he did not." - -"You could not read what he wrote, Mavis?" - -"I could hear it! Schaibar should send me a record, in the same way as -I sent you my message. But he has not done so, and yet he was so fond -of me. I cannot understand it!" And Mavis sighed. - -"From your mention of Australia, it seems that you know geography -also." - -"Oh yes, of course I do! Schaibar drew the maps, and told me where -cities, and mountains, and lakes, and rivers were. I carry it all in -my head." - -"And you cannot read or write?" asked Gerald, with a passing -recollection of "The Golden Butterfly" heroine. - -"No; the Ogre said that my brain was not strong enough to learn!" - -"The Ogre!" said Haskins, forgetting. - -"My guardian--Major Rebb. He says that lots and lots of girls never -learn to read or write." - -"Liar!" thought Haskins: but he suppressed the opprobrious name, and -merely remarked anxiously: "But you don't feel your brain weak?" - -"Oh no! oh no! I could learn anything, I think. I have never had a -day's illness in my life." - -"Do you ever feel dizzy?" - -"No! Why should I?" - -"Do you ever get into a rage and want to strike Bellaria?" - -Mavis laughed wonderingly. "I should be foolish to do that! Poor -Bellaria doesn't mean to be cross, and, if she cannot keep her temper, -I must. I wouldn't strike her or anyone, even if I were in a rage. Do -you strike people when you are angry?" - -Gerald coughed. He had a vivid recollection of schoolfights, and of -horsewhipping a scandal-monger, much later in life. "It is necessary -sometimes, Mavis," he remarked: "the world is not inhabited entirely -by agreeable people." - -"Oh, I know that!" she said quickly, "the old gardener, Matthew, who -came to help me from Leegarth, is very disagreeable, and he seems to -be a little afraid of me. I don't know why, and I am very sorry. I -want everyone to love me." - -"Doesn't Major Rebb?" - -"Yes! in a way. But he is cold. He never kisses me. If you like a -person don't you kiss her?" - -"If she's a very nice person I do," said Haskins, bubbling over with -laughter, "now you----" His eyes completed the sentence. - -"You love me?" - -"Yes, Mavis!" he answered unhesitatingly. Gerald scorned a lie. - -"Then of course----" She bent forward, and, in spite of Gerald's -virtuous resolutions, their lips would have met, but that a deep -contralto voice boomed from the quadrangle calling on Mavis angrily. - -"Oh!" the girl flung back her head, "there is Bellaria calling me to -supper. I must go or she may find you. But come again, and I'll kiss -you--you---- Oh! what is your name?" - -"Gerald!" he replied softly. - -"Prince Gerald!" she said, smiling, and slipped down the tree rapidly, -as Bellaria called again. Haskins, parting the leaves, saw her cross -the lawn, and enter the house in the company of a tall, lean woman. -But it was too dark to see Bellaria's looks at that distance. - -The adventurer slipped from the wall, and descended to "Mother Carey's -Peace Pool," as he named the place. Paddling to the opposite side, he -found a sloping bank and dragged his canoe into the undergrowth. Then, -in the rosy twilight, he scrambled through the bushes to find some -path or road leading to Denleigh. - - - - -CHAPTER V. -GOLDEN HOURS. - - -How Haskins reached the Devon Maid that evening he could not tell, for -his memory was occupied in recalling every word of that delightful -conversation. But in some way he managed to strike a narrow path -which led on to the high moors, and thence gained the highway, -descending into Denleigh valley. It was rather late when he entered -his sitting-room, and the rosy hues of the sunset had given place to -the shadowy stillness of a summer night. Supper was waiting for him, -and almost immediately the negro appeared with a hot dish. - -"I thought you were lost, sah," said Geary, looking closely at -Gerald's flannels, which were somewhat torn by brambles, and smeared -with mud. - -"Oh no," answered the young man, ready with an explanation, since he -wished to satisfy the negro's curiosity without enlightening him. "I -have been down the river and up the river in my canoe. But I got mixed -up with stones and cross-currents, and blundered in the darkness. I -therefore hid my canoe in the bushes, and came back." - -"And you like the river, sah?" asked Geary, lingering. - -Haskins supped his soup and nodded. "A most charming river," he said -in a careless voice, "very quiet, very lonely. I shall explore it -again to-morrow afternoon." - -The negro withdrew quietly, and Haskins reflected on the persistent -way in which the man questioned him. More than ever did he mistrust -Adonis, and now with stronger reason, for he felt certain that the -negro was connected in some way with Major Rebb, who in his turn was -assuredly connected with the Pixy's House and its inmates. If Geary -discovered that Gerald had met with the Enchanted Princess, he might -officiously inform Rebb, when there would be trouble. Without doubt -the Major was behaving illegally in shutting up a perfectly sane -girl, and therefore would not create a public scandal. Nevertheless, -if he knew that Haskins had penetrated his secret, he might remove -Mavis to another hiding-place. Gerald could not risk that, until he -knew more, and again had met the girl. He looked upon himself as the -knight-errant of distressed beauty, and it behooved him to be wary in -his dealings with a very difficult and somewhat dangerous matter. - -After supper Haskins lighted his pipe and seated himself by the open -window to think over matters. Mrs. Geary entered and removed the -remnants of the meal in her dumb way. After placing a cup of coffee on -a small table at her guest's elbow she withdrew, and he was left to -his reflections. These began with a consideration of Mavis' beauty of -person and charm of conversation. It can thus be guessed that Haskins -was in love--genuinely in love, and for the first time in his life. - -As Bulwer Lytton says: "There are many counterfeits, but only one -Eros!" This was Haskins' experience. He had loved in an earthly way -many times in his time, and several times had mistaken the false for -the true. A fastidious mind had saved him from the commercial passion -of the ordinary man, and he had usually approached women in the belief -that they were goddesses. This was hard on the sex, as the attitude -exacts too much perfection in a world of temptation. Consequently -Gerald had been deceived several times, and therefore had guarded -himself carefully against the tender passion. Then he met with Charity -Bird, and,--in common with many another man--fell in love with her -physical charms. But in spite of her beauty, which he grew to admire -as he would that of a picture, Haskins failed to find in her the wife -and helpmate his exacting nature demanded. Outwardly Charity was all -that he could desire, but inwardly she was less attractive, being -matter-of-fact when she was not silly. She might suit Tod, but she did -not match with Gerald, so he withdrew with little regret, and for some -months, he had been heart-whole and fancy-free. - -Now, in an unexpected and extraordinary way, the young man had met -with another Charity Bird, more perfect than the original. Mavis was -as beautiful in looks, and yet was higher in mind. From the strange -upbringing to which she had subjected she looked at life--what little -she knew of it--in a poetical way. Yet judging by her remarks on -cooking and embroidering and gardening, she had a fund of common -knowledge, directed by common-sense. It was too early as yet to -pronounce authoritatively on her capabilities and trend of thought: -but the spiritual power manifested in her personality appealed -strongly to the lover who had loved her counterfeit. Here indeed was -the true Eros; a deity, who could be worshiped without disappointment. -Gerald, with less reflection than he usually gave to his decisions, -determined to be a faithful attendant at the shrine of this divinity. - -Having thus settled his attitude towards the girl, with the -impetuosity of a young man and a true lover, Haskins began to think -over Miss Durham's position. In spite of the hideous rumor, reported -by Geary, he believed, from personal observation, that the girl was -quite sane. Rebb, who was her acknowledged guardian, had apparently -set such gossip afloat so that no one might comment upon the seclusion -of the girl. Guarded in this way by public fear, which had been -erected by a lying tale. Mavis might continue to dwell for the rest of -her life amidst the ruins of the Pixy's House, closely watched by the -Florentine and spied upon, in a less degree--as Gerald shrewdly -suspected--by Geary, who was probably a creature of Major Rebb's. - -Now, the question was this: Why did Rebb shut up so pretty and -unsophisticated a creature in conventual solitude? She had committed -no crime, and, from what little Haskins had seen of her, she had no -instinct which would make her commit one. There must be some other -reason and a strong one for the odd behavior of Rebb. This reason -Haskins determined to learn, howsoever much Geary and his employer -might desire to conceal it. - -Also there were other questions to which the young man desired -answers. Why was Mavis so similar to Charity in looks? Why had she not -been taught to read and write? Why was Geary--as Haskins verily -believed,--posted at the Devon Maid to keep his one sinister eye on -her? Gerald could not have sworn in a court of law that the negro was -connected in any way with the Pixy's House secret; but he had an -intuitive feeling, from the man's behavior towards Major Rebb, and by -his eager statement of a false rumor, that in some manner the landlord -had to do with the matter. Haskins, therefore, placed himself on his -guard and by a careless demeanor, and apparent frankness he succeeded -in lulling Geary's suspicions as to his true reasons for postponing -his journey to St. Ives. It was Geary who could answer, at least, some -of the questions which vexed Gerald's soul, and he lingered to hear -them. Unfortunately he did not know how to inquire without betraying -his secret visit to the Pixy's House. - -Two or three days went by, and Haskins regularly took his way to the -river, to seek the fairy palace. After that first attempt to navigate -so stubborn a stream as the Ruddle he used the canoe very little. It -was easier and more expeditious to take the highway to the moors and -then strike into the secret path which led to Mother Carey's Peace -Pool. This Haskins did, and then would paddle across to the landing -place, whence he could gain the summit of the cliff. Here he would -climb the wall to hide behind the beech-tree, and hither Mavis would -come to chatter to her "Fairy Prince," as she still continued to call -him. But owing to the presence of Bellaria the young man did not dare -to descend into the grounds. Any moment might have brought about -discovery had he risked so much, for, according to Mavis, the -Florentine was a keen and restless dragon. - -"She's afraid of something," said Mavis, one day, when Gerald -questioned her about the woman. "I don't know what it is; but she is -afraid." - -"Why do you think that?" - -"Because she is always looking over her shoulder with a scared -expression, and she never sleeps in the same bedroom." - -"Has she more than one then, Mavis?" - -"Oh yes. There are many many bedrooms in the house, and Bellaria goes -to a different one nightly. She's afraid of the darkness, too, and -remains always in the house after sundown. When she goes shopping in -Leegarth she returns quite pale and nervous. I am quite sure that she -is afraid of something, but she always gets angry with me, when I ask -what is the matter." - -"Curious," murmured Haskins, "here is another mystery!" then he asked -aloud: "How often does your guardian come to you?" - -"Not very often. Sometimes he is away for months and then will come -twice in a week. He really is very kind, for he always brings me -presents. I call him Santa Claus when he does that. But, oh! there is -Bellaria. Stay here, Gerald; I'll see what she wants." - -As it was early in the afternoon Haskins had an excellent view of the -Florentine, who stalked across the lawn almost to the foot of the -beech, drawn thither by her nursling's answering cry. "You are always -sitting on the high branches of that tree," said the Italian crossly, -and in most excellent English. "Why do you do that?" - -"I can see the river and the pool," said Mavis quickly. "Oh! Bellaria, -I wish I was a nymph, that I could plunge into the cool water." - -"You can do that without being a nymph, _cara mia_. But not in the -pool below--not outside the grounds. Your guardian would be angry. No -English young lady leaves her home until she is twenty-one." - -Haskins smiled when he heard this frightful falsehood. Bellaria had -been well trained by her master, and such was the simplicity of Mavis -that she accepted the limitation of her liberty in all good faith. -"But I shall be so glad when I am twenty-one," she complained with a -sigh. - -"Si! si! si!" Bellaria placed her hands on her hips and nodded three -times emphatically. "But you will not like the world. No, ah, Dio mio! -the world is a dangerous and evil place." And she looked in a scared -manner over her shoulder, shivering in the warm air. - -The Florentine had been a handsome woman, tall and dark, and of a -commanding appearance. She was still remarkably straight at the age of -fifty-six, and carried herself with a defiant air when forgetful of -the danger that threatened her, whatsoever that might be. Then she -would cringe and wince, as Gerald had just seen her do. Her eyes were -large and black, but the pupils were dilated, and she looked like a -terrified rabbit. Apparently the woman had cause to fear some enemy or -some punishment, for not only were her eyes scared-looking, but her -plentiful hair was absolutely snow-white. This might have been age, -but fifty-six is not a very great age, and the hair might easily have -been an iron-grey. There was certainly some shadow on her life which -threatened disaster, and only when she forgot the danger, in -conversation with Mavis, did Bellaria appear defiant and stately and -tolerably young. But the very slightest reminder of that past--and the -past apparently contained the danger referred to--and her form -dwindled, her body bent, her eyes grew timid, and she aged to seventy, -as though by enchantment. All this might have been fancy on Haskins' -part, for he was extremely imaginative, but he believed that he had -read the woman rightly. Whatever might be the reason, Bellaria Dondi -had been frightened into this lonely house; there to hide from some -appalling danger. - -It appeared that the fit of terror tormented her now, and that she had -sought Mavis' company from sheer dread of solitude. Quite ignorant of -the man up the tree--or rather the lover who was seated on the -wall--Bellaria sat near the trunk, talking to Mavis. Both the lovers -were afraid lest their secret should be discovered, but Bellaria kept -up so loud a conversation--and it seemed as though she spoke loudly to -reassure herself--that the occasional movements of Haskins passed -unheeded. Mavis proved herself to be a capable actress, despite her -simplicity, for nothing could have been more artless than her -demeanor. "Geary is coming to see me to-night," said Bellaria, after a -pause, and the observation startled the listener. "He sent a message -by Matthew"--this was the aged, cross gardener, of whom Mavis had -spoken. - -"Why is he coming?" questioned Mavis. - -"Major Rebb told him to come and see that the young man who is -stopping at the Devon Maid has not been lurking about here." - -"What young man?" asked Mavis coolly. - -"I have told you. A friend of the Major's, who is stopping at Geary's -inn. He has taken to rowing on the river, and might find this place." - -"I wish he would," said the girl, truthfully. "I should like to see a -really young man." - -"You will some day," Bellaria assured her, "and then you will be -sorry, _cara mia_. Young men are all liars and villains. Geary wrote -to Major Rebb in London telling about this Mr. Haskins--that is the -name, I believe--so the Major says that Geary has to come over -to-night to look round the place and ask me questions. So absurd," -Bellaria shrugged her thin shoulders! "As if anyone could come here -unless I knew." - -"Why shouldn't this Mr. Haskins come, Bellaria?" - -"Because you may fall in love, and if you do you may want to marry -this man. Major Rebb does not wish you to marry until you have seen -the world, my dear." - -"But I have to wait for another ten months," pouted Mavis. - -"What is that? I--yes I, who speak, Bellaria Dondi--shall never never -see the world again. Here I am shut up for ever and ever." - -"Why, Nanny? I have often asked, but you never will tell?" - -"I tell no one the reason why I stop here," said the woman sombrely. -"I am dead to the world and to its people. For twenty years I have -been dead, and it is as well that I should be thought to be dead. If -they knew--if they guessed--ugh!" She looked round and shivered. - -"If who knew?" - -"No matter! no matter." Bellaria leaped to her feet. "All is done with -and over. I was famous once, _cara mia_. Yes--behold in me a great -singer. But you know, you know. Often have I talked to you of my -greatness. And it was blotted out in a night by---- Hush! hush." She -cast a scared glance over her shoulder and darted into the middle of -the lawn. - -"Bellaria! Bellaria!" called out Mavis, "I'll climb the beech again." -But the woman did not reply. She burst out into the Shadow Song from -_Dinorah_, and Haskins realized at once what a magnificent voice she -must have had. Even now many of the notes were true, though -occasionally a high one was cracked and wheezy. Spreading her black -skirts, she bowed and becked and swept and danced to her shadow in the -strong sunlight, while her voice fluted high and birdlike through the -air. Thus singing and dancing, she re-entered the house, her dark hour -over for the time being. Haskins wondered what could be her secret. -Here, indeed, was a woman with a past. - -But by this time Mavis had climbed the tree again, and was hurriedly -persuading him to go. "Bellaria suspects nothing," she said eagerly, -"and after Geary comes to-night he won't come again. But you must be -careful." - -"How can I be more careful than I am?" asked Gerald taking her hand. - -"Come at night," she urged, "come to-morrow night when the moon is -high and the fairies come out to dance. I am often in the garden on -these summer nights, for Bellaria will not come out, and I hate to be -mewed up in stuffy rooms. She will not think that I am meeting anyone, -and then we can talk without fear of discovery. I shall lead you into -the other garden through the arch." - -"But if Bellaria sees me from a window?" - -"Her bedroom is on the other side of the house, looking down on to the -woods. She will not see us, and she will never suspect that anyone is -with me. She knows that I love the moonlight, and, besides, she will -not dare to come out because of her fear." - -"I wonder what that fear is," said Gerald meditatively. - -"I do not know. But go now, dear Prince, and come again to-morrow night -at ten o'clock. To-night you must not come lest Geary see you." - -"And if he did?" - -"Oh!" Mavis shivered. "I don't know what he would do. He is a terrible -black man, and has a horrid knife with a yellow handle--a big knife, -oh! so dangerous. He brought it from Jamaica: he told Bellaria so. He -would kill you, if he found you." - -"I quite believe that," said Gerald grimly, and resolved to arm -himself with a revolver when he next came to the Pixy's House. He was -resolved not to die without a fight. "But don't worry, darling. I'll -be all right. Goodbye. To-morrow night, then." - -He dropped from the wall and departed, while Mavis wailed that he had -not kissed her. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. -THE PAST OF ADONIS GEARY. - - -No; Gerald has not kissed her. He wished to very badly, but something -in his heart--a strong sense of honor maybe--prevented his doing so -until he had made his position clear to her. She was so simple, so -innocent, so virginal that she knew nothing of passion, or of life, or -of that world wherein women marry and are given in marriage. With an -almost absurd particularity the young man desired that, before being -kissed, she should learn that he was her true lover, that he wished to -marry her, that he greatly desired to enter into a lifelong -companionship with her. To act otherwise was to bind her unknowingly -to him. When she understood what love meant, and was ready to accept -him as her husband, then could he seal this acceptance with a kiss. -For he knew full well that such a kiss would awaken the woman in her; -would reveal life to her soul. A caress meant so much, that it was -little wonder he restrained himself from following too hurriedly the -desire of his heart. - -And perhaps it was that he found her innocence and friendly acceptance -of his presence too delightful to transmute with unconsidered haste -friendship into love. Why spoil this idyll of lilies by presenting her -with the red ripe roses of love? The romance was so charming, so -dreamlike, that the poetic instinct of the poet forbade him to rouse -her. Mavis was indeed the Sleeping Beauty, slumbering within her -enchanted palace, and he, the fated Prince--as it would seem he was -from his finding of the cylinder--would in time awaken her with a -kiss. But the hour had not yet struck. When it did, many things would -come to pass. - -In the first place, Mavis would no longer be contented to live in the -Pixy's House, ignorant of life. She would wish to come out into the -world, even before the age of twenty-one, and would not wait longer -for her guardian's permission. Such a desire would mean a meeting and -an explanation with Rebb, and Gerald, as yet, did not see how to bring -this about. He guessed that when he spoke to the Major he would be -told of the homicidal mania with which Mavis was said to be tainted. -It would be vain for him to decline to believe in such a taint. If -Rebb insisted that it was so he could refuse to allow Haskins to marry -his ward, particularly as she was under age. Then again, if Rebb -guessed that the young man wished to marry the girl, he might very -easily remove her secretly to a new hiding-place, and Gerald would -lose her for ever. Hasty action was not to be thought of, and it would -be best to wait until he could learn why Rebb secluded the girl in -that ruinous house. - -Haskins duly returned to the Devon Maid, and found Geary as cheerful -and obsequious as usual. But now that Gerald was enlightened as to the -connection of the negro with the Pixy's House he found it difficult to -tolerate these false smiles. Piercing the mask of Geary's good humor -he saw in him a dangerous man, gripping a yellow-handled knife which -he was ready to use, should it be necessary. Haskins no longer -wondered at the negro's presence amongst these lonely hills. He knew -that he had not drifted there, but had been made landlord of the inn -to act as a dragon. And a very dangerous dragon he might prove to be, -should he gain wind of Gerald's philanderings with Mavis. - -Geary, however, showed no signs that he suspected anything, but -waited as usual on his guest. While at dinner Gerald seized the -opportunity to tell his landlord that he contemplated stopping at -Silbury on the ensuing night. "I have to run up to London on the day -after to-morrow," said Haskins, with feigned carelessness, "and if I -sleep at Silbury I can catch the eight-o'clock train." - -"I could dribe you dere, sah, for dat train," said Geary, beaming, and -evidently pleased at Haskins' announcement. - -"No, my good fellow, that would mean my getting up at five in the -morning. I prefer to sleep at Silbury--at the Prince's Head Hotel." - -"Will you come back here, sah?" - -"Oh yes, in two or three days, but only for a time, Geary. I have to -go on to St. Ives, you know." - -"I shall be sorry to lose you, sah?" - -"Thank you. I shall be sorry to go. This inn is comfortable, and the -country all around is picturesque. I have left my canoe down on the -river, and when I return I shall send it back to Exeter. I am tired of -exploring that river--it is so lonely." - -"Berry lonely, sah," assented Geary promptly, and went towards the -door with the tray in his hands. There he stopped. "Will you want me -dis ebenin', sah. I go to see a frien' in de Lawd at Leegarth, who -wish to see me for de good ob his bressed soul." - -"No, I won't want you," rejoined Haskins, secretly disgusted at the -fellow for using the cloak of religion to mask his Pixy's House visit. -"I shall go to bed early." - -"T'ank you, sah," and Geary departed. Later, while Gerald at the -window sipped his coffee, he saw the big negro walking up the hill -which led on to the moors. For the moment it flashed across the young -man that Geary might go to Mother Carey's Peace Pool by taking the -down path, and there might discover the canoe. But on second thoughts -he dismissed his reflection. Geary, being quite ignorant of Haskins' -knowledge, had no reason to seek the pool, and so the canoe would be -left undisturbed in the undergrowth. - -Haskins had really intended to retire early, but, unable to rest -quietly, he strolled out of the inn and on to the bridge. No one -lingered there now, as the early birds of Denleigh had gone to roost. -He had the Rialto of the village all to himself, as he thought, until -he became aware that Mrs. Geary, with a blue shawl over her head, was -leaning against the parapet. Wondering if he could learn anything -about Adonis from his usually silent wife, Gerald moved alongside. - -"A penny for your thoughts, Mrs. Geary," he said cheerfully. - -Mrs. Geary turned, and in the moonlight he saw that she was crying. -"My thoughts have to do with funerals, sir," she said, in a heavy -voice, but with a much less use of the Devonshire dialect than he -would have expected from a Barnstaple woman. - -"With funerals?" - -"I was thinking," said Mrs. Geary, looking at the water flowing under -the bridge, "if it wouldn't be best for me to throw myself into yon -stream." - -"Why on earth should you do that?" asked Haskins blankly. And it was -then that he became conscious that she had been drinking, for she -swayed against the stonework. Perhaps it was the drink which made her -talk more than usual, added to the absence of her husband, but she -certainly spoke very freely, and told him much that he wished to know. - -"Why should I wish to do that, sir?" she repeated scornfully--"because -I am the most miserable woman on God's green earth." - -"Oh, surely not, Mrs. Geary. You have a good home, healthy children, -and a capital husband." - -Again she laughed scornfully. "A capital husband, when it suits him. -Oh, you don't know what Geary is, Mr. Haskins. His soul is as black as -his face, and that is saying a lot." - -"I wondered why you married a negro," commented Haskins, leaning over -the bridge, and leading her to confide in him. - -"I married him because I was a greedy fool, sir. I was a housemaid, or -at least a general servant, under Bellaria at the Pixy's House." - -Gerald caught his breath. "That is where the mad girl lives, according -to your husband." - -"Mad? She's less mad than I am, sir. A poor, pretty, sweet young lady, -who is kept a fast prisoner by Major Rebb." - -"Why is she kept prisoner?" - -"I can't tell you that, sir. All I know is that, sixteen long years -ago, I was a servant there, and Miss Mavis liked me. I got on well -with Bellaria too, although she had her fits of terror at times--why I -can't say, but she often seemed to be scared by her very shadow. Major -Rebb was away then with his regiment in Jamaica." - -"Oh! And Miss Mavis lived at the Pixy's House?" - -"She was and is kept a prisoner there," said Mrs. Geary, whose tongue -seemed to be very loose with the drink, else she would scarcely have -talked so boldly. "Major Rebb came home with Geary, who had been his -servant in Jamaica. Geary stopped at the Pixy's House, while his -master went to London. He fell in love with me, and quarreled with -Bellaria. They were like cat and dog, so when Major Rebb came down he -said that if I would marry Geary he would keep my old mother out of -the poorhouse. I didn't dislike Geary then, and I wanted my mother to -be comfortable for the rest of her life. I agreed, and married Geary. -Major Rebb settled us in the Devon Maid fifteen years ago, and since -then my life has been a hell, with that villain. Geary will kill me -some day," added the woman in a matter-of-fact tone, "unless I kill -myself first." - -"But a big woman like you can manage him." - -"Not when he threatens with that yellow-handled knife he holds, sir. I -fear that knife. Geary says that it was used in some African sacrifice -in Jamaica, and the sight of it makes me sick. Because of Geary's -treatment I took to drink, and he's always threatening to kill me, -unless I leave it off. How can I," cried Mrs. Geary, throwing open her -arms, "when it is the only thing that makes me able to stand the -brute?" - -"Does he strike you?" - -"He beats me and kicks me, and threatens me with the knife. Don't tell -him that I said so, sir," cried Mrs. Geary, with sudden terror, for -the drink was dying out of her, "if you do he'll kill me. I am afraid -of death," she added, looking into the silver water, "if I were not I -would end everything in yonder stream." - -"I won't say a word, Mrs. Geary," said Haskins soothingly, "your -husband will never hear anything from me. Why does he live here?" - -"To watch the Pixy's House," said Mrs. Geary, "to see that Miss Mavis -don't get away. If she did, and learned what she should learn, the -Major wouldn't be able to dash about in motor cars." - -"Is it money?" asked Gerald eagerly. - -Mrs. Geary drew her shawl tightly round her massive form. "I don't -know rightly what it is," she said, in her heavy voice. "Geary says -very little, but what he does say shows that Major Rebb will never let -Miss Mavis leave that house. And she's not mad, poor lamb. She's a -poor innocent angel, the sport of villains. I'll go now, Mr. Haskins, -and mind, I have your word to say nothing." - -"You have," said Gerald as she turned away, "but if you want to help -Miss Mavis----" - -"Only one man can help her," interrupted the woman gruffly, "and he -must be her lover, who will stand against these devils on her behalf. -But she never sees a man, since Mr. Arnold went away, unless old -Matthew counts, so what chance has she! There," she ended abruptly, "I -have told you more than I ought to. The drink! the drink! Geary would -kill me if he knew. Curse Geary and curse the drink!" and she returned -slowly to the inn, striking her forehead and repeating: "the drink, -the drink, the drink!" - -Haskins remained on the bridge for a few minutes and then retired to -bed, not to sleep but to think deeply. He had enough to occupy his -thoughts throughout that long summer night. Mrs. Geary, as the saying -goes, had given the show away. From the remark about the motor car -Gerald felt certain that Mrs. Geary had meant a loss of money. -Apparently, if Mavis escaped from the Pixy's House, Rebb would lose an -income, which rightfully belonged to the girl. But of this the young -man could not be sure, and until he had more information he could do -nothing. Still his suspicions had certainly proved to be correct. The -negro was Rebb's creature, and had been posted in Denleigh village to -guard the Pixy's House and its occupants. Haskins felt that he was on -the track of the mystery, but could not follow it up until he talked -it over with another person. Two heads were better than one, in this -instance, and Tod Macandrew was very shrewd. Therefore Haskins fell -asleep with a resolution to explain matters to the lawyer when he went -to London. Meanwhile he had to meet Mavis in the moonlight on the -ensuing night, and that thought alone was sufficient to fill his mind -to the exclusion of less romantic matters. - -Next morning Geary was as suave and obedient as usual. Evidently he -had neither found, nor had he heard, anything to awaken his suspicion -while visiting the Pixy's House. Haskins watched him closely, and -weighed every look, every inflection of the voice; but in every case -he was satisfied that the negro had not the slightest idea that his -guest had stormed the Enchanted Castle. When the time came for Haskins -to drive to Silbury the negro himself appeared on the box of the trap. - -"Hullo," said Gerald, climbing in, and seeing that his portmanteau was -all right, "this is an honor. Geary." - -"Oh no, sah," said the negro, showing his splendid teeth, "you ver' -good pusson, sah, to hab at de Devon Maid. I wish you to come here -again an'--an' tell odder jemplem ob dis place." - -"I'll tell everyone," said Gerald, when the trap started, "and I'll be -back soon." - -"To stay wid me, sah?" - -"For a few days. I must then get on to St. Ives, as a friend is -awaiting me there. What I miss about Denleigh, Geary," added the young -man, in a careless tone, "is, that there are no pretty girls." - -"No, sah, no. You hab to see Jamaica for de pretty gals, sah." - -"You come from Jamaica then?" - -"Yes, sah. Me buckra nigger, sah, and servant to Major Rebb. Him was -in command ob a fine black rig'm't, sah." - -Geary was communicative indeed, and simply told what Gerald had -gathered from the wife. However, to shield her, he expressed suitable -surprise. "I wonder you don't go back to Jamaica, Geary. After the -Tropics this place must be chilly, and extremely dull in winter." - -"Yas, sah, it berry dull," replied the negro unsuspiciously, "but I -hab de inn and de wife and de family, so I getting on berry well. But -some day I go back to Port Royal to lib, wid money, and den I a grand -jemplem." - -In this way Adonis chattered all the long way to Silbury, and told -Haskins quite a lot about his life with Major Rebb. The negro appeared -to be quite devoted to his old master, alleging that Rebb had saved -his life when it was in danger. "From what?" asked Gerald idly. - -"Voodoo!" said Geary, scowling. "I lose one eye in Voodoo," and after -this remark he became silent. - -Haskins had heard of Voodoo, of the terrible African witchcraft, and -having an initiate in his company would have liked, from literary -curiosity, to learn more. But by this time the trap was entering -Silbury and descending the steep High Street, so Geary refused to say -anything more. The loss of his eye was evidently a sore subject with -him, and small wonder that he loved Rebb if the sight of the other eye -had been saved by that military gentleman. When Geary drove away, -leaving Haskins at the Prince's Head, that individual thought deeply. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. -LOVE. - - -Haskins, being genuinely Anglo-Saxon, had not the plotting instincts -of a conspirator, and was therefore somewhat rough and ready in -arranging for a secret meeting with Mavis. However, love sharped his -wits and he excused himself to the landlady of the Prince's Head for -being absent after midnight on the plea that he had to ride out and -see an old friend. In the ordinary course of things there was no -reason why he should explain at all; but to make matters entirely -safe, should Mr. Geary play the spy--which was just what the creature -would do--Haskins thus arranged for an explanation. - -After dinner he called in Mrs. Jennings and ordered a horse, obtaining -at the same time the key of a side door, so that he could admit -himself when he returned, somewhere about one o'clock in the morning. -Then he gave orders that he was to be called in time for the early -morning train, and afterwards snatched forty winks, in order to -prepare himself thoroughly for the fatigues of the night. - -Owing to the excessive heat of the weather Haskins usually wore loose -white flannels from morning until evening. But on this occasion, to -escape the possible watchfulness of Bellaria, he donned a dark-hued -riding-dress, with brown gaiters and a tweed cap. In this guise, and -when shielded by the semi-gloom of the summer night, he would -certainly avoid observation. And of course the chances were that the -woman, tormented by her fears, would not venture out of the house -after dark. Still, it was best to be on the safe side and dress as -inconspicuously as possible. - -The animal supplied by the stables of the Prince's Head was not -exactly a Derby Winner. He proved to be a wary quadruped, remarkably -old and extraordinarily slow, but having the great merit of knowing -every inch of the surrounding country, no mean qualification -considering the rider's comparative ignorance. However, Gerald had a -fair idea of the five miles' route to Leegarth, and in due time the -horse got over the ground, although it must be admitted that he did -not hurry himself. Haskins reached the village shortly after ten -o'clock, and skirted round the houses, so that he should not be -observed. An unknown stranger, arriving in so secluded a hamlet, would -assuredly awaken the suspicions of the wary Geary, and news travels -fast in country districts. So Gerald kept well out of the way, and -after a somewhat circuitous route came to the banks of Mother Carey's -Peace Pool. Here he fastened his horse to the trunk of an ancient oak, -with permission to crop the lush grass, and launched his faithful -canoe. Shortly he was perched for the fourth or fifth time on the top -of the wall. - -The night was perfect. A Romeo and Juliet night, warm and still, with -a cloudless sky, radiant with ivory moonlight. Gerald looked down on -the quaint peaceful quadrangle sleeping in the chill whiteness, at the -range of buildings with their fantastic architecture, and at the -darkly solemn trees which girdled this Enchanted Palace. Then he -became aware of a slight, white-clothed figure flitting across -the shaven lawns, like a ghost of dead-and-gone beauty. A musical -whisper stole through the warm stillness, and the adventurer, with a -fast-throbbing heart, flung himself on to the boughs of the copper -beech, to use it as a stair for descent. In a few minutes he found -himself standing in the shadow of the tree, clasping a cool slender -hand, and looking into two wonderful eyes which flashed like the stars -overhead. - -"Oh, you are not in white, Prince," said Mavis, disappointed. - -Gerald explained. "I thought it best to wear dark clothes, since -Bellaria might be on the watch." - -"There is no chance of that. She is fast asleep, and would not leave -her bed unless the house went on fire." - -"Then again," went on Gerald, pressing her hand, "I had to ride here -from Silbury. I could scarcely do that in flannels." - -"Well," Mavis dragged him into the radiant moonlight and surveyed him -critically, "it doesn't matter. I like you in this suit of clothes. -You look so tall and straight and slim, and----" - -"Oh, my dear," Gerald laughed, "you will make me vain." - -"But you are vain already," she said naively. "Bellaria says that all -young men are vain." - -"How can this particular young man be otherwise," questioned the -lover, "when the most charming girl in the world makes an appointment -with him in the realms of romance?" - -"Am I charming, Gerald; am I? Oh," Mavis clapped her hands, "how -delightful to be told that. Say it again." - -"You are charming, Mavis, and also rather reckless for laughing so -loud." - -"Pooh! Everything is safe, for the gates are locked and Bellaria is -asleep. In all these wide gardens only you and I are awake, unless," -added Mavis seriously, "you count the fairies." - -"And the nightingales, and the crickets," ended Gerald, smiling. - -Mavis smiled also, and they stood hand in hand like a couple of -schoolchildren out on a frolic. Then "Come," she cried, loosening her -grip, "you must catch me, catch me, my Prince;" and like an arrow from -the bow she shot across the turf towards the archway, followed rapidly -by her lover. Haskins was swift of foot, but Mavis ran like Atalanta, -and was flitting about the gardens on the other side of the archway -before he could range alongside. - -"You are the Fairy Queen," panted Gerald, when he reached her. "I saw -you spread large white wings." - -"Oh no," said Mavis seriously and prosaically, "I used my legs." - -"The Queen of Spain has no legs," quoted Haskins, laughing. - -"Oh, how dreadful--how very, very dreadful!" - -And he laughed again to see that she took him seriously. - -The gardens were very lovely, and much less orderly than the -quadrangle. Following Disraeli's dictum, they had been cultivated to -excess, and then Nature had been allowed to decivilize them. The -result was charming, and wonderfully artistic. There were beds of -brilliant flowers, wherein slim saplings grew at will; statues of god -and goddess wreathed in greenery; ponds of placid water rimmed with -stone, wherein white lilies slept on broad leaves, floating amidst -slender reeds. The façade of the house, with its Tudor battlements and -long ranges of latticed windows, rose picturesquely in the still, calm -light of the moon, which rendered all things ethereal and fairylike. -Before the mansion stretched a shallow terrace of gray stone, diapered -with lichens and emerald moss. A wide flight of steps descended from -this to meet a broad path, which melted imperceptibly into a jungle of -tall bushes and wiry grasses. And all around the trees sprang like -sentinels to guard this magic domain from the prose of the outside -world. Everything was bathed in a luminous white radiance--and in this -colorless world Mavis flitted here and there like a moth of snow. - -"It is too lovely for mere words," murmured Gerald, gazing at all this -beauty, with his poetical feelings uppermost. - -"Are you speaking of me?" asked Mavis joyfully. - -He laughed. "In spite of your seclusion, my dear, you are a true -woman, for you will not allow even the landscape to be complimented -when you are present." - -"Human beings are so much nicer than landscape," she pouted. - -"One is, at least. I wonder who she can be." - -"Me," said Mavis triumphantly. - -"How clever of you to guess that, my angel." - -Mavis flung up her arms with a silvery laugh. "I am a fairy to-night, -and no angel. They are stiff things with goose wings." - -"Rhyme and reason both together," said Gerald, sitting down on a mossy -stone fronting a smooth greensward. "Well, then, you are Titania, and -I the rash mortal who has intruded on your privacy." - -"Take care that I do not enchant you, poor mortal." - -"You have done that already. Hark!" he raised a finger, "the wind is -rising, your Majesty." - -"To play for my dancing." - -Then Gerald saw a wonderful thing. While the wind played with viewless -fingers on the lyre of the surrounding woods, Mavis danced to the -rhythm in exact unison with the gentle breaths which came and went. -She bent her golden head to listen critically to the murmurings, and -swung and swayed and floated to the melody of Nature. Her feet and -arms scarcely moved, her slender body was almost still, yet by subtle -movements she contrived to interpret the meaning of the hour. A low, -low note from the tree-tops would send her floating across the grass: -a pause would bring her to a statue stillness, and a dying sigh, as -the wind lost heart, stirred her limbs to gentle movements, like the -tremblings of a flower on its stalk. Poised gracefully in the radiant -light, in her white garb, and with her mystical gestures timed to the -Nature sounds, she looked like a spirit of the woods. Gerald faintly -grasped for one fleeting moment the idea of the sacred dances of old, -when every gesture and every pose was a sign of power to draw down the -hierarchy of heaven to the physical plane. - -Then the wind died away, and the golden notes of the nightingale -fluted through the trees. One bird trilled wild music, and another -replied with a scattering of liquid notes like falling rain. All the -marvelous enchantment of the night was in that speechless song, and -the young man's heart beat in measure with the pulse of Nature. He -rose abruptly to his feet, and when Mavis floated within the circle of -his arms they went round her passionately. Like a tamed bird she -rested on his heaving breast, and looked up smilingly into his brown -eyes. Mavis read therein all that the wind and the nightingale had -been trying to tell her, and when the man's lips were pressed ardently -to her own she felt as though she had stepped from the twilight of -unformed things into the glory of sunlight and song. - -"Oh," she panted, nestling to his heart, "what does this mean?" - -"Love!" he breathed, "love, which changes man into God," and again his -lips sought hers. With a thrill, she yielded to the first caress she -had ever known. And the nightingale sang triumphantly in the thicket. -But now the song was no longer wordless: she knew all that the bird -could tell. "Which is love, love, and love again," whispered the Fairy -Prince. - -Then Mavis began to weep, with a natural fear of the unknown, and -Gerald consoled her, as a mother consoles a child. She clung to him in -the shadow of the tree, silent and wondering, and with something of -pain--the pain of the reborn, when the fire of love purifies the soul. -A veil had fallen from her eyes, and, beholding the secret shrine of -the god, she trembled, and wept, and joyed, all in a breath. "It is -wonderful, wonderful, terrible," she murmured. "Oh, Gerald, if you -leave me I shall die. You are part of me: your soul is blended with -mine. You love me: oh, say that you love me?" - -"As I love Truth and Beauty and Wisdom, and all things that make up -our conception of God." - -There was silence for a few minutes, and the two human beings, who -were really one, felt that they were alone in this wonderful white -world--alone with God. "And this is love?" murmured Mavis dreamily. - -"Part of love," said Gerald softly. - -"What do you mean?" - -"Dearest, the veil of love is beauty." - -"Yes?" - -"We must remove that veil: we must look behind it, to see what love -really means in the innermost." - -"Can we?" - -"We are about to," he drew her closer to his breast, "the inner -meaning of love is sacrifice." - -"Sacrifice," said Mavis, puzzled. - -"And that sacrifice we must make, if we would know the real and true -meaning of love." - -"Do you mean that we must part?" she gasped, withdrawing herself. - -"For a time," he assured her, "only for a time--say a week." - -"Oh," Mavis stretched out her arms langorously, "how can I live -through seven days without you?" - -"By knowing that sacrifice is the soul of love." - -"But why must you go?" she entreated. "Oh, do not go, darling. Let us -be always together in this garden." - -"I fear Bellaria will object," said Haskins, smiling. - -"She will never know?" - -"Oh yes. We cannot always meet by stealth. Bellaria is a woman, and -will sooner or later discover our secret. Then there is Geary, and -your guardian." - -Mavis shivered. "I am afraid of Geary, with his big knife, but not of -Bellaria or my guardian. She will be a little angry, but when I tell -her how happy I am she will be glad. And my guardian is always kind. -Oh, Gerald, tell him that you love me, and wish me to be your wife. -Then he will stop Geary from coming here, and we can be happy." - -Haskins hugged her to his breast and smiled grimly in the darkness. He -was very certain that, if he told Major Rebb, there would be no end of -trouble. In order to arrive at some conclusion it was necessary to -make inquiries as to why Rebb kept the girl in the Pixy's House. When -that was known, steps might be taken to release her, and when she was -released she could be presented to the world as Mrs. Gerald Haskins. -But to make inquiries it was necessary that he should go to London and -consult Tod, who was sharp enough in professional matters, and a visit -to London meant a seven days' separation from Mavis. "I don't think -that the Major will be overpleased at my wooing you by stealth," said -Gerald, choosing his words, so as not to alarm her. "You see, I should -have come openly and with his permission." - -"He would not have given it until I was twenty-one," cried Mavis, "he -said that I was to see no one for the next ten months." - -"Precisely! And that is why I have made love to you secretly," -explained Haskins cheerily. "Now, darling heart, I wish you to be -brave and to help me." - -"Only tell me what you wish me to do, and I'll do it," said Mavis, -with a little shudder. "Only I don't like pain!" - -"To love truly we must suffer pain, my sweetheart. Pain and sacrifice -are the demands of love. Had we an eternity of pleasure, without any -disagreeables, even you and I should grow weary." - -"Oh no, no!" She clung to him. - -"Ah, my sweet," he said sadly, "we are but flesh and blood, and so may -grow weary of too perfect bliss. The flower that is always in the sun -wilts and dies. And, after all, the delights of life lie in contrast." - -"What do you mean by that, Gerald?" - -Haskins saw that he was speaking too highly for her comprehension, so -talked on a lower plane, for the night was passing, and he had to ride -back to Silbury. "My dear," he said slowly, "I should like to stay -here for ever with you, and then we would be as gods. But if we wish -to know the true meaning of love, as I explained, we must sacrifice -ourselves to the necessities of life. We must part for seven days. I -have to go to London, Mavis, and search out matters." - -"What matters?" - -But Haskins wisely declined to explain in detail, lest he should alarm -her, for she must never know the true character of Major Rebb. Gerald -did not know it himself at the moment, but he suspected that when the -past of Rebb was searched into there would be some things found which -would not bear the light of day. "I have to go on private business," -he said evasively. "When I return you shall know what is necessary. In -the meantime, my own brave girl, you must hold fast our secret, and -not allow Bellaria to guess that we have even met, much less that we -are engaged." - -Mavis stood up slim and strong with a brave light in her wonderful -eyes. "I promise!" she said simply, "I promise!" - -"Sweetheart!" He rose also and kissed her, and then they walked slowly -up the path, through the archway, and stopped again under the beech. -"I shall return in seven days," said Gerald, anxious to go, yet loth -to depart, "only be silent. Live as you have hitherto lived, and----" - -"I can never do that, my dearest," she said, flushing, "the world is -all changed. You are my world! you are my---- Oh!" she broke down. - -Haskins folded her in his arms, and their lips met in one last long -kiss. Then he left her, silently. That was true wisdom, for a single -word might have detained him for ever in that enchanted garden. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. -LEGAL ADVICE. - - -"It's nutty, but not what I call top hole straight!" - -"Mr. Macandrew, I am consulting you professionally, so I must ask you -to use the King's English!" - -"It can't explain my feelings, Jerry--it can't indeed. What am I to -say when you tell me that you have fallen in love in five minutes." - -"You loved Charity when you first set eyes on her, Tod." - -"That's different!" snapped the solicitor. "She's an angel! It's only -right to love an angel like winking when you spot her." - -"I quite agree with you, and so I loved Mavis." - -"Is this girl pretty?" - -Haskins smiled to himself, as he had not yet informed Tod of the -marvelous resemblance between the dancer and the recluse. "Yes, she is -pretty!" he said calmly. - -"Huh!" from Tod, "that doesn't sound enthusiastic." - -"If you wish me to give details----" - -"No! No!" Macandrew looked alarmed. "None of your beastly blank verse. -I understand that you wish to consult me professionally." - -"Well," replied Haskins leisurely, "I have been trying to ram that -into your thick head for the last ten minutes." - -"Clients," retorted Tod, with dignity, "do not call their legal -advisers silly cuckoo names!" He arranged his blotting-paper, -flattened out a sheet of paper, and seized a pencil. "You have my best -attention." - -Gerald grinned. Tod's professional airs were too absurd. All the same -he knew that he could not come to a better man for advice. Also, Tod, -being in love himself, was likely to be more sympathetic than a -regular dry-as-dust lawyer. - -"One moment, Toddy," said Haskins, taking out a silver case, "I want -to light a cigarette first. Have one?" - -"These," said the outraged Tod significantly, "are business hours." - -"So I should think from your ridiculously serious face. Nature -intended you for a chubby Bacchus without any clothes, Toddy; but -circumstance has stuffed you into a stupid little office to mislead -people on points of law." - -"The office is capital," said Tod heatedly. "I pay a very high rent." - -"You are being cheated then." - -"I'll--I'll--I'll have a cigarette," ended Tod weakly. "It was too hot -to argue." - -Haskins had come up on the previous day, and having slept on his -business had repaired to the grimy office in Chancery Lane to consult -his solicitor. Mr. James Ian Robert Roy Macandrew--which was the -lawyer's gorgeous name, usually shortened to Tod by his friends -because of his ruddy hair--possessed two rooms, sparsely furnished. -The outer room contained two lean clerks and an office boy, who -labored to increase a gradually growing business, while the inner room -was sacred to the master brain that was building up that same -business. There was a green-painted safe, an important-looking -escritoire with a sliding lid, three or four chairs, a battered -bookcase containing Tod's somewhat limited library, and piles of -japaned deed-boxes in iron frames. Everything looked very legal and -very dry and very dusty, with the exception of Tod himself, spick and -span, and far too fashionably dressed for Chancery Lane. Tod should -have been strolling in the Row--and if dead-and-gone Macandrews had -not squandered their money he probably would have been--beside Charity -Bird, if possible. As it was, Tod, looking fresh and well fed and well -groomed and alert, dwelt for many hours daily in a dull room, which -his ancestors would have scorned. But Tod had been compelled to lay -down the ancestral claymore and take up the pen, which was hard on -Tod, who much preferred a kilt to a lawyer's wig. - -However, it was useless to be dignified with Jerry Haskins, as Tod -decided, so after a glance at the door to see that it was closed, he -unbent. He lighted a cigarette and produced a bottle of whisky and two -glasses and a syphon. Not wishing that his clerks should see him -unbend to this bacchanalian extent Mr. Macandrew cast a second look at -the door, and advised Gerald, in scarcely legal language, to "Fire -away." "You've been playing the high-kick-oh, houp-la, since I left -you," said Tod with a jolly grin. - -"I've been doing nothing of the sort," cried Haskins indignantly. -"This is very serious." - -"Is it now?" bantered the lawyer. "Well, when a man decides to marry a -girl whom he has only seen for five minutes I rather think it is -infernally serious. How did she manage to hook you?" - -"What a beastly low mind you have, Tod. H'm! Shut up, and hold -yourself tight. I am going to startle you." - -"Startle away." Tod gripped the arms of his sedate chair. - -"Well then, this Mavis Durham is the living image of Charity Bird." - -Macandrew stared and glared. "You're rotting, boy. There can only be -one angel in the world, and----" - -"There are two of this especial make," insisted Gerald, leaning back. -"I say, Toddy, do be serious." - -"But are you serious?" - -"I am, confound you. Don't I look it?" - -Macandrew stared and glared again. "There is a change in you," he -admitted--"love, I suppose. It's the same with myself." - -"Tod, you don't know what love is." - -"Oh, don't I? Hang your beastly conceit! Well then, I just do. I love -my heavenly Charity, no end. So there. But aren't you pulling my leg -when you say that Charity is the image of this Mavis girl?" - -"Don't call her a Mavis girl. Miss Durham to you, Tod." - -"Very well then--Miss Bird to you." - -Haskins sighed resignedly. "We'll never get on at this rate. I am -really and truly in trouble, Macandrew. Do listen." - -Tod nodded, and his face grew serious. Haskins seized the fortunate -moment and detailed everything from the finding of the sealed -message--which was scarcely necessary, since Tod had hooked the -cylinder--to the parting with Mavis on that enchanted night. "What do -you think of it, Toddy?" questioned Haskins anxiously. - -"It's very rum," murmured Tod, making pencil marks on his -blotting-paper. "Why does Rebb keep this girl shut up?" - -"That is what I wish to learn. You must help me." - -"I'm only too glad: but how?" - -"Don't you remember how Mrs. Geary said that if Mavis left the Pixy's -House the Major would not be able to dash about in his motor car?" - -"Yes. What of that?" - -"It hints at money belonging to Mavis, which the Major is using." - -"Oh, I say," Tod fell back in his chair, "you go too far. I don't hold -a brief for Rebb, but he wouldn't be such a blackguard as that. -Besides, he has six thousand a year. I know that for a fact." - -"Who told you?" - -"Mrs. Berch." - -"What! Mrs. Crosby's mother?" - -"Yes. A grim old lady, ain't she? Rather like my grandmother. She is -not very fond of Rebb, as he is not very polite to her. Still, she -wants Mrs. Crosbie to marry him, because of the money. How she found -out, I can't say; but she certainly stated that Rebb had the income I -mentioned." - -"But I thought that both Mrs. Berch and her daughter were well off?" - -"They assume to be," answered Tod, with a shrug and a wink--"that is, -they have a slap-up flat, and go everywhere, and Mrs. Crosbie wears -expensive frocks, although the old woman looks like a rag-shop at -times." - -"That may not be lack of money, but indifference to dress." - -"Humph! As if any woman, old or young, could be indifferent to frocks. -Anyhow Mrs. Crosbie is supposed to be a wealthy widow in the market; -but if she wants to marry Major Rebb, who is not a nice man, and if -Mrs. Berch wants to be Rebb's mother-in-law, it strikes me that the -two may not be so rich as they pretend." - -"Well! well! well!" cried Gerald impatiently, "we are wandering from -the subject. Rebb, you say, has six thousand a year?" - -"On the authority of Mrs. Crosbie's mother--yes." - -"Well then, Tod, I want you to know how Rebb comes to be possessed of -that six thousand a year. Can you find out?" - -"Well, no. You might ask the Income Tax people." - -"I can't help thinking," said Haskins, staring at the dusty carpet, -"that the money belongs to Mavis." - -"If you think that on the few words let slip by Mrs. Geary," said Tod -scornfully, "you haven't got a leg to stand on." - -"I go by my intuitions also, Toddy. They rarely deceive me. Witness my -distrust of Geary. I was right in thinking that he had to do with Rebb -and the Pixy's House." - -Macandrew nodded. "Yes. You were right so far, but you assume too much -in accusing Major Rebb of taking Miss Durham's money." - -"It is only a guess," said Gerald impatiently. "I may be wrong of -course, Tod. Still, you must see that there is something queer in Rebb -keeping Mavis shut up, and in putting about this rumor of her being -affected with a homicidal mania." - -"You are sure that isn't true?" ventured Macandrew cautiously. - -Haskins grew wrathful. "Good heavens, Toddy, do you take me for an -ass, you silly blighter! I tell you the girl is as sane as I am, and a -deal more sane than you are. - -"Then why does Rebb shut her up?" - -"I want to find that out, I tell you," snapped the other savagely. - -Tod reflected. "Perhaps this girl is Rebb's daughter," he guessed. - -Haskins started, as well he might. "I can't believe that," he declared -violently. "She hasn't a drop of Rebb's blood in her body. And even if -she were his daughter," he went on in a contradictory fashion, "that -is no reason that he should shut her in that gaol, and set a beastly -nigger to keep his eye on her." - -"N----o," drawled Macandrew, his eye on the blotting-paper, "you say -that this girl is like Charity?" - -"The very image of her. That is partly why I fell in love so rapidly, -Tod. Before you came along I did love Charity in a way; admired her -beauty and all that. But somehow she never made my heart beat. Now -Mavis is just as lovely as Charity, and more so." - -"No! no! no!" growled Tod, striking the desk. - -"Yes! yes! yes!" insisted Haskins, "besides, there is something in her -personality which Charity lacks. I feel my heart beat and my pulses -thrill and my whole being raised to heaven when Mavis looks at me." - -"So do I when I look at Charity," retorted the lawyer, "but for -heaven's sake, Jerry, don't let us pit the girls against one another. -Mavis suits you and Charity suits me: there's no more to be said." - -"Save that the girls might be twins." - -"I never heard that Charity had a twin." - -"Nor did I. But then we don't know Charity's history." - -"I do, in part," said Tod quickly. "When Mrs. Pelham Odin was -traveling with her own comedy company in India, fifteen or sixteen -years ago, she found Charity at Calcutta. The child was then five -years of age, and belonged to a native woman of the juggler caste." - -"Native? Do you mean to say that Charity has nigger blood?" - -"No," snapped Tod sharply, "I don't. You have only to look at her to -see that she is purely European. The native woman confessed to Mrs. -Pelham Odin that she had picked up the child from an ayah at Simla for -a few rupees. The ayah had perhaps stolen the child from some English -people, or perhaps the mother was dead. At any rate the native woman -bought the child, and taught her to dance in the show she and her -husband went round with. Mrs. Pelham Odin took a fancy to the child's -beauty, and bought her from this native woman, and adopted her as her -daughter in a way. She called her Charity because of the way in which -she was found, and Bird because of her silvery voice." - -"Ha!" Gerald started, "another point of resemblance. Mavis has a voice -like a nightingale. Tod, I must learn Mavis's past life; these two -girls must be connected in some way; the resemblance is too -wonderful." - -"There are chance likenesses," hinted Tod slowly. - -"I daresay, but Nature doesn't turn out two girls line for line the -same unless she sends them into the world as twins. Mavis was brought -to the Pixy's House when she was five years of age, but she doesn't -remember where she lived before that. She is twenty-one in ten -months." - -"By Jupiter!" Tod hoisted himself up with a curious look, "that's odd, -for Charity told me that she would be twenty-one next year, and then -could run away with me. Perhaps there is something in what you say, -Jerry, after all. What's to be done?" - -Haskins pinched his chin. "Let us leave the question of the -resemblance alone for the moment, Tod. What I want you to do is to go -to Somerset House and look up the wills." - -"The wills? Whose will. What will?" - -"Look up any will made by anyone called Durham. Go back fifteen or -twenty years. Of course," said Gerald apologetically, "it is only my -fancy based upon the few words let drop by Mrs. Geary, but I feel -somehow--in my bones, as the old women say--that Mavis is being kept a -prisoner on account of money." - -Tod fidgeted. "It's such a wild idea," he protested. - -"Wild or not, it is six and eightpence in your greedy, legal pocket." - -"Rebb might not like my prying into his private affairs." - -"I don't see that Rebb need know anything about it," said Gerald -impatiently. "In fact, I want to keep my doings dark in the Rebb -direction, for if there is anything in my belief the Major will do his -best to queer my pitch. If you look up the will of a man or of a woman -called Durham, Rebb cannot say anything, as neither you nor I are -supposed to know anything about the Pixy's House business. Well?" - -Tod nodded, and made a note. "I'll search," he assented. "Any will by -someone called Durham, man or woman, and dated some fifteen or twenty -years ago. Suppose I find nothing?" - -"And suppose you do," retorted his friend, rising; "we are searching -for a needle in a haystack, remember, Toddy, and must poke about in -every direction. We'll look into the money business first, and then we -can question Mrs. Pelham Odin and Bellaria as to the possibility of -there being any relationship between these two girls." - -"See here," remarked Macandrew slowly, "all this talk is first rate if -you were writing a story and knew the end. But it seems to me that, as -we have to deal with real life, you are making circumstances to fit in -with your theories." - -"Perhaps I am," replied Haskins, with a shrug, "but I am so much in -love with Mavis that I shall move heaven and earth to get her." - -"Why not be bold and ask Rebb straight out? Then he could tell you the -story of the girl's birth, and perhaps may explain why she is so like -Charity. If Rebb dislikes this Mavis so much that he shuts her up he -won't mind your taking her off his hands." - -"Oh, yes, he will, if money goes with her," said Gerald grimly. "I -don't want to make Rebb think that I am in love. The whole business is -shady." - -"Do you mean your love-making?" asked Tod slyly. - -"No, you rotter. My love-making is as straight as Rebb's ways are -crooked. Do what I say, and when we learn if there is a will----" - -"Well?" - -"We'll know how to move next. Meanwhile I intend to tell the story -that I have told you to Mrs. Crosbie." - -"But, I say, she'll go straight and tell Rebb." - -"No," said Haskins decisively. "I have known Mrs. Crosbie for years, -and she is as honest and good a little woman as ever lived. Mrs. Berch -is also a ripping sort, if somewhat funereal. If Major Rebb is a -villain--and I really believe that he is--I don't want Mrs. Crosbie's -life to be made miserable by marrying him--or Mrs. Berch's either: you -know how she adores her daughter." - -"All the same, Mrs. Crosbie may tell Rebb," insisted Tod Macandrew. - -"I don't think so. I shall enlist her sympathies on my behalf. Every -woman loves a love affair. Then my story will put her on her guard -against Major Rebb, and she'll probably contrive to find out the truth -of the business without his knowing. Good-day, Toddy boy." - -Haskins shot out of the office rapidly, but Macandrew sat soberly at -the desk shaking his red poll. It appeared to him that Gerald was -about to climb the Hill Difficulty, and might not reach the top. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. -MRS. CROSBIE. - - -That same afternoon, when Mr. Haskins was arraying himself in a Bond -Street kit to call on the fascinating widow, he was seized with a -sudden qualm as to the wisdom of his intention. After all, as Tod very -truly observed, Mrs. Crosbie was supposed to be engaged to Major Rebb, -although no official announcement had appeared in _The Morning Post_. -If then he related the secret which was connected with the Pixy's -House and with a pretty girl, Mrs. Crosbie, inspired by jealousy, -might forthwith demand an explanation from Rebb. In that -case--vulgarly speaking--the fat would be on the fire and there would -be a fine blaze. - -On the other hand, Gerald wished to enlist Mrs. Crosbie on his side -for two reasons. Firstly, she had been the close friend of his mother, -to whom he had been tenderly attached, and as a boy he had flirted -with her in the calf-love stage. They now were what Tod would call -"pals," and Gerald usually took all his troubles to her, for she was a -wise little woman. Of course there were nasty people who called Mrs. -Crosbie an adventuress, and who said that she had nagged her late -husband to death; but these were in the minority. So far as Haskins -could read character--and he prided himself thereon--Mrs. Crosbie was -a good woman, who certainly ought not to marry a rascal like Rebb. And -that the Major was a rascal Gerald believed--perhaps on insufficient -premises. For after all there might be an honest explanation of the -Pixy's House mystery. - -In the second place Haskins wished to remove Mavis from her prison, -and as some time would necessarily have to elapse before he could -marry her he desired to place her under the wing of Mrs. Crosbie. -Since the widow was connected with Rebb, this seemed rather like -putting Mavis into the lion's cage. But Mrs. Crosbie was the sole -woman of Haskins acquaintance of whom he could ask the favor of -chaperoning a young girl. Also, once Mavis was at the flat and -practically beyond Rebb's reach--since he then could not hide her -again--there would be no necessity for further concealment, and the -Major would have to account to Mrs. Crosbie for the detention of his -ward in Devonshire. The explanation--which would have to precede the -marriage of Mrs. Crosbie to Rebb--could then be detailed to Haskins, -and all things would be made straight. Of course, there was always a -chance that they might be too crooked to be straightened. If so, it -was the more necessary that Mavis should be placed in Mrs. Crosbie's -guardianship, and that the little woman's eyes should be opened. - -Bearing these things in mind, Haskins descended into the street to -call a hansom, and proceeded to visit Mrs. Crosbie. She dwelt along -with her mother in a palatial block of mansions, known as Ladysmith -Court, and which had been erected by a financier of South African -fame. The mansions were situated near Marylebone Road, and although -the address was not ultra-fashionable the rents were high. When Gerald -paid his cab at the foot of the marble steps, and surveyed the huge -pile of redbrick buildings he reflected that Tod must be wrong about -the widow's financial position. Only a rich woman could afford to live -here, and there could be no money-grubbing idea in connection with the -Rebb marriage, even though the Major had six thousand a year. -Nevertheless it was strange that Mrs. Crosbie should marry Rebb, when -he was so much disliked by Mrs. Berch, of whom her daughter was -extraordinarily fond. - -Mrs. Crosbie's flat was on the second floor, and Gerald was shown into -a small but smart drawing-room by a neat maid servant. It was a true -woman's room, luxuriously furnished, prettily decorated, and filled -with all manner of useless knick-knacks and fancy china, and -silver-framed photographs, and Japanese draperies, and finally with -masses of flowers in many-hued vases. The scent of the blossoms and -the perfume of a burning pastille made the atmosphere fragrant, but -somewhat heavy, in spite of the rose-curtained French windows which -opened on to a tiny balcony. Near one of the windows Mrs. Crosbie was -seated, looking somewhat pale and disturbed, and facing her was an -overdressed man, with white hair and moustache, who looked like a -foreigner. - -"How are you, Gerald?" asked Mrs. Crosbie, when Haskins was announced, -and addressing him by his Christian name according to custom. "I have -not seen you for ages." She shook hands and looked at him. "How brown -you are, my dear boy. Allow me to introduce you two men. Signor -Venosta, Mr. Haskins. Mr. Haskins, Signor Venosta, who has been -amusing me. Do sit down. Tea will be in presently." - -"Alas, madam, but I must depart," said Signor Venosta, who was a -stout, oily-looking Italian of the tenor type, dressed in too gaudy a -style to satisfy Gerald's fastidious taste. "I have been with you one -hour." - -"You should add that it has seemed like one minute," said Mrs. -Crosbie, with a pretty little laugh, and waving a fan, for the heat -was stifling. "Well, if you must go, you must!" She rose, and walked -with her visitor to the door, glancing over her shoulder meanwhile. -"Excuse me, Gerald, I shall return soon." And she left the room with -the Italian. - -This marked courtesy was not usual with Mrs. Crosbie, as she was a -spoilt beauty, who preferred that others should wait on her, rather -than that she should trouble herself about others. Haskins wondered at -her self-denial, and especially in the face of such heat: wondered -also that she should look so pale and worried. Apparently something -was wrong with Mrs. Crosbie, and he began to conjecture whether Tod -was correct as to money matters. Gerald was not over-rich himself, but -he determined to question his mother's friend, and learn if possible -what bothered her, so that he could proffer help. - -His hostess returned after some minutes, and looked quite herself, -but the renewed color might have been due to the reflection of the -rose-hued curtains. She tripped across the olive-green carpet like a -fairy, and resembled one, being delicate and tiny and beautifully -formed. People said that Mrs. Crosbie's blonde hair and pink and white -complexion were due to art, since a woman of forty could not possibly -look so young without artificial aids. But be this as it may, she -certainly appeared wonderfully pretty in her white silk tea-gown, -which was draped with expensive lace. Haskins complimented her -on her looks when she sank again into her chair and took up the -cigarette-case lying on the table at her elbow. "And yet, you know," -added Gerald thoughtfully, "I fancied that you looked worried and pale -when I came." - -Mrs. Crosbie lighted her cigarette and shot a keen glance at him. "We -all have our worries, my dear boy," she said, blowing a wreath of -smoke. - -"You should not have any, Mrs. Crosbie. And if there is anything that -I can put right, you know that I----" - -"Yes! Yes! I know," she interrupted hurriedly, "but you can't. It -really is nothing--oh, nothing at all. It is the heat that makes me -look pale and washed out. Mother is lying down quite exhausted, but -will be in to tea. I hope no one else will come, Gerald, and then we -can have a nice long talk." - -"That is what I have come to have," he said soberly, and produced his -own cigarette-case, which he laid on the table. "Give me a match, -please. Thank you!" he lighted up. "I am in trouble." - -"And you have come to me as usual." - -"Yes. I hope that I don't carry coals to Newcastle." - -Mrs. Crosbie shrugged. "My troubles are only minor ones, such as come -to every woman when she gets past her youth." - -"You are in the flower of it." - -"And you have known me for years. Gerald, you certainly must have -Irish blood in you, to pay such extravagant compliments. Don't think -too well of me, my dear boy. I have my faults. Why not? Look at the -upbringing that I have had," she ended bitterly. - -"Why, your mother is----" - -"All that a mother can and should be," interrupted the little woman. -"I know that, Gerald. But her husband, my father, was a brute. My -husband, whom he made me marry in my teens, was a brute. Both my -mother and I have suffered poverty and nearly open shame." - -"Poverty!" Gerald glanced round the luxurious room, crowded with such -splendid things. - -Mrs. Crosbie shrugged again. "These are only necessities," she said -contemptuously; "fancy a woman of my tastes having to live in a flat, -and being bothered by tradespeople! I want a town house, a country -house, a yacht, a chance of traveling all over Europe like other rich -people. In fact, I want thousands a year, and I have not got them." - -Gerald looked down meditatively. So Tod was right after all, and Mrs. -Crosbie was hard up, even to the extent of being dunned by -tradespeople. He wondered if he could help her. "You have known me -long enough to accept a check," he stammered. - -She whiffed away the offer contemptuously. "Although I thank you very -much for offering the money," she said graciously, "you always were a -dear boy. But the amount of money I want would ruin you, since I am -aware that you have but the five hundred a year left by your dear -mother. There! there!" she tapped him with her closed fan, "we won't -talk further of these disagreeable things. All will be well." - -"When you marry Major Rebb?" asked Haskins pointedly. - -"Why not? The Major is not bad-looking, and has a good position, and -at least five thousand a year." - -"Six, I believe," corrected Gerald. - -"Who told you that?" - -"Tod Macandrew. He heard it from your mother." - -Mrs. Crosbie nodded. "Yes; I believe that my mother asked Mr. -Macandrew some questions regarding settlements on the chance that I -should marry Major Rebb. But Mr. Macandrew should not have spoken -about this." - -"He did not," said Gerald hastily, "you can still trust Macandrew as -your legal adviser. He has not betrayed your confidence regarding -settlements. He merely mentioned Major Rebb's income." - -"How did you come to be talking of Major Rebb?" - -Gerald flung the fag end of his cigarette into a silver ashtray, and -rose to pace the room. He could always talk better when in motion. "I -want you to help me, Madge," he remarked. - -"You mustn't call me Madge," said Mrs. Crosbie, with a look at the -door. "Major Rebb would not like it." - -"Then you are engaged?" - -"Well, yes. I want money and----" - -"Are you quite sure that Rebb has money?" - -Mrs. Crosbie started to her feet, and crossing the room gripped the -young man by his arm. Her face was perfectly pale, and her voice -sounded uncommonly hoarse. "What do you mean?" - -"I don't mean anything," said Gerald, astonished by her emotion. "Rebb -is no doubt as wealthy as King Solomon. I only meant that you should -make sure of the settlement. As your friend, I could say nothing -else." - -But Mrs. Crosbie was not satisfied. "You have heard no rumor to the -effect that Major Rebb is poor, or is likely to lose his money?" - -"No! no! no!" said Haskins in perfect good faith, "do sit down and -compose yourself. If anything were wrong in that way I should speak -out." - -He could say nothing else, as, of course, his idea regarding a -possible will, and money having been taken from Mavis, was mere -theory. Mrs. Crosbie looked at him piercingly, after which scrutiny -she returned to her seat. Apparently she counted upon this marriage -releasing her from terrible trouble, and dreaded lest it should fall -through. "I wish you would not frighten me," she said querulously, "my -nerves are not strong. Mother and I are going away to Bognor next week -for the change. We both need one very badly. Well," she selected -another cigarette and became more her bright self, which he knew so -well, "so you wish me to help you?" - -"Yes. And I wish you to keep what I say to yourself. Promise." - -She looked at him hard. "You are very mysterious." - -"I am very much in earnest," he rejoined dryly. - -Mrs. Crosbie shuffled. "I can't promise until I know what you are -going to say," she observed irritably. Her nerves, as she had said, -were certainly very bad. - -"There is something in that," replied Haskins; and felt inclined to -withdraw without telling his story. But after some reflection he -compromised. "At all events you must hold your tongue about my secret -for at least a month," and by naming this time he hoped to deliver -Mavis from her imprisonment within three weeks. - -"I promise," said Mrs. Crosbie curiously, "but I know your secret. You -are in love?" - -Gerald was startled. "How could you tell that?" he demanded, -astonished. - -She laughed, "I am a woman, and observant, as well as intuitive. Look -at your eyes in yonder mirror, at the expression of your face, at your -whole bearing." - -"H'm," said Haskins, but half satisfied; "every one is not so clever -as you are, Madge." - -"Don't call me Madge, I tell you." - -"Yes, I shall when we are alone. Hang it, I have known you for years, -and besides, I wish you to do me a service. I have your promise to -hold your tongue for a month?" - -"Yes! yes! yes! Go on! go on. I am all ears." - -"My story concerns Major Rebb." - -"What? Then you did mean something, when you mentioned him last?" - -"I meant nothing that will stop your marriage," said Gerald crossly, -"although I don't know why a nice woman like you, Madge, should marry -him." - -Mrs. Crosbie stared. "Major Rebb is supposed to be a delightful man." - -"He may be--to those who don't know him." - -"I believe that you are jealous," she said, with a nervous laugh, -"well, and how does your secret affect the Major?" - -"See here, Madge, you may think me mean, speaking about Rebb to you, -and behind his back. But I am doing so at that risk, because I wish -you to help some one in whom I am interested. Otherwise, I am quite -ready to see Rebb personally and have it out with him. Later on--say -in three weeks, more or less--I shall. For then I hope that Mavis will -be with you here, and quite safe." - -"Mavis! Ah, the girl you are in love with. What is she to Major Rebb, -may I ask?" Mrs. Crosbie's voice rose when she put this question, and -her eyes grew as hard as jade, while her face colored a deep red. - -"Ah," said Haskins, surprised, "then you love Rebb?" - -"No! But he is rich and----I don't see what right you have to ask me -such questions. Go on. What have you to say?" - -"If you love Rebb I can't speak." - -"I don't love Rebb. Go on. I'll keep my promise." - -Gerald hesitated no longer. Rising to his feet he again began to pace -the room, and related the same story as he had told Tod. Only in this -especial instance he suppressed his theory regarding the will and the -money. Mrs. Crosbie listened quietly, and with an expression of -dismay; but she made no remark until he had finished. "You are telling -me a fairy tale," she said quietly. - -"Yes, isn't it?" cried Gerald, delighted with her quietness. - -"I mean that it is untrue." - -"I swear it isn't. Mavis is kept in that Pixy's House, and I found her -by means of the sealed message, as I have described. Now I want you to -get her up here, and look after her until I can marry." - -"Who will bring her here?" - -"I shall, and within three or four weeks." - -"Ah!" said Mrs. Crosbie quietly, "now I see why you asked me to hold -my tongue for a month. Gerald, you are wrong to act in this way. As I -have made a promise I shall keep it; but it will be better for you to -release me from that promise. Then I could ask Major Rebb about his -ward and persuade him to let me have her up here. In any case, when I -marry Major Rebb, I shall have to do with this girl you love." - -"What you suggest, Madge, would certainly be better and, I may say, -more straightforward. I hate acting in this way behind Rebb's back, -and I intend later to speak plainly to his face. But you forget how -Rebb has put it about that Mavis is a homicidal maniac. That is -untrue." - -"You can't be sure of that, Gerald; you have not seen sufficient of -her to judge. To take a girl, reputed mad, from her seclusion would be -very wicked. Any crime which she might commit would be laid at your -door." - -"But surely, Madge, the action of Major Rebb is not that----" - -"He may have, and probably has, good grounds for shutting up the -girl." - -Gerald bit his lip, beginning to see that, with all his caution, he -had made a dire mistake. "Then you won't help me?" - -"No," said Mrs. Crosbie firmly, "how can you expect me to help you -against Major Rebb, when we are engaged to be married? And how can you -ask me to take charge of a girl who is mad?" - -"She is not mad, I tell you." - -"And I tell you that she is mad; otherwise Major Rebb certainly would -not shut her up. What reason could he have to shut up a sane girl?" - -It was on the point of Haskins' tongue to explain his theory, but -having made one mistake--as he plainly saw from Mrs. Crosbie's -attitude--he did not wish to make another. "You will keep your promise -of silence?" he urged earnestly. - -"Yes, on condition that you make no attempt to run away with the girl -from that madhouse. I speak in your own interest. You will get into -trouble if you take an insane woman from her lawful guardian." - -"You seem to be quite certain that Mavis is mad," said Gerald -bitterly, "however, as you know my secret, and I am at your mercy, I -promise." - -"I think that you are very ungrateful," cried Mrs. Crosbie, "many -another woman would have declined to keep, what you call, the secret -at all." - -"I have made a mistake," confessed Gerald, and he could have kicked -himself, that he, a man of the world, should be such a fool. - -"Well," said Mrs. Crosbie, as the door opened to admit the servant -with afternoon tea, "let us say no more about it. I promise to hold my -tongue for a month, and you promise to leave the girl alone -meanwhile." - -Gerald waited until the tea-tray was arranged and the girl had -departed. "No," he said decisively. "I have been wrong, and you have -shown me my duty. I shall call on Major Rebb to-morrow, and explain." - -"You cannot," replied Mrs. Crosbie, "the Major is in Devonshire." - -This announcement complicated matters. "Then I follow Rebb to -Devonshire," said Gerald doggedly; "my mistake must be put right." - - - - -CHAPTER X. -THE AMULET. - - -It is admitted that Man as a whole is not infallible, but each -individual man has a secret belief that he is. Haskins was no more -complacent than other mortals--in fact, less so--yet he had an idea -that his caution and common-sense invariably prevented his making -mistakes. Assuredly, as a rule, he was rarely in error, but to every -rule there is an exception, and Haskins' ill-judged frankness to Mrs. -Crosbie was the exception in this case. It said much for Gerald's sane -view of life that he recognized his mistake at once, and at the cost -of some unpleasantness hastened to correct it. This entailed an -interview with Major Rebb, which was likely to be a stormy one. - -At the outset Gerald believed that he had read Mrs. Crosbie's -character all wrong, and that even after years of close -companionship--since she had been so intimate with his mother--he -knew very little about her. Had she really been that which he believed -her to be, she would--he thought immediately on leaving Ladysmith -Court--have readily helped him in his somewhat eccentric wooing. But -on calmer reflection he arrived at the conclusion that he, himself, -was in error. - -His first mistake lay in overlooking the relationship existing between -Rebb and the widow. Being engaged to him--as she had admitted--she -certainly could not be expected to act against what she believed to be -his interests. And his second mistake consisted in hoping that Mrs. -Crosbie--who in many ways was particularly conventional--would take -charge of a girl believed to be insane. It was only natural that Mrs. -Crosbie should believe Mavis to be mad, as, being willing to accept -the Major as her second husband, she could scarcely credit him with -conspiracy. And if Mavis was not insane her detention in the Pixy's -House was certainly a conspiracy against her rights as a human being. -Gerald took this view from personal observation, and because he -mistrusted Rebb: but Mrs. Crosbie, as engaged to marry the Major, -could not be expected to endorse a theory which would render Rebb -unworthy of her hand, or indeed of her acquaintance. - -It may be here mentioned that Haskins had not mentioned the wonderful -likeness which existed between Charity and Mavis, since the thought -had flashed across him, while speaking, that such a statement might -implicate Tod in the mysterious business, which was not to be thought -of. All Mrs. Crosbie practically knew was, that Gerald loved a -reputedly insane ward of her promised husband, and desired her to side -against that promised husband, so that he might marry the girl. It was -impossible to expect that any woman would act in this way, and Gerald -acknowledged to himself that Mrs. Crosbie had behaved in a perfectly -reasonable manner in refusing to help him. - -In fact, she had behaved extremely well in holding to her promise of -one month's secrecy, for many a woman would have told Rebb there and -then what had been said about him. Therefore Mrs. Crosbie was not only -right, but Gerald felt that he was entirely in the wrong; felt, -indeed, that he had acted somewhat shabbily. The sole way in which he -could right matters, and recover his self-respect, was to see Rebb, as -soon as possible, and explain himself. Then, as man to man, they could -thresh the matter out. With this idea Haskins drove back to his rooms -in Frederick Street, Mayfair, intending to change and pack, and catch -the midnight train from Paddington to Exeter. - -But, while dressing, he reflected that it would be better to first -assure himself that Mrs. Crosbie was correct in stating the Major's -whereabouts. Rebb's rooms were also in Frederick Street, and only a -few doors away, so it would be just as well to run in and to make -inquiries. Rebb might return on the morrow, in which case it would -hardly be worth while to journey to Denleigh so hurriedly. Also Mrs. -Crosbie having promised to hold her tongue for one month, there was no -necessity to act at once, since two or three, or even more, days would -make very little difference. Finally, Gerald was unwilling to return -to the Pixy's House and to Mavis until he knew if his theory regarding -a possible will was correct; otherwise he would have nothing to tell -her. - -While meditating on the desirability of calling at Rebb's rooms, -Gerald desired to smoke to aid his thoughts after the manner of men. -He mechanically took his cigarette-case, but found some difficulty in -opening it. As his case was usually easy to open, he looked down with -awakened attention to see what was the matter, and found that he had -brought away Mrs. Crosbie's cigarette-case by mistake. Probably he had -laid his own case on the small table alongside hers--and in fact he -remembered doing so--and when departing had unconsciously taken the -one which did not belong to him. He resolved to return it at once by -post, but meanwhile took a cigarette therefrom to smoke, since there -were no others in his rooms. This entailed opening the case, and when -it was open a small object, which had been placed within, fell out. - -This proved to be a tiny coral hand, clenched, and holding a dagger, -something like those amulets which are sold in Naples to avert the -evil eye. A little gold ring was screwed into the coral, so that the -trinket could be attached to a watch chain or to a bracelet. After a -careless glance, and a passing thought as to why Mrs. Crosbie should -use her cigarette-case as a jewel-box, Haskins placed the coral hand -on top of the cigarette-case, which he laid on the mantelpiece. Then -he lighted up and walked out, to seek the Major's rooms. - -These, as has been said, were only a few doors distant, and Haskins -speedily arrived on the first floor of the somewhat dingy house -wherein they were situated. He found the door open, and a mild-looking -valet talking to a veiled woman with a graceful figure. While waiting -to address the man himself, Gerald heard him state to the lady that -his master had gone to Devonshire on the previous day and would be -back within four and twenty hours. The lady appeared annoyed, but -declined to leave a card, or to give any message. However, she stepped -aside, fuming--as Haskins guessed from the way in which she stamped -her foot and clenched her hands--and permitted him to speak. Gerald -asked the same question, as to the Major's whereabouts, and received -the same answer, upon which he produced his card. - -"Tell Major Rebb, when he returns, that Mr. Haskins wishes to see him -on a private matter. Mr. Gerald Haskins," added the young man, handing -the card. Then he turned away, wondering why the veiled woman should -utter a muffled exclamation of surprise when she heard the Christian -name. - -But his wonder was still further increased when, on descending the -stairs, he felt his arm grasped, and found that the strange lady was -at his elbow. "You are Mr. Gerald?" she said in deep contralto tones, -"may I call you--Prince Gerald?" - -Haskins started. It was in this way that Mavis addressed him. But this -woman could not be Mavis, for she was too thin and too tall, and her -voice was too worn. Could she be---- "Bellaria!" he said tentatively. - -"Bellaria," assented the woman softly--they were standing on the -pavement by this time. "Take me somewhere safe. I wish to speak with -you." - -"My rooms are close at hand," said Haskins promptly, and wondering at -this unexpected encounter with one whom he had believed to be miles -away. "We can go there at once, Bell----" - -"Hush!" she clutched his arm again, and looked over her shoulder, as -she had looked when in the quadrangle. "Don't say that name here. They -may hear--they may hear." - -"Who may hear?" - -"Never mind; never mind. Come inside; come inside. Oh, Dio! no mention -of my name," and she hurried into the doorway indicated by Gerald. - -In a few minutes they were in Haskins' sitting-room, and here again -Bellaria's nervousness betrayed itself. - -"There is no one can hear us?" she asked, her veil up, and her eyes -roving round the room. - -"No, no," replied the young man soothingly. "The man and his wife who -attend to me in these chambers are below. You can talk freely. By the -way," he asked abruptly, "how did you know my name?" - -Bellaria, looking more aged and haggard than ever, flung herself into -an armchair, and laughed uncomfortably. "Prince Gerald. Who calls you -Prince Gerald, Mr. Haskins?" - -"Mavis does, but----" - -"Then it is true, what she confessed to me: that you love her and she -loves you?" - -"Quite true," rejoined Haskins quickly. "We met by chance, and----" - -"By chance!" repeated Bellaria scornfully. "When you deliberately came -where you had no business to come. I know all!" - -"How did you find out?" Gerald was perfectly calm when he asked this -question, as she did not seem to be hostile. - -"I saw that Mavis was not herself, that she was disturbed, and guessed -that she was keeping something secret from me. I watched, and saw her -lead a man across the quadrangle. When she came in that night I told -her what I had seen, and so--she confessed about the sealed message, -and about her secret meetings with you. Also that you desired to marry -her. Fool!" cried Bellaria pointing a scornful finger at her host, -"would you marry a madwoman?" - -"Not in making Mavis Durham my wife," said Haskins coolly. "She is -perfectly sane." - -"And I--Bellaria Dondi--say that she is not." - -"Are you sane yourself?" asked Haskins, turning the tables on her. - -The woman reared herself in her chair, gripping the arms, and directed -a fierce gaze at him. "What do you mean?" she demanded. - -"Why did you not come out and face me when Mavis talked with me in the -garden?" he remarked, meeting her gaze firmly and fairly. - -"Because--because---- Oh, there is no explanation." - -"I think there is. You dare not venture out after dark, so you waited -until Mavis entered the house to question her." - -"How do you know that I dare not venture out after dark?" she asked, -and her figure seemed to dwindle and shrink. - -"Mavis told me." - -"Mavis knows nothing, nothing, do you hear? God forbid that she should -ever know anything. But my business is my own business, and has -nothing to do with you, Prince Gerald. Mavis is crazy: she would kill -you as soon as look at you, at certain times." - -"I don't believe that for one moment." - -"You must--you shall! If Mavis is not mad, why should her guardian -shut her up in a lonely house?" - -"That," said Gerald very dryly, "is what I went to Major Rebb's rooms -to ask when I met you." - -Bellaria arose, much astonished. "You will dare to face the Major?" - -Haskins laughed. "Do you take me for a schoolgirl? Of course I shall -face the Major, and a dozen like him if necessary." - -"You are a brave man." - -"And Major Rebb? What is he?" - -"The kindest and best friend that a miserable woman ever had," -retorted the woman fiercely, "not a word against the Major. I won't -hear a word, I tell you. What he does is right." - -"Not in shutting up Mavis." - -"She is mad, I tell you; mad and dangerous." Bellaria came close to -where Gerald was sitting and looked down into his face with a -determined expression. "On learning what I did learn from Mavis I came -up at once to tell Major Rebb, so that he might stop it." - -"I fear Major Rebb will find it somewhat difficult to stop it. He is -not the Ruler of the Earth, so far as I know." - -"He is my ruler," cried Bellaria grandiloquently. - -"So I should think, when the mere wish to give him information makes -you risk----" - -"Risk what? Risk what?" she demanded, quivering. - -Haskins shrugged his square shoulders. "Your life, for all I know." - -She stood looking at him with clenched hands, the expression on her -worn face hovering between terror and defiance. "You talk of what you -do not understand," she said, breathing hard. - -"Quite right: but I should like to understand." - -"Understand what?" - -"Why Bellaria Dondi, who was a famous singer, should bury herself in a -lonely Devonshire house, to keep a sane girl prisoner." - -"You have been listening!" she cried out in terror. "How do you know -that I was a singer?" - -"I heard you sing the Shadow Song from _Dinorah_ during one of my -visits; and, when hidden behind the beech-tree near the wall, I heard -you say that you had been a great singer." - -Bellaria covered her face with two thin hands, and the tears fell -through her fingers. "I was great! I was famous!" she sobbed. "I was -happy until jealousy undid me. But," she let her hands drop and flung -back her queenly head, "I only did what any Italian woman would have -done. He betrayed me, why should I not betray him?" - -"Major Rebb?" - -"No! Enrico Salviati, who swore that he loved me, yet left me for -another. But I punished him. He died, and perhaps I shall die as he -did, for all my care. They will find me, and then----Oh, what agonies -I have suffered for many, many years! This face," she struck it, "was -handsome. Enrico loved it. These lips--Enrico kissed them--with the -kiss of Judas. And what better am I? What better am I?" She rushed to -the mirror over the mantelpiece to address herself. "Bellaria Dondi, -you can hide in the depths of the sea, but they will find you. You -can----Augh!" her eyes fell on the silver cigarette-case of Mrs. -Crosbie, upon which lay, delicately, the clenched coral hand with the -dagger. "Augh!" she repeated, and staggered back. - -"What is the matter?" Gerald rose and came forward. - -Bellaria repelled him with both hands, shaking with dread. "Keep back, -you English spy! You have brought me here! You are one of them. But if -you use the knife I shall scream. Keep back! Keep back!" - -"I don't understand," gasped Haskins, amazed at this outburst. - -"The hand, the sign, the token of death!" she groaned, then, keeping -her terrified eyes on Gerald, stole stealthily to the door. "Tána! ahi -Tána. Lasso me: si davvéro. Tána! Tána!" uttering these words rapidly, -and almost in a scream, she made the sign of the cross on her breast -and vanished. By the time that Haskins, in pursuit, had reached the -top of the stairs she was at the foot. A moment later and she ran -swiftly in to the street, holding her veil closely over her pallid -face. - -"What the deuce does it mean?" Gerald asked himself, as he returned to -his sitting-room, and examined the coral hand. "This thing seems to -have terrified her almost to death. 'Tána! Tána!' Humph! I must learn -what that means. It is an Italian word, I expect. Now what"----He went -on musing on the strange behavior of Signora Dondi, much perplexed, -and did not notice that a lady was standing in the doorway. Her cough -made him look round, and so unnerved was Haskins by his late -experience that he fairly jumped. - -"Mrs. Berch!" he said, recognizing the lady at once. "I apologize for -not seeing you." - -"I apologize also," said Mrs. Berch; in the stern voice habitual to -her--"apologize that is, for entering unannounced. But the door was -open, Gerald, so I took the privilege of old friendship and entered." - -"Delighted to see you, Mrs. Berch," said Haskins, wondering why she -had come, "won't you sit down?" - -"For one minute," and she took a chair. - -Mrs. Berch was a tall, thin woman, with a worn, white face, and hair -as black as her eyes, notwithstanding her age, which was over sixty. -She was dressed in some lustreless, dark material without any -trimming, and carried herself very erect. In fact there was something -of the Roman matron about her, so stern and proud did she appear. -Gerald liked her, as she had always been kind to him. But Mrs. Berch -was something of an enigma to him. He could not understand why so bold -and determined a woman should have submitted to the brutality of her -late husband. Yet Mrs. Crosbie's father had behaved like a demon to -his wife, as Gerald had learned from his mother. She adored her -daughter, and--as the saying is--lived again in her child. - -"You wonder why I have called," said Mrs. Berch, in an unemotional -voice, which always reminded Haskins of one talking in sleep, -"especially when I was lying down with a headache when you came. But -Madge asked me to bring you this," and she produced Gerald's -cigarette-case. - -"Thank you. I left it behind by mistake and took Madge's. Here it is." - -Mrs. Berch arose and received the dainty trifle. "That is all I called -about, Gerald. I shall take it back to Madge at once. She was much -disturbed at losing it." - -"I don't know why she should have been," said Haskins; "she must have -guessed that I had taken it, and would send it back. Oh, by the way, -you may as well put this into it. I opened the case for a cigarette -and found this. It fell out," and he passed along the coral hand. - -Mrs. Berch's dead-white face flushed, and her black eyes glittered. "I -am glad that is not lost," she said eagerly. "It was this that Madge -was anxious about." - -"What is it?" - -"Some ornament to which Madge attaches some value, I fancy." - -"H'm. Is it the badge of any society?" - -Mrs. Berch's flush face faded to a chalky-white. "Why do you ask?" - -Gerald asked a question in his turn. "Did Madge tell you what I came -to see her about?" - -"No. Madge never betrays anyone's confidence. But I heard your story." - -"You heard it!" Haskins stepped back a pace in his astonishment. - -"Yes!" said Mrs. Berch coldly, and slipping the case along with the -coral hand into her pocket. "I was asleep on the sofa in the other -room, which is, as you know, divided from the drawing-room by -curtains. I woke to hear what you said about that girl and Major Rebb. -In the interests of my daughter I listened." - -"And you intend to tell Major Rebb?" - -"No. Madge asked me to hold my tongue. And indeed, Gerald, I would do -so for your own sake. Major Rebb is an ill man to meddle with." - -Haskins threw back his head defiantly. "I am not afraid of Rebb," he -said, in a haughty tone. "I went to see him to-day to explain myself, -but he is in Devonshire: gone to see his unfortunate ward, I expect. -When he returns I shall demand an explanation." - -"He may not give it to you," said Mrs. Berch, pursing up her mouth. - -"He must. I love Mavis and I intend to marry her." - -"But if she is mad----" - -"She is not mad, and----Well, Mrs. Berch, there is no use in my -talking to you on the matter. I did wrong to speak to Madge about it, -since she is to marry Major Rebb." - -"Madge will hold her tongue as she promised, and so shall I, Gerald." - -"Thank you both," replied Gerald courteously, "but there will be no -need after to-morrow. I intend to see Rebb, as I said." - -"To learn what?" - -"To learn," said Haskins, "why he shuts up his ward, seeing that she -is not, in my opinion, insane. Also to learn why Bellaria, who watches -Mavis, buries herself in the Pixy's House." - -"I heard you talk of the woman," said Mrs. Berch, in her chilliest -manner, "and I presume that Bellaria stops in the Pixy's House because -she is Major Rebb's servant." - -"There is more in it than that. Bellaria came to see Major Rebb this -very day, and came also here to me, since she knows that I have -visited Mavis. Bellaria is terrified out of her life because of some -people who seek her life. When she saw that coral hand, which was -lying by chance on the mantelpiece, she rushed away, accusing me of -being in league with some society to kill her. At least, that was what -I gathered from what she said. But it was sheer raving." - -"I think so, indeed," said Mrs. Berch quietly, "this coral hand is -merely an ornament, given by Signor Venosta, whom you met to-day, to -Madge. It means nothing, Gerald, so think no more about it." - -But when she departed Gerald _did_ think, and it was little wonder -that he did so. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. -THE OTHER GIRL. - - -During the next three days Gerald found ample time to reflect upon the -strange circumstances which environed him. Anxious to see the Major -and place affairs on a proper basis, he called thrice at his rooms. On -the first occasion he learned that Rebb had not returned to London; on -the second, it appeared that he had come back, but was absent, -visiting Mrs. Crosbie; while on the final occasion Haskins was told by -the mild-looking valet that his master had gone again to Devonshire, -and would not return for at least a week. He had left no message, said -the man. From this circumstance Gerald inferred that Rebb was afraid -of the interview. It then struck him, and very naturally, that, as the -Major, during his hurried stay in town, had called upon Mrs. Crosbie, -the widow had broken her promise. If this was the case Rebb had been -placed on his guard, and so not only avoided Haskins, but had gone -back to the Pixy's House to make arrangements for thwarting the young -man's curiosity. Gerald therefore paid a visit to Ladysmith Court, -only to learn that the widow and her mother had departed for Bognor on -a month's holiday. It was thus apparent that in these two quarters -Gerald could do nothing for the moment. - -And, indeed, the more Haskins thought about the matters the more -difficult did it appear to set them straight. If he saw Rebb, and -the Major held to the story of his ward's madness--as he assuredly -would--Gerald felt that, for some time at all events, he could do -nothing. Of course, if his theory about the will proved to be correct, -and if he could be certain that Rebb was shutting up Mavis in order to -enjoy an income which should rightfully be hers, then he could take -steps to have the matter inquired into. To make any beginning at all, -it was necessary to see Tod Macandrew, so Gerald determined to look -him up. Just as he did so, the morning post brought a Sunday supper -invitation from Mrs. Pelham Odin. This was what Tod would have called -a coincidence, but Gerald, believing that nothing happened by chance, -saw in the incident a sign pointing to the path he should tread. -Directed by the Unseen Powers, who were, he believed, about to unravel -the mystery, he had not to see Rebb or Mrs. Crosbie immediately, nor -had he to proceed at once to Denleigh. His duty was to visit Mrs. -Pelham Odin's flat and learn what he could about Charity Bird. If she -was related in any way to Mavis Durham--and the marvelous likeness -between the two girls hinted as much--he might learn from the old -actress sufficient of her adopted daughter's past to give him a clue -to the intrigues of Major Rebb. - -It will be seen that Gerald had not proceeded to inquire into the -mystery of the coral hand, or Bellaria's fear of the same. He could -have learned somewhat about the matter of the trinket by seeing Signor -Venosta, who, according to Mrs. Berch, had given the amulet to the -widow. But Gerald did not know where Venosta lived, and could not make -inquiries from Mrs. Crosbie without her wanting to know his reasons. -Moreover, he desired to solve the mystery of Mavis and of her -detention before searching into Bellaria's past. Certainly he had a -shrewd idea that Mavis' detention, and Bellaria's dread, and Major -Rebb's behavior, and Mrs. Crosbie's possession of the coral hand, were -all of a piece, but these were like the separate parts of a puzzle, -and he could not fit them together. There was nothing for it but to -see if he could find a clue into the labyrinth when visiting Mrs. -Pelham Odin. He therefore dressed himself with great care, and -proceeded in a hansom to Bloomsbury, where the old actress dwelt. - -Her abode was scarcely a flat, in the accepted sense of the word, but -rather a collection of rooms on the first floor of a fine old Georgian -mansion in Caroline Street. A retired butler and his wife, who had -been a cook, owned the house, and attended to the various people who -dwelt therein. Mrs. Pelham Odin was thus spared the trouble of -domestic details, for which--as she said herself--she had no head, and -was very comfortably placed at a moderate charge. With the obstinacy -of old age, she called her abode "my flat," and no argument could -persuade her that the name was wrongly applied. - -Haskins entered the large square room with a painted ceiling which was -Mrs. Pelham Odin's drawing-room. Adjoining was the dining-room, -equally spacious, while the two bedrooms occupied by the old lady and -her adopted daughter were across the landing. The room looked pretty -and picturesque, as Mrs. Pelham Odin had great taste, and did not cram -her apartments with furniture, or indulge in a multiplicity of -patterns on carpet or walls, or on the upholstery of the chairs. A -great quantity of flowers adorned the room, deftly arranged by -Charity, and it was lighted with rose-shaded lamps on tall -wrought-iron pedestals. On entering the door from the staircase three -narrow windows could be seen opposite, opening on to a small balcony, -but, as the night was a trifle cold, these were closed, and the yellow -curtains were drawn. The room looked comfortable, and Mrs. Pelham Odin -was the most comfortable person in it. She fitted the apartment as a -hermit-crab fits its shell. - -The actress, with a great sense of the fitness of things, had grown -old gracefully--that is, she had not resorted to dye and paint to -improve her waning looks. She was a small woman, and very stout, but -her dignity was tremendous. In a black velvet gown trimmed with lace, -that might, or might not have been priceless, with her silvery hair -worn in the regal style of Marie Antoinette, with a somewhat massive -set of features irradiated by a gracious smile, Mrs. Pelham Odin -received her guest as a queen might have done. From a long experience -in playing aristocratic old dames in comedy, and imperious heroines in -tragedy, dignity had become a second nature to the clever old actress. -It is said that Gibbon was so long in writing "The Decline and Fall" -that he ended in believing himself to be the Roman Empire. In a like -manner Mrs. Pelham Odin believed herself to be the Marchioness in -_Caste_, or Helen Macgregor, or Volumnia--perhaps a mixture of the -three. She certainly was tremendously dignified, and no stage manager -ever dare to take a liberty with her. She still appeared on the boards -when she found a part worthy of her grandiose style. - -"I am glad to see you, Mr. Haskins," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, apparently -suppressing an inclination to use the royal "we," and proffered her -hand to be shaken or kissed, as the visitor preferred. - -Gerald, having something to gain from a little timely flattery, kissed -the jeweled fingers. He knew that this old-world attention appealed to -Mrs. Pelham Odin as nothing else did. "You are looking--like -yourself," he said politely, "I can pay you no higher compliment." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin laughed her celebrated silvery laugh, which critics -always mentioned, and took the stage--that is, she walked the length -of the drawing-room. "Ever a courtier, Mr. Haskins. Where did -you--living in this present generation of hurry--learn such Versailles -manners?" - -"From the queen of the English stage, madam." - -"From me?" Mrs. Pelham Odin fell into her famous startled fawn -attitude--also much noticed by critics. "Oh no, no; I am but a humble -survivor of the past." - -"And you have survived to show us what grace and dignity once -existed." - -The old actress fluttered her fan with a gracious smile, and bowed her -head to the compliment. "Neither grace nor dignity are necessary in -this age of motor cars," she said, sighing. "However, we must take -things as they are and be cheerful. You don't ask after Charity?" - -"I am too much taken up with you at present, madam." - -"Ah, you Irishmen, with your blarney. Well, Charity is in the -dining-room with Mr. Macandrew. She is showing him some new -photographs of herself, so will not be here for a few minutes, which -is just as well." - -"Why?" asked Gerald, taking the seat she indicated. - -Mrs. Pelham Odin throned herself queenlike on a sofa. "What do you -think of Mr. Macandrew?" she asked abruptly. - -"He is the best fellow in the world," replied Haskins promptly, for he -guessed why she asked the question, and was willing to act as Tod's -trumpeter, "also he is very clever, and some day will be wealthy." - -"Charity wants to marry him." - -"And he wants to marry Charity. My dear lady, I knew that years ago." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin nodded. "Of course, it is stale news. All the same, I -asked you here to chat over the matter. Hitherto, I have set my face -against such a marriage, as the match is not a good one for my girl." - -Gerald dissented. "If Miss Bird marries Macandrew she is a lucky young -lady, to my mind. He is of good family; he is clever; he has a good -profession; and he is an honest man. Certainly he has no money, -but----" - -"That's just it," interrupted the other, "he has come in lately for a -legacy of two thousand pounds. That is something, but not much. Still, -Charity is so bent upon this marriage, that--if you can really swear -to all you say about Mr. Macandrew--I am willing to consent." - -"I certainly should do so. Come, Mrs. Pelham Odin, don't part two -hearts in this cruel way. Let your daughter marry Macandrew." - -The actress sighed. "I think I shall have to," she said, after a -pause, "circumstances and Charity's will are too strong for me. It -shall be as you say." And she held out her hand. - -Haskins kissed it again. "I am sure that you will have no cause to -regret having taken my advice." - -"I hope not, Mr. Haskins. And after all this may be one of those -marriages which are said to be made in heaven. But Mr. Macandrew wants -to marry Charity at once, and she has yet to fulfil one month's -engagement at the Belver Theatre." - -"Macandrew can wait for one month, surely." - -"He must. Charity cannot break her engagement without paying forfeit, -and the managers will be sorry to lose her. Certainly she has only one -dance in _The Moon-Fay_, but she is a great favorite with the public, -and when she retires from the stage she will be greatly missed. I -assure you, Mr. Haskins, that Charity is giving up a very brilliant -career to become the wife of an obscure solicitor." - -"Macandrew will not always be obscure. He will rise high in his -profession, and will make plenty of money." - -"Of course Lady Euphemia is against the marriage." - -"What of that? Macandrew is the chief person to be considered." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin did not pay very strict attention to this speech. Her -eyes were on the polished floor, and she was thinking deeply. "I can -guess why Lady Euphemia Macandrew disapproves," she said hesitatingly: -"my girl is a dancer, for one thing; and she is also a waif." - -Haskins looked up suddenly. Mrs. Pelham Odin was touching on the very -point which he wished to discuss. "You told Macandrew something about -that?" he remarked eagerly. - -"Yes. Because I wished Mr. Macandrew to know exactly what he was -doing, and to tell you the truth, Mr. Haskins, as I did not wish the -marriage to take place, I thought that the discovery of Charity's -birth might put him off, since he is well born himself." - -"Love laughs at rank," said Gerald. "I thought you knew nothing of -Miss Bird's birth." - -"Nor do I, save that I bought her from a native woman in Calcutta for -a small sum. It sounds quite like 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' doesn't it?" -And Mrs. Pelham Odin laughed again in her silvery manner. - -"Didn't the woman tell you where she got the child?" - -"No--that is, she explained that she had taken over the child from an -ayah at Simla. Charity was pretty, and I was sorry to see a European -child with a juggler and his wife, so I took her with me, and have -brought her up as my own daughter, although I did not give her my -name." - -"Do you ever hope to learn about her parents?" - -"No. That is impossible, I fear. It is quite fifteen or sixteen years -since I took possession of her. The native woman and the ayah may be -dead. Quite a romance, isn't it?" - -"I can tell you something even more romantic," said Gerald, "if you -will promise to hold your tongue." - -"How delightfully mysterious you are," cried Mrs. Pelham Odin, in her -lively comedy manner. "I promise, of course. Well?" - -Haskins thereupon, and without further preamble, detailed the history -of his love affair, and commented strongly on the wonderful likeness -which existed between the two girls. Mrs. Pelham Odin interrupted him -with little cries of astonishment, but gave no opinion until he -finished his recital. "What do you think of it?" asked Haskins. - -"It is like a play! like a melodrama. But of course there are casual -resemblances such as you describe." - -"This is more than a casual resemblance," interrupted Gerald quickly: -"the two girls might be twins." - -"Oh, what a pity that Charity is leaving the stage," said Mrs. Pelham -Odin, her theatrical instinct uppermost, "a comedy with twin girls in -it would draw all the town. And that gives me an idea. I can assist -you, if you can swear," she laid her hand on his arm, "that this Mavis -Durham is not crazy." - -"I can swear, certainly. Would I wish to marry her if she were?" - -"Love may laugh at lunatic asylums as well as at rank," said the -actress merrily, "but if you are certain that the girl is sane, why -not let her take Charity's place in _The Moon-Fay?_" - -Haskins started to his feet. "Are you serious?" - -"Of course I am. You want to run away with this girl. If you do, Major -Rebb--I know him, and a nasty man he is--will follow you, and make -himself unpleasant. What you want to do is to conceal the girl -somewhere until you can prove that her guardian is shutting her up -illegally. Well then, Major Rebb must know of the wonderful -resemblance of Charity to Mavis. If Charity marries Mr. Macandrew -quietly she can go with him to Switzerland for a month's honeymoon, -and even longer. I can teach Mavis the one dance which Charity -performs in the ballet at the Belver Theatre, and she can take my -girl's place." - -"But the theatre people will guess." - -"Oh, dear me, no," rejoined Mrs. Pelham Odin promptly. "I always go to -the Belver myself to look after Charity. She scarcely speaks to a -soul, my dear Mr. Haskins. I can take your Mavis there and back -without anyone being the wiser, if the resemblance is as you say." - -Gerald caressed his chin. "It certainly is an excellent idea," he -murmured. "Major Rebb, not knowing of Miss Bird's marriage, would not -suspect the substitution. Thank you, Mrs. Pelham Odin, I shall think -over the matter. I go down to Devonshire next week, or rather this -week." - -"I know," the actress nodded; "one always does get mixed up about -Sunday being the first day of the week. Well then, go down and make -what arrangements you like. If you run away with the girl--and I quite -think you should, if only to spite Major Rebb, whom I detest--you -cannot conceal her better than in the way I suggest. It is quite a -variation of Poe's 'Purloined Letter.' The scheme is so daring that it -must succeed. But hush!" she made a dramatic pause, and raised her -finger, "here comes Romeo and Juliet. Not a word." - -Before Haskins could reply Charity entered from the dining-room with -Tod at her heels, and Gerald could not help starting when he saw how -wonderfully she resembled the girl shut up in the Pixy's House. She -had the same figure, the same coloring, the same graceful way of -walking. Only in the manner of speaking and in the personality was -there a difference, and that would not be noticed by a casual -spectator. Charity was more worldly, more material, and--as Gerald -thought--less lovable. But then he was prejudiced in favor of the -young lady whom he wished to marry: Tod's opinion would have been -quite the reverse. - -"How are you, Mr. Haskins?" said Charity, offering her hand calmly, -"you have not been to see us for years and years." - -"All the same, I have been hearing about you," replied Gerald, -glancing at Tod, who nodded gaily. "I have to offer my congratulations." - -"Well," said Charity slowly, and looking at Mrs. Pelham Odin, "I am -not so sure of that. My mother doesn't----" - -"Yes, she does," interposed the actress quickly, and took the girl's -hand in her own. "Mr. Macandrew. I bestow upon you a priceless -treasure," and joining the hands of the two lovers she sank back on -the sofa with a tiny lace handkerchief to her eyes. It was very neatly -done, and only needed limelight and applause to form an effective -curtain. - -"Oh," cried Tod, clasping Charity's hand convulsively. "Do you mean to -say that we can marry?" - -"Now that you have enough to keep the wolf from the door I do, my dear -Mr. Macandrew, or shall I say James, since you are to be my adopted -son-in-law?" - -"Not James. Call me Tod." - -"That is the Scottish for fox, and you are not foxy." - -"Never mind, mother," cried Charity, whose eyes were dancing with -delight, "the name of Tod suits him, and Toddy is the name of a -Scottish drink." - -"Come now; come now," protested Tod, "when I am so sober." - -"You ought to be drunk with happiness," said Haskins, laughing. - -"Perhaps the poor dear needs food," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, leading the -way to the dining-room, "let us see what the cook has done in the way -of supper." - -"My marriage feast," giggled Tod, taking his seat. "You'll be best -man, of course, Jerry." - -"We can talk of these things later," said Mrs. Pelham Odin hurriedly, -"in consequence of my age, I think the marriage will have to be a very -quiet one." - -"Yes," nodded Charity; "I don't want Lady Euphemia to forbid the -banns." - -"As if she could," cried Macandrew, in the highest spirits. - -It was a very merry supper, and Mrs. Pelham Odin drank the health of -the future bride and bridegroom in foaming champagne. Also she winked -in rather an undignified way at Gerald to intimate that she included -himself and Mavis in the toast. Then she related various stage -experiences connected with her own marriage, and eulogized the late -Mr. Pelham Odin. - -"He is an angel now," said the widow, and wept, until Gerald made her -laugh again. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. -A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY. - - -Tod Macandrew was the happiest of men when he and Gerald left Mrs. -Pelham Odin's flat on that night. It was all that Haskins could do to -keep Tod from executing a war dance on the street. "Remember that you -are a solicitor," warned Gerald, "surely you don't want to appear in -the police court, otherwise than in a professional capacity." - -"I am also a lover," cried Tod fervently, "and I care nothing for the -opinion of other people, legal, magisterial or otherwise." - -"Ass!" muttered his friend, and shook the arm he was holding. "Come -out of your midsummer-night dream, and help me." - -"In what way?" asked Tod more soberly. - -"I wish to marry Mavis Durham." - -"Oh!" Tod became more sober than ever. "Haven't you forgotten her -yet?" - -Gerald stopped in surprise. "Why in heaven's name should I forget her, -you unsympathetic idiot? I love her----" - -"And I love Charity," interpolated Macandrew enthusiastically. - -"Then show a trifle of it," retorted Haskins, punning on the name, "by -helping me, as I have helped you. If it had not been for me, Mr. -Toddy, your future mother-in-law would not have consented to this -marriage." - -Tod shook his friend's hand vigorously. "You're one of the best. -Anything I can do--by the way, what am I to do?" - -"Forget Charity for ten minutes in the first place, and get into this -approaching hansom in the second. I intend to drive you to my rooms." - -"What!" Tod pulled out his watch to read the time by the light of the -street lamp under which they were standing. "It's past twelve." - -"James Ian Robert Roy Macandrew, are you or are you not my legal -adviser?" - -"Of course I am, and--oh----" Tod broke off hastily. - -"I knew that I had something to tell you--about that will, you know." - -"Will! Then there is a will?" gasped Gerald, signaling to a hansom. - -"Yes. The will of Captain Julian Durham, who----" - -"Get in, get in," interrupted Haskins testily, as the cab drew up -'longside, "we have much to say to one another." - -Tod jumped into the cab, and shortly Gerald slipped in beside him, -after giving his address. When the hansom was spinning along, Gerald -turned on Tod sharply. "Why didn't you communicate with me about this -will, when you knew how anxious I was?" - -"I only learned the truth yesterday," said Tod quickly; "and wrote a -letter asking you to call. You should have received it this morning." - -"Well then I didn't." - -"It's that infernal office-boy. I'll sack him. Probably he has never -posted it. Well then, I searched for wills in the name of Durham, made -about the time you mention. There are plenty of people of that name, -and I had to read through a lot of documents. Finally I found that -Captain Julian Durham was your man." - -"How do you know?" - -"Because the property of Captain Julian Durham is left to his -daughter, Mavis." - -Gerald uttered so loud an ejaculation that the cabman looked down -through the trap, thinking that he was receiving an order. "No, no, -cabby; it's all serene. Drive on to Frederick Street." When the trap -was closed he addressed himself to Macandrew. "Then I was right?" - -"Quite right," assented Tod admiringly, "though how the deuce you -knew----" - -"I didn't know. But I had an intuitive feeling." - -Tod groaned. "Some more of your confounded occult stuff." - -"Very good," said Gerald dryly. "I accept the rebuke; but explain my -intuition, if you please." - -"What is your intuition, exactly?" - -"I believe," said Haskins seriously, and choosing his words carefully, -"that Mavis has been shut up by Rebb to keep her out of the way, while -he enjoys her income." - -This time Tod uttered an ejaculation. "I believe that there is -something in your occult rubbish after all," he said, in a wondering -manner, "for the situation is exactly as you say." - -"Ah!" Gerald was triumphant, and would have uttered an exultant -speech, but that the cab stopped in Frederick Street. "Here we are, -Tod. Get out. How much, cabby? Two shillings? There you are. Wait till -I open the door, Macandrew. There! Run upstairs. I'll follow." - -Rattling on in this way, Haskins and his friend went up the dimly -lighted stairs, for the gas was not full on, and soon found themselves -in Gerald's comfortable sitting-room. Haskins lighted the lamp--he -detested electric and gas--and passed along a box of cigars to his -visitor. Tod was also accommodated with a glass of whisky and soda and -a comfortable armchair. Gerald, being similarly provided, leaned -forward eagerly. "Now, Toddy, tell me exactly what the will says." - -Tod's eyes strayed to an adjacent table. "Why, there's my letter after -all. That infernal boy _did_ post it. I daresay your man didn't bring -it up. You should row him, Jerry, and----" - -"Oh, bother! Tell me about the will. I can read your letter later." - -"Well then," said Macandrew deliberately, "Julian Durham made a will -at Brighton, more than twenty years ago, disposing of six thousand a -year." - -"Ha! Rebb's exact income." - -"Yes. Only I think Rebb has five or six hundred a year of his own in -addition. The income of Durham was left to his infant daughter, Mavis, -and Michael Rebb was appointed her guardian." - -"And a pretty guardian he has been," muttered Gerald savagely. - -"You may well say that, Jerry. The will says that Rebb is to enjoy the -whole income on condition that he educates and brings up the child in -a proper way." - -"Which he has not done, since Mavis can neither read nor write. -Couldn't the will be upset by that, Tod?" - -"We'll come to that later. But I would point out that the will -provides for Rebb only until Mavis marries. When she marries, the six -thousand a year passes to her at once, on her wedding day, in fact, -only Rebb is not forced to account for what he has used up to that -date." - -Haskins jumped up and began to walk up and down, as he was accustomed -to do when much excited. "Then I am to understand that, if I marry -Mavis, Major Rebb loses six thousand a year?" - -"Exactly. He reverts to his original five or six hundred, which -apparently he possessed before getting his brother officer to make -this preposterous will in his favor, as it practically is." - -Haskins stopped. - -"His brother officer?" - -"Yes! Durham was in a Goorkha regiment, and so was Rebb. Later, I -daresay, Rebb exchanged to the West Indies. I always heard that he -came from that place." - -"Yes. Jamaica," said Haskins mechanically, thinking of Geary. "So this -is why Rebb has shut up the girl, and put about the rumor that she is -crazy. The plotting beast!" - -"He's all that," nodded the solicitor, emphatically, "in that way he -prevents Mavis ever getting a husband, and so, while she remains -unmarried, he can enjoy his income--or rather her income--in a legal -way." - -"In a legal way," echoed Gerald, disgusted. "Why, the man ought to be -hanged and quartered." - -"You can punish him more by depriving him of his income." - -"Oh, I'll do that. So far as I am personally concerned, I don't care -two straws for the income----" - -"Oh, come now. Human nature----" - -"I don't go by human nature," interrupted Haskins sharply; "I go by my -own feelings. I would marry Mavis without one penny, since my five -hundred a year and what I make by writing is enough to keep things -going. But Rebb must be punished, and I shall do all I can to deprive -him of this six thousand a year." - -"There is no necessity to bother," said Tod soothingly, "the thing -acts automatically, as you might say. When Mavis becomes your wife the -money is paid over--or rather the income is transferred to her on the -wedding day. The sole chance that Rebb has of keeping his money is to -prevent the marriage." - -"Oh, he'll do his best to do that," said Gerald, with a frown, "I'll -tell you what, Tod, that man won't stop short of murder." - -"Oh, you shouldn't----" - -"Yes, I should. Mavis is under the impression that all girls are -brought up in conventual seclusion, and are not allowed to see young -men. Rebb, for obvious reasons, told her so. But she understands that -she is to be taken into the world when she is one and twenty. Her -twenty-first birthday is only ten months distant--nine months, in -fact. When that time arrives she will want to come out. If Rebb lets -her out she will probably be asked in marriage, and then he would----" - -"Murder her," finished Macandrew. "Not at all. Rebb is too clever a -man to place his precious neck in a noose. When her birthday came, and -she turned restive, he would simply have called in a doctor to -pronounce her insane and unfit for marriage." - -"No doctor would dare to say that: Mavis is quite sane." - -"Much can be done with money," said Tod dryly, "and Rebb has six -thousand a year at his command. Besides, even if he could find no -doctor to swear to her insanity, the mere rumor of such a thing would -prevent any man from marrying her." - -"I am not so certain of that," said Gerald grimly. "As you said just -now, much can be done with money. However, Rebb won't have a chance of -working out his rascally plot, whether he means murder or not. I shall -go to Devonshire and interview him, and----" - -"How do you know that he is there?" questioned Tod quickly. - -The question recalled Haskins to a sense of his folly in trusting the -widow with his secret. "I have made a fool of myself Macandrew," he -remarked soberly, and resumed his seat, "it is my belief that Mrs. -Crosbie has put Rebb on his guard, and that Rebb has gone down to -Denleigh to thwart my plans for carrying off Mavis." - -"Mrs. Crosbie! Jerry, I warned you." - -"I know that, and I wish I had taken your warning. Listen!" And Gerald -related his interview with the widow, ending with an emphatic -declaration that he did not believe she had kept her promise of -secrecy. - -Macandrew nodded, as he quite agreed with him. "As Mrs. Crosbie is -engaged to Rebb, she will not wish him to lose his income, so----" - -"Do you think she knows of Rebb's position?" - -"Of course. She may not have known it before you confided in her, but -she certainly would demand an explanation from the Major, in spite of -her promise, when she heard that he was keeping a pretty girl shut up. -Mrs. Crosbie is a woman, and as a woman is jealous, Rebb would be -forced to tell the truth--that is, how his income depends upon Mavis -being imprisoned. When Mrs. Crosbie knew that, she certainly would do -all she could to prevent you marrying the girl." - -"But Madge has always been my friend," protested Haskins. - -"Friendship goes when money is in question," retorted Tod. "I told you -that I suspected the widow of being hard up. If I am right, she is -marrying Rebb for the money, and both she and he will do all they can -to keep that six thousand a year. But," added Tod slowly, "I do not -think there will be any murder needed. The insanity rumor is enough to -prevent a possible marriage." - -"Not with me," raged Gerald, jumping up once more. - -"Quite so. Therefore Rebb, on his guard, has gone to Devonshire to -work against you." - -"I'll follow by the first morning train." - -"Take care, Haskins," warned the solicitor. "Rebb is dangerous. A man -who would act as he has done will not stick at a trifle. If there is -to be murder, you will be the victim." - -Gerald held his head very high. "I am not so easily got rid of," he -remarked quietly. "However, Mrs. Crosbie and her mother are at Bognor, -so they are out of the way. Now I don't like doing underhand things. -Tod, as you know, but in this case it seems necessary that these two -women should be watched to see if Rebb goes down to see them at -Bognor." - -Macandrew nodded. "I can arrange that. I'll send a confidential clerk -down. It is dirty work, but when dealing with a rascal like Rebb one -cannot be too careful. And you will take a revolver with you?" - -"Yes; I may have to reckon with Geary, who is Rebb's spy and bully. -And then there is Bellaria, who---- Tod," broke off Haskins, "you have -been in Italy and know something of Italian, so----" - -"I know a great deal," corrected Tod indignantly. "I am excellent at -languages: you know that." - -"All right, old boy, don't get your hair off. What is the meaning of -the word Tána?" - -"Tána? It means a den. Caverna, Tána, Antro--all mean a den," he -paused reflectively, and Tod threw up his hand before Gerald could -answer. "Where have I heard that word? It seems familiar." - -"No doubt, when people speak in Italy----" - -"I don't mean that. I have heard the word used in a peculiar way." - -Haskins reflected, with his eyes on Macandrew. "Do you know anything -in connection with the word about a red coral hand grasping a----" - -"A dagger," cried Tod, rising quickly. "Yes, of course. When I was in -Naples there was some talk of a society----" - -"I thought so--I thought so." - -"It is called the Tána Society--the Den Society, in English. I believe -that it is a collection of cut-throats, who terrorize people with the -symbol of the coral hand. The name comes from the idea of the society -hiding in a den, and emerging to do justice. It is something like the -Sicilian Mafia." - -"Quite so," Haskins nodded. "I now understand Bellaria's fear. She ran -out of this room as though she were crazy, and indeed she was, for the -time being. She apparently thought that I was an emissary of the Tána, -appointed to kill her." - -"Was Bellaria in town?" cried Tod, astonished. - -"Yes. She found out about myself and Mavis, and came up to tell Rebb. -I called to see Rebb and we met. She came back with me, and we had a -long talk. She hinted about betraying a man called Salviati, with whom -she was in love, and talked about hiding from the vengeance of certain -people. When she saw the coral hand she ran out crying, 'Tána! -Tána!----" - -"But how did you get the coral hand?" asked Tod, open-mouthed. - -Haskins described how he had taken away Mrs. Crosbie's cigarette-case -by accident, and how he had found the hand. In fact he told Macandrew -everything, including the whole conversation with Bellaria, and the -subsequent visit of Mrs. Berch to recover the amulet. "And this Signor -Venosta gave the coral hand to Mrs. Crosbie?" ended Gerald. "What do -you think of it, Tod?" - -Macandrew sat down gasping. "It's like a confounded penny dreadful," -he remarked, ruffling his ruddy hair. "Girls shut up--incomes stolen, -and secret societies--oh, Lord! there is going to be trouble." - -"In what way?" - -"Don't ask me." Tod rose and began to put on his overcoat. "If I were -you, Jerry, I should chuck the whole business." - -"What--leave Mavis?" - -"Yes--if you don't want to get into a row. Rebb may be connected with -this Tána Society and----" - -"No," interrupted Haskins decidedly, "on the contrary, he is -protecting Bellaria from assassination by the Tána, and so is himself -in danger of death. But why should Mrs. Crosbie possess this coral -hand?" - -"You had better ask Signor Venosta, who gave it to her. He is probably -a Count Fosco of modern days. But if you insist upon marrying this -girl you will involve yourself in heaps of trouble." - -"I intend to go down to Denleigh to-morrow and face Rebb," said Gerald -determinedly. "Mavis shall be my wife. Meanwhile you must have Mrs. -Crosbie watched." Gerald winced. "I don't like it, but I must save the -girl." - -"I'll do all I can. But I tell you what, Jerry, if you don't return to -London in a week I'll set the police on your track." - -"Very good! It's a case of marriage or death!" - -Haskins was gay, but Tod departed filled with forebodings. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. -THE TABLES TURNED. - - -Haskins departed for Devonshire by the eleven-fifty morning train from -Paddington, with a great sense of exultation. The necessity of -immediate action appealed to his active brain and to his craving for -romance. That there was more than a spice of danger in the adventure -to which he was committed added to his enjoyment. Notwithstanding his -repudiation of Tod's suggestion that murder might be the end of these -things he took the precaution of carrying a revolver. After all, Major -Rebb was being driven into a highly unpleasant corner, and--from what -Gerald knew of him--he was not the kind of man to submit tamely to -being beaten. Nor would he readily surrender six thousand a year. He -had enjoyed the luxuries of life too long to be content with the mere -necessities. And that was only human nature. - -However, Haskins determined to beard the lion in his den, which for -the moment was Geary's village inn. Gerald himself decided to remain -at the Prince's Head, Silbury, since the negro, by Rebb's orders, -might make himself highly disagreeable should the young man live under -the sinister roof of the Devon Maid. But Haskins was not easily -intimidated, and, even though the Major and his underling joined -forces to thwart him, he felt quite equal to dealing with them, -collectively or separately. Right was on his side, and Gerald had an -implicit belief that good was stronger than evil. Those who fought in -the cause for which Geary and Rebb were fighting could not possibly -triumph. - -It was after four o'clock when Haskins arrived in Silbury, and he -repaired at once to the Prince's Head. Mrs. Jennings was glad to see -him, and gave him his old room. He learned that Rebb in his motor car -had gone two days previously to Denleigh, and had not returned to the -little town. He was visiting an elderly relative at Leegarth, said the -landlady, and Gerald smiled when he noticed how persistently the Major -kept up the fiction, to account for his presence in the neighborhood. -While he was having afternoon tea he asked questions, and learned to -his surprise that Bellaria was the elderly relative. - -"She is an Italian," said Haskins, on hearing this. - -"One of them nasty foreigners," assented the plump hostess, "of course -she is, sir, for I've seen her myself. At times she come to Silbury -for marketing, and she went to London the other day, coming back in a -broken-up condition, as you might say." - -Haskins smiled grimly. He knew well what had broken Bellaria up. "But -she can't be any relative of Major Rebb," he expostulated, "he is -quite English, Mrs. Jennings." - -"Irish, begging your pardon, sir, but it's this way, as the Major told -me himself when he stopped here for the night. This Miss Bellaria's -parents were Italian, and Major Rebb's were Irish. But his father died -and her mother; so her father married the Major's mother, which makes -them a kind of sister and brother." - -Gerald shrugged his shoulders at this somewhat confused description, -and shook his head. "It may please Rebb to call Bellaria Dondi his -elderly relative," he said quietly, "but in reality there is no -relationship between them." - -Mrs. Jennings nodded in her turn. "And he ain't very kind to her," she -went on disapprovingly, "for she do look miserable when she comes out -of that lunatic asylum, as you might call it." - -"Lunatic asylum!" Haskins received a shock. He had no idea that the -rumor of Mavis' insanity had spread so far as Silbury. But Mrs. -Jennings seemed to know all about it. - -"Oh yes, sir, don't you know?" she remarked, earnestly. "Miss Bellaria -is set to watch that poor girl, Mavis Durham, who is quite mad." - -"Who says that she is mad?" asked Gerald heatedly. - -"Everyone," replied the landlady vaguely. "Why, the Major himself told -me that she was always wanting to kill people. That is why she is shut -up and watched by Miss Bellaria. It would never do, sir, for a lunatic -like that to come out. Why, we might all be murdered in our beds." - -It was on the tip of Haskins' tongue to deny the insanity of Mavis, -for which Mrs. Jennings vouched so staunchly. But to do so would have -led to an admission of his secret visits to the Pixy's House. Until he -settled with Rebb he did not wish these to be known, therefore he -contented himself with another question. "Have you ever seen Miss -Durham?" - -"Lord! no, sir, nor has anyone else. Miss Bellaria keeps her safely -within the grounds of that tumbledown house, and a good thing too, say -I." - -"Does the house belong to Major Rebb?" - -"No, sir--to that poor girl herself. You see, sir, the Durhams were a -great family hereabouts for years. But they all died out save one, who -went soldiering to India. He was shot in the lungs some months after -his marriage at Simla to an English lady, and came home to die. He -lingered a year and died at Brighton." - -"And his wife?" - -"Oh, she died in Bombay, when starting for England, long before -Captain Durham was shot. That poor girl at the Pixy's House was born -when her mother died, so Major Rebb, who was a brother officer of -Captain Durham, took charge of her." - -"Has Miss Durham any money?" - -"I can't tell you that, sir. What I say is only what I have heard from -time to time. I believe that she has the old house of the Durhams, and -enough money to keep her. Major Rebb is a good, kind gentleman to take -such trouble over the poor thing. Many another gentleman would have -shut her up in a lunatic asylum." - -Haskins smiled once more, very significantly. He quite believed that -if Rebb could have shut up Mavis as a lunatic he would have done so -long ago. But, in the first place, it would be difficult to get two -doctors to certify to her insanity, and in the second, if the case -became known, the use of the girl's money by Rebb might be questioned. -The Major had just made sufficient of the story public to save himself -from awkward questions, and Gerald foresaw that to extricate Mavis -from her false position was a more difficult task than, he had -reckoned upon. - -However, notwithstanding that things looked thus black, he held to his -determination of having an explanation with Major Rebb, and as the -evening was pleasant he walked to Denleigh at his leisure. There was -more chance of catching the Major at this hour, since it was probable -that he would always return to the Devon Maid for dinner. As he was -starting, Mrs. Jennings came up to him at the door. - -"If you see Major Rebb, sir," she said, in a low voice, "you might -tell him that Mr. Arnold has come back." - -"Who is he?" asked Gerald, forgetting what Mavis had said. - -"A small clever gentleman, with a long beard, who looked after that -poor girl for a time. He went away to some foreign port months ago but -returned to this neighborhood during the last two or three days. I -haven't seen Mr. Arnold myself," ended Mrs. Jennings, "but others have -seen him, and I want the Major to know." - -"Why?" asked Haskins, looking at her keenly. - -"Mr. Arnold behaved very badly to Major Rebb," explained the landlady, -"and went away without giving notice. Major Rebb wants to see him, and -ask why he left him in the lurch, as you might say." - -"I'll tell him," said Haskins, nodding. "Where is this Mr. Arnold -now?" - -"I can't say, sir, save that he is in the neighborhood." - -Haskins walked away, pondering over what had been said. He then -remembered how Mavis had called this dwarf Arnold by the name of -Schaibar, and said that he had gone to Australia. Apparently he had -acted as a kind of companion to Mavis, and possibly as a tutor, -although he had not been allowed by Rebb to teach his pupil reading or -writing. It occurred to Gerald that the scholar was friendly to Mavis. -In that case, he certainly would be hostile to her guardian, as he -could not fail to know from personal observation that the girl was -perfectly sane, and was illegally detained. The young man felt very -certain that Rebb wished to see this Mr. Arnold, not to ask him -questions as to the reason for his sudden departure, some months back, -but to bribe him into silence regarding the truth. "I shall hunt up -Arnold," thought Gerald, as he mounted the rising road to Denleigh, -"he may be able to help Mavis and myself. And heaven knows that we -shall need all the help and friendship that we can obtain." - -The evening was warm, luminous, and intensely still. Haskins did not -hurry himself, but sauntered through the lovely country, enjoying its -beauty in spite of his anxious state of mind. In the depths of his -heart he felt that everything would come right in the end, and that he -would some day be able to make Mavis his dear wife. They would then -live happily ever afterwards, just like a fairy tale. - -Still, in fairy tales, the lovers always have to undergo much woe and -sorrow and danger before the end is reached, and this fantasy of real -life--as Gerald believed--was to proceed much on the same lines. -Dragons had to be overcome, magicians thwarted, enchanted castles had -to be stormed: but when these tasks laid upon the fated prince were -accomplished he would awaken the princess to everyday life with a -kiss, and all the fairies would come to the nuptials. The young man -thought allegorically, but there was a bitter truth enshrined in the -symbols. And fairy tales themselves are only fanciful pictures of -life's mystery: pain must be undergone before pleasure can be gained. - -Geary was absent when the traveler arrived at the Devon Maid, and -Haskins was not sorry to hear this from Mrs. Geary, who received him. -The negro, having learned from Rebb and Bellaria that the castle he -had guarded was discovered, would not be in the best of humors and -would probably make himself disagreeable. Not that Gerald had any fear -of the man; but he wished for an explanation with Rebb before any open -quarrel took place. The Major, as a civilized being, would certainly -be more reasonable than the negro. - -"Is Major Rebb in?" questioned Gerald, when Mrs. Geary had told him of -her husband's absence--she did not say where he was, as she apparently -did not know, and Geary was not the man to permit questions. - -"Yes, sir. He is having dinner in your old room. I am sorry you can't -have the room, Mr. Haskins, but the Major----" - -"Yes, yes! I understand," said Haskins impatiently, "take my card to -Major Rebb, and say that I have come down from London to see him." - -Mrs. Geary did this in her stolid way, and shortly returned to usher -Haskins into the well-remembered sitting-room. Here he was received -somewhat stiffly by the man he had come to see, and the landlady -retired, closing the door carefully after her. Rebb looked thinner and -more erect, and more reserved than ever. With a silent bow he pointed -to a seat, and waited to hear what Gerald had to say. Considering the -two men had already met frequently this reception was frigid; but Rebb -apparently wished to make Haskins as uncomfortable as possible, so -that he might get the better of him. If such was his object he failed -to attain it, for Gerald, anticipating this demeanor, was quite -cheerful, and very observant. The Major, having finished his meal, -lighted a cigar, but did not offer one to Haskins. This was a sign of -war, and Gerald accepted it as such. - -"You are surprised to see me," he remarked, keeping his eyes on Rebb's -dark high-bred face. - -"Not exactly," answered the other coolly, "my man told me that you -wished to see me in London, and of course I found your card, when I -returned. I regret that I could not see you then, but I had to come -back here on business." - -"To see your elderly relative, no doubt." - -"Bellaria Dondi. Precisely. Well?" - -"Why fence in this way, Rebb?" asked the young man, "you have heard -from Bellaria that I----" - -"Yes," interrupted the Major, leaning forward and gripping the arms of -his chair with an angry expression on his face, "Bellaria has told me -of your secret visits to the Pixy's House. I must say that you have -behaved very badly, Haskins. This is not the kind of thing I expected -from you." - -"Really," Gerald raised his eyebrows, "we have not been intimate, that -you should expect me to consider your feelings." - -"Since my future wife was your mother's friend and is yours," said -Rebb, with dignity, "I was quite willing to admit you to a certain -degree of intimacy. Now the case is altered." - -"Because I love your ward?" - -"No. Because you went by stealth to see her. If you had come to me, I -could have explained her unhappy condition." - -"I am quite certain that you could," retorted Gerald, looking straight -at his enemy, as he was convinced the Major was, "but is there any -need of an explanation? Everyone hereabouts declares that Miss Durham -is insane, and not responsible for her actions." - -A flash of pleasure came and went in Rebb's dark eyes for the moment, -and then he looked hypocritically sad. "Poor girl! It is only too -true." - -"I don't agree with you there," said Haskins quietly. - -"Indeed, and on what grounds?" - -"I have had several interviews with Mavis, and I am quite certain that -she is as sane as you or I." - -"If so, why should I shut her up?" - -"Ask your own conscience." - -Rebb struck his hand fiercely on the table. "You go too far, Haskins, -in saying that. I am not forced to account for my actions to you." - -"You may not think so," said Gerald, feeling that they were coming to -close quarters, "but I do. I love Mavis, and wish to marry her." - -"It is out of the question." - -"Why?" - -"She is--as I declare--insane. If you married her, she would probably -murder you in your sleep." - -"I am willing to take the risk," said Haskins, with a contemptuous -smile. He saw that Rebb was trying to make the best of his position. - -"I am not willing that you should," retorted the Major. - -"Ah! but the decision lies with me. Mrs. Crosbie----" - -Rebb looked furious. "What has Mrs. Crosbie to do with this matter?" - -"Has she not told you?" - -"Told me what? I have heard nothing from Mrs. Crosbie." - -Gerald privately apologized to himself for having doubted the little -woman, but determined to have no further misunderstanding. He spoke -out. "I saw Mrs. Crosbie when I was in London, and asked her to help -me to marry Mavis." - -"Not even for Mrs. Crosbie's sake can I consent to that. A marriage of -that kind would be a sin. How dare you tell my private affairs to my -future wife?" And Rebb again struck the table. - -"Gently, Major, gently! I am not to be intimidated. I asked Mrs. -Crosbie to help me, as she is my mother's old friend, and I have known -her much longer than you have. She refused to help me." - -"Ah!" cried Rebb, gratified. "I knew that she loved me." - -"But she agreed to keep what I had told her a secret from you, for at -least a month, on condition that I took no steps meanwhile to run away -with Mavis. From what you say, I understand that she has kept her -promise, and I have done her an injustice. I fancied, from your sudden -departure to this place, that she had told you." - -"Mrs. Crosbie has told me nothing," said Rebb coldly. "I came down -here because I heard that Bellaria had been up to see me. Also I had a -line from Geary saying that something was wrong. I came down at once, -and was informed that you had been spying out my private affairs." - -"Don't call hard names, Major," said Gerald coolly. "I admit that I -was wrong to speak to Mrs. Crosbie, seeing that she is engaged to you. -But I am putting that right by coming here for an explanation, and I -absolve Mrs. Crosbie from her promise. But I was not wrong in obeying -the invitation of the sealed message. Any young man in my position -would have done the same." - -"Ah, the cylinder!" cried Rebb angrily, "Bellaria told me of that, as -Mavis confessed to her what she had done. Who would have thought that -the girl would have communicated with the world in that way?" - -"Why should she not communicate with the world?" asked Gerald sharply. - -Rebb saw that in his hurry he had made a mistake, and tried to get out -of it. "Why? Because she is crazy!" - -"And for that reason she has not been taught to read or write?" - -"Exactly! The doctor said that if she were educated, or if her brain -was subjected to any strain, her homicidal mania would be intensified. -Out of sheer pity for the unfortunate girl, I have had her kept in -ignorance." - -"I see!" said Haskins, thinking that the excuse was extremely skilful. -"Then Mr. Arnold taught her nothing?" - -Rebb started; the cigar fell from his fingers, and he turned pale. The -mention of the name evidently worried him not a little. "What do you -know of Mr. Arnold?" he demanded. - -"Only that he is, or was, Mavis' tutor in some sort of odd way. And -that reminds me: Mrs. Jennings of the Prince's Head gave me a message -for you, Major. Mr. Arnold, she says, has returned from Australia, and -is in the neighborhood." - -"Stale news, Haskins," said Rebb, recovering his wits. "Geary found -out, at least a week ago, that Arnold was traveling round the country, -in a kind of gipsy caravan, selling books. It was about Arnold that -Geary wrote to me. I came down to see into the matter, as Arnold is a -rascal. But I also learned on my arrival, from Bellaria, that you had -been taking an interest in my affairs!" And he sneered. - -"In the affairs of the woman I hope to make my wife!" said Gerald -imperturbably. - -Rebb rose stiffly. "Mr. Haskins," he said, in a most ceremonious -manner, "had you come to me in the first place, and without acting in -this underhand manner, I should have told you that such a marriage is -impossible. I tell you so now, and beg to end this interview." - -Gerald rose also. "As you please, Major Rebb. After all," he paused at -the door, "six thousand a year is worth fighting for." - -Rebb gasped, again turned pale, and fell back into his chair. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. -THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS. - - -"Do you still wish me to go?" inquired Gerald politely, and half -opening the sitting-room door. - -"No," cried Rebb sharply. "Shut that door again and explain yourself." - -Haskins returned to his seat. "Does what I say need explanation?" - -"Certainly. You insinuate that my income has to do with Mavis." - -"You place the matter in a nutshell, Major. It has." - -Rebb rose again, with the look of a man at bay. "You dare to----" - -"I dare anything in the cause of Mavis," interrupted Gerald -imperiously. "Don't make any mistake about my attitude, Major Rebb. If -you act honestly, I am here as your friend; but if you declare war I -am willing to accept your challenge." - -If a look could have slain the bold speaker, Haskins would have -dropped dead where he stood; but he bore Rebb's fierce gaze without -flinching, and waited for him to speak. The Major made a gigantic -effort, and gained control of himself sufficiently to open his mouth -for a quiet question. "Where did you learn this?" he demanded. - -"From the will of Captain Julian Durham at Somerset House." - -"Indeed! More spying!" sneered the other, but his lip quivered. - -Haskins shrugged his shoulders, and took scarcely any notice of the -insult. "That is a weak speech to make," he remarked. - -Rebb passed a handkerchief across his pale lips. "Who told you about -the will?" he asked quietly. - -"It was more an intuition than anything else," said Haskins, anxious -to shield Mrs. Geary, whose chance words had put him on the track. "I -saw that Mavis was sane, and that you were shutting her up for some -reason. Money was the reason that suggested itself." - -"And you searched in Somerset House?" - -"Not personally. Macandrew did that, as my lawyer." - -"Great heavens!" stormed Rebb, growing darkly red, "is Macandrew in -this affair also? Will you tell me, Mr. Haskins, how many people you -have succeeded in interesting in my private business?" - -"Only Tod and myself know about the matter so far--I refer to the -will, of course. But others may come to know of it, unless----" - -"Ah," said Rebb quickly, "now we are coming to the gist of the matter, -Mr. Haskins. Unless what?" - -"Unless you give Mavis her proper position in the world----" - -"And consent to your marriage with her, I suppose?" - -Haskins bowed. "You save me the trouble of an explanation." - -"There is another explanation to be made," said Rebb, trying to appear -calm, "and one that in justice to myself I must make. The will----" - -"Pardon me," interrupted Gerald coolly, "but Mrs. Jennings knows all -about your ward's alleged insanity." - -"Her true insanity," cried Rebb warmly, "everyone in Denleigh and -Silbury and Leegarth knows about the poor girl, and that she is -watched by Bellaria Dondi." - -"Your useful, elderly relative. Just so. And does all the neighborhood -know about Julian Durham's will?" - -"Anyone who goes to Somerset House can learn what he wishes, as you -have done," retorted the Major. "I am not bound to make my private -affairs public down here. You apparently are trying to do your best to -provide gossip for the neighborhood." - -"Well, yes. I mean to get Mavis out of the Pixy's House." - -Rebb jumped up and banged on the table furiously. "I defy you. Yes, I -defy you," he almost shouted, "and you shall not get her out of that -house. She is well treated, and----" - -"One moment. I never said that she was not well treated," said Gerald -swiftly, "but, badly as you are behaving, I presume your conscience -does not allow you to ill-treat Mavis, seeing that you are enjoying -her fortune." - -"Take care! Take care! I may strike you." - -"By all means. It will give me the chance to take you into court for -assault and make the matter of the Pixy's House public." - -"Ah," Rebb looked scathingly at the bold speaker, "you are afraid." - -"Oh no. If you strike me, I shall probably give you a good thrashing, -which, to my mind, you richly deserve. In an ordinary case I would -thrash you and let you go: but my desire is to force you into taking -up a public position of defence." - -"I am quite willing to do so," said Rebb violently, "you can employ -Macandrew or any lawyer you like. The will is in my favor, and I have -carried out its provisions." - -"Pardon me, but that is just what you have not done. Mavis, by the -will, was to be educated. She can neither read nor write." - -"The doctor said----" - -"Produce your doctor who said that her brain could not understand, or -could not bear teaching. It is no use, Major. Whatever you may say -about Mavis, to suit your own ends, you are well aware that she is -perfectly sane, and that you are keeping her shut up in the Pixy's -House to enjoy her money." - -"You dare--you dare----" - -"I dare now, and I shall dare in open court," retorted the young man. - -"I wonder I don't kill you," muttered Rebb, in impotent fury. - -"In the first place you can't; in the second, if you did you would -only be tried for murder instead of conspiracy." - -"Conspiracy? Conspiracy, damn you?" - -"Yes, against the liberty of a subject." - -Rebb had proved himself to be a brave man in several South African -engagements, so it was not fear that prevented him from falling upon -the man who thus defied him and meddled with his most private affairs. -But with all his fury--and he could scarcely articulate for rage--he -was sufficiently master of himself to know that to strike Haskins -would only force him into open court. Rebb had no wish that the will -of Durham and his guardianship of Mavis should be a topic of -conversation with his friends, or appear in print for the delectation -of the public. He therefore kept his hands down by his sides, and -subdued his wrath, as best he could. But the effort nearly choked him. - -"You have said all that you can say, Mr. Haskins," he growled, in a -guttural voice filled with menace, "so you can go." - -"Certainly," rejoined Gerald again. "And your attitude?" - -"I stand by the will of my brother officer," said Rebb, with -suppressed fury, "I enjoy the Durham property until Mavis marries. She -is not fit to marry, being insane, therefore----" - -"You will enjoy the Durham property until the end of your life." - -"Yes!" said Rebb determinedly, "I do hold to that. Mavis has all she -wants and is happy where she is." - -"Because you have filled her mind with lying tales of English girls -all being brought up in seclusion as she is being brought up. But on -Mavis' twenty-first birthday, Rebb, when she hopes to come out into -the world? What then? How will you restrain her? Will she be happy -then?" - -"I am not bound to tell you of my plans regarding my ward," said the -Major stiffly, "on her twenty-first birthday I shall know how to act." - -"Good-night!" said Gerald abruptly, and made for the door. - -"Stop," cried Rebb imperatively. "What about _your_ attitude?" - -Haskins wheeled at the door. "I love Mavis, and I intend to make her -my wife. That is my attitude." - -"I see," sneered the Major; "you are after her money." - -The insult was too contemptible to be noticed. "Think what you like, -Major, only remember one thing. If you harm Mavis in any way, or -transfer her to another hiding-place, I shall hold you accountable." - -"In what way?" questioned the other contemptuously. - -"I shall find some relative of Mavis, and get him or her to contest -the will. That will bring everything out." - -"Very probably, but Mavis has no relative. Julian Durham was the last -of his race, and so, since his wife was dead, left his child for me to -look after. Had he or she any relative I should not have been -appointed guardian. I stand by the will. Good-night." - -Gerald hesitated, and wondered whether he would say anything more, but -on second thoughts he decided to hold his peace, and abruptly left the -room. After all, there was no more to be arranged. He knew the -attitude which Rebb had taken up, and Rebb knew his attitude. It only -remained to fight for possession of the girl. - -As Haskins walked back to Silbury, in the rapidly gathering darkness, -he admitted that Rebb's position was a strong one. Mavis was perfectly -happy, and had all she wanted. The loss of liberty did not trouble -her, since she had the spacious grounds of the Pixy's House for a -playground, and, moreover, thought that all English girls were brought -up in the same way. Had she known that this was a lie she might have -fretted after liberty, and then there would have been some ground to -go upon. But were she taken into court she could not deny but that her -guardian had been kind, and had given her all she required. This -reasoning was all in favor of Rebb. - -Then again, since Rebb swore that Mavis was insane, he was quite -justified in shutting her up, so long as she was treated kindly. -Certainly could she be proved to be sane, his position would then be a -very awkward one, as it would force him to explain why he had used the -girl's money all these years, while keeping her in durance vile. But, -as Tod had said and Gerald had echoed, "much could be done with -money," and if things came to be made public Rebb might be able to -bribe a couple of doctors to certify to Mavis' insanity. In that case -she would be shut up in a public asylum, and Rebb--after setting aside -a certain sum for her maintenance--would enjoy the Durham income for -the rest of his wicked life. The plot was very cunningly arranged, and -in standing by the will Rebb took up an almost unassailable position. - -Many another man would have been daunted by the difficulties thus -presented by a survey of the position. But Gerald was in love, and to -a lover nothing is impossible that stands in the way of his gaining -his mistress. Haskins did not know for the moment exactly how to act, -but in one way or another he determined to force Rebb's strong hand. -By warning Rebb he had certainly put him on his guard against any -possible elopement: but he also had forced him to behave in a more or -less straightforward manner. Knowing that he was watched the Major -could not smuggle Mavis into another hiding-place. - -During the conversation Gerald had intended to mention Bellaria's -dread of the coral hand, so that he might learn if it was really the -Tána Society that she feared. But the chances were that Rebb would not -have told him, and moreover the introduction of a new subject might -have complicated matters. Haskins therefore congratulated himself that -he had kept silence. Also, for the moment, it was unnecessary to draw -Rebb's attention to the wonderful likeness between Charity and Mavis. -Doubtless Rebb was well aware of it, and it was more than likely that -Rebb could explain it. Still, bearing in mind Mrs. Pelham Odin's offer -to pass off Mavis as Charity, should it be necessary, Gerald resolved -to hold his peace. At one moment he was inclined to storm the Pixy's -House secretly and elope with Mavis, hiding her, as above, under the -name of Charity, who would then be out of the way as Mrs. Macandrew. -But Rebb would know who had taken Mavis away, and--standing by the -will, which gave him the guardianship of Mavis until she was -twenty-one--would make dire trouble. Gerald did not wish to be arrested, -as he could do little good for Mavis if imprisoned. - -It only remained then to return to London and to see Tod. In one way -or another some start could be made towards extricating Mavis from the -clutches of her guardian; and when the start was made the desired end -would be reached sooner or later. Gerald therefore determined to leave -Silbury next morning, and to begin his campaign forthwith, assisted by -Tod. He felt very reluctant to leave the neighborhood without seeing -Mavis, but he was forced to. Bellaria would now be on her guard, if he -attempted to climb the wall. And Gerald was very certain that Geary -had been sent to watch the Pixy's House by his precious master. -Haskins had a revolver, as opposed to the yellow-handled knife about -which Mavis had talked, so he did not fear the encounter. But an open -struggle would only damage the position of Mavis, and impede any plans -made for her rescue. Knowing that Rebb had the will, and swore to the -reported insanity of Mavis to strengthen his attitude, Gerald was -extremely anxious to move cautiously. In sheer desperation Major Rebb -might call in the assistance of the law. Much as Haskins wished to -force the man's hand, he did not want to do so by placing himself in -the wrong. To take Mavis from the guardianship of a man appointed by -her father's will, would be a disobedience to the law of which Rebb -would take full advantage. - -As the night was warm, Gerald, having plenty of time, did not hurry -himself. There was no moon, and the stars were covered with dun-hued -clouds. Very little light, therefore, came from above. Nevertheless, -the night was not entirely dark, as a faint luminous radiance was -everywhere spread, and he could pick his way along the highroad -very easily. Although, following Tod's advice, he had his revolver -in his hip-pocket, he never thought that it would be necessary to -use it. Major Rebb, as a civilized being, had refrained from actual -violence, much as he apparently desired to use it. But then, he -would only have taken to his fists. It was far otherwise with -Geary. That semi-civilized savage would undoubtedly have taken to -his yellow-handled knife. - -In the usual way in which intuitions came to Haskins, the thought of -this knife unexpectedly flashed into his mind when he topped the last -rise of the hills. Already he could see the glimmer of the Silbury -lights, and paused a moment to watch them, shining like stars under -the muggy canopy of the heavy sky. But the knife-thought remained, and -he turned his head uneasily from side to side, scenting danger, by his -sixth sense. The feeling passed, and then came again stronger than -ever when he began to walk on once more. He glanced back, and then -swerved to one side, just in time to avoid the rush of a big black -form which hurled itself out of the shadows. It was Geary, who dashed -towards him, missed, wheeled, and flung himself again on the young -man. - -Haskins had walked to Denleigh in his flannels, as the evening was so -close, so he was a sufficiently easy mark in the semi-darkness, -showing whitely like a negative against the gloom. Geary clutched him -in his powerful arms before he could swerve again, or draw his -revolver, and then Gerald realized with a shock of surprise that, save -for a pair of dungaree trousers, the man was naked. Not only that, but -the upper part of his body had been rubbed with oil, and he slipped -about like an eel. Geary made no remark, nor did Gerald speak, but the -two men, the one big and burly, the other lithe and wiry, wrestled -together for mastery. Haskins believed that Geary wished to get him -down and stab him, but could not see if he held a knife. He certainly -did not in his huge hands, but he might have had it strapped, sailor -fashion, in the small of his back. - -Without a word the two men swung and swayed, Geary wriggling and -pressing Gerald downward with his great weight. But Haskins had lately -taken lessons in jiu-jutsu, of which the negro was apparently -ignorant; so he suddenly gave way, with an unexpected relaxing of all -the muscles. Geary uttered a guttural ejaculation of anger and -surprise as he felt the looseness of the young man's body and found a -moment afterwards that his big arms were empty. By making himself -small, so to speak, Gerald had slipped out of the negro's grip, and -darted back with lightning speed. When Geary swung round again to the -assault he found himself facing a revolver. - -Nothing daunted, his hand slipped round to the back of his dungaree -trousers, and a moment later Gerald saw the steel glitter in the dim -light, as Geary rushed forward with uplifted hand. Haskins did not -wish to kill the man, as he was a necessary witness to save Mavis, so -he winged him. The bullet struck the negro's right arm, and the knife -dropped, as he howled viciously. Apparently dreading another shot, he -sprang aside and then backward, and vanished. For some minutes Gerald -heard the pad-pad-pad of his bare feet on the highway, and became -aware then, for the first time, that he had escaped a great danger. - -Picking up the knife, he replaced his revolver in his hip-pocket and -walked swiftly towards Silbury, wondering if Rebb had sent the man to -kill him. If so, Geary had failed, and as there was no chance of -another attempt being made on that night Gerald did not trouble -himself on the way to the town. He swiftly resolved to say nothing of -his adventure, especially as any publicity might lead to revelations -being made at the moment, while Mavis' fate swung in the balance. But -later Gerald determined to bring Geary to justice. He had the evidence -of the knife. At the first street lamp he stopped and looked at the -weapon. It was a dangerous piece of steel--a bowie knife, but the -handle was of black wood. What then had become of the yellow-handled -knife which Mavis feared so greatly? Gerald was too weary, and ached -too much with his late struggle, to think over this problem. He -therefore postponed all consideration until next morning. - -On reaching the Prince's Head he sat down to an excellent meal, and -held his peace about his adventures. After dinner he drank some coffee -and smoked a couple of pipes. Then he went to bed about ten o'clock, -or a trifle later. Shortly, in spite of the late excitement, he fell -asleep. - -When he awoke it was nine o'clock in the morning. Feeling somewhat -bruised and stiff--for Geary's grasp was like that of an octopus--he -decided to remain in bed, instead of taking the morning train to -London. The afternoon train would do, he decided, so he rang for his -breakfast to be served, intending to rise at midday. The chambermaid -took his orders for breakfast, and seemed to be flustered, but before -he could make inquiries she ran out of the room. - -Later, Mrs. Jennings herself arrived with the breakfast-tray, and -looked excited as she placed it on the bed. - -"Oh, Mr. Haskins," she cried, with shining eyes, "such terrible news. -That mad girl at the Pixy's House has murdered Miss Bellaria, and has -bolted." - -"It is impossible," gasped Haskins, starting up in bed. - -"The milkman from Leegarth has just brought the news, sir." - - - - -CHAPTER XV. -A TRAGEDY. - - -Mrs. Jennings' news was so startling that Gerald could only fall back -on his pillow and stare at her excited face. Pleased with the effect -which she produced, like all gossips, she continued rapidly to -explain, breathlessly. - -"The milkman's master--Evans is his name--went at seven this morning -with the milk to the Pixy's House. Miss Bellaria always came to the -gate and opened it to take the milk in. He found the gate wide open, -and Miss Bellaria lying on the path within the grounds, stabbed to the -heart, and as dead as a stone. Evans gave the alarm in the village, -and many people went into the grounds and up to examine the house. -They found no one there: that poor lunatic was gone. Evans sent on his -man to tell the police here, and he came in for a drink. I had the -whole story out of him. Isn't it dreadful, sir? To think that we -should have been talking of that crazy Meg only yesterday, and that -she should commit so dreadful a crime." - -"Stop," said Gerald sharply, and somewhat recovering himself, "you -cannot say if Miss Durham is guilty." - -Mrs. Jennings gaped. "Not say she is guilty! Why, sir, if she isn't, -who can be? It's well known that Miss Durham, as you call her, sir, -always wanted to kill people, and that was why she was shut up. Not -being able to get at another person, she has murdered poor Miss -Bellaria, who watched her, and then ran away--to murder again, I -suppose. Oh, how very dreadful it all is! When I said yesterday that -we might be murdered in our beds, I little thought that we should be." - -"Nonsense, nonsense!" - -"Begging your pardon, sir, but it's gospel truth that I am speaking," -said the landlady, bristling, "with a lunatic at large one never knows -what may happen. The police inspector--and a very nice man he is--has -already sent to Denleigh asking Major Rebb to go to Leegarth. Everyone -is talking about things with blood and slaughter in them. And I ask -your pardon, sir, for having come into your bedroom, but I thought you -would like to know. Oh, dear me! dear me!" Mrs. Jennings wrung her -plump hands and retreated towards the door, in a flurried condition. -"I'll bolt and bar every window and door at sunset: no murders for -me." - -Having babbled herself out of the room, she banged the door, and -Haskins, sitting up in bed, placed his hands on either side of his -head, to think matters over. He found it difficult to believe the -news, and yet he might have expected to hear something of this sort. -Of course he was absolutely certain that Mavis was innocent: but he -could not understand why she had run away, nor could he guess who had -slain the unfortunate Italian. Quite unable to eat his breakfast -because of the intelligence, he jumped out of bed, and into the -hip-bath which was in the centre of the room. The sooner he went -downstairs and learned all that could be learned the better able would -he be to see his way. If Mavis had been in danger from Major Rebb -before, she was now in greater danger than ever, as he assuredly would -use her assumed guilt to prevent her inheriting the money. - -"Nothing will make anyone believe that Mavis is other than guilty," -was the young man's soliloquy: "her crazy reputation is enough. If she -is caught, they will shut her up in an asylum, notwithstanding the -denial she is sure to make. Then Rebb will be able to keep the money, -according to the strict letter of the will. And yet--and yet----" He -clenched his fist. "I believe that Rebb himself is guilty of the -crime." - -He had really no reason to make such an accusation: but the happening -of the crime was so opportune for the Major that it did not seem -entirely impossible for him to have had a hand in it. Assuredly he -might not have struck the blow himself, but the unscrupulous Geary -could easily have been employed to remove Bellaria. Not that Rebb, on -the face of it, would wish to lose so useful a servant, but if it was -necessary that Mavis should be accused of murder, to ensure her being -placed in an asylum, Bellaria was the nearest and most natural victim. - -But these arguments were futile, as Gerald reflected while dressing, -for he did not know exactly what had taken place. It was necessary to -learn when the crime had been committed; where the body had been -found--the precise spot, that is--and, if possible, to discover the -weapon which had been used. If the yellow-handled knife was picked up -anywhere near the corpse the presumption would be that Geary had -killed the woman, although Mrs. Jennings had made no report of this. -But the thought recalled to Haskins' mind the attack made upon him by -the negro on the previous night. A knife had been used then, and he -had it in the pocket of the suit he had worn. On looking at it again -he saw what had struck him before, that the handle of this particular -weapon was black, and not yellow. What then had become of the famous -sacrificial knife, of which Mavis had spoken? Why should Geary not -have used this when striving to murder Gerald? That question could -only be answered when the yellow-handled knife was found. - -Haskins could not wear the flannels in which he had been attacked, as -they were smeared all over with oil from Geary's body, He therefore -flung this suit into his portmanteau, and, as the day promised to be -extremely hot, dressed himself in white drill. Thus clothed, although -far from being in his right mind, by reason of inward perturbation, he -descended, to find the hotel seething with excitement. - -Everyone was talking of the Leegarth tragedy, as such an event had -never before startled the somnolent town. The bar was crowded with -idlers, and Mr. Evans' messenger was being supplied with as much drink -as he could swallow. However, he was yet sober enough to answer the -few questions which Haskins put to him. No weapon had been found; the -police had gone to Leegarth; the guilt of Miss Durham was certain; she -had vanished, and search was being made; wires had been sent far and -wide ordering her arrest; policemen were scouring the countryside on -bicycles; sooner or later the murderess would be captured and everyone -would be relieved. So the man babbled on, and, having learned all that -was possible, Gerald went to hire a bicycle in order to proceed to -Leegarth. - -He did not feel the least hungry, for obvious reasons, but as he had a -long and exhausting day before him he was wise enough to force himself -to eat and drink. Thus fortified he rode up the steep Silbury High -Street, and into the surrounding country. So rapid was his pace, and -so eager was he to learn the best or the worst at once, that in a -marvelously short time he found himself before the high wall which -girdled the Pixy's House and its park. In this wall double gates of -rough iron were set, but the grounds could not be seen from the lane -as boards had been placed across the bars to prevent anyone looking -in. This had been done--as Gerald learned from a chatty villager--many -years before, when the crazy girl and her dead watcher had come to -live there. - -Policemen guarded the gates, and preserved order amongst the rapidly -increasing crowd, which augmented every minute. The terrible news had -traveled with lightning speed, and from far and wide came all who were -possessed of morbid curiosity. The police were expected from Exeter, -and in the meanwhile Inspector Morgan of Silbury was within the -grounds, searching round. Major Rebb had not yet arrived. - -On learning this latter fact, Haskins at once demanded admission, so -that he might interview Morgan. When Rebb came, he knew well that it -would not be possible to meddle with the case, as the Major would -insist that he had nothing to do with it. But, in order to discover -any evidence that might be suppressed by Rebb--should he or Geary be -guilty--Haskins made up his mind to examine as much into the matter on -the spot as would be permitted to him. After sending in his request he -received a reply in a few minutes, and this led to his being conducted -by a young constable through the jealously guarded gates, and into the -presence of the inspector. Morgan was standing on the lawn, drawing a -plan of the grounds, and several policemen were beating about the long -grass, searching for something. - -"Have they found the knife?" asked Gerald, coming up swiftly. - -Morgan looked at him keenly. He was a tall and burly man, with a red -face and white hair, apparently easygoing and tolerant, who would not -be difficult to manage if treated diplomatically. Nevertheless he -resented Haskins' abrupt question with stiff official dignity. "May I -ask who you are, sir?" he demanded. - -Gerald pointed to the card which the inspector held. "My name is -there, Mr. Inspector. I came here because I am interested in the -case." - -"On what grounds? For what reason?" questioned Morgan, still stiffly. - -Haskins did not hesitate. On the way hither he had resolved to be -absolutely frank, if frankness were necessary. To deliver Mavis from -her dangerous position he would have to give some reason for -championing her, and--having regard to the searching examinations of -the law--he deemed it best to tell the absolute truth. If he did not, -Rebb might possibly make some use of his knowledge of the secret -visits to get him into trouble. He therefore cast his bombshell -boldly. "I am engaged to marry Miss Durham," he stated slowly. - -Morgan, in spite of official phlegm, dropped his pocketbook in sheer -amazement, and two constables, who overheard, looked round with -expressions of blank astonishment. "What do you mean, sir?" stuttered -the inspector, growing redder than ever. "Are you making a fool of me? -Miss Durham was mad: she could not be engaged to anyone." - -"Miss Durham was perfectly sane, as I am prepared to swear, and to -prove my belief in her sanity I am willing to make her my wife." - -"A murderess?" - -"She is not a murderess. Whomsoever killed that unfortunate Bellaria -Dondi, the poor girl who was shut up here is at least innocent." - -"Dear! dear! dear!" Morgan scratched his head, and looked bewildered. -"I never came across anything so extraordinary in my life. If Miss -Durham was shut up here--and everyone knows that she was strictly -guarded on account of her mania--how came you to see her?" - -"In a rather peculiar way, Mr. Inspector, but what I tell you can be -substantiated by my friend and legal adviser, Mr. Ian Roy Macandrew." -And after thus guarding himself from the tale being received with -disbelief Gerald detailed the finding of the cylinder, and his -subsequent dealings with the matter. - -Morgan gaped and stared, not knowing what to make of so extraordinary -a story. "Then this young lady was not crazy?" - -"No," said Gerald positively. "I am certain she was in complete -possession of her senses." - -"Then why was she shut up?" - -"You had better ask Major Rebb that," said Haskins dryly, "he will be -here soon. In proof of the truth of my story, you can look for the -canoe, which is hidden in the undergrowth on the other side of the -pool below the river wall." - -Morgan nodded, with his pale blue eyes fixed on the speaker. "Do you -know anything of this murder?" he asked pointedly. - -Gerald laughed shortly. "Are you going to accuse me?" he demanded. - -"Certainly not, Mr. Haskins; certainly not. But, seeing that your -canoe is near the house, and you confess to having paid secret visits." - -"I understand." Gerald cut him short. "People will talk. Let them. I -can prove an alibi with the help of Mrs. Jennings and three or four of -her servants. I slept last night at the Prince's Head, Silbury, and -was in bed a few minutes after ten. By the way, can you tell me when -this crime was committed?" - -"The doctor who examined the poor woman's body states that she -was stabbed--so far as he can ascertain from the condition of the -corpse--somewhere about twelve o'clock: say at midnight." - -"Where?" - -Morgan indicated a spot, stained with blood--it had soaked into the -graveled path--some little distance away. "Yonder, Mr. Haskins. I -judge from this that Miss Bellaria, as she is called hereabouts, came -to open the gate to someone--the assassin, no doubt--and then she was -stabbed to the heart before she could make an outcry. The doctor -declares that death must have taken place almost instantaneously." - -"Humph," said Gerald swiftly. "I see then that you exonerate Miss -Durham, seeing that you say Bellaria was summoned to the gate by the -assassin." - -"Yes and no, Mr. Haskins," said the inspector stolidly, "according to -what you say, this young lady was sane: that has yet to be proved. It -is quite likely that for once she may have gone out." - -"No, no; she had no wish to go out." - -"You seem to know a great deal about the young lady's intentions," -said Inspector Morgan, a trifle dryly. "Well then, she may have -followed Miss Bellaria into the garden, and, after stabbing her, may -have opened the gates and got away." - -"Miss Bellaria never came into the garden at night," said Gerald -quickly; "she told me herself that she was afraid of something." - -"What was she afraid of?" asked Morgan sharply. - -"I can't exactly tell you," replied the young man, who did not wish to -say too much about the Tána Society, lest Mrs. Crosbie, who owned the -coral pin, might be implicated, "but Bellaria hinted that she was -afraid, and Miss Durham told me that her nurse would never venture out -after dark. Why, then, should she have come to the gate?" - -Morgan reflected, and pulled his white moustache. "Probably Miss -Durham was seized with a mania for killing and chased her nurse -through the house. Miss Bellaria would then run into the garden to -escape, and so was struck down on the very threshold of yonder gate. I -daresay she was trying to get out and summon assistance from the -village." - -"You make out a very pretty case against Miss Durham, Mr. Inspector." - -Morgan would have replied, but at this moment one of the constables -who had been hunting in the long grass on the left hand of the gate -cried out triumphantly, and held up a knife. "Here it is, sir," he -said. - -In another moment Morgan was holding in his hand a yellow-handled -knife, of a very deadly description, which had bloodstains on the -blade. - -"I see," said the officer gravely, "this is undoubtedly the weapon -used. It seems to me that the woman was stabbed, and then the -assassin--Miss Durham, for a thousand--flung the knife aside into that -long grass, before running away. Very natural, very natural; she would -not care to carry with her such evidence of her guilt." - -"Guilt which has yet to be proved," said Gerald hotly. - -An argument ensued, in which Haskins decidedly got the worst. The -inspector, and indeed everyone else, scouted the idea of Mavis' -innocence. She had pursued Bellaria to the gates and, having killed -her, had got rid of the knife by flinging it into the long grass. Then -she had fled, not daring to face the consequences of her crime. "In -which case," cried Gerald furiously, "she must be sane. A madwoman -would not be afraid to remain, being ignorant of the heinousness of -the offence." - -Morgan shook his head, still unconvinced. And indeed Gerald saw that -things looked very black indeed against the girl he loved. It was on -the tip of his tongue to denounce Geary as the owner of the knife: but -he could not prove this without the evidence of Mavis, and moreover he -thought it wiser to keep silent as to his suspicions until he -consulted Macandrew and could get legal advice. The situation was too -dangerous to be dealt with hurriedly. - -Later in the day Major Rebb arrived, and heard from Inspector Morgan -all about the crime. He viewed the body of the poor woman and examined -the knife, which he either failed to recognize or, if he did, decided -to keep silence as to its ownership. He stated that he had seen his -ward about four o'clock on the previous day, and that she was then in -an excited condition. But, not thinking she would venture to commit a -crime, he had gone back to the Devon Maid at Denleigh, and there had -retired to rest at nine o'clock. Geary, the landlord of the inn, had -also been with the Major nearly all the evening, and had likewise -retired to bed early, as while handling a pistol he had managed to -shoot himself in the right arm. The simple-minded inspector heard all -this with an air of belief, and did not inquire--as he should have -done--why Major Rebb should take such trouble to explain the movements -of his landlord, or why that landlord had managed to shoot himself so -dexterously in the right arm. And, while speaking, Rebb frequently -glanced at Gerald, who was present, expecting contradiction, no doubt. - -When Morgan had taken notes of the Major's evidence, that military -gentleman beckoned to Haskins, and together they went into the room -which the missing girl had used. It was comfortably and even -luxuriously furnished, and Gerald, casting swift glances around, never -doubted but that the Major--either out of diplomacy, or because he was -conscience-stricken--had treated his prisoner with every -consideration. When the door was closed, Rebb looked searchingly at -his unwelcome visitor. - -"Well, Haskins," he inquired, "and what do you mean to do now?" - -"I shall let you know that later," retorted Gerald quickly. - -"You must be certain now, at all events," pursued the Major calmly, -"that Mavis is insane. No one but a madwoman would have stabbed -Bellaria." - -"How dare you say that when you know perfectly well that Mavis is -innocent?" - -"Indeed, Haskins, then who is guilty?" - -"I should like you to tell me that," said Gerald significantly. - -Rebb gave a short laugh. "Are you going to accuse me?" he remarked, -much in the same manner as Haskins himself had spoken earlier to -Morgan. - -"You know best." - -"Don't be a fool, Haskins," said Rebb, flushing, and very roughly; -"considering the circumstances of the case, and what you--on false -premises--are ready to do, would I be such an idiot as to kill -Bellaria?" - -"Yes," said Gerald dryly, "you knew that I would move heaven and earth -to prove Mavis' sanity so that I could marry her. Therefore, in order -that her homicidal mania could be proved beyond all doubt, you had -Bellaria killed and Mavis taken away. If she cannot prove her -innocence--and I can guess how difficult it will be for her to do -so--you will then have her put into an asylum, and enjoy her money for -the rest of your life. It's a very pretty plot, Major Rebb." - -"I agree with you there, Haskins. It does credit to your imagination -as a writer of fiction. But I am glad to see that you do not accuse me -of murdering Bellaria myself." - -"No, I do not: you are too cunning to risk your own neck," said Gerald -decidedly, "you remained in the inn to prove an alibi. I believe that, -but you sent Geary here to kill Bellaria, for the reasons that I have -given you. Don't deny it, Rebb. The yellow-handled knife which belongs -to Geary is in Morgan's possession." - -"Does he know that it is Geary's?" asked Rebb anxiously. - -"No. But I shall tell him so." - -"You can spare yourself the trouble. I shall tell him myself. The -knife does belong to Geary, as both I and his wife and half-a-dozen -other people can prove. He gave it to Bellaria, because she asked for -a weapon to defend herself. Probably Mavis wrenched the knife from her -at the gate and then----" - -"A very ingenious explanation. But I believe Geary to be guilty. He -would stick at nothing, as I know from the way in which he tried to -kill me last night by your orders." - -"Pardon me," said Rebb, not at all taken aback, "Geary attacked you -because you were trying to injure me. He overheard our conversation as -he returned from this place sooner than he expected. The foolish -fellow, who is devoted to me, hoped to silence you by death. When he -came back I rebuked him severely, and you can see that, as Geary's -right arm is wounded by you, Haskins, he could not have murdered -Bellaria." - -"I am not so sure of that," said Gerald dryly, but felt all the same -that the Major was wriggling like an eel out of a very difficult -position, "and your story of the way in which he wounded himself won't -hold water. If I tell the truth----" - -"I wonder you did not while I was speaking," said Rebb, exasperatingly -calm. "Why did you not?" - -"Because I---- Well, I have my reasons," said Gerald, nonplussed by -the man's boldness. "But if I tell the story----" - -"Geary will be convicted of a falsehood," finished Rebb, nodding. "It -will not harm my reputation as a truth-teller in any way, if that is -what you mean. I suggested the excuse of an accident to Geary, and if -he is questioned, on the authority of your wild statement of assault, -he will say that he told me the invention, so as to keep dark his -wrongful attack on you--which I would never have countenanced," ended -Rebb, with great emphasis. - -"I shall say nothing at present, as I have my reasons for keeping -silent. What do you mean to do about this murder?" - -"What can I do? I believe that Mavis is guilty----" - -"It's a lie--a lie!" cried Haskins vehemently. - -"No," insisted Rebb. "I really believe that she killed Bellaria. When -she is captured, as she will be sooner or later, she will be tried for -her life. Still, as I can swear to her insanity, she will be placed in -a public asylum, with sufficient allowed out of the estate for her -keep, and I----" - -"You will enjoy the rest of the money?" - -Rebb bowed! with a gratified and malicious expression. "As Mavis can -never marry now I retain the income for the rest of my life." - -"And I," said Haskins, raising his hand solemnly, "swear never to rest -until her innocence is proved and she is my wife." - -"I defy you to do your worst," snapped Rebb contemptuously, "all the -cards are in my hands. Might is on my side." - -"And right on mine and on Mavis'. Let God decide, Rebb." - -The Major laughed insolently, shrugged his shoulders, and left the -room, convinced that Haskins could not harm him. He disbelieved in -God. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. -THE DWARF, SCHAIBAR. - - -After that interview Gerald saw that he would have to leave the Major -in possession of the field. For the present, as he had observed, Rebb -held all the cards, and Haskins could only retire to consult with -Macandrew as to some way of winning the game in the teeth of such bad -luck. Moreover, Gerald was now in possession of all facts connected -with the crime, and by lingering at the Pixy's House he would become -possessed of no more important facts. Also Rebb, wishing to get rid of -his too observant enemy, so worked on Morgan's feelings that the -inspector hinted retirement to the lover. Having learned that the -inquest would take place in the inn of Leegarth village, next day, -Haskins mounted his machine and returned to Silbury. - -But he felt that it was impossible to sit down and do nothing, for he -was very anxious regarding the future of Mavis. Probably, on -discovering the dead body of Bellaria, she had fled panic-stricken -from that bloodstained mansion; but distraught with terror, and not -knowing the country, it was probable that she would soon be captured. -Gerald would have gone in search of her forthwith, but that he did not -know in which direction to look for her, and again, if he did find -her, would be unable to smuggle her into safety while the countryside -was all on the alert. He half made up his mind to return to London and -enlist the services of Tod, but could not quite decide to do so, since -his going to the Metropolis meant his leaving the neighborhood in -which the girl he loved was wandering. Mavis was a fugitive with, so -to speak, a price on her head. He could not go away heartlessly, and -leave her, so innocent and unsophisticated, in the lurch. - -His hesitation was ended at five o'clock in the afternoon, by a wire -from Exeter asking him to come there at once and meet the person who -signed the telegram--Simon Arnold by name--in the coffee-room of the -Monmouth Hotel. It flashed across Gerald's mind at once that the -former tutor of Mavis had sent the telegram, and probably wished to -see him about the girl whom they both loved in their several ways. But -he wondered how Arnold--whom Mavis playfully called Schaibar--had -learned his address, and then, on examining the telegram again, saw -that it had been directed to the Devon Maid at Denleigh. Wondering if -Geary had opened it, he sent for the boy, and found that Mrs. Geary, -on receiving the wire at the door, had told the lad that Mr. Haskins -was staying at Silbury. Gerald was relieved at this, as Geary would -undoubtedly have read the telegram, in order to learn any possible -plans Haskins might have formed. Nevertheless, on the face of it, the -wire could convey little information to the conspirators likely to be -of use, save that Arnold--whom Rebb apparently dreaded--was enlisting -himself on the side of the lovers. - -Haskins found that there was a train from Silbury to Exeter at seven -o'clock that same evening, so after dinner he packed his portmanteau -and went to the station. Guessing that Rebb would probably make -inquiries as to his whereabouts, he left a message with Mrs. Jennings, -stating that he had gone to London, and hoped that the information -would upset the Major, by making him think that steps were being taken -to save Mavis from his snares. Strong as was Rebb's hand, he yet had a -difficult game to play. The fact of Durham's will would undoubtedly be -made public should Mavis be arrested, and Rebb certainly would not -like his friends to think that he derived his income in the way he -did. But then Rebb had daring enough to face anything, especially when -six thousand a year was at stake. - -Somewhere about nine o'clock Gerald reached Exeter, and, leaving his -portmanteau in the cloak-room, proceeded to the Monmouth Hotel, a -small inn on the outskirts of the cathedral city. The place was little -known, but Haskins was fortunate enough to pick up a cabman who came -from the neighborhood where it is situated. In half-an-hour he found -himself in the coffee-room of the hotel, and recognized Arnold at once -from the description given by Mavis. - -The ex-tutor, and present hawker of books, was reading a Latin author -when Gerald entered, but flung it aside when the young man, conducted -by a waiter, appeared on the threshold. He was about to greet the -newcomer, but on seeing the waiter turned aside to look out of the -window. To make an excuse for entering Gerald ordered a glass of -whisky and soda, which he truly needed, so wrought up was he, by the -strain and stress of the situation. The waiter disappeared and soon -came back with the drink. While he was absent Gerald eyed Arnold--who -still did not speak--and sat down near the fireless grate. But a -glance passed between the two men which showed mutual recognition. - -Arnold was a remarkably small man, quite worthy to be called a dwarf, -but he was not deformed in any way. His body, his hands and feet and -his head, were all perfectly proportioned, and the most noticeable -thing about him was his long gray beard, which fell below his waist. -He had a noble forehead, crowned with long loose gray hair and two -vividly blue eyes, penetrating and unblinking. No one could have -called the little man ugly, but, owing to his small stature and noble -beard, he looked uncanny. Gerald, ever imaginative, thought at once of -the Norwegian gnomes and kobolds, although Arnold was not so -grotesquely ugly as those earth fairies of legend. - -When the waiter finally left the coffee-room, and the two men had it -all to themselves, Arnold moved swiftly forward and gripped Gerald's -hand, before the young man was aware of his intention. "You are the -lover of my dear girl," he said, in a singularly melodious voice. "I -knew you at once, from her description of you." - -"I can return the compliment," said Gerald, responding to the warm -clasp. "Mavis told me what you were like, and indeed, I also have the -description given in 'The Arabian Nights' to go upon." - -"Schaibar!" said Arnold, with a smile. "Yes; she always called me -that. I am glad that you have obeyed my summons so speedily, Mr. -Haskins, as I am sure that you are a true friend to my unhappy pupil." - -"I am her lover," replied Gerald quietly, "and, as her lover, I am -prepared to go any lengths to save her from that rascal." - -"Meaning Major Rebb?" - -"Of course! He is trying to ruin Mavis, in order to get her money." - -"I wonder how you found that out, Mr. Haskins." - -"It's a long story and----" - -"And you can tell it to me and Mavis." - -"Mavis!" Gerald stared. "What do you mean? Have you any idea where she -is, Mr. Arnold?" - -"Of course," answered the little man quietly; "it was for that reason -that I wired to you. Mavis told me that you were stopping at -Denleigh." - -"As a matter of fact I am--or rather I was--stopping at the Prince's -Head, Silbury," explained Gerald, "but your wire was sent on to me. I -heard from Mrs. Jennings, and from Rebb also, that you were in the -neighborhood of Leegarth." - -"And it was very lucky for Mavis that I was," said Arnold, nodding. -"Only by being on the spot was I enabled to save her from arrest." - -"You saved her? How? Tell me all." - -"Gently, Mr. Haskins. Do not talk so loud. Walls have ears, and -keyholes have eyes." Arnold glanced round the room, and then drew near -to the eager young man to speak in still lower tones. "Last night I -went to see if I could enter the Pixy's House and try Mavis, but, as -the gate was shut and locked, I could not get in. I would have climbed -the wall, but that my age and rheumatism prevented my doing so. -However, I thought that by going to the river wall I might obtain a -foothold on the ivy. I made the attempt, and fell. You see that I -still limp." Arnold walked a pace or two, and Gerald saw that his leg -dragged. "I lay insensible for some hours. Then I managed, when I -revived, to drink some brandy which I had brought with me, and so -deemed that I could get back to my caravan, which was on the other -side of the village. I had got round to the lane wherein the gates are -to be found when I heard a scream of alarm." - -"Was it Bellaria being killed?" asked Gerald quickly. - -"No; I staggered as fast as I was able toward the gates, and found -them open. Bellaria, stabbed to the heart, lay within, and over her -bent Mavis. When she saw me she was terrified; but I called out, and -she recognized my voice. Running forward, she stammered out that -Bellaria had gone to meet some one, and had been killed. I, at once, -saw the danger to which Mavis was exposed, having read the will of -Julian Durham, and so insisted that she should fly. She was surprised -that I desired her to do this, as, in her innocence, she never deemed -that she would be accused. However, I rapidly convinced her, and she -agreed. Leaning on her arm, I led her round the village, as I feared -lest her scream should have attracted attention. We reached my caravan -in safety, and I then put the horse in the shafts and drove to Exeter -through the night. We reached this city this afternoon, and I took her -on board a barge, which is owned by a man I can rely upon. Then I sent -the wire to you. We must save the poor child, Mr. Haskins. She is safe -now, but at any time she may be discovered." - -"You will be suspected." - -"I don't think so, Mr. Haskins. While she was in my caravan I had -qualms that search might be made therein: but now that Mavis is safe -on the barge, with Sammy Lee looking after her, there is little -danger. I have only to say that I know nothing of her whereabouts, and -who can convict me of falsehood? But I want Lee to take his barge down -to Exmouth, and then we can place Mavis on board some outward-bound -steamer. She will then be safe until we can prove her innocence." - -"Why, do you believe that she will be accused?" asked Gerald. - -"I am perfectly sure," said Arnold dryly, "that Major Rebb will take -advantage of Bellaria's death to fasten the guilt on Mavis, so that he -may shut her up in an asylum, and, by thus preventing her marriage, -will be enabled to keep her six thousand a year." - -Gerald nodded. "That view does credit to your powers of penetration, -Mr. Arnold. Rebb is moving precisely on those lines." - -"Quite so. I know Major Rebb----" - -"But do you know that he----" - -"There is no time to be lost," said Arnold, in a peremptory tone, "as -Mavis will be in danger of arrest until she is safely bestowed out of -England. She refuses to leave this city until she sees you, and that -was why I wired. Come down at once to the Exe, and let us board the -barge. Then we can decide what is to be done and you can ask what -questions you choose." - -Haskins consented; and, after finishing his whisky and soda, he went -out with the little man, into the darkness. Arnold leaned on Haskins' -arm, as his leg was still painful from the fall of the previous night, -and guided him through many narrow and dingy streets down to the banks -of the river. A lumbering barge was lying near a littered wharf, and -as they approached this they were hailed by a rough voice, which -Gerald rightly took to be that of Sammy Lee. The two men stepped on -board the low-lying barge, to find themselves welcomed by a gigantic -Devonian, with a hairy face, who paid the utmost deference to the -dwarf. As Arnold led Gerald down into the cabin of the barge--leaving -Sammy Lee to keep watch--he whispered to Haskins. "I can absolutely -trust this man, so you need have no fear. Last year I saved the life -of his only child by means of the herbal medicine, when the doctors -had given her up, so he will never betray our poor girl." - -"But if he hears that she is accused of murder--it will be all over -Exeter to-morrow?" questioned Gerald. - -"He will decline to believe it, as he sees what Mavis is, and even if -he did believe, he would never betray anyone whom I wished to shield." - -This was very satisfactory, and Haskins wondered at the marvelous ways -of Providence, which had snatched Mavis from a dangerous position to -place her in safety, until such time as her innocence could be made -manifest. It seemed as though everything would come right in the end, -despite Major Rebb's boast of his might. Haskins recalled his last -words to the man, in which he left the matter for God to decide. And -God was deciding--against Rebb and his wicked machinations. - -A rap at the cabin door brought Mavis to open it. She was still in her -favorite white dress, in which she had fled from her prison on the -previous night, but over this she wore a long black cloak with a -hood--now closely pulled over her head for obvious reasons. When she -saw Gerald, and the tender smile in his eyes, she flung back the hood, -as though stifling, and fell into his arms, sobbing as if her heart -would break. And no wonder. To learn all the cruelty of the outside -world, and to be a hunted fugitive, accused of a terrible crime, was -an extraordinary change from the seclusion and romance of the Pixy's -House. - -"Oh, Prince Gerald," was her cry, as she wept on his breast, "how I -have longed to see you." - -"And I also have wished to hold you thus," he replied, kissing her, -"but we were kept apart by wicked men, dearest. Now we are together, -please God, we shall never part again." - -"Amen to that," murmured Arnold, who had sat down. - -"Schaibar has told me everything," said Mavis, still crying. "Oh, what -a wicked world it is outside the Pixy's House, Gerald." - -"There can be no wickedness where you are, darling. You will not find -me like Major Rebb." - -"Oh, but, Gerald, surely my guardian is kind?" - -"Has he proved himself kind, to accuse you of murdering Bellaria?" - -Mavis drew back, with a pale face and startled eyes. -"There--must--be--some--mistake," she faltered. "Why should I kill -Bellaria?" - -"Oh, Rebb knows quite well that you did not: but to suit his own ends -he is willing that you should suffer." - -"Is it for that horrid money Schaibar told me about?" she asked -tearfully. - -"Yes; Rebb thinks that six thousand a year is worth losing his own -soul for. It is the world he gains, and the price he pays. But he -shall not succeed, my sweetheart; you shall have your own way, I -swear." - -"Gerald! Gerald! I would much rather fly away with you to the end of -the world, and leave everything to my guardian." - -"I daresay, dear; and in the South Seas, no doubt, we could find an -Eden whither that serpent would not come. But your good name has to be -considered, Mavis. Rebb has put it about that you are insane, and that -such insanity made you kill Bellaria." - -Mavis sat down on the locker, looking utterly miserable. "I know! I -know!" she cried, rocking with the terror of her thoughts. "Schaibar -has told me what my guardian said to people outside to account for my -being locked up in the Pixy's House. And to think that he should have -said to me that all English girls were brought up as I was! Why did -you not tell me before that my guardian was deceiving me?" she asked -her former tutor. - -"My dear," he said gently, "it is only lately that I have learned the -truth about your father's will. Bellaria let drop a word or so, and I -began to ask questions. Rebb came to know of my curiosity, and so gave -me a sum of money, and insisted that I should go to Australia, and -hold no communication with you. I took the money, to save you, and I -had no compunction in doing so, as the money belonged to you, my dear. -To deceive Rebb I pretended to go to Australia; but, in reality, I -remained in England, to search out your past. Bellaria had hinted that -Rebb enjoyed a large income for keeping you shut up in the Pixy's -House, and that your father had been wealthy. I searched for the copy -of the will at Somerset House, and there learned how Rebb was to enjoy -the six thousand a year to which you were entitled until your -marriage. I then saw why he made out that you were insane, and -resolved to effect your escape. I therefore bought a caravan to sell -books, thinking--and my design was successful--that I could get you -out of the house, and smuggle you away in my caravan. I have done so, -as no one ever thought of searching for you in my company. Now you -will go down to Exmouth with Sammy Lee, and I shall again go round the -country. If my caravan is searched by Rebb and the officers of the law -nothing will be found, and you will be safe." - -"For how long--for how long?" cried Mavis, clasping her hands. - -"Until God sees fit to enable us to punish Rebb, and save you," was -the tutor's reply, "and everything will come right in the end, I am -sure." - -The eyes of the girl wandered to Gerald. He sat down beside her, and -gathered her in his arms. "I am sure, also," he whispered. "See how -wonderfully things have worked for your benefit as it is. I was -brought into your life by means of the cylinder to marry and cherish -you, in spite of Rebb's cruel device of keeping you ignorant, so that -you should not be able to communicate with the outside world. Then -Arnold, by God's mercy, has been enabled to snatch you from the very -jaws of your enemies. These things point to joy coming out of sorrow. -Go down, my dear, to Exmouth with Sammy Lee. I dare not come with you, -nor can Schaibar, as we will both be suspected by Rebb, and must -prove--as we can--that we have nothing to do with your flight. Lee -will arrange for you to be taken round by water to London, and there I -shall meet you to arrange for your safety." - -"Would it not be better that she should go abroad?" asked Arnold. - -"No. I can arrange for Mavis to be concealed in a way which Rebb will -not suspect. If she goes abroad she may be extradited, should Rebb--as -he might--discover her whereabouts. But he will never look for my -darling where I will place her." - -"So long as I am with you, Gerald, I care nothing," said Mavis, -shivering and drawing closer to him, "but, oh, how can I go round to -London by myself--I who have never been beyond my prison walls?" - -"Sammy Lee will see to that, darling. You must be brave. And remember -that I meet you at the end of your journey. Promise to be brave." - -"Yes, yes; I promise," said Mavis, flushing, "but it is all very -terrible to think that this is the world." - -"This is Rebb's world," said Haskins tenderly, "but not the world of -joy and peace and love in which you will dwell when we are married." - -"Married? Oh, Gerald!" - -"Yes." He kissed her now flushed cheek. "But tell me, Mavis, who -killed that poor Bellaria?" - -Mavis shivered again, although the cabin was warm. "I do not know," -she said faintly. "Bellaria came back from London very terrified." - -"I can guess why," murmured Gerald, thinking of the coral hand. - -"She said that she might be killed, and made Geary give her that -yellow-handled knife so that she might protect herself." - -"Ah! So Rebb's story so far is true. Go on, dear." - -"Bellaria never went out at night, as you know, but a day or two ago -she received a letter, and said it would save her." - -"Did you see the letter?" - -"No. She did not show it to me. But last night I thought I heard a cry -about midnight. I went to Bellaria's room and found her gone. I was -afraid and ran downstairs, to find the door open, and also the big -gates. Then I saw her dead, and cried out. Schaibar came and----" - -"You know the rest," interposed Arnold, addressing Gerald. "I lighted -a match and saw that Bellaria was dead; then took Mavis away. Don't -question her further. She cannot bear it." - -Gerald nodded, and soothed the girl, who was much terrified. "But we -must find that letter," he remarked; "I am sure it has to do with the -crime. Did you see anyone about, Mr. Arnold?" - -"No; I saw no one." - -"Nor did I," sobbed Mavis. - -"Hush, dearest, do not weep; you are safe with me. Arnold, who do you -think killed Bellaria Dondi?" - -"Major Rebb." - -"Not Geary?" - -"Major Rebb," repeated the tutor quietly, "to secure the income. He -has--as you say--sold his soul for six thousand a year." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. -"AS IN A LOOKING-GLASS." - - -The next afternoon Gerald was in London. All the way up in the train -he had reflected upon the extraordinary events which had transferred -Mavis from the keeping of Major Rebb to his own. In spite of -surrounding dangers--and these were great--he was not at all downcast. -Mavis had been protected so far, and he made sure that she would be -protected to the end, which in this case meant marriage with him. The -Major would never believe that Haskins had anything to do with the -girl's flight, though he certainly might suspect Arnold. But if Arnold -were traced to Exeter, where he intended to stay, to avert suspicion, -nothing could be learned likely to incriminate him. Mavis had already -gone down to Exmouth in Sammy Lee's barge, and that faithful fellow -swore that he could procure her a passage to the Thames in a coaster -owned by a comrade in whom he could implicitly trust. - -Things were therefore right so far, and Gerald's spirits were high. He -had every reason to feel happy. Mavis was deeply in love with him, and -once Major Rebb was circumvented as it appeared he would be--there -would be no one else to interfere with the progress of his suit. -Before the end of the year Gerald hoped that he would be able to -introduce his beautiful bride to his London friends, and place her in -a position warranted by her wealth. It would not have been human if -Haskins had not remembered that Mavis was an heiress, but, in justice -to him, it must be admitted that his love was for the girl, and not -for her money--welcome as it was to a young man who liked the pleasant -things of this life. Gerald would have been contented to take Mavis -without a sixpence; nevertheless, it was not disagreeable to find that -she was bringing six thousand a year along with her. - -Also Gerald was human enough to desire a certain amount of revenge on -Major Rebb for his behavior. Rebb certainly should be punished for the -infamous way in which he had treated the girl. Hitherto everything had -gone as he desired, but with the finding of the cylinder came the -change in Rebb's fortunes. Now he had a determined young man to deal -with, who would be less easy to manage than an unsophisticated girl. -Haskins chuckled as he thought how angry Rebb would be when Mavis, -free from the slur on her sanity, and from the wicked charge which he -was striving to fasten on her, came forth boldly to face the world. -Then the luxurious Major, as Mrs. Geary prophesied, reduced to his -five or six hundred a year, would no longer be able to indulge in -motor cars, or in such-like luxuries. - -When Haskins next evening went to Bloomsbury to see Mrs. Pelham Odin -he felt very satisfied. Mavis was on her way to London, and would -arrive at Gravesend in two days; her pursuers had been thrown off the -track, and a bombshell with regard to the will was being prepared by -Tod Macandrew. Gerald had not seen him yet, but he expected to meet -him at the flat of the old actress, and then could arrange for certain -steps to be taken in the interests of Mavis. All things considered, -everything was going excellently, and Gerald entered into the presence -of Mrs. Pelham Odin with a very cheerful air. - -That astute lady remarked his beaming face. She was as usual reclining -on the sofa in an effective attitude, waiting until ten o'clock, which -was the hour at which she usually went to the Belver Theatre to fetch -back her adopted daughter. She had been reading the evening paper, but -threw it aside with an air of relief when Haskins was announced. "I am -so glad to see you," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, "there is positively -nothing in the papers. Dear me, Mr. Haskins, you have the air of a -bridegroom." - -"Nothing in the papers?" echoed Gerald, his bright face growing grave. -"Do you mean to say that the murder is not reported!" And he took up -_The Globe_ to skim the columns. - -"Murder!" cried Mrs. Pelham Odin, in the low thrilling tone of Lady -Macbeth. "To what dastardly deed do you refer?" - -"The woman who watched Mavis Durham has been stabbed to the heart, a -couple of days ago." - -"Alas! for your comedy," cried the actress, "it has changed into a -tragedy. What of the girl herself?" - -"She is a fugitive, the police are looking for her." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin screamed melodramatically. "Is she accused?" - -"Yes. And color is lent to the accusation by the scandal of Major -Rebb, who, as I told you, spread the report that she was insane." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin gave a second scream, and flung up her hand. "Hold!" -she cried, in her deep voice. "Do I understand that this unfortunate -young woman has given way to her mania and has murdered----" - -"No one. I tell you she is not insane," snapped Haskins tartly. - -"But the corpse? Account for the corpse." - -"I can't, unless Rebb himself murdered the woman, so as to get Mavis -placed in an asylum, and so be free to enjoy her money." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin rose and walked to and fro with a nervous shudder, -less feigned than real, although theatrical instinct made her -accentuate it. "I don't love Major Rebb," she said, after a pause. "I -think I told you that before. All the same, he would never, never go -so far as crime." - -"He has gone as far as that already," retorted Haskins, stretching out -his long legs and looking gloomily at the carpet, "what do you call -keeping that girl's money from her and shutting her up but criminal?" - -"Still if he had reasons--good reasons?" - -"He had none, either good or bad. Dear Mrs. Pelham Odin," Gerald rose, -and laid his hand on the old woman's arm, "hear what I have to say. -This is the time when you can show yourself my friend by protecting -one who is dear to me." - -The actress recoiled, powerfully effected and very genuinely. "I -cannot mix myself up in a crime," she faltered. - -"You will not be doing so, if you substitute Mavis for Charity, as you -suggested when I was last here." - -"Oh," Mrs. Pelham Odin clasped her pretty, withered hands, and stepped -back a pace to be more dramatic. "Think of the scandal." - -"There will be no scandal." - -"My name will be brought into disrepute. And let me tell you, Mr. -Haskins, that my name both on and off the stage, is above reproach." - -"I am quite sure of that, else I certainly should not ask you to take -charge of the woman I hope to make my wife." - -"You will marry her still?" - -"Of course, of course," said Haskins impatiently. "I love her more -than ever. And even if I loved her less, I am not the man to desert a -woman when she needs help so sorely." - -"You are, as I know, very chivalrous." - -"And you are, as I know, the kindest-hearted woman in the world." - -"A fool, a fool, I fear, like all kind-hearted women." - -"No. Were you a fool I should not ask you to carry out this plot. As -it is, Mavis is coming to London, and I want you to get Charity -married at once, and to place Mavis at the Belver Theatre for the -dance." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin looked distinctly nervous. Carried away by her -theatrical instincts, and by admiration for Gerald's chivalry, to say -nothing of the interest she felt in his love affair as a woman much -less sentimental would have done, she had proposed the plot without -thinking that she would be taken seriously. Yet here was a young man -whom she admired actually asking her to lend herself to a fantastical -mode of concealment such as had never, to her knowledge, been seen off -the stage. Her dramatic instinct impelled her to yield: but her -common-sense warned her against mixing herself up in a murder -committed by a lunatic. - -"Dear boy," she said, genuinely distressed, "it really is impossible." - -"You proposed it, Mrs. Pelham Odin," muttered Gerald, sorely -disappointed, for if this actress did not help him, how was he to -conceal Mavis from the persecutions of Rebb? - -"I did not think that you would take me at my word," she faltered, -"and after all, Mr. Haskins, Major Rebb might find out." - -"I don't think so. I don't see how he could." - -"If he comes to the theatre?" - -"He will see the girl he believes to be Charity, dancing." - -"But is this Mavis Durham really so like my girl?" - -"They might be sisters--they might be twins. It would take you all -your time to find the difference between them, Mrs. Pelham Odin." - -"Oh, that is impossible," she retorted sharply. - -"No. When you see Mavis----" - -"I am not going to see Mavis." - -Gerald rose--he had thrown himself down when she so persistently -refused. "In that case I must apologize for taking up your time, and -see in what other way I can save this innocent girl." - -"You are sure that she is innocent?" - -"As sure as I am that you are a kind woman." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin smiled. "That is very clever of you," said she: "you -appeal to my weakest side, which is vanity. Come sit down again, and -tell me all about this dreadful murder." - -"Will you assist me, if I do?" - -"At least I won't betray you," rejoined the actress evasively, and -arranged herself gracefully on the sofa. "Begin; I hang upon your -every word." And she cast a glance at an imaginary audience to mark -the effect of the speech. - -Thinking that she might yield, for he had certainly aroused her -curiosity, Gerald related all that had taken place. Mrs. Pelham Odin -quite lost her stage airs and graces, so taken up was she with the -narrative. "So you see that Arnold believes in Mavis' innocence as -much as I do. And you believe also, Mrs. Pelham Odin. I see it in your -eyes." - -The actress closed them. "My eyes tell what my tongue would hide," she -remarked, in measured tones. "Yes, I admit that your story puts the -matter in a new light. I really think that I must assist this poor -young creature, who is being persecuted by a cruel world." - -"Bless you for a good woman," muttered Gerald, kissing her hand. - -She pulled it away. "Don't make a mistake. I am playing to the -gallery," she said, with an artificial laugh. "If Mavis is proved -guiltless and you marry her with her income, it will be a great -advertisement for me. And perhaps," added Mrs. Pelham Odin, with -emphasis, "it may bring back to the public in a worthy fashion -the name of one who was their idol for many, many brilliant and -successful years. On the other hand if this girl really is insane, -and guilty----" - -"You will have acted in a way which no other woman would have done, -and your conscience will reward you." - -"I prefer the loaves and fishes," said the actress, smiling, -"moreover, I admit that I am curious to see this girl, who--as you -say--is so like Charity. Mavis came from India?" - -"Yes--according to Major Rebb, who declares that her mother died in -Bombay, when Mavis was born." - -"Charity, according to the juggler's wife, who was told by the ayah, -was born in Simla." Mrs. Pelham Odin frowned, and then waved her hand. -"There can be no relationship between the two girls." - -"I think that there will be--when we learn the truth." - -"Major Rebb will not tell it." - -"Oh yes, he will, when I prove Mavis guiltless and force him to give -up the money. Sooner than remain in ignorance I shall ask Mavis to -bribe him into confession." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin thought for a few moments, being as sharp as a needle -to see the pounds, shillings, and pence side of things. "Mr. Haskins," -she finally remarked, "this likeness may be a freak of nature--we have -heard of such things before." - -"Quite so, but so exact a likeness as this is can only come from the -two girls being born of the same mother." - -"Well, you seem to be so certain that they are, Mr. Haskins, that, for -the sake of argument, we will grant it. In that case--and presuming -that Major Rebb confesses such is the case--Charity certainly ought to -have half the income." - -"I quite agree with you," rejoined the young man unhesitatingly, "and -I am quite sure that, if we can prove the relationship, Mavis--being -guided by me--will be quite ready to hand over three thousand a year -to Charity. That would only be fair." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin hopped off the sofa, very much excited. "Now you talk -common-sense, you show me in which way my duty lies. I am willing to -see this girl." - -"And to help her against her enemies?" - -"Hum!" Mrs. Pelham Odin pressed her fan to her lips, "even three -thousand a year for Charity might be earned too dearly. I can say no -more than that I'll see her. I am shrewd in reading characters, and I -can easily tell if Mavis is insane, or deceitful, or bloodthirsty." - -Gerald laughed when he thought of his beautiful love. "Mavis is none -of the three. You will be ashamed of your suspicions when you see her -angel face." - -"I know that angel face," said Mrs. Pelham Odin dryly, "it is a very -useful mask in some cases to cloak wicked designs. Well, I am going to -the theatre soon. Mr. Macandrew is there, and will come back with me -and Charity." - -"Can I come to supper?" - -"No," said Mrs. Pelham Odin quickly, "you must leave the matter in my -hands to explain. I like the centre of the stage, you know, and all -the limelight that I can obtain." - -"You will speak to Tod and Charity?" - -"Yes; and will do my best to obtain their consent. I'll let you know -by post what they say; provided," added the actress with emphasis, -"that you will not see Mr. Macandrew in the meantime." - -"Why not? I want to ask him----" - -"One thing at a time. If this plot is to be carried through I must -have the sole handling of it, so I do not wish you and Mr. Macandrew -to discuss the matter. If they are agreeable to marry and slip away -quietly out of the kingdom, leaving Mavis to take Charity's place at -the Belver Theatre, I shall let you know. Then, when this girl arrives -in London, wire me when you will bring her. She must stop here." - -"But the people of the house will see two Charitys," remonstrated -Gerald, "and, as an account of the crime will be in the papers, Mavis -may be given away by some of your servants." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin nodded. "True," she said, with her sharp eyes on the -carpet, "well, then, you must take Mavis to your rooms." - -"Worse and worse: Rebb would hear of it." - -"There is Mr. Macandrew's office, of course. Yes." Mrs. Pelham Odin -dropped her fan with an air of decision. "Take Mavis there, closely -veiled. I shall bring Charity also veiled. Should we settle to carry -through this plot, I can arrange for Charity to board somewhere, and -Mavis can come back here as Charity. And then---- Oh, it's all right. -I begin to see my way. Good-night." - -"Good-night, and thank you. Your kindness will not be unrewarded." - -"No," she laughed--"three thousand a year is worth working for." - -"I don't believe that you think of that." - -"Not solely, of course. I want to help you and to see you happy. Also -I am very sorry for this poor girl, and Major Rebb is a man I hate. -But the three thousand a year for Charity also forms an element. Mixed -motives, you understand--very mixed. So once more, good-night." - -Gerald took his departure very much cheered at having brushed away -another obstacle from the path which was to lead Mavis to the altar. -He knew that Mrs. Pelham Odin was both a clever and an obstinate -woman, and although he did not credit her with money-grubbing, yet he -felt convinced that she would not surrender Charity's chance of -getting three thousand a year, if she could help it, since she would -indirectly participate in such good fortune. Also Tod, for the same -reason, would be anxious to assist--though Tod was not a miser either. -On the whole, Haskins was very satisfied, and having done all that he -could do he waited patiently for the arrival of the _Seamew_ at -Gravesend with Mavis on board. - -The boat was late, as the weather did not prove propitious. Gerald -went to Gravesend, and walked about the streets of that dull seaport -in a frenzy of impatience. Finally he was undeservedly rewarded, for -to the hotel where he was stopping--he had given Sammy Lee the address -at Exeter--came a lean, bright-eyed captain with Mavis in charge. The -girl was closely veiled, and plainly dressed in some dark material. It -would not do for her to attract attention, seeing that England was -ringing with the murder of which she was accused and with her strange -escape. - -Sammy Lee's mate proved to be a very pleasant little man, who confided -to Gerald that Sammy had told him all and that he did not believe in -the guilt of his passenger for one moment. "She's as pretty as a -picture, and as true as steel, and as innocent as a dove," said the -poetical captain, "and if that Rebb beast hurts her, well then, I'll -have him shanghaied on board the _Seamew_, and do for him." After -which, with a nod, he departed. - -The lovers had no time to talk at the hotel, as Gerald had wired -at once to Tod, and they were expected in London. But in the -train--Haskins secured a first-class carriage to themselves--they had -a long conversation, and learned to know one another even better, if -that were possible. And in spite of her danger Mavis was happy in the -company of her adored Fairy Prince. As to Gerald, he could only -worship her, so gentle and innocent and lovely did she seem. - -On arriving in London they drove--with Mavis again veiled--to Tod's -Chancery Lane office, and were shown into the inner room. Here were -Tod and Mrs. Pelham Odin, and Charity--also veiled. The two girls -looked at one another and unveiled as by impulse. Then---- - -"As in a looking-glass!" cried Mrs. Pelham Odin. "Wonderful, -marvelous. Here indeed is material for a new _Comedy of Errors_." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. -THE FIRST MARRIAGE. - - -Mrs. Pelham Odin might well exclaim. Gerald and Tod were silent from -sheer amazement, even though the first might have expected to see one -girl the double of the other. In that box of an office, and in the -somewhat dim light that filtered through the dingy window, Mavis and -Charity appeared to be exactly alike. Miss Bird was also plainly -dressed in a dark frock, so as not to attract attention from Tod's -clerks, and this, along with the thrown-back veils, completed the -resemblance. The two girls had similar eyes and hair, and complexion -and cast of face, and even Mrs. Pelham Odin found it difficult to -distinguish one from the other, long as she had known her adopted -daughter. - -"It is like a dream," she declared--"Girofla-Girofle in real life. Oh, -that I were in management again: what a chance for a play, a serious -play, which has to do with twins." - -"What we are engaged in is serious enough," said Gerald, sitting down. -"My dear Mavis, this is Mrs. Pelham Odin, who is going to take charge -of you until we can prove your innocence." - -Mavis shook hands with the old actress. "And you don't believe that I -am guilty?" she asked, in a whisper. - -For answer Mrs. Pelham Odin embraced and kissed her. "My dear," she -said amiably, "truth looks out of your eyes." - -"Out of _my_ eyes, I think," said Charity. "Mr. Haskins, this is -really amazing. I never thought to find my double. It seems uncanny. -Tod, you will be marrying Mavis instead of me." - -"No," said Tod slowly, and looking from one girl to the other, "there -is a difference." - -"Meaning that Mavis is more charming than I am. Thank you." - -"Oh no," broke in Miss Durham, "I am only an ignorant country girl, -but you are clever and polished and----" - -"And quite perfect," ended Charity, kissing Mavis as Mrs. Pelham Odin -had done, and with the same kindness, "let us hope that I am, in Tod's -eyes. This is Tod, Mavis; he is to be my husband." - -"At last," gasped Macandrew sentimentally. - -Gerald displayed impatience. "Had we not better get to business?" he -observed. "These girls are so alike that I don't want them to be seen -together, lest trouble comes of it." - -"And trouble will come," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, who had not yet got -over her amazement. "As Charity says, this line-for-line resemblance -is uncanny. I hope your veils are thick enough, my dears. If anyone -saw you two together, the wonderful resemblance would certainly be -commented upon, and might get to Major Rebb's ears." - -Charity looked long and earnestly at Mavis. "We _must_ be sisters. Can -you remember ever having a sister, Mavis?" - -"No. Nor did Major Rebb ever say that I had one. He brought me, as he -said, from Bombay, some time after my mother died, and ever since I -have been shut up in the Pixy's House." - -"I was born at Simla," said Charity thoughtfully, "at least the ayah -who sold me to the juggler's wife declared that I was. I don't -remember anything about it, of course. Mother----" - -"Oh, don't ask me, my dear. I can explain nothing. You know what I -know, and it is strange that both you and Mavis should have been born -in India. That fact, and the resemblance, certainly points to some -relationship between you." - -"They are sisters," declared Haskins firmly, "in no other way can the -likeness be accounted for." - -"And yet there is a difference," said Tod, for the second time. "It is -in the tone of the voice, and in the look of the eyes." - -"Quite so," said Charity swiftly. "My voice has been trained for the -stage and Mavis' has not. I have been brought up in the world and -Mavis out of it, which fully accounts for the innocence looking out -from her eyes and the worldly wickedness in mine." - -"My dear," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, displeased, "how you rattle on. But -I rather agree with you, I must say. If Mavis had been brought up as -you, and you as Mavis, you would simply have changed places. I hope -that I make myself clear." - -"As clear as the murky darkness of this twin mystery can be made clear -until Major Rebb confesses. Meanwhile, and until we can force that -man's hand, we had better arrange what has to be done." It was Gerald -who spoke. - -Mrs. Pelham Odin patted Mavis' hand, which she was holding in her own -very fondly. "I lose one daughter to find another," she said cheerily. -"Mavis can come back with me to my flat, and can wear some dresses -which Charity has left behind. Then I'll teach her to dance, and in a -couple of days she will be able to replace Charity at the Belver." - -"You are quite willing?" Gerald asked Miss Bird anxiously. - -"Of course I am," she answered quickly. "I am quite on your side." - -"Remember that Mavis is accused of being a lunatic and a murderess." - -"I know. My mother told me. But I don't believe it for one moment. I -would as soon think myself capable of committing a crime." - -"I say the same," said Mrs. Pelham Odin. "I told you, Mr. Haskins, -that I would wait until I saw Mavis before deciding. Now that I have -seen her, I disbelieve all that Major Rebb says. And moreover, since -the likeness is even stronger than you said between these two girls, I -can promise you that the plot will be carried out safely." - -Gerald hesitated. "Will Mavis dare to face the footlights?" - -Mavis herself replied, and the brave blood of her soldier father -flamed in her cheeks as his courage shone in her eyes. "I shall dare -anything for your sake, Gerald," she declared, without faltering. "And -Bellaria has taught me to dance--poor Bellaria!" she ended sadly. - -"It will be all right," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, who had been watching -the girl critically. "It is a risk, of course, but as there is only -one dance, and the child has courage, I do not think she will -experience stage fright. I can teach her the dance." - -"No," interposed Charity quickly. "Let me do that. Mavis can come -veiled to my lodgings, which are now at Kensington, and I can show her -all the steps and tricks and manner necessary. I swear that when she -is dressed as I was in _The Moon-Fay_, and dances as I shall teach -her, no one will be a bit the wiser. And my engagement ends in a week -or so; and it will not be necessary for her to continue to appear." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin nodded. "You must keep yourself quiet, Charity. No -one must see you at Kensington. I can trust my old dresser, with whom -I placed you there. To-night and to-morrow night you can go to the -theatre, as usual. On the third night Mavis can appear." - -"And I shall see after Charity meanwhile," said Tod eagerly; "in five -days we can get married, and I have bought a special license, so that -no banns need be put up. Then we can go abroad." - -"But, Tod," said Gerald, somewhat dismayed, although he might have -expected this course of conduct, "I want you to help me." - -"I shall do so when I return, in a month," said Tod quickly. "It is as -well, since Mavis is to play the part of Charity, that my wife should -be out of the kingdom. I shall leave her abroad when I return, and -then we can try and put things straight. They are crooked enough now." - -"Do you agree to this?" Gerald asked Charity once more. - -"Of course," she answered promptly, "and I shall send Tod back from -Switzerland before the end of our honeymoon. The sooner these affairs -are settled the better. I wish you and Mavis to be happy, and also I -want to know about my parentage. I am tired of being Charity Bird." - -"You will soon be Charity Macandrew," whispered Tod tenderly. - -"Oh yes--but I wish to know if I am Charity Durham." - -"I am sure you are, and my sister," said Mavis, taking the other -girl's hand, "and Gerald and I have been talking. If I get this six -thousand a year, you shall have half." - -"Oh no," cried Charity, half delighted and half doubtful. - -"Oh yes--even though you may not prove to be my sister." - -Gerald shrugged his shoulders. "There's no more to be said," he -remarked, "save that I am certain my surmise is correct. Well, Mrs. -Pelham Odin, will you take Mavis to your flat?" - -"Yes." The old lady rose, and with her own hands drew down Mavis' -veil. "We had better go at once, seeing that we all now understand -what is to be done. Charity?" - -That young lady had already arranged her veil. "Tod is taking me back -to Kensington," she said, "and will call for me to-night at the -theatre. I shall say that you are indisposed, mother." - -"Quite so," rejoined the actress, "but pray tell as few lies as -possible, and _do_ behave yourself with Mr. Macandrew." - -"We'll be as good as gold," said Tod piously. "By the way, Gerald, one -moment. My clerk went to watch Mrs. Crosbie and her mother at Bognor." - -"Well, and what happened?" - -"Neither Mrs. Berch nor Mrs. Crosbie are there. They have not been -near the place." - -"Now, what does that mean. She certainly said that she was going." - -"I suppose she changed her mind in a feminine way," rejoined Tod, and -the symposium broke up, having arranged all necessary plans for the -immediate future. - -For the next day or two Gerald was extremely anxious, as may be -guessed. The daily papers were filled with accounts of the Leegarth -murder, and with details respecting the search which was being made -for Mavis Durham. The inquest had taken place, and the jury--as was -natural, considering what Major Rebb declared--brought in a verdict of -wilful murder against the girl. No one entertained a shadow of doubt -as regarded her guilt, and Haskins was glad, for once, that Mavis had -not been taught to read, since she could not worry herself over what -the newspapers said. Rebb, at the inquest, had been severely -reprehended for not having shut up his ward in a public asylum: but -nothing came out about the income belonging to her which he enjoyed. -It was the prevailing impression that Rebb had taken charge of his -brother officer's little girl out of sheer kindness of heart, and many -of the journals praised his philanthropy. Gerald could imagine Rebb's -grim smile on reading about the undeserved honors thrust upon him. - -And the young man was also anxious about Mavis' appearance at the -Belver Theatre, since she had been shut up all her life, and might be -terrified out of her wits when facing an audience. If she did fail, -Mrs. Pelham Odin intended to announce that her daughter was ill, and -so gloss the matter over. But neither the actress or the lover need -have been afraid. Mavis knew what was expected of her: knew what was -at stake, and heartened by her love for Gerald, as well as by her -desire for safety, she behaved like a heroine. In a wonderfully short -space of time she picked up the dance, having been already taught how -to use her hands and feet by the unfortunate Bellaria. Moreover the -girl was a born dancer, and likewise suggested improvements which -delighted both Charity and her adopted mother. Indeed the latter -lamented loudly that Mavis was to marry Gerald, instead of appearing -on the stage, as out of such promising material she said that a -wonderful actress could be made. Dancing was only one way in which -Mavis could express herself: but with instruction and experience--as -Mrs. Pelham Odin averred--she could attain to a high position on the -English stage. "And we need new talent," wailed Mrs. Pelham Odin, -"half the actresses who are on the boards should be off them." - -One result of Mavis' improvements in the Moon-Fay dance was that Mrs. -Pelham Odin, being an old friend of the Belver manager, induced him to -give Mavis a rehearsal. Of course he thought that the demure young -lady who appeared was the Charity Bird he knew, and that she merely -wanted to alter the dance a trifle. As the ballet was nearly at an end -he scarcely deemed it necessary to grant Mrs. Pelham Odin's request, -but in the end she got her own way, and Mavis was fortunate enough to -have a trial trip. This assisted her greatly, as it enabled her to -face a small audience before beholding the greater one. The manager -was delighted with the improvements, and hinted to Mrs. Pelham Odin, -as he had hinted before, that he was anxious to re-engage Miss Charity -Bird for the new ballet. - -"No," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, privately lamenting the necessity of -declining exceptionally good terms, "in a couple of weeks or so, when -the run of _The Moon-Fay_ is over, my daughter and myself are going to -Southend for a rest." - -"Miss Bird is not going to marry that Macandrew fellow, I hope?" -remarked the manager, who had heard rumors. "She will be a loss to the -stage." - -"Nothing has been arranged as yet," replied the actress evasively, and -the matter dropped. - -When the night came for Mavis' appearance, Charity did a rash thing, -in which she induced Tod to support her, although both Mrs. Pelham -Odin and Gerald would have been seriously annoyed had they known. This -was nothing less than to make Tod take her--closely veiled--to the -gallery of the Belver Theatre to see her double, dance. Tod -remonstrated, but, being very much in love, yielded in the long run, -and, just before the curtain rose on _The Moon-Fay_, Charity and the -lawyer found themselves very comfortably seated among the gods. The -theatre was crowded as usual, as the ballet was a successful one, and -Charity pointed out Gerald and Mrs. Pelham Odin in a small box near -the stage. - -"I do hope Mavis is not afraid," whispered Charity, who was a trifle -nervous herself. - -"No," answered Tod, in the same low tones. "I am quite certain that -she will pull through all right. That girl has the heart of a lion." - -And indeed Macandrew's prophecy proved to be a correct one. When the -curtain drew up on the forest scene, in which Charity had figured for -so many nights as a Moon-Fay, everything went excellently. The -wandering lover, who was searching for his peasant love, chased the -moonbeams as usual--these were electric lights--and when they gathered -into one radiance of white, and he fell on his knees, invoking the -Fairy of the Moon to assist him in his search, Mavis, arrayed in -filmy, vaporous robes of snow, stepped calmly on to the stage. She had -altered the dress a little as she thought Charity's robes were a -trifle scanty. The wardrobe mistress and the manager had remonstrated -on the change, and could not understand why Miss Charity Bird had -altered her mind about the dress when the ballet was nearing its end. -But they never suspected the truth, as Mavis, a born actress, had -mimicked Charity's speech and gesture in private life. So she appeared -in a kind of Greek dress worn long, and sparkling with silver. Her -hair was crowned with a diadem of crystals, and with her pure face -uplifted in the glory of the light she looked indeed like a spirit. -The audience, as did the stage hands and the manager, thought still -that they saw Charity Bird; but all the same they felt, in a puzzled -way, that there was something different in the girl. What would they -have said had they known that the Moon-Fay was being sought for far -and wide, as a lunatic and a murderess. But no one dreamed of such a -thing, and Gerald would not have winced even had Rebb himself been -present. But the Major was not there, as he had more important matters -to attend to; and moreover there was no need that he should come, -seeing that he was ignorant of the dancer's identity. - -In the dark scenic forest, and amidst the soft radiance of the -electric lights, Mavis danced as she had been instructed by Charity, -so as to swing in time to the music, but also she introduced something -of the mystic element she had displayed when Gerald had beheld her -swaying in the grounds of the Pixy's House. She floated across the -wide stage like a veritable moonbeam, beckoned to the lover, bent over -him like a fair white angel, and finally melted into a mist. This was -contrived by gauze screens, a clever device, which had been much -commented upon by the Press. When the Moon-Fay vanished there was a -burst of applause. Charity always had been applauded for her dance, -but never had the audience been so hearty in showing their -appreciation as on this night. But Charity was not at all jealous for -the attention bestowed upon her double. - -"I must have looked splendid, if I was like that," she whispered to -Tod. - -"Of course you were like that," replied Macandrew, "isn't she your -double, dear. Only," he added loyally, and what is more, he really -believed what he said, "you were ever so much better." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin hurried behind the scenes as soon as Mavis' dance was -at an end, and hurried the girl away the moment she completed her -change of dress. As this was the old actress' usual way of behaving -with Charity her action caused no comment. Beyond the fact that -several people behind the scenes remarked that Miss Bird had been in -unusually good form on this particular night no one troubled about the -matter. And indeed why should they, seeing how they had beheld the -ballet for more than a hundred nights, and also the dance of Charity -Bird? - -Gerald was delighted, and there was a very merry little supper at Mrs. -Pelham Odin's flat that night. Mavis again and again asked her lover -if she had done well, and if he was pleased with her. Gerald could -only reply with kisses, until Mrs. Pelham Odin merrily declared that -she could not remain in the room if they were so affectionate. "And -then, child," she added, "we must turn this young man out, for -to-morrow I have to be at Mr. Macandrew's wedding." - -"Cannot I come?" asked Mavis eagerly. - -"Bless me, child, no! Your presence would bring about the very -complication we are desirous of avoiding. Things are going right so -far, so do not put them wrong." - -So the next day Mavis remained in the flat, quite accepted by the -servants of the house as Miss Charity Bird, while the real lady who -bore that name went with Macandrew and Gerald and Mrs. Pelham Odin to -a quiet country church in Essex, where Tod had elected to get married. -Gerald was the best man, and Mrs. Pelham Odin gave the bride away in -her best theatrical style. None of Tod's relatives were present, for -obvious reasons, but as he led his bride down the aisle after the -ceremony he grinned to think of Lady Euphemia's wrath did she know -what had taken place. - -"I hope that I have done right," sighed Mrs. Pelham Odin, when looking -after the train that bore Tod and his bride away. "I think I have." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. -SIGNOR VENOSTA. - - -Gerald did nothing until the conclusion of the presumed Charity Bird's -engagement at the Belver Theatre. There was no need to do so for the -moment, as the scheme to hide her had proved entirely successful, and -no one guessed where to look for the much-wanted Mavis. Mrs. Pelham -Odin took her to the theatre, waited for her there, and escorted her -back again, so that Mavis spoke very little to the people behind the -scenes. Gerald often came to supper, and spent much of his time at the -Bloomsbury flat. He was supposed to be writing a new book, but in -reality he indulged himself with a holiday, to make love to the girl -he had so strangely rescued. - -But when the Belver Theatre closed for a time, Mrs. Pelham Odin, -feeling the want of a change, took Mavis to Southend, and there -occupied pleasant apartments looking out on to the sea. Mavis did not -like to be parted from her lover, as he could not see her so -frequently; but Mrs. Pelham Odin pointed out that Haskins would have -to begin his search for the true murderer of Bellaria, so that things -could be put right. Also, as Mavis was being taught to read and write -by the old actress, it was just as well that Gerald should not come -too often, to distract the scholar's attention from her lessons. So -Mrs. Pelham Odin stopped with Mavis at the lively seaside town, happy -in the company of the girl, and happy also to receive glowing letters -from Mrs. Tod Macandrew, in which she expatiated on her heavenly -honeymoon. - -Haskins found his time hang rather heavily on his hands when Mavis and -her new guardian left London. He wished to wait for Tod before -beginning operations, but it would be quite a fortnight until -Macandrew returned, and until then there was nothing to do. Gerald -tried to write a few chapters of his new book, in vain. The thought of -Mavis and of her perilous position filled his head, so he was obliged -to throw aside his literary work, until matters were made straight for -the girl. Having come to this conclusion, he resolved not to wait for -Tod's arrival, but to work at the case himself. The difficulty was how -to begin. - -Arnold had stated plainly that he believed Rebb to be the guilty -person, but of this Gerald could not be sure. He was convinced that if -Bellaria's life had stood between Rebb and the six thousand a year she -would have been murdered long ago. Moreover, the story of how Geary's -knife came to be used sounded very plausible, and, if Rebb were -guilty, Haskins believed that he would not have told the police about -the weapon, as he had done, when the inquest was held. Then, again, -Arnold did not know the true reason of Bellaria's fear and why she had -buried herself in that secluded Devonshire village. It struck Gerald -that the Tána Society had traced Bellaria Dondi to Leegarth, and there -she had been slain, as she expected. Mrs. Berch knew of Bellaria's -dread of the coral hand, as Gerald had told her about it when she -called to claim it again. She might have informed Venosta, who had -bestowed the amulet on Mrs. Crosbie. He was undoubtedly an emissary of -the Tána Society, and probably was the real criminal. - -Arguing in this way, Haskins resolved to call on Mrs. Crosbie, and -question her mother as to whether she had betrayed Bellaria to the -burly Italian. Also, he was anxious to learn why Signor Venosta had -given the coral hand to the widow, as it was incredible to think that -she belonged to such a cut-throat organization. But there must be some -reason why Mrs. Crosbie should hold the trinket which had so sinister -a significance, and this Gerald made up his mind to see into. Finally, -and as a third reason for his visit, he desired to know when Rebb and -Mrs. Crosbie would marry. If Tod were right about the widow's -impecuniosity--and Gerald believed that he was--she would not become -the Major's wife unless he was certain of his income. And while Mavis -remained undiscovered Rebb could by no means be certain. - -Gerald would have asked Arnold to come to London, but he thought it -best that he should not be seen in the company of Schaibar, as the -Major might suspect that something was wrong. It was of course, -impossible that Rebb could ever trace Mavis, but it was just as well -to be on the safe side. So Arnold remained in Exeter, touring the -surrounding country as far as Silbury, Denleigh, and Leegarth, keeping -a keen eye on Geary, and communicating to Gerald by registered letters -all the gossip dealing with the case which he could gather. It seemed -from the little man's epistles that the excitement had died down after -Bellaria was buried, and a belief existed that Mavis, while flying -from justice, had fallen into some river and had been drowned. Whether -the negro or Rebb shared this comfortable belief Haskins could not -discover. He thought not, else the Major might have been still more -afraid of losing his illegal income. In spite of his denial that Mavis -had any relatives either on the father's or mother's side, it was -possible that the gallant officer lied. And if relatives existed they -would certainly claim the money if Mavis was supposed to be dead. - -A few days, therefore, after Mavis had departed with Mrs. Pelham Odin -to Southend, Gerald paid a visit to Ladysmith Mansions. Mrs. Crosbie -was within, looking much the same as usual, and she received him in -quite a friendly manner. He fancied that the disagreeable topic of -their last conversation had vanished from her memory. But her first -words, after greetings, proved that this was not the case. - -"I am glad to see you, my dear Gerald," she said, languidly pointing -to a seat, "but I hope you are not going to tell me any more horrors." - -"I was not aware that I had ever told you any," he answered, rather -annoyed by her tone. - -"Oh yes. All that story of the lunatic, whom you wanted me to look -after. It was just as well that I did not, seeing how mad she is." - -"She is not mad," insisted the young man. "I told you that before, and -I tell you again, Madge." - -"How often have I said that you are not to call me by my Christian -name, you silly boy," said Mrs. Crosbie irritably. - -"There is no one here." Gerald looked at the curtains dividing one -room from the other. "I suppose Mrs. Berch is not again lying down with -a headache." - -"No. She is out shopping, and will be in soon. And you needn't look so -cross. Neither mother nor I told Major Rebb about your weird love -affair. Mother overheard, as she said, but held her tongue." - -"Madge----" - -"Don't, I tell you. Major Rebb may come in at any moment, and I am -also expecting Signor Venosta to afternoon tea. What would either of -them say, if they heard you address me so familiarly." - -Gerald shrugged his shoulders, and did not argue the point. "As you -please, Mrs. Crosbie. I was merely taking the privilege of our -age-long acquaintanceship." - -"Why not friendship?" she inquired, closing her eyes. - -"Friendship, then. When are you to be married?" - -"I can't say! Michael--that is Major Rebb, you know--has not settled -anything yet. He's very much upset, poor man, over this crazy girl." - -"I don't believe that the girl is crazy!" said Gerald decisively. - -"So you said before! Major Rebb told me of his interview with you at -that Denleigh inn, and how absurd you were. Now I suppose you will -admit that you have had a lucky escape?" - -"I admit nothing of the sort!" said Haskins bluntly: then added, in a -diplomatic manner: "Did I know where that poor girl was I would look -her up and marry her to-morrow." - -"I don't think that lunatic marriages are legal," yawned Mrs. Crosbie. -"In spite of what you say, the girl must be guilty. The jury brought -in a verdict of wilful murder, and she should be hanged. As it is, -owing to her insanity, I presume she will be shut up in an asylum." - -"Then the Major will be pleased, I expect," said Gerald grimly. - -"No; he will not. He is very sorry about the affair. It has brought -his name before the public in a most unpleasant manner. Luckily, -everyone knows how well he behaved in looking after the girl. He got -nothing for doing it." - -Haskins started, and wondered if it would be wise to reveal the real -terms which existed between Mavis and her guardian. If Mrs. Crosbie -did not know how Rebb earned his income--if it could be called -earning--he was certainly marrying her under false pretenses. For the -moment Gerald was inclined to blurt out the truth: but, remembering -how Mrs. Crosbie had taken his last confidence, he resolved to hold -his tongue about the money question, and to let the widow and her -admirer adjust their own private affairs. - -Meanwhile the widow had gone to the tea-table, which had just been -set, and was talking, while she poured out the tea. "I hope that you -have got over your infatuation for that girl, Gerald. You will never -see her again. I expect she is dead; fell into a pit, or a river, or -something, when she ran away after committing murder. Poor thing! it -is a lucky business for her that she _is_ dead." - -"Mrs. Crosbie," said Gerald, ceremoniously taking a cup of tea, "you -will insist that Miss Durham killed her nurse. I believe from the -bottom of my heart that she is innocent." - -"Oh, of course you would, being in love," said Mrs. Crosbie, with a -shrug, "but, if she is innocent, who is guilty? Major Rebb?" - -"No, I do not accuse him." - -"How good of you, my dear Gerald." - -"But," added the young man, with emphasis, "_you_ may have an idea as -to who killed Bellaria Dondi." - -A piece of bread and butter fell from Mrs. Crosbie's hand, and she -turned round with an amazed look. "I? In heaven's name, how should I -know?" - -"Didn't your mother tell you what I said about Bellaria and that coral -hand which I found in your cigarette-case?" - -"Yes. The woman was afraid when she saw it." - -"Do you know why she was afraid?" - -"No; I certainly do not." - -"Could Signor Venosta tell you?" - -Mrs. Crosbie rose, and came forward with a glittering light in her -eyes not pleasant to look at. "What do you mean? Signor Venosta----" - -"Gave you the amulet? Mrs. Berch told me as much." - -"If he did, what then? Signor Venosta is an old friend of mine. So -long as Major Rebb does not object, I fail to see why you----" - -"Oh, I have no objections to offer," interrupted Gerald hurriedly. -"But Bellaria was afraid of that coral hand, which symbolized--now -then, Mrs. Crosbie, what did it symbolize?" - -"I don't know," she faltered, and her eyes dropped; after a pause she -looked up. "I'll tell you all I know," she added, passing her lace -handkerchief across her lips. "But keep what I say to yourself." - -"Go on. I shall say nothing to the world without your permission." - -Mrs. Crosbie reflected. "I was in difficulties over money when we last -met," she said rapidly. "There was an Italian moneylender--a Jew in -the city--who held a bill of mine, and treated me badly. I did not -know what to do. When I told Signor Venosta, in despair, since he was -always a good friend of mine, he asked me the name of the Jew, and all -particulars." - -"What is the name of the Jew?" asked Gerald quickly. - -"That has nothing to do with the story. There is no need for you to -know. This moneylender was an Italian Jew, and came from Naples. When -Signor Venosta heard my tale he detached that coral hand from his -watch chain, on the very day you found us together, and gave it to me, -saying, that if I showed it to the Jew everything would go well. I put -it for safety in my cigarette-case, which you carried off. So small an -object could easily be lost, as you may guess. When I found that my -case was missing I sent mother at once to you, thinking--and -rightly--that you had taken it. She brought it back." - -"Well, go on. Did you show it to the Jew?" - -"Yes. He was desperately afraid, and agreed to whatever terms I chose -to make; so you may guess, I insisted on having favorable ones. That -is all, Gerald." - -"Why was the Jew afraid?" - -"I know no more than I know why Bellaria was afraid." - -"Did this Italian Jew from Naples say anything?" - -"No. He turned a dirty yellow, and nearly went on his knees. I told -him that if he did not give me my way that he would get into trouble, -and that I had brought the sign to show him. He yielded, and after our -making terms he seemed glad to get rid of me." - -"But you know----" - -"I know nothing," she interrupted tartly, and returned to the -tea-table, Haskins wondering if she was playing a part. Since she knew -so much it seemed to him that she must know more. He tried the effect -of a surprise. "Ah, the Jew was probably afraid of the Tána." - -This time Mrs. Crosbie dropped the teapot, which clattered on the tray -with a great noise. "The Tána Society?" she stammered, very pale. - -"The Tána Society?" said a new and foreign-sounding voice at the same -time, and Signor Venosta was shown into the room as the teapot fell. - -'Mrs. Crosbie recovered herself with an effort. "Oh, signor, how are -you to-day? Last time, Mr. Haskins--you know Mr. Haskins--found you -with me, now you find him with me. How strange!" - -She was talking for the sake of talking, as Gerald noted, for her face -was livid and her bosom rose and fell stormily. The burly Italian, who -looked perfectly self-controlled and composed, eyed Haskins, who bore -his gaze without flinching. Neither man took notice of Mrs. Crosbie's -chatter, and she sank again into her seat before the tea-table. "Won't -you sit down also, you two?" she tittered nervously. - -"You mentioned the Tána Society," said Venosta, turning on the little -woman, "and to this young man." - -"Pardon me. I mentioned it first to Mrs. Crosbie," said Haskins -coolly. - -"What do you know of the Tána Society?" - -"Very little beyond the fact that it consists of a body of men who -emerge on occasions from the Den to dispense that justice which cannot -be obtained by law. The headquarters of the society is in Naples, and -the symbol is a coral hand grasping a dagger." - -Signor Venosta might have been hewn out of marble for all the surprise -he showed at this speech. But he was staggered, since Gerald caught -the expression of his eyes. "May I ask how you know all this, sir?" - -Gerald shrugged. "I see no reason to conceal the fact that by chance I -carried away Mrs. Crosbie's cigarette-case during my last visit. The -amulet fell out when I opened the case in my rooms for a cigarette." - -"Quite so,"' assented Venosta blandly, "but you thought, no doubt, -that it was merely a trinket." - -"Yes; such as an old friend--you, for instance, Signor Venosta--might -give to Mrs. Crosbie." - -"Ah!" the Italian turned swiftly on the widow, "you _have_ told him." - -"No, no!" she said vehemently, "only that you gave me the trinket, and -that I made that Jew moneylender do what I wanted by showing it to -him. I did not tell anything else, because I know nothing else, save -that the coral hand has to do with some society called the Tána." - -"How do you know that much even?" - -"My mother told me. Mr. Haskins told her." - -"And how do you know?" demanded Venosta, turning toward Gerald. - -"Because Bellaria Dondi," the Italian started, "came to my rooms just -before Mrs. Berch appeared to reclaim the cigarette-case. Bellaria was -afraid when she saw the amulet, and staggered out of the room crying -out: 'Tána! Tána!' I asked a friend what the word meant, and he told -me it meant a den. Told me also, that he had heard of the society by -that name in Naples. I guessed then from what Bellaria said, and from -her terror, that the Tána Society wished to kill her." - -Venosta nodded and smiled amiably. "You are a clever young gentleman -to piece things together so cleverly. Well, I have heard the name of -Bellaria Dondi." - -"In connection with this murder?" asked Gerald, "or long ago, when she -was a singer, and in love with Enrico Salviati?" - -Signor Venosta's brow grew dark, and he frowned fiercely. "Bellaria -told you much," he said, striving to appear calm. - -"Much," assented Gerald easily, and not at all daunted by black looks, -"but she did not tell me who had struck the blow, or who had given the -information which led to the striking of the blow. She could not; she -is dead, poor soul." - -Venosta eyed him coldly. "Then, and in spite of the verdict which -accuses an English young lady of murder, you believe the Tána Society -murdered Bellaria Dondi." - -"Did justice on her, let us say," remarked Gerald quietly; "that is -the euphonious way in which you Italians put such things." - -"And you believe that I obtained the news of Bellaria's whereabouts -from----" His eye wandered to Mrs. Crosbie. - -She sprang to her feet indignantly. "It is not true. I told you -nothing of what my mother said; nothing of what she heard from Gerald. -Say that I did not tell you? How could I, when I knew nothing? Had I -known of this society, and your connection with it, I should not have -made use of that coral hand to terrify the Jew." - -"I do not say that I am connected with the Tána Society, madam." - -"You gave me the trinket." - -"Which was given to me by a member of the society for use in -emergencies, madam. I gave it to you to aid you out of friendship. -That is all. He waved his large white hand. There is no more to be -said." - -"Pardon me," said Gerald quickly, "there is this much to be said. How -did you come to know of Bellaria's hiding-place, if Mrs. Crosbie----" - -"Madam here told me nothing," interrupted the Italian, silencing the -little widow with a gesture. "Bellaria Dondi was a traitress, who -deserved to be killed. Nevertheless, she hid herself so successfully -that the Tána Society never knew where she was until the papers said -that she had been found dead in Devonshire." - -"Did not an emissary of the Tána Society kill her?" asked Gerald, -confounded. - -"No," said Venosta gravely. "Heaven punished Bellaria, not the Tána. -She is dead--stabbed--but I do not know who struck the blow." - -He looked at Mrs. Crosbie, and at Gerald coldly, bowed slightly, and -left the room. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. -A DARK MYSTERY. - - -Almost as soon as the Italian went out, Mrs. Berch entered. Since -Gerald had seen her last she had greatly aged, and looked more worn -and thin than ever in her dark gown. Glancing from the young man to -her daughter, she went to the latter and took her hand. - -"What is the matter, Madge?" she asked, in her stern, cold voice, "why -has Signor Venosta left, and why are you shivering? Gerald," she -turned to Haskins, "what have you been saying to my daughter?" - -"Nothing," he answered calmly, "but Signor Venosta has been saying a -great deal to both of us." - -"It is about that coral hand, mother," cried Mrs. Crosbie feverishly, -and clinging to Mrs. Berch. "Signor Venosta says that it is the symbol -of a society which murders, and for that reason the moneylender was -afraid. I wish I had refused Venosta's assistance," she ended. - -"Why did you talk of these horrors?" asked Mrs. Berch reproachfully, -"you know, Gerald, that Madge cannot bear such things." - -"I am trying to learn who killed Bellaria, Mrs. Berch, and it struck -me--since she was afraid of the coral hand--that you told Madge what I -told you, and that this being repeated to Venosta, he might have -stabbed the woman by order of the Tána Society." - -"I don't know anything about the Tána Society." - -"Neither do I; neither do I," muttered Mrs. Crosbie. - -"And there is no reason why Signor Venosta, who is our friend, should -kill Major Rebb's servant," went on Mrs. Berch steadily. "Everyone -knows that she was stabbed by that crazy girl." - -"I don't agree with you," replied Gerald coldly, and prepared to -leave. "However, it is useless arguing, I can only apologize to Mrs. -Crosbie for having brought up so disagreeable a subject. Good-day." - -"No," said the widow, rising and recovering her color and nerve, -"don't go yet, Gerald. I know that you did not mean any harm, and -after all, as Signor Venosta has nothing to do with the death, it -matters very little. Had I known when I saw the moneylender what I -know now I should never have taken that coral hand. But I have given -it back to Signor Venosta, and he will not mention the subject again. -Sit down and have another cup of tea." - -"Do," urged Mrs. Berch, the light coming into her cold eyes. "I think -you owe it to Madge to remove the impression of this horror. The whole -thing is too fantastical, with its symbols and secret societies and -murders in lonely houses. We live in the twentieth century, and these -things belong to fiction." - -"The last does not," replied Haskins dryly: "Bellaria was certainly -murdered at the Pixy's House." - -"And by that crazy girl," insisted Mrs. Berch. "I hope she will be -caught and shut up in an asylum. It is not safe to let such a creature -go at large." - -Haskins defended Mavis no longer, as he was afraid that the two women, -both keen-eyed and clever, might guess his secret knowledge of the -girl's whereabouts. "Let us change the subject," he said, taking a -fresh cup of tea from Mrs. Crosbie's hand. "I hope you enjoyed -yourselves at Bognor?" - -"Oh, very much indeed," said the widow brightly, "and we were quite -sorry to return to London. But we are going abroad soon, to -Switzerland." - -Gerald winced. Switzerland was a wide place: yet if Mrs. Berch and her -daughter went there, it was not impossible but what they might come -across the honeymooning path of Mr. and Mrs. Macandrew. In that event -Major Rebb would certainly learn that Charity was married, and -therefore guess that Mavis was with Mrs. Pelham Odin. However, he -showed no signs of his fears, but privately resolved to write to Tod. -"When are you going, Mrs. Crosbie?" - -"I can't say exactly," she answered carelessly, "it all depends on -Major Rebb. He is coming with mother and myself, but has some business -to arrange before he can leave London. What have you been doing with -yourself lately, Gerald? We, as you know, have been at Bognor." - -"Writing as usual." And Haskins plunged into an account of his new -book, for the sake of talking on a safe subject. Yet even as he spoke, -his brain was wondering why the widow lied about Bognor. According to -Tod's clerk the two ladies had not been near that watering-place: but -Mrs. Crosbie spoke as having just returned from that very town. -Probably, since both were hard up--Mrs. Crosbie in talking of the -moneylender had confessed as much--they had been ruralizing in some -quiet and cheap part of the country. - -For the next twenty minutes the conversation was of a light and -somewhat frivolous order, and in so congenial an atmosphere the widow -expanded like a flower. Even Mrs. Berch grew more human, and less like -a stone image. It was quite like old days, when Gerald's mother had -sat knitting and listening with a smile on her well-remembered face. -Mrs. Crosbie evidently recalled the past, for when Gerald finally took -his departure she accompanied him to the door. - -"What a pleasant quarter of an hour we have had," she said, pressing -his hand. "We always get on well together, Gerald, and mother is so -fond of you. I wish you had not quarreled with Michael--with Major -Rebb, that is--for when I am married I want you still to be my -friend." - -"I am only too willing to continue so: but Rebb doesn't like me." - -"How can you expect him to," said Mrs. Crosbie petulantly, "when you -accuse him of shutting up that girl unjustly? I do hope you have got -over your infatuation for her. It would never do for you to marry a -madwoman." - -"No," said Gerald, shirking a useless argument, "it would never do. -Good-day, Madge. I shall see you again soon." And he went down the -stairs with backward glances to see Mrs. Crosbie shaking a playful -finger at him for calling her as usual by her Christian name. - -When in the street Gerald suddenly remembered that it would have been -as well to get Signor Venosta's address from the widow, as he wanted -to gain further information concerning the Tána Society. But on second -thoughts he saw little use in again questioning Venosta. The Italian -had plainly denied the murder, and would tell him nothing more about -the society, which was a secret one. Haskins quite believed what -Venosta said with regard to the crime. If Bellaria, judged a traitress -by the Tána, had been deliberately stabbed, it was improbable that -Venosta--as the mouthpiece of the cut-throat organization--would deny -that such justice had been executed. Such societies were rather proud -than otherwise of their vengeance, and did not mind the truth being -known, since publicity on this score terrified other members who might -wish to break their oaths. The Tána Society therefore was guiltless of -Bellaria's death, and the assassin would have to be sought for in -another quarter. "But where can I look?" Gerald asked himself, and it -was not until he reached Frederick Street that he decided what to do. -The decision he came to, was to journey at once to Denleigh and -interview the negro. Probably Geary knew the truth and might be -bribed or terrified into telling what he knew. To depend upon this -semi-civilized creature was grasping at a straw, but to whom else -could he go for information? Rebb, fighting with his back to the wall, -would not tell, but Geary, knowing his master's secrets, might be -persuaded, or kicked, or bought over, into speech. - -When Gerald arrived in his rooms he was met with a surprise in the -shape of Tod Macandrew, looking sunburnt, healthy, and marvelously -happy. "Good heavens, what are you doing here?" asked Haskins, amazed. - -"Looking for you," retorted Tod, and shook hands. "Charity is so -anxious to see Mavis cleared, and you married to her, that she made me -come back." - -"And where is Mrs. Macandrew?" - -"At Amsterdam." - -"What is she doing there?" - -"Waiting for me. She would not stop in Switzerland, as it was too far -away, so she came to Amsterdam. I can run over and see her there -whenever I like, until this infernal business of the murder is cleared -up and I can bring her back to England." - -"I am glad she is in Holland," remarked Gerald, and told Tod how Mrs. -Crosbie and her mother intended to go to Switzerland, and of his dread -lest they might meet Charity. - -Tod nodded. "It is just as well," he answered. "However, Charity is -all right and snug, so I am at your disposal. Mavis and Mrs. Pelham -Odin are at Southend?" - -"Yes, where Rebb is not likely to look for them. As for myself I am -going to Devonshire to-morrow to see Geary and Arnold." - -"Arnold? Yes, I should like to interview him, and see if he has picked -up any further information. As to Geary?--do you suspect him?" - -"Yes and no. According to Rebb, Geary gave the knife to Bellaria, and -certainly I shot Geary in the right arm, so on the night of the murder -he was in no condition to kill the woman. Geary, I believe, is -guiltless; but he knows Rebb's secrets, and I wish to force him into -telling them." - -"Hum," said Tod, nursing his chin. "Do you believe that Rebb----" - -"I don't know what to believe of Rebb," interrupted Gerald quickly. -"As I told you, Mr. Arnold thinks that Rebb stabbed Bellaria. He may -have done so, or he may not: at all events I am going down to find -out." - -Then Haskins related what he had learned about the coral hand, and how -Venosta had disclaimed the murder. "Which he would not have done, Tod, -had the society executed vengeance on Bellaria." - -"But by confessing he would run his neck into a noose." - -"No. He would simply deny having told me, and his guilt would be -difficult to prove, since both Mrs. Crosbie and Mrs. Berch say that -they did not tell him about Bellaria's terror of the amulet. Moreover -he would clear out of England back to his own country, and could laugh -at the English law. No, Tod; I feel certain that Venosta and his -accursed society are innocent." - -"And you believe that Geary is innocent also? You leave only Rebb to -be accused. However, I'll come down with you and scour the country -after a conversation with this Arnold. We can then learn what -strangers were in the neighborhood of Leegarth on the night of the -murder." - -"What then? No stranger had any reason to murder Bellaria?" - -"Well, I don't know. The crime may be the work of a tramp. I daresay -there were rumors of jewels and money and all the rest of it. A tramp -might----" - -"No," said Gerald very decidedly. "Mavis declares that Bellaria -received a letter which excited her. I should not be surprised to -learn that the letter asked her to come to the gate at midnight, so -that she might meet with her death." - -"Ah! Then you think this letter was written by the assassin? If so, -Rebb is guiltless. He would not commit himself to making an -appointment in writing, when he could have met Bellaria easily without -doing so. Where is this letter?" - -"I don't know. Mavis says that Bellaria had it on her person: but it -could not have been found, else it would have been produced at the -inquest. I know, from reading the papers, that it was not." - -"Hum," said Tod again. "Well, let us go down to Devonshire and then we -can look into things." - -"It is very good of you to cut short your honeymoon to help me," said -Gerald, patting Macandrew on the back. - -"It is very good of me, indeed," assented Tod readily, "and I wouldn't -have done it for another living soul. Come now take me out to dinner -at the Troc, and amuse me with the best play in London." - -Haskins laughed, and did all that was desired, as it was just as well -to keep Tod from fretting after the wife he had left at Amsterdam. But -Macandrew did not do things by half: having come over to help his -friend, he did not keep reminding him of the sacrifice he had made. -Tod ate an excellent dinner, and laughed at a musical comedy, and went -to sleep in Gerald's extra bedroom, after a smoke and a glass of -whisky slightly diluted with water. Macandrew, as became a native of -Scotland, liked his drink strong. - -Next morning the two friends went down to the west of England in very -good spirits. At Exeter Tod alighted to see Arnold--having obtained -the Monmouth Hotel address from Gerald--and the other amateur -detective proceeded to Silbury, where as usual he put up at the -Prince's Head. Mrs. Jennings was pleased to see him, but could tell -him very little about the murder likely to throw any light on its -darkness. It seemed to Gerald that she took very little interest in -the matter. - -"That crazy girl can't be found," she told her guest, "so I expect, -poor soul, she has been drowned--that is the general opinion, sir. As -that is the case, and Miss Bellaria is buried in Leegarth graveyard, -there is no more to be said." - -"What of the Pixy's House?" - -"Major Rebb has shut it up--in a way, that is. For that mad girl's -rooms were beautifully furnished. I saw them myself," added Mrs. -Jennings breathlessly, "when I went over after the inquest, to -Leegarth. But Major Rebb has been living in those rooms, with his -man----" - -"Geary?" - -"No, sir. Geary is still the landlord of the Devon Maid. He was -fiddling with a pistol and hurt himself: but he is all right now. -Major Rebb brought his own man from town, who cooks and looks after -the place. I expect the Major likes better to live in the Pixy's House -than in the hotel at Denleigh. I would not live in that wicked house -myself," ended Mrs. Jennings, with a shudder. "I should be afraid of -Miss Bellaria's ghost." - -"Is Major Rebb there now?" asked Gerald quickly. - -"He comes again to-morrow or the next day, I believe," answered the -landlady, who knew all the gossip of the neighborhood, "and they say -that he intends to repair the house against his marriage with a London -lady." - -Haskins nodded, and took his way over the hills to Denleigh. It was -apparent that Rebb really believed Mavis to be drowned, according to -common report, and, since no one was likely to question his right to -the income or the house, he intended to reap as a married man the -fruit of his villainy. It seemed strange to Gerald that Mavis should -not have any relative who would dispute the will, but he knew how -often old families dwindle down to a single person. In this case, he -believed that there were two twigs still sprouting from the Durham -family tree, in the persons of the twin girls. - -On crossing the bridge, in Denleigh valley, Haskins saw Geary lounging -at his door, looking big and black and sullen and dangerous. However, -a white man was not to be intimidated by a barbarous animal like this, -so Gerald walked up to him coolly, and wished him good-day. Geary grew -green under his black skin, and glared like a wild beast, his hands -working convulsively. At his back, in the passage, could be seen the -scared face of Mrs. Geary. She evidently dreaded what Haskins' errand -might be, since she must have known of her husband's footpad attack. - -"What might you be doing here, sah?" asked Geary, rolling his eyes. - -"Taking a stroll, Geary--simply taking a stroll. How is your arm?" - -The negro glared and took a step forward, his hand slipping round to -the back. Haskins moved aside and gripped the revolver which he had -taken the precaution to bring with him. Mr. Geary's knife was too -dangerous a weapon to be met with mere fists. "I am quite ready," said -the white man coolly: "you bring out that knife and I shoot." - -"Dat would be murder, sah," whimpered Geary, reading danger in -Haskins' steady eye: but he withdrew his hand from his back all the -same. "You nearly murdered me afore, sah." - -"I winged you as a murderous dog," said Gerald sharply, "and you quite -deserve to be shot. Are you not afraid lest I should bring you into -court for attacking me? You would get a long term of imprisonment, -Adonis. We don't allow these sort of things in England." - -"You do what you like, sah. Major Rebb, him look after me." - -"I don't think Major Rebb will interfere," said Gerald carelessly. - -Geary showed his white teeth significantly. "Dat massa ob mine will -see dat all is safe wid me, sah, until he die." - -"Ah, that means you can force him to protect you." - -"I say noting, sah." - -"Strange--for you were always garrulous. Where is your amiable smile, -Mr. Geary, and your polite manners? I always knew you to be a -murderous hound. But you might have spared poor Bellaria." - -Geary flung up his hands, and looked greener than ever. "I did not hab -noting to do wid dat woman, sah." - -"Oh, I think so--stand where you are and keep your hands in front of -you," cried Haskins sharply, "or I'll send a bullet through you." - -The negro's eyes rolled, and he looked round for assistance. But the -population of Denleigh were indoors partaking of the evening meal, and -beyond a few children playing far down the stream no one was in sight. -"I no kill dat Bellaria," he repeated doggedly, but did not venture to -grip his knife. He had experienced the shooting of his opponent -before. - -"You liar! You came back here, and, after having had your arm bound -up, you went to the Pixy's House." - -This chance shot of Haskins' hit the mark. "No, sah; no sah," gasped -the big man, but his knees knocked together. - -"You did," cried Haskins, following up his advantage, "and Major Rebb -went also." - -"It's one big lie, sah. No! No, doan' shoot, sah," and with a scream -he backed into the house to shut the door, but could not because Mrs. -Geary, large and massive, blocked the way. - -"See here, Geary," said Haskins, lowering the pistol he had raised. "I -intend to have you arrested for that assault unless you tell me the -truth about this crime. You are guilty." - -"No, sah; no, sah," moaned the man again. - -"Mr. Haskins," said the woman, brushing aside her husband and coming -out, "my husband has been a bad one to me: but he is innocent. Major -Rebb went to the Pixy's House on----" - -"Hole dat tongue, you beast," yelled Geary furiously. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. -MAJOR REBB AT BAY. - - -But Mrs. Geary would not be silenced. Her meekness seemed to have -disappeared, and she faced the negro, as bold as any Amazon. "I shall -not hold my tongue, Adonis," she said, drawing a deep breath, "the -time has gone by when you could bully me. I have suffered enough at -your hands, and a fool I was to marry a black savage such as you are. -You----" - -How long she would have gone on in that manner it is impossible to -say, for the pent-up anger of years appeared to break forth. However, -Gerald saw that people were coming out of their houses, and sauntering -in the direction of the inn. Unwilling that too much should be made -public--for obvious reasons--he pushed his way past Mrs. Geary and -into the house, commanding the two to follow him. They did so--the -woman willingly enough. But the negro hung back with a snarl and -evidently tried his old tricks on his wife. There was a scream as -Haskins entered the old sitting-room, which he had occupied with Tod, -and then the sounds of slapping and scuffling and swearing. Gerald -flung himself into an armchair, and looked towards the open door. It -was filled the next moment by Geary being thrust forward by his wife, -who had cuffed and thrashed him into a dazed silence. She literally -flung him into the room, and following herself closed and locked the -door. Standing before this, wrathful and gigantic, she pointed a -menacing finger at the black man. - -"I was a fool to marry such a black savage as you are," she went on -from where she had left off. "You have been a beast and a tyrant and -have driven me to drink. The drink is in me now, and that is what -makes me so bold." - -"Wait till the drink is out of you," breathed Geary, trying to assert -himself, and flashed an angry look in her direction. Formerly that -look had cowed the woman, but now she simply snapped her fingers in -his astonished face. - -"It won't do, Adonis, it won't do. The worm has turned at last: you -have made me desperate. I'll have no more of these murders and -beatings and swearings. I am a Baptist myself, and you have nearly -ruined my soul. But now, you black dog, it is my turn. To-morrow I go -back to my mother at Barnstaple with my children. I can get work to -do, and earn money to keep them and myself. As for you, stay here with -your ill-gotten money for doing Major Rebb's dirty work. I could ruin -you; but I shall not do that. Still, the truth must be told to this -gentleman." - -"What is that?" asked Gerald, sitting up, and expectant of what was -coming. He saw the truth in Mrs. Geary's fiery eyes. - -"The truth is that Major Rebb murdered Bellaria." - -"It isn't de troofth," muttered Geary, clenching his huge fists. - -His wife taunted him. "Ah, you'd like to strike me, you animal," she -said, in a loud voice. "But do--do. I dare you. Never again: oh, never -again! I can die but once, and if you use your knife, I'll use my -teeth and my hands and my feet to fight you. Better death than more of -this dog life with you." - -Her breast rose and fell stormily, and Gerald looked at her as amazed -as was her husband. Never before had the meek ogress behaved in this -fashion, although on several occasions she had tried to assert -herself. But having turned, she left no room for doubt as to what she -meant. Looking at the transformed woman, who had been goaded into -revolt, Haskins thought of Balzac's remark, which was now excellently -illustrated: "There is nothing more horrible than the rebellion of a -sheep." - -"Wait; only wait." - -It was Geary who spoke, but he spoke without conviction, since he felt -rather than saw that his rule was at an end. It is ever thus with -tyrants. They browbeat those who are willing to serve them, for many -years, and the milder the servant the greater burden does the master -impose. Mrs. Geary had labored like a horse, doing more than was -required of her. Still, the negro had not been pleased, and therefore -had beaten and kicked his beast of burden, never dreaming of any -revolt. But the measure was filled to the brim: the last straw had -stiffened the camel's back rather than broken it; and Mrs. Geary had -risen to assert the right of a human being. Adonis blustered and -threatened, but he knew that never again would his wife submit to his -domination. - -"With your domestic affairs I have no need to meddle," said Gerald, -raising his hand to stop Mrs. Geary's speech and her husband's -growling. "I think you are right to leave that brute, and if you need -money I shall supply you with all you wish." - -"Thank you, sir," said Mrs. Geary, dropping a curtsey; and glared at -her husband. The drink was dying out of her, but she still fought, as -she was supported by Haskins' presence. "You hear that, Adonis?" - -"I'll go to law, sah," growled Geary, "you make my wife fight." - -"You shall have more law than you bargain for," said Gerald coldly. "I -can promise you that. Go on, Mrs. Geary, tell your story." - -She placed her big arms akimbo, and spoke steadily. "When Geary went -after you on that night, sir, I knew he was up to some deviltry, since -he almost stripped himself and used all the oil in the cruet stand to -rub over himself. I spoke to the Major--that is, I went in to speak to -him here, and ask what Geary was up to. But the Major was gone." - -"Gone?" echoed Gerald. "Then he went immediately after I left?" - -"Not exactly, sir. It was quite an hour after Adonis followed you that -I came in here. Then Adonis came back wounded, and I bound up his arm. -He asked if his old master was in, and when he heard that the Major -had gone out he followed." - -"Followed where?" - -"I followed to the Pixy's House," said Adonis hoarsely, "you may as -well know dat what I know, sah. I hab noting to do wid de murder. I -went ober de hills for de Major, and I found him coming back----" - -"At what time was that?" - -"After midnight," cried Mrs. Geary, "it was two o'clock before the -Major and Adonis returned." - -"And Bellaria was murdered--according to the medical evidence--about -midnight," murmured Haskins. "So you went to the Pixy's House?" - -"No, sah, I no go dere. I meet de Major coming back. He say dat he had -gone to see if you, sah, had been visitin' de house, after you went -from here. Den I tole him dat I tried to kill you, for I hear that you -wished to make trouble for de Major. De Major berry angry wid me, and -we come home. Den, in the morning, we hear ob de murder." - -"Didn't the Major tell you that he had found Bellaria stabbed?" - -"No, sah. Him say noting: I ask noting. Dat's all." - -"If Major Rebb was in the Pixy's House at midnight, he either stabbed -Bellaria himself, or he knows who stabbed her," said Gerald -deliberately, and rose. "Is this all you have to tell me?" - -"Dat all," growled the man sullenly. "But de Major did not kill. -Bellaria asked for my big knife, 'cause she was feared." - -"Did you know what she feared?" - -"No, sah. De Major, he know, but he no tell me." - -There was nothing to be done but to wait and see Rebb, so as to -question him on this unexpected information, which Mrs. Geary had -forced her cowed husband to give. Haskins slipped a sovereign into the -woman's hand, and walked to the door. "If you follow me again to knife -me, Adonis," he remarked, "remember I have a revolver." - -The negro pointed to his useless right arm. "I can do noting," he -said, and his eyes flashed as he added: "I should like to." - -Mrs. Geary pushed past her husband. "No, you can do nothing with that -arm. It has beaten me often enough. Geary," she pointed a finger at -him, "now I leave your house with my children; this very moment I -leave. I shall never see you again." - -"You have nowhere to go, you fool gal." - -"I can tramp with the children to Leegarth and there a friend of mine -can put me up for the night. I have this sovereign the young gentleman -has given me, and to-morrow I take the train back to my mother." - -"I think you are wise, Mrs. Geary," called back Gerald, and began his -return journey to Silbury, leaving the negro and his wife to settle -their private affairs as they best could. But he felt certain that -Mrs. Geary meant what she said, and would leave the Devon Maid at -once. She feared, now that she was more sober, and Gerald was gone, -lest she should again succumb to the tyranny of the negro. - -The next morning Gerald received a letter from Tod, saying that he was -going with Arnold to Belldown, a village on the hither side of -Leegarth, and some ten miles distant. Haskins wondered why his friend -and the tutor should go to such a secluded place. Probably Tod had -found some evidence which took him there, for examination of the same. -But his letter was most unsatisfactory, as he gave no hint of what -Arnold had explained. Gerald felt somewhat in the dark. However, it -was useless to conjecture. When Macandrew had done what he wanted to -do at Belldown--whatever that might be--he would come to Silbury with -Mr. Arnold and explain himself. Meanwhile Gerald possessed his soul in -patience, and wished that Rebb would come down to the Pixy's House. - -When he descended to breakfast, and Mrs. Jennings entered with her -budget of gossip, he learned that Major Rebb had driven through -Silbury early that morning on his way to Leegarth. "He came down by -the night train I hear, sir," said Mrs. Jennings. - -Haskins was very well satisfied, as this arrival provided him with -work for the day. Apparently Rebb had seen Mrs. Crosbie on the -previous day, and had learned what took place from the widow, or her -mother. And it was possible that he had come to the Frederick Street -chambers to ask Haskins what he meant by meddling with the case. There -he would learn that the marplot--as he regarded Haskins--had gone on -to Devonshire, and so had come down post-haste by the next train he -could catch. All this argued a guilty conscience, and Gerald took his -way to Leegarth later in the morning to have it out with his enemy. It -occurred to him that Rebb was guilty after all. - -The day was not so hot as the previous one had been, so Haskins walked -to Leegarth. He could have obtained a horse, or a bicycle, as on the -two former occasions, but preferred to use his legs. The country was -very beautiful, and the air most exhilarating, so he enjoyed the -journey, and arrived at Leegarth without unduly hurrying himself. When -he came in sight of the Pixy's House he felt in his hip pocket to make -sure that his revolver was safe. Rebb was a desperate man, and might -make an attack after the fashion of Geary; therefore it was as well to -be on the safe side. Thus ready for any emergency, he rang the bell at -the big gates, which were again closed and bolted. In less time than -he expected the gates were thrown open by the mild-faced valet of Rebb -whom Haskins had last seen in London. - -"My master is expecting you, sir," said the valet, stepping back to -permit the visitor to enter, "in fact, sir, he came down here -immediately after you for an interview. I have been watching at the -gates all the morning." - -"How did Major Rebb know that I was in Devonshire?" asked Gerald, and -received the expected reply--that Rebb had inquired at his Frederick -Street rooms. While following the valet up the narrow path, which -wound between saplings and jungly grasses, Gerald looked hard at him, -wondering if this man, like Geary, knew of Rebb's affairs. But the -mild face of the valet betrayed nothing. He looked like a sheep, and -probably was one. Major Rebb did not care for over-clever servants. -Probably he had learned a lesson when pensioning off Geary, who knew -far too much. - -The old place looked very beautiful in the warm golden light, and -Gerald caught a glimpse of the lawn whereon Mavis had danced. He -sighed to think of what had happened since that wonderful night. A -gulf had opened between the girl and the world which could only be -bridged by an open confession by Rebb as to the truth of the murder. - -But Haskins had very little time to cogitate, for the valet led him -swiftly through the archway, and into the house. He preceded the -visitor up a shallow staircase, and along a spacious passage on the -first floor. On knocking at a door, and being bidden to enter, he -introduced Gerald into a large room, with no less than five windows -looking out on to the tangled avenue and rough lawns and riotous -shrubberies. This was Mavis' apartment--as Gerald had been told, -when he came to see Inspector Morgan--and it was luxuriously -furnished, so as to be a pleasant prison for the unfortunate girl. Bad -as Rebb was, he had done his best to make Mavis' voluntary captivity -endurable--that is, it could be called voluntary, since the Major had -told her that all English girls were brought up in seclusion, and she -had acquiesced. - -"How are you, Haskins?" said the Major, when his man had shut the door -and they were alone together in the splendid room. "I have been -expecting you." - -"So I have been given to understand by your valet," replied Gerald -coolly, and sat down to take out his pipe. "You don't object to my -smoking, I presume?" - -Rebb smiled grimly. "No," he rejoined deliberately, "you may need -soothing before our conversation ends." - -"Dear me, that sounds threatening. Are you going to murder me, or drop -me into an oubliette. If so, I advise you to think twice about it. The -police at Silbury know that I am here. I told a young constable in the -High Street where I was going." - -"I don't see why you should do that?" said Rebb sharply. - -"I do," rejoined the young man calmly. "You are a dangerous man, Rebb, -and you are being driven into a corner. However, if you think to -silence me by violence, you will only get yourself into difficulties." - -"You are afraid," taunted the Major sneeringly. - -"Oh, not at all," retorted Haskins, although his fair face flushed a -trifle; "there is no question of that. The mere fact that I come here -alone is enough to prove that I do not fear you." He lighted his pipe -carefully and looked along the stem at his host. "Fire away." - -Rebb sat down in a comfortable chair with his back to the window, -probably so that Haskins should not read his face too easily. He was -neatly dressed in a maroon-colored smoking-suit, and looked as spic -and span as though he had just stepped out of a band-box; but then -Rebb, being something of a lady-killer, had always been attentive to -his personal appearance. He suited the room very well, as he looked -high-bred and bland, and dangerously amiable. - -"What do you wish me to say?" he asked quietly. - -"That is for you to judge," answered Haskins lazily, but very -attentive to Rebb's slightest movement. "You say that you expected me. -Well, I presume that means you have something to say." - -"You have called to see me without an invitation," retorted Rebb, "so -that shows you have a few questions to ask me." - -"You are right--I have. But you are not hospitable, Rebb. I am dry -after that long walk from Silbury. What about beer?" - -"Are you not afraid of my poisoning you?" asked the Major, rising and -going to a sideboard. - -"Not at all; you would like to, so as to silence me for ever. Had I -come here without anyone knowing my whereabouts you would doubtless -try to get rid of me in some way or another. But the game in this case -is not worth the candle. The Pixy's House has a bad reputation for one -murder, Major, and I don't think you would care to have another -committed either by yourself or your tool, Geary." - -"I did not set Geary on to you," snapped Rebb, discomposed by this -cool chatter, and returning to the central table with a tray. - -"So I understand. Geary told me so last night." - -"You have seen him?" - -"Oh yes; and his wife also. She rather gave you away, Major, and I may -tell you that she has left her husband, having had enough of his -brutality. The children, I believe, are with her." - -"I don't know what you mean about that woman having given me away," -said the Major, trying to control himself, "there is nothing in my -life but what will bear inspection." - -"Even by the law?" - -"Even by the law. Will you have hock or claret?" - -"Hock, please, and some seltzer. I congratulate you on your courageous -conscience, Major. Few people, even the best of us, can stand having -their secret lives looked into." - -Rebb passed along a glass foaming with the drink, and shrugged his -shoulders as he took up the claret jug. "Did you come here to preach -platitudes?" he asked cynically. - -Gerald took a long drink, and set down his glass with a laugh. "No. I -came to ask you where Mavis Durham is hiding." - -"How should I know? She may be dead for all I can tell. And, indeed," -added Rebb to himself, "I believe she is dead, else she would have -been discovered long ago. Have you any idea of her whereabouts?" - -"If I had would I ask you?" fenced Gerald coolly. "I stopped on the -night of that poor girl's flight at the Prince's Head, as you will -find if you ask Mrs. Jennings. - -"I have asked her already, and I know that." - -"Ah! Then you _did_ suspect me of having a hand in the murder." - -"I fancied that you might, since you loved Mavis, and wanted to get -her away from here. I hope you are satisfied with your work." - -"With _my_ work. What do you mean?" Haskins sat up. - -"Simply this, that nothing has gone right since you found that -infernal cylinder, and pryed into my private affairs." Rebb glared. -"If it was the old days of dueling, Haskins. I should call you out." - -"I quite believe it. But as dueling days are past you will have to -silence me in another way." - -"Why should I silence you?" - -"Because, Rebb, I know too much. After I left you on that night at the -Devon Maid you came here, and----" - -"I did not," interrupted Rebb fiercely. - -"You came here. Mrs. Geary says so. And I believe from my soul that -you killed Bellaria, and put the blame on Mavis to secure her money." - -Rebb started to his feet. "You infernal liar!" And he flung his glass -at the young man. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. -A CONFESSION. - - -The glass skimmed past Haskins' head, and smashed against the -wainscoting. By this time both men were on their feet; Rebb glaring -and furious, but Gerald perfectly calm. A few drops of the claret had -sprinkled his face, and he wiped these off quietly. "There is nothing -to be gained by your losing your temper, Rebb," he remarked. - -"Don't tell me what to do or what not to do," raged the Major, -striding towards the door, which he locked. "You are in my power -here." - -Haskins sat down again with a contemptuous laugh. "So much so that, if -you opened that door to let me out, I should refuse to go. Don't be a -fool, Rebb. One would think you were a melodramatic actor. Do you -think that I am afraid of you or of a dozen like you? Sit down and let -us talk quietly over the matter." - -Rebb walked forward, and flung himself into a chair, gnawing his -moustache, somewhat taken aback by Haskins' aplomb. Usually, when he -asserted his undeniably strong will, his opponents sat down and -obeyed. But the Major recognized readily enough that he had a -determined man to deal with, and, moreover, knew that he could not get -the better of him by treachery, since the Silbury police were aware of -Haskins' whereabouts. The Pixy's House already had an unpleasant -reputation, and Rebb did not wish an inexplicable disappearance to -take place there. He would willingly have got rid of this man, who so -persistently crossed his path, but the risk was too great. And as man -to man, Gerald was more than able to hold his own. Rebb was no fool, -and, for the moment, he mentally confessed himself beaten. - -"I ask your pardon for losing my temper," he said, wiping his -forehead, "but no man can sit quietly and hear himself accused of -woman murder." - -"Defend yourself then," said Gerald, relighting his pipe, which had -gone out during the episode. - -"There is no need for me to make a defence," snarled the other. - -"I think there is. Geary may hold his tongue, since he appears to be -devoted to you, but his wife, having left her husband, will certainly -speak out." - -"What can she say?" asked Rebb, taking another glass of claret. - -"That you went to this place on the night, and about the time, of the -murder. You went away some time after I left, and did not return until -two in the morning." - -Major Rebb sat moodily looking at the tips of his slippers. He saw -well that Gerald was right, and if the young man--as he probably -would--supported Mrs. Geary in making trouble, very unpleasant -questions might be asked. "Why the devil do you interfere in my -business?" he asked, between his teeth. - -"Because I love Mavis Durham." - -"She is dead." - -"You can't be sure of that." - -"Then you know!" cried the Major, starting to his feet. - -"Now how should I know anything when you have exonerated me from -complicity in her flight?" argued Gerald, dexterously skirting the -subject. "If I had run away with Mavis she would be my wife by this -time." - -"And would have passed her honeymoon in prison?" growled Rebb, quite -convinced by Gerald's quiet tone. - -"I think not. I should have fought for my wife. And I intend to search -for her and fight for her still." - -"You'll never find her. If she were alive she would have been captured -long ago." - -"Ah, it would please you, no doubt, to see her hanged." - -"No! on my soul, no!" cried the Major, beginning to walk to and fro, -"I only want to see her happy. She was happy here," he added, as -Gerald laughed unpleasantly. "She was happy until you came and -disturbed her poor brain." - -"Her very clever brain!" contradicted the young man acidly. "Pshaw! -Major, am I a fool that you should talk to me in this way? Whatever -you may state to the outside world, for the sake of your illegal -income, you know perfectly well that Mavis is perfectly sane." - -"She is not! Would she have killed Bellaria if sane?" - -"Oh, you are trying to keep up that fiction also?" - -"It is not fiction," insisted Rebb, obviously in earnest. "I will -admit that the girl's brain was stronger than I chose to tell anyone -outside this room. All the same, I believe that, weary of being shut -up, she tried to escape on that night. Bellaria came to stop her, and -Mavis then must have stabbed her. Remember, Bellaria had Geary's -knife." - -"Do you really believe this?" asked Gerald, quite puzzled. - -"I swear that I do! Come, Haskins, let us talk plainly, since there is -no one to hear us. Don't you believe it yourself?" - -"No, I do not! You, if anyone, killed Bellaria." - -"Why should I?" - -"Because you knew that I would take the girl away and marry her. To -put her presumed insanity beyond all doubt you murdered Bellaria, and -placed the crime on the poor girl's shoulders. In this way, should she -be found, you secure her income for life, since she cannot marry." - -"That would have been a clever thing for me to do," said Rebb, in a -quiet way, "but I had not the brains to conceive such a plot, much -less the cleverness to carry it out. I might, in a fit of rage, kill a -man capable of defending himself. I certainly should never raise my -hand to stab a defenceless woman, whatever provocation I might have." - -"You were here about the time of the murder?" said Haskins, and he -wrinkled his brow in perplexity. Rebb spoke very earnestly. - -"I was--since Mrs. Geary has let the cat out the bag I may as well -confess, and you will see how groundless your suspicions are. It was -long after ten o'clock when I left the Devon Maid, and I took a -lantern with me." - -"Why did you go at all?" - -"To search for your confounded canoe. Geary told me about it, and so -did Bellaria, who learned where it was hidden from Mavis." - -"Yes. I told Mavis. Well?" - -"Well, I wanted to find it and break it up, so that you should no -longer get across the pool and climb the wall. I walked over the -hills, and lost my way for a time. It was close upon twelve o'clock -when I got to the pool. I searched for the canoe and could not find -it. I heard a shriek inside the grounds of this house----" - -"And you went to see what it was?" - -"Not at the moment. I knew that Bellaria, being always terrified, for -reasons you need not know----" - -"Pardon me, I know all about the Tána Society." - -Rebb looked astonished, but made no comment, being too occupied in -exonerating himself. "Then you know that she suffered greatly from -nerves, and was afraid of being discovered and killed. Often she -shrieked at night, as Mavis told me, and at times, when here late, I -heard her myself. I therefore merely thought that Bellaria was in one -of her mad fits and went on searching. About one o'clock I climbed the -bank and, crossing the stream by the bridge to Leegarth, I went to the -gate of the Pixy's House, wondering if you had dared to come there, -after seeing me. I found the gates opened and Bellaria dead. As I was -stooping over the body, Geary came running from the house. He said -that he had followed me to tell about your shooting him in the arm, -and on finding Bellaria's body he had gone to look for Mavis. She had -vanished. I searched the house also, and could not find her. I -therefore came back to Denleigh with Geary, making him promise to say -nothing of our midnight visit." - -"Why?" asked Gerald straightly. - -"Why?" echoed the Major, looking surprised, "when you were meddling -with my affairs? Had you known of that visit at the time, you would -have denounced me to the police, and I should have had great -difficulty in clearing myself. I held my peace. And I tell you that I -really believed, as I believe now, that Mavis had stabbed Bellaria, so -as to get her liberty." - -"Why did you not believe that some emissary of the Tána Society had -found out Bellaria's hiding place and had killed her?" - -"You mean Venosta?" said Rebb hurriedly; "well I own that, after the -first shock of surprise, I did suspect Venosta, as Mrs. Crosbie had -shown me the coral hand, and had told me the use she put it to." - -"Did she know about the society?" asked Gerald. "She declared that she -was ignorant of its existence." - -"So she was. But I knew about the society at Naples fifteen or sixteen -years ago, when I rescued Bellaria from its clutches. No; I don't -believe Venosta killed Bellaria, although he would have done so, I am -sure, had he known where she was hiding. But he did not, and who could -have told him? Not Mrs. Crosbie--although you mentioned Bellaria's -name and whereabouts, confound you!--as Mrs. Crosbie knew nothing of -the Tána Society. Well, Haskins, you must see now that I am innocent." - -"It looks like it, I admit. But everything fitted in so well with your -plans that I naturally thought you guilty." - -"Then you see that I am not," snapped Rebb, much ruffled. "If I were, -would I confess my midnight journey to you?" - -"Seeing that Mrs. Geary is about to make it public, I think you would -have had to in the long run," retorted Gerald sharply. - -"She mustn't do that," muttered Rebb, still walking and becoming much -agitated, for he was beginning to realize his danger. - -"She will, now that her husband can no longer terrorize her. You are -in a very awkward position. My advice to you--if you are really as -innocent as you pretend to be--is to search out Mavis and hand over -her income. After all, by the will, you need not account for what you -have spent up to date, and you have had a long run for your money." - -"You say that, because you want the income yourself." - -"I could do with it, and when I marry Mavis I shall certainly insist -upon justice being done to her. I would take her without a penny, as -you well know, but I am not such a fool as to refuse six thousand a -year along with a pretty, clever wife." - -"Well then, find Mavis, and we shall see," cried Rebb, quite out of -temper, and throwing himself into a chair. - -"For you to accuse her when she is found? No, thank you. First I want -to prove her innocence." - -"You will find that difficult." - -"Not with your help, Major." - -Rebb grew violent. "Damn you. I say that I believe the girl may be -innocent, and surely I have exonerated myself." - -"I may think so, but the public----" - -"The public need never know anything about it. See here, Haskins, you -love this girl, and you seem to think that she is still alive. Good. I -make a bargain with you. Give me three thousand of this six thousand a -year belonging to the Durham estate, and you can marry Mavis quietly, -and take her to America, or the Colonies. No one will think to find -the notorious Mavis Durham in Mrs. Gerald Haskins. Thus everything -will be settled, and I can marry Mrs. Crosbie--as I greatly want -to--with a quiet heart. What say you?" - -"I refuse your offer," said Gerald calmly. "Mavis shall have her -character cleared, and shall have nothing or all of her income." - -Rebb rose and snapped his fingers. "Do your worst," he said, trying to -suppress his anger. "Find Mavis and marry her. But be prepared for me -to have her condemned for Bellaria's murder and shut up in an asylum." - -"I hope to prove her innocence," said Haskins quietly. - -"Even if you do," snarled Rebb, becoming reckless when he found -himself so beset, "you may lose the money." - -"That is impossible: it belongs to Mavis." - -"To the real Mavis." - -Gerald rose, guessing that Rebb referred to the other twin. "What do -you mean by that, Rebb?" - -"Mavis has a sister. Yes, you may look, but Charity Bird is the real -Mavis--or at least I can prove it to be so." - -"There is a likeness between the girls, I admit," said Gerald, -pretending ignorance, "but it is ridiculous to say that they are -sisters." - -"They are twin sisters. Sit down and I'll tell you all about it. But -that you can make so much mischief I should not say a word; but when -you know the truth, for your own sake you may hold your tongue and -give me half the income." - -Without a word Haskins resumed his seat, marveling at thus having been -able to force Rebb's hand, without revealing his suspicions. The Major -hastily swallowed another glass of claret, and began to speak in a -hurry. - -"I was in a Goorkha regiment in India some twenty-five years ago----" - -Gerald interrupted: "I thought you were in a West Indian Regiment." - -"Later, later!" said Rebb testily. "Don't interrupt. I exchanged to -Jamaica a few years later. But in India I had a brother officer, who -was my greatest friend. His name was Julian Durham, and he had six -thousand a year against my six hundred. He was not very strong, and -always said that, as he had no relatives, he would make me his heir. -Then he married a silly, flirting girl, with whom he quarreled, and my -hopes were thus dashed to the ground." - -"Did you aid the quarrel?" asked Gerald delicately. - -"Yes," replied Rebb shamelessly. "The wife stood in the way of my -getting a fortune from Julian, and I tried to part husband and wife. I -succeeded; for more than a year after the marriage, Mrs. Durham went -to Bombay, with the intention of living apart from her husband." - -"What a scoundrel you are, Rebb," said Haskins, astonished at the -cold-blooded way in which the man recounted his villainy. - -The Major laughed harshly. "I only tell this to you, and you don't -matter," he retorted. "Outside, if you say anything, I shall deny all, -and who will believe you, Haskins? However, to continue. We were -stationed in the far north of India, and I escorted Mrs. Durham to -Bombay, where she intended to embark for England. At Bombay she was -taken ill, and died giving birth to twins. I didn't want a couple of -girls on my hands, as I knew that Julian could not live long, so I -paid the nurse to take one of the children--the eldest, mind you--to -Simla, and to get rid of it somehow. She sold it, I believe, to a -juggler's wife, and afterwards Mrs. Pelham Odin, then on tour, bought -the child in Calcutta, to bring up. That child is Charity Bird." - -"Can you prove this?" - -"Yes! Be quite certain of that. The ayah and the juggler's wife are -still alive. Well, then, that disposed of one twin. I brought the -other back to the north of India to her father, and she was christened -Mavis. Julian was very ill, so made a will in my favor and in favor of -his child. I was to be her guardian, and to enjoy the money until she -married. Then I was to hand it over, without accounting for what I had -spent. In this way Julian hoped to satisfy me for his old promise to -make me his heir, and of course I agreed." - -"And you said nothing of the other twin?" - -"No. Why should I? One brat on my hands was enough. Afterwards Julian -came home to Brighton and died. It was at Brighton that he made his -will, as you know. I came back from India with Mavis, and, to cut off -all association with those who knew her and Durham, I exchanged into a -West India regiment, and took her to Jamaica. I sold out fifteen or -sixteen years ago, and brought the child here, after a tour in Italy. -It was in Naples that I found Bellaria. She was a singer, and had -betrayed some man belonging to the Tána Society. I don't know the -exact story, but she was in danger of death, so I took her by stealth -to Devonshire and made her nurse to Mavis." - -"And Geary?" - -"He was my servant in Jamaica. In Devonshire, at Barnstaple, he met -with his wife, and, as I wanted someone to watch the Pixy's House, I -established him at the Devon Maid, making him a present of the -freehold." - -Gerald rose. "And you paid for it out of Mavis' money?" - -"Of course I did--only you mistake, the money doesn't belong to Mavis -until she is married." - -"She will be married to me the moment that I can find her," said -Gerald grimly, stalking to the door. - -"Wait a bit," called out Rebb, "if you marry her without promising me -the three thousand a year I shall prove the identity of Charity, and -she will get the lot. When she marries Tod Macandrew--he's in love -with her, you know--you will get left." - -"You cannot take the money from Mavis. Her name is mentioned in the -will," said Gerald coolly, and tried the door, which was locked. "I -say, open this, confound you!" - -Major Rebb flung the key across the room, and Haskins fitted it into -the lock. Before he could open the door Rebb continued: "Don't be a -fool in your own interests, Haskins. I shall swear that Charity is -Mavis, and your beloved will lose all." - -"You can scarcely do that, in the face of the story you will have to -tell. Mrs. Pelham Odin and the juggler's wife and the ayah can prove -that Charity is the missing twin. And I daresay Mavis' baptismal -certificate can be found. Her name in the will makes her the heiress." - -"Then I'll tell about Charity and prove her identity," cried Rebb, -starting furiously to his feet, "and she will at least get half." - -"I don't care if she does," retorted Gerald, flinging open the door. - -"But you had better give the money to me, and then I'll be silent as -to Charity being Durham's daughter." - -"No, Major. I don't care for your crooked ways. I'll find Mavis and -marry her. Probably she will be quite willing to halve the income with -her twin. Three thousand a year will be enough for her and for me. -Good-day, Major, find some other man who is willing to become such a -blackguard as you are." - -Rebb caught the decanter and slung it across the room. It only crashed -against the closed door. And when Rebb ran forward to pursue the man -who flouted him he found the door locked on the outside. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. -TOD'S DISCOVERY. - - -On returning to the Silbury Hotel. Gerald sat down to think over the -important conversation with Rebb. To all appearances the master was as -innocent as the man. Nevertheless, according to the Major, Geary had -been to the Pixy's House on the fatal night, in spite of his denial. -On the face of it, the negro had no reason to kill Bellaria, and Rebb -had sworn that the murder was neither committed nor prompted by him. -If this were so, it appeared strange that Rebb should have found -Geary, not only in the grounds of the Pixy's House, but in the mansion -itself, when he arrived. Seeing that Geary was thus first in the -field, it was not improbable that he had caught a glimpse of the -assassin. Whether he had, and had told his master, it was of course -impossible to say. But Haskins determined to have another interview -with the landlord of the Devon Maid, and force him to disclose the -whole truth, which he assuredly had not told in his wife's presence. - -One important thing Gerald had learned from Rebb, and that was the -truth of his surmise regarding Charity. She was--as he had always -supposed--the twin sister of Mavis, and Haskins congratulated himself -on guessing this before Rebb had spoken out. Still, it was just as -well that rage had made the Major thus candid, and the matter was put -beyond all doubt. Haskins was pleased also by the discovery, as, -guided by him, Mavis would be quite willing to divide the income, and -then Lady Euphemia would not be angry at Tod's runaway marriage. So -far everything was right. - -But the mystery of the crime had still to be solved. Until it was, -Mavis must continue, not only to be an outcast and a fugitive from -justice, but must remain unable to claim her rights as Julian Durham's -heiress. Apparently Geary and Rebb and Signor Venosta, as an emissary -of the Tána Society, were all innocent. If so, who was the guilty -person? Gerald wondered, if the letter to which Mavis had referred -could be found, as he firmly believed that it would afford a clue to -the identity of the criminal. In his own mind he constructed the -manner in which the crime had been committed. Bellaria had received -this mysterious letter, which for some reason overcame her fears -sufficiently to make her venture out at night. To meet the writer of -the letter she had opened the gates, and then had been stabbed by her -own knife--Geary's weapon--which had been wrested from her in a -hand-to-hand struggle. The wonder was that the struggle had not -attracted attention. As it was, Rebb swore that he had heard only one -scream, and that might have been uttered by Mavis when she found the -dead body of the nurse. Bellaria therefore was in all probability -slain unawares. - -However, it was useless to build up theories, which were all -moonshine, so Gerald resolved to wait until Tod and Arnold arrived. -According to Macandrew's letter, they would come to Silbury early the -next day, so Gerald had a good many hours to himself. He had half a -mind to see Inspector Morgan, and learn all details concerning the -inquest, as some possible evidence might have been obtained, likely to -throw light on the darkness. But Haskins refrained from doing so, as -he did not wish to arouse Morgan's suspicions and reopen the case. For -Mavis' sake the quieter he moved in the matter the better it would be. -Gerald wondered, after hearing Rebb's acknowledgment of Charity's -birth, if he had any idea of the scheme by which the girls had been -made to change places. But, after reflection, he decided that it was -impossible, as Mrs. Pelham Odin had managed very cleverly. Also Rebb -was unaware that the twin he had got rid of was now Mrs. Macandrew, -and, since that young lady was at Amsterdam, there would be no chance -of her being met by Mrs. Berch and her daughter, when in Switzerland. - -Bearing in mind what Mrs. Crosbie had told him of her projected tour -abroad, Gerald was greatly surprised when he met the widow and her -mother driving up the Silbury High Street from the railway station. - -She saw him at once, as he stood thunderstruck on the pavement, and -beckoned for him to come to the side of the landau. - -"You are surprised to see us here," she said, with a gay smile. "This -is not Switzerland, is it?" - -"You said nothing about coming down here yesterday," he answered. - -"No, because neither I nor my mother had any intention of coming. It -was this way, Gerald. Michael--Major Rebb, you know--came in almost as -soon as you had left, and we told him all that had taken place." - -"Why did you do that?" asked Haskins imperatively. - -"Don't bully, Gerald," said Mrs. Crosbie tartly. "I told Michael -because I have no secrets from Michael, and he was very angry that you -should have spoken to me as you did." - -"I was perfectly polite, permit me to remind you, Madge." - -"Don't call me by my Christian name," she said as usual, "well then, -Michael went away to have an explanation with you, and later -telegraphed to me that you had gone to Devonshire and that he intended -to follow at once. He also asked us to come down that we might see the -Pixy's House, as we intend to repair it when we marry." - -"Do you indeed?" muttered Haskins ironically. - -"Of course," said Mrs. Crosbie, with an airy flutter of her laces, -"and I may tell you, Gerald, that I came down the more willingly, -since I do not want you and Michael to quarrel. That is why we are -here." - -"To see the house, and to prevent a quarrel," said Gerald coolly. "I -am greatly obliged to you for the trouble you have taken, Mrs. -Crosbie, but I have already seen the Major." - -Mrs. Berch, who had hitherto kept silence, looked up sharply. "Have -you had a quarrel?" she demanded eagerly. - -"Yes and no. Rebb was slightly difficult to deal with, but we now -understand one another." - -Mrs. Crosbie asked: "What about?" - -"About various things," answered Haskins carelessly. He was determined -not to answer her questions, as he had a vague idea that she was not -so honestly his friend as she pretended to be. - -"And you parted amiably, I hope?" said Mrs. Berch. - -Haskins laughed as he remembered the parting, and how he had locked -Rebb in the room. "I think that the Major would gladly see me tarred -and feathered," he said lightly. - -"There!" cried Mrs. Crosbie, with a childish pout. "I knew you had -quarreled, and I _did so_ wish you to be friends. I want you to come -to the Pixy's House when I marry Michael and see the improvements. I -have already arranged what to do." - -"Have you been down here before then?" asked Gerald, astonished. - -"Yes--over two years ago. Michael asked me down when we were first -engaged. I saw that poor Bellaria, but not Mavis." - -"Why did you not see Mavis?" - -"Because Michael said her mental state was so sad, that she might be -dangerous. She was shut up on the day I went over the house, and, as I -was only there for an hour, she knew nothing of my visit. I and mother -were stopping in the neighborhood--it was when I was learning to drive -a motor, Gerald. I would have taken that poor girl out for drives, as -I got to know the country so thoroughly, but it was too dangerous." - -"Where did you stop?" asked Gerald, still lingering, although Mrs. -Berch seemed inclined to cut short her daughter's chatter. - -"At a village miles away, called Belldown. Why do you start?" - -"A mosquito stung me," answered Haskins readily: but his real reason -for starting was that Belldown happened to be the place where Mr. -Arnold and Tod were now stationed. "There are heaps of mosquitoes -here, Mrs. Crosbie. You will be stung." - -"Ah, well, we are only here for a couple of days--at the Pixy's House, -that is. I merely want to look round, and now that the poor mad girl -has gone I can explore at my leisure. Good-day. I wish I could ask you -to come over, but Michael might object. So stupid of you to quarrel -with my future husband, when we are such friends." - -She gave the signal to the driver of the landau to move on, and both -she and her mother bestowed friendly smiles on the young man, as he -took off his hat. Gerald watched the carriage climb up the long street -and vanish over the crest of the hill. Then he walked back again to -the hotel, wondering why Mrs. Crosbie was so anxious to retain his -friendship when she became Mrs. Rebb. He knew that Madge was a flighty -woman, although much cleverer than she pretended to be, and was sure -that she had some reason for all this friendliness and chatter. - -However, he had more important things to think about than Mrs. -Crosbie's airs and graces, and spent a wakeful night building up -theories and knocking them down again. By dawn he had arrived at the -conclusion that Geary was the criminal. "I expect," thought Haskins, -while taking his bath, "that Geary found his hold over Rebb was -getting lax, so he deliberately killed Bellaria, knowing that the -Major had gone to the Pixy's House, in the hope of getting blackmail -by threatening to throw the blame of the murder on his master. And by -the murder he secured to Rebb an income out of which large sums could -be paid. Yes. I really believe that Geary will prove to be the guilty -person. But how am I to fix the crime on him?" - -This was a hard question to answer, and Gerald waited for the arrival -of Tod to put it to him, since two heads are better than one. The -solicitor arrived at midday, along with Arnold, having come from -Belldown--so they explained--by railway. Tod looked anxious, and not -so healthy as he had done in London, but Haskins put this down to the -man's unavoidable fretting after his bride. Arnold had not changed in -the least, and appeared to be as tiny and gnome-like as ever. First -and foremost the two men, being hungry, had dinner, and then Gerald -conducted them both to the hotel drawing-room--a gorgeous apartment, -which had been placed at his disposal by Mrs. Jennings, for an extra -pound on the bill. Having the apartment to themselves, the three men -saw that the door was closed, and then sat down to talk. Gerald -immediately asked the question which had been trembling on his tongue -from the moment he set eyes on his friend. - -"In the first place, Tod," he said impatiently, "what took you and -Arnold to Belldown?" - -"That is a long story," said Tod leisurely. - -"Then tell it as shortly as you can." - -"One moment, let us do things in order. First let me know your doings -here, Jerry." - -"But----" began Haskins with irritation. - -Tod cut him short. "See here, Jerry," said he firmly. "I am supposed -to be your solicitor, and it is my place to conduct the business. I -want things done in order. First your story and then mine. Both will -be extremely interesting, I have no doubt." - -Gerald stared. "Why should you think that I have anything to tell?" - -"Well," observed Macandrew jocularly, "a little bird--Mrs. Jennings by -name--whispered to me that two London ladies had come down on a visit -to Major Rebb, who is camping--so to speak--at the Pixy's House." - -"Yes. Mrs. Crosbie and her mother. What of that?" - -"I shall tell you when I have heard what you have to say about them." - -Arnold uttered a grunt and raked his long beard with lean fingers. -Haskins looked from one to the other quite mystified. "Has what you -have to say anything to do with those ladies?" - -"A great deal to do with them, Jerry." - -A light broke in on Haskins' clouded brain. "Mrs. Crosbie said that -she had stopped at Belldown--that is where you have been." - -"Hum," said Tod, glancing at Arnold. "I didn't think she would have -admitted so much." - -"Tod," Gerald caught his friend's arm, "don't worry me with your hints -and looks. Has Mrs. Crosbie anything to do with this crime?" - -"I can't say," rejoined the solicitor stolidly, "and I shan't speak -until you tell me how you got along with Rebb." - -Haskins threw himself back in his chair and made the best of a -Scotsman's obstinacy. "I have something very important indeed to tell -you," he said seriously. "You know the likeness between the girls?" - -Macandrew nodded. "I told Mr. Arnold here all about it, and about your -idea of the two beings twins." - -"My idea has proved to be correct. They _are_ twins." - -Tod jumped up, scattering his papers, and with his red hair almost -standing on end. "Do you mean to say that Rebb----" - -"Yes. Sit down. Toddy, and listen," said Gerald vigorously, and when -his legal adviser became quiet he related the whole of the -conversation with Rebb. - -"Well I'm blessed," muttered Tod, rubbing his head, when the narrative -was ended, "what a wonderful thing! There is something in your -intuitions after all, Jerry." - -"I don't think it needed much intuition to guess at a possible -relationship, seeing how marvelously alike Mavis is to Charity. The -wonderful part consists in my getting Rebb to give himself away." - -"Ah," said Arnold significantly, "the military gentleman is beginning -to see that the wheel of fortune is turning the wrong way with him." - -"And quite right too," said Tod meditatively. "What a scoundrel the -man is, to be sure! Well, Jerry, important as what you have told us -is, I am more interested in the movements of Mrs. Crosbie and her -mother. When you tell me about them I can explain what Mr. Arnold and -myself have discovered at Belldown." - -"There is little to tell about them. Rebb came down after me, and they -came down after Rebb. He asked his future bride here to have a second -look at her future home." - -"Oh, so she had been here before?" - -"Yes--so she says--some time ago. This is her second visit." - -"Her third, more like," muttered Arnold, in his beard. - -"We can't be sure of that," said Tod rapidly. - -"For Heaven's sake, tell me what you mean," cried Haskins, jumping up -in his turn, "my nerves are wearing thin with all this suspense." - -"Well then," began Macandrew, shuffling with his papers, "it's this -way. Mr. Arnold here was going about the country in his caravan, -selling books, and reached Belldown on the same day that Mavis fled." - -"Mavis fled at night." - -"Well, well," cried Macandrew testily, "you know what I mean. Arnold -was at Belldown on the day of the night when Mavis fled and the murder -was committed. Is that plain enough?" - -"Yes. Go on, Toddy. Don't be a silly ass." - -"I am your solicitor just now and not your pal," said Tod, with great -dignity; "well then, while wandering about Belldown, Arnold saw two -ladies in a motor car. One was driving and one was being driven." - -"And they were----" - -"Mrs. Berch and her daughter, whom we, Jerry, supposed to be at -Bognor. I never knew that Mrs. Crosbie could drive a motor." - -"Oh yes. I taught her a trifle myself, and she is quite an expert at -the business. She mentioned to-day, when I stood by her carriage, how -she had motored over every inch of the country. But what was she doing -down hereabouts, when----" - -"When she was supposed to be at Bognor? That is what I want to ask -her, and I am glad that she is on the spot." - -Gerald thought for a few moments. "How did you recognize these ladies, -Mr. Arnold?" - -"Major Rebb once showed me a colored photograph of the lady to whom he -was engaged, and I recognized Mrs. Crosbie when she passed in her -motor. A severe-looking old lady in black was with her, and Mr. -Macandrew tells me that she is Mrs. Berch, the mother. I may tell you -that the two ladies wore motor goggles and veils." - -"Then how did you recognize them?" asked Gerald again. - -"Mrs. Crosbie's veil was up as they passed, and she pulled it down -when she saw that I was looking earnestly at her. The motor was going -very slowly at the moment because a hay wain was in front blocking the -road." - -"I see. Well, what happened?" - -"The motor went to the inn at Belldown. It was about six o'clock, and -the two ladies had dinner. They were at the inn when I left Belldown -in my caravan on the way to Leegarth where I hoped to rescue Mavis." - -"Yes! yes! yes!" cried Tod, impatient at the slow way in which Arnold -was speaking, "and late that night--about ten o'clock--he passed the -motor on the road between Belldown and Leegarth. It had broken down, -and Mrs. Crosbie was tinkering with the machine." - -"I shouldn't think she could mend a broken motor, Tod." - -"Oh, I don't expect anything very serious was the matter. Probably her -driving--she drives furiously, as a woman always does--had put the -gear out of order. However, Arnold passed them and camped some -distance outside Leegarth, so that the villagers, who knew his face, -would not recognize him. Then, some time after eleven, he saw the -motor coming along, also skirting the village. The two women were in -it, and he thought that they had lost their way. And then again he -fancied that Mrs. Crosbie was going to the Devon Maid to see Rebb. At -all events the motor passed out of sight in the darkness. I may tell -you that its lamps were not lighted, so Mrs. Crosbie ran the risk of -police interference. Rather foolish, I think, seeing she did not want -to be seen." - -"Well! well," said Gerald, after a pause, "and what does all this -mean?" - -"Arnold," went on Tod cautiously, "did not attach much importance to -this motor car business, but when he told me I fancied that Mrs. -Crosbie had to do with the murder." - -"I don't see how----" - -"I do. She didn't want to be recognized: she had no lamps, so that she -could slip along easily, and--as we learned at Belldown--she did not -return through the village. If she did not come down to murder -Bellaria, why was she in this neighborhood, and why did she lie to you -about Bognor?" - -"It's a mare's nest you have found, Tod. Mrs. Crosbie has no motive to -murder Bellaria, and she certainly hasn't the nerve." - -"I'll ask her myself," said Tod, rising. "Come on over to Leegarth." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. -THE SECOND MARRIAGE. - - -In his anxiety to prove his theory, Tod would then and there have -taken his friend and Arnold over to the Pixy's House. But Gerald, more -cool-headed than the impetuous Scotsman, pointed out that he had not -sufficient grounds upon which to accuse the widow. - -"If you ask her to explain her movements on that night she will only -refuse to gratify your curiosity," said Haskins positively. - -"The police could make her speak." - -"The police could not arrest her without a warrant, and there is not, -to my mind, sufficient evidence to obtain a warrant. And certainly the -police cannot ask questions about anyone's private affairs until some -reason can be given to show why such questions should be asked." - -"Those ladies said that they were at Bognor, when they really intended -to come to Devonshire," observed Arnold, who seemed to side entirely -with Macandrew. - -"It is a woman's privilege to change her mind, Mr. Arnold. And I ask -you, what possible motive could Mrs. Crosbie have had to journey all -the way to Devonshire to commit an unnecessary murder." - -"Unnecessary?" snorted Tod, displeased. "Seeing that the murder is -ascribed to Mavis, who may thus be shut up, to provide Rebb with an -income, I cannot see that it is unnecessary." - -"Ah, but Mrs. Crosbie did not know that the Major's income depended -upon the seclusion of Mavis," said Haskins rapidly. "I did not tell -her, as there was no reason why I should. And I am quite certain that -Rebb himself would not explain. If Mrs. Crosbie had known that his -income was so uncertain she would have refused to marry him." - -"Perhaps she will do so now," said Arnold hopefully. - -"No! She has come down to see about the repairs to the Pixy's House," -answered Gerald, "and Rebb loves her too well to let her go. I -believe, Tod, that Geary is the man who committed the murder." - -"It sounds plausible enough," grumbled Macandrew, "and a case could -easily be built up against him. But the presence of Mrs. Crosbie on -the spot has to be explained." - -Gerald rose and walked up and down the room, thinking. "I tell you -what, Tod," he said abruptly. "I am getting tired of poking about in -the dark. I believe, as you do, and Arnold does, that Mavis is -entirely innocent. Hitherto we have kept her in hiding, so as to prove -her innocence, since she may be arrested if she is discovered. Well -then, I think it would be best to let her be arrested." - -Both Arnold and Macandrew jumped up wrathfully! "What?" they -exclaimed, and Tod continued: "What is the use of Charity's sacrifice -if you intend to hand over Mavis to the law?" - -"Tod," said Gerald seriously, "as things stand now, we are not able to -force either Geary or Mrs. Crosbie or Rebb to speak. If Mavis is put -on her trial they can be called as witnesses, and then the truth may -come out. Also Mavis can be examined by two doctors--I shall insist -upon that--when her sanity will certainly he proved beyond all doubt. -If she is proved to be sane, then Rebb will find himself in Queer -Street and will be hard put to it to prove his innocence." - -"We could have done all this in the first case," said Arnold -irritably. - -"No," replied Haskins sharply, "for then we did not have the -evidence to hand that we have now. Rebb, Geary, and Mrs. Crosbie are -all implicated, and we may also be able to place Venosta in the -witness-box. But the proof that Mavis is responsible for her acts, and -has been shut up in the Pixy's House, while Rebb enjoyed her income, -will gain the sympathy of everyone, and will go far to show her -innocence. I shall support her throughout the case." - -"She is Rebb's ward, and is under twenty-one," said Tod crossly; "so -the Major may not allow you to support her." - -"I propose to take her out of the Major's keeping by making her my -wife forthwith," said Gerald coolly. - -"But if you do, sir," cried Arnold, much upset, "Mavis will be -arrested. Indeed I doubt if you will find any clergyman who will marry -her to you, seeing that she is said to be a lunatic." - -"That's all right," rejoined Haskins easily. "I have arranged that in -my own mind. There is an old college chum of my late father's who can -see both sides of the question, and I can trust him utterly. To-day I -am going to London to repeat your experience and get a special -license, Toddy. Our marriages are expensive matters, old boy, aren't -they?" - -Tod grunted, and kicked the carpet. "When you are married, what do you -intend to do?" - -"I shall bring my wife down here within three days, and we shall all -go over to the Pixy's House. Mrs. Crosbie will not have left by that -time, as, from the quantity of luggage she brought, I fancy she -intends to remain for a week or so. Then we can confront her and Rebb, -and, if possible, Tod, I wish you to bring Geary on the scene. Thus -all the actors in this tragedy of real life--as Mrs. Pelham Odin would -call it--will be together, and we can bring about the fall of the -curtain." - -"With Mrs. Gerald Haskins in gaol," said Arnold gloomily. "Mavis will -be arrested on Rebb's information, at once." - -"That is highly probable. But whether Mavis appears early or late she -will have to stand her trial, seeing that she is accused. Also she -will have to be examined as to her sanity. But in both these ordeals, -I intend to be beside her as her husband." There was a pause. "Well?" - -"It's a forlorn hope," said Macandrew, hesitating, "and risky. -Still----" He looked questioningly at Arnold. - -The little man nodded sadly. "Things are so bad that they can scarcely -be worse," he remarked, "and certainly, as Mr. Haskins thinks, a -public trial would force the witnesses we want into court. Once in the -box, and closely examined, the truth might come to light. I think Mr. -Haskins should do as he says, but--it is a risk." - -"Life is all risks," said Gerald cheerfully. "Well, I am going to pack -up and clear off to London. And you, Toddy?" - -"I shall keep my eye on Geary, and, if possible, I shall see Mrs. -Crosbie, or her mother." - -Gerald nodded, and, matters thus being arranged, he went up to London -that same afternoon, _en route_ for Southend, there to make Mavis his -wife. Tod and Arnold, left behind, remained at the Prince's Hotel, and -wandered about the country, even as far as Leegarth. They heard that -the London ladies were still with the Major, but did not catch a -glimpse of them. And even Tod, audacious as he was, shrank from going -to the Pixy's House and openly accusing the lively widow. - -Tod took occasion to pay a special visit to the Devon Maid, and found -the hotel in charge of a rough man and his slatternly wife. It -appeared that since Mrs. Geary's disappearance her husband had taken -heavily to drink, and refused to attend to his business. His -uncivilized instincts had got the better of him, and he was running -wild in the neighborhood. Mrs. Geary, now with her mother in -Barnstaple, refused to return to him, or to surrender her children, -and Adonis talked loudly of forcing her stubborn will by law. But, as -yet, he had not done anything, perhaps because he was in danger of the -law himself. Tod learned as much from Inspector Morgan, whom he met in -the Silbury High Street on the third day after Gerald's departure in -search of a wife. - -In the course of an idle conversation about this, that, and the other -thing--for Macandrew, during his holiday at the Devon Maid, had -learned to know Morgan intimately--the name of the negro was -mentioned, and the inspector uttered a grunt. - -"He's a black scoundrel, that," he remarked. - -"Why?" asked Tod, pricking up his ears. "I always understood that -Geary was a meritorious inhabitant of Denleigh. He certainly conducted -the Devon Maid well, as I stopped there myself. You know that?" - -Morgan nodded. "Things have changed since you and Mr. Haskins were -there, sir," he said slowly. "It was Mrs. Geary who kept the inn -respectable, and a miserable life she had with that sooty blackguard. -But she got fed up with his brutality, and went back to her mother in -Barnstaple. Since then the inn has gone from bad to worse, and Geary -is drinking." - -"I heard something of this," observed Tod. "Why don't you pull him -up?" - -"I am going to," said Morgan grimly. "I have my eye on him. He is -nearly always drunk, and frightens children and insults women and -threatens men. Sooner or later he will be locked up. And the strength -the man has! Why, do you know, Mr. Macandrew, that he knocked down the -river wall of the Pixy's House--that portion overhanging the pool. I -wanted to run him in for that, but Major Rebb will not prosecute, for -some reason." - -"He has a sneaking regard for his old servant, I suppose," said Tod, -smiling. "But this wall, Morgan? How the dickens could one man knock -it down?" - -"Oh, the wall has been in a shaky condition for years and years," said -the inspector. "It was only held together by the ivy--the bricks and -mortar were rotten." - -"But even then----" - -"A good strong push would have sent it over, and Geary gave it that -push. He was climbing over, I believe, as he wanted, mad with drink, -to get into the Pixy's House, and because of the ladies Major Rebb had -ordered the gates to be closed and locked. However, he found that the -wall leaned a trifle towards the cliff, and managed to knock it down. -The man has an immense strength naturally, and when drink is added to -that----" Morgan shrugged his big shoulders. "I have known drunken men -do some wonderful things in the way of superhuman strength," he -finished. - -"I think Geary must have been superhuman to have pushed that wall -over, rotten as it was. If you remember, Mr. Haskins climbed it." - -"I remember, and a good thing it was that it didn't fall and drop him -into the pool below. However, it's down now, and on that side the -grounds of the Pixy's House lie open to the world. By the way, how is -Mr. Haskins? Has he got over the death of that crazy girl?" - -Tod laughed. "I don't think myself that she was crazy, Morgan, or that -she killed that wretched Italian woman. Nor do I believe that she is -dead," and he looked straightly at the officer's red face. - -"Have you any reason to think she is alive, sir?" - -"Her body has not been found," rejoined Tod evasively. - -"What of that? Plenty of bodies are not found. But the girl was never -outside the Pixy's House before that time she fled after the murder. -Not knowing the lie of the country, it is more than probable that she -tumbled into some river, or water hole, and was drowned. If alive, she -certainly would have been caught by now. We have had constables all -over the place for weeks." - -"Even now?" - -"Well, no. The men have been withdrawn, as so long a time has elapsed -since the commission of the crime. We'll hear no more of the matter." - -"Never prophesy until you know, Mr. Inspector." - -"I do know," said Morgan positively. "I don't go about with my eyes -shut, Mr. Macandrew." And after saluting he stalked in a military way -down the street, leaving Tod to pursue his shopping--which Tod had -come out to do. Macandrew rather chuckled at the positive way in which -this official Dogberry, who could see no further than his nose, -asserted that the Pixy's House murder had been relegated to the past. - -On the fourth day of Gerald's absence Tod received a letter from his -friend in the character of a bridegroom. Everything had gone well, as -the clergyman, on hearing the whole story, told in Haskins' persuasive -manner, had joined Mavis and his friend's son in holy matrimony. Now -Rebb had lost his income, as the conditions of the will had been -fulfilled, and in spite of all his precautions Mavis had come into her -own. Tod would have been less than human had he not reflected with -great glee that, the income being safe from Rebb's clutches, his wife, -as the twin sister of Mavis, would benefit to the extent of three -thousand a year. "And Lady Euphemia called me a fool," chuckled Tod -complacently. "What will she say when she knows that I have married an -heiress and will be able to get back a part of the family estate?" - -In his letter, Gerald informed Macandrew with great pride that Mavis -had learned how to sign her name, and had produced a singularly fine -specimen of calligraphy. "The rest of my darling's education," wrote -the young man, "will be completed by me after all these troubles are -over, and we can spend a proper honeymoon." - -Education, as a means of passing a honeymoon, did not commend itself -to Tod, and he made a grimace. Then he sat down and wrote a letter to -Amsterdam telling Charity to come over and repair to Mrs. Pelham -Odin's London flat, where he would join her later. He also gave her a -full account of all that had taken place, and detailed the story of -the Major, as to her birth, mentioning also the income which Mavis -intended to hand over, as soon as the mystery of the crime was solved. -When Tod posted this letter he took his way to Denleigh to see if he -could find Geary and arrange for him to appear at the Pixy's House. It -was necessary, as Gerald had explained, that all the actors in this -drama should come together for the clearing up all perplexities. - -But Geary was not easy to be found. Afraid of the official warning -uttered by Morgan, he had taken to the hills, and although Tod roamed -all over the place he could not find the man. He returned to the -Prince's Head quite fatigued, and found a telegram from Gerald, -stating that he and his bride would be in Silbury by the midday train -next day. Macandrew communicated the joyful news to Arnold, who had -come back from a round of bookselling--for the gnome did not neglect -his business even in these anxious days--and the two had a merry -little dinner on that same night, prepared by Mrs. Jennings' own -hands. And the landlady's cooking, when she desired, was something to -be wondered at. Tod insisted on a bottle of champagne being sent for, -and the tutor and the lawyer drank long life and happiness to the -bride and bridegroom with all honors. "Although," said Tod, setting -down his glass, "we are not yet out of the wood." - -An hour after dinner, and while Arnold was detailing his early -connection with Mavis, Mrs. Jennings came in, much flustered. "Oh, -sir," she said, "here's that horrid black landlord of the Devon Maid. -He asks to see you, sir. I wouldn't if I were you. He's always drunk, -and may be dangerous." - -"Never mind, I am not afraid. Show him up," said Tod valiantly. - -Mrs. Jennings shook her head but did as she was bidden, and in a few -minutes Mr. Adonis Geary, looking a wreck of his former stalwart self, -came into the room. However, he was perfectly sober, and very much -depressed. Wanderings on the hills did not agree with him, and he -looked as one of his ancestors might have looked when Cuban -bloodhounds were hunting flesh and blood in the days of slavery. - -"You wish to see me, sah?" said Geary, after a casual glance at -Arnold. - -"Yes, Mr. Geary," replied Tod, settling himself in his chair, "the -fact is that things are coming to a climax, and I want you to come to -the Pixy's House to-morrow afternoon, say at two o'clock, to state -what you know of Bellaria's murder." - -"I doan't know noting, sah," said the negro doggedly. - -"Mr. Haskins believes that you know everything," retorted Tod sharply, -"and, unless you want to get into trouble, it will be best for you to -speak out." - -"I doan't know noting," said Geary again, and rolled his eyes -ferociously at the mention of Gerald's name, "and dere's noting can -hurt me. I hab sold de hotel, and nex' week I go to Jamaica." - -"As a pensioner of Major Rebb's, I suppose?" - -"Dat's my business, sah. Dis place no place for me, when my wife go -away wid my chill'n. Bellaria dead--dat mad gal dead--an'----" - -"You are wrong in thinking that Miss Durham is dead, Mr. Geary," said -Tod, exploding his bombshell according to Gerald's written -instruction, "she is very much alive." - -Geary staggered and turned his usual green. "She alive?" - -"Yes, and married to Mr. Gerald Haskins. You can tell the Major that -if you like, Mr. Geary, and tell him also that we are all coming over -to-morrow to demand the six thousand a year which Major Rebb has held -for so long. I fear that your Jamaican pension is not very safe." - -Geary stood dumfounded, clutching his breast. His dull brain could -scarcely grasp the significance of this speech. But he did grasp -the fact that Rebb was losing the money, and that he--Mr. Adonis -Geary--would not benefit. "I tell de Major," he faltered, wheeling. - -"By all means," said Tod easily. "I sent for you to be my messenger. -Come, Geary, as Rebb loses the money, you had better come on our side -and tell us who murdered Bellaria." - -The negro turned at the door and drew himself up. "No, sah," he -declared, with something of majesty, "I eat de Major's bread, and I no -betray de Major." After which speech he went out abruptly. - -"Does that mean Rebb is guilty?" Tod asked Arnold. - -"I always said that he was," rejoined the ex-tutor dryly, and later -the two retired to their several couches to ponder over the new -problem. - -The bride and bridegroom duly arrived the next day. Tod was slightly -uneasy, since Geary had probably told the Major, and that gentleman -would undoubtedly, for his own safety, take steps to have Mrs. Haskins -arrested. However, Geary had probably not delivered the message that -Mavis was alive, for no officer of the law appeared to break the joy -of the meeting. Mavis looked slightly pale, but her courage was high, -and she evidently determined to go bravely through the ordeal. United -to her adored Prince Gerald, she was ready to face anyone and anything -by his side. - -After greetings and explanations and a hurried meal the whole party -drove over to Leegarth in a landau for the momentous meeting. As the -carriage passed through the village Mavis kept her veil down, so she -was not recognized. The gates of the Pixy's House, marvelous to -relate, were open, and the carriage drove up to the house. Major Rebb -with two ladies was on the terrace. Mavis alighted and raised her -veil. - -"Great heavens!" cried Rebb, pale with terror. "Mavis Durham!" - -"Mrs. Gerald Haskins," she replied proudly, "and I come for my money." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. -GEARY'S ACCUSATION. - - -It would be hard to say who was the palest and most terror-stricken of -the trio who stood on the terrace. Mrs. Crosbie clung to her stern -mother with dilated eyes, shaking like a reed: but Mrs. Berch, -although stern and unmoved--outwardly at least--was also pallid. As -for Rebb, he leaned against the balustrade of the terrace scarcely -able to speak. Before him stood Tod and Arnold, Gerald Haskins and the -girl whom he had treated so cruelly--the girl whom he had believed -until now was at the bottom of some rural stream. The hour of -retribution had come, and in a flash the guilty man saw everything he -possessed reft from him--saw also the structure of crime and falsehood -he had reared crumble into dust. His worst enemy would have pitied the -Major in that hour of agony. - -"You!" he faltered, staring at Mavis, as though she were indeed the -ghost he almost believed her to be. "You!" - -"Ah!" murmured Macandrew complacently, "so Geary did not deliver my -message to you after all." - -"Geary!" The Major stood erect, braced for the coming struggle, and -his face hardened. "Did Geary know this----" And he pointed to Mavis. - -"I told him the truth last night." - -"And he never told me; he never warned me." Rebb clenched his fists. -"Oh the scoundrel! I might have---- But there, it is too late--too -late." - -"What do you mean by too late?" said Mrs. Berch imperiously, and -throwing a protecting arm round her daughter, "fight for Madge if you -will not for yourself." - -But Rebb paid no attention to her. "Geary! Geary!" he muttered, -looking round with bloodshot eyes, "he was in the courtyard an hour -ago, and he did not tell me, curse him! He may be---- Geary! Geary!" -he raised his voice to an angry cry and ran swiftly along the terrace -through the arch and into the quadrangle. - -Gerald took the hand of his wife and followed quickly, with Tod and -the ex-tutor behind. They did not wish to lose sight of Rebb. For one -moment Mrs. Berch and her daughter looked at one another, and Madge -hung back, trembling. But the mother suddenly seized the widow's wrist -and dragged her, a miserable figure, pale-faced, and shaking in her -gay attire, into the quadrangle. "We must see what Michael will do," -whispered Mrs. Berch, passing her tongue over her dry lips. "He may -win the day yet." - -"No, no," moaned Mrs. Crosbie; "he is lost." - -At the far end of the quadrangle Gerald and Mavis saw the token of -Geary's drunken handiwork. A considerable portion of the ivy-clothed -wall had fallen outward, and lay in ruins on the lip of the cliff. -Three or four trees had been dashed into the pool below, and there was -a clear view across the Ruddle to the green forest beyond. The mystery -of the Enchanted Castle was at an end, and, no longer a palace of the -Sleeping Beauty, it lay open to the world, as Morgan had said. And now -in its romantic quadrangle there were sterner doings than the -moonlight wooings of lovers who had, for the moment, recalled the -Golden Age, when the gods came down to men. - -"Geary! Geary!" shouted Rebb, rushing towards the fallen wall, and -mounting its ruins. There was no response, and Gerald fancied that -Rebb had merely made an excuse, so as to get near the river and -throw himself in. But, guilty or innocent, the Major was sufficiently -brave to face the sins he had committed, and came down again slowly to -the group near the battered sundial. He was still livid, but more -self-controlled. - -"I shall deal with Geary later," he said thickly, "in the meanwhile I -can deal with you." - -"We are quite ready," said Gerald tranquilly. - -"Who are _we?_" questioned Rebb scathingly. - -"Myself and my wife." - -"She is not your wife. A marriage with a madwoman is not legal." - -Mavis shuddered, and clung to Gerald's arm. It was the first time that -she had been called mad to her face. "Oh, guardian," she wailed, "how -can you say that of me when I was so fond of you?" - -"You had every reason to be fond of me," said Rebb harshly, and his -eyes gleamed as he thought the girl was weakening. "I gave you a happy -home, in this delightful place, because your brain was not strong -enough to bear the troubles of this world." - -Mavis withdrew her hand from Gerald's arm, and looked scornfully at -the liar, whom she now saw in his true colors. "You kept me here that -you might enjoy the money which my father left to me," she declared, -in haughty tones, "you betrayed the trust your dead friend placed in -you. I was a weak girl, and an ignorant one, to believe in your lies: -but now," she added, stepping forward a pace, "now, Major Rebb," and -her use of the name showed the attitude she intended to adopt, "I call -upon you to give me back my money, and leave this place, which belongs -to me." - -"No madwoman can possess money," said Mrs. Crosbie shrilly. She saw -the Major's income was about to be lost, and that it would be useless -to marry him. "Michael, call the police and have her removed." - -"One moment," said Gerald quietly. "You go too fast, Mrs. Crosbie. But -I am glad to see you at last as you really are. I thought you were my -friend. I now see that you are my enemy. My wife is perfectly sane, -and, as her husband, I shall see that her sanity is proved." - -"Call the police--call the police!" cried Mrs. Crosbie furiously; and -she broke from her mother's grip. "How dare you stand there and insult -me, Gerald? I was your friend, and I will be your friend still, if you -will shut up that girl, and apologize." - -Tod laughed at the weakness of this speech. "If you cannot find -anything better to say, Mrs. Crosbie, you had better hold your -tongue," he said caustically. "Even if Mrs. Haskins is shut up the -money still belongs to her husband. Major Rebb has lost that for ever. -It is the money you are after, madam." - -"Yes, it is; yes, it is," said Mrs. Crosbie, utterly reckless, and -defying the efforts of her mother to keep her silent. "If you knew the -miserable years of poverty I have had you would not wonder at my -wishing for the money. My marriage with Michael will save me from -shame and misery and--and----" She choked with mingled terror and -rage, and Mrs. Berch pulled her back roughly. - -"Are you a fool to talk like this?" she muttered. "Hold your tongue, -you silly child." She shook her angrily. "Wait until Michael settles -this affair. Major Rebb?" she turned inquiringly to her proposed -son-in-law. - -"I shall settle this affair very speedily," said Rebb, walking across -the lawn towards the archway, "my man shall go for the police. Or, -better still, that coachman who drove you from Silbury, Mavis, shall -go back to bring Inspector Morgan. I am very sorry that you have -thrust yourself into danger. But I should not be doing my duty by -society if I did not have you imprisoned." - -"As a lunatic?" asked Mavis scornfully. She had quite lost her old -dread of the Major by this time. - -"As a murderess," he retorted. - -"Prove that," said Haskins, stepping in Rebb's path. - -"Out of my way," growled Rebb, looking dangerous. - -"You have brought a serious accusation against my wife," persisted the -young man, "and I intend to make you prove it. On what grounds do you -say that my wife is crazy?" - -"She has been all her life," said the Major, forced to answer, for he -saw very plainly that Haskins would knock him down if he attempted to -pass the archway. Not that the Major feared a fight, but his situation -was so desperate that he wished to adjust things as quietly as -possible. His threat to call the police was bluff, as Gerald knew, and -because Gerald _did_ know Rebb was furious. - -"Prove that she has been mad all her life," said Haskins coolly. -"Mavis has been with Mrs. Pelham Odin since she left here, and that -very clever old woman cannot see that my wife is mad: nor can -Macandrew, nor Arnold, nor anyone else." - -"I can, I can!" cried Mrs. Crosbie, with a bright red spot burning on -either cheek, and looked very angry. - -"Ah! you are a prejudiced witness, seeing that you wish to marry Major -Rebb, for the income he is now losing." - -"That he has lost," interposed Tod, in a dry legal tone: "the -conditions of Julian Durham's will have been fulfilled, and Mrs. -Haskins now takes possession of her property." - -"How can you prove that my wife is mad?" asked Gerald again, and -taking no notice of the interruption, "have you had her examined by -two doctors, according to law?" - -"No," replied Rebb grudgingly. - -"Then how dare you shut her up in this house? I shall bring an action -against you, on behalf of my wife, for false imprisonment." - -"You had better think twice before you do that," said the Major, in -icy tones, "for I shall retort with an accusation of murder." - -"You say that my wife murdered Bellaria?" - -"I do," said Rebb doggedly. "I swear to it." - -"I dare say; but you have yet to prove your accusation. I am quite -willing to allow Mavis to be arrested." Gerald stepped aside. "Go and -fetch the police, Rebb. They will be here soon." - -"Here!" Rebb started and turned a shade paler. - -"I left instructions at the police station before coming here that -Inspector Morgan was to come with two men. When they arrive you can -give Mavis in charge and then we can submit your accusation of -insanity to a couple of doctors, and your charge of murder to a jury." - -"Then," cried Mrs. Crosbie viciously, "Michael will get back his -money." - -"I think not," replied Gerald coldly. "I take charge of that." - -By this time the courage was oozing out of Rebb, who had not expected -the young man to take up such an attitude. "Cannot we arrange this -matter quietly?" he asked, trying to appear composed. - -"No," said the other quietly. "The offer you made me in yonder room -does not suit me." - -"An offer?" said Mrs. Berch, in her deep voice. - -"I offered to let Haskins marry Mavis and take her to America, if -he--or rather she--surrendered half the income." - -"I refuse, as Gerald refused," said Mavis proudly. "I prefer to stand -my trial. I am not going to pass the rest of my life under a cloud for -your sake, Major Rebb." - -"Your sister--your twin sister--shall get the money," cried Rebb, at -his wits' end how to deal with the situation. "Ah, you never knew -that." - -"I knew when Gerald told me," said Mrs. Haskins composedly, "and I -more than suspected it before. Indeed Charity allowed me to pass as -herself, so as to save me from you. I shall repay that, with three -thousand a year. My husband and I have arranged that." - -"You passed as Charity," cried Rebb, amazed. - -"Yes; I danced at the Belver Theatre, and----" - -"It's a lie--you couldn't. What became of Charity, if you did that?" - -"Charity was with me," said Tod, stepping forward. - -"With you?" - -"Yes, as my wife." - -Major Rebb jumped, and staggered against the sundial. "So both the -sisters are married?" he muttered. - -"They are," said Tod, "and they have agreed to share the income you -have held all these years. I am afraid that the game is up, Major." - -Rebb said nothing. The game was indeed up, and he did not know which -way to turn, or how to get the better of his pitiless opponents. Mrs. -Berch left her daughter for the moment and touched his arm. "Why did -you not tell me that there was another girl?" she asked hoarsely and -savagely. - -"There was no need." And the Major shook her off. - -"There was every need. You told me, you told Madge, that your income -depended upon Mavis Durham----" - -"Mavis Haskins, if you please," interpolated that young lady. - -Mrs. Berch paid no attention. "On Mavis Durham not marrying. You said -that if in some way her insanity could be proved, and she could be -stopped from marriage, that your income would be safe. For that reason -my daughter wished to marry you." - -"She loved me," said Rebb unsteadily, and looked at Mrs. Crosbie. - -"I loved you as well as any other man," she said coolly, and shrugging -her shoulders, "but I would have married anyone to escape from debt -and duns and hideous poverty. As you are now poor, of course I cannot -marry you. Come, mother. There is nothing more to be got here. Let us -go back to our misery." - -Rebb said nothing, but turned very white. The woman for whom he had -sold his soul was ready to cast him aside like an old glove. Mrs. -Crosbie, with a vicious glance at Mavis, and a look of indifference at -the man she had professed to love, took her mother's arm. Mrs. Berch -was quite ready to go, and indeed seemed to be in a hurry to depart. -But the path of the two was blocked by the tiny figure of Arnold, who -had hitherto held his peace. - -"So you _did_ know that the Major's income depended upon Mavis being -prevented, even by the murder of Bellaria, from marrying?" - -"What is that to you? Let me pass," cried Mrs. Crosbie haughtily. - -"We," Arnold waved his hand to include Gerald and Tod, "we thought -that you were ignorant, and so could not guess what was your motive -for murdering that unfortunate woman." - -"Murder!" Mrs. Crosbie went a dead-white, and became as rigid as a -corpse. - -Rebb started and came forward. - -"You must be mistaken," he said, in shaking tones to Arnold. - -"He is a foul liar," said Mrs. Berch, grasping her daughter to keep -her from falling. "Let us pass, sir." - -"No," said Arnold, still holding his ground, and speaking loudly, -while the others kept silence. "When Inspector Morgan comes you shall -be arrested. I shall give you in charge for this murder, of which Mrs. -Haskins is wrongfully accused." - -Mrs. Crosbie shrieked, looking a pitiable spectacle of fear and shame, -as she clung to her mother. But that stern lady, although white and -also terrified, controlled her feelings with iron nerve. "On what -grounds do you accuse my daughter?" she demanded. - -"I saw you and her in a motor car at Belldown--I saw you on the way -here--you were at the gates of the Pixy's House shortly before twelve -o'clock, waiting for Bellaria, whom you lured to the gate by means of -a letter." - -"I was at Bognor--I was at Bognor," cried Mrs. Crosbie, shaking with -fear. - -"No," interposed Tod. "My clerk went to watch you at Bognor. Neither -you nor Mrs. Berch went there at all. You were down here. Come, Mrs. -Crosbie, you may as well confess. We can prove all about the motor -car, and your presence here." - -"Madge! Madge!" cried Rebb, who looked horrified, "is this true?" - -But Mrs. Crosbie only clung sobbing to her mother, being terrified -almost to death. At the same moment that Rebb spoke Inspector Morgan, -with a couple of policemen, entered the quadrangle, and advanced -towards the group. "You wanted me here, Mr. Haskins?" he asked -inquiringly. "I got your message, and here I am with my men. What is -it?" - -"In the first place," said Gerald quietly, "allow me to present to you -my wife," then when Morgan saluted in a puzzled way, he continued, -"once known as Mavis Durham." - -"What!" Morgan grew red, and his eyes almost started out of his head. -"Do you mean to say that this lady is Mavis Durham?" - -"Mavis Haskins now," said the girl, with a perfectly calm smile, "and -I surrender myself to you willingly." - -"I arrest you in the King's name for murder," gabbled Morgan, trying -to recover his official dignity. "Anything you say now will be used in -evidence against you." And he signed to his subordinates, likewise -startled out of their wits, to take charge of the girl. Arnold sprang -forward as a young constable placed his hand on Mavis' arm. - -"Stop," he cried. "Mrs. Haskins is innocent. Here is the guilty -woman." And he pointed to Mrs. Crosbie. - -"No, _no!_ You can't prove that--you dare not--you----" - -"I can prove it!" cried Arnold, bluffing. "Mrs. Crosbie was at the -gate of the Pixy's House at the time Bellaria Dondi was murdered. A -dozen witnesses can swear that she was in the neighborhood." - -"Is this true?" Morgan asked the little widow, whose gaiety was all -gone, and who suddenly looked twice her age. - -"It is not true! It is not true!" she cried. "Mother and I were at -Belldown. We went on to see Major Rebb at Denleigh." - -"Hush, you fool!" muttered Mrs. Berch, shaking her. - -"You never came near me there!" cried Rebb, and then became aware -that, on the impulse of the moment, he had ruined the widow. In a -paroxysm of shame and terror, for the man did love the miserable -woman, he added: "Mrs. Crosbie is innocent. I swear she is. I know who -is guilty." - -"You?" everyone cried out, Inspector Morgan loudest of all. The scene -was beyond his comprehension, and he was on the verge of an apoplectic -fit. The whole scene was melodramatic and unreal, and, on the stage, -or when written in a book, would have been described so by critics. - -"Who is guilty?" demanded Morgan fiercely. - -"Geary--Adonis Geary," said Rebb. "The knife was his, and I found him -in the grounds when I arrived." - -There was a savage shout before he could finish, and Geary sprang from -behind the ruined river wall. He had been concealed there, and had -heard everything: but he did not appear until his adored master -accused him of the crime. Then terror and rage made him leap forward, -half mad and half drunk. "You say one big lie, sah!" he shouted, with -rolling eyes, and a thick voice. "I lubbed you once, but now you would -kill me with a lie. I tell who did kill dat poor Bellaria." - -"Who killed her?" asked Gerald, for Morgan was too bewildered to ask. - -Geary looked slowly round, and pointed to Mrs. Berch. - -"Oh, mother, mother," cried Mrs. Crosbie, "I would have saved you if I -could." - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. -THE GODS ARE JUST. - - -There was an absolute silence for a few moments. What with one -accusation and another, Inspector Morgan's brain was reeling. Gerald -could only stare in blank amazement at the negro, who declared so -positively that Mrs. Berch was guilty of a cowardly murder. As for the -accused woman, she put aside her weeping daughter gently and faced the -police boldly. Tod and Rebb and Arnold were silent out of sheer -astonishment. Haskins had thought Geary guilty: Arnold had believed -Rebb to be the doer of the deed: Tod deemed that Mrs. Crosbie had -struck the blow: but not one of the three ever fancied that Mrs. Berch -was the mysterious assassin of the unfortunate Italian. - -"Ask this man," said Mrs. Berch harshly, to Morgan, and pointing -towards Geary. "Ask him on what grounds he makes such an accusation. -My daughter and I certainly were at Belldown, and drove on past -Leegarth, intending to call on Major Rebb at the Devon Maid. But our -car broke down and we were obliged to stop in a cottage for the night. -I can prove an alibi." - -"If you can," said Morgan, finding his tongue, "why should your -daughter say that she would have saved you if she could?" - -"My daughter is mad with terror!" said Mrs. Berch, stonily, "Madge -knows that I am wholly innocent," and she looked at Mrs. Crosbie. - -"Yes, yes, yes!" whispered the widow faintly, "we stopped the night in -a cottage--we are innocent. My mother can prove an alibi." - -"Dat one big lie!" cried Geary, with scorn, "you would like de Major -to say dat I killed Bellaria. Oh yis, and I wud be hanged. Sah," he -turned reproachfully towards his master, who had been willing to -sacrifice him for another, after his years of faithful service, "you -very wicked massa. I lub you: I do all bad tings for you, but I no -die. Dis woman," he pointed to the perfectly calm Mrs. Berch, who was -much the most composed of the group, "she come here an' kill Bellaria. -She write a letter sayin' dat if Bellaria come to de gate late, she -wud be safe from dos who would kill her. And Bellaria she comes, wid -my big knife to save herself. Den dis woman," he pointed again at Mrs. -Berch, "she stab and stab and stab." - -"It is all utterly false," denied the accused woman coldly. "Do you -believe this of your mother's friend, Gerald?" - -"No," said the young man generously, "there must be some mistake. I -cannot believe that Mrs. Berch would be so wicked. Her known character -contradicts this man's accusation. I believed that Geary murdered -Bellaria himself, at Major Rebb's instigation." - -"That's a lie," said Rebb, in an agitated voice. - -"Dat one big lie," repeated Geary in his own vernacular, and fumbled -in his breast pocket, "see, massa," he went towards Morgan, "dis de -letter dat I find in Bellaria's dress, and----" - -Mrs. Crosbie made a bound and a grab; but Morgan whisked the letter -out of Geary's hand and held it above her head. One of the policemen -caught the widow to hold her back, and she burst into tears. "Is this -your writing, madam?" Morgan asked Mrs. Berch, holding the letter -before her. - -"No," said Mrs. Berch, in an unshaken voice. "Mr. Haskins knows my -writing well. Gerald, look at the letter." - -The young man took the epistle. It was evidently disguised -handwriting, clumsy and illiterate. He could not reasonably say that -Mrs. Berch had penned the few lines which asked Bellaria to come to -the gates of the Pixy's House at midnight on a certain date to meet a -well-wisher--so the letter was signed--who could save her from the -Tána Society. The script was quite unlike Mrs. Berch's sloping Italian -hand, which was that of the mid-Victorian epoch. "No," he said, and -very gladly, "I don't think that Mrs. Berch wrote this letter." - -"Ah," the woman drew a long breath, but displayed no triumph. "Of -course, Mr. Inspector, the charge is absolutely absurd. This mad girl -whom Mr. Haskins has married murdered the miserable creature." - -"Ah," said Gerald, slipping his arm round Mavis, who shivered, and hid -her face, "you return evil for good, Mrs. Berch." - -Morgan took the letter and placed it in his pocket. "I don't know what -to think," he muttered. "You may be innocent and Geary----" He glanced -at the savage face of the negro, who shouted wrathfully. - -"I no kill dat woman," he cried, stamping like a wild bull in a rage, -"she write de letter, I come to dis house to find de Major, and I find -Bellaria dead--she just dying." - -"Did she speak?" Mavis asked the question. - -"No, she no speak; she die at once. I look in de dress, and I find dat -letter and dis." Geary opened his huge black palm, and on it lay the -coral hand with the dagger. "Dat on de ground near de dress," he -ended. - -"Do you recognize this?" asked Morgan, turning to Gerald, while Mrs. -Crosbie uttered a wail of fear and Mrs. Berch became even paler than -she had been. - -Gerald had defended Mrs. Berch before and she had returned his -kindness by accusing Mavis. He determined to leave her to her fate, -since she was so ungrateful, especially as he readily recognized the -coral hand. "So you did not give it back to Venosta after all!" he -said to the terrified Mrs. Crosbie. "Mr. Inspector, this amulet -belongs to----" He was about to say the name when Mrs. Berch, after a -glance of despair around, interrupted. - -"It belongs to me," she said harshly, "not to my daughter. Mrs. -Crosbie received it from Signor Venosta, but she gave it to me to -return to him after she made use of it to control the Jew moneylender. -I did not return it to Signor Venosta, I----" She stopped. - -"It was found near the corpse of Bellaria by this man," said Morgan -gravely, "so if it belonged to you----" - -"It hers; it hers," shouted Geary. - -"How do you know?" asked Rebb sharply. - -"I see dis woman in dat engine," he meant the motor car, "on de hill -when I leave Bellaria dead. I run out to see where anyone was, dat -kill Bellaria, and I see dat woman wid dis odder in dat engine." - -"But you came running from the house," cried Rebb; "you could not----" - -"Let be," said Mrs. Berch, evidently recognizing that denial was -useless: "no doubt he did see me. But I am guilty and Mrs. Crosbie is -perfectly innocent." - -"Then you killed the woman?" cried Gerald, appalled. - -"Yes. But not intentionally. Listen. From you we learned something -about this girl, and then my daughter and I were here on one occasion -and knew something beforehand about the matter. We forced Major Rebb -to explain, as the girl was supposed to be pretty," she cast a -disdainful glance at Mavis, "and my daughter was a trifle jealous. -When you, Gerald, came asking Madge to take charge of this girl I took -alarm, as I thought that something serious was the matter." - -"You did," said Rebb bitterly, "and you forced me to tell you the -truth of how my income depended upon Mavis never getting married. But -I did not expect you to kill Bellaria so as to save the income." - -"I did not do so for that purpose," said Mrs. Berch steadily. "Madge -and I were in despair, as only her marriage with you could save us -from terrible trouble. When Gerald explained about Bellaria's fear of -the coral hand I learned its purport from Signor Venosta. Then I -thought that I could use it to bend Bellaria to my will." - -"What was your will?" asked Tod, who looked awestruck. - -"To insist that Bellaria should take Mavis to Italy and keep her -there, so as to prevent her marrying. Then I knew that Major Rebb's -income would be safe, and that Madge could marry and take us both out -of the horrible misery we endured trying to keep up appearances on -nothing." - -"On nothing?" cried Haskins suddenly. - -"Beyond a hundred a year, Madge and I were penniless," said Mrs. Berch -coolly. - -"But you lived in style," said Rebb, who seemed to be thunderstruck by -these sordid revelations. - -"Oh, we are only a couple of adventuresses," said Mrs. Berch -ironically, "we deceived everyone, even Gerald's mother, who was as -kind and good a woman as ever breathed." - -"Don't," muttered the young man softly. - -"I am only praising the dead," said Mrs. Berch stolidly. "I say no -evil of her. Well then, we were in desperate straits, else I never -would have hit on the desperate scheme of getting Bellaria to kidnap -Mavis, which was what it amounted to. I told Madge nothing, save, that -I wanted to see Major Rebb. We informed Gerald that we were going to -Bognor, and we really were going. But, by my plan, we came to -Devonshire, and Madge got one of her friends to lend her a motor. She -drives excellently, and as we were at Belldown before, she knows the -country. I pretended that Major Rebb was at the Pixy's House and had -arranged to see me at midnight. This I told my daughter." - -"And you believed so ridiculous a story?" said Morgan, fixing an -official eye on the shrinking woman. But she only moaned. - -"Leave her alone. I am to blame," said Mrs. Berch sharply, "and the -murder of Bellaria was pure accident." - -"Pure accident!" muttered Arnold ironically. - -Mrs. Berch turned on him with a wintry smile. "Yes, sir. The car broke -down--that was really an accident. While Madge was seeing what was the -matter I said that I would walk on and inquire if Major Rebb was at -the house, and could take us in for the night. I came to the gates and -waited for a time. Bellaria came at length. She opened the gates in -fear and trembling, and was armed with a large yellow-handled knife." - -"Dat my knife," muttered the negro, and rolled his eyes. - -"I explained who I was, and told her about the marriage. I said that I -could put Venosta, as representing the society, on her track, unless -she took Mavis to Italy, and kept her single. I promised her a -pension, but the foolish creature," Mrs. Berch shrugged her shoulders, -"would listen to nothing. She refused to go to Italy, saying that she -would be killed there. I showed her the coral hand, and she tried to -snatch it from me. We struggled, and she lost her head, saying that I -had come to kill her. Once she wounded me in the arm," here Mrs. Berch -rolled up her sleeve and showed a newly healed scar of considerable -dimensions, "so I tried to take the knife from her. Then----" - -"Then?" said Morgan, speaking for the others, who were all tongue-tied -and staring at the terrible recital. - -Mrs. Berch put a slim hand to her head. "I don't know exactly what -took place," she said wearily and indifferently, "but somehow I got -the knife, and in the struggle, in the darkness, I stabbed her to the -heart. When she fell I was terrified at what I had done, and flung the -knife into the long grass--the coral hand had long since fallen to the -ground. Then I ran away back to the car. I found Madge had repaired -the damage, which was slight. She saw blood on my dress. I told a lie, -and we got into the car to fly. On the hill yonder"--she pointed over -the ruined wall towards Denleigh--"the car went wrong again. Then it -was that we saw a man come running up. It was Geary, but Madge started -the car, and we managed to get away. I was not sure if he recognized -us." - -"You--you," said Geary, with a grin, "in de lamp. I saw you when I -come to town wid my massa. But I say noting till my massa want to hang -me. I come back and look for dis gal in de house." - -"I had fled by that time with Arnold," said Mavis faintly. - -"Is that all?" asked Morgan formally, turning to Mrs. Berch. - -"What else would you have?" she asked. - -"Did your daughter know of----" - -"She knew nothing." - -"I only knew that my mother had accidentally killed Bellaria," cried -Mrs. Crosbie foolishly. "I made her tell me because of the blood----" - -"You idiot," said the mother between her teeth. - -"Then," said Morgan officially, "I must arrest you both." - -"But I am innocent," shrieked Mrs. Crosbie. - -"You are an accomplice after the fact," said Morgan. "Come!" He laid a -heavy hand on Mrs. Crosbie's shoulder. - -She started away with a terrible cry. Rebb flung himself forward to -save her. Morgan grappled with him, and Mrs. Berch tried to snatch her -daughter out of the way. The others were too startled to move. Mrs. -Crosbie, who was mad with fear, tore herself from the grasp of Mrs. -Berch, and ran towards the ruined wall, in the vain hope of escaping. -"Save me--help me! I won't go to prison. I am innocent--innocent." - -In deadly terror she scrambled over the fallen wall. Geary ran forward -to stop her from escaping, while Morgan still fought with the Major, -and the two policemen were trying to help their superior. On seeing -the negro run after Mrs. Crosbie, the mother, silent and savage, moved -swiftly across the grass in pursuit. She did not run, but she glided -so rapidly that in a moment--as it seemed--she was over the ruins of -the wall, and on the verge of the cliff along with Madge. The negro -she pushed aside. As the others came running up she cried out: "Madge, -let us die together." And before Mrs. Crosbie knew what was in her -mother's mind she had leaped into the deep pool, holding her dearly -loved daughter, for whom she had sinned so deeply. There was a loud -splash, the agonized scream of Mrs. Crosbie, and then silence. - - * * * * * * * * * - -Six months later a happy young couple were in the drawing-room of a -handsome house in Kensington. With them was Mrs. Pelham Odin, looking -more stately and graceful than ever. She had established herself on -the sofa in her regulation attitude, and Mavis was seated in a low -chair beside her. Gerald stood with his back to the fire, smoking, and -looked extremely happy. His happiness was reflected in the face of his -young wife, and Mrs. Pelham Odin presided over the joint enjoyment -like a fairy godmother. - -"You are both looking splendid," she said, in her deep, clear voice, -"and I am glad to see you both after your sojourn abroad. But do you -think it was kind to leave England without seeing me?" - -Mavis caught the two hands of the old actress. "No, it was not kind. I -said that it was not kind. But Gerald----" - -"Gerald said that it was necessary," said that young man coolly. "Dear -Mrs. Pelham Odin look at the circumstances. There was the inquest on -the bodies of those two poor women, who drowned themselves in the -Peace Pool--in Mother Carey's Peace Pool." - -"I thought that Mrs. Berch dragged her daughter to death." - -"So she did," admitted Gerald quickly. "Mrs. Crosbie would have been -arrested as an accomplice after the fact, and in any case would have -sunk into poverty without her mother to help her. Mrs. Berch of course -thought she would be hanged, although, seeing how she swore that the -crime was accidental, extenuating circumstances might have been found. -I suppose Mrs. Berch, who was frantically fond of her daughter, -thought it best they should go together. Madge certainly would have -lived, poor soul, in spite of all her misery, as she loved life. -But Mrs. Berch pulled her down, and they are buried in Leegarth -cemetery----" - -"Beside Bellaria!" said Mavis, with a shiver. "How strange." - -"The punishment of providence, my dear," said Mrs. Pelham Odin -rebukingly. "The murderess was laid beside her victim. A wicked -woman----" - -"No," said Gerald, throwing up his hand. "Don't call her that." - -"But she murdered----" - -"I believe that the crime really was committed accidentally. And as -she and poor Madge have paid for their sins let us leave them to God, -Mrs. Pelham Odin. Who are we to judge, and, as was revealed at the -inquest, those two women had suffered much misery and trouble." - -"I wonder how they managed to deceive the tradesmen for so long," said -the old actress musingly. "I am sure my tradesmen always make me pay -every month. But look at the thousands they owed and----" - -"It would all have been paid had Mrs. Crosbie married the Major." - -"I daresay--with Mavis' six thousand a year." - -"I have only three thousand," said Mrs. Haskins: "Charity has the -rest." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin kissed the girl's forehead. "You behaved in a noble -way, my dear. I hear that Lady Euphemia has quite taken to Charity, -now that she knows her father was a Devonshire Durham. And Tod has got -back his ruined castle to play the laird. He says, however, that he is -coming back from Scotland to work again at the law." - -"And quite right he is," said Gerald, sitting down. "I don't believe -in any man being lazy. Lady Euphemia wants Tod to play the laird on -his wife's money, but Tod has too much respect to live on his wife." - -"I know _you_ have," said Mavis, looking at him fondly. "You don't -know how difficult it is to make him take money," she added, turning -to the actress, "he will live on his own income, and works like a -nigger." - -"Not like Geary, if he is the nigger in question. My dear Mavis, this -house is yours, and I----" - -"You're going to say that you are a boarder. Stop!" And Mavis laid a -pretty hand over his mouth. Gerald kissed it. - -"You are both extremely silly," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, "share and -share alike--money and love and sentiments and everything." - -"Right," said Haskins playfully, "Mavis, darling, give me back that -kiss." - -"I came here," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, in her most dignified way, "to -welcome you back from the Continent, so I must be attended to, and you -_did_ leave England after the trial without seeing me." - -Gerald rose, and became serious. "I did so to save my wife from an -attack of brain fever," he said gravely. "Think of what that trial -meant to a girl who had never faced such a throng of people." - -"Oh, Gerald, there was the Belver Theatre." - -"I am sure the people in the court were a better audience," said Mrs. -Pelham Odin, using her fan, "and after all, the trial was a mere form. -You were proved to be quite sane by those two nice doctors, and -perfectly innocent, when the evidence was given as to Mrs. Berch's -verbal confession. I read all about it in the papers. You were made -quite a heroine, Mavis, and as I like heroines I expected you to come -and tell me all about it. Instead of which," added the actress, -returning to her grievance, "you went quietly to the Continent." - -"To Switzerland," said Haskins, slipping his arm around Mavis' waist. -"There we passed a happy time, and Mavis recovered from the shock of -all these dreadful things. We never talk of them now." - -"I am very sorry to," said Mrs. Pelham Odin obstinately, "but I must -know what has become of everyone. Major Rebb, I understand, is in -South America?" - -"Yes. He could not face the court, and so he bolted. No one went after -him, as of course he knew nothing about the murder, and Mavis did not -prosecute him for his behavior to her." - -"Geary--that terrible Uncle Tom's Cabin person?" - -"He ran away also. I expect he is with Rebb now. I must say Rebb did -not treat him well, trying to fix the guilt on him. Perhaps he's given -Rebb the go-by on that account, and is now in Jamaica with another -wife." - -"Where is his English one?" - -"In Barnstaple, with her coffee-colored children. Mavis allows her a -small income." - -"I am so sorry for her," said Mrs. Haskins apologetically. "I am sorry -for anyone who is unhappily married." - -"Well, you and Charity have married good men." - -"But poor men," said Gerald, smiling. - -Mrs. Pelham Odin shook her fan at him. "I could mention the Continent -again," she said, smiling, "but as it was necessary that Mavis should -have peace and quiet after all her trials, poor dear, I forgive the -apparent rudeness. What are you going to do now?" - -"We are going to repair the Pixy's House and live there." - -Mrs. Pelham Odin gave a little scream. "Then don't ask me to come and -see you. Two murders--for Mrs. Berch murdered her daughter as well as -that poor Italian woman--and three corpses. Ugh! Why, the house will -be haunted." - -"Not at all," said Gerald tartly. "We can live there with a clear -conscience, and the evil influence of the place will depart when good -people dwell there." - -"Meaning yourself, my dear boy. How modest!" - -"I was rather thinking of Mavis, with her pure mind and----" - -"There, there!" Mrs. Pelham Odin got rather restive, as she didn't -like to hear any woman but herself complimented. "You are a six -months' old husband----" - -"I shall be a lover all my life." And Gerald kissed his wife. - -"My Fairy Prince." And Mavis kissed Gerald. - -Mrs. Pelham Odin cast her eyes up to the ceiling. "Quite like Romeo -and Juliet, without the limelight," she said, in a fatigued tone. -"Well, you must come to me before going to Devonshire. Charity -Macandrew and her husband are coming. I want to give a dinner-party -and introduce you two girls to all sorts of delightful people at a -reception to follow. Everyone is delighted with the romantic story." - -"I daresay they are," said Gerald crossly. "The papers have made far -too much of the matter." - -"I daresay they wouldn't have done so had it not happened to be the -dull season," said Mrs. Pelham Odin consolingly. "Of course there have -been romantic accounts, and portraits of the girls, and all that, but -I have not seen what the newspapers call the sealed message." - -"Do you mean the phonograph record which Mavis sent me?" - -"Yes; only she didn't send it to you. She sent it to anyone who -happened to fish it up." - -"Tod did that, but the message was sent to me. Nothing happens by -chance, Mrs. Pelham Odin, so----" - -"Oh, dear me, here comes your occult stuff. Tod told me all about it. -I don't like such deep subjects. The message----" - -"We have it," said Mavis, rising and going to a side-table on which -stood a Jekle & Co. phonograph. "Gerald and I often turn on the -machine to hear the message which brought us together." - -While she fitted the tube on to the machine Mrs. Pelham Odin yawned. -"It was very clever of you to use a phonograph, since you couldn't -read or write. I hope you are less ignorant now." - -"I am getting on very quickly. Gerald teaches me every day." - -"You conjugate the verb to love, I suppose. What's that?" - -Gerald raised his finger. "The message which Mavis sent me." - -"Sent anyone," muttered Mrs. Pelham Odin obstinately: but she -listened. - -"This to the wide world," babbled the machine in the sweetest and most -melodious of voices. "This to the Fairy Prince, who will come and -waken me from dreams. Come, dear Prince, to the Pixy's House, and -watch that the jealous ogress, who guards me, does not see you. I -cannot read, I cannot write: but I talk my message to you, dear -Prince. To the stream I commit the message on this first day of April -in this year five. May the river bear the message to you, dear Prince. -Come to me! Come to me! Come to me! and waken your Princess to life -with a kiss." - -The machine stopped, for Gerald laid a hand on it. "That," he said -solemnly, "is the Sealed Message." - -"As I thought," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, in her lively tones, "it might -have been sent to the Man in the Moon." - -"Instead," said Mavis, kissing her husband, "to the dearest Fairy -Prince on Earth." - -"Which has none outside pantomimes," ended Mrs. Pelham Odin, -determined to have the last word. She managed to do so, for the -husband and wife were kissing one another. - - - -THE END. - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sealed Message, by Fergus Hume - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEALED MESSAGE *** - -***** This file should be named 55795-8.txt or 55795-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/7/9/55795/ - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by -Google Books (Princeton University) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/55795-8.zip b/old/55795-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 990c833..0000000 --- a/old/55795-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/55795-h.zip b/old/55795-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index f3c50fb..0000000 --- a/old/55795-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/55795-h/55795-h.htm b/old/55795-h/55795-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 21170d5..0000000 --- a/old/55795-h/55795-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10540 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> -<html> -<head> -<title>The Sealed Message</title> - - -<meta name="Author" content="Fergus Hume"> - -<meta name="Publisher" content="G. W. Dillingham Company."> -<meta name="Date" content="1907"> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> -<style type="text/css"> -body {margin-left:10%; - margin-right:10%; background-color:#FFFFFF; - text-align: justify} - - -p.normal {text-indent:.25in; text-align: justify;} - -p.right {text-align:right; margin-right:20%;} -p.center {text-align: center;} -p.continue {text-indent: 0in; margin-top:9pt;} - -h1,h2,h3,h4,h5 {text-align: center;} - - -.t0 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em;} -.t1 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:1em; margin-right:0em;} -.t2 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em;} -.t3 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:3em; margin-right:0em;} -.t4 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:4em; margin-right:0em;} -.t5 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5em; margin-right:0em;} - - -span.sc {font-variant: small-caps; font-size:110%;} -span.sc2 {font-variant: small-caps; font-size:90%;} - -hr.W10 {width:10%; color:black; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt} - -hr.W20 {width:20%; color:black; margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:12pt} - -hr.W50 {width:50%; color:black;} -hr.W90 {width:90%; color:black;} - -p.hang1 {margin-left:3em; text-indent:-3em;} -p.hang2 {margin-left:3em; text-indent:0em;} - -</style> - -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sealed Message, by Fergus Hume - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Sealed Message - -Author: Fergus Hume - -Release Date: October 23, 2017 [EBook #55795] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEALED MESSAGE *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by -Google Books (Princeton University) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Notes: Page scan source<br> -https://books.google.com/books?id=_bQVAAAAYAAJ<br> -(Princeton University)</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - - -<h3>The Sealed Message</h3>> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h5>BY</h5> -<h4>FERGUS HUME</h4> -<h5>AUTHOR OF<br> -"The Mystery of a Hanson Cab," "The Pagan's Cup,"<br> -"The Mandarin's Fan," "The Red Window."</h5> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<h3>G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY</h3> -<h4>PUBLISHERS NEW YORK</h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><span style="font-size:smaller">Copyright, 1907</span><br> -By G. W. DILLINGHAM CO.</h4> -<hr class="W20"> -<h5>The Sealed Message</h5> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - -<table cellpadding="10" style="width:90%; margin-left:5%; font-weight:bold"> -<colgroup><col style="width:20%; vertical-align:top; text-align:right"><col style="width:80%; vertical-align:top; text-align:left"></colgroup> -<tr> -<td colspan="2"><h3>CONTENTS</h3></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>CHAPTER.</td> -<td> </td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_01" href="#div1_01">I.</a></td> -<td>A QUEER FISH</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_02" href="#div1_02">II.</a></td> -<td>THE MESSAGE</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_03" href="#div1_03">III.</a></td> -<td>FAIRYLAND</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_04" href="#div1_04">IV.</a></td> -<td>THE FAIRY PRINCESS</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_05" href="#div1_05">V.</a></td> -<td>GOLDEN HOURS</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_06" href="#div1_06">VI.</a></td> -<td>THE PAST OF ADONIS GEARY</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_07" href="#div1_07">VII.</a></td> -<td>LOVE</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_08" href="#div1_08">VIII.</a></td> -<td>LEGAL ADVICE</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_09" href="#div1_09">IX.</a></td> -<td>MRS. CROSBIE</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_10" href="#div1_10">X.</a></td> -<td>THE AMULET</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_11" href="#div1_11">XI.</a></td> -<td>THE OTHER GIRL</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_12" href="#div1_12">XII.</a></td> -<td>A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_13" href="#div1_13">XIII.</a></td> -<td>THE TABLES TURNED</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_14" href="#div1_14">XIV.</a></td> -<td>THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_15" href="#div1_15">XV.</a></td> -<td>A TRAGEDY</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_16" href="#div1_16">XVI.</a></td> -<td>THE DWARF "SCHAIBAR"</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_17" href="#div1_17">XVII.</a></td> -<td>"AS IN A LOOKING-GLASS"</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_18" href="#div1_18">XVIII.</a></td> -<td>THE FIRST MARRIAGE</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_19" href="#div1_19">XIX.</a></td> -<td>SIGNOR VENOSTA</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_20" href="#div1_20">XX.</a></td> -<td>A DARK MYSTERY</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_21" href="#div1_21">XXI.</a></td> -<td>MAJOR REBB AT BAY</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_22" href="#div1_22">XXII.</a></td> -<td>A CONFESSION</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_23" href="#div1_23">XXIII.</a></td> -<td>TOD'S DISCOVERY</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_24" href="#div1_24">XXIV.</a></td> -<td>THE SECOND MARRIAGE</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_25" href="#div1_25">XXV.</a></td> -<td>GEARY'S ACCUSATION</td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_26" href="#div1_26">XXVI.</a></td> -<td>THE GODS ARE JUST</td> -</tr></table> - - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>THE SEALED MESSAGE</h3> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_01" href="#div1Ref_01">CHAPTER I.</a></h4> -<h5>A QUEER FISH.</h5> -<br> - -<p>It was a sultry July afternoon, and in the azure arch of the firmament -flamed an unclouded sun. The corn was ripening to a rich yellow in -some meadows, and the newly mown hay in others was being piled on -lumbering wains by perspiring laborers. The red earth of the sunken -lanes was caked, and their blossoming hedges were burnt up by the -merciless heat. Under spreading foliage, or knee-deep in rapidly -drying pools, stood weary cattle, switching lazy tails to brush away -the teasing flies. Honey-bees, ostentatiously industrious, buzzed -noisily from flower to flower, and the sleepy birds twittered faintly -midst the grateful shade of leaves. The land was parched for want of -rain, and the languid hours dragged on slowly to the wished-for -evening. On some such day, long ago, must Elijah have sent his servant -up the mount to watch for the growing of the small black cloud.</p> - -<p>Only by the trout stream was the weather endurable, for the -overhanging trees made the atmosphere of translucent green deliciously -cool. Yet here and there spears of dazzling light pierced through the -emerald twilight to smite the waters. These moved smoothly in amber -floods between the grassy banks, and in places swirled pearly-white -round moss-grown stones. The stream brawled over pebbles, gushed -through granite rifts, and gloomed mysteriously in deep and silent -pools, gleaming mirror-like under exposed tree trunks. May-flies -dipped to the waters, swallows darted through the warm air, and -kingfishers glanced here and there, each a flash of blue fire. And -ever the river talked to the voiceless woods as it babbled seawards. -From the woods came no reply, for the wind had died away, and the -tongues of multitudinous leaves could no longer speak. Had they been -able even to whisper, they surely would have rebuked the gay spirits -of the two young men who had invaded their sacred solitude.</p> - -<p>"This is simply ripping," murmured one, who lay on his back with a -battered Panama over his eyes, "we are doing ourselves up to the top -hole, I don't think. Heavenly, ain't it?"</p> - -<p>"It would be, if you did not chatter," retorted the other, fixing a -fly on his line; "why do you desecrate this beauty with slang?"</p> - -<p>"Because I'm not a poet like you to spout blank verse."</p> - -<p>"There is a medium between mutilation of the language and pedantic -usage thereof."</p> - -<p>"Huh!" with scorn, "who's pedantic now?"</p> - -<p>"My dear Tod, as a lawyer, you should use better English."</p> - -<p>"It is only a barrister who requires a superfine jaw," retorted Tod -elegantly, "and I'm only a solicitor of sorts. Don't worry, Haskins."</p> - -<p>Aware of the futility of argument, the other man merely shrugged his -square shoulders and threw a skilful line in a pool wherein lurked a -famous wary trout. The fly fell lightly on the water, and would have -deceived any fish but the trout in question. There was no response to -his dilly-duck-come-and-be-killed invitation, and the angler made -another cast with still less success as the fly hit the stream -heavily, scaring the trout into retreat. Haskins said one word under -his breath, but Tod overheard and giggled. That was exactly like Tod -Macandrew: he had no sense of the fitness of things.</p> - -<p>"Silly ass!" commented his friend savagely, spinning up the line, "you -frighten the fish."</p> - -<p>"Not on to your hook, anyhow," chuckled Tod into the depths of his -hat, "what a sinfully bad angler you are, Jerry."</p> - -<p>"As bad an angler as you are a lover, perhaps," snapped Gerald, -throwing his rod on the grass and squatting to manufacture a -cigarette.</p> - -<p>Tod sat up abruptly with a wounded air. "I call that beastly: to taunt -a chap, because a girl won't bite."</p> - -<p>"Won't kiss, you mean."</p> - -<p>"I'm taking an illustration from your infernal angling," said Tod, -with aggressive dignity. "If you were a lover yourself you would -understand."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I understand well enough," replied the other lightly: he paused -to run his tongue along the tissue paper, then added calmly: "I was in -love with Charity Bird myself, before you came along, Tod."</p> - -<p>"Well, now that I have come along, perhaps you'll call her Miss Bird."</p> - -<p>"Right oh! Miss Bird in the hand is worth two----"</p> - -<p>"There are not two," interrupted Macandrew indignantly, "but only one -schoolgirl cousin. As if," cried Tod to the woods, "I would sell -myself."</p> - -<p>Gerald Haskins cast a sly look on Tod's ungraceful figure. "I see: you -present yourself to Miss Bird as a desirable gift?"</p> - -<p>"Well, she wouldn't have you as a gift, anyhow, for all your <i>Family -Herald</i> good looks, and halfpenny journal fame."</p> - -<p>"Notoriety, Tod, notoriety only. A volume of verse, a book of stories -and a dozen of essays do not give me the right to class myself along -with the immortals. I'm a failure at thirty, Tod--in my own eyes, I -mean. Think of that, Tod, a failure at thirty."</p> - -<p>"Don't chuck it," advised Macandrew politely, "you may be a success at -forty."</p> - -<p>"That won't compensate me for coming grey hairs and inevitable -wrinkles," said the other bitterly, and smoked in dour silence.</p> - -<p>Tod crossed his legs and held forth.</p> - -<p>"Gerald Wentworth Julian Haskins," he remarked solemnly, "all the -fairies came to your nasty little cradle with gifts save the one who -could have endowed you with gratitude. Consider your beastly good -looks, and abominably healthy constitution, and silly popularity, not -to speak of your undeserved five hundred a year private income, and -take shame to yourself. Why with half your advantages I could marry -Charity to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"H'm! The advantages you mention were practically offered to her, but -she didn't seem to desire possession. I expect she prefers the last -representative of an ancient Scots family with an embarrassed estate, -a reputation as a rising solicitor, and a heart of gold enshrined in -an agreeable-looking body."</p> - -<p>"Agreeable-looking!" Words failed Tod, and he sprang up to wreath a -strong arm round Gerald's neck. Haskins remonstrated as well as he -could for laughter, but was forced to the very verge of the bank. Here -Tod made him look into the mirror of the still pool below. "Caliban -and Ferdinand: Apollo and Vulcan: Count D'Orsay and John Wilkes," -growled Macandrew. "Look at this picture and at that, you blighter."</p> - -<p>Almost choking, for Tod was powerful and none too gentle in his grip, -Gerald humored his friend sufficiently to stare into the water glass, -thinking meanwhile of a near revenge. He saw his own handsome brown -face with bronze-colored hair and mustache of the same hue, curling -under a straight Greek nose, which divided two hazel eyes. He saw also -Macandrew's round, ruddy countenance, devoid of hair on chin and lips -and cheeks, but haloed with crisp red curls, suggestive of his foxy -nickname. Tod assuredly could not be called good-looking, with -freckles and wide mouth and aquiline nose, proof of high descent. But -so much good humor and genuine honesty gleamed from his sea-blue eyes -that he did himself a gross injustice in undervaluing a most -ingratiating appearance. Tod was Tod, when all was said and done; the -best fellow in the world, and the most unnecessarily modest. But -Haskins was not going to pander to Tod's desire for compliments.</p> - -<p>"You footling idiot," he breathed, possessed by a spirit of mischief, -"as if you weren't worth a dozen of me. Talk about ingratitude--you -shall be punished, my friend--thus!" and souse into the pool they -went. When Tod got his breath again, after some spluttering, he used -it to a bad purpose. Gerald, keeping himself afloat, watched the stout -little man climb the bank dripping like an insane river god, and heard -him excel himself in language which he could scarcely have used in -court.</p> - -<p>"I'll pay you out for this," swore Tod, hastily stripping off his wet -flannels, and Haskins, fearing his righteous wrath, swam upstream, -clothes and all, with light easy strokes, laughing until the woods -rang.</p> - -<p>"What about your confounded fish?" sang out Macandrew, when his -apparel was drying in the hot sun, and he was sitting unashamed amid -the grass. "You won't catch any more."</p> - -<p>"I haven't caught any as it is," shouted Gerald, swimming back. "I -want to come ashore. Pax, Toddy, Pax, you--you unclothed biped."</p> - -<p>"Wait till I get you here," cried Tod, shaking his fist.</p> - -<p>"He is not wise who ventures into the enemy's camp," quoth Haskins, -and crossed to the opposite bank of the stream. Owing to the heat he -had earlier shed all his clothing save a silk shirt and a pair of -flannel trousers, so there was not much left to dry. In a few minutes -he also was sitting in Adamic simplicity on the farther shore, -imploring Tod to throw over a tobacco pouch and a pipe. But Tod -wouldn't: and smoked, chuckling, on his side of the stream, while -Haskins remonstrated. "I'll sleep then," announced Gerald, seeing that -his efforts to soften Macandrew were unavailing.</p> - -<p>"No, don't," shouted Tod. "I want to talk about her."</p> - -<p>"Not a word, unless I get my smoke."</p> - -<p>"Here you are then," and Macandrew threw across the necessary -materials for the pipe of peace. "Now then!" he cried, and the woods -rang with his cry. "What am I to do about Charity?"</p> - -<p>"Marry her," cried back Haskins, lighting his briar; and after that -introduction the conversation resolved itself into high-pitched -talking from bank to bank, while the stream rippled between. It was -lucky that no one was within hearing--as the young men well knew--for -Tod shouted out his dearest secrets to the wide world.</p> - -<p>"How can I marry her?" bellowed Macandrew, lying on his stomach in the -attitude of Caliban reflecting on Setebos. "She hasn't any money, and -I have very little also; there is the Dowager to be considered."</p> - -<p>The Dowager was Lady Euphemia Macandrew, Tod's highly respected -grandmother, who had looked after him since his parents had died. She -wanted Tod to marry an heiress cousin, who was still at school, and -Tod wished for his wife a charming dancer who was absolutely proper -and extremely pretty. Consequently Tod and Lady Euphemia were fighting -with all the ardor of their fiery race, and the domestic peace of the -House of Macandrew was a thing of the past.</p> - -<p>"You should consider the Dowager," sang out Haskins, who knew and -approved of the grim old lady, "she's your grandmother."</p> - -<p>"No one denies that," yelled Tod crossly, "talk sense!"</p> - -<p>"Hear then the sense of Gerald, son of his father," shouted the other -in a high tenor. "Mrs. Pelham Odin, who is--as you know--the clever -old actress who looks after Charity, won't let you marry her, seeing -that you have no money. Lady Euphemia is equally opposed to the match, -because Charity is not born, as the French say. If you marry against -the wishes of these two Mrs. Pelham Odin won't leave Charity her -savings, which must be considerable, and Lady Euphemia won't speak -either to you or to your wife. Isn't this the case?"</p> - -<p>"Ancient history--ancient history," roared Macandrew, like an angry -bull, "but your advice, Jerry?"</p> - -<p>"Chuck Charity and marry your cousin," said Haskins tersely.</p> - -<p>"I won't."</p> - -<p>"Then why waste my time in asking for advice which you have no notion -of taking? Go on your own silly way, Tod, and don't blame me if you -tumble into a quagmire of troubles."</p> - -<p>"I believe you want to marry Charity yourself," shouted Tod angrily.</p> - -<p>"No I don't," cried Haskins, feeling if his garments were dry. "She is -all that one can desire in the way of beauty: but I want something -more than a picture-wife. Marriages are made in heaven, and Charity's -soul does not respond to mine."</p> - -<p>Tod rose sulkily and dressed himself. When clothed again he took up -the discarded rod to try his luck. "I love her," he boomed, and cast -his fly with the air of a man who has brought forward an unanswerable -argument. Perhaps he had, for Macandrew was as obstinate as a -battery-mule.</p> - -<p>Seeing that Tod's attention was taken up with a peaceful sport which -precluded retaliation for the late ducking, Gerald made his trousers -and shirt into a ball, and flung them deftly across the river. They -hit Tod fairly, and made him stagger and swear. What he would have -said or done, it is impossible to say, for at this moment he -proclaimed with a triumphant yell that he had a bite. And at this -moment Gerald slipped into the water again. "Hang it, don't," screamed -Macandrew, "you'll frighten the fish off the hook. Woosh! Come up!" -and Tod tugged hard while the rod bent to an arc. "Mighty big fish," -breathed the angler.</p> - -<p>"Don't believe it's a fish at all," spluttered Haskins, seeing that -the line remained stationary, "you're making no play. Caught a weed -maybe."</p> - -<p>He swam to the line, and dived under, while Macandrew danced and swore -on the bank. "Leave it alone, leave it alone," cried Tod, in high -wrath, "it's a big fish. Oh, beast; oh, animal: oh, jealous reptile," -he went on as the line slackened, "you've done it."</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke Gerald rose to the surface, spitting water from his -mouth. In his right hand he held an object which he flung on to the -bank, and then crawled up himself. "There's your fish, Tod," he said, -rolling on the grass to dry himself, "your hook caught in that -cylinder, which had got wedged between two big stones. Look at it -while I dress."</p> - -<p>Tod handled the cylinder gingerly. It was made of tin, and had -apparently been covered with brown paper, for the remains of this -clung loose at either end from under splotches of red sealing-wax. -Oddly enough, there was also a string tied to the cylinder, at the end -of which dangled the remnant of a bladder. Evidently the bladder had -borne up the somewhat heavy cylinder for a certain time, and then had -burst, to drop it toward the big stones amid which it had been wedged -when Tod's hook had caught it. "Look's like a parcel of dynamite," -said Tod, in a nervous tone; "poachers fishing by night with dynamite, -O Lord!"</p> - -<p>Haskins, who was slipping on his socks and shoes, looked up. "It's -been in the water a good time anyhow, judging from the rotten brown -paper and that decayed bladder. There's no chance of an explosion. If -you are afraid to open it chuck it over."</p> - -<p>"No." Macandrew dropped on to the grass beside his friend. "We'll go -to Kingdom Come together, if necessary. Lend me your knife!"</p> - -<p>Between them, the young men prized off the lid of the cylinder, with -some difficulty, for it fitted tightly. The contents proved to be as -puzzling as the vessel itself, for Gerald drew out a moderately long -roller covered with brown wax, and scored delicately with regular -lines, almost invisible. There was nothing else in the cylinder but -this roller, and Tod eyed it with wonderment. "What the deuce is it?" -he asked, twirling it round.</p> - -<p>Haskins pinched his nether lip and reflected. "It's a phonograph -record," he ventured to suggest, "see the marking, Tod, and the wax, -and here," he tilted the cylinder end uppermost, "there's a name -engraved on the butt, plainly, for all the world to see."</p> - -<p>"Jekle & Co.," read Tod, fitting in his eye-glass to see clearly. -"H'm! I never heard of the firm."</p> - -<p>"That's not improbable: your knowledge of many things being limited."</p> - -<p>"Oh, come now. Did you ever hear of the firm your own conceited self?"</p> - -<p>"No. But it's a firm that makes phonographs anyhow." Gerald slipped -the treasure trove into his pocket. "We'll take this back to the inn, -and see what it means."</p> - -<p>"We shall have to get a phonograph then."</p> - -<p>"That goes without the speaking, you bally ass. But when we do slip -this roller into its parent machine these marks will talk."</p> - -<p>"But how can we get a parent machine? I suppose you mean a Jekle & Co. -mechanism of sorts."</p> - -<p>"There must be a machine of that sort in the district, or this roller -wouldn't be here."</p> - -<p>Tod stared at the waters blinking in the sunshine. "I wonder how it -got into the blessed river. By accident or by design?"</p> - -<p>"By design assuredly," said Haskins promptly. "It was wrapped in brown -paper and sealed at both ends. The bladder was attached to keep it -afloat. Then the bladder went bang and the cylinder sank until you -fished it out, Toddy."</p> - -<p>"Queer fish and queer chance, anyhow."</p> - -<p>"There is no such thing as chance," said Haskins slowly; "some cause -we know not of, brought us to the stream to-day to get the cylinder."</p> - -<p>"Why, we only came holiday-making," protested Tod; "you are always -talking this infernal psychology."</p> - -<p>"Supernal psychology, you mean," retorted the other, "seeing that I -follow white magic and not black. This," he patted his pocket, "has a -meaning. We must learn that meaning."</p> - -<p>"And so get into trouble."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps." Haskins shrugged his shoulders. "But trouble is the sole -thing which urges us to rise."</p> - -<p>Tod groaned. He could not understand his friend's mystical way of -looking at the seen world through the unseen. Keeping the conversation -on an ordinary level he inquired: "Why was the cylinder set afloat?"</p> - -<p>"Why does the sun shine? Why does the fire burn? You ask too many -questions, Tod."</p> - -<p>"I am not likely to get an answer from you," snapped Macandrew, taking -up the impedimenta which they had brought to the river bank.</p> - -<p>"You will in this instance, my son. The record, when it talks through -the Jekle & Co. machine, will tell us why the cylinder was sent -downstream. Shipwrecked people throw bottles overboard with documents -to tell of their danger, as you well know."</p> - -<p>"H'm! It's the first time I ever heard of a phonograph record being -used to convey news," grunted Tod crossly.</p> - -<p>"The person who floated the cylinder is evidently up-to-date."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps it's a blessed joke."</p> - -<p>"Maybe. Anyhow, I'll take it to the inn, and learn as much as is -possible. Don't chatter about it though."</p> - -<p>"Why not?"</p> - -<p>"Because--because----" Haskins hesitated, not being able to express -himself with his usual decision. "I can't say. Anyhow, hold your -tongue until we know what the record has to say."</p> - -<p>Macandrew nodded, and the two walked homeward.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_02" href="#div1Ref_02">CHAPTER II.</a></h4> -<h5>THE MESSAGE.</h5> -<br> - -<p>"The Devon Maid" was a tumbledown inn, and the center of Denleigh -village, which lay, more or less concealed, among the folds of fertile -hills. Down the valley prattled a shallow stream, and the -comparatively few cottages, forming the secluded hamlet, were placed -confusedly on either side, each having its own tiny garden. A broad -stone bridge, of cyclopean build, spanned the brook in one low arch. -Across this ran the highway, which gave access to the interior world, -for it dipped down one hill and, after passing over the bridge, -ascended the other on its way inland to even more remote villages. -Near the bridge in question stood the two-story inn, built of rugged -stone, hewn into huge blocks, and roofed with curved red tiles, the -whole overgrown with ivy and wisteria and many-colored roses. With -three narrow windows above and two narrow windows with a moderately -wide door below, the house looked sullen and secretive. One could have -an adventure at such a hostel: it breathed the spirit of romance, and -cut-throat, trapdoor romance at that.</p> - -<p>Before the inn stood a horse trough, in front of the door, the two -rude benches under the windows. But those who frequented the Devon -Maid preferred to take their beer mugs and bovine conversation on to -the bridge. It was their Rialto, whereon they met in the cool of the -evening to discuss the doings of their small world, and such news as -might filter into the isolated villages through carriers and tourists -and newspapers. The population of Denleigh consisted almost wholly of -agricultural laborers and their wives, a slow-thinking lot, with -infinitely more muscle than brains. Both men and women were of great -stature, and even their children looked bulky and overgrown for their -age. It seemed as though the children of Anak had gathered to design a -new Tower of Babel.</p> - -<p>The room in which Haskins and Macandrew sat at dinner was small, with -a low ceiling, and one inefficient window smothered with curtains. It -was crowded with Early Victorian furniture of the most cumbersome and -inelegant description. Table and chairs, sofa and sideboard, bookcase -and desk were all of solid mahogany, deposited on a flowery -Kidderminster carpet, somewhat worn. Antimacassars adorned the -horsehair chairs, wax fruit under a glass shade embellished the -sideboard, and green glass ornaments, with dangling prisms, appeared -on either side of the black marble clock which disfigured the -mantelpiece. On the faded pattern of a Prussian blue wall-paper were -steel engravings representing "The Death of Nelson" and the "Meeting -of Wellington and Blucher after Waterloo," together with colored -hunting scenes and illustrations from "The Book of Beauty," and "The -Keepsake." There were also samplers, and a fender-stool, and a canary -in a gilt cage, and a cupboard of inferior china, and two screens of -worsted-work representing parrots and macaws. The apartment was stuffy -and unwholesome, and more like a curiosity-shop than a place to dine -in.</p> - -<p>The young men had changed to easy smoking suits, and were doing full -justice to an admirable meal, consisting of roast beef with -vegetables, superfine apple pie, Devonshire cream, and first-rate -Stilton. They drank cider out of compliment to the county, and knew -that when eating was at an end two fragrant cups of coffee would add -to the enjoyment of their after-dinner pipes. And this satisfactory -state of things was presided over by a stout and genial waiter, who -was as black as the dress clothes he wore in honor of the guests.</p> - -<p>A bull in a china-shop would not have seemed much more out of keeping -than was this negro in the heart of the Devon hills. How he had -drifted into such a locality heaven only knows, but he appeared exotic -and strange, like some tropical bird which had flown from Equatorial -Regions to make a nest in cool, gray, misty England. Adonis Geary was -the incongruous name of the man, and he was at once landlord and -waiter. Save that he possessed but one eye there was nothing -unpleasant in his looks, and from his constant smiling and ready -service he appeared to be of an amiable disposition. For over fifteen -years--so he told his guests--he had owned the inn, and also had -married a six-foot girl from Barnstaple, who was as meek as she was -tall. This oddly-matched pair had five or six coffee-colored children, -who tumbled about the small house and made it lively. The <i>ménage</i> was -unusual, to say least of it, and like the inn itself. The presence of -the negro hinted at romance and mystery.</p> - -<p>As yet Haskins had said nothing about the phonograph. Some instinct -told him to be silent about the discovery of the cylinder before this -suave son of Ham, although he had absolutely no reason to mistrust the -man. All the same he intended to use Geary's wits to obtain a Jekle & -Co. phonograph in such a way as would not arouse suspicion concerning -the particular use he intended to put it to. Yet why suspicions should -be aroused by frankness Gerald could not say, for, on the face of it, -there was nothing to point out that the cylinder was dangerous. -Nevertheless Haskins' sixth sense made him hold his tongue and impose -secrecy upon Tod. Consequently Macandrew held his peace while Gerald -cautiously approached his aim of getting the machine. It seemed -incredible that a phonograph of the special make required should be -found in that unpretentious inn, or even in the village itself, seeing -how buried both were. Still Haskins argued from the discovery of the -roller, so marked, that a Jekle & Co. phonograph was to be had in the -district. Being a novelist, Gerald had already spun a web of romance -round the adventure, and was conducting the same to a close with -constructive skill. Tod watched the progress of this real and tangible -romance with careless interest. He thought that it was all moonshine -and would end in smoke. "The Story of A Mare's Nest," Tod called it -with fine irony, and giggled when Haskins stalked Mr. Adonis Geary.</p> - -<p>"There is very little to do in the evening here," began Gerald, -finishing the last of his cheese, and addressing the landlord-waiter.</p> - -<p>"Very little, sah," replied Mr. Geary, who spoke moderately good -Anglo-Saxon, yet betrayed his negro origin in an occasional word, and -by a guttural intonation, "but you can walk to Silbury with the odder -jemplem, for howlin' fun, sah."</p> - -<p>"Howling fun in a country town? My eyes," muttered Tod, still eating.</p> - -<p>"Dere's walking and de bicycle and fishin' and----"</p> - -<p>"Yes! yes! yes!" broke in Gerald artfully, "but I mean evening -amusement--indoor doings. What you call----"</p> - -<p>"Parlor tricks," interpolated Macandrew.</p> - -<p>"Exactly! Well, Mr. Geary, have you a piano, or a harmonium?"</p> - -<p>"Dere's a harmonium in de chapel whar I preach," explained Adonis -doubtfully, "but de instrument of de Lawd no good for debble's -singing."</p> - -<p>"I have no intention of going to the devil for my amusement," said -Gerald tartly, while Tod choked over his cider. "Have you any cards?"</p> - -<p>"Dem's de debble's pictures, sah."</p> - -<p>"Then pass along a concertina," remarked Tod, pushing back his chair -with a sigh of repletion, "or even a Jew's harp, or a----"</p> - -<p>"Why not say a phonograph, while you're about it, Macandrew?" said -Haskins, with feigned crossness, "we're as likely to find the one as -the other in this place at the Back-of-Beyond."</p> - -<p>"With great respect, Mr. Haskins, sah," said Geary, falling into the -trap promptly, "dere's my wife's phonograph. My wife Hannah let you -hab dat phonograph to hear de godly hymns."</p> - -<p>"Just what I want to hear," said Gerald untruthfully, "but what on -earth made you get a phonograph?"</p> - -<p>Geary smiled expansively, displaying magnificent teeth. "Dere was a -traveler who came dis way wid phonographs, and he stop here. He so -pleased wid my wife Hannah's cooking dat he gave her de phonograph, -and den sell many, many, many all round--all round," and the landlord -stretched his arms to embrace the globe.</p> - -<p>"What kind of a phonograph is it?" asked Gerald, with a triumphant -look at Tod to bid him watch how Romance was working golden threads -into the gray fabric of the commonplace. "I don't want to hear a bad -one."</p> - -<p>Before Geary could reply there sounded through the window an -up-to-date note from the outer world. The "Toot! toot! toot!" of a -motor horn brought the young men to their feet and to the window, -which looked out on to the bridge. A motor car draws the attention of -the grown-up as much as a military band attracts the notice of a -child. Mr. Geary departed with dignified haste to see what new and -aristocratic visitor was coming, and--since Tod's bulky form filled in -the whole small window--Gerald followed at his leisure. The coming of -the motor car stirred up the same bustle in this lonely inn as did -the mail coach in the days of old. Even Mrs. Geary emerged from the -back-kitchen to view the spectacle with three small children clinging -to her lengthy skirts, like the Lilliputians to Gulliver's coat-tails.</p> - -<p>"Toot! toot! toot!" The horn sounded cheerfully and close at hand. A -magnificent Hadrian, scarlet as the sunset, swung down the long -descent and hummed across the bridge with a powerful drone. There were -two men in front, disguised in the orthodox goggles and caps and -shapeless coats, but the body of the car was empty, save for a -large portmanteau and some small parcels done up in brown paper. The -rustics crowded round the car, to comment thereon, and to misname it -"a steam-engine," while the foremost man, who was handling the -steering-gear, slipped from his seat to stretch himself and to salute -Geary.</p> - -<p>"Hello, Adonis, is that you?" he said, nodding brusquely. "I want a -wash and a glass of brandy. Then I'm off again. I must reach Leegarth -before sundown."</p> - -<p>"Come dis way, Major," said the landlord obsequiously. He seemed to -know the traveler extremely well, and from his concluding remark -Gerald was positive that he did. "Dere's a lil' glass of your own -pertic'ler brandy, Major. Dis way, sah. Glad to see you, Major."</p> - -<p>"Major!" From the title, and the tone of the arrival's voice, Haskins -had an idea that he also knew the owner of the motor car. When the -goggles were shoved up over the cap, and the high collar of the coat -was loosened, suspicion became certainty. "Major Rebb," said Haskins, -advancing a step. "I guessed it was you."</p> - -<p>"Oh--Haskins," drawled the newcomer, and Gerald could have sworn that -not only did he start, but that he darted an inquiring look at the -negro landlord. It was Geary who replied:</p> - -<p>"Dis jemplem and his friend, dey stop wid me for one, two week, -Major."</p> - -<p>The Major recovered himself. "Yes, of course; what am I thinking -about, Haskins? Mrs. Crosbie told me that you and Macandrew were on a -walking tour in Devonshire. Why are you stationary here of all -places?"</p> - -<p>"Why not here, as well as anywhere else?" replied Gerald carelessly, -"we struck this inn--Tod and I, that is--and intended only to stop a -night or so, but the food is so good, and the fishing so capital, and -the expenses so small, that we decided to remain. We're off in a -couple of days. Tod goes back to London, and I make for St. Ives to -write a new book. But you, Major? What are you doing in this galley?"</p> - -<p>"I have come down to see a relative at Leegarth--an elderly aunt!" -Tod sniggered at the window. From what he knew of Major Rebb--and he -knew a great deal from club gossip--that retired officer was not the -man to waste his time in looking after elderly relatives, unless,----</p> - -<p>"How much money has she got?" asked Tod impudently.</p> - -<p>Rebb laughed, for Tod was a licensed jester, and said things without -reproof for which other men would have been kicked. "Enough to make it -worth my while to come down here," said Rebb coolly, "but I won't give -the business into your hands, Tod, so there will be no pickings."</p> - -<p>"I'm jolly well sure of that, when you're about," retorted Macandrew, -in a soft voice.</p> - -<p>"Dis way, sah," cried Geary, like a parrot, "dis way, Major."</p> - -<p>"You know Adonis then?" said Rebb, entering the inn followed by -Haskins; "he's a decent sort, isn't he? I have put up here sometimes -for a night. Where's the brandy, Adonis? Hurry up; and give my man a -glass of beer."</p> - -<p>Gerald had unconsciously led the way to the sitting-room occupied by -himself and Tod. Here Rebb sat down, drawing off his gloves, while -the brandy was brought. He was a tall, thin, upright man, eminently -well-bred and somewhat stiff. His closely clipped hair and -well-trimmed moustache were so dark, and his complexion was of such a -deep olive color, that people declared that he had in him a touch of -the tar-brush. And the scandal was emphasized by the significant fact -that Major Rebb had commanded a West Indian regiment in Jamaica before -retiring from the army. But whether tainted by the African or not, he -certainly was a handsome man, and wonderfully well-preserved for his -fifty years. Mrs. Crosbie, to whom Rebb had alluded when first -addressing Haskins, was a wealthy widow who greatly admired the -fascinating Major. Report hinted at a match between them, and report -said that Mrs. Crosbie might do worse, for Rebb was well-off and much -respected by the outside world. Those--of whom Tod was one--who knew -more than the Major approved of declared that Rebb's character was not -without blemish, and that he gambled both on the turf and on the green -table. But no one could positively say that the man was a rascal. He -had the vices of his generation. That was all.</p> - -<p>While Rebb drank his brandy he told Haskins and Macandrew the latest -club gossip, and stated--not without a roguish glance at Tod--that -Mrs. Pelham Odin wanted Charity to marry a titled fool, who had lately -come into much money. Tod was very indignant at this, and said many -things which Rebb had heard before, since the little man's infatuation -was an open secret. In the middle of his eloquence the Major went off -to wash his hands and face, and Haskins dragged his friend out to see -the start of the car. In five minutes Rebb was in his place and his -chauffeur swung up alongside.</p> - -<p>"Good-night, you fellows," cried the Major amiably. "I'll see you in -London. Night, Adonis," and then the car spun round the curve to mount -the hill on its way to Leegarth, wherever that might be. Tod yawned -and sauntered back into the inn, hinting that he would go to bed soon.</p> - -<p>"Funny thing that we should meet Rebb, here," said Gerald.</p> - -<p>Tod raised his thick red eyebrows. "Upon my soul I don't see it," he -remarked, "you don't want the whole country to yourself."</p> - -<p>"He seemed to be startled when he saw me, and he knows Geary well."</p> - -<p>"He admitted that he knew Geary, and as to being startled, he well -might be, dropping across a pal in these wilds."</p> - -<p>"I am not a pal of Rebb's," said Gerald stiffly. "I don't like him, -and I'm very sorry that such a jolly little woman as Mrs. Crosbie -should think of marrying him. There's something queer about him."</p> - -<p>"Bosh!" said Tod, lightly whiffing away his friend's suspicions, which -indeed had little foundation. "Rebb is no worse, nor no better, than -any other man. We all have turned-down pages in our life's book, which -we should like no one to read."</p> - -<p>"That's quite a high flight of oratory for you," said Haskins dryly.</p> - -<p>"Oh I can gas as well as most, when necessary," retorted the other, -"but you are asinine, seeing a bird in every bush."</p> - -<p>"H'm!" murmured Gerald, unconvinced. "All the same, I shall keep my -eye on Major Rebb."</p> - -<p>"And so take a lot of trouble for nothing. So long as he does not -cross your path I don't see why you should worry. Hello!" Tod had -entered the sitting-room by this time. "Here's the phonograph." He -examined it narrowly in the failing light. "And Jekle & Co. at that. -By gum!"</p> - -<p>"What do you say now?" cried Haskins, pleased that his surmise had -proved correct. "I'll bet that we are on the verge of discovering a -mystery. Wait until we hear a few hymns, and then we can experiment -with our river record."</p> - -<p>"But why bother about the hymns?" grumbled Macandrew, who by this time -was quite as curious as Haskins himself.</p> - -<p>Gerald glanced at the door, and closed it. "I don't want the nigger to -think that anything unusual has happened."</p> - -<p>"More suspicion," said Tod, and glanced in his turn, but at the -window, "you needn't fash yourself, as we say in Scotland. There's -Geary walking down to the village."</p> - -<p>It was indeed the negro strolling with a crony along the brookside, -and when he had sauntered out of earshot Haskins did not worry about -the hymn tunes. He slipped the cylinder record on to the machine, and -set the thing going. Then, for the next minute, he and Tod listened in -amazement to a message from Fairyland.</p> - -<p>"This to the wide world," babbled the machine in the sweetest and most -melodious of voices. "This to the Fairy Prince, who will come and -waken me from dreams. Come, dear Prince, to the Pixy's House, and -watch that the jealous ogress, who guards me, does not see you. I -cannot read, I cannot write; but I talk my message to you, dear -Prince. To the stream I commit the message on this first day of April -in this year five. May the river bear the message to you, dear Prince. -Come to me! Come to me! Come to me! and waken your Princess to life -with a kiss."</p> - -<p>The machine still continued to work, but the voice became abruptly -silent. There was no more of the message, so when the point of the -phonograph reached the end of the inscribed wax Gerald removed it. -When it was again in his pocket he turned toward the amazed Tod. "What -do you think of that?" he demanded triumphantly.</p> - -<p>"I think that the date explains the whole thing," said Tod grimly. -"See: the first of April. Five! That means, nineteen hundred and five, -which is this very year. Some one's having a joke."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe it," said Haskins, and began to scribble in his -pocketbook what the machine had said. He had a good memory, and -reproduced the message from the Fairy Princess very correctly. Later -he determined to verify the same, but meanwhile kept the precious -roller in his pocket and asserted his determination to search for the -Pixy's House.</p> - -<p>"What bosh!" grumbled Tod, disdainfully. "Maybe there's no such place. -But if you will be a lunatic, ask Geary about the matter."</p> - -<p>"No," said Gerald decidedly. "I shall not say a word to Geary, and I -must ask you to say nothing either. This is the first piece of romance -which has come my way, and I don't want it spoiled by sharing it with -other people."</p> - -<p>"My way," echoed Macandrew, staring. "I like that. You forget that I -found the cylinder, my son. I am the person who is supposed to have -received the letter."</p> - -<p>"Toddy, you are not a Turk or a Mormon, so this delicious Princess, -who speaks like a silver bell, is not for you. Keep to Charity Bird, -and allow me a chance of finding a wife."</p> - -<p>"O Lord! Jerry, you ain't serious?"</p> - -<p>"Yes and no! After all I am young, and--as the cook said--of that -'appy disposition that I can love any one. Why shouldn't I seek in -some Fairy Woods for the Sleeping Beauty?"</p> - -<p>"Sleeping!" sniggered Tod, lighting his pipe, "then she must have -written that silly message in her sleep. Or perhaps she talks in it," -he added, recollecting that the message was a spoken one. "A nice wife -to have, upon my word. You won't get a wink of sleep."</p> - -<p>"Toddy, you are of the earth, earthy, and an unimaginative beast. -Romance doesn't appeal to you. I shall search for the Pixy's House!"</p> - -<p>"In what direction?" jeered Macandrew.</p> - -<p>"Up the stream. This Princess is apparently imprisoned in the house -and must have flung the cylinder therefrom into the water. Ergo, the -Pixy's House must be near the water. I shall go to Exeter and bring -back a canoe. Then I shall explore and find----"</p> - -<p>"A mare's nest! Don't be an ass. It's all bosh."</p> - -<p>"It's romance! romance! romance! But not a word, Toddy, either to any -one here, or to any one in London. Promise!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I promise. But----"</p> - -<p>"Silence! you profane the Mysteries of Fairyland. I shall explore and -learn the end of this adventure. And you, Tod Macandrew?"</p> - -<p>"I'll see what's the best lunatic asylum for you to occupy," said Tod -caustically.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_03" href="#div1Ref_03">CHAPTER III.</a></h4> -<h5>FAIRYLAND.</h5> -<br> - -<p>Notwithstanding his fantastical babble to Macandrew, Gerald was a -shrewd young man. He prosecuted his search for the unknown sender of -the message, less to find a wife than to see the end of the adventure. -At the enjoyable age of thirty, he was not particularly keen on -getting married, although his friends persistently advised him to do -so. But, as Haskins pertinently observed, it was absurd to marry -merely for marrying's sake. "When I meet THE woman," said Gerald -wisely, "I shall ask her to be my wife. Otherwise----" And a shrug -would complete the unfinished sentence.</p> - -<p>Tod was quite ready to leave the conclusion of the fishing adventure -to his friend. Being in love with a particular girl, he thought of her -only, and had no wish to search for another girl, even though she were -an illiterate princess, who fluted like a nightingale. What with -earning his living, and fighting Lady Euphemia, and wooing Charity -Bird, and tricking Mrs. Pelham Odin, who was strongly opposed to that -wooing, Macandrew's hands were quite full. Within two days he betook -himself to London, keen upon seeing <i>The Moon Fay</i> ballet, in which -Charity was dancing. But before his departure he unwittingly did -Gerald a service by learning something about the Pixy's House, and -that same something was less romantic than unpleasant.</p> - -<p>According to Tod the thing came about by accident; but Haskins, who -believed that everything was designed, even to the winking of an eye, -insisted that Macandrew had been purposely lured into conversation -with the laborer, who had mentioned Leegarth, and the Pixy's House. At -a nine o'clock breakfast, on the very day of his departure, Tod -mentioned to his friend that he had been taking a morning walk. "I had -a beastly wakeful night last night," grumbled Tod, while Geary brought -in a dish of trout and some hot rolls, "it made me sick tumbling and -tossing, so I dressed and strolled out at six o'clock."</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you waken me?" asked Haskins. "I would have come also."</p> - -<p>"Not you. I'd have been cursed for an hour. Every one knows what an -infernal sleepy-head you are, Jerry. However, I walked up the hill on -to the moors, and had a glorious view of the surrounding country. I -saw the stream where we fished, in the hollow two miles away--trees, -and occasional glimpses of the water, you know. And ever so far away, -there was a square-towered church with a cluster of red-roofed -houses."</p> - -<p>"Quite poetical, my Toddy," murmured Gerald, helping himself to eggs -and ham, and rather bored by this geographical description.</p> - -<p>"The morning made me poetical!" said Macandrew simply, "it was -uncommonly ripping, you know. There was a laboring Johnny coming -along, and I asked him the name of the church. He said it was Leegarth -church, and Leegarth village."</p> - -<p>"H'm! That's where Rebb's wealthy relative lives?"</p> - -<p>Todd nodded. "As it was early I had a mind to walk over and look -about, but I first asked the man if there was anything of interest to -see. He grinned, and told me that I might call at the Pixy's House."</p> - -<p>Gerald looked up and was about to speak eagerly when Geary appeared -again with a fresh supply of rolls. "Oh, the Pixy's House," said -Haskins carelessly, "what's that?"</p> - -<p>"Why, you know----" began Tod foolishly, when he caught sight of a -warning scowl on Haskins' face, and a look of interest on that of -Geary's, "you know," went on Tod artfully, "that I can't talk if you -interrupt."</p> - -<p>"But it's all so dull," objected Haskins, with a shrug.</p> - -<p>"Not what I am about to tell. This laborer said that a lunatic lived -in the Pixy's House, looked after by another lunatic."</p> - -<p>"The blind leading the blind. Go on."</p> - -<p>"The first lunatic is a girl, and the second an old woman. The girl -never comes out, and no one has ever seen her, but the old woman does -shopping and all the rest of it. That's all."</p> - -<p>"What infernal rubbish!" said Haskins crossly. He did not like his -unknown princess to dwindle to a commonplace lunatic. And yet, when -he remembered the spoken message, it did seem a trifle mad. "Well, and -did you call at the Pixy's House?"</p> - -<p>"Not me. I walked in another direction, and came back to breakfast. I -have no use for crazy people."</p> - -<p>"Wid all respect, jemplem," remarked Mr. Geary unexpectedly, "de story -ob dat man is all twisty-turney."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" said Haskins, apparently careless, but really with anxiety, "so -you know of this queer business, Geary?"</p> - -<p>"Berry lil'--oh, berry lil', sah. Dat Pixy House ver' ole, an' ver' -tumbledown in heaps. Only one mad pusson dere, jemplem."</p> - -<p>"Which one--the old woman or the young one?" asked Tod abruptly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, dey boff dere, jemplem, but de young lady is de mad pusson. She -bin dere afore I come--years an' years an' years--oh, ebber so long -'go. Dis pou' lady, she want to kill peoples wid knives, and de ole -womans, she watch her dat she no get out to kill. De ole woman's not a -mad pusson, jemplem; oh no, dat all wrong. She watch de odder. You no -go near dat Pixy House, jemplem," ended the landlord earnestly, "or -dat young lady, she kill you boff, dead as coffin-lids."</p> - -<p>Haskins felt disgusted. He desired to find Fairyland, and it seemed as -though his search would end in discovering a lunatic asylum. "What is -the lunatic's name?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Mavis Durham, I tink, an' de ole womans, she called Bellaria!"</p> - -<p>"Funny names," mused Tod, "and rather pretty. Mavis means a thrush, I -fancy. But Bellaria?"</p> - -<p>Gerald recalled a charming book of Italian folklore, which he had read -some months before. "Bellaria was the Etruscan dawn goddess, or the -goddess of flowers, I forget which," he remarked; "strange that any -one in a secluded Devonshire village should be called so. H'm! Is this -old woman an Italian, Geary?"</p> - -<p>"I do not know, sah," replied the man promptly. "I no go to dat -Leegarth, no, never, never. And you no go too, jemplem. Dat Mavis lady -hab de knife in you if you go dere."</p> - -<p>"Homicidal mania," said Tod learnedly and cheerfully.</p> - -<p>Haskins shuddered; it seemed terrible to think that the owner of that -silvery voice, who had sent so delightfully quaint a message, should -be a dangerous lunatic not responsible for her actions. When the -landlord took his departure he made an observation, rather to himself -than to his friend. "The message was sane enough," he said, thereby -contradicting his first impression, when Geary spoke of the lunacy.</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't know," answered Macandrew doubtfully, "all that fairy -business and talk of not being able to read or write seems queer. I -suppose you'll chuck the adventure, now that you know this?"</p> - -<p>"Probably!" said Haskins evasively, so that Tod should not worry him. -But in his heart he had a longing to probe the matter deeper.</p> - -<p>Later in the day Gerald escorted Tod to Selbury, and saw him off to -London. Macandrew left with the impression that Gerald would carry out -his prearranged programme and travel to St. Ives on the ensuing day. -But when Haskins walked back to Denleigh he was far from having made -up his mind to such a course. It seemed incredible that the sender of -the message should have homicidal tendencies. All the same, if she had -not, the law would certainly have prevented her incarceration in the -old Leegarth mansion known as the Pixy's House. That she could not -read or write was quite possible, since she had used the phonograph, -and yet, in this age of education, it appeared improbable that anyone -could be so ignorant. The wording of the message was that of an -imaginative, but not of a weak, brain; and the spirit of poetry it -breathed appealed to the young man, himself a poet of no mean order. -"On the whole," decided Gerald, "I shall go to Exeter to-morrow and -get that canoe."</p> - -<p>On that same evening, when Geary went for his usual walk, Haskins -again slipped the record into the machine, and again drank in the -music of that perfect voice. Then, for the sake of hiding his secret, -since the landlord unexpectedly returned, he set the phonograph to -grind out the godly hymns which were Geary's delight. These were -dismal enough in words and tunes, but all through them sounded in -Gerald's charmed ears the silvery lilt of the Fairy Princess' tones. -The owner of such a voice could not possibly be crazy.</p> - -<p>Haskins rather regretted that he had not asked Major Rebb about the -Pixy's House and its occupant. Rebb doubtless knew the village of -Leegarth excellently well, since he came down occasionally to see his -elderly relative. For the moment Haskins was tempted to write and ask -questions, but on second thoughts he made up his mind to explore for -himself. He was even glad that Tod had departed, for now the secret -was entirely his own, and he wished to share it with no one. He -therefore abstained from talking to Geary on the subject, for he had -learned all that was possible from that source. And what he had -learned was so decidedly unpleasant that he did not wish to hear more. -As it afterward turned out his reticence was wise.</p> - -<p>The next day Haskins informed Geary of his intention to remain in -Denleigh for another week, and the negro expressed his delight at the -decision. Adonis was a cheerful soul, who had traveled widely, in the -humble capacity of a steward on board various liners. He therefore -approached more intellectual society than he could obtain in lethargic -Denleigh. Haskins, with an eye to copy, after the fashion of the -literary man, found Geary's experiences both entertaining and useful. -As for the landlady, she was a nonentity, who worked like a horse, -and was as dumb as one. She seemed to be somewhat afraid of her -ever-smiling husband, and Gerald thought that there might be some -cause for such dread. With all his suave manners, Geary's one eye -hinted at sinister doings. But, as yet, Haskins, knowing him only on -the surface, had no fault to find with his personality.</p> - -<p>There was some difficulty in finding a precisely suitable canoe -in Exeter, but having made up his mind--a singularly obstinate -one--Gerald never rested until he had attained his object. In a couple -of days he returned to the Devon Maid with a light birchwood affair, -which he had purchased from a returned Canadian emigrant. This the -young man temporarily bestowed in an outside shed, and informed his -landlord, casually, that he intended to explore the waters of the -Ruddle, as the stream was called. The name evidently came from the -streaky red banks between which it flowed. Geary advised his guest to -travel downstream toward Silbury, as the canoe would there be impeded -by fewer stones. Needless to say, as Leegarth was in precisely the -opposite direction, Haskins had no intention of taking this well-meant -advice. And, indeed, because of the very difficulty in navigating the -upper reaches of the Ruddle, he had purchased the canoe, for he could -carry so light a craft along the banks when stones and weeds blocked -up the waterway.</p> - -<p>When Gerald took his Indian coracle down to the river, next afternoon, -he saw how wise he had been in not buying a heavier boat. As the -little stream wound its devious way through the dense woods it grew -yet more narrow, and, on the whole, somewhat shallow. Here and there -deep pools were to be found, inshore, but as a rule the current flowed -lightly over a shingly bed, foaming round gigantic stones or bubbling -over the trunks of fallen trees. The distance to Leegarth, as the crow -flies, could not have been more than three miles; but the stream -twisted so oddly, and the difficulties of navigation were so great, -that Gerald sometimes doubted if he would reach his journey's end. -Several times he was forced to climb the steep banks and drag his -canoe through thickly growing saplings: but, on the whole, the tiny -shallop behaved with the dexterity of an eel in slipping through -dangerous places. Nevertheless his traveling was more like the -exploration of unknown lands than like a civilized river trip in -mapped-out England.</p> - -<p>Late in the day--about six o'clock--and when the western sky was -beginning to glow with the hues of a soapbubble, the adventurer found -himself in a less toilsome position. After the choked stream, where -the trees met overhead, it was a relief to float into an immense pool, -fenced in by precipitous red cliffs draped with vividly green -vegetation. Gerald emerged into this haven with a feeling of -thankfulness, and laid down his paddle, both to rest his weary muscles -and to examine his romantic surroundings. The pool was nearly -circular, and, as the narrow Ruddle flowed in at one end, and out at -the other, the whole resembled a bead on a string. On the placid -waters, brimming like those of a mill-dam, the canoe floated idly -until it touched the left bank. Haskins therefore saw, on the right -hand, a tall cliff of ruddy earth, overgrown with bushes, and -surmounted by a fringe of trees. Between these, he espied a ruinous -gray stone wall, clothed thickly with ivy. As there were two or three -small windows in this wall, Gerald guessed that it formed the side of -a dwelling-place--and guessed moreover that from one of those same -windows the sealed message had been thrown into the pool. It was, of, -course, merely a surmise that the Pixy's House was built on the top of -this inland cliff, but, bearing in mind the cylinder with its attached -bladder, Haskins felt certain that he was correct. The imprisoned -Mavis Durham could only have launched her message from the cliff top.</p> - -<p>Gerald had now practically arrived at his journey's end, as he had -discovered the palace of the Sleeping Beauty, shut in by Enchanted -Woods. He therefore paddled swiftly under the cliff itself, to see how -he could storm the castle. Tod would have called it a lunatic asylum, -in his coarse way, but Gerald the poet preferred the more romantic -appellation. Also, after hearing that wonderful voice, he made up his -rash mind that he would not believe in the alleged insanity of Mavis -Durham until he had seen her, and had spoken with her. If she were -really a homicidal maniac he could return with some regrets to the -workaday world; but if she was all that he hoped she would be,--well! -Gerald drew a long breath as he thought thus. If she were as beautiful -as her voice, as poetic as her message, he did not know what would -happen. Yet, as a young man, dizzy with the wine of life, he should -have known. But such things, for good or for evil, were yet on the -knees of the most high gods.</p> - -<p>At the upper end of the pool the adventurer found a stone landing -stage, with an iron ring, to which he fastened the canoe. He leaped -lightly on to the rugged platform, and climbed up a rude stair, to -find himself facing an arched opening hewn in the face of the cliff. -It was masked, more or less, by neglected bushes, and evidently had -not been made use of many years. Still, it undoubtedly led upward to -the battlements of the Enchanted Castle. So Haskins pushed his way -through the trees, and clambered up a ruinous and twisting stair, in -complete darkness. Here, indeed, was an adventure not often to be met -with in this unromantic age, and the young man's body thrilled as he -experienced hitherto unknown emotions. He was Sir Galahad searching -for the Grail; Columbus staring at a newly discovered world; a -Calender from the Arabian Nights stumbling upon the magical Beauty of -the World, a jinn's daughter, lovely and unapproachable.</p> - -<p>Up and up went the stair, twisting and turning like an eel, until -Haskins, losing count of time, thought that he was mounting to the -North Star. Finally the steps ceased to wind, and the explorer -clambered up a straight flight which terminated in a small opening, -out of which he emerged on to the top of the cliff, and immediately -below the ivy-draped wall. The house stood about twenty yards from the -verge of the cliff, and the space between was filled with long grass, -with stunted bushes, and with tolerably tall trees, all in full summer -foliage. On looking up Gerald saw pointed roofs of weatherworn red -tiles, twisted stacks of chimneys, and gray stone turrets, the whole -so overgrown with greenery that it looked as though the mansion were a -portion of the earth itself. There was no door in the wall visible. If -there had been one (as was probable to reach the landing stage) it had -been blocked up, or was hidden by the darkly green ivy.</p> - -<p>"Faint heart never won fair lady," thought Gerald unoriginally, and -began to swarm up the natural ladder afforded by the tough roots of -the creeper. Out of breath he gained the top of the wall, and, -flinging his leg over, sat astride to view this Jack-and-the-Beanstalk -Country. Then he beheld--Charity Bird!</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_04" href="#div1Ref_04">CHAPTER IV.</a></h4> -<h5>THE FAIRY PRINCESS.</h5> -<br> - -<p>Seated on the wall, like Humpty-Dumpty, Gerald gasped, for two -excellent reasons. Firstly, he was a trifle breathed with the arduous -climb, and, secondly, the sight of the girl whom he believed to be -Miss Bird amazed him out of all common-sense. She stood under the -wall, arrayed in a plain white dress, without frills or trimmings or -ornaments, and looked more like a Vestal of Rome than a young lady of -the twentieth century. And to add to Haskins' astonishment she did not -appear to be the least startled, or even surprised.</p> - -<p>"So you have come at last?" she said softly, and the voice had in it -the same melody that Gerald had noted when the phonograph delivered -its fantastical message.</p> - -<p>"Charity! Miss Bird!" He could hardly get his tongue to move.</p> - -<p>The girl looked puzzled. "My name is Mavis Durham," she said simply.</p> - -<p>Haskins knew that he was awake, for he had grazed his knee while -climbing and the pain assured him of material existence. Otherwise, he -would certainly have believed that the whole thing was a delicious -dream. But on looking downward more intently he saw that, although the -image of Charity in physical appearance, this girl who declared -herself to be Mavis Durham had a more spiritual look on her face. Her -eyes were turquoise-blue like the dancer's: she possessed the same -wonderful hair, the color of ripe corn, about which Miss Bird's -admirers raved, and her features were cast in the same classic mold; -but she had a mystical, etherial, evanescent look about her, which -hinted at more spirituality than was apparent in Charity's -pronouncedly material charms. It might have been the dying light of -the evening, or the exalted state of mind consequent on emotion, that -raised Gerald to a high plane, but the girl looked as though she would -vanish like a wreath of mist under the influence of the newly risen -sun.</p> - -<p>The resemblance between Mavis and Charity was certainly marvelous, and -Haskins could not account for the similarity; but after a long and -searching look he became certain that the girls were two different -flesh and blood human beings, and not one, as he had momentarily -supposed. On acquiring this assurance in his innermost being the young -man drew a breath of relief, since Charity was more or less engaged to -Tod, and he did not wish to poach on Tod's preserves. The question of -the resemblance he determined swiftly to leave to a later date for -answer, and meanwhile surrendered himself entirely to the incredible -romance of the adventure. Surely no more poetic happening had taken -place since King Cophetua had gone a-wooing his Beggar Maid.</p> - -<p>But by the time his reflections had reached this point the Princess of -Fairyland--for that she certainly was--betrayed excitement and -uneasiness, waving her hands to intimate that he should hide behind -the ruddy leaves of a copper beech, which over topped the wall and -leaned against it. "Bellaria will catch you," called up Mavis softly, -"and then I'll never see you again. Get behind the beech. I'll return -soon."</p> - -<p>She sped lightly away, while Haskins, still trying to assure himself -that he was not dreaming, shuffled along the wall until he gained the -covert of the spreading branches. Here he was safe from any espial, -and while Mavis was absent he gently parted the leaves to view her -enchanted palace, whither she had called him. A phonograph and -Fairyland! it was an odd mixture of poetry and science. A page with a -silken-bound parchment; a dragon-chariot to waft a mortal prince to a -spellbound queen; these were natural in the circumstances. But to be -summoned by a phonograph! Why, it linked the age of motor cars with -that of King Arthur.</p> - -<p>Haskins saw below him a moderately sized quadrangle, smoothly turfed -in the center and bordered with beds of flowers stretching to -moldering walls. To the right, and straight in front--somewhat after -the shape of the letter "L"--were two ranges of a gray stone mansion -clothed--as was the wall--with thickly growing ivy. There were two -stories, and the architecture was Tudor, picturesque, and graceful. -Along the lower story of the front wing were elaborate oriel windows, -filled in with lattice-work and, as Gerald shrewdly suspected, with -stained glass. An archway pierced this wing, and apparently led to -another part of the grounds. The range of buildings on the right was -less elaborate, as the windows above and below were square and modern -in their looks. To the left were ruinous stables, and outhouses more -or less tumbledown, and, of course, the fourth side of the quadrangle -was closed in by the wall upon which the young man was seated. What -with the gray wall, the beautifully shaped oriels, the peaked roofs of -mellow red tiles, and the mantle of greenery which overspread all, the -place looked like a picture from the Christmas Number of <i>The -Graphic</i>.</p> - -<p>Yet if the house was neglected, the garden and lawn certainly were -not. The turf was as smooth as a billiard-table, and the beds of -flowers were carefully tended, as he could see from the absence of -weeds and the efflorescence of blossoms. These were chiefly those of -humble cottage flowers. Tall hollyhocks, golden snapdragon, -sweet-william, pansies, marigolds, ragged robin, and musk carnations: -all these grew in artistic profusion and confusion, making the -quadrangle a world of beauty and color and perfume. In the center of -the lawn rose an antique sundial, supported by three battered female -figures, and over all this dreamy, old-world haven of rest arched the -shadowy sky, blending night and day in vapory blue and rosy flushings. -Haskins felt that a new planet had "swam into his ken"--all that he -had dreamed of, as too fair for earth, was here transmuted from the -ideal into the real. "I must certainly be in Dreamland," thought the -young man, "or in Paradise, or in Prospero's Enchanted Island, or in -the Vale of Avilion, where it doth neither rain nor snow."</p> - -<p>But his poetic musings were cut short by a rustle among the coppery -leaves of the beech. He looked down from his wall and saw a vision of -loveliness rising from the foliage like Undine from the well. "I went -to see what Bellaria was doing," explained Mavis breathlessly, and -perched on a sloping bough, so near to the wall that the young man -could have embraced her without difficulty. He felt very much inclined -to do so, for he was rapidly falling fathoms deep in love. But a -feeling of respect for the unprotected girl restrained him, and he -listened spellbound to the music of her voice. "Bellaria was cooking -the supper, you know," went on the girl prosaically, "so there is no -chance of her coming to call me for half-an-hour."</p> - -<p>"And what then?" asked Gerald soberly.</p> - -<p>"You must go away. Bellaria would be very angry if she knew that my -fairy prince had come."</p> - -<p>"Am I the fairy prince?" asked Haskins softly.</p> - -<p>Mavis raised her brows with a trill of heavenly laughter. "Of course -you are, since you came over the wall. I have been watching here for -months to see you arrive. You would not have come had you not got my -message."</p> - -<p>"No," acknowledged Haskins sensibly; "that is very certain. No one -would look for a fairy princess in this tangle of woods. But," he -hesitated and smiled, "you are not sleeping."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am! Not with my eyes closed, of course; but I am sleeping -through life. All my days I have lived in this dull old place, and my -guardian will not let me go out and see the world."</p> - -<p>"Who is your guardian?" asked Gerald, and received a shock.</p> - -<p>"Major Rebb!"</p> - -<p>"Good Lord! Major Rebb! Huh!" So this was the elderly relative whom -the man had come to see. Haskins congratulated himself that he had not -questioned the Major. Had he done so there would have been a speedy -end to romance. The word "elderly" had apparently been used by Rebb -to conceal the existence of this lovely girl from too inquiring youth. -No young man would search for anything elderly. Haskins felt like -Saul--as though he had gone to seek his father's asses and had found a -kingdom.</p> - -<p>"Do you know my guardian?" asked Mavis, quickly noting his surprise.</p> - -<p>"Well, yes! I have met him in London."</p> - -<p>"Oh, London! London!" The girl clapped her hands in a childish way. -"How I wish to see London. My guardian says that he will take me there -some day, and then--oh, and then, and then, and then----"</p> - -<p>"What then?"</p> - -<p>"I shall live. Just fancy," she continued, swinging on the bough. "I -am twenty years of age, and I have lived shut up here with Bellaria -ever since I can remember. My guardian comes and sees me sometimes, -and give me all kinds of presents. He is always very kind, but he will -not let me leave the Pixy's House. I'm not shut up, of course," she -added, contradicting herself, "the grounds are very large. There's a -big garden of fruit and flowers beyond that archway, and a park of -trees with undergrowth just like a fairy wood. I have heaps and heaps -to do, looking after my flowers, and embroidering, and cooking, and -playing games, and listening to Bellaria's stories. I am quite -happy--and now," she leaned forward until her face nearly touched that -of Gerald, "I am happier than ever, because you are here."</p> - -<p>"Are you?" inquired Haskins, stupidly and thickly. He did not dare to -move, or to follow his impulse, lest he should alarm her. She was as -trusting as a tame bird, but a chance word or a too eloquent look -might teach her that fear existed.</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course I am. How silly you are. In Bellaria's stories the -prince always comes to the princess, in the end. Mine would not come, -so I sent that message. And now----" She stretched a hand to caress -his face: "Oh my prince! my prince!"</p> - -<p>"I may not be your prince after all," said Gerald weakly. He certainly -felt unworthy of being so.</p> - -<p>"But you are--you are!" cried Mavis, with conviction, "you would not -have found my message otherwise. I flung it from one of the windows -into the pool below. And you picked it up, so I know that you are my -prince. And then," she added, naively, "you are so very handsome."</p> - -<p>Haskins was pretty well hardened to admiration, since he knew more -about women than was good for him. All the same the outspoken speech -made him blush. "Who is Bellaria?" he asked abruptly, changing a too -embarrassing subject.</p> - -<p>"My nurse, who has looked after me all my life. I call her the Ogress, -and my guardian the Ogre. Not but what they are both very kind. I have -all I want, save liberty."</p> - -<p>"And why cannot you get that?"</p> - -<p>"It is not the custom of the country."</p> - -<p>Haskins looked puzzled. "What do you mean, Mavis?"</p> - -<p>She raised her clear truthful eyes. "Why, you know, don't you? Major -Rebb told me that all girls were brought up in seclusion until they -reached the age of twenty-one, and then they were taken out to see the -world. I wish ten months were past," sighed imprisoned beauty, "for -then I shall be one and twenty, and able to leave the Pixy's House. -Bellaria says that I won't like the world; but I shall, I shall, I -shall."</p> - -<p>It was both cunning and clever of Major Rebb to suggest such a reason -for her seclusion to the girl herself, as it prevented her feeling -that she was being detained against her will. But she was apparently -unaware that he ascribed a more terrible reason to the world beyond -the gates, and that she was looked upon as a homicidal maniac. Of -course this was wholly and entirely absurd. No one with such steady -eyes, and who spoke so artlessly, could be tainted in that way. She -was limited from sheer ignorance, and innocent beyond belief of evil: -a child of nature, as unsophisticated as Undine herself. Gerald -doubted if she would know the meaning of the word "murder!"</p> - -<p>"What is Bellaria's other name?" he asked, after a pause.</p> - -<p>"Dondi--Bellaria Dondi, who came from Florence, in Italy," said Miss -Durham easily. "She is ugly, and old, and very cross; but I love her -all the same, for she loves me and means well. And, oh! she tells such -lovely, lovely stories, and can repeat poetry by Dante and Ariosto and -Leopardi, for ever so long. I can repeat poetry also," she added -hastily, with the complacency of a child. "I know lots of Homer, and -of Shakespeare, and of Keats, and----"</p> - -<p>"Stop! stop!" interrupted Gerald hastily. "How can you when--according -to your message--you are unable to read?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! Schaibar taught me."</p> - -<p>"Schaibar?"</p> - -<p>Mavis nodded with bright eyes. "You know--the Peri Banou's brother in -'The Arabian Nights.' His real name is Arnold--Mr. Arnold: but I call -him Schaibar because he is a dwarf, with a long beard and a short -temper. He used to recite poetry, and I learned to recite also. But -Schaibar has gone away," she said, with a falling cadence. "Months ago -he went to Australia, and promised to write, but he did not."</p> - -<p>"You could not read what he wrote, Mavis?"</p> - -<p>"I could hear it! Schaibar should send me a record, in the same way as -I sent you my message. But he has not done so, and yet he was so fond -of me. I cannot understand it!" And Mavis sighed.</p> - -<p>"From your mention of Australia, it seems that you know geography -also."</p> - -<p>"Oh yes, of course I do! Schaibar drew the maps, and told me where -cities, and mountains, and lakes, and rivers were. I carry it all in -my head."</p> - -<p>"And you cannot read or write?" asked Gerald, with a passing -recollection of "The Golden Butterfly" heroine.</p> - -<p>"No; the Ogre said that my brain was not strong enough to learn!"</p> - -<p>"The Ogre!" said Haskins, forgetting.</p> - -<p>"My guardian--Major Rebb. He says that lots and lots of girls never -learn to read or write."</p> - -<p>"Liar!" thought Haskins: but he suppressed the opprobrious name, and -merely remarked anxiously: "But you don't feel your brain weak?"</p> - -<p>"Oh no! oh no! I could learn anything, I think. I have never had a -day's illness in my life."</p> - -<p>"Do you ever feel dizzy?"</p> - -<p>"No! Why should I?"</p> - -<p>"Do you ever get into a rage and want to strike Bellaria?"</p> - -<p>Mavis laughed wonderingly. "I should be foolish to do that! Poor -Bellaria doesn't mean to be cross, and, if she cannot keep her temper, -I must. I wouldn't strike her or anyone, even if I were in a rage. Do -you strike people when you are angry?"</p> - -<p>Gerald coughed. He had a vivid recollection of schoolfights, and of -horsewhipping a scandal-monger, much later in life. "It is necessary -sometimes, Mavis," he remarked: "the world is not inhabited entirely -by agreeable people."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I know that!" she said quickly, "the old gardener, Matthew, who -came to help me from Leegarth, is very disagreeable, and he seems to -be a little afraid of me. I don't know why, and I am very sorry. I -want everyone to love me."</p> - -<p>"Doesn't Major Rebb?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! in a way. But he is cold. He never kisses me. If you like a -person don't you kiss her?"</p> - -<p>"If she's a very nice person I do," said Haskins, bubbling over with -laughter, "now you----" His eyes completed the sentence.</p> - -<p>"You love me?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Mavis!" he answered unhesitatingly. Gerald scorned a lie.</p> - -<p>"Then of course----" She bent forward, and, in spite of Gerald's -virtuous resolutions, their lips would have met, but that a deep -contralto voice boomed from the quadrangle calling on Mavis angrily.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" the girl flung back her head, "there is Bellaria calling me to -supper. I must go or she may find you. But come again, and I'll kiss -you--you---- Oh! what is your name?"</p> - -<p>"Gerald!" he replied softly.</p> - -<p>"Prince Gerald!" she said, smiling, and slipped down the tree rapidly, -as Bellaria called again. Haskins, parting the leaves, saw her cross -the lawn, and enter the house in the company of a tall, lean woman. -But it was too dark to see Bellaria's looks at that distance.</p> - -<p>The adventurer slipped from the wall, and descended to "Mother Carey's -Peace Pool," as he named the place. Paddling to the opposite side, he -found a sloping bank and dragged his canoe into the undergrowth. Then, -in the rosy twilight, he scrambled through the bushes to find some -path or road leading to Denleigh.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_05" href="#div1Ref_05">CHAPTER V.</a></h4> -<h5>GOLDEN HOURS.</h5> -<br> - -<p>How Haskins reached the Devon Maid that evening he could not tell, for -his memory was occupied in recalling every word of that delightful -conversation. But in some way he managed to strike a narrow path -which led on to the high moors, and thence gained the highway, -descending into Denleigh valley. It was rather late when he entered -his sitting-room, and the rosy hues of the sunset had given place to -the shadowy stillness of a summer night. Supper was waiting for him, -and almost immediately the negro appeared with a hot dish.</p> - -<p>"I thought you were lost, sah," said Geary, looking closely at -Gerald's flannels, which were somewhat torn by brambles, and smeared -with mud.</p> - -<p>"Oh no," answered the young man, ready with an explanation, since he -wished to satisfy the negro's curiosity without enlightening him. "I -have been down the river and up the river in my canoe. But I got mixed -up with stones and cross-currents, and blundered in the darkness. I -therefore hid my canoe in the bushes, and came back."</p> - -<p>"And you like the river, sah?" asked Geary, lingering.</p> - -<p>Haskins supped his soup and nodded. "A most charming river," he said -in a careless voice, "very quiet, very lonely. I shall explore it -again to-morrow afternoon."</p> - -<p>The negro withdrew quietly, and Haskins reflected on the persistent -way in which the man questioned him. More than ever did he mistrust -Adonis, and now with stronger reason, for he felt certain that the -negro was connected in some way with Major Rebb, who in his turn was -assuredly connected with the Pixy's House and its inmates. If Geary -discovered that Gerald had met with the Enchanted Princess, he might -officiously inform Rebb, when there would be trouble. Without doubt -the Major was behaving illegally in shutting up a perfectly sane -girl, and therefore would not create a public scandal. Nevertheless, -if he knew that Haskins had penetrated his secret, he might remove -Mavis to another hiding-place. Gerald could not risk that, until he -knew more, and again had met the girl. He looked upon himself as the -knight-errant of distressed beauty, and it behooved him to be wary in -his dealings with a very difficult and somewhat dangerous matter.</p> - -<p>After supper Haskins lighted his pipe and seated himself by the open -window to think over matters. Mrs. Geary entered and removed the -remnants of the meal in her dumb way. After placing a cup of coffee on -a small table at her guest's elbow she withdrew, and he was left to -his reflections. These began with a consideration of Mavis' beauty of -person and charm of conversation. It can thus be guessed that Haskins -was in love--genuinely in love, and for the first time in his life.</p> - -<p>As Bulwer Lytton says: "There are many counterfeits, but only one -Eros!" This was Haskins' experience. He had loved in an earthly way -many times in his time, and several times had mistaken the false for -the true. A fastidious mind had saved him from the commercial passion -of the ordinary man, and he had usually approached women in the belief -that they were goddesses. This was hard on the sex, as the attitude -exacts too much perfection in a world of temptation. Consequently -Gerald had been deceived several times, and therefore had guarded -himself carefully against the tender passion. Then he met with Charity -Bird, and,--in common with many another man--fell in love with her -physical charms. But in spite of her beauty, which he grew to admire -as he would that of a picture, Haskins failed to find in her the wife -and helpmate his exacting nature demanded. Outwardly Charity was all -that he could desire, but inwardly she was less attractive, being -matter-of-fact when she was not silly. She might suit Tod, but she did -not match with Gerald, so he withdrew with little regret, and for some -months, he had been heart-whole and fancy-free.</p> - -<p>Now, in an unexpected and extraordinary way, the young man had met -with another Charity Bird, more perfect than the original. Mavis was -as beautiful in looks, and yet was higher in mind. From the strange -upbringing to which she had subjected she looked at life--what little -she knew of it--in a poetical way. Yet judging by her remarks on -cooking and embroidering and gardening, she had a fund of common -knowledge, directed by common-sense. It was too early as yet to -pronounce authoritatively on her capabilities and trend of thought: -but the spiritual power manifested in her personality appealed -strongly to the lover who had loved her counterfeit. Here indeed was -the true Eros; a deity, who could be worshiped without disappointment. -Gerald, with less reflection than he usually gave to his decisions, -determined to be a faithful attendant at the shrine of this divinity.</p> - -<p>Having thus settled his attitude towards the girl, with the -impetuosity of a young man and a true lover, Haskins began to think -over Miss Durham's position. In spite of the hideous rumor, reported -by Geary, he believed, from personal observation, that the girl was -quite sane. Rebb, who was her acknowledged guardian, had apparently -set such gossip afloat so that no one might comment upon the seclusion -of the girl. Guarded in this way by public fear, which had been -erected by a lying tale. Mavis might continue to dwell for the rest of -her life amidst the ruins of the Pixy's House, closely watched by the -Florentine and spied upon, in a less degree--as Gerald shrewdly -suspected--by Geary, who was probably a creature of Major Rebb's.</p> - -<p>Now, the question was this: Why did Rebb shut up so pretty and -unsophisticated a creature in conventual solitude? She had committed -no crime, and, from what little Haskins had seen of her, she had no -instinct which would make her commit one. There must be some other -reason and a strong one for the odd behavior of Rebb. This reason -Haskins determined to learn, howsoever much Geary and his employer -might desire to conceal it.</p> - -<p>Also there were other questions to which the young man desired -answers. Why was Mavis so similar to Charity in looks? Why had she not -been taught to read and write? Why was Geary--as Haskins verily -believed,--posted at the Devon Maid to keep his one sinister eye on -her? Gerald could not have sworn in a court of law that the negro was -connected in any way with the Pixy's House secret; but he had an -intuitive feeling, from the man's behavior towards Major Rebb, and by -his eager statement of a false rumor, that in some manner the landlord -had to do with the matter. Haskins, therefore, placed himself on his -guard and by a careless demeanor, and apparent frankness he succeeded -in lulling Geary's suspicions as to his true reasons for postponing -his journey to St. Ives. It was Geary who could answer, at least, some -of the questions which vexed Gerald's soul, and he lingered to hear -them. Unfortunately he did not know how to inquire without betraying -his secret visit to the Pixy's House.</p> - -<p>Two or three days went by, and Haskins regularly took his way to the -river, to seek the fairy palace. After that first attempt to navigate -so stubborn a stream as the Ruddle he used the canoe very little. It -was easier and more expeditious to take the highway to the moors and -then strike into the secret path which led to Mother Carey's Peace -Pool. This Haskins did, and then would paddle across to the landing -place, whence he could gain the summit of the cliff. Here he would -climb the wall to hide behind the beech-tree, and hither Mavis would -come to chatter to her "Fairy Prince," as she still continued to call -him. But owing to the presence of Bellaria the young man did not dare -to descend into the grounds. Any moment might have brought about -discovery had he risked so much, for, according to Mavis, the -Florentine was a keen and restless dragon.</p> - -<p>"She's afraid of something," said Mavis, one day, when Gerald -questioned her about the woman. "I don't know what it is; but she is -afraid."</p> - -<p>"Why do you think that?"</p> - -<p>"Because she is always looking over her shoulder with a scared -expression, and she never sleeps in the same bedroom."</p> - -<p>"Has she more than one then, Mavis?"</p> - -<p>"Oh yes. There are many many bedrooms in the house, and Bellaria goes -to a different one nightly. She's afraid of the darkness, too, and -remains always in the house after sundown. When she goes shopping in -Leegarth she returns quite pale and nervous. I am quite sure that she -is afraid of something, but she always gets angry with me, when I ask -what is the matter."</p> - -<p>"Curious," murmured Haskins, "here is another mystery!" then he asked -aloud: "How often does your guardian come to you?"</p> - -<p>"Not very often. Sometimes he is away for months and then will come -twice in a week. He really is very kind, for he always brings me -presents. I call him Santa Claus when he does that. But, oh! there is -Bellaria. Stay here, Gerald; I'll see what she wants."</p> - -<p>As it was early in the afternoon Haskins had an excellent view of the -Florentine, who stalked across the lawn almost to the foot of the -beech, drawn thither by her nursling's answering cry. "You are always -sitting on the high branches of that tree," said the Italian crossly, -and in most excellent English. "Why do you do that?"</p> - -<p>"I can see the river and the pool," said Mavis quickly. "Oh! Bellaria, -I wish I was a nymph, that I could plunge into the cool water."</p> - -<p>"You can do that without being a nymph, <i>cara mia</i>. But not in the -pool below--not outside the grounds. Your guardian would be angry. No -English young lady leaves her home until she is twenty-one."</p> - -<p>Haskins smiled when he heard this frightful falsehood. Bellaria had -been well trained by her master, and such was the simplicity of Mavis -that she accepted the limitation of her liberty in all good faith. -"But I shall be so glad when I am twenty-one," she complained with a -sigh.</p> - -<p>"Si! si! si!" Bellaria placed her hands on her hips and nodded three -times emphatically. "But you will not like the world. No, ah, Dio mio! -the world is a dangerous and evil place." And she looked in a scared -manner over her shoulder, shivering in the warm air.</p> - -<p>The Florentine had been a handsome woman, tall and dark, and of a -commanding appearance. She was still remarkably straight at the age of -fifty-six, and carried herself with a defiant air when forgetful of -the danger that threatened her, whatsoever that might be. Then she -would cringe and wince, as Gerald had just seen her do. Her eyes were -large and black, but the pupils were dilated, and she looked like a -terrified rabbit. Apparently the woman had cause to fear some enemy or -some punishment, for not only were her eyes scared-looking, but her -plentiful hair was absolutely snow-white. This might have been age, -but fifty-six is not a very great age, and the hair might easily have -been an iron-grey. There was certainly some shadow on her life which -threatened disaster, and only when she forgot the danger, in -conversation with Mavis, did Bellaria appear defiant and stately and -tolerably young. But the very slightest reminder of that past--and the -past apparently contained the danger referred to--and her form -dwindled, her body bent, her eyes grew timid, and she aged to seventy, -as though by enchantment. All this might have been fancy on Haskins' -part, for he was extremely imaginative, but he believed that he had -read the woman rightly. Whatever might be the reason, Bellaria Dondi -had been frightened into this lonely house; there to hide from some -appalling danger.</p> - -<p>It appeared that the fit of terror tormented her now, and that she had -sought Mavis' company from sheer dread of solitude. Quite ignorant of -the man up the tree--or rather the lover who was seated on the -wall--Bellaria sat near the trunk, talking to Mavis. Both the lovers -were afraid lest their secret should be discovered, but Bellaria kept -up so loud a conversation--and it seemed as though she spoke loudly to -reassure herself--that the occasional movements of Haskins passed -unheeded. Mavis proved herself to be a capable actress, despite her -simplicity, for nothing could have been more artless than her -demeanor. "Geary is coming to see me to-night," said Bellaria, after a -pause, and the observation startled the listener. "He sent a message -by Matthew"--this was the aged, cross gardener, of whom Mavis had -spoken.</p> - -<p>"Why is he coming?" questioned Mavis.</p> - -<p>"Major Rebb told him to come and see that the young man who is -stopping at the Devon Maid has not been lurking about here."</p> - -<p>"What young man?" asked Mavis coolly.</p> - -<p>"I have told you. A friend of the Major's, who is stopping at Geary's -inn. He has taken to rowing on the river, and might find this place."</p> - -<p>"I wish he would," said the girl, truthfully. "I should like to see a -really young man."</p> - -<p>"You will some day," Bellaria assured her, "and then you will be -sorry, <i>cara mia</i>. Young men are all liars and villains. Geary wrote -to Major Rebb in London telling about this Mr. Haskins--that is the -name, I believe--so the Major says that Geary has to come over -to-night to look round the place and ask me questions. So absurd," -Bellaria shrugged her thin shoulders! "As if anyone could come here -unless I knew."</p> - -<p>"Why shouldn't this Mr. Haskins come, Bellaria?"</p> - -<p>"Because you may fall in love, and if you do you may want to marry -this man. Major Rebb does not wish you to marry until you have seen -the world, my dear."</p> - -<p>"But I have to wait for another ten months," pouted Mavis.</p> - -<p>"What is that? I--yes I, who speak, Bellaria Dondi--shall never never -see the world again. Here I am shut up for ever and ever."</p> - -<p>"Why, Nanny? I have often asked, but you never will tell?"</p> - -<p>"I tell no one the reason why I stop here," said the woman sombrely. -"I am dead to the world and to its people. For twenty years I have -been dead, and it is as well that I should be thought to be dead. If -they knew--if they guessed--ugh!" She looked round and shivered.</p> - -<p>"If who knew?"</p> - -<p>"No matter! no matter." Bellaria leaped to her feet. "All is done with -and over. I was famous once, <i>cara mia</i>. Yes--behold in me a great -singer. But you know, you know. Often have I talked to you of my -greatness. And it was blotted out in a night by---- Hush! hush." She -cast a scared glance over her shoulder and darted into the middle of -the lawn.</p> - -<p>"Bellaria! Bellaria!" called out Mavis, "I'll climb the beech again." -But the woman did not reply. She burst out into the Shadow Song from -<i>Dinorah</i>, and Haskins realized at once what a magnificent voice she -must have had. Even now many of the notes were true, though -occasionally a high one was cracked and wheezy. Spreading her black -skirts, she bowed and becked and swept and danced to her shadow in the -strong sunlight, while her voice fluted high and birdlike through the -air. Thus singing and dancing, she re-entered the house, her dark hour -over for the time being. Haskins wondered what could be her secret. -Here, indeed, was a woman with a past.</p> - -<p>But by this time Mavis had climbed the tree again, and was hurriedly -persuading him to go. "Bellaria suspects nothing," she said eagerly, -"and after Geary comes to-night he won't come again. But you must be -careful."</p> - -<p>"How can I be more careful than I am?" asked Gerald taking her hand.</p> - -<p>"Come at night," she urged, "come to-morrow night when the moon is -high and the fairies come out to dance. I am often in the garden on -these summer nights, for Bellaria will not come out, and I hate to be -mewed up in stuffy rooms. She will not think that I am meeting anyone, -and then we can talk without fear of discovery. I shall lead you into -the other garden through the arch."</p> - -<p>"But if Bellaria sees me from a window?"</p> - -<p>"Her bedroom is on the other side of the house, looking down on to the -woods. She will not see us, and she will never suspect that anyone is -with me. She knows that I love the moonlight, and, besides, she will -not dare to come out because of her fear."</p> - -<p>"I wonder what that fear is," said Gerald meditatively.</p> - -<p>"I do not know. But go now, dear Prince, and come again to-morrow night -at ten o'clock. To-night you must not come lest Geary see you."</p> - -<p>"And if he did?"</p> - -<p>"Oh!" Mavis shivered. "I don't know what he would do. He is a terrible -black man, and has a horrid knife with a yellow handle--a big knife, -oh! so dangerous. He brought it from Jamaica: he told Bellaria so. He -would kill you, if he found you."</p> - -<p>"I quite believe that," said Gerald grimly, and resolved to arm -himself with a revolver when he next came to the Pixy's House. He was -resolved not to die without a fight. "But don't worry, darling. I'll -be all right. Goodbye. To-morrow night, then."</p> - -<p>He dropped from the wall and departed, while Mavis wailed that he had -not kissed her.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_06" href="#div1Ref_06">CHAPTER VI.</a></h4> -<h5>THE PAST OF ADONIS GEARY.</h5> -<br> - -<p>No; Gerald has not kissed her. He wished to very badly, but something -in his heart--a strong sense of honor maybe--prevented his doing so -until he had made his position clear to her. She was so simple, so -innocent, so virginal that she knew nothing of passion, or of life, or -of that world wherein women marry and are given in marriage. With an -almost absurd particularity the young man desired that, before being -kissed, she should learn that he was her true lover, that he wished to -marry her, that he greatly desired to enter into a lifelong -companionship with her. To act otherwise was to bind her unknowingly -to him. When she understood what love meant, and was ready to accept -him as her husband, then could he seal this acceptance with a kiss. -For he knew full well that such a kiss would awaken the woman in her; -would reveal life to her soul. A caress meant so much, that it was -little wonder he restrained himself from following too hurriedly the -desire of his heart.</p> - -<p>And perhaps it was that he found her innocence and friendly acceptance -of his presence too delightful to transmute with unconsidered haste -friendship into love. Why spoil this idyll of lilies by presenting her -with the red ripe roses of love? The romance was so charming, so -dreamlike, that the poetic instinct of the poet forbade him to rouse -her. Mavis was indeed the Sleeping Beauty, slumbering within her -enchanted palace, and he, the fated Prince--as it would seem he was -from his finding of the cylinder--would in time awaken her with a -kiss. But the hour had not yet struck. When it did, many things would -come to pass.</p> - -<p>In the first place, Mavis would no longer be contented to live in the -Pixy's House, ignorant of life. She would wish to come out into the -world, even before the age of twenty-one, and would not wait longer -for her guardian's permission. Such a desire would mean a meeting and -an explanation with Rebb, and Gerald, as yet, did not see how to bring -this about. He guessed that when he spoke to the Major he would be -told of the homicidal mania with which Mavis was said to be tainted. -It would be vain for him to decline to believe in such a taint. If -Rebb insisted that it was so he could refuse to allow Haskins to marry -his ward, particularly as she was under age. Then again, if Rebb -guessed that the young man wished to marry the girl, he might very -easily remove her secretly to a new hiding-place, and Gerald would -lose her for ever. Hasty action was not to be thought of, and it would -be best to wait until he could learn why Rebb secluded the girl in -that ruinous house.</p> - -<p>Haskins duly returned to the Devon Maid, and found Geary as cheerful -and obsequious as usual. But now that Gerald was enlightened as to the -connection of the negro with the Pixy's House he found it difficult to -tolerate these false smiles. Piercing the mask of Geary's good humor -he saw in him a dangerous man, gripping a yellow-handled knife which -he was ready to use, should it be necessary. Haskins no longer -wondered at the negro's presence amongst these lonely hills. He knew -that he had not drifted there, but had been made landlord of the inn -to act as a dragon. And a very dangerous dragon he might prove to be, -should he gain wind of Gerald's philanderings with Mavis.</p> - -<p>Geary, however, showed no signs that he suspected anything, but -waited as usual on his guest. While at dinner Gerald seized the -opportunity to tell his landlord that he contemplated stopping at -Silbury on the ensuing night. "I have to run up to London on the day -after to-morrow," said Haskins, with feigned carelessness, "and if I -sleep at Silbury I can catch the eight-o'clock train."</p> - -<p>"I could dribe you dere, sah, for dat train," said Geary, beaming, and -evidently pleased at Haskins' announcement.</p> - -<p>"No, my good fellow, that would mean my getting up at five in the -morning. I prefer to sleep at Silbury--at the Prince's Head Hotel."</p> - -<p>"Will you come back here, sah?"</p> - -<p>"Oh yes, in two or three days, but only for a time, Geary. I have to -go on to St. Ives, you know."</p> - -<p>"I shall be sorry to lose you, sah?"</p> - -<p>"Thank you. I shall be sorry to go. This inn is comfortable, and the -country all around is picturesque. I have left my canoe down on the -river, and when I return I shall send it back to Exeter. I am tired of -exploring that river--it is so lonely."</p> - -<p>"Berry lonely, sah," assented Geary promptly, and went towards the -door with the tray in his hands. There he stopped. "Will you want me -dis ebenin', sah. I go to see a frien' in de Lawd at Leegarth, who -wish to see me for de good ob his bressed soul."</p> - -<p>"No, I won't want you," rejoined Haskins, secretly disgusted at the -fellow for using the cloak of religion to mask his Pixy's House visit. -"I shall go to bed early."</p> - -<p>"T'ank you, sah," and Geary departed. Later, while Gerald at the -window sipped his coffee, he saw the big negro walking up the hill -which led on to the moors. For the moment it flashed across the young -man that Geary might go to Mother Carey's Peace Pool by taking the -down path, and there might discover the canoe. But on second thoughts -he dismissed his reflection. Geary, being quite ignorant of Haskins' -knowledge, had no reason to seek the pool, and so the canoe would be -left undisturbed in the undergrowth.</p> - -<p>Haskins had really intended to retire early, but, unable to rest -quietly, he strolled out of the inn and on to the bridge. No one -lingered there now, as the early birds of Denleigh had gone to roost. -He had the Rialto of the village all to himself, as he thought, until -he became aware that Mrs. Geary, with a blue shawl over her head, was -leaning against the parapet. Wondering if he could learn anything -about Adonis from his usually silent wife, Gerald moved alongside.</p> - -<p>"A penny for your thoughts, Mrs. Geary," he said cheerfully.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Geary turned, and in the moonlight he saw that she was crying. -"My thoughts have to do with funerals, sir," she said, in a heavy -voice, but with a much less use of the Devonshire dialect than he -would have expected from a Barnstaple woman.</p> - -<p>"With funerals?"</p> - -<p>"I was thinking," said Mrs. Geary, looking at the water flowing under -the bridge, "if it wouldn't be best for me to throw myself into yon -stream."</p> - -<p>"Why on earth should you do that?" asked Haskins blankly. And it was -then that he became conscious that she had been drinking, for she -swayed against the stonework. Perhaps it was the drink which made her -talk more than usual, added to the absence of her husband, but she -certainly spoke very freely, and told him much that he wished to know.</p> - -<p>"Why should I wish to do that, sir?" she repeated scornfully--"because -I am the most miserable woman on God's green earth."</p> - -<p>"Oh, surely not, Mrs. Geary. You have a good home, healthy children, -and a capital husband."</p> - -<p>Again she laughed scornfully. "A capital husband, when it suits him. -Oh, you don't know what Geary is, Mr. Haskins. His soul is as black as -his face, and that is saying a lot."</p> - -<p>"I wondered why you married a negro," commented Haskins, leaning over -the bridge, and leading her to confide in him.</p> - -<p>"I married him because I was a greedy fool, sir. I was a housemaid, or -at least a general servant, under Bellaria at the Pixy's House."</p> - -<p>Gerald caught his breath. "That is where the mad girl lives, according -to your husband."</p> - -<p>"Mad? She's less mad than I am, sir. A poor, pretty, sweet young lady, -who is kept a fast prisoner by Major Rebb."</p> - -<p>"Why is she kept prisoner?"</p> - -<p>"I can't tell you that, sir. All I know is that, sixteen long years -ago, I was a servant there, and Miss Mavis liked me. I got on well -with Bellaria too, although she had her fits of terror at times--why I -can't say, but she often seemed to be scared by her very shadow. Major -Rebb was away then with his regiment in Jamaica."</p> - -<p>"Oh! And Miss Mavis lived at the Pixy's House?"</p> - -<p>"She was and is kept a prisoner there," said Mrs. Geary, whose tongue -seemed to be very loose with the drink, else she would scarcely have -talked so boldly. "Major Rebb came home with Geary, who had been his -servant in Jamaica. Geary stopped at the Pixy's House, while his -master went to London. He fell in love with me, and quarreled with -Bellaria. They were like cat and dog, so when Major Rebb came down he -said that if I would marry Geary he would keep my old mother out of -the poorhouse. I didn't dislike Geary then, and I wanted my mother to -be comfortable for the rest of her life. I agreed, and married Geary. -Major Rebb settled us in the Devon Maid fifteen years ago, and since -then my life has been a hell, with that villain. Geary will kill me -some day," added the woman in a matter-of-fact tone, "unless I kill -myself first."</p> - -<p>"But a big woman like you can manage him."</p> - -<p>"Not when he threatens with that yellow-handled knife he holds, sir. I -fear that knife. Geary says that it was used in some African sacrifice -in Jamaica, and the sight of it makes me sick. Because of Geary's -treatment I took to drink, and he's always threatening to kill me, -unless I leave it off. How can I," cried Mrs. Geary, throwing open her -arms, "when it is the only thing that makes me able to stand the -brute?"</p> - -<p>"Does he strike you?"</p> - -<p>"He beats me and kicks me, and threatens me with the knife. Don't tell -him that I said so, sir," cried Mrs. Geary, with sudden terror, for -the drink was dying out of her, "if you do he'll kill me. I am afraid -of death," she added, looking into the silver water, "if I were not I -would end everything in yonder stream."</p> - -<p>"I won't say a word, Mrs. Geary," said Haskins soothingly, "your -husband will never hear anything from me. Why does he live here?"</p> - -<p>"To watch the Pixy's House," said Mrs. Geary, "to see that Miss Mavis -don't get away. If she did, and learned what she should learn, the -Major wouldn't be able to dash about in motor cars."</p> - -<p>"Is it money?" asked Gerald eagerly.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Geary drew her shawl tightly round her massive form. "I don't -know rightly what it is," she said, in her heavy voice. "Geary says -very little, but what he does say shows that Major Rebb will never let -Miss Mavis leave that house. And she's not mad, poor lamb. She's a -poor innocent angel, the sport of villains. I'll go now, Mr. Haskins, -and mind, I have your word to say nothing."</p> - -<p>"You have," said Gerald as she turned away, "but if you want to help -Miss Mavis----"</p> - -<p>"Only one man can help her," interrupted the woman gruffly, "and he -must be her lover, who will stand against these devils on her behalf. -But she never sees a man, since Mr. Arnold went away, unless old -Matthew counts, so what chance has she! There," she ended abruptly, "I -have told you more than I ought to. The drink! the drink! Geary would -kill me if he knew. Curse Geary and curse the drink!" and she returned -slowly to the inn, striking her forehead and repeating: "the drink, -the drink, the drink!"</p> - -<p>Haskins remained on the bridge for a few minutes and then retired to -bed, not to sleep but to think deeply. He had enough to occupy his -thoughts throughout that long summer night. Mrs. Geary, as the saying -goes, had given the show away. From the remark about the motor car -Gerald felt certain that Mrs. Geary had meant a loss of money. -Apparently, if Mavis escaped from the Pixy's House, Rebb would lose an -income, which rightfully belonged to the girl. But of this the young -man could not be sure, and until he had more information he could do -nothing. Still his suspicions had certainly proved to be correct. The -negro was Rebb's creature, and had been posted in Denleigh village to -guard the Pixy's House and its occupants. Haskins felt that he was on -the track of the mystery, but could not follow it up until he talked -it over with another person. Two heads were better than one, in this -instance, and Tod Macandrew was very shrewd. Therefore Haskins fell -asleep with a resolution to explain matters to the lawyer when he went -to London. Meanwhile he had to meet Mavis in the moonlight on the -ensuing night, and that thought alone was sufficient to fill his mind -to the exclusion of less romantic matters.</p> - -<p>Next morning Geary was as suave and obedient as usual. Evidently he -had neither found, nor had he heard, anything to awaken his suspicion -while visiting the Pixy's House. Haskins watched him closely, and -weighed every look, every inflection of the voice; but in every case -he was satisfied that the negro had not the slightest idea that his -guest had stormed the Enchanted Castle. When the time came for Haskins -to drive to Silbury the negro himself appeared on the box of the trap.</p> - -<p>"Hullo," said Gerald, climbing in, and seeing that his portmanteau was -all right, "this is an honor. Geary."</p> - -<p>"Oh no, sah," said the negro, showing his splendid teeth, "you ver' -good pusson, sah, to hab at de Devon Maid. I wish you to come here -again an'--an' tell odder jemplem ob dis place."</p> - -<p>"I'll tell everyone," said Gerald, when the trap started, "and I'll be -back soon."</p> - -<p>"To stay wid me, sah?"</p> - -<p>"For a few days. I must then get on to St. Ives, as a friend is -awaiting me there. What I miss about Denleigh, Geary," added the young -man, in a careless tone, "is, that there are no pretty girls."</p> - -<p>"No, sah, no. You hab to see Jamaica for de pretty gals, sah."</p> - -<p>"You come from Jamaica then?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sah. Me buckra nigger, sah, and servant to Major Rebb. Him was -in command ob a fine black rig'm't, sah."</p> - -<p>Geary was communicative indeed, and simply told what Gerald had -gathered from the wife. However, to shield her, he expressed suitable -surprise. "I wonder you don't go back to Jamaica, Geary. After the -Tropics this place must be chilly, and extremely dull in winter."</p> - -<p>"Yas, sah, it berry dull," replied the negro unsuspiciously, "but I -hab de inn and de wife and de family, so I getting on berry well. But -some day I go back to Port Royal to lib, wid money, and den I a grand -jemplem."</p> - -<p>In this way Adonis chattered all the long way to Silbury, and told -Haskins quite a lot about his life with Major Rebb. The negro appeared -to be quite devoted to his old master, alleging that Rebb had saved -his life when it was in danger. "From what?" asked Gerald idly.</p> - -<p>"Voodoo!" said Geary, scowling. "I lose one eye in Voodoo," and after -this remark he became silent.</p> - -<p>Haskins had heard of Voodoo, of the terrible African witchcraft, and -having an initiate in his company would have liked, from literary -curiosity, to learn more. But by this time the trap was entering -Silbury and descending the steep High Street, so Geary refused to say -anything more. The loss of his eye was evidently a sore subject with -him, and small wonder that he loved Rebb if the sight of the other eye -had been saved by that military gentleman. When Geary drove away, -leaving Haskins at the Prince's Head, that individual thought deeply.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_07" href="#div1Ref_07">CHAPTER VII.</a></h4> -<h5>LOVE.</h5> -<br> - -<p>Haskins, being genuinely Anglo-Saxon, had not the plotting instincts -of a conspirator, and was therefore somewhat rough and ready in -arranging for a secret meeting with Mavis. However, love sharped his -wits and he excused himself to the landlady of the Prince's Head for -being absent after midnight on the plea that he had to ride out and -see an old friend. In the ordinary course of things there was no -reason why he should explain at all; but to make matters entirely -safe, should Mr. Geary play the spy--which was just what the creature -would do--Haskins thus arranged for an explanation.</p> - -<p>After dinner he called in Mrs. Jennings and ordered a horse, obtaining -at the same time the key of a side door, so that he could admit -himself when he returned, somewhere about one o'clock in the morning. -Then he gave orders that he was to be called in time for the early -morning train, and afterwards snatched forty winks, in order to -prepare himself thoroughly for the fatigues of the night.</p> - -<p>Owing to the excessive heat of the weather Haskins usually wore loose -white flannels from morning until evening. But on this occasion, to -escape the possible watchfulness of Bellaria, he donned a dark-hued -riding-dress, with brown gaiters and a tweed cap. In this guise, and -when shielded by the semi-gloom of the summer night, he would -certainly avoid observation. And of course the chances were that the -woman, tormented by her fears, would not venture out of the house -after dark. Still, it was best to be on the safe side and dress as -inconspicuously as possible.</p> - -<p>The animal supplied by the stables of the Prince's Head was not -exactly a Derby Winner. He proved to be a wary quadruped, remarkably -old and extraordinarily slow, but having the great merit of knowing -every inch of the surrounding country, no mean qualification -considering the rider's comparative ignorance. However, Gerald had a -fair idea of the five miles' route to Leegarth, and in due time the -horse got over the ground, although it must be admitted that he did -not hurry himself. Haskins reached the village shortly after ten -o'clock, and skirted round the houses, so that he should not be -observed. An unknown stranger, arriving in so secluded a hamlet, would -assuredly awaken the suspicions of the wary Geary, and news travels -fast in country districts. So Gerald kept well out of the way, and -after a somewhat circuitous route came to the banks of Mother Carey's -Peace Pool. Here he fastened his horse to the trunk of an ancient oak, -with permission to crop the lush grass, and launched his faithful -canoe. Shortly he was perched for the fourth or fifth time on the top -of the wall.</p> - -<p>The night was perfect. A Romeo and Juliet night, warm and still, with -a cloudless sky, radiant with ivory moonlight. Gerald looked down on -the quaint peaceful quadrangle sleeping in the chill whiteness, at the -range of buildings with their fantastic architecture, and at the -darkly solemn trees which girdled this Enchanted Palace. Then he -became aware of a slight, white-clothed figure flitting across -the shaven lawns, like a ghost of dead-and-gone beauty. A musical -whisper stole through the warm stillness, and the adventurer, with a -fast-throbbing heart, flung himself on to the boughs of the copper -beech, to use it as a stair for descent. In a few minutes he found -himself standing in the shadow of the tree, clasping a cool slender -hand, and looking into two wonderful eyes which flashed like the stars -overhead.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you are not in white, Prince," said Mavis, disappointed.</p> - -<p>Gerald explained. "I thought it best to wear dark clothes, since -Bellaria might be on the watch."</p> - -<p>"There is no chance of that. She is fast asleep, and would not leave -her bed unless the house went on fire."</p> - -<p>"Then again," went on Gerald, pressing her hand, "I had to ride here -from Silbury. I could scarcely do that in flannels."</p> - -<p>"Well," Mavis dragged him into the radiant moonlight and surveyed him -critically, "it doesn't matter. I like you in this suit of clothes. -You look so tall and straight and slim, and----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, my dear," Gerald laughed, "you will make me vain."</p> - -<p>"But you are vain already," she said naively. "Bellaria says that all -young men are vain."</p> - -<p>"How can this particular young man be otherwise," questioned the -lover, "when the most charming girl in the world makes an appointment -with him in the realms of romance?"</p> - -<p>"Am I charming, Gerald; am I? Oh," Mavis clapped her hands, "how -delightful to be told that. Say it again."</p> - -<p>"You are charming, Mavis, and also rather reckless for laughing so -loud."</p> - -<p>"Pooh! Everything is safe, for the gates are locked and Bellaria is -asleep. In all these wide gardens only you and I are awake, unless," -added Mavis seriously, "you count the fairies."</p> - -<p>"And the nightingales, and the crickets," ended Gerald, smiling.</p> - -<p>Mavis smiled also, and they stood hand in hand like a couple of -schoolchildren out on a frolic. Then "Come," she cried, loosening her -grip, "you must catch me, catch me, my Prince;" and like an arrow from -the bow she shot across the turf towards the archway, followed rapidly -by her lover. Haskins was swift of foot, but Mavis ran like Atalanta, -and was flitting about the gardens on the other side of the archway -before he could range alongside.</p> - -<p>"You are the Fairy Queen," panted Gerald, when he reached her. "I saw -you spread large white wings."</p> - -<p>"Oh no," said Mavis seriously and prosaically, "I used my legs."</p> - -<p>"The Queen of Spain has no legs," quoted Haskins, laughing.</p> - -<p>"Oh, how dreadful--how very, very dreadful!"</p> - -<p>And he laughed again to see that she took him seriously.</p> - -<p>The gardens were very lovely, and much less orderly than the -quadrangle. Following Disraeli's dictum, they had been cultivated to -excess, and then Nature had been allowed to decivilize them. The -result was charming, and wonderfully artistic. There were beds of -brilliant flowers, wherein slim saplings grew at will; statues of god -and goddess wreathed in greenery; ponds of placid water rimmed with -stone, wherein white lilies slept on broad leaves, floating amidst -slender reeds. The façade of the house, with its Tudor battlements and -long ranges of latticed windows, rose picturesquely in the still, calm -light of the moon, which rendered all things ethereal and fairylike. -Before the mansion stretched a shallow terrace of gray stone, diapered -with lichens and emerald moss. A wide flight of steps descended from -this to meet a broad path, which melted imperceptibly into a jungle of -tall bushes and wiry grasses. And all around the trees sprang like -sentinels to guard this magic domain from the prose of the outside -world. Everything was bathed in a luminous white radiance--and in this -colorless world Mavis flitted here and there like a moth of snow.</p> - -<p>"It is too lovely for mere words," murmured Gerald, gazing at all this -beauty, with his poetical feelings uppermost.</p> - -<p>"Are you speaking of me?" asked Mavis joyfully.</p> - -<p>He laughed. "In spite of your seclusion, my dear, you are a true -woman, for you will not allow even the landscape to be complimented -when you are present."</p> - -<p>"Human beings are so much nicer than landscape," she pouted.</p> - -<p>"One is, at least. I wonder who she can be."</p> - -<p>"Me," said Mavis triumphantly.</p> - -<p>"How clever of you to guess that, my angel."</p> - -<p>Mavis flung up her arms with a silvery laugh. "I am a fairy to-night, -and no angel. They are stiff things with goose wings."</p> - -<p>"Rhyme and reason both together," said Gerald, sitting down on a mossy -stone fronting a smooth greensward. "Well, then, you are Titania, and -I the rash mortal who has intruded on your privacy."</p> - -<p>"Take care that I do not enchant you, poor mortal."</p> - -<p>"You have done that already. Hark!" he raised a finger, "the wind is -rising, your Majesty."</p> - -<p>"To play for my dancing."</p> - -<p>Then Gerald saw a wonderful thing. While the wind played with viewless -fingers on the lyre of the surrounding woods, Mavis danced to the -rhythm in exact unison with the gentle breaths which came and went. -She bent her golden head to listen critically to the murmurings, and -swung and swayed and floated to the melody of Nature. Her feet and -arms scarcely moved, her slender body was almost still, yet by subtle -movements she contrived to interpret the meaning of the hour. A low, -low note from the tree-tops would send her floating across the grass: -a pause would bring her to a statue stillness, and a dying sigh, as -the wind lost heart, stirred her limbs to gentle movements, like the -tremblings of a flower on its stalk. Poised gracefully in the radiant -light, in her white garb, and with her mystical gestures timed to the -Nature sounds, she looked like a spirit of the woods. Gerald faintly -grasped for one fleeting moment the idea of the sacred dances of old, -when every gesture and every pose was a sign of power to draw down the -hierarchy of heaven to the physical plane.</p> - -<p>Then the wind died away, and the golden notes of the nightingale -fluted through the trees. One bird trilled wild music, and another -replied with a scattering of liquid notes like falling rain. All the -marvelous enchantment of the night was in that speechless song, and -the young man's heart beat in measure with the pulse of Nature. He -rose abruptly to his feet, and when Mavis floated within the circle of -his arms they went round her passionately. Like a tamed bird she -rested on his heaving breast, and looked up smilingly into his brown -eyes. Mavis read therein all that the wind and the nightingale had -been trying to tell her, and when the man's lips were pressed ardently -to her own she felt as though she had stepped from the twilight of -unformed things into the glory of sunlight and song.</p> - -<p>"Oh," she panted, nestling to his heart, "what does this mean?"</p> - -<p>"Love!" he breathed, "love, which changes man into God," and again his -lips sought hers. With a thrill, she yielded to the first caress she -had ever known. And the nightingale sang triumphantly in the thicket. -But now the song was no longer wordless: she knew all that the bird -could tell. "Which is love, love, and love again," whispered the Fairy -Prince.</p> - -<p>Then Mavis began to weep, with a natural fear of the unknown, and -Gerald consoled her, as a mother consoles a child. She clung to him in -the shadow of the tree, silent and wondering, and with something of -pain--the pain of the reborn, when the fire of love purifies the soul. -A veil had fallen from her eyes, and, beholding the secret shrine of -the god, she trembled, and wept, and joyed, all in a breath. "It is -wonderful, wonderful, terrible," she murmured. "Oh, Gerald, if you -leave me I shall die. You are part of me: your soul is blended with -mine. You love me: oh, say that you love me?"</p> - -<p>"As I love Truth and Beauty and Wisdom, and all things that make up -our conception of God."</p> - -<p>There was silence for a few minutes, and the two human beings, who -were really one, felt that they were alone in this wonderful white -world--alone with God. "And this is love?" murmured Mavis dreamily.</p> - -<p>"Part of love," said Gerald softly.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Dearest, the veil of love is beauty."</p> - -<p>"Yes?"</p> - -<p>"We must remove that veil: we must look behind it, to see what love -really means in the innermost."</p> - -<p>"Can we?"</p> - -<p>"We are about to," he drew her closer to his breast, "the inner -meaning of love is sacrifice."</p> - -<p>"Sacrifice," said Mavis, puzzled.</p> - -<p>"And that sacrifice we must make, if we would know the real and true -meaning of love."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean that we must part?" she gasped, withdrawing herself.</p> - -<p>"For a time," he assured her, "only for a time--say a week."</p> - -<p>"Oh," Mavis stretched out her arms langorously, "how can I live -through seven days without you?"</p> - -<p>"By knowing that sacrifice is the soul of love."</p> - -<p>"But why must you go?" she entreated. "Oh, do not go, darling. Let us -be always together in this garden."</p> - -<p>"I fear Bellaria will object," said Haskins, smiling.</p> - -<p>"She will never know?"</p> - -<p>"Oh yes. We cannot always meet by stealth. Bellaria is a woman, and -will sooner or later discover our secret. Then there is Geary, and -your guardian."</p> - -<p>Mavis shivered. "I am afraid of Geary, with his big knife, but not of -Bellaria or my guardian. She will be a little angry, but when I tell -her how happy I am she will be glad. And my guardian is always kind. -Oh, Gerald, tell him that you love me, and wish me to be your wife. -Then he will stop Geary from coming here, and we can be happy."</p> - -<p>Haskins hugged her to his breast and smiled grimly in the darkness. He -was very certain that, if he told Major Rebb, there would be no end of -trouble. In order to arrive at some conclusion it was necessary to -make inquiries as to why Rebb kept the girl in the Pixy's House. When -that was known, steps might be taken to release her, and when she was -released she could be presented to the world as Mrs. Gerald Haskins. -But to make inquiries it was necessary that he should go to London and -consult Tod, who was sharp enough in professional matters, and a visit -to London meant a seven days' separation from Mavis. "I don't think -that the Major will be overpleased at my wooing you by stealth," said -Gerald, choosing his words, so as not to alarm her. "You see, I should -have come openly and with his permission."</p> - -<p>"He would not have given it until I was twenty-one," cried Mavis, "he -said that I was to see no one for the next ten months."</p> - -<p>"Precisely! And that is why I have made love to you secretly," -explained Haskins cheerily. "Now, darling heart, I wish you to be -brave and to help me."</p> - -<p>"Only tell me what you wish me to do, and I'll do it," said Mavis, -with a little shudder. "Only I don't like pain!"</p> - -<p>"To love truly we must suffer pain, my sweetheart. Pain and sacrifice -are the demands of love. Had we an eternity of pleasure, without any -disagreeables, even you and I should grow weary."</p> - -<p>"Oh no, no!" She clung to him.</p> - -<p>"Ah, my sweet," he said sadly, "we are but flesh and blood, and so may -grow weary of too perfect bliss. The flower that is always in the sun -wilts and dies. And, after all, the delights of life lie in contrast."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that, Gerald?"</p> - -<p>Haskins saw that he was speaking too highly for her comprehension, so -talked on a lower plane, for the night was passing, and he had to ride -back to Silbury. "My dear," he said slowly, "I should like to stay -here for ever with you, and then we would be as gods. But if we wish -to know the true meaning of love, as I explained, we must sacrifice -ourselves to the necessities of life. We must part for seven days. I -have to go to London, Mavis, and search out matters."</p> - -<p>"What matters?"</p> - -<p>But Haskins wisely declined to explain in detail, lest he should alarm -her, for she must never know the true character of Major Rebb. Gerald -did not know it himself at the moment, but he suspected that when the -past of Rebb was searched into there would be some things found which -would not bear the light of day. "I have to go on private business," -he said evasively. "When I return you shall know what is necessary. In -the meantime, my own brave girl, you must hold fast our secret, and -not allow Bellaria to guess that we have even met, much less that we -are engaged."</p> - -<p>Mavis stood up slim and strong with a brave light in her wonderful -eyes. "I promise!" she said simply, "I promise!"</p> - -<p>"Sweetheart!" He rose also and kissed her, and then they walked slowly -up the path, through the archway, and stopped again under the beech. -"I shall return in seven days," said Gerald, anxious to go, yet loth -to depart, "only be silent. Live as you have hitherto lived, and----"</p> - -<p>"I can never do that, my dearest," she said, flushing, "the world is -all changed. You are my world! you are my---- Oh!" she broke down.</p> - -<p>Haskins folded her in his arms, and their lips met in one last long -kiss. Then he left her, silently. That was true wisdom, for a single -word might have detained him for ever in that enchanted garden.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_08" href="#div1Ref_08">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h4> -<h5>LEGAL ADVICE.</h5> -<br> - -<p>"It's nutty, but not what I call top hole straight!"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Macandrew, I am consulting you professionally, so I must ask you -to use the King's English!"</p> - -<p>"It can't explain my feelings, Jerry--it can't indeed. What am I to -say when you tell me that you have fallen in love in five minutes."</p> - -<p>"You loved Charity when you first set eyes on her, Tod."</p> - -<p>"That's different!" snapped the solicitor. "She's an angel! It's only -right to love an angel like winking when you spot her."</p> - -<p>"I quite agree with you, and so I loved Mavis."</p> - -<p>"Is this girl pretty?"</p> - -<p>Haskins smiled to himself, as he had not yet informed Tod of the -marvelous resemblance between the dancer and the recluse. "Yes, she is -pretty!" he said calmly.</p> - -<p>"Huh!" from Tod, "that doesn't sound enthusiastic."</p> - -<p>"If you wish me to give details----"</p> - -<p>"No! No!" Macandrew looked alarmed. "None of your beastly blank verse. -I understand that you wish to consult me professionally."</p> - -<p>"Well," replied Haskins leisurely, "I have been trying to ram that -into your thick head for the last ten minutes."</p> - -<p>"Clients," retorted Tod, with dignity, "do not call their legal -advisers silly cuckoo names!" He arranged his blotting-paper, -flattened out a sheet of paper, and seized a pencil. "You have my best -attention."</p> - -<p>Gerald grinned. Tod's professional airs were too absurd. All the same -he knew that he could not come to a better man for advice. Also, Tod, -being in love himself, was likely to be more sympathetic than a -regular dry-as-dust lawyer.</p> - -<p>"One moment, Toddy," said Haskins, taking out a silver case, "I want -to light a cigarette first. Have one?"</p> - -<p>"These," said the outraged Tod significantly, "are business hours."</p> - -<p>"So I should think from your ridiculously serious face. Nature -intended you for a chubby Bacchus without any clothes, Toddy; but -circumstance has stuffed you into a stupid little office to mislead -people on points of law."</p> - -<p>"The office is capital," said Tod heatedly. "I pay a very high rent."</p> - -<p>"You are being cheated then."</p> - -<p>"I'll--I'll--I'll have a cigarette," ended Tod weakly. "It was too hot -to argue."</p> - -<p>Haskins had come up on the previous day, and having slept on his -business had repaired to the grimy office in Chancery Lane to consult -his solicitor. Mr. James Ian Robert Roy Macandrew--which was the -lawyer's gorgeous name, usually shortened to Tod by his friends -because of his ruddy hair--possessed two rooms, sparsely furnished. -The outer room contained two lean clerks and an office boy, who -labored to increase a gradually growing business, while the inner room -was sacred to the master brain that was building up that same -business. There was a green-painted safe, an important-looking -escritoire with a sliding lid, three or four chairs, a battered -bookcase containing Tod's somewhat limited library, and piles of -japaned deed-boxes in iron frames. Everything looked very legal and -very dry and very dusty, with the exception of Tod himself, spick and -span, and far too fashionably dressed for Chancery Lane. Tod should -have been strolling in the Row--and if dead-and-gone Macandrews had -not squandered their money he probably would have been--beside Charity -Bird, if possible. As it was, Tod, looking fresh and well fed and well -groomed and alert, dwelt for many hours daily in a dull room, which -his ancestors would have scorned. But Tod had been compelled to lay -down the ancestral claymore and take up the pen, which was hard on -Tod, who much preferred a kilt to a lawyer's wig.</p> - -<p>However, it was useless to be dignified with Jerry Haskins, as Tod -decided, so after a glance at the door to see that it was closed, he -unbent. He lighted a cigarette and produced a bottle of whisky and two -glasses and a syphon. Not wishing that his clerks should see him -unbend to this bacchanalian extent Mr. Macandrew cast a second look at -the door, and advised Gerald, in scarcely legal language, to "Fire -away." "You've been playing the high-kick-oh, houp-la, since I left -you," said Tod with a jolly grin.</p> - -<p>"I've been doing nothing of the sort," cried Haskins indignantly. -"This is very serious."</p> - -<p>"Is it now?" bantered the lawyer. "Well, when a man decides to marry a -girl whom he has only seen for five minutes I rather think it is -infernally serious. How did she manage to hook you?"</p> - -<p>"What a beastly low mind you have, Tod. H'm! Shut up, and hold -yourself tight. I am going to startle you."</p> - -<p>"Startle away." Tod gripped the arms of his sedate chair.</p> - -<p>"Well then, this Mavis Durham is the living image of Charity Bird."</p> - -<p>Macandrew stared and glared. "You're rotting, boy. There can only be -one angel in the world, and----"</p> - -<p>"There are two of this especial make," insisted Gerald, leaning back. -"I say, Toddy, do be serious."</p> - -<p>"But are you serious?"</p> - -<p>"I am, confound you. Don't I look it?"</p> - -<p>Macandrew stared and glared again. "There is a change in you," he -admitted--"love, I suppose. It's the same with myself."</p> - -<p>"Tod, you don't know what love is."</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't I? Hang your beastly conceit! Well then, I just do. I love -my heavenly Charity, no end. So there. But aren't you pulling my leg -when you say that Charity is the image of this Mavis girl?"</p> - -<p>"Don't call her a Mavis girl. Miss Durham to you, Tod."</p> - -<p>"Very well then--Miss Bird to you."</p> - -<p>Haskins sighed resignedly. "We'll never get on at this rate. I am -really and truly in trouble, Macandrew. Do listen."</p> - -<p>Tod nodded, and his face grew serious. Haskins seized the fortunate -moment and detailed everything from the finding of the sealed -message--which was scarcely necessary, since Tod had hooked the -cylinder--to the parting with Mavis on that enchanted night. "What do -you think of it, Toddy?" questioned Haskins anxiously.</p> - -<p>"It's very rum," murmured Tod, making pencil marks on his -blotting-paper. "Why does Rebb keep this girl shut up?"</p> - -<p>"That is what I wish to learn. You must help me."</p> - -<p>"I'm only too glad: but how?"</p> - -<p>"Don't you remember how Mrs. Geary said that if Mavis left the Pixy's -House the Major would not be able to dash about in his motor car?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. What of that?"</p> - -<p>"It hints at money belonging to Mavis, which the Major is using."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I say," Tod fell back in his chair, "you go too far. I don't hold -a brief for Rebb, but he wouldn't be such a blackguard as that. -Besides, he has six thousand a year. I know that for a fact."</p> - -<p>"Who told you?"</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Berch."</p> - -<p>"What! Mrs. Crosby's mother?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. A grim old lady, ain't she? Rather like my grandmother. She is -not very fond of Rebb, as he is not very polite to her. Still, she -wants Mrs. Crosbie to marry him, because of the money. How she found -out, I can't say; but she certainly stated that Rebb had the income I -mentioned."</p> - -<p>"But I thought that both Mrs. Berch and her daughter were well off?"</p> - -<p>"They assume to be," answered Tod, with a shrug and a wink--"that is, -they have a slap-up flat, and go everywhere, and Mrs. Crosbie wears -expensive frocks, although the old woman looks like a rag-shop at -times."</p> - -<p>"That may not be lack of money, but indifference to dress."</p> - -<p>"Humph! As if any woman, old or young, could be indifferent to frocks. -Anyhow Mrs. Crosbie is supposed to be a wealthy widow in the market; -but if she wants to marry Major Rebb, who is not a nice man, and if -Mrs. Berch wants to be Rebb's mother-in-law, it strikes me that the -two may not be so rich as they pretend."</p> - -<p>"Well! well! well!" cried Gerald impatiently, "we are wandering from -the subject. Rebb, you say, has six thousand a year?"</p> - -<p>"On the authority of Mrs. Crosbie's mother--yes."</p> - -<p>"Well then, Tod, I want you to know how Rebb comes to be possessed of -that six thousand a year. Can you find out?"</p> - -<p>"Well, no. You might ask the Income Tax people."</p> - -<p>"I can't help thinking," said Haskins, staring at the dusty carpet, -"that the money belongs to Mavis."</p> - -<p>"If you think that on the few words let slip by Mrs. Geary," said Tod -scornfully, "you haven't got a leg to stand on."</p> - -<p>"I go by my intuitions also, Toddy. They rarely deceive me. Witness my -distrust of Geary. I was right in thinking that he had to do with Rebb -and the Pixy's House."</p> - -<p>Macandrew nodded. "Yes. You were right so far, but you assume too much -in accusing Major Rebb of taking Miss Durham's money."</p> - -<p>"It is only a guess," said Gerald impatiently. "I may be wrong of -course, Tod. Still, you must see that there is something queer in Rebb -keeping Mavis shut up, and in putting about this rumor of her being -affected with a homicidal mania."</p> - -<p>"You are sure that isn't true?" ventured Macandrew cautiously.</p> - -<p>Haskins grew wrathful. "Good heavens, Toddy, do you take me for an -ass, you silly blighter! I tell you the girl is as sane as I am, and a -deal more sane than you are.</p> - -<p>"Then why does Rebb shut her up?"</p> - -<p>"I want to find that out, I tell you," snapped the other savagely.</p> - -<p>Tod reflected. "Perhaps this girl is Rebb's daughter," he guessed.</p> - -<p>Haskins started, as well he might. "I can't believe that," he declared -violently. "She hasn't a drop of Rebb's blood in her body. And even if -she were his daughter," he went on in a contradictory fashion, "that -is no reason that he should shut her in that gaol, and set a beastly -nigger to keep his eye on her."</p> - -<p>"N----o," drawled Macandrew, his eye on the blotting-paper, "you say -that this girl is like Charity?"</p> - -<p>"The very image of her. That is partly why I fell in love so rapidly, -Tod. Before you came along I did love Charity in a way; admired her -beauty and all that. But somehow she never made my heart beat. Now -Mavis is just as lovely as Charity, and more so."</p> - -<p>"No! no! no!" growled Tod, striking the desk.</p> - -<p>"Yes! yes! yes!" insisted Haskins, "besides, there is something in her -personality which Charity lacks. I feel my heart beat and my pulses -thrill and my whole being raised to heaven when Mavis looks at me."</p> - -<p>"So do I when I look at Charity," retorted the lawyer, "but for -heaven's sake, Jerry, don't let us pit the girls against one another. -Mavis suits you and Charity suits me: there's no more to be said."</p> - -<p>"Save that the girls might be twins."</p> - -<p>"I never heard that Charity had a twin."</p> - -<p>"Nor did I. But then we don't know Charity's history."</p> - -<p>"I do, in part," said Tod quickly. "When Mrs. Pelham Odin was -traveling with her own comedy company in India, fifteen or sixteen -years ago, she found Charity at Calcutta. The child was then five -years of age, and belonged to a native woman of the juggler caste."</p> - -<p>"Native? Do you mean to say that Charity has nigger blood?"</p> - -<p>"No," snapped Tod sharply, "I don't. You have only to look at her to -see that she is purely European. The native woman confessed to Mrs. -Pelham Odin that she had picked up the child from an ayah at Simla for -a few rupees. The ayah had perhaps stolen the child from some English -people, or perhaps the mother was dead. At any rate the native woman -bought the child, and taught her to dance in the show she and her -husband went round with. Mrs. Pelham Odin took a fancy to the child's -beauty, and bought her from this native woman, and adopted her as her -daughter in a way. She called her Charity because of the way in which -she was found, and Bird because of her silvery voice."</p> - -<p>"Ha!" Gerald started, "another point of resemblance. Mavis has a voice -like a nightingale. Tod, I must learn Mavis's past life; these two -girls must be connected in some way; the resemblance is too -wonderful."</p> - -<p>"There are chance likenesses," hinted Tod slowly.</p> - -<p>"I daresay, but Nature doesn't turn out two girls line for line the -same unless she sends them into the world as twins. Mavis was brought -to the Pixy's House when she was five years of age, but she doesn't -remember where she lived before that. She is twenty-one in ten -months."</p> - -<p>"By Jupiter!" Tod hoisted himself up with a curious look, "that's odd, -for Charity told me that she would be twenty-one next year, and then -could run away with me. Perhaps there is something in what you say, -Jerry, after all. What's to be done?"</p> - -<p>Haskins pinched his chin. "Let us leave the question of the -resemblance alone for the moment, Tod. What I want you to do is to go -to Somerset House and look up the wills."</p> - -<p>"The wills? Whose will. What will?"</p> - -<p>"Look up any will made by anyone called Durham. Go back fifteen or -twenty years. Of course," said Gerald apologetically, "it is only my -fancy based upon the few words let drop by Mrs. Geary, but I feel -somehow--in my bones, as the old women say--that Mavis is being kept a -prisoner on account of money."</p> - -<p>Tod fidgeted. "It's such a wild idea," he protested.</p> - -<p>"Wild or not, it is six and eightpence in your greedy, legal pocket."</p> - -<p>"Rebb might not like my prying into his private affairs."</p> - -<p>"I don't see that Rebb need know anything about it," said Gerald -impatiently. "In fact, I want to keep my doings dark in the Rebb -direction, for if there is anything in my belief the Major will do his -best to queer my pitch. If you look up the will of a man or of a woman -called Durham, Rebb cannot say anything, as neither you nor I are -supposed to know anything about the Pixy's House business. Well?"</p> - -<p>Tod nodded, and made a note. "I'll search," he assented. "Any will by -someone called Durham, man or woman, and dated some fifteen or twenty -years ago. Suppose I find nothing?"</p> - -<p>"And suppose you do," retorted his friend, rising; "we are searching -for a needle in a haystack, remember, Toddy, and must poke about in -every direction. We'll look into the money business first, and then we -can question Mrs. Pelham Odin and Bellaria as to the possibility of -there being any relationship between these two girls."</p> - -<p>"See here," remarked Macandrew slowly, "all this talk is first rate if -you were writing a story and knew the end. But it seems to me that, as -we have to deal with real life, you are making circumstances to fit in -with your theories."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I am," replied Haskins, with a shrug, "but I am so much in -love with Mavis that I shall move heaven and earth to get her."</p> - -<p>"Why not be bold and ask Rebb straight out? Then he could tell you the -story of the girl's birth, and perhaps may explain why she is so like -Charity. If Rebb dislikes this Mavis so much that he shuts her up he -won't mind your taking her off his hands."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, he will, if money goes with her," said Gerald grimly. "I -don't want to make Rebb think that I am in love. The whole business is -shady."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean your love-making?" asked Tod slyly.</p> - -<p>"No, you rotter. My love-making is as straight as Rebb's ways are -crooked. Do what I say, and when we learn if there is a will----"</p> - -<p>"Well?"</p> - -<p>"We'll know how to move next. Meanwhile I intend to tell the story -that I have told you to Mrs. Crosbie."</p> - -<p>"But, I say, she'll go straight and tell Rebb."</p> - -<p>"No," said Haskins decisively. "I have known Mrs. Crosbie for years, -and she is as honest and good a little woman as ever lived. Mrs. Berch -is also a ripping sort, if somewhat funereal. If Major Rebb is a -villain--and I really believe that he is--I don't want Mrs. Crosbie's -life to be made miserable by marrying him--or Mrs. Berch's either: you -know how she adores her daughter."</p> - -<p>"All the same, Mrs. Crosbie may tell Rebb," insisted Tod Macandrew.</p> - -<p>"I don't think so. I shall enlist her sympathies on my behalf. Every -woman loves a love affair. Then my story will put her on her guard -against Major Rebb, and she'll probably contrive to find out the truth -of the business without his knowing. Good-day, Toddy boy."</p> - -<p>Haskins shot out of the office rapidly, but Macandrew sat soberly at -the desk shaking his red poll. It appeared to him that Gerald was -about to climb the Hill Difficulty, and might not reach the top.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_09" href="#div1Ref_09">CHAPTER IX.</a></h4> -<h5>MRS. CROSBIE.</h5> -<br> - -<p>That same afternoon, when Mr. Haskins was arraying himself in a Bond -Street kit to call on the fascinating widow, he was seized with a -sudden qualm as to the wisdom of his intention. After all, as Tod very -truly observed, Mrs. Crosbie was supposed to be engaged to Major Rebb, -although no official announcement had appeared in <i>The Morning Post</i>. -If then he related the secret which was connected with the Pixy's -House and with a pretty girl, Mrs. Crosbie, inspired by jealousy, -might forthwith demand an explanation from Rebb. In that -case--vulgarly speaking--the fat would be on the fire and there would -be a fine blaze.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, Gerald wished to enlist Mrs. Crosbie on his side -for two reasons. Firstly, she had been the close friend of his mother, -to whom he had been tenderly attached, and as a boy he had flirted -with her in the calf-love stage. They now were what Tod would call -"pals," and Gerald usually took all his troubles to her, for she was a -wise little woman. Of course there were nasty people who called Mrs. -Crosbie an adventuress, and who said that she had nagged her late -husband to death; but these were in the minority. So far as Haskins -could read character--and he prided himself thereon--Mrs. Crosbie was -a good woman, who certainly ought not to marry a rascal like Rebb. And -that the Major was a rascal Gerald believed--perhaps on insufficient -premises. For after all there might be an honest explanation of the -Pixy's House mystery.</p> - -<p>In the second place Haskins wished to remove Mavis from her prison, -and as some time would necessarily have to elapse before he could -marry her he desired to place her under the wing of Mrs. Crosbie. -Since the widow was connected with Rebb, this seemed rather like -putting Mavis into the lion's cage. But Mrs. Crosbie was the sole -woman of Haskins acquaintance of whom he could ask the favor of -chaperoning a young girl. Also, once Mavis was at the flat and -practically beyond Rebb's reach--since he then could not hide her -again--there would be no necessity for further concealment, and the -Major would have to account to Mrs. Crosbie for the detention of his -ward in Devonshire. The explanation--which would have to precede the -marriage of Mrs. Crosbie to Rebb--could then be detailed to Haskins, -and all things would be made straight. Of course, there was always a -chance that they might be too crooked to be straightened. If so, it -was the more necessary that Mavis should be placed in Mrs. Crosbie's -guardianship, and that the little woman's eyes should be opened.</p> - -<p>Bearing these things in mind, Haskins descended into the street to -call a hansom, and proceeded to visit Mrs. Crosbie. She dwelt along -with her mother in a palatial block of mansions, known as Ladysmith -Court, and which had been erected by a financier of South African -fame. The mansions were situated near Marylebone Road, and although -the address was not ultra-fashionable the rents were high. When Gerald -paid his cab at the foot of the marble steps, and surveyed the huge -pile of redbrick buildings he reflected that Tod must be wrong about -the widow's financial position. Only a rich woman could afford to live -here, and there could be no money-grubbing idea in connection with the -Rebb marriage, even though the Major had six thousand a year. -Nevertheless it was strange that Mrs. Crosbie should marry Rebb, when -he was so much disliked by Mrs. Berch, of whom her daughter was -extraordinarily fond.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie's flat was on the second floor, and Gerald was shown into -a small but smart drawing-room by a neat maid servant. It was a true -woman's room, luxuriously furnished, prettily decorated, and filled -with all manner of useless knick-knacks and fancy china, and -silver-framed photographs, and Japanese draperies, and finally with -masses of flowers in many-hued vases. The scent of the blossoms and -the perfume of a burning pastille made the atmosphere fragrant, but -somewhat heavy, in spite of the rose-curtained French windows which -opened on to a tiny balcony. Near one of the windows Mrs. Crosbie was -seated, looking somewhat pale and disturbed, and facing her was an -overdressed man, with white hair and moustache, who looked like a -foreigner.</p> - -<p>"How are you, Gerald?" asked Mrs. Crosbie, when Haskins was announced, -and addressing him by his Christian name according to custom. "I have -not seen you for ages." She shook hands and looked at him. "How brown -you are, my dear boy. Allow me to introduce you two men. Signor -Venosta, Mr. Haskins. Mr. Haskins, Signor Venosta, who has been -amusing me. Do sit down. Tea will be in presently."</p> - -<p>"Alas, madam, but I must depart," said Signor Venosta, who was a -stout, oily-looking Italian of the tenor type, dressed in too gaudy a -style to satisfy Gerald's fastidious taste. "I have been with you one -hour."</p> - -<p>"You should add that it has seemed like one minute," said Mrs. -Crosbie, with a pretty little laugh, and waving a fan, for the heat -was stifling. "Well, if you must go, you must!" She rose, and walked -with her visitor to the door, glancing over her shoulder meanwhile. -"Excuse me, Gerald, I shall return soon." And she left the room with -the Italian.</p> - -<p>This marked courtesy was not usual with Mrs. Crosbie, as she was a -spoilt beauty, who preferred that others should wait on her, rather -than that she should trouble herself about others. Haskins wondered at -her self-denial, and especially in the face of such heat: wondered -also that she should look so pale and worried. Apparently something -was wrong with Mrs. Crosbie, and he began to conjecture whether Tod -was correct as to money matters. Gerald was not over-rich himself, but -he determined to question his mother's friend, and learn if possible -what bothered her, so that he could proffer help.</p> - -<p>His hostess returned after some minutes, and looked quite herself, -but the renewed color might have been due to the reflection of the -rose-hued curtains. She tripped across the olive-green carpet like a -fairy, and resembled one, being delicate and tiny and beautifully -formed. People said that Mrs. Crosbie's blonde hair and pink and white -complexion were due to art, since a woman of forty could not possibly -look so young without artificial aids. But be this as it may, she -certainly appeared wonderfully pretty in her white silk tea-gown, -which was draped with expensive lace. Haskins complimented her -on her looks when she sank again into her chair and took up the -cigarette-case lying on the table at her elbow. "And yet, you know," -added Gerald thoughtfully, "I fancied that you looked worried and pale -when I came."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie lighted her cigarette and shot a keen glance at him. "We -all have our worries, my dear boy," she said, blowing a wreath of -smoke.</p> - -<p>"You should not have any, Mrs. Crosbie. And if there is anything that -I can put right, you know that I----"</p> - -<p>"Yes! Yes! I know," she interrupted hurriedly, "but you can't. It -really is nothing--oh, nothing at all. It is the heat that makes me -look pale and washed out. Mother is lying down quite exhausted, but -will be in to tea. I hope no one else will come, Gerald, and then we -can have a nice long talk."</p> - -<p>"That is what I have come to have," he said soberly, and produced his -own cigarette-case, which he laid on the table. "Give me a match, -please. Thank you!" he lighted up. "I am in trouble."</p> - -<p>"And you have come to me as usual."</p> - -<p>"Yes. I hope that I don't carry coals to Newcastle."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie shrugged. "My troubles are only minor ones, such as come -to every woman when she gets past her youth."</p> - -<p>"You are in the flower of it."</p> - -<p>"And you have known me for years. Gerald, you certainly must have -Irish blood in you, to pay such extravagant compliments. Don't think -too well of me, my dear boy. I have my faults. Why not? Look at the -upbringing that I have had," she ended bitterly.</p> - -<p>"Why, your mother is----"</p> - -<p>"All that a mother can and should be," interrupted the little woman. -"I know that, Gerald. But her husband, my father, was a brute. My -husband, whom he made me marry in my teens, was a brute. Both my -mother and I have suffered poverty and nearly open shame."</p> - -<p>"Poverty!" Gerald glanced round the luxurious room, crowded with such -splendid things.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie shrugged again. "These are only necessities," she said -contemptuously; "fancy a woman of my tastes having to live in a flat, -and being bothered by tradespeople! I want a town house, a country -house, a yacht, a chance of traveling all over Europe like other rich -people. In fact, I want thousands a year, and I have not got them."</p> - -<p>Gerald looked down meditatively. So Tod was right after all, and Mrs. -Crosbie was hard up, even to the extent of being dunned by -tradespeople. He wondered if he could help her. "You have known me -long enough to accept a check," he stammered.</p> - -<p>She whiffed away the offer contemptuously. "Although I thank you very -much for offering the money," she said graciously, "you always were a -dear boy. But the amount of money I want would ruin you, since I am -aware that you have but the five hundred a year left by your dear -mother. There! there!" she tapped him with her closed fan, "we won't -talk further of these disagreeable things. All will be well."</p> - -<p>"When you marry Major Rebb?" asked Haskins pointedly.</p> - -<p>"Why not? The Major is not bad-looking, and has a good position, and -at least five thousand a year."</p> - -<p>"Six, I believe," corrected Gerald.</p> - -<p>"Who told you that?"</p> - -<p>"Tod Macandrew. He heard it from your mother."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie nodded. "Yes; I believe that my mother asked Mr. -Macandrew some questions regarding settlements on the chance that I -should marry Major Rebb. But Mr. Macandrew should not have spoken -about this."</p> - -<p>"He did not," said Gerald hastily, "you can still trust Macandrew as -your legal adviser. He has not betrayed your confidence regarding -settlements. He merely mentioned Major Rebb's income."</p> - -<p>"How did you come to be talking of Major Rebb?"</p> - -<p>Gerald flung the fag end of his cigarette into a silver ashtray, and -rose to pace the room. He could always talk better when in motion. "I -want you to help me, Madge," he remarked.</p> - -<p>"You mustn't call me Madge," said Mrs. Crosbie, with a look at the -door. "Major Rebb would not like it."</p> - -<p>"Then you are engaged?"</p> - -<p>"Well, yes. I want money and----"</p> - -<p>"Are you quite sure that Rebb has money?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie started to her feet, and crossing the room gripped the -young man by his arm. Her face was perfectly pale, and her voice -sounded uncommonly hoarse. "What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"I don't mean anything," said Gerald, astonished by her emotion. "Rebb -is no doubt as wealthy as King Solomon. I only meant that you should -make sure of the settlement. As your friend, I could say nothing -else."</p> - -<p>But Mrs. Crosbie was not satisfied. "You have heard no rumor to the -effect that Major Rebb is poor, or is likely to lose his money?"</p> - -<p>"No! no! no!" said Haskins in perfect good faith, "do sit down and -compose yourself. If anything were wrong in that way I should speak -out."</p> - -<p>He could say nothing else, as, of course, his idea regarding a -possible will, and money having been taken from Mavis, was mere -theory. Mrs. Crosbie looked at him piercingly, after which scrutiny -she returned to her seat. Apparently she counted upon this marriage -releasing her from terrible trouble, and dreaded lest it should fall -through. "I wish you would not frighten me," she said querulously, "my -nerves are not strong. Mother and I are going away to Bognor next week -for the change. We both need one very badly. Well," she selected -another cigarette and became more her bright self, which he knew so -well, "so you wish me to help you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. And I wish you to keep what I say to yourself. Promise."</p> - -<p>She looked at him hard. "You are very mysterious."</p> - -<p>"I am very much in earnest," he rejoined dryly.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie shuffled. "I can't promise until I know what you are -going to say," she observed irritably. Her nerves, as she had said, -were certainly very bad.</p> - -<p>"There is something in that," replied Haskins; and felt inclined to -withdraw without telling his story. But after some reflection he -compromised. "At all events you must hold your tongue about my secret -for at least a month," and by naming this time he hoped to deliver -Mavis from her imprisonment within three weeks.</p> - -<p>"I promise," said Mrs. Crosbie curiously, "but I know your secret. You -are in love?"</p> - -<p>Gerald was startled. "How could you tell that?" he demanded, -astonished.</p> - -<p>She laughed, "I am a woman, and observant, as well as intuitive. Look -at your eyes in yonder mirror, at the expression of your face, at your -whole bearing."</p> - -<p>"H'm," said Haskins, but half satisfied; "every one is not so clever -as you are, Madge."</p> - -<p>"Don't call me Madge, I tell you."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I shall when we are alone. Hang it, I have known you for years, -and besides, I wish you to do me a service. I have your promise to -hold your tongue for a month?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! yes! yes! Go on! go on. I am all ears."</p> - -<p>"My story concerns Major Rebb."</p> - -<p>"What? Then you did mean something, when you mentioned him last?"</p> - -<p>"I meant nothing that will stop your marriage," said Gerald crossly, -"although I don't know why a nice woman like you, Madge, should marry -him."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie stared. "Major Rebb is supposed to be a delightful man."</p> - -<p>"He may be--to those who don't know him."</p> - -<p>"I believe that you are jealous," she said, with a nervous laugh, -"well, and how does your secret affect the Major?"</p> - -<p>"See here, Madge, you may think me mean, speaking about Rebb to you, -and behind his back. But I am doing so at that risk, because I wish -you to help some one in whom I am interested. Otherwise, I am quite -ready to see Rebb personally and have it out with him. Later on--say -in three weeks, more or less--I shall. For then I hope that Mavis will -be with you here, and quite safe."</p> - -<p>"Mavis! Ah, the girl you are in love with. What is she to Major Rebb, -may I ask?" Mrs. Crosbie's voice rose when she put this question, and -her eyes grew as hard as jade, while her face colored a deep red.</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Haskins, surprised, "then you love Rebb?"</p> - -<p>"No! But he is rich and----I don't see what right you have to ask me -such questions. Go on. What have you to say?"</p> - -<p>"If you love Rebb I can't speak."</p> - -<p>"I don't love Rebb. Go on. I'll keep my promise."</p> - -<p>Gerald hesitated no longer. Rising to his feet he again began to pace -the room, and related the same story as he had told Tod. Only in this -especial instance he suppressed his theory regarding the will and the -money. Mrs. Crosbie listened quietly, and with an expression of -dismay; but she made no remark until he had finished. "You are telling -me a fairy tale," she said quietly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, isn't it?" cried Gerald, delighted with her quietness.</p> - -<p>"I mean that it is untrue."</p> - -<p>"I swear it isn't. Mavis is kept in that Pixy's House, and I found her -by means of the sealed message, as I have described. Now I want you to -get her up here, and look after her until I can marry."</p> - -<p>"Who will bring her here?"</p> - -<p>"I shall, and within three or four weeks."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Mrs. Crosbie quietly, "now I see why you asked me to hold -my tongue for a month. Gerald, you are wrong to act in this way. As I -have made a promise I shall keep it; but it will be better for you to -release me from that promise. Then I could ask Major Rebb about his -ward and persuade him to let me have her up here. In any case, when I -marry Major Rebb, I shall have to do with this girl you love."</p> - -<p>"What you suggest, Madge, would certainly be better and, I may say, -more straightforward. I hate acting in this way behind Rebb's back, -and I intend later to speak plainly to his face. But you forget how -Rebb has put it about that Mavis is a homicidal maniac. That is -untrue."</p> - -<p>"You can't be sure of that, Gerald; you have not seen sufficient of -her to judge. To take a girl, reputed mad, from her seclusion would be -very wicked. Any crime which she might commit would be laid at your -door."</p> - -<p>"But surely, Madge, the action of Major Rebb is not that----"</p> - -<p>"He may have, and probably has, good grounds for shutting up the -girl."</p> - -<p>Gerald bit his lip, beginning to see that, with all his caution, he -had made a dire mistake. "Then you won't help me?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Mrs. Crosbie firmly, "how can you expect me to help you -against Major Rebb, when we are engaged to be married? And how can you -ask me to take charge of a girl who is mad?"</p> - -<p>"She is not mad, I tell you."</p> - -<p>"And I tell you that she is mad; otherwise Major Rebb certainly would -not shut her up. What reason could he have to shut up a sane girl?"</p> - -<p>It was on the point of Haskins' tongue to explain his theory, but -having made one mistake--as he plainly saw from Mrs. Crosbie's -attitude--he did not wish to make another. "You will keep your promise -of silence?" he urged earnestly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, on condition that you make no attempt to run away with the girl -from that madhouse. I speak in your own interest. You will get into -trouble if you take an insane woman from her lawful guardian."</p> - -<p>"You seem to be quite certain that Mavis is mad," said Gerald -bitterly, "however, as you know my secret, and I am at your mercy, I -promise."</p> - -<p>"I think that you are very ungrateful," cried Mrs. Crosbie, "many -another woman would have declined to keep, what you call, the secret -at all."</p> - -<p>"I have made a mistake," confessed Gerald, and he could have kicked -himself, that he, a man of the world, should be such a fool.</p> - -<p>"Well," said Mrs. Crosbie, as the door opened to admit the servant -with afternoon tea, "let us say no more about it. I promise to hold my -tongue for a month, and you promise to leave the girl alone -meanwhile."</p> - -<p>Gerald waited until the tea-tray was arranged and the girl had -departed. "No," he said decisively. "I have been wrong, and you have -shown me my duty. I shall call on Major Rebb to-morrow, and explain."</p> - -<p>"You cannot," replied Mrs. Crosbie, "the Major is in Devonshire."</p> - -<p>This announcement complicated matters. "Then I follow Rebb to -Devonshire," said Gerald doggedly; "my mistake must be put right."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_10" href="#div1Ref_10">CHAPTER X.</a></h4> -<h5>THE AMULET.</h5> -<br> - -<p>It is admitted that Man as a whole is not infallible, but each -individual man has a secret belief that he is. Haskins was no more -complacent than other mortals--in fact, less so--yet he had an idea -that his caution and common-sense invariably prevented his making -mistakes. Assuredly, as a rule, he was rarely in error, but to every -rule there is an exception, and Haskins' ill-judged frankness to Mrs. -Crosbie was the exception in this case. It said much for Gerald's sane -view of life that he recognized his mistake at once, and at the cost -of some unpleasantness hastened to correct it. This entailed an -interview with Major Rebb, which was likely to be a stormy one.</p> - -<p>At the outset Gerald believed that he had read Mrs. Crosbie's -character all wrong, and that even after years of close -companionship--since she had been so intimate with his mother--he -knew very little about her. Had she really been that which he believed -her to be, she would--he thought immediately on leaving Ladysmith -Court--have readily helped him in his somewhat eccentric wooing. But -on calmer reflection he arrived at the conclusion that he, himself, -was in error.</p> - -<p>His first mistake lay in overlooking the relationship existing between -Rebb and the widow. Being engaged to him--as she had admitted--she -certainly could not be expected to act against what she believed to be -his interests. And his second mistake consisted in hoping that Mrs. -Crosbie--who in many ways was particularly conventional--would take -charge of a girl believed to be insane. It was only natural that Mrs. -Crosbie should believe Mavis to be mad, as, being willing to accept -the Major as her second husband, she could scarcely credit him with -conspiracy. And if Mavis was not insane her detention in the Pixy's -House was certainly a conspiracy against her rights as a human being. -Gerald took this view from personal observation, and because he -mistrusted Rebb: but Mrs. Crosbie, as engaged to marry the Major, -could not be expected to endorse a theory which would render Rebb -unworthy of her hand, or indeed of her acquaintance.</p> - -<p>It may be here mentioned that Haskins had not mentioned the wonderful -likeness which existed between Charity and Mavis, since the thought -had flashed across him, while speaking, that such a statement might -implicate Tod in the mysterious business, which was not to be thought -of. All Mrs. Crosbie practically knew was, that Gerald loved a -reputedly insane ward of her promised husband, and desired her to side -against that promised husband, so that he might marry the girl. It was -impossible to expect that any woman would act in this way, and Gerald -acknowledged to himself that Mrs. Crosbie had behaved in a perfectly -reasonable manner in refusing to help him.</p> - -<p>In fact, she had behaved extremely well in holding to her promise of -one month's secrecy, for many a woman would have told Rebb there and -then what had been said about him. Therefore Mrs. Crosbie was not only -right, but Gerald felt that he was entirely in the wrong; felt, -indeed, that he had acted somewhat shabbily. The sole way in which he -could right matters, and recover his self-respect, was to see Rebb, as -soon as possible, and explain himself. Then, as man to man, they could -thresh the matter out. With this idea Haskins drove back to his rooms -in Frederick Street, Mayfair, intending to change and pack, and catch -the midnight train from Paddington to Exeter.</p> - -<p>But, while dressing, he reflected that it would be better to first -assure himself that Mrs. Crosbie was correct in stating the Major's -whereabouts. Rebb's rooms were also in Frederick Street, and only a -few doors away, so it would be just as well to run in and to make -inquiries. Rebb might return on the morrow, in which case it would -hardly be worth while to journey to Denleigh so hurriedly. Also Mrs. -Crosbie having promised to hold her tongue for one month, there was no -necessity to act at once, since two or three, or even more, days would -make very little difference. Finally, Gerald was unwilling to return -to the Pixy's House and to Mavis until he knew if his theory regarding -a possible will was correct; otherwise he would have nothing to tell -her.</p> - -<p>While meditating on the desirability of calling at Rebb's rooms, -Gerald desired to smoke to aid his thoughts after the manner of men. -He mechanically took his cigarette-case, but found some difficulty in -opening it. As his case was usually easy to open, he looked down with -awakened attention to see what was the matter, and found that he had -brought away Mrs. Crosbie's cigarette-case by mistake. Probably he had -laid his own case on the small table alongside hers--and in fact he -remembered doing so--and when departing had unconsciously taken the -one which did not belong to him. He resolved to return it at once by -post, but meanwhile took a cigarette therefrom to smoke, since there -were no others in his rooms. This entailed opening the case, and when -it was open a small object, which had been placed within, fell out.</p> - -<p>This proved to be a tiny coral hand, clenched, and holding a dagger, -something like those amulets which are sold in Naples to avert the -evil eye. A little gold ring was screwed into the coral, so that the -trinket could be attached to a watch chain or to a bracelet. After a -careless glance, and a passing thought as to why Mrs. Crosbie should -use her cigarette-case as a jewel-box, Haskins placed the coral hand -on top of the cigarette-case, which he laid on the mantelpiece. Then -he lighted up and walked out, to seek the Major's rooms.</p> - -<p>These, as has been said, were only a few doors distant, and Haskins -speedily arrived on the first floor of the somewhat dingy house -wherein they were situated. He found the door open, and a mild-looking -valet talking to a veiled woman with a graceful figure. While waiting -to address the man himself, Gerald heard him state to the lady that -his master had gone to Devonshire on the previous day and would be -back within four and twenty hours. The lady appeared annoyed, but -declined to leave a card, or to give any message. However, she stepped -aside, fuming--as Haskins guessed from the way in which she stamped -her foot and clenched her hands--and permitted him to speak. Gerald -asked the same question, as to the Major's whereabouts, and received -the same answer, upon which he produced his card.</p> - -<p>"Tell Major Rebb, when he returns, that Mr. Haskins wishes to see him -on a private matter. Mr. Gerald Haskins," added the young man, handing -the card. Then he turned away, wondering why the veiled woman should -utter a muffled exclamation of surprise when she heard the Christian -name.</p> - -<p>But his wonder was still further increased when, on descending the -stairs, he felt his arm grasped, and found that the strange lady was -at his elbow. "You are Mr. Gerald?" she said in deep contralto tones, -"may I call you--Prince Gerald?"</p> - -<p>Haskins started. It was in this way that Mavis addressed him. But this -woman could not be Mavis, for she was too thin and too tall, and her -voice was too worn. Could she be---- "Bellaria!" he said tentatively.</p> - -<p>"Bellaria," assented the woman softly--they were standing on the -pavement by this time. "Take me somewhere safe. I wish to speak with -you."</p> - -<p>"My rooms are close at hand," said Haskins promptly, and wondering at -this unexpected encounter with one whom he had believed to be miles -away. "We can go there at once, Bell----"</p> - -<p>"Hush!" she clutched his arm again, and looked over her shoulder, as -she had looked when in the quadrangle. "Don't say that name here. They -may hear--they may hear."</p> - -<p>"Who may hear?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind; never mind. Come inside; come inside. Oh, Dio! no mention -of my name," and she hurried into the doorway indicated by Gerald.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes they were in Haskins' sitting-room, and here again -Bellaria's nervousness betrayed itself.</p> - -<p>"There is no one can hear us?" she asked, her veil up, and her eyes -roving round the room.</p> - -<p>"No, no," replied the young man soothingly. "The man and his wife who -attend to me in these chambers are below. You can talk freely. By the -way," he asked abruptly, "how did you know my name?"</p> - -<p>Bellaria, looking more aged and haggard than ever, flung herself into -an armchair, and laughed uncomfortably. "Prince Gerald. Who calls you -Prince Gerald, Mr. Haskins?"</p> - -<p>"Mavis does, but----"</p> - -<p>"Then it is true, what she confessed to me: that you love her and she -loves you?"</p> - -<p>"Quite true," rejoined Haskins quickly. "We met by chance, and----"</p> - -<p>"By chance!" repeated Bellaria scornfully. "When you deliberately came -where you had no business to come. I know all!"</p> - -<p>"How did you find out?" Gerald was perfectly calm when he asked this -question, as she did not seem to be hostile.</p> - -<p>"I saw that Mavis was not herself, that she was disturbed, and guessed -that she was keeping something secret from me. I watched, and saw her -lead a man across the quadrangle. When she came in that night I told -her what I had seen, and so--she confessed about the sealed message, -and about her secret meetings with you. Also that you desired to marry -her. Fool!" cried Bellaria pointing a scornful finger at her host, -"would you marry a madwoman?"</p> - -<p>"Not in making Mavis Durham my wife," said Haskins coolly. "She is -perfectly sane."</p> - -<p>"And I--Bellaria Dondi--say that she is not."</p> - -<p>"Are you sane yourself?" asked Haskins, turning the tables on her.</p> - -<p>The woman reared herself in her chair, gripping the arms, and directed -a fierce gaze at him. "What do you mean?" she demanded.</p> - -<p>"Why did you not come out and face me when Mavis talked with me in the -garden?" he remarked, meeting her gaze firmly and fairly.</p> - -<p>"Because--because---- Oh, there is no explanation."</p> - -<p>"I think there is. You dare not venture out after dark, so you waited -until Mavis entered the house to question her."</p> - -<p>"How do you know that I dare not venture out after dark?" she asked, -and her figure seemed to dwindle and shrink.</p> - -<p>"Mavis told me."</p> - -<p>"Mavis knows nothing, nothing, do you hear? God forbid that she should -ever know anything. But my business is my own business, and has -nothing to do with you, Prince Gerald. Mavis is crazy: she would kill -you as soon as look at you, at certain times."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe that for one moment."</p> - -<p>"You must--you shall! If Mavis is not mad, why should her guardian -shut her up in a lonely house?"</p> - -<p>"That," said Gerald very dryly, "is what I went to Major Rebb's rooms -to ask when I met you."</p> - -<p>Bellaria arose, much astonished. "You will dare to face the Major?"</p> - -<p>Haskins laughed. "Do you take me for a schoolgirl? Of course I shall -face the Major, and a dozen like him if necessary."</p> - -<p>"You are a brave man."</p> - -<p>"And Major Rebb? What is he?"</p> - -<p>"The kindest and best friend that a miserable woman ever had," -retorted the woman fiercely, "not a word against the Major. I won't -hear a word, I tell you. What he does is right."</p> - -<p>"Not in shutting up Mavis."</p> - -<p>"She is mad, I tell you; mad and dangerous." Bellaria came close to -where Gerald was sitting and looked down into his face with a -determined expression. "On learning what I did learn from Mavis I came -up at once to tell Major Rebb, so that he might stop it."</p> - -<p>"I fear Major Rebb will find it somewhat difficult to stop it. He is -not the Ruler of the Earth, so far as I know."</p> - -<p>"He is my ruler," cried Bellaria grandiloquently.</p> - -<p>"So I should think, when the mere wish to give him information makes -you risk----"</p> - -<p>"Risk what? Risk what?" she demanded, quivering.</p> - -<p>Haskins shrugged his square shoulders. "Your life, for all I know."</p> - -<p>She stood looking at him with clenched hands, the expression on her -worn face hovering between terror and defiance. "You talk of what you -do not understand," she said, breathing hard.</p> - -<p>"Quite right: but I should like to understand."</p> - -<p>"Understand what?"</p> - -<p>"Why Bellaria Dondi, who was a famous singer, should bury herself in a -lonely Devonshire house, to keep a sane girl prisoner."</p> - -<p>"You have been listening!" she cried out in terror. "How do you know -that I was a singer?"</p> - -<p>"I heard you sing the Shadow Song from <i>Dinorah</i> during one of my -visits; and, when hidden behind the beech-tree near the wall, I heard -you say that you had been a great singer."</p> - -<p>Bellaria covered her face with two thin hands, and the tears fell -through her fingers. "I was great! I was famous!" she sobbed. "I was -happy until jealousy undid me. But," she let her hands drop and flung -back her queenly head, "I only did what any Italian woman would have -done. He betrayed me, why should I not betray him?"</p> - -<p>"Major Rebb?"</p> - -<p>"No! Enrico Salviati, who swore that he loved me, yet left me for -another. But I punished him. He died, and perhaps I shall die as he -did, for all my care. They will find me, and then----Oh, what agonies -I have suffered for many, many years! This face," she struck it, "was -handsome. Enrico loved it. These lips--Enrico kissed them--with the -kiss of Judas. And what better am I? What better am I?" She rushed to -the mirror over the mantelpiece to address herself. "Bellaria Dondi, -you can hide in the depths of the sea, but they will find you. You -can----Augh!" her eyes fell on the silver cigarette-case of Mrs. -Crosbie, upon which lay, delicately, the clenched coral hand with the -dagger. "Augh!" she repeated, and staggered back.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" Gerald rose and came forward.</p> - -<p>Bellaria repelled him with both hands, shaking with dread. "Keep back, -you English spy! You have brought me here! You are one of them. But if -you use the knife I shall scream. Keep back! Keep back!"</p> - -<p>"I don't understand," gasped Haskins, amazed at this outburst.</p> - -<p>"The hand, the sign, the token of death!" she groaned, then, keeping -her terrified eyes on Gerald, stole stealthily to the door. "Tána! ahi -Tána. Lasso me: si davvéro. Tána! Tána!" uttering these words rapidly, -and almost in a scream, she made the sign of the cross on her breast -and vanished. By the time that Haskins, in pursuit, had reached the -top of the stairs she was at the foot. A moment later and she ran -swiftly in to the street, holding her veil closely over her pallid -face.</p> - -<p>"What the deuce does it mean?" Gerald asked himself, as he returned to -his sitting-room, and examined the coral hand. "This thing seems to -have terrified her almost to death. 'Tána! Tána!' Humph! I must learn -what that means. It is an Italian word, I expect. Now what"----He went -on musing on the strange behavior of Signora Dondi, much perplexed, -and did not notice that a lady was standing in the doorway. Her cough -made him look round, and so unnerved was Haskins by his late -experience that he fairly jumped.</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Berch!" he said, recognizing the lady at once. "I apologize for -not seeing you."</p> - -<p>"I apologize also," said Mrs. Berch; in the stern voice habitual to -her--"apologize that is, for entering unannounced. But the door was -open, Gerald, so I took the privilege of old friendship and entered."</p> - -<p>"Delighted to see you, Mrs. Berch," said Haskins, wondering why she -had come, "won't you sit down?"</p> - -<p>"For one minute," and she took a chair.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Berch was a tall, thin woman, with a worn, white face, and hair -as black as her eyes, notwithstanding her age, which was over sixty. -She was dressed in some lustreless, dark material without any -trimming, and carried herself very erect. In fact there was something -of the Roman matron about her, so stern and proud did she appear. -Gerald liked her, as she had always been kind to him. But Mrs. Berch -was something of an enigma to him. He could not understand why so bold -and determined a woman should have submitted to the brutality of her -late husband. Yet Mrs. Crosbie's father had behaved like a demon to -his wife, as Gerald had learned from his mother. She adored her -daughter, and--as the saying is--lived again in her child.</p> - -<p>"You wonder why I have called," said Mrs. Berch, in an unemotional -voice, which always reminded Haskins of one talking in sleep, -"especially when I was lying down with a headache when you came. But -Madge asked me to bring you this," and she produced Gerald's -cigarette-case.</p> - -<p>"Thank you. I left it behind by mistake and took Madge's. Here it is."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Berch arose and received the dainty trifle. "That is all I called -about, Gerald. I shall take it back to Madge at once. She was much -disturbed at losing it."</p> - -<p>"I don't know why she should have been," said Haskins; "she must have -guessed that I had taken it, and would send it back. Oh, by the way, -you may as well put this into it. I opened the case for a cigarette -and found this. It fell out," and he passed along the coral hand.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Berch's dead-white face flushed, and her black eyes glittered. "I -am glad that is not lost," she said eagerly. "It was this that Madge -was anxious about."</p> - -<p>"What is it?"</p> - -<p>"Some ornament to which Madge attaches some value, I fancy."</p> - -<p>"H'm. Is it the badge of any society?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Berch's flush face faded to a chalky-white. "Why do you ask?"</p> - -<p>Gerald asked a question in his turn. "Did Madge tell you what I came -to see her about?"</p> - -<p>"No. Madge never betrays anyone's confidence. But I heard your story."</p> - -<p>"You heard it!" Haskins stepped back a pace in his astonishment.</p> - -<p>"Yes!" said Mrs. Berch coldly, and slipping the case along with the -coral hand into her pocket. "I was asleep on the sofa in the other -room, which is, as you know, divided from the drawing-room by -curtains. I woke to hear what you said about that girl and Major Rebb. -In the interests of my daughter I listened."</p> - -<p>"And you intend to tell Major Rebb?"</p> - -<p>"No. Madge asked me to hold my tongue. And indeed, Gerald, I would do -so for your own sake. Major Rebb is an ill man to meddle with."</p> - -<p>Haskins threw back his head defiantly. "I am not afraid of Rebb," he -said, in a haughty tone. "I went to see him to-day to explain myself, -but he is in Devonshire: gone to see his unfortunate ward, I expect. -When he returns I shall demand an explanation."</p> - -<p>"He may not give it to you," said Mrs. Berch, pursing up her mouth.</p> - -<p>"He must. I love Mavis and I intend to marry her."</p> - -<p>"But if she is mad----"</p> - -<p>"She is not mad, and----Well, Mrs. Berch, there is no use in my -talking to you on the matter. I did wrong to speak to Madge about it, -since she is to marry Major Rebb."</p> - -<p>"Madge will hold her tongue as she promised, and so shall I, Gerald."</p> - -<p>"Thank you both," replied Gerald courteously, "but there will be no -need after to-morrow. I intend to see Rebb, as I said."</p> - -<p>"To learn what?"</p> - -<p>"To learn," said Haskins, "why he shuts up his ward, seeing that she -is not, in my opinion, insane. Also to learn why Bellaria, who watches -Mavis, buries herself in the Pixy's House."</p> - -<p>"I heard you talk of the woman," said Mrs. Berch, in her chilliest -manner, "and I presume that Bellaria stops in the Pixy's House because -she is Major Rebb's servant."</p> - -<p>"There is more in it than that. Bellaria came to see Major Rebb this -very day, and came also here to me, since she knows that I have -visited Mavis. Bellaria is terrified out of her life because of some -people who seek her life. When she saw that coral hand, which was -lying by chance on the mantelpiece, she rushed away, accusing me of -being in league with some society to kill her. At least, that was what -I gathered from what she said. But it was sheer raving."</p> - -<p>"I think so, indeed," said Mrs. Berch quietly, "this coral hand is -merely an ornament, given by Signor Venosta, whom you met to-day, to -Madge. It means nothing, Gerald, so think no more about it."</p> - -<p>But when she departed Gerald <i>did</i> think, and it was little wonder -that he did so.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_11" href="#div1Ref_11">CHAPTER XI.</a></h4> -<h5>THE OTHER GIRL.</h5> -<br> - -<p>During the next three days Gerald found ample time to reflect upon the -strange circumstances which environed him. Anxious to see the Major -and place affairs on a proper basis, he called thrice at his rooms. On -the first occasion he learned that Rebb had not returned to London; on -the second, it appeared that he had come back, but was absent, -visiting Mrs. Crosbie; while on the final occasion Haskins was told by -the mild-looking valet that his master had gone again to Devonshire, -and would not return for at least a week. He had left no message, said -the man. From this circumstance Gerald inferred that Rebb was afraid -of the interview. It then struck him, and very naturally, that, as the -Major, during his hurried stay in town, had called upon Mrs. Crosbie, -the widow had broken her promise. If this was the case Rebb had been -placed on his guard, and so not only avoided Haskins, but had gone -back to the Pixy's House to make arrangements for thwarting the young -man's curiosity. Gerald therefore paid a visit to Ladysmith Court, -only to learn that the widow and her mother had departed for Bognor on -a month's holiday. It was thus apparent that in these two quarters -Gerald could do nothing for the moment.</p> - -<p>And, indeed, the more Haskins thought about the matters the more -difficult did it appear to set them straight. If he saw Rebb, and -the Major held to the story of his ward's madness--as he assuredly -would--Gerald felt that, for some time at all events, he could do -nothing. Of course, if his theory about the will proved to be correct, -and if he could be certain that Rebb was shutting up Mavis in order to -enjoy an income which should rightfully be hers, then he could take -steps to have the matter inquired into. To make any beginning at all, -it was necessary to see Tod Macandrew, so Gerald determined to look -him up. Just as he did so, the morning post brought a Sunday supper -invitation from Mrs. Pelham Odin. This was what Tod would have called -a coincidence, but Gerald, believing that nothing happened by chance, -saw in the incident a sign pointing to the path he should tread. -Directed by the Unseen Powers, who were, he believed, about to unravel -the mystery, he had not to see Rebb or Mrs. Crosbie immediately, nor -had he to proceed at once to Denleigh. His duty was to visit Mrs. -Pelham Odin's flat and learn what he could about Charity Bird. If she -was related in any way to Mavis Durham--and the marvelous likeness -between the two girls hinted as much--he might learn from the old -actress sufficient of her adopted daughter's past to give him a clue -to the intrigues of Major Rebb.</p> - -<p>It will be seen that Gerald had not proceeded to inquire into the -mystery of the coral hand, or Bellaria's fear of the same. He could -have learned somewhat about the matter of the trinket by seeing Signor -Venosta, who, according to Mrs. Berch, had given the amulet to the -widow. But Gerald did not know where Venosta lived, and could not make -inquiries from Mrs. Crosbie without her wanting to know his reasons. -Moreover, he desired to solve the mystery of Mavis and of her -detention before searching into Bellaria's past. Certainly he had a -shrewd idea that Mavis' detention, and Bellaria's dread, and Major -Rebb's behavior, and Mrs. Crosbie's possession of the coral hand, were -all of a piece, but these were like the separate parts of a puzzle, -and he could not fit them together. There was nothing for it but to -see if he could find a clue into the labyrinth when visiting Mrs. -Pelham Odin. He therefore dressed himself with great care, and -proceeded in a hansom to Bloomsbury, where the old actress dwelt.</p> - -<p>Her abode was scarcely a flat, in the accepted sense of the word, but -rather a collection of rooms on the first floor of a fine old Georgian -mansion in Caroline Street. A retired butler and his wife, who had -been a cook, owned the house, and attended to the various people who -dwelt therein. Mrs. Pelham Odin was thus spared the trouble of -domestic details, for which--as she said herself--she had no head, and -was very comfortably placed at a moderate charge. With the obstinacy -of old age, she called her abode "my flat," and no argument could -persuade her that the name was wrongly applied.</p> - -<p>Haskins entered the large square room with a painted ceiling which was -Mrs. Pelham Odin's drawing-room. Adjoining was the dining-room, -equally spacious, while the two bedrooms occupied by the old lady and -her adopted daughter were across the landing. The room looked pretty -and picturesque, as Mrs. Pelham Odin had great taste, and did not cram -her apartments with furniture, or indulge in a multiplicity of -patterns on carpet or walls, or on the upholstery of the chairs. A -great quantity of flowers adorned the room, deftly arranged by -Charity, and it was lighted with rose-shaded lamps on tall -wrought-iron pedestals. On entering the door from the staircase three -narrow windows could be seen opposite, opening on to a small balcony, -but, as the night was a trifle cold, these were closed, and the yellow -curtains were drawn. The room looked comfortable, and Mrs. Pelham Odin -was the most comfortable person in it. She fitted the apartment as a -hermit-crab fits its shell.</p> - -<p>The actress, with a great sense of the fitness of things, had grown -old gracefully--that is, she had not resorted to dye and paint to -improve her waning looks. She was a small woman, and very stout, but -her dignity was tremendous. In a black velvet gown trimmed with lace, -that might, or might not have been priceless, with her silvery hair -worn in the regal style of Marie Antoinette, with a somewhat massive -set of features irradiated by a gracious smile, Mrs. Pelham Odin -received her guest as a queen might have done. From a long experience -in playing aristocratic old dames in comedy, and imperious heroines in -tragedy, dignity had become a second nature to the clever old actress. -It is said that Gibbon was so long in writing "The Decline and Fall" -that he ended in believing himself to be the Roman Empire. In a like -manner Mrs. Pelham Odin believed herself to be the Marchioness in -<i>Caste</i>, or Helen Macgregor, or Volumnia--perhaps a mixture of the -three. She certainly was tremendously dignified, and no stage manager -ever dare to take a liberty with her. She still appeared on the boards -when she found a part worthy of her grandiose style.</p> - -<p>"I am glad to see you, Mr. Haskins," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, apparently -suppressing an inclination to use the royal "we," and proffered her -hand to be shaken or kissed, as the visitor preferred.</p> - -<p>Gerald, having something to gain from a little timely flattery, kissed -the jeweled fingers. He knew that this old-world attention appealed to -Mrs. Pelham Odin as nothing else did. "You are looking--like -yourself," he said politely, "I can pay you no higher compliment."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin laughed her celebrated silvery laugh, which critics -always mentioned, and took the stage--that is, she walked the length -of the drawing-room. "Ever a courtier, Mr. Haskins. Where did -you--living in this present generation of hurry--learn such Versailles -manners?"</p> - -<p>"From the queen of the English stage, madam."</p> - -<p>"From me?" Mrs. Pelham Odin fell into her famous startled fawn -attitude--also much noticed by critics. "Oh no, no; I am but a humble -survivor of the past."</p> - -<p>"And you have survived to show us what grace and dignity once -existed."</p> - -<p>The old actress fluttered her fan with a gracious smile, and bowed her -head to the compliment. "Neither grace nor dignity are necessary in -this age of motor cars," she said, sighing. "However, we must take -things as they are and be cheerful. You don't ask after Charity?"</p> - -<p>"I am too much taken up with you at present, madam."</p> - -<p>"Ah, you Irishmen, with your blarney. Well, Charity is in the -dining-room with Mr. Macandrew. She is showing him some new -photographs of herself, so will not be here for a few minutes, which -is just as well."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Gerald, taking the seat she indicated.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin throned herself queenlike on a sofa. "What do you -think of Mr. Macandrew?" she asked abruptly.</p> - -<p>"He is the best fellow in the world," replied Haskins promptly, for he -guessed why she asked the question, and was willing to act as Tod's -trumpeter, "also he is very clever, and some day will be wealthy."</p> - -<p>"Charity wants to marry him."</p> - -<p>"And he wants to marry Charity. My dear lady, I knew that years ago."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin nodded. "Of course, it is stale news. All the same, I -asked you here to chat over the matter. Hitherto, I have set my face -against such a marriage, as the match is not a good one for my girl."</p> - -<p>Gerald dissented. "If Miss Bird marries Macandrew she is a lucky young -lady, to my mind. He is of good family; he is clever; he has a good -profession; and he is an honest man. Certainly he has no money, -but----"</p> - -<p>"That's just it," interrupted the other, "he has come in lately for a -legacy of two thousand pounds. That is something, but not much. Still, -Charity is so bent upon this marriage, that--if you can really swear -to all you say about Mr. Macandrew--I am willing to consent."</p> - -<p>"I certainly should do so. Come, Mrs. Pelham Odin, don't part two -hearts in this cruel way. Let your daughter marry Macandrew."</p> - -<p>The actress sighed. "I think I shall have to," she said, after a -pause, "circumstances and Charity's will are too strong for me. It -shall be as you say." And she held out her hand.</p> - -<p>Haskins kissed it again. "I am sure that you will have no cause to -regret having taken my advice."</p> - -<p>"I hope not, Mr. Haskins. And after all this may be one of those -marriages which are said to be made in heaven. But Mr. Macandrew wants -to marry Charity at once, and she has yet to fulfil one month's -engagement at the Belver Theatre."</p> - -<p>"Macandrew can wait for one month, surely."</p> - -<p>"He must. Charity cannot break her engagement without paying forfeit, -and the managers will be sorry to lose her. Certainly she has only one -dance in <i>The Moon-Fay</i>, but she is a great favorite with the public, -and when she retires from the stage she will be greatly missed. I -assure you, Mr. Haskins, that Charity is giving up a very brilliant -career to become the wife of an obscure solicitor."</p> - -<p>"Macandrew will not always be obscure. He will rise high in his -profession, and will make plenty of money."</p> - -<p>"Of course Lady Euphemia is against the marriage."</p> - -<p>"What of that? Macandrew is the chief person to be considered."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin did not pay very strict attention to this speech. Her -eyes were on the polished floor, and she was thinking deeply. "I can -guess why Lady Euphemia Macandrew disapproves," she said hesitatingly: -"my girl is a dancer, for one thing; and she is also a waif."</p> - -<p>Haskins looked up suddenly. Mrs. Pelham Odin was touching on the very -point which he wished to discuss. "You told Macandrew something about -that?" he remarked eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Yes. Because I wished Mr. Macandrew to know exactly what he was -doing, and to tell you the truth, Mr. Haskins, as I did not wish the -marriage to take place, I thought that the discovery of Charity's -birth might put him off, since he is well born himself."</p> - -<p>"Love laughs at rank," said Gerald. "I thought you knew nothing of -Miss Bird's birth."</p> - -<p>"Nor do I, save that I bought her from a native woman in Calcutta for -a small sum. It sounds quite like 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' doesn't it?" -And Mrs. Pelham Odin laughed again in her silvery manner.</p> - -<p>"Didn't the woman tell you where she got the child?"</p> - -<p>"No--that is, she explained that she had taken over the child from an -ayah at Simla. Charity was pretty, and I was sorry to see a European -child with a juggler and his wife, so I took her with me, and have -brought her up as my own daughter, although I did not give her my -name."</p> - -<p>"Do you ever hope to learn about her parents?"</p> - -<p>"No. That is impossible, I fear. It is quite fifteen or sixteen years -since I took possession of her. The native woman and the ayah may be -dead. Quite a romance, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"I can tell you something even more romantic," said Gerald, "if you -will promise to hold your tongue."</p> - -<p>"How delightfully mysterious you are," cried Mrs. Pelham Odin, in her -lively comedy manner. "I promise, of course. Well?"</p> - -<p>Haskins thereupon, and without further preamble, detailed the history -of his love affair, and commented strongly on the wonderful likeness -which existed between the two girls. Mrs. Pelham Odin interrupted him -with little cries of astonishment, but gave no opinion until he -finished his recital. "What do you think of it?" asked Haskins.</p> - -<p>"It is like a play! like a melodrama. But of course there are casual -resemblances such as you describe."</p> - -<p>"This is more than a casual resemblance," interrupted Gerald quickly: -"the two girls might be twins."</p> - -<p>"Oh, what a pity that Charity is leaving the stage," said Mrs. Pelham -Odin, her theatrical instinct uppermost, "a comedy with twin girls in -it would draw all the town. And that gives me an idea. I can assist -you, if you can swear," she laid her hand on his arm, "that this Mavis -Durham is not crazy."</p> - -<p>"I can swear, certainly. Would I wish to marry her if she were?"</p> - -<p>"Love may laugh at lunatic asylums as well as at rank," said the -actress merrily, "but if you are certain that the girl is sane, why -not let her take Charity's place in <i>The Moon-Fay?</i>"</p> - -<p>Haskins started to his feet. "Are you serious?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I am. You want to run away with this girl. If you do, Major -Rebb--I know him, and a nasty man he is--will follow you, and make -himself unpleasant. What you want to do is to conceal the girl -somewhere until you can prove that her guardian is shutting her up -illegally. Well then, Major Rebb must know of the wonderful -resemblance of Charity to Mavis. If Charity marries Mr. Macandrew -quietly she can go with him to Switzerland for a month's honeymoon, -and even longer. I can teach Mavis the one dance which Charity -performs in the ballet at the Belver Theatre, and she can take my -girl's place."</p> - -<p>"But the theatre people will guess."</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear me, no," rejoined Mrs. Pelham Odin promptly. "I always go to -the Belver myself to look after Charity. She scarcely speaks to a -soul, my dear Mr. Haskins. I can take your Mavis there and back -without anyone being the wiser, if the resemblance is as you say."</p> - -<p>Gerald caressed his chin. "It certainly is an excellent idea," he -murmured. "Major Rebb, not knowing of Miss Bird's marriage, would not -suspect the substitution. Thank you, Mrs. Pelham Odin, I shall think -over the matter. I go down to Devonshire next week, or rather this -week."</p> - -<p>"I know," the actress nodded; "one always does get mixed up about -Sunday being the first day of the week. Well then, go down and make -what arrangements you like. If you run away with the girl--and I quite -think you should, if only to spite Major Rebb, whom I detest--you -cannot conceal her better than in the way I suggest. It is quite a -variation of Poe's 'Purloined Letter.' The scheme is so daring that it -must succeed. But hush!" she made a dramatic pause, and raised her -finger, "here comes Romeo and Juliet. Not a word."</p> - -<p>Before Haskins could reply Charity entered from the dining-room with -Tod at her heels, and Gerald could not help starting when he saw how -wonderfully she resembled the girl shut up in the Pixy's House. She -had the same figure, the same coloring, the same graceful way of -walking. Only in the manner of speaking and in the personality was -there a difference, and that would not be noticed by a casual -spectator. Charity was more worldly, more material, and--as Gerald -thought--less lovable. But then he was prejudiced in favor of the -young lady whom he wished to marry: Tod's opinion would have been -quite the reverse.</p> - -<p>"How are you, Mr. Haskins?" said Charity, offering her hand calmly, -"you have not been to see us for years and years."</p> - -<p>"All the same, I have been hearing about you," replied Gerald, -glancing at Tod, who nodded gaily. "I have to offer my congratulations."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Charity slowly, and looking at Mrs. Pelham Odin, "I am -not so sure of that. My mother doesn't----"</p> - -<p>"Yes, she does," interposed the actress quickly, and took the girl's -hand in her own. "Mr. Macandrew. I bestow upon you a priceless -treasure," and joining the hands of the two lovers she sank back on -the sofa with a tiny lace handkerchief to her eyes. It was very neatly -done, and only needed limelight and applause to form an effective -curtain.</p> - -<p>"Oh," cried Tod, clasping Charity's hand convulsively. "Do you mean to -say that we can marry?"</p> - -<p>"Now that you have enough to keep the wolf from the door I do, my dear -Mr. Macandrew, or shall I say James, since you are to be my adopted -son-in-law?"</p> - -<p>"Not James. Call me Tod."</p> - -<p>"That is the Scottish for fox, and you are not foxy."</p> - -<p>"Never mind, mother," cried Charity, whose eyes were dancing with -delight, "the name of Tod suits him, and Toddy is the name of a -Scottish drink."</p> - -<p>"Come now; come now," protested Tod, "when I am so sober."</p> - -<p>"You ought to be drunk with happiness," said Haskins, laughing.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps the poor dear needs food," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, leading the -way to the dining-room, "let us see what the cook has done in the way -of supper."</p> - -<p>"My marriage feast," giggled Tod, taking his seat. "You'll be best -man, of course, Jerry."</p> - -<p>"We can talk of these things later," said Mrs. Pelham Odin hurriedly, -"in consequence of my age, I think the marriage will have to be a very -quiet one."</p> - -<p>"Yes," nodded Charity; "I don't want Lady Euphemia to forbid the -banns."</p> - -<p>"As if she could," cried Macandrew, in the highest spirits.</p> - -<p>It was a very merry supper, and Mrs. Pelham Odin drank the health of -the future bride and bridegroom in foaming champagne. Also she winked -in rather an undignified way at Gerald to intimate that she included -himself and Mavis in the toast. Then she related various stage -experiences connected with her own marriage, and eulogized the late -Mr. Pelham Odin.</p> - -<p>"He is an angel now," said the widow, and wept, until Gerald made her -laugh again.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_12" href="#div1Ref_12">CHAPTER XII.</a></h4> -<h5>A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY.</h5> -<br> - -<p>Tod Macandrew was the happiest of men when he and Gerald left Mrs. -Pelham Odin's flat on that night. It was all that Haskins could do to -keep Tod from executing a war dance on the street. "Remember that you -are a solicitor," warned Gerald, "surely you don't want to appear in -the police court, otherwise than in a professional capacity."</p> - -<p>"I am also a lover," cried Tod fervently, "and I care nothing for the -opinion of other people, legal, magisterial or otherwise."</p> - -<p>"Ass!" muttered his friend, and shook the arm he was holding. "Come -out of your midsummer-night dream, and help me."</p> - -<p>"In what way?" asked Tod more soberly.</p> - -<p>"I wish to marry Mavis Durham."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" Tod became more sober than ever. "Haven't you forgotten her -yet?"</p> - -<p>Gerald stopped in surprise. "Why in heaven's name should I forget her, -you unsympathetic idiot? I love her----"</p> - -<p>"And I love Charity," interpolated Macandrew enthusiastically.</p> - -<p>"Then show a trifle of it," retorted Haskins, punning on the name, "by -helping me, as I have helped you. If it had not been for me, Mr. -Toddy, your future mother-in-law would not have consented to this -marriage."</p> - -<p>Tod shook his friend's hand vigorously. "You're one of the best. -Anything I can do--by the way, what am I to do?"</p> - -<p>"Forget Charity for ten minutes in the first place, and get into this -approaching hansom in the second. I intend to drive you to my rooms."</p> - -<p>"What!" Tod pulled out his watch to read the time by the light of the -street lamp under which they were standing. "It's past twelve."</p> - -<p>"James Ian Robert Roy Macandrew, are you or are you not my legal -adviser?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I am, and--oh----" Tod broke off hastily.</p> - -<p>"I knew that I had something to tell you--about that will, you know."</p> - -<p>"Will! Then there is a will?" gasped Gerald, signaling to a hansom.</p> - -<p>"Yes. The will of Captain Julian Durham, who----"</p> - -<p>"Get in, get in," interrupted Haskins testily, as the cab drew up -'longside, "we have much to say to one another."</p> - -<p>Tod jumped into the cab, and shortly Gerald slipped in beside him, -after giving his address. When the hansom was spinning along, Gerald -turned on Tod sharply. "Why didn't you communicate with me about this -will, when you knew how anxious I was?"</p> - -<p>"I only learned the truth yesterday," said Tod quickly; "and wrote a -letter asking you to call. You should have received it this morning."</p> - -<p>"Well then I didn't."</p> - -<p>"It's that infernal office-boy. I'll sack him. Probably he has never -posted it. Well then, I searched for wills in the name of Durham, made -about the time you mention. There are plenty of people of that name, -and I had to read through a lot of documents. Finally I found that -Captain Julian Durham was your man."</p> - -<p>"How do you know?"</p> - -<p>"Because the property of Captain Julian Durham is left to his -daughter, Mavis."</p> - -<p>Gerald uttered so loud an ejaculation that the cabman looked down -through the trap, thinking that he was receiving an order. "No, no, -cabby; it's all serene. Drive on to Frederick Street." When the trap -was closed he addressed himself to Macandrew. "Then I was right?"</p> - -<p>"Quite right," assented Tod admiringly, "though how the deuce you -knew----"</p> - -<p>"I didn't know. But I had an intuitive feeling."</p> - -<p>Tod groaned. "Some more of your confounded occult stuff."</p> - -<p>"Very good," said Gerald dryly. "I accept the rebuke; but explain my -intuition, if you please."</p> - -<p>"What is your intuition, exactly?"</p> - -<p>"I believe," said Haskins seriously, and choosing his words carefully, -"that Mavis has been shut up by Rebb to keep her out of the way, while -he enjoys her income."</p> - -<p>This time Tod uttered an ejaculation. "I believe that there is -something in your occult rubbish after all," he said, in a wondering -manner, "for the situation is exactly as you say."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" Gerald was triumphant, and would have uttered an exultant -speech, but that the cab stopped in Frederick Street. "Here we are, -Tod. Get out. How much, cabby? Two shillings? There you are. Wait till -I open the door, Macandrew. There! Run upstairs. I'll follow."</p> - -<p>Rattling on in this way, Haskins and his friend went up the dimly -lighted stairs, for the gas was not full on, and soon found themselves -in Gerald's comfortable sitting-room. Haskins lighted the lamp--he -detested electric and gas--and passed along a box of cigars to his -visitor. Tod was also accommodated with a glass of whisky and soda and -a comfortable armchair. Gerald, being similarly provided, leaned -forward eagerly. "Now, Toddy, tell me exactly what the will says."</p> - -<p>Tod's eyes strayed to an adjacent table. "Why, there's my letter after -all. That infernal boy <i>did</i> post it. I daresay your man didn't bring -it up. You should row him, Jerry, and----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, bother! Tell me about the will. I can read your letter later."</p> - -<p>"Well then," said Macandrew deliberately, "Julian Durham made a will -at Brighton, more than twenty years ago, disposing of six thousand a -year."</p> - -<p>"Ha! Rebb's exact income."</p> - -<p>"Yes. Only I think Rebb has five or six hundred a year of his own in -addition. The income of Durham was left to his infant daughter, Mavis, -and Michael Rebb was appointed her guardian."</p> - -<p>"And a pretty guardian he has been," muttered Gerald savagely.</p> - -<p>"You may well say that, Jerry. The will says that Rebb is to enjoy the -whole income on condition that he educates and brings up the child in -a proper way."</p> - -<p>"Which he has not done, since Mavis can neither read nor write. -Couldn't the will be upset by that, Tod?"</p> - -<p>"We'll come to that later. But I would point out that the will -provides for Rebb only until Mavis marries. When she marries, the six -thousand a year passes to her at once, on her wedding day, in fact, -only Rebb is not forced to account for what he has used up to that -date."</p> - -<p>Haskins jumped up and began to walk up and down, as he was accustomed -to do when much excited. "Then I am to understand that, if I marry -Mavis, Major Rebb loses six thousand a year?"</p> - -<p>"Exactly. He reverts to his original five or six hundred, which -apparently he possessed before getting his brother officer to make -this preposterous will in his favor, as it practically is."</p> - -<p>Haskins stopped.</p> - -<p>"His brother officer?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! Durham was in a Goorkha regiment, and so was Rebb. Later, I -daresay, Rebb exchanged to the West Indies. I always heard that he -came from that place."</p> - -<p>"Yes. Jamaica," said Haskins mechanically, thinking of Geary. "So this -is why Rebb has shut up the girl, and put about the rumor that she is -crazy. The plotting beast!"</p> - -<p>"He's all that," nodded the solicitor, emphatically, "in that way he -prevents Mavis ever getting a husband, and so, while she remains -unmarried, he can enjoy his income--or rather her income--in a legal -way."</p> - -<p>"In a legal way," echoed Gerald, disgusted. "Why, the man ought to be -hanged and quartered."</p> - -<p>"You can punish him more by depriving him of his income."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'll do that. So far as I am personally concerned, I don't care -two straws for the income----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, come now. Human nature----"</p> - -<p>"I don't go by human nature," interrupted Haskins sharply; "I go by my -own feelings. I would marry Mavis without one penny, since my five -hundred a year and what I make by writing is enough to keep things -going. But Rebb must be punished, and I shall do all I can to deprive -him of this six thousand a year."</p> - -<p>"There is no necessity to bother," said Tod soothingly, "the thing -acts automatically, as you might say. When Mavis becomes your wife the -money is paid over--or rather the income is transferred to her on the -wedding day. The sole chance that Rebb has of keeping his money is to -prevent the marriage."</p> - -<p>"Oh, he'll do his best to do that," said Gerald, with a frown, "I'll -tell you what, Tod, that man won't stop short of murder."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you shouldn't----"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I should. Mavis is under the impression that all girls are -brought up in conventual seclusion, and are not allowed to see young -men. Rebb, for obvious reasons, told her so. But she understands that -she is to be taken into the world when she is one and twenty. Her -twenty-first birthday is only ten months distant--nine months, in -fact. When that time arrives she will want to come out. If Rebb lets -her out she will probably be asked in marriage, and then he would----"</p> - -<p>"Murder her," finished Macandrew. "Not at all. Rebb is too clever a -man to place his precious neck in a noose. When her birthday came, and -she turned restive, he would simply have called in a doctor to -pronounce her insane and unfit for marriage."</p> - -<p>"No doctor would dare to say that: Mavis is quite sane."</p> - -<p>"Much can be done with money," said Tod dryly, "and Rebb has six -thousand a year at his command. Besides, even if he could find no -doctor to swear to her insanity, the mere rumor of such a thing would -prevent any man from marrying her."</p> - -<p>"I am not so certain of that," said Gerald grimly. "As you said just -now, much can be done with money. However, Rebb won't have a chance of -working out his rascally plot, whether he means murder or not. I shall -go to Devonshire and interview him, and----"</p> - -<p>"How do you know that he is there?" questioned Tod quickly.</p> - -<p>The question recalled Haskins to a sense of his folly in trusting the -widow with his secret. "I have made a fool of myself Macandrew," he -remarked soberly, and resumed his seat, "it is my belief that Mrs. -Crosbie has put Rebb on his guard, and that Rebb has gone down to -Denleigh to thwart my plans for carrying off Mavis."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Crosbie! Jerry, I warned you."</p> - -<p>"I know that, and I wish I had taken your warning. Listen!" And Gerald -related his interview with the widow, ending with an emphatic -declaration that he did not believe she had kept her promise of -secrecy.</p> - -<p>Macandrew nodded, as he quite agreed with him. "As Mrs. Crosbie is -engaged to Rebb, she will not wish him to lose his income, so----"</p> - -<p>"Do you think she knows of Rebb's position?"</p> - -<p>"Of course. She may not have known it before you confided in her, but -she certainly would demand an explanation from the Major, in spite of -her promise, when she heard that he was keeping a pretty girl shut up. -Mrs. Crosbie is a woman, and as a woman is jealous, Rebb would be -forced to tell the truth--that is, how his income depends upon Mavis -being imprisoned. When Mrs. Crosbie knew that, she certainly would do -all she could to prevent you marrying the girl."</p> - -<p>"But Madge has always been my friend," protested Haskins.</p> - -<p>"Friendship goes when money is in question," retorted Tod. "I told you -that I suspected the widow of being hard up. If I am right, she is -marrying Rebb for the money, and both she and he will do all they can -to keep that six thousand a year. But," added Tod slowly, "I do not -think there will be any murder needed. The insanity rumor is enough to -prevent a possible marriage."</p> - -<p>"Not with me," raged Gerald, jumping up once more.</p> - -<p>"Quite so. Therefore Rebb, on his guard, has gone to Devonshire to -work against you."</p> - -<p>"I'll follow by the first morning train."</p> - -<p>"Take care, Haskins," warned the solicitor. "Rebb is dangerous. A man -who would act as he has done will not stick at a trifle. If there is -to be murder, you will be the victim."</p> - -<p>Gerald held his head very high. "I am not so easily got rid of," he -remarked quietly. "However, Mrs. Crosbie and her mother are at Bognor, -so they are out of the way. Now I don't like doing underhand things. -Tod, as you know, but in this case it seems necessary that these two -women should be watched to see if Rebb goes down to see them at -Bognor."</p> - -<p>Macandrew nodded. "I can arrange that. I'll send a confidential clerk -down. It is dirty work, but when dealing with a rascal like Rebb one -cannot be too careful. And you will take a revolver with you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I may have to reckon with Geary, who is Rebb's spy and bully. -And then there is Bellaria, who---- Tod," broke off Haskins, "you have -been in Italy and know something of Italian, so----"</p> - -<p>"I know a great deal," corrected Tod indignantly. "I am excellent at -languages: you know that."</p> - -<p>"All right, old boy, don't get your hair off. What is the meaning of -the word Tána?"</p> - -<p>"Tána? It means a den. Caverna, Tána, Antro--all mean a den," he -paused reflectively, and Tod threw up his hand before Gerald could -answer. "Where have I heard that word? It seems familiar."</p> - -<p>"No doubt, when people speak in Italy----"</p> - -<p>"I don't mean that. I have heard the word used in a peculiar way."</p> - -<p>Haskins reflected, with his eyes on Macandrew. "Do you know anything -in connection with the word about a red coral hand grasping a----"</p> - -<p>"A dagger," cried Tod, rising quickly. "Yes, of course. When I was in -Naples there was some talk of a society----"</p> - -<p>"I thought so--I thought so."</p> - -<p>"It is called the Tána Society--the Den Society, in English. I believe -that it is a collection of cut-throats, who terrorize people with the -symbol of the coral hand. The name comes from the idea of the society -hiding in a den, and emerging to do justice. It is something like the -Sicilian Mafia."</p> - -<p>"Quite so," Haskins nodded. "I now understand Bellaria's fear. She ran -out of this room as though she were crazy, and indeed she was, for the -time being. She apparently thought that I was an emissary of the Tána, -appointed to kill her."</p> - -<p>"Was Bellaria in town?" cried Tod, astonished.</p> - -<p>"Yes. She found out about myself and Mavis, and came up to tell Rebb. -I called to see Rebb and we met. She came back with me, and we had a -long talk. She hinted about betraying a man called Salviati, with whom -she was in love, and talked about hiding from the vengeance of certain -people. When she saw the coral hand she ran out crying, 'Tána! -Tána!----"</p> - -<p>"But how did you get the coral hand?" asked Tod, open-mouthed.</p> - -<p>Haskins described how he had taken away Mrs. Crosbie's cigarette-case -by accident, and how he had found the hand. In fact he told Macandrew -everything, including the whole conversation with Bellaria, and the -subsequent visit of Mrs. Berch to recover the amulet. "And this Signor -Venosta gave the coral hand to Mrs. Crosbie?" ended Gerald. "What do -you think of it, Tod?"</p> - -<p>Macandrew sat down gasping. "It's like a confounded penny dreadful," -he remarked, ruffling his ruddy hair. "Girls shut up--incomes stolen, -and secret societies--oh, Lord! there is going to be trouble."</p> - -<p>"In what way?"</p> - -<p>"Don't ask me." Tod rose and began to put on his overcoat. "If I were -you, Jerry, I should chuck the whole business."</p> - -<p>"What--leave Mavis?"</p> - -<p>"Yes--if you don't want to get into a row. Rebb may be connected with -this Tána Society and----"</p> - -<p>"No," interrupted Haskins decidedly, "on the contrary, he is -protecting Bellaria from assassination by the Tána, and so is himself -in danger of death. But why should Mrs. Crosbie possess this coral -hand?"</p> - -<p>"You had better ask Signor Venosta, who gave it to her. He is probably -a Count Fosco of modern days. But if you insist upon marrying this -girl you will involve yourself in heaps of trouble."</p> - -<p>"I intend to go down to Denleigh to-morrow and face Rebb," said Gerald -determinedly. "Mavis shall be my wife. Meanwhile you must have Mrs. -Crosbie watched." Gerald winced. "I don't like it, but I must save the -girl."</p> - -<p>"I'll do all I can. But I tell you what, Jerry, if you don't return to -London in a week I'll set the police on your track."</p> - -<p>"Very good! It's a case of marriage or death!"</p> - -<p>Haskins was gay, but Tod departed filled with forebodings.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_13" href="#div1Ref_13">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h4> -<h5>THE TABLES TURNED.</h5> -<br> - -<p>Haskins departed for Devonshire by the eleven-fifty morning train from -Paddington, with a great sense of exultation. The necessity of -immediate action appealed to his active brain and to his craving for -romance. That there was more than a spice of danger in the adventure -to which he was committed added to his enjoyment. Notwithstanding his -repudiation of Tod's suggestion that murder might be the end of these -things he took the precaution of carrying a revolver. After all, Major -Rebb was being driven into a highly unpleasant corner, and--from what -Gerald knew of him--he was not the kind of man to submit tamely to -being beaten. Nor would he readily surrender six thousand a year. He -had enjoyed the luxuries of life too long to be content with the mere -necessities. And that was only human nature.</p> - -<p>However, Haskins determined to beard the lion in his den, which for -the moment was Geary's village inn. Gerald himself decided to remain -at the Prince's Head, Silbury, since the negro, by Rebb's orders, -might make himself highly disagreeable should the young man live under -the sinister roof of the Devon Maid. But Haskins was not easily -intimidated, and, even though the Major and his underling joined -forces to thwart him, he felt quite equal to dealing with them, -collectively or separately. Right was on his side, and Gerald had an -implicit belief that good was stronger than evil. Those who fought in -the cause for which Geary and Rebb were fighting could not possibly -triumph.</p> - -<p>It was after four o'clock when Haskins arrived in Silbury, and he -repaired at once to the Prince's Head. Mrs. Jennings was glad to see -him, and gave him his old room. He learned that Rebb in his motor car -had gone two days previously to Denleigh, and had not returned to the -little town. He was visiting an elderly relative at Leegarth, said the -landlady, and Gerald smiled when he noticed how persistently the Major -kept up the fiction, to account for his presence in the neighborhood. -While he was having afternoon tea he asked questions, and learned to -his surprise that Bellaria was the elderly relative.</p> - -<p>"She is an Italian," said Haskins, on hearing this.</p> - -<p>"One of them nasty foreigners," assented the plump hostess, "of course -she is, sir, for I've seen her myself. At times she come to Silbury -for marketing, and she went to London the other day, coming back in a -broken-up condition, as you might say."</p> - -<p>Haskins smiled grimly. He knew well what had broken Bellaria up. "But -she can't be any relative of Major Rebb," he expostulated, "he is -quite English, Mrs. Jennings."</p> - -<p>"Irish, begging your pardon, sir, but it's this way, as the Major told -me himself when he stopped here for the night. This Miss Bellaria's -parents were Italian, and Major Rebb's were Irish. But his father died -and her mother; so her father married the Major's mother, which makes -them a kind of sister and brother."</p> - -<p>Gerald shrugged his shoulders at this somewhat confused description, -and shook his head. "It may please Rebb to call Bellaria Dondi his -elderly relative," he said quietly, "but in reality there is no -relationship between them."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Jennings nodded in her turn. "And he ain't very kind to her," she -went on disapprovingly, "for she do look miserable when she comes out -of that lunatic asylum, as you might call it."</p> - -<p>"Lunatic asylum!" Haskins received a shock. He had no idea that the -rumor of Mavis' insanity had spread so far as Silbury. But Mrs. -Jennings seemed to know all about it.</p> - -<p>"Oh yes, sir, don't you know?" she remarked, earnestly. "Miss Bellaria -is set to watch that poor girl, Mavis Durham, who is quite mad."</p> - -<p>"Who says that she is mad?" asked Gerald heatedly.</p> - -<p>"Everyone," replied the landlady vaguely. "Why, the Major himself told -me that she was always wanting to kill people. That is why she is shut -up and watched by Miss Bellaria. It would never do, sir, for a lunatic -like that to come out. Why, we might all be murdered in our beds."</p> - -<p>It was on the tip of Haskins' tongue to deny the insanity of Mavis, -for which Mrs. Jennings vouched so staunchly. But to do so would have -led to an admission of his secret visits to the Pixy's House. Until he -settled with Rebb he did not wish these to be known, therefore he -contented himself with another question. "Have you ever seen Miss -Durham?"</p> - -<p>"Lord! no, sir, nor has anyone else. Miss Bellaria keeps her safely -within the grounds of that tumbledown house, and a good thing too, say -I."</p> - -<p>"Does the house belong to Major Rebb?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir--to that poor girl herself. You see, sir, the Durhams were a -great family hereabouts for years. But they all died out save one, who -went soldiering to India. He was shot in the lungs some months after -his marriage at Simla to an English lady, and came home to die. He -lingered a year and died at Brighton."</p> - -<p>"And his wife?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, she died in Bombay, when starting for England, long before -Captain Durham was shot. That poor girl at the Pixy's House was born -when her mother died, so Major Rebb, who was a brother officer of -Captain Durham, took charge of her."</p> - -<p>"Has Miss Durham any money?"</p> - -<p>"I can't tell you that, sir. What I say is only what I have heard from -time to time. I believe that she has the old house of the Durhams, and -enough money to keep her. Major Rebb is a good, kind gentleman to take -such trouble over the poor thing. Many another gentleman would have -shut her up in a lunatic asylum."</p> - -<p>Haskins smiled once more, very significantly. He quite believed that -if Rebb could have shut up Mavis as a lunatic he would have done so -long ago. But, in the first place, it would be difficult to get two -doctors to certify to her insanity, and in the second, if the case -became known, the use of the girl's money by Rebb might be questioned. -The Major had just made sufficient of the story public to save himself -from awkward questions, and Gerald foresaw that to extricate Mavis -from her false position was a more difficult task than, he had -reckoned upon.</p> - -<p>However, notwithstanding that things looked thus black, he held to his -determination of having an explanation with Major Rebb, and as the -evening was pleasant he walked to Denleigh at his leisure. There was -more chance of catching the Major at this hour, since it was probable -that he would always return to the Devon Maid for dinner. As he was -starting, Mrs. Jennings came up to him at the door.</p> - -<p>"If you see Major Rebb, sir," she said, in a low voice, "you might -tell him that Mr. Arnold has come back."</p> - -<p>"Who is he?" asked Gerald, forgetting what Mavis had said.</p> - -<p>"A small clever gentleman, with a long beard, who looked after that -poor girl for a time. He went away to some foreign port months ago but -returned to this neighborhood during the last two or three days. I -haven't seen Mr. Arnold myself," ended Mrs. Jennings, "but others have -seen him, and I want the Major to know."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Haskins, looking at her keenly.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Arnold behaved very badly to Major Rebb," explained the landlady, -"and went away without giving notice. Major Rebb wants to see him, and -ask why he left him in the lurch, as you might say."</p> - -<p>"I'll tell him," said Haskins, nodding. "Where is this Mr. Arnold -now?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say, sir, save that he is in the neighborhood."</p> - -<p>Haskins walked away, pondering over what had been said. He then -remembered how Mavis had called this dwarf Arnold by the name of -Schaibar, and said that he had gone to Australia. Apparently he had -acted as a kind of companion to Mavis, and possibly as a tutor, -although he had not been allowed by Rebb to teach his pupil reading or -writing. It occurred to Gerald that the scholar was friendly to Mavis. -In that case, he certainly would be hostile to her guardian, as he -could not fail to know from personal observation that the girl was -perfectly sane, and was illegally detained. The young man felt very -certain that Rebb wished to see this Mr. Arnold, not to ask him -questions as to the reason for his sudden departure, some months back, -but to bribe him into silence regarding the truth. "I shall hunt up -Arnold," thought Gerald, as he mounted the rising road to Denleigh, -"he may be able to help Mavis and myself. And heaven knows that we -shall need all the help and friendship that we can obtain."</p> - -<p>The evening was warm, luminous, and intensely still. Haskins did not -hurry himself, but sauntered through the lovely country, enjoying its -beauty in spite of his anxious state of mind. In the depths of his -heart he felt that everything would come right in the end, and that he -would some day be able to make Mavis his dear wife. They would then -live happily ever afterwards, just like a fairy tale.</p> - -<p>Still, in fairy tales, the lovers always have to undergo much woe and -sorrow and danger before the end is reached, and this fantasy of real -life--as Gerald believed--was to proceed much on the same lines. -Dragons had to be overcome, magicians thwarted, enchanted castles had -to be stormed: but when these tasks laid upon the fated prince were -accomplished he would awaken the princess to everyday life with a -kiss, and all the fairies would come to the nuptials. The young man -thought allegorically, but there was a bitter truth enshrined in the -symbols. And fairy tales themselves are only fanciful pictures of -life's mystery: pain must be undergone before pleasure can be gained.</p> - -<p>Geary was absent when the traveler arrived at the Devon Maid, and -Haskins was not sorry to hear this from Mrs. Geary, who received him. -The negro, having learned from Rebb and Bellaria that the castle he -had guarded was discovered, would not be in the best of humors and -would probably make himself disagreeable. Not that Gerald had any fear -of the man; but he wished for an explanation with Rebb before any open -quarrel took place. The Major, as a civilized being, would certainly -be more reasonable than the negro.</p> - -<p>"Is Major Rebb in?" questioned Gerald, when Mrs. Geary had told him of -her husband's absence--she did not say where he was, as she apparently -did not know, and Geary was not the man to permit questions.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. He is having dinner in your old room. I am sorry you can't -have the room, Mr. Haskins, but the Major----"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes! I understand," said Haskins impatiently, "take my card to -Major Rebb, and say that I have come down from London to see him."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Geary did this in her stolid way, and shortly returned to usher -Haskins into the well-remembered sitting-room. Here he was received -somewhat stiffly by the man he had come to see, and the landlady -retired, closing the door carefully after her. Rebb looked thinner and -more erect, and more reserved than ever. With a silent bow he pointed -to a seat, and waited to hear what Gerald had to say. Considering the -two men had already met frequently this reception was frigid; but Rebb -apparently wished to make Haskins as uncomfortable as possible, so -that he might get the better of him. If such was his object he failed -to attain it, for Gerald, anticipating this demeanor, was quite -cheerful, and very observant. The Major, having finished his meal, -lighted a cigar, but did not offer one to Haskins. This was a sign of -war, and Gerald accepted it as such.</p> - -<p>"You are surprised to see me," he remarked, keeping his eyes on Rebb's -dark high-bred face.</p> - -<p>"Not exactly," answered the other coolly, "my man told me that you -wished to see me in London, and of course I found your card, when I -returned. I regret that I could not see you then, but I had to come -back here on business."</p> - -<p>"To see your elderly relative, no doubt."</p> - -<p>"Bellaria Dondi. Precisely. Well?"</p> - -<p>"Why fence in this way, Rebb?" asked the young man, "you have heard -from Bellaria that I----"</p> - -<p>"Yes," interrupted the Major, leaning forward and gripping the arms of -his chair with an angry expression on his face, "Bellaria has told me -of your secret visits to the Pixy's House. I must say that you have -behaved very badly, Haskins. This is not the kind of thing I expected -from you."</p> - -<p>"Really," Gerald raised his eyebrows, "we have not been intimate, that -you should expect me to consider your feelings."</p> - -<p>"Since my future wife was your mother's friend and is yours," said -Rebb, with dignity, "I was quite willing to admit you to a certain -degree of intimacy. Now the case is altered."</p> - -<p>"Because I love your ward?"</p> - -<p>"No. Because you went by stealth to see her. If you had come to me, I -could have explained her unhappy condition."</p> - -<p>"I am quite certain that you could," retorted Gerald, looking straight -at his enemy, as he was convinced the Major was, "but is there any -need of an explanation? Everyone hereabouts declares that Miss Durham -is insane, and not responsible for her actions."</p> - -<p>A flash of pleasure came and went in Rebb's dark eyes for the moment, -and then he looked hypocritically sad. "Poor girl! It is only too -true."</p> - -<p>"I don't agree with you there," said Haskins quietly.</p> - -<p>"Indeed, and on what grounds?"</p> - -<p>"I have had several interviews with Mavis, and I am quite certain that -she is as sane as you or I."</p> - -<p>"If so, why should I shut her up?"</p> - -<p>"Ask your own conscience."</p> - -<p>Rebb struck his hand fiercely on the table. "You go too far, Haskins, -in saying that. I am not forced to account for my actions to you."</p> - -<p>"You may not think so," said Gerald, feeling that they were coming to -close quarters, "but I do. I love Mavis, and wish to marry her."</p> - -<p>"It is out of the question."</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"She is--as I declare--insane. If you married her, she would probably -murder you in your sleep."</p> - -<p>"I am willing to take the risk," said Haskins, with a contemptuous -smile. He saw that Rebb was trying to make the best of his position.</p> - -<p>"I am not willing that you should," retorted the Major.</p> - -<p>"Ah! but the decision lies with me. Mrs. Crosbie----"</p> - -<p>Rebb looked furious. "What has Mrs. Crosbie to do with this matter?"</p> - -<p>"Has she not told you?"</p> - -<p>"Told me what? I have heard nothing from Mrs. Crosbie."</p> - -<p>Gerald privately apologized to himself for having doubted the little -woman, but determined to have no further misunderstanding. He spoke -out. "I saw Mrs. Crosbie when I was in London, and asked her to help -me to marry Mavis."</p> - -<p>"Not even for Mrs. Crosbie's sake can I consent to that. A marriage of -that kind would be a sin. How dare you tell my private affairs to my -future wife?" And Rebb again struck the table.</p> - -<p>"Gently, Major, gently! I am not to be intimidated. I asked Mrs. -Crosbie to help me, as she is my mother's old friend, and I have known -her much longer than you have. She refused to help me."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" cried Rebb, gratified. "I knew that she loved me."</p> - -<p>"But she agreed to keep what I had told her a secret from you, for at -least a month, on condition that I took no steps meanwhile to run away -with Mavis. From what you say, I understand that she has kept her -promise, and I have done her an injustice. I fancied, from your sudden -departure to this place, that she had told you."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Crosbie has told me nothing," said Rebb coldly. "I came down -here because I heard that Bellaria had been up to see me. Also I had a -line from Geary saying that something was wrong. I came down at once, -and was informed that you had been spying out my private affairs."</p> - -<p>"Don't call hard names, Major," said Gerald coolly. "I admit that I -was wrong to speak to Mrs. Crosbie, seeing that she is engaged to you. -But I am putting that right by coming here for an explanation, and I -absolve Mrs. Crosbie from her promise. But I was not wrong in obeying -the invitation of the sealed message. Any young man in my position -would have done the same."</p> - -<p>"Ah, the cylinder!" cried Rebb angrily, "Bellaria told me of that, as -Mavis confessed to her what she had done. Who would have thought that -the girl would have communicated with the world in that way?"</p> - -<p>"Why should she not communicate with the world?" asked Gerald sharply.</p> - -<p>Rebb saw that in his hurry he had made a mistake, and tried to get out -of it. "Why? Because she is crazy!"</p> - -<p>"And for that reason she has not been taught to read or write?"</p> - -<p>"Exactly! The doctor said that if she were educated, or if her brain -was subjected to any strain, her homicidal mania would be intensified. -Out of sheer pity for the unfortunate girl, I have had her kept in -ignorance."</p> - -<p>"I see!" said Haskins, thinking that the excuse was extremely skilful. -"Then Mr. Arnold taught her nothing?"</p> - -<p>Rebb started; the cigar fell from his fingers, and he turned pale. The -mention of the name evidently worried him not a little. "What do you -know of Mr. Arnold?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>"Only that he is, or was, Mavis' tutor in some sort of odd way. And -that reminds me: Mrs. Jennings of the Prince's Head gave me a message -for you, Major. Mr. Arnold, she says, has returned from Australia, and -is in the neighborhood."</p> - -<p>"Stale news, Haskins," said Rebb, recovering his wits. "Geary found -out, at least a week ago, that Arnold was traveling round the country, -in a kind of gipsy caravan, selling books. It was about Arnold that -Geary wrote to me. I came down to see into the matter, as Arnold is a -rascal. But I also learned on my arrival, from Bellaria, that you had -been taking an interest in my affairs!" And he sneered.</p> - -<p>"In the affairs of the woman I hope to make my wife!" said Gerald -imperturbably.</p> - -<p>Rebb rose stiffly. "Mr. Haskins," he said, in a most ceremonious -manner, "had you come to me in the first place, and without acting in -this underhand manner, I should have told you that such a marriage is -impossible. I tell you so now, and beg to end this interview."</p> - -<p>Gerald rose also. "As you please, Major Rebb. After all," he paused at -the door, "six thousand a year is worth fighting for."</p> - -<p>Rebb gasped, again turned pale, and fell back into his chair.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_14" href="#div1Ref_14">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h4> -<h5>THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS.</h5> -<br> - -<p>"Do you still wish me to go?" inquired Gerald politely, and half -opening the sitting-room door.</p> - -<p>"No," cried Rebb sharply. "Shut that door again and explain yourself."</p> - -<p>Haskins returned to his seat. "Does what I say need explanation?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly. You insinuate that my income has to do with Mavis."</p> - -<p>"You place the matter in a nutshell, Major. It has."</p> - -<p>Rebb rose again, with the look of a man at bay. "You dare to----"</p> - -<p>"I dare anything in the cause of Mavis," interrupted Gerald -imperiously. "Don't make any mistake about my attitude, Major Rebb. If -you act honestly, I am here as your friend; but if you declare war I -am willing to accept your challenge."</p> - -<p>If a look could have slain the bold speaker, Haskins would have -dropped dead where he stood; but he bore Rebb's fierce gaze without -flinching, and waited for him to speak. The Major made a gigantic -effort, and gained control of himself sufficiently to open his mouth -for a quiet question. "Where did you learn this?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>"From the will of Captain Julian Durham at Somerset House."</p> - -<p>"Indeed! More spying!" sneered the other, but his lip quivered.</p> - -<p>Haskins shrugged his shoulders, and took scarcely any notice of the -insult. "That is a weak speech to make," he remarked.</p> - -<p>Rebb passed a handkerchief across his pale lips. "Who told you about -the will?" he asked quietly.</p> - -<p>"It was more an intuition than anything else," said Haskins, anxious -to shield Mrs. Geary, whose chance words had put him on the track. "I -saw that Mavis was sane, and that you were shutting her up for some -reason. Money was the reason that suggested itself."</p> - -<p>"And you searched in Somerset House?"</p> - -<p>"Not personally. Macandrew did that, as my lawyer."</p> - -<p>"Great heavens!" stormed Rebb, growing darkly red, "is Macandrew in -this affair also? Will you tell me, Mr. Haskins, how many people you -have succeeded in interesting in my private business?"</p> - -<p>"Only Tod and myself know about the matter so far--I refer to the -will, of course. But others may come to know of it, unless----"</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Rebb quickly, "now we are coming to the gist of the matter, -Mr. Haskins. Unless what?"</p> - -<p>"Unless you give Mavis her proper position in the world----"</p> - -<p>"And consent to your marriage with her, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>Haskins bowed. "You save me the trouble of an explanation."</p> - -<p>"There is another explanation to be made," said Rebb, trying to appear -calm, "and one that in justice to myself I must make. The will----"</p> - -<p>"Pardon me," interrupted Gerald coolly, "but Mrs. Jennings knows all -about your ward's alleged insanity."</p> - -<p>"Her true insanity," cried Rebb warmly, "everyone in Denleigh and -Silbury and Leegarth knows about the poor girl, and that she is -watched by Bellaria Dondi."</p> - -<p>"Your useful, elderly relative. Just so. And does all the neighborhood -know about Julian Durham's will?"</p> - -<p>"Anyone who goes to Somerset House can learn what he wishes, as you -have done," retorted the Major. "I am not bound to make my private -affairs public down here. You apparently are trying to do your best to -provide gossip for the neighborhood."</p> - -<p>"Well, yes. I mean to get Mavis out of the Pixy's House."</p> - -<p>Rebb jumped up and banged on the table furiously. "I defy you. Yes, I -defy you," he almost shouted, "and you shall not get her out of that -house. She is well treated, and----"</p> - -<p>"One moment. I never said that she was not well treated," said Gerald -swiftly, "but, badly as you are behaving, I presume your conscience -does not allow you to ill-treat Mavis, seeing that you are enjoying -her fortune."</p> - -<p>"Take care! Take care! I may strike you."</p> - -<p>"By all means. It will give me the chance to take you into court for -assault and make the matter of the Pixy's House public."</p> - -<p>"Ah," Rebb looked scathingly at the bold speaker, "you are afraid."</p> - -<p>"Oh no. If you strike me, I shall probably give you a good thrashing, -which, to my mind, you richly deserve. In an ordinary case I would -thrash you and let you go: but my desire is to force you into taking -up a public position of defence."</p> - -<p>"I am quite willing to do so," said Rebb violently, "you can employ -Macandrew or any lawyer you like. The will is in my favor, and I have -carried out its provisions."</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, but that is just what you have not done. Mavis, by the -will, was to be educated. She can neither read nor write."</p> - -<p>"The doctor said----"</p> - -<p>"Produce your doctor who said that her brain could not understand, or -could not bear teaching. It is no use, Major. Whatever you may say -about Mavis, to suit your own ends, you are well aware that she is -perfectly sane, and that you are keeping her shut up in the Pixy's -House to enjoy her money."</p> - -<p>"You dare--you dare----"</p> - -<p>"I dare now, and I shall dare in open court," retorted the young man.</p> - -<p>"I wonder I don't kill you," muttered Rebb, in impotent fury.</p> - -<p>"In the first place you can't; in the second, if you did you would -only be tried for murder instead of conspiracy."</p> - -<p>"Conspiracy? Conspiracy, damn you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, against the liberty of a subject."</p> - -<p>Rebb had proved himself to be a brave man in several South African -engagements, so it was not fear that prevented him from falling upon -the man who thus defied him and meddled with his most private affairs. -But with all his fury--and he could scarcely articulate for rage--he -was sufficiently master of himself to know that to strike Haskins -would only force him into open court. Rebb had no wish that the will -of Durham and his guardianship of Mavis should be a topic of -conversation with his friends, or appear in print for the delectation -of the public. He therefore kept his hands down by his sides, and -subdued his wrath, as best he could. But the effort nearly choked him.</p> - -<p>"You have said all that you can say, Mr. Haskins," he growled, in a -guttural voice filled with menace, "so you can go."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," rejoined Gerald again. "And your attitude?"</p> - -<p>"I stand by the will of my brother officer," said Rebb, with -suppressed fury, "I enjoy the Durham property until Mavis marries. She -is not fit to marry, being insane, therefore----"</p> - -<p>"You will enjoy the Durham property until the end of your life."</p> - -<p>"Yes!" said Rebb determinedly, "I do hold to that. Mavis has all she -wants and is happy where she is."</p> - -<p>"Because you have filled her mind with lying tales of English girls -all being brought up in seclusion as she is being brought up. But on -Mavis' twenty-first birthday, Rebb, when she hopes to come out into -the world? What then? How will you restrain her? Will she be happy -then?"</p> - -<p>"I am not bound to tell you of my plans regarding my ward," said the -Major stiffly, "on her twenty-first birthday I shall know how to act."</p> - -<p>"Good-night!" said Gerald abruptly, and made for the door.</p> - -<p>"Stop," cried Rebb imperatively. "What about <i>your</i> attitude?"</p> - -<p>Haskins wheeled at the door. "I love Mavis, and I intend to make her -my wife. That is my attitude."</p> - -<p>"I see," sneered the Major; "you are after her money."</p> - -<p>The insult was too contemptible to be noticed. "Think what you like, -Major, only remember one thing. If you harm Mavis in any way, or -transfer her to another hiding-place, I shall hold you accountable."</p> - -<p>"In what way?" questioned the other contemptuously.</p> - -<p>"I shall find some relative of Mavis, and get him or her to contest -the will. That will bring everything out."</p> - -<p>"Very probably, but Mavis has no relative. Julian Durham was the last -of his race, and so, since his wife was dead, left his child for me to -look after. Had he or she any relative I should not have been -appointed guardian. I stand by the will. Good-night."</p> - -<p>Gerald hesitated, and wondered whether he would say anything more, but -on second thoughts he decided to hold his peace, and abruptly left the -room. After all, there was no more to be arranged. He knew the -attitude which Rebb had taken up, and Rebb knew his attitude. It only -remained to fight for possession of the girl.</p> - -<p>As Haskins walked back to Silbury, in the rapidly gathering darkness, -he admitted that Rebb's position was a strong one. Mavis was perfectly -happy, and had all she wanted. The loss of liberty did not trouble -her, since she had the spacious grounds of the Pixy's House for a -playground, and, moreover, thought that all English girls were brought -up in the same way. Had she known that this was a lie she might have -fretted after liberty, and then there would have been some ground to -go upon. But were she taken into court she could not deny but that her -guardian had been kind, and had given her all she required. This -reasoning was all in favor of Rebb.</p> - -<p>Then again, since Rebb swore that Mavis was insane, he was quite -justified in shutting her up, so long as she was treated kindly. -Certainly could she be proved to be sane, his position would then be a -very awkward one, as it would force him to explain why he had used the -girl's money all these years, while keeping her in durance vile. But, -as Tod had said and Gerald had echoed, "much could be done with -money," and if things came to be made public Rebb might be able to -bribe a couple of doctors to certify to Mavis' insanity. In that case -she would be shut up in a public asylum, and Rebb--after setting aside -a certain sum for her maintenance--would enjoy the Durham income for -the rest of his wicked life. The plot was very cunningly arranged, and -in standing by the will Rebb took up an almost unassailable position.</p> - -<p>Many another man would have been daunted by the difficulties thus -presented by a survey of the position. But Gerald was in love, and to -a lover nothing is impossible that stands in the way of his gaining -his mistress. Haskins did not know for the moment exactly how to act, -but in one way or another he determined to force Rebb's strong hand. -By warning Rebb he had certainly put him on his guard against any -possible elopement: but he also had forced him to behave in a more or -less straightforward manner. Knowing that he was watched the Major -could not smuggle Mavis into another hiding-place.</p> - -<p>During the conversation Gerald had intended to mention Bellaria's -dread of the coral hand, so that he might learn if it was really the -Tána Society that she feared. But the chances were that Rebb would not -have told him, and moreover the introduction of a new subject might -have complicated matters. Haskins therefore congratulated himself that -he had kept silence. Also, for the moment, it was unnecessary to draw -Rebb's attention to the wonderful likeness between Charity and Mavis. -Doubtless Rebb was well aware of it, and it was more than likely that -Rebb could explain it. Still, bearing in mind Mrs. Pelham Odin's offer -to pass off Mavis as Charity, should it be necessary, Gerald resolved -to hold his peace. At one moment he was inclined to storm the Pixy's -House secretly and elope with Mavis, hiding her, as above, under the -name of Charity, who would then be out of the way as Mrs. Macandrew. -But Rebb would know who had taken Mavis away, and--standing by the -will, which gave him the guardianship of Mavis until she was -twenty-one--would make dire trouble. Gerald did not wish to be arrested, -as he could do little good for Mavis if imprisoned.</p> - -<p>It only remained then to return to London and to see Tod. In one way -or another some start could be made towards extricating Mavis from the -clutches of her guardian; and when the start was made the desired end -would be reached sooner or later. Gerald therefore determined to leave -Silbury next morning, and to begin his campaign forthwith, assisted by -Tod. He felt very reluctant to leave the neighborhood without seeing -Mavis, but he was forced to. Bellaria would now be on her guard, if he -attempted to climb the wall. And Gerald was very certain that Geary -had been sent to watch the Pixy's House by his precious master. -Haskins had a revolver, as opposed to the yellow-handled knife about -which Mavis had talked, so he did not fear the encounter. But an open -struggle would only damage the position of Mavis, and impede any plans -made for her rescue. Knowing that Rebb had the will, and swore to the -reported insanity of Mavis to strengthen his attitude, Gerald was -extremely anxious to move cautiously. In sheer desperation Major Rebb -might call in the assistance of the law. Much as Haskins wished to -force the man's hand, he did not want to do so by placing himself in -the wrong. To take Mavis from the guardianship of a man appointed by -her father's will, would be a disobedience to the law of which Rebb -would take full advantage.</p> - -<p>As the night was warm, Gerald, having plenty of time, did not hurry -himself. There was no moon, and the stars were covered with dun-hued -clouds. Very little light, therefore, came from above. Nevertheless, -the night was not entirely dark, as a faint luminous radiance was -everywhere spread, and he could pick his way along the highroad -very easily. Although, following Tod's advice, he had his revolver -in his hip-pocket, he never thought that it would be necessary to -use it. Major Rebb, as a civilized being, had refrained from actual -violence, much as he apparently desired to use it. But then, he -would only have taken to his fists. It was far otherwise with -Geary. That semi-civilized savage would undoubtedly have taken to -his yellow-handled knife.</p> - -<p>In the usual way in which intuitions came to Haskins, the thought of -this knife unexpectedly flashed into his mind when he topped the last -rise of the hills. Already he could see the glimmer of the Silbury -lights, and paused a moment to watch them, shining like stars under -the muggy canopy of the heavy sky. But the knife-thought remained, and -he turned his head uneasily from side to side, scenting danger, by his -sixth sense. The feeling passed, and then came again stronger than -ever when he began to walk on once more. He glanced back, and then -swerved to one side, just in time to avoid the rush of a big black -form which hurled itself out of the shadows. It was Geary, who dashed -towards him, missed, wheeled, and flung himself again on the young -man.</p> - -<p>Haskins had walked to Denleigh in his flannels, as the evening was so -close, so he was a sufficiently easy mark in the semi-darkness, -showing whitely like a negative against the gloom. Geary clutched him -in his powerful arms before he could swerve again, or draw his -revolver, and then Gerald realized with a shock of surprise that, save -for a pair of dungaree trousers, the man was naked. Not only that, but -the upper part of his body had been rubbed with oil, and he slipped -about like an eel. Geary made no remark, nor did Gerald speak, but the -two men, the one big and burly, the other lithe and wiry, wrestled -together for mastery. Haskins believed that Geary wished to get him -down and stab him, but could not see if he held a knife. He certainly -did not in his huge hands, but he might have had it strapped, sailor -fashion, in the small of his back.</p> - -<p>Without a word the two men swung and swayed, Geary wriggling and -pressing Gerald downward with his great weight. But Haskins had lately -taken lessons in jiu-jutsu, of which the negro was apparently -ignorant; so he suddenly gave way, with an unexpected relaxing of all -the muscles. Geary uttered a guttural ejaculation of anger and -surprise as he felt the looseness of the young man's body and found a -moment afterwards that his big arms were empty. By making himself -small, so to speak, Gerald had slipped out of the negro's grip, and -darted back with lightning speed. When Geary swung round again to the -assault he found himself facing a revolver.</p> - -<p>Nothing daunted, his hand slipped round to the back of his dungaree -trousers, and a moment later Gerald saw the steel glitter in the dim -light, as Geary rushed forward with uplifted hand. Haskins did not -wish to kill the man, as he was a necessary witness to save Mavis, so -he winged him. The bullet struck the negro's right arm, and the knife -dropped, as he howled viciously. Apparently dreading another shot, he -sprang aside and then backward, and vanished. For some minutes Gerald -heard the pad-pad-pad of his bare feet on the highway, and became -aware then, for the first time, that he had escaped a great danger.</p> - -<p>Picking up the knife, he replaced his revolver in his hip-pocket and -walked swiftly towards Silbury, wondering if Rebb had sent the man to -kill him. If so, Geary had failed, and as there was no chance of -another attempt being made on that night Gerald did not trouble -himself on the way to the town. He swiftly resolved to say nothing of -his adventure, especially as any publicity might lead to revelations -being made at the moment, while Mavis' fate swung in the balance. But -later Gerald determined to bring Geary to justice. He had the evidence -of the knife. At the first street lamp he stopped and looked at the -weapon. It was a dangerous piece of steel--a bowie knife, but the -handle was of black wood. What then had become of the yellow-handled -knife which Mavis feared so greatly? Gerald was too weary, and ached -too much with his late struggle, to think over this problem. He -therefore postponed all consideration until next morning.</p> - -<p>On reaching the Prince's Head he sat down to an excellent meal, and -held his peace about his adventures. After dinner he drank some coffee -and smoked a couple of pipes. Then he went to bed about ten o'clock, -or a trifle later. Shortly, in spite of the late excitement, he fell -asleep.</p> - -<p>When he awoke it was nine o'clock in the morning. Feeling somewhat -bruised and stiff--for Geary's grasp was like that of an octopus--he -decided to remain in bed, instead of taking the morning train to -London. The afternoon train would do, he decided, so he rang for his -breakfast to be served, intending to rise at midday. The chambermaid -took his orders for breakfast, and seemed to be flustered, but before -he could make inquiries she ran out of the room.</p> - -<p>Later, Mrs. Jennings herself arrived with the breakfast-tray, and -looked excited as she placed it on the bed.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Mr. Haskins," she cried, with shining eyes, "such terrible news. -That mad girl at the Pixy's House has murdered Miss Bellaria, and has -bolted."</p> - -<p>"It is impossible," gasped Haskins, starting up in bed.</p> - -<p>"The milkman from Leegarth has just brought the news, sir."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_15" href="#div1Ref_15">CHAPTER XV.</a></h4> -<h5>A TRAGEDY.</h5> -<br> - -<p>Mrs. Jennings' news was so startling that Gerald could only fall back -on his pillow and stare at her excited face. Pleased with the effect -which she produced, like all gossips, she continued rapidly to -explain, breathlessly.</p> - -<p>"The milkman's master--Evans is his name--went at seven this morning -with the milk to the Pixy's House. Miss Bellaria always came to the -gate and opened it to take the milk in. He found the gate wide open, -and Miss Bellaria lying on the path within the grounds, stabbed to the -heart, and as dead as a stone. Evans gave the alarm in the village, -and many people went into the grounds and up to examine the house. -They found no one there: that poor lunatic was gone. Evans sent on his -man to tell the police here, and he came in for a drink. I had the -whole story out of him. Isn't it dreadful, sir? To think that we -should have been talking of that crazy Meg only yesterday, and that -she should commit so dreadful a crime."</p> - -<p>"Stop," said Gerald sharply, and somewhat recovering himself, "you -cannot say if Miss Durham is guilty."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Jennings gaped. "Not say she is guilty! Why, sir, if she isn't, -who can be? It's well known that Miss Durham, as you call her, sir, -always wanted to kill people, and that was why she was shut up. Not -being able to get at another person, she has murdered poor Miss -Bellaria, who watched her, and then ran away--to murder again, I -suppose. Oh, how very dreadful it all is! When I said yesterday that -we might be murdered in our beds, I little thought that we should be."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, nonsense!"</p> - -<p>"Begging your pardon, sir, but it's gospel truth that I am speaking," -said the landlady, bristling, "with a lunatic at large one never knows -what may happen. The police inspector--and a very nice man he is--has -already sent to Denleigh asking Major Rebb to go to Leegarth. Everyone -is talking about things with blood and slaughter in them. And I ask -your pardon, sir, for having come into your bedroom, but I thought you -would like to know. Oh, dear me! dear me!" Mrs. Jennings wrung her -plump hands and retreated towards the door, in a flurried condition. -"I'll bolt and bar every window and door at sunset: no murders for -me."</p> - -<p>Having babbled herself out of the room, she banged the door, and -Haskins, sitting up in bed, placed his hands on either side of his -head, to think matters over. He found it difficult to believe the -news, and yet he might have expected to hear something of this sort. -Of course he was absolutely certain that Mavis was innocent: but he -could not understand why she had run away, nor could he guess who had -slain the unfortunate Italian. Quite unable to eat his breakfast -because of the intelligence, he jumped out of bed, and into the -hip-bath which was in the centre of the room. The sooner he went -downstairs and learned all that could be learned the better able would -he be to see his way. If Mavis had been in danger from Major Rebb -before, she was now in greater danger than ever, as he assuredly would -use her assumed guilt to prevent her inheriting the money.</p> - -<p>"Nothing will make anyone believe that Mavis is other than guilty," -was the young man's soliloquy: "her crazy reputation is enough. If she -is caught, they will shut her up in an asylum, notwithstanding the -denial she is sure to make. Then Rebb will be able to keep the money, -according to the strict letter of the will. And yet--and yet----" He -clenched his fist. "I believe that Rebb himself is guilty of the -crime."</p> - -<p>He had really no reason to make such an accusation: but the happening -of the crime was so opportune for the Major that it did not seem -entirely impossible for him to have had a hand in it. Assuredly he -might not have struck the blow himself, but the unscrupulous Geary -could easily have been employed to remove Bellaria. Not that Rebb, on -the face of it, would wish to lose so useful a servant, but if it was -necessary that Mavis should be accused of murder, to ensure her being -placed in an asylum, Bellaria was the nearest and most natural victim.</p> - -<p>But these arguments were futile, as Gerald reflected while dressing, -for he did not know exactly what had taken place. It was necessary to -learn when the crime had been committed; where the body had been -found--the precise spot, that is--and, if possible, to discover the -weapon which had been used. If the yellow-handled knife was picked up -anywhere near the corpse the presumption would be that Geary had -killed the woman, although Mrs. Jennings had made no report of this. -But the thought recalled to Haskins' mind the attack made upon him by -the negro on the previous night. A knife had been used then, and he -had it in the pocket of the suit he had worn. On looking at it again -he saw what had struck him before, that the handle of this particular -weapon was black, and not yellow. What then had become of the famous -sacrificial knife, of which Mavis had spoken? Why should Geary not -have used this when striving to murder Gerald? That question could -only be answered when the yellow-handled knife was found.</p> - -<p>Haskins could not wear the flannels in which he had been attacked, as -they were smeared all over with oil from Geary's body, He therefore -flung this suit into his portmanteau, and, as the day promised to be -extremely hot, dressed himself in white drill. Thus clothed, although -far from being in his right mind, by reason of inward perturbation, he -descended, to find the hotel seething with excitement.</p> - -<p>Everyone was talking of the Leegarth tragedy, as such an event had -never before startled the somnolent town. The bar was crowded with -idlers, and Mr. Evans' messenger was being supplied with as much drink -as he could swallow. However, he was yet sober enough to answer the -few questions which Haskins put to him. No weapon had been found; the -police had gone to Leegarth; the guilt of Miss Durham was certain; she -had vanished, and search was being made; wires had been sent far and -wide ordering her arrest; policemen were scouring the countryside on -bicycles; sooner or later the murderess would be captured and everyone -would be relieved. So the man babbled on, and, having learned all that -was possible, Gerald went to hire a bicycle in order to proceed to -Leegarth.</p> - -<p>He did not feel the least hungry, for obvious reasons, but as he had a -long and exhausting day before him he was wise enough to force himself -to eat and drink. Thus fortified he rode up the steep Silbury High -Street, and into the surrounding country. So rapid was his pace, and -so eager was he to learn the best or the worst at once, that in a -marvelously short time he found himself before the high wall which -girdled the Pixy's House and its park. In this wall double gates of -rough iron were set, but the grounds could not be seen from the lane -as boards had been placed across the bars to prevent anyone looking -in. This had been done--as Gerald learned from a chatty villager--many -years before, when the crazy girl and her dead watcher had come to -live there.</p> - -<p>Policemen guarded the gates, and preserved order amongst the rapidly -increasing crowd, which augmented every minute. The terrible news had -traveled with lightning speed, and from far and wide came all who were -possessed of morbid curiosity. The police were expected from Exeter, -and in the meanwhile Inspector Morgan of Silbury was within the -grounds, searching round. Major Rebb had not yet arrived.</p> - -<p>On learning this latter fact, Haskins at once demanded admission, so -that he might interview Morgan. When Rebb came, he knew well that it -would not be possible to meddle with the case, as the Major would -insist that he had nothing to do with it. But, in order to discover -any evidence that might be suppressed by Rebb--should he or Geary be -guilty--Haskins made up his mind to examine as much into the matter on -the spot as would be permitted to him. After sending in his request he -received a reply in a few minutes, and this led to his being conducted -by a young constable through the jealously guarded gates, and into the -presence of the inspector. Morgan was standing on the lawn, drawing a -plan of the grounds, and several policemen were beating about the long -grass, searching for something.</p> - -<p>"Have they found the knife?" asked Gerald, coming up swiftly.</p> - -<p>Morgan looked at him keenly. He was a tall and burly man, with a red -face and white hair, apparently easygoing and tolerant, who would not -be difficult to manage if treated diplomatically. Nevertheless he -resented Haskins' abrupt question with stiff official dignity. "May I -ask who you are, sir?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>Gerald pointed to the card which the inspector held. "My name is -there, Mr. Inspector. I came here because I am interested in the -case."</p> - -<p>"On what grounds? For what reason?" questioned Morgan, still stiffly.</p> - -<p>Haskins did not hesitate. On the way hither he had resolved to be -absolutely frank, if frankness were necessary. To deliver Mavis from -her dangerous position he would have to give some reason for -championing her, and--having regard to the searching examinations of -the law--he deemed it best to tell the absolute truth. If he did not, -Rebb might possibly make some use of his knowledge of the secret -visits to get him into trouble. He therefore cast his bombshell -boldly. "I am engaged to marry Miss Durham," he stated slowly.</p> - -<p>Morgan, in spite of official phlegm, dropped his pocketbook in sheer -amazement, and two constables, who overheard, looked round with -expressions of blank astonishment. "What do you mean, sir?" stuttered -the inspector, growing redder than ever. "Are you making a fool of me? -Miss Durham was mad: she could not be engaged to anyone."</p> - -<p>"Miss Durham was perfectly sane, as I am prepared to swear, and to -prove my belief in her sanity I am willing to make her my wife."</p> - -<p>"A murderess?"</p> - -<p>"She is not a murderess. Whomsoever killed that unfortunate Bellaria -Dondi, the poor girl who was shut up here is at least innocent."</p> - -<p>"Dear! dear! dear!" Morgan scratched his head, and looked bewildered. -"I never came across anything so extraordinary in my life. If Miss -Durham was shut up here--and everyone knows that she was strictly -guarded on account of her mania--how came you to see her?"</p> - -<p>"In a rather peculiar way, Mr. Inspector, but what I tell you can be -substantiated by my friend and legal adviser, Mr. Ian Roy Macandrew." -And after thus guarding himself from the tale being received with -disbelief Gerald detailed the finding of the cylinder, and his -subsequent dealings with the matter.</p> - -<p>Morgan gaped and stared, not knowing what to make of so extraordinary -a story. "Then this young lady was not crazy?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Gerald positively. "I am certain she was in complete -possession of her senses."</p> - -<p>"Then why was she shut up?"</p> - -<p>"You had better ask Major Rebb that," said Haskins dryly, "he will be -here soon. In proof of the truth of my story, you can look for the -canoe, which is hidden in the undergrowth on the other side of the -pool below the river wall."</p> - -<p>Morgan nodded, with his pale blue eyes fixed on the speaker. "Do you -know anything of this murder?" he asked pointedly.</p> - -<p>Gerald laughed shortly. "Are you going to accuse me?" he demanded.</p> - -<p>"Certainly not, Mr. Haskins; certainly not. But, seeing that your -canoe is near the house, and you confess to having paid secret visits."</p> - -<p>"I understand." Gerald cut him short. "People will talk. Let them. I -can prove an alibi with the help of Mrs. Jennings and three or four of -her servants. I slept last night at the Prince's Head, Silbury, and -was in bed a few minutes after ten. By the way, can you tell me when -this crime was committed?"</p> - -<p>"The doctor who examined the poor woman's body states that she -was stabbed--so far as he can ascertain from the condition of the -corpse--somewhere about twelve o'clock: say at midnight."</p> - -<p>"Where?"</p> - -<p>Morgan indicated a spot, stained with blood--it had soaked into the -graveled path--some little distance away. "Yonder, Mr. Haskins. I -judge from this that Miss Bellaria, as she is called hereabouts, came -to open the gate to someone--the assassin, no doubt--and then she was -stabbed to the heart before she could make an outcry. The doctor -declares that death must have taken place almost instantaneously."</p> - -<p>"Humph," said Gerald swiftly. "I see then that you exonerate Miss -Durham, seeing that you say Bellaria was summoned to the gate by the -assassin."</p> - -<p>"Yes and no, Mr. Haskins," said the inspector stolidly, "according to -what you say, this young lady was sane: that has yet to be proved. It -is quite likely that for once she may have gone out."</p> - -<p>"No, no; she had no wish to go out."</p> - -<p>"You seem to know a great deal about the young lady's intentions," -said Inspector Morgan, a trifle dryly. "Well then, she may have -followed Miss Bellaria into the garden, and, after stabbing her, may -have opened the gates and got away."</p> - -<p>"Miss Bellaria never came into the garden at night," said Gerald -quickly; "she told me herself that she was afraid of something."</p> - -<p>"What was she afraid of?" asked Morgan sharply.</p> - -<p>"I can't exactly tell you," replied the young man, who did not wish to -say too much about the Tána Society, lest Mrs. Crosbie, who owned the -coral pin, might be implicated, "but Bellaria hinted that she was -afraid, and Miss Durham told me that her nurse would never venture out -after dark. Why, then, should she have come to the gate?"</p> - -<p>Morgan reflected, and pulled his white moustache. "Probably Miss -Durham was seized with a mania for killing and chased her nurse -through the house. Miss Bellaria would then run into the garden to -escape, and so was struck down on the very threshold of yonder gate. I -daresay she was trying to get out and summon assistance from the -village."</p> - -<p>"You make out a very pretty case against Miss Durham, Mr. Inspector."</p> - -<p>Morgan would have replied, but at this moment one of the constables -who had been hunting in the long grass on the left hand of the gate -cried out triumphantly, and held up a knife. "Here it is, sir," he -said.</p> - -<p>In another moment Morgan was holding in his hand a yellow-handled -knife, of a very deadly description, which had bloodstains on the -blade.</p> - -<p>"I see," said the officer gravely, "this is undoubtedly the weapon -used. It seems to me that the woman was stabbed, and then the -assassin--Miss Durham, for a thousand--flung the knife aside into that -long grass, before running away. Very natural, very natural; she would -not care to carry with her such evidence of her guilt."</p> - -<p>"Guilt which has yet to be proved," said Gerald hotly.</p> - -<p>An argument ensued, in which Haskins decidedly got the worst. The -inspector, and indeed everyone else, scouted the idea of Mavis' -innocence. She had pursued Bellaria to the gates and, having killed -her, had got rid of the knife by flinging it into the long grass. Then -she had fled, not daring to face the consequences of her crime. "In -which case," cried Gerald furiously, "she must be sane. A madwoman -would not be afraid to remain, being ignorant of the heinousness of -the offence."</p> - -<p>Morgan shook his head, still unconvinced. And indeed Gerald saw that -things looked very black indeed against the girl he loved. It was on -the tip of his tongue to denounce Geary as the owner of the knife: but -he could not prove this without the evidence of Mavis, and moreover he -thought it wiser to keep silent as to his suspicions until he -consulted Macandrew and could get legal advice. The situation was too -dangerous to be dealt with hurriedly.</p> - -<p>Later in the day Major Rebb arrived, and heard from Inspector Morgan -all about the crime. He viewed the body of the poor woman and examined -the knife, which he either failed to recognize or, if he did, decided -to keep silence as to its ownership. He stated that he had seen his -ward about four o'clock on the previous day, and that she was then in -an excited condition. But, not thinking she would venture to commit a -crime, he had gone back to the Devon Maid at Denleigh, and there had -retired to rest at nine o'clock. Geary, the landlord of the inn, had -also been with the Major nearly all the evening, and had likewise -retired to bed early, as while handling a pistol he had managed to -shoot himself in the right arm. The simple-minded inspector heard all -this with an air of belief, and did not inquire--as he should have -done--why Major Rebb should take such trouble to explain the movements -of his landlord, or why that landlord had managed to shoot himself so -dexterously in the right arm. And, while speaking, Rebb frequently -glanced at Gerald, who was present, expecting contradiction, no doubt.</p> - -<p>When Morgan had taken notes of the Major's evidence, that military -gentleman beckoned to Haskins, and together they went into the room -which the missing girl had used. It was comfortably and even -luxuriously furnished, and Gerald, casting swift glances around, never -doubted but that the Major--either out of diplomacy, or because he was -conscience-stricken--had treated his prisoner with every -consideration. When the door was closed, Rebb looked searchingly at -his unwelcome visitor.</p> - -<p>"Well, Haskins," he inquired, "and what do you mean to do now?"</p> - -<p>"I shall let you know that later," retorted Gerald quickly.</p> - -<p>"You must be certain now, at all events," pursued the Major calmly, -"that Mavis is insane. No one but a madwoman would have stabbed -Bellaria."</p> - -<p>"How dare you say that when you know perfectly well that Mavis is -innocent?"</p> - -<p>"Indeed, Haskins, then who is guilty?"</p> - -<p>"I should like you to tell me that," said Gerald significantly.</p> - -<p>Rebb gave a short laugh. "Are you going to accuse me?" he remarked, -much in the same manner as Haskins himself had spoken earlier to -Morgan.</p> - -<p>"You know best."</p> - -<p>"Don't be a fool, Haskins," said Rebb, flushing, and very roughly; -"considering the circumstances of the case, and what you--on false -premises--are ready to do, would I be such an idiot as to kill -Bellaria?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Gerald dryly, "you knew that I would move heaven and earth -to prove Mavis' sanity so that I could marry her. Therefore, in order -that her homicidal mania could be proved beyond all doubt, you had -Bellaria killed and Mavis taken away. If she cannot prove her -innocence--and I can guess how difficult it will be for her to do -so--you will then have her put into an asylum, and enjoy her money for -the rest of your life. It's a very pretty plot, Major Rebb."</p> - -<p>"I agree with you there, Haskins. It does credit to your imagination -as a writer of fiction. But I am glad to see that you do not accuse me -of murdering Bellaria myself."</p> - -<p>"No, I do not: you are too cunning to risk your own neck," said Gerald -decidedly, "you remained in the inn to prove an alibi. I believe that, -but you sent Geary here to kill Bellaria, for the reasons that I have -given you. Don't deny it, Rebb. The yellow-handled knife which belongs -to Geary is in Morgan's possession."</p> - -<p>"Does he know that it is Geary's?" asked Rebb anxiously.</p> - -<p>"No. But I shall tell him so."</p> - -<p>"You can spare yourself the trouble. I shall tell him myself. The -knife does belong to Geary, as both I and his wife and half-a-dozen -other people can prove. He gave it to Bellaria, because she asked for -a weapon to defend herself. Probably Mavis wrenched the knife from her -at the gate and then----"</p> - -<p>"A very ingenious explanation. But I believe Geary to be guilty. He -would stick at nothing, as I know from the way in which he tried to -kill me last night by your orders."</p> - -<p>"Pardon me," said Rebb, not at all taken aback, "Geary attacked you -because you were trying to injure me. He overheard our conversation as -he returned from this place sooner than he expected. The foolish -fellow, who is devoted to me, hoped to silence you by death. When he -came back I rebuked him severely, and you can see that, as Geary's -right arm is wounded by you, Haskins, he could not have murdered -Bellaria."</p> - -<p>"I am not so sure of that," said Gerald dryly, but felt all the same -that the Major was wriggling like an eel out of a very difficult -position, "and your story of the way in which he wounded himself won't -hold water. If I tell the truth----"</p> - -<p>"I wonder you did not while I was speaking," said Rebb, exasperatingly -calm. "Why did you not?"</p> - -<p>"Because I---- Well, I have my reasons," said Gerald, nonplussed by -the man's boldness. "But if I tell the story----"</p> - -<p>"Geary will be convicted of a falsehood," finished Rebb, nodding. "It -will not harm my reputation as a truth-teller in any way, if that is -what you mean. I suggested the excuse of an accident to Geary, and if -he is questioned, on the authority of your wild statement of assault, -he will say that he told me the invention, so as to keep dark his -wrongful attack on you--which I would never have countenanced," ended -Rebb, with great emphasis.</p> - -<p>"I shall say nothing at present, as I have my reasons for keeping -silent. What do you mean to do about this murder?"</p> - -<p>"What can I do? I believe that Mavis is guilty----"</p> - -<p>"It's a lie--a lie!" cried Haskins vehemently.</p> - -<p>"No," insisted Rebb. "I really believe that she killed Bellaria. When -she is captured, as she will be sooner or later, she will be tried for -her life. Still, as I can swear to her insanity, she will be placed in -a public asylum, with sufficient allowed out of the estate for her -keep, and I----"</p> - -<p>"You will enjoy the rest of the money?"</p> - -<p>Rebb bowed! with a gratified and malicious expression. "As Mavis can -never marry now I retain the income for the rest of my life."</p> - -<p>"And I," said Haskins, raising his hand solemnly, "swear never to rest -until her innocence is proved and she is my wife."</p> - -<p>"I defy you to do your worst," snapped Rebb contemptuously, "all the -cards are in my hands. Might is on my side."</p> - -<p>"And right on mine and on Mavis'. Let God decide, Rebb."</p> - -<p>The Major laughed insolently, shrugged his shoulders, and left the -room, convinced that Haskins could not harm him. He disbelieved in -God.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_16" href="#div1Ref_16">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h4> -<h5>THE DWARF, SCHAIBAR.</h5> -<br> - -<p>After that interview Gerald saw that he would have to leave the Major -in possession of the field. For the present, as he had observed, Rebb -held all the cards, and Haskins could only retire to consult with -Macandrew as to some way of winning the game in the teeth of such bad -luck. Moreover, Gerald was now in possession of all facts connected -with the crime, and by lingering at the Pixy's House he would become -possessed of no more important facts. Also Rebb, wishing to get rid of -his too observant enemy, so worked on Morgan's feelings that the -inspector hinted retirement to the lover. Having learned that the -inquest would take place in the inn of Leegarth village, next day, -Haskins mounted his machine and returned to Silbury.</p> - -<p>But he felt that it was impossible to sit down and do nothing, for he -was very anxious regarding the future of Mavis. Probably, on -discovering the dead body of Bellaria, she had fled panic-stricken -from that bloodstained mansion; but distraught with terror, and not -knowing the country, it was probable that she would soon be captured. -Gerald would have gone in search of her forthwith, but that he did not -know in which direction to look for her, and again, if he did find -her, would be unable to smuggle her into safety while the countryside -was all on the alert. He half made up his mind to return to London and -enlist the services of Tod, but could not quite decide to do so, since -his going to the Metropolis meant his leaving the neighborhood in -which the girl he loved was wandering. Mavis was a fugitive with, so -to speak, a price on her head. He could not go away heartlessly, and -leave her, so innocent and unsophisticated, in the lurch.</p> - -<p>His hesitation was ended at five o'clock in the afternoon, by a wire -from Exeter asking him to come there at once and meet the person who -signed the telegram--Simon Arnold by name--in the coffee-room of the -Monmouth Hotel. It flashed across Gerald's mind at once that the -former tutor of Mavis had sent the telegram, and probably wished to -see him about the girl whom they both loved in their several ways. But -he wondered how Arnold--whom Mavis playfully called Schaibar--had -learned his address, and then, on examining the telegram again, saw -that it had been directed to the Devon Maid at Denleigh. Wondering if -Geary had opened it, he sent for the boy, and found that Mrs. Geary, -on receiving the wire at the door, had told the lad that Mr. Haskins -was staying at Silbury. Gerald was relieved at this, as Geary would -undoubtedly have read the telegram, in order to learn any possible -plans Haskins might have formed. Nevertheless, on the face of it, the -wire could convey little information to the conspirators likely to be -of use, save that Arnold--whom Rebb apparently dreaded--was enlisting -himself on the side of the lovers.</p> - -<p>Haskins found that there was a train from Silbury to Exeter at seven -o'clock that same evening, so after dinner he packed his portmanteau -and went to the station. Guessing that Rebb would probably make -inquiries as to his whereabouts, he left a message with Mrs. Jennings, -stating that he had gone to London, and hoped that the information -would upset the Major, by making him think that steps were being taken -to save Mavis from his snares. Strong as was Rebb's hand, he yet had a -difficult game to play. The fact of Durham's will would undoubtedly be -made public should Mavis be arrested, and Rebb certainly would not -like his friends to think that he derived his income in the way he -did. But then Rebb had daring enough to face anything, especially when -six thousand a year was at stake.</p> - -<p>Somewhere about nine o'clock Gerald reached Exeter, and, leaving his -portmanteau in the cloak-room, proceeded to the Monmouth Hotel, a -small inn on the outskirts of the cathedral city. The place was little -known, but Haskins was fortunate enough to pick up a cabman who came -from the neighborhood where it is situated. In half-an-hour he found -himself in the coffee-room of the hotel, and recognized Arnold at once -from the description given by Mavis.</p> - -<p>The ex-tutor, and present hawker of books, was reading a Latin author -when Gerald entered, but flung it aside when the young man, conducted -by a waiter, appeared on the threshold. He was about to greet the -newcomer, but on seeing the waiter turned aside to look out of the -window. To make an excuse for entering Gerald ordered a glass of -whisky and soda, which he truly needed, so wrought up was he, by the -strain and stress of the situation. The waiter disappeared and soon -came back with the drink. While he was absent Gerald eyed Arnold--who -still did not speak--and sat down near the fireless grate. But a -glance passed between the two men which showed mutual recognition.</p> - -<p>Arnold was a remarkably small man, quite worthy to be called a dwarf, -but he was not deformed in any way. His body, his hands and feet and -his head, were all perfectly proportioned, and the most noticeable -thing about him was his long gray beard, which fell below his waist. -He had a noble forehead, crowned with long loose gray hair and two -vividly blue eyes, penetrating and unblinking. No one could have -called the little man ugly, but, owing to his small stature and noble -beard, he looked uncanny. Gerald, ever imaginative, thought at once of -the Norwegian gnomes and kobolds, although Arnold was not so -grotesquely ugly as those earth fairies of legend.</p> - -<p>When the waiter finally left the coffee-room, and the two men had it -all to themselves, Arnold moved swiftly forward and gripped Gerald's -hand, before the young man was aware of his intention. "You are the -lover of my dear girl," he said, in a singularly melodious voice. "I -knew you at once, from her description of you."</p> - -<p>"I can return the compliment," said Gerald, responding to the warm -clasp. "Mavis told me what you were like, and indeed, I also have the -description given in 'The Arabian Nights' to go upon."</p> - -<p>"Schaibar!" said Arnold, with a smile. "Yes; she always called me -that. I am glad that you have obeyed my summons so speedily, Mr. -Haskins, as I am sure that you are a true friend to my unhappy pupil."</p> - -<p>"I am her lover," replied Gerald quietly, "and, as her lover, I am -prepared to go any lengths to save her from that rascal."</p> - -<p>"Meaning Major Rebb?"</p> - -<p>"Of course! He is trying to ruin Mavis, in order to get her money."</p> - -<p>"I wonder how you found that out, Mr. Haskins."</p> - -<p>"It's a long story and----"</p> - -<p>"And you can tell it to me and Mavis."</p> - -<p>"Mavis!" Gerald stared. "What do you mean? Have you any idea where she -is, Mr. Arnold?"</p> - -<p>"Of course," answered the little man quietly; "it was for that reason -that I wired to you. Mavis told me that you were stopping at -Denleigh."</p> - -<p>"As a matter of fact I am--or rather I was--stopping at the Prince's -Head, Silbury," explained Gerald, "but your wire was sent on to me. I -heard from Mrs. Jennings, and from Rebb also, that you were in the -neighborhood of Leegarth."</p> - -<p>"And it was very lucky for Mavis that I was," said Arnold, nodding. -"Only by being on the spot was I enabled to save her from arrest."</p> - -<p>"You saved her? How? Tell me all."</p> - -<p>"Gently, Mr. Haskins. Do not talk so loud. Walls have ears, and -keyholes have eyes." Arnold glanced round the room, and then drew near -to the eager young man to speak in still lower tones. "Last night I -went to see if I could enter the Pixy's House and try Mavis, but, as -the gate was shut and locked, I could not get in. I would have climbed -the wall, but that my age and rheumatism prevented my doing so. -However, I thought that by going to the river wall I might obtain a -foothold on the ivy. I made the attempt, and fell. You see that I -still limp." Arnold walked a pace or two, and Gerald saw that his leg -dragged. "I lay insensible for some hours. Then I managed, when I -revived, to drink some brandy which I had brought with me, and so -deemed that I could get back to my caravan, which was on the other -side of the village. I had got round to the lane wherein the gates are -to be found when I heard a scream of alarm."</p> - -<p>"Was it Bellaria being killed?" asked Gerald quickly.</p> - -<p>"No; I staggered as fast as I was able toward the gates, and found -them open. Bellaria, stabbed to the heart, lay within, and over her -bent Mavis. When she saw me she was terrified; but I called out, and -she recognized my voice. Running forward, she stammered out that -Bellaria had gone to meet some one, and had been killed. I, at once, -saw the danger to which Mavis was exposed, having read the will of -Julian Durham, and so insisted that she should fly. She was surprised -that I desired her to do this, as, in her innocence, she never deemed -that she would be accused. However, I rapidly convinced her, and she -agreed. Leaning on her arm, I led her round the village, as I feared -lest her scream should have attracted attention. We reached my caravan -in safety, and I then put the horse in the shafts and drove to Exeter -through the night. We reached this city this afternoon, and I took her -on board a barge, which is owned by a man I can rely upon. Then I sent -the wire to you. We must save the poor child, Mr. Haskins. She is safe -now, but at any time she may be discovered."</p> - -<p>"You will be suspected."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so, Mr. Haskins. While she was in my caravan I had -qualms that search might be made therein: but now that Mavis is safe -on the barge, with Sammy Lee looking after her, there is little -danger. I have only to say that I know nothing of her whereabouts, and -who can convict me of falsehood? But I want Lee to take his barge down -to Exmouth, and then we can place Mavis on board some outward-bound -steamer. She will then be safe until we can prove her innocence."</p> - -<p>"Why, do you believe that she will be accused?" asked Gerald.</p> - -<p>"I am perfectly sure," said Arnold dryly, "that Major Rebb will take -advantage of Bellaria's death to fasten the guilt on Mavis, so that he -may shut her up in an asylum, and, by thus preventing her marriage, -will be enabled to keep her six thousand a year."</p> - -<p>Gerald nodded. "That view does credit to your powers of penetration, -Mr. Arnold. Rebb is moving precisely on those lines."</p> - -<p>"Quite so. I know Major Rebb----"</p> - -<p>"But do you know that he----"</p> - -<p>"There is no time to be lost," said Arnold, in a peremptory tone, "as -Mavis will be in danger of arrest until she is safely bestowed out of -England. She refuses to leave this city until she sees you, and that -was why I wired. Come down at once to the Exe, and let us board the -barge. Then we can decide what is to be done and you can ask what -questions you choose."</p> - -<p>Haskins consented; and, after finishing his whisky and soda, he went -out with the little man, into the darkness. Arnold leaned on Haskins' -arm, as his leg was still painful from the fall of the previous night, -and guided him through many narrow and dingy streets down to the banks -of the river. A lumbering barge was lying near a littered wharf, and -as they approached this they were hailed by a rough voice, which -Gerald rightly took to be that of Sammy Lee. The two men stepped on -board the low-lying barge, to find themselves welcomed by a gigantic -Devonian, with a hairy face, who paid the utmost deference to the -dwarf. As Arnold led Gerald down into the cabin of the barge--leaving -Sammy Lee to keep watch--he whispered to Haskins. "I can absolutely -trust this man, so you need have no fear. Last year I saved the life -of his only child by means of the herbal medicine, when the doctors -had given her up, so he will never betray our poor girl."</p> - -<p>"But if he hears that she is accused of murder--it will be all over -Exeter to-morrow?" questioned Gerald.</p> - -<p>"He will decline to believe it, as he sees what Mavis is, and even if -he did believe, he would never betray anyone whom I wished to shield."</p> - -<p>This was very satisfactory, and Haskins wondered at the marvelous ways -of Providence, which had snatched Mavis from a dangerous position to -place her in safety, until such time as her innocence could be made -manifest. It seemed as though everything would come right in the end, -despite Major Rebb's boast of his might. Haskins recalled his last -words to the man, in which he left the matter for God to decide. And -God was deciding--against Rebb and his wicked machinations.</p> - -<p>A rap at the cabin door brought Mavis to open it. She was still in her -favorite white dress, in which she had fled from her prison on the -previous night, but over this she wore a long black cloak with a -hood--now closely pulled over her head for obvious reasons. When she -saw Gerald, and the tender smile in his eyes, she flung back the hood, -as though stifling, and fell into his arms, sobbing as if her heart -would break. And no wonder. To learn all the cruelty of the outside -world, and to be a hunted fugitive, accused of a terrible crime, was -an extraordinary change from the seclusion and romance of the Pixy's -House.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Prince Gerald," was her cry, as she wept on his breast, "how I -have longed to see you."</p> - -<p>"And I also have wished to hold you thus," he replied, kissing her, -"but we were kept apart by wicked men, dearest. Now we are together, -please God, we shall never part again."</p> - -<p>"Amen to that," murmured Arnold, who had sat down.</p> - -<p>"Schaibar has told me everything," said Mavis, still crying. "Oh, what -a wicked world it is outside the Pixy's House, Gerald."</p> - -<p>"There can be no wickedness where you are, darling. You will not find -me like Major Rebb."</p> - -<p>"Oh, but, Gerald, surely my guardian is kind?"</p> - -<p>"Has he proved himself kind, to accuse you of murdering Bellaria?"</p> - -<p>Mavis drew back, with a pale face and startled eyes. -"There--must--be--some--mistake," she faltered. "Why should I kill -Bellaria?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Rebb knows quite well that you did not: but to suit his own ends -he is willing that you should suffer."</p> - -<p>"Is it for that horrid money Schaibar told me about?" she asked -tearfully.</p> - -<p>"Yes; Rebb thinks that six thousand a year is worth losing his own -soul for. It is the world he gains, and the price he pays. But he -shall not succeed, my sweetheart; you shall have your own way, I -swear."</p> - -<p>"Gerald! Gerald! I would much rather fly away with you to the end of -the world, and leave everything to my guardian."</p> - -<p>"I daresay, dear; and in the South Seas, no doubt, we could find an -Eden whither that serpent would not come. But your good name has to be -considered, Mavis. Rebb has put it about that you are insane, and that -such insanity made you kill Bellaria."</p> - -<p>Mavis sat down on the locker, looking utterly miserable. "I know! I -know!" she cried, rocking with the terror of her thoughts. "Schaibar -has told me what my guardian said to people outside to account for my -being locked up in the Pixy's House. And to think that he should have -said to me that all English girls were brought up as I was! Why did -you not tell me before that my guardian was deceiving me?" she asked -her former tutor.</p> - -<p>"My dear," he said gently, "it is only lately that I have learned the -truth about your father's will. Bellaria let drop a word or so, and I -began to ask questions. Rebb came to know of my curiosity, and so gave -me a sum of money, and insisted that I should go to Australia, and -hold no communication with you. I took the money, to save you, and I -had no compunction in doing so, as the money belonged to you, my dear. -To deceive Rebb I pretended to go to Australia; but, in reality, I -remained in England, to search out your past. Bellaria had hinted that -Rebb enjoyed a large income for keeping you shut up in the Pixy's -House, and that your father had been wealthy. I searched for the copy -of the will at Somerset House, and there learned how Rebb was to enjoy -the six thousand a year to which you were entitled until your -marriage. I then saw why he made out that you were insane, and -resolved to effect your escape. I therefore bought a caravan to sell -books, thinking--and my design was successful--that I could get you -out of the house, and smuggle you away in my caravan. I have done so, -as no one ever thought of searching for you in my company. Now you -will go down to Exmouth with Sammy Lee, and I shall again go round the -country. If my caravan is searched by Rebb and the officers of the law -nothing will be found, and you will be safe."</p> - -<p>"For how long--for how long?" cried Mavis, clasping her hands.</p> - -<p>"Until God sees fit to enable us to punish Rebb, and save you," was -the tutor's reply, "and everything will come right in the end, I am -sure."</p> - -<p>The eyes of the girl wandered to Gerald. He sat down beside her, and -gathered her in his arms. "I am sure, also," he whispered. "See how -wonderfully things have worked for your benefit as it is. I was -brought into your life by means of the cylinder to marry and cherish -you, in spite of Rebb's cruel device of keeping you ignorant, so that -you should not be able to communicate with the outside world. Then -Arnold, by God's mercy, has been enabled to snatch you from the very -jaws of your enemies. These things point to joy coming out of sorrow. -Go down, my dear, to Exmouth with Sammy Lee. I dare not come with you, -nor can Schaibar, as we will both be suspected by Rebb, and must -prove--as we can--that we have nothing to do with your flight. Lee -will arrange for you to be taken round by water to London, and there I -shall meet you to arrange for your safety."</p> - -<p>"Would it not be better that she should go abroad?" asked Arnold.</p> - -<p>"No. I can arrange for Mavis to be concealed in a way which Rebb will -not suspect. If she goes abroad she may be extradited, should Rebb--as -he might--discover her whereabouts. But he will never look for my -darling where I will place her."</p> - -<p>"So long as I am with you, Gerald, I care nothing," said Mavis, -shivering and drawing closer to him, "but, oh, how can I go round to -London by myself--I who have never been beyond my prison walls?"</p> - -<p>"Sammy Lee will see to that, darling. You must be brave. And remember -that I meet you at the end of your journey. Promise to be brave."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes; I promise," said Mavis, flushing, "but it is all very -terrible to think that this is the world."</p> - -<p>"This is Rebb's world," said Haskins tenderly, "but not the world of -joy and peace and love in which you will dwell when we are married."</p> - -<p>"Married? Oh, Gerald!"</p> - -<p>"Yes." He kissed her now flushed cheek. "But tell me, Mavis, who -killed that poor Bellaria?"</p> - -<p>Mavis shivered again, although the cabin was warm. "I do not know," -she said faintly. "Bellaria came back from London very terrified."</p> - -<p>"I can guess why," murmured Gerald, thinking of the coral hand.</p> - -<p>"She said that she might be killed, and made Geary give her that -yellow-handled knife so that she might protect herself."</p> - -<p>"Ah! So Rebb's story so far is true. Go on, dear."</p> - -<p>"Bellaria never went out at night, as you know, but a day or two ago -she received a letter, and said it would save her."</p> - -<p>"Did you see the letter?"</p> - -<p>"No. She did not show it to me. But last night I thought I heard a cry -about midnight. I went to Bellaria's room and found her gone. I was -afraid and ran downstairs, to find the door open, and also the big -gates. Then I saw her dead, and cried out. Schaibar came and----"</p> - -<p>"You know the rest," interposed Arnold, addressing Gerald. "I lighted -a match and saw that Bellaria was dead; then took Mavis away. Don't -question her further. She cannot bear it."</p> - -<p>Gerald nodded, and soothed the girl, who was much terrified. "But we -must find that letter," he remarked; "I am sure it has to do with the -crime. Did you see anyone about, Mr. Arnold?"</p> - -<p>"No; I saw no one."</p> - -<p>"Nor did I," sobbed Mavis.</p> - -<p>"Hush, dearest, do not weep; you are safe with me. Arnold, who do you -think killed Bellaria Dondi?"</p> - -<p>"Major Rebb."</p> - -<p>"Not Geary?"</p> - -<p>"Major Rebb," repeated the tutor quietly, "to secure the income. He -has--as you say--sold his soul for six thousand a year."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_17" href="#div1Ref_17">CHAPTER XVII.</a></h4> -<h5>"AS IN A LOOKING-GLASS."</h5> -<br> - -<p>The next afternoon Gerald was in London. All the way up in the train -he had reflected upon the extraordinary events which had transferred -Mavis from the keeping of Major Rebb to his own. In spite of -surrounding dangers--and these were great--he was not at all downcast. -Mavis had been protected so far, and he made sure that she would be -protected to the end, which in this case meant marriage with him. The -Major would never believe that Haskins had anything to do with the -girl's flight, though he certainly might suspect Arnold. But if Arnold -were traced to Exeter, where he intended to stay, to avert suspicion, -nothing could be learned likely to incriminate him. Mavis had already -gone down to Exmouth in Sammy Lee's barge, and that faithful fellow -swore that he could procure her a passage to the Thames in a coaster -owned by a comrade in whom he could implicitly trust.</p> - -<p>Things were therefore right so far, and Gerald's spirits were high. He -had every reason to feel happy. Mavis was deeply in love with him, and -once Major Rebb was circumvented as it appeared he would be--there -would be no one else to interfere with the progress of his suit. -Before the end of the year Gerald hoped that he would be able to -introduce his beautiful bride to his London friends, and place her in -a position warranted by her wealth. It would not have been human if -Haskins had not remembered that Mavis was an heiress, but, in justice -to him, it must be admitted that his love was for the girl, and not -for her money--welcome as it was to a young man who liked the pleasant -things of this life. Gerald would have been contented to take Mavis -without a sixpence; nevertheless, it was not disagreeable to find that -she was bringing six thousand a year along with her.</p> - -<p>Also Gerald was human enough to desire a certain amount of revenge on -Major Rebb for his behavior. Rebb certainly should be punished for the -infamous way in which he had treated the girl. Hitherto everything had -gone as he desired, but with the finding of the cylinder came the -change in Rebb's fortunes. Now he had a determined young man to deal -with, who would be less easy to manage than an unsophisticated girl. -Haskins chuckled as he thought how angry Rebb would be when Mavis, -free from the slur on her sanity, and from the wicked charge which he -was striving to fasten on her, came forth boldly to face the world. -Then the luxurious Major, as Mrs. Geary prophesied, reduced to his -five or six hundred a year, would no longer be able to indulge in -motor cars, or in such-like luxuries.</p> - -<p>When Haskins next evening went to Bloomsbury to see Mrs. Pelham Odin -he felt very satisfied. Mavis was on her way to London, and would -arrive at Gravesend in two days; her pursuers had been thrown off the -track, and a bombshell with regard to the will was being prepared by -Tod Macandrew. Gerald had not seen him yet, but he expected to meet -him at the flat of the old actress, and then could arrange for certain -steps to be taken in the interests of Mavis. All things considered, -everything was going excellently, and Gerald entered into the presence -of Mrs. Pelham Odin with a very cheerful air.</p> - -<p>That astute lady remarked his beaming face. She was as usual reclining -on the sofa in an effective attitude, waiting until ten o'clock, which -was the hour at which she usually went to the Belver Theatre to fetch -back her adopted daughter. She had been reading the evening paper, but -threw it aside with an air of relief when Haskins was announced. "I am -so glad to see you," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, "there is positively -nothing in the papers. Dear me, Mr. Haskins, you have the air of a -bridegroom."</p> - -<p>"Nothing in the papers?" echoed Gerald, his bright face growing grave. -"Do you mean to say that the murder is not reported!" And he took up -<i>The Globe</i> to skim the columns.</p> - -<p>"Murder!" cried Mrs. Pelham Odin, in the low thrilling tone of Lady -Macbeth. "To what dastardly deed do you refer?"</p> - -<p>"The woman who watched Mavis Durham has been stabbed to the heart, a -couple of days ago."</p> - -<p>"Alas! for your comedy," cried the actress, "it has changed into a -tragedy. What of the girl herself?"</p> - -<p>"She is a fugitive, the police are looking for her."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin screamed melodramatically. "Is she accused?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. And color is lent to the accusation by the scandal of Major -Rebb, who, as I told you, spread the report that she was insane."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin gave a second scream, and flung up her hand. "Hold!" -she cried, in her deep voice. "Do I understand that this unfortunate -young woman has given way to her mania and has murdered----"</p> - -<p>"No one. I tell you she is not insane," snapped Haskins tartly.</p> - -<p>"But the corpse? Account for the corpse."</p> - -<p>"I can't, unless Rebb himself murdered the woman, so as to get Mavis -placed in an asylum, and so be free to enjoy her money."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin rose and walked to and fro with a nervous shudder, -less feigned than real, although theatrical instinct made her -accentuate it. "I don't love Major Rebb," she said, after a pause. "I -think I told you that before. All the same, he would never, never go -so far as crime."</p> - -<p>"He has gone as far as that already," retorted Haskins, stretching out -his long legs and looking gloomily at the carpet, "what do you call -keeping that girl's money from her and shutting her up but criminal?"</p> - -<p>"Still if he had reasons--good reasons?"</p> - -<p>"He had none, either good or bad. Dear Mrs. Pelham Odin," Gerald rose, -and laid his hand on the old woman's arm, "hear what I have to say. -This is the time when you can show yourself my friend by protecting -one who is dear to me."</p> - -<p>The actress recoiled, powerfully effected and very genuinely. "I -cannot mix myself up in a crime," she faltered.</p> - -<p>"You will not be doing so, if you substitute Mavis for Charity, as you -suggested when I was last here."</p> - -<p>"Oh," Mrs. Pelham Odin clasped her pretty, withered hands, and stepped -back a pace to be more dramatic. "Think of the scandal."</p> - -<p>"There will be no scandal."</p> - -<p>"My name will be brought into disrepute. And let me tell you, Mr. -Haskins, that my name both on and off the stage, is above reproach."</p> - -<p>"I am quite sure of that, else I certainly should not ask you to take -charge of the woman I hope to make my wife."</p> - -<p>"You will marry her still?"</p> - -<p>"Of course, of course," said Haskins impatiently. "I love her more -than ever. And even if I loved her less, I am not the man to desert a -woman when she needs help so sorely."</p> - -<p>"You are, as I know, very chivalrous."</p> - -<p>"And you are, as I know, the kindest-hearted woman in the world."</p> - -<p>"A fool, a fool, I fear, like all kind-hearted women."</p> - -<p>"No. Were you a fool I should not ask you to carry out this plot. As -it is, Mavis is coming to London, and I want you to get Charity -married at once, and to place Mavis at the Belver Theatre for the -dance."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin looked distinctly nervous. Carried away by her -theatrical instincts, and by admiration for Gerald's chivalry, to say -nothing of the interest she felt in his love affair as a woman much -less sentimental would have done, she had proposed the plot without -thinking that she would be taken seriously. Yet here was a young man -whom she admired actually asking her to lend herself to a fantastical -mode of concealment such as had never, to her knowledge, been seen off -the stage. Her dramatic instinct impelled her to yield: but her -common-sense warned her against mixing herself up in a murder -committed by a lunatic.</p> - -<p>"Dear boy," she said, genuinely distressed, "it really is impossible."</p> - -<p>"You proposed it, Mrs. Pelham Odin," muttered Gerald, sorely -disappointed, for if this actress did not help him, how was he to -conceal Mavis from the persecutions of Rebb?</p> - -<p>"I did not think that you would take me at my word," she faltered, -"and after all, Mr. Haskins, Major Rebb might find out."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so. I don't see how he could."</p> - -<p>"If he comes to the theatre?"</p> - -<p>"He will see the girl he believes to be Charity, dancing."</p> - -<p>"But is this Mavis Durham really so like my girl?"</p> - -<p>"They might be sisters--they might be twins. It would take you all -your time to find the difference between them, Mrs. Pelham Odin."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that is impossible," she retorted sharply.</p> - -<p>"No. When you see Mavis----"</p> - -<p>"I am not going to see Mavis."</p> - -<p>Gerald rose--he had thrown himself down when she so persistently -refused. "In that case I must apologize for taking up your time, and -see in what other way I can save this innocent girl."</p> - -<p>"You are sure that she is innocent?"</p> - -<p>"As sure as I am that you are a kind woman."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin smiled. "That is very clever of you," said she: "you -appeal to my weakest side, which is vanity. Come sit down again, and -tell me all about this dreadful murder."</p> - -<p>"Will you assist me, if I do?"</p> - -<p>"At least I won't betray you," rejoined the actress evasively, and -arranged herself gracefully on the sofa. "Begin; I hang upon your -every word." And she cast a glance at an imaginary audience to mark -the effect of the speech.</p> - -<p>Thinking that she might yield, for he had certainly aroused her -curiosity, Gerald related all that had taken place. Mrs. Pelham Odin -quite lost her stage airs and graces, so taken up was she with the -narrative. "So you see that Arnold believes in Mavis' innocence as -much as I do. And you believe also, Mrs. Pelham Odin. I see it in your -eyes."</p> - -<p>The actress closed them. "My eyes tell what my tongue would hide," she -remarked, in measured tones. "Yes, I admit that your story puts the -matter in a new light. I really think that I must assist this poor -young creature, who is being persecuted by a cruel world."</p> - -<p>"Bless you for a good woman," muttered Gerald, kissing her hand.</p> - -<p>She pulled it away. "Don't make a mistake. I am playing to the -gallery," she said, with an artificial laugh. "If Mavis is proved -guiltless and you marry her with her income, it will be a great -advertisement for me. And perhaps," added Mrs. Pelham Odin, with -emphasis, "it may bring back to the public in a worthy fashion -the name of one who was their idol for many, many brilliant and -successful years. On the other hand if this girl really is insane, -and guilty----"</p> - -<p>"You will have acted in a way which no other woman would have done, -and your conscience will reward you."</p> - -<p>"I prefer the loaves and fishes," said the actress, smiling, -"moreover, I admit that I am curious to see this girl, who--as you -say--is so like Charity. Mavis came from India?"</p> - -<p>"Yes--according to Major Rebb, who declares that her mother died in -Bombay, when Mavis was born."</p> - -<p>"Charity, according to the juggler's wife, who was told by the ayah, -was born in Simla." Mrs. Pelham Odin frowned, and then waved her hand. -"There can be no relationship between the two girls."</p> - -<p>"I think that there will be--when we learn the truth."</p> - -<p>"Major Rebb will not tell it."</p> - -<p>"Oh yes, he will, when I prove Mavis guiltless and force him to give -up the money. Sooner than remain in ignorance I shall ask Mavis to -bribe him into confession."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin thought for a few moments, being as sharp as a needle -to see the pounds, shillings, and pence side of things. "Mr. Haskins," -she finally remarked, "this likeness may be a freak of nature--we have -heard of such things before."</p> - -<p>"Quite so, but so exact a likeness as this is can only come from the -two girls being born of the same mother."</p> - -<p>"Well, you seem to be so certain that they are, Mr. Haskins, that, for -the sake of argument, we will grant it. In that case--and presuming -that Major Rebb confesses such is the case--Charity certainly ought to -have half the income."</p> - -<p>"I quite agree with you," rejoined the young man unhesitatingly, "and -I am quite sure that, if we can prove the relationship, Mavis--being -guided by me--will be quite ready to hand over three thousand a year -to Charity. That would only be fair."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin hopped off the sofa, very much excited. "Now you talk -common-sense, you show me in which way my duty lies. I am willing to -see this girl."</p> - -<p>"And to help her against her enemies?"</p> - -<p>"Hum!" Mrs. Pelham Odin pressed her fan to her lips, "even three -thousand a year for Charity might be earned too dearly. I can say no -more than that I'll see her. I am shrewd in reading characters, and I -can easily tell if Mavis is insane, or deceitful, or bloodthirsty."</p> - -<p>Gerald laughed when he thought of his beautiful love. "Mavis is none -of the three. You will be ashamed of your suspicions when you see her -angel face."</p> - -<p>"I know that angel face," said Mrs. Pelham Odin dryly, "it is a very -useful mask in some cases to cloak wicked designs. Well, I am going to -the theatre soon. Mr. Macandrew is there, and will come back with me -and Charity."</p> - -<p>"Can I come to supper?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Mrs. Pelham Odin quickly, "you must leave the matter in my -hands to explain. I like the centre of the stage, you know, and all -the limelight that I can obtain."</p> - -<p>"You will speak to Tod and Charity?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; and will do my best to obtain their consent. I'll let you know -by post what they say; provided," added the actress with emphasis, -"that you will not see Mr. Macandrew in the meantime."</p> - -<p>"Why not? I want to ask him----"</p> - -<p>"One thing at a time. If this plot is to be carried through I must -have the sole handling of it, so I do not wish you and Mr. Macandrew -to discuss the matter. If they are agreeable to marry and slip away -quietly out of the kingdom, leaving Mavis to take Charity's place at -the Belver Theatre, I shall let you know. Then, when this girl arrives -in London, wire me when you will bring her. She must stop here."</p> - -<p>"But the people of the house will see two Charitys," remonstrated -Gerald, "and, as an account of the crime will be in the papers, Mavis -may be given away by some of your servants."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin nodded. "True," she said, with her sharp eyes on the -carpet, "well, then, you must take Mavis to your rooms."</p> - -<p>"Worse and worse: Rebb would hear of it."</p> - -<p>"There is Mr. Macandrew's office, of course. Yes." Mrs. Pelham Odin -dropped her fan with an air of decision. "Take Mavis there, closely -veiled. I shall bring Charity also veiled. Should we settle to carry -through this plot, I can arrange for Charity to board somewhere, and -Mavis can come back here as Charity. And then---- Oh, it's all right. -I begin to see my way. Good-night."</p> - -<p>"Good-night, and thank you. Your kindness will not be unrewarded."</p> - -<p>"No," she laughed--"three thousand a year is worth working for."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe that you think of that."</p> - -<p>"Not solely, of course. I want to help you and to see you happy. Also -I am very sorry for this poor girl, and Major Rebb is a man I hate. -But the three thousand a year for Charity also forms an element. Mixed -motives, you understand--very mixed. So once more, good-night."</p> - -<p>Gerald took his departure very much cheered at having brushed away -another obstacle from the path which was to lead Mavis to the altar. -He knew that Mrs. Pelham Odin was both a clever and an obstinate -woman, and although he did not credit her with money-grubbing, yet he -felt convinced that she would not surrender Charity's chance of -getting three thousand a year, if she could help it, since she would -indirectly participate in such good fortune. Also Tod, for the same -reason, would be anxious to assist--though Tod was not a miser either. -On the whole, Haskins was very satisfied, and having done all that he -could do he waited patiently for the arrival of the <i>Seamew</i> at -Gravesend with Mavis on board.</p> - -<p>The boat was late, as the weather did not prove propitious. Gerald -went to Gravesend, and walked about the streets of that dull seaport -in a frenzy of impatience. Finally he was undeservedly rewarded, for -to the hotel where he was stopping--he had given Sammy Lee the address -at Exeter--came a lean, bright-eyed captain with Mavis in charge. The -girl was closely veiled, and plainly dressed in some dark material. It -would not do for her to attract attention, seeing that England was -ringing with the murder of which she was accused and with her strange -escape.</p> - -<p>Sammy Lee's mate proved to be a very pleasant little man, who confided -to Gerald that Sammy had told him all and that he did not believe in -the guilt of his passenger for one moment. "She's as pretty as a -picture, and as true as steel, and as innocent as a dove," said the -poetical captain, "and if that Rebb beast hurts her, well then, I'll -have him shanghaied on board the <i>Seamew</i>, and do for him." After -which, with a nod, he departed.</p> - -<p>The lovers had no time to talk at the hotel, as Gerald had wired -at once to Tod, and they were expected in London. But in the -train--Haskins secured a first-class carriage to themselves--they had -a long conversation, and learned to know one another even better, if -that were possible. And in spite of her danger Mavis was happy in the -company of her adored Fairy Prince. As to Gerald, he could only -worship her, so gentle and innocent and lovely did she seem.</p> - -<p>On arriving in London they drove--with Mavis again veiled--to Tod's -Chancery Lane office, and were shown into the inner room. Here were -Tod and Mrs. Pelham Odin, and Charity--also veiled. The two girls -looked at one another and unveiled as by impulse. Then----</p> - -<p>"As in a looking-glass!" cried Mrs. Pelham Odin. "Wonderful, -marvelous. Here indeed is material for a new <i>Comedy of Errors</i>."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_18" href="#div1Ref_18">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></h4> -<h5>THE FIRST MARRIAGE.</h5> -<br> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin might well exclaim. Gerald and Tod were silent from -sheer amazement, even though the first might have expected to see one -girl the double of the other. In that box of an office, and in the -somewhat dim light that filtered through the dingy window, Mavis and -Charity appeared to be exactly alike. Miss Bird was also plainly -dressed in a dark frock, so as not to attract attention from Tod's -clerks, and this, along with the thrown-back veils, completed the -resemblance. The two girls had similar eyes and hair, and complexion -and cast of face, and even Mrs. Pelham Odin found it difficult to -distinguish one from the other, long as she had known her adopted -daughter.</p> - -<p>"It is like a dream," she declared--"Girofla-Girofle in real life. Oh, -that I were in management again: what a chance for a play, a serious -play, which has to do with twins."</p> - -<p>"What we are engaged in is serious enough," said Gerald, sitting down. -"My dear Mavis, this is Mrs. Pelham Odin, who is going to take charge -of you until we can prove your innocence."</p> - -<p>Mavis shook hands with the old actress. "And you don't believe that I -am guilty?" she asked, in a whisper.</p> - -<p>For answer Mrs. Pelham Odin embraced and kissed her. "My dear," she -said amiably, "truth looks out of your eyes."</p> - -<p>"Out of <i>my</i> eyes, I think," said Charity. "Mr. Haskins, this is -really amazing. I never thought to find my double. It seems uncanny. -Tod, you will be marrying Mavis instead of me."</p> - -<p>"No," said Tod slowly, and looking from one girl to the other, "there -is a difference."</p> - -<p>"Meaning that Mavis is more charming than I am. Thank you."</p> - -<p>"Oh no," broke in Miss Durham, "I am only an ignorant country girl, -but you are clever and polished and----"</p> - -<p>"And quite perfect," ended Charity, kissing Mavis as Mrs. Pelham Odin -had done, and with the same kindness, "let us hope that I am, in Tod's -eyes. This is Tod, Mavis; he is to be my husband."</p> - -<p>"At last," gasped Macandrew sentimentally.</p> - -<p>Gerald displayed impatience. "Had we not better get to business?" he -observed. "These girls are so alike that I don't want them to be seen -together, lest trouble comes of it."</p> - -<p>"And trouble will come," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, who had not yet got -over her amazement. "As Charity says, this line-for-line resemblance -is uncanny. I hope your veils are thick enough, my dears. If anyone -saw you two together, the wonderful resemblance would certainly be -commented upon, and might get to Major Rebb's ears."</p> - -<p>Charity looked long and earnestly at Mavis. "We <i>must</i> be sisters. Can -you remember ever having a sister, Mavis?"</p> - -<p>"No. Nor did Major Rebb ever say that I had one. He brought me, as he -said, from Bombay, some time after my mother died, and ever since I -have been shut up in the Pixy's House."</p> - -<p>"I was born at Simla," said Charity thoughtfully, "at least the ayah -who sold me to the juggler's wife declared that I was. I don't -remember anything about it, of course. Mother----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't ask me, my dear. I can explain nothing. You know what I -know, and it is strange that both you and Mavis should have been born -in India. That fact, and the resemblance, certainly points to some -relationship between you."</p> - -<p>"They are sisters," declared Haskins firmly, "in no other way can the -likeness be accounted for."</p> - -<p>"And yet there is a difference," said Tod, for the second time. "It is -in the tone of the voice, and in the look of the eyes."</p> - -<p>"Quite so," said Charity swiftly. "My voice has been trained for the -stage and Mavis' has not. I have been brought up in the world and -Mavis out of it, which fully accounts for the innocence looking out -from her eyes and the worldly wickedness in mine."</p> - -<p>"My dear," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, displeased, "how you rattle on. But -I rather agree with you, I must say. If Mavis had been brought up as -you, and you as Mavis, you would simply have changed places. I hope -that I make myself clear."</p> - -<p>"As clear as the murky darkness of this twin mystery can be made clear -until Major Rebb confesses. Meanwhile, and until we can force that -man's hand, we had better arrange what has to be done." It was Gerald -who spoke.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin patted Mavis' hand, which she was holding in her own -very fondly. "I lose one daughter to find another," she said cheerily. -"Mavis can come back with me to my flat, and can wear some dresses -which Charity has left behind. Then I'll teach her to dance, and in a -couple of days she will be able to replace Charity at the Belver."</p> - -<p>"You are quite willing?" Gerald asked Miss Bird anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Of course I am," she answered quickly. "I am quite on your side."</p> - -<p>"Remember that Mavis is accused of being a lunatic and a murderess."</p> - -<p>"I know. My mother told me. But I don't believe it for one moment. I -would as soon think myself capable of committing a crime."</p> - -<p>"I say the same," said Mrs. Pelham Odin. "I told you, Mr. Haskins, -that I would wait until I saw Mavis before deciding. Now that I have -seen her, I disbelieve all that Major Rebb says. And moreover, since -the likeness is even stronger than you said between these two girls, I -can promise you that the plot will be carried out safely."</p> - -<p>Gerald hesitated. "Will Mavis dare to face the footlights?"</p> - -<p>Mavis herself replied, and the brave blood of her soldier father -flamed in her cheeks as his courage shone in her eyes. "I shall dare -anything for your sake, Gerald," she declared, without faltering. "And -Bellaria has taught me to dance--poor Bellaria!" she ended sadly.</p> - -<p>"It will be all right," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, who had been watching -the girl critically. "It is a risk, of course, but as there is only -one dance, and the child has courage, I do not think she will -experience stage fright. I can teach her the dance."</p> - -<p>"No," interposed Charity quickly. "Let me do that. Mavis can come -veiled to my lodgings, which are now at Kensington, and I can show her -all the steps and tricks and manner necessary. I swear that when she -is dressed as I was in <i>The Moon-Fay</i>, and dances as I shall teach -her, no one will be a bit the wiser. And my engagement ends in a week -or so; and it will not be necessary for her to continue to appear."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin nodded. "You must keep yourself quiet, Charity. No -one must see you at Kensington. I can trust my old dresser, with whom -I placed you there. To-night and to-morrow night you can go to the -theatre, as usual. On the third night Mavis can appear."</p> - -<p>"And I shall see after Charity meanwhile," said Tod eagerly; "in five -days we can get married, and I have bought a special license, so that -no banns need be put up. Then we can go abroad."</p> - -<p>"But, Tod," said Gerald, somewhat dismayed, although he might have -expected this course of conduct, "I want you to help me."</p> - -<p>"I shall do so when I return, in a month," said Tod quickly. "It is as -well, since Mavis is to play the part of Charity, that my wife should -be out of the kingdom. I shall leave her abroad when I return, and -then we can try and put things straight. They are crooked enough now."</p> - -<p>"Do you agree to this?" Gerald asked Charity once more.</p> - -<p>"Of course," she answered promptly, "and I shall send Tod back from -Switzerland before the end of our honeymoon. The sooner these affairs -are settled the better. I wish you and Mavis to be happy, and also I -want to know about my parentage. I am tired of being Charity Bird."</p> - -<p>"You will soon be Charity Macandrew," whispered Tod tenderly.</p> - -<p>"Oh yes--but I wish to know if I am Charity Durham."</p> - -<p>"I am sure you are, and my sister," said Mavis, taking the other -girl's hand, "and Gerald and I have been talking. If I get this six -thousand a year, you shall have half."</p> - -<p>"Oh no," cried Charity, half delighted and half doubtful.</p> - -<p>"Oh yes--even though you may not prove to be my sister."</p> - -<p>Gerald shrugged his shoulders. "There's no more to be said," he -remarked, "save that I am certain my surmise is correct. Well, Mrs. -Pelham Odin, will you take Mavis to your flat?"</p> - -<p>"Yes." The old lady rose, and with her own hands drew down Mavis' -veil. "We had better go at once, seeing that we all now understand -what is to be done. Charity?"</p> - -<p>That young lady had already arranged her veil. "Tod is taking me back -to Kensington," she said, "and will call for me to-night at the -theatre. I shall say that you are indisposed, mother."</p> - -<p>"Quite so," rejoined the actress, "but pray tell as few lies as -possible, and <i>do</i> behave yourself with Mr. Macandrew."</p> - -<p>"We'll be as good as gold," said Tod piously. "By the way, Gerald, one -moment. My clerk went to watch Mrs. Crosbie and her mother at Bognor."</p> - -<p>"Well, and what happened?"</p> - -<p>"Neither Mrs. Berch nor Mrs. Crosbie are there. They have not been -near the place."</p> - -<p>"Now, what does that mean. She certainly said that she was going."</p> - -<p>"I suppose she changed her mind in a feminine way," rejoined Tod, and -the symposium broke up, having arranged all necessary plans for the -immediate future.</p> - -<p>For the next day or two Gerald was extremely anxious, as may be -guessed. The daily papers were filled with accounts of the Leegarth -murder, and with details respecting the search which was being made -for Mavis Durham. The inquest had taken place, and the jury--as was -natural, considering what Major Rebb declared--brought in a verdict of -wilful murder against the girl. No one entertained a shadow of doubt -as regarded her guilt, and Haskins was glad, for once, that Mavis had -not been taught to read, since she could not worry herself over what -the newspapers said. Rebb, at the inquest, had been severely -reprehended for not having shut up his ward in a public asylum: but -nothing came out about the income belonging to her which he enjoyed. -It was the prevailing impression that Rebb had taken charge of his -brother officer's little girl out of sheer kindness of heart, and many -of the journals praised his philanthropy. Gerald could imagine Rebb's -grim smile on reading about the undeserved honors thrust upon him.</p> - -<p>And the young man was also anxious about Mavis' appearance at the -Belver Theatre, since she had been shut up all her life, and might be -terrified out of her wits when facing an audience. If she did fail, -Mrs. Pelham Odin intended to announce that her daughter was ill, and -so gloss the matter over. But neither the actress or the lover need -have been afraid. Mavis knew what was expected of her: knew what was -at stake, and heartened by her love for Gerald, as well as by her -desire for safety, she behaved like a heroine. In a wonderfully short -space of time she picked up the dance, having been already taught how -to use her hands and feet by the unfortunate Bellaria. Moreover the -girl was a born dancer, and likewise suggested improvements which -delighted both Charity and her adopted mother. Indeed the latter -lamented loudly that Mavis was to marry Gerald, instead of appearing -on the stage, as out of such promising material she said that a -wonderful actress could be made. Dancing was only one way in which -Mavis could express herself: but with instruction and experience--as -Mrs. Pelham Odin averred--she could attain to a high position on the -English stage. "And we need new talent," wailed Mrs. Pelham Odin, -"half the actresses who are on the boards should be off them."</p> - -<p>One result of Mavis' improvements in the Moon-Fay dance was that Mrs. -Pelham Odin, being an old friend of the Belver manager, induced him to -give Mavis a rehearsal. Of course he thought that the demure young -lady who appeared was the Charity Bird he knew, and that she merely -wanted to alter the dance a trifle. As the ballet was nearly at an end -he scarcely deemed it necessary to grant Mrs. Pelham Odin's request, -but in the end she got her own way, and Mavis was fortunate enough to -have a trial trip. This assisted her greatly, as it enabled her to -face a small audience before beholding the greater one. The manager -was delighted with the improvements, and hinted to Mrs. Pelham Odin, -as he had hinted before, that he was anxious to re-engage Miss Charity -Bird for the new ballet.</p> - -<p>"No," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, privately lamenting the necessity of -declining exceptionally good terms, "in a couple of weeks or so, when -the run of <i>The Moon-Fay</i> is over, my daughter and myself are going to -Southend for a rest."</p> - -<p>"Miss Bird is not going to marry that Macandrew fellow, I hope?" -remarked the manager, who had heard rumors. "She will be a loss to the -stage."</p> - -<p>"Nothing has been arranged as yet," replied the actress evasively, and -the matter dropped.</p> - -<p>When the night came for Mavis' appearance, Charity did a rash thing, -in which she induced Tod to support her, although both Mrs. Pelham -Odin and Gerald would have been seriously annoyed had they known. This -was nothing less than to make Tod take her--closely veiled--to the -gallery of the Belver Theatre to see her double, dance. Tod -remonstrated, but, being very much in love, yielded in the long run, -and, just before the curtain rose on <i>The Moon-Fay</i>, Charity and the -lawyer found themselves very comfortably seated among the gods. The -theatre was crowded as usual, as the ballet was a successful one, and -Charity pointed out Gerald and Mrs. Pelham Odin in a small box near -the stage.</p> - -<p>"I do hope Mavis is not afraid," whispered Charity, who was a trifle -nervous herself.</p> - -<p>"No," answered Tod, in the same low tones. "I am quite certain that -she will pull through all right. That girl has the heart of a lion."</p> - -<p>And indeed Macandrew's prophecy proved to be a correct one. When the -curtain drew up on the forest scene, in which Charity had figured for -so many nights as a Moon-Fay, everything went excellently. The -wandering lover, who was searching for his peasant love, chased the -moonbeams as usual--these were electric lights--and when they gathered -into one radiance of white, and he fell on his knees, invoking the -Fairy of the Moon to assist him in his search, Mavis, arrayed in -filmy, vaporous robes of snow, stepped calmly on to the stage. She had -altered the dress a little as she thought Charity's robes were a -trifle scanty. The wardrobe mistress and the manager had remonstrated -on the change, and could not understand why Miss Charity Bird had -altered her mind about the dress when the ballet was nearing its end. -But they never suspected the truth, as Mavis, a born actress, had -mimicked Charity's speech and gesture in private life. So she appeared -in a kind of Greek dress worn long, and sparkling with silver. Her -hair was crowned with a diadem of crystals, and with her pure face -uplifted in the glory of the light she looked indeed like a spirit. -The audience, as did the stage hands and the manager, thought still -that they saw Charity Bird; but all the same they felt, in a puzzled -way, that there was something different in the girl. What would they -have said had they known that the Moon-Fay was being sought for far -and wide, as a lunatic and a murderess. But no one dreamed of such a -thing, and Gerald would not have winced even had Rebb himself been -present. But the Major was not there, as he had more important matters -to attend to; and moreover there was no need that he should come, -seeing that he was ignorant of the dancer's identity.</p> - -<p>In the dark scenic forest, and amidst the soft radiance of the -electric lights, Mavis danced as she had been instructed by Charity, -so as to swing in time to the music, but also she introduced something -of the mystic element she had displayed when Gerald had beheld her -swaying in the grounds of the Pixy's House. She floated across the -wide stage like a veritable moonbeam, beckoned to the lover, bent over -him like a fair white angel, and finally melted into a mist. This was -contrived by gauze screens, a clever device, which had been much -commented upon by the Press. When the Moon-Fay vanished there was a -burst of applause. Charity always had been applauded for her dance, -but never had the audience been so hearty in showing their -appreciation as on this night. But Charity was not at all jealous for -the attention bestowed upon her double.</p> - -<p>"I must have looked splendid, if I was like that," she whispered to -Tod.</p> - -<p>"Of course you were like that," replied Macandrew, "isn't she your -double, dear. Only," he added loyally, and what is more, he really -believed what he said, "you were ever so much better."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin hurried behind the scenes as soon as Mavis' dance was -at an end, and hurried the girl away the moment she completed her -change of dress. As this was the old actress' usual way of behaving -with Charity her action caused no comment. Beyond the fact that -several people behind the scenes remarked that Miss Bird had been in -unusually good form on this particular night no one troubled about the -matter. And indeed why should they, seeing how they had beheld the -ballet for more than a hundred nights, and also the dance of Charity -Bird?</p> - -<p>Gerald was delighted, and there was a very merry little supper at Mrs. -Pelham Odin's flat that night. Mavis again and again asked her lover -if she had done well, and if he was pleased with her. Gerald could -only reply with kisses, until Mrs. Pelham Odin merrily declared that -she could not remain in the room if they were so affectionate. "And -then, child," she added, "we must turn this young man out, for -to-morrow I have to be at Mr. Macandrew's wedding."</p> - -<p>"Cannot I come?" asked Mavis eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Bless me, child, no! Your presence would bring about the very -complication we are desirous of avoiding. Things are going right so -far, so do not put them wrong."</p> - -<p>So the next day Mavis remained in the flat, quite accepted by the -servants of the house as Miss Charity Bird, while the real lady who -bore that name went with Macandrew and Gerald and Mrs. Pelham Odin to -a quiet country church in Essex, where Tod had elected to get married. -Gerald was the best man, and Mrs. Pelham Odin gave the bride away in -her best theatrical style. None of Tod's relatives were present, for -obvious reasons, but as he led his bride down the aisle after the -ceremony he grinned to think of Lady Euphemia's wrath did she know -what had taken place.</p> - -<p>"I hope that I have done right," sighed Mrs. Pelham Odin, when looking -after the train that bore Tod and his bride away. "I think I have."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_19" href="#div1Ref_19">CHAPTER XIX.</a></h4> -<h5>SIGNOR VENOSTA.</h5> -<br> - -<p>Gerald did nothing until the conclusion of the presumed Charity Bird's -engagement at the Belver Theatre. There was no need to do so for the -moment, as the scheme to hide her had proved entirely successful, and -no one guessed where to look for the much-wanted Mavis. Mrs. Pelham -Odin took her to the theatre, waited for her there, and escorted her -back again, so that Mavis spoke very little to the people behind the -scenes. Gerald often came to supper, and spent much of his time at the -Bloomsbury flat. He was supposed to be writing a new book, but in -reality he indulged himself with a holiday, to make love to the girl -he had so strangely rescued.</p> - -<p>But when the Belver Theatre closed for a time, Mrs. Pelham Odin, -feeling the want of a change, took Mavis to Southend, and there -occupied pleasant apartments looking out on to the sea. Mavis did not -like to be parted from her lover, as he could not see her so -frequently; but Mrs. Pelham Odin pointed out that Haskins would have -to begin his search for the true murderer of Bellaria, so that things -could be put right. Also, as Mavis was being taught to read and write -by the old actress, it was just as well that Gerald should not come -too often, to distract the scholar's attention from her lessons. So -Mrs. Pelham Odin stopped with Mavis at the lively seaside town, happy -in the company of the girl, and happy also to receive glowing letters -from Mrs. Tod Macandrew, in which she expatiated on her heavenly -honeymoon.</p> - -<p>Haskins found his time hang rather heavily on his hands when Mavis and -her new guardian left London. He wished to wait for Tod before -beginning operations, but it would be quite a fortnight until -Macandrew returned, and until then there was nothing to do. Gerald -tried to write a few chapters of his new book, in vain. The thought of -Mavis and of her perilous position filled his head, so he was obliged -to throw aside his literary work, until matters were made straight for -the girl. Having come to this conclusion, he resolved not to wait for -Tod's arrival, but to work at the case himself. The difficulty was how -to begin.</p> - -<p>Arnold had stated plainly that he believed Rebb to be the guilty -person, but of this Gerald could not be sure. He was convinced that if -Bellaria's life had stood between Rebb and the six thousand a year she -would have been murdered long ago. Moreover, the story of how Geary's -knife came to be used sounded very plausible, and, if Rebb were -guilty, Haskins believed that he would not have told the police about -the weapon, as he had done, when the inquest was held. Then, again, -Arnold did not know the true reason of Bellaria's fear and why she had -buried herself in that secluded Devonshire village. It struck Gerald -that the Tána Society had traced Bellaria Dondi to Leegarth, and there -she had been slain, as she expected. Mrs. Berch knew of Bellaria's -dread of the coral hand, as Gerald had told her about it when she -called to claim it again. She might have informed Venosta, who had -bestowed the amulet on Mrs. Crosbie. He was undoubtedly an emissary of -the Tána Society, and probably was the real criminal.</p> - -<p>Arguing in this way, Haskins resolved to call on Mrs. Crosbie, and -question her mother as to whether she had betrayed Bellaria to the -burly Italian. Also, he was anxious to learn why Signor Venosta had -given the coral hand to the widow, as it was incredible to think that -she belonged to such a cut-throat organization. But there must be some -reason why Mrs. Crosbie should hold the trinket which had so sinister -a significance, and this Gerald made up his mind to see into. Finally, -and as a third reason for his visit, he desired to know when Rebb and -Mrs. Crosbie would marry. If Tod were right about the widow's -impecuniosity--and Gerald believed that he was--she would not become -the Major's wife unless he was certain of his income. And while Mavis -remained undiscovered Rebb could by no means be certain.</p> - -<p>Gerald would have asked Arnold to come to London, but he thought it -best that he should not be seen in the company of Schaibar, as the -Major might suspect that something was wrong. It was of course, -impossible that Rebb could ever trace Mavis, but it was just as well -to be on the safe side. So Arnold remained in Exeter, touring the -surrounding country as far as Silbury, Denleigh, and Leegarth, keeping -a keen eye on Geary, and communicating to Gerald by registered letters -all the gossip dealing with the case which he could gather. It seemed -from the little man's epistles that the excitement had died down after -Bellaria was buried, and a belief existed that Mavis, while flying -from justice, had fallen into some river and had been drowned. Whether -the negro or Rebb shared this comfortable belief Haskins could not -discover. He thought not, else the Major might have been still more -afraid of losing his illegal income. In spite of his denial that Mavis -had any relatives either on the father's or mother's side, it was -possible that the gallant officer lied. And if relatives existed they -would certainly claim the money if Mavis was supposed to be dead.</p> - -<p>A few days, therefore, after Mavis had departed with Mrs. Pelham Odin -to Southend, Gerald paid a visit to Ladysmith Mansions. Mrs. Crosbie -was within, looking much the same as usual, and she received him in -quite a friendly manner. He fancied that the disagreeable topic of -their last conversation had vanished from her memory. But her first -words, after greetings, proved that this was not the case.</p> - -<p>"I am glad to see you, my dear Gerald," she said, languidly pointing -to a seat, "but I hope you are not going to tell me any more horrors."</p> - -<p>"I was not aware that I had ever told you any," he answered, rather -annoyed by her tone.</p> - -<p>"Oh yes. All that story of the lunatic, whom you wanted me to look -after. It was just as well that I did not, seeing how mad she is."</p> - -<p>"She is not mad," insisted the young man. "I told you that before, and -I tell you again, Madge."</p> - -<p>"How often have I said that you are not to call me by my Christian -name, you silly boy," said Mrs. Crosbie irritably.</p> - -<p>"There is no one here." Gerald looked at the curtains dividing one -room from the other. "I suppose Mrs. Berch is not again lying down with -a headache."</p> - -<p>"No. She is out shopping, and will be in soon. And you needn't look so -cross. Neither mother nor I told Major Rebb about your weird love -affair. Mother overheard, as she said, but held her tongue."</p> - -<p>"Madge----"</p> - -<p>"Don't, I tell you. Major Rebb may come in at any moment, and I am -also expecting Signor Venosta to afternoon tea. What would either of -them say, if they heard you address me so familiarly."</p> - -<p>Gerald shrugged his shoulders, and did not argue the point. "As you -please, Mrs. Crosbie. I was merely taking the privilege of our -age-long acquaintanceship."</p> - -<p>"Why not friendship?" she inquired, closing her eyes.</p> - -<p>"Friendship, then. When are you to be married?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say! Michael--that is Major Rebb, you know--has not settled -anything yet. He's very much upset, poor man, over this crazy girl."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe that the girl is crazy!" said Gerald decisively.</p> - -<p>"So you said before! Major Rebb told me of his interview with you at -that Denleigh inn, and how absurd you were. Now I suppose you will -admit that you have had a lucky escape?"</p> - -<p>"I admit nothing of the sort!" said Haskins bluntly: then added, in a -diplomatic manner: "Did I know where that poor girl was I would look -her up and marry her to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"I don't think that lunatic marriages are legal," yawned Mrs. Crosbie. -"In spite of what you say, the girl must be guilty. The jury brought -in a verdict of wilful murder, and she should be hanged. As it is, -owing to her insanity, I presume she will be shut up in an asylum."</p> - -<p>"Then the Major will be pleased, I expect," said Gerald grimly.</p> - -<p>"No; he will not. He is very sorry about the affair. It has brought -his name before the public in a most unpleasant manner. Luckily, -everyone knows how well he behaved in looking after the girl. He got -nothing for doing it."</p> - -<p>Haskins started, and wondered if it would be wise to reveal the real -terms which existed between Mavis and her guardian. If Mrs. Crosbie -did not know how Rebb earned his income--if it could be called -earning--he was certainly marrying her under false pretenses. For the -moment Gerald was inclined to blurt out the truth: but, remembering -how Mrs. Crosbie had taken his last confidence, he resolved to hold -his tongue about the money question, and to let the widow and her -admirer adjust their own private affairs.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the widow had gone to the tea-table, which had just been -set, and was talking, while she poured out the tea. "I hope that you -have got over your infatuation for that girl, Gerald. You will never -see her again. I expect she is dead; fell into a pit, or a river, or -something, when she ran away after committing murder. Poor thing! it -is a lucky business for her that she <i>is</i> dead."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Crosbie," said Gerald, ceremoniously taking a cup of tea, "you -will insist that Miss Durham killed her nurse. I believe from the -bottom of my heart that she is innocent."</p> - -<p>"Oh, of course you would, being in love," said Mrs. Crosbie, with a -shrug, "but, if she is innocent, who is guilty? Major Rebb?"</p> - -<p>"No, I do not accuse him."</p> - -<p>"How good of you, my dear Gerald."</p> - -<p>"But," added the young man, with emphasis, "<i>you</i> may have an idea as -to who killed Bellaria Dondi."</p> - -<p>A piece of bread and butter fell from Mrs. Crosbie's hand, and she -turned round with an amazed look. "I? In heaven's name, how should I -know?"</p> - -<p>"Didn't your mother tell you what I said about Bellaria and that coral -hand which I found in your cigarette-case?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. The woman was afraid when she saw it."</p> - -<p>"Do you know why she was afraid?"</p> - -<p>"No; I certainly do not."</p> - -<p>"Could Signor Venosta tell you?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie rose, and came forward with a glittering light in her -eyes not pleasant to look at. "What do you mean? Signor Venosta----"</p> - -<p>"Gave you the amulet? Mrs. Berch told me as much."</p> - -<p>"If he did, what then? Signor Venosta is an old friend of mine. So -long as Major Rebb does not object, I fail to see why you----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I have no objections to offer," interrupted Gerald hurriedly. -"But Bellaria was afraid of that coral hand, which symbolized--now -then, Mrs. Crosbie, what did it symbolize?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," she faltered, and her eyes dropped; after a pause she -looked up. "I'll tell you all I know," she added, passing her lace -handkerchief across her lips. "But keep what I say to yourself."</p> - -<p>"Go on. I shall say nothing to the world without your permission."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie reflected. "I was in difficulties over money when we last -met," she said rapidly. "There was an Italian moneylender--a Jew in -the city--who held a bill of mine, and treated me badly. I did not -know what to do. When I told Signor Venosta, in despair, since he was -always a good friend of mine, he asked me the name of the Jew, and all -particulars."</p> - -<p>"What is the name of the Jew?" asked Gerald quickly.</p> - -<p>"That has nothing to do with the story. There is no need for you to -know. This moneylender was an Italian Jew, and came from Naples. When -Signor Venosta heard my tale he detached that coral hand from his -watch chain, on the very day you found us together, and gave it to me, -saying, that if I showed it to the Jew everything would go well. I put -it for safety in my cigarette-case, which you carried off. So small an -object could easily be lost, as you may guess. When I found that my -case was missing I sent mother at once to you, thinking--and -rightly--that you had taken it. She brought it back."</p> - -<p>"Well, go on. Did you show it to the Jew?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. He was desperately afraid, and agreed to whatever terms I chose -to make; so you may guess, I insisted on having favorable ones. That -is all, Gerald."</p> - -<p>"Why was the Jew afraid?"</p> - -<p>"I know no more than I know why Bellaria was afraid."</p> - -<p>"Did this Italian Jew from Naples say anything?"</p> - -<p>"No. He turned a dirty yellow, and nearly went on his knees. I told -him that if he did not give me my way that he would get into trouble, -and that I had brought the sign to show him. He yielded, and after our -making terms he seemed glad to get rid of me."</p> - -<p>"But you know----"</p> - -<p>"I know nothing," she interrupted tartly, and returned to the -tea-table, Haskins wondering if she was playing a part. Since she knew -so much it seemed to him that she must know more. He tried the effect -of a surprise. "Ah, the Jew was probably afraid of the Tána."</p> - -<p>This time Mrs. Crosbie dropped the teapot, which clattered on the tray -with a great noise. "The Tána Society?" she stammered, very pale.</p> - -<p>"The Tána Society?" said a new and foreign-sounding voice at the same -time, and Signor Venosta was shown into the room as the teapot fell.</p> - -<p>'Mrs. Crosbie recovered herself with an effort. "Oh, signor, how are -you to-day? Last time, Mr. Haskins--you know Mr. Haskins--found you -with me, now you find him with me. How strange!"</p> - -<p>She was talking for the sake of talking, as Gerald noted, for her face -was livid and her bosom rose and fell stormily. The burly Italian, who -looked perfectly self-controlled and composed, eyed Haskins, who bore -his gaze without flinching. Neither man took notice of Mrs. Crosbie's -chatter, and she sank again into her seat before the tea-table. "Won't -you sit down also, you two?" she tittered nervously.</p> - -<p>"You mentioned the Tána Society," said Venosta, turning on the little -woman, "and to this young man."</p> - -<p>"Pardon me. I mentioned it first to Mrs. Crosbie," said Haskins -coolly.</p> - -<p>"What do you know of the Tána Society?"</p> - -<p>"Very little beyond the fact that it consists of a body of men who -emerge on occasions from the Den to dispense that justice which cannot -be obtained by law. The headquarters of the society is in Naples, and -the symbol is a coral hand grasping a dagger."</p> - -<p>Signor Venosta might have been hewn out of marble for all the surprise -he showed at this speech. But he was staggered, since Gerald caught -the expression of his eyes. "May I ask how you know all this, sir?"</p> - -<p>Gerald shrugged. "I see no reason to conceal the fact that by chance I -carried away Mrs. Crosbie's cigarette-case during my last visit. The -amulet fell out when I opened the case in my rooms for a cigarette."</p> - -<p>"Quite so,"' assented Venosta blandly, "but you thought, no doubt, -that it was merely a trinket."</p> - -<p>"Yes; such as an old friend--you, for instance, Signor Venosta--might -give to Mrs. Crosbie."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" the Italian turned swiftly on the widow, "you <i>have</i> told him."</p> - -<p>"No, no!" she said vehemently, "only that you gave me the trinket, and -that I made that Jew moneylender do what I wanted by showing it to -him. I did not tell anything else, because I know nothing else, save -that the coral hand has to do with some society called the Tána."</p> - -<p>"How do you know that much even?"</p> - -<p>"My mother told me. Mr. Haskins told her."</p> - -<p>"And how do you know?" demanded Venosta, turning toward Gerald.</p> - -<p>"Because Bellaria Dondi," the Italian started, "came to my rooms just -before Mrs. Berch appeared to reclaim the cigarette-case. Bellaria was -afraid when she saw the amulet, and staggered out of the room crying -out: 'Tána! Tána!' I asked a friend what the word meant, and he told -me it meant a den. Told me also, that he had heard of the society by -that name in Naples. I guessed then from what Bellaria said, and from -her terror, that the Tána Society wished to kill her."</p> - -<p>Venosta nodded and smiled amiably. "You are a clever young gentleman -to piece things together so cleverly. Well, I have heard the name of -Bellaria Dondi."</p> - -<p>"In connection with this murder?" asked Gerald, "or long ago, when she -was a singer, and in love with Enrico Salviati?"</p> - -<p>Signor Venosta's brow grew dark, and he frowned fiercely. "Bellaria -told you much," he said, striving to appear calm.</p> - -<p>"Much," assented Gerald easily, and not at all daunted by black looks, -"but she did not tell me who had struck the blow, or who had given the -information which led to the striking of the blow. She could not; she -is dead, poor soul."</p> - -<p>Venosta eyed him coldly. "Then, and in spite of the verdict which -accuses an English young lady of murder, you believe the Tána Society -murdered Bellaria Dondi."</p> - -<p>"Did justice on her, let us say," remarked Gerald quietly; "that is -the euphonious way in which you Italians put such things."</p> - -<p>"And you believe that I obtained the news of Bellaria's whereabouts -from----" His eye wandered to Mrs. Crosbie.</p> - -<p>She sprang to her feet indignantly. "It is not true. I told you -nothing of what my mother said; nothing of what she heard from Gerald. -Say that I did not tell you? How could I, when I knew nothing? Had I -known of this society, and your connection with it, I should not have -made use of that coral hand to terrify the Jew."</p> - -<p>"I do not say that I am connected with the Tána Society, madam."</p> - -<p>"You gave me the trinket."</p> - -<p>"Which was given to me by a member of the society for use in -emergencies, madam. I gave it to you to aid you out of friendship. -That is all. He waved his large white hand. There is no more to be -said."</p> - -<p>"Pardon me," said Gerald quickly, "there is this much to be said. How -did you come to know of Bellaria's hiding-place, if Mrs. Crosbie----"</p> - -<p>"Madam here told me nothing," interrupted the Italian, silencing the -little widow with a gesture. "Bellaria Dondi was a traitress, who -deserved to be killed. Nevertheless, she hid herself so successfully -that the Tána Society never knew where she was until the papers said -that she had been found dead in Devonshire."</p> - -<p>"Did not an emissary of the Tána Society kill her?" asked Gerald, -confounded.</p> - -<p>"No," said Venosta gravely. "Heaven punished Bellaria, not the Tána. -She is dead--stabbed--but I do not know who struck the blow."</p> - -<p>He looked at Mrs. Crosbie, and at Gerald coldly, bowed slightly, and -left the room.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_20" href="#div1Ref_20">CHAPTER XX.</a></h4> -<h5>A DARK MYSTERY.</h5> -<br> - -<p>Almost as soon as the Italian went out, Mrs. Berch entered. Since -Gerald had seen her last she had greatly aged, and looked more worn -and thin than ever in her dark gown. Glancing from the young man to -her daughter, she went to the latter and took her hand.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter, Madge?" she asked, in her stern, cold voice, "why -has Signor Venosta left, and why are you shivering? Gerald," she -turned to Haskins, "what have you been saying to my daughter?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing," he answered calmly, "but Signor Venosta has been saying a -great deal to both of us."</p> - -<p>"It is about that coral hand, mother," cried Mrs. Crosbie feverishly, -and clinging to Mrs. Berch. "Signor Venosta says that it is the symbol -of a society which murders, and for that reason the moneylender was -afraid. I wish I had refused Venosta's assistance," she ended.</p> - -<p>"Why did you talk of these horrors?" asked Mrs. Berch reproachfully, -"you know, Gerald, that Madge cannot bear such things."</p> - -<p>"I am trying to learn who killed Bellaria, Mrs. Berch, and it struck -me--since she was afraid of the coral hand--that you told Madge what I -told you, and that this being repeated to Venosta, he might have -stabbed the woman by order of the Tána Society."</p> - -<p>"I don't know anything about the Tána Society."</p> - -<p>"Neither do I; neither do I," muttered Mrs. Crosbie.</p> - -<p>"And there is no reason why Signor Venosta, who is our friend, should -kill Major Rebb's servant," went on Mrs. Berch steadily. "Everyone -knows that she was stabbed by that crazy girl."</p> - -<p>"I don't agree with you," replied Gerald coldly, and prepared to -leave. "However, it is useless arguing, I can only apologize to Mrs. -Crosbie for having brought up so disagreeable a subject. Good-day."</p> - -<p>"No," said the widow, rising and recovering her color and nerve, -"don't go yet, Gerald. I know that you did not mean any harm, and -after all, as Signor Venosta has nothing to do with the death, it -matters very little. Had I known when I saw the moneylender what I -know now I should never have taken that coral hand. But I have given -it back to Signor Venosta, and he will not mention the subject again. -Sit down and have another cup of tea."</p> - -<p>"Do," urged Mrs. Berch, the light coming into her cold eyes. "I think -you owe it to Madge to remove the impression of this horror. The whole -thing is too fantastical, with its symbols and secret societies and -murders in lonely houses. We live in the twentieth century, and these -things belong to fiction."</p> - -<p>"The last does not," replied Haskins dryly: "Bellaria was certainly -murdered at the Pixy's House."</p> - -<p>"And by that crazy girl," insisted Mrs. Berch. "I hope she will be -caught and shut up in an asylum. It is not safe to let such a creature -go at large."</p> - -<p>Haskins defended Mavis no longer, as he was afraid that the two women, -both keen-eyed and clever, might guess his secret knowledge of the -girl's whereabouts. "Let us change the subject," he said, taking a -fresh cup of tea from Mrs. Crosbie's hand. "I hope you enjoyed -yourselves at Bognor?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, very much indeed," said the widow brightly, "and we were quite -sorry to return to London. But we are going abroad soon, to -Switzerland."</p> - -<p>Gerald winced. Switzerland was a wide place: yet if Mrs. Berch and her -daughter went there, it was not impossible but what they might come -across the honeymooning path of Mr. and Mrs. Macandrew. In that event -Major Rebb would certainly learn that Charity was married, and -therefore guess that Mavis was with Mrs. Pelham Odin. However, he -showed no signs of his fears, but privately resolved to write to Tod. -"When are you going, Mrs. Crosbie?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say exactly," she answered carelessly, "it all depends on -Major Rebb. He is coming with mother and myself, but has some business -to arrange before he can leave London. What have you been doing with -yourself lately, Gerald? We, as you know, have been at Bognor."</p> - -<p>"Writing as usual." And Haskins plunged into an account of his new -book, for the sake of talking on a safe subject. Yet even as he spoke, -his brain was wondering why the widow lied about Bognor. According to -Tod's clerk the two ladies had not been near that watering-place: but -Mrs. Crosbie spoke as having just returned from that very town. -Probably, since both were hard up--Mrs. Crosbie in talking of the -moneylender had confessed as much--they had been ruralizing in some -quiet and cheap part of the country.</p> - -<p>For the next twenty minutes the conversation was of a light and -somewhat frivolous order, and in so congenial an atmosphere the widow -expanded like a flower. Even Mrs. Berch grew more human, and less like -a stone image. It was quite like old days, when Gerald's mother had -sat knitting and listening with a smile on her well-remembered face. -Mrs. Crosbie evidently recalled the past, for when Gerald finally took -his departure she accompanied him to the door.</p> - -<p>"What a pleasant quarter of an hour we have had," she said, pressing -his hand. "We always get on well together, Gerald, and mother is so -fond of you. I wish you had not quarreled with Michael--with Major -Rebb, that is--for when I am married I want you still to be my -friend."</p> - -<p>"I am only too willing to continue so: but Rebb doesn't like me."</p> - -<p>"How can you expect him to," said Mrs. Crosbie petulantly, "when you -accuse him of shutting up that girl unjustly? I do hope you have got -over your infatuation for her. It would never do for you to marry a -madwoman."</p> - -<p>"No," said Gerald, shirking a useless argument, "it would never do. -Good-day, Madge. I shall see you again soon." And he went down the -stairs with backward glances to see Mrs. Crosbie shaking a playful -finger at him for calling her as usual by her Christian name.</p> - -<p>When in the street Gerald suddenly remembered that it would have been -as well to get Signor Venosta's address from the widow, as he wanted -to gain further information concerning the Tána Society. But on second -thoughts he saw little use in again questioning Venosta. The Italian -had plainly denied the murder, and would tell him nothing more about -the society, which was a secret one. Haskins quite believed what -Venosta said with regard to the crime. If Bellaria, judged a traitress -by the Tána, had been deliberately stabbed, it was improbable that -Venosta--as the mouthpiece of the cut-throat organization--would deny -that such justice had been executed. Such societies were rather proud -than otherwise of their vengeance, and did not mind the truth being -known, since publicity on this score terrified other members who might -wish to break their oaths. The Tána Society therefore was guiltless of -Bellaria's death, and the assassin would have to be sought for in -another quarter. "But where can I look?" Gerald asked himself, and it -was not until he reached Frederick Street that he decided what to do. -The decision he came to, was to journey at once to Denleigh and -interview the negro. Probably Geary knew the truth and might be -bribed or terrified into telling what he knew. To depend upon this -semi-civilized creature was grasping at a straw, but to whom else -could he go for information? Rebb, fighting with his back to the wall, -would not tell, but Geary, knowing his master's secrets, might be -persuaded, or kicked, or bought over, into speech.</p> - -<p>When Gerald arrived in his rooms he was met with a surprise in the -shape of Tod Macandrew, looking sunburnt, healthy, and marvelously -happy. "Good heavens, what are you doing here?" asked Haskins, amazed.</p> - -<p>"Looking for you," retorted Tod, and shook hands. "Charity is so -anxious to see Mavis cleared, and you married to her, that she made me -come back."</p> - -<p>"And where is Mrs. Macandrew?"</p> - -<p>"At Amsterdam."</p> - -<p>"What is she doing there?"</p> - -<p>"Waiting for me. She would not stop in Switzerland, as it was too far -away, so she came to Amsterdam. I can run over and see her there -whenever I like, until this infernal business of the murder is cleared -up and I can bring her back to England."</p> - -<p>"I am glad she is in Holland," remarked Gerald, and told Tod how Mrs. -Crosbie and her mother intended to go to Switzerland, and of his dread -lest they might meet Charity.</p> - -<p>Tod nodded. "It is just as well," he answered. "However, Charity is -all right and snug, so I am at your disposal. Mavis and Mrs. Pelham -Odin are at Southend?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, where Rebb is not likely to look for them. As for myself I am -going to Devonshire to-morrow to see Geary and Arnold."</p> - -<p>"Arnold? Yes, I should like to interview him, and see if he has picked -up any further information. As to Geary?--do you suspect him?"</p> - -<p>"Yes and no. According to Rebb, Geary gave the knife to Bellaria, and -certainly I shot Geary in the right arm, so on the night of the murder -he was in no condition to kill the woman. Geary, I believe, is -guiltless; but he knows Rebb's secrets, and I wish to force him into -telling them."</p> - -<p>"Hum," said Tod, nursing his chin. "Do you believe that Rebb----"</p> - -<p>"I don't know what to believe of Rebb," interrupted Gerald quickly. -"As I told you, Mr. Arnold thinks that Rebb stabbed Bellaria. He may -have done so, or he may not: at all events I am going down to find -out."</p> - -<p>Then Haskins related what he had learned about the coral hand, and how -Venosta had disclaimed the murder. "Which he would not have done, Tod, -had the society executed vengeance on Bellaria."</p> - -<p>"But by confessing he would run his neck into a noose."</p> - -<p>"No. He would simply deny having told me, and his guilt would be -difficult to prove, since both Mrs. Crosbie and Mrs. Berch say that -they did not tell him about Bellaria's terror of the amulet. Moreover -he would clear out of England back to his own country, and could laugh -at the English law. No, Tod; I feel certain that Venosta and his -accursed society are innocent."</p> - -<p>"And you believe that Geary is innocent also? You leave only Rebb to -be accused. However, I'll come down with you and scour the country -after a conversation with this Arnold. We can then learn what -strangers were in the neighborhood of Leegarth on the night of the -murder."</p> - -<p>"What then? No stranger had any reason to murder Bellaria?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't know. The crime may be the work of a tramp. I daresay -there were rumors of jewels and money and all the rest of it. A tramp -might----"</p> - -<p>"No," said Gerald very decidedly. "Mavis declares that Bellaria -received a letter which excited her. I should not be surprised to -learn that the letter asked her to come to the gate at midnight, so -that she might meet with her death."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Then you think this letter was written by the assassin? If so, -Rebb is guiltless. He would not commit himself to making an -appointment in writing, when he could have met Bellaria easily without -doing so. Where is this letter?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. Mavis says that Bellaria had it on her person: but it -could not have been found, else it would have been produced at the -inquest. I know, from reading the papers, that it was not."</p> - -<p>"Hum," said Tod again. "Well, let us go down to Devonshire and then we -can look into things."</p> - -<p>"It is very good of you to cut short your honeymoon to help me," said -Gerald, patting Macandrew on the back.</p> - -<p>"It is very good of me, indeed," assented Tod readily, "and I wouldn't -have done it for another living soul. Come now take me out to dinner -at the Troc, and amuse me with the best play in London."</p> - -<p>Haskins laughed, and did all that was desired, as it was just as well -to keep Tod from fretting after the wife he had left at Amsterdam. But -Macandrew did not do things by half: having come over to help his -friend, he did not keep reminding him of the sacrifice he had made. -Tod ate an excellent dinner, and laughed at a musical comedy, and went -to sleep in Gerald's extra bedroom, after a smoke and a glass of -whisky slightly diluted with water. Macandrew, as became a native of -Scotland, liked his drink strong.</p> - -<p>Next morning the two friends went down to the west of England in very -good spirits. At Exeter Tod alighted to see Arnold--having obtained -the Monmouth Hotel address from Gerald--and the other amateur -detective proceeded to Silbury, where as usual he put up at the -Prince's Head. Mrs. Jennings was pleased to see him, but could tell -him very little about the murder likely to throw any light on its -darkness. It seemed to Gerald that she took very little interest in -the matter.</p> - -<p>"That crazy girl can't be found," she told her guest, "so I expect, -poor soul, she has been drowned--that is the general opinion, sir. As -that is the case, and Miss Bellaria is buried in Leegarth graveyard, -there is no more to be said."</p> - -<p>"What of the Pixy's House?"</p> - -<p>"Major Rebb has shut it up--in a way, that is. For that mad girl's -rooms were beautifully furnished. I saw them myself," added Mrs. -Jennings breathlessly, "when I went over after the inquest, to -Leegarth. But Major Rebb has been living in those rooms, with his -man----"</p> - -<p>"Geary?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir. Geary is still the landlord of the Devon Maid. He was -fiddling with a pistol and hurt himself: but he is all right now. -Major Rebb brought his own man from town, who cooks and looks after -the place. I expect the Major likes better to live in the Pixy's House -than in the hotel at Denleigh. I would not live in that wicked house -myself," ended Mrs. Jennings, with a shudder. "I should be afraid of -Miss Bellaria's ghost."</p> - -<p>"Is Major Rebb there now?" asked Gerald quickly.</p> - -<p>"He comes again to-morrow or the next day, I believe," answered the -landlady, who knew all the gossip of the neighborhood, "and they say -that he intends to repair the house against his marriage with a London -lady."</p> - -<p>Haskins nodded, and took his way over the hills to Denleigh. It was -apparent that Rebb really believed Mavis to be drowned, according to -common report, and, since no one was likely to question his right to -the income or the house, he intended to reap as a married man the -fruit of his villainy. It seemed strange to Gerald that Mavis should -not have any relative who would dispute the will, but he knew how -often old families dwindle down to a single person. In this case, he -believed that there were two twigs still sprouting from the Durham -family tree, in the persons of the twin girls.</p> - -<p>On crossing the bridge, in Denleigh valley, Haskins saw Geary lounging -at his door, looking big and black and sullen and dangerous. However, -a white man was not to be intimidated by a barbarous animal like this, -so Gerald walked up to him coolly, and wished him good-day. Geary grew -green under his black skin, and glared like a wild beast, his hands -working convulsively. At his back, in the passage, could be seen the -scared face of Mrs. Geary. She evidently dreaded what Haskins' errand -might be, since she must have known of her husband's footpad attack.</p> - -<p>"What might you be doing here, sah?" asked Geary, rolling his eyes.</p> - -<p>"Taking a stroll, Geary--simply taking a stroll. How is your arm?"</p> - -<p>The negro glared and took a step forward, his hand slipping round to -the back. Haskins moved aside and gripped the revolver which he had -taken the precaution to bring with him. Mr. Geary's knife was too -dangerous a weapon to be met with mere fists. "I am quite ready," said -the white man coolly: "you bring out that knife and I shoot."</p> - -<p>"Dat would be murder, sah," whimpered Geary, reading danger in -Haskins' steady eye: but he withdrew his hand from his back all the -same. "You nearly murdered me afore, sah."</p> - -<p>"I winged you as a murderous dog," said Gerald sharply, "and you quite -deserve to be shot. Are you not afraid lest I should bring you into -court for attacking me? You would get a long term of imprisonment, -Adonis. We don't allow these sort of things in England."</p> - -<p>"You do what you like, sah. Major Rebb, him look after me."</p> - -<p>"I don't think Major Rebb will interfere," said Gerald carelessly.</p> - -<p>Geary showed his white teeth significantly. "Dat massa ob mine will -see dat all is safe wid me, sah, until he die."</p> - -<p>"Ah, that means you can force him to protect you."</p> - -<p>"I say noting, sah."</p> - -<p>"Strange--for you were always garrulous. Where is your amiable smile, -Mr. Geary, and your polite manners? I always knew you to be a -murderous hound. But you might have spared poor Bellaria."</p> - -<p>Geary flung up his hands, and looked greener than ever. "I did not hab -noting to do wid dat woman, sah."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I think so--stand where you are and keep your hands in front of -you," cried Haskins sharply, "or I'll send a bullet through you."</p> - -<p>The negro's eyes rolled, and he looked round for assistance. But the -population of Denleigh were indoors partaking of the evening meal, and -beyond a few children playing far down the stream no one was in sight. -"I no kill dat Bellaria," he repeated doggedly, but did not venture to -grip his knife. He had experienced the shooting of his opponent -before.</p> - -<p>"You liar! You came back here, and, after having had your arm bound -up, you went to the Pixy's House."</p> - -<p>This chance shot of Haskins' hit the mark. "No, sah; no sah," gasped -the big man, but his knees knocked together.</p> - -<p>"You did," cried Haskins, following up his advantage, "and Major Rebb -went also."</p> - -<p>"It's one big lie, sah. No! No, doan' shoot, sah," and with a scream -he backed into the house to shut the door, but could not because Mrs. -Geary, large and massive, blocked the way.</p> - -<p>"See here, Geary," said Haskins, lowering the pistol he had raised. "I -intend to have you arrested for that assault unless you tell me the -truth about this crime. You are guilty."</p> - -<p>"No, sah; no, sah," moaned the man again.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Haskins," said the woman, brushing aside her husband and coming -out, "my husband has been a bad one to me: but he is innocent. Major -Rebb went to the Pixy's House on----"</p> - -<p>"Hole dat tongue, you beast," yelled Geary furiously.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_21" href="#div1Ref_21">CHAPTER XXI.</a></h4> -<h5>MAJOR REBB AT BAY.</h5> -<br> - -<p>But Mrs. Geary would not be silenced. Her meekness seemed to have -disappeared, and she faced the negro, as bold as any Amazon. "I shall -not hold my tongue, Adonis," she said, drawing a deep breath, "the -time has gone by when you could bully me. I have suffered enough at -your hands, and a fool I was to marry a black savage such as you are. -You----"</p> - -<p>How long she would have gone on in that manner it is impossible to -say, for the pent-up anger of years appeared to break forth. However, -Gerald saw that people were coming out of their houses, and sauntering -in the direction of the inn. Unwilling that too much should be made -public--for obvious reasons--he pushed his way past Mrs. Geary and -into the house, commanding the two to follow him. They did so--the -woman willingly enough. But the negro hung back with a snarl and -evidently tried his old tricks on his wife. There was a scream as -Haskins entered the old sitting-room, which he had occupied with Tod, -and then the sounds of slapping and scuffling and swearing. Gerald -flung himself into an armchair, and looked towards the open door. It -was filled the next moment by Geary being thrust forward by his wife, -who had cuffed and thrashed him into a dazed silence. She literally -flung him into the room, and following herself closed and locked the -door. Standing before this, wrathful and gigantic, she pointed a -menacing finger at the black man.</p> - -<p>"I was a fool to marry such a black savage as you are," she went on -from where she had left off. "You have been a beast and a tyrant and -have driven me to drink. The drink is in me now, and that is what -makes me so bold."</p> - -<p>"Wait till the drink is out of you," breathed Geary, trying to assert -himself, and flashed an angry look in her direction. Formerly that -look had cowed the woman, but now she simply snapped her fingers in -his astonished face.</p> - -<p>"It won't do, Adonis, it won't do. The worm has turned at last: you -have made me desperate. I'll have no more of these murders and -beatings and swearings. I am a Baptist myself, and you have nearly -ruined my soul. But now, you black dog, it is my turn. To-morrow I go -back to my mother at Barnstaple with my children. I can get work to -do, and earn money to keep them and myself. As for you, stay here with -your ill-gotten money for doing Major Rebb's dirty work. I could ruin -you; but I shall not do that. Still, the truth must be told to this -gentleman."</p> - -<p>"What is that?" asked Gerald, sitting up, and expectant of what was -coming. He saw the truth in Mrs. Geary's fiery eyes.</p> - -<p>"The truth is that Major Rebb murdered Bellaria."</p> - -<p>"It isn't de troofth," muttered Geary, clenching his huge fists.</p> - -<p>His wife taunted him. "Ah, you'd like to strike me, you animal," she -said, in a loud voice. "But do--do. I dare you. Never again: oh, never -again! I can die but once, and if you use your knife, I'll use my -teeth and my hands and my feet to fight you. Better death than more of -this dog life with you."</p> - -<p>Her breast rose and fell stormily, and Gerald looked at her as amazed -as was her husband. Never before had the meek ogress behaved in this -fashion, although on several occasions she had tried to assert -herself. But having turned, she left no room for doubt as to what she -meant. Looking at the transformed woman, who had been goaded into -revolt, Haskins thought of Balzac's remark, which was now excellently -illustrated: "There is nothing more horrible than the rebellion of a -sheep."</p> - -<p>"Wait; only wait."</p> - -<p>It was Geary who spoke, but he spoke without conviction, since he felt -rather than saw that his rule was at an end. It is ever thus with -tyrants. They browbeat those who are willing to serve them, for many -years, and the milder the servant the greater burden does the master -impose. Mrs. Geary had labored like a horse, doing more than was -required of her. Still, the negro had not been pleased, and therefore -had beaten and kicked his beast of burden, never dreaming of any -revolt. But the measure was filled to the brim: the last straw had -stiffened the camel's back rather than broken it; and Mrs. Geary had -risen to assert the right of a human being. Adonis blustered and -threatened, but he knew that never again would his wife submit to his -domination.</p> - -<p>"With your domestic affairs I have no need to meddle," said Gerald, -raising his hand to stop Mrs. Geary's speech and her husband's -growling. "I think you are right to leave that brute, and if you need -money I shall supply you with all you wish."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, sir," said Mrs. Geary, dropping a curtsey; and glared at -her husband. The drink was dying out of her, but she still fought, as -she was supported by Haskins' presence. "You hear that, Adonis?"</p> - -<p>"I'll go to law, sah," growled Geary, "you make my wife fight."</p> - -<p>"You shall have more law than you bargain for," said Gerald coldly. "I -can promise you that. Go on, Mrs. Geary, tell your story."</p> - -<p>She placed her big arms akimbo, and spoke steadily. "When Geary went -after you on that night, sir, I knew he was up to some deviltry, since -he almost stripped himself and used all the oil in the cruet stand to -rub over himself. I spoke to the Major--that is, I went in to speak to -him here, and ask what Geary was up to. But the Major was gone."</p> - -<p>"Gone?" echoed Gerald. "Then he went immediately after I left?"</p> - -<p>"Not exactly, sir. It was quite an hour after Adonis followed you that -I came in here. Then Adonis came back wounded, and I bound up his arm. -He asked if his old master was in, and when he heard that the Major -had gone out he followed."</p> - -<p>"Followed where?"</p> - -<p>"I followed to the Pixy's House," said Adonis hoarsely, "you may as -well know dat what I know, sah. I hab noting to do wid de murder. I -went ober de hills for de Major, and I found him coming back----"</p> - -<p>"At what time was that?"</p> - -<p>"After midnight," cried Mrs. Geary, "it was two o'clock before the -Major and Adonis returned."</p> - -<p>"And Bellaria was murdered--according to the medical evidence--about -midnight," murmured Haskins. "So you went to the Pixy's House?"</p> - -<p>"No, sah, I no go dere. I meet de Major coming back. He say dat he had -gone to see if you, sah, had been visitin' de house, after you went -from here. Den I tole him dat I tried to kill you, for I hear that you -wished to make trouble for de Major. De Major berry angry wid me, and -we come home. Den, in the morning, we hear ob de murder."</p> - -<p>"Didn't the Major tell you that he had found Bellaria stabbed?"</p> - -<p>"No, sah. Him say noting: I ask noting. Dat's all."</p> - -<p>"If Major Rebb was in the Pixy's House at midnight, he either stabbed -Bellaria himself, or he knows who stabbed her," said Gerald -deliberately, and rose. "Is this all you have to tell me?"</p> - -<p>"Dat all," growled the man sullenly. "But de Major did not kill. -Bellaria asked for my big knife, 'cause she was feared."</p> - -<p>"Did you know what she feared?"</p> - -<p>"No, sah. De Major, he know, but he no tell me."</p> - -<p>There was nothing to be done but to wait and see Rebb, so as to -question him on this unexpected information, which Mrs. Geary had -forced her cowed husband to give. Haskins slipped a sovereign into the -woman's hand, and walked to the door. "If you follow me again to knife -me, Adonis," he remarked, "remember I have a revolver."</p> - -<p>The negro pointed to his useless right arm. "I can do noting," he -said, and his eyes flashed as he added: "I should like to."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Geary pushed past her husband. "No, you can do nothing with that -arm. It has beaten me often enough. Geary," she pointed a finger at -him, "now I leave your house with my children; this very moment I -leave. I shall never see you again."</p> - -<p>"You have nowhere to go, you fool gal."</p> - -<p>"I can tramp with the children to Leegarth and there a friend of mine -can put me up for the night. I have this sovereign the young gentleman -has given me, and to-morrow I take the train back to my mother."</p> - -<p>"I think you are wise, Mrs. Geary," called back Gerald, and began his -return journey to Silbury, leaving the negro and his wife to settle -their private affairs as they best could. But he felt certain that -Mrs. Geary meant what she said, and would leave the Devon Maid at -once. She feared, now that she was more sober, and Gerald was gone, -lest she should again succumb to the tyranny of the negro.</p> - -<p>The next morning Gerald received a letter from Tod, saying that he was -going with Arnold to Belldown, a village on the hither side of -Leegarth, and some ten miles distant. Haskins wondered why his friend -and the tutor should go to such a secluded place. Probably Tod had -found some evidence which took him there, for examination of the same. -But his letter was most unsatisfactory, as he gave no hint of what -Arnold had explained. Gerald felt somewhat in the dark. However, it -was useless to conjecture. When Macandrew had done what he wanted to -do at Belldown--whatever that might be--he would come to Silbury with -Mr. Arnold and explain himself. Meanwhile Gerald possessed his soul in -patience, and wished that Rebb would come down to the Pixy's House.</p> - -<p>When he descended to breakfast, and Mrs. Jennings entered with her -budget of gossip, he learned that Major Rebb had driven through -Silbury early that morning on his way to Leegarth. "He came down by -the night train I hear, sir," said Mrs. Jennings.</p> - -<p>Haskins was very well satisfied, as this arrival provided him with -work for the day. Apparently Rebb had seen Mrs. Crosbie on the -previous day, and had learned what took place from the widow, or her -mother. And it was possible that he had come to the Frederick Street -chambers to ask Haskins what he meant by meddling with the case. There -he would learn that the marplot--as he regarded Haskins--had gone on -to Devonshire, and so had come down post-haste by the next train he -could catch. All this argued a guilty conscience, and Gerald took his -way to Leegarth later in the morning to have it out with his enemy. It -occurred to him that Rebb was guilty after all.</p> - -<p>The day was not so hot as the previous one had been, so Haskins walked -to Leegarth. He could have obtained a horse, or a bicycle, as on the -two former occasions, but preferred to use his legs. The country was -very beautiful, and the air most exhilarating, so he enjoyed the -journey, and arrived at Leegarth without unduly hurrying himself. When -he came in sight of the Pixy's House he felt in his hip pocket to make -sure that his revolver was safe. Rebb was a desperate man, and might -make an attack after the fashion of Geary; therefore it was as well to -be on the safe side. Thus ready for any emergency, he rang the bell at -the big gates, which were again closed and bolted. In less time than -he expected the gates were thrown open by the mild-faced valet of Rebb -whom Haskins had last seen in London.</p> - -<p>"My master is expecting you, sir," said the valet, stepping back to -permit the visitor to enter, "in fact, sir, he came down here -immediately after you for an interview. I have been watching at the -gates all the morning."</p> - -<p>"How did Major Rebb know that I was in Devonshire?" asked Gerald, and -received the expected reply--that Rebb had inquired at his Frederick -Street rooms. While following the valet up the narrow path, which -wound between saplings and jungly grasses, Gerald looked hard at him, -wondering if this man, like Geary, knew of Rebb's affairs. But the -mild face of the valet betrayed nothing. He looked like a sheep, and -probably was one. Major Rebb did not care for over-clever servants. -Probably he had learned a lesson when pensioning off Geary, who knew -far too much.</p> - -<p>The old place looked very beautiful in the warm golden light, and -Gerald caught a glimpse of the lawn whereon Mavis had danced. He -sighed to think of what had happened since that wonderful night. A -gulf had opened between the girl and the world which could only be -bridged by an open confession by Rebb as to the truth of the murder.</p> - -<p>But Haskins had very little time to cogitate, for the valet led him -swiftly through the archway, and into the house. He preceded the -visitor up a shallow staircase, and along a spacious passage on the -first floor. On knocking at a door, and being bidden to enter, he -introduced Gerald into a large room, with no less than five windows -looking out on to the tangled avenue and rough lawns and riotous -shrubberies. This was Mavis' apartment--as Gerald had been told, -when he came to see Inspector Morgan--and it was luxuriously -furnished, so as to be a pleasant prison for the unfortunate girl. Bad -as Rebb was, he had done his best to make Mavis' voluntary captivity -endurable--that is, it could be called voluntary, since the Major had -told her that all English girls were brought up in seclusion, and she -had acquiesced.</p> - -<p>"How are you, Haskins?" said the Major, when his man had shut the door -and they were alone together in the splendid room. "I have been -expecting you."</p> - -<p>"So I have been given to understand by your valet," replied Gerald -coolly, and sat down to take out his pipe. "You don't object to my -smoking, I presume?"</p> - -<p>Rebb smiled grimly. "No," he rejoined deliberately, "you may need -soothing before our conversation ends."</p> - -<p>"Dear me, that sounds threatening. Are you going to murder me, or drop -me into an oubliette. If so, I advise you to think twice about it. The -police at Silbury know that I am here. I told a young constable in the -High Street where I was going."</p> - -<p>"I don't see why you should do that?" said Rebb sharply.</p> - -<p>"I do," rejoined the young man calmly. "You are a dangerous man, Rebb, -and you are being driven into a corner. However, if you think to -silence me by violence, you will only get yourself into difficulties."</p> - -<p>"You are afraid," taunted the Major sneeringly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, not at all," retorted Haskins, although his fair face flushed a -trifle; "there is no question of that. The mere fact that I come here -alone is enough to prove that I do not fear you." He lighted his pipe -carefully and looked along the stem at his host. "Fire away."</p> - -<p>Rebb sat down in a comfortable chair with his back to the window, -probably so that Haskins should not read his face too easily. He was -neatly dressed in a maroon-colored smoking-suit, and looked as spic -and span as though he had just stepped out of a band-box; but then -Rebb, being something of a lady-killer, had always been attentive to -his personal appearance. He suited the room very well, as he looked -high-bred and bland, and dangerously amiable.</p> - -<p>"What do you wish me to say?" he asked quietly.</p> - -<p>"That is for you to judge," answered Haskins lazily, but very -attentive to Rebb's slightest movement. "You say that you expected me. -Well, I presume that means you have something to say."</p> - -<p>"You have called to see me without an invitation," retorted Rebb, "so -that shows you have a few questions to ask me."</p> - -<p>"You are right--I have. But you are not hospitable, Rebb. I am dry -after that long walk from Silbury. What about beer?"</p> - -<p>"Are you not afraid of my poisoning you?" asked the Major, rising and -going to a sideboard.</p> - -<p>"Not at all; you would like to, so as to silence me for ever. Had I -come here without anyone knowing my whereabouts you would doubtless -try to get rid of me in some way or another. But the game in this case -is not worth the candle. The Pixy's House has a bad reputation for one -murder, Major, and I don't think you would care to have another -committed either by yourself or your tool, Geary."</p> - -<p>"I did not set Geary on to you," snapped Rebb, discomposed by this -cool chatter, and returning to the central table with a tray.</p> - -<p>"So I understand. Geary told me so last night."</p> - -<p>"You have seen him?"</p> - -<p>"Oh yes; and his wife also. She rather gave you away, Major, and I may -tell you that she has left her husband, having had enough of his -brutality. The children, I believe, are with her."</p> - -<p>"I don't know what you mean about that woman having given me away," -said the Major, trying to control himself, "there is nothing in my -life but what will bear inspection."</p> - -<p>"Even by the law?"</p> - -<p>"Even by the law. Will you have hock or claret?"</p> - -<p>"Hock, please, and some seltzer. I congratulate you on your courageous -conscience, Major. Few people, even the best of us, can stand having -their secret lives looked into."</p> - -<p>Rebb passed along a glass foaming with the drink, and shrugged his -shoulders as he took up the claret jug. "Did you come here to preach -platitudes?" he asked cynically.</p> - -<p>Gerald took a long drink, and set down his glass with a laugh. "No. I -came to ask you where Mavis Durham is hiding."</p> - -<p>"How should I know? She may be dead for all I can tell. And, indeed," -added Rebb to himself, "I believe she is dead, else she would have -been discovered long ago. Have you any idea of her whereabouts?"</p> - -<p>"If I had would I ask you?" fenced Gerald coolly. "I stopped on the -night of that poor girl's flight at the Prince's Head, as you will -find if you ask Mrs. Jennings.</p> - -<p>"I have asked her already, and I know that."</p> - -<p>"Ah! Then you <i>did</i> suspect me of having a hand in the murder."</p> - -<p>"I fancied that you might, since you loved Mavis, and wanted to get -her away from here. I hope you are satisfied with your work."</p> - -<p>"With <i>my</i> work. What do you mean?" Haskins sat up.</p> - -<p>"Simply this, that nothing has gone right since you found that -infernal cylinder, and pryed into my private affairs." Rebb glared. -"If it was the old days of dueling, Haskins. I should call you out."</p> - -<p>"I quite believe it. But as dueling days are past you will have to -silence me in another way."</p> - -<p>"Why should I silence you?"</p> - -<p>"Because, Rebb, I know too much. After I left you on that night at the -Devon Maid you came here, and----"</p> - -<p>"I did not," interrupted Rebb fiercely.</p> - -<p>"You came here. Mrs. Geary says so. And I believe from my soul that -you killed Bellaria, and put the blame on Mavis to secure her money."</p> - -<p>Rebb started to his feet. "You infernal liar!" And he flung his glass -at the young man.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_22" href="#div1Ref_22">CHAPTER XXII.</a></h4> -<h5>A CONFESSION.</h5> -<br> - -<p>The glass skimmed past Haskins' head, and smashed against the -wainscoting. By this time both men were on their feet; Rebb glaring -and furious, but Gerald perfectly calm. A few drops of the claret had -sprinkled his face, and he wiped these off quietly. "There is nothing -to be gained by your losing your temper, Rebb," he remarked.</p> - -<p>"Don't tell me what to do or what not to do," raged the Major, -striding towards the door, which he locked. "You are in my power -here."</p> - -<p>Haskins sat down again with a contemptuous laugh. "So much so that, if -you opened that door to let me out, I should refuse to go. Don't be a -fool, Rebb. One would think you were a melodramatic actor. Do you -think that I am afraid of you or of a dozen like you? Sit down and let -us talk quietly over the matter."</p> - -<p>Rebb walked forward, and flung himself into a chair, gnawing his -moustache, somewhat taken aback by Haskins' aplomb. Usually, when he -asserted his undeniably strong will, his opponents sat down and -obeyed. But the Major recognized readily enough that he had a -determined man to deal with, and, moreover, knew that he could not get -the better of him by treachery, since the Silbury police were aware of -Haskins' whereabouts. The Pixy's House already had an unpleasant -reputation, and Rebb did not wish an inexplicable disappearance to -take place there. He would willingly have got rid of this man, who so -persistently crossed his path, but the risk was too great. And as man -to man, Gerald was more than able to hold his own. Rebb was no fool, -and, for the moment, he mentally confessed himself beaten.</p> - -<p>"I ask your pardon for losing my temper," he said, wiping his -forehead, "but no man can sit quietly and hear himself accused of -woman murder."</p> - -<p>"Defend yourself then," said Gerald, relighting his pipe, which had -gone out during the episode.</p> - -<p>"There is no need for me to make a defence," snarled the other.</p> - -<p>"I think there is. Geary may hold his tongue, since he appears to be -devoted to you, but his wife, having left her husband, will certainly -speak out."</p> - -<p>"What can she say?" asked Rebb, taking another glass of claret.</p> - -<p>"That you went to this place on the night, and about the time, of the -murder. You went away some time after I left, and did not return until -two in the morning."</p> - -<p>Major Rebb sat moodily looking at the tips of his slippers. He saw -well that Gerald was right, and if the young man--as he probably -would--supported Mrs. Geary in making trouble, very unpleasant -questions might be asked. "Why the devil do you interfere in my -business?" he asked, between his teeth.</p> - -<p>"Because I love Mavis Durham."</p> - -<p>"She is dead."</p> - -<p>"You can't be sure of that."</p> - -<p>"Then you know!" cried the Major, starting to his feet.</p> - -<p>"Now how should I know anything when you have exonerated me from -complicity in her flight?" argued Gerald, dexterously skirting the -subject. "If I had run away with Mavis she would be my wife by this -time."</p> - -<p>"And would have passed her honeymoon in prison?" growled Rebb, quite -convinced by Gerald's quiet tone.</p> - -<p>"I think not. I should have fought for my wife. And I intend to search -for her and fight for her still."</p> - -<p>"You'll never find her. If she were alive she would have been captured -long ago."</p> - -<p>"Ah, it would please you, no doubt, to see her hanged."</p> - -<p>"No! on my soul, no!" cried the Major, beginning to walk to and fro, -"I only want to see her happy. She was happy here," he added, as -Gerald laughed unpleasantly. "She was happy until you came and -disturbed her poor brain."</p> - -<p>"Her very clever brain!" contradicted the young man acidly. "Pshaw! -Major, am I a fool that you should talk to me in this way? Whatever -you may state to the outside world, for the sake of your illegal -income, you know perfectly well that Mavis is perfectly sane."</p> - -<p>"She is not! Would she have killed Bellaria if sane?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you are trying to keep up that fiction also?"</p> - -<p>"It is not fiction," insisted Rebb, obviously in earnest. "I will -admit that the girl's brain was stronger than I chose to tell anyone -outside this room. All the same, I believe that, weary of being shut -up, she tried to escape on that night. Bellaria came to stop her, and -Mavis then must have stabbed her. Remember, Bellaria had Geary's -knife."</p> - -<p>"Do you really believe this?" asked Gerald, quite puzzled.</p> - -<p>"I swear that I do! Come, Haskins, let us talk plainly, since there is -no one to hear us. Don't you believe it yourself?"</p> - -<p>"No, I do not! You, if anyone, killed Bellaria."</p> - -<p>"Why should I?"</p> - -<p>"Because you knew that I would take the girl away and marry her. To -put her presumed insanity beyond all doubt you murdered Bellaria, and -placed the crime on the poor girl's shoulders. In this way, should she -be found, you secure her income for life, since she cannot marry."</p> - -<p>"That would have been a clever thing for me to do," said Rebb, in a -quiet way, "but I had not the brains to conceive such a plot, much -less the cleverness to carry it out. I might, in a fit of rage, kill a -man capable of defending himself. I certainly should never raise my -hand to stab a defenceless woman, whatever provocation I might have."</p> - -<p>"You were here about the time of the murder?" said Haskins, and he -wrinkled his brow in perplexity. Rebb spoke very earnestly.</p> - -<p>"I was--since Mrs. Geary has let the cat out the bag I may as well -confess, and you will see how groundless your suspicions are. It was -long after ten o'clock when I left the Devon Maid, and I took a -lantern with me."</p> - -<p>"Why did you go at all?"</p> - -<p>"To search for your confounded canoe. Geary told me about it, and so -did Bellaria, who learned where it was hidden from Mavis."</p> - -<p>"Yes. I told Mavis. Well?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I wanted to find it and break it up, so that you should no -longer get across the pool and climb the wall. I walked over the -hills, and lost my way for a time. It was close upon twelve o'clock -when I got to the pool. I searched for the canoe and could not find -it. I heard a shriek inside the grounds of this house----"</p> - -<p>"And you went to see what it was?"</p> - -<p>"Not at the moment. I knew that Bellaria, being always terrified, for -reasons you need not know----"</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, I know all about the Tána Society."</p> - -<p>Rebb looked astonished, but made no comment, being too occupied in -exonerating himself. "Then you know that she suffered greatly from -nerves, and was afraid of being discovered and killed. Often she -shrieked at night, as Mavis told me, and at times, when here late, I -heard her myself. I therefore merely thought that Bellaria was in one -of her mad fits and went on searching. About one o'clock I climbed the -bank and, crossing the stream by the bridge to Leegarth, I went to the -gate of the Pixy's House, wondering if you had dared to come there, -after seeing me. I found the gates opened and Bellaria dead. As I was -stooping over the body, Geary came running from the house. He said -that he had followed me to tell about your shooting him in the arm, -and on finding Bellaria's body he had gone to look for Mavis. She had -vanished. I searched the house also, and could not find her. I -therefore came back to Denleigh with Geary, making him promise to say -nothing of our midnight visit."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Gerald straightly.</p> - -<p>"Why?" echoed the Major, looking surprised, "when you were meddling -with my affairs? Had you known of that visit at the time, you would -have denounced me to the police, and I should have had great -difficulty in clearing myself. I held my peace. And I tell you that I -really believed, as I believe now, that Mavis had stabbed Bellaria, so -as to get her liberty."</p> - -<p>"Why did you not believe that some emissary of the Tána Society had -found out Bellaria's hiding place and had killed her?"</p> - -<p>"You mean Venosta?" said Rebb hurriedly; "well I own that, after the -first shock of surprise, I did suspect Venosta, as Mrs. Crosbie had -shown me the coral hand, and had told me the use she put it to."</p> - -<p>"Did she know about the society?" asked Gerald. "She declared that she -was ignorant of its existence."</p> - -<p>"So she was. But I knew about the society at Naples fifteen or sixteen -years ago, when I rescued Bellaria from its clutches. No; I don't -believe Venosta killed Bellaria, although he would have done so, I am -sure, had he known where she was hiding. But he did not, and who could -have told him? Not Mrs. Crosbie--although you mentioned Bellaria's -name and whereabouts, confound you!--as Mrs. Crosbie knew nothing of -the Tána Society. Well, Haskins, you must see now that I am innocent."</p> - -<p>"It looks like it, I admit. But everything fitted in so well with your -plans that I naturally thought you guilty."</p> - -<p>"Then you see that I am not," snapped Rebb, much ruffled. "If I were, -would I confess my midnight journey to you?"</p> - -<p>"Seeing that Mrs. Geary is about to make it public, I think you would -have had to in the long run," retorted Gerald sharply.</p> - -<p>"She mustn't do that," muttered Rebb, still walking and becoming much -agitated, for he was beginning to realize his danger.</p> - -<p>"She will, now that her husband can no longer terrorize her. You are -in a very awkward position. My advice to you--if you are really as -innocent as you pretend to be--is to search out Mavis and hand over -her income. After all, by the will, you need not account for what you -have spent up to date, and you have had a long run for your money."</p> - -<p>"You say that, because you want the income yourself."</p> - -<p>"I could do with it, and when I marry Mavis I shall certainly insist -upon justice being done to her. I would take her without a penny, as -you well know, but I am not such a fool as to refuse six thousand a -year along with a pretty, clever wife."</p> - -<p>"Well then, find Mavis, and we shall see," cried Rebb, quite out of -temper, and throwing himself into a chair.</p> - -<p>"For you to accuse her when she is found? No, thank you. First I want -to prove her innocence."</p> - -<p>"You will find that difficult."</p> - -<p>"Not with your help, Major."</p> - -<p>Rebb grew violent. "Damn you. I say that I believe the girl may be -innocent, and surely I have exonerated myself."</p> - -<p>"I may think so, but the public----"</p> - -<p>"The public need never know anything about it. See here, Haskins, you -love this girl, and you seem to think that she is still alive. Good. I -make a bargain with you. Give me three thousand of this six thousand a -year belonging to the Durham estate, and you can marry Mavis quietly, -and take her to America, or the Colonies. No one will think to find -the notorious Mavis Durham in Mrs. Gerald Haskins. Thus everything -will be settled, and I can marry Mrs. Crosbie--as I greatly want -to--with a quiet heart. What say you?"</p> - -<p>"I refuse your offer," said Gerald calmly. "Mavis shall have her -character cleared, and shall have nothing or all of her income."</p> - -<p>Rebb rose and snapped his fingers. "Do your worst," he said, trying to -suppress his anger. "Find Mavis and marry her. But be prepared for me -to have her condemned for Bellaria's murder and shut up in an asylum."</p> - -<p>"I hope to prove her innocence," said Haskins quietly.</p> - -<p>"Even if you do," snarled Rebb, becoming reckless when he found -himself so beset, "you may lose the money."</p> - -<p>"That is impossible: it belongs to Mavis."</p> - -<p>"To the real Mavis."</p> - -<p>Gerald rose, guessing that Rebb referred to the other twin. "What do -you mean by that, Rebb?"</p> - -<p>"Mavis has a sister. Yes, you may look, but Charity Bird is the real -Mavis--or at least I can prove it to be so."</p> - -<p>"There is a likeness between the girls, I admit," said Gerald, -pretending ignorance, "but it is ridiculous to say that they are -sisters."</p> - -<p>"They are twin sisters. Sit down and I'll tell you all about it. But -that you can make so much mischief I should not say a word; but when -you know the truth, for your own sake you may hold your tongue and -give me half the income."</p> - -<p>Without a word Haskins resumed his seat, marveling at thus having been -able to force Rebb's hand, without revealing his suspicions. The Major -hastily swallowed another glass of claret, and began to speak in a -hurry.</p> - -<p>"I was in a Goorkha regiment in India some twenty-five years ago----"</p> - -<p>Gerald interrupted: "I thought you were in a West Indian Regiment."</p> - -<p>"Later, later!" said Rebb testily. "Don't interrupt. I exchanged to -Jamaica a few years later. But in India I had a brother officer, who -was my greatest friend. His name was Julian Durham, and he had six -thousand a year against my six hundred. He was not very strong, and -always said that, as he had no relatives, he would make me his heir. -Then he married a silly, flirting girl, with whom he quarreled, and my -hopes were thus dashed to the ground."</p> - -<p>"Did you aid the quarrel?" asked Gerald delicately.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Rebb shamelessly. "The wife stood in the way of my -getting a fortune from Julian, and I tried to part husband and wife. I -succeeded; for more than a year after the marriage, Mrs. Durham went -to Bombay, with the intention of living apart from her husband."</p> - -<p>"What a scoundrel you are, Rebb," said Haskins, astonished at the -cold-blooded way in which the man recounted his villainy.</p> - -<p>The Major laughed harshly. "I only tell this to you, and you don't -matter," he retorted. "Outside, if you say anything, I shall deny all, -and who will believe you, Haskins? However, to continue. We were -stationed in the far north of India, and I escorted Mrs. Durham to -Bombay, where she intended to embark for England. At Bombay she was -taken ill, and died giving birth to twins. I didn't want a couple of -girls on my hands, as I knew that Julian could not live long, so I -paid the nurse to take one of the children--the eldest, mind you--to -Simla, and to get rid of it somehow. She sold it, I believe, to a -juggler's wife, and afterwards Mrs. Pelham Odin, then on tour, bought -the child in Calcutta, to bring up. That child is Charity Bird."</p> - -<p>"Can you prove this?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! Be quite certain of that. The ayah and the juggler's wife are -still alive. Well, then, that disposed of one twin. I brought the -other back to the north of India to her father, and she was christened -Mavis. Julian was very ill, so made a will in my favor and in favor of -his child. I was to be her guardian, and to enjoy the money until she -married. Then I was to hand it over, without accounting for what I had -spent. In this way Julian hoped to satisfy me for his old promise to -make me his heir, and of course I agreed."</p> - -<p>"And you said nothing of the other twin?"</p> - -<p>"No. Why should I? One brat on my hands was enough. Afterwards Julian -came home to Brighton and died. It was at Brighton that he made his -will, as you know. I came back from India with Mavis, and, to cut off -all association with those who knew her and Durham, I exchanged into a -West India regiment, and took her to Jamaica. I sold out fifteen or -sixteen years ago, and brought the child here, after a tour in Italy. -It was in Naples that I found Bellaria. She was a singer, and had -betrayed some man belonging to the Tána Society. I don't know the -exact story, but she was in danger of death, so I took her by stealth -to Devonshire and made her nurse to Mavis."</p> - -<p>"And Geary?"</p> - -<p>"He was my servant in Jamaica. In Devonshire, at Barnstaple, he met -with his wife, and, as I wanted someone to watch the Pixy's House, I -established him at the Devon Maid, making him a present of the -freehold."</p> - -<p>Gerald rose. "And you paid for it out of Mavis' money?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I did--only you mistake, the money doesn't belong to Mavis -until she is married."</p> - -<p>"She will be married to me the moment that I can find her," said -Gerald grimly, stalking to the door.</p> - -<p>"Wait a bit," called out Rebb, "if you marry her without promising me -the three thousand a year I shall prove the identity of Charity, and -she will get the lot. When she marries Tod Macandrew--he's in love -with her, you know--you will get left."</p> - -<p>"You cannot take the money from Mavis. Her name is mentioned in the -will," said Gerald coolly, and tried the door, which was locked. "I -say, open this, confound you!"</p> - -<p>Major Rebb flung the key across the room, and Haskins fitted it into -the lock. Before he could open the door Rebb continued: "Don't be a -fool in your own interests, Haskins. I shall swear that Charity is -Mavis, and your beloved will lose all."</p> - -<p>"You can scarcely do that, in the face of the story you will have to -tell. Mrs. Pelham Odin and the juggler's wife and the ayah can prove -that Charity is the missing twin. And I daresay Mavis' baptismal -certificate can be found. Her name in the will makes her the heiress."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll tell about Charity and prove her identity," cried Rebb, -starting furiously to his feet, "and she will at least get half."</p> - -<p>"I don't care if she does," retorted Gerald, flinging open the door.</p> - -<p>"But you had better give the money to me, and then I'll be silent as -to Charity being Durham's daughter."</p> - -<p>"No, Major. I don't care for your crooked ways. I'll find Mavis and -marry her. Probably she will be quite willing to halve the income with -her twin. Three thousand a year will be enough for her and for me. -Good-day, Major, find some other man who is willing to become such a -blackguard as you are."</p> - -<p>Rebb caught the decanter and slung it across the room. It only crashed -against the closed door. And when Rebb ran forward to pursue the man -who flouted him he found the door locked on the outside.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_23" href="#div1Ref_23">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></h4> -<h5>TOD'S DISCOVERY.</h5> -<br> - -<p>On returning to the Silbury Hotel. Gerald sat down to think over the -important conversation with Rebb. To all appearances the master was as -innocent as the man. Nevertheless, according to the Major, Geary had -been to the Pixy's House on the fatal night, in spite of his denial. -On the face of it, the negro had no reason to kill Bellaria, and Rebb -had sworn that the murder was neither committed nor prompted by him. -If this were so, it appeared strange that Rebb should have found -Geary, not only in the grounds of the Pixy's House, but in the mansion -itself, when he arrived. Seeing that Geary was thus first in the -field, it was not improbable that he had caught a glimpse of the -assassin. Whether he had, and had told his master, it was of course -impossible to say. But Haskins determined to have another interview -with the landlord of the Devon Maid, and force him to disclose the -whole truth, which he assuredly had not told in his wife's presence.</p> - -<p>One important thing Gerald had learned from Rebb, and that was the -truth of his surmise regarding Charity. She was--as he had always -supposed--the twin sister of Mavis, and Haskins congratulated himself -on guessing this before Rebb had spoken out. Still, it was just as -well that rage had made the Major thus candid, and the matter was put -beyond all doubt. Haskins was pleased also by the discovery, as, -guided by him, Mavis would be quite willing to divide the income, and -then Lady Euphemia would not be angry at Tod's runaway marriage. So -far everything was right.</p> - -<p>But the mystery of the crime had still to be solved. Until it was, -Mavis must continue, not only to be an outcast and a fugitive from -justice, but must remain unable to claim her rights as Julian Durham's -heiress. Apparently Geary and Rebb and Signor Venosta, as an emissary -of the Tána Society, were all innocent. If so, who was the guilty -person? Gerald wondered, if the letter to which Mavis had referred -could be found, as he firmly believed that it would afford a clue to -the identity of the criminal. In his own mind he constructed the -manner in which the crime had been committed. Bellaria had received -this mysterious letter, which for some reason overcame her fears -sufficiently to make her venture out at night. To meet the writer of -the letter she had opened the gates, and then had been stabbed by her -own knife--Geary's weapon--which had been wrested from her in a -hand-to-hand struggle. The wonder was that the struggle had not -attracted attention. As it was, Rebb swore that he had heard only one -scream, and that might have been uttered by Mavis when she found the -dead body of the nurse. Bellaria therefore was in all probability -slain unawares.</p> - -<p>However, it was useless to build up theories, which were all -moonshine, so Gerald resolved to wait until Tod and Arnold arrived. -According to Macandrew's letter, they would come to Silbury early the -next day, so Gerald had a good many hours to himself. He had half a -mind to see Inspector Morgan, and learn all details concerning the -inquest, as some possible evidence might have been obtained, likely to -throw light on the darkness. But Haskins refrained from doing so, as -he did not wish to arouse Morgan's suspicions and reopen the case. For -Mavis' sake the quieter he moved in the matter the better it would be. -Gerald wondered, after hearing Rebb's acknowledgment of Charity's -birth, if he had any idea of the scheme by which the girls had been -made to change places. But, after reflection, he decided that it was -impossible, as Mrs. Pelham Odin had managed very cleverly. Also Rebb -was unaware that the twin he had got rid of was now Mrs. Macandrew, -and, since that young lady was at Amsterdam, there would be no chance -of her being met by Mrs. Berch and her daughter, when in Switzerland.</p> - -<p>Bearing in mind what Mrs. Crosbie had told him of her projected tour -abroad, Gerald was greatly surprised when he met the widow and her -mother driving up the Silbury High Street from the railway station.</p> - -<p>She saw him at once, as he stood thunderstruck on the pavement, and -beckoned for him to come to the side of the landau.</p> - -<p>"You are surprised to see us here," she said, with a gay smile. "This -is not Switzerland, is it?"</p> - -<p>"You said nothing about coming down here yesterday," he answered.</p> - -<p>"No, because neither I nor my mother had any intention of coming. It -was this way, Gerald. Michael--Major Rebb, you know--came in almost as -soon as you had left, and we told him all that had taken place."</p> - -<p>"Why did you do that?" asked Haskins imperatively.</p> - -<p>"Don't bully, Gerald," said Mrs. Crosbie tartly. "I told Michael -because I have no secrets from Michael, and he was very angry that you -should have spoken to me as you did."</p> - -<p>"I was perfectly polite, permit me to remind you, Madge."</p> - -<p>"Don't call me by my Christian name," she said as usual, "well then, -Michael went away to have an explanation with you, and later -telegraphed to me that you had gone to Devonshire and that he intended -to follow at once. He also asked us to come down that we might see the -Pixy's House, as we intend to repair it when we marry."</p> - -<p>"Do you indeed?" muttered Haskins ironically.</p> - -<p>"Of course," said Mrs. Crosbie, with an airy flutter of her laces, -"and I may tell you, Gerald, that I came down the more willingly, -since I do not want you and Michael to quarrel. That is why we are -here."</p> - -<p>"To see the house, and to prevent a quarrel," said Gerald coolly. "I -am greatly obliged to you for the trouble you have taken, Mrs. -Crosbie, but I have already seen the Major."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Berch, who had hitherto kept silence, looked up sharply. "Have -you had a quarrel?" she demanded eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Yes and no. Rebb was slightly difficult to deal with, but we now -understand one another."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie asked: "What about?"</p> - -<p>"About various things," answered Haskins carelessly. He was determined -not to answer her questions, as he had a vague idea that she was not -so honestly his friend as she pretended to be.</p> - -<p>"And you parted amiably, I hope?" said Mrs. Berch.</p> - -<p>Haskins laughed as he remembered the parting, and how he had locked -Rebb in the room. "I think that the Major would gladly see me tarred -and feathered," he said lightly.</p> - -<p>"There!" cried Mrs. Crosbie, with a childish pout. "I knew you had -quarreled, and I <i>did so</i> wish you to be friends. I want you to come -to the Pixy's House when I marry Michael and see the improvements. I -have already arranged what to do."</p> - -<p>"Have you been down here before then?" asked Gerald, astonished.</p> - -<p>"Yes--over two years ago. Michael asked me down when we were first -engaged. I saw that poor Bellaria, but not Mavis."</p> - -<p>"Why did you not see Mavis?"</p> - -<p>"Because Michael said her mental state was so sad, that she might be -dangerous. She was shut up on the day I went over the house, and, as I -was only there for an hour, she knew nothing of my visit. I and mother -were stopping in the neighborhood--it was when I was learning to drive -a motor, Gerald. I would have taken that poor girl out for drives, as -I got to know the country so thoroughly, but it was too dangerous."</p> - -<p>"Where did you stop?" asked Gerald, still lingering, although Mrs. -Berch seemed inclined to cut short her daughter's chatter.</p> - -<p>"At a village miles away, called Belldown. Why do you start?"</p> - -<p>"A mosquito stung me," answered Haskins readily: but his real reason -for starting was that Belldown happened to be the place where Mr. -Arnold and Tod were now stationed. "There are heaps of mosquitoes -here, Mrs. Crosbie. You will be stung."</p> - -<p>"Ah, well, we are only here for a couple of days--at the Pixy's House, -that is. I merely want to look round, and now that the poor mad girl -has gone I can explore at my leisure. Good-day. I wish I could ask you -to come over, but Michael might object. So stupid of you to quarrel -with my future husband, when we are such friends."</p> - -<p>She gave the signal to the driver of the landau to move on, and both -she and her mother bestowed friendly smiles on the young man, as he -took off his hat. Gerald watched the carriage climb up the long street -and vanish over the crest of the hill. Then he walked back again to -the hotel, wondering why Mrs. Crosbie was so anxious to retain his -friendship when she became Mrs. Rebb. He knew that Madge was a flighty -woman, although much cleverer than she pretended to be, and was sure -that she had some reason for all this friendliness and chatter.</p> - -<p>However, he had more important things to think about than Mrs. -Crosbie's airs and graces, and spent a wakeful night building up -theories and knocking them down again. By dawn he had arrived at the -conclusion that Geary was the criminal. "I expect," thought Haskins, -while taking his bath, "that Geary found his hold over Rebb was -getting lax, so he deliberately killed Bellaria, knowing that the -Major had gone to the Pixy's House, in the hope of getting blackmail -by threatening to throw the blame of the murder on his master. And by -the murder he secured to Rebb an income out of which large sums could -be paid. Yes. I really believe that Geary will prove to be the guilty -person. But how am I to fix the crime on him?"</p> - -<p>This was a hard question to answer, and Gerald waited for the arrival -of Tod to put it to him, since two heads are better than one. The -solicitor arrived at midday, along with Arnold, having come from -Belldown--so they explained--by railway. Tod looked anxious, and not -so healthy as he had done in London, but Haskins put this down to the -man's unavoidable fretting after his bride. Arnold had not changed in -the least, and appeared to be as tiny and gnome-like as ever. First -and foremost the two men, being hungry, had dinner, and then Gerald -conducted them both to the hotel drawing-room--a gorgeous apartment, -which had been placed at his disposal by Mrs. Jennings, for an extra -pound on the bill. Having the apartment to themselves, the three men -saw that the door was closed, and then sat down to talk. Gerald -immediately asked the question which had been trembling on his tongue -from the moment he set eyes on his friend.</p> - -<p>"In the first place, Tod," he said impatiently, "what took you and -Arnold to Belldown?"</p> - -<p>"That is a long story," said Tod leisurely.</p> - -<p>"Then tell it as shortly as you can."</p> - -<p>"One moment, let us do things in order. First let me know your doings -here, Jerry."</p> - -<p>"But----" began Haskins with irritation.</p> - -<p>Tod cut him short. "See here, Jerry," said he firmly. "I am supposed -to be your solicitor, and it is my place to conduct the business. I -want things done in order. First your story and then mine. Both will -be extremely interesting, I have no doubt."</p> - -<p>Gerald stared. "Why should you think that I have anything to tell?"</p> - -<p>"Well," observed Macandrew jocularly, "a little bird--Mrs. Jennings by -name--whispered to me that two London ladies had come down on a visit -to Major Rebb, who is camping--so to speak--at the Pixy's House."</p> - -<p>"Yes. Mrs. Crosbie and her mother. What of that?"</p> - -<p>"I shall tell you when I have heard what you have to say about them."</p> - -<p>Arnold uttered a grunt and raked his long beard with lean fingers. -Haskins looked from one to the other quite mystified. "Has what you -have to say anything to do with those ladies?"</p> - -<p>"A great deal to do with them, Jerry."</p> - -<p>A light broke in on Haskins' clouded brain. "Mrs. Crosbie said that -she had stopped at Belldown--that is where you have been."</p> - -<p>"Hum," said Tod, glancing at Arnold. "I didn't think she would have -admitted so much."</p> - -<p>"Tod," Gerald caught his friend's arm, "don't worry me with your hints -and looks. Has Mrs. Crosbie anything to do with this crime?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say," rejoined the solicitor stolidly, "and I shan't speak -until you tell me how you got along with Rebb."</p> - -<p>Haskins threw himself back in his chair and made the best of a -Scotsman's obstinacy. "I have something very important indeed to tell -you," he said seriously. "You know the likeness between the girls?"</p> - -<p>Macandrew nodded. "I told Mr. Arnold here all about it, and about your -idea of the two beings twins."</p> - -<p>"My idea has proved to be correct. They <i>are</i> twins."</p> - -<p>Tod jumped up, scattering his papers, and with his red hair almost -standing on end. "Do you mean to say that Rebb----"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Sit down. Toddy, and listen," said Gerald vigorously, and when -his legal adviser became quiet he related the whole of the -conversation with Rebb.</p> - -<p>"Well I'm blessed," muttered Tod, rubbing his head, when the narrative -was ended, "what a wonderful thing! There is something in your -intuitions after all, Jerry."</p> - -<p>"I don't think it needed much intuition to guess at a possible -relationship, seeing how marvelously alike Mavis is to Charity. The -wonderful part consists in my getting Rebb to give himself away."</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Arnold significantly, "the military gentleman is beginning -to see that the wheel of fortune is turning the wrong way with him."</p> - -<p>"And quite right too," said Tod meditatively. "What a scoundrel the -man is, to be sure! Well, Jerry, important as what you have told us -is, I am more interested in the movements of Mrs. Crosbie and her -mother. When you tell me about them I can explain what Mr. Arnold and -myself have discovered at Belldown."</p> - -<p>"There is little to tell about them. Rebb came down after me, and they -came down after Rebb. He asked his future bride here to have a second -look at her future home."</p> - -<p>"Oh, so she had been here before?"</p> - -<p>"Yes--so she says--some time ago. This is her second visit."</p> - -<p>"Her third, more like," muttered Arnold, in his beard.</p> - -<p>"We can't be sure of that," said Tod rapidly.</p> - -<p>"For Heaven's sake, tell me what you mean," cried Haskins, jumping up -in his turn, "my nerves are wearing thin with all this suspense."</p> - -<p>"Well then," began Macandrew, shuffling with his papers, "it's this -way. Mr. Arnold here was going about the country in his caravan, -selling books, and reached Belldown on the same day that Mavis fled."</p> - -<p>"Mavis fled at night."</p> - -<p>"Well, well," cried Macandrew testily, "you know what I mean. Arnold -was at Belldown on the day of the night when Mavis fled and the murder -was committed. Is that plain enough?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Go on, Toddy. Don't be a silly ass."</p> - -<p>"I am your solicitor just now and not your pal," said Tod, with great -dignity; "well then, while wandering about Belldown, Arnold saw two -ladies in a motor car. One was driving and one was being driven."</p> - -<p>"And they were----"</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Berch and her daughter, whom we, Jerry, supposed to be at -Bognor. I never knew that Mrs. Crosbie could drive a motor."</p> - -<p>"Oh yes. I taught her a trifle myself, and she is quite an expert at -the business. She mentioned to-day, when I stood by her carriage, how -she had motored over every inch of the country. But what was she doing -down hereabouts, when----"</p> - -<p>"When she was supposed to be at Bognor? That is what I want to ask -her, and I am glad that she is on the spot."</p> - -<p>Gerald thought for a few moments. "How did you recognize these ladies, -Mr. Arnold?"</p> - -<p>"Major Rebb once showed me a colored photograph of the lady to whom he -was engaged, and I recognized Mrs. Crosbie when she passed in her -motor. A severe-looking old lady in black was with her, and Mr. -Macandrew tells me that she is Mrs. Berch, the mother. I may tell you -that the two ladies wore motor goggles and veils."</p> - -<p>"Then how did you recognize them?" asked Gerald again.</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Crosbie's veil was up as they passed, and she pulled it down -when she saw that I was looking earnestly at her. The motor was going -very slowly at the moment because a hay wain was in front blocking the -road."</p> - -<p>"I see. Well, what happened?"</p> - -<p>"The motor went to the inn at Belldown. It was about six o'clock, and -the two ladies had dinner. They were at the inn when I left Belldown -in my caravan on the way to Leegarth where I hoped to rescue Mavis."</p> - -<p>"Yes! yes! yes!" cried Tod, impatient at the slow way in which Arnold -was speaking, "and late that night--about ten o'clock--he passed the -motor on the road between Belldown and Leegarth. It had broken down, -and Mrs. Crosbie was tinkering with the machine."</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't think she could mend a broken motor, Tod."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't expect anything very serious was the matter. Probably her -driving--she drives furiously, as a woman always does--had put the -gear out of order. However, Arnold passed them and camped some -distance outside Leegarth, so that the villagers, who knew his face, -would not recognize him. Then, some time after eleven, he saw the -motor coming along, also skirting the village. The two women were in -it, and he thought that they had lost their way. And then again he -fancied that Mrs. Crosbie was going to the Devon Maid to see Rebb. At -all events the motor passed out of sight in the darkness. I may tell -you that its lamps were not lighted, so Mrs. Crosbie ran the risk of -police interference. Rather foolish, I think, seeing she did not want -to be seen."</p> - -<p>"Well! well," said Gerald, after a pause, "and what does all this -mean?"</p> - -<p>"Arnold," went on Tod cautiously, "did not attach much importance to -this motor car business, but when he told me I fancied that Mrs. -Crosbie had to do with the murder."</p> - -<p>"I don't see how----"</p> - -<p>"I do. She didn't want to be recognized: she had no lamps, so that she -could slip along easily, and--as we learned at Belldown--she did not -return through the village. If she did not come down to murder -Bellaria, why was she in this neighborhood, and why did she lie to you -about Bognor?"</p> - -<p>"It's a mare's nest you have found, Tod. Mrs. Crosbie has no motive to -murder Bellaria, and she certainly hasn't the nerve."</p> - -<p>"I'll ask her myself," said Tod, rising. "Come on over to Leegarth."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_24" href="#div1Ref_24">CHAPTER XXIV.</a></h4> -<h5>THE SECOND MARRIAGE.</h5> -<br> - -<p>In his anxiety to prove his theory, Tod would then and there have -taken his friend and Arnold over to the Pixy's House. But Gerald, more -cool-headed than the impetuous Scotsman, pointed out that he had not -sufficient grounds upon which to accuse the widow.</p> - -<p>"If you ask her to explain her movements on that night she will only -refuse to gratify your curiosity," said Haskins positively.</p> - -<p>"The police could make her speak."</p> - -<p>"The police could not arrest her without a warrant, and there is not, -to my mind, sufficient evidence to obtain a warrant. And certainly the -police cannot ask questions about anyone's private affairs until some -reason can be given to show why such questions should be asked."</p> - -<p>"Those ladies said that they were at Bognor, when they really intended -to come to Devonshire," observed Arnold, who seemed to side entirely -with Macandrew.</p> - -<p>"It is a woman's privilege to change her mind, Mr. Arnold. And I ask -you, what possible motive could Mrs. Crosbie have had to journey all -the way to Devonshire to commit an unnecessary murder."</p> - -<p>"Unnecessary?" snorted Tod, displeased. "Seeing that the murder is -ascribed to Mavis, who may thus be shut up, to provide Rebb with an -income, I cannot see that it is unnecessary."</p> - -<p>"Ah, but Mrs. Crosbie did not know that the Major's income depended -upon the seclusion of Mavis," said Haskins rapidly. "I did not tell -her, as there was no reason why I should. And I am quite certain that -Rebb himself would not explain. If Mrs. Crosbie had known that his -income was so uncertain she would have refused to marry him."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps she will do so now," said Arnold hopefully.</p> - -<p>"No! She has come down to see about the repairs to the Pixy's House," -answered Gerald, "and Rebb loves her too well to let her go. I -believe, Tod, that Geary is the man who committed the murder."</p> - -<p>"It sounds plausible enough," grumbled Macandrew, "and a case could -easily be built up against him. But the presence of Mrs. Crosbie on -the spot has to be explained."</p> - -<p>Gerald rose and walked up and down the room, thinking. "I tell you -what, Tod," he said abruptly. "I am getting tired of poking about in -the dark. I believe, as you do, and Arnold does, that Mavis is -entirely innocent. Hitherto we have kept her in hiding, so as to prove -her innocence, since she may be arrested if she is discovered. Well -then, I think it would be best to let her be arrested."</p> - -<p>Both Arnold and Macandrew jumped up wrathfully! "What?" they -exclaimed, and Tod continued: "What is the use of Charity's sacrifice -if you intend to hand over Mavis to the law?"</p> - -<p>"Tod," said Gerald seriously, "as things stand now, we are not able to -force either Geary or Mrs. Crosbie or Rebb to speak. If Mavis is put -on her trial they can be called as witnesses, and then the truth may -come out. Also Mavis can be examined by two doctors--I shall insist -upon that--when her sanity will certainly he proved beyond all doubt. -If she is proved to be sane, then Rebb will find himself in Queer -Street and will be hard put to it to prove his innocence."</p> - -<p>"We could have done all this in the first case," said Arnold -irritably.</p> - -<p>"No," replied Haskins sharply, "for then we did not have the -evidence to hand that we have now. Rebb, Geary, and Mrs. Crosbie are -all implicated, and we may also be able to place Venosta in the -witness-box. But the proof that Mavis is responsible for her acts, and -has been shut up in the Pixy's House, while Rebb enjoyed her income, -will gain the sympathy of everyone, and will go far to show her -innocence. I shall support her throughout the case."</p> - -<p>"She is Rebb's ward, and is under twenty-one," said Tod crossly; "so -the Major may not allow you to support her."</p> - -<p>"I propose to take her out of the Major's keeping by making her my -wife forthwith," said Gerald coolly.</p> - -<p>"But if you do, sir," cried Arnold, much upset, "Mavis will be -arrested. Indeed I doubt if you will find any clergyman who will marry -her to you, seeing that she is said to be a lunatic."</p> - -<p>"That's all right," rejoined Haskins easily. "I have arranged that in -my own mind. There is an old college chum of my late father's who can -see both sides of the question, and I can trust him utterly. To-day I -am going to London to repeat your experience and get a special -license, Toddy. Our marriages are expensive matters, old boy, aren't -they?"</p> - -<p>Tod grunted, and kicked the carpet. "When you are married, what do you -intend to do?"</p> - -<p>"I shall bring my wife down here within three days, and we shall all -go over to the Pixy's House. Mrs. Crosbie will not have left by that -time, as, from the quantity of luggage she brought, I fancy she -intends to remain for a week or so. Then we can confront her and Rebb, -and, if possible, Tod, I wish you to bring Geary on the scene. Thus -all the actors in this tragedy of real life--as Mrs. Pelham Odin would -call it--will be together, and we can bring about the fall of the -curtain."</p> - -<p>"With Mrs. Gerald Haskins in gaol," said Arnold gloomily. "Mavis will -be arrested on Rebb's information, at once."</p> - -<p>"That is highly probable. But whether Mavis appears early or late she -will have to stand her trial, seeing that she is accused. Also she -will have to be examined as to her sanity. But in both these ordeals, -I intend to be beside her as her husband." There was a pause. "Well?"</p> - -<p>"It's a forlorn hope," said Macandrew, hesitating, "and risky. -Still----" He looked questioningly at Arnold.</p> - -<p>The little man nodded sadly. "Things are so bad that they can scarcely -be worse," he remarked, "and certainly, as Mr. Haskins thinks, a -public trial would force the witnesses we want into court. Once in the -box, and closely examined, the truth might come to light. I think Mr. -Haskins should do as he says, but--it is a risk."</p> - -<p>"Life is all risks," said Gerald cheerfully. "Well, I am going to pack -up and clear off to London. And you, Toddy?"</p> - -<p>"I shall keep my eye on Geary, and, if possible, I shall see Mrs. -Crosbie, or her mother."</p> - -<p>Gerald nodded, and, matters thus being arranged, he went up to London -that same afternoon, <i>en route</i> for Southend, there to make Mavis his -wife. Tod and Arnold, left behind, remained at the Prince's Hotel, and -wandered about the country, even as far as Leegarth. They heard that -the London ladies were still with the Major, but did not catch a -glimpse of them. And even Tod, audacious as he was, shrank from going -to the Pixy's House and openly accusing the lively widow.</p> - -<p>Tod took occasion to pay a special visit to the Devon Maid, and found -the hotel in charge of a rough man and his slatternly wife. It -appeared that since Mrs. Geary's disappearance her husband had taken -heavily to drink, and refused to attend to his business. His -uncivilized instincts had got the better of him, and he was running -wild in the neighborhood. Mrs. Geary, now with her mother in -Barnstaple, refused to return to him, or to surrender her children, -and Adonis talked loudly of forcing her stubborn will by law. But, as -yet, he had not done anything, perhaps because he was in danger of the -law himself. Tod learned as much from Inspector Morgan, whom he met in -the Silbury High Street on the third day after Gerald's departure in -search of a wife.</p> - -<p>In the course of an idle conversation about this, that, and the other -thing--for Macandrew, during his holiday at the Devon Maid, had -learned to know Morgan intimately--the name of the negro was -mentioned, and the inspector uttered a grunt.</p> - -<p>"He's a black scoundrel, that," he remarked.</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Tod, pricking up his ears. "I always understood that -Geary was a meritorious inhabitant of Denleigh. He certainly conducted -the Devon Maid well, as I stopped there myself. You know that?"</p> - -<p>Morgan nodded. "Things have changed since you and Mr. Haskins were -there, sir," he said slowly. "It was Mrs. Geary who kept the inn -respectable, and a miserable life she had with that sooty blackguard. -But she got fed up with his brutality, and went back to her mother in -Barnstaple. Since then the inn has gone from bad to worse, and Geary -is drinking."</p> - -<p>"I heard something of this," observed Tod. "Why don't you pull him -up?"</p> - -<p>"I am going to," said Morgan grimly. "I have my eye on him. He is -nearly always drunk, and frightens children and insults women and -threatens men. Sooner or later he will be locked up. And the strength -the man has! Why, do you know, Mr. Macandrew, that he knocked down the -river wall of the Pixy's House--that portion overhanging the pool. I -wanted to run him in for that, but Major Rebb will not prosecute, for -some reason."</p> - -<p>"He has a sneaking regard for his old servant, I suppose," said Tod, -smiling. "But this wall, Morgan? How the dickens could one man knock -it down?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, the wall has been in a shaky condition for years and years," said -the inspector. "It was only held together by the ivy--the bricks and -mortar were rotten."</p> - -<p>"But even then----"</p> - -<p>"A good strong push would have sent it over, and Geary gave it that -push. He was climbing over, I believe, as he wanted, mad with drink, -to get into the Pixy's House, and because of the ladies Major Rebb had -ordered the gates to be closed and locked. However, he found that the -wall leaned a trifle towards the cliff, and managed to knock it down. -The man has an immense strength naturally, and when drink is added to -that----" Morgan shrugged his big shoulders. "I have known drunken men -do some wonderful things in the way of superhuman strength," he -finished.</p> - -<p>"I think Geary must have been superhuman to have pushed that wall -over, rotten as it was. If you remember, Mr. Haskins climbed it."</p> - -<p>"I remember, and a good thing it was that it didn't fall and drop him -into the pool below. However, it's down now, and on that side the -grounds of the Pixy's House lie open to the world. By the way, how is -Mr. Haskins? Has he got over the death of that crazy girl?"</p> - -<p>Tod laughed. "I don't think myself that she was crazy, Morgan, or that -she killed that wretched Italian woman. Nor do I believe that she is -dead," and he looked straightly at the officer's red face.</p> - -<p>"Have you any reason to think she is alive, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Her body has not been found," rejoined Tod evasively.</p> - -<p>"What of that? Plenty of bodies are not found. But the girl was never -outside the Pixy's House before that time she fled after the murder. -Not knowing the lie of the country, it is more than probable that she -tumbled into some river, or water hole, and was drowned. If alive, she -certainly would have been caught by now. We have had constables all -over the place for weeks."</p> - -<p>"Even now?"</p> - -<p>"Well, no. The men have been withdrawn, as so long a time has elapsed -since the commission of the crime. We'll hear no more of the matter."</p> - -<p>"Never prophesy until you know, Mr. Inspector."</p> - -<p>"I do know," said Morgan positively. "I don't go about with my eyes -shut, Mr. Macandrew." And after saluting he stalked in a military way -down the street, leaving Tod to pursue his shopping--which Tod had -come out to do. Macandrew rather chuckled at the positive way in which -this official Dogberry, who could see no further than his nose, -asserted that the Pixy's House murder had been relegated to the past.</p> - -<p>On the fourth day of Gerald's absence Tod received a letter from his -friend in the character of a bridegroom. Everything had gone well, as -the clergyman, on hearing the whole story, told in Haskins' persuasive -manner, had joined Mavis and his friend's son in holy matrimony. Now -Rebb had lost his income, as the conditions of the will had been -fulfilled, and in spite of all his precautions Mavis had come into her -own. Tod would have been less than human had he not reflected with -great glee that, the income being safe from Rebb's clutches, his wife, -as the twin sister of Mavis, would benefit to the extent of three -thousand a year. "And Lady Euphemia called me a fool," chuckled Tod -complacently. "What will she say when she knows that I have married an -heiress and will be able to get back a part of the family estate?"</p> - -<p>In his letter, Gerald informed Macandrew with great pride that Mavis -had learned how to sign her name, and had produced a singularly fine -specimen of calligraphy. "The rest of my darling's education," wrote -the young man, "will be completed by me after all these troubles are -over, and we can spend a proper honeymoon."</p> - -<p>Education, as a means of passing a honeymoon, did not commend itself -to Tod, and he made a grimace. Then he sat down and wrote a letter to -Amsterdam telling Charity to come over and repair to Mrs. Pelham -Odin's London flat, where he would join her later. He also gave her a -full account of all that had taken place, and detailed the story of -the Major, as to her birth, mentioning also the income which Mavis -intended to hand over, as soon as the mystery of the crime was solved. -When Tod posted this letter he took his way to Denleigh to see if he -could find Geary and arrange for him to appear at the Pixy's House. It -was necessary, as Gerald had explained, that all the actors in this -drama should come together for the clearing up all perplexities.</p> - -<p>But Geary was not easy to be found. Afraid of the official warning -uttered by Morgan, he had taken to the hills, and although Tod roamed -all over the place he could not find the man. He returned to the -Prince's Head quite fatigued, and found a telegram from Gerald, -stating that he and his bride would be in Silbury by the midday train -next day. Macandrew communicated the joyful news to Arnold, who had -come back from a round of bookselling--for the gnome did not neglect -his business even in these anxious days--and the two had a merry -little dinner on that same night, prepared by Mrs. Jennings' own -hands. And the landlady's cooking, when she desired, was something to -be wondered at. Tod insisted on a bottle of champagne being sent for, -and the tutor and the lawyer drank long life and happiness to the -bride and bridegroom with all honors. "Although," said Tod, setting -down his glass, "we are not yet out of the wood."</p> - -<p>An hour after dinner, and while Arnold was detailing his early -connection with Mavis, Mrs. Jennings came in, much flustered. "Oh, -sir," she said, "here's that horrid black landlord of the Devon Maid. -He asks to see you, sir. I wouldn't if I were you. He's always drunk, -and may be dangerous."</p> - -<p>"Never mind, I am not afraid. Show him up," said Tod valiantly.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Jennings shook her head but did as she was bidden, and in a few -minutes Mr. Adonis Geary, looking a wreck of his former stalwart self, -came into the room. However, he was perfectly sober, and very much -depressed. Wanderings on the hills did not agree with him, and he -looked as one of his ancestors might have looked when Cuban -bloodhounds were hunting flesh and blood in the days of slavery.</p> - -<p>"You wish to see me, sah?" said Geary, after a casual glance at -Arnold.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Mr. Geary," replied Tod, settling himself in his chair, "the -fact is that things are coming to a climax, and I want you to come to -the Pixy's House to-morrow afternoon, say at two o'clock, to state -what you know of Bellaria's murder."</p> - -<p>"I doan't know noting, sah," said the negro doggedly.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Haskins believes that you know everything," retorted Tod sharply, -"and, unless you want to get into trouble, it will be best for you to -speak out."</p> - -<p>"I doan't know noting," said Geary again, and rolled his eyes -ferociously at the mention of Gerald's name, "and dere's noting can -hurt me. I hab sold de hotel, and nex' week I go to Jamaica."</p> - -<p>"As a pensioner of Major Rebb's, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"Dat's my business, sah. Dis place no place for me, when my wife go -away wid my chill'n. Bellaria dead--dat mad gal dead--an'----"</p> - -<p>"You are wrong in thinking that Miss Durham is dead, Mr. Geary," said -Tod, exploding his bombshell according to Gerald's written -instruction, "she is very much alive."</p> - -<p>Geary staggered and turned his usual green. "She alive?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and married to Mr. Gerald Haskins. You can tell the Major that -if you like, Mr. Geary, and tell him also that we are all coming over -to-morrow to demand the six thousand a year which Major Rebb has held -for so long. I fear that your Jamaican pension is not very safe."</p> - -<p>Geary stood dumfounded, clutching his breast. His dull brain could -scarcely grasp the significance of this speech. But he did grasp -the fact that Rebb was losing the money, and that he--Mr. Adonis -Geary--would not benefit. "I tell de Major," he faltered, wheeling.</p> - -<p>"By all means," said Tod easily. "I sent for you to be my messenger. -Come, Geary, as Rebb loses the money, you had better come on our side -and tell us who murdered Bellaria."</p> - -<p>The negro turned at the door and drew himself up. "No, sah," he -declared, with something of majesty, "I eat de Major's bread, and I no -betray de Major." After which speech he went out abruptly.</p> - -<p>"Does that mean Rebb is guilty?" Tod asked Arnold.</p> - -<p>"I always said that he was," rejoined the ex-tutor dryly, and later -the two retired to their several couches to ponder over the new -problem.</p> - -<p>The bride and bridegroom duly arrived the next day. Tod was slightly -uneasy, since Geary had probably told the Major, and that gentleman -would undoubtedly, for his own safety, take steps to have Mrs. Haskins -arrested. However, Geary had probably not delivered the message that -Mavis was alive, for no officer of the law appeared to break the joy -of the meeting. Mavis looked slightly pale, but her courage was high, -and she evidently determined to go bravely through the ordeal. United -to her adored Prince Gerald, she was ready to face anyone and anything -by his side.</p> - -<p>After greetings and explanations and a hurried meal the whole party -drove over to Leegarth in a landau for the momentous meeting. As the -carriage passed through the village Mavis kept her veil down, so she -was not recognized. The gates of the Pixy's House, marvelous to -relate, were open, and the carriage drove up to the house. Major Rebb -with two ladies was on the terrace. Mavis alighted and raised her -veil.</p> - -<p>"Great heavens!" cried Rebb, pale with terror. "Mavis Durham!"</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Gerald Haskins," she replied proudly, "and I come for my money."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_25" href="#div1Ref_25">CHAPTER XXV.</a></h4> -<h5>GEARY'S ACCUSATION.</h5> -<br> - -<p>It would be hard to say who was the palest and most terror-stricken of -the trio who stood on the terrace. Mrs. Crosbie clung to her stern -mother with dilated eyes, shaking like a reed: but Mrs. Berch, -although stern and unmoved--outwardly at least--was also pallid. As -for Rebb, he leaned against the balustrade of the terrace scarcely -able to speak. Before him stood Tod and Arnold, Gerald Haskins and the -girl whom he had treated so cruelly--the girl whom he had believed -until now was at the bottom of some rural stream. The hour of -retribution had come, and in a flash the guilty man saw everything he -possessed reft from him--saw also the structure of crime and falsehood -he had reared crumble into dust. His worst enemy would have pitied the -Major in that hour of agony.</p> - -<p>"You!" he faltered, staring at Mavis, as though she were indeed the -ghost he almost believed her to be. "You!"</p> - -<p>"Ah!" murmured Macandrew complacently, "so Geary did not deliver my -message to you after all."</p> - -<p>"Geary!" The Major stood erect, braced for the coming struggle, and -his face hardened. "Did Geary know this----" And he pointed to Mavis.</p> - -<p>"I told him the truth last night."</p> - -<p>"And he never told me; he never warned me." Rebb clenched his fists. -"Oh the scoundrel! I might have---- But there, it is too late--too -late."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by too late?" said Mrs. Berch imperiously, and -throwing a protecting arm round her daughter, "fight for Madge if you -will not for yourself."</p> - -<p>But Rebb paid no attention to her. "Geary! Geary!" he muttered, -looking round with bloodshot eyes, "he was in the courtyard an hour -ago, and he did not tell me, curse him! He may be---- Geary! Geary!" -he raised his voice to an angry cry and ran swiftly along the terrace -through the arch and into the quadrangle.</p> - -<p>Gerald took the hand of his wife and followed quickly, with Tod and -the ex-tutor behind. They did not wish to lose sight of Rebb. For one -moment Mrs. Berch and her daughter looked at one another, and Madge -hung back, trembling. But the mother suddenly seized the widow's wrist -and dragged her, a miserable figure, pale-faced, and shaking in her -gay attire, into the quadrangle. "We must see what Michael will do," -whispered Mrs. Berch, passing her tongue over her dry lips. "He may -win the day yet."</p> - -<p>"No, no," moaned Mrs. Crosbie; "he is lost."</p> - -<p>At the far end of the quadrangle Gerald and Mavis saw the token of -Geary's drunken handiwork. A considerable portion of the ivy-clothed -wall had fallen outward, and lay in ruins on the lip of the cliff. -Three or four trees had been dashed into the pool below, and there was -a clear view across the Ruddle to the green forest beyond. The mystery -of the Enchanted Castle was at an end, and, no longer a palace of the -Sleeping Beauty, it lay open to the world, as Morgan had said. And now -in its romantic quadrangle there were sterner doings than the -moonlight wooings of lovers who had, for the moment, recalled the -Golden Age, when the gods came down to men.</p> - -<p>"Geary! Geary!" shouted Rebb, rushing towards the fallen wall, and -mounting its ruins. There was no response, and Gerald fancied that -Rebb had merely made an excuse, so as to get near the river and -throw himself in. But, guilty or innocent, the Major was sufficiently -brave to face the sins he had committed, and came down again slowly to -the group near the battered sundial. He was still livid, but more -self-controlled.</p> - -<p>"I shall deal with Geary later," he said thickly, "in the meanwhile I -can deal with you."</p> - -<p>"We are quite ready," said Gerald tranquilly.</p> - -<p>"Who are <i>we?</i>" questioned Rebb scathingly.</p> - -<p>"Myself and my wife."</p> - -<p>"She is not your wife. A marriage with a madwoman is not legal."</p> - -<p>Mavis shuddered, and clung to Gerald's arm. It was the first time that -she had been called mad to her face. "Oh, guardian," she wailed, "how -can you say that of me when I was so fond of you?"</p> - -<p>"You had every reason to be fond of me," said Rebb harshly, and his -eyes gleamed as he thought the girl was weakening. "I gave you a happy -home, in this delightful place, because your brain was not strong -enough to bear the troubles of this world."</p> - -<p>Mavis withdrew her hand from Gerald's arm, and looked scornfully at -the liar, whom she now saw in his true colors. "You kept me here that -you might enjoy the money which my father left to me," she declared, -in haughty tones, "you betrayed the trust your dead friend placed in -you. I was a weak girl, and an ignorant one, to believe in your lies: -but now," she added, stepping forward a pace, "now, Major Rebb," and -her use of the name showed the attitude she intended to adopt, "I call -upon you to give me back my money, and leave this place, which belongs -to me."</p> - -<p>"No madwoman can possess money," said Mrs. Crosbie shrilly. She saw -the Major's income was about to be lost, and that it would be useless -to marry him. "Michael, call the police and have her removed."</p> - -<p>"One moment," said Gerald quietly. "You go too fast, Mrs. Crosbie. But -I am glad to see you at last as you really are. I thought you were my -friend. I now see that you are my enemy. My wife is perfectly sane, -and, as her husband, I shall see that her sanity is proved."</p> - -<p>"Call the police--call the police!" cried Mrs. Crosbie furiously; and -she broke from her mother's grip. "How dare you stand there and insult -me, Gerald? I was your friend, and I will be your friend still, if you -will shut up that girl, and apologize."</p> - -<p>Tod laughed at the weakness of this speech. "If you cannot find -anything better to say, Mrs. Crosbie, you had better hold your -tongue," he said caustically. "Even if Mrs. Haskins is shut up the -money still belongs to her husband. Major Rebb has lost that for ever. -It is the money you are after, madam."</p> - -<p>"Yes, it is; yes, it is," said Mrs. Crosbie, utterly reckless, and -defying the efforts of her mother to keep her silent. "If you knew the -miserable years of poverty I have had you would not wonder at my -wishing for the money. My marriage with Michael will save me from -shame and misery and--and----" She choked with mingled terror and -rage, and Mrs. Berch pulled her back roughly.</p> - -<p>"Are you a fool to talk like this?" she muttered. "Hold your tongue, -you silly child." She shook her angrily. "Wait until Michael settles -this affair. Major Rebb?" she turned inquiringly to her proposed -son-in-law.</p> - -<p>"I shall settle this affair very speedily," said Rebb, walking across -the lawn towards the archway, "my man shall go for the police. Or, -better still, that coachman who drove you from Silbury, Mavis, shall -go back to bring Inspector Morgan. I am very sorry that you have -thrust yourself into danger. But I should not be doing my duty by -society if I did not have you imprisoned."</p> - -<p>"As a lunatic?" asked Mavis scornfully. She had quite lost her old -dread of the Major by this time.</p> - -<p>"As a murderess," he retorted.</p> - -<p>"Prove that," said Haskins, stepping in Rebb's path.</p> - -<p>"Out of my way," growled Rebb, looking dangerous.</p> - -<p>"You have brought a serious accusation against my wife," persisted the -young man, "and I intend to make you prove it. On what grounds do you -say that my wife is crazy?"</p> - -<p>"She has been all her life," said the Major, forced to answer, for he -saw very plainly that Haskins would knock him down if he attempted to -pass the archway. Not that the Major feared a fight, but his situation -was so desperate that he wished to adjust things as quietly as -possible. His threat to call the police was bluff, as Gerald knew, and -because Gerald <i>did</i> know Rebb was furious.</p> - -<p>"Prove that she has been mad all her life," said Haskins coolly. -"Mavis has been with Mrs. Pelham Odin since she left here, and that -very clever old woman cannot see that my wife is mad: nor can -Macandrew, nor Arnold, nor anyone else."</p> - -<p>"I can, I can!" cried Mrs. Crosbie, with a bright red spot burning on -either cheek, and looked very angry.</p> - -<p>"Ah! you are a prejudiced witness, seeing that you wish to marry Major -Rebb, for the income he is now losing."</p> - -<p>"That he has lost," interposed Tod, in a dry legal tone: "the -conditions of Julian Durham's will have been fulfilled, and Mrs. -Haskins now takes possession of her property."</p> - -<p>"How can you prove that my wife is mad?" asked Gerald again, and -taking no notice of the interruption, "have you had her examined by -two doctors, according to law?"</p> - -<p>"No," replied Rebb grudgingly.</p> - -<p>"Then how dare you shut her up in this house? I shall bring an action -against you, on behalf of my wife, for false imprisonment."</p> - -<p>"You had better think twice before you do that," said the Major, in -icy tones, "for I shall retort with an accusation of murder."</p> - -<p>"You say that my wife murdered Bellaria?"</p> - -<p>"I do," said Rebb doggedly. "I swear to it."</p> - -<p>"I dare say; but you have yet to prove your accusation. I am quite -willing to allow Mavis to be arrested." Gerald stepped aside. "Go and -fetch the police, Rebb. They will be here soon."</p> - -<p>"Here!" Rebb started and turned a shade paler.</p> - -<p>"I left instructions at the police station before coming here that -Inspector Morgan was to come with two men. When they arrive you can -give Mavis in charge and then we can submit your accusation of -insanity to a couple of doctors, and your charge of murder to a jury."</p> - -<p>"Then," cried Mrs. Crosbie viciously, "Michael will get back his -money."</p> - -<p>"I think not," replied Gerald coldly. "I take charge of that."</p> - -<p>By this time the courage was oozing out of Rebb, who had not expected -the young man to take up such an attitude. "Cannot we arrange this -matter quietly?" he asked, trying to appear composed.</p> - -<p>"No," said the other quietly. "The offer you made me in yonder room -does not suit me."</p> - -<p>"An offer?" said Mrs. Berch, in her deep voice.</p> - -<p>"I offered to let Haskins marry Mavis and take her to America, if -he--or rather she--surrendered half the income."</p> - -<p>"I refuse, as Gerald refused," said Mavis proudly. "I prefer to stand -my trial. I am not going to pass the rest of my life under a cloud for -your sake, Major Rebb."</p> - -<p>"Your sister--your twin sister--shall get the money," cried Rebb, at -his wits' end how to deal with the situation. "Ah, you never knew -that."</p> - -<p>"I knew when Gerald told me," said Mrs. Haskins composedly, "and I -more than suspected it before. Indeed Charity allowed me to pass as -herself, so as to save me from you. I shall repay that, with three -thousand a year. My husband and I have arranged that."</p> - -<p>"You passed as Charity," cried Rebb, amazed.</p> - -<p>"Yes; I danced at the Belver Theatre, and----"</p> - -<p>"It's a lie--you couldn't. What became of Charity, if you did that?"</p> - -<p>"Charity was with me," said Tod, stepping forward.</p> - -<p>"With you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, as my wife."</p> - -<p>Major Rebb jumped, and staggered against the sundial. "So both the -sisters are married?" he muttered.</p> - -<p>"They are," said Tod, "and they have agreed to share the income you -have held all these years. I am afraid that the game is up, Major."</p> - -<p>Rebb said nothing. The game was indeed up, and he did not know which -way to turn, or how to get the better of his pitiless opponents. Mrs. -Berch left her daughter for the moment and touched his arm. "Why did -you not tell me that there was another girl?" she asked hoarsely and -savagely.</p> - -<p>"There was no need." And the Major shook her off.</p> - -<p>"There was every need. You told me, you told Madge, that your income -depended upon Mavis Durham----"</p> - -<p>"Mavis Haskins, if you please," interpolated that young lady.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Berch paid no attention. "On Mavis Durham not marrying. You said -that if in some way her insanity could be proved, and she could be -stopped from marriage, that your income would be safe. For that reason -my daughter wished to marry you."</p> - -<p>"She loved me," said Rebb unsteadily, and looked at Mrs. Crosbie.</p> - -<p>"I loved you as well as any other man," she said coolly, and shrugging -her shoulders, "but I would have married anyone to escape from debt -and duns and hideous poverty. As you are now poor, of course I cannot -marry you. Come, mother. There is nothing more to be got here. Let us -go back to our misery."</p> - -<p>Rebb said nothing, but turned very white. The woman for whom he had -sold his soul was ready to cast him aside like an old glove. Mrs. -Crosbie, with a vicious glance at Mavis, and a look of indifference at -the man she had professed to love, took her mother's arm. Mrs. Berch -was quite ready to go, and indeed seemed to be in a hurry to depart. -But the path of the two was blocked by the tiny figure of Arnold, who -had hitherto held his peace.</p> - -<p>"So you <i>did</i> know that the Major's income depended upon Mavis being -prevented, even by the murder of Bellaria, from marrying?"</p> - -<p>"What is that to you? Let me pass," cried Mrs. Crosbie haughtily.</p> - -<p>"We," Arnold waved his hand to include Gerald and Tod, "we thought -that you were ignorant, and so could not guess what was your motive -for murdering that unfortunate woman."</p> - -<p>"Murder!" Mrs. Crosbie went a dead-white, and became as rigid as a -corpse.</p> - -<p>Rebb started and came forward.</p> - -<p>"You must be mistaken," he said, in shaking tones to Arnold.</p> - -<p>"He is a foul liar," said Mrs. Berch, grasping her daughter to keep -her from falling. "Let us pass, sir."</p> - -<p>"No," said Arnold, still holding his ground, and speaking loudly, -while the others kept silence. "When Inspector Morgan comes you shall -be arrested. I shall give you in charge for this murder, of which Mrs. -Haskins is wrongfully accused."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie shrieked, looking a pitiable spectacle of fear and shame, -as she clung to her mother. But that stern lady, although white and -also terrified, controlled her feelings with iron nerve. "On what -grounds do you accuse my daughter?" she demanded.</p> - -<p>"I saw you and her in a motor car at Belldown--I saw you on the way -here--you were at the gates of the Pixy's House shortly before twelve -o'clock, waiting for Bellaria, whom you lured to the gate by means of -a letter."</p> - -<p>"I was at Bognor--I was at Bognor," cried Mrs. Crosbie, shaking with -fear.</p> - -<p>"No," interposed Tod. "My clerk went to watch you at Bognor. Neither -you nor Mrs. Berch went there at all. You were down here. Come, Mrs. -Crosbie, you may as well confess. We can prove all about the motor -car, and your presence here."</p> - -<p>"Madge! Madge!" cried Rebb, who looked horrified, "is this true?"</p> - -<p>But Mrs. Crosbie only clung sobbing to her mother, being terrified -almost to death. At the same moment that Rebb spoke Inspector Morgan, -with a couple of policemen, entered the quadrangle, and advanced -towards the group. "You wanted me here, Mr. Haskins?" he asked -inquiringly. "I got your message, and here I am with my men. What is -it?"</p> - -<p>"In the first place," said Gerald quietly, "allow me to present to you -my wife," then when Morgan saluted in a puzzled way, he continued, -"once known as Mavis Durham."</p> - -<p>"What!" Morgan grew red, and his eyes almost started out of his head. -"Do you mean to say that this lady is Mavis Durham?"</p> - -<p>"Mavis Haskins now," said the girl, with a perfectly calm smile, "and -I surrender myself to you willingly."</p> - -<p>"I arrest you in the King's name for murder," gabbled Morgan, trying -to recover his official dignity. "Anything you say now will be used in -evidence against you." And he signed to his subordinates, likewise -startled out of their wits, to take charge of the girl. Arnold sprang -forward as a young constable placed his hand on Mavis' arm.</p> - -<p>"Stop," he cried. "Mrs. Haskins is innocent. Here is the guilty -woman." And he pointed to Mrs. Crosbie.</p> - -<p>"No, <i>no!</i> You can't prove that--you dare not--you----"</p> - -<p>"I can prove it!" cried Arnold, bluffing. "Mrs. Crosbie was at the -gate of the Pixy's House at the time Bellaria Dondi was murdered. A -dozen witnesses can swear that she was in the neighborhood."</p> - -<p>"Is this true?" Morgan asked the little widow, whose gaiety was all -gone, and who suddenly looked twice her age.</p> - -<p>"It is not true! It is not true!" she cried. "Mother and I were at -Belldown. We went on to see Major Rebb at Denleigh."</p> - -<p>"Hush, you fool!" muttered Mrs. Berch, shaking her.</p> - -<p>"You never came near me there!" cried Rebb, and then became aware -that, on the impulse of the moment, he had ruined the widow. In a -paroxysm of shame and terror, for the man did love the miserable -woman, he added: "Mrs. Crosbie is innocent. I swear she is. I know who -is guilty."</p> - -<p>"You?" everyone cried out, Inspector Morgan loudest of all. The scene -was beyond his comprehension, and he was on the verge of an apoplectic -fit. The whole scene was melodramatic and unreal, and, on the stage, -or when written in a book, would have been described so by critics.</p> - -<p>"Who is guilty?" demanded Morgan fiercely.</p> - -<p>"Geary--Adonis Geary," said Rebb. "The knife was his, and I found him -in the grounds when I arrived."</p> - -<p>There was a savage shout before he could finish, and Geary sprang from -behind the ruined river wall. He had been concealed there, and had -heard everything: but he did not appear until his adored master -accused him of the crime. Then terror and rage made him leap forward, -half mad and half drunk. "You say one big lie, sah!" he shouted, with -rolling eyes, and a thick voice. "I lubbed you once, but now you would -kill me with a lie. I tell who did kill dat poor Bellaria."</p> - -<p>"Who killed her?" asked Gerald, for Morgan was too bewildered to ask.</p> - -<p>Geary looked slowly round, and pointed to Mrs. Berch.</p> - -<p>"Oh, mother, mother," cried Mrs. Crosbie, "I would have saved you if I -could."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_26" href="#div1Ref_26">CHAPTER XXVI.</a></h4> -<h5>THE GODS ARE JUST.</h5> -<br> - -<p>There was an absolute silence for a few moments. What with one -accusation and another, Inspector Morgan's brain was reeling. Gerald -could only stare in blank amazement at the negro, who declared so -positively that Mrs. Berch was guilty of a cowardly murder. As for the -accused woman, she put aside her weeping daughter gently and faced the -police boldly. Tod and Rebb and Arnold were silent out of sheer -astonishment. Haskins had thought Geary guilty: Arnold had believed -Rebb to be the doer of the deed: Tod deemed that Mrs. Crosbie had -struck the blow: but not one of the three ever fancied that Mrs. Berch -was the mysterious assassin of the unfortunate Italian.</p> - -<p>"Ask this man," said Mrs. Berch harshly, to Morgan, and pointing -towards Geary. "Ask him on what grounds he makes such an accusation. -My daughter and I certainly were at Belldown, and drove on past -Leegarth, intending to call on Major Rebb at the Devon Maid. But our -car broke down and we were obliged to stop in a cottage for the night. -I can prove an alibi."</p> - -<p>"If you can," said Morgan, finding his tongue, "why should your -daughter say that she would have saved you if she could?"</p> - -<p>"My daughter is mad with terror!" said Mrs. Berch, stonily, "Madge -knows that I am wholly innocent," and she looked at Mrs. Crosbie.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, yes!" whispered the widow faintly, "we stopped the night in -a cottage--we are innocent. My mother can prove an alibi."</p> - -<p>"Dat one big lie!" cried Geary, with scorn, "you would like de Major -to say dat I killed Bellaria. Oh yis, and I wud be hanged. Sah," he -turned reproachfully towards his master, who had been willing to -sacrifice him for another, after his years of faithful service, "you -very wicked massa. I lub you: I do all bad tings for you, but I no -die. Dis woman," he pointed to the perfectly calm Mrs. Berch, who was -much the most composed of the group, "she come here an' kill Bellaria. -She write a letter sayin' dat if Bellaria come to de gate late, she -wud be safe from dos who would kill her. And Bellaria she comes, wid -my big knife to save herself. Den dis woman," he pointed again at Mrs. -Berch, "she stab and stab and stab."</p> - -<p>"It is all utterly false," denied the accused woman coldly. "Do you -believe this of your mother's friend, Gerald?"</p> - -<p>"No," said the young man generously, "there must be some mistake. I -cannot believe that Mrs. Berch would be so wicked. Her known character -contradicts this man's accusation. I believed that Geary murdered -Bellaria himself, at Major Rebb's instigation."</p> - -<p>"That's a lie," said Rebb, in an agitated voice.</p> - -<p>"Dat one big lie," repeated Geary in his own vernacular, and fumbled -in his breast pocket, "see, massa," he went towards Morgan, "dis de -letter dat I find in Bellaria's dress, and----"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Crosbie made a bound and a grab; but Morgan whisked the letter -out of Geary's hand and held it above her head. One of the policemen -caught the widow to hold her back, and she burst into tears. "Is this -your writing, madam?" Morgan asked Mrs. Berch, holding the letter -before her.</p> - -<p>"No," said Mrs. Berch, in an unshaken voice. "Mr. Haskins knows my -writing well. Gerald, look at the letter."</p> - -<p>The young man took the epistle. It was evidently disguised -handwriting, clumsy and illiterate. He could not reasonably say that -Mrs. Berch had penned the few lines which asked Bellaria to come to -the gates of the Pixy's House at midnight on a certain date to meet a -well-wisher--so the letter was signed--who could save her from the -Tána Society. The script was quite unlike Mrs. Berch's sloping Italian -hand, which was that of the mid-Victorian epoch. "No," he said, and -very gladly, "I don't think that Mrs. Berch wrote this letter."</p> - -<p>"Ah," the woman drew a long breath, but displayed no triumph. "Of -course, Mr. Inspector, the charge is absolutely absurd. This mad girl -whom Mr. Haskins has married murdered the miserable creature."</p> - -<p>"Ah," said Gerald, slipping his arm round Mavis, who shivered, and hid -her face, "you return evil for good, Mrs. Berch."</p> - -<p>Morgan took the letter and placed it in his pocket. "I don't know what -to think," he muttered. "You may be innocent and Geary----" He glanced -at the savage face of the negro, who shouted wrathfully.</p> - -<p>"I no kill dat woman," he cried, stamping like a wild bull in a rage, -"she write de letter, I come to dis house to find de Major, and I find -Bellaria dead--she just dying."</p> - -<p>"Did she speak?" Mavis asked the question.</p> - -<p>"No, she no speak; she die at once. I look in de dress, and I find dat -letter and dis." Geary opened his huge black palm, and on it lay the -coral hand with the dagger. "Dat on de ground near de dress," he -ended.</p> - -<p>"Do you recognize this?" asked Morgan, turning to Gerald, while Mrs. -Crosbie uttered a wail of fear and Mrs. Berch became even paler than -she had been.</p> - -<p>Gerald had defended Mrs. Berch before and she had returned his -kindness by accusing Mavis. He determined to leave her to her fate, -since she was so ungrateful, especially as he readily recognized the -coral hand. "So you did not give it back to Venosta after all!" he -said to the terrified Mrs. Crosbie. "Mr. Inspector, this amulet -belongs to----" He was about to say the name when Mrs. Berch, after a -glance of despair around, interrupted.</p> - -<p>"It belongs to me," she said harshly, "not to my daughter. Mrs. -Crosbie received it from Signor Venosta, but she gave it to me to -return to him after she made use of it to control the Jew moneylender. -I did not return it to Signor Venosta, I----" She stopped.</p> - -<p>"It was found near the corpse of Bellaria by this man," said Morgan -gravely, "so if it belonged to you----"</p> - -<p>"It hers; it hers," shouted Geary.</p> - -<p>"How do you know?" asked Rebb sharply.</p> - -<p>"I see dis woman in dat engine," he meant the motor car, "on de hill -when I leave Bellaria dead. I run out to see where anyone was, dat -kill Bellaria, and I see dat woman wid dis odder in dat engine."</p> - -<p>"But you came running from the house," cried Rebb; "you could not----"</p> - -<p>"Let be," said Mrs. Berch, evidently recognizing that denial was -useless: "no doubt he did see me. But I am guilty and Mrs. Crosbie is -perfectly innocent."</p> - -<p>"Then you killed the woman?" cried Gerald, appalled.</p> - -<p>"Yes. But not intentionally. Listen. From you we learned something -about this girl, and then my daughter and I were here on one occasion -and knew something beforehand about the matter. We forced Major Rebb -to explain, as the girl was supposed to be pretty," she cast a -disdainful glance at Mavis, "and my daughter was a trifle jealous. -When you, Gerald, came asking Madge to take charge of this girl I took -alarm, as I thought that something serious was the matter."</p> - -<p>"You did," said Rebb bitterly, "and you forced me to tell you the -truth of how my income depended upon Mavis never getting married. But -I did not expect you to kill Bellaria so as to save the income."</p> - -<p>"I did not do so for that purpose," said Mrs. Berch steadily. "Madge -and I were in despair, as only her marriage with you could save us -from terrible trouble. When Gerald explained about Bellaria's fear of -the coral hand I learned its purport from Signor Venosta. Then I -thought that I could use it to bend Bellaria to my will."</p> - -<p>"What was your will?" asked Tod, who looked awestruck.</p> - -<p>"To insist that Bellaria should take Mavis to Italy and keep her -there, so as to prevent her marrying. Then I knew that Major Rebb's -income would be safe, and that Madge could marry and take us both out -of the horrible misery we endured trying to keep up appearances on -nothing."</p> - -<p>"On nothing?" cried Haskins suddenly.</p> - -<p>"Beyond a hundred a year, Madge and I were penniless," said Mrs. Berch -coolly.</p> - -<p>"But you lived in style," said Rebb, who seemed to be thunderstruck by -these sordid revelations.</p> - -<p>"Oh, we are only a couple of adventuresses," said Mrs. Berch -ironically, "we deceived everyone, even Gerald's mother, who was as -kind and good a woman as ever breathed."</p> - -<p>"Don't," muttered the young man softly.</p> - -<p>"I am only praising the dead," said Mrs. Berch stolidly. "I say no -evil of her. Well then, we were in desperate straits, else I never -would have hit on the desperate scheme of getting Bellaria to kidnap -Mavis, which was what it amounted to. I told Madge nothing, save, that -I wanted to see Major Rebb. We informed Gerald that we were going to -Bognor, and we really were going. But, by my plan, we came to -Devonshire, and Madge got one of her friends to lend her a motor. She -drives excellently, and as we were at Belldown before, she knows the -country. I pretended that Major Rebb was at the Pixy's House and had -arranged to see me at midnight. This I told my daughter."</p> - -<p>"And you believed so ridiculous a story?" said Morgan, fixing an -official eye on the shrinking woman. But she only moaned.</p> - -<p>"Leave her alone. I am to blame," said Mrs. Berch sharply, "and the -murder of Bellaria was pure accident."</p> - -<p>"Pure accident!" muttered Arnold ironically.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Berch turned on him with a wintry smile. "Yes, sir. The car broke -down--that was really an accident. While Madge was seeing what was the -matter I said that I would walk on and inquire if Major Rebb was at -the house, and could take us in for the night. I came to the gates and -waited for a time. Bellaria came at length. She opened the gates in -fear and trembling, and was armed with a large yellow-handled knife."</p> - -<p>"Dat my knife," muttered the negro, and rolled his eyes.</p> - -<p>"I explained who I was, and told her about the marriage. I said that I -could put Venosta, as representing the society, on her track, unless -she took Mavis to Italy, and kept her single. I promised her a -pension, but the foolish creature," Mrs. Berch shrugged her shoulders, -"would listen to nothing. She refused to go to Italy, saying that she -would be killed there. I showed her the coral hand, and she tried to -snatch it from me. We struggled, and she lost her head, saying that I -had come to kill her. Once she wounded me in the arm," here Mrs. Berch -rolled up her sleeve and showed a newly healed scar of considerable -dimensions, "so I tried to take the knife from her. Then----"</p> - -<p>"Then?" said Morgan, speaking for the others, who were all tongue-tied -and staring at the terrible recital.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Berch put a slim hand to her head. "I don't know exactly what -took place," she said wearily and indifferently, "but somehow I got -the knife, and in the struggle, in the darkness, I stabbed her to the -heart. When she fell I was terrified at what I had done, and flung the -knife into the long grass--the coral hand had long since fallen to the -ground. Then I ran away back to the car. I found Madge had repaired -the damage, which was slight. She saw blood on my dress. I told a lie, -and we got into the car to fly. On the hill yonder"--she pointed over -the ruined wall towards Denleigh--"the car went wrong again. Then it -was that we saw a man come running up. It was Geary, but Madge started -the car, and we managed to get away. I was not sure if he recognized -us."</p> - -<p>"You--you," said Geary, with a grin, "in de lamp. I saw you when I -come to town wid my massa. But I say noting till my massa want to hang -me. I come back and look for dis gal in de house."</p> - -<p>"I had fled by that time with Arnold," said Mavis faintly.</p> - -<p>"Is that all?" asked Morgan formally, turning to Mrs. Berch.</p> - -<p>"What else would you have?" she asked.</p> - -<p>"Did your daughter know of----"</p> - -<p>"She knew nothing."</p> - -<p>"I only knew that my mother had accidentally killed Bellaria," cried -Mrs. Crosbie foolishly. "I made her tell me because of the blood----"</p> - -<p>"You idiot," said the mother between her teeth.</p> - -<p>"Then," said Morgan officially, "I must arrest you both."</p> - -<p>"But I am innocent," shrieked Mrs. Crosbie.</p> - -<p>"You are an accomplice after the fact," said Morgan. "Come!" He laid a -heavy hand on Mrs. Crosbie's shoulder.</p> - -<p>She started away with a terrible cry. Rebb flung himself forward to -save her. Morgan grappled with him, and Mrs. Berch tried to snatch her -daughter out of the way. The others were too startled to move. Mrs. -Crosbie, who was mad with fear, tore herself from the grasp of Mrs. -Berch, and ran towards the ruined wall, in the vain hope of escaping. -"Save me--help me! I won't go to prison. I am innocent--innocent."</p> - -<p>In deadly terror she scrambled over the fallen wall. Geary ran forward -to stop her from escaping, while Morgan still fought with the Major, -and the two policemen were trying to help their superior. On seeing -the negro run after Mrs. Crosbie, the mother, silent and savage, moved -swiftly across the grass in pursuit. She did not run, but she glided -so rapidly that in a moment--as it seemed--she was over the ruins of -the wall, and on the verge of the cliff along with Madge. The negro -she pushed aside. As the others came running up she cried out: "Madge, -let us die together." And before Mrs. Crosbie knew what was in her -mother's mind she had leaped into the deep pool, holding her dearly -loved daughter, for whom she had sinned so deeply. There was a loud -splash, the agonized scream of Mrs. Crosbie, and then silence.</p> - -<br> -<p class="center"><span style="letter-spacing:.5em">* * * * * * * * *</span></p> -<br> -<p>Six months later a happy young couple were in the drawing-room of a -handsome house in Kensington. With them was Mrs. Pelham Odin, looking -more stately and graceful than ever. She had established herself on -the sofa in her regulation attitude, and Mavis was seated in a low -chair beside her. Gerald stood with his back to the fire, smoking, and -looked extremely happy. His happiness was reflected in the face of his -young wife, and Mrs. Pelham Odin presided over the joint enjoyment -like a fairy godmother.</p> - -<p>"You are both looking splendid," she said, in her deep, clear voice, -"and I am glad to see you both after your sojourn abroad. But do you -think it was kind to leave England without seeing me?"</p> - -<p>Mavis caught the two hands of the old actress. "No, it was not kind. I -said that it was not kind. But Gerald----"</p> - -<p>"Gerald said that it was necessary," said that young man coolly. "Dear -Mrs. Pelham Odin look at the circumstances. There was the inquest on -the bodies of those two poor women, who drowned themselves in the -Peace Pool--in Mother Carey's Peace Pool."</p> - -<p>"I thought that Mrs. Berch dragged her daughter to death."</p> - -<p>"So she did," admitted Gerald quickly. "Mrs. Crosbie would have been -arrested as an accomplice after the fact, and in any case would have -sunk into poverty without her mother to help her. Mrs. Berch of course -thought she would be hanged, although, seeing how she swore that the -crime was accidental, extenuating circumstances might have been found. -I suppose Mrs. Berch, who was frantically fond of her daughter, -thought it best they should go together. Madge certainly would have -lived, poor soul, in spite of all her misery, as she loved life. -But Mrs. Berch pulled her down, and they are buried in Leegarth -cemetery----"</p> - -<p>"Beside Bellaria!" said Mavis, with a shiver. "How strange."</p> - -<p>"The punishment of providence, my dear," said Mrs. Pelham Odin -rebukingly. "The murderess was laid beside her victim. A wicked -woman----"</p> - -<p>"No," said Gerald, throwing up his hand. "Don't call her that."</p> - -<p>"But she murdered----"</p> - -<p>"I believe that the crime really was committed accidentally. And as -she and poor Madge have paid for their sins let us leave them to God, -Mrs. Pelham Odin. Who are we to judge, and, as was revealed at the -inquest, those two women had suffered much misery and trouble."</p> - -<p>"I wonder how they managed to deceive the tradesmen for so long," said -the old actress musingly. "I am sure my tradesmen always make me pay -every month. But look at the thousands they owed and----"</p> - -<p>"It would all have been paid had Mrs. Crosbie married the Major."</p> - -<p>"I daresay--with Mavis' six thousand a year."</p> - -<p>"I have only three thousand," said Mrs. Haskins: "Charity has the -rest."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin kissed the girl's forehead. "You behaved in a noble -way, my dear. I hear that Lady Euphemia has quite taken to Charity, -now that she knows her father was a Devonshire Durham. And Tod has got -back his ruined castle to play the laird. He says, however, that he is -coming back from Scotland to work again at the law."</p> - -<p>"And quite right he is," said Gerald, sitting down. "I don't believe -in any man being lazy. Lady Euphemia wants Tod to play the laird on -his wife's money, but Tod has too much respect to live on his wife."</p> - -<p>"I know <i>you</i> have," said Mavis, looking at him fondly. "You don't -know how difficult it is to make him take money," she added, turning -to the actress, "he will live on his own income, and works like a -nigger."</p> - -<p>"Not like Geary, if he is the nigger in question. My dear Mavis, this -house is yours, and I----"</p> - -<p>"You're going to say that you are a boarder. Stop!" And Mavis laid a -pretty hand over his mouth. Gerald kissed it.</p> - -<p>"You are both extremely silly," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, "share and -share alike--money and love and sentiments and everything."</p> - -<p>"Right," said Haskins playfully, "Mavis, darling, give me back that -kiss."</p> - -<p>"I came here," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, in her most dignified way, "to -welcome you back from the Continent, so I must be attended to, and you -<i>did</i> leave England after the trial without seeing me."</p> - -<p>Gerald rose, and became serious. "I did so to save my wife from an -attack of brain fever," he said gravely. "Think of what that trial -meant to a girl who had never faced such a throng of people."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Gerald, there was the Belver Theatre."</p> - -<p>"I am sure the people in the court were a better audience," said Mrs. -Pelham Odin, using her fan, "and after all, the trial was a mere form. -You were proved to be quite sane by those two nice doctors, and -perfectly innocent, when the evidence was given as to Mrs. Berch's -verbal confession. I read all about it in the papers. You were made -quite a heroine, Mavis, and as I like heroines I expected you to come -and tell me all about it. Instead of which," added the actress, -returning to her grievance, "you went quietly to the Continent."</p> - -<p>"To Switzerland," said Haskins, slipping his arm around Mavis' waist. -"There we passed a happy time, and Mavis recovered from the shock of -all these dreadful things. We never talk of them now."</p> - -<p>"I am very sorry to," said Mrs. Pelham Odin obstinately, "but I must -know what has become of everyone. Major Rebb, I understand, is in -South America?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. He could not face the court, and so he bolted. No one went after -him, as of course he knew nothing about the murder, and Mavis did not -prosecute him for his behavior to her."</p> - -<p>"Geary--that terrible Uncle Tom's Cabin person?"</p> - -<p>"He ran away also. I expect he is with Rebb now. I must say Rebb did -not treat him well, trying to fix the guilt on him. Perhaps he's given -Rebb the go-by on that account, and is now in Jamaica with another -wife."</p> - -<p>"Where is his English one?"</p> - -<p>"In Barnstaple, with her coffee-colored children. Mavis allows her a -small income."</p> - -<p>"I am so sorry for her," said Mrs. Haskins apologetically. "I am sorry -for anyone who is unhappily married."</p> - -<p>"Well, you and Charity have married good men."</p> - -<p>"But poor men," said Gerald, smiling.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin shook her fan at him. "I could mention the Continent -again," she said, smiling, "but as it was necessary that Mavis should -have peace and quiet after all her trials, poor dear, I forgive the -apparent rudeness. What are you going to do now?"</p> - -<p>"We are going to repair the Pixy's House and live there."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin gave a little scream. "Then don't ask me to come and -see you. Two murders--for Mrs. Berch murdered her daughter as well as -that poor Italian woman--and three corpses. Ugh! Why, the house will -be haunted."</p> - -<p>"Not at all," said Gerald tartly. "We can live there with a clear -conscience, and the evil influence of the place will depart when good -people dwell there."</p> - -<p>"Meaning yourself, my dear boy. How modest!"</p> - -<p>"I was rather thinking of Mavis, with her pure mind and----"</p> - -<p>"There, there!" Mrs. Pelham Odin got rather restive, as she didn't -like to hear any woman but herself complimented. "You are a six -months' old husband----"</p> - -<p>"I shall be a lover all my life." And Gerald kissed his wife.</p> - -<p>"My Fairy Prince." And Mavis kissed Gerald.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pelham Odin cast her eyes up to the ceiling. "Quite like Romeo -and Juliet, without the limelight," she said, in a fatigued tone. -"Well, you must come to me before going to Devonshire. Charity -Macandrew and her husband are coming. I want to give a dinner-party -and introduce you two girls to all sorts of delightful people at a -reception to follow. Everyone is delighted with the romantic story."</p> - -<p>"I daresay they are," said Gerald crossly. "The papers have made far -too much of the matter."</p> - -<p>"I daresay they wouldn't have done so had it not happened to be the -dull season," said Mrs. Pelham Odin consolingly. "Of course there have -been romantic accounts, and portraits of the girls, and all that, but -I have not seen what the newspapers call the sealed message."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean the phonograph record which Mavis sent me?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; only she didn't send it to you. She sent it to anyone who -happened to fish it up."</p> - -<p>"Tod did that, but the message was sent to me. Nothing happens by -chance, Mrs. Pelham Odin, so----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear me, here comes your occult stuff. Tod told me all about it. -I don't like such deep subjects. The message----"</p> - -<p>"We have it," said Mavis, rising and going to a side-table on which -stood a Jekle & Co. phonograph. "Gerald and I often turn on the -machine to hear the message which brought us together."</p> - -<p>While she fitted the tube on to the machine Mrs. Pelham Odin yawned. -"It was very clever of you to use a phonograph, since you couldn't -read or write. I hope you are less ignorant now."</p> - -<p>"I am getting on very quickly. Gerald teaches me every day."</p> - -<p>"You conjugate the verb to love, I suppose. What's that?"</p> - -<p>Gerald raised his finger. "The message which Mavis sent me."</p> - -<p>"Sent anyone," muttered Mrs. Pelham Odin obstinately: but she -listened.</p> - -<p>"This to the wide world," babbled the machine in the sweetest and most -melodious of voices. "This to the Fairy Prince, who will come and -waken me from dreams. Come, dear Prince, to the Pixy's House, and -watch that the jealous ogress, who guards me, does not see you. I -cannot read, I cannot write: but I talk my message to you, dear -Prince. To the stream I commit the message on this first day of April -in this year five. May the river bear the message to you, dear Prince. -Come to me! Come to me! Come to me! and waken your Princess to life -with a kiss."</p> - -<p>The machine stopped, for Gerald laid a hand on it. "That," he said -solemnly, "is the Sealed Message."</p> - -<p>"As I thought," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, in her lively tones, "it might -have been sent to the Man in the Moon."</p> - -<p>"Instead," said Mavis, kissing her husband, "to the dearest Fairy -Prince on Earth."</p> - -<p>"Which has none outside pantomimes," ended Mrs. Pelham Odin, -determined to have the last word. She managed to do so, for the -husband and wife were kissing one another.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>THE END.</h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Sealed Message, by Fergus Hume - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEALED MESSAGE *** - -***** This file should be named 55795-h.htm or 55795-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/7/9/55795/ - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by -Google Books (Princeton University) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> - - - - |