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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..3e041e6 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55956 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55956) diff --git a/old/55956-8.txt b/old/55956-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 47d9697..0000000 --- a/old/55956-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10713 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lost Parchment, 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 Lost Parchment - A Detective Story - -Author: Fergus Hume - -Release Date: November 13, 2017 [EBook #55956] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST PARCHMENT *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by -Google books (the New York Public Library) - - - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: - 1. Page scan source: Google Books - https://books.google.com/books?id=IEggAAAAMAAJ - (the New York Public Library) - - - - - - -The Lost Parchment - -_A Detective Story_ - -BY -FERGUS HUME -AUTHOR OF "THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB," "THE MYSTERY QUEEN," -"THE RAINBOW FEATHER," "RED MONEY," "THE SEALED MESSAGE," -"THE SECRET PASSAGE," "THE STEEL CROWN," ETC. - - - -G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY -PUBLISHERS NEW YORK - - - - - - -COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY -G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY - - - -_The Lost Parchment_ - - - -Press of -J. J. Little & Ives Co. -New York - - - - - - -CONTENTS - -CHAPTER - -I. Schoolfellows -II. The Vicar -III. Lovers -IV. The Cottage -V. A Revelation -VI. Counsels Opinion -VII. A Nine Days Wonder -VIII. Mallien Speaks -IX. A Serious Position -X. Dorinda -XI. Carringtons Advice -XII. On the Track -XIII. Confession -XIV. A Clue -XV. Circumstantial Evidence -XVI. A New Witness -XVII. Difficulties -XVIII. Setting a Trap -XIX. Resurgam -XX. A Weird Story -XXI. A Final Surprise - - - - - - -THE LOST PARCHMENT. - - - - -CHAPTER I -SCHOOLFELLOWS - - -"So this is your kingdom, Hendle?" said the visitor, looking round the -garden which glowed with rainbow tints in the hot July sunshine; "and -a very jolly kingdom it is. When did you enter into it?" - -"When I was fifteen, twelve years ago," replied the Squire, smiling. -"Don't you remember how I wrote and told you of the death of my -father? You had just left school for the 'Varsity. Those were capital -days at Rugby, weren't they, Carrington?" - -"They were. I have had few capital days since." - -"But surely at Oxford----" - -Carrington shrugged his shoulders and made a frank admission. "Oh, -yes! Oxford was all right until my father died and left me without a -sixpence. It was hard work, I can tell you, qualifying for the Bar on -next to nothing. And I can't say that I have made my fortune as a -barrister. You, lucky dog, don't need to bother about pounds, -shillings, and pence." - -"I have certainly nothing to complain of on that score," said Hendle -in a satisfied tone and extending his cigarette case. "It was a pity -we drifted apart, Carrington, as we were such chums at Rugby. I might -have helped you." - -"You were always a good chap, Hendle, and that is why I took to you, -when we were in our teens. But we saw nothing of each other all these -years because you had money and I hadn't. Besides, you went to -Cambridge, while I patronized Oxford. It is my fault that our -friendship has not continued unbroken, as I never answered your many -letters. But you see I was always too much involved in law studies to -bother. You, I presume, were looking after your snug little kingdom." - -Hendle nodded. "I am a very stay-at-home person, and the place -requires a good deal of supervision." - -"Lucky dog!" repeated the barrister. "You have a fine income, too." - -"So-so. Four thousand a year." - -"The deuce! And, like Bottom, I support life on sixpence a day, which, -unlike Bottom, I have to earn. There is no Theseus to give me a -pension." - -"You didn't seem to be so very hard up when I met you six months ago -in the _Criterion Restaurant_," said the young squire dryly. - -"Oh, one has to keep up some sort of appearance and dress in purple -and fine linen, even if one cannot afford to do so," answered -Carrington easily. "It is only your rich man who can dispense with -Solomon-in-all-his-glory raiment, old fellow. Anyhow, poor or rich, I -was delighted to meet you again." - -"Were you?" Hendle appeared to be a trifle sceptical. "You didn't -hurry yourself to come down to Barship anyhow." - -"I didn't; that's a fact. I thought you might fancy that I would -borrow, if I came too speedily. Hence the six months' hesitation." - -"Oh, rot! You know that I'm not the sort of fellow to grudge a loan to -an old school chum if he asks for it." - -"You were always a good chap, Hendle," said Carrington again. "But I -am not going to ask. I have bread and butter, if not jam, and one must -be grateful for the necessities of life in these hard times." - -Hendle nodded with a lazy laugh and the young men lighted fresh -cigarettes as they crossed the lawn to gain the avenue which sloped -gradually for a quarter of a mile in the direction of the village. -Behind them they left a delightfully ugly mansion of Georgian -architecture mellowed by time into positive beauty. The Big House--its -local name--draped itself majestically in dark trailing ivy, showing -here and there the bland softened hue of its ruddy brick walls. - -"My mind to me a kingdom is," quoted Carrington with a backward glance -at the peace and beauty they were leaving. "A poetic, but truly -unsatisfactory saying, Hendle. Your acres are a more tangible -possession than the stuff of which dreams are made. Let us go hence." - -The Squire in his simple honesty laughed at the fantastic remarks of -his visitor, not guessing that a considerable amount of acid envy -underlay the amiable compliments. Hendle was one of those honorable, -good-natured creatures, who believed that his fellow-men were as -open-minded and straightforward as he was himself. His florid -complexion, fair crisp hair, big limbs and general air of latent -strength revealed plainly his Saxon ancestry, and he resembled a -good-natured bull content with plentiful grass and water and the -freedom of wide meadows. He was markedly good-looking, with sleepy -blue eyes and a heavy moustache of a russet hue, which he usually -tugged at to help on his slow-moving thoughts. His name, Rupert, -suggested swift dash and impetuous daring. But there was nothing of -these things about this somewhat drowsy giant, although he had ample -courage when necessary. It took much to rouse him, but once the dam of -his self-restraint broke, everything and everyone were swept away like -straws in a torrent of Berserk fury. When Rupert did fight, nothing -could stand against his enormous physical power; and the use of this, -being tempered by strong common-sense, invariably gained him the -victory. But he usually preferred peace to war, and it took much to -stimulate his passions to an outbreak. - -Dean Carrington himself was to his friend like a Georgian rapier to a -Crusader's sword. He was small and lean, quick-witted and nimble, with -dark hair and dark eyes and a swarthy complexion. His clean-shaven -face with its regular features and keen expression suggested the born -intriguer, who gained his ends rather by cunning than force. Always -perfectly dressed, always amiable, an accomplished squire-of-dames, -well-read and yet a man-of-the-world, Carrington was the exact -opposite of Hendle, and perhaps had made him his friend because of the -vast difference in their natures. Having a more alert though not a -stronger mind, he dominated Rupert in a most dexterous manner, never -showing the iron hand without its velvet glove. Nevertheless, this -ascendency had been achieved at Rugby, and owed its strength to the -admiration of the dull boy for the clever boy; to the hero-worship of -the younger for the older. But if Carrington was now thirty, Rupert -was now twenty-seven, and might not be so easily mastered, presuming, -as might be the case, the latter had developed qualities with which -the former could not cope. This remained to be seen, and it was to -see, that Carrington had come down for a Saturday to Monday rest. Now -that he judged Rupert to be much the same and saw how luxurious were -his surroundings, the astute barrister determined to reëstablish his -sway over a wealthy friend too long neglected. Therefore he made -himself delightfully agreeable. He had spent Saturday and Sunday with -the Squire, and now was strolling through the village on Monday -afternoon, before catching the evening train. So far, owing to -Rupert's frank intimacy, he foresaw no obstacle to his making use of -the young man. But there was one possibility to be reckoned with, -which had to be looked into, and this Carrington approached in a -roundabout manner, after his usual custom. - -"A delightful place," said the barrister with a sigh of pleasure, as -they sauntered along the cobblestone street, with its quaint houses on -either side. "You are a king here. When you conduct the queen to the -throne at the Big House, the serfs will lie down and allow you both to -walk over them." - -"I haven't any wish to walk over them," said Hendle, shrugging his -mighty shoulders, "and I don't think the villagers would like to hear -you call them serfs, Carrington." - -"Pooh! They wouldn't know the meaning of the word. And, after all, it -is only my picturesque way of speaking. But you evade my question." - -"I didn't know you asked any. You simply made a remark." - -"The Lord mend your wit, then. I must be plain, I see. What about a -wife?" - -"Oh, that's all arranged for," replied the Squire stolidly, and with -never a blush, so matter-of-fact was he. - -"And you never told me," murmured Carrington reproachfully. - -"You never asked me." - -"No," said the other, wondering at this phlegmatic nature. "I didn't." -Then he lapsed into musing, and Rupert, never a talker at the best of -times, strode beside him silent and comfortably happy. - -So the possibility had become a probability, and a feminine influence -had to be reckoned with after all. This was what Carrington had -dreaded, and he blamed himself for not having asked the question -before. Had he done so, he might have been introduced to the lady and -then would have been able to judge what sort of a marplot she would -prove to be. However, he hoped to meet her when he next came down, -which would be very soon, and meanwhile, true to his plan of campaign, -he laughed amiably at Rupert's reticence. - -"You always did take things stolidly at school, Hendle," he said, -arching his finely penciled eyebrows, "and you have not changed in -this respect. Who is she?" - -"My cousin--a third or fourth cousin. We have known each other all our -lives, and that is why we know we will be happy." - -"Familiarity doesn't breed contempt in this case, then," said the -barrister lightly. "As you have known her all her life, I presume she -lives hereabouts?" - -"Oh, yes. At the other end of the village." - -"I should like to see her," suggested Carrington persuasively. - -"Next time you come down you shall. I shall ask her father and Dorinda -to dinner at the Big House." - -"Who is her father?" - -"A second or third cousin of mine." - -"What is his name?" - -"Mallien--Julius Mallien." - -"I am little the wiser," said the barrister ironically, "and I don't -want to exercise my profession of cross-examining people in the -country. Can't you give me details?" - -"I am," said the other, slightly surprised. "I am giving you details." - -"Yes, when I ask you incessant questions. But make some sort of a -speech. I want to know what kind of a person Mallien is; I want a -description of the lady; I desire to learn what the father does, and -if he will give his daughter a dowry. In fact, I wish to know all -about it, as naturally I take the greatest interest in the welfare of -my old school chum." - -"Good old man," said Rupert, giving Carrington's arm so affectionate a -squeeze that the barrister winced with the pain. "Well, Mallien's a -beast, like Timon of Athens--you remember the play we read at school. -I don't like Mallien, as he's always grousing at everyone and -everything." - -"You give me the key to his character by mentioning Timon. Your future -father-in-law is a misanthrope." - -Rupert nodded. "Very much so. And Dorinda is----" - -"An angel. I know what you are about to say." - -"I don't think you do. Dorinda is a good sort." - -"Is that all the praise you can bestow on your future wife?" - -"It's all she wants. Dorinda doesn't like compliments." - -"What an unnatural girl!" laughed Carrington, "and her looks?" - -Hendle filled his pipe while he replied and halted in the village -square while he did so. "She's got black hair and blue eyes and a -ripping figure and is heaps cleverer than I am." - -"What a bald description! Has she two eyes and a nose with a mouth -under it?" - -"How you chaff, Carrington. However, when you come down again, you -will see Dorinda for herself. Hallo, here's Kit." - -"Who is Kit?" questioned the other, as a smart motor car slipped -easily out of the crooked street to halt in the square, as the village -green was grandiloquently entitled. - -"The son of my housekeeper, Mrs. Beatson." - -"That sour-looking woman with the hard eye?" - -"The same. She has been hammered hard by misfortune, but is a lady -born and bred for all that. Morning, Kit." - -"Good morning, Squire. Hot, isn't it? I can only get some sort of wind -by running the machine at top speed." - -"You'll be roped in by the police if you don't mind your eye, Kit. My -friend, Mr. Dean Carrington. This is Mr. Christopher Beatson, -Carrington. He's a reckless hero, who plays with the whiskers of death -on all and every occasion." - -"That is the habit of the present generation," said Carrington, with a -nod to the handsome young fellow in the car. "Motors, aeroplanes, -scenic railways and looping-the-loop. Youth enjoys nothing nowadays -unless it has in it an element of danger. To go out and never know if -you will be home to supper, Mr. Beatson: that is your delight." - -"There is much truth in what you say, Mr. Carrington," returned Kit, -laughing. "After all, it's life." - -"This is the frantic age," said Hendle sententiously. "How's business, -Kit?" - -"Ripping! I sold three cars last week on behalf of the firm. One to a -lady." - -"Who was taken with your good looks, I suppose. Take care Miss Tollart -doesn't grow jealous, Kit." - -"You will have your joke, Mr. Hendle," answered Beatson, his bronzed -skin growing crimson and his brown eyes sparkling. "But Sophy knows -that I have to play up to the customers to get the stuff sold." He -turned from the wheel to look round generally. "Have you seen her? -She's to meet me here and go with me for a spin." - -Just then Miss Tollart appeared hurrying to the rendezvous as fast as -her hobble-skirt would permit. She revealed herself as a fine-looking -and decidedly flamboyant young woman with an independent air which -suggested the suffragist. It could easily be seen, and by a less -observant person than Carrington, that Kit would be known as "Mrs. -Beatson's husband" when the ring was on the lady's finger. His chin -betrayed a rather weak nature, and his eyes had much too kind a look -in them to hint at mastery, while the tall black-browed young woman, -who swung toward the group with the air of conquering Semiramis, -appeared quite capable of dominating an empire, much less a husband. -Carrington did not envy Kit's approaching connubial bliss. - -"Mr. Carrington, Miss Tollart," said the Squire, introducing his -friend to the new arrival. "Carrington, Miss Tollart is the daughter -of our doctor." - -Sophy winced at the mention of her father and Carrington wondered why -she should. However, the emotion passed in a flash and Miss Tollart -inspected the barrister much as a naturalist inspects a microbe under -the microscope. The sniff with which she concluded her scrutiny hinted -at dissatisfaction, if not at contempt. But then Sophy as an ardent -suffragist never did think much of the male, and straightway flew her -colors in the face of this particular one. "I am going to Elbowsham to -speak at a meeting, Squire. Have I your good wishes?" - -"That you will come home safe and sound?" queried Hendle with -twinkling eyes. "You have. Don't insult the crowd more than you can -help, Miss Tollart." - -"I shall not conceal my opinions," retorted the lady, tightening her -lips. - -"Ah!" Carrington looked her up and down, "in that case I am glad Mr. -Beatson and his car will be at hand to rescue you." - -"I can fight my own battles," said Miss Tollart coolly. "But I see -that you don't believe in Votes for Women." - -"My dear lady," replied Carrington smoothly, "when I am in your -presence I believe in anything you like to advance." - -Sophy sniffed. "Hedging!" she observed aggressively. "Men never can -give a straight answer. I only wish," she continued as she turned to -Hendle, "that I could infect Dorinda with my ardor. But she won't -uphold the banner, and sulks in her tent." - -"I am afraid that I have exhausted all my persuasive power in inducing -her to join me as my future wife," said the Squire politely. - -Sophy nodded her approval. "Dorinda's a nice girl and a good girl, and -a very pretty girl," she said, in her deep-toned voice, "but she is as -weak as any man in this village. As weak as you are, Squire, as the -vicar, as my father, and you know what he is." She winced again, then -turned aggressively on Kit. "But I can't stay here all day, as the -meeting at Elbowsham is waiting. Five miles, Kit; you must do it in -five minutes." - -"What about the police?" asked Carrington. - -"I despise the police," cried Miss Tollart, as she was borne away -hurriedly by her lover to prevent further trouble. "They know me." - -Carrington looked leisurely after the machine until it vanished and -Sophy's trumpet tones of defiance died away. "What an uncomfortable -young woman," he observed, turning toward his friend. - -"Oh, Sophy's a good sort," said Hendle soberly. "She's had heaps of -trouble." - -"It doesn't seem to have knocked much sense into her, anyway. Trouble. -Bother, I see. Her father, I expect?" - -The Squire looked astonished. "Yes. But how you guessed----" - -"I saw her wince when you and she mentioned Dr. Tollart," explained -the barrister. - -They crossed the green, passing an ancient cross of worn stone, which -stood in the center of a vast expanse of grass burnt brown with the -long-enduring heat. Round the square were various cottages with -white-washed walls and thatched roofs, each standing in its own tiny -garden brilliant with flowers. _The Hendle Inn_, with the arms of the -family swinging from a signpost, was the largest building in sight, -and presented an attractive sight to an artist, since it dated from -Tudor times, and its upper story overhung the lower. With its -red-tiled roof and dark oaken beams deeply embedded in its flint and -stone walls it caught the eye of Carrington straightway. He had seen -it before, but its quaint beauty lured him again to contemplation. - -"That's a delightful old inn," he said, looking backward as they -passed out of the square. "Quite the place for an adventure." - -"There are no adventures in Barship," replied the Squire heavily. "We -are very dull people hereabouts. Leigh is our bright and shining -light, as he goes in for old manuscripts and ancient buildings and -queer customs and----" - -"In a word, Leigh is an archæologist," interrupted Carrington, who -found Rupert somewhat prolix. "And who is Leigh?" - -"If we had gone to church yesterday, you would have seen him in the -pulpit, Carrington. He is the vicar, and, if you don't mind being -blamed for nonattendance, we are going to look him up now." - -"Oh, I don't mind in the least," said the barrister briskly. "If he -talks religion, I can talk science. Argument is always amusing with a -fanatic." - -"I don't think Leigh is a fanatic. He is fonder of his hobby than of -his profession. But he's all right as a parson, although he doesn't -visit his parishioners as often as I could wish. Yonder's the church -where all my people are buried. Picturesque?" - -The barrister gave the building his grave approval "But everything is -picturesque about here in the best style of art. You ought to be -happy." - -"I am. Very happy. But I shall be happier when I marry Dorinda!" - -"Amen to that. And let me be your best man," said Carrington gaily. - -"If Dorinda doesn't mind, yes," replied Hendle, exasperatingly matter -of fact. - - - - -CHAPTER II -THE VICAR - - -By this time the Squire and his friend were approaching a rickety -five-barred gate which stood wide open, as the hinges being useless, -it could not easily be shut. Passing through this, they advanced up a -wide untidy drive overgrown with grass, and this dismal path conducted -them to a weedy stony expanse, girdled by an uncultivated jungle. -Flowers, shrubs, herbs, trees, docks and darnels were all mixed up -together in a way, suggesting only too clearly the sluggard's garden -and almost aggressively presented an aspect of decay. The vicarage -thoroughly matched this desolation, although in skilful hands it could -have been made into a most charming residence. Carrington viewed this -deadly solitude with disgust. - -"Are you taking me to see the ruins of Babylon?" he asked, noting that -even the blazing sunshine could not impart an aspect of cheerfulness -to the place. "Is your vicar an owl or a jackal that he can live -here?" - -Hendle laughed deeply and pulled at his pipe. "Leigh is too much -wrapped up in his hobby to care about the necessaries of life." - -"He might care for the decencies, anyway," retorted the barrister. "As -the lord of the manor, why don't you insist upon his keeping the place -in repair?" - -"The living is not in my gift, Carrington, and I have no right to -interfere in any way. Leigh is the last descendant of an old family -who camped ages ago in this parish. The living is all that remains of -what they once possessed, and the vicar exists on a miserable stipend -of two hundred a year." - -"And you have four thousand per annum.--What about your tithes?" - -"Tithes come from land, and save the park I have no land. My -grandfather sold what we owned and invested the proceeds in various -companies. My income is derived from stocks and shares. My tithe -represents a small amount." - -"Still, you might house your spiritual adviser better, Hendle." - -"I don't think so. I look after the poor in the parish, and as one of -the churchwardens I see that the church is all right. If Leigh choses -to live in this way I can't prevent him. He's quite happy so long as -he has a bed and a fire and a roof, with bread and cheese and his -beloved books. What is the use of my giving him money to buy more -volumes?" - -Carrington nodded comprehendingly. "I understand. There are some -people you cannot help, however much you may wish to." - -"Precisely," murmured the big man indolently. "Leigh knows that I am -willing to do anything in reason, but that I don't hold with his -wasting money on books. His time also. The parson is here to look -after his cure of souls; not to encourage a selfish hobby. Leigh loves -books and dreams books and lives books and would spend a fortune in -buying books. There is nothing he would not do to purchase more." - -"A kind of clerical Eugene Aram?" - -"Oh, no," replied Rupert hastily. "Leigh would never do wrong even to -gratify his craze for books. He is a gentle soul." - -"A character at all events, if nothing else," observed the barrister -dryly. - -In response to Hendle's loud rapping on the rusty panels of the door -with the knob of his walking stick a slovenly, fat, old female waddled -into sight, wiping her hands on a coarse apron. Her stout looks were -in direct contradiction to the lean appearance of the place; but, -judging from her inflamed countenance, these might have been due to a -constant consumption of beer. She was arrayed in a dingy cotton gown, -so dirty that it was difficult to guess at its original color, and her -gray hair was as dishevelled as her shoes and stockings were untidy. -This frowzy lady, who answered to the odd name of Selina Jabber, -received the visitors with a good-natured smile which twinkled all -over her plump face. - -"To think, sir, that you should find me like this before I'm smartened -for the afternoon," she cried, volubly addressing Rupert; "but washing -has to be done, say what you like, though I do say that the master -don't give me more to do than my weakness can deal with." - -Talking all the time, the housekeeper had conducted the amused men -through an entrance hall, narrowed by books heaped on the oilcloth, -through a passage lined with crowded shelves and into a large bare -room which appeared to be built up of many volumes. The walls could -not be seen for these, and they were also piled in little heaps on the -uncarpeted floor. The only articles of furniture were a large round -table covered with green baize, standing directly in front of the -undraped window, and a chair before it in which Mr. Leigh sat with a -heavy tome on his knee. In spite of the sunshine pouring in, the -apartment looked bleak and dreary, as there was no fireplace and no -adornments or comforts of any sort. The vicar, a tall, lean, dreamy -man with an ascetic, clean-shaven face and calm blue eyes, raised his -head in response to the continuous ding-dong of Mrs. Jabber's voice: - -"Mr. Hendle and a gent from London, sir; Mr. Hendle and a gent from -London, sir; Mr. Hendle and----" - -"That will do, Mrs. Jabber," interrupted the vicar in a dignified -manner, and revealing the pundit in tone and accent. "You can go." - -"You mustn't mind Mrs. Jabber, Rupert," said the vicar mildly. "She is -quite a character. And this----" - -"Is my friend, Mr. Carrington. I wished him to meet you before he went -away." - -"I am pleased to see you, Mr. Carrington," said Leigh, offering a dry, -cold hand and giving the barrister a more searching glance than one -would have expected from so mild a man. "I fancy I remember Rupert -mentioning you as an old schoolfellow of Rugby days." - -"Oh, yes. We were great friends at school, and I am glad to renew our -acquaintance, as you may guess, Mr. Leigh." - -"Quite so, quite so. And what's doing in London?" inquired the vicar -in a weary manner as if he felt it incumbent upon him to manufacture -conversation in which he took not the slightest interest. - -Rupert sat down on one pile of books--as there were no chairs--and -Carrington on another pile, while the barrister gave the latest -metropolitan gossip and the squire smoked stolidly. Mr. Leigh drew up -his threadbare black trousers, showing socks of different color and -pattern, and sat down to take his book again on his knee. His face was -handsome in a refined and gentle way: he had scanty white hair and -excellent teeth, which looked genuine: hands and feet slender and -elegant, suggested race, and he had the stooping shoulders of a -student. Carrington, observing him narrowly while he talked in a -desultory manner, saw that here was the last withered branch of an -ancient family tree. The sap of the race was exhausted in Simon Leigh, -and he looked as though his frail organization could not last much -longer. There was no fire in him: only the slowly fading heat of dying -ashes. Remembering what Hendle had said about the vicar's craze for -books he attempted to interest him in that direction, as Mr. Leigh -appeared to be wholly indifferent to news of the busy world. - -"You are fond of archæology, I believe, sir," mentioned the barrister, -glancing round the truly scholarly room. - -"I am devoted to it, Mr. Carrington," replied the student, his calm -eyes flashing into vivid life. "Antiquities, ancient customs, the -usages of the Middle Ages and Classic times, together with the -traditions of religious belief and ceremony appeal more to my -understanding than anything else." - -"Humph!" grunted the Squire pointedly, "surely as a parson----" - -"We have frequently argued on the subject, you hint at, Rupert," said -Mr. Leigh hastily. "But as your views differ from mine, we have, as -yet, not arrived at any agreement. As a parson I trust that I do my -duty, though it may be that I am not the ideal of a parish priest." - -Hendle colored at this dignified rebuke. "I apologize, sir, but you -rather mistake my true meaning. What I implied was that you are more -of a scholar than a parson." - -"I admit that, Rupert. Had I lived in monastic days, I should have -been a hermit or a monk. My wants are few, and I do not seek the -loaves and fishes of ecclesiastical preferment. The services of the -church; occasional visits to my parishioners and giving of what alms -my small means allow are my duties as a Clerk in Holy Orders. But what -time otherwise is at my disposal I give to books, to the examination -of old buildings, to the study of ancient customs, and such-like -matters. You see I am frank, Mr. Carrington." - -"And very original," said the barrister heartily, "it is a great -pleasure to meet one whose views are other than commonplace. And what -a tremendous number of books you have." - -"You are like that clergyman in Scott's novel, _St. Ronan's -Well_," said Hendle, removing his pipe for a moment. "What's his -name--Cargill." - -"I never waste my hours reading novels," said Leigh loftily. - -"I should think they would be more entertaining than these -parchments," suggested Carrington, looking at the writing table, which -was littered profusely with dusty documents covered with crabbed -characters. - -"No! No! No!" cried Leigh vivaciously, and laid a thin hand on his -beloved dry-as-dust pamphlets. "Nothing can be more entertaining than -deciphering these deeds. Leases and proclamations, accounts and -registrations: all of various reigns and all written in the dog Latin -of knightly days. And it ill becomes you, Rupert," added the vicar in -a mildly jesting way, "to reproach me with my besetting sin, when you -pander to it by permitting me access to your Muniment Room." - -"Muniment Room," echoed the barrister. - -"It would not interest you, Mr. Carrington, believe me," said the -vicar jealously, "as young men do not care to inspect such treasures. -I can tell you all about the most interesting documents and can show -you what is worthy of note, if indeed you care for such lofty -learning. But don't meddle with the chest and its contents, I beg. -They are too valuable to be lightly handled." - -Rupert laughed and nodded. "I believe that Mr. Leigh grudges even me -meddling with the deeds and documents. He thinks that I am an unworthy -guardian of such literary treasures." - -"I think they are quite safe," said Carrington, looking with disdain -on the time-worn and soiled parchments rustling under the vicar's thin -fingers. "No one will seek to deprive Mr. Leigh of his weary -delights." - -"Weary! Ah, my dear sir, you don't know what joy it is to pore over -these glorious relics of monkish days. They give in wonderful detail -the history of Barship, when it was quite a noted port." - -"Port? Why, it's an inland parish." - -"Now it is," cried the vicar eagerly and now settled in the saddle of -his hobby-horse, "but in the reign of Henry III, Barship was built -round a commodious harbor. The sea has retired these many miles, and -the village which was once a bustling town is now scarcely known." - -"Well, I must say that information is very interesting," said -Carrington. - -"Isn't it? And there are many other things just as interesting. I am -writing a history of our parish from these documents here and others -which are in the Muniment Room of the Big House. It will take me years -to complete, but when ready it will form a book of surpassing -interest." - -At this moment, Carrington heard the door open softly. He turned his -head, as did Rupert at the sound, to see a stout, black-bearded man -standing on the threshold. He came in with a padding step like a cat, -and scowled when he saw that the vicar had visitors. - -"How are you, Mr. Mallien?" said Hendle with a good-natured nod. "This -is my friend Carrington, who was at school with me." - -"How do," said Mallien gruffly, and with an air of resenting -Carrington's return greeting. "Beastly day--far too hot. Pouf! how -this room smells of sheepskin. Why don't you drag Leigh out for a -walk, Rupert?" - -"The age of miracles is past," said the young Squire dryly. "You see -that even your entrance cannot rouse the vicar from his studies." - -"Vicar! Vicar!" said Mallien gruffly and tapped the parson's shoulder. - -"Go away! go away! I'm busy," said Leigh peevishly; then, keeping his -finger on a line of crabbed writing he had reached, he looked up. "Oh, -Mr. Mallien, I beg pardon. What do you want?" - -"Dorinda has brought you some flowers for the altar," said Mallien, -"so I came with her. She _would_ drag me out, although I didn't want -to tire myself on this hot day." - -"Is the day hot?" inquired the vicar absently. "Flowers. Thank you. -Mrs. Jabber has the key of the church." - -"Is Dorinda here!" questioned Hendle, making for the door with -alacrity; "I must go and see her. Look after Carrington," he called -back as he disappeared, and the vicar shook his head irritably at the -sound of his raised voice. - -Mallien did not obey his cousin's request by making himself agreeable -to the visitor who was thus given into his charge. He stared at -Carrington and Carrington stared at him, while Mr. Leigh droned in an -undertone like a bee over his newly discovered fact of military -occupation. The barrister saw before him a little man, less in height -than himself and considerably stouter, dressed comfortably in a suit -of loosely fitting gray homespun. Mallien's most noticeable point was -the extraordinary quantity of jewelry he wore, which suggested Jewish -blood. And indeed his face with its hooked nose and deeply black eyes -hinted at the Hebrew. His dark hair and dark beard were flecked with -gray, but his fresh, unwrinkled complexion made him appear much -younger than he really was. He did not look at all an amiable person. -And Carrington quite believed that Rupert had spoken truly when he had -hinted at his cousin's misanthropic nature. Here assuredly was Timon -of Athens in modern dress, glaring at the barrister as if he wondered -why he presumed to exist. The man's manner was disagreeable and when -he spoke his speech was pointedly aggressive. - -"I know why you are staring," said Mr. Mallien in abrupt and -unfriendly tone. "Everyone stares in the same way, confound their -insolence. It's my jewelry, isn't it?" - -"Why, yes!" said Carrington, matching this insolence. "You are as -bedizened as a Hindoo idol on its feast day." - -"You speak plainly," growled Mallien with a crushing look. - -"So do you," retorted Carrington, who was not to be crushed. "We are -well matched, it seems." - -"I am older than you and require to be treated politely," snapped the -other. - -"Because everyone has hitherto gone down before your bullying ways, -confound you," replied the barrister, getting in his thrust. "Don't -you find plain speech a refreshing novelty?" - -"Ah! what," Mr. Leigh looked up. "Presently, Mrs. Jabber--presently. I -am not yet hungry. Go away. Oh, Mallien, I beg your pardon! When did -you arrive? Will you stop to luncheon?" - -"And eat the potted tongue your housekeeper has been talking about to -Dorinda?" queried Mallien with grim rudeness. "No thanks. I have more -regard for my stomach." - -The vicar scarcely heard the retort, as he had already returned to the -study of his soiled parchment. - -"Do you know of any spot in the parish where a circumvallation is -discernible, Mr. Mallien?" he said, half to himself. - -"No, sir, I don't. And as I have no aeroplane I can't soar to the -clouds where your wits are at present. I shall take my leave -straightway. Good day;" and he departed forthwith. Carrington, amused -by Mallien's brusque leave-taking, picked up his cap to follow so -judicious an example since the vicar, really being in the clouds, was -unable to attend to chance visitors. "Good day, Mr. Leigh," he said, -moving toward the door; but, no notice being taken, he repeated his -farewell in louder tones. "Good day, Mr. Leigh." - -"Oh, good day, good day, good day," snapped the student irritably. - -Leaving Mr. Leigh murmuring comments, and fumbling amongst the flotsam -and jetsam of the Middle Ages, the barrister walked leisurely along -the book-lined passage, through the book-littered entrance hall and -emerged into the desolation of the surrounding jungle. Rupert and Miss -Mallien were conspicuous by their absence, and the gruff individual -left in charge of Carrington was waiting restlessly. He waved his hand -when the visitor appeared. - -"Did you ever see such a pig sty?" he growled with the voice of an -ourangoutang, which beast he greatly resembled, "and Leigh is exactly -suited to it. As the man is so are his surroundings: his mind is as -muddled as his garden. And this addle-pated parson is supposed to be -the spiritual father of the parish. Pah! Come and look at the lordly -pleasure grounds. Rupert asked me to look after you, so I must, I -suppose. Did you ever see such a rotten place?" he asked -contemptuously. - -"Oh, yes! You are showing me nothing new," replied Carrington, who -took a delight in exasperating the man's temper. - -"I shan't show you anything more," growled Mallien sullenly, "and -after all I'm dashed silly to bother myself in this way." - -"Oh, I don't quite see----Oh!" His face twisted with pain as he spoke. - -"What's the matter with you?" demanded Mallien crossly. - -"Toothache! I have had a twinge or two lately and I expect that this -damp place"--Carrington looked up at the dark overhanging boughs--"has -brought back the pain. I shall have to see a doctor when I go to -town." - -"You can see a doctor here, if you like," said Mallien roughly, and -pushed his way back to the avenue. "Dr. Tollart lives at the end of -the village. Anyone will tell you where he is to be found." - -"Thanks," said the barrister as they paused by the rickety gate. "You -are kinder than you mean to be." - -"I'm not. I want to get rid of you," fumed Mallien, turning on his -heel. "You can go to the doctor or to the devil for all I care." - -Carrington saw the little man vanishing with great speed round the -corner and laughed at the oddity of his character. Then he walked -through the village and soon found Tollart's house. The doctor proved -to be within and speedily gave his patient something to take away the -aching. It was only a makeshift of course, but Carrington was glad -enough to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling. After paying half a -crown he went away leisurely, and by the time he reached the gates of -the park felt much better. - -Strolling up the avenue, Carrington suddenly began to shiver in the -warm sunshine, and was greatly surprised that he should do so. It -seemed unreasonable and certainly was unexpected. - -"Strange," he muttered with a shrug; "now a superstitious person would -say that I was walking over my grave. Pooh!" he laughed, but -nevertheless shivered again. - - - - -CHAPTER III -LOVERS - - -In justice to Handle, it must be said that he by no means intended to -desert his friend, even though the enthralling society of Dorinda -might have proved an excuse for his forgetfulness. But far from -wishing for the barrister's absence, Rupert had left a message with -his future father-in-law, requesting Carrington to see the church, -after taking leave of the vicar. Out of what the Yankees term "sheer -cussedness," Mallien had not delivered the message, and every moment -Hendle expected the appearance of his friend, quite ignorant that -Carrington was already on his way to The Big House. And thinking that -the barrister was being entertained--as one of his cynical character -would be--by Mallien's rudeness and Leigh's quaint ways, the young -Squire forgot all about his old school chum for the time being. This -was very natural, seeing that Dorinda was beside him, and he therefore -had no eyes or ears save for her. - -"Get a can of water," directed Dorinda, as they passed from the -vicarage jungle into the trim slopes of the churchyard, "and bring it -to me as soon as possible. You will find me in the porch arranging the -flowers." - -Readily consenting to this division of labor, the Squire went to find -Mrs. Jabber and the necessary can, while Dorinda, already possessed of -the key, unlocked the great oaken door under the porch. With her arms -filled with roses, she entered into the chill twilight of the little -fane: chill because the thick walls prevented the summer heat from -penetrating into the interior of the building and twilight since -the sunshine was more or less baffled by the stained glass of the -windows. As the girl passed up the central aisle, round her were the -squat Norman pillars, above her loomed the criss-cross rafters of -time-darkened oak, and beneath her feet was the storied pavement -inlaid with many a quaintly lettered brass plate praising the virtues -of the dead in monkish Latin. Before her, under the glorious hues of -the east window, rose the altar, draped in white and gold with single -and triple silver candlesticks glittering on either side of the tall -brass cross. The vases--also silver--were filled with mixed ill-chosen -flowers gathered anyhow and arranged anyhow by Mrs. Jabber, whose eye -was anything but artistic. After breathing a short prayer, Dorinda, -who had left her roses on a convenient seat, took the vases off the -altar and out of the church. Having shaken out the flowers, she -brought her crimson blooms into the porch and sat down on the side -seat to fulfil what was to her a very pleasant duty. Rupert arrived -with the can of water, and the information--obtained from Mrs. -Jabber--that both Mallien and Carrington had gone home. - -"I expect your father forgot to deliver my message," said the Squire, -setting down the green can and taking a seat opposite to the girl. - -"It is more likely that my father never intended to give it," replied -Dorinda with a shrug. - -"Why shouldn't he?" - -"Because it was a reasonable thing to do, and my father is never -reasonable, as you know." - -"Carrington will think me rude." - -"Not if he can see through a brick wall. And from what you have told -me about him, Rupert, I think his eyes are quite keen enough to do so. -There is one thing to be said," observed Miss Mallien, rather piqued -by the barrister's neglect, "that your friend isn't anxious to see -me." - -"On the contrary, he is very eager," Rupert assured her hastily. - -"Does his going back to the Big House look like it?" - -"Ah, I expect he had some delicacy in interrupting our _tête-à-tête_, -Dorinda." - -"There's something in that," replied Miss Mallien, dexterously binding -her bunches of roses loosely together, "and his action speaks well for -him. Perhaps I shall like him better than I expect to, Rupert." - -The Squire looked up in astonishment from his task of brimming the -altar vases with spring water. "Why shouldn't you like him in any -case?" - -"Well," Dorinda placed a bunch of flowers in a vase and put her head -on one side to note the effect, "you say that Mr. Carrington is -cynical, and I don't like cynical people. I have had so much cynicism -from my father that it is impossible to stand more of it from another -person." - -"Oh, it's only a pose with Carrington. He's really a good fellow." - -"If he is, why can't he show that he is? My dear Rupert, I never did -believe in those people, who have hearts of gold and bad manners: who -lend you money with a blow, and with the best intentions bully you -into cheerfulness." - -"What odd things you say, Dorinda," murmured Rupert, not knowing if -she was speaking in earnest or in fun. "Carrington hasn't bad manners -unless his going away without seeing you----" - -"No! No! That may be delicacy," she interrupted swiftly. "I dare say -he's really a nice man, and I shall like him very much. But remember, -dear, that knowing you has raised my standard. I shall expect him to -be very, very nice." - -"Oh, Dorinda, don't put me on a pedestal," said Hendle, at once -dismayed and pleased. "I am a very prosaic person." - -"Then I like prosaic persons." - -"And Carrington is very brilliant," went on Rupert stolidly, as he -tugged at his moustache to induce thoughts for his friend's defense. - -"You are quite brilliant enough for me, my dear boy." She rose -suddenly, and taking his face between her hands kissed him twice. -"There and there. Why are you so exasperatingly modest?" - -"Am I?" asked Rupert, wondering why he had received the caress. - -Dorinda laughed. Indeed, she could do nothing else, since Hendle -was so very literal in his acceptation of her remarks. "You're a -sweet-tempered donkey, my dear," she said lightly. "Now you take those -two vases and I'll take these two. Come along." - -Shortly the altar glowed with the crimson splendor of the roses, and -their delicate fragrance was wafted through the chancel. Then the -lovers left the church and sauntered back to the Vicarage, with the -key for Mrs. Jabber, with offended dignity. - -Miss Mallien was well worth looking at, as she was a gracious and -stately maiden, well fitted to be the mate of the Saxon giant. Dorinda -was as tall for a woman as Rupert was for a man, and carried herself -with the same imposing dignity. Her dark hair and deeply blue eyes -hinted at an Irish strain, and her vivacity was also Hibernian. But to -this fascination, which had to do with the race of the sister isle, -Dorinda added much English common sense, so that her romantic dreams -never overrode her matter-of-fact instincts. She loved her cousin for -his staunch honesty and attractive simplicity of character, since in -these qualities he represented the exact opposite of her father. For -this last-mentioned individual, whom she had the misfortune to call -her parent, Dorinda did not entertain much respect, and hoped by -marrying Rupert to escape from a companionship which was very -disagreeable to her. It was only Hendle's wealth which induced Mallien -to consent to the marriage; but, even had he objected, Dorinda would -have held to her engagement. Rupert was her man of men, and, while he -held her hands and looked at her with grave admiration, she thought -how fortunate she was in securing such a mate. She esteemed his -devotion more than much fine gold. - -"My father will be waiting for me at the cottage," said Dorinda; as -she strolled away again. - -"A little disappointment won't harm him," said Hendle coolly, for he -had not much sympathy with Mallien's selfish nature; "and I want you -to meet Carrington. He leaves for London after dinner, and you won't -meet him again for some time. Say yes." - -"Yes," responded Dorinda, who really felt considerable curiosity -concerning the object of Hendle's Rugby hero worship; "but father will -be cross." - -"I never knew father when he wasn't cross," retorted her lover, as -they resumed their walk and entered the village square. "He's an -infliction. I tell you what, Dorinda, the best thing we can do is to -marry before the roses fade." - -"Oh, Rupert, you are getting quite poetical." - -"Am I?" asked Rupert, surprised. "That's strange, when I don't like -poetry." - -"I must teach you to like it, dear." - -"Hum!" said Rupert, rather at sea, "you mean, I suppose, that we have -much to learn from one another." - -"Something of that sort." - -"You shall do exactly as you like, dear," said her lover, as they came -in sight of the house. "Why, here is Mrs. Beatson." - -A tall, lean woman, with a sour and discontented face and an elegant -figure issued from a side walk with a basket of flowers. Anyone could -see that Hendle's housekeeper was a lady by birth, just as anyone -could see that she was not an amiable woman. She was like Mallien, and -had a tendency to look upon human beings as her mortal enemies, since, -liking luxury, she had never been able to indulge her fancies. Left a -widow with one son, she had taken the post of housekeeper some five -years before Carrington's visit, and on the whole performed her -duties admirably. But, being disappointed in not leading an idle -life with sufficient money to gratify her whims, she always went about -with an aggrieved air. It was only Rupert's kind-heartedness which -permitted her to stay at The Big House, and visitors--Carrington among -them--wondered how he could put up with such a wet blanket. Few people -care to have a kind of Christian martyr at their elbow from morning to -night. - -"How are you, Miss Mallien?" said Mrs. Beatson, greeting Dorinda -stiffly. "I am just gathering flowers for the dinner table. You will -have an early dinner to-night, Mr. Hendle, will you not, as Mr. -Carrington is leaving early?" - -"Yes. I think I told you, Mrs. Beatson. We dine at six-thirty. By the -way, I met Kit in the village; he looks well." - -"He never comes near me to see if he's well or ill," rejoined the -housekeeper bitterly. "He's a bad boy." - -"Oh, no, Mrs. Beatson," chimed in Dorinda. "Kit is a very good boy. We -are all very fond of him." - -"Ah, you don't know him as well as I do," said Mrs. Beatson, shaking -her head sadly. "He is--but I need not tell you, as you will find out -soon enough for yourselves. Excuse me, Mr. Hendle, and you, Miss -Mallien, but I must go in with my flowers. And there is Mr. Carrington -at the drawing-room window." - -With a stiff bow Mrs. Beatson disappeared, while Dorinda shrugged her -shoulders. She never approved of Mrs. Beatson's martyr-like airs, -which were wholly unnecessary, seeing what a comfortable situation she -had. However, there was no time to think about the widow, for -Carrington, slipping out of the front door, came down the terrace -steps. He looked young and handsome and debonair, evidently presenting -his very best side for the inspection of his friend's betrothed. -Indeed, having caught sight of the couple from the drawing-room -window, he had hastened to come out, with the intention of breaking -the ice with the young lady in a light and airy manner. Mr. Carrington -had a great belief in first impressions. - -"I have eaten all the cakes and have drunk all the tea, Hendle," he -said, gaily; "but, had I known that Miss Mallien was to honor the tea -table, I should have restrained my appetite. How do you do, Miss -Mallien? Since Hendle will not introduce me, I must do myself. Behold -a briefless barrister, Dean Carrington by name, who is delighted to -meet you." - -"Thank you," replied Dorinda, shaking hands, and wondering why the man -was so emphatically agreeable. Perhaps a touch of her father's -misanthropy made her suspicious, or perhaps Carrington rather overdid -his welcome. "I am glad to meet you. Rupert has often spoken about -you." - -"I hope he has said nice things," rattled on the barrister, as the -trio returned to the house. "You see, he only remembers what a nice -person I was at Rugby, and it is years since we met. I may have -changed for the worse." - -"I don't see any change in you," replied Hendle, with mild surprise. -"Don't undervalue yourself, Carrington. Why didn't you come on to the -church?" - -"Perhaps you didn't know that we were there," suggested Dorinda. "My -father may have forgotten to deliver Rupert's message." - -"Oh no. The message was delivered right enough, Miss Mallien. But I -have been young myself, and never, never, never spoil sport." - -"You talk as if you were a hundred," remarked Hendle, as they began -the meal. - -"So I am, in experience of the seamy side of life. You, my dear -fellow, are about five years of age. I expect you have found that out, -Miss Mallien. He is the most unsophisticated youth, who has been -wrapped up in cotton wool all his life, knowing disagreeables only -from the newspapers and novels." - -"I think that Rupert is less unsophisticated than you think," replied -Dorinda, a trifle dryly, for she did not admire Carrington's easy tone -of patronage toward her lover. "And why do you say that you expect I -have found that out? I may be unsophisticated also." - -"You are everything that is charming," said Carrington alertly, "but, -having met your father, I think that you are not to be taken in by -people." - -Dorinda colored, knowing well what the keen-witted barrister meant. -However, she endeavored to turn his point by altering slightly a -well-worn quotation. "To know him is a liberal education, I suppose -you mean," she said, lightly. "Don't take my father too seriously, Mr. -Carrington. His bark is worse than his bite." - -"Oh, I am sure of that," replied Carrington, who was sure of nothing -of the sort. "We both barked at one another until the Vicarage jungle -rang. We hope to meet again, Miss Mallien, and renew our contest of -wits. By the way, to go to another subject--the Vicar. What a man, and -what surroundings!" - -"He is quite a character," laughed Dorinda, "but the dearest old man -in the world." - -The conversation continued, mostly in a bantering way, for some time, -and then, tea finished, Rupert proposed to see Dorinda to the gates of -the park. "If you don't mind being left alone, Carrington." - -"Not at all; not at all. Gather ye rosebuds," said the barrister, -lightly; "good day and good-bye until our next happy meeting, Miss -Mallien." - -With a smile which masked her true feelings--for she resented -Carrington's manner; it seemed to her while having tea that he had -attempted to make Rupert look small--Dorinda passed out of the -drawing-room and into the hall. Hendle put on his cap and accompanied -her down the avenue, while the barrister stood at the door and waved a -farewell. But when they were far enough away to prevent seeing or -hearing, his brow grew dark. "Confound that Hendle," he muttered; "he -has all the good things of this world. A fine house; a large income; a -delightful betrothed, and magnificent health. If I were an envious -man--ha!" He drew a long breath, and then turned sharply, as some one -passed through the hall. - -It was Mrs. Beatson, who always had a habit of coming and going in a -ghostly fashion. Carrington was not sure if she had overheard, as he -always was suspicious of people's sharp ears. And he had spoken -somewhat loud. However, if she had been eavesdropping, there was -nothing for it but to risk the chance of her repeating his not very -wise speech to Hendle. However, again, the barrister thought that if -the housekeeper did babble, he would be quite able to deal with such a -fool as the squire. Therefore he gave Mrs. Beatson a bland smile, -which she returned with a sour one, and climbed up the stairs to his -room. - -Meanwhile, at the gate, Hendle was asking Dorinda a question. "I think -you'll find me a dull sort of fellow after Carrington," he said -ruefully. - -"My dear," replied the girl, throwing her arms round his neck. "I -would not exchange you for one hundred and ten Carringtons." - -"You don't like him?" questioned Hendle, greatly surprised. - -"No," answered Miss Mallien, "I don't. He's double-faced. We'll hand -him over to father. He can deal with him," and in spite of Hendle's -objections, she went away repeating her doubts of the brilliant -barrister. - - - - -CHAPTER IV -THE COTTAGE - - -For a widower with one grown-up daughter, Mr. Julius Mallien was very -well off on an income of five hundred a year, for which he did not do -a stroke of work. Like the lilies of the field he toiled not, neither -did he spin, and, if not quite a Solomon-in-all-his-glory, he was -quite comfortable, enjoying some of the luxuries of life as well as -all the necessities. Born lazy and idle, he had never earned a single -penny for himself during the fifty-odd years of his existence. First -he had lived on his father and mother; afterward on his wife. Now that -all three were dead, he managed to exist in a pleasantly easy way on -the accumulated moneys they had left him. His picturesque six-roomed -cottage, standing in a quarter acre of garden on the outskirts of -Barship, was rented from the Squire at twenty pounds a year, yet he -grumbled like an Irish tenant at the exactions of his landlord. -Dorinda, with the aid of one small servant, looked after the house, -and Mallien was quite untroubled with domestic details. His daughter -catered for him in strict accordance with his tastes, wholly setting -her own aside, and from one year to another there was no change in the -economy of the establishment. It therefore came about in quite a -natural manner that Mr. Mallien spent the greater part of his income -on himself. - -"I shall allow you so much for housekeeping and so much to dress on," -he said to Dorinda, when she returned from school to become his -companion, or rather his domestic drudge. "One hundred pounds yearly -must cover all expenses, food, servants, clothes and rent; and if you -exceed that, you'll hear about it." - -As it took Dorinda some time to get used to this scrimping, she -frequently made mistakes, and did hear about it. In fact, she was -scolded so often that she became quite callous to her father's -tempers, and finally, when he went too far, the girl who was not -lacking in spirit, told him what she thought of his selfish conduct. -There was a royal row, in which Dorinda came off best, and when things -were again settled Mallien was careful not to provoke her anger again -more than his disagreeable temper could help. On the whole, father and -daughter got on very well together, but there was little affection -displayed by either of them: on Mallien's part because he hated what -he called sentiment, and on Dorinda's because her egotistical parent -always kept her at arm's length. The boy-and-girl love of Miss Mallien -for her cousin, which had strengthened into the staunch love of man -and woman, was the sole thing which enabled the girl to endure the -drab existence at The Cottage. It was always something to look forward -to that one day she would become Rupert's wife, and then would be quit -forever of her father's uncomfortable whims. - -Not that Mallien gave his daughter much of his society. His hobby was -jewel collecting, and Dorinda took no interest in such things. For a -woman, she was inexplicably indifferent to gems, and lace, and clothes -and amusement, so that her father voted her a bore and went his own -way. In his particular room--which was the most comfortable in the -cottage--he remained, constantly arranging and polishing and admiring -the precious stones in their many mahogany cases. Not being rich, his -collection was necessarily a small one, although every jewel -represented a bargain and had a history attached to it. But Mallien -was always lamenting that he could not purchase historic gems, and -envied the long purse of his cousin, the young Squire. However, he -hoped to draw upon this when Dorinda became Mrs. Hendle, as Rupert had -promised to double his income to make up for the loss of the girl. She -objected. - -"I feel as if father was selling me," she told Rupert when matters -were settled on this basis. "He won't feel my being away a bit, except -that he will miss his favorite dishes and the way in which I manage to -make both ends meet. You shouldn't have agreed, Rupert." - -"My dear," said her lover, with much common sense. "I think it is -cheap at the price, to get rid of such a disagreeable man. What I give -your father will enable him to indulge more freely in his expensive -hobby; consequently, he will leave us alone." - -"No, he won't," contradicted Dorinda, who knew her father's -persistence. "When he hears of some particularly rare jewel, he will -come and bother you for money to buy it." - -"He won't get it," retorted Rupert, dryly. "I can be quite as -obstinate as your father. With what he has, he will have one thousand -a year, so he must do the best he can with that. I am doing my best to -settle things fairly and peacefully, but if your father wants trouble, -I am not the man to deny him any in reason." - -Dorinda laughed and gave way, although she still resented her father -making money out of her marriage. But Mallien, being one of those men -who is a curse to himself and to everyone around him, could not be -treated in any other way, and could make himself very disagreeable -when on his mettle. Besides, Dorinda knowing what Rupert's temper was -when aroused, dreaded lest there should be an open quarrel. Mallien -would certainly have come off worst in any encounter; but, as he was -her father, she did not wish for such a _contretemps_. She and Rupert -had been engaged for two years when Carrington came down to Barship, -and hitherto all had gone smoothly. But a few days after the -barrister's departure, Mallien began to make himself unpleasant. "I -don't see why Rupert can't marry you next month," he said, fretfully, -one morning at breakfast. "You've been engaged long enough." - -"So we both think," replied Dorinda, who was pouring out the coffee, -looking particularly fresh and charming in a white linen frock. "But -you have always objected, you know." - -"I don't wish to lose my daughter," growled the misanthrope, clutching -at his black beard and scowling. - -"That is very sweet of you, father, but you mustn't sacrifice five -hundred a year for my society." - -"What do you mean by that, you minx?" - -"Is it so hard to understand?" asked Dorinda coolly. - -"It's not what a daughter should say to a father." - -"Well, you see, so much depends upon the sort of father one says it -to." - -"Honor your father and your mother," quoted Mallien, crossly. - -"Parents, be mindful of your children," retorted the girl. "Oh, I can -match you, quotation for quotation, if you like, father; I have been -exercising my memory in this respect when talking to Mr. Carrington." - -"Carrington! Carrington. I forbid you to mention his name. I have -already given you my opinion of that impertinent pig----" - -"Frequently," interpolated Dorinda crisply. - -"----And I won't allow him to be spoken of. You have just mentioned -the reason why I think you should get married straightway." - -Dorinda set down the marmalade with surprise. "What can Mr. Carrington -have to do with our marriage?" she inquired, staring. - -Mallien wriggled. "Rupert's a fool to bring the fellow down here," he -burst out furiously. "He's a sponge, and a son of the horse-leech, who -will get all the money he can from Rupert." - -"I don't see why you should say that," protested the girl. "Mr. -Carrington did not give me that impression." - -"Well, he gave it to me," grumbled her father, eating sullenly; "and -if you allow him to get hold of Rupert--who is a fool, as I said -before--your marriage will be indefinitely postponed. I won't have it; -I won't have it, I tell you," cried the stout little man, jumping up -in a fine rage. "If Rupert's money should be given to anyone, it -should be given to me." - -"Well, as soon as I am Rupert's wife, you will have five hundred a -year," said Dorinda soothingly. - -"What's five hundred a year?" said Mallien, contemptuously. "I want -the whole four thousand. There's a blue sapphire in Paris I wish to -get hold of." - -Dorinda shrugged her shoulders calmly, being quite used to her -father's explosive nature. "You can't expect Rupert to give you all -his income," she observed in measured tones. "He is paying a good -price for me, seeing that I go to him without a dowry." - -"You shall have my jewels and my income when I die," growled her -father, as he sat down again. "Any money he gives me, comes back to -you. But if Rupert was to die----" - -"Father!" Dorinda uttered a startled cry of pain. - -"There! There!" snarled Mallien testily. "I don't mean that he is -going to die, you silly girl. But he's mortal and _may_ die." - -"God forbid! But if he did----" she hesitated, then uttered the word -faintly, "--die?" - -"Then I would have The Big House and the four thousand a year," said -Mallien brutally. "You seem to forget that we are both descended from -John Hendle, who died in the Waterloo year." - -"I have never given a thought to it," said Dorinda uneasily, as she -did not approve of her father starting this hare. - -"Well, you ought to think of it. We descend from the elder son of John -Hendle, and are the older branch." - -"But Rupert descends through the male line, while we come through the -female, father," protested the girl, puzzled by this genealogical -conversation. - -"Pooh! Pooh! There's no entail. Don't look so astonished, Dorinda; I -don't mean to say that I have any claim, though, if everyone had their -rights, we should be at The Big House and Rupert in his beastly -cottage. There would be no need for you to marry him then." - -Dorinda rose with great dignity. "I marry Rupert because I love him, -and if he was a pauper, I should still love him." - -"Oh, you could love him as much as you like," said her father, -carelessly, "but if he were really a pauper, you shouldn't marry him. -I'd see to that." - -Dorinda walked round the table and bent over her father with a look on -her face which made him push back his chair. "You would see to -nothing," she said, very distinctly, and bringing her face close to -that of Mallien. "It is my will and pleasure to marry Rupert, and -nothing you can say or do will prevent my becoming his wife. You -understand?" - -"Who said anything otherwise," growled Mallien savagely, yet -retreating dexterously. "As things stand, I am willing you should -marry him. And, as you talk to me in that way, the sooner you become -his wife and leave me alone the better it will be. Marry to-morrow if -you like." - -"I see," said Dorinda, whose face was perfectly colorless. "You want -the extra five hundred a year to buy this blue sapphire you speak of." - -"Partly. But I also want you to marry Rupert before Carrington--the -beast--squeezes him like a lemon." - -"There is no chance of any squeezing," said Dorinda coldly. "Rupert is -quite capable of looking after himself, even if Mr. Carrington were -after his money, which I see no reason to think that he is." - -"I do! Carrington's a man on the market, if you know what that means." - -"I don't. What does it mean?" - -"One who lives from hand to mouth; one who is always on the make; one -who doesn't mind what he does so long as he can extract a fiver. -Rupert's a fool, and Carrington isn't. There, you have my opinion in a -nutshell." - -"I think you are making a great fuss over nothing, father," said -Dorinda, with disdain. "But I am glad that Mr. Carrington's visit is -likely to hasten our marriage. We can get married next month, and then -you can buy the sapphire when we are on our honeymoon." - -"Sensible girl!" Mallien stood up and wiped his bearded mouth. "Well, -now that we understand one another----?" - -"Do we understand one another?" asked Dorinda, irritated by the whole -unnecessary conversation. - -"Yes!" replied her father, tartly. "I have given my consent to your -marriage taking place at an early date----" - -"Because you want the five hundred a year to buy the blue sapphire." - -"Don't be silly. And I have warned you against letting that -flipperty-flap Carrington gain too much influence over Rupert." - -"A quite unnecessary warning," said the girl, coldly. "You don't like -Mr. Carrington, because he held his own against you." - -"Insolent beast!" growled Mallien, bristling. "And I think you said -that you did not like him yourself." - -"I said that I did not trust him; but he is amusing enough to like as -a companion for all that." - -"You'll find him very amusing when he rifles Rupert's pockets," -sneered the gentle parent, fuming at her opposition. - -"I don't think that there is the least chance of his doing that, as -Rupert--I said this before--is well able to look after himself. -Besides, you have no grounds for saying that Mr. Carrington is a -scamp." - -"A look is enough for me." - -"It's not enough to take away a man's character. And this talk of our -being descended from John Hendle? What do you mean by that?" - -"I don't mean anything particular," responded Mallien, honestly -enough. "It was Leigh who put it into my head." - -"The vicar. And what does he know of our family history?" - -"Much more than we do. He has been scrambling through the papers in -the Muniment Room at The Big House." - -"Well, Rupert gave him permission to look out any documents likely to -prove necessary for writing the history of the parish. You know he is -writing a book." - -Mallien nodded. "He found letters, written by John Hendle, which -showed how much our ancestor regretted that the estates should go to -Frederick Hendle." - -"That is the younger son from whom Rupert is descended?" - -"Exactly. He was a bad lot apparently, Leigh says. Walter, who was the -eldest son and our progenitor, was killed in the Battle of Waterloo, -and he seems to have been the old man's favorite. If Walter had lived, -we should have inherited The Big House and the estates." - -"Well, father," answered Dorinda with a shrug; "Walter didn't live, -and we did not inherit the estates, so I don't see what is the use of -talking." - -"I didn't say that there was any use," retorted Mallien crossly, "only -I thought that the piece of family history discovered by Mr. Leigh -might interest you." - -"It does in a way. But, after all, these family troubles happened -nearly one hundred years ago." Dorinda was looking out of the window -as she made this remark, and broke off suddenly. "Strange!" she said, -staring into the garden. - -"What is strange?" - -"That we should have been talking of Mr. Leigh, for here he is with -Titus Ark as his shadow, as usual. I wonder why he always has Titus at -his heels?" - -"It's a very necessary precaution," said Mallien, grimly; "otherwise, -Leigh is so absent-minded that he would get lost. Leigh has only come -to look again at that Yucatan diary, which my father left me." - -"Does he want to see it?" asked Dorinda, forgetting that Leigh had -seen the diary before. - -"Yes. Your grandfather, as you know, was something of an explorer, and -searched for hidden treasure among the buried cities of Central -America. I was telling Leigh about the diary, and he wants to have -another look at it," Mallien chuckled. "I shouldn't wonder if the old -man wanted to go to Yucatan himself, since he is cracked on old -buildings." - -By this time, the vicar was knocking at the door, and Titus Ark was -staring sourly round the garden. He was the sexton and the vicar's -shadow, a dour ancient, who said little and thought much. Dorinda, not -wishing to see the vicar, who rather bored her with his archeological -discourses, went into the kitchen to attend to her domestic duties, -while her father opened the front door to receive his visitors in his -usual ungracious manner. - -"What on earth brings you here, vicar?" he demanded brusquely, -although he had just explained to his daughter why the visit had been -made; "and why do you always have that old ass at your heels, Mr. -Simon Leigh, parson of Barship Parish, God help the people?" grumbled -Mallien, as he pushed his visitor into a chair and banged the door. - -"Titus," said Leigh in his precise tones. "Oh, we were boys -together--that is, he was a young man when I was a boy. Poor fellow, -his generation lies under the ground, so I take him about to comfort -him with talk about old times. He quite brightens up when we have our -talks and walks." - -"I'd brighten him if I had the power," growled the gracious host. "He -ought to be under the turf with his confounded generation, or in the -workhouse. I don't see any use for such a stiff-jointed old skeleton -being above ground." - -"He is eighty," said Mr. Leigh, placidly. "Great age. A comfortable -room this, Mr. Mallien; there is something of the sybarite about you." - -"Don't call names, vicar. The room is less like a pig sty than yours, -and that is the best to be said about it." - -"I often wonder, Mr. Mallien, that with your bringing up, you have not -learned better manners," said Leigh, putting on his pince-nez and -blinking. "You are certainly a most ill-conducted person. You should -marry, and see if the softening influence of the feminine nature----" - -Mallien turned from a cupboard of black oak, in which he was -rummaging, and answered viciously. "I have been married." - -"Dear me," mused the vicar, as if aware of this for the first time, -"so you have been. And how is Miss Dorinda?" - -"I believe his wits are going," grumbled Mallien to himself: then -raised his voice. "She's busy, and can't waste her time in seeing you. -Here"--he flung a heavy sheaf of papers on the table--"this is the -diary kept by my silly father when he was treasure hunting in Yucatan. -Old fool, he got nothing but rheumatism. If he'd found gold and -jewels, there would have been some sense in his explorations. Don't -you think so? don't you think so? don't you? Oh, hang you, vicar; one -might as well call the dead." - -Leigh nodded absently, for the sound rather than the sense of this -polite speech had reached him. Already he had opened the manuscript -diary at random and, with his nose close to the pages, was pouring -over the faded writing. Mr. Mallien growled as usual, and walked -across to the mantelpiece to pick up his pipe for a morning smoke. -When blue clouds made a haze round the eagerly reading parson, Mr. -Mallien brought out a handful of precious stones of little value from -his trousers pocket, and began to fiddle with them, after his ordinary -fashion. He strewed ruby and emerald and moonstone about the table, -where a shaft of sunlight struck across the room, and watched the many -colored sparkles, emitted by the tiny gems. Leigh, taking no notice, -turned over page after page with great interest. After a long while he -grunted and spoke, maliciously anxious to spoil the scholar's pleasure -if he could. - -"Dull stuff my father wrote, didn't he?" - -"Dear me, Mr. Mallien, are you there? Dull stuff. Oh, dear me, no. -Most interesting. These Maya buildings are quite fascinating, and the -manuscripts he discovered, and the stone carvings, and the -hieroglyphics, similar to those of Egypt. Yes," went on the vicar -dreamily, "I must go there." - -"Go there; go to Yucatan," cried Mallien, staring; "an old buffer like -you?" - -"Yes, sir," said the vicar with dignity. "For quite a year since you -mentioned the diary of your father, it has been in my mind to fit out -an expedition to so interesting a place." - -"How can you fit out an expedition on your income?" - -"Money. Ah yes, I shall require money, of course." - -"And a jolly lot, too. Expeditions are not fitted out for nothing." - -"I believe not," murmured Mr. Leigh, again dipping into the -manuscript. "Well, well, the money will be forthcoming." - -"Who will give it to you?" asked Mallien contemptuously. - -"I thought that Rupert----?" - -"Pooh! You might as well try and get blood out of a stone, Mr. Leigh. -And why the dickens should he give you money to go on a wild-goose -chase? Rupert is a wise man, and keeps his cash in his pocket, as I'd -do if I had his income." - -"Would you not give me the money if you had four thousand a year?" -asked the vicar, with an extraordinarily keen look. - -Mallien stared, quite unable to speak, so indignant was he at the -audacity of the parson. "Give it to you?" he burst out. "I'd give it -to nobody." - -"Ah, then I hope you'll never get money," said Mr. Leigh, placidly, -"you would make bad use of it." - -"I would," retorted the gracious host, "if I gave it to you to make -ducks and drakes of in expeditions. You can be buried less expensively -in England than in Yucatan, believe me." - -"I have no idea of being buried anywhere," said the vicar with -dignity, and yet with a scared look which puzzled Mallien. "I am old, -it is true, but my health is good and I live a reasonable life." - -"You wouldn't if you went exploring Yucatan," retorted the other. - -"I would take the risk of that, Mr. Mallien. The place is so -interesting"--his nose was glued to the manuscript again--"that I -really must raise the money and go. I have plans--oh yes, I have plans -to get it." - -"You won't from Rupert." - -"Nor from you, apparently," said Leigh, who appeared to be much -more alert than usual, "but I prefer Rupert's youth to your avaricious -age. However, I shall come again and resume my reading of this -manuscript--unless you will let me take it away." - -"I'll do nothing of the kind, nor help your expedition," said Mallien -grimly, "nor even give you the rubbish my father wrote." - -"Rubbish," cried the parson indignantly; "that diary is worth all the -property which John Hendle left to the son he didn't love. Well! Well, -it's a case of pearls before swine," and, paying back Mallien in his -own coin, by making this remark, the vicar departed with his shadow at -his heels. - -"Old fool," commented Mallien; "but I wish John Hendle had made that -will." - - - - -CHAPTER V -A REVELATION - - -It was with joy and relief that Dorinda communicated her father's -decision to Rupert, and he was as pleased as she was at the prospect -of their speedy marriage. Hitherto Mallien, not wishing to make -himself uncomfortable by losing his housekeeper--which Dorinda really -was--had always objected to the performance of the ceremony. Certainly -he gained five hundred a year when the two became one; but, during the -twenty-four months of the official engagement, this fond parent had -not been in particular want of money, and in any case had always -borrowed what small sums he required from his liberal-minded cousin, -at intervals. But now his heart was set upon purchasing the blue -sapphire which he had mentioned to Dorinda, and it was not likely that -Rupert would give him the price of that. Therefore, to get his new -income assured, he allowed the young couple to have their own way. -Also--and this had a good deal to do with the granted permission--he -really dreaded lest Carrington should obtain any influence over the -young Squire, and thought that the gaining of such could best be -prevented by giving Rupert his desire. With Dorinda beside him, it was -unlikely that Hendle would allow Carrington to draw on his purse. - -Seeing that Miss Mallien had a small opinion of her father, and spoke -to him pretty freely on subjects of dispute between them, it seemed -strange that she should have laid such stress on obtaining his consent -to the marriage. But Dorinda, considering that her father was her -father, in spite of his unamiable nature, wished him to exercise this -last act of paternal authority. She would not have been happy had she -provoked a quarrel by going contrary to his views, and so had waited -until he thought fit to issue his commands. Had Mallien, indeed, -wholly forbidden the marriage taking place, Dorinda would have -rebelled, but she gave way on the minor point of an unusually long -engagement. She saw Rupert almost daily; they understood one another -thoroughly, and, as both were young, there was no particular hurry. -Nevertheless, the girl was pleased at the lordly permission of her -irritating parent, and set about her preparations straightway. It was -now July, and after a conversation with Rupert, it was decided that -the Rev. Simon Leigh should make them man and wife toward the end of -August. And Dorinda confessed to her future husband, that she would be -glad to escape from the constant society of her father, who of late -had been unusually trying. On his side, Rupert was extremely glad to -get the dearest girl in the world all to himself. So the important -matter was settled, and Hendle returned to The Big House very -contented with the world in general and with himself in particular. - -In his delight he called in Mrs. Beatson to the library to inform her -of his intended change of life, although he rather dreaded the woeful -looks and sad words with which she would receive his communication. -Mrs. Beatson made her appearance, looking more like a Christian martyr -than ever, but assumed her most gracious and lady-like manner to hear -what her young master had to say. She greatly resembled that painfully -well-bred gentlewoman, Mrs. Sparsit, in Dickens' story, and, like her, -was a housekeeper very much against her will. - -"Wish me joy, Mrs. Beatson," said Rupert gaily, when the martyr made -her sour appearance. "I am going to be married." - -"So I have understood for two years, Mr. Hendle." - -"Quite so. I have been engaged to Miss Mallien for quite that time. -But we are to be married toward the end of next month." - -"Indeed!" Mrs. Beatson looked dismayed. "Isn't that rather sudden?" - -"Sudden!" Rupert swung round his chair and looked puzzled. "How can it -be sudden after my being engaged for twenty-four months?" - -"I only mean, Mr. Hendle, that I should have thought it necessary for -you to consider the matter carefully for six months before fixing the -day. Marriage, Mr. Hendle, is a serious matter." - -"It is a very delightful matter, Mrs. Beatson, considering who the -lady is." - -"Ah!" Mrs. Beatson crossed her hands and cast up her eyes with a -melancholy expression, "so we all say until we are married. I suppose, -Mr. Hendle, you intend to give me notice?" - -"Indeed, I intend to give you nothing of the sort," said Rupert -bluffly. "All the difference will be that my wife will give you orders -instead of me." - -Mrs. Beatson looked as though this would make a very great difference -indeed, as she much preferred to have a master than a mistress. All -the same, she looked relieved when she learned that her situation was -not in danger. "I am glad to stay on, Mr. Hendle," she said, with the -air of making a concession. "I look on The Big House as in some sense -my home." - -"That's all right. Continue to look upon it as your home, until Kit -marries Miss Tollart and you go to live with them." - -"Pardon me, Mr. Hendle," said Mrs. Beatson with icy scorn; "but you -little know my nature when you suggest such a thing. I don't approve -of Sophy Tollart, whose views regarding our sex are anything but -pacific. Besides, young people rarely take the advice of those who are -older and wiser than they are; consequently, it is best for them to -live by themselves. Would you like Mr. Mallien to dwell at The Big -House when you wed with his daughter?" - -"Good Lord, no," replied Hendle hastily. "It is the last thing either -I or Miss Mallien would desire. We can manage our own affairs." - -"So you think, Mr. Hendle; but the mistakes you will make will be -endless." - -"Nonsense, I am not a fool, and Miss Mallien has plenty of good -sense." - -"Sense isn't experience," lamented Mrs. Beatson, shaking her head and -smiling in a most dreary manner. "However, I am no prophetess of evil, -and wish you and Miss Mallien well. But mistakes you will make, say -what you will, and sorrow will come to you as it comes to all." - -"There! There! Don't croak any more, Mrs. Beatson." - -"Me croak," repeated the lady in surprise. "Why, I am trying to look -on the bright side of things, for whatever you may say there is always -a black side." - -"Well, well," observed Rupert testily, for her words and manner -irritated his usually steady nerves. "We'll wait and see what happens. -Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you, is a very good -proverb." - -"I annoy you by speaking the truth," remarked the good lady with a -superior smile. "Ah, that is always the way with the young, sir. -However, you have only to say the word and I go." - -"I don't want you to go." - -"You may not, Mr. Hendle, but Miss Mallien will." - -"Not at all. She is quite willing that you should stay." - -"So she says, but I have my doubts;" and Mrs. Beatson groaned, being -quite sure in her own mind that Dorinda wished to turn her out to die -by the wayside. "However, this is a world of sorrow, and when I am -starved to death, perhaps you may be sorry for your harsh treatment." - -"Wait until the harsh treatment takes place," retorted Rupert, who -would have liked to shake her into common sense. "Meanwhile, I have -told you of my intention to get married next month." - -"There's many a slip between the cup and the lip," said Mrs. Beatson, -mysteriously; "but the less talked about is the soonest forgotten." -After which cryptic speech she drifted toward the door, as if her legs -were taking her in a direction contrary to that expressed by her will. -"The Rev. Mr. Leigh is in the Muniment Room, Mr. Hendle," she said, -pausing on the threshold, "and expressed a wish to see you." - -"You might ask him to stay to dinner," said Rupert, glancing at his -watch. - -Mrs. Beatson departed firmly convinced that her master really intended -to dismiss her and had only broken the ice with his information about -the marriage, so that she might be prepared to be turned out to die. -With this in her mind, she hovered uneasily about the dining-room and -drawing-room both before and after dinner, in the hope of catching -some stray word, which might reveal Rupert's expected treachery. - -Meanwhile Rupert, after a hearty laugh at Mrs. Beatson's cheerful -manner of looking at the future, went upstairs to dress for dinner. - -"Hang Mrs. Beatson," he thought, when he descended to the -drawing-room. "I do wish she would keep her dismals to herself. She's -about as cheerful as tombs, and not at all the person to have in the -house of a young married couple," and from this mental speech it may -be guessed that the dreary old lady was within an ace of being -dismissed, as she dreaded, although such an idea had never entered her -master's mind until she began her wailing. - -Mr. Leigh, who had brushed and washed at Mrs. Beatson's request, for -he was dusty and grimy after his work in the Muniment Room, was -wandering about the big drawing-room, peering at pictures and statues -and old silver through his pince-nez. He turned to greet Rupert in his -usual mild absent-minded way, when the young Squire, smartly groomed -and eminently handsome, entered. - -"Quite Greek," murmured the vicar, balancing himself on his toes and -with his hands behind his back. "I must say that your looks are in -your favor, Rupert. For the well-being of the race you should marry -and beget children." - -"Well, I am going to," said Hendle, used to the vicar's eccentric -speeches. "I make Dorinda my wife next month." - -"Oh, indeed," said Mr. Leigh alertly. "Dorinda is a very desirable -damsel. I hope you will be happy." - -"You seem to have your doubts, from the tone you use," remarked Rupert -dryly. - -Mr. Leigh shook his head. "Life has its troubles," he observed -sententiously. - -"For heaven's sake, vicar, don't croak. I have had enough of that from -Mrs. Beatson," a remark which the housekeeper, hovering outside the -door, overheard and registered in her mind as a bad omen for her -future continuance at The Big House. "I beg your pardon," went on the -Squire, rather ashamed of his momentary irritability, "but I do wish -people would look on marriage as marriage and not as a funeral." - -"Of course, of course," ruminated Mr. Leigh. "One is always sure of a -funeral, though not of a marriage." - -"Vicar!" burst out the young man, much vexed at this persistent -lamentation, "you are--well." He linked his arm in that of Mr. Leigh, -knowing it was useless to argue, "you are hungry and there's the -gong." - -"Am I hungry?" Mr. Leigh asked, when he was being conducted into the -dining-room. "Really I believe I am. For three or four hours I have -been busy in the Muniment Room." - -"I wonder you don't grow tired of fumbling amongst those dusty -parchments." - -"No! No! No! They are most interesting. Yet," went on the vicar, as he -spread his napkin across his spare knees. "I may have to postpone my -history of Barship Parish after all--until I return from Yucatan, that -is." - -"Yucatan!" Rupert nodded to the butler that he should fill Mr. Leigh's -glass with sherry, for the vicar was too absent-minded to give the -order. "Where is Yucatan?" - -Mr. Leigh devoted his attention to the soup, and then looked up -dreamily. "Yucatan," he repeated. "Dear me, Rupert, your geographical -knowledge is limited." - -"I never was a particularly good scholar," said the squire -apologetically, "and Yucatan is some out-of-the-way place, I take it." - -"It is in Central America, and is concerned with the Maya -civilization." - -"Oh, now I know what you are talking about. You refer to that diary of -old Frank Mallien, which his son has. Dorinda told me that you went -occasionally to see it at my cousin's cottage." - -"Yes," said Mr. Leigh, more wide awake than usual; "and, although I -have been many times for the last year, Mallien always tells me over -again that it is his father's manuscript when he explored Central -America. He thinks that I am wanting in common sense, I fancy. But I -let him talk on rudely, as he does talk, Rupert. After all, the diary -is so interesting, that Mallien's brusque manners are well worth -putting up with for the sake of my acquiring the information it -contains." - -"What does it contain?" asked Rupert, more for the sake of promoting -conversation than because he cared. - -"An account of a dead and gone civilization," said the vicar in a -dreamy tone, and scarcely knowing that fish had been placed before -him. "Tombs, cities, stone carvings and manuscripts, deposited with -mummies. Yes, there certainly must have been some communication -between Yucatan and Egypt. Le Plongue says--dear me, I forget what he -does say. However, I can see into the matter for myself when I go -there." - -"Go to Yucatan--to Central America," said Hendle staring. "Why, at -your age, it is dangerous to attempt such an expedition." - -Mr. Leigh only caught the last word. "Expedition! Yes! It will be -costly, as Mallien, in his rude way, observed. But I have arranged how -to get the money, Rupert. A thousand pounds--perhaps more. Really I am -not sure what it will cost. But we can arrange the sum later." - -"We?" Rupert stared harder than ever. - -"You and I," said Leigh placidly. "After all, I am glad you have the -money and not Mallien, as you are more likely to do what I want than -he is. A dour man, grasping and avaricious." - -Rupert glanced at the butler and the footman. "I don't quite -understand," he said, in a puzzled way. "Perhaps you will explain." - -In his turn Leigh, following Hendle's eyes, glanced at the servants. -"When we are alone I can tell you all about it over our coffee." - -More bewildered than ever and, in a vague way, sensing danger, Rupert -would have asked for an explanation. But the servants being present, -he decided to wait until he was alone with his erratic friend. -Therefore the conversation passed on to other subjects connected with -Mr. Leigh's discoveries in the Muniment Room, of various documents -connected with the behavior of dead and buried Hendles toward the -parish. Rupert said very little. What with Mrs. Beatson's gloom and -the vicar's cryptic utterances, he felt as though some storm were -approaching, and was anxious for the meal to end, so that he could go -to the root of the matter. All the same, he laughed at himself for -entertaining such a wild fancy. There was no quarter of the heavens -from which any storm, big or little, could blow, as all was serene and -bright. And, as Hendle happened to be one of those very material -persons who only believe in what can be seen, heard or touched, he -scouted the idea of any premonition heralding any possible evil. Yet -the premonition was in his consciousness sure enough, and the young -man, prosaic as ever, put it down to indigestion. A weaker explanation -considering his splendid health can scarcely be imagined. - -When the dinner was over, Mr. Leigh, who had contented himself with a -single glass of port wine to round off the entertainment, rose more -briskly than usual, and announced his wish to go. - -"You must not mind my speedy departure, Rupert," he said, slipping his -pince-nez into his waistcoat pocket; "but I have much work to do in -connection with my proposed expedition. I hope Titus Ark is waiting to -accompany me home. I told him to call for me about half-past six." - -"Ark is waiting in the kitchen," said Rupert, after a quiet word with -the pompous butler. "He came at six and has stayed on. There is no -hurry for you to go, Mr. Leigh. Remember you have something to tell -me," and Hendle, taking the old man's arm, led him gently but firmly -into the drawing room. - -"Something to tell you," repeated the vicar puzzled; then suddenly his -face cleared. "Oh, dear me, yes; how fortunate you reminded me, -Rupert. It has to do with John Hendle." - -"John Hendle. Do you mean my great-great-grandfather----" - -"Who died in the Waterloo year. Yes, I do. When we are alone,"--Mr. -Leigh broke off and glanced meaningly at the footman who was bringing -in the coffee. "It is lucky you reminded me," he ended aimlessly, -"very lucky. My expedition, ah yes, this hangs on that and that on -this." - -"What on earth are you talking about?" questioned Hendle, much vexed -at all this unnecessary mystery. "Sit down and drink your coffee and -tell me all about it. You don't smoke, I know, but I shall." - -"Certainly, certainly," murmured Leigh vaguely, "of course, your -marriage with your cousin will bring together the two branches of the -family. That, in the long run, will put things right." - -"Put what things right?" - -"Money matters." - -Hendle echoed the word and stared. "I wish you would talk plainly," he -said, with some irritation. - -"Oh, certainly. I am rather apt to wander in worldly matters." Leigh -cleared his throat and sat up briskly with all his wits about him for -once in his dreamy life. "Mallien is descended from Walter Hendle, and -you from Frederick Hendle, their father John being your common -ancestor." - -"Yes, that is so. But Mallien descends through the female line, -although he is the elder branch of the family." - -"There is no entail?" - -"No. If there was, it would be in my favor, as I descend through the -male heirs. But what does all this mean?" - -"I shall tell you if you will allow me to collect my thoughts. While -searching in the Muniment Room, Rupert, I came across letters of John -Hendle, which show that he loved his elder son Walter and greatly -disliked his younger son Frederick. Walter was a brave man, who fought -for his country and who died at Waterloo. Frederick, as the letters -say, was a scamp--what in those days was known as a blood. Reckless, -extravagant and evil, he alienated his father's affections, and John -Hendle desired to disinherit him." - -"It is the first time I have heard of Frederick's iniquity," said -Rupert with a shrug, "and I see little use in raking up the evil done -by a man who lived about one hundred years ago." - -Leigh took no notice of this observation. "John desired that his -granddaughter Eunice, the child of his favorite son Walter, should -inherit. As the property was entirely at his own disposal, he made a -will in her favor." - -Rupert jumped up so suddenly that he upset his coffee. "What?" - -"Pray don't act in so excitable a manner, Rupert," protested the -vicar, raising his thin hand. "You irritate my nerves." - -"But--but--what you say--oh, it's absurd," stammered the Squire. -"There was never any question about Frederick's inheriting the -property. I don't know much about the matter, as the thing didn't -interest me. But, if Frederick inherited wrongly, surely the question -would have been raised before." - -"How could it be when the will in favor of Eunice was missing?" - -"Missing?" - -"Yes. John made the will and apparently died suddenly before he could -make it public. I found it," said Mr. Leigh slowly, "in the chest." - -"In the Muniment Room?" - -"Yes. It is a will drawn up quite legally on parchment as was the case -in those days, although I don't think wills are drawn up now on----" - -"Oh, never mind these minor points," broke in Rupert hastily. "You say -that you found a will, made by John Hendle, leaving the property to -Eunice, from whom my cousin Mallien is descended?" - -"I did. Some weeks ago I came across the document. But I did not say -anything until I ascertained for myself as to which of you two was the -right person to have the money. I am inclined to think that you had -better keep it, Rupert, since Mallien is so avaricious, and will not -help anyone--not even me, when I desire money for my expedition to -forward the cause of science." - -"If this will is in order," said Rupert, rising to pace the long room, -and feeling painfully agitated. "Mallien should have the property." - -"I fear so; I fear so," murmured the vicar uncomfortably. "The same -leaves the property unreservedly to his grandmother Eunice. I have not -told Mallien, who would undoubtedly contest your right to the estates, -as I do not consider him a fit and proper person to have much money." - -"Right is right," said Hendle, whose face was pale and whose lips were -dry. "If Mallien is the rightful heir, he must be placed in -possession. But all this may be a mistake on your part. Where is the -will?" - -Mr. Leigh looked nervous and distressed. "Dear me, Rupert, I am afraid -I have mislaid it. I took it home to study it at my convenience, so as -to make sure that it really gave the property to Eunice. I did examine -it, and became quite positive that Mallien is the rightful heir. Then, -somehow--you know how absent-minded I am--I laid it aside and since -have not been able to find it. I have searched without result." - -"You should have given it to me at once," said Hendle, severely. - -"But, my dear boy, I had your interest at heart," protested the vicar, -wiping his forehead. "I know how quixotic you are, and guessed that -you would give the property to Mallien without demur, if the will was -correct, which I fear it is. For your own sake I took time to consider -the discovery I had made." - -"You must find the will at once," commanded Rupert manfully, "and it -must be submitted to the lawyers. If Mallien is the heir, Mallien gets -the money." - -Mr. Leigh rose, much agitated. "I don't think he should get it, -Rupert. He is a greedy man, who would only hoard up gold and make a -bad use of newly acquired wealth. I tell you he declined to help me to -fit out my expedition. I know you will, so you ought to keep the -money." - -"How can you advise me to be so dishonest," cried the Squire, -indignantly, "you who are a clergyman of the Church of England?" - -"I have the greater sense of right from being so," rejoined the vicar, -quite tartly for so amiable a man. "And when I remember that you and -yours have enjoyed the property for one hundred years, it seems -ridiculous to hand it over to another man." - -"Who belongs to the elder branch, remember," said Rupert swiftly. "And -who is, according to your reading of this newly discovered will, the -rightful heir." He took a turn up and down the room, then stopped to -face the vicar who was fidgeting on the hearth rug. "You must turn -your house upside down to find the will, Mr. Leigh, and it must be -handed over to our family lawyers, so that Mallien may be placed in -possession of the property forthwith." - -"Rupert, I implore you not to act hastily or foolishly. Say nothing -about this belated testament, which will do Mallien more harm than -good considering his greedy and misanthropic nature. I will look for -it and will give it to you. Throw it into the chest again." - -"No! no! no! I would never have a moment's peace if I did that. I know -that Mallien is not the man to have too much money, but I can't help -that. If he is the rightful heir, he must enter into his kingdom. -Besides, if I marry Dorinda, the property will come back to me, -representing the younger branch." - -"If Mallien gets the property," said Mr. Leigh deliberately, "he will -not allow you to marry Dorinda." - -"I can trust her," said Rupert curtly. - -"Quite so. But you will have no money to marry her, and Mallien will -cut her off with a shilling. He is quite capable of doing so." - -Hendle knew this well enough and reflected for a few moments. "Say -nothing to Mallien or to anyone," he remarked finally, "until you find -the will and we can look over it together." - -"Oh, I shall certainly hold my tongue," said the vicar quickly. -"Believe me, it is only my esteem for you which makes me urge you not -to notice the will. Sleep on the question, Rupert, for the morning is -wiser than the night. This matter will remain strictly between -ourselves. Now good night; good night." - -Hendle shook hands, not objecting to the vicar's abrupt departure, and -when alone groaned over the unexpected fulfilment of his premonition. - - - - -CHAPTER VI -COUNSEL'S OPINION - - -When Hendle, having a weight on his mind, woke shortly after dawn, he -remembered the vicar's proverb, and thought that it might be true. -Morning certainly was wiser than the night with him, as he began to -ask himself why he should be so much disturbed over an unproven -matter. Leigh certainly asserted positively that he had found a -hundred-year-old will, made in favor of the elder branch of the Hendle -family, and, undoubtedly, he spoke in a way which appeared to be -genuine. But then, the vicar was a queer, eccentric person, who -sometimes believed his visions to be facts, and who had on occasions -some difficulty in distinguishing between the real and the unreal. In -a perfectly honest way he might be making a mistake, and Rupert, -turning over the matter before rising, hoped fervently that such might -prove to be the case. - -On the other hand, unless Mr. Leigh's statement had some foundation, -in fact, it seemed improbable that he would even think of such a -thing. There had never been any question as to the legitimacy of -Hendle holding the property, and after a whole century had elapsed, it -seemed strange that such an odd question should be raised. Assuredly -the vicar must have found something which had to do with the -inheritance of the estates by the elder branch, else the fantastic -idea would not have entered his rather wavering mind. But the will -might not be good in law; it might have been signed and not witnessed, -or there might be some flaw in its drawing up which would nullify its -provisions. If this was the case, Rupert was far too sensible to think -of surrendering his lands and income to a man, who, on the face of it, -would make a bad use of the same. On the other hand, if the will was -quite in order, the Squire was honest enough to step down from his -throne and allow the rightful king to take his seat thereon, evil as -might prove to be his rule. The whole question of right or wrong -turned on the production of the will. - -Having reached this point in his meditations, Rupert arose, and -cleared his brain by a cold bath. It would be foolish to say that he -was not worried, for he felt very much upset, as was natural, seeing -there was a chance of his being reduced to the condition of a pauper. -Mallien was not rich, but he had enough to live on, so the acquisition -of more money would only result in his greater extravagance in the -purchase of jewels. But if the will proved to be legal, Hendle foresaw -that he--the Squire of Barship--would be turned out of his pleasant -home without a single penny and without any means of earning one. He -had no profession; he had no trade; he was not over-clever, and -Mallien--he was sure of this--would not allow him anything out of the -estate. This was uncomfortable enough in itself for a young man who -liked the good things of this life, but there was worse to follow. He -would lose Dorinda, since her father would undoubtedly prevent the -marriage with a pauper. The girl herself, as Rupert had said to the -vicar, would remain true; but how could he ask her to become his wife, -when he could not support himself, much less a helpmate? It was all -very painful and very disagreeable, and Rupert descended to breakfast -with a bad appetite. - -"You don't look at all well, Mr. Hendle," remarked Mrs. Beatson, when -she came for orders after breakfast. "Perhaps you are sickening for a -fever." - -"Not at all," replied her master, more crossly than he was accustomed -to speak to this dismal woman. "I have had a wakeful night, that's -all." - -"Ah well, sir, it's natural, considering you are going to take such a -serious step as marriage without thinking about it." - -Rupert allowed Mrs. Beatson a certain amount of latitude, but here she -overstepped the mark. He passed over her observation in silence, and -gave his orders for the day. "I shall have dinner at eight," he -remarked, having arranged matters, "as I am going to town and will not -be back until late." - -"Going to see the lawyers, I suppose, sir," mentioned the housekeeper -with an odd look on her dreary face. - -Rupert looked up suddenly, wondering why she had made such a pertinent -observation, for it was in his mind to do what she had suggested. "Why -do you suppose that, Mrs. Beatson?" - -"Well, sir, it's only natural, as no doubt there are marriage -settlements to be prepared, and all must be in order for the -ceremony." - -Mrs. Beatson said this glibly enough, and her reason appeared to be -very plausible. Nevertheless, her glance was so significant that -Hendle wondered if she had guessed his trouble. It seemed to be -incredible, since Leigh had promised to hold his tongue until the -matter was properly threshed out. Yet there was a certain malicious -triumph lurking in the housekeeper's look, which hinted that she was -rejoicing at his approaching downfall. After swift reflection Rupert -thought that he was mistaken, and was in the position of a man who -sees a bird in every bush. He therefore ignored Mrs. Beatson's remark -and merely repeated that he would return late to dine. The woman -hesitated for a moment, as if she wished to speak more plainly, then -tossed her head and glided out in her ghostly way. Rupert frowned, for -her behavior made him uncomfortable. Yet it was impossible that she -should know anything of the thunderbolt which had struck him. - -And after all, as the Squire reflected when he started to walk to the -railway station, the thunderbolt had not yet reached its mark and -might not reach it at all. Only an examination of the will would prove -if he was a rich man or a pauper, and in his anxiety to learn this, -Hendle called in at the Vicarage as he passed the rickety gate. -Strange to say, Mr. Leigh proved to be absent, as he had gone to see a -dying parishioner. - -It was only a short walk to the little wayside station, at which the -London trains stopped occasionally during the day. Rupert caught the -ten o'clock train easily, and, although it was very full, managed to -secure a compartment to himself. Here, when the engine started, he -gave himself up to meditation, not, as it may be guessed, of the most -pleasant kind. - -Hendle, as Mrs. Beatson ignorantly or knowingly had suggested, really -intended to consult lawyers. But, before going to his family -solicitors, he thought that he would ask the opinion of counsel in the -person of Carrington, as it struck him that there might be a Statute -of Limitations in connection with long-lost wills. Even if there were, -Rupert knew, in his own heart, that if Mallien proved to be the -rightful owner of the property, he--the present owner--would never be -able to take advantage of any law quibble. It all depended on the -will, for, if not produced, he would not be required--even by his own -uneasy conscience--to surrender his house and income. He wondered if -Leigh had lost the will forever, in which case things could remain as -they were; he wondered if there was a will at all, or, if there was, -whether the vicar might not have made a mistake; he wondered if the -will were found, if it would be all shipshape, so as to deprive him -of his kingdom. Indeed, Hendle wondered in a more or less worried way -throughout the journey to town, and stepped out onto the platform of -the Liverpool Street station in anything but a happy frame of mind. -Carrington had envied him his wealth and quiet existence; it was -anything but quiet now, and the wealth--if the vicar proved to be -correct--was about to take wings to itself and fly away into Mallien's -gaping pockets. In a dismal frame of mind, Rupert took a taxi to -Friars Inn. - -It was in this set of tall buildings that Carrington had his chambers -for business purposes. - -"Hendle!" said the barrister, when his visitor was ushered into a bare -room sparsely furnished and looking very businesslike, "this is a -surprise. How are you, old chap; not up to much, from the look of -you." - -"I'm bothered out of my life," replied Hendle, taking the cane -chair--a most uncomfortable one--which was pointed out to him. - -"Oh, I think there is sufficient life left in you to stand a trifle -more strain," was Carrington's flippant observation, as he resumed his -seat at a very businesslike desk. "I can't guess in any way what can -bother you." - -"No one, but the wearer, knows where the shoe pinches," quoted Hendle -grimly. - -"Quite so, and no one ever will know unless the wearer explains the -bad fit, my friend. Bothered? You! With beeves and lands and money, -and the promise of a beautiful and desirable damsel to be your wife." - -"That's just it," said the visitor, seizing the opening. "I may lose -all these things, Carrington." - -The barrister wheeled his chair round to stare, and his keen dark face -was alive with curiosity. "Have you been outrunning the constable?" he -asked; "has the lady changed her mind? Has----" - -"You are wide of the mark. To put the matter in a nutshell, it's a -will." - -"A will! What about it?" - -"This much. It exists and may disinherit me." - -"The deuce. In whose favor?" - -"In favor of Julius Mallien, my cousin." - -"Then he will have his rights, if he has a leg to stand on," said -Carrington grimly. "Mallien struck me as a man who would go through -fire and water for himself. Why did your father make a will in his -favor?" - -"He did not. The will was made one hundred years ago, by John Hendle, -from whom Mallien and I are descended." - -"One hundred years ago," echoed the barrister puzzled. "Then how comes -it you have to do with it now?" - -"Leigh found it in the Muniment Room." - -"Confound his zeal. But still I don't quite understand. Perhaps you -will tell me the whole story from the beginning. I suppose you have -come to ask my advice as a friend?" - -"Yes, and as a barrister." - -"My best forensic lore is at your disposal. Well?" - -Hendle at once began his explanation, and, as he proceeded, became -much too restless to remain seated. Midway in the recital he started -to his feet and began to pace the narrow limits of the office. Shading -his eyes with his hand and drawing figures on the blotting paper, -Carrington listened to the rather amazing story of Leigh's discovery, -and when in possession of the facts looked rather skeptical. "I -understand that you have not seen the will?" - -"No. Leigh, as is natural with so untidy a man, has mislaid it." - -"Then how do you know the will exists?" - -"Leigh says so." - -"Humph!" Carrington threw down his pencil and leaned back with a -doubtful look. "I think the vicar's wits must be wool-gathering. He -has no enmity against you, I suppose?" - -"Enmity?" Hendle stopped in his walk and stared. - -"I mean he is your friend." - -"Oh, yes. Leigh and I are great friends." - -"And his attitude toward Mallien?" - -"He doesn't like him overmuch. Mallien is so rude to him." - -"And to everyone," finished Carrington with a shrug. "A most -disagreeable person. Well, as Leigh likes you and doesn't like your -cousin, I take it he could not have invented this story to do you out -of the property in Mallien's favor." - -"No. Leigh is the best of good fellows, though rather eccentric. He -must have found the will; it is impossible that he could have -suggested its existence otherwise." - -"I suppose not," murmured Carrington vaguely; then glanced shrewdly at -his client. "Does he know your family history?" - -"Everyone in Barship knows that," replied Hendle, dropping again into -his chair with a sigh. "There is nothing to know really, as we have -always been a dull, homely lot of people." - -"Tell me how your descent runs from John Hendle?" - -"In the direct male line. Frederick, the son; Henry, the grandson; -Charles, the great-grandson, and myself, the great-great-grandson." - -"And Mallien's descent?" - -"He comes in the female line from Walter, the eldest son of John -Hendle. Eunice, the daughter of Walter and the granddaughter of John, -married George Filbert. Mrs. Filbert had a daughter Anne, who married -Frank Mallien, and her son is Julius, my cousin, who has, as you know, -a daughter." - -"Dorinda, to whom you are engaged," commented Carrington; "that -marriage will bring the elder and the younger branches of the family -together. A very good arrangement. Will Julius marry again?" - -"I don't think so. He hates women." - -"I should think every single member of the sex returned the -compliment. But what I mean is, that when you marry Miss Mallien, the -money will come to you and her when her father dies." - -"It should, as we two represent the elder and younger branches of the -family, joined, as you observed. But Mallien is quite capable of -leaving the money elsewhere out of devilment. He tolerates me because -I lend him money, and he has very little affection for Dorinda. We are -to marry next month, because I have promised Mallien five hundred a -year when I make Dorinda my wife, and he is now in a hurry for the -money. But," added Rupert anxiously, "if he knew that he was the -rightful heir, he would forbid the marriage." - -"It is probable he would, since he has such a sweet nature," said -Carrington dryly; "but would Miss Mallien obey him?" - -"No. She loves me too well for that. But, of course, if I lose the -property, I am reduced to pauperism pure and simple, and could -scarcely ask the girl to share my nothing." - -The barrister nodded sympathetically. "It's a beastly position," he -said, after a pause, "especially as you haven't been brought up to -earn your own living in any way. But, of course, we are building on -sand. Nobody but this weird parson has seen the will, so it may not -exist." - -"I don't see why Leigh should think of such a thing if the will does -not exist," said Rupert impatiently. - -"True enough. Well, let us grant that the will does exist and leaves -the property to Eunice Filbert, from whom Mallien traces his descent. -Still, possession is nine points of the law, and your lot has held the -property for close upon one hundred years. There is a Statute of -Limitations." - -"Oh!" Rupert looked up eagerly. "I had an idea that there might be. -Then, if I take your meaning correctly, since this will has only been -found after so long a period, the Statute operates against its being -legal?" - -"Well, it might operate or it might not; it all depends upon the -circumstances of the case. Mostly the Statute of Limitations would -operate. The will was never filed in the Probate Court, I take it?" - -"No. Until Leigh found it I expect no one but its maker and his -witnesses knew of its existence, and they are all dead, ages ago. But -I thought wills were filed at Somerset House?" - -"Now they are. But in 1815 they were filed at the Probate Court at -Canterbury." - -"Well," said Hendle restlessly. "The question is, what am I to do?" - -"Well, obviously the first thing is to get possession of the will and -in that way learn exactly how things stand with regard to Mallien. -John Hendle may not have cut off his second son Frederick entirely." - -"He may not," assented Rupert dubiously; "on the other hand he may. -Leigh certainly gave me to understand that everything had been left to -Eunice, who afterward married Filbert. If such is the case, you may be -sure that Mallien will take everything, and will decline to give me a -penny." - -"Just like him. But the Statute of Limitations----" - -"I shall not take advantage of that," interrupted Hendle firmly. "If -the will does make Mallien the heir by descent, he shall have the -property." - -"But, my dear man," cried the barrister, starting to his feet, "that -is quixotic. Why leave yourself without a penny, especially when -Mallien is such an unamiable person?" - -"It's hard, I grant," replied Rupert ruefully; "yet, as an honest man, -what else can I do?" - -"It seems to me that there is a limit to honesty," said Carrington -tartly. "I scarcely think that I could act so quixotically if I had to -do with the matter. However, we can discuss this point when the will -is in your possession, and we can make sure that what Leigh says is -true. When do you hope to get it?" - -"Well, I don't know. Leigh said that he had mislaid it and would -search for it, so I have called this morning on the chance that he -might have found it. He was absent attending to a dying woman, and of -course I couldn't interrupt him at his business. I left a message that -I would call again when I returned this evening." - -"When do you return?" - -"By the seven o'clock train. I shall arrive in time for dinner. I told -Mrs. Beatson that I would dine at eight." - -"If Leigh finds the will, I presume he will bring it to you this -evening at The Big House?" - -"He might and he might not. And in any case I shall call." - -Carrington considered the remark for a few moments and stared out of -the window at the chimney pots. "I don't think that I would call if I -were you, Hendle," he said at length. - -"Why not?" - -"Because this case needs a more careful handling than you are able to -give it, my friend. Leave Leigh alone until to-morrow, and I'll come -down some time about midday to interview the vicar along with you." - -"It's very good of you, Carrington," said the perplexed Squire -gratefully. "I don't expect one night will make any difference, as I -shall be certain of the bad news soon enough. I'll wait until you can -go with me to-morrow to the Vicarage; perhaps, by then, Leigh will -have found the will." - -"I don't leave the Vicarage until he has found it," said Carrington -grimly. "It's too important a document to be left in the hands of a -shiftless creature such as Leigh. He is quite capable of taking it to -Mallien, if it is in favor of Mallien's grandmother, as he asserts." - -Hendle, standing up to go away, shook his head. "I don't think he will -go past me," he remarked slowly. "In the first place, he dislikes -Mallien because of Mallien's brusque manners, and in the second -Mallien refused, out of his present income, to help him to fit out an -expedition to Yucatan." - -"Central America. Why does the vicar want to go there?" - -"Oh, he's been reading some diary of Mallien's father, describing -certain researches amongst buried cities in those wilds, and wants to -go there and look up things for himself." - -"I dare say if you finance this expedition, Leigh will say nothing -about the will--that is, if he has already said nothing to anyone," -said Carrington. - -"He told me that he had not. Save you and I no one knows about Leigh's -discovery. It's just as well that Mallien doesn't know," ended Rupert, -with a shrug, "or he would tear down the Vicarage, or rob it, to get -the testament which would make him a rich man." - -"Well, I don't think a weak old buffer like Leigh could put up much -fight, Handle. Well, my advice is for you to hold your tongue, and -refrain from seeing Leigh until to-morrow afternoon. Then we can -tackle him together. Buck up and face the music, old chap," added the -barrister, clapping his friend on the back, "after all, the thing may -prove to be a false alarm. I don't place much reliance on that -dreaming parson." - -"Nor do I," answered Rupert, as he took his leave, "but, in this case, -I fancy there must be a fire to account for the smoke. Leigh could not -have invented a will which does not exist. Well then, good-bye. I -shall see you to-morrow." - -"At one o'clock or thereabouts; anyhow, before two. Meanwhile, don't -see anyone and particularly not Miss Mallien. She is sure to spot your -dismals, and if she begins to question you may give yourself away." - -Rupert halted on the threshold, hesitating for a while, but finally -promised not to see Dorinda. - -Then, as there was nothing else to be done, he went to a matinée of a -successful play to distract his mind, and returned, as he had -arranged, in time for his eight o'clock dinner. After the meal, he -spent a very dull evening, reading the newspapers and playing -patience. But for his promise to Carrington he would have walked to -the cottage to see Dorinda, and he sorely felt the want of her society -at this crisis. However, he saw the wisdom of the barrister's advice, -not to acquaint her with the trouble until more was ascertained for -certain, lest, by arousing Mallien's suspicions, that gentleman might -learn too much. And Mallien was very quick as a rule to guess that -something was being kept from him. - -So Rupert possessed his soul in patience and retired to bed early. -After a somewhat restless night, he descended to breakfast to find -that ill news travels fast. It was Mrs. Beatson who conveyed this -especial information, and she did so with delight, always anxious to -pass on any news of any disaster. - -"Oh, Mr. Hendle," she cried, bursting into the breakfast room without -knocking; "such a terrible thing has happened! Mr. Leigh is dead! Mr. -Leigh has been murdered!" - - - - -CHAPTER VII -A NINE DAYS' WONDER - - -The information concerning the vicar's violent death was so -extraordinary and so wholly unexpected that Rupert could not believe -it to be entirely true. However, Mrs. Beatson's tempestuous -announcement spoiled his breakfast, and, leaving the meal unfinished, -the Squire hurried down to the village. Here everything was in a state -of commotion, as it was rarely that so untoward an event disturbed the -placidity of Barship. No one--from the flying rumors Hendle gathered -during his progress--appeared to be acquainted with the exact facts of -the case. Some said that Mr. Leigh had committed suicide; others, that -a burglar, surprised at midnight, had struck the blow; while a few -declared that the vicar was only wounded and would recover. But when -Hendle reached the untidy house, he learned from the tearful Mrs. -Jabber that the information was only too true. Mr. Leigh, with a nasty -ragged wound on his right temple, had been found dead in his study at -seven o'clock in the morning, and Kensit, the village constable, was -already on the premises looking into the matter along with Dr. -Tollart. The two, it seemed, had arrived simultaneously, Kensit having -picked up the doctor on the road. - -"And you could have knocked me down with a feather when them two -walked in," wailed Mrs. Jabber, who was all rags and tears; "me -expecting to be taken to jail straight off, though being, as you may -guess, sir, as innocent as new-born infants. Ten o'clock was the hour -as me and Jabber went to bed, as I can take my alfred davit in any -court of lawr, and never a sound or a whisper did we hear, both being -heavy sleepers. And when I come with a duster and a broom into the -library, to clean it for the day, there I sees that blessed man lying -on the floor under his writing table bleeding like a pig, face -downward. As you may think, sir, I went white, and felt my inwards -quaking, as I said to Jabber when we took someat strong later to keep -our legs from giving way. I hollered and Jabber come to see if I was -in a fit. Then says he, 'This is murder,' and runs out to shriek for -the perlice, which is here with Dr. Tollart, hardly sober if you can -believe me, sir. And that's the Bible truth of the whole thing, as I'd -swear on my mother's corpse, though she's been an angel these many -years. And what 'ull happen to me and Jabber," ended the good lady, -dissolving in many tears, "is more than I can say, having no gift in -prophets." - -Considering her prolixity, Mrs. Jabber's account was fairly clear, and -the chubby policeman was inclined to believe that she spoke the truth. -He informed the Squire that he had already sent to Tarhaven for his -Inspector, and that Dr. Tollart was examining the body with a view to -learning the exact cause of death. - -"Though to be sure, sir, that isn't hard to see," said Kensit, who was -of a more chatty disposition than his position warranted. "There's a -knock on the head as 'ud kill a navvy, much less a delicate gentleman -as we know Mr. Leigh always was. He was struck down by a loaded cane -or a bludgeon, unexpected like, if my experience goes for anything." - -"But who on earth could have murdered him, Kensit?" asked Rupert, -greatly puzzled. "Mr. Leigh was such a harmless man and had no -enemies." - -"P'raps a burglar, sir," suggested the constable wisely. - -"But who would commit a burglary here?" said Rupert, looking round the -entrance hall where they were standing. "There is nothing to carry off -except books, and no man would risk a rope round his neck for such -antique rubbish." - -"True enough, Mr. Hendle. And, knowing that he had nothing worth -stealing, Mr. Leigh never bothered himself to lock up the house at -night. There's no catches to speak of on the windows, and the bolts of -the doors ain't up to much. Anyone could walk in and walk out at any -time without trouble, as he did." - -"Oh. Then you think that the assassin was a man?" - -"Well, sir, I don't suppose a female would come along assaulting -people with blows on the back of the head. To be sure, there's Miss -Sophy Tollart, who is a suffragist," mused the constable; "but Mr. -Leigh never argued with her over them votes for women as I've ever -heard." - -In spite of the seriousness of the case, Hendle could not help -smiling. "I think we can acquit Miss Tollart, Kensit," he observed. -"The militant suffragist destroys property and not human beings. Ah, -here is the doctor. Well?" - -Tollart emerged into the hall as the Squire spoke, but did not seem to -be over-eager to reply. He was a tall, bulky man, with a large -red perspiring face, eyes like poached eggs, and a loose mouth -suggestive of the hard drinker. As Mrs. Jabber had hinted, he had -already had his morning dram, and his wits seemed to be muddled. Not -at all the man, as Rupert thought with some disgust, to examine a -murdered fellow-mortal's remains. - -"Whew, isn't it hot, Hendle?" he remarked, mopping his streaming face -with a dingy handkerchief. "That in there"--he jerked his head toward -the study--"will have to be buried pretty smart; it won't keep long. -The sooner he's under ground the better." - -"He won't be put under ground," said Kensit, smartly. "The Leighs have -their family vault, you know, doctor." - -"Well! Well, vault or grave, the weather's too hot to keep the thing -sweet," was Tollart's unpleasant reply. "Nice business, isn't it, -Hendle? I always thought that the old man would be knocked on the -head." - -"Why?" asked the Squire, and Kensit looked the same question. - -"Why!"--Tollart leaned against the pile of books near the wall, as his -constant nipping made him shaky on his ponderous legs--"why, because -he never locked up the house, and it stands away from the village in -quite a lonely fashion. Anyone could break in here, or rather walk in, -as Leigh never bothered about bolts and bars." - -"There was nothing to guard, Tollart. I don't think it was worth any -burglar's while to risk his neck for nothing." - -"The man who downed Leigh was of a different opinion," said Tollart -grimly. - -"Do you think a burglar killed him, sir?" asked Kensit anxiously. - -"Who else?" - -"But Mrs. Jabber says that there is nothing missing." - -"Isn't there? How does she know? Anyhow, his papers and books are all -turned topsy-turvy. The burglar had a good hunt for loot, anyhow." - -"The room is rather in a mess," observed Kensit thoughtfully. - -"It always was in a mess," said Rupert, with a shrug. "When did the -death take place, doctor?" - -"Judging from the condition of the corpse I should say at eleven -o'clock last night, Hendle. Did you see any stranger about the village -when you were on your rounds last night, Kensit?" - -"Not a soul, sir. But at eleven o'clock," Kensit reflected for a -moment, "I was at the other end of the village. But when I passed the -Vicarage about ten there was no one to be seen and nothing suspicious -visible. The gate was open, as usual, and the door I expect was simply -jammed to, as it usually was. Mrs. Jabber saw the vicar last, just -before she went to bed with her husband at ten o'clock, and she left -him busy at his writing and books as usual. I suppose the blow on the -head killed him, sir?" - -"Partly it was the blow on the head and partly heart disease," mumbled -Tollart, staring at the two men with a glazed eye. "Leigh never was -very strong, and I always told him to take care of his heart." - -"I never knew it was weak," observed Rupert, "and he could not have -thought so himself, as he was contemplating an expedition to Central -America." - -"Sheer madness," muttered Tollart. "However, he's gone on a longer -journey now, Hendle. Kensit, when is your Inspector coming?" - -"I expect him here every moment, sir." - -"Well, the sooner he comes the better, as that corpse must be screwed -down without delay. Have the inquest this afternoon if you can. It -will be a mere formality, as the cause of death is apparent enough. -There, you won't want me here now. I'll be at home at one if the -Inspector from Tarhaven wants me, Kensit. Meanwhile I'm off to get a -drink. Thirsty weather," and the doctor stumbled away in a hurry to -get some beer. - -"I don't think the weather makes much difference to the doctor's -thirst, sir," said Kensit disapprovingly, and his chubby face looked -severe. "However, it ain't any of my business, Mr. Hendle. You'll -excuse me, sir, but I'll go and see that no one enters that library. -Nothing must be touched until my Inspector sees the room. You haven't -any idea as to who killed Mr. Leigh, sir?" - -"Not the least idea," replied Rupert, lingering at the hall door. "I -saw the vicar the night before last when he dined with me, and -yesterday morning I called to see him on my way to London." - -"So Mrs. Jabber said, and she said also, sir, that you said you'd call -in the evening." - -"I did, but did not," Rupert hesitated, for Kensit was looking at him -keenly. "I really hadn't very much to say to him, and intended to call -this morning." - -"Do you know if he expected visitors, sir?" - -"No. He made no mention to me of expecting any." - -"Then it was a burglar," declared Kensit, positively. - -Hendle shrugged his shoulders. "I don't see what there was to steal," -he replied carelessly, and then he went away, after leaving a message -that he would like to interview the Tarhaven Inspector when he was at -leisure. - -There was a crowd round the rickety gate--now closed for the first -time for many years--but a policeman, summoned by Kensit from a -neighboring village, was on guard, and would not allow anyone to -enter. He saluted Rupert as he passed out, and the young man -mechanically touched his hat in response. Down the road he came -suddenly upon old Titus Ark, who was ruminating against a stone wall, -looking more prehistoric than ever. The ancient grunted as the young -Squire sauntered along thoughtfully in the blazing sunshine, and -raised a gnarled hand to his battered hat. Considering that he was -Leigh's bodyguard, who followed him everywhere like a dog, Hendle -expected to find the old man tearful with the weakness of age. But -Titus was smiling in a way which showed his toothless gums, and piped -out an ordinary greeting, quite oblivious of the tremendous event -which was disturbing the village. - -"Morning, Squoire," said Ark, with his usual grunt. "Fine weather fur -they crops I du think. Hor! Hor! Hor!" - -Rupert stopped to rebuke this levity. "Don't you know that Mr. Leigh -is dead?" - -"Oh, no, he bain't dead," said the ancient easily. "A knock on the -head don't settle such as he." - -"Nonsense, man! Why, the vicar was extremely weak, and a mere tap -would settle him. What are you talking about?" - -"About Muster Leigh. Hor! Hor! Hor! He ain't dead. I've seen him dead -afore, but he nivir come my way fur the berryin', Squoire." - -"He'll come your way this time, Titus, I am afraid," replied Rupert, -wondering why the old man was so stubborn. He surmised that, as -Leigh--according to the doctor--had heart disease, he must have -fainted at times in Ark's presence, which would account for the -sexton's saying he had seen him dead. "I suppose you don't know who -murdered him?" - -"He bain't murdered, Squoire." - -"Then you don't know who struck him?" said Hendle, amending his -question. - -"Naw. Muster Leigh, he said good-bye to me last night at six when he -left Mussus Pattens, who is my datter. She's taken a turn for the -better." - -"I'm glad to hear it, Titus. Did Mr. Leigh say if he expected any -visitor last night?" - -"Naw," said the ancient again. "He niwer told naught to I, Squoire. -You can ask him himself when he comes aloive again." - -Plainly Ark declined to believe that his lifelong friend was dead, and -it seemed useless to impress him with the undoubted fact. He -complained that the policeman would not allow him to enter the -Vicarage, and that no one would take any notice of his protestations -that Leigh was not dead. Rupert, although in a hurry to return to his -unfinished breakfast, stayed to persuade Titus to take a more -reasonable view of the situation. - -"Dr. Tollart says that Mr. Leigh has passed away. Besides the knock on -the head he had heart disease, and either the one or the other was -enough to kill him." - -"Dr. Tollart," grunted Ark stolidly, "he be better wi beer than wi -curing folk. I nivir heard tell as Muster Leigh had heart-badness. He -be aloive, I tell ee, Squoire." - -"Well, Titus, have your own way. But it will be your duty within a -couple of days if not less, seeing that the weather is hot, to put our -late vicar in his family vault." - -"Oh, I'll put him there, Squoire; but he bain't dead fur all that. -Hor! Hor! Hor!" - -With another shrug Rupert passed on, and returned to The Big House to -find Dorinda. She greeted him hastily and appeared to be very dismayed -at the dreadful news of the vicar's murder. "Who could have hurt him, -Rupert?" she asked, again and again. "He had no enemies. He would not -have harmed a fly." - -"I'm sure I can't tell you, dear. Kensit seems to think that it was a -burglar did the trick." - -"But there was nothing in the Vicarage to rob," protested Dorinda. - -"Just what I say. However, some burglar from London might have -believed that Leigh was a miser and had treasure." - -"Has any stranger from London been seen about the village?" - -"No. Kensit can't make head nor tail of it," Rupert shook his head and -thought for a moment. "Unless some very startling evidence turns up, -Dorinda, I don't believe that the truth will ever become known. What -does your father say, dear?" - -"Nothing. You know father did not care much for Mr. Leigh. He told me -that he was sorry, but that Leigh was a fool, or he would have locked -up his house regularly every night." - -"Your father hasn't much sympathy, Dorinda." - -"He never has. You know how badly he thinks of everyone. What is to be -done about the murder, Rupert?" - -"The Inspector from Tarhaven is coming to-day, and he will arrange for -an inquest this afternoon or to-morrow. Upon what evidence is -obtainable will depend the next step. I expect the body"--Dorinda -quivered and turned pale--"will be buried almost immediately." - -"Why. Don't they keep bodies a week?" - -"Sometimes. But in this case, Tollart says that the sooner poor Leigh -is buried the better. The corpse"--Rupert hesitated--"won't keep." - -"Oh, don't"--Dorinda made a wry face--"poor Mr. Leigh. He was such a -good man, Rupert. Who inherits his books, which are all he has left." - -"I think there's a distant cousin of sorts, a ship captain. He won't -benefit much by Leigh's death. I wonder if the old man made a will." - -"Oh, yes. He told me a year ago that he had, but did not mention to -whom he had left his library. You are the executor." - -"Am I, indeed? That is news to me, as Leigh never asked my permission. -However"--Hendle was thinking of the probability of his ancestor's -will being among the papers and books--"it is just as well under the -circumstances." - -"What do you mean by that?" - -Hendle tugged at his moustache and replied in an embarrassed fashion, -"Oh, nothing, only I can look after things better than a stranger, you -know. By the way, Dorinda, I forgot to tell you that Carrington is -coming down by the midday train." - -"Coming again so soon," said Dorinda, remembering her father's -warnings against the barrister, "and why?" - -"Only about some business I went up to town about yesterday," answered -Rupert confusedly. "Will you walk with me to the station to meet him?" - -"No," said the girl promptly. "I don't want to meet Mr. Carrington -again. I don't like him overmuch." - -"Ah, you've been listening to your father, dear. Mallien likes no -one." - -"I saw Mr. Carrington myself, Rupert, and I didn't like him. I don't -require my father to judge for me." - -"What a spitfire you are!" laughed Hendle, putting his arm round her -waist. - -"Because I want you all to myself, and I think Mr. Carrington is not a -good friend for you." - -"Jealous." - -"Sensible. There, Rupert, don't worry me." She slipped out of his -arms, much to his surprise, and he showed his feelings so visibly that -she colored. "I am rather out of sorts this morning," she said -hurriedly. "Father has been rather trying." - -"Never mind, dear; in a month you will be with me forever." - -"I hope so," sighed Dorinda, "but somehow this death of the vicar -suggests to me the possibility that something will occur to prevent -our marriage." - -"Oh, nonsense!" Rupert stared. "What could prevent our marriage?" - -"It's only a feeling," persisted Dorinda, "and I dare say it is a -foolish, silly feeling; but it's here for all that," and she laid her -hand on her heart. - -Rupert took as much pains to argue away this fancy as he had done to -argue away the fancy of Titus Ark. But Dorinda was quite as stubborn -in her belief that evil fortune was coming to prevent the marriage, as -the sexton was that Leigh was alive. Finally, because Rupert laughed -at her, she parted from him rather irritated at the corner, where he -branched off to the station road. She would not even look back when -her lover went away, and Rupert walked on to meet Carrington with the -reflection that women were kittle cattle, as the Scotch say. As a -rule, Dorinda was amiable and calm, so it seemed strange that she -should be so easily annoyed this morning. But there was a reasonable -excuse after all, as Hendle concluded, since the girl, always having -been markedly friendly with the vicar, the poor man's violent death -naturally shocked and upset her greatly. Moreover, the heartless -comments which Mallien the cynic was more than likely to make, -assuredly would add to Dorinda's distress. By the time he reached the -station, Rupert had explained away to his own satisfaction the unusual -emotion of the girl. - -True to his promise Carrington arrived by the midday train and hopped -out onto the platform as lively as a cricket. In gray flannels, a -straw hat and brown shoes, the barrister looked handsome, well-bred -and very much alive. The sight of his keen face and intelligent dark -eyes comforted Hendle, as he knew that Carrington, if anyone, would be -helpful in the matter of the vicar's mysterious murder. - -"Here you are and here I am, Hendle," cried the new arrival briskly, -as he gave up his ticket and walked out of the station along with the -Squire. "I say, old chap, you're worrying considerably over this will -business. There's a drawn, tired look on your face, which shows that -you haven't slept a wink." - -"Well, I didn't have a particularly restful night," admitted the other -with a sigh. "And what has happened this morning doesn't help to make -me feel any happier, Carrington." - -"Eh, what?" the barrister stopped. "Then Leigh has found the will -and----" - -"Leigh is dead," Hendle informed him abruptly. - -"Dead!" Carrington stared. "Dead! What are you talking about?" - -"About what has happened," replied the other heavily. "Leigh was found -dead in his study this morning." - -Carrington looked at Hendle doubtfully. "You're pulling my leg," he -said, in a disbelieving tone. - -"I don't pull people's legs over such a serious matter. I tell you -positively that the vicar is dead. All the village is in commotion." - -"Dead!" repeated Carrington once more as they moved on toward Barship. -"The unexpected has happened with a vengeance. Well, well, he wasn't -young, and looked like a delicate man, who would pop off at any -moment." - -"This death has nothing to do with delicacy, Carrington. Leigh has -been murdered." - -"Oh, Lord!" Man of the world as he was, Carrington received a shock. -"Poor old chap. Murdered! What a beastly thing to happen! Who murdered -him?" - -"No one knows. The police are looking into the matter now. He was -found dead in his study at seven this morning, and there is a wound on -the right temple. So far, the only conclusion arrived at is that some -one tried to rob the house, and, being discovered, struck Leigh down." - -"I can't see that there was anything in the house worth a burglar -committing such a crime for," remarked Carrington, taking off his hat. - -"There wasn't. No one in the village would have attempted a burglary, -since Leigh was known to be very poor. Besides, Leigh was too popular -for anyone to hurt him. But a stranger----" - -"Ah," broke in Carrington swiftly, "a stranger. Has any stranger been -seen hovering about the Vicarage?" - -"No. Kensit, our village policeman, was on his rounds as usual last -night, but declares that he saw no one." - -"But some tramp----" - -"No tramps have been hanging about the village of late." - -Carrington looked puzzled. "It seems to be a mystery. At what time was -the poor chap murdered?" - -"No one knows. But Dr. Tollart thinks the blow was struck about eleven -o'clock last night." - -"Has the weapon been found?" - -"No!" - -"Did that housekeeper hear any noise?" - -"No! Nothing was known of the murder until she found her master dead -near his writing table. The Inspector has been sent for to Tarhaven -and will be here shortly. Indeed, I expect he is here now. He will -take charge of the house and look into the matter." - -"Humph!" remarked the barrister thoughtfully. "As I said before, it -seems to be a mystery. This Inspector will take charge of all Leigh's -books and papers, I suppose." - -"Yes. Why not?" - -"Oh, I am not saying against his handling them. But the will----" - -"The will. Yes?" - -"Can't you see, Hendle. If this Inspector looks through the papers -left by Leigh, which he probably will, he is bound to come across that -hundred-year-old testament you mentioned yesterday." - -Rupert winced. "I expect he will, unless poor Leigh has so carefully -mislaid it that it cannot be found. But what if he does?" - -"Well, then all the fat will be on the fire," said Carrington with an -air of finality. - -"I suppose you mean that the will must be made public. Why not? If it -is a legitimate document, Mallien must get the money, and if it isn't, -my position remains unchanged. In any case, whether Leigh lived or -died, what he discovered would have to be shown all round." - -"Quite so. But you didn't want it to be shown all round until you -looked into the matter privately along with me," argued Carrington, -quickly. - -"True enough. I should like to have seen the document before Mallien -became aware that it existed. However, as things stand, the will is -bound to be found, and Mallien is bound to know. We must thresh out -the matter openly straightway, and I shall do my best to avoid -trouble." - -"I don't see how you can avoid it, Hendle. Mallien is not the man to -let a chance of getting a fortune go." - -"I am sure he isn't," retorted the Squire positively. "And he is -certain to make things as disagreeable for me as possible. But if I -surrender the property, should the will prove to be legal, I don't see -that he can worry me." - -"You will lose everything," warned the barrister, significantly. - -"Unfortunately, yes." - -"Including Miss Mallien." - -"I suppose so," admitted the Squire reluctantly. "Even if she remains -true to me, as I am sure she will, I can't ask her to marry me on -nothing a year." - -There was silence for a few minutes as the two men walked into the -village, and it was Carrington who spoke first. "I'm awfully sorry for -you, old man." - -"I'm rather sorry for myself. However, what must be must be, so -there's no more to be said. By the way, Dorinda told me that Leigh had -made me his executor. I never knew that he had, until she told me." - -"Leigh took your friendship for granted, it seems. Who inherits?" - -"I don't know. His sole relative is a sea captain, somewhere in -Australia. I have heard him speak of the young fellow--a cousin of -sorts--as the last of the Leighs. There isn't much to leave in the way -of property." - -"So you are executor," murmured Carrington thoughtfully. "In that -case, you will have the handling of the papers, and may be able to get -possession of the will before the Inspector lays hands on it." - -"What good will that do?" asked Hendle, irritably. - -"You can suppress the will." - -"I shouldn't think of doing such a thing." - -"You'll lose all if the will proves to be genuine," Carrington warned -him. - -"Then I must lose all." - -"That's quixotic." - -"So you said yesterday. But I mean to be honest." And again there was -silence, Carrington secretly considering his friend an honorable ass. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII -MALLIEN SPEAKS - - -Anxious to help Rupert, and, at his friend's request, Carrington -remained at The Big House until the inquest was over, and the burial -of the murdered man took place. Both he and the Squire could do little -save watch the course of events, as neither of them wished to say -anything about the missing will, and neither could suggest any reason -why the crime should have been committed. And, indeed, the police were -equally unable to solve the problem, since the murder, on the face of -it, appeared to be purposeless and the assassin could not be -discovered. Inspector Lawson, of Tarhaven, did his best to find a -clue, but from first to last was unsuccessful. He did not even know -where to look for one, and when the inquest was held, had absolutely -no evidence to place before the Coroner and jury. Leigh's murderer had -come out of the night and had gone into the night; but why he had come -to commit so dastardly a crime, and whither he had gone after -achieving his aim, it was wholly impossible to say. The affair was -unpleasant, mysterious and uncanny. - -Pursuant to the opinion of Dr. Tollart, proceedings in connection with -the death were hurried on as speedily as possible. The weather was -certainly amazingly hot, as for weeks a powerful sun had been blazing -in a cloudless blue sky. The gardens glowed with many-colored flowers, -but the growing crops were parched for want of rain, and everywhere in -the district people were complaining of the shortage of water. Under -the circumstances, and because nothing relevant to the assassin could -be discovered, Tollart's advice seemed to be very sensible. Therefore -the inquest was held at _The Hendle Arms_ on the day after Mrs. Jabber -had discovered her master's corpse, and on that same afternoon the -body was placed in the family vault of the Leighs. The trouble had -happened so suddenly, the proceedings had been carried through so -swiftly, that everything in connection therewith was over and done -with before people had time to wholly realize what had taken place. - -With regard to the inquest, that necessary function was dispatched -very quickly. There was little to be done and little to be said, as no -new details were forthcoming concerning the dreadful event. The jury -inspected the body at the Vicarage, and then went on to _The Hendle -Arms_ to hear what could be said about the matter. Several reporters -from London journals were present, but the interest in the case was -more local than general, as there was nothing in it likely to cause a -sensation. The general opinion was that some burglar had entered the -ill-guarded Vicarage, and that the parson had been struck down while -trying to capture the thief. But, as nothing was missing from the -house, many scouted this idea, and ascribed the death to a deeper -cause. But what that cause might be, this minority were unable to say. -Nor did the evidence procurable tend to lighten the darkness which -shrouded the crime. - -Mrs. Jabber, more respectably dressed than usual, and even more -voluble, gave her evidence with many tears and sighs. The old woman -had been deeply attached to the vicar, and could not understand why he -should have met with so terrible and unexpected a death. She deposed -to going to bed at ten o'clock as usual, after taking into the study a -glass of milk for her master. - -"And there I left him, as happy as a trout in a pond," cried Mrs. -Jabber, with tears running down her face, "busy with his books as -usual; he, enjoying them the more after having been to see Mrs. -Patter, as I'm glad to say is getting better, though it's more nor she -deserves, her being such a gossip, and----" - -Here the witness was checked by the Coroner, on the ground that she -was dealing with matters irrelevant to the inquiry. "Did Mr. Leigh -expect anyone to visit him on that night?" - -"Lord, bless you, no, sir, and if he did, he wouldn't have mentioned -it to me." - -"You retired at ten o'clock?" - -"Me and Jabber, yes, sir, both being tired with the heat and the day's -work." - -"And you saw nothing of Mr. Leigh until seven the next morning?" - -"Not even the nose of him, sir, and I heard no noise, me being a heavy -sleeper as Jabber is, although I don't snore, say what he likes." - -In fact Mrs. Jabber's statement did nothing to solve the mystery. She -admitted that the bolts and bars at the Vicarage were not what they -should be, considering the lonely position of the house. "But, Lord -bless you, sir, there ain't never been no trouble with thieves and -robbers nohow, as there wasn't anything to tempt them." - -"Then you don't think that a burglar----" - -"No, I don't, sir. There's nothing missing." - -Mrs. Jabber stuck to her tale, and what she said was corroborated by -her husband, a meek, trembling little man, wholly dominated by his -stronger-minded wife. He had gone to bed at ten o'clock; he had heard -nothing during the night likely to arouse his suspicions, and the -first news he had of the murder was from his wife, when she stumbled -on the dead body at seven in the morning. "And then I went and told -Kensit all about it," finished Mr. Jabber with a very white face, -evidently afraid lest he should be accused of committing the crime. - -Tollart, who was just as red-faced, but much more sober than usual, -stated that he had been called in by the village constable within an -hour after the body had been discovered. Mr. Leigh had been struck on -the right temple by some heavy instrument--probably a bludgeon--and -the blow, taken in connection with his weak heart, must have caused -death instantaneously. The certificate of death was worded to that -effect. Leigh was a patient of his, and had never been very strong, -added to which, his mode of life had weakened him considerably. On the -whole, the shabby, disreputable doctor, knowing that the eyes of his -little world were on him, gave his evidence very clearly and -resolutely, so that he created a good impression. There was no -question as to the cause of death after Tollart's statement, even -though his coupling of heart disease and a blow seemed rather muddled. -No one in the village had expected Leigh to live to any considerable -age, owing to his delicate appearance, so it was quite certain that -the violent assault had killed him. It would have been a wonder to -many had he survived the blow. - -For no very apparent reason Hendle was called, but all that he could -say brought nothing to light. He related how Leigh had dined with him, -and how he had called at the Vicarage next day while on his way to -London. So far as the witness knew, Leigh was in good health and -spirits. "The announcement of his death came as a shock to me," -finished Rupert. - -"Had he any enemies?" questioned the Coroner. - -"Not to my knowledge. A more amiable man never existed." - -"Do you know anything of his past life?" - -"Only that he had been vicar here ever since I was a child, and was -devoted to books and to archæology. With the exception of his -parishioners, myself and Mr. Mallien and his daughter, I don't think -he ever saw anyone. He was wholly wrapped up in his books." - -"Then there was nothing in his past life which suggests any reason why -this crime should have been committed?" - -"Certainly not, so far as I know." - -Inspector Lawson and Kensit, the village policeman, gave what sparse -evidence they could. The latter declared that while on his rounds on -the night of the murder he had met no one and had seen nothing -suspicious when he passed the gate of the Vicarage. At the hour when -the crime was said by Dr. Tollart to have been committed, witness was -on the other side of the village. Lawson deposed that no weapon had -been found, that no evidence of any intruder had been discovered. - -"I understood that the study was in a state of disorder," said the -Coroner. - -"I gather from many sources that the study was always in a state of -disorder," retorted the Inspector. - -Kensit, recalled, said that he did not think that the study was even -more untidy than usual. Everything was turned upside down--books and -papers, "Just as if some one had been searching for something," -declared the witness. - -"Then you think that the murderer killed the vicar, and then looked -about to find something, which he wished to get, and for the -possession of which he committed the crime?" - -Kensit hesitated. "I am not prepared to go that far," he remarked, -after a pause. "All I can say is that I gained some such impression." - -When this speech was made, Rupert glanced at Carrington and Carrington -looked at Rupert. The same idea struck them simultaneously, that the -murderer might have been searching for the will of John Hendle. But -then the existence of that document was known only to the dead man, to -the barrister and to the Squire. Rupert had been fast asleep when the -crime was committed, and Carrington had been in London, so, of course, -neither of the two could have had anything to do with the matter. -Still, it seemed strange that the books and papers of the deceased -should have been messed up. If search had not been made for the will -in question, for what had the mysterious murderer been looking? This -question both the young men asked themselves, and asked each other -when the inquest was over. - -It came to an end very speedily. The Coroner could only direct the -attention of the jury to the facts laid before them, and did not offer -any opinion, as indeed he could not. The jury brought in a verdict of -"Willful murder against some person or persons unknown," which was all -that could be done. Then the meeting broke up, the reporters slipped -away with their loaded notebooks, grumbling at the dullness of the -matter, and the crowd of villagers dispersed to wonder, for the -hundredth time, who could have killed their amiable and kindly natured -vicar. - -"The beast who murdered Leigh could not have been looking for that -will." - -It was Hendle who spoke, as he walked back to The Big House with -Carrington. The barrister shrugged his shoulders and replied, "I had -the same idea when that policeman made his statement, and I saw you -look at me. I agree with you, although it is strange that the books -and papers should have been turned upside down. But only you and I -know of----" - -"Of course, of course," broke in the Squire quickly, "and, as I was in -bed, and you in London, of course we had nothing to do with the -matter." - -"Did you tell anyone else about the will?" - -"No. I never mentioned it to a soul." - -"Good. I shouldn't if I were you." - -Carrington's tone was so significant that the Squire turned on him in -a sharp, inquiring way. "What do you mean?" - -"I mean that if anyone knew about the existence of John Hendle's will, -and what it meant to you, it is possible that on you suspicion might -rest." - -"What rubbish!" said Rupert uncomfortably. "I was in bed and asleep at -the time the crime was committed." - -"How can you prove that?" - -Rupert looked surprised. "Why, I saw that the butler locked up as -usual, and he knew that I went to bed earlier than usual." - -"Quite so. But when all the house was asleep, you might have risen -from your bed and have gone through the sleeping village to see -Leigh." - -"Why should I do that?" - -"I don't say you did," persisted Carrington. "I am only suggesting -what people would say if the existence of the will were known." - -"Hang it, Carrington," fumed the big man, "you don't mean to insinuate -that I had anything to do with so cowardly a crime." - -"No! No! No! I don't insinuate anything of the sort, as I know that -you are incapable of such a thing. But other people have nasty, -suspicious minds." - -Hendle looked more uncomfortable than ever. "I understand," he -murmured, after a pause; "it is just as well to say nothing about the -will. I dare say I shall find it among Leigh's papers when his lawyer -writes to me about my being the executor." - -"And if you do not?" - -Rupert shrugged his big shoulders. "Then there's nothing more to be -said or done," he remarked with resignation. - -"There is this to be said," observed Carrington, thoughtfully, "that -if the assassin really was looking for the will, and turned over the -books and papers to obtain the reward of his crime, the will is sure -to turn up sooner or later." - -"I don't follow you," said Hendle, both perturbed and puzzled. - -"Think for a moment. That will is of the greatest value to you, -and the man who murdered Leigh must have stolen it to--shall we -say--blackmail you. When everything has blown over, he will certainly -make some attempt to gain the reward he risked his neck for, by taking -the will to you or to Mallien." - -"If he comes to me I shall hand him over to the police," said Rupert -vigorously. "And Mallien, in spite of his misanthropic ways, would do -the same. I don't see, however, how anyone can have killed Leigh for -the sake of that will, as no one but you and I knew about it." - -"True enough. Did you tell Miss Mallien about it?" - -"No, I told no one. And if I had told Dorinda----" - -"She might have told her father, to whom the will was of importance, -seeing that it might possibly place him in possession of four thousand -a year." - -"Good Lord, Carrington, you don't infer that Mallien murdered the -vicar?" - -"No, I don't, because I have no grounds to go upon. But if you told -Miss----" - -"Confound it, man, I didn't. Haven't I been saying for the last half -hour that I told no one but you. Even if I had told Dorinda she would -never have spoken to her father without my permission. And even if she -had done so, her father would never have murdered Leigh to get the -will, as he would know very well that I am not the sort of man to -conceal such a document." - -"H'm! I'm not so sure of that," said Carrington doubtfully. "Mallien -is not a particularly scrupulous man, from what I have seen of him. He -may judge you by himself." - -"I don't care if he did judge me to be a scoundrel," retorted Rupert, -"that would not make me one. But aren't we twisting ropes of sand, -Carrington? I tell you solemnly that I told no one about John Hendle's -will, save you." - -"Oh, I'm only suggesting what people might say about you and Mallien, -did the existence of the will become known. After all," added -Carrington cheerfully, "there may not be any will at all. You have -never seen it, and have only the word of a dead man to go upon. It may -not exist." - -Rupert shook his head seriously. "I think it does exist, and that I -shall probably find it among Leigh's papers." - -"And if you do?" - -"I shall take it to our family lawyers and call in Mallien to talk the -matter over." - -"It's a risk, considering that Leigh has been murdered." - -"I don't see it. Even if anyone was crazy enough to suggest that I -killed the poor old man, the mere fact of my producing the will would -show that I had no reason to murder him. Pouf!" ended Rupert -contemptuously, "it is all froth and foam. Don't talk rubbish and make -mountains out of molehills." - -Carrington shrugged his shoulders and said no more, since on the face -of it he was, as Rupert stated, twisting ropes of sand. No more was -said on this particular phase of the case, but during luncheon the -young men discussed the matter freely. Naturally, on what had been set -forth in the evidence, they could arrive at no conclusion, and went to -the funeral of the vicar as much in the dark as anyone in the great -crowd that gathered in the churchyard. Mallien was there, but beyond -scowling at Carrington, for whom he had little love, and nodding -curtly to his cousin, he took no notice of the two men. Titus Ark was -there and mumbled every now and then something to the effect that the -vicar could not possibly be dead. But no one took notice of so crazy a -statement, since the doctor had given the certificate of death. It was -known how Ark idolized the parson, and how constantly he had been with -Leigh, therefore everyone thought that it was simply the senile -weakness of age on the sexton's part, to disbelieve that his only -friend was gone. And, finding that no one heeded his protests and -mutterings, Titus became stolidly silent, attending to his part of the -burial sullenly. - -So far as Ark's duties were concerned, he had little to do, not even -having had to dig a grave. The family vault in a quiet corner of the -churchyard was duly opened, and the coffin was carried down the damp, -worn steps. For a few centuries the Leighs had been buried here, as -formerly--before the Hendles came on the scene--they had been the -Lords of the Manor. Now, save the seafaring cousin, who was on the -distaff side, the last of the race had been laid to rest. A -neighboring clergyman read the service, which was listened to with -reverent attention, and when the door of the vault was closed again, -the crowd of mourners slowly dispersed. Judging from the observations -made, it was widely believed that the mystery of the death was hidden -away with the dead man in that dreary vault. - -"I can't see, sir," said Inspector Lawson to Rupert, "how anything is -to be discovered. I looked over the poor gentleman's papers, but could -find nothing in his past life to suggest that anyone would kill him." - -"Yet, according to Kensit, the papers were searched through," hinted -Hendle, relieved that the officer made no mention of the lost -parchment. - -Lawson shrugged his square shoulders. "Oh, these young constables -always see more than need be seen," he observed slightly, "they are so -eager for promotion you see, sir. My opinion is that some tramp on the -prowl walked in at that invitingly open gate on the chance of -stealing. Finding some door or window unbolted--he probably tried them -on the chance, as I say--he got into the study and, while tumbling -over the contents of the room and with the idea of finding something -worth taking, was surprised by Mr. Leigh. Naturally, the tramp's first -idea would be to escape, and, being prevented, he naturally would -strike down the man who strove to detain him." - -"You appear to have the case, quite cut and dried," remarked -Carrington, smiling. - -"It is all theory, I admit," retorted Lawson, rather nettled. "But if -you can find a better explanation on what is known, sir, I should be -glad to hear it." - -"Oh, I dare say that your theory is as good as any other, Inspector. I -suppose you will search for more evidence on those lines?" - -"Search? In what direction am I to search?" - -"Oh, don't ask me," replied the barrister lightly. "I am as much in -the dark as you are, Inspector. Still, it will be just as well to -order Kensit to keep his weather eye open on the chance of something -unexpected turning up." - -"I have told Kensit to do so, Mr. Carrington, but I don't hope for any -result." - -Everyone was of much the same opinion as the worthy official, and his -theory was finally accepted by all, even by those who had hinted at a -deeper reason for the commission of the crime. A stray tramp, moving -from one town to another under cover of night, had probably killed the -vicar, so as to escape arrest for burglary. And it might be that he -did not even mean to murder Leigh, but only intended to stun him, so -as to get away. The heart disease, as much as the blow, was the cause -of death, according to Tollart, and the presumed tramp could not have -been expected to know that the parson suffered in this way. At all -events, the explanation of Lawson seemed likely to prove the sole -explanation which would be forthcoming. - -Carrington stayed for the night, but his consultations with Rupert led -to nothing. Then he took his departure, on the understanding that if -Hendle, as Leigh's executor, did find the will, or did not find it, he -would call down to Barship again to give his help. - -"I don't say that I am rich enough to do so for nothing, Hendle," -confessed the barrister frankly, "but I'm not greedy, and you can give -me what you consider fair." - -"Oh, I don't mind," answered Rupert, rather contemptuously, for he -thought that Carrington might have behaved more as a friend and less -as a professional adviser. "You shall name your own price, if the will -proves illegal, and I am left in possession of the property. -Otherwise, you will have to get your fees from the new heir." - -"Mallien. H'm! He is too avaricious a man to pay if he can help. I -want to work for you and not for him, Hendle. However, I understand -the position, and you can depend upon my doing my best to pull you -through." - -"I shall expect that, if I am to retain your services professionally," -said the Squire rather dryly, and then, mindful of the obligations of -hospitality, he drove Carrington to the station in his motor to catch -the midday express. - -Nevertheless, he was disappointed that his old school chum should -bring pounds, shillings and pence into the matter. It imported a -sordid element into their friendship, and when Rupert reached The Big -House again, he came to the conclusion that perhaps Dorinda was not -far wrong in her estimate of the lawyer's character; or Mallien -either, for Mallien also mistrusted the man. And now it appeared that -there were grounds for a certain amount of mistrust, as Hendle -ruefully confessed to himself. - -In a short time, Leigh's lawyer, having seen the report of the murder, -inquest and burial in the newspapers, made his appearance and -intimated to Hendle that he was the dead man's executor. Besides his -income as a parson, Leigh only had a few hundred pounds invested in -Consols, so it was evident that the sea captain in Australia would not -benefit overmuch. The solicitor arranged to write to the legatee in -Australia, and promised to send some one down to value the books with -a view to selling them. Mrs. Jabber remained on at the Vicarage along -with her husband pending the arrival of the new parson, who was to be -appointed immediately by the Bishop. Rupert, as executor, went to the -untidy house, after the solicitor departed for London, to look over -all papers belonging to Leigh, and to put affairs shipshape. The -lawyer had no time to attend to the matter, since the estate was -hardly worthy of his professional attention, and when Hendle explained -that certain documents had to be restored to the Muniment Room, and -that a search for them would be necessary, the attorney allowed him to -attend to the matter wholly by himself. Thus it came about that Rupert -found himself three days after the burial digging among the bookish -rubbish in the study. - -Of course, his chief aim was to find the will, which Leigh had so -positively asserted existed. But, although the young man turned over -every paper and parchment, hunted through various boxes, and even -examined many of the books, on the chance that it might have been -slipped into one of them, he was unable to find what he wanted. At the -end of three or four hours, and when the afternoon was waning, Hendle -began to think that the will was a myth. It probably had never existed -save in Leigh's dreamy imagination. On the other hand, it might have -existed, and the assassin might have taken it. But this was too -fantastical an idea for Hendle to accept for one moment. Seeing that -only himself and Carrington knew about the will, whether it was real -or fictitious, it was impossible to believe that the crime had been -committed for its sake. - -By the time five o'clock came, Rupert, working, for the sake of -coolness, in his shirt sleeves, was hot and dusty and weary. Looking -for a needle in a bundle of hay did not appeal to him as an amusing -task, and he was about to abandon the search for the day, when a -quick, firm step was heard, and Mallien, looking like a thunder cloud, -entered to scowl a greeting. - -"Well?" he asked disagreeably, "have you found John Hendle's will?" - - - - -CHAPTER IX -A SERIOUS POSITION - - -Sitting on the floor in a grimy snowdrift of scattered papers, and -surrounded by piles of dingy books, Rupert stared at his cousin, -scarcely taking in the purport of his words. Mallien appeared to be -pleased with the expression of genuine bewilderment on the other man's -face, but did not improve the occasion by speaking immediately. Since -the afternoon was oppressively hot, he wore a suit of cool white -flannel, which made him seem blacker in his hairy looks than ever. In -the heavy yellow sunshine streaming through the dusty room, his many -jewels twinkled and shot fire; scarf-pin and studs, sleeve links and -rings. Near the door, which he had closed, the newcomer leaned, -against the many volumes filling the book shelf, with folded arms and -crossed legs; an odd, and, as it impressed Hendle, a sinister figure. -It was the Squire who spoke next, as he was not entirely sure if he -had heard Mallien's astounding question. - -"What do you say?" he asked, almost mechanically. - -"You heard me right enough," sneered the other. - -"John Hendle's will?" - -"Ah, I thought so. None so deaf as those who won't hear. Well, have -you found it, Rupert?" - -"John Hendle's will," repeated the Squire, greatly taken aback by this -sudden display of knowledge on the part of his cousin. - -"Yes! Don't pretend that I am talking nonsense; you know better." - -Hendle gradually collected his scattered thoughts, and rose slowly to -his feet. Then, quite in a mechanical way, he took out pipe and -tobacco pouch. "I should like to know who told you," he remarked, -filling the bowl. - -"You shall know--Mrs. Beatson told me." - -"And how did she know?" - -"As women generally know things they are not meant to learn--by -eavesdropping. You understand. She listened to the conversation -between you and the parson, when he dined at The Big House, on the -evening before his death." - -"He did dine with me," admitted Hendle seriously. "And he did tell me -about the discovery of the will you mention. But why did Mrs. Beatson -listen, since she could not have guessed what he was going to speak -about." - -"It seems to me, Rupert, that you are asking questions, whereas it is -my right to do so. However, to make things clear, I don't mind in the -least answering you. Mrs. Beatson explained to me, in excuse for her -eavesdropping, that you had told her of your approaching marriage with -Dorinda, and she was afraid lest you should turn her out." - -"I told her I wouldn't." - -"Oh, did you? Then evidently she did not believe you, and hovered -round the dining-room and drawing-room, hoping to hear anything you -might say to the vicar on the subject. Leigh hinted at some mystery he -had to impart to you. Mrs. Beatson heard his remark through the open -door of the dining-room and it aroused her curiosity. When you went to -the drawing-room, she was outside the window drinking in every word." - -"Hum!" said Rupert, lighting his pipe. "I remember that the windows of -the drawing-room were open on account of the heat. She stole along the -terrace, I presume." - -"Yes, and heard every word," repeated Mallien significantly. "In the -first instance, you will understand that Mrs. Beatson only hovered -round you and the vicar to hear anything connected with her possible -dismissal. But, when she grasped the fact about the will, she became -aware that she had overheard a secret, which she could turn to her own -advantage. For a time she hesitated whether to let you or me buy her -silence. Then, thinking that I would get the money, she came and told -me all about it." - -"Hum!" said Rupert again, and very calmly. "Rather treacherous -behavior toward me, considering how kind I treated her." - -"Treachery be hanged!" burst out Mallien, leaving the wall and -throwing himself onto a convenient pile of books, which afforded him a -seat. "She wanted to see me righted." - -"She wanted a price for her secret, I think you said." - -"Well, and why not?" demanded the hairy little Timon, in a blustering -way. "It is only natural that you should wish to keep the secret, and -only natural that Mrs. Beatson should try and make money out of -telling it to me." - -"I suppose it is, with some natures. So you are going to pay her." - -"Yes! She's done me a good turn. I'll give her an annuity when I come -to live at The Big House." - -"You are not there yet," said Rupert, dryly. Now that he knew the -worst he was perfectly calm. And he had every right to be since he had -done nothing with which to reproach himself. - -"I shall be there, when this will comes to light," bullied Mallien -fiercely. "Naturally you wish to hide it----" - -"There you make a mistake," interrupted the big man leisurely. "As -soon as the will is found, I shall take it to our family lawyers, and -have it looked into." - -"Oh, yes, you say so now, because you can't keep the secret any -longer, thanks to Mrs. Beatson," retorted Mallien coarsely. - -"I never intended to keep any secret." - -"Then why didn't you tell me as soon as Leigh told you?" - -"Because I had not seen the will, and so far as that goes, I have -never set eyes on it yet. It may be a myth, and it was useless for me -to speak about it until I was sure that such a document was in -existence." - -"It is in existence," insisted Mallien uneasily. - -"We have only the vicar's word for it." - -"Oh, of course you say that." - -"What else can I say? Listen to me, Mallien. Unpleasant as it is for -me to lose my property, I am quite willing to surrender it to you -without the intervention of the law, if the will proves to be legal. -If it doesn't, of course I shall keep my own." - -But even this generous and reasonable speech did not appeal to the -grasping hearer. "You can do what you like," he replied doggedly; "but -if I don't get the property, I shall bring the case before a judge and -jury." - -"There will be no necessity for you to do so, if the will is legal." - -Mallien sneered. "I suppose you'll try and prove that it isn't." - -"Certainly," retorted Hendle, angered by this extreme selfishness. -"You may be sure that I shall do all I can to protect my own -interests. Would you not do the same were you in my position?" - -The other shirked a straightforward reply as a selfish man would. -"That is neither here nor there," he snapped, "I want my rights." - -"You shall have them, if you have any." - -"From what Mrs. Beatson told me----" - -"Mrs. Beatson knows no more nor no less than I do," interrupted the -Squire patiently. "She is aware that Leigh found--or said that he -found--a will made by John Hendle one hundred years ago, leaving the -property to Eunice Filbert and her descendants. If such is the case, -and you are rightfully entitled to take my place, well"---- Rupert -shrugged his square shoulders, and completed his sentence by waving -his hand vaguely to the four corners of the room. Mallien scowled and -tried to pick holes. - -"Oh, you can be certain that I shall claim my rights to the last -farthing," he growled savagely, and rather annoyed by Rupert's -reasonable attitude. - -"Naturally. That is only fair. I am not the man, as you well know, to -keep what does not honestly belong to me. But," added Hendle with -emphasis, "the will has yet to be found." - -"It must be found," declared Mallien violently. - -"That is easier said than done. Leigh seemed to have mislaid, or -hidden it, very thoroughly. Inspector Lawson did not come across it, -and I can't lay my hands on it nohow. And, remember, even when it is -discovered, the legality of it has yet to be proved." - -"If it is signed and witnessed properly I inherit," shouted Mallien, -doggedly, and objecting, as such an illogical man would, to the mere -shadow of a contradiction. - -"Don't go too fast," said the Squire dryly. "There is such a thing as -the Statute of Limitations." - -"Oh, is there? And what deviltry is that?" - -"A law which, in most cases, operates against the restoration of -property devolving under a lost will, found--as this one has -been--after so long a period of time." - -"You talk like a book," sneered Mallien, uncomfortably, for here was -an obstacle which he did not expect to meet. "And you will take -advantage of this infernal Statute?" - -"Why not?" demanded Rupert, calmly. "Would you not do the same under -the same circumstances?" - -"I prefer not to enter into any argument on that point," said Mallien -loftily. "It seems to be a silly law. And what about not keeping what -isn't your own." - -"If the Statute of Limitations acts in my favor, the property would be -my own," answered the Squire coolly. - -"Hair-splitting!" - -"Common sense! And I would not have used such an argument, but for -your display of greedy selfishness." - -"Me selfish. How dare you!" Mallien fumed and fretted, and made as -though he would throw himself on his cousin. - -Hendle held out one hand to keep him off. "None of that, Mallien. No -violence or it will be the worse for you. If it comes to a physical -tussle, it will not be difficult for me to lay you on your back." - -Mallien knew this, so tried verbal bullying. "I order you not to -address me in that insolent tone." - -"Don't be a fool, man. And don't talk about insolence until you learn -how to behave yourself. Everyone far and near considers you a most -objectionable person." - -"Indeed!" Mallien grew livid. "And you?" - -"I am of the same opinion," replied Rupert, smoking placidly. "If you -were not Dorinda's father, I should have thrashed you ages ago." - -"You shall never marry my daughter," gasped the other, panting with -rage. - -"Dorinda and I can afford to do without your permission. See here, -Mallien, don't you think it's time you stopped playing the fool. I -said before, and I say again, that if the property is proved to be -rightfully yours, as the descendant of Eunice Filbert, I shall not -stand in the way. So the best thing you can do is to behave your silly -self and help me to search for the will. We can leave the question of -my marriage to Dorinda alone just now. Until the will is found, or is -proved not to exist, you are well aware that no marriage can take -place." - -"And if the will is found, and I am put in possession of The Big -House, no marriage shall take place," retorted the other, still -fuming. - -"On the other hand, if the will is found and proves to be illegal? -What then will be your attitude?" - -"Even then I shall refuse to----" - -"Not you," broke in Rupert with a broad smile. "You are too anxious to -buy that blue sapphire you were talking about. If you want the five -hundred a year that my marriage with Dorinda will put into your -pocket, you will have to put your pride in the same receptacle." - -"We'll see about that!" snarled Mallien vindictively, but in a more -subdued tone, for he did not wish to cross the Rubicon too soon. "The -will has yet to be proved illegal." - -"The will has yet to be found," answered the Squire, thinking how -difficult it was to hammer an idea into the man's obstinate head. - -"Ah!" Mallien's tone was significant. "I am quite sure that it never -will be found." - -Rupert opened his big blue eyes in genuine surprise. "You seem to have -changed your opinion," he remarked, after a pause. "Just now you made -sure it would be found." - -"Bah!" Mallien's pent-up rage burst forth anew. "Do you think that I -can't see through your pretended search?" - -"Pretended search." Hendle rose slowly and towered above the stout -little man like a giant. "Explain what you mean." - -"It's easy to see," snapped the other, sulkily. "Lawson could not find -the will among the papers of Leigh and you will not find it. And why? -Because it is already in your possession, and has been destroyed for -all I know." - -"Still, I don't understand," said Rupert, and his eyes grew hard as he -began to have an inkling of Mallien's meaning. "Leigh did not give the -will to me before he died." - -"I dare say not. He had his own fish to fry, and would only have given -it to you on getting your promise to finance his silly Yucatan -expedition. You took the will from his dead body." - -Hendle's temper, long held in check, blazed up. He took two steps -toward the gad-fly which so irritated him, caught Mallien by the -throat and flung him right across the room. "You liar," he said, in a -dangerously quiet tone. - -"It's true! it's true!" gasped his cousin, struggling into a sitting -position amid a pile of tumbled books. - -"Do you want your neck twisted?" - -"I dare you to do it," shrieked Mallien hysterically. "You daren't add -one murder to another." - -Rupert sat down suddenly, afraid lest his wrath should carry him too -far, and reined in his feelings with a powerful effort. "I think you -are a fool, and should be answered according to your folly," he said, -with suppressed anger. "What makes you think that I did such a thing?" - -His cousin gathered himself together and smoothed his ruffled plumes. -But he still remained among the pile of books his fall had scattered, -as he did not wish to come within arm's length of Hendle. There he sat -and grinned like an ugly little gnome. "Anyone can guess your game," -he sneered, venomously. "Leigh told you about the will and said it was -here, but--I am quite sure of this--he refused to give it to you, -unless you agreed to finance his Yucatan expedition. Of course you -refused, and then came here in the dead of night to murder him and get -the will. Bah! I can see through your pretence of searching for what -is already found." - -"You read my character according to your own base thoughts," said -Rupert, now quite self-possessed; "and what you say is wholly untrue. -Leigh told me about the will, as Mrs. Beatson informed you, and she -can bear witness that the vicar declared that he had mislaid the -document. I called to see him the next morning, but he was away--as -Mrs. Jabber can testify--seeing Mrs. Patter, who was reported to be -dying. I then went to Town to consult Carrington----" - -"Oh, you have brought that beast into it," sneered Mallien -vindictively. - -"I consulted him as to what was best to be done, and he advised me not -to see the vicar until the next day, and then in his company. -Carrington, as you well know, came down by the midday train, for the -purpose of seeing Leigh along with me. But by that time Leigh was -dead." - -"Quite so. And you killed him." - -The accusation was so absurd that Rupert merely shrugged his -shoulders, and wondered why he had lost his temper with this gad-fly -even for a moment. "I think you will find it difficult to prove that," -he observed, suavely. "I did not see Leigh on the night he was -murdered; I did not even call at the Vicarage, thanks to Carrington's -advice. My servants can prove, if you like to question them, that I -locked up and retired to bed at ten o'clock." - -"Oh, I dare say you did," scoffed Mallien; "but, remember, that Leigh -was killed--if Dr. Tollart is to be believed--at eleven. It was easy -for you to slip out of The Big House and come along to----" - -"I did not." Rupert started to his feet again, but maintained his -calmness. - -"How can you prove that you did not?" - -"How can you prove that I did?" counterquestioned the Squire. - -Mallien rose and brushed the dust from his flannels. "I shall leave -Lawson to find the proof," he cried, triumphantly. "Oh, yes. Once -Lawson knows that the will, which would rob you of your property, -exists, it will be easy for him to assign a cause why Leigh should -have been murdered. Remember, the papers were all tumbled about, as -Kensit can witness. The burglary business is all rubbish. It was to -get the will that Leigh was murdered, and you are the culprit." - -Hendle did not reply for a moment, for so skillfully had the venomous -little man built up the case, that he was quite taken aback. Then he -remembered how Carrington had warned him that, if the business of the -missing will was known, it was possible some such accusation might be -brought. Thanks to Mrs. Beatson's treachery, Mallien had been placed -in possession of dangerous facts, and Mallien, sooner than forego the -chance of acquiring the Hendle property, was quite prepared to have -his cousin handed over to the police. Not only was a strong motive for -the murder provided, but Rupert knew that he would have the greatest -difficulty in proving an alibi. After ten o'clock, all his own -servants and the inhabitants of Barship were in bed, so it was -perfectly feasible, on the face of it, that to protect his own -interests he might have stolen through the village to commit the -crime. Of course, he knew very well that he had not; that any idea of -securing the will in this way had never entered his head. -Nevertheless, the position was both uncomfortable and dangerous, and, -for the moment, he did not know what to say. Mallien noted his -cousin's silence, and concluded that guilt prevented his speech. - -"You can't deny what I say," he cried viciously. - -"I am too much taken aback by your audacity to reply, or to deny," -retorted the young man, drawing a deep breath. "Knowing me as you do, -can you think me guilty of so cowardly a crime, as to strike down an -old man?" - -"I think you capable of acting anyhow to retain your own property," -answered Mallien cynically. - -"You judge me by yourself. You might act so, but I should not. -However, it is useless to prolong this talk. I now know that you are -an envious and disappointed man, and to get my money you are willing -to go to the length of getting me hanged." - -"You shouldn't murder people, you know," taunted Mallien, believing -that he was now top dog and could have everything his own way. - -Rupert passed over the accusation. "I suppose," he remarked, laying a -trap for his foe, "that if I hand you over the property, will or no -will, you won't say anything to the police?" - -Mallien's dark eyes gleamed with greed and triumph, as he had not -expected to gain so sudden a victory. Hendle had evidently surrendered -without firing a shot. "Yes," he said eagerly. "After all, I don't -want to wash dirty family linen in public, and it would be unpleasant -for me and for Dorinda to see you in the dock. After all, also, the -will leaves everything to me, as the descendant of Eunice Filbert." - -"The will has yet to be found; it has yet to be proved legal," said -Rupert calmly, "and we are not even certain if this presumed will is -not a figment of Leigh's brain." - -"Leigh could not have invented such a story," said Mallien doggedly. -"And whether he did or not matters little. The property is mine----" - -"That has yet to be proved," interpolated Hendle quietly. - -"If you don't climb down, it will be proved at the expense of your -arrest for the murder," threatened Mallien. - -"I see." Rupert's lip curled with contempt. "And if I give you all I -have, you will condone a felony?" - -"I don't care what beastly terms you use," snapped Mallien uneasily. -"You know that it is in my power to have you arrested." - -"And in Mrs. Beatson's also." - -"Oh, I'll make it worth her while to keep quiet." - -"I wonder how Dorinda ever came to have so dishonorable a man for her -father," commented Rupert reflectively. "I always knew you to be a -bully and an avaricious animal, but I did expect some decency." - -"Take care," raged Mallien, growing livid again. "I shall tell the -police what I know, if you insult me further." - -"It is impossible to insult you. A man who had agreed to hush up what -he supposes to be a crime cannot be insulted. He is beyond the pale of -decency. I presume, Mallien, that it never occurred to you that if I -were weak enough to agree to your blackmailing, that you could be -arrested later as an accessory after the fact, always supposing that I -am guilty, which I am not." - -"Oh, for your own sake you'll hold your tongue," said the other -confidently, "and Mrs. Beatson can be squared. I don't think she'll -connect the murder and the will, anyhow, as I have done." - -"I see. She is not quite so clever as you are. Well, then, if I hand -over the property to you straightway, and not bother about finding the -will----" - -"Which you have already got and destroyed." - -"I see. We'll let it go at that. I am guilty, and you will condone my -guilt on condition that you get my money?" - -"Yes," said Mallien impudently. - -"And you will take the risk of being proved an accessory after the -fact?" - -"Yes! Because I know that you'll hold your tongue for your own sake." - -"Of course, you will keep Mrs. Beatson quiet?" - -"Certainly. She won't say a word if I give her an annuity; and she is -not likely to connect the will and the murder, as I remarked before. -Well?" - -"Well?" echoed Rupert ironically. "I'm not taking any, thank you." - -Mallien's face fell when he found that, in the moment of his fancied -triumph, victory was suddenly snatched from his grasp. "You refuse?" - -"I do. Go to Inspector Lawson and bring your accusation. I am quite -ready to meet it." - -"You'll be arrested," threatened Mallien. - -"I am quite willing to be arrested. That's better than being in the -power of a blackmailer." - -"You are mad; you are quite mad." - -"You would like me to be, but, as it happens, I am perfectly sane. -Meanwhile, until you have me locked up, help me to search for the -will." - -Mallien could not understand his cousin's attitude. He had insulted -him; he had brought a vile accusation against him; yet Rupert coolly -refused his greedy terms, and evidently did not mind being in his -company. Knowing how he would have cringed and agreed to anything -under similar circumstances, Mallien at once sought refuge in a taunt. -"I thought you were a man?" - -"Obnoxious animals such as you are cannot judge what is a man and what -isn't, my friend," retorted Rupert, putting on his coat. "Will you -walk along with me toward The Big House and discuss the matter -further?" - -"No, hang you, I won't." - -"As you please. And your denunciation of me to the police?" - -Mallien hesitated. "I'll give you a week to think things over." - -"Thank you," said Hendle gravely, and, the treaty having been made, -the conversation ended with victory for the Squire--a victory won by -sheer honesty. - - - - -CHAPTER X -DORINDA - - -Here was a pretty kettle of fish. Hitherto, Rupert had led an easy -life, wholly devoid of any great trouble. His mother having died when -he was born, and his father while the lad was at school, Hendle had -never been brought face to face with any heartbreaking sorrow. But, -with the advent of Carrington, as a species of stormy petrel, had come -one woe after another. In a remarkably short space of time, Rupert -found himself in danger of losing his property, his position, his -promised wife, and even his good name, if not his liberty and life. -Should the will be found, and should it prove to be legal, Mallien, -without the least compunction, would ascend the local throne as the -new Squire of Barship, with an income of four thousand a year. And, in -that event, there would be every chance that the marriage with Dorinda -would never take place. Her father, having all he wanted, would never -agree to the match, and, even if the girl remained true--as he knew -very well she would--how could he ask her to marry one reduced to the -position of a pauper? These things alone were sufficient to drive an -ordinary man crazy; but the possibility of being arrested for a crime -he had not committed, made Hendle feel that the burden was too great -to be borne. He returned to The Big House with his mind in a turmoil, -and his head aching with anxious thought. - -Aware that Mrs. Beatson had acted treacherously, Rupert's first idea -was to call her in and dismiss her straightway with a month's wages. -But, on second thoughts, he decided to do nothing until he had -consulted with Carrington. Certainly, the barrister, by refusing to -help as a friend, had shown himself almost as greedy of gain as -Mallien; but Hendle decided that the prospect of a fat fee would make -the man more alert to earn it. Carrington, when all was said and done, -had a shrewd brain and a great deal of experience connected with the -seamy side of life, so he was just the man to handle the problems Fate -had so unexpectedly given Rupert to solve. Mallien did not like -Carrington, and if Mallien secured the property, Carrington would not -even get his costs for taking up the case. Therefore, both as a -professional man and as Hendle's friend, the barrister had every -reason to work on the side of the Squire. What he would advise in the -matter of Mrs. Beatson and her eavesdropping Rupert did not know; but -he thought it would be just as well to see what he said. With this -idea the Squire made no difference toward his treacherous housekeeper, -and concealed his feelings so well that Mrs. Beatson had no idea that -her batteries had been unmasked. All the same Hendle saw as little of -her as possible, and, beyond giving her necessary orders, did not -speak to her. - -It must be noted that Mallien's estimate of Mrs. Beatson's brain was a -perfectly correct one. She did not in any way connect the conversation -about the missing will with the death of the vicar. All she knew was -that Mr. Leigh had found an ancient testament which would probably -transfer the property to Mallien, as the descendant of John Hendle's -granddaughter; and, for this reason, she worshipped the rising sun. -Had she guessed that there was any doubt about the legality of the -will, or any danger of its not being found, she would have held her -tongue until such time as she saw on what side it was best to range -herself. But, in the conversation she had overheard, Leigh had seemed -so certain that Rupert would lose the property and as certain that his -cousin would get it, that Mrs. Beatson had lost no time in reporting -the position. Mallien's conduct had justified her action, for he -had promised her an annuity whenever he came into his own. And, to -gain a certain income, the housekeeper was quite willing to see her -kind-hearted young master driven as a pauper from his house. - -Some natures are so strangely constituted that they resent kindness, -and the more benefactions they receive, the more do they hate the -person who bestows them. Mrs. Beatson was a woman of this class, and -all Hendle's consideration for many years had only increased the -dislike she had felt when she first set eyes on him. Moreover, she -detested Dorinda for her beauty and sweetness, and for the certain -happiness which the marriage with Rupert would surely give her. Mrs. -Beatson knew enough of the girl's unsophisticated nature to be sure -that no amount of money would make up to her for the loss of her -promised husband. She did not like Dorinda getting a fortune through -her father, but that could not be helped, and, after all, the breaking -of the engagement would assuredly prevent the girl from enjoying the -same. Therefore, the good lady smiled comfortably to herself as she -went about her duties, and rejoiced to think, as she put it, in quite -a Biblical way, that the pride of the young couple would soon be -brought low. She might not have rejoiced so prematurely had she -guessed the contents of the after-dinner letter which her master -wrote. But she did not and gloried in her fool's paradise. Dorinda -would be made miserable; Hendle would be made a pauper; and she, who -had brought about these things, would retire on an annuity of two -hundred a year for her services, as she thought that Mallien could not -possibly give her less. - -Meanwhile, after a meal to which he gave little attention, Hendle -retired to the snug little library of The Big House and sat down to -his desk. After a few moments of reflection, he wrote a long and -exhaustive letter to Carrington, setting forth what had taken place in -the study of the late vicar. He pointed out that what the barrister -had conjectured had actually come to pass, for Mallien, in possession -of the secret, now deliberately accused him of the crime. Rupert added -that he had been given a week to think over things, and then asked -whether it would not be well to dismiss Mrs. Beatson at once, lest she -should act in a further treacherous manner. Finally, the young man -ended with inviting Carrington to come down and stay at The Big House -until everything was put straight, hinting that any fee Carrington -liked to demand would be given to him for his services. In a -postscript, Rupert significantly added that if Mallien got the -property, Carrington would either receive less remuneration, or none -at all. Therefore, and this was the end of the letter--it remained for -Carrington to say whether he would give his services on these doubtful -terms. Having placed the position before the barrister thus fairly and -squarely, Hendle slipped the epistle into an envelope, addressed and -sealed it, and sent a special messenger to post it in the village. -Afterward, as there was no more to be done, he lighted his pipe, and, -sitting in one chair with his feet on another, he began to read the -morning paper, which he had not yet glanced at, so deeply had he been -involved in the direction of his own affairs. - -But the young man's brain declined to interest itself in public doings -and, before he knew where he was, Rupert found himself thinking of -what had happened in connection with Dorinda. Laying the newspaper on -his knee, and placing his hands behind his head, he leaned back to -think what was best to be done. He sorely needed a sympathetic soul to -converse with, and there was no one so fitted to help him as Dorinda. -Carrington's request for a fee had placed him in the position of a -business man rather than in that of a friend, so there was nothing to -be gained in that quarter. But Dorinda always understood and always -gave good advice, and always soothed his feelings. Hendle longed for -her looks, and touch and words so much, that he very nearly decided to -cross the park and visit the cottage. But two considerations caused -him to alter his mind, one was that Mallien, now openly hostile, would -be present at the interview; the other was, that he could not speak -straightly to the girl, seeing that her father had so much to do with -the matter. Dorinda knew that her parent was what is known as a hard -case, and had not much respect or affection for him, since he did not -deserve the first, nor demand the last. All the same, it was -impossible, as Hendle felt, for him to tell the girl frankly that her -father was little more than a blackmailer. With such a delicate -perception of what was right and just as Rupert possessed, such a -course of action was not to be thought of, so he subsided again into -his chair, whence he had risen, and determined to carry his heavy -burden all by himself. And, considering that the young man had no -experience of burdens, he carried it well and bravely. - -Then Fate, who had interfered so much in his affairs that matters had -been brought to this pass, interfered again with a kinder motive. Just -as Rupert was wondering how he was to get through the long night -without receiving human sympathy, there was a tapping at the -right-hand window of the room, which brought him to his feet. In the -stillness of the library, the sound was so unexpected and imperative -that even Hendle's steady nerves were unstrung for the moment. With an -effort he pulled himself together, and went to the window to lift it -and see who had made the signal. Through the glass he saw Dorinda -standing on the terrace in the luminous summer night, and she nodded -smilingly to him when he lifted the sash. - -"Why didn't you go to the door?" asked Rupert, leaning out, and more -astonished by her unexpected appearance than he would admit. - -"I don't want that prying Mrs. Beatson to see me," replied Miss -Mallien, advancing toward the window, the sill of which was so low -that she could very easily step over it. "I don't want her to know -that I am here. Help me in, Rupert. No!" she suddenly stepped back. -"Better come out and join me in the garden. I have much to say to you, -and I don't want to risk Mrs. Beatson listening at the door." - -"You never did like her," said Hendle, vaulting through the open -window onto the terrace. "But why do you suspect her of -eavesdropping?" - -"My father has told me what she told him," rejoined the girl calmly. -"It is for that reason that I have come over." - -Rupert took her arm, and they descended the shallow steps to the -second terrace, and then gained the lawn, which was dry and warm to -the feet. For a few minutes the Squire said nothing, but guided her -down a narrow path, which wound deviously to a kind of glade, wherein -stood an ancient sundial. Near this and against a dense shrubbery -stood a low marble seat on which he placed the girl. Then he sat down -beside her and, still remaining silent, strove to collect his -scattered thoughts. Dorinda did not hurry him into speech by making -any further observation. She had said all that was necessary, and the -next remark must be made by her lover. So the two sat quietly under -the calm beauty of the stars, breathing the cool fragrance of the -night, and the myriad odors of the dreaming flowers. There was no -moon, yet the light of the dying day, which still lingered, revealed -the garden in a kind of warm twilight. It was such an evening as would -have inspired Romeo to venture into the magical garden of Juliet; and -love-talk was the only language fitted for such an hour and scene. Yet -the stern necessities of the hour demanded that this bachelor and maid -should talk on more prosaic matters. A sad waste of time and -opportunity, to be sure, as both regretfully thought; but there was no -help for it, if future peace was to be insured. Only by the two -solving the problems which Fate had set, could happiness come. - -"I am sorry that your father told you," said Rupert at last. - -"Why?" Dorinda turned her thoughtful face toward him, and saw his -white shirt-front glimmer in the half-light. - -"Because I did not intend to tell you myself." - -"Why?" she asked again, and very calmly--even wonderingly. - -"Is there any need to worry you?" fenced the young man evasively. - -"If you are worried, as you are, it is only fair that I should be -worried also, which I am. We are not yet married, dear; all the same, -we are as perfectly of one mind as any two people can be. And, if I am -to be your wife, I must naturally share your burdens; it is easier for -two to bear them than one. You understand?" - -Hendle took her hand, which lay lightly on her lap, and pressed it in -token of thanks. "I understand that you are a staunch and true woman," -he said, in a soft voice, "how you came to have such a father----?" - -"Oh, don't let us speak of him," interrupted Dorinda impatiently. - -"My dear, we must speak of him, as he is part and parcel of the -affairs which we must discuss. Yet, had he not spoken to you, I should -have held my peace, although I was sorely tempted to come to you for -sympathy no later than a few minutes before you tapped at the window." - -"I knew, from what my father said, that you were in trouble, Rupert, -and I felt that you needed me. For that reason I flung a cloak over my -dinner-dress and came on here. Mrs. Beatson would be very shocked if -she knew that I was sitting alone with you in the garden in this -hour." - -"Mrs. Beatson is the kind of woman who would be shocked, however -innocent the thing that startled her might be. So your father told you -of our interview in Leigh's study?" - -"Yes. That is, he told me about the missing will, and how Mrs. Beatson -overheard what poor Mr. Leigh had to say on the matter." - -"What else did he tell you?" asked Hendle anxiously. - -"My dear," Dorinda's eyes opened widely, "what else was there to -tell?" - -"Hum!" murmured the Squire doubtfully. "Your father let out just as -much as suited him. Let us talk of what he did tell you to begin with; -afterward, we can talk of what he did not tell you. Yet"--Rupert -tugged at his moustache nervously--"I am not quite sure if I should -speak frankly." - -"I am," retorted Dorinda, giving his hand a squeeze, "if I am to help -you, I must know everything." - -"I don't feel quite certain if that is playing the game." - -"Is my father playing the game?" questioned the girl, with a shrug. - -"No," answered Rupert decidedly, "he isn't. And it is that which makes -it so hard for me to be frank. After all, your father is your father, -dear, and I have no right to say anything which will lower him in your -esteem." - -Dorinda laughed rather sadly. "Dear, I have no illusions left about my -father," she said, in a low tone, "he has never been a father to me, -as you know very well. I have tried my best to respect and love him, -but his actions and life are such that I can do neither. Be as open -with me as you can, Rupert, for you know that my father will not spare -either of us where his own feelings are at stake. Therefore, it only -seems fair to me that we should not spare him, more than is necessary, -on account of my unfortunate relationship to him." - -"Do you really think so, Dorinda?" - -"Yes, I do. If my father deserved filial affection, he should have it. -But, as he has made no attempt to secure it, how can I give it to him? -And remember, you are to be my husband and your interests are mine, -even though my father's selfish desires intervene. You have the -greatest claim on me." - -Rupert heaved a sigh of relief. "I am so glad to hear you say that," -he remarked thankfully, "for I badly need some one who can help me and -sympathize with me. I thought Carrington would prove to be a pal, but, -like everyone else, he is eaten up with greed for money." - -"What makes you say that?" - -"He said that he would only help me on condition that I paid him." - -"Ah-r-r-r," said Dorinda, much disgusted. "I told you that I did not -like him, Rupert. He is a bad man." - -"Oh, not so bad as that, dear. A little greedy perhaps, but not wholly -bad." - -"He is a bad man," repeated Dorinda, obstinately. "As my father said, -long ago, all he wants is to get money out of you." - -"As your father does," said Rupert dryly. - -Dorinda looked down at her white shoes and placed them both together -before she answered. "I have told you my opinion of my father," she -said with a sigh, "so what is the use of going over old ground. But -time is passing, Rupert, and there is much to say. I wish to go home -soon, lest my father should find out that I have come here. I left him -busy in his study with his jewels, so we are safe for half an hour, at -least. Come now, what took place in the Vicarage library?" - -"What did your father tell you?" - -"He said that Mrs. Beatson told him about the will found by Mr. Leigh, -and how Mr. Leigh had mislaid it. The will, he declared, left the -Hendle property to him entirely." - -"I have not yet seen the will," answered Rupert, cautiously, "and, -beyond Leigh's word, I don't even know that it exists. But he -maintained that it did, as he came across it in the Muniment Room, and -took it to the Vicarage to look into. Then he lost it, or mislaid it -somehow. As I have access to his papers, as executor, I am trying to -find it." - -"Does it leave the property to my father?" - -"Not directly, I understand," admitted Rupert, quietly, "but Leigh -explained that John Hendle, from whom we are both descended, dear, -hated his younger son Frederick, who inherited, and loved his son -Walter, who was killed at the Battle of Waterloo. In the year when -that battle was fought, he made this will, leaving the Hendle property -to Walter's daughter, and cutting off Frederick, who represented the -younger branch." - -"Eunice Hendle was the daughter, my father said." - -"Yes. She afterward became Eunice Filbert, as she married a man of -that name," explained Rupert laboriously. "Her daughter, Anne Filbert, -married Frank Mallien, your father's parent, so, if the will proves to -be legal, your father will certainly get the property through his -descent on the distaff side." - -"And you?" asked Dorinda, apprehensively. - -Rupert rested his elbows on his knees, linked his hands loosely -together, and looked down at the shadowy turf of the lawn. "I shall -lose everything," he stated calmly. "I descend in the male line from -Frederick through Henry Hendle and Charles Hendle. And, as Frederick -was cut off by his father in favor of Walter's child, Eunice, I am an -interloper and a fraud. If this will is found, and can be proved to be -legal, Dorinda, I shall not have a penny. As things stand, your father -is better off with his five hundred a year than I shall be. It is a -very unpleasant position, as it stops our marriage." - -"Oh, does it?" cried Dorinda, flaming up, "in what way?" - -"Well, in the first place, your father would never agree to your -marrying a pauper, and in the second the pauper could scarcely ask you -to share his nothing a year." - -"Darling,"--Dorinda drew closer to her lover and laid her cheek -against his--"I will marry no one but you. I don't care what my father -says." - -"It is not of your father that I am thinking of, but of my honor," -rejoined Rupert, slipping his arm round her waist and holding her -tightly to him. "If we got married, how could I support you? I have no -trade, and no profession, so the only thing that I could do to keep -body and soul together is to enlist. I might emigrate certainly, but -then your life as my wife would be as hard and impossible in the -backwoods as it would be if you followed the drum along with me." - -Dorinda sighed. "You take a very prosaic view of the position." - -"In justice to you I must take a prosaic view. Romance is all very -well, but without money romance means trouble and sordid cares." - -"Yes," sighed the girl again; then added, after a pause. "And if the -will is not found?" - -"I shall keep my own," answered Rupert firmly. "It's no use my being a -silly fool, and giving up what isn't proved not to be mine. But I am -looking for the will, Dorinda, and if it comes to light, I shall hand -it over to the family lawyers to be adjusted. And, of course, you may -be certain that I shall take advantage of everything likely to prevent -my losing The Big House and the income." - -"That is quite right," said Dorinda, in a tone of satisfaction, -patting her lover's hand consolingly. "I daresay my father will fight, -but if you have right on your side, you will be sure to win. Money -would do my father no good, as he would only waste it in collecting -jewels, whereas you make good use of your income. After all the will -may not exist. Mr. Leigh may have dreamed that there was such a -document." - -"He seemed to be very positive that it did exist, dear," said Rupert, -with a shrug, "and, although Leigh was a bit of a dreamer, I don't -think he would have or could have made up such a fairy tale as this. -For my part, I believe that there _is_ such a testament, and that it -will come to light sooner or later. I shall make use of the Statute of -Limitations, and of any flaw in the will to keep the property, but if -everything is legal and shipshape, I shall hand over what I have to -your father. As an honest man I can do no less." - -"It's very hard on you, dear." - -"It is," admitted Rupert quietly; "but I may have to bear harder -things." - -Dorinda stared. "I don't see anything harder to bear." - -"The loss of liberty and, perhaps, of life----" - -"Rupert, what are you talking about?" - -"Ah!" Rupert rose and stretched himself. "Your father did not tell you -all that we spoke about in the Vicarage study. You don't know what he -proposes to do, Dorinda, and I don't know if I ought to tell you." - -"You must! you must!" She sprang up and laid her two hands on his -shoulders with a grasp of which he did not think she was capable. "I -share all your troubles--all your sorrows, all--all." - -Hendle caught her hands, and holding them to his heart looked into her -eyes dimly seen in the light. "Your father declares that I murdered -Leigh to get the will," he said quietly; "don't scream." - -"I am not going to scream," replied Dorinda, looking aside and -speaking rather rapidly. "What on earth makes my father say such a -ridiculous thing? On the face of it, such an accusation is absurd." - -"Your father doesn't seem to think so, dear. And if Inspector Lawson -learned what was at stake with regard to this will, he would not think -so either. Remember that I had every reason to steal it, even at the -cost of a life." - -"What rubbish," declared the girl, vehemently. "You would never, -never, never----" - -"No," said Rupert positively, and his heart leaped when she defended -him. "I would never save my property at the cost of a crime, however -small or however necessary. You know, Dorinda, that I would let -everything go rather than lose my honor and my good name. Your father -thinks otherwise, so he is determined to get my money and my position, -and my good name into the bargain." - -"I can't believe it, I can't! I can't!" gasped the girl, overwhelmed. -"My father may be selfish, but he wouldn't surely----" - -"But he has. He accuses me of committing the crime, and has given me -one week to think over the matter. If I come to his terms, he will -shut up Mrs. Beatson's possible chatter and will hold his own tongue." - -"Did he offer you safety on those terms?" - -"He did, and I refused them." - -Dorinda flung her arms round his neck and her lips sought his. "I knew -you would; I knew you would. Oh! don't say anything more, Rupert. I am -glad you told me, as I now know where I stand--where you stand. We -have a week to think over things, and in that week much may happen. -God will never permit such an injustice. Cheer up, dearest"--she -kissed him again--"it will all come out right; it will all come out -right." - -"I hope so," said Rupert, doubtfully, and adjusting the cloak on her -shoulders. "But what will you say to your father?" - -"I don't know, I can't say, I must think. Meanwhile, see me home, -Rupert." - -Thus abruptly she ended the interview, and the Squire escorted her to -within sight of the cottage. But he did not enter. - - - - -CHAPTER XI -CARRINGTON'S ADVICE - - -The details given by Rupert of the conversation which had taken place -in the Vicarage study shocked Dorinda profoundly. It was natural -enough that her father, informed of an existing will which would give -him an estate, should try and gain possession of it, so as to secure -what he believed to be his rights. Dorinda did not blame him for -taking up so reasonable a position; but she was horrified to think -that he should accuse an innocent man of committing the crime. It was -wholly impossible that Mallien could believe Rupert to be guilty. He -had known the Squire intimately for twenty-five and more years, -therefore he was well aware how strictly honorable Rupert was in -every way. Moreover, Hendle had always treated his cousin with -consistent kindness, having again and again given him sums of money, -large and small, which had never been repaid. Even if Rupert were -guilty, it was cowardly of Mallien to threaten; but, seeing that -Rupert was innocent--and Dorinda was well assured in her own mind that -her father knew him to be so--the attack was cowardly in the extreme. -If the girl had little affection for her father before, she had still -less for him now. - -What troubled her throughout the night was the question of speaking, -or of not speaking, frankly to her father. He had withheld from her -the more serious portion of his interview with Rupert, and Dorinda was -strongly inclined, not only to intimate that she knew about the -accusation, but to tell her father how strongly she disapproved of his -conduct. More than this, she wished to state that she was on the side -of her lover. Dorinda was straightforward herself; and greatly desired -that Mallien should be straightforward also. To bring such rectitude -into being, plain speaking was necessary. Yet the girl hesitated to -broach the subject, knowing only too well her father's temper, his -tricky nature and his unscrupulous greed. But at breakfast, her -hesitation to make trouble was ended by Mallien himself, as he began -to speak furiously the moment she laid her hand on the coffee-pot. - -"This is a nice thing, Dorinda," he raged, without returning her -morning greeting. "You went out last night and did not return until -after nine; in fact, it was nearer ten. Don't deny it. You slipped out -when I was busy in my study, but I came to ask you something and found -you had gone out. What do you mean by such conduct?" - -Dorinda lifted her eyebrows. "I am not aware that there is anything -strange about my conduct. I have been out late before. I am quite -capable of looking after myself, I assure you, father." - -"I don't think so," retorted Mallien, bristling with anger; "and I -don't like such underhand conduct." - -"I never behave in an underhand way," returned Dorinda, her color -rising and her eyes flashing. "You know that quite well." - -"You slipped out last night and slipped in, without telling me." - -"There was no need to tell you." - -"There was. Don't contradict me. If your conduct was not underhand, -why did you not come and say good-night to me in my study as usual?" - -"Because I could not," said Dorinda coldly, and looking straight at -her angry parent. "What Rupert told me about you disgusted me too -much." - -"Rupert!" Mallien rose and pushed back his chair noisily. "You went to -see that--that--that scoundrel?" - -Dorinda rose in her turn. "He is not a scoundrel." - -"He is, I tell you, and I forbid you to see him again." - -"As I am engaged to my cousin, I shall see him when and where I -please," said the girl deliberately. "Don't try me too far, father, or -you will be sorry for it. I am not in the best of tempers this -morning." - -"You--you--minx!" gasped the angry man, choking with rage. "How dare -you address me in that way?" - -"And how dare you accuse Rupert of murdering Mr. Leigh," she retorted -boldly. - -Mallien's wrath suddenly died away, and he dropped back into his chair -with an uneasy look. "Who says that I accuse----" - -"Rupert himself told me. I saw him last night, to hear what he had to -say about this missing will, and he told me what you did not tell me." - -"He's a mean hound to put my daughter against me!" shouted Mallien. - -"Please"--Dorinda flung up her hand--"I am not deaf. Rupert did not -wish to tell me. I made him speak out, as I saw that he was hiding -something. If you were as honorable and scrupulous as Rupert, father, -you would not need to get into these rages with me, as I don't deserve -them. And it's no use your behaving in this way. I can hold my own, as -you well know, and I intend to do so. We may as well understand one -another." - -"I am your father; you owe me respect." - -"How can I give you what you don't deserve? You _are_ my father, and -God help me that I should have such a one." - -"If you talk to me in this way," snarled Mallien, blustering, "I shall -turn you out of doors neck and crop. What will you do then?" - -"Marry Rupert," rejoined the girl promptly. - -"A ruined man," sneered the other. - -"He is not ruined yet; he never may be ruined. That will has yet to be -found; it has yet to be proved legal, and you may be sure that Rupert -will take all the advantage he can, to keep what he has." - -"I see. You are fighting against your father." - -"I fight on the side of right. If the property is yours, Rupert is -willing to hand it over; if it is his, he has every right to keep it. -But you have no right," cried Dorinda, striking the table -passionately, "to accuse an innocent man of committing such a cowardly -crime." - -"You are talking nonsense," said Mallien, doggedly and folded his -arms. "He is guilty." - -"He is not. No one knows that better than you." - -Mallien cringed at that last sentence, and his dark face grew -strangely pale as he avoided his daughter's steady blue eyes. "I don't -know why you should say that," he muttered. - -"What else can I say when you have known Rupert for so many years?" -was the passionate reply. "Has he ever behaved otherwise than -honorably? Is he the man, father, to kill a weakling like poor Mr. -Leigh, for money which he cares very little about? You know better." - -Mallien recovered his self-possession during his daughter's speech and -shook his shoulders as he laughed harshly. "I know that the will -stands between Rupert and absolute poverty," he retorted obstinately; -"and if a man has to make a choice----" - -"A man like Rupert would chose poverty rather than crime," interrupted -Dorinda imperiously. "What reason have you to believe that Rupert -would do such a wicked thing?" - -"My knowledge of human nature----" - -"Oh, is that all?" There was an expression of relief in Dorinda's -voice as she interrupted him again. "So your evidence is purely -circumstantial?" - -"Yes!" admitted Mallien sullenly, and feeling that Dorinda was too -strong for him to deal with. "All the same, a very powerful case can -be built up against the fellow. The will has disappeared in the nick -of time, and Rupert had every reason to make it disappear." - -"You seem to forget that no one but Mr. Leigh has seen the will," said -Dorinda crisply; "it may not exist." - -"It does exist," stormed Mallien violently, "and it leaves the -property to me as the descendant of Eunice Filbert." - -"That is what Mr. Leigh said, but he may have imagined the whole -thing. He was always a dreamer, you know. Anyhow, father, I don't see -much use in your threatening Rupert with shadows." - -"I don't think that Inspector Lawson will think that they are -shadows," said Mallien significantly. - -"Don't you?" replied Dorinda, with a lightness which she was far from -feeling. "Well, then, I do. Before the police can arrest Rupert, they -must first prove that the document, for the sake of which the crime is -supposed to have been committed, is in existence. Then they will have -to prove that Rupert was at the Vicarage on the night, and at the time -when Mr. Leigh was struck down. I don't think it will be easy to do -what you say." - -"I have no wish for Rupert to be arrested," said Mallien restlessly. -"All he has to do is to give up the property and I'll hold my tongue." - -"There is nothing for you to hold your tongue about," said Dorinda -sharply, "as what you say is purely theoretical. As to the property, -you certainly shall not have it unless the will is found and the -property is proved to be yours. I am on Rupert's side, remember, and I -shall do my best to make him hold on to his own." - -"You go against your father?" - -"Oh!" she cried impatiently, "you said that before, and I answered -you. Yes, I do go against my father, and I have every reason to. I am -not going to countenance a robbery which would give you money you are -better without." - -"Better without?" demanded Mallien indignantly. "What do you mean?" - -"What I say," said Dorinda tartly. "Rupert makes good use of his -fortune in helping the poor, and in keeping up the church. You would -only waste it in buying jewels for your own satisfaction." - -"I won't be spoken to like this." - -"It is your own fault that I am so frank. If what I say doesn't please -you, I can easily go to London to see my old schoolmistress and ask -her to get me a position as a nursery governess." - -"You wouldn't do that?" - -"Yes, I would, and you know that I would. I should like to respect you -and to love you, father, but I cannot. Your last action, in -threatening to denounce an innocent man, widens the gulf between us. -If you dare to go to Inspector Lawson, I shall go out as a governess -until such time as Rupert is ready to marry me. Now you know exactly -what I mean." - -Mallien did know, and was well aware that she would act precisely as -she declared she would. It was no use to storm and bluster and try to -reduce her to tears, as Dorinda was not a tearful woman. She knew how -to hold her own and intended to hold it. Mallien, having tried rage, -was reduced to attempting pathos, which he did very badly. "My own -daughter! my own daughter!" he murmured sadly. "It's heartbreaking." - -"It's pretty uncomfortable, I grant you," answered Dorinda, with a -queer smile, "for me as for you. But as you have made the position -entirely yourself, I don't see what you have to complain of. But now -that we understand one another, let us call a truce." - -"Very good. I will overlook your unfilial behavior and try to forget -this conversation. All the same," cried Mallien, blazing up again, "I -intend to get my rights." - -"Certainly. And if the will is found, you shall have them." - -This was cold comfort to Mallien, who doubted if the will ever would -be found. Leigh might have made a mistake, and there might be no will -in existence, in which case, by making an enemy of Rupert, he would be -worse off than he was at present. He thought that until the truth came -to light, it would be just as well to temporize, and let things stand -as they were. Therefore, as an outward sign of reconciliation, he -dropped a cold kiss on his daughter's white brow, and retreated to his -study. Dorinda, left alone in the little dining-room, had no desire to -eat any breakfast, as the struggle to secure Rupert's safety had -exhausted her greatly. She hastily drank a cup of coffee, then wrote a -note to her lover, saying that he need not be afraid of the -intervention of the police, and relating in detail the conversation -just ended. Having sent this by hand to The Big House, the girl went -about her daily duties, resolutely cheerful. Only by assuming a bold -front could she combat the great trouble which threatened to overwhelm -her and her lover. When the worst came to the worst, there would be -time enough to think of further defense. But Dorinda believed that -further defense would not be required. - -Rupert was very well satisfied when he received Dorinda's note, as he -had winced at the idea of Inspector Lawson intervening. He, of course, -had been very certain that there was no chance of his being arrested, -owing to the fact that the will could not be proved to exist. Still, -Lawson was ambitious of promotion and obstinate in his own opinion, -therefore, if Mallien had told his story, there might have been a -chance of scandal. However, Dorinda having reduced her father to -neutrality, the only thing that remained to do was to find the will. -Rupert intended to search again among the papers at the Vicarage; but -could not do so until the afternoon, as Carrington had sent a wire -saying he would be down by the midday express. The Squire intended to -meet him at the station, and talk to him on the way home, since he was -anxious to know what was the best way to deal with the treacherous -Mrs. Beatson. Knowing that she was a spy and an enemy, Rupert could -hardly bear to see her about the house. However, he tolerated her -presence until he heard what Carrington had to say. - -By this time, all excitement had died out of the village, as the crime -had been so thoroughly discussed that there was no more to be said -about the matter. In their stolid bovine way, the rustics accepted -the positive fact that their late spiritual adviser was dead and -buried--accepted, also, the evident truth that the murderer would -never be caught and punished. This being the case, they dismissed the -past, and looked eagerly forward to the future when the new incumbent -would arrive. It was reported that a vicar had already been appointed -by the Bishop and that he had a family, and would make the Vicarage a -much more lively place than it had been in Mr. Leigh's time. Oh, there -was plenty to talk about and _The Hendle Arms_ was filled with -conversational yokels from morning until evening. - -On the way to the station, Rupert stumbled across Titus Ark, who -grinned in a toothless manner, touched his shabby hat, and shuffled -along in a manner surprisingly spry for a man of eighty-odd years of -age. Hendle stopped to give him a sixpence for snuff, to which the -ancient was much addicted. - -"You miss Mr. Leigh, Titus," he said, pityingly, for the old man was a -lonely figure in the midst of the new generation. - -"Hor! Hor! Hor!" croaked the aged sexton. "Why should I miss him -Squoire when he bain't dead?" - -"Why, Titus, you buried him--that is, you helped to place the body in -the family vault. Poor Mr. Leigh could not have been buried alive." - -"Who said as he was alive, Squoire? I never did." - -"You say that he isn't dead." - -"No more he be." - -"Then he must be alive." - -"No, he bain't. Hor! Hor! Hor! Crack that nut, Squoire!" and the -ancient shuffled along the dry dusty road, chuckling to himself. - -Hendle shrugged his shoulders, wondering if it would be necessary to -lock up Titus in a lunatic asylum. He appeared to be quite crazy, and -talked in so confused and contradictory a manner that no meaning could -be extracted from his speech. Evidently his brain was far gone in -decay, and although so far he had kept his legs, he would shortly be -bedridden. Ark's office as sexton was a sinecure, as his grandson, an -active young fellow, dug the graves, and attended to funeral details. -The activities of Titus were confined to appearing in the churchyard -and telling what he knew about the deceased. On the whole, the old -creature was harmless enough, so Rupert banished from his mind the -idea of shutting him up, satisfied that, so long as his grandson -looked after him, he could be permitted to be at large. Ark's -incomprehensible talk reminded Hendle of Wordsworth's poem--"We Are -Seven." No more than the child therein could Titus understand what -death meant. And this was strange, considering that he was an old and -accomplished sexton. - -However, Rupert had more important things with which to employ his -mind than in thinking about the babble of the ancient. He forgot all -about Ark when he came in sight of the station, the more readily when -he saw Carrington on the lookout for him. The train had arrived early, -and the barrister was waiting for his friend's arrival. After -greetings, Carrington linked his arm within that of his old -school-friend, and they sauntered leisurely toward The Big House. - -"That was a strange letter you wrote me, Hendle," said Carrington, -when the two settled into their stride. "I could scarcely believe it." - -"Why not? I wrote plainly enough." - -"Oh, yes. But I never thought that my idea of risk to you would ever -become an established fact so soon. It's queer that Mrs. Beatson -should have listened on that particular night to that particular -conversation." - -"Well, you see, she got it into her head that I intended to dismiss -her when I married Dorinda, and so kept her ears open to hear if I -spoke to the vicar about my intention. As a matter of fact, I had no -idea of turning her away." - -"_Then_, you had not. But now?" - -"She must go," said Rupert shortly. "I can't have a spy at my elbow." - -"Have you said anything to her?" - -"No! She is quite in the dark as to her treachery having been -discovered." - -Carrington thought for a few moments. "If Mallien goes to the police, -she will then learn that you know how she has behaved." - -"Mallien is not going to the police," said Rupert, quietly. - -"But I thought you said in your letter that he had given you one week -to----" - -"Yes, yes," interrupted the younger man, "I did say so, and such was -the case when I wrote. But circumstances have changed since then, -thanks to Dorinda." - -"Miss Mallien? What has she to do with the matter?" - -"A great deal. Last night she came over, as her father had told her -about the will. I was forced to tell her that Mallien threatened to -accuse me of the murder." - -"Oh! Oh!" said Carrington significantly. "So Mallien did not tell her -that?" - -"No. He was ashamed to, I suppose, as he is well aware that I am -innocent. But this morning he had a row with Dorinda about her -engagement to me, and she stood up for me, bless her. What she said, -or what he said, I don't know, but Dorinda sent over a note this -morning saying that her father had changed his mind about speaking to -Lawson." - -Carrington heaved a sigh of relief. "That makes things easier, anyhow. -We can take our own time to work out the case. Have you found the -will?" - -"No. I haven't seen a sign of it. I intend to look again this -afternoon, and you can assist me if you care to." - -"Oh, yes. Four hands are better than two, and two searchers better -than one, Hendle. And if the will isn't found?" - -"Well, I suppose things will remain as they are." - -"Don't you make any mistake, Hendle," replied the barrister shrewdly. -"Mallien won't stop until he gets that will." - -"I don't mind. In fact, I told him that he could help me look for it." - -Carrington frowned. "I hope I won't be brought into contact with him. -He's such a rude beast." - -"Well, after our quarrel of yesterday. I don't think he'll put in an -appearance," said Hendle consolingly. "Anyhow, whether he does or not -matters little. Our business is to find the will, and thus knock -Mallien's possible accusation on the head." - -"As you please, what must be, must be. Miss Mallien is a charming -girl, but if marriage with her meant a father-in-law like that boor I -should cry off." - -"Ah, you are not in love, you see," said Rupert calmly; "besides, when -we are married, we will see very little of Mallien. I am bribing him -with five hundred a year to make himself scarce. As he doesn't care a -cent for his daughter, he will probably agree to clear out." - -"Not before he has had a try to get the whole of your money," said -Carrington dryly. "The man is a shark, and a sponge, and a greedy -animal." - -"Why call him names, Carrington? He is Dorinda's father after all, so -it is best to leave him alone." - -"He won't leave you alone," retorted the other. "I wonder you can be -so calm over the matter, Hendle." - -Rupert cast a side-look of surprise at the flushed dark face of his -companion. "I am quite innocent, so why shouldn't I be calm?" - -"Hum!" growled the barrister. "Innocent men have been hanged before -now." - -"Well, this innocent man won't be hanged, Carrington. No one can prove -that I was near the Vicarage on that night." - -"Probably not. But you had every motive to go there and get the will, -seeing that it may render you a pauper." - -"If I am to be a pauper I must become a pauper," replied Rupert -coolly; "but I certainly would never attempt to save myself from -poverty by murdering an old man who was my friend." - -"Well, you see, people will talk as Mallien has talked," said the -barrister with a shrug. "You and I alone knew about the will. I was -in town, so no one can say a word about me. But you, near at hand, -and----" - -"What is the use of talking rubbish?" interrupted Rupert sharply. "I -never was near the place on that night, and if people talk, well, they -must just talk, as I am perfectly innocent. Besides, you forget that -Mallien knew about the will." - -"Only after the murder, as Mrs. Beatson probably did not tell him -beforehand." - -"I don't suppose she did. Hum!" Rupert stopped and looked down at his -neat brown boots and gaiters. "Queer that I never thought of asking -Mallien when she did tell him. I'll ask him next time we meet. Just -now we can cross out Mallien as knowing. But Mrs. Beatson----" - -"Exactly," interrupted Carrington gravely; "it occurs to me that she -knows more about the matter than she chooses to say." - -"But you don't mean to infer that she killed the vicar?" - -"Why not? She knew about the will and guessed that if she could get -hold of it she could make you squeal." - -"At the risk of being accused of murdering Leigh." - -Carrington nodded. "Perhaps. But then she may think that you would -hold your tongue about that if she gave you the will." - -Hendle walked on sharply. "I don't believe a word of what you say," he -cried, looking much worried. "Mrs. Beatson has behaved treacherously, -but I don't think for one moment that she would kill the vicar." - -"Perhaps not," said Carrington soothingly. "Well, then, let us say -nothing to her, but watch. If she is guilty, she is bound to betray -herself. The main thing is not to let her suspect that you have found -out her treachery." - -Hendle took off his cap and let the balmy air play on his hot head. -"It is very unpleasant," he said in a vexed tone. - -"Very," assented the barrister cordially; "but for your own sake----" - -"Well, well, do what you like, Carrington. The case is in your hands." - - - - -CHAPTER XII -ON THE TRACK - - -Generally speaking, it seemed as though Mallien's prophecy of -Carrington picking Rupert's pockets was likely to come true. Owing to -circumstances, the barrister had found a perfectly legitimate way of -getting money from his friend, and intended to take every advantage of -the opportunity. He explained to Hendle that it would be necessary for -him to remain at The Big House until all these crooked affairs were -straightened out, and that, his time being valuable, he would require -a handsome fee for his services. The Squire professed himself quite -willing that things should be so arranged, but he was scarcely so -dense as Carrington believed him to be. He saw that the visitor was -anxious to make money, and concluded that perhaps it was best to -settle matters on this coldly legal basis. The cut-and-dried situation -was thus perfectly understood by both men, and they got on very -amicably together. On the surface everything was as it should be. - -But below the surface, things were scarcely so pleasant. Rupert's -susceptibilities for Carrington, dating from Rugby days, had received -a shock. He had looked to find in the barrister an intimate friend, -only to discover that he was a hard business man. Had Carrington -looked into matters without stipulating for a fee, and had behaved as -a chum, Hendle would have gladly dealt handsomely with him, knowing -that he was not particularly successful in his profession. But the -Squire, with the memory of his school hero-worship in his mind, was -dismayed to find that his former idol had feet of clay, and that -Carrington was quite willing to use him as a means to an end. Rupert -was by no means sentimental, yet he felt anxious for sympathy in his -present unpleasant position. That sympathy should be sold, as the -barrister was selling it, chilled his ardent nature, and made him less -confidential with his school-friend than otherwise he would have been. -Everything seemed to be for sale, and nothing appeared to be given as -a gift. Mallien, Mrs. Beatson, Carrington, all had an eye to the main -chance; and even the late vicar had hinted in a veiled way that the -will would be given up if his Yucatan expedition was financed. It -seemed to Rupert that his only true friend was Dorinda, who loved him -for himself, and not for what she could get out of him. And Dorinda -was nearer and dearer than a friend, since she was to be his wife. -Hendle, who was deeply religious in his unobtrusive way, silently -thanked God that he had one staunch comrade. And such Dorinda was, -therefore their marriage would certainly be happier, when founded upon -so solid a foundation, than if it were a mere romantic passion. - -For the next three days, the two men paid daily visits to the Vicarage -and hunted high and low for the missing will. They examined every -paper; they opened every book; they looked through the pockets of old -clothes, and turned out every cupboard. Rupert expected that Mallien, -being so keen about his rights, would search also; but the day after -Carrington's arrival, he went up to London, and remained absent for -some time. Apparently he disliked coming into contact with the -sharp-tongued barrister, and probably would not return until his enemy -took his departure. Carrington, of course, was not Mallien's enemy, as -he had no reason to be, but Mallien in his odd misanthropic way -regarded him as such. He therefore would not have been pleased had he -learned that on the third day of his absence, Dorinda entertained the -two men at dinner. - -Miss Mallien did not like Carrington any more than did her father, but -for the sake of helping Rupert, she extended the hand of hospitality. -In fact she gave quite a little dinner-party, as Kit Beatson and Miss -Tollart were also present. The master of the house always objected to -these small entertainments, as they cost money; but Dorinda paid no -attention to his objections, as she claimed a reasonable right to -amuse herself. Nevertheless, she considered her father's feelings so -far as only to ask her neighbors to luncheon, afternoon tea and dinner -when he was absent. Yet, notwithstanding this concession, there was -always trouble when Mallien returned; and, since Carrington had been -invited, it was probable that, on this occasion, there would be a -royal row. Dorinda did not mind, as she was used to rows. The only way -in which she could make her situation bearable was by standing up for -herself and defying her father in small matters. If she did not do so, -he would bully her still more, for every inch she gave meant several -ells with him. Her mild entertainments were therefore useful in -preserving her independence, and in coloring a somewhat drab -existence. - -With the assistance of the small servant, Miss Mallien had prepared a -simple but appetizing meal, which was done full justice to by the -quartette of guests. Afterward, they sat in the tiny drawing-room, and -enjoyed a real old English evening of the Albert Period type, -including games and music. Carrington had brought some jig-saw puzzles -from London, and when the excitement of putting tricky pictures -together palled, music supplied new pleasure. Sophy Tollart, who had -been well-trained, rendered scraps of very up-to-date harmony, which -began anyhow and ended nowhere. Kit sang sentimental ballads in a -pleasant uncultivated tenor, and Dorinda delighted her hearers with -old time songs such as "Kathleen Mavourneen" and "Robin Adair." -Finally, as the evening waned, the company gathered near the open -window to chat about this and that and the other thing. Sophy -recounted her experience as a militant suffragist; Kit informed -everyone of what progress the motor industry was making, and, of -course, the coming of the new vicar supplied interesting conversation. -It was Miss Tollart who introduced the topic. - -"He will arrive in a fortnight," she explained, bending her black -brows in quite a tragic way, "and has a family of four girls. I hope -to interest them all in the movement." - -"Votes for Women?" asked Carrington, who found Sophy very amusing, -since she knew little and asserted much. - -"Of course. What other Movement is there?" - -"Well, you see, Miss Tollart, Women's Rebellion isn't the only pebble -on the beach. Humanity has other interests also." - -"Then it shouldn't have," retorted Sophy daringly. "Until women have -votes, the world will never be put right." - -"Things have gone on very well so far," ventured Rupert, only to be -crushed. - -"How can you say so, Mr. Hendle, when there's nothing but war and -bankruptcy, and silly football matches, and smart society, and----" - -"Sophy! Sophy! that's enough to go on with," cried Dorinda, smiling. -"Don't give us too much to think about." - -"You never think at all, Dorinda. You are fainthearted about our -votes." - -"I don't think you'll get them by destroying property and having -hunger strikes," replied Dorinda, with a shrug. "What do you say, -Kit?" - -Kit blushed and wriggled, for Sophy's eye was on him. "I don't say -anything you know. I never do. The motor business takes up all my -attention." Then he hurriedly changed the subject, lest his lady-love -should fall foul of him for his shirking. "I hope Sophy will gain her -ends easier in Australia." - -"I'm not going to Australia, Kit. I told you that and I told your -mother." - -"Mrs. Beatson," said Carrington, pricking up his ears. "Does she want -you to go to Australia, Miss Tollart?" - -"She wants to go herself." - -"That's news to me," observed Hendle, with a start. - -"It's news to all of us," put in Kit, dismally. "The worst of mother -is that you never know what she'll be up to next. The other day she -came to me and said that she soon hoped to inherit an annuity of two -hundred a year and intended to go to Australia. She wants Sophy and me -to come with her." - -Hendle, Dorinda and Carrington exchanged glances. "Who is leaving this -annuity to your mother?" asked Rupert, guessing the source of the -windfall. - -"She didn't say," replied Kit, "some old aunt, I fancy. But I don't -want to go with mother. She and Sophy never get on well together." - -"How can we when she wants everyone to bow down to her?" said -Miss Tollart, who hated Mrs. Beatson thoroughly. "I'm not of the -bowing-down sort. And when I marry, I want my house to myself." - -"Natural enough," observed Carrington, who was listening eagerly. "And -Mrs. Beatson wants you all to live together on her annuity?" - -"Not exactly that," said Kit reluctantly. "She won't keep us, but -hopes that in Australia I shall make more money out of motors." - -"She may hope," said Sophy positively; "and, if she is disappointed, -she will have to be. You are not going to Australia, Kit. My father -needs my care, and I can't leave him." - -It seemed to Carrington that between Kit's mother and his future -wife's father, the poor young fellow was in a most uncomfortable -position. However, for obvious reasons, connected with Sophy, he did -not say so and contented himself with the remark that he thought Dr. -Tollart very clever. "When I came down here first, I called in to get -a cure for toothache and he gave me one which acted like a charm." - -Sophy, who seemed to have a deep affection for her disreputable -parent, colored with pleasure as she rose to go. "Father has his -faults, but he is a very clever man," she said emphatically; "but for -his failing he would be in Harley Street as a Specialist." - -"Great men have more room for faults than small men," quoted -Carrington. "Don't look angry, Miss Tollart; I really mean what I say. -Your father is clever." - -"I'm glad to hear that some one does him justice," said the girl -bitterly, and looking more womanly as she spoke. "Usually everyone is -against him. But Kit will help me to keep him straight when we are -married. Mrs. Beatson would drive him crazy." - -"Sophy! Sophy! She is my mother," expostulated Kit, blushing. - -"I know that," snapped Miss Tollart tartly. "It is the only thing I -have against you as my husband. But so long as she lives at a -distance--well, it's no use talking. Dorinda, I'm going now." - -She went out to put on her hat and cloak, while Kit stood irresolutely -by the door he had just opened, looking so downcast that Hendle -clapped him on the back. "Cheer up, old boy; it will be all right," he -said, feeling profoundly sorry for the lad since Mrs. Beatson was -decidedly a very disagreeable mother. And then Carrington put a -question. - -"When does your mother expect her annuity?" - -"She says she may get it at any time," replied Kit, rather stiffly, as -he did not see why a stranger like the barrister should interfere; -"but I know very little about it. All she told me was that she was to -get two hundred a year and would leave Mr. Hendle to go to Australia." - -"Oh, I shall place no obstacle in her path," observed Rupert somewhat -grimly. "After all, as I soon marry Miss Mallien, there will be no -need for me to have a housekeeper." - -It was at this moment and before Carrington could ask further -questions, which he very much wished to do, that Sophy returned. -Evidently she had been crying, for her eyes were red, but her emotions -were quite under control and, after taking leave of her hostess and -the two men, she went away with Kit. They seemed to be rather a -forlorn young couple. Dorinda remarked as much when she returned to -the drawing-room after seeing them to the door. - -"What else can you expect," asked Carrington coolly, "when they are -connected with a drunkard like Tollart and a shrew like Mrs. Beatson? -So she intends to go to Australia, does she? I don't want to hurt your -feelings, Miss Mallien, but I see your father's finger in this." - -"Say as little about my father as is possible," answered Dorinda, with -a rich color flushing her fair cheeks. Little as she respected her -shady parent she did not intend to discuss him with a stranger whom -she disliked. - -Carrington was diplomatic enough to skate away from the thin ice. -"Rupert and I have taken all the papers and clothes and odds and ends -of Leigh to The Big House," he remarked; "and there they can stay -until we hear from the Australian sea-captain who inherits. The London -lawyer has written him." - -"And the will?" - -"We have not found it yet." - -"I don't think we ever will find it," commented Hendle soberly. "I -have searched the Vicarage from cellar to attic without success. I -really believe, Dorinda, that, after all, Leigh was dreaming, and that -the will doesn't exist." - -"Either that," said Carrington deliberately, "or Mrs. Beatson made -away with Leigh and stole it." - -"I can't believe that," protested Dorinda, turning pale. "I told you -so before when you first broached the idea, Mr. Carrington. She is not -a nice woman, but I don't think she would commit a murder." - -"There is nothing Mrs. Beatson would not do, if she were assured that -her crime would remain undiscovered," insisted the barrister grimly. -"After all, if Mrs. Beatson didn't kill Leigh, who did? Rupert and I -and the housekeeper knew of the will and of its value. As I was in -town I am innocent, and we know, Miss Mallien, that Rupert is not the -man to commit such a crime. There only remains Mrs. Beatson, who told -your father, when she made all things safe." - -Dorinda started, and looked searchingly at the barrister. "How do you -mean?" - -Carrington smiled meaningly. "I believe that Mrs. Beatson murdered -Leigh and now has the will. She intends to sell it to your father for -this annuity." - -Dorinda grew red and her eyes grew bright. "How dare you say such a -thing to me, Mr. Carrington? In the first place, my father would never -condone a crime even to gain a fortune; in the second, the moment Mrs. -Beatson offered to sell him the will, he would know her to be guilty." - -"Yes, of course," replied Carrington soothingly, "and naturally would -hand her over to the police. It was only the idea of the annuity which -suggested the idea to me, and maybe it is far-fetched. I apologize, -Miss Mallien." - -Dorinda bowed silently. She did not like the ironical tone in which -the barrister spoke, as she felt convinced that he still held to his -preposterous idea. What is more, in her own mind, she did not consider -that the idea was so preposterous as she declared. Her father had been -prepared to hush up the matter when he believed Rupert to be guilty, -so it was not improbable that he would make terms with Mrs. Beatson, -provided he secured the will. Still, the girl did not intend to let -Carrington know what she thought, and therefore stood up for her -absent parent. "I don't believe that Mrs. Beatson is guilty of such -wicked conduct," she repeated, after a pause. "What grounds have you -to say such a thing?" - -"Well," murmured Carrington with a shrug. "No very good grounds, I -admit. But Mrs. Beatson knew about the will before Leigh was murdered, -and I firmly believe that he was got rid of for the sake of the will. -This suggestion of an annuity hints that she has the will and is -trying to dispose of it at a price. Perhaps Hendle----" - -"She has said nothing to me," interrupted Rupert quickly, "and, after -all, Carrington, you have watched her for the last few days without -seeing anything suspicious." - -"Mrs. Beatson is a sly creature, who will not give herself away -easily," returned the barrister dryly. "I shall continue to watch her. -There's ten o'clock, Hendle," he added, as the mellow tones of the -church bell floated through the warm night. "We must not keep Miss -Mallien from her beauty sleep." - -Dorinda did not suggest that they should remain, although she would -have liked to speak privately with her lover. But while Carrington -was at his elbow, that was impossible, and she did not wish to talk -freely in the presence of a man she mistrusted. The two young men said -good-night to their hostess and went away, leaving Dorinda in anything -but a happy frame of mind. What had been suggested about her father -trading with the housekeeper worried her considerably. There might or -might not be some truth in the idea. She tried to dismiss it from her -mind; but it would not be dismissed, and troubled her far into the -small hours of the morning. - -Meanwhile, Rupert and his friend sauntered leisurely homeward. It was -so hot that they did not wear coats over their evening suit, and so -dry underfoot that they walked to and from the cottage in shoes. The -sky was radiant with innumerable stars, and although there was no -moon, there was ample light in which to see surrounding objects. -Through the shadowy world, warm and peaceful, the young men wandered, -taking their way across the fields, as the high-road was so dusty and -hard. For a time neither spoke, for each was busy with his own -thoughts, which had to do with the case. Finally, Carrington broke the -silence, and spoke soft, as though he feared listeners. - -"I did not press my point, Hendle," he remarked significantly, "as the -little I did say rather offended Miss Mallien." - -"You were rather libellous about her father, you know, Carrington." - -"If the saying, that the greater the truth the greater the libel is -true, I certainly was," retorted the barrister, "for what I said I -hold to." - -"That Mrs. Beatson is the guilty person?" - -"Yes. And that she is trading with Mallien to give him what he wants." - -"The will?" - -"Of course. I am as certain of that fact as I am that I live. She has -the will, and she intends to deliver it to him--if she hasn't done so -already--on condition that he gives her the two hundred a year -annuity, which she told her son comes from a mythical aunt." - -"Well," said Rupert, after a pause, "since Mallien was willing to come -to terms with me, I see no reason why he should not come to terms with -Mrs. Beatson, always provided that she is guilty." - -"She is," insisted Carrington bluntly. "It is no use my giving you my -reasons again, I think." - -"If things are as you say I don't see how Mrs. Beatson's part of the -business can be concealed. The will is of no use to Mallien unless he -makes it public. And if he does, he will have to explain how he became -possessed of it. I suppose his confession of the deal with Mrs. -Beatson would bring him into trouble as an accessory-after-the-fact?" - -"It would, and I am wondering how Mallien intends to make himself safe -on that score. There is only one thing to be done, Hendle. We must -wait until Mallien produces the will. Then we can move." - -"It's an infernal messy business altogether," growled the big man, -restlessly; "and I wish we were all well out of it. I don't want -Mallien to get into any trouble for Dorinda's sake." - -"I think you can be pretty certain that Mallien will look after his -own precious skin," said the barrister dryly; "and if--hush!--not a -word." He dropped his voice to a whisper. "Who's that?" - -"What?" Rupert looked round, as Carrington caught his arm, and pulled -him off the footpath into a clump of hazels. - -"Don't speak," whispered Carrington with his mouth close to Rupert's -ear; "and button your coat as well as you can over your shirt-front. -The white may betray us." He acted on his own advice, and kept Hendle -well behind the shelter of the leafy trees. "Now watch." - -Hendle did so with all his eyes, straining his sight through the -shadowy night, and by this time had seen the reason of Carrington's -action and caution. The two men had reached the red brick wall which -ran round the park, and saw that the postern gate through which they -intended to pass was open. A tall dark figure in flowing robes was -slipping out, and when Carrington pulled his friend into shelter -behind the hazels, the woman--for such it was--closed the postern -stealthily. After a glance to right and left, she walked swiftly along -the footpath, going in the direction whence the watchers had come. As -she swept past the hazel clump, Rupert nearly uttered an exclamation, -for, in spite of the black-silk hood pulled well over her head and -face, he was absolutely certain that this night walker was none other -than his respectable housekeeper. What she was doing outside the house -at this time of night and whither she was going he could not -conjecture. But Carrington could, and when the woman passed away into -the shadows, he whispered an exultant explanation. - -"It's Mrs. Beatson, Hendle. She's going to look for the will. Quick! -let us follow; but take care she doesn't see us." - -"The will!" breathed Rupert, cautiously, as they stole out on the -trail. "What do you mean?" - -"She has hidden the will somewhere, I am sure, and now is going to get -it. We will catch her red-handed if we are careful. What luck!" - -"But it's impossible, and----" - -"Don't talk," interrupted Carrington, in a savage whisper. "Do you -want to give the show away? It's a wonderful chance of learning the -truth. Come." - -Hendle silently agreed with his companion, although he found it hard -to believe that Mrs. Beatson was such a conspirator. Whether her night -excursion had to do with the missing will or not, he could not be -sure; but it was evident that she was bent upon some shady business, -into which he should inquire, as her master. The adventure appealed to -him as a welcome break in his monotonous existence, and he felt his -nerves thrill, as with Carrington he followed cautiously. In the -half-light they saw the black figure of the woman climb the stile at -the end of the meadow and enter a spinney, which belted the high road. -By the time they reached this, and emerged on to the travelled -thoroughfare, Mrs. Beatson had vanished. Carrington bent to run, but -halted a moment to whisper. - -"If there is any truth in my belief, she has gone to the Vicarage. -There, if anywhere, she has hidden the will in the jungle." - -Hendle nodded without reply, and the two men sped swiftly along the -road until they came to the bend. They were just in time to see Mrs. -Beatson vanish through the rickety gate, which, as usual, was standing -wide open. Carrington stopped, dodged, stooped, then crossed the road -to run alongside the hedge until he halted just outside the gate. -Peering round the corner with Rupert breathing hard beside him, the -barrister saw that Mrs. Beatson carried a lantern, which she had just -lighted, for it gleamed like a star in the darkness of the tall trees. - -"We can wait here," whispered Carrington, delaying Rupert, who wanted -to enter the grounds. "She will come back this way. We may attract her -attention if we make any noise in that jungle." - -This was good advice which Rupert was sensible enough to take. Keeping -well within the shadow of the hedge, and looking up the avenue, they -waited for the woman's return. They had put their collars up and had -buttoned their dress coats over the shining expanse of shirt-front, so -there was no gleam of white to betray them, as they crouched, two dark -figures, in the dry ditch under the hedge. With beating hearts they -waited anxiously, taking a peep every now and then. Mrs. Beatson was a -long time absent--Hendle judged about a quarter of an hour. Then, -unexpectedly, she appeared running swiftly down the grass-grown avenue -with her lantern swinging in her hand. At the gate and within touch, -she waited to extinguish the light, but before doing so set it on the -ground to look at a rustling parchment by its gleam. The moment she -stooped with the document, Carrington's arm shot out and it was -snatched away. With a shriek Mrs. Beatson straightened herself to face -her master and his guest. She had, indeed, been caught red-handed. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII -CONFESSION - - -Paralyzed by extreme fright, Mrs. Beatson stood as motionless as a -stone image, staring blankly at her captors with open mouth and -unwinking eyes. Her face was whiter than the dingy parchment of which -she had been deprived, and her breath came and went in short quick -gasps, which echoed audibly through the still night. Rupert looked at -her for a moment and then turned away his head; his manhood was shamed -by the silent agony of the miserable creature. Carrington, more -hardened by experience, stooped to the light, and read, "This is the -Last Will and Testament of John Hendle," in vividly black Latin -lettering. That was enough to assure him of the truth, and, rolling up -the parchment, he turned sternly on the panic-struck woman. - -"You are a clever fool, Mrs. Beatson," he remarked quietly--"clever in -getting the will and hiding it so skillfully; but a fool to examine so -compromising a document here, when the village policeman may pass at -any moment." - -The word "policeman" galvanized Mrs. Beatson into life and action. -With a final gasp she suddenly became, as it seemed, conscious of her -peril, and bolted. Down the road and across the road she sped, and was -in the spinney before the two men could grasp the situation. For a -single moment they stared after the flying figure, then simultaneously -started in pursuit. With terror-winged feet the housekeeper fled as -swiftly as the wind, and it was not until the brick wall, encircling -the park, again loomed through the shadows that they caught up to her. -Instinctively, like a homing pigeon, she made for the only place where -she thought she would be safe. Much, as Carrington grimly thought, -after the fashion of a child, who believes himself to be free from -danger when smuggled between the blankets. It was while she was -fumbling with the lock of the postern that he laid a detaining hand on -her shoulder. With a terrified cry she dropped on her knees. - -"Mercy! Mercy! I am innocent--innocent," she wailed, and hugged his -legs in a frenzy of fear. - -"Here, get up!" said the barrister, roughly pulling her to her feet. -"Come inside and explain yourself." - -"There's nothing to explain," cried Mrs. Beatson, suddenly defiant; -"and you are not my master." - -"I am more than your master; I am the man who has found you out," -stated Carrington, in a hard tone, and pushing open the postern. "Walk -in, I tell you." - -"Gently, Carrington, gently," said Rupert, sorry for the shaking -woman, who was desperate enough to say anything or do anything. "We -can deal with this matter reasonably. Take my arm, Mrs. Beatson, and -come to the house. You can no doubt give us an explanation." - -"I shan't give it to him," muttered the housekeeper, trying to control -her shattering emotions. "What has he got to do with me, I should like -to know? You are always a gentleman, Mr. Hendle, and I wish you a -better friend. Spying and prying, watching and following. Call -yourself a man, do you? Ha! Ha! call yourself a man? God help the -woman who marries you, say I." - -Neither of the two made any reply to this aimless speech, and babbling -incoherently, Mrs. Beatson was led by Hendle to the house. Fortunately -none of the servants were in the entrance-hall, and when Rupert -opened the door with his latch-key, Mrs. Beatson swept in toward the -drawing-room, which was lighted up. Carrington and his friend followed -close behind, to find her seated in an armchair, fanning her heated -face with the hood which she had removed. Her color had returned and -her self-possession, so that she eyed the pair defiantly. Her -attentions were mostly directed toward Carrington, and if a look could -have slain him, he would have dropped dead there and then. - -"Come now," said the barrister, when the door was closed and the trio -were alone, "what have you got to say to all this?" - -"I shan't answer you," snapped Mrs. Beatson viciously. "You aren't -going to bully me." - -"I think you had better answer," said Hendle, sternly. "This is not -the time to play the fool." - -"Are you against me also, sir?" - -"I am advising you for your good. As to being against you, what -attitude do you expect me to assume toward you, seeing how -treacherously you have behaved, Mrs. Beatson?" - -"Treacherously?" - -"Yes! You listened to a conversation not meant for your ears and -reported the same to Mr. Mallien." - -"Did he tell you so?" - -"There was no need for him to tell Mr. Hendle," said Carrington -pointedly. "The mere fact that Mr. Mallien knows about this will -proclaims your guilt." - -"Guilt! Guilt!" repeated the housekeeper violently. "I shall thank -you, sir, not to use that word in connection with me." - -"I shall use it. Don't be a fool, woman! You knew about this will -before Mr. Leigh was murdered, and you killed him to get it." - -"It's a lie!" - -"Then how do you explain your possession of the will?" - -"What is your supposition?" demanded Mrs. Beatson, more like a judge -than a criminal. - -"If you will have it," returned the barrister, smoothly. "I believe -you murdered the vicar to get the will, and having found it, buried -the same in that jungle. Then you made your terms with Mr. Mallien, -and he agreed to give you an annuity of two hundred a year, if you -passed the will along to him. When you thought that all was safe, you -went to dig the will up again, and here it is." - -Carrington pulled the soiled parchment from his pocket, where he had -placed it for safety, doubled up into a packet, and shook it in her -face. Mrs. Beatson changed from red to white, and from white to red, -but maintained a scornful look. "You are talking nonsense," she said -briefly. - -"Perhaps," put in Hendle quietly, "and we wait for you to talk sense." - -"I shall say nothing," said the woman, obstinately. - -"In that case I shall send for Kensit and give you in charge." - -"You would not do that, Mr. Hendle." - -"Indeed, I shall do it within ten minutes if you do not speak out." - -"I can--I can--exonerate--exonerate myself," stuttered Mrs. Beatson, -her dry lips scarcely able to form the words. - -"You had better do so to us," advised Carrington agreeably. - -"And if I don't?" she snarled, turning on him. - -"Then Inspector Lawson shall examine you." - -"What do I care when I know that I am innocent?" - -"Well,"--Carrington shrugged his shoulders--"it's your own affair. -Ring the bell, Hendle, and send one of the servants down for Kensit." - -"No, don't!" cried Mrs. Beatson, when she saw her master walk toward -the fireplace to touch the ivory button. "I can explain." - -Hendle nodded and returned to his seat, while Carrington replaced the -will in his pocket and waited for the confession. Mrs. Beatson wiped -her face and glared at the two like a tigress at bay. Only the -knowledge that she was driven into a corner made her speak out. "I -overheard your conversation with Mr. Leigh, sir," she said to her -master and ignoring Carrington. "Oh, I didn't mean to, you know. I -only listened as I thought you intended to discharge me when you -married Miss Mallien, and fancied you might explain yourself on that -point to the vicar." - -"I understand. But why did you report the conversation to my cousin?" - -Mrs. Beatson looked down sullenly. "You don't know what it is to be -poor," she muttered irrelevantly. "I am born a lady, and through the -fault of a spendthrift husband I am reduced to act as your -housekeeper. It is only natural that I should try and improve my -position, so when I learned about a will which would give your -property to Mr. Mallien, I thought it wise to make money by speaking -about it to him." - -"Why not to me in the first instance?" - -"Because you are too honest," burst out the woman, raising her pale -eyes. "If you got the will you would have made its contents public, -even though, as Mr. Leigh stated, you would lose all. For that reason -I had no hold on you and would never have got money from you. By -telling Mr. Mallien I managed to extract a promise from him that when -he came into the property he would give me an annuity." - -"Of two hundred a year?" inquired Carrington. - -"We did not mention any sum," retorted Mrs. Beatson, "but that was the -amount I intended to ask." - -"And the amount which you told your son a mythical aunt was leaving -you." - -"I had to give my son some reason for being possessed of the annuity." - -"Hum!" said Carrington with a shrug. "You haven't got the annuity yet, -and now you never will have." - -"I am not so sure of that. After all, if I hadn't told, Mr. -Carrington, the cousin of my master would never have known of his good -fortune." - -"Then the will really does leave the property to Eunice Filbert?" -questioned Rupert nervously. - -"I don't know. I have not read the will." - -"Come now," said Carrington contemptuously, "you don't expect us to -believe that. You must have read the will before you buried it." - -"I didn't bury it." - -The barrister heaved a weary sigh and glanced at Rupert as if to -invite his attention to the way in which the woman was lying. "I don't -know why you are wasting our time in this fashion," said Carrington -sharply. "Why can't you speak straightforwardly? Twisting and turning -won't help you now. You are in a corner, and however you may fight you -will not get out of it. Be frank, Mrs. Beatson, and tell us how you -killed the vicar." - -Mrs. Beatson rose white-faced and trembling, holding on to the back of -the chair as she replied. "I did not kill the vicar," she insisted. "I -would not do such a thing. I haven't the nerve, and I'm honest enough -as people go. Only the sudden temptation to make money easily made me -tell Mr. Mallien about the will. But I did no more. I wasn't near the -vicarage, and no one was more astonished than I was when I heard of -the murder." - -"Listen to me," said Carrington, making a sign to Rupert that he -should hold his tongue and leave the examination to him. "The police -could not find out any reason why the vicar should have been killed, -because they knew nothing about this will. Kensit unconsciously hinted -at the truth when he said that the papers and books in the vicarage -study were all in disorder, as if some search had been made. I believe -that such a search was made, and by you, for this will, after you -murdered the poor man." - -"It's a lie!" screamed Mrs. Beatson savagely. "How dare you sit there -and tell lies about me?" - -"If it is a lie," said Carrington, quite unmoved by her sudden fury, -"how comes it that the will is in your possession?" - -"I dug it up." - -"And how did you know the spot where it was buried?" - -"The letter told me." - -"The letter!" Rupert looked up surprised. "What letter?" - -Mrs. Beatson fumbled in her breast, and pulling out a torn envelope -threw it across the room into Hendle's lap. "I got that this morning," -she declared in sullen tones, "and acted as it advised. As there is no -name to it, I don't know who wrote it. Don't let Mr. Carrington get -it; I trust you, sir, not him." - -Rupert picked up the envelope and examined it, while the barrister -looked over his shoulder. It was directed to "Mrs. Beatson, The Big -House, Barship, Essex," and had evidently, judging from the postmark, -been sent through the General Post Office of the metropolis. Having -ascertained this, the young man took out a double sheet of tolerably -good notepaper, upon which in a backward sloping hand probably -disguised, were written a few lines, to which no signature was -appended. These intimated abruptly that the will of John Hendle was to -be found buried at the foot of the sundial in the vicarage garden, and -that Mrs. Beatson could find it by searching. While the two men read -and reread this anonymous letter, the housekeeper went rambling on. - -"I intended at first to keep it, and show Mr. Mallien when he -returned. But then I thought--not trusting him--that if I had the will -I could hold it until he gave me a deed making safe the annuity I -wanted. For that reason I took advantage of your dining at the -cottage, Mr. Hendle, to go and get it. I knew that the sundial was -hidden among the grasses and shrubs of the vicarage garden, so there -was no difficulty in finding the place mentioned. I did not think that -you would return early from the dinner, and so left the thing until it -was too late. I dug up the will easily, as it was only a little way -under ground and the earth was piled loosely over it. Then I came out -and stopped at the gate to make sure that it was the will I had -found." - -"A silly thing to do, seeing that Kensit on his rounds might have -caught you," said Carrington, returning to his seat. "Now how much of -this tale are we to believe?" - -"The whole of it," retorted Mrs. Beatson, distinctly amazed. "It's the -truth." - -"Hum!" said Carrington reflectively, "it may be; but did you not send -that letter from yourself to yourself?" - -"Me!" Mrs. Beatson's voice leaped an octave. - -"Hush! hush!" said Hendle, hurriedly glancing at the door. "You'll -bring in the servants. I need hardly tell you that it is best to -thresh out this matter among the three of us." - -Thus warned, the housekeeper sank her voice, and took refuge in angry -tears, always a woman's last resource. "I'm so tired of being -insulted," she sobbed loudly. "Ever since you came across me, Mr. -Hendle, that friend of yours has been taking away my character." - -"I rather think you have taken it away yourself by behaving so -treacherously to me," said Rupert grimly. "However, I don't agree with -Mr. Carrington that you sent that letter to yourself from yourself." - -"How could I," sobbed Mrs. Beatson, "when I haven't been near London? -And I'm not a conspirator. It's a shame blaming me for trying to help -myself. Why can't you leave me alone? Two men on to one woman. You -ought to go on your knees and beg my pardon." - -This amazing view of the case extorted a contemptuous smile from -Carrington. He had much experience in his profession of the fair sex, -and knew the marvellous way in which women extricated themselves from -difficulties which would overwhelm a mere man. Logic, as he was well -aware, formed no part of the feminine nature. "I shan't try to argue -with you," he said mildly, "for you would be sure to get the better of -me. But you have behaved very badly to Mr. Hendle." - -"No, I haven't. I had a right to look after myself." - -"Not at his expense. He has always treated you kindly and----" - -"Well, why shouldn't he?" demanded Mrs. Beatson, rolling up her -handkerchief into a damp ball and dabbing her red eyes. "I have always -done my duty, I hope, and at a small salary, too. I could get a better -place any day." - -"Then I advise you to look out for one," said Rupert, astonished at -this ingratitude. "You certainly shan't stay here." - -"What?" Mrs. Beatson gasped and stared. - -"Well, why should you when you can be happier elsewhere?" - -"I didn't say that I would. And if you discharge me--as I knew you -would when you talked of marrying Miss Mallien--I shall ask for one -year's wages and a letter saying how thoroughly I attended to my -duties." - -"I had no idea of discharging you until I discovered your treachery," -protested Hendle sharply. "It's your own fault and----" - -"Mrs. Beatson's future can be settled later," interrupted Carrington -at this point of the argument. "Just now she must answer me some -questions." - -"I shan't!" raged the woman, furious at her humiliating position. -"It's all your fault that I have lost my----" - -"If you don't answer," interrupted the barrister again, "I shall hand -you over to Kensit to be taken to Lawson at Tarhaven." - -"You wouldn't dare. Mr. Hendle wouldn't let you." - -"Oh, yes, I should," said Rupert sternly. "I'm not going to play fast -and loose with the law." - -Mrs. Beatson's sour face became gray and pinched. "I know nothing -about the matter, more than I have told you," she cried, greatly -terrified at the prospect of being locked up. "I told Mr. Mallien -about the will, and I dug it up when I got that letter." - -"When did you tell Mr. Mallien?" asked Rupert, remembering how he had -intended to put this question before and had not. - -"On the day after I overheard the conversation," whimpered the -housekeeper, very much subdued. - -"When I was in London?" - -"Yes. I went in the afternoon to the cottage. Miss Mallien had gone to -tea with Miss Tollart, and I saw Mr. Mallien. He told me to hold my -tongue and he would speak to you about the matter. Also he said that -if he got the property he would give me an annuity." - -"Did you tell him before the crime was committed?" asked Carrington. - -"Am I not saying so?" shrieked Mrs. Beatson, virulently. "I told him -on the very afternoon of the next day, and you know quite well that it -was at eleven o'clock of the same night that Mr. Leigh was murdered. -And no one was more astonished than I was." - -"Had you any idea who murdered him?" - -"No. How should I have any idea?" - -"Have you any idea now?" - -"No, I haven't, unless it was the person who sent that letter?" - -"Who sent it?" - -Mrs. Beatson stamped. "What a fool your are, Mr. Carrington! You have -the letter and know as much about the matter as I do." - -The barrister thought for a few moments, then turned his back on the -angry woman to address Rupert. "Do you think she is speaking the -truth, Hendle?" - -"Yes, I do." - -"Of course you do," cried the housekeeper, looking viciously at the -pair. "I am not accustomed to having my word doubted." - -"Hold your tongue, or it will be the worse for you," said Carrington -sharply. "You have behaved very badly and ought to be locked up. All -the same, I advise Mr. Hendle to leave matters as they are for a day -or so, until we examine this will and make inquiries as to who sent -this letter." - -"That letter is mine!" cried Mrs. Beatson, stretching out her hand. - -Rupert put it into his pocket. "It will go to the police if you don't -hold your peace," he threatened, for strong measures were necessary in -dealing with such a woman. "I agree with Mr. Carrington. Go away and -say nothing about anything, not even to Mr. Mallien. Do you hear?" - -"What are you going to do?" - -"Never mind. You know what _you_ have to do." Rupert walked to the -door and opened it. "Now go to bed." - -Mrs. Beatson tossed her head and moved toward the door. She greatly -wished to continue the conversation and defend herself, but a glance -at Hendle's stern face made her change her mind. Never had she seen -her good-tempered master so angry and so decided. Foolishly as she had -talked, the woman was well aware that her position was a critical one, -therefore she refrained from making bad worse. "I'm going and I'll say -nothing," she snarled; "but when you are turned out of this house----" - -"Please," said Rupert, nodding toward the hall. - -"Beast!" said Mrs. Beatson under her breath lest the servants should -hear, "both of you, beasts!" and she sailed out of the room -triumphantly, having secured the last word, and so soothed her angry -mind. - -Hendle closed the door and returned to Carrington. "Take out the will -and let us have a look at it," he said in a weary voice. - -"Won't you wait until to-morrow?" asked Carrington, glancing at him. -"This row has upset you." - -"No. I want to see the will now. It may disappear again." - -Carrington took out the crumpled parchment from his pocket. "Look -after it yourself, then, and you can be certain that it is safe." - -"All right. But let us look at it together. Move that lamp nearer." - -Carrington did so, and Hendle spread out the rustling sheets--three or -four of them, as the will was tolerably long. It was written, as wills -of the early nineteenth century usually were, on parchment in a clear, -scholarly hand, the writing being excellently engrossed and -excellently preserved. The parchment itself was soiled and dog-eared, -blotched here and there with coffee-brown stains: but it had suffered -little damage during its hundred years' imprisonment in the muniment -chest. With Carrington seated beside him the Squire slowly read the -faded brown writing, and gradually made himself master of the -contents. When he came to the signature of the testator and the names -of the two witnesses, he drew a long breath and looked at the -barrister in frank dismay. - -"It seems quite legal," he said in a despairing voice. - -"Quite," agreed Carrington. "So far I can't see anything wrong." - -"And John Hendle by this"--Rupert struck the parchment--"leaves all -his property, with the exception of sundry legacies to people now dead -and buried, to Eunice Hendle, afterward Eunice Filbert, and her heirs. -Yes. Leigh said as much. Frederick would have been disinherited had -this will been produced in the year 1815. I wonder how it got lost." - -"Frederick may have----" - -"No, he didn't," interrupted the barrister sharply. "Frederick knew -nothing about it, or he would have put it into the fire. I expect John -Hendle made it--or rather his solicitor did--and then threw it into -the chest where it was overlooked. Queer that the solicitor didn't -mention it when the old man died." - -"Perhaps he did," said Rupert sadly. "We know nothing of what took -place at Hendle's death, save that Frederick inherited and that there -was no question of Eunice coming into the property. But the same is -left to her and her descendants; so Mallien, as her sole -representative, inherits." - -"Will you dispute the will?" asked Carrington anxiously. - -"No," said Rupert, putting the document into his pocket; "it seems -fair enough, and I must act honorably. When Mallien returns I shall -give it to him--or rather I shall take it to our family lawyer along -with Mallien." - -"And lose the property?" - -"My honor," said the young man gravely, "is dearer to me than money." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV -A CLUE - - -Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret -for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith. Such -an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to -awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, -advised caution. As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent -for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as -if nothing had happened. None of the servants knew about her -excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, -according to her usual custom. So far as the outside world was -concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into -matters at their leisure. It made Rupert's gorge rise to have the -treacherous woman under his roof, but until he was assured of the -truth of the will, he did not dare to get rid of her. Driven to bay, -Mrs. Beatson being a woman, who would wreck continents for a whim, -would ruin herself and everyone else in a whirlwind of rage. Being -left alone, she nursed her disappointed anger in secret. - -Rupert's expressed intention was to take the will up to London and -show it to the family lawyer, who would be able to explain matters. He -had intended to do this the very next day, but Carrington dissuaded -him from being too impulsive. It was no use for the Squire to burn his -boats too soon, said the astute barrister, and to make public the -document would be to burn his boats with a vengeance. - -"I think you should take time and turn the matter over in your mind," -observed Carrington artfully. "It is just as well to be cautious." - -"I don't see what I gain by waiting," argued the Squire. "The most -honest thing to do is to take the will to the lawyers. I shall have to -do that sooner or later, you know." - -"Will you?" questioned Carrington significantly. - -"Of course. What do you take me for?" - -If Carrington had spoken his mind, he would have answered that he took -the young man for a superfine fool. To throw away a fine position, a -fine house, and a fine income out of sheer honesty, was not -Carrington's notion of common sense. But then the barrister's notions -of right and wrong had become somewhat warped by a struggling life. A -penniless man is always more unscrupulous in dealing with money -matters than one who has never been poor, and it seemed to Carrington -that his friend's self-sacrificing honor was the result of ignorance. -Had Hendle lived from hand to mouth, he would not be so ready to -surrender his possessions. Moreover Carrington wanted to pick Rupert's -pockets, as Mallien surmised he would. This was the real reason why he -urged Hendle not to strip himself of his wealth. But such urging had -to be done delicately, for the Squire was by no means a man to be -handled easily. With this in his mind the barrister replied carefully, -and did not translate his real thoughts into words. - -"I take you for one of the best fellows in the world," he said warmly; -"but there is such a thing as overdoing honesty, you know." - -"I don't know," retorted the other positively. "One must be one thing -or the other. There can be no tampering with honor." - -"Of course not. I should never suggest such a thing. However, I do -suggest that you should wait for a day or so before seeing your -lawyer." - -"Why?" - -"You forget that the will is mixed up with a crime. If your lawyers -decide that Mallien must have the money, the matter is bound to be -made public. In that case it will become known to Lawson that Leigh -possessed the will. I leave you to guess what complications will -ensue." - -Hendle tugged at his brown moustache moodily. "It's an infernally -difficult business," he said after a pause. "What do you suggest?" - -Carrington, rejoicing that he had succeeded thus far, had his answer -ready. "I suggest that you wait for a few days, and meanwhile come -with me to the vicarage." - -"What for?" - -"To look at the sundial, and see where the will was buried." - -"What good will that do?" - -"One never knows," said Carrington sententiously. - -"Who do you think buried the will?" - -"The man who murdered Leigh to get it." - -"And his name?" - -"Pouf! Ask me another. How do I know?" - -"Mrs. Beatson?" - -"Well, why not she as well as another? She had much to gain by -possessing the will, and the will was in her possession last night. -But for the chance of our stumbling across her when she went to -unearth it, we would never have known that." - -"I can't think that Mrs. Beatson, bad as she is, would commit a -murder," mused the Squire reflectively. "After all, if she had the -will on the night Leigh was got rid of, and committed the crime, why -should she bury it?" - -"My dear fellow, that is where the woman's artfulness comes in," said -Carrington quickly. "She had to give some reason for possessing the -will. By hiding it in a hole, and then writing to herself that -anonymous letter saying where it was to be found, she does away with -all suspicion against her." - -"Not in your mind apparently," said Hendle, dryly. - -"Of course not. But a long course of criminal law has opened my eyes -to the habits of the animals. I may be unduly suspicious, I grant you, -still the fact remains that the story Mrs. Beatson told us last night -is too thin. Granting that the woman is innocent, why should the real -criminal tell her where to find that which he risked his life to -obtain?" - -"It does seem strange. And yet----" - -"Oh, you are full of scruples, Hendle!" cried the barrister pettishly. -"What is Mrs. Beatson to you that you should defend her so warmly?" - -"She is a woman, and I have a great respect for women." - -Carrington made a grimace. "You answer like a raw boy. My experience -of the sex has not led me to respect any single one." - -"Yet you know Dorinda?" - -"There speaks the lover. Well then, I do respect her, if that -concession will satisfy your chivalrous ideas. But I don't believe -this cock-and-bull story of Mrs. Beatson, and I certainly don't -respect her." - -"Neither do I. All the same, I credit her story." - -Carrington shrugged his shoulders at this persistent optimism. "Then -let us agree to consider her innocent until we prove her to be guilty. -But you must see that if you interview your lawyers to-day, within the -week a whole avalanche of troubles will descend on your thick head." - -"Well," replied the Squire, wavering, "I shall wait for a few days, as -you advise. I wonder what Dorinda will say?" - -"Don't tell her," said the barrister quickly, for it was difficult -enough for him to deal with one honest person without tackling a -second. "She will tell her father about the discovered will if you -do." - -"I don't care if she does. Mallien has to know some time, since he is -so deeply concerned in the matter." - -"Hendle," said Carrington seriously, "you are a child. Don't say a -word to Mallien, or to his daughter, who might tell him, until you -have seen your lawyers. That's common sense." - -On reflection Rupert was obliged to confess that it was, since his -cousin would certainly make trouble straightway. It would be best to -have the opinion of the lawyers beforehand, so that the situation -might be adjusted so far as possible before the probable inheritor -came into the matter. Of course he knew that Dorinda would tell her -father nothing if asked to keep silent, but to so ask would be to lay -another burden on her. Mallien was suspicious, brooding and -pertinacious. If he thought that she was keeping anything from him, he -certainly would never rest until he learned what it was. - -"I shall not tell Dorinda until I have seen the lawyers," said Rupert. - -"And you will see them----?" - -"In two or three days. Now let us go out for a walk--to the vicarage -if you like. I can't stay indoors worrying over things which at -present I cannot remedy. Come!" - -"Won't it be better for us to have another look at the will before we -go?" - -"I don't think so. I know the will by heart, and have locked it safely -away, Carrington. It disinherits Frederick, from whom I am descended, -legally enough; and if the lawyers are of the same opinion with their -larger knowledge, why then my cousin must enter into his own." - -"There is the Statute of Limitations, you know," hinted Carrington -pointedly. - -"I shall take advantage of that and of anything else if I can do so -consistently with my honor. But what is the use of arguing?" said -Hendle with a burst of bitterness, for the position pained him -greatly. "We can do nothing just now. Let us go for a walk." - -Carrington was too politic to press the matter further, as he saw how -the Squire winced. But he had by no means given up the hope of -inducing Hendle to refrain from publishing the possible loss of his -estates, and intended to talk about the affair when the young man was -more off his guard. Now with diplomatic skill bred from years of -experience of shady doings, he put on his straw hat and sauntered out -of doors along with his host, talking of many matters which had -nothing to do with the burning question of the disputed inheritance. -But as they walked down the avenue Carrington spoke of a matter which -really interested him. And that was of a qualm he felt when passing -under the spreading branches of the oaks. He had felt that qualm -before when he had first visited Barship, and in the same place. - -"I'm walking over my grave again," he muttered uneasily, and although -he would not confess to superstition, the coincidence struck him as -disagreeable. - -"What's that?" asked Rupert absently. He had been busy with his own -painful thoughts and had not paid much attention to his companion's -light nothings. - -"You know the saying that when one shivers, or has what the Scotch -call a grue, one is walking over one's grave. Well, I had some such -uncanny feeling in this very avenue when I came to see you first, and -now, hang it all, I have it again. I don't like it." - -Hendle, now more attentive, laughed. "A lawyer and superstitious?" - -"Oh, bosh! I am not in the least superstitious. But there are some -things which are hard to explain. It's gone!" Carrington wiped his -perspiring face and looked round with an air of relief. - -"What's gone?" - -"That feeling of walking over my own grave." - -"Rubbish!" said Hendle, who was much too stolid to believe in such -things. "I expect it was only a sudden chill." - -"I dare say, although it is odd that I should get a chill in this -blazing sunshine," muttered the barrister, who was more impressed than -he cared to admit. "But there are more things in heaven and earth----" - -"What a well-worn quotation! You need bucking up. Come into the inn -and we will each have a tankard." - -"I don't like drinking in the morning." - -"Nor do I. I never do. But all this worry has knocked me out of time -and you aren't feeling up to the mark. Come along. Mrs. Pansey has -known me all the days of my life and is distinctly a good sort. I -often look in and have a chat." - -"As an Olympian descending among mortals," said Carrington smiling, -for by this time his odd feeling had passed away. - -Mrs. Pansey, who was a rosy-faced, stout old dame, received her -landlord with respectful joy, and soon supplied them with tankards of -cool beer acceptable to the thirst on a hot day. Carrington noted how -popular Rupert was with the villagers, who came and went, passed and -repassed, each with a curtsey, or a touch of the forelock. And Hendle -greeted one and all by name with kindly inquiries and genial smiles. A -feeling of envy stirred the barrister's selfish heart, but he -cynically consoled himself with the reflection that very soon Rupert -would be ousted in favor of Mallien. Out of sheer annoyance with this -favorite of Fortune, he would have liked to see such a toppling down, -but nevertheless, for the gaining of his own ends, he was determined -to prevent such a change of landlords. Meanwhile, he listened to the -incessant chatter of Mrs. Pansey, which was mostly concerned with the -new vicar. - -"Such a nice gentleman they say he is," she observed, beaming, "and -will be here in a fortnight lodging with Mrs. Jones while the Vicarage -is being put to rights. His family come later. Have you seen him, -sir?" - -"No," answered Rupert promptly; "but my friend and I are now on our -way to the Vicarage to see what's doing. We may meet him there." - -"I don't think so, sir. He came yesterday to set the men to work and -won't come to-day. The workmen are painting and papering the house and -digging up the garden and making a nice place of it. Mrs. Jabber -remains on as caretaker until the family arrive. She'd like to stay on -altogether, but Lord bless you, sir, what would the vicar do with such -a slut? He's a much more particular gentleman than Mr. Leigh, I do -hear." - -Hendle put an end to the landlady's babble by finishing his beer and -departing, although the commonplace gossip had distracted his worrying -mind for a few moments. As Carrington crossed the square beside his -host he ventured a remark. - -"Let us hurry on, Hendle, and have a look at the hole by the sundial -before the workmen turn up the ground." - -"What good will that do?" snapped the Squire sharply. - -"One never knows. It is just as well to look round. Who knows but what -the assassin may not have left some clue?" - -Hendle stared. "What clue could he, or would he, possibly leave?" - -Carrington laughed. "Oh, it's only an idea--a silly one, maybe. But I -have an idea that we will stumble upon some clue." - -"You and your ideas, Carrington. First your walking over your -confounded grave business and now the chance of picking up some -impossible clue. It's all imagination." - -The barrister laughed again, but said no more. Hendle was less amiable -than usual, which was scarcely to be wondered at considering what was -in his mind. He walked fast enough toward their destination, as if he -wished to rid himself of disagreeable thoughts by swift movement. -Shortly they came to the rickety gate, and passed up the grass-grown -avenue, dank and unwholesome, and not to be warmed even by the blazing -summer sun. The surroundings were the same, but the place had lost its -uncanny isolating atmosphere, and there was a stir of life in house -and grounds, which showed that the place was waking up. Many men were -moving in and out of the open doors; there was the noise of -conversation and cheerful whistling, and scaffolding was being erected -against the ivy-draped walls. Even in the jungle two gardeners were at -work cutting down the tall tangled forest of weeds, and opening out -the spaces between the trees. Most of the men employed were strangers, -but some of the village workers had been pressed into service and -these greeted the Squire and his friend respectfully. Hendle nodded -absently in return, then strolled through the bare house, watching the -ancient paper being stripped off the walls, and the replacing of -mouldering boards. Afterward he and Carrington walked into the jungle -and, at the far end of a winding path, found the lichen-covered -sundial, half buried among luxuriant weeds. It had not yet been -disturbed. - -"I say, Hendle," remarked Carrington, as they crushed the lush grasses -under foot, "this dial is pretty well hidden in this jungle." - -"Yes?" - -"I gather from that," continued the barrister musingly, "that it would -not be easy to find." - -Rupert nodded. "Not unless a person knew where to find it," he -answered. - -"Exactly. Well then, if the assassin of Leigh was a stranger, he would -never have buried the will in a place of which he knew nothing." - -"You infer that the assassin of Leigh was not a stranger?" - -"I do. And that makes me believe still more that Mrs. Beatson is the -guilty person. She knew where to find the sundial in this tangle of -greenery and in the darkness of night. Therefore she must have----" - -"Oh, let us give her the benefit of the doubt," retorted the Squire, -cutting short this theorizing and walking forward to peer among the -weeds. "I say, here is the hole--not a very deep one." - -It certainly was but a shallow hole. The earth had simply been scraped -away for a few inches, the document deposited and the loose mold -heaped up in a kind of miniature mound. At least the two presumed so -as Mrs. Beatson had swept aside a small quantity of earth when -uncovering the parchment. There was nothing much to see, and after -staring for a moment or so, Hendle turned away moodily. Scarcely had -he done so when Carrington touched him on the shoulder, and drew his -attention to a small object which glittered in the long grass near the -edge of the hole. - -"What's that?" he asked, pointing with his finger. - -Rupert said nothing, but stooped and picked up the object. "Why," he -said, in a tone of surprise, "it's the jewel which Mallien wears on -his watch chain." - -The barrister exclaimed also, as he stared at the gleam in Hendle's -hand. It certainly was the opal in the matrix, to which Mallien had -drawn his attention at their first meeting. Such a distinctive -ornament was not easily forgotten. After a look and an exclamation he -drew back and pondered. - -"Surely Mallien never----" - -"Nonsense! Nonsense!" interrupted the Squire sharply. "What can -Mallien have to do with the matter?" - -"That is what I am trying to think out," said Carrington dryly. "You -must admit that it is strange." - -"What is strange?" asked Rupert, determined not to commit himself. - -"Finding this ornament here, near where the will was hidden. If we had -found it on the high road now----" - -"Yes! Yes! It is odd, I admit," interrupted the Squire again; "but -that does not prove Mallien's implication in this sorry business." - -"It proves that he was here in this secluded spot at one time or -another, since he lost the opal among those grasses." - -"Mallien may have wandered round the garden as we are doing." - -"We came deliberately here because the will was found in this place by -Mrs. Beatson. But what took Mallien to the sundial?" - -Rupert slipped the ornament into his waistcoat pocket. "You will find -it difficult to fasten the guilt of the crime on Mallien," he said -dryly. - -"You say that because the man is Miss Mallien's father and you wish to -shield her," returned the barrister coolly. "All the same, if Lawson, -for instance, knew the circumstances, he would build up a very pretty -case against our disagreeable friend." - -"As how?" - -"Mallien knew about the will before Leigh was murdered, as you know -from the story of Mrs. Beatson. The will meant much to him, so it is -just possible that he came to the Vicarage to get it from Leigh. -Failing to get it given to him freely, he struck----" - -"No! No! I can't believe that." - -"What else can you believe when the ornament, which we both know -belongs to Mallien, is found on the edge of the hole where the will -was buried?" - -"Mallien may be able to explain." - -"Oh, undoubtedly. And the more precisely he explains the less I shall -believe his explanation. He has missed this ornament, you may be sure, -long ago, and has had plenty of time to make up a story accounting for -the loss. However, whether he is guilty or innocent, the finding of -this opal in the matrix will settle him." - -"In what way?" - -"Hang it, Hendle, you are slow in the uptake," cried Carrington -exasperated. "Why, a child could understand. All you have to do is to -go to Mallien and threaten to show this jewel to Lawson, calling me as -a witness, and accusing him of murdering the vicar. Then he'll climb -down and you won't need to consider him with regard to the fortune." - -Rupert said nothing for the moment, but turned on his heel and forced -his way through the tangled path back to the rickety gate. When he and -the barrister were well on the road home, he spoke again and very -dryly. - -"It seems to me, Carrington, that you regard me as a man who will do -anything for money. I think I told you that my honor was dearer to me -than money. I intend to give up the property to Mallien, if it is -legally his, even if it leaves me, as it will, a pauper. The finding -of this jewel will make no difference. You understand?" - -"Yes. But if the man is guilty he should be punished." - -"We can't be sure if he is guilty." - -Carrington laughed grimly. "It seems to me that what we have -discovered is an excellent proof of his guilt when taken in connection -with the known facts of the case." - -"I don't want to think about it." - -"But you must. For the sake of justice, if not for your own sake. -Confound it, Hendle, take advantage of the chance which Providence has -placed in your hands to save your skin. Only you and I and Mrs. -Beatson know about the will being discovered; only you and I know -about this jewel which brings Mallien perilously near the gallows. For -your sake I shall hold my tongue, and you can have this Timon on -toast." - -"There is something in that, Carrington. But I can't expect you to -hold your tongue for nothing." - -"Oh, my terms won't be exorbitant. And, of course," added the -barrister, making light of his knavery, "as a poor man I must make hay -while the sun shines." - -"Oh, that is your opinion, is it?" asked Rupert dryly, and, on -receiving a smiling nod, walked on rapidly in silence. He had laid a -trap for Carrington and the man had fallen into it. He was little more -than a blackmailer, who was prepared to make use of his power to -enrich himself. To prevent such a thing Rupert temporized, although he -could scarcely stop himself from catching Carrington by the throat and -hurling him into the ditch. "You must give me time to think over the -matter," said Hendle at last. - -"Oh, there's no hurry. We are both on the same string, you know. We -can make Mallien squeal now." - -"Yes," assented Rupert, wondering that the man should think him -capable of such baseness, "we can make him squeal!" - - - - -CHAPTER XV -CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE - - -Rupert felt very uncomfortable. It was bad enough to have Mrs. Beatson -in the house, when he knew how treacherous she was; but it was worse -to entertain Carrington as his guest. The barrister undoubtedly was -determined to make money at the cost of honor. And what was more, he -would probably gain his ends, unless the truth came to light. And the -truth required to adjust matters was to learn beyond question what was -the name of the individual who had murdered the vicar. If, indeed, -Mallien was the culprit, Rupert felt that he was in Carrington's -power. It was impossible to allow that truth to come to Lawson's ears, -as then Mallien would be arrested and there would be a public scandal. -Yet if Carrington, who knew all details, were not bribed largely to -keep silence, it seemed likely that he would denounce the miserable -man. Of course, as yet, Hendle could not be certain that his cousin -had committed the crime; but circumstances were against him, and if -the police took up the matter, ruin would stare Mallien in the face. -For Dorinda's sake such publicity was not to be thought of for one -moment. - -Hendle had no love for his cousin, who was as disagreeable and selfish -a mortal as ever existed. He was capable of the most unscrupulous -conduct to feed his egotism, but Rupert thought--and with some degree -of truth--that the very egotism in question would prevent the man from -risking his neck. Yet, even if he were innocent, as Rupert tried hard -to believe for Dorinda's sake, the evidence against him was very -strong. Mallien, thanks to Mrs. Beatson, knew all about the will -before Leigh's death; the discovery of the ornament, near the sundial, -proved that he had been where the will was buried. Also possession of -the will meant a fortune to Mallien, and the sole reason for which the -vicar could have been murdered was for the criminal to obtain -possession of the parchment. Indeed, it was very certain that if -Inspector Lawson became possessed of these facts, he would not have -the slightest compunction in arresting Mallien, and in doing his best -to have him hanged. The evidence was certainly purely circumstantial, -but so strong that Rupert felt convinced both judge and jury would -accept it as positive truth. And, failing Mrs. Beatson, whom the -Squire did not believe to be guilty, it really looked as though -Mallien with his greedy nature and bad temper had struck the fatal -blow. Never was a man in such a dilemma. - -Carrington, afraid of losing his chance, remained at The Big House, -and kept a strict watch on Mrs. Beatson and on Mallien himself. That -gentleman had returned from London in the best of spirits, having -managed to pick up a most wonderful ruby for a small price. Hendle had -been under the impression that when so much was at stake his cousin -would abandon his hobby to prosecute a search for the will and push on -as rapidly as possible his claim to the property. But Mallien never -came near the place, and, according to Dorinda, was wholly taken up -with arranging his collection of gems in a new set of cabinets. This -abstinence from action at such a critical period argued fear on the -man's part lest dangerous information should come to light, if he made -himself too conspicuous. More and more Rupert became convinced that -his cousin was the guilty person, and he did not know very well how to -act. He could not talk to Dorinda, as what he had to say was too -terrible, and he was unable to converse freely with Carrington, since -he now mistrusted him so greatly. Of course, Carrington never guessed -that such was the case, as Rupert kept a careful guard over his words -and actions, so that the barrister believed that his friend was quite -willing to act in the dishonorable way suggested. - -And what Carrington did suggest was that Rupert should inform Mallien -of what had been discovered, and then threaten to denounce him to the -police if he did not surrender all claim to the property. Then the -will could be thrown into the fire, Mrs. Beatson could be sent to -Australia with a sum of money, to close her mouth, and all would end -up with the marriage of Hendle and Dorinda. For this suggestion, and -for services rendered in connection therewith, Carrington plainly -stated that he required the sum of five thousand pounds. After beating -round the bush for some time during the next two days Carrington -informed Hendle frankly of his scheme and of the amount he expected -for its carrying out. Then Rupert forgot his caution and told his old -school friend in the most indignant way what he thought of him. - -The two men were walking in the park one morning when the explosion -took place. Rupert, as usual, was unable to remain in the house -quietly, since his very painful thoughts did not permit him to take an -interest in anything. He was on his legs from morning until night, and -the barrister, for obvious reasons, since he wished to poison his -mind, always hung round him with suggestions of what should be done to -hush the matter up. On this particular morning he did more than -suggest, as he was growing weary of Hendle's sluggish reluctance to -deal with the matter. Therefore, he put his proposal into plain words -and mentioned his price. Rupert lost his temper and, wheeling on him -in a fury, knocked him down. Carrington was so amazed and startled by -this sudden rebellion on the part of a sheep that he remained on the -grass tongue-tied, staring up at the big man who stood by, furiously -angry. - -"I--I--I think--you must be--be mad," stuttered the barrister. - -"No, I am not mad, you villain!" said Hendle, between his teeth. "You -think that I am as big a scoundrel as you are. I am not, and now you -know it." - -Carrington pulled himself together and rose stiffly, tenderly feeling -his left eye, which was growing black. "I'll make you pay for this," -he said savagely, and turned a threatening face on Hendle. - -"You can do what you like. I am not afraid of you," retorted the -Squire indifferently; "and, as this trouble has taken place, there -will be no need for you to return to my house. You can go away and -your luggage will be sent down to the station." - -"You can send it to _The Hendle Arms_," said Carrington, making up his -mind swiftly as to his best course of action. "I don't intend to leave -this place until I get what I want." - -"You won't get five thousand pounds anyhow, or five thousand pence, I -can tell you," said Hendle, with his usually kind eyes growing hard. - -"Not from you perhaps, since you are such a fool. But Mallien----" - -"Mallien can defend himself. What he does has nothing to do with me." - -"It has a lot to do with Dor----" - -"If you mention that name I shall knock you down again!" shouted the -Squire. - -Carrington was wise enough to take the hint, being a coward at heart -as all bullies are. "I should like to know why you knocked me down at -all?" he complained, in sulky tones. - -"I did so, because you are little else than a blackmailer." - -"How dare you use that word to me!" cried Carrington, black with rage, -and he would have struck his quondam friend but that he knew from -experience that he would get the worst of it in any struggle which -might ensue. - -"What other word applies to your conduct?" demanded Hendle fiercely. -"As my old school chum I have treated you well, and have shown you -every hospitality, as you know very well. And how do you repay me? By -threatening to make things hot for me if I don't buy your silence with -a large sum of money." - -"I didn't threaten to make things hot for you," protested Carrington, -snarling like a disappointed dog. "I only suggested that you should -hush up the matter of the murder and the will----" - -"Yes, and pay you to hold your tongue. What else is that but -blackmail? If I was dishonorable enough to agree to your terms, your -request for money would only be the first of many." - -"I swear that I would ask no more." - -"All blackmailers say that, until they get their victims in their -toils by the first payment. Then they show themselves in their true -colors. I wonder you are not ashamed, Carrington, to behave so -basely." - -"I am not behaving basely," cried the barrister furiously. "I am poor, -I admit, and I want money. But all I proposed was to your own -advantage." - -"So that you might get a hold over me by persuading me to hush up a -felony and so take every penny I possess." - -"That you possess," sneered Carrington, recklessly throwing off the -mask, now no longer a protection. "Why, Mallien should have your -money." - -"And Mallien shall get it when the will is looked into by the lawyers. -I take it to them to-morrow. You know that I am honorable." - -"I know that you are a fool," snarled the baffled man; "and if you -strip yourself of your property to give it to Mallien, it will be all -the better for me. I shall go to him and say what I know." - -"You are villain enough for anything. Go, if you choose." - -"But, Hendle," said Carrington, almost unable to grasp the fact that -relations between him and Rupert had so suddenly changed for the -worse, "what does all this mean? I have said little more this morning -than I said to you before and only now do you object." - -Rupert, who was going away, stopped to face his enemy. "I objected all -along, as you might have seen if you had not been blinded by your own -wickedness, Carrington. Every word you said made me loathe you more -and more. The sole idea you had was to get money out of me. I thought -you were a gentleman and my friend, whereas you are a villain and a -blackmailer." - -"Go on! go on!" said Carrington, becoming very white and breathing -very hard. "I shall make you pay for every insult." - -"It is impossible to insult you," retorted the Squire contemptuously. -"Such a worm as you are doesn't feel insults. As to making me pay, you -have no hold over me, and you know it." - -"I can take away your property by telling Mallien of the will being -found." - -"I shall tell him myself, so you needn't trouble." - -"I can tell Lawson about Mallien's guilt." - -"Oh, as to that, you can't prove that he is guilty," said Hendle -coolly; "and, as you won't kill your goose with the golden eggs, you -will say nothing to Lawson, if Mallien buys your silence. Come along, -I've had enough of this. You can go away and do your worst. And if you -don't go straight away, I shall make a public scandal, by kicking you -out of the gate." - -"You are nothing more than a bully. You know that I am not strong -enough to fight you," said Carrington furiously, but very wisely -moving in the direction of the gate. - -"Quite so. But if I were a bully, I should thrash the life out of you -for daring to insult me with base proposals as you have done. You have -got off very lightly, considering all things. Now march and hold your -d----d tongue." - -Carrington had to do as he was bidden, for the big man looked at him -in a quiet, imperious way, which meant trouble. With a would-be -dignified step the baffled villain walked over the grass toward the -distant gate without opening his mouth. As he passed out into the road -he turned for one moment to make a last threat. Rupert guessed, from -the malevolent expression on his face, that he was about to refer to -Dorinda and made a quick step toward him. Carrington winced and -cringed, shut his mouth, and sped down the road at a remarkably quick -pace. He had been turned out of his paradise, where he had expected to -live in clover for the rest of his life with Hendle under his thumb, -and he knew that the closed gate divided him forever from his old -school friend. Therefore, did he curse, not himself, but Hendle, for -being such a fool. Carrington was far too egotistic to lay the blame -on his own shoulders, as he invariably believed his methods to be -perfect. - -However, having lost his chance of obtaining money from Rupert, it -only remained for him to get it somewhere else. Naturally, Mallien was -the first person he thought of, since that gentleman, by inheriting -the property, would have the wherewithal to pay. Carrington intended -to remain the night at _The Hendle Arms_--to which place his -portmanteau was sent during the afternoon--and next day to return to -London. He would much rather have stayed on to attend to his nefarious -business, but his position was bound to be disagreeable, when the -villagers learned that he had been turned out of the Squire's house, -so it was best to leave the place. But in the meantime he hoped to -bring Mallien to his knees. - -With this idea he wrote a short peremptory note to the man asking him -to come to the inn at eight o'clock for an interview concerning his -safety, and this he sent up by hand to the cottage. On the reply would -depend what attitude he would take up toward Dorinda's father. If -Mallien refused to come, such refusal would hint that he was strong -enough to fight; but if he came in answer to so insolent a message, -his arrival assuredly would show that he was afraid of what might come -out. Therefore, when a curt line or so was brought to the barrister -saying that Mr. Mallien would be at the inn as requested, Carrington -felt that he had won the first move of the game. The man was afraid, -and it would be as well to take advantage of his fear. Also seeing -what had been discovered, it was difficult to understand how Mallien -could save himself. - -Mrs. Pansey was somewhat surprised when the Squire's guest took up his -quarters for the night in her house, and wondered what could be the -reason. Carrington, afraid of making bad worse, did not give her any, -but simply stated that he would eat and sleep there before leaving for -London by the eight o'clock train in the morning. He engaged a -sitting-room and a bedroom, and enjoyed a very good dinner shortly -before Mallien put in an appearance. That gentleman swaggered into the -stuffy little room in his usual truculent manner, carelessly dressed -in gray flannels, because the evening was hot, and glittering with -jewels after his usual fashion. - -"What the dickens do you mean by writing to me as you have done?" -blustered the visitor when the door was closed. - -"As you have come, I dare say you can guess," retorted Carrington, -coolly. He had been bullied by Rupert, who was strong enough to thrash -him, but he did not intend to be dominated by Mallien, who was weaker. -Also, Hendle being honest and Mallien a rogue, the barrister felt less -at a disadvantage. He was certain that his visitor was not one who -would hesitate to accept terms, however shady, so long as his purpose -was served. - -"I can't guess," growled Mallien, sitting down aggressively, "and I -demand an explanation. What do you want?" - -"Five thousand pounds," said Carrington, thinking it was useless to -beat about the bush with a brother knave. - -"What for?" - -"For certain information which will be of service to you." - -"Oh, if you mean the will, Carrington, I'm not going to pay something -for nothing," retorted Mallien, viciously. "I know that sooner or -later the will is certain to be found, and when it is, Hendle is not -the man to dispute possession of what is rightfully mine." - -"The will has been found and is in Hendle's possession," said -Carrington with a keen look. - -Mallien stared and changed color. "And he never told me. Here!" He -started to his feet. "Let me pass. I'm off to see Rupert, and get the -will." - -"Unfortunately, he won't give it to you." - -"Won't give it to me?" - -"No. He intends to take it to London to-morrow and place it in the -hands of your family lawyers." - -"Oh, well"--Mallien sat down again--"that will be all right. Once it -is in their hands, they will see that I have my rights. Have you seen -the will, may I ask?" - -"Yes. It leaves the property to Eunice Filbert and her descendants." - -"Ha!" Mallien expanded his chest, in a gratified manner. "Then I get -the property. That's all right. Where was the will found?" - -"Where you buried it." - -The man jumped up once more, spluttering and angry. "What the devil do -you mean, sir?" - -"I mean this: that you murdered Leigh and stole the will and buried it -under the sundial in the Vicarage garden. That is the information for -which I ask five thousand pounds to be paid when you come into your -property." - -Mallien staggered against the wall with outspread hands. "You are mad -to accuse me of--of----" - -"Of murdering the vicar. No, I am not mad; but you will be if you -refuse me the money. Only for five thousand pounds will I hold my -tongue." - -"You have nothing to hold it about," stormed Mallien, savagely. - -"Oh, yes, I have. Sit down and listen." - -"I won't." Mallien made for the door. - -"Very good. Then go, and to-morrow you will be arrested before noon. I -shall go straight to Tarhaven in the morning to explain things to -Inspector Lawson. For your own safety you had much better let me -explain them to you." - -Mallien hesitated, then returned to his seat. "You are talking -rubbish," he said, pulling his beard in an embarrassed manner. "I have -nothing to do with the murder. I wouldn't have come here had I guessed -you would talk to me in this way." - -Carrington, now master of the situation, laughed. "The way in which my -letter was worded compelled you to come." - -"It's a lie." - -"Then why are you here? You who hate me--you who are a bully," taunted -the barrister. "There is the door. Walk out of it, if you dare!" - -"Less talk!" cried Mallien, savagely. "Go on and explain on what -grounds you dare to accuse me." - -"Oh, very good. Now you are talking sense;" and Carrington related the -adventure which had to do with the discovery of the buried will by -Mrs. Beatson and the subsequent passing of the document into Hendle's -hands. "He has it at the present moment," continued the barrister, -"and intends, as I said, to take it to the solicitors to-morrow. If -the property is yours, as I think it is, you will be done full justice -to, as Hendle is not the man to keep what does not belong to him." - -"Rupert's a fool, but honest enough," said Mallien shortly, and -looking very much relieved. "Well, and what has all this to do with -your infernal insolence in asking me for five thousand pounds? By your -own showing there will be no trouble about my getting what is mine." - -"I have told you why I ask for the money," retorted Carrington, -tartly. "Don't make me repeat again and again what you already know." - -"What is that?" demanded Mallien, willfully blind. - -"You murdered Leigh, if you will have it." - -"I did not murder Leigh. I had no reason to do so." - -"Oh, yes, you had. You wanted the will, and remember that Kensit -declared----" - -"Oh, about the disordered papers," struck in Mallien, wiping his face. -"What evidence is that, when everyone knows that Leigh kept his study -like a pigsty. The papers were no more in disorder than usual." - -"Sufficiently upset for the policeman to think that a search had been -made." - -"The Coroner and jury thought nothing of his evidence in that -respect," said Mallien, with an uneasy sneer. - -"Because the existence of the will was not known," replied Carrington, -meaningly. "Once it is known, a strong motive is supplied for the -killing of Leigh." - -"Rupert had as much reason to murder Leigh as I had.". - -"I don't agree with you, since he is so scrupulously honest. If the -money is yours, you will have it, so why should Hendle murder a man to -get what in the end would not benefit him? Now, you----" - -"I tell you, Carrington, I did not touch the man!" vociferated -Mallien. - -"Bosh! You struck him down and got the will and buried it under the -sundial, as you know. Then you made use of Mrs. Beatson to avert -suspicion from yourself by sending the anonymous letter telling where -it was." - -"I didn't send the letter," insisted Mallien, looking gray and worn. - -"You did. You were in Town for a few days, and while you were away, -the housekeeper got the letter. Since you had promised her an annuity -of two hundred a year, you knew very well that she would give the will -to you rather than to Hendle. It was a very clever scheme, Mallien." - -"You are talking rubbish!" cried the man in consternation, for he saw -how strong was the evidence against him. "How can you prove that I was -at the Vicarage on that night?" - -"Where is your opal in the matrix?" asked Carrington, glancing at -Mallien's watch chain significantly. - -"I--I--I--lost it," hesitated the other. - -"You did, and Hendle found it in my presence near the sundial; on the -very verge of the hole wherein you buried the will." - -The listener made an inarticulate noise and clutched his hair. "It's -fate, it's fate!" he muttered. "Everything is against me, yet I am -innocent." - -"Prove that you are so," said Carrington, leaning back in his chair -indolently smiling. - -Mallien hesitated, then seeing that the barrister knew so much, -rushed into an explanation, which he would not have made to a less -well-informed person. It was as if a dam had broken, so volubly did -the words come tumbling out. Carrington listened attentively. - -"I _was_ at the Vicarage on that night," confessed the visitor -swiftly. "After Mrs. Beatson told me I thought that I would get the -will from Leigh, since I was not sure if Rupert would act -straightforwardly." - -"Knowing Hendle as you do, why did you think that?" - -"The most honest of men might hesitate before stripping himself of all -his wealth," retorted Mallien sharply. "However, that is not to the -point. I made up my mind to go and then I changed it again. I went to -bed determined to go in the morning, but, unable to sleep, I decided -to visit the vicar on that night. I rose and, putting on my clothes, -went out. As I left my cottage, I heard the church clock chime -eleven." - -"Oh!" sneered Carrington, remembering the hour of the murder, "then -you did not commit the crime?" - -"No, I didn't," snarled Mallien viciously. "I got to the Vicarage and, -in the darkness of the avenue, I stumbled against a man." - -"Who was he?" - -"I don't know. I clutched him by the throat and we struggled. Then he -got away and probably wrenched the opal ornament from my watch chain. -I missed it the next day, and surmised that I had lost it in the -wrestling match. After the man fled I went to the house and peered -into the study through the window. I saw Leigh lying apparently dead -on the floor, and was seized with fright, lest I should be accused of -killing him. I saw my position in a moment, as you may guess." - -"You should have given the alarm," said Carrington, quietly. - -"Oh, should I?" sneered the other. "You would have done so under the -same circumstances, wouldn't you?" - -"Perhaps," returned the barrister ambiguously. "I quite see that you -were in a very awkward position." - -"Of course I was. If the fact of the will came to light, I might have -been accused of killing Leigh to get it." - -"Which you did," insisted Carrington, "in spite of this cock-and-bull -story." - -"Hang you!" shouted Mallien fiercely, and clenching his fists. "I tell -you I did not. Things happened as I say, and I ran back to my cottage -determined to hold my tongue, and let things take their course. That -is why I have made no move about the will. The man I struggled with in -the avenue was the criminal, and got my opal." - -"How then did Hendle and I find the opal near the sundial?" - -"I don't know," returned Mallien moodily. "If you tell the police, I -can only repeat the story I am repeating now." - -"I don't want to tell the police," said Carrington mildly. "My -terms----" - -"I know all about your infernal terms, just as I know that I am in a -fix. I am innocent, but it is difficult for me to defend myself -against the circumstantial evidence." - -"Then agree to my terms, and I'll hold my tongue." - -"What's the use? Rupert knows as much as you do." - -"Hendle won't speak because of your daughter." - -"That is true," Mallien hesitated; then burst out, "you must give me -time to make up my mind." - -"I'll give you a week," said Carrington readily, for he did not wish -to press the man too hardly. "But no hanky-panky, remember. I hold you -in the hollow of my hand." - -"If I had murdered Leigh," said Mallien, deliberately, "I should -murder you, in the hope of saving myself. As it is, I shall take a -week to consider your terms!" and the man, with a snarl, went out -abruptly. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI -A NEW WITNESS - - -The Squire was relieved when he turned Carrington out of his house, as -he felt how impossible it was to live under the same roof with such a -scoundrel. He was still more relieved on hearing that the man had gone -to London by an early train, and hoped that prudence would keep him at -a safe distance from Barship. As yet he knew nothing of his late -friend's interview with Mallien, nor did Mallien appear at The Big -House to report the conversation. But Hendle had an uneasy feeling -that the barrister would not hold his tongue, unless well paid to do -so; and undoubtedly he knew many things, the revelation of which would -prove highly unpleasant. If Carrington went to Inspector Lawson with -his story, Mallien might be arrested and the disgrace would break -Dorinda's heart. Therefore, for the girl's sake, it was necessary to -make some move, but what action could be taken Rupert did not very -clearly see. He passed an uncomfortable morning turning things over in -his mind, and rather regretted the impetuosity which had led him to -deal so sharply with a dangerous man. However, he consoled himself -with the proverb that what was done could not be undone. - -Of one thing Hendle was sure, that Carrington would only tell the -police what he knew, when all chance of getting money to hold his -tongue was at an end. He would certainly wait until Mallien was placed -in possession of the property before taking any steps, and this being -the case, Rupert felt convinced that no sudden scandal would disturb -the present position of affairs. The man who gains time gains -everything, and Rupert, mindful of the saying, determined to make -the best use of his time. He was in no hurry, and began to think of -what could be done to adjust matters. At first--as he had told -Carrington--he intended to see the family solicitors about the will; -but, on second thoughts, he decided to interview Mallien beforehand. -The moment that John Hendle's will was placed in other hands to be -dealt with, a certain amount of publicity would assuredly ensue. In -that case, Mallien might find himself in an awkward position, although -Rupert could not bring himself to believe that his cousin was guilty -of so brutal a murder. Nevertheless, the circumstantial evidence was -undeniably strong. On the whole the Squire decided that it would be -wise to interview Mallien before handing the document to the lawyers, -and, unless the man could exonerate himself fully, it seemed dangerous -to hand it over at all. There would be little sense in Mallien gaining -a fortune, if the necessary steps to place him in possession of it -could only be taken at the risk of liberty and perhaps of life. The -position was extremely difficult, unpleasant and puzzling, and Hendle -scarcely knew what was best to be done. Finally he concluded to give -the matter careful consideration for twenty-four hours before acting. - -So far, Hendle's intentions were sensible, considering the awkward -position in which he was placed. But he was no diplomatist, and, -having stirred up Carrington to hostility, proceeded indiscreetly to -deal in a somewhat abrupt manner with Mrs. Beatson. Having got rid of -one shady person he wished to get rid of the other. Already he had -stated that he would send her away, but Mrs. Beatson had never -believed that he would act immediately on his determination. She was, -therefore, greatly dismayed when he summoned her into the library -after luncheon, and intimated that she was to go. - -"Why should I go?" demanded the woman with the air of a martyr. "My -duties----?" - -"I say nothing about your duties. But I can't have a person under my -roof who listens to conversations not meant for her ears." - -"Then you shouldn't have secrets!" cried Mrs. Beatson furiously. "And -I didn't listen intentionally. You know that." - -"You shouldn't have listened at all," said Rupert coldly, and bracing -himself to meet trouble, which she had every intention of making. - -"What, not to protect myself when you thought of turning me out?" - -"There was no protection needed on that score," said the Squire -politely. "I had no intention of turning you out." - -"Then why am I turned out now?" demanded the housekeeper in a most -exasperatingly illogical way. - -"Because of your behavior, and I don't think that there is any need to -explain further. To-day is Saturday; you must leave on Monday." - -"Oh, very well, sir. With a year's wages, mind." - -"Oh, no. I shall give you three months' wages, and you may consider -yourself lucky that I give you any at all." - -"I shall go to law." - -Rupert shook his head reprovingly. "I shouldn't if I were you. Your -dealings with that will won't bear looking into." - -"I have done nothing wrong," said Mrs. Beatson, becoming tearful. - -"Ah! your ideas of morality differ from mine. I am not going to argue -the point," said Rupert, pointing to the door. "You can go now." - -"I shall tell all I know about the will," threatened the woman -desperately. - -"As you please. But in two days the will goes to my lawyers, and if -Mr. Mallien inherits, he will become the owner of this place. You have -no hold over me there, Mrs. Beatson." - -"I believe you murdered Mr. Leigh yourself." - -"The wish is father to the thought," replied Hendle dryly. - -"Well then, if you didn't, that horrid Mr. Carrington did." - -"Why do you say that?" - -"Why did you turn him out of the place yesterday?" retorted the -housekeeper. - -"For a very good and sufficient reason, which doesn't concern you." - -Baffled by her master's calmness, the woman walked defiantly toward -the door, anxious to hurt him, yet unable to do so. "When Mr. Mallien -gets the money he will never allow you to marry his daughter," she -said spitefully. - -Rupert raised his eyebrows, but made no reply. He was unwilling to -take her by the shoulders and thrust her out of the room, so all he -could do was to remain silent until her venom exhausted itself. As is -usually the case when a man deals with a woman, the weakness of Mrs. -Beatson was her strength. - -"You will be a pauper without a penny," railed the housekeeper. - -Rupert still said nothing, but turned toward the fireplace to pick up -his pipe. Mrs. Beatson, finding that he supplied no fuel for her -anger, had no more to say, and retired fuming with temper. Her master -lighted his pipe and sat down to consider once more how he could best -deal with the situation. He was faintly nervous, as it occurred to him -that perhaps it would have been better to deal less boldly with the -housekeeper and the barrister. But on second thoughts he decided that -he was acting straightforwardly, and that it had been just as well to -take the bull by the horns. - -Mrs. Beatson went to her room, put on her best clothes and sallied -forth bent upon the Samson-like intention of pulling the roof down on -her own head. She was in such a rage that she did not mind being hurt -personally so long as Rupert suffered. Doubtless when her doings -recoiled on herself she would be sorry that she had acted like a fool; -but at the present moment she did not consider the consequence. All -she wanted was to hurt some one and to make things unpleasant all -round. Rupert she hated for discharging her. Carrington she loathed -because he had brought--as she considered--her shady doings to light, -and Dorinda, because she was engaged to Hendle. She even hated -Mallien, although he had never harmed her, but did not contemplate -hurting him, since she hoped to receive the annuity. How she intended -to make things uncomfortable she did not very well know, but she -commenced operations by walking toward her son's lodgings in the -village. She would tell him everything, and leave him to deal with her -insulted honor. That Kit might agree with the Squire in reprobating -her eavesdropping never struck her for a single moment. She was in -much too great a rage to be reasonable. - -Kit was not at home, and his landlady said that he had gone to -luncheon at Dr. Tollart's. Mrs. Beatson snorted when she heard this, -as she did not wish Kit to marry the girl, and objected to his keeping -company with her. Still bent upon relieving her mind of its burden, -she made for the doctor's house, which was at the far end of the -village, and speedily arrived at the front door. The servants informed -her that Dr. Tollart was absent on his rounds, but would be back soon. -Meanwhile, Miss Tollart was within along with Mr. Christopher Beatson. -The servant, having a feminine sympathy with the lovers, did not ask -this marplot to step in; but Mrs. Beatson brushed her aside like a fly -and stalked into the drawing-room, where she heard gay voices. - -"I went to your lodgings and learned that you were here, Kit," said -Mrs. Beatson, grimly, "philandering as usual, instead of earning your -livelihood." - -The young couple rose in dismay at the sight of this uncomfortable -woman, who was always like a stormy petrel. Sophy was the first to -recover herself, and immediately took up arms on behalf of Kit. "It's -Saturday," she said coolly, "and if Kit works all the week, he has a -right to one holiday, I suppose, during the seven days." - -Mrs. Beatson sat down and glared. "How do you expect me to welcome you -as a daughter-in-law when you behave toward me in this impertinent -manner?" - -"I don't mean to be impertinent," said Sophy, sorry for the agonized -expression on her lover's face; "but you are so unreasonable." - -"Unreasonable!" shrieked the visitor. "It is other people who are -unreasonable, if you only knew all." - -"Knew all what?" asked Kit nervously. - -"I've been insulted and discharged. Me, a lady born and bred and----" - -"Discharged!" echoed Sophy, interrupting. "Do you mean to say that you -have left The Big House?" - -"I leave on Monday," said Mrs. Beatson, getting out her handkerchief -and beginning to sob. "Oh, the insults that I have received! Mr. -Hendle must be thrashed, and I have come to ask my son to thrash him." - -"Me!" Kit bounced out of his seat in dismay. "Why, Mr. Hendle is my -best friend, and I owe everything to him." - -"That's right. Go against your mother," wailed Mrs. Beatson. "You are -just like your father, who was always a coward and a bully." - -"Kit is neither," said Sophy indignantly. "Little as I think of men -who won't give us the vote, I think a great deal of Kit." - -"Bother your votes!" cried Mrs. Beatson, suddenly recovering her -composure, as it was evident that tears did not help her. "All your -goings-on are silly." - -"Silly! Well, I like that, when we are trying to vindicate the cause -of----" - -"Oh, Sophy, don't make a row!" interrupted Kit, who saw how the two -glared at one another. "Let us hear what mother has to say." - -"I have a great deal to say," said Mrs. Beatson savagely, "and if you -young people will only hold your tongues, as young people should in -the presence of older and wiser----" - -"Older certainly, but not wiser," pertly said Miss Tollart. - -"For my sake, Sophy," implored Kit, seeing that his mother was -stiffening for a royal row. "I want to hear why Mr. Hendle has -discharged----" - -The word was enough to recall Mrs. Beatson to a memory of her wrongs -and she proceeded volubly to discourse about the same. Yet even as she -began it occurred to her that it would be as well to bind the young -couple to secrecy for the present, as Hendle's hint about the law -lingered uncomfortably in her mind. After all, a judge and jury might -be silly enough to condemn her behavior. "What I have to tell you -both, you must keep to yourselves," she said solemnly, and looked to -see if the door was closed. "It's a matter of life and death." - -Kit looked scared at this exordium, and even Sophy, bold as she was, -began to feel nervous. She knew what a reckless person her future -mother-in-law was, and wondered what she had been doing to justify so -grave a request. - -"Neither Kit nor I will say anything," she promised, catching at her -lover's hand for comfort. "I hope it's nothing very serious." - -"It isn't," said Mrs. Beatson, ironically, "unless you consider the -death of Mr. Leigh serious." - -"What?" Kit jumped up with his face as white as chalk. - -"Don't," said his mother irritably, "you get on my nerves, and they're -bad enough as it is." She paused, then continued, rather pleased with -the sensation she was making. "I know a great deal about the murder." - -"Oh!" Miss Tollart's eyes grew large and round, and became filled with -curiosity. "Have you any idea as to who murdered Mr. Leigh?" - -"I have. But what I am about to tell you, keep to yourselves." - -"We have promised that," snapped Sophy, for all this mysterious talk -was irritating her greatly. "What is it you know?" - -"I must begin at the beginning," said Mrs. Beatson solemnly, and -taking every advantage of the situation; "and when my son knows all, I -shall expect my son to defend my honor." - -"Against Mr. Hendle?" asked Kit nervously. - -"He has behaved like a brute!" cried Mrs. Beatson, flaming up. "But -bad as he is, he is not so bad as that nasty Mr. Carrington." - -"The lawyer," said Sophy, curiously. "What has he to do with it." - -"If you will only let me speak, I shall explain," said Mrs. Beatson, -in a dignified manner. - -"Go on, mother," said her son impatiently. "Don't keep us on -tenterhooks." - -Mrs. Beatson frowned severely, but, not seeing her way to an answer, -began to relate her grievance. It was characteristic of her profound -belief in her own rectitude that she told everything, plainly and -baldly, never thinking that her listeners would condemn what she had -done. From the moment when the Squire had informed her of his -intention to marry Miss Mallien forthwith, down to the interview which -had just taken place, the housekeeper detailed all that had happened, -concealing nothing, but exaggerating a great deal. Naturally she made -herself out to be a martyr, and was greatly annoyed when she brought -her story to an end, to see disgust written on Sophy's face and dismay -on the face of her son. "What do you both mean by glaring at me in -that way?" she demanded, after waiting for comments, which were not -made as speedily as she expected. - -"I don't think that you have behaved at all well," said Sophy bluntly, -seeing that Kit was speechless. - -"What do you mean by that?" demanded Mrs. Beatson bristling. -"Impertinence." - -"Mother," struck in the young man quietly, and recovering his speech, -"if this matter is to be discussed we may as well discuss it -reasonably." - -"I ask for nothing better. Haven't I been disgracefully treated?" - -"No," said Kit, pulling himself together and becoming both manly and -heroic; "you had no business to listen to Mr. Hendle and Mr. Leigh; -you had no business to tell Mr. Mallien what you overheard; and you -had no business to meddle with that will." - -"Hear! Hear!" said Sophy, clapping her hands. "I agree with Kit. And, -as you have behaved so badly to Mr. Hendle, I don't see what he could -do but send you away." - -After a speechless pause Mrs. Beatson appealed to her son. "Kit, will -you sit there and hear me insulted?" - -"Sophy doesn't mean to insult you, mother," said Kit quietly, and -looking as white as he was determined. "You must be reasonable." - -"I am reasonable!" cried his mother violently. "There never was such -an unreasonable person as you are. My own son turns against me," -wailed the exasperating woman, again taking out her handkerchief to -sob--"my own son, and I nursed him as a baby." - -Kit and Sophy looked at each other helplessly, wholly undecided how to -deal with this impossible woman. Mrs. Beatson only saw things in her -own way and expected everyone else to see them as she concluded they -should be seen. She had no common sense; she had no logic, she had no -control over her temper, and when anyone disagreed with her, she made -herself objectionable in every way. Miss Tollart, face to face with -this unreasonable feminine nature, heaved a sigh. - -"Well, I don't wonder that we don't get the vote," she mourned. "We -aren't in the least ready for it." - -"Hush, Sophy!" said Kit, touching her hand. "We must understand more -about the matter. It can't be allowed to rest here." - -"You promised to hold your tongue!" shrieked Mrs. Beatson, rather -scared by the look on her son's face. - -"I shall do so, so far as is consistent with my honor," retorted Kit -bluntly; "and I'm not going to allow Mr. Hendle to get into trouble. -He has been a good friend to you, mother, and a good friend to me. If -you had a spark of gratitude toward him, you would never have behaved -as you have done." - -"How dare you speak to me in that way?" - -"Because the time is past when you could play the tyrant." - -"Tyrant! Tyrant! This to your mother, who bore you." - -"I don't wish to be disrespectful, mother, but you are so unreasonable -that you compel me to be so. It is all very well so far as things are -between ourselves; but in this story which you have told serious -matters are concerned. Your share in them is not honorable." - -"I can do what I like," said Mrs. Beatson in a more subdued tone, for -the attitude taken up by her son impressed her unpleasantly. He was no -longer a boy to be bullied, but a man to be conciliated. - -"No, you can't do what you like when your doings bring you into -trouble with the law," insisted Kit, and Sophy nodded her approbation, -which was odd considering how she dared authority as a suffragist. But -in her own way she was as unreasonable as Mrs. Beatson, although she -would never have admitted as much, and would have been indignant at -the mere suggestion. - -"I won't get into trouble with the law," said Mrs. Beatson rather -nervously. - -"That all depends upon what steps the police take." - -"The police know nothing," said the housekeeper hastily. - -"But the police will know, mother. I don't think so honorable a -gentleman as Mr. Hendle will allow things to remain as they are. He is -innocent----" - -"Is he? He had every reason to kill Mr. Leigh because of the will, -which is likely to leave him a pauper." - -"I say he is innocent!" shouted Kit, stamping, and the expression on -his face was such as to reduce his mother to frightened silence. -"Nothing will ever make me believe that Mr. Hendle would act in such a -wicked way." - -"Then it's Mr. Mallien," whimpered Mrs. Beatson. - -"No," said Sophy quickly, "Mr. Mallien knows well enough that Mr. -Hendle will act honorably about the will. He would not risk his neck -to get a document which he knew Mr. Hendle would not dispute if it is -legal." - -"Well," said the housekeeper, still bent upon accusing someone, "I -shouldn't be surprised if that nasty Mr. Carrington is guilty. Mr. -Hendle went up the very next day after the conversation with Mr. Leigh -to consult him. Mr. Carrington might have killed Mr. Leigh to get the -will, so that he could make Mr. Hendle give him money for it." - -"I quite believe that Mr. Carrington did try to get money," said Kit, -after a pause, "as he had a quarrel with Mr. Hendle yesterday." - -"How do you know that?" - -"Someone told Mrs. Pansey that angry words passed between Mr. Hendle -and Mr. Carrington at the gate of the Park. And Mr. Carrington slept -last night at the inn before going to London this morning." - -"They did have a quarrel," admitted the housekeeper, "at least, I -suppose so, as Mr. Carrington did not stay at The Big House last -night. But we don't know if the quarrel was over money as the price of -the will. Mr. Carrington was in Town on the night Mr. Leigh was -murdered, so he can have nothing to do with it." - -Sophy jumped up and clapped hands. "He was not in Town on that night," -she cried, with her eyes blazing with excitement. "Father came down by -the eight o'clock train on that night and Mr. Carrington came also. -Father saw him on the Liverpool Street station and afterward on the -Barship platform." - -Kit turned on the girl sharply. "Sophy, are you certain?" - -"Yes, I am. You can ask father yourself." - -"But Dr. Tollart doesn't know Mr. Carrington," remarked Mrs. Beatson -anxiously. - -"Yes, he does. When Mr. Carrington came down here first he called to -see father about an aching tooth. He came to this very house. Father -did not take much notice of Mr. Carrington on that night, as he -thought he was just coming down to see Mr. Hendle. He never connected -Mr. Carrington with the murder. But now, now,"--Sophy clapped her -hands again, so excited did she feel--"from what you say, Mrs. -Beatson, I shouldn't be at all surprised to hear that Mr. Carrington -was guilty." - -"We can't be certain of that," said Kit quickly. - -"I am certain," said Mrs. Beatson, rising, "and I'll tell Inspector -Lawson what you have told me, just to pay that Carrington out for his -poking and prying." - -"I shouldn't if I were you, mother," remarked Kit dryly. "If you can -make things hot for Mr. Carrington, he can make things disagreeable -for you. Better let Mr. Hendle know first, and allow him to attend to -the matter. After all, mother," said Kit, with a shrug, "we are -assuming a great deal. Mr. Carrington may be quite innocent, and his -quarrel with Mr. Hendle may have nothing to do with the will." - -"I believe he is guilty," said Mrs. Beatson viciously, and said it -because she wished to think so. - -"So do I," put in Sophy, earnestly. "Still, Mrs. Beatson, I wouldn't -go to see Inspector Lawson if I were you. You might be arrested as an -accessory after the fact, you know." - -"Me!" Mrs. Beatson grew white and tottered. "I have nothing to do -with--oh, Kit, Kit, do you think--do you think----" - -"I think you are quite safe, so long as you hold your tongue and allow -Mr. Hendle to look into things." - -"Oh, I shall not say a word!" groaned Mrs. Beatson, now thoroughly -frightened for her own skin, "and you and Sophy will keep silent for -my sake." - -"I shall tell Mr. Hendle," said Kit, firmly. "I must." - -"And I shall tell Dorinda," chimed in Miss Tollart. "She is engaged to -Mr. Hendle, and they can talk it over together. Union is strength, as -I know from our votes for women troubles, and if Mr. Carrington -intends to accuse Mr. Mallien, or Mr. Hendle, he will find himself in -the wrong box. They can call father as a witness if the case comes -into court." - -"A new witness," declared Kit eagerly, "and one who will put the -saddle on the right horse. The mere presence of Mr. Carrington in -Barship on that night shows that he has something to do with the -matter." - -"We can't be sure," murmured Mrs. Beatson weakly, for by this time she -was becoming dreadfully nervous about her share in the proceedings. - -"We'll soon make sure when Mr. Hendle questions Mr. Carrington as to -his doings in Barship on that night," said Kit decidedly. "Now go, -mother, and hold your tongue. It's dangerous to speak." - -"I'll hold my tongue," promised Mrs. Beatson, and tottered away -weakly. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII -DIFFICULTIES - - -Kit owed a great deal to Hendle, and was never backward in admitting -that the Squire was his benefactor. When Mrs. Beatson first took -service at The Big House, the boy was at school, but she explained to -her employer that she could no longer pay fees for his education. -Rupert, approving of the bright, intelligent lad, thereupon arranged -for the rounding off of his scholastic career, and afterwards paid for -his training as an engineer. It was due to the Squire that Kit -occupied the excellent position he did in the exploitation and sale of -motors. Also it must be stated that young Beatson took every advantage -of his opportunities, earning the esteem and approval of all with whom -he came into contact. With the Squire's aid and his own brains there -was every chance that Kit would succeed in life more than most. - -Naturally the boy was deeply grateful to Hendle for his consistent -kindness; but he also adored him as an athlete, who possessed all -those out-of-door qualities which youths most admire in their seniors. -It therefore distressed him greatly when his mother came with her tale -of woe. Kit, loyal to the core, would not admit for one instant that -his benefactor was in the wrong, especially as he knew only too well -what a trying woman the Squire had to deal with. As a parent, Kit had -always found Mrs. Beatson uncomfortable, since she invariably used her -authority to force him into agreement with herself, however -unreasonable her ideas might be. Like many another mother, Mrs. -Beatson would not recognize that her son was grown up and had a right -to have his own opinions. He was to obey her in all things and do what -he was told. Kit thought otherwise, and, as the views of the two -clashed, there was always a certain amount of friction between them. -Having regard to his mother's aggressive personality, it was extremely -hard for young Beatson to obey the fifth commandment. - -Rupert knew the boy's difficulties in the adjustment of his filial -duties and greatly sympathized with him. Therefore he was by no means -surprised when Kit made his appearance at The Big House early on -Sunday afternoon. It was to be expected that Mrs. Beatson would tell -her son about her dismissal, but when Hendle heard what his visitor -had to say he was surprised to hear that the woman had been so frank -in her explanation. He made Kit sit down and repeat his story of the -interview, then walked up and down the library much perplexed, for the -boy, being the son of the woman who had been discharged, it was by no -means easy to talk to him. And Rupert was so kind-hearted that it was a -positive pain for him to say a word against anyone. Yet what could he -say in condonation of Mrs. Beatson's extraordinary behavior? Kit saw -the worried look on his hero's face and felt worried himself in -consequence. Therefore did he try to smooth matters. - -"Of course, sir, I know that my mother is rather unreasonable," he -remarked, in a low voice, twisting and turning his straw hat. "I don't -quite agree with her views, you know." - -Rupert gave the boy an approving glance, as he quite understood how -unpleasant was his position. "Your mother has had much trouble in her -life, and perhaps her nature is rather warped. What would you like me -to do?" - -Kit reflected, then spoke up straightly with a flush on his face. "I -think it would be better for you to allow mother to go away for a -holiday instead of dismissing her at once. While she is away, she can -give you notice and can look for another place. In this way her pride -will be saved." - -"Why should her pride be saved?" asked the Squire hastily and bluntly. - -"How can I answer that question, Mr. Hendle?" - -"Of course not. I beg your pardon, Kit. I should not have asked it. -What you say is very reasonable, and I have every wish to make things -easy for your mother. She shall take a holiday, and can leave when she -has found a better place." - -Kit shook his young head. "She'll never find a better place, sir, -or a better friend," he said sadly. "You have been good to her, and -more than good to me. I wish mother could see things as I see them, -but--but----" - -"There! there!" Rupert clapped him on the back. "I know how you feel -and what you wish to say. Even if your mother does leave me, Kit, that -need make no difference to our friendship." - -"It certainly will not," said the young fellow emphatically. "I don't -think mother has acted well; nor does Sophy." - -"Your mother certainly was very explicit, Kit. I wonder she did not -make out a better case for herself." - -"Well, you see, Mr. Hendle, mother never thinks that she does wrong. -It is a very difficult thing for me to say, since I am her son, but I -quite understand why you want her to go. I suggest that she should -take a holiday, and that she should give you notice on the plea of -finding another place, both to save her pride and to shut people's -mouths." - -"You think they will gossip--that your mother will talk?" - -"I don't think that mother will talk, Mr. Hendle: she is much too -frightened to do so, as she knows that she has not acted well. Sophy -and I told her so, and gradually she came to see that she had made a -mistake. But if you send her away people will ask the reason." - -Rupert nodded and straddling on the hearth-rug put his hands behind -his back. "And I can't give any reason other than the true one. It is -impossible to give that, since it involves danger to other people. I -am glad that you persuaded your mother to hold her tongue, Kit, and it -is a great relief for me to know that you and Miss Tollart are acting -so discreetly." - -"We want to help you, sir." - -"I don't see how either of you can do that, Kit." - -"Why not? We know the story of----" - -"From your mother's point of view you know the story," interrupted the -Squire hastily, "but she does not know all." - -"There is a will, which may disinherit you, I suppose, Mr. Hendle?" - -"Oh, yes. The will of John Hendle, leaving everything to the elder -branch of the family, represented by Mr. Mallien. I intend to take it -to my lawyers to-morrow, after I have seen my cousin." - -"Why not surrender the property to your cousin, sir, without taking -the will to the lawyers?" questioned Kit shrewdly. - -Rupert shook his head. "I wish everything to be done openly." - -"But seeing what is involved, Mr. Hendle, isn't there some danger of a -scandal if any public statement is made?" - -"There is. All the same, if I gave up the property and sneaked away, -people would talk, and the truth might come out in a crooked way. I -wish it to come out in a straight way, and so intend to act as I say." - -"Will you lose everything, sir?" - -"I think so, if the will is proved to be legal. Then, Kit, I shall -have to come to ask you to get me a situation in that factory of -yours." - -The boy was greatly distressed. "Oh, Mr. Hendle, don't talk like that. -It is wicked to think that a kind-hearted man like you should lose -your property. I don't think Mr. Mallien will make such a good use of -the money." - -"That is his affair, Kit," replied Hendle, with a sigh. "But you may -be sure that I shall do all I can do to keep the property. There is a -certain Statute of Limitations which may help me. Perhaps Mr. Mallien -and I can arrange to divide the money. But what is the use of -talking?" Rupert threw himself despondently into a chair. "You can't -help me." - -"Not so far as regards the property, Mr. Hendle," said Kit earnestly; -"but I may be able to help you to clear up the mystery of the murder." - -Rupert sat up and stared. "What?" - -"Oh, I don't say that I know anything for certain, sir, but I have my -suspicions, you know." - -"Oh, have you? Who is it you suspect?" - -"I shall tell you when you relate to me all details unknown to my -mother." Hendle rose again restlessly, and walking up and down, -thought deeply. When he paused again before Kit, he had made up his -mind to be frank. "I know you are my friend," he said earnestly, "and -I know that you are honest and true." - -"I am all that," rejoined Beatson emphatically, "especially when there -is anything to be done for you, sir. I shall never forget your -kindness to me. Anything you say will go no further than Sophy." - -"Why Sophy?" asked Rupert suspiciously. - -"Because she knows so much that she may as well know all. And her -suspicions point in the direction that mine do. She is now with Miss -Mallien----" - -Rupert uttered an ejaculation. "Not reporting the conversation with -your mother, I hope," he said hastily. - -"Yes," answered Kit bluntly; "it is better for Sophy to speak to Miss -Mallien than to Mr. Mallien." - -"Does she--do you--suspect my cousin?" - -"No! But Sophy will explain when she brings Miss Mallien here. We -arranged to meet here shortly, Mr. Hendle"; and Kit glanced at his -watch. "I dare say the two ladies will be here in an hour." - -"I didn't want Miss Mallien to know anything," said Hendle, frowning. - -"It is absolutely necessary that she should know," said Beatson -calmly; "and as she loves you, sir, and is going to marry you, she -should know all. I'm always in the habit of telling Sophy my troubles, -and she gives me the best of advice. Every woman is not so -unreasonable as my mother, Mr. Hendle." - -Anxious as he was, Rupert could not help smiling. - -"I trust not," he said at length, and sat down quietly. "Well, Kit, -you are more shrewd than I gave you credit for being. Perhaps you can -help me, after all. Let us take advantage of the hour before the -ladies arrive to go into the matter." - -"You must be quite frank with me, sir, you know." - -"That is only fair. Yes. I shall be quite frank. Take a cigarette, -Kit, and listen carefully to what I have to say." - -Shortly Rupert had his pipe and Kit a cigarette. The door and windows -being closed, Hendle felt quite secure, as it was unlikely that Mrs. -Beatson would indulge in eavesdropping again, seeing what a severe -lesson she had received. Hendle related slowly all that had happened, -and supplied details missing in the story of Mrs. Beatson. He ended -with a short sketch of his present position, and the difficulty he -found in deciding what action to take. Kit was so interested in what -was said that he allowed his cigarette to go out, and when the story -was ended stared tongue-tied at the Squire. Rupert laughed at the -expression on the boy's face. - -"You seem as perplexed as I am," he remarked with a shrug. - -"I don't think that I am perplexed," said Kit slowly and relighting -his cigarette; "only I am astonished that you have not spotted the -right man who murdered the vicar." - -"Things are too muddled for me to spot anyone," replied Hendle dryly. -"My cousin accuses me; Mr. Carrington accuses your mother." - -"It is ridiculous for you or my mother to be accused," said Kit -quietly. "My mother hasn't the pluck to kill a fly in spite of her -tempers, and you----" - -Kit laughed. "What bosh! I'd as soon believe Sophy was guilty." - -"Well, only your mother and I and my cousin knew about the will -before----" - -"Mr. Carrington knew." - -"Oh, yes. But he was in town on the night Leigh was killed, so----" - -"He was not in town," interrupted Kit sharply. "He was in Barship." - -Hendle dropped his pipe and stared. "Are you sure of what you are -saying?" - -"You can ask Dr. Tollart if you doubt me." - -"Dr. Tollart!" echoed Hendle, much surprised. "What does he know?" - -"He came down on the evening when the vicar was murdered, and saw Mr. -Carrington both on the Liverpool Street platform and on the Barship -platform." - -"Did he speak to him?" - -"No. He told Sophy that Mr. Carrington had come down, but that he had -traveled in another carriage. After all," went on Beatson -thoughtfully, "there was no reason why the doctor should speak. He had -only seen Mr. Carrington once when he called on him to get a cure for -his toothache." - -"Yes. I remember he went to see the doctor when he first came," -replied Rupert mechanically. "I was in the church with Miss Mallien, -and Carrington, on his way back to The Big House, looked in about his -tooth on Tollart." He paused, then continued: "What train was it?" - -"The one which leaves Liverpool Street at eight." - -"That arrives here at a quarter past nine," said Hendle meditatively. - -"Yes, and as the vicar was murdered at eleven, Mr. Carrington had -plenty of time to make his plans." - -"I can't believe that Carrington is the assassin," muttered Hendle, in -dismay, for he dreaded lest he should prove the accusation to be true. -"Did Dr. Tollart connect Carrington with the murder?" - -"No. If he had, he would have spoken out. He took little notice of Mr. -Carrington, thinking he was coming down on a visit to you. And as Mr. -Carrington was with you the next day, of course the doctor believed -that it was as he had thought." - -"Yes, I see. But Carrington did not come on that night. He came by the -midday train next day." - -"The doctor didn't know that," said Kit, nodding; "in fact, he thought -no more about the matter after he told Sophy, and he only told her as -a piece of gossip, you understand." - -"Yes! yes! I see that, as Carrington was with me the next day, his -presence in the eight o'clock train on the previous night would arouse -no suspicion in Tollart's mind. Still, his being at Barship on that -night doesn't mean that he killed the vicar." - -"Well," said Kit, with a wisdom beyond his years, "I rather think that -it is very good evidence against him. You had told him about the will, -and he knew what it meant to you. What he said when you kicked him out -the other day shows that he wants a large sum of money. He intended -perhaps to stun the vicar and get the will, so as to make his terms -with you; but the vicar, having heart disease, died straightway. For -that reason Mr. Carrington buried the will, and sent an anonymous -letter to my mother." - -"But Mr. Carrington did not know where the sundial was. How, then, -could he find it in the nighttime, hidden as it was among the bushes?" - -"Oh, I can't explain everything," said Beatson frankly; "but you must -admit, sir, that it is odd Mr. Carrington should have been in Barship -on the night of the murder, without saying a word to you. If his -intentions had been innocent, he would have come for the night to -you." - -"True enough, Kit. I wonder where he did spend the night?" - -Kit shrugged his shoulders. "You will have to ask him that. I really -believe that he is the guilty person." - -"But what about that opal in the matrix which belongs to my cousin? It -was found by me on the verge of the hole where the will was buried." - -"Did you find it?" - -"Well, no. It was Carrington who pointed it out glittering among the -grasses. I merely picked it up." - -"Well," said Kit, with a judicial air, "the person who loses generally -manages to find. How do you know that Mr. Carrington didn't drop the -opal there when your back was turned?" - -"You are very rapidly weaving a rope for the man's neck," observed -Hendle dryly. "After all, we are taking a great deal for granted." - -"Well, sir, all you have to do is to ask Mr. Carrington to explain." - -"Humph! That will be awkward, considering we are declared enemies. -However, we shall see. I think it will be best to speak to my cousin -first." - -Kit agreed with this suggestion and then held his tongue. He had said -all that he could say, and having placed the Squire on his guard, -there was nothing more to be done. Rupert himself did not pursue the -conversation further, but walked up and down, musing over what he had -heard. For quite five minutes there was silence, and then Dorinda made -her appearance, followed by Miss Tollart. The girl looked very pale -and anxious. - -"What does all this mean, Rupert?" she asked nervously. - -"All what?" - -"Sophy has told me a strange story," said Dorinda, taking a seat, "and -I suppose Kit has told it to you also." - -Hendle nodded. "Yes. I know that Carrington was in Barship on the -night when Leigh was murdered--unless, of course, Dr. Tollart has made -a mistake." - -"My father made no mistake," struck in Sophy, flushing, for she -guessed that the Squire was hinting at the doctor's infirmity. "He was -quite sober when he came home on that night. I was waiting up for him. -He mentioned in quite a casual way that Mr. Carrington had traveled -down by the same train, and neither of us thought anything more about -the matter, even when we heard next morning about the murder. We -thought that Mr. Carrington had come down to see you, Squire, and he -certainly was with you the next day." - -"He was," admitted Rupert quietly, "and his being with me made you -believe that what you thought was true. Is it not so?" - -"In a way. But the real truth is that neither my father nor myself -thought anything at all about the matter. Only Mrs. Beatson's hint -that Mr. Carrington might possibly be guilty made me remember." - -"Do you think that the man is guilty?" asked Rupert quickly. - -Sophy bent her dark brows in a frown and reflected. "I couldn't go -into a witness box and swear that he committed the murder," she -observed; "but he came down to Barship on that night, and if he did -not stay with you, Mr. Hendle, he must have had some strong reason to -keep his visit a secret." - -"Your father can swear to this visit?" - -"Yes. I asked him again if he remembered Mr. Carrington coming down, -and he said that he could. Of course," added Sophy significantly, "I -had to ask the question in a way not likely to arouse my father's -suspicions as to why it was asked. It is no use letting him know too -much, as he might talk. But if necessary he can prove what he told -me." - -Dorinda shivered. "I never liked Mr. Carrington," she observed. "All -the same, I can't believe that he murdered Mr. Leigh." - -"Some one must have murdered him," said Kit, a trifle dryly; "and why -not Mr. Carrington, rather than your father, or the Squire? For my -part, going by what Mr. Hendle has told me, I believe Mr. Carrington -is guilty." - -"How are we going to prove him to be guilty?" - -"Well," said Rupert doubtfully, "I see no way save asking him to -explain why he came down to Barship on that night. Unless he gives a -reasonable excuse, he will be in danger of being arrested." - -"But, Rupert, in that case my father will be in danger." - -"How so?" - -"Don't you know that Mr. Carrington sent for my father the other day, -and had an interview with him at _The Hendle Arms?_" - -"No. What did he wish to see your father about?" - -"He threatened to accuse him of committing the crime, so as to gain -possession of the will. I don't know exactly what passed," went on -Dorinda anxiously, "as my father told me little. All he really said -was that he was in danger of being arrested, because Mr. Carrington -could give evidence against him, which would be difficult to -disprove." - -"But your father surely did not admit that he was guilty, Dorinda?" - -"Certainly not," cried the girl, flushing indignantly. "How can you -suggest such a thing? But as Mr. Carrington wants money he is ready to -say anything or do anything likely to force my father into paying him -to hold his tongue." - -Rupert smiled grimly. "Carrington knows that your father has not -sufficient money to pay him what he wants." - -"What does he want?" asked Sophy, looking up. - -"Five thousand pounds was the price he demanded from me," said Hendle, -"and I don't think he'll take a penny less from Mr. Mallien. But in -order to get the money Carrington will have to wait until my cousin is -in possession of my property. Until then you can be sure, Dorinda, -that he will take no steps to make things uncomfortable." - -"No, I think you are right," murmured Miss Mallien, greatly relieved. -"But what is best to be done?" - -"I have already made up my mind. In the first place I shall see your -father and learn exactly what took place at this interview. Afterwards -we can have a talk with Carrington. Then he will----" - -"Oh, let the will alone until we learn the truth about this murder," -urged Dorinda anxiously. "To clear my father from all chance of being -accused is the first thing to be done. See my father, Rupert; perhaps -he will be more frank with you than he was with me." - -"He must be frank if he wants to save himself," said Sophy bluntly. -"Don't worry, Dorinda. My opinion is that we should give Mr. -Carrington plenty of rope with which to hang himself. When he is fully -committed, then we can turn the tables on him by saying what we know -of his presence in Barship on the night of the murder. There's nothing -to be afraid of." - -"I'm not exactly afraid," said Dorinda slowly, "but the suspense is -very trying, with Mr. Carrington working in the dark." - -"We'll force him to come out into the open, Miss Mallien," said Kit -resolutely; "then he will have to defend himself, and won't have time -to accuse other people. He shan't have everything his own way, -anyhow." - -"Hear! hear!" cried Sophy, clapping her hands. "You're a brick, Kit. -For my part I believe that Mr. Carrington has only to be faced boldly -to bring him to his knees." - -Rupert shook his head. "He can do some damage before he is forced to -take up that position." - -"What does it matter, so long as the damage won't be lasting?" said -Dorinda impatiently. "I am certain that my father is innocent." - -"And so am I," finished Hendle with a shrug; "so there only remains -Carrington as the possible criminal. Well, we shall see. Anyhow, as he -won't move until my cousin is in possession of the property, we have -ample time to arrange what is best to be done. Meantime let us keep -what we know to ourselves." - -"But what about Mrs. Beatson?" hesitated Sophy, glancing at Kit. - -"Mrs. Beatson," said Rupert, grimly polite, "is going away for a -holiday, and if she hears of a better situation she will not return -here." - -"I'm glad of that, Squire!" and Sophy, guessing the plan which was to -save the housekeeper's pride, felt greatly relieved. Little as she -liked her future mother-in-law, she did not wish to see her disgraced. -"And now I think Kit had better take me home." - -"But I have more to say," began Kit anxiously, only to be silenced by -Sophy. - -"No, you haven't," she declared imperiously, and marched him to the -door. "You have given the Squire quite enough to think about"; then -she sank her voice to scold: "Don't be a fool. They want to be alone!" - -"Oh!" murmured Kit, "I see"; and he submitted to be led away. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII -SETTING A TRAP - - -Mallien, by telling his daughter a half truth instead of the whole -truth, had made her very nervous, and although she asked for a more -detailed explanation he had refused to give it to her. Dorinda was -therefore much relieved when Sophy conducted her to The Big House and -hidden matters were made more plain. When in possession of facts she -quickly recognized that the position of her father was highly -dangerous, should Carrington speak to the police. But the girl agreed -with Rupert that he would not do so, until all chance of getting money -for his silence had disappeared. Even if Mallien was willing, such -money could not be obtained until the property passed from the Squire -to his cousin, so if Rupert refused to give up the same, Carrington -would be forced to wait. It was not likely that he would kill the -goose with the golden eggs by speaking prematurely. - -And there was, as Rupert pointed out to Dorinda, a grave doubt whether -he would speak at all, when informed that his presence in Barship on -the night of the murder was known. Hendle intended to question the -barrister on this point and hear what defense he could offer, but -before doing so, desired to see his cousin and enlist his aid. It was -even more to Mallien's interest than to Rupert's to bring Carrington -to book, and only by the cousins joining forces could they accomplish -their end. And that was, to learn for certain who had murdered the -vicar. It assuredly seemed as though the barrister was the guilty -person, and should the crime be brought home to him, his evil scheme -to acquire money by blackmail would be frustrated. Instead of accusing -Mallien to the police, it was probable that Carrington would be forced -to fly lest Lawson should lay hands on him. Dorinda returned home in a -much more comfortable frame of mind, since Rupert thus placed matters -in a better light. She was also more content because affairs were in -her lover's hands. He, if anyone, would be able to make the crooked -straight. - -One of Hendle's last injunctions to the girl was that she should say -nothing to her father about her visit to The Big House. He warned her -not to repeat what she had heard, and not to question her father in -any way regarding his dealings with Carrington. Rupert arranged -matters thus because he intended to call on his cousin next day and -have a complete understanding with him. Mallien therefore was much -annoyed, and very illogically so, when his daughter no longer implored -him to be plain with her. On Sunday evening and Monday morning she saw -him looking gloomy and disturbed, yet made no effort to cheer him, or, -as he put it, to bear his burden. Dorinda laughed outright when her -father made this last remark. - -"Really, father, you are unreasonable," she observed, when putting on -her hat to go shopping in the village. "How can I bear your burden -when you won't tell me what it is?" - -"I have told you," growled the little man crossly, "that blackguard -Carrington dares to accuse me of murdering Leigh." - -"Well," said Dorinda lightly, "as you didn't murder him what does it -matter?" - -"You talk rubbish. Carrington can tell serious lies which may endanger -my liberty." - -"What are those lies, father?" - -"I shan't tell you," snapped Mallien. - -Dorinda shrugged her shoulders and took up her sunshade. "Then how can -you expect me to bear your burden, as you put it? You tell me enough -to make me anxious, yet not enough to enable me to help you." - -"You can't help me." - -"In that case there is no more to be said." - -This speech was so unanswerable that Mallien could find no reply -and retreated to his own particular room, feeling--rather -inconsequently--that he was not receiving the attention and sympathy -which was his due. It never seemed to strike him that his daughter -could scarcely administer to his comfort while she was ignorant of -necessary information. But nothing irritates an unreasonable man more -than being treated reasonably, and Mallien scowled blackly when he saw -from the window Dorinda tripping lightly in the direction of the -village. He was quite sorry for himself. - -"I did think that my own daughter had some decent feeling in her," he -meditated sadly; "but she's like everyone else--selfish in the -extreme. Oh, it's no wonder that I hate everyone. People think only of -themselves. Now what the dickens do you want? Hang you!" - -This last question he asked aloud, being still at the window, he saw -Rupert open the little garden gate and walk briskly up to the door. As -Dorinda had gone one way and Rupert had come another, Mallien never -dreamed that there was any understanding between them, or that his -daughter had departed so as to afford her lover a chance of speaking -to her very egotistic parent. This had been arranged between the two -on the previous day, and to carry out the scheme Hendle knocked at the -door of his cousin with the will in his pocket. Before he left the -cottage he was determined to force Mallien into plain speaking. Things -were much too dangerous to permit any further beating about the bush. - -"Well, and what do you want?" said Mallien, repeating his former -question as he opened the door to the visitor. - -"I want to see you," said Hendle very pointedly. "It is time we had an -explanation." - -"About what?" - -"About this," and Rupert pulled the soiled and crumpled parchment out -of his pocket--"the will of John Hendle." - -"Oh! So you have it. And how did you get it, may I ask?" - -"You can ask in your own room," said Rupert politely. "I can scarcely -give you an explanation on the door-step." - -"Afraid of consequences to yourself," grumbled Mallien, nevertheless -yielding so far as to lead the way into his sanctum. - -"Oh, dear me, no," replied the visitor, seating himself. "Afraid of -consequences to you." - -"To me!" Mallien dropped into a chair before his desk. "What do you -mean?" - -"I think you know very well." - -"I don't," said the man doggedly and determined to leave all necessary -explanation to his cousin. "You speak in riddles." - -"We must solve them together." Rupert spoke dryly, then thrust the -will under Mallien's nose, "Read that, and tell me what you think." - -Out of sheer contrariety the host would have refused, but his -curiosity and greed got the better of him, and he eagerly read the -document to learn if indeed the Hendle property would come to him. The -Squire leaned back in his chair, filling his pipe and watching the -various emotions expressing themselves on Mallien's face. Doubt, -amazement, satisfaction and exultation all appeared in turn, and when -he had mastered the will, he looked at Rupert with an expression of -triumph. Mallien felt that he was top-dog at last, and took a -malicious delight in emphasizing the agreeable position. - -"The property comes to me," he said, beaming with self-satisfaction. -"There isn't the least doubt about it." - -"So I gather after reading that will," answered Rupert calmly. "John -Hendle certainly left everything to Eunice and her descendants. -Frederick was illegally in possession of the property." - -"And it follows that _you_ are illegally in possession." - -"I admit that. But of course as the younger branch, represented by me, -has been in possession of the estates for nearly one hundred years, it -is quite within my rights to take advantage of the Statute of -Limitations." - -"Oh, no, you shan't," said Mallien, rolling up the will and thrusting -it into his desk, "I am not going to be done out of my rights." - -"Am I the man to try and do you out of them?" - -"Yes, you are," retorted the other unjustly, "since you talk about -this Statute of Limitations." - -"Why should I not take advantage of the Statute, when I run a chance -of being made a pauper, and not through my own fault?" - -"Because it isn't honest," said Mallien virtuously. "You and yours -have been wrongfully in possession of what belongs to me. I'm going to -have my own, if I spend the last sixpence in the law-courts. I thought -you were honourable, Rupert, yet here you talk of putting me to a lot -of expense to get my own estates." - -Hendle stared at the greedy heir, for such selfishness in taking -advantage of an innocent person's misfortune was inconceivable to him. -But he knew only too well that argument was useless. Mallien could -only see things in his own way, and did not care who suffered so long -as he benefited. However, he made one effort "Put yourself in my -place, Mallien," he remarked mildly. "Would you surrender everything -without a struggle?" - -"That is not the question," retorted Mallien, evading a reply after -his usual fashion. "The property is mine, and I intend to have it. I -shall keep the will, as it is not safe in your hands." - -"Indeed. Why not?" - -"You would benefit too much by its destruction." - -Rupert laughed. "I could have destroyed it while it was in my -possession and without your knowing anything about it. Instead of -doing so, I have brought it to you. Does that look like dishonesty on -my part?" - -"You bring it to me because you are aware that I know all about it," -said Mallien doggedly. "Mrs. Beatson told me about the will, as you -know. If she hadn't, you would have thrown it into the fire." - -"Oh, would I? Well,"--Rupert shrugged his big shoulders,--"you -are such a misanthrope that you can believe no good of your -fellow-creatures, so have it your own way." - -"How can I believe any good when everyone is so selfish?" said this -amazing man. "Even Dorinda leaves me to bear my troubles alone. I -wanted her to comfort me this morning, and she went out shopping." - -"How could she comfort you when you refuse to explain things to her?" - -"What things?" demanded Mallien alertly and frowning. "How do you know -that I have anything to explain?" - -"I know more than you think," replied Hendle dryly. "I know that you -told her how Carrington was threatening you and--hold on--yet refused -to supply details. How then can you expect her to sympathize with you -and help you when there is not perfect confidence between you?" - -Mallien did not answer directly, as he was too surprised by his -cousin's mention of the barrister. "Who told you that Carrington -threatened me?" - -"Dorinda told me yesterday, and for that reason I arranged that she -should go out this morning and allow me to have an uninterrupted -conversation with you. Now don't lose your temper, Mallien. I am here -to have an explanation, and I don't leave this place until I get it." - -"I shall make no explanation," shouted the other savagely; "and -Dorinda had no right to tell you about my private affairs." - -"She told very little, as she knows very little." - -"I don't care how much she knows, or how much she doesn't know," raged -the angry little man, shaking with wrath. "I shan't have you meddle in -my affairs." - -"Will you prefer Lawson to meddle instead of me?" - -"Lawson won't dare," answered Mallien, but in a more subdued tone. - -"Oh, yes, he will, when Carrington tells him what he knows." - -"Carrington knows nothing." - -"He does. If he didn't he would scarcely have had that interview with -you at _The Hendle Arms_ after I kicked him out." - -"You kicked him out, did you?" - -"Yes, I did, because he wanted me to bribe him into holding his tongue -about the will. Failing getting the money from me, he attempted to get -it from you at that interview. Dorinda told me that you had one, since -you informed her about Carrington's threats. Come now, Mallien, the -time has come for plain speaking if you wish to keep your liberty. Did -Carrington ask you for five thousand pounds? That was the sum he asked -from me." - -Mallien was forced to give in, and did so sullenly. "He did ask for -that sum." - -Rupert nodded. "I thought so. And what did you say?" - -"I didn't say anything. I have taken a week to think matters over." - -"I see," Rupert pondered; "and at the end of the week, if you don't -agree to give Carrington five thousand pounds when you get the -property, he will tell Lawson that you murdered Leigh." - -"He says he will, but how can he prove it?" sneered the other -uneasily. - -"Well, you see, you lost that opal in the matrix which I found on the -verge of the hole where the will had been buried." - -"What does that prove?" - -"That you were in the grounds of the vicarage on that night." - -"I might have lost it on another occasion," argued Mallien -desperately. - -Rupert smiled dryly. "I don't think Lawson will be of that opinion. -Come now, don't you think it is best for us to join forces and crush -Carrington? For Dorinda's sake I don't want you to get into trouble." - -"If we join forces, what will you ask for your services?" demanded -Mallien, suspiciously. "That I should surrender my claim to the -property, I suppose?" - -"I ask nothing. What do you take me for?" Rupert looked highly -indignant. "Do you think that everyone is so sordid as you are, -Mallien? We can fight out the question of the will on its own merits. -But, for Dorinda's sake, I wish to save you from Carrington's -machinations. It is little use your getting the property if you are in -danger of arrest." - -"I am not." - -"You are. Carrington is aware that Mrs. Beatson told you about the -will; he was with me when we found the opal. He says that you are -guilty, and when in London sent that anonymous letter--but I forgot -you don't know about the letter." - -"Yes, I do," snarled Mallien, wiping the perspiration from his -forehead. "Carrington was very explicit at the interview." He paused -for a moment, then continued: "I may as well tell you everything, -since you know so much. But I warn you, Rupert, that nothing you can -say or do to crush Carrington and help me will prevent my claiming the -property." - -Hendle waved his hand lightly. "That's all right. I am aware that you -are a thoroughly ungrateful man. Let that pass." - -"I am not ungrateful," cried Mallien hotly. "What have I to be -grateful for?" - -"In the first place for many sums of money I have given you; in the -second for my offer to save your liberty and perhaps your life. Were -it only for your own sake, Mallien," added Rupert with scorn, "I -should leave you to Carrington's tender mercies. As it is, I must -consider Dorinda. Now, no more talk, if you please. Let me know -exactly what took place between you and that blackmailing thief." - -Mallien did not argue further. Not that he felt any shame, but he saw -that Rupert was too strong for him, and felt that his cousin had right -on his side. Mallien would never have admitted the right, as his -nature was too ungracious to ascribe honor to anyone but himself. In a -sulky manner, and as if Rupert was trying to do him harm instead of -good, he related what had passed between himself and the barrister at -_The Hendle Arms_. The Squire thus learned for the first time that -Mallien had been in the Vicarage grounds on the night of the murder, -and had lost the opal ornament during the struggle with the unknown -man in the avenue. "And I believed that the fellow was you," protested -Mallien earnestly. "You had every right to murder Leigh." - -"Every right," echoed Rupert angrily. - -"I mean every reason," said Mallien, correcting himself hurriedly, -"and, after the man ran away, I went to look in through the Vicarage -windows. There was a light in the study, and, as you know, the window -had neither curtains nor blinds. I saw Leigh lying dead on the floor, -and went home without saying a word, lest I should be accused." - -"You acted the part of a brave man, I must say," said Rupert -contemptuously, "but it appears that you didn't murder Leigh." - -"No, I certainly did not. Why, I only left this cottage as the church -clock chimed eleven, and, as Leigh was murdered at that hour, he must -have been dead before I reached the Vicarage. I expect the man was -hunting for the will, and only managed to escape with it when I ran up -against him in the avenue." - -"But who was he? I don't suppose Mrs. Beatson dressed herself as a man -to----" - -"No! No! That is ridiculous. Mrs. Beatson was made a catspaw by the -same man to get the will without throwing suspicions on him." - -"I didn't write that anonymous letter, if that is what you mean," said -Mallien tartly and uneasily. - -"I am aware of that. It was Carrington who----" - -"Carrington!" Mallien started to his feet. "Impossible! He was in town -on the night of the murder." - -"He was in Barship, and he was the man you ran across in the avenue," -said Rupert grimly. "No wonder he pointed out your opal on the verge -of the hole wherein the will had been buried. He dropped it there -while my back was turned and allowed me to find it, so as to -incriminate you." - -Mallien was thunderstruck. "Carrington!" he muttered, sitting down -again. "Oh, it is impossible." - -"Not at all. Dr. Tollart came down with Carrington in the train which -arrives at Barship shortly after nine. He wasn't with him, you -understand; but he saw him both at Liverpool Street and at Barship." - -"Then why didn't Tollart say so at the inquest?" - -"Why should he? Tollart never connected Carrington with the crime. He -believed that he came down to see me, and, as Carrington was with me -the next day, of course that gave color to Tollart's belief. However, -he mentioned the matter to Sophy, and she told me and Dorinda. For -that reason Dorinda came to see me yesterday, and we arranged that I -should see you. Now you can understand, Mallien, that we must join -forces to have Carrington arrested. I have not the least doubt but -what he murdered Leigh to get the will and extort money for it, either -from you or from me." - -"The scoundrel!" cried Mallien, highly indignant; "and to think that -he should have dared to accuse me--me--me!" - -"I was in equal danger of being accused," observed Rupert coolly. - -"Oh, I don't care about you," retorted the other selfishly. "I must -look to myself. I shall see Lawson and have Carrington arrested." - -"If you do you are sure to make a mess of things," warned Hendle, -accepting his cousin's egotism with a shrug. "We must lay a trap for -Carrington and get him down here. Otherwise he may escape and then -matters concerning the murder will never be cleared up." - -"What sort of a trap?" - -"You must write to Carrington asking him to come down here--to The Big -House--for an interview with yourself and with me. Say that you and I -wish to adjust the rights of the property. Carrington knows that you -cannot give him his pound of flesh until we are agreed about the will. -Also he will never suspect that he was seen in Barship on the night of -the murder, or that we have put two and two together regarding the -opal. He will come down." - -"Will he enter The Big House seeing that you have kicked him out?" -asked the host doubtfully. - -"Oh, Carrington has no shame where his own interests are concerned, -Mallien," replied the Squire quietly. "He wants money, and is prepared -to go to any lengths to get money. Let us get him to ourselves and -force him to confess. Meanwhile, we will send Kit to Tarhaven for -Lawson, and when the Inspector arrives we can have Carrington -arrested. Do you understand?" - -"Yes," said Mallien, in a rather subdued tone, for Rupert dominated -him at the moment. "I shall write as you suggest, and you may be sure -that I shall so word my letter as to trap the beast. What a -scoundrel," cried Mallien in a state of virtuous anger, "to try and -accuse me of a crime which he has committed himself." - -"He looks after Number One, as other people do, Mallien." - -"Self! Self! Everyone is eaten up with self, Rupert. No wonder I hate -the human race. When I get the money, I shan't give anyone a single -penny." - -"Oh, I am aware of that," rejoined Hendle, contemptuously; "and I -shouldn't throw stones at other people if I were you, seeing in what a -glass house you live yourself, Mallien. Now don't argue, but do what I -tell you. If you don't, I shall wash my hands of the whole affair, and -leave you to extricate yourself as best you can." - -Mallien grunted an assent and scowled as Rupert left the cottage. He -was not in the least grateful for the help thus afforded, as he hated -the idea of his cousin doing anything for him. Besides, being -extraordinarily vain, Mallien never liked anyone to be sharper than -himself. And Rupert had proved to be sharper, as he had so cleverly -solved the mystery of the vicar's murder. - -"You think you are a fine fellow, don't you?" growled Mallien, shaking -his fist at the retreating form of his cousin; "but you won't get a -penny out of me, and you shan't marry Dorinda if I can help it. I'm -not going to have you crowing over me"; and thus grumbling -ungratefully he retired to his room to write the letter which was to -trap Carrington. - -Meanwhile, Rupert returned toward The Big House through the village in -the hope of meeting Dorinda. He came across her just near his own -gates, and in a few words reported all that had taken place. The girl -listened attentively, and when her lover mentioned some of Mallien's -selfish speeches she looked pained. - -"I wonder you do anything for my father," she said sadly. - -"I don't do anything for him, dear. I do it for you. Besides," added -Rupert with a shrug, "how can one be angry with a child--and a greedy -child at that." - -"Will you give up the property, Rupert?" - -"I fear I shall have to, dear. However, we can discuss that matter -when this question of Carrington's guilt is settled." - -"Father shall do you justice, Rupert," said Dorinda determinedly. "I -shall not allow him, if I possibly can prevent it, to leave you -without a penny. And, then"--she broke off with a shrug--"well, it -doesn't matter. As you say, we can talk of these matters later. Just -now I have something to tell you Rupert. I met old Titus Ark." - -"Yes!" - -"You know that he was Mr. Leigh's shadow. Well, he tells me now that -he was lurking about the Vicarage on the night of the murder and that -he saw Mr. Carrington there." - -"The deuce! Why didn't he say so before?" - -Dorinda shook her head. "He refuses to say." - -"I shall question him myself, then," said Hendle briskly; "anyhow, he -will be a new and important witness. I am afraid Carrington's goose is -cooked." - -"Poor creature!" sighed Dorinda, always tender-hearted. "Oh, poor -creature!" - - - - -CHAPTER XIX -RESURGAM - - -Next evening Rupert received a curt note from Mallien stating that -Carrington had replied to the effect that he would come down to -Barship on the ensuing day, and would reach The Big House at twelve -o'clock. Pleased with the information, since the interview was likely -to settle the question of the vicar's murder once and for all, Hendle -took it upon himself to arrange matters. To compel plain speaking on -the part of the slippery barrister, it was necessary that witnesses -should be present for the purpose of proving beyond question his -presence in Barship on the night of the crime. Without doubt -Carrington would twist and turn like an eel in his efforts to escape -from the corner in which the procurable evidence would place him. -Rupert, weary of mystery and worry, made up his mind that the man -should be finally brought to book, and therefore went in search of Dr. -Tollart. Now that Inspector Lawson was to be dragged into the matter, -for the purpose of arresting the culprit, there was no need for -further secrecy. And, besides visiting the doctor, Hendle intended to -call on Ark for his testimony. Faced by these two witnesses, it would -not be easy for Carrington to win free. - -Mrs. Beatson duly went away for her so-called holiday, which was -simply a preface to her dismissal. Her presence was not required at -the coming interview, as what she knew and what she had done did not -touch immediately on Carrington's guilt. Also, neither Dorinda nor -Sophy was to be present, as they could give no first-hand evidence. -Rupert himself, Mallien, Ark and the doctor were the necessary people -to prove that Carrington had struck the blow, and the Squire employed -Kit to bring Lawson from Tarhaven for his share in the proceedings. -And so that everything should be prepared beforehand for Lawson's -action Rupert arranged that the officer should not arrive at The Big -House until one o'clock. This would give Rupert and his friends sixty -minutes to bring Carrington to bay. - -Tollart was both startled and surprised when the Squire called to -explain why his presence was required at The Big House. He had thought -little of Carrington's presence in the train on that fatal evening, -and had not in any way connected his presence in Barship with the -tragic death of Leigh. This he explained to his visitor, and suggested -that, after all, some mistake had been made in crediting the barrister -with the commission of the crime. But Hendle determined to put an end -to all mystery, explained to Tollart all about the discovery of the -will, and pointed out what a leading part the document had played in -ensuing events. Tollart, who for once was sober, expressed his -amazement and regret, less for the vicar's death than for Rupert's -probable loss of his property. - -"And surely," said Tollart, in his husky voice, and with his big red -face expressing sympathy, "surely Mallien will not take everything -from you even if this will proves to be legal." - -"Oh, the will appears to be legal enough, doctor. And, knowing my -cousin as you do, you may expect him to grab everything." - -"He'll make a bad Squire." - -"That's his lookout," replied Hendle with a shrug. - -"A bad lookout for the parish, Hendle. I don't set myself up for a -saint, as I have my failings; but Mallien,"--the doctor made a -face--"why, he'll ruin the place. Don't give in to him, if only for -the sake of Barship. Fight him to the bitter end." - -"Oh, I'll protect my interests as best I can, you may be sure," -answered Rupert, pleased that Tollart was on his side. "But that -matter can be attended to later. What we have to do now, is to force -Carrington into confession. I take it that you are sure it was -Carrington who came down in the same train with you, doctor?" - -"Certainly. I know him well by sight, as he called on me, when he -first visited you, to get some remedy for toothache. I never forget a -face, and I saw your friend both on the Liverpool Street platform and -at the Barship station." - -"Did Carrington try to escape observation?" - -"Well, I hardly know. He did not see me, so far as I know, and he had -a heavy overcoat on, which was strange considering how sultry was the -evening. The collar was turned up, I remember," mused the doctor -thoughtfully. "Well, yes, I think he was anxious not to be recognized. -I never thought anything about the matter, you know, Hendle, as I -believed he was coming down to stay with you. As he was with you the -next day, my belief was natural enough." - -"Quite so," assented the Squire; "but he must have returned on the -same night to Town, perhaps by the midnight express from Tarhaven. His -visit to me only dated from twelve o'clock the next day, when he -arrived by the midday train." - -"Hum! And he knew about the will?" - -"Mrs. Beatson told him. I expect he wished to get it, to sell it to -me." - -"Ah! he doesn't know what an honest man you are, Hendle." - -"He knows now," responded Rupert dryly; "however, I understand that -you will come to The Big House at twelve o'clock to-morrow to give -evidence." - -"Certainly; certainly." - -"And----" Rupert hesitated with an awkward look. - -"Oh, I'll be sober," said Tollart with a defiant laugh. "I'm not quite -so bad as people make out. You can depend upon my doing everything I -can to help you, Hendle, as I have a great regard for you," and the -burly doctor shook hands warmly with the Squire. - -Rupert went away feeling sorry that a man with such a good heart -should be a slave to a despicable vice, and wondering if there was no -way in which he could be reformed. Tollart when sober was a clever -physician, but when in his cups made endless mistakes. And for a -medical man to make mistakes is dangerous seeing that he is dealing -with matters of life and death. However, much as Hendle wished to -assist Tollart to lead a better life and give his undoubted abilities -a chance, this was not the moment to attend to the matter, as there -were more immediately important matters to be looked into. So having -secured Tollart as a witness, the Squire walked to Ark's abode. - -This was a tumble-down cottage on the verge of the churchyard, which -stood in a well-kept garden surrounded by a wall of loose stones. Here -lived the old sexton and his grandson in tolerable comfort. The neat -looks of the garden were due to Tobias Ark, for his grandfather took -no interest in such things. Tobias himself was a lean dark-faced man, -taciturn and rather melancholy, perhaps by reason of his funereal -employment. He was digging in the flower-beds when the Squire -approached the gate and hastened to come forward with a surly touch of -his forelock. In answer to Rupert's inquiry he admitted that his -grandfather was in the cottage and said that he would send him out to -hear what the Squire had to say. Hendle did not mind waiting at the -gate, as he had no wish to enter Ark's stuffy abode. - -"Whoy, it be the Squoire," piped Titus when his grandson went in and -he came out, like the little old man and woman in the weather-gauge. -"And what be you here fur, Squoire? There bain't be no funereals, -surely." - -"No, Titus, no. I have come to ask you about what you said to Miss -Mallien." - -"Aye." Ark looked tremendously cunning, and his face wrinkled up like -that of a monkey gloating over a nut. "And what might that be, -Squoire?" - -"You told her that you saw Mr. Carrington near the Vicarage on the -night Mr. Leigh died." - -"Muster Leigh bain't dead I tell 'ee, Squoire." - -"Yes, yes, Titus; we know all about that," replied Rupert soothingly, -for he was well aware of the fixed idea which dominated the old man. -"But you saw Mr. Carrington about the house?" - -"Yus, I did, when walking round the Vicarage, not being able to sleep, -me being old beyond telling, young sir, and the night being warm like. -Yus," continued Ark garrulously, "I see him sure enough. He come down -the road in the moonlight dressed as if t'were winter and went into -the Vicarage gardens. But, Lord bless 'ee, Squoire, I did think as -he'd gone to see the vicar, and nivir thought aught of him being -there." - -"But the next morning, Titus, when you heard the vicar was dead----?" - -"He bain't dead, I tell 'ee, Squoire," persisted the ancient crossly. - -Evidently it was useless to try and beat sense into the old creature's -head, so Rupert argued no further. Ark could evidently swear to -Carrington's presence in the vicinity of the Vicarage on the night in -question and that was the main point. "Well, Titus, we won't talk -about the vicar being alive or dead. I want you to come to-morrow to -The Big House to tell Mr. Carrington that you saw him on----" - -"Be Muster Carrington there to-morrow?" inquired the ancient, his eyes -glittering and evidently eager. - -"Yes. At twelve o'clock. Can you swear that you saw him on that -night?" - -"Before the King and the Lord Chancellor," grunted the sexton. "Aye, -fur sure I can say so, Squoire. Oh, I'll be there, sir; I'll be -there." He rubbed his old wrinkled, gnarled hands gleefully. "I'll -tell what I know, Squoire." - -"We think that Mr. Carrington killed the vicar." - -"Muster Leigh he bain't dead, I tell 'ee," said Titus for the third -time and very irritably, after which he shuffled back to the cottage -annoyed that his constant statement was not accepted. And it was queer -that the old man should persist in declaring the vicar to be alive -seeing that he had assisted to lay him in the family vault, which was -visible from his abode. - -However, Rupert, having impressed upon Ark that he was to be at The -Big House at twelve o'clock next day did not trouble himself with -the ancient's fancies. So long as Ark could swear--as he evidently -could--that Carrington had been haunting the Vicarage on the night of -the murder, what he believed about the vicar not being dead mattered -little. The man was senile and was crazy on the one point, although he -appeared to be clear enough on that other concerned with Carrington's -presence at the Vicarage. Rupert did not trouble his head further -about the matter, but returned home satisfied that the two witnesses -would confound Carrington in the moment of his fancied triumph. - -Nothing of any moment happened during the rest of the day, or next -morning, when the meeting was to take place. Kit appeared with a spick -and span machine before midday, and was sent over by Hendle to -Tarhaven to bring back the Inspector by one o'clock. And Rupert -informed the boy that while on the way back he could tell Lawson all -that had been discovered so as to obviate the necessity of -explanations. In fact, as Hendle said, it would be best for Kit to -relate everything immediately he arrived at the police-office in -Tarhaven, so that the Inspector could get a warrant for the -barrister's arrest. - -So Kit went off in high glee delighted at being able to do something -for his hero and Rupert returned thoughtfully to his library where -Mallien was already waiting. - -"Suppose Carrington doesn't come?" suggested the Squire, who was very -nervous. - -"Oh, he'll come right enough," explained Mallien grimly. "I said in my -letter that to-day you intended to arrange here about the transfer of -the property to me under John Hendle's will, and that we both wanted -him to be present." - -"You don't suppose that he has any suspicions of the truth?" - -"To be sure he hasn't. After all but for Tollart's evidence and that -of old Ark, we should never have been able to nail him. I tell you, -Rupert, that Carrington has not the least idea of what is about to -happen." - -"Poor devil! And yet he deserves his fate. The murder of Leigh was -cowardly in the extreme." - -"It was," assented the other. "Don't be a tender-hearted fool, man." - -"I would rather be a fool according to my light than a wise man -according to yours, Mallien." - -"And I am quite content," chuckled the little man, "for no one but a -fool would give up the property as you are doing." - -"I haven't given it up yet," said Rupert, disgusted with this brutal -speech, "and I may not be the fool you take me to be." - -For all his insolence Mallien was plainly disconcerted by this frank -statement, and began to think that he had gone too far. A muttered -apology was on his lips, but was cut short by the entrance of Dr. -Tollart. Immediately behind him shuffled old Ark, who seated himself -near the door, chuckling and rubbing his hands with the air of a man -who was highly pleased with himself. Mallien and the doctor, who were -by no means friends, exchanged a curt greeting, and Tollart, turning -his back on the prospective Squire of Barship, talked ostentatiously -to Rupert. - -"Mr. Carrington will be here almost at once," he declared, drawing off -his gloves slowly; "he walked up behind Ark and myself as we reached -the gates." - -Even as he spoke the footman appeared to announce the barrister. -Carrington, evidently considering himself master of the situation, -walked in with a victorious air. He looked smart and alert, being -quite in his best form. In a well-cut suit of blue serge, with a straw -hat and brown shoes, he had apparently arrayed himself in his best to -receive the money he expected. Of course, he did not anticipate that -the five thousand would be handed to him at once; but when things were -arranged between Hendle and Mallien as to the possession of the -property, then Carrington intended to get a promise in writing of his -share of the plunder. Not for one moment did he think that anything -was wrong, and he even offered his hand to Rupert with an insolent air -of pity. - -"Every dog has his day, Hendle," he said maliciously. "This is mine." - -"Don't be too sure," replied Rupert, rejecting the proffered hand. -"There's many a slip between cup and lip, remember." - -"You are full of wisdom," sneered Carrington. "Well, you will need it -all to earn money when you are a pauper." - -Hendle stepped forward until he towered over the smaller man and spoke -slowly. "Don't tempt me to give you the thrashing which I let you off -with the other day, Carrington," he murmured. "Let us get to business, -and rid me of your presence as soon as possible." - -"Oh, I am ready to go into business as soon as you like," retorted the -barrister, still triumphant. "But why is Dr. Tollart here?" - -"I am here," said Tollart gruffly, "to state to your face that you -were in Barship on the night when Leigh was murdered." - -Carrington started, and, in spite of his self-command, winced at the -plain speech. His swarthy face grew slightly pale, but he still -maintained his air of bravado. "Well, then, I am not here to talk -about Leigh's murder," he said viciously, "but to see about this -transfer of the Hendle estates to my friend Mr. Mallien." - -"Don't call me your friend," growled Mallien, ferociously. "You are no -friend of mine. All you want is to get money out of me." - -"Take care," said Carrington, glancing at the others, "remember what I -know." - -"And what do you know?" demanded Mallien coolly. - -"Something you would not like anyone else to hear." - -"You can say what you like, and before anyone you like." - -"Ah!" Carrington now began to see that things were not so safe as he -had imagined. "You mean to go back on your bargain?" - -"I never made any bargain, you beast. And what is more, I don't intend -to make any. Yonder is Dr. Tollart, who can swear that you came down -to Barship on the night Leigh was murdered; and yonder is Titus Ark, -who saw you enter the Vicarage grounds." - -"They are both liars," cried Carrington, taken off his guard. - -"I bain't a liar," said Ark, rising, and tottered toward the -barrister, "and wor I a younger man I'd make 'ee pay for saying so." -He shook a gnarled fist in Carrington's face. "I did see 'ee round -about the Vicarage. I swear to it, if needs be, before judge and jury. -I bain't afeared." - -"And you _will_ be required to swear before a judge and jury," said -Hendle, in a cold, measured tone, "when Carrington is in the dock." - -"In the dock!" Carrington stepped back, trying to command his nerves, -for he now began to understand the full extent of his peril. "And on -what charge?" - -"You killed Leigh," growled Mallien savagely. "Yes, you did, so don't -deny it, you criminal. And you dare to accuse me." - -"I do accuse you," said Carrington, driven to bay, and becoming fierce -out of sheer desperation. "It was you who killed Leigh to get that -will. I accuse you in the presence of these witnesses." - -"Pshaw!" said Rupert, contemptuously. "What is the use of your -talking, Carrington? The game's up. We have got you down here to have -you arrested." - -"You can't arrest me," said the barrister, with an air of bravado. "I -shall go at once to Tarhaven and give information against Mallien." - -Rupert got between the barrister and the door toward which he was -retreating swiftly. "Stop where you are," he commanded. "There will be -no need for you to go to Tarhaven. In an hour Inspector Lawson will be -here, and then, if you dare, you can lay an information against -Mallien." - -"Oh!" Carrington winced and grew very white. "This is a trap." - -"It is," said Mallien, with malignant satisfaction, "and I have lured -you into it. You accuse me, do you? Ha! We'll see what you'll say when -the handcuffs are on your wrists." - -"Hendle,"--Carrington turned to his former friend with a cry, half of -rage and half of fear--"will you stand by and hear this said of me?" - -"Why should I interfere?" said Hendle stolidly. "You are only reaping -as you have sown. To get money you were prepared to accuse me as you -have accused Mallien. And all the time you are the criminal, as we now -know." - -"I am not!" shouted the miserable man, trembling. "You can't prove -that I did the deed." - -"I can prove that you came down to Barship on that night," said -Tollart. - -"And who will take the word of a drunkard?" - -Tollart rushed at the barrister and would have struck him, but that -Rupert pushed his big body between the two. "Don't lose your temper, -Tollart. What does it matter? Carrington will have plenty to do to -clear himself without calling anyone silly names. You understand," he -added, turning toward the lawyer, "that both Ark and the doctor can -swear to your presence in Barship on the night when Leigh was killed. -You knew from me about the will and came down to murder the vicar." - -"I did not. Even if I had wanted the will, I should not have murdered -him." - -"Pshaw!" said Rupert again, and pushing his advantage relentlessly, -"all this denial will not serve you. Perhaps you may not have intended -to murder the vicar when you struck the blow. I will do you that -justice. But, as Leigh had a weak heart, you went too far and he died. -Then you took the will and buried it under the sundial----" - -"I didn't know where the sundial was," interpolated Carrington, -shivering. - -"That's a lie!" snarled Mallien swiftly, "for on the first day I met -you I took you round the garden and, among other things, pointed out -the sundial. You buried the will there, and then sent an anonymous -letter to Mrs. Beatson so that she might find it and avert suspicion -from yourself. You believed that Rupert would buy your silence to keep -the property, and, failing his doing so, you came to threaten me." - -"And I do. You were at the Vicarage on that night?" - -"How do you know that?" - -Carrington saw that he had said too much and glanced toward the door -in the hope of getting away. But Rupert was between him and safety, -and Rupert looked as stern and determined as a destroying angel. "You -needn't think you will escape, Carrington," he said. "As you have -sown, so you must reap." - -"And your reaping will place a rope round your neck," said Mallien -grimly. "You came to have me hanged, but you will go away under -Lawson's escort to be hanged yourself. I was at the Vicarage on that -night. I wanted to see Leigh about getting the will. But I did not -leave my cottage until eleven, and by that time you had murdered -Leigh." - -"I did not! I did not!" and Carrington winced and cringed and shivered -with all the courage oozing out of him. - -"You did. It was you I struggled with in the avenue when you came -out after burying the will under the sundial. You snatched at my -watch-chain and got the opal in the matrix----" - -"Yes," said Rupert, taking up the story, "and when we went to examine -the hole where the will was buried, you dropped the opal when my back -was turned and allowed me to find it, so that the blame might be -thrown on Mallien." - -"It's a lie," said Carrington, folding his arms and looking dogged, -"and I wonder at you defending a man who is going to rob you of your -property." - -"I dare say you do wonder," retorted the Squire acidly. "Honest -behavior is always a mystery to you. No wonder you followed Mrs. -Beatson and induced me to do so, Carrington. You had written that -anonymous letter to her and knew that she was going to find the will. -Your plot was a very clever one, but it has failed completely." - -"And I dare swear it has failed," said Tollart in his booming voice, -"because the Squire is such an honest man." - -By this time the perspiration was streaming down Carrington's face. He -was now in danger of his life and knew it only too well. Yet the man -was brave enough, and doggedly refused to admit what was said, in -spite of the overwhelming evidence. Rupert had no cause to love his -treacherous friend, and regretted that he was obliged to have him -arrested; yet he could not help admiring the persistent way in which -the man fought for his liberty and life. - -"Who accuses me of being in Barship on that night," he demanded, -raising his head, "a drunken doctor and a senile sexton. Those are -nice witnesses. They have been bribed by Mallien to save his own -skin." - -"I don't waste money in unnecessary bribes," snapped Mallien. - -"And I don't take money for performing my duty," said the doctor -frowning. "I have one great fault which everyone knows of. I may be a -drunkard, but I am not a murderer," he finished scathingly. - -"I am not a murderer," persisted Carrington, fighting desperately, and -gaining courage, now that he found himself with his back to the wall. -"I never came down to Barship on that night. I can prove that I was in -London." - -"You will have every opportunity of clearing yourself at the trial," -said Rupert, glancing at his watch. "Lawson will be here soon with a -warrant for your arrest." - -"No! No! No!" The cry was forced from the barrister against his will. -"It is impossible for Lawson to arrest me. I never saw Leigh on that -night." - -Titus Ark rose in a creaky manner from his chair, and shambled toward -the miserable man. "I do say as you did see 'um," he croaked. - -"And so does Tollart," snapped Mallien; "that is, he can say you were -in Barship on that night. Hark, Hendle. I believe Lawson has arrived." - -Rupert hurried to the window and saw a vehicle pass round the corner -toward the front door. "It's a trap and not a motor," he said puzzled. -"Who can it be, I wonder?" - -"I know; I know," said Titus, shuffling toward the door. "I know one -as can say you saw Muster Leigh on that night"; and he disappeared. - -"More lies," said Carrington, wiping his face. "Oh, I'll make you all -pay dearly for this day's work"; and he wiped his face, while he set -his teeth to battle to the end. - -There was a shuffling noise in the hall, and Rupert stepped toward the -door. He opened it and then fell back with a cry of amazement. -Supported by Titus and his grandson, Simon Leigh staggered into the -room. - -"I said as he worn't dead," chuckled the ancient. "Now didn't I, -Squoire?" - - - - -CHAPTER XX -A WEIRD STORY - - -The unexpected appearance of a man who was supposed, and with every -reason, to be dead and buried was so startling that for a few moments -no one could speak. Had it been night time, those present might well -have been excused had they taken the newcomer for a ghost. But a ghost -would scarcely reveal itself in broad daylight, supported by two flesh -and blood mortals. Amazing as it seemed, the wan person, who was -placed in a convenient armchair by his guides, was actually the Rev. -Simon Leigh. His head was bandaged; his face was bloodless, and he -appeared to be listless and exhausted. Never was there such a dramatic -entrance, or such an uncanny situation. - -"Leigh!" gasped Rupert, hardly able to pronounce the name. - -"Yes," replied the parson, faintly smiling. "I am alive, you see." - -"I said as he worn't dead," chuckled Ark again, and rubbed his horny -hands with comfortable glee, while his grandson Tobias stood mute and -grim behind the man who had returned from the other world. - -Carrington, equally startled, was the first to recover himself -entirely. He saw in the reappearance of the clergyman a chance of -escape from his dangerous position. "You accuse me of murdering Leigh, -and Leigh is alive," he said, regaining swiftly his native impudence. -"What do you say now, Hendle?" - -Rupert turned his eyes from the vicar to Tollart, whose big face was -purple with astonishment. "What do you say, doctor?" he asked, feebly. - -"It's a dream," muttered Tollart, rubbing his eyes. "He must be dead. -I examined the body; I saw him buried; I gave the certificate of -death." - -"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Tollart," murmured Leigh with a weak -attempt at a smile; "but you see I am still alive. Tobias!" - -The grim man knew what was asked for and producing a flask of generous -proportions administered a stiff dose of brandy to his patient. The -ardent spirit made Leigh cough, but brought the blood to his cheek and -a more lively light into his dim eyes. Also when he opened his mouth -he spoke with a stronger voice. "Yes, I am alive. I was buried by -mistake." - -"It's impossible, I tell you," cried the doctor, still struggling with -his astonishment. "You were as dead as a door-nail." - -"So you thought, Tollart, but you are not the first medical man who -has mistaken catalepsy for death." - -"Catalepsy?" - -"I have been subject to it all my life, but I never told anyone about -it--not even you, Tollart. Only Titus knew, and that was why he was -what was called my shadow down in the village. I always dreaded being -buried alive." - -"Yet you were," said Rupert, staring with all his might at the -resuscitated man, and wondering if he was asleep or awake. "Titus -wasn't much good, after all, in spite of his watchfulness." - -"And what could I do, Squoire?" demanded the ancient shrilly. "I said -as Muster Leigh warn't dead agin and agin, but none heeded me." - -"If you had used the one word catalepsy," protested Tollart, who was -annoyed that Leigh should reappear to give the lie to his skill, "I -should have known what to do." - -"I bain't no scholard," croaked Titus sulkily. "I said as Muster Leigh -warn't dead and he warn't. On the night of the day when he was buried, -me and Tobias got him out of his coffin and he hev bin in my house -getting well." - -"You should have told me, Titus," expostulated Rupert reprovingly. - -"Now the Lard help me, Squoire. Didn't I tell 'ee times wi'out number. -I said as Muster Leigh warn't dead and you laughed; you know you did. -But he warn't dead; he warn't dead"; and the ancient repeated his -favorite phrase again and again with angry gestures. - -"No, he warn't dead," mimicked Carrington, strolling easily toward the -door, "and now that we know he warn't, I suppose there is no objection -to my leaving this pleasant little party." - -"Stay where you are," commanded Leigh in a much stronger voice. "It is -no thanks to you that I am alive. Stop him, Hendle." - -Rupert took Carrington by the shoulders and pushed him across the room -and into the chair he had vacated. "You stay here," he said sternly. - -"Oh, I'll stay if you wish me to," replied Carrington, making a virtue -of necessity, and shrugging his shoulders contemptuously. "You can't -get me into trouble now." - -"We'll see about that," replied Leigh, who was breathing heavily. "I -haven't much time to live, as the shock of being buried alive has -given me my deathblow. But I shall live long enough to see that -justice is done. Now let me explain what I owe to Mr. Carrington." - -"One moment, before you change the subject," remarked Tollart sharply. -"You told me that you had heart disease." - -"I did," admitted the vicar dryly; "but I never allowed you to examine -me, or you would have found that my heart was perfectly sound. I made -that excuse to account for anyone finding me in a cataleptic trance." - -"You should have told me the truth," rejoined the doctor sternly. "But -that I thought the blow on the head had killed you, along with heart -disease, I would have opened your body to be certain of the cause of -death. As it was, Mr. Leigh----" - -"As it wor," interrupted the old sexton aggressively, "you warn't -sober, Muster Tollart. That you warn't." - -"How dare you say that!" cried the doctor, flushing angrily. - -"Aye, but I do say it," retorted Titus valiantly. "You saw double, you -did, and not being sure of your larning said as Muster Leigh wor dead -when he warn't. And if 'ee'd tried to cut Muster Leigh up, I'd hev -knocked 'ee down. Yus, I would, and no mistake." - -"It seems to me that we are not getting on very fast," said Carrington -lightly, yet anxiously, for he desired to get away before Inspector -Lawson arrived from Tarhaven. "Suppose Mr. Leigh speaks, and relates -his experiences in the other world." - -"I shall deal with you later," said Leigh meaningly and with an -unpleasant look. "You are not going to escape punishment because you -failed to carry out your evil design. First, I shall explain about my -catalepsy. I have always been afflicted thus, Hendle," he added, -turning to the young Squire, "and for that reason I rarely went away -from my house. Titus knew that I was subject to these trances, and I -always liked to have him at my elbow in case I fell into one. Also -Titus had the key of my family vault, so as to rescue me should I be -buried alive by any chance. The blow on the head did not kill me -outright, although it was severe enough very nearly to do so. I was -stunned for the time being and then passed into a trance. Owing to the -warm weather, unfortunately for me, I was buried hastily, else I might -have recovered." - -"You were as dead as any man could be," persisted Tollart sullenly, -for the revival annoyed him beyond measure. - -"I was not, yet, although you, in your confused state, thought so. And -you were confused with drink, Tollart, as Titus assures me. Let this -be a warning to you, my friend, to abandon this vice, as you may not -so easily escape again from dooming a man to a terrible death." - -Tollart tried to speak, but could not, as he knew very well that he -was entirely in the wrong, and that the consequences of his too -hurried examination of the body might be serious for him. He -stammered, stuttered, and turned very white, then walked silently out -of the room. He had received a lesson which he would not easily -forget. Rupert started forward to stop him, but Mallien, who had been -too startled to speak hitherto, laid a detaining hand on his arm. The -man was nervous and less aggressive than usual, which was not to be -wondered at considering what had taken place. - -"Let him go, Rupert," he muttered. "We can deal with this matter among -ourselves. I want to hear how Mr. Leigh was rescued from his terrible -position." - -"Titus rescued me," said Leigh thankfully. "On the night of the day -when I was buried he came with Tobias to the vault. He had the key, as -I said before, in case of such an accident. These two"--he jerked his -head right and left toward his supporters--"unscrewed the coffin and -carried me into their house, which is, as you know, near the -churchyard. Gradually I revived from my trance, but suffered greatly -from the blow in the head which confused me. Feeling that I was not -myself, and knowing that serious matters had to be dealt with, I -ordered Titus and his grandson not to say anything about my being -alive. Since the day of my burial I have been hidden in that little -cottage, and Titus has nursed me back to health. But I fear," ended -the vicar plaintively, "that I shall not live long. The shock has -killed me." - -"Well, at all events," said Carrington coolly, "I didn't kill you." - -"Indirectly you have," said Leigh indignantly, "and I shall have you -punished before I die." - -"That is a nice Christian feeling, I must say," retorted Carrington -uneasily. - -"Men such as you are, who go about attempting murder, should be locked -up," was the stern reply. "You intended to kill me." - -"I did not. I intended to stun you, and thought I had done so," -protested Carrington sullenly. "No one was more astonished than I was, -when I heard next day from Hendle there that you were dead. I thought -the heart disease had killed you." - -"I had no heart disease, and----" - -"We know all about that," interrupted Mallien restlessly. "But tell us -how that scoundrel managed to knock you down." - -"Give me another dose of brandy, Tobias," said the vicar, and when he -felt stronger after taking the spirit proceeded slowly to explain. "I -was in my study on that night, and as it was after ten o'clock, Mr. -and Mrs. Jabber had retired to rest. I had found the will, which I had -mislaid, and was reading it, when I heard a tap at the window." - -"I don't know about your reading it," said Carrington insolently, "as -I watched you for some time through the window before I tapped. You -were holding a parchment over a candle. I believe that you intended to -burn the will." - -"Perhaps I did," said the vicar with a queer smile. "There is more to -be known about that will than you guess. At all events when I heard -your tapping on the glass I blew out the candle and put down the will. -I opened the window--you know it is a French window, Hendle--and -looked out to see who had come at such an untimely hour. When I -recognized you and you intimated that you wished to speak to me, I -admitted you. I believed that you had come down to stay with Hendle -and had arrived late." - -"Did you lock the window again after admitting Carrington?" asked -Rupert. - -"I snicked it, certainly," replied Leigh quietly. "Not that doing so -mattered, for, as there was nothing to steal at the vicarage, I paid -little attention to bolts and bars." - -Carrington laughed cynically. "And for that reason I was able to slip -out of the front door and leave it unlocked without exciting -suspicion," he remarked. "It was easy to get away." - -"Very easy," assented Mr. Leigh. "The front door was never locked -either by day or by night, as I did not fear burglars. And I did not -fear you, Mr. Carrington, as you said that Rupert had told you about -the will, and you wished to speak to me concerning it." - -"Oh, you were brave enough," retorted the barrister carelessly. -"Well?" - -"I think you had better be less flippant, my man," cried Mallien, -highly indignant. "You are not out of the woods yet." - -"There's gratitude for what I have done for you," sneered Carrington. -"But for my appearance at the window the vicar might have burned the -will so as to allow Hendle to keep the property." - -"Yes, I might have burnt the will, as you say," remarked Leigh with -another queer smile; "and perhaps it would have been as well, seeing -what an excellent Squire our young friend here makes." - -"And what about me?" asked Mallien indignantly. - -"You are not fit to govern the parish," said Leigh coolly. "You think -of self and of self only." - -"Well, the will is safe in my desk now," said Mallien complacently, -"and, self or no self, I will be Squire of Barship as soon as the -lawyers can arrange for the transfer of the property." - -"You count your chickens before they are hatched, Mr. Mallien. There -is much to be said before you step into your cousin's place." - -"I don't see that," said Mallien doggedly. "Rupert knows that I -inherit by that will you found in the muniment chest, as I am the -legal descendant of Eunice Hendle. He makes no objection to giving me -the property." - -"Is this so, Hendle?" inquired the vicar. - -"Yes," answered Rupert quietly. "I can scarcely keep what does not -legally belong to me." - -"You will be a pauper." - -"I can't help that. I must act honestly." - -Leigh was silent for a moment and cast a look of admiration on the -young man. "You shame us all by your honorable nature," he said after -a pause. "I am glad that I am spared to do you justice." - -"What do you mean by that?" asked Carrington curiously. - -"Never mind what I mean. I shall explain in due time. Just now I have -to tell these gentlemen of the cowardly assault you made on an old -man." Leigh turned toward Rupert to whom he chiefly addressed himself. -"He held me in talk, Hendle, and all the time he was keeping his eyes -on the will. I refused to let him take it away, as he wanted to do." - -"I only wished to look after Hendle's interests," muttered Carrington. - -"To look after your own, you mean," retorted Leigh tartly. "Had you -meant well you would have gone away after I refused to give you the -will. But you waited until my back was turned, and then struck me with -the loaded stick you carried. The blow fell on my right temple and I -dropped stunned to the floor, while you----" - -"While I," cried Carrington, rising and speaking insolently, "snatched -up the will and walked out of the front door cautiously, so as not to -waken those servants of yours." - -"After which," put in Mallien viciously, "you went through the jungle -and buried the will under the sundial." - -"I did," admitted Carrington recklessly. "You know so much that you -may as well know all, for Leigh being alive you cannot touch me in any -way. I buried the will, as you say, and afterward wrote that letter to -Mrs. Beatson, so that she might find the will and avert suspicion from -myself." - -"Why Mrs. Beatson?" asked Rupert, disgusted with his former friend's -brazen assurance. - -"Because, according to you, she had overheard the conversation between -you and the vicar. I guessed that, if she produced the will, suspicion -would fall on her. Our meeting her on that night, Hendle, was pure -chance, but it helped on my plans. I wished her to procure the will to -you, and thus bring suspicion on herself as having killed the vicar." - -"You infernal villain!" - -"Oh, I don't see that," said Carrington carelessly. "Mrs. Beatson -would be none the worse for having her neck stretched. But I would not -have allowed things to go so far as that. All I wished, was for her to -give you the will, and then when you consulted me, as I knew you -would, I intended to persuade you to burn it in order to keep the -property and pay me five thousand pounds for holding my tongue. You -understand." - -"Yes," said Rupert quietly, "you explain your villainy so carefully -that I can scarcely help understanding. It was you, then, who dropped -a clue near the sundial to incriminate Mallien?" - -"It was me," replied Carrington, with cynical hardihood. "I snatched -the opal by chance from Mallien's watch-chain when we struggled in the -avenue. Only when I got away and found what was in my hand did I see -how I could get the upper hand of him. I recognized the ornament at -once as the one he had shown me on the first day we met." - -"You scoundrel!" shrieked Mallien furiously, and would have struck the -barrister, but that he swerved. Then Rupert interfered. - -"He will have a much worse punishment than a blow," said the Squire, -holding his cousin back with a strong arm. - -"I won't have any punishment at all," sneered Carrington insistently. - -"It is for me to say that," remarked Leigh, who was growing very weak -in spite of the dose of brandy which Tobias administered. "So you met -Mr. Mallien in the avenue of my place after you had buried the will?" - -"I did. There is no reason why I should deny it, seeing that I am -safe. And when I got away from him I walked to the next station and -caught the night express from Tarhaven which does not stop at Barship. -Next day----" - -"You came down to play the part of a friend," said Rupert scornfully; -"but you soon showed the cloven hoof, Carrington. Your plot was very -clever, and had I been a less honest man it would have succeeded." - -"It never would have succeeded," interposed the vicar, speaking with -labored breath, "for I was alive all the time and intended to speak -when necessary, as I have done. Titus kept me informed of all that -went on." - -"Aye, that I did," said the old man, patting Leigh's hand; "and -they'll find in the village as the old 'un don't tell lies and bain't -no fool either. I told 'em as you wor alive, didn't I, Muster Leigh?" - -"Yes, Titus, yes. But I think you will very soon have to tell them -that I am dead," said Leigh with a weak sigh. "After all, it is for -the best. I shall never regain my health after that awful experience. -And as my successor has been appointed, it would be wrong of me to -deprive him of the living." - -"Don't trouble about that, Leigh," remarked Rupert, bending over him. -"You shall stay here and be nursed back into health again. I'll see -that you are all right for the future." - -"You are a good man, Hendle; but if you knew----" He stopped abruptly -and drew away his hand which the Squire had taken. "But that I can -speak of another time. Meanwhile we must finish dealing with this -gentleman." - -"Do you mean me?" asked Mallien, who felt uneasy because he had an -idea that the resuscitated man had, as the saying goes, something up -his sleeve. - -"I don't mean you at present," replied the vicar, eyeing him with an -expression of intense dislike. "I shall attend to your matter later." - -"What matter?" - -"That," said Leigh slowly, "I shall tell you in my own good time." - -"You are very mysterious." - -"Oh, I think all mysteries are at an end now," interposed Rupert -hastily, for Mallien showed a tendency to make himself disagreeable in -spite of the vicar's weak state of health. "We now know that -Carrington did come to Barship and did strike down Mr. Leigh." - -"Who cares if you do know?" retorted Carrington insolently. "Not me. I -have played a bold game and have lost, thanks to your confounded -honesty. If you had been wise, you would have destroyed that will and -would have kept your money to yourself." - -"At the cost of losing my honor," said Rupert flushing. - -"Pouf! Who cares for honor in these days?" - -"Apparently you don't, you beast," cried Mallien, who was desperately -angry at the way in which Carrington had proposed to cheat him. "How -dare you speak in this way! I'll have you charged with fraud." - -"Fraud!" Carrington laughed aloud and snapped his fingers. "And how do -you intend to do that, my good man?" - -"Don't call me your good man, confound you!" - -"Well, I won't," sneered the barrister; "it is rather a mistake to -credit you with any goodness, I admit. You're no more a saint than I -am, and would have played the same game had you got the chance. My -only regret is that I have not rooked you to the tune of five thousand -pounds. And but for the vicar's unexpected appearance I should have -done so." - -"Not you." - -"Oh, yes. You were at the Vicarage on the night of the presumed -murder, and I had your opal, which I dropped near the sundial. If I -had held my tongue, as I would have done, you would have been hard put -to explain your presence there, seeing what John Hendle's will meant -to you." - -"And you--and you!" shouted Mallien furiously, "how would you have -escaped suspicion seeing you came down on that night?" - -"Very easily," retorted the barrister in a light and airy tone. "I -would have declared that I came down in Hendle's interest to get the -will, and arrived at the Vicarage to find you leaving the house after -murdering the man." - -"Oh!" Mallien rushed forward. "Let me get at him, Rupert. Dog that he -is. I want to strangle him." - -"And be hanged for the murder of a worthless creature," said Rupert, -holding Mallien tightly to prevent his executing his intention. "Leave -him to Mr. Leigh. I rather think he knows how to deal with him." - -"Oh, do you?" snapped Carrington, wheeling with a contemptuous smile -on his dark face, "and what do you propose to do, may I ask?" - -"I propose," said the vicar, whom he addressed, "to have you arrested -for a murderous assault on me. As a lawyer, Mr. Carrington, you -probably know how many years you will get for a contemplated crime." - -Carrington grew pale and looked nervous. "I never intended to kill -you," he muttered sullenly; "and, as you are alive and well----" - -"I am alive certainly, but scarcely well," said the vicar faintly. -"All the same, it is no thanks to you that I am not dead. You -assaulted me, and you robbed me, so you shall suffer." - -"I shan't!" and Carrington made a dash for the door, only to be caught -by the Squire, who held on to him grimly. - -"You shall," said Rupert stolidly. "As soon as Lawson arrives, and he -may be here at any minute, Leigh will give you in charge for assault -and robbery." - -"Hendle, you wouldn't see me disgraced in that way," pleaded -Carrington, who suddenly saw an abyss open at his feet. "If I am -arrested, I will be ruined." - -Hendle released the miserable man and stood back, rather incautiously -as it afterward proved. "You would have ruined me," he said sternly, -"so why should you not be done by as you intended to be done by -others?" - -"There's Scripture authority fur that," grunted old Ark, grinning -toothlessly. - -Carrington, now at bay, looked round and saw that everyone was against -him, so that there was no hope of mercy. He covered his face with his -hands and staggered against the wall near the door. For a moment there -was silence, for, although neither Mallien nor Leigh pitied the -scoundrel, Rupert, having an unusually tender heart, did so. Perhaps -the feeling that the man was his old schoolfellow induced him to give -Carrington a chance of escape. But be this as it may, when the -barrister sobbing near the door suddenly opened it and dashed out, -Rupert made no immediate effort to stop him. Mallien did. "Stop, -thief! Stop, liar! Stop, murderer!" he vociferated and followed. -Rupert was thus compelled to pursue the culprit, although he did so -reluctantly. - -The two came to the door to see Carrington running down the avenue, -and dashed after him. The barrister flew like the wind and speedily -outdistanced his pursuers. But he was not to escape after all, for, as -he reached the open gates of the avenue, Kit's motor car, containing -Lawson, swept round the corner. Running blindly, Carrington tripped -and fell under the machine. The wheels passed over him, breaking his -back. He was picked up stone dead. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI -A FINAL SURPRISE - - -At the inquest, held on the body of the unfortunate Carrington, the -whole story of the events connected with the will of John Hendle was -related in detail. This was done by the advice of Inspector Lawson, so -as to avert further trouble. As the officer wisely pointed out, it was -necessary that the characters of all those implicated in the affair -should be cleared once and for all. This could only be done by the -truth being made public. And this course of procedure greatly -recommended itself to Rupert, who was tired of underhand doings. He -was of a frank nature, and the idea of hiding this and concealing -that, annoyed him exceedingly. He therefore made a clean breast of the -matter when called upon to give evidence regarding Carrington's death, -and insisted that everyone else should do the same. Consequently, the -whole amazing story appeared in print, and read like a romance. - -Mallien was inclined to hold back from giving evidence, as, of course, -he should have communicated with the police the moment he became -cognizant that a murder had been committed. But both his cousin and -Lawson insisted that he should come forward to state what he knew, -and, notwithstanding his reluctance, he was compelled to do so. He -escaped better than he deserved, as it was seen how difficult his -position had been, and the majority of people argued that the man -could scarcely have been expected to incriminate himself by drawing -attention to the crime at the time when he discovered it. Mrs. Beatson -also contrived to elude reproof, as she cleverly stated that, when in -possession of the will, she had intended to hand it over to the -Squire. Of course, Rupert knew that she had never meant to do this, -but for the sake of Kit he did not contradict her statement. And, -because of Dorinda's feelings, he was glad to think that Mallien had -got off so lightly. The two plotters themselves were much relieved -that their characters had not suffered to an appreciable extent, and -retired into the grateful shade of obscurity as speedily as possible. -Things had turned out better than they had expected. - -Carrington's conduct, of course, was condemned, since he had behaved -so basely, but not so severely as it would have been had he been -alive. Having met with a violent death, it was felt that he had paid -for his trickery, and as little as possible was said about him. Kit, -of course, was exonerated with regard to the accident, as Lawson -proved that the young man had sounded his horn when turning into the -park. But Carrington, anxious only to escape before the Inspector -could take him in charge, had either not heard the warning of the -horn, or had not attended to it. But be this as it may, there was no -doubt that he had ran on blindly and thus had fallen under the cruel -wheels of the car. Remembering Carrington's two premonitions about -walking over his grave in the avenue, Rupert thought it quite uncanny -that he should have met his fate on the very spot. But he only -remarked on the matter to Dorinda, who was wise enough to hold her -tongue. Enough had been said about Carrington and his disreputable -doings in the newspapers, so there was no need to say more. - -Mr. Leigh did not appear at the inquest, as he lay dying in a -comfortable bed under the hospitable roof of The Big House. But he -signed a written statement detailing the events of the night when he -had been struck down, and this satisfied both Coroner and jury. After -all procurable evidence had been sifted a verdict of "Death by -Misadventure" was brought in, and the matter ended in the only way it -could end. Carrington's sole relative, a clerk in the War Office, came -down to take charge of the body, but expressed little surprise at the -smirched reputation of the dead man. Carrington had always been a -black sheep, and his relative grimly said to Rupert that he was glad -things had turned out as they had. Carrington, he observed, would -sooner or later have come to prison or the gallows had he lived, being -one of those unfortunate creatures who could not run straight. So that -was the end of the Squire's old school-friend, who had chosen evil -instead of good; and bad as he had been Hendle was kind-hearted enough -to regret the man's miserable end. Afterward, he always tried to -remember Carrington as he had been at Rugby, rather than as the -despicable plotter of his more mature years. - -With the departure of the barrister's body in charge of his relative -from Barship departed all mystery. It is now known who had struck down -the vicar, and why the blow had been delivered. That Leigh had escaped -death was not Carrington's fault, and the dead man was practically a -murderer. But the villagers, in the excitement of finding their vicar -alive, began to overlook Carrington's share in the matter. The -question most frequently asked was whether Leigh would resume his -charge of the parish seeing that his successor had been appointed. But -all talk on this point was ended when it became known that the shocks -inflicted on the unfortunate man, both by being struck down and by -being buried alive had so shaken his system that he was not likely to -live. Tollart was attending to him, and did so in an entirely sober -state, as his narrow escape from trouble kept him away from the drink. -Sophy, indeed, regarded the whole matter as a blessing in disguise, -and hoped that her father would reform. He had every reason to do so -seeing what a lesson he had received. With regard to his giving a -certificate of death, Tollart's fellow-physicians held that he was -perfectly justified, since the vicar had been in a cataleptic trance. -But the villagers, headed by Titus, held that Dr. Tollart had been -drunk at the time when he examined the body, and this opinion was not -favorable to Tollart's reputation. However, when it was seen that he -had turned over a new leaf, his conduct was considered more kindly and -the doctor began to hope that he would weather the storm. But it had -very nearly wrecked him, and the escape he had had greatly improved -his character. In time by acting judiciously and keeping strictly -sober, he managed to reëstablish his position. - -A week later, when everything in connection with the catastrophe was -quite settled, Mallien made his appearance at The Big House. He was -more subdued than usual, as he also had learned a lesson, but there -remained something of his old blustering manner when he entered the -library and produced John Hendle's will from his pocket. Rupert -guessed that his cousin had come to demand a settlement, and braced -himself to face a disagreeable future. It was not pleasant to become a -pauper, but there seemed to be nothing for it but to accept the -inevitable. Yet it was not so much the loss of the money which the -young man regretted as the probable loss of Dorinda as his wife. -Rupert knew his cousin well enough to be sure that once in the -possession of the estates and income he would not be inclined to -permit the marriage to take place. And seeing that he was likely to be -poor, it was useless for the girl to insist upon the fulfilment of the -engagement. It was with a sad face and a weary heart that Hendle asked -Mallien to take a seat. - -"I suppose you have called to discuss matters regarding the will," he -said, leaning his head on his hand and speaking quietly. - -"In a way, though I don't see that there is anything to discuss," -retorted Mallien, who was rapidly regaining his former bullying ways. -"All you have to do is to clear out and allow me to come here." - -"Walk out bag and baggage, you mean?" - -"Something of that sort. I don't mind giving you one hundred pounds -with which to make a new start in life. If I were you, I would go to -Australia with Kit when he marries Sophy Tollart." - -"And what about Dorinda?" - -"She is not for you," said Mallien resolutely. "As the daughter of the -Squire of Barship, she must marry a man with a position." - -"Does Dorinda say so?" inquired Rupert quietly. - -"Dorinda," said the affectionate parent, "is as obstinate as a pig. -She is coming here in a few minutes to argue the matter. I told her -that I intended to settle the matter of the will to-day. But she -shan't marry you with my consent, and, as I have the money, you can -see that it would be wrong of you to drag her down to poverty." - -"You put the case very plainly, Mallien." - -"How else do you expect me to put it?" said the other, who was not in -the least ashamed of the cowardly way in which he was behaving. - -"You might have a little more consideration for my position," remarked -Rupert, with a shrug. - -"What consideration did you ever show to me?" snarled Mallien. - -Rupert looked at the little man in amazement. "I have always been your -good friend," he said after a pause. "I have given you money and----" - -"My own money," interrupted the visitor. "Much thanks for that. It -won't do, Rupert. I won't allow you to work on my feelings." - -"I never knew that you had any to work on." - -"No more I have. I want justice, and justice I intend to have." - -"Don't make such a row over the matter," said Hendle contemptuously. -"You shall have what you want. But you can scarcely expect me to walk -out of this house this very minute. We must take the will to the -lawyers and have it gone into. Since you are behaving so brutally, I -am inclined to defend my position. There is the Statute of Limitations -to be considered." - -"And there is me to be considered," said a quiet voice at the door, -and the two turned to see Dorinda at the door. - -"You have been listening?" snapped her father. - -"Yes, I have," she replied boldly, "and what I have heard shows me -what a cruel nature you have, father." - -"Don't speak to me in that way," stormed Mallien, furiously. - -"Oh, yes, I shall"; and Dorinda entered to place her hand on Rupert's -shoulder as if to give him confidence. "You have not got Rupert's -money yet." - -"But I shall get it. The will is plain enough." - -Before Dorinda could reply, Rupert rose to his feet and made a gesture -that she should be silent. "Leigh has something to say about the will, -Mallien," he remarked, "and had you not come over I should have sent -for you. Leigh wishes to see you and me and Dorinda." - -"If Leigh intends to try on any hanky-panky," said Mallien, uneasily, -for the summons seemed strange and ominous to him, "he'll find himself -in the wrong box, I can tell you. You've been scheming with him, I -expect, since he has been lying there." - -"I have scarcely seen him," retorted Rupert, passing his arm round -Dorinda's waist. "Tollart says he should be kept quiet." - -"Then we shan't disturb him now." - -"Yes, we shall. Leigh has something on his mind, and wants to see the -three of us. Tollart has given permission, so we can go up to him now. -Only I beg of you, Mallien, not to excite him, as he is very weak, and -is not far from death. You understand." - -"I understand that you want to trick me in some way." - -By this time Rupert's long-enduring patience was at an end, and he -turned on the selfish little man in a cold fury. "Look here, Mallien, -I have had enough of this," he said, firmly. "Don't goad me too far, -or you will regret it." - -"Oh, will I!" taunted the other; "and in what way?" - -"Possession is nine points of the law," retorted Hendle, "and you -appear to forget that I am the Squire of Barship. I shall see the -lawyers and take all chances I can to prevent you getting possession -of the money. I am innocent of any roguery in the matter, and my -position is a very unfair one, as I am not to blame. It is close upon -a century since that will was made, and if I make use of the Statute -of Limitations I may be able to squash the whole affair. Equity, if -not Common Law, will be on my side." - -"You--you--you!" cried Mallien violently, "you swindler!" - -"Don't call names," said Rupert imperiously, "or in spite of the fact -that Dorinda has the misfortune to call you father, I shall kick you -out of the house. So now you know." - -"My own house," foamed Mallien, stamping. - -"It's not your house yet, and it never may be." - -"Well,"--Mallien drew a long breath--"I never--I never----" He turned -on his daughter suddenly and with violence. "What do you think of this -behavior?" - -"I entirely approve of it," said Dorinda, calmly, "and I am glad to -see Rupert stand up for his rights. He has treated you far too well as -it is." - -"What--what--what?" - -"It's no use, father. You don't care for me and you don't care for -your honor. All you do care for is yourself." - -"I--I--shall cut you off with a shilling--with a shilling." - -"So long as I have Rupert, I don't care." - -Hendle caught Mallien by the shoulders and pushed him toward the door. -"I can't allow any more of this, Mallien. Behave like a human being or -I shall turn you out. Now come up and hear what Leigh has to say." - -"Oh, I'll come," cried Mallien viciously, but, unable to resist his -cousin's superior strength; "but remember that if there is any plot to -take away my money I shall make things hot for you." - -"Get on! get on!" said Hendle, impatiently, "and don't make a fool of -yourself." - -Mallien did go on and climbed the stairs to Leigh's room unwillingly. -He was beginning to see that there was nothing to be gained by -storming, and that his best plan would be to adjust the matters in -dispute quietly. Although he believed the will to be legal, he yet had -a lurking suspicion that it might be set aside by the Statute of -Limitations. Under these circumstances it was unwise to quarrel with -his cousin, so he became more subdued. All the same his dog-like -temper could not be entirely suppressed, and he entered the -sick-chamber growling and muttering savagely. Dorinda and Rupert -followed, the girl crying with shame. Her father's conduct was -disgraceful. - -The vicar was propped up in bed with pillows, looking white and weak. -It was evident that he had not long to live, and there was an anxious -expression on his face which showed that he had something on his mind. -With a faint smile he welcomed the newcomers, and signed to the nurse -that she should leave the room. This the woman did, whispering in -passing Rupert that Tollart had left instructions that the patient was -to be as little excited as possible, since his strength was rapidly -failing. She also gave the young Squire a strong stimulant with which -to revive Leigh, should he grow faint during the interview; and saying -that she would return in half an hour departed softly. When the door -was closed, the vicar looked at the weeping Dorinda and her scowling -father; also at Rupert, who was cool and composed. Inwardly the Squire -was greatly disturbed, but it was necessary that he should keep his -emotions under control and he did so. - -"Why do you cry, Dorinda?" asked the vicar, softly. - -"She's a fool," growled Mallien frowning blackly. - -"I am an honest girl," said Dorinda, flushing and drying her eyes; -"and I am ashamed of the cowardly way in which you are behaving." - -"How is your father behaving?" questioned Leigh with an ironical -smile. - -"He wants to take everything from Rupert and make him a pauper," said -Dorinda sadly. "He refuses to allow me to marry him." - -"And will you obey him?" - -"No!" She drew herself up proudly. "I love Rupert more than myself, -and if he will marry me I am ready to be his wife at any moment." - -"Fool! Fool!" growled her father savagely. - -"What do you say, Hendle?" inquired the vicar calmly. - -"I wish to marry Dorinda, as I love her dearly," answered the Squire, -who was pale but composed; "but if this will is proved to be legal I -may lose all, and I can't ask Dorinda to share a life of poverty with -me." - -"I don't care for your poverty," cried the girl, impetuously throwing -her arms round her lover's neck. "I would rather have a crust with you -than stay with my father in luxury." - -"But I don't think it will be necessary for you to be reduced to a -crust, Dorinda," smiled the vicar. "After all, considering the -circumstances of the case and that Hendle is not to blame, surely your -father will give you half the income." - -"Two thousand pounds," said Mallien derisively. "I'm not such a fool. -I shan't give Rupert a single penny, and if Dorinda marries him -without my consent, which she will never get, she must be prepared to -starve." - -"Dorinda will never starve while I can work," said Rupert calmly. - -"What at? You have never done a hand's turn in your life." - -Leigh interposed before Rupert could reply. "Mallien, surely you will -not behave so wickedly and selfishly as to keep all the money to -yourself." - -"Yes, I shall. The money is mine, and I shall not give a penny." - -"You are a bad man," said Leigh slowly. - -"Pooh! What do I care for your names?" - -"Nothing. I can see that. However, I may be able to make you care. -Dorinda, give me some of that tonic." - -The vicar's voice was growing weak and his eye closed. Dorinda slipped -her arm round his neck and gave him a dose of the medicine which -shortly took effect. He opened his eyes again and spoke in a stronger -voice. "Are you determined to behave in this unjust way, Mallien?" - -"It is not unjust, and I do." - -"You will keep all the money to yourself?" - -"Every penny." - -"And--if you can--prevent Dorinda marrying Hendle?" - -"Yes. She does so at the risk of starvation." - -"But you may ruin two lives, Mallien." - -"Pooh! Don't talk rubbish, vicar. I shall do as I like." - -"You shall not do as you like," said Leigh steadily. "You are an evil -and wicked man, although I am too sinful myself to say so. But I thank -God that He has permitted me to live and make reparation for my -wrongdoing." The vicar fumbled under his pillow and produced an -envelope. "Take this, Hendle, and put it into your pocket. No, don't -open it now. When I am dead you can learn how deeply I have sinned. -And, above all, don't let Mallien get hold of it." - -Rupert slipped the envelope into the pocket of his coat and smiled -grimly although he also looked astonished. "I'll take care of that," -he said, with a nod; "but what is the paper about?" - -"It contains a signed and witnessed confession of my sin." - -"Your sin." Mallien began to shake in his shoes as there was something -very ominous about these proceedings. - -"Yes. I intended evil, and evil has come of my intention. But thank -God I am able to nip my wrongdoing in the bud. Mallien"--the vicar -shook a reproving forefinger at the man--"I have given you every -chance to behave as a Christian should, but you will not seize the -opportunity. Now it is too late, and you must abide by your selfish -conduct." - -"What the devil are you talking about?" - -"Hush, father, hush! Don't speak like that," cried Dorinda with a -shiver. - -"I shall speak as I like. What does Leigh mean by his nonsense?" - -"You will not find that paper I have given Hendle nonsense," said -Leigh in a faint voice. "It contains an account of my sin and will be -your punishment." - -"Come to the point; come to the point," stuttered Mallien, nervously -angry. - -Leigh turned to look at Hendle, who stood beside Dorinda silently -amazed at all this strange talk. "My friend," he said, wincing at -having to lower himself in the young man's eyes, "I was tempted by -Satan and I fell. In the muniment chest I found a bundle of letters -written by John Hendle, which showed that he wished to disinherit his -son Frederick, whom he hated, in favor of Eunice, the infant daughter -of his eldest son, Walter, whom he loved. He declared in the last -letter of the bundle--which you will find in the chest where I left -it--that he would make a will, leaving the estates to Eunice, who -married Filbert when she grew up. But John Hendle died of heart -disease, as other family documents show, before he could execute his -intention. He made no will in favor of Eunice, and Frederick lawfully -inherited the property." - -Mallien turned a greenish color and pulled out the will from the -pocket--the will which had caused so many disasters. "John Hendle made -this----" - -"He did not," interrupted the vicar in a strong and triumphant voice. -"I made that will. It is forged." - -"Forged!" Rupert, Dorinda and Mallien all echoed the word. - -"Yes," Leigh went on, speaking swiftly as if fearful that his strength -would not hold out to the end. "I wanted money to go to Yucatan, and -hoped to get it from Hendle. He was not inclined to fit out an -expedition, so I hoped to force him. Satan entered into me, and, -taking advantage of what was in those letters of John Hendle, I -prepared the will in favor of Eunice. I bought the parchment and wrote -out what was wanted to give me a hold over Hendle. When Carrington saw -me holding the will over the candle, I was doing so to change the -color of the ink and make the parchment appear black and a little -contracted. I did not give the forged will to Hendle when I spoke -about it, as it was not quite ready. Next day I proposed to give it to -him and to offer to allow him to burn it on condition that he gave me -enough money to go to Yucatan with an expedition. Failing Rupert, I -should have gone to you, Mr. Mallien." - -"And you would have gone!" gasped Rupert, amazed by this recital. "I -would never have agreed to suppress that will had I believed it--as I -did--to be genuine." - -"I see that now," said Leigh, whose voice was becoming fainter. -"You were too honorable for Mallien and Carrington, and you would -have been too honorable for me. My forgery was vain. But God -intervened and prevented me from carrying out my wicked plot. -Carrington came and--and--you--you--know the--rest. I acted -wickedly--and--I--I----" He stopped and fell back on his pillows with -a ghastly look on his face. - -"He is dying," cried Dorinda, running to the bedside. "Call the -nurse." - -Rupert opened the door, but Mallien looking like a fiend rushed to the -dying man and shook him roughly. "You are a liar! you are a liar!" he -screamed, white with thwarted ambition. "This will is not forged; this -will is----" - -Hendle, furious with the man's inhumanity, caught him by the shoulders -and thrust him out of the room. The nurse hurried in and along with -Dorinda tried to revive the fainting vicar, but in vain. Dr. Tollart -was immediately sent for and came at once to pronounce that there was -no hope. Leigh lingered for twenty-four hours and then passed away -quietly without ever regaining consciousness. This time, as Tollart -took care to prove, the vicar was really dead, and within a week his -body was again placed in the family vault. To be certain about the -catalepsy, the corpse was kept above ground for the seven days until -there was no doubt that the man actually was dead. In vain Titus Ark, -overcome with grief, repeated his parrot cry that his friend "worn't -dead." Leigh was on this occasion a truly dead man. The blow on the -head, the shock to his nervous system caused by being buried alive, -and perhaps the shame of having to confess his forgery of the will, -had all combined to kill him. He died and Barship knew him no more. - -And Mallien? He was almost crazy with rage at his loss. Again and -again he tried to prove that the forged will was a genuine document, -and saw many lawyers and experts. But the confession of Leigh, signed -by himself and witnessed by Titus Ark and his grandson, held good, as -it gave all details of how the false testament had been prepared. -Leigh confessed therein that he had copied the signature of John -Hendle from the letters which first gave him an idea of committing the -forgery. So in the end Mallien had to accept the fact that Rupert was -the true Squire of Barship, and that there was not the slightest -chance of his getting a single penny of the four thousand a year he so -greedily coveted. - -While Mallien, frenzied with baffled avarice, was moving heaven and -earth to prove that he was the rightful heir, the other people who had -been connected with the strange affair of the will were settling -themselves in life. Mrs. Beatson obtained a situation as housekeeper -to an invalid gentleman in Derbyshire, much to the relief of Kit and -Miss Tollart. Hendle was so pleased with the way in which these two -had assisted him at an awkward moment, that he gave Kit a handsome sum -of money; and, along with Dorinda, was present at his marriage to the -doctor's daughter. Tollart himself found that, in spite of all -efforts, he could not quite do away with the prejudice against him, -although more or less he managed, as has been said, to reëstablish his -position. But perhaps conscience had something to do with his -determination to go to Australia with the young couple, for he felt -very uncomfortable among his patients. Sophy, who was unwilling to -part from her father since he might take to drink again, suggested -that he should emigrate. The doctor did so and shortly departed with -Mr. and Mrs. Beatson for Melbourne, where he hoped to redeem himself -entirely. And, thanks to Rupert's generosity, a start at the Antipodes -was made easy both for him and for the young people. - -As to Hendle and Dorinda, they took advantage of Mallien's -preoccupation with regard to the will to get married quietly in -London. Dorinda was of age and did not require her father's consent. -Moreover, after his shabby behavior, she felt that even though he was -her father, she could never live with him again. So she became Mrs. -Hendle shortly after Leigh was buried for the second time, and, after -a short honeymoon, returned to be welcomed by one and all as the -mistress of The Big House. Everyone was delighted that Rupert still -kept his position, and everyone knew that the will, which had caused -so much trouble, had been forged. Hendle would have preferred to keep -Leigh's confession to himself out of regard to the unfortunate vicar's -memory, but Mallien's action left him no option but to make it public. -The amazing story added yet another chapter to the romance of the -whole queer business, and the story got into the newspapers. Mr. and -Mrs. Hendle were not a little troubled by reporters and interviewers -and snap-shot people, but in the end curiosity died away and they were -left to live their own simple life, doing good and making everyone -around them happy. - -In the end, Mallien found that his efforts to prove the will to be -genuine were futile, so one day presented himself at The Big House in -a very dismal frame of mind. Not being able to get the property, he -was secretly pleased that his daughter should have become Mrs. Hendle, -even without his consent, as he hoped to use her for his own ends. -With the greatest impudence he suggested that his son-in-law should -fulfill his old promise and allow him five hundred a year. - -"Oh, no," said Rupert, calmly, when Mallien came for a last interview. -"I don't think it is good for you to be treated with such leniency." - -"Nor do I," chimed in Dorinda, who found it difficult to behave -amiably to her father, seeing how badly he had behaved. - -"What do you mean?" demanded Mallien, taken aback, for he had quite -expected to get his own way. "What do you both mean?" - -"I don't think it is so very difficult to gather what we mean," -replied Rupert coolly. "You never intended to give me a penny had you -got the money, so why should I give an income to you?" - -"That's different." - -"Maybe. Anyhow, you will have to live on what you have." - -"I am Dorinda's father." - -"I don't look on you as my father," said the undutiful daughter. "You -never have behaved like a father to me, and now that I have Rupert to -look after me, I wish to see as little of you as possible." - -"And this is my child," moaned Mallien, much cast down. - -Dorinda laughed. "It won't do, father," she said calmly. "As Mr. Leigh -declared on his deathbed, you had every opportunity of acting -honorably. How you have acted I leave to your conscience to say." - -"_I_ won't," said Rupert sharply. "See here, Mallien. I am a -kind-hearted man and wish to help everyone, but for me to give you -money for your wickedness would be wrong." - -"What wickedness?" - -"If you will have it; you threatened to turn me out of this house as a -pauper, and you have done your best to prove true a document which you -knew to be forged. If you had triumphed, Dorinda and I would have been -thrown into the street without a penny. Because you have failed, you -come whimpering to me for money. You shan't have any. As you are my -wife's father, I should have allowed you enough to live on had you -been without an income. But as you enjoy five hundred a year of your -own you can exist on that. And, as people here are not very well -disposed toward you, I advise you to go away." - -Furious at this plain speaking Mallien turned on his daughter. "Do you -hear how I am spoken to?" he demanded looking black. - -"I hear," responded Mrs. Hendle quietly, "and I am glad that you hear -the truth for once in your life. I hope it will make you a better man. -I think you had better take Rupert's advice and leave Barship." - -"Oh, I shall go. I don't want to stay in such a hole," shouted -Mallien, putting on his hat violently; then he became pathetic. "And I -go to live a lonely life." - -"I think you will find plenty of amusement in playing with your -jewels," said Dorinda quietly. "You never cared for me." - -Mallien muttering something about an ungrateful child and a serpent's -tooth, walked away with a drooping head. It dawned on him dimly when -he shook the dust of Barship from his feet that perhaps after all, as -he had not given affection, he could not expect affection. But his -egotism was much too strong to permit him to understand fully that he -was only reaping what he had sown. He took up his abode in London and -managed to get along very comfortably on his five hundred a year. But -he always persisted in regarding himself as a much injured man and -stubbornly maintained that the will forged by Leigh was genuine. -Needless to say, he never missed his daughter, as he was far too much -wrapped up in himself to desire any company but his own. - -"Do you think we have acted rightly, Rupert?" asked Dorinda in a -troubled tone, when her father departed after that last interview. - -"Yes, dear. He is your father certainly, but he has no right to take -advantage of the relationship to behave so selfishly as he has done. -It would be wrong to pander to his egotism by giving him money." - -"Yes, I suppose so," said Dorinda with a sigh. "People are very hard -to understand, Rupert. Besides my father, who puzzled me with his -selfishness, there is Mr. Leigh. Whatever made such a good and kind -man forge that will?" - -Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "A sudden temptation perhaps," he said, -after a pause; "but I don't pretend to explain; his act was entirely -opposed to his character. If he was in a story people would say that -he was inconsistent." - -Dorinda agreed. "Very inconsistent. Human beings are strange." - -"They are, dear. But you see, as we only see the outside of people we -don't know how to account for every action. The majority of people are -children and often act wrongly without thinking of the consequences. -After all evil is only ignorance, for if wrongdoers knew what they -would have to pay for behaving wickedly they would not sin. Now, -darling, don't think anything more about the matter. Let us enjoy the -peace which has come to us after the storm. There is no more to be -said about the past and no more to be done. We are happy and try to -make others happy. What more do you want?" - -"This," said Dorinda, and kissed him fondly. - - - -THE END - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lost Parchment, by Fergus Hume - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST PARCHMENT *** - -***** This file should be named 55956-8.txt or 55956-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/9/5/55956/ - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by -Google books (the New York Public Library) - - -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. 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W. Dillingham Company."> -<meta name="Date" content="1914"> -<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 Lost Parchment, 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 Lost Parchment - A Detective Story - -Author: Fergus Hume - -Release Date: November 13, 2017 [EBook #55956] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST PARCHMENT *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by -Google books (the New York Public Library) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Notes:<br> -1. Page scan source: Google Books<br> -https://books.google.com/books?id=IEggAAAAMAAJ -(the New York Public Library)</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>The Lost Parchment</h3> - -<h4>A Detective Story</h4> -<br> -<h5>BY</h5> -<h4>FERGUS HUME</h4> -<h5>AUTHOR OF "THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB," "THE MYSTERY QUEEN," -"THE RAINBOW FEATHER," "RED MONEY," "THE SEALED MESSAGE," -"THE SECRET PASSAGE," "THE STEEL CROWN," ETC.</h5> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY</h4> -<h5>PUBLISHERS NEW YORK</h5> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h5>COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY<br> -<span style="font-size: larger">G. W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY</span></h5> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<p style="font-size:smaller; font-weight:bold"><i>The Lost Parchment</i></p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h5>Press of<br> -J. J. Little & Ives Co.<br> -New York</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><span class="sc">Schoolfellows</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_02" href="#div1_02">II.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">The Vicar</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_03" href="#div1_03">III.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Lovers</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_04" href="#div1_04">IV.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">The Cottage</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_05" href="#div1_05">V.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">A Revelation</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_06" href="#div1_06">VI.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Counsels Opinion</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_07" href="#div1_07">VII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">A Nine Days Wonder</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_08" href="#div1_08">VIII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Mallien Speaks</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_09" href="#div1_09">IX.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">A Serious Position</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_10" href="#div1_10">X.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Dorinda</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_11" href="#div1_11">XI.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Carringtons Advice</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_12" href="#div1_12">XII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">On the Track</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_13" href="#div1_13">XIII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Confession</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_14" href="#div1_14">XIV.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">A Clue</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_15" href="#div1_15">XV.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Circumstantial Evidence</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_16" href="#div1_16">XVI.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">A New Witness</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_17" href="#div1_17">XVII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Difficulties</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_18" href="#div1_18">XVIII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Setting a Trap</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_19" href="#div1_19">XIX.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Resurgam</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_20" href="#div1_20">XX.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">A Weird Story</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_21" href="#div1_21">XXI.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">A Final Surprise</span></td> -</tr></table> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>THE LOST PARCHMENT.</h3> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_01" href="#div1Ref_01">CHAPTER I</a></h4> -<h5>SCHOOLFELLOWS</h5> -<br> - -<p>"So this is your kingdom, Hendle?" said the visitor, looking round the -garden which glowed with rainbow tints in the hot July sunshine; "and -a very jolly kingdom it is. When did you enter into it?"</p> - -<p>"When I was fifteen, twelve years ago," replied the Squire, smiling. -"Don't you remember how I wrote and told you of the death of my -father? You had just left school for the 'Varsity. Those were capital -days at Rugby, weren't they, Carrington?"</p> - -<p>"They were. I have had few capital days since."</p> - -<p>"But surely at Oxford----"</p> - -<p>Carrington shrugged his shoulders and made a frank admission. "Oh, -yes! Oxford was all right until my father died and left me without a -sixpence. It was hard work, I can tell you, qualifying for the Bar on -next to nothing. And I can't say that I have made my fortune as a -barrister. You, lucky dog, don't need to bother about pounds, -shillings, and pence."</p> - -<p>"I have certainly nothing to complain of on that score," said Hendle -in a satisfied tone and extending his cigarette case. "It was a pity -we drifted apart, Carrington, as we were such chums at Rugby. I might -have helped you."</p> - -<p>"You were always a good chap, Hendle, and that is why I took to you, -when we were in our teens. But we saw nothing of each other all these -years because you had money and I hadn't. Besides, you went to -Cambridge, while I patronized Oxford. It is my fault that our -friendship has not continued unbroken, as I never answered your many -letters. But you see I was always too much involved in law studies to -bother. You, I presume, were looking after your snug little kingdom."</p> - -<p>Hendle nodded. "I am a very stay-at-home person, and the place -requires a good deal of supervision."</p> - -<p>"Lucky dog!" repeated the barrister. "You have a fine income, too."</p> - -<p>"So-so. Four thousand a year."</p> - -<p>"The deuce! And, like Bottom, I support life on sixpence a day, which, -unlike Bottom, I have to earn. There is no Theseus to give me a -pension."</p> - -<p>"You didn't seem to be so very hard up when I met you six months ago -in the <i>Criterion Restaurant</i>," said the young squire dryly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, one has to keep up some sort of appearance and dress in purple -and fine linen, even if one cannot afford to do so," answered -Carrington easily. "It is only your rich man who can dispense with -Solomon-in-all-his-glory raiment, old fellow. Anyhow, poor or rich, I -was delighted to meet you again."</p> - -<p>"Were you?" Hendle appeared to be a trifle sceptical. "You didn't -hurry yourself to come down to Barship anyhow."</p> - -<p>"I didn't; that's a fact. I thought you might fancy that I would -borrow, if I came too speedily. Hence the six months' hesitation."</p> - -<p>"Oh, rot! You know that I'm not the sort of fellow to grudge a loan to -an old school chum if he asks for it."</p> - -<p>"You were always a good chap, Hendle," said Carrington again. "But I -am not going to ask. I have bread and butter, if not jam, and one must -be grateful for the necessities of life in these hard times."</p> - -<p>Hendle nodded with a lazy laugh and the young men lighted fresh -cigarettes as they crossed the lawn to gain the avenue which sloped -gradually for a quarter of a mile in the direction of the village. -Behind them they left a delightfully ugly mansion of Georgian -architecture mellowed by time into positive beauty. The Big House--its -local name--draped itself majestically in dark trailing ivy, showing -here and there the bland softened hue of its ruddy brick walls.</p> - -<p>"My mind to me a kingdom is," quoted Carrington with a backward glance -at the peace and beauty they were leaving. "A poetic, but truly -unsatisfactory saying, Hendle. Your acres are a more tangible -possession than the stuff of which dreams are made. Let us go hence."</p> - -<p>The Squire in his simple honesty laughed at the fantastic remarks of -his visitor, not guessing that a considerable amount of acid envy -underlay the amiable compliments. Hendle was one of those honorable, -good-natured creatures, who believed that his fellow-men were as -open-minded and straightforward as he was himself. His florid -complexion, fair crisp hair, big limbs and general air of latent -strength revealed plainly his Saxon ancestry, and he resembled a -good-natured bull content with plentiful grass and water and the -freedom of wide meadows. He was markedly good-looking, with sleepy -blue eyes and a heavy moustache of a russet hue, which he usually -tugged at to help on his slow-moving thoughts. His name, Rupert, -suggested swift dash and impetuous daring. But there was nothing of -these things about this somewhat drowsy giant, although he had ample -courage when necessary. It took much to rouse him, but once the dam of -his self-restraint broke, everything and everyone were swept away like -straws in a torrent of Berserk fury. When Rupert did fight, nothing -could stand against his enormous physical power; and the use of this, -being tempered by strong common-sense, invariably gained him the -victory. But he usually preferred peace to war, and it took much to -stimulate his passions to an outbreak.</p> - -<p>Dean Carrington himself was to his friend like a Georgian rapier to a -Crusader's sword. He was small and lean, quick-witted and nimble, with -dark hair and dark eyes and a swarthy complexion. His clean-shaven -face with its regular features and keen expression suggested the born -intriguer, who gained his ends rather by cunning than force. Always -perfectly dressed, always amiable, an accomplished squire-of-dames, -well-read and yet a man-of-the-world, Carrington was the exact -opposite of Hendle, and perhaps had made him his friend because of the -vast difference in their natures. Having a more alert though not a -stronger mind, he dominated Rupert in a most dexterous manner, never -showing the iron hand without its velvet glove. Nevertheless, this -ascendency had been achieved at Rugby, and owed its strength to the -admiration of the dull boy for the clever boy; to the hero-worship of -the younger for the older. But if Carrington was now thirty, Rupert -was now twenty-seven, and might not be so easily mastered, presuming, -as might be the case, the latter had developed qualities with which -the former could not cope. This remained to be seen, and it was to -see, that Carrington had come down for a Saturday to Monday rest. Now -that he judged Rupert to be much the same and saw how luxurious were -his surroundings, the astute barrister determined to reëstablish his -sway over a wealthy friend too long neglected. Therefore he made -himself delightfully agreeable. He had spent Saturday and Sunday with -the Squire, and now was strolling through the village on Monday -afternoon, before catching the evening train. So far, owing to -Rupert's frank intimacy, he foresaw no obstacle to his making use of -the young man. But there was one possibility to be reckoned with, -which had to be looked into, and this Carrington approached in a -roundabout manner, after his usual custom.</p> - -<p>"A delightful place," said the barrister with a sigh of pleasure, as -they sauntered along the cobblestone street, with its quaint houses on -either side. "You are a king here. When you conduct the queen to the -throne at the Big House, the serfs will lie down and allow you both to -walk over them."</p> - -<p>"I haven't any wish to walk over them," said Hendle, shrugging his -mighty shoulders, "and I don't think the villagers would like to hear -you call them serfs, Carrington."</p> - -<p>"Pooh! They wouldn't know the meaning of the word. And, after all, it -is only my picturesque way of speaking. But you evade my question."</p> - -<p>"I didn't know you asked any. You simply made a remark."</p> - -<p>"The Lord mend your wit, then. I must be plain, I see. What about a -wife?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's all arranged for," replied the Squire stolidly, and with -never a blush, so matter-of-fact was he.</p> - -<p>"And you never told me," murmured Carrington reproachfully.</p> - -<p>"You never asked me."</p> - -<p>"No," said the other, wondering at this phlegmatic nature. "I didn't." -Then he lapsed into musing, and Rupert, never a talker at the best of -times, strode beside him silent and comfortably happy.</p> - -<p>So the possibility had become a probability, and a feminine influence -had to be reckoned with after all. This was what Carrington had -dreaded, and he blamed himself for not having asked the question -before. Had he done so, he might have been introduced to the lady and -then would have been able to judge what sort of a marplot she would -prove to be. However, he hoped to meet her when he next came down, -which would be very soon, and meanwhile, true to his plan of campaign, -he laughed amiably at Rupert's reticence.</p> - -<p>"You always did take things stolidly at school, Hendle," he said, -arching his finely penciled eyebrows, "and you have not changed in -this respect. Who is she?"</p> - -<p>"My cousin--a third or fourth cousin. We have known each other all our -lives, and that is why we know we will be happy."</p> - -<p>"Familiarity doesn't breed contempt in this case, then," said the -barrister lightly. "As you have known her all her life, I presume she -lives hereabouts?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes. At the other end of the village."</p> - -<p>"I should like to see her," suggested Carrington persuasively.</p> - -<p>"Next time you come down you shall. I shall ask her father and Dorinda -to dinner at the Big House."</p> - -<p>"Who is her father?"</p> - -<p>"A second or third cousin of mine."</p> - -<p>"What is his name?"</p> - -<p>"Mallien--Julius Mallien."</p> - -<p>"I am little the wiser," said the barrister ironically, "and I don't -want to exercise my profession of cross-examining people in the -country. Can't you give me details?"</p> - -<p>"I am," said the other, slightly surprised. "I am giving you details."</p> - -<p>"Yes, when I ask you incessant questions. But make some sort of a -speech. I want to know what kind of a person Mallien is; I want a -description of the lady; I desire to learn what the father does, and -if he will give his daughter a dowry. In fact, I wish to know all -about it, as naturally I take the greatest interest in the welfare of -my old school chum."</p> - -<p>"Good old man," said Rupert, giving Carrington's arm so affectionate a -squeeze that the barrister winced with the pain. "Well, Mallien's a -beast, like Timon of Athens--you remember the play we read at school. -I don't like Mallien, as he's always grousing at everyone and -everything."</p> - -<p>"You give me the key to his character by mentioning Timon. Your future -father-in-law is a misanthrope."</p> - -<p>Rupert nodded. "Very much so. And Dorinda is----"</p> - -<p>"An angel. I know what you are about to say."</p> - -<p>"I don't think you do. Dorinda is a good sort."</p> - -<p>"Is that all the praise you can bestow on your future wife?"</p> - -<p>"It's all she wants. Dorinda doesn't like compliments."</p> - -<p>"What an unnatural girl!" laughed Carrington, "and her looks?"</p> - -<p>Hendle filled his pipe while he replied and halted in the village -square while he did so. "She's got black hair and blue eyes and a -ripping figure and is heaps cleverer than I am."</p> - -<p>"What a bald description! Has she two eyes and a nose with a mouth -under it?"</p> - -<p>"How you chaff, Carrington. However, when you come down again, you -will see Dorinda for herself. Hallo, here's Kit."</p> - -<p>"Who is Kit?" questioned the other, as a smart motor car slipped -easily out of the crooked street to halt in the square, as the village -green was grandiloquently entitled.</p> - -<p>"The son of my housekeeper, Mrs. Beatson."</p> - -<p>"That sour-looking woman with the hard eye?"</p> - -<p>"The same. She has been hammered hard by misfortune, but is a lady -born and bred for all that. Morning, Kit."</p> - -<p>"Good morning, Squire. Hot, isn't it? I can only get some sort of wind -by running the machine at top speed."</p> - -<p>"You'll be roped in by the police if you don't mind your eye, Kit. My -friend, Mr. Dean Carrington. This is Mr. Christopher Beatson, -Carrington. He's a reckless hero, who plays with the whiskers of death -on all and every occasion."</p> - -<p>"That is the habit of the present generation," said Carrington, with a -nod to the handsome young fellow in the car. "Motors, aeroplanes, -scenic railways and looping-the-loop. Youth enjoys nothing nowadays -unless it has in it an element of danger. To go out and never know if -you will be home to supper, Mr. Beatson: that is your delight."</p> - -<p>"There is much truth in what you say, Mr. Carrington," returned Kit, -laughing. "After all, it's life."</p> - -<p>"This is the frantic age," said Hendle sententiously. "How's business, -Kit?"</p> - -<p>"Ripping! I sold three cars last week on behalf of the firm. One to a -lady."</p> - -<p>"Who was taken with your good looks, I suppose. Take care Miss Tollart -doesn't grow jealous, Kit."</p> - -<p>"You will have your joke, Mr. Hendle," answered Beatson, his bronzed -skin growing crimson and his brown eyes sparkling. "But Sophy knows -that I have to play up to the customers to get the stuff sold." He -turned from the wheel to look round generally. "Have you seen her? -She's to meet me here and go with me for a spin."</p> - -<p>Just then Miss Tollart appeared hurrying to the rendezvous as fast as -her hobble-skirt would permit. She revealed herself as a fine-looking -and decidedly flamboyant young woman with an independent air which -suggested the suffragist. It could easily be seen, and by a less -observant person than Carrington, that Kit would be known as "Mrs. -Beatson's husband" when the ring was on the lady's finger. His chin -betrayed a rather weak nature, and his eyes had much too kind a look -in them to hint at mastery, while the tall black-browed young woman, -who swung toward the group with the air of conquering Semiramis, -appeared quite capable of dominating an empire, much less a husband. -Carrington did not envy Kit's approaching connubial bliss.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Carrington, Miss Tollart," said the Squire, introducing his -friend to the new arrival. "Carrington, Miss Tollart is the daughter -of our doctor."</p> - -<p>Sophy winced at the mention of her father and Carrington wondered why -she should. However, the emotion passed in a flash and Miss Tollart -inspected the barrister much as a naturalist inspects a microbe under -the microscope. The sniff with which she concluded her scrutiny hinted -at dissatisfaction, if not at contempt. But then Sophy as an ardent -suffragist never did think much of the male, and straightway flew her -colors in the face of this particular one. "I am going to Elbowsham to -speak at a meeting, Squire. Have I your good wishes?"</p> - -<p>"That you will come home safe and sound?" queried Hendle with -twinkling eyes. "You have. Don't insult the crowd more than you can -help, Miss Tollart."</p> - -<p>"I shall not conceal my opinions," retorted the lady, tightening her -lips.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" Carrington looked her up and down, "in that case I am glad Mr. -Beatson and his car will be at hand to rescue you."</p> - -<p>"I can fight my own battles," said Miss Tollart coolly. "But I see -that you don't believe in Votes for Women."</p> - -<p>"My dear lady," replied Carrington smoothly, "when I am in your -presence I believe in anything you like to advance."</p> - -<p>Sophy sniffed. "Hedging!" she observed aggressively. "Men never can -give a straight answer. I only wish," she continued as she turned to -Hendle, "that I could infect Dorinda with my ardor. But she won't -uphold the banner, and sulks in her tent."</p> - -<p>"I am afraid that I have exhausted all my persuasive power in inducing -her to join me as my future wife," said the Squire politely.</p> - -<p>Sophy nodded her approval. "Dorinda's a nice girl and a good girl, and -a very pretty girl," she said, in her deep-toned voice, "but she is as -weak as any man in this village. As weak as you are, Squire, as the -vicar, as my father, and you know what he is." She winced again, then -turned aggressively on Kit. "But I can't stay here all day, as the -meeting at Elbowsham is waiting. Five miles, Kit; you must do it in -five minutes."</p> - -<p>"What about the police?" asked Carrington.</p> - -<p>"I despise the police," cried Miss Tollart, as she was borne away -hurriedly by her lover to prevent further trouble. "They know me."</p> - -<p>Carrington looked leisurely after the machine until it vanished and -Sophy's trumpet tones of defiance died away. "What an uncomfortable -young woman," he observed, turning toward his friend.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Sophy's a good sort," said Hendle soberly. "She's had heaps of -trouble."</p> - -<p>"It doesn't seem to have knocked much sense into her, anyway. Trouble. -Bother, I see. Her father, I expect?"</p> - -<p>The Squire looked astonished. "Yes. But how you guessed----"</p> - -<p>"I saw her wince when you and she mentioned Dr. Tollart," explained -the barrister.</p> - -<p>They crossed the green, passing an ancient cross of worn stone, which -stood in the center of a vast expanse of grass burnt brown with the -long-enduring heat. Round the square were various cottages with -white-washed walls and thatched roofs, each standing in its own tiny -garden brilliant with flowers. <i>The Hendle Inn</i>, with the arms of the -family swinging from a signpost, was the largest building in sight, -and presented an attractive sight to an artist, since it dated from -Tudor times, and its upper story overhung the lower. With its -red-tiled roof and dark oaken beams deeply embedded in its flint and -stone walls it caught the eye of Carrington straightway. He had seen -it before, but its quaint beauty lured him again to contemplation.</p> - -<p>"That's a delightful old inn," he said, looking backward as they -passed out of the square. "Quite the place for an adventure."</p> - -<p>"There are no adventures in Barship," replied the Squire heavily. "We -are very dull people hereabouts. Leigh is our bright and shining -light, as he goes in for old manuscripts and ancient buildings and -queer customs and----"</p> - -<p>"In a word, Leigh is an archæologist," interrupted Carrington, who -found Rupert somewhat prolix. "And who is Leigh?"</p> - -<p>"If we had gone to church yesterday, you would have seen him in the -pulpit, Carrington. He is the vicar, and, if you don't mind being -blamed for nonattendance, we are going to look him up now."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't mind in the least," said the barrister briskly. "If he -talks religion, I can talk science. Argument is always amusing with a -fanatic."</p> - -<p>"I don't think Leigh is a fanatic. He is fonder of his hobby than of -his profession. But he's all right as a parson, although he doesn't -visit his parishioners as often as I could wish. Yonder's the church -where all my people are buried. Picturesque?"</p> - -<p>The barrister gave the building his grave approval "But everything is -picturesque about here in the best style of art. You ought to be -happy."</p> - -<p>"I am. Very happy. But I shall be happier when I marry Dorinda!"</p> - -<p>"Amen to that. And let me be your best man," said Carrington gaily.</p> - -<p>"If Dorinda doesn't mind, yes," replied Hendle, exasperatingly matter -of fact.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_02" href="#div1Ref_02">CHAPTER II</a></h4> -<h5>THE VICAR</h5> -<br> - -<p>By this time the Squire and his friend were approaching a rickety -five-barred gate which stood wide open, as the hinges being useless, -it could not easily be shut. Passing through this, they advanced up a -wide untidy drive overgrown with grass, and this dismal path conducted -them to a weedy stony expanse, girdled by an uncultivated jungle. -Flowers, shrubs, herbs, trees, docks and darnels were all mixed up -together in a way, suggesting only too clearly the sluggard's garden -and almost aggressively presented an aspect of decay. The vicarage -thoroughly matched this desolation, although in skilful hands it could -have been made into a most charming residence. Carrington viewed this -deadly solitude with disgust.</p> - -<p>"Are you taking me to see the ruins of Babylon?" he asked, noting that -even the blazing sunshine could not impart an aspect of cheerfulness -to the place. "Is your vicar an owl or a jackal that he can live -here?"</p> - -<p>Hendle laughed deeply and pulled at his pipe. "Leigh is too much -wrapped up in his hobby to care about the necessaries of life."</p> - -<p>"He might care for the decencies, anyway," retorted the barrister. "As -the lord of the manor, why don't you insist upon his keeping the place -in repair?"</p> - -<p>"The living is not in my gift, Carrington, and I have no right to -interfere in any way. Leigh is the last descendant of an old family -who camped ages ago in this parish. The living is all that remains of -what they once possessed, and the vicar exists on a miserable stipend -of two hundred a year."</p> - -<p>"And you have four thousand per annum.--What about your tithes?"</p> - -<p>"Tithes come from land, and save the park I have no land. My -grandfather sold what we owned and invested the proceeds in various -companies. My income is derived from stocks and shares. My tithe -represents a small amount."</p> - -<p>"Still, you might house your spiritual adviser better, Hendle."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so. I look after the poor in the parish, and as one of -the churchwardens I see that the church is all right. If Leigh choses -to live in this way I can't prevent him. He's quite happy so long as -he has a bed and a fire and a roof, with bread and cheese and his -beloved books. What is the use of my giving him money to buy more -volumes?"</p> - -<p>Carrington nodded comprehendingly. "I understand. There are some -people you cannot help, however much you may wish to."</p> - -<p>"Precisely," murmured the big man indolently. "Leigh knows that I am -willing to do anything in reason, but that I don't hold with his -wasting money on books. His time also. The parson is here to look -after his cure of souls; not to encourage a selfish hobby. Leigh loves -books and dreams books and lives books and would spend a fortune in -buying books. There is nothing he would not do to purchase more."</p> - -<p>"A kind of clerical Eugene Aram?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no," replied Rupert hastily. "Leigh would never do wrong even to -gratify his craze for books. He is a gentle soul."</p> - -<p>"A character at all events, if nothing else," observed the barrister -dryly.</p> - -<p>In response to Hendle's loud rapping on the rusty panels of the door -with the knob of his walking stick a slovenly, fat, old female waddled -into sight, wiping her hands on a coarse apron. Her stout looks were -in direct contradiction to the lean appearance of the place; but, -judging from her inflamed countenance, these might have been due to a -constant consumption of beer. She was arrayed in a dingy cotton gown, -so dirty that it was difficult to guess at its original color, and her -gray hair was as dishevelled as her shoes and stockings were untidy. -This frowzy lady, who answered to the odd name of Selina Jabber, -received the visitors with a good-natured smile which twinkled all -over her plump face.</p> - -<p>"To think, sir, that you should find me like this before I'm smartened -for the afternoon," she cried, volubly addressing Rupert; "but washing -has to be done, say what you like, though I do say that the master -don't give me more to do than my weakness can deal with."</p> - -<p>Talking all the time, the housekeeper had conducted the amused men -through an entrance hall, narrowed by books heaped on the oilcloth, -through a passage lined with crowded shelves and into a large bare -room which appeared to be built up of many volumes. The walls could -not be seen for these, and they were also piled in little heaps on the -uncarpeted floor. The only articles of furniture were a large round -table covered with green baize, standing directly in front of the -undraped window, and a chair before it in which Mr. Leigh sat with a -heavy tome on his knee. In spite of the sunshine pouring in, the -apartment looked bleak and dreary, as there was no fireplace and no -adornments or comforts of any sort. The vicar, a tall, lean, dreamy -man with an ascetic, clean-shaven face and calm blue eyes, raised his -head in response to the continuous ding-dong of Mrs. Jabber's voice:</p> - -<p>"Mr. Hendle and a gent from London, sir; Mr. Hendle and a gent from -London, sir; Mr. Hendle and----"</p> - -<p>"That will do, Mrs. Jabber," interrupted the vicar in a dignified -manner, and revealing the pundit in tone and accent. "You can go."</p> - -<p>"You mustn't mind Mrs. Jabber, Rupert," said the vicar mildly. "She is -quite a character. And this----"</p> - -<p>"Is my friend, Mr. Carrington. I wished him to meet you before he went -away."</p> - -<p>"I am pleased to see you, Mr. Carrington," said Leigh, offering a dry, -cold hand and giving the barrister a more searching glance than one -would have expected from so mild a man. "I fancy I remember Rupert -mentioning you as an old schoolfellow of Rugby days."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes. We were great friends at school, and I am glad to renew our -acquaintance, as you may guess, Mr. Leigh."</p> - -<p>"Quite so, quite so. And what's doing in London?" inquired the vicar -in a weary manner as if he felt it incumbent upon him to manufacture -conversation in which he took not the slightest interest.</p> - -<p>Rupert sat down on one pile of books--as there were no chairs--and -Carrington on another pile, while the barrister gave the latest -metropolitan gossip and the squire smoked stolidly. Mr. Leigh drew up -his threadbare black trousers, showing socks of different color and -pattern, and sat down to take his book again on his knee. His face was -handsome in a refined and gentle way: he had scanty white hair and -excellent teeth, which looked genuine: hands and feet slender and -elegant, suggested race, and he had the stooping shoulders of a -student. Carrington, observing him narrowly while he talked in a -desultory manner, saw that here was the last withered branch of an -ancient family tree. The sap of the race was exhausted in Simon Leigh, -and he looked as though his frail organization could not last much -longer. There was no fire in him: only the slowly fading heat of dying -ashes. Remembering what Hendle had said about the vicar's craze for -books he attempted to interest him in that direction, as Mr. Leigh -appeared to be wholly indifferent to news of the busy world.</p> - -<p>"You are fond of archæology, I believe, sir," mentioned the barrister, -glancing round the truly scholarly room.</p> - -<p>"I am devoted to it, Mr. Carrington," replied the student, his calm -eyes flashing into vivid life. "Antiquities, ancient customs, the -usages of the Middle Ages and Classic times, together with the -traditions of religious belief and ceremony appeal more to my -understanding than anything else."</p> - -<p>"Humph!" grunted the Squire pointedly, "surely as a parson----"</p> - -<p>"We have frequently argued on the subject, you hint at, Rupert," said -Mr. Leigh hastily. "But as your views differ from mine, we have, as -yet, not arrived at any agreement. As a parson I trust that I do my -duty, though it may be that I am not the ideal of a parish priest."</p> - -<p>Hendle colored at this dignified rebuke. "I apologize, sir, but you -rather mistake my true meaning. What I implied was that you are more -of a scholar than a parson."</p> - -<p>"I admit that, Rupert. Had I lived in monastic days, I should have -been a hermit or a monk. My wants are few, and I do not seek the -loaves and fishes of ecclesiastical preferment. The services of the -church; occasional visits to my parishioners and giving of what alms -my small means allow are my duties as a Clerk in Holy Orders. But what -time otherwise is at my disposal I give to books, to the examination -of old buildings, to the study of ancient customs, and such-like -matters. You see I am frank, Mr. Carrington."</p> - -<p>"And very original," said the barrister heartily, "it is a great -pleasure to meet one whose views are other than commonplace. And what -a tremendous number of books you have."</p> - -<p>"You are like that clergyman in Scott's novel, <i>St. Ronan's -Well</i>," said Hendle, removing his pipe for a moment. "What's his -name--Cargill."</p> - -<p>"I never waste my hours reading novels," said Leigh loftily.</p> - -<p>"I should think they would be more entertaining than these -parchments," suggested Carrington, looking at the writing table, which -was littered profusely with dusty documents covered with crabbed -characters.</p> - -<p>"No! No! No!" cried Leigh vivaciously, and laid a thin hand on his -beloved dry-as-dust pamphlets. "Nothing can be more entertaining than -deciphering these deeds. Leases and proclamations, accounts and -registrations: all of various reigns and all written in the dog Latin -of knightly days. And it ill becomes you, Rupert," added the vicar in -a mildly jesting way, "to reproach me with my besetting sin, when you -pander to it by permitting me access to your Muniment Room."</p> - -<p>"Muniment Room," echoed the barrister.</p> - -<p>"It would not interest you, Mr. Carrington, believe me," said the -vicar jealously, "as young men do not care to inspect such treasures. -I can tell you all about the most interesting documents and can show -you what is worthy of note, if indeed you care for such lofty -learning. But don't meddle with the chest and its contents, I beg. -They are too valuable to be lightly handled."</p> - -<p>Rupert laughed and nodded. "I believe that Mr. Leigh grudges even me -meddling with the deeds and documents. He thinks that I am an unworthy -guardian of such literary treasures."</p> - -<p>"I think they are quite safe," said Carrington, looking with disdain -on the time-worn and soiled parchments rustling under the vicar's thin -fingers. "No one will seek to deprive Mr. Leigh of his weary -delights."</p> - -<p>"Weary! Ah, my dear sir, you don't know what joy it is to pore over -these glorious relics of monkish days. They give in wonderful detail -the history of Barship, when it was quite a noted port."</p> - -<p>"Port? Why, it's an inland parish."</p> - -<p>"Now it is," cried the vicar eagerly and now settled in the saddle of -his hobby-horse, "but in the reign of Henry III, Barship was built -round a commodious harbor. The sea has retired these many miles, and -the village which was once a bustling town is now scarcely known."</p> - -<p>"Well, I must say that information is very interesting," said -Carrington.</p> - -<p>"Isn't it? And there are many other things just as interesting. I am -writing a history of our parish from these documents here and others -which are in the Muniment Room of the Big House. It will take me years -to complete, but when ready it will form a book of surpassing -interest."</p> - -<p>At this moment, Carrington heard the door open softly. He turned his -head, as did Rupert at the sound, to see a stout, black-bearded man -standing on the threshold. He came in with a padding step like a cat, -and scowled when he saw that the vicar had visitors.</p> - -<p>"How are you, Mr. Mallien?" said Hendle with a good-natured nod. "This -is my friend Carrington, who was at school with me."</p> - -<p>"How do," said Mallien gruffly, and with an air of resenting -Carrington's return greeting. "Beastly day--far too hot. Pouf! how -this room smells of sheepskin. Why don't you drag Leigh out for a -walk, Rupert?"</p> - -<p>"The age of miracles is past," said the young Squire dryly. "You see -that even your entrance cannot rouse the vicar from his studies."</p> - -<p>"Vicar! Vicar!" said Mallien gruffly and tapped the parson's shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Go away! go away! I'm busy," said Leigh peevishly; then, keeping his -finger on a line of crabbed writing he had reached, he looked up. "Oh, -Mr. Mallien, I beg pardon. What do you want?"</p> - -<p>"Dorinda has brought you some flowers for the altar," said Mallien, -"so I came with her. She <i>would</i> drag me out, although I didn't want -to tire myself on this hot day."</p> - -<p>"Is the day hot?" inquired the vicar absently. "Flowers. Thank you. -Mrs. Jabber has the key of the church."</p> - -<p>"Is Dorinda here!" questioned Hendle, making for the door with -alacrity; "I must go and see her. Look after Carrington," he called -back as he disappeared, and the vicar shook his head irritably at the -sound of his raised voice.</p> - -<p>Mallien did not obey his cousin's request by making himself agreeable -to the visitor who was thus given into his charge. He stared at -Carrington and Carrington stared at him, while Mr. Leigh droned in an -undertone like a bee over his newly discovered fact of military -occupation. The barrister saw before him a little man, less in height -than himself and considerably stouter, dressed comfortably in a suit -of loosely fitting gray homespun. Mallien's most noticeable point was -the extraordinary quantity of jewelry he wore, which suggested Jewish -blood. And indeed his face with its hooked nose and deeply black eyes -hinted at the Hebrew. His dark hair and dark beard were flecked with -gray, but his fresh, unwrinkled complexion made him appear much -younger than he really was. He did not look at all an amiable person. -And Carrington quite believed that Rupert had spoken truly when he had -hinted at his cousin's misanthropic nature. Here assuredly was Timon -of Athens in modern dress, glaring at the barrister as if he wondered -why he presumed to exist. The man's manner was disagreeable and when -he spoke his speech was pointedly aggressive.</p> - -<p>"I know why you are staring," said Mr. Mallien in abrupt and -unfriendly tone. "Everyone stares in the same way, confound their -insolence. It's my jewelry, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Why, yes!" said Carrington, matching this insolence. "You are as -bedizened as a Hindoo idol on its feast day."</p> - -<p>"You speak plainly," growled Mallien with a crushing look.</p> - -<p>"So do you," retorted Carrington, who was not to be crushed. "We are -well matched, it seems."</p> - -<p>"I am older than you and require to be treated politely," snapped the -other.</p> - -<p>"Because everyone has hitherto gone down before your bullying ways, -confound you," replied the barrister, getting in his thrust. "Don't -you find plain speech a refreshing novelty?"</p> - -<p>"Ah! what," Mr. Leigh looked up. "Presently, Mrs. Jabber--presently. I -am not yet hungry. Go away. Oh, Mallien, I beg your pardon! When did -you arrive? Will you stop to luncheon?"</p> - -<p>"And eat the potted tongue your housekeeper has been talking about to -Dorinda?" queried Mallien with grim rudeness. "No thanks. I have more -regard for my stomach."</p> - -<p>The vicar scarcely heard the retort, as he had already returned to the -study of his soiled parchment.</p> - -<p>"Do you know of any spot in the parish where a circumvallation is -discernible, Mr. Mallien?" he said, half to himself.</p> - -<p>"No, sir, I don't. And as I have no aeroplane I can't soar to the -clouds where your wits are at present. I shall take my leave -straightway. Good day;" and he departed forthwith. Carrington, amused -by Mallien's brusque leave-taking, picked up his cap to follow so -judicious an example since the vicar, really being in the clouds, was -unable to attend to chance visitors. "Good day, Mr. Leigh," he said, -moving toward the door; but, no notice being taken, he repeated his -farewell in louder tones. "Good day, Mr. Leigh."</p> - -<p>"Oh, good day, good day, good day," snapped the student irritably.</p> - -<p>Leaving Mr. Leigh murmuring comments, and fumbling amongst the flotsam -and jetsam of the Middle Ages, the barrister walked leisurely along -the book-lined passage, through the book-littered entrance hall and -emerged into the desolation of the surrounding jungle. Rupert and Miss -Mallien were conspicuous by their absence, and the gruff individual -left in charge of Carrington was waiting restlessly. He waved his hand -when the visitor appeared.</p> - -<p>"Did you ever see such a pig sty?" he growled with the voice of an -ourangoutang, which beast he greatly resembled, "and Leigh is exactly -suited to it. As the man is so are his surroundings: his mind is as -muddled as his garden. And this addle-pated parson is supposed to be -the spiritual father of the parish. Pah! Come and look at the lordly -pleasure grounds. Rupert asked me to look after you, so I must, I -suppose. Did you ever see such a rotten place?" he asked -contemptuously.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes! You are showing me nothing new," replied Carrington, who -took a delight in exasperating the man's temper.</p> - -<p>"I shan't show you anything more," growled Mallien sullenly, "and -after all I'm dashed silly to bother myself in this way."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't quite see----Oh!" His face twisted with pain as he spoke.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter with you?" demanded Mallien crossly.</p> - -<p>"Toothache! I have had a twinge or two lately and I expect that this -damp place"--Carrington looked up at the dark overhanging boughs--"has -brought back the pain. I shall have to see a doctor when I go to -town."</p> - -<p>"You can see a doctor here, if you like," said Mallien roughly, and -pushed his way back to the avenue. "Dr. Tollart lives at the end of -the village. Anyone will tell you where he is to be found."</p> - -<p>"Thanks," said the barrister as they paused by the rickety gate. "You -are kinder than you mean to be."</p> - -<p>"I'm not. I want to get rid of you," fumed Mallien, turning on his -heel. "You can go to the doctor or to the devil for all I care."</p> - -<p>Carrington saw the little man vanishing with great speed round the -corner and laughed at the oddity of his character. Then he walked -through the village and soon found Tollart's house. The doctor proved -to be within and speedily gave his patient something to take away the -aching. It was only a makeshift of course, but Carrington was glad -enough to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling. After paying half a -crown he went away leisurely, and by the time he reached the gates of -the park felt much better.</p> - -<p>Strolling up the avenue, Carrington suddenly began to shiver in the -warm sunshine, and was greatly surprised that he should do so. It -seemed unreasonable and certainly was unexpected.</p> - -<p>"Strange," he muttered with a shrug; "now a superstitious person would -say that I was walking over my grave. Pooh!" he laughed, but -nevertheless shivered again.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_03" href="#div1Ref_03">CHAPTER III</a></h4> -<h5>LOVERS</h5> -<br> - -<p>In justice to Handle, it must be said that he by no means intended to -desert his friend, even though the enthralling society of Dorinda -might have proved an excuse for his forgetfulness. But far from -wishing for the barrister's absence, Rupert had left a message with -his future father-in-law, requesting Carrington to see the church, -after taking leave of the vicar. Out of what the Yankees term "sheer -cussedness," Mallien had not delivered the message, and every moment -Hendle expected the appearance of his friend, quite ignorant that -Carrington was already on his way to The Big House. And thinking that -the barrister was being entertained--as one of his cynical character -would be--by Mallien's rudeness and Leigh's quaint ways, the young -Squire forgot all about his old school chum for the time being. This -was very natural, seeing that Dorinda was beside him, and he therefore -had no eyes or ears save for her.</p> - -<p>"Get a can of water," directed Dorinda, as they passed from the -vicarage jungle into the trim slopes of the churchyard, "and bring it -to me as soon as possible. You will find me in the porch arranging the -flowers."</p> - -<p>Readily consenting to this division of labor, the Squire went to find -Mrs. Jabber and the necessary can, while Dorinda, already possessed of -the key, unlocked the great oaken door under the porch. With her arms -filled with roses, she entered into the chill twilight of the little -fane: chill because the thick walls prevented the summer heat from -penetrating into the interior of the building and twilight since -the sunshine was more or less baffled by the stained glass of the -windows. As the girl passed up the central aisle, round her were the -squat Norman pillars, above her loomed the criss-cross rafters of -time-darkened oak, and beneath her feet was the storied pavement -inlaid with many a quaintly lettered brass plate praising the virtues -of the dead in monkish Latin. Before her, under the glorious hues of -the east window, rose the altar, draped in white and gold with single -and triple silver candlesticks glittering on either side of the tall -brass cross. The vases--also silver--were filled with mixed ill-chosen -flowers gathered anyhow and arranged anyhow by Mrs. Jabber, whose eye -was anything but artistic. After breathing a short prayer, Dorinda, -who had left her roses on a convenient seat, took the vases off the -altar and out of the church. Having shaken out the flowers, she -brought her crimson blooms into the porch and sat down on the side -seat to fulfil what was to her a very pleasant duty. Rupert arrived -with the can of water, and the information--obtained from Mrs. -Jabber--that both Mallien and Carrington had gone home.</p> - -<p>"I expect your father forgot to deliver my message," said the Squire, -setting down the green can and taking a seat opposite to the girl.</p> - -<p>"It is more likely that my father never intended to give it," replied -Dorinda with a shrug.</p> - -<p>"Why shouldn't he?"</p> - -<p>"Because it was a reasonable thing to do, and my father is never -reasonable, as you know."</p> - -<p>"Carrington will think me rude."</p> - -<p>"Not if he can see through a brick wall. And from what you have told -me about him, Rupert, I think his eyes are quite keen enough to do so. -There is one thing to be said," observed Miss Mallien, rather piqued -by the barrister's neglect, "that your friend isn't anxious to see -me."</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, he is very eager," Rupert assured her hastily.</p> - -<p>"Does his going back to the Big House look like it?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, I expect he had some delicacy in interrupting our <i>tête-à-tête</i>, -Dorinda."</p> - -<p>"There's something in that," replied Miss Mallien, dexterously binding -her bunches of roses loosely together, "and his action speaks well for -him. Perhaps I shall like him better than I expect to, Rupert."</p> - -<p>The Squire looked up in astonishment from his task of brimming the -altar vases with spring water. "Why shouldn't you like him in any -case?"</p> - -<p>"Well," Dorinda placed a bunch of flowers in a vase and put her head -on one side to note the effect, "you say that Mr. Carrington is -cynical, and I don't like cynical people. I have had so much cynicism -from my father that it is impossible to stand more of it from another -person."</p> - -<p>"Oh, it's only a pose with Carrington. He's really a good fellow."</p> - -<p>"If he is, why can't he show that he is? My dear Rupert, I never did -believe in those people, who have hearts of gold and bad manners: who -lend you money with a blow, and with the best intentions bully you -into cheerfulness."</p> - -<p>"What odd things you say, Dorinda," murmured Rupert, not knowing if -she was speaking in earnest or in fun. "Carrington hasn't bad manners -unless his going away without seeing you----"</p> - -<p>"No! No! That may be delicacy," she interrupted swiftly. "I dare say -he's really a nice man, and I shall like him very much. But remember, -dear, that knowing you has raised my standard. I shall expect him to -be very, very nice."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Dorinda, don't put me on a pedestal," said Hendle, at once -dismayed and pleased. "I am a very prosaic person."</p> - -<p>"Then I like prosaic persons."</p> - -<p>"And Carrington is very brilliant," went on Rupert stolidly, as he -tugged at his moustache to induce thoughts for his friend's defense.</p> - -<p>"You are quite brilliant enough for me, my dear boy." She rose -suddenly, and taking his face between her hands kissed him twice. -"There and there. Why are you so exasperatingly modest?"</p> - -<p>"Am I?" asked Rupert, wondering why he had received the caress.</p> - -<p>Dorinda laughed. Indeed, she could do nothing else, since Hendle -was so very literal in his acceptation of her remarks. "You're a -sweet-tempered donkey, my dear," she said lightly. "Now you take those -two vases and I'll take these two. Come along."</p> - -<p>Shortly the altar glowed with the crimson splendor of the roses, and -their delicate fragrance was wafted through the chancel. Then the -lovers left the church and sauntered back to the Vicarage, with the -key for Mrs. Jabber, with offended dignity.</p> - -<p>Miss Mallien was well worth looking at, as she was a gracious and -stately maiden, well fitted to be the mate of the Saxon giant. Dorinda -was as tall for a woman as Rupert was for a man, and carried herself -with the same imposing dignity. Her dark hair and deeply blue eyes -hinted at an Irish strain, and her vivacity was also Hibernian. But to -this fascination, which had to do with the race of the sister isle, -Dorinda added much English common sense, so that her romantic dreams -never overrode her matter-of-fact instincts. She loved her cousin for -his staunch honesty and attractive simplicity of character, since in -these qualities he represented the exact opposite of her father. For -this last-mentioned individual, whom she had the misfortune to call -her parent, Dorinda did not entertain much respect, and hoped by -marrying Rupert to escape from a companionship which was very -disagreeable to her. It was only Hendle's wealth which induced Mallien -to consent to the marriage; but, even had he objected, Dorinda would -have held to her engagement. Rupert was her man of men, and, while he -held her hands and looked at her with grave admiration, she thought -how fortunate she was in securing such a mate. She esteemed his -devotion more than much fine gold.</p> - -<p>"My father will be waiting for me at the cottage," said Dorinda; as -she strolled away again.</p> - -<p>"A little disappointment won't harm him," said Hendle coolly, for he -had not much sympathy with Mallien's selfish nature; "and I want you -to meet Carrington. He leaves for London after dinner, and you won't -meet him again for some time. Say yes."</p> - -<p>"Yes," responded Dorinda, who really felt considerable curiosity -concerning the object of Hendle's Rugby hero worship; "but father will -be cross."</p> - -<p>"I never knew father when he wasn't cross," retorted her lover, as -they resumed their walk and entered the village square. "He's an -infliction. I tell you what, Dorinda, the best thing we can do is to -marry before the roses fade."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Rupert, you are getting quite poetical."</p> - -<p>"Am I?" asked Rupert, surprised. "That's strange, when I don't like -poetry."</p> - -<p>"I must teach you to like it, dear."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" said Rupert, rather at sea, "you mean, I suppose, that we have -much to learn from one another."</p> - -<p>"Something of that sort."</p> - -<p>"You shall do exactly as you like, dear," said her lover, as they came -in sight of the house. "Why, here is Mrs. Beatson."</p> - -<p>A tall, lean woman, with a sour and discontented face and an elegant -figure issued from a side walk with a basket of flowers. Anyone could -see that Hendle's housekeeper was a lady by birth, just as anyone -could see that she was not an amiable woman. She was like Mallien, and -had a tendency to look upon human beings as her mortal enemies, since, -liking luxury, she had never been able to indulge her fancies. Left a -widow with one son, she had taken the post of housekeeper some five -years before Carrington's visit, and on the whole performed her -duties admirably. But, being disappointed in not leading an idle -life with sufficient money to gratify her whims, she always went about -with an aggrieved air. It was only Rupert's kind-heartedness which -permitted her to stay at The Big House, and visitors--Carrington among -them--wondered how he could put up with such a wet blanket. Few people -care to have a kind of Christian martyr at their elbow from morning to -night.</p> - -<p>"How are you, Miss Mallien?" said Mrs. Beatson, greeting Dorinda -stiffly. "I am just gathering flowers for the dinner table. You will -have an early dinner to-night, Mr. Hendle, will you not, as Mr. -Carrington is leaving early?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I think I told you, Mrs. Beatson. We dine at six-thirty. By the -way, I met Kit in the village; he looks well."</p> - -<p>"He never comes near me to see if he's well or ill," rejoined the -housekeeper bitterly. "He's a bad boy."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, Mrs. Beatson," chimed in Dorinda. "Kit is a very good boy. We -are all very fond of him."</p> - -<p>"Ah, you don't know him as well as I do," said Mrs. Beatson, shaking -her head sadly. "He is--but I need not tell you, as you will find out -soon enough for yourselves. Excuse me, Mr. Hendle, and you, Miss -Mallien, but I must go in with my flowers. And there is Mr. Carrington -at the drawing-room window."</p> - -<p>With a stiff bow Mrs. Beatson disappeared, while Dorinda shrugged her -shoulders. She never approved of Mrs. Beatson's martyr-like airs, -which were wholly unnecessary, seeing what a comfortable situation she -had. However, there was no time to think about the widow, for -Carrington, slipping out of the front door, came down the terrace -steps. He looked young and handsome and debonair, evidently presenting -his very best side for the inspection of his friend's betrothed. -Indeed, having caught sight of the couple from the drawing-room -window, he had hastened to come out, with the intention of breaking -the ice with the young lady in a light and airy manner. Mr. Carrington -had a great belief in first impressions.</p> - -<p>"I have eaten all the cakes and have drunk all the tea, Hendle," he -said, gaily; "but, had I known that Miss Mallien was to honor the tea -table, I should have restrained my appetite. How do you do, Miss -Mallien? Since Hendle will not introduce me, I must do myself. Behold -a briefless barrister, Dean Carrington by name, who is delighted to -meet you."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," replied Dorinda, shaking hands, and wondering why the man -was so emphatically agreeable. Perhaps a touch of her father's -misanthropy made her suspicious, or perhaps Carrington rather overdid -his welcome. "I am glad to meet you. Rupert has often spoken about -you."</p> - -<p>"I hope he has said nice things," rattled on the barrister, as the -trio returned to the house. "You see, he only remembers what a nice -person I was at Rugby, and it is years since we met. I may have -changed for the worse."</p> - -<p>"I don't see any change in you," replied Hendle, with mild surprise. -"Don't undervalue yourself, Carrington. Why didn't you come on to the -church?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps you didn't know that we were there," suggested Dorinda. "My -father may have forgotten to deliver Rupert's message."</p> - -<p>"Oh no. The message was delivered right enough, Miss Mallien. But I -have been young myself, and never, never, never spoil sport."</p> - -<p>"You talk as if you were a hundred," remarked Hendle, as they began -the meal.</p> - -<p>"So I am, in experience of the seamy side of life. You, my dear -fellow, are about five years of age. I expect you have found that out, -Miss Mallien. He is the most unsophisticated youth, who has been -wrapped up in cotton wool all his life, knowing disagreeables only -from the newspapers and novels."</p> - -<p>"I think that Rupert is less unsophisticated than you think," replied -Dorinda, a trifle dryly, for she did not admire Carrington's easy tone -of patronage toward her lover. "And why do you say that you expect I -have found that out? I may be unsophisticated also."</p> - -<p>"You are everything that is charming," said Carrington alertly, "but, -having met your father, I think that you are not to be taken in by -people."</p> - -<p>Dorinda colored, knowing well what the keen-witted barrister meant. -However, she endeavored to turn his point by altering slightly a -well-worn quotation. "To know him is a liberal education, I suppose -you mean," she said, lightly. "Don't take my father too seriously, Mr. -Carrington. His bark is worse than his bite."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I am sure of that," replied Carrington, who was sure of nothing -of the sort. "We both barked at one another until the Vicarage jungle -rang. We hope to meet again, Miss Mallien, and renew our contest of -wits. By the way, to go to another subject--the Vicar. What a man, and -what surroundings!"</p> - -<p>"He is quite a character," laughed Dorinda, "but the dearest old man -in the world."</p> - -<p>The conversation continued, mostly in a bantering way, for some time, -and then, tea finished, Rupert proposed to see Dorinda to the gates of -the park. "If you don't mind being left alone, Carrington."</p> - -<p>"Not at all; not at all. Gather ye rosebuds," said the barrister, -lightly; "good day and good-bye until our next happy meeting, Miss -Mallien."</p> - -<p>With a smile which masked her true feelings--for she resented -Carrington's manner; it seemed to her while having tea that he had -attempted to make Rupert look small--Dorinda passed out of the -drawing-room and into the hall. Hendle put on his cap and accompanied -her down the avenue, while the barrister stood at the door and waved a -farewell. But when they were far enough away to prevent seeing or -hearing, his brow grew dark. "Confound that Hendle," he muttered; "he -has all the good things of this world. A fine house; a large income; a -delightful betrothed, and magnificent health. If I were an envious -man--ha!" He drew a long breath, and then turned sharply, as some one -passed through the hall.</p> - -<p>It was Mrs. Beatson, who always had a habit of coming and going in a -ghostly fashion. Carrington was not sure if she had overheard, as he -always was suspicious of people's sharp ears. And he had spoken -somewhat loud. However, if she had been eavesdropping, there was -nothing for it but to risk the chance of her repeating his not very -wise speech to Hendle. However, again, the barrister thought that if -the housekeeper did babble, he would be quite able to deal with such a -fool as the squire. Therefore he gave Mrs. Beatson a bland smile, -which she returned with a sour one, and climbed up the stairs to his -room.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, at the gate, Hendle was asking Dorinda a question. "I think -you'll find me a dull sort of fellow after Carrington," he said -ruefully.</p> - -<p>"My dear," replied the girl, throwing her arms round his neck. "I -would not exchange you for one hundred and ten Carringtons."</p> - -<p>"You don't like him?" questioned Hendle, greatly surprised.</p> - -<p>"No," answered Miss Mallien, "I don't. He's double-faced. We'll hand -him over to father. He can deal with him," and in spite of Hendle's -objections, she went away repeating her doubts of the brilliant -barrister.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_04" href="#div1Ref_04">CHAPTER IV</a></h4> -<h5>THE COTTAGE</h5> -<br> - -<p>For a widower with one grown-up daughter, Mr. Julius Mallien was very -well off on an income of five hundred a year, for which he did not do -a stroke of work. Like the lilies of the field he toiled not, neither -did he spin, and, if not quite a Solomon-in-all-his-glory, he was -quite comfortable, enjoying some of the luxuries of life as well as -all the necessities. Born lazy and idle, he had never earned a single -penny for himself during the fifty-odd years of his existence. First -he had lived on his father and mother; afterward on his wife. Now that -all three were dead, he managed to exist in a pleasantly easy way on -the accumulated moneys they had left him. His picturesque six-roomed -cottage, standing in a quarter acre of garden on the outskirts of -Barship, was rented from the Squire at twenty pounds a year, yet he -grumbled like an Irish tenant at the exactions of his landlord. -Dorinda, with the aid of one small servant, looked after the house, -and Mallien was quite untroubled with domestic details. His daughter -catered for him in strict accordance with his tastes, wholly setting -her own aside, and from one year to another there was no change in the -economy of the establishment. It therefore came about in quite a -natural manner that Mr. Mallien spent the greater part of his income -on himself.</p> - -<p>"I shall allow you so much for housekeeping and so much to dress on," -he said to Dorinda, when she returned from school to become his -companion, or rather his domestic drudge. "One hundred pounds yearly -must cover all expenses, food, servants, clothes and rent; and if you -exceed that, you'll hear about it."</p> - -<p>As it took Dorinda some time to get used to this scrimping, she -frequently made mistakes, and did hear about it. In fact, she was -scolded so often that she became quite callous to her father's -tempers, and finally, when he went too far, the girl who was not -lacking in spirit, told him what she thought of his selfish conduct. -There was a royal row, in which Dorinda came off best, and when things -were again settled Mallien was careful not to provoke her anger again -more than his disagreeable temper could help. On the whole, father and -daughter got on very well together, but there was little affection -displayed by either of them: on Mallien's part because he hated what -he called sentiment, and on Dorinda's because her egotistical parent -always kept her at arm's length. The boy-and-girl love of Miss Mallien -for her cousin, which had strengthened into the staunch love of man -and woman, was the sole thing which enabled the girl to endure the -drab existence at The Cottage. It was always something to look forward -to that one day she would become Rupert's wife, and then would be quit -forever of her father's uncomfortable whims.</p> - -<p>Not that Mallien gave his daughter much of his society. His hobby was -jewel collecting, and Dorinda took no interest in such things. For a -woman, she was inexplicably indifferent to gems, and lace, and clothes -and amusement, so that her father voted her a bore and went his own -way. In his particular room--which was the most comfortable in the -cottage--he remained, constantly arranging and polishing and admiring -the precious stones in their many mahogany cases. Not being rich, his -collection was necessarily a small one, although every jewel -represented a bargain and had a history attached to it. But Mallien -was always lamenting that he could not purchase historic gems, and -envied the long purse of his cousin, the young Squire. However, he -hoped to draw upon this when Dorinda became Mrs. Hendle, as Rupert had -promised to double his income to make up for the loss of the girl. She -objected.</p> - -<p>"I feel as if father was selling me," she told Rupert when matters -were settled on this basis. "He won't feel my being away a bit, except -that he will miss his favorite dishes and the way in which I manage to -make both ends meet. You shouldn't have agreed, Rupert."</p> - -<p>"My dear," said her lover, with much common sense. "I think it is -cheap at the price, to get rid of such a disagreeable man. What I give -your father will enable him to indulge more freely in his expensive -hobby; consequently, he will leave us alone."</p> - -<p>"No, he won't," contradicted Dorinda, who knew her father's -persistence. "When he hears of some particularly rare jewel, he will -come and bother you for money to buy it."</p> - -<p>"He won't get it," retorted Rupert, dryly. "I can be quite as -obstinate as your father. With what he has, he will have one thousand -a year, so he must do the best he can with that. I am doing my best to -settle things fairly and peacefully, but if your father wants trouble, -I am not the man to deny him any in reason."</p> - -<p>Dorinda laughed and gave way, although she still resented her father -making money out of her marriage. But Mallien, being one of those men -who is a curse to himself and to everyone around him, could not be -treated in any other way, and could make himself very disagreeable -when on his mettle. Besides, Dorinda knowing what Rupert's temper was -when aroused, dreaded lest there should be an open quarrel. Mallien -would certainly have come off worst in any encounter; but, as he was -her father, she did not wish for such a <i>contretemps</i>. She and Rupert -had been engaged for two years when Carrington came down to Barship, -and hitherto all had gone smoothly. But a few days after the -barrister's departure, Mallien began to make himself unpleasant. "I -don't see why Rupert can't marry you next month," he said, fretfully, -one morning at breakfast. "You've been engaged long enough."</p> - -<p>"So we both think," replied Dorinda, who was pouring out the coffee, -looking particularly fresh and charming in a white linen frock. "But -you have always objected, you know."</p> - -<p>"I don't wish to lose my daughter," growled the misanthrope, clutching -at his black beard and scowling.</p> - -<p>"That is very sweet of you, father, but you mustn't sacrifice five -hundred a year for my society."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that, you minx?"</p> - -<p>"Is it so hard to understand?" asked Dorinda coolly.</p> - -<p>"It's not what a daughter should say to a father."</p> - -<p>"Well, you see, so much depends upon the sort of father one says it -to."</p> - -<p>"Honor your father and your mother," quoted Mallien, crossly.</p> - -<p>"Parents, be mindful of your children," retorted the girl. "Oh, I can -match you, quotation for quotation, if you like, father; I have been -exercising my memory in this respect when talking to Mr. Carrington."</p> - -<p>"Carrington! Carrington. I forbid you to mention his name. I have -already given you my opinion of that impertinent pig----"</p> - -<p>"Frequently," interpolated Dorinda crisply.</p> - -<p>"----And I won't allow him to be spoken of. You have just mentioned -the reason why I think you should get married straightway."</p> - -<p>Dorinda set down the marmalade with surprise. "What can Mr. Carrington -have to do with our marriage?" she inquired, staring.</p> - -<p>Mallien wriggled. "Rupert's a fool to bring the fellow down here," he -burst out furiously. "He's a sponge, and a son of the horse-leech, who -will get all the money he can from Rupert."</p> - -<p>"I don't see why you should say that," protested the girl. "Mr. -Carrington did not give me that impression."</p> - -<p>"Well, he gave it to me," grumbled her father, eating sullenly; "and -if you allow him to get hold of Rupert--who is a fool, as I said -before--your marriage will be indefinitely postponed. I won't have it; -I won't have it, I tell you," cried the stout little man, jumping up -in a fine rage. "If Rupert's money should be given to anyone, it -should be given to me."</p> - -<p>"Well, as soon as I am Rupert's wife, you will have five hundred a -year," said Dorinda soothingly.</p> - -<p>"What's five hundred a year?" said Mallien, contemptuously. "I want -the whole four thousand. There's a blue sapphire in Paris I wish to -get hold of."</p> - -<p>Dorinda shrugged her shoulders calmly, being quite used to her -father's explosive nature. "You can't expect Rupert to give you all -his income," she observed in measured tones. "He is paying a good -price for me, seeing that I go to him without a dowry."</p> - -<p>"You shall have my jewels and my income when I die," growled her -father, as he sat down again. "Any money he gives me, comes back to -you. But if Rupert was to die----"</p> - -<p>"Father!" Dorinda uttered a startled cry of pain.</p> - -<p>"There! There!" snarled Mallien testily. "I don't mean that he is -going to die, you silly girl. But he's mortal and <i>may</i> die."</p> - -<p>"God forbid! But if he did----" she hesitated, then uttered the word -faintly, "--die?"</p> - -<p>"Then I would have The Big House and the four thousand a year," said -Mallien brutally. "You seem to forget that we are both descended from -John Hendle, who died in the Waterloo year."</p> - -<p>"I have never given a thought to it," said Dorinda uneasily, as she -did not approve of her father starting this hare.</p> - -<p>"Well, you ought to think of it. We descend from the elder son of John -Hendle, and are the older branch."</p> - -<p>"But Rupert descends through the male line, while we come through the -female, father," protested the girl, puzzled by this genealogical -conversation.</p> - -<p>"Pooh! Pooh! There's no entail. Don't look so astonished, Dorinda; I -don't mean to say that I have any claim, though, if everyone had their -rights, we should be at The Big House and Rupert in his beastly -cottage. There would be no need for you to marry him then."</p> - -<p>Dorinda rose with great dignity. "I marry Rupert because I love him, -and if he was a pauper, I should still love him."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you could love him as much as you like," said her father, -carelessly, "but if he were really a pauper, you shouldn't marry him. -I'd see to that."</p> - -<p>Dorinda walked round the table and bent over her father with a look on -her face which made him push back his chair. "You would see to -nothing," she said, very distinctly, and bringing her face close to -that of Mallien. "It is my will and pleasure to marry Rupert, and -nothing you can say or do will prevent my becoming his wife. You -understand?"</p> - -<p>"Who said anything otherwise," growled Mallien savagely, yet -retreating dexterously. "As things stand, I am willing you should -marry him. And, as you talk to me in that way, the sooner you become -his wife and leave me alone the better it will be. Marry to-morrow if -you like."</p> - -<p>"I see," said Dorinda, whose face was perfectly colorless. "You want -the extra five hundred a year to buy this blue sapphire you speak of."</p> - -<p>"Partly. But I also want you to marry Rupert before Carrington--the -beast--squeezes him like a lemon."</p> - -<p>"There is no chance of any squeezing," said Dorinda coldly. "Rupert is -quite capable of looking after himself, even if Mr. Carrington were -after his money, which I see no reason to think that he is."</p> - -<p>"I do! Carrington's a man on the market, if you know what that means."</p> - -<p>"I don't. What does it mean?"</p> - -<p>"One who lives from hand to mouth; one who is always on the make; one -who doesn't mind what he does so long as he can extract a fiver. -Rupert's a fool, and Carrington isn't. There, you have my opinion in a -nutshell."</p> - -<p>"I think you are making a great fuss over nothing, father," said -Dorinda, with disdain. "But I am glad that Mr. Carrington's visit is -likely to hasten our marriage. We can get married next month, and then -you can buy the sapphire when we are on our honeymoon."</p> - -<p>"Sensible girl!" Mallien stood up and wiped his bearded mouth. "Well, -now that we understand one another----?"</p> - -<p>"Do we understand one another?" asked Dorinda, irritated by the whole -unnecessary conversation.</p> - -<p>"Yes!" replied her father, tartly. "I have given my consent to your -marriage taking place at an early date----"</p> - -<p>"Because you want the five hundred a year to buy the blue sapphire."</p> - -<p>"Don't be silly. And I have warned you against letting that -flipperty-flap Carrington gain too much influence over Rupert."</p> - -<p>"A quite unnecessary warning," said the girl, coldly. "You don't like -Mr. Carrington, because he held his own against you."</p> - -<p>"Insolent beast!" growled Mallien, bristling. "And I think you said -that you did not like him yourself."</p> - -<p>"I said that I did not trust him; but he is amusing enough to like as -a companion for all that."</p> - -<p>"You'll find him very amusing when he rifles Rupert's pockets," -sneered the gentle parent, fuming at her opposition.</p> - -<p>"I don't think that there is the least chance of his doing that, as -Rupert--I said this before--is well able to look after himself. -Besides, you have no grounds for saying that Mr. Carrington is a -scamp."</p> - -<p>"A look is enough for me."</p> - -<p>"It's not enough to take away a man's character. And this talk of our -being descended from John Hendle? What do you mean by that?"</p> - -<p>"I don't mean anything particular," responded Mallien, honestly -enough. "It was Leigh who put it into my head."</p> - -<p>"The vicar. And what does he know of our family history?"</p> - -<p>"Much more than we do. He has been scrambling through the papers in -the Muniment Room at The Big House."</p> - -<p>"Well, Rupert gave him permission to look out any documents likely to -prove necessary for writing the history of the parish. You know he is -writing a book."</p> - -<p>Mallien nodded. "He found letters, written by John Hendle, which -showed how much our ancestor regretted that the estates should go to -Frederick Hendle."</p> - -<p>"That is the younger son from whom Rupert is descended?"</p> - -<p>"Exactly. He was a bad lot apparently, Leigh says. Walter, who was the -eldest son and our progenitor, was killed in the Battle of Waterloo, -and he seems to have been the old man's favorite. If Walter had lived, -we should have inherited The Big House and the estates."</p> - -<p>"Well, father," answered Dorinda with a shrug; "Walter didn't live, -and we did not inherit the estates, so I don't see what is the use of -talking."</p> - -<p>"I didn't say that there was any use," retorted Mallien crossly, "only -I thought that the piece of family history discovered by Mr. Leigh -might interest you."</p> - -<p>"It does in a way. But, after all, these family troubles happened -nearly one hundred years ago." Dorinda was looking out of the window -as she made this remark, and broke off suddenly. "Strange!" she said, -staring into the garden.</p> - -<p>"What is strange?"</p> - -<p>"That we should have been talking of Mr. Leigh, for here he is with -Titus Ark as his shadow, as usual. I wonder why he always has Titus at -his heels?"</p> - -<p>"It's a very necessary precaution," said Mallien, grimly; "otherwise, -Leigh is so absent-minded that he would get lost. Leigh has only come -to look again at that Yucatan diary, which my father left me."</p> - -<p>"Does he want to see it?" asked Dorinda, forgetting that Leigh had -seen the diary before.</p> - -<p>"Yes. Your grandfather, as you know, was something of an explorer, and -searched for hidden treasure among the buried cities of Central -America. I was telling Leigh about the diary, and he wants to have -another look at it," Mallien chuckled. "I shouldn't wonder if the old -man wanted to go to Yucatan himself, since he is cracked on old -buildings."</p> - -<p>By this time, the vicar was knocking at the door, and Titus Ark was -staring sourly round the garden. He was the sexton and the vicar's -shadow, a dour ancient, who said little and thought much. Dorinda, not -wishing to see the vicar, who rather bored her with his archeological -discourses, went into the kitchen to attend to her domestic duties, -while her father opened the front door to receive his visitors in his -usual ungracious manner.</p> - -<p>"What on earth brings you here, vicar?" he demanded brusquely, -although he had just explained to his daughter why the visit had been -made; "and why do you always have that old ass at your heels, Mr. -Simon Leigh, parson of Barship Parish, God help the people?" grumbled -Mallien, as he pushed his visitor into a chair and banged the door.</p> - -<p>"Titus," said Leigh in his precise tones. "Oh, we were boys -together--that is, he was a young man when I was a boy. Poor fellow, -his generation lies under the ground, so I take him about to comfort -him with talk about old times. He quite brightens up when we have our -talks and walks."</p> - -<p>"I'd brighten him if I had the power," growled the gracious host. "He -ought to be under the turf with his confounded generation, or in the -workhouse. I don't see any use for such a stiff-jointed old skeleton -being above ground."</p> - -<p>"He is eighty," said Mr. Leigh, placidly. "Great age. A comfortable -room this, Mr. Mallien; there is something of the sybarite about you."</p> - -<p>"Don't call names, vicar. The room is less like a pig sty than yours, -and that is the best to be said about it."</p> - -<p>"I often wonder, Mr. Mallien, that with your bringing up, you have not -learned better manners," said Leigh, putting on his pince-nez and -blinking. "You are certainly a most ill-conducted person. You should -marry, and see if the softening influence of the feminine nature----"</p> - -<p>Mallien turned from a cupboard of black oak, in which he was -rummaging, and answered viciously. "I have been married."</p> - -<p>"Dear me," mused the vicar, as if aware of this for the first time, -"so you have been. And how is Miss Dorinda?"</p> - -<p>"I believe his wits are going," grumbled Mallien to himself: then -raised his voice. "She's busy, and can't waste her time in seeing you. -Here"--he flung a heavy sheaf of papers on the table--"this is the -diary kept by my silly father when he was treasure hunting in Yucatan. -Old fool, he got nothing but rheumatism. If he'd found gold and -jewels, there would have been some sense in his explorations. Don't -you think so? don't you think so? don't you? Oh, hang you, vicar; one -might as well call the dead."</p> - -<p>Leigh nodded absently, for the sound rather than the sense of this -polite speech had reached him. Already he had opened the manuscript -diary at random and, with his nose close to the pages, was pouring -over the faded writing. Mr. Mallien growled as usual, and walked -across to the mantelpiece to pick up his pipe for a morning smoke. -When blue clouds made a haze round the eagerly reading parson, Mr. -Mallien brought out a handful of precious stones of little value from -his trousers pocket, and began to fiddle with them, after his ordinary -fashion. He strewed ruby and emerald and moonstone about the table, -where a shaft of sunlight struck across the room, and watched the many -colored sparkles, emitted by the tiny gems. Leigh, taking no notice, -turned over page after page with great interest. After a long while he -grunted and spoke, maliciously anxious to spoil the scholar's pleasure -if he could.</p> - -<p>"Dull stuff my father wrote, didn't he?"</p> - -<p>"Dear me, Mr. Mallien, are you there? Dull stuff. Oh, dear me, no. -Most interesting. These Maya buildings are quite fascinating, and the -manuscripts he discovered, and the stone carvings, and the -hieroglyphics, similar to those of Egypt. Yes," went on the vicar -dreamily, "I must go there."</p> - -<p>"Go there; go to Yucatan," cried Mallien, staring; "an old buffer like -you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," said the vicar with dignity. "For quite a year since you -mentioned the diary of your father, it has been in my mind to fit out -an expedition to so interesting a place."</p> - -<p>"How can you fit out an expedition on your income?"</p> - -<p>"Money. Ah yes, I shall require money, of course."</p> - -<p>"And a jolly lot, too. Expeditions are not fitted out for nothing."</p> - -<p>"I believe not," murmured Mr. Leigh, again dipping into the -manuscript. "Well, well, the money will be forthcoming."</p> - -<p>"Who will give it to you?" asked Mallien contemptuously.</p> - -<p>"I thought that Rupert----?"</p> - -<p>"Pooh! You might as well try and get blood out of a stone, Mr. Leigh. -And why the dickens should he give you money to go on a wild-goose -chase? Rupert is a wise man, and keeps his cash in his pocket, as I'd -do if I had his income."</p> - -<p>"Would you not give me the money if you had four thousand a year?" -asked the vicar, with an extraordinarily keen look.</p> - -<p>Mallien stared, quite unable to speak, so indignant was he at the -audacity of the parson. "Give it to you?" he burst out. "I'd give it -to nobody."</p> - -<p>"Ah, then I hope you'll never get money," said Mr. Leigh, placidly, -"you would make bad use of it."</p> - -<p>"I would," retorted the gracious host, "if I gave it to you to make -ducks and drakes of in expeditions. You can be buried less expensively -in England than in Yucatan, believe me."</p> - -<p>"I have no idea of being buried anywhere," said the vicar with -dignity, and yet with a scared look which puzzled Mallien. "I am old, -it is true, but my health is good and I live a reasonable life."</p> - -<p>"You wouldn't if you went exploring Yucatan," retorted the other.</p> - -<p>"I would take the risk of that, Mr. Mallien. The place is so -interesting"--his nose was glued to the manuscript again--"that I -really must raise the money and go. I have plans--oh yes, I have plans -to get it."</p> - -<p>"You won't from Rupert."</p> - -<p>"Nor from you, apparently," said Leigh, who appeared to be much -more alert than usual, "but I prefer Rupert's youth to your avaricious -age. However, I shall come again and resume my reading of this -manuscript--unless you will let me take it away."</p> - -<p>"I'll do nothing of the kind, nor help your expedition," said Mallien -grimly, "nor even give you the rubbish my father wrote."</p> - -<p>"Rubbish," cried the parson indignantly; "that diary is worth all the -property which John Hendle left to the son he didn't love. Well! Well, -it's a case of pearls before swine," and, paying back Mallien in his -own coin, by making this remark, the vicar departed with his shadow at -his heels.</p> - -<p>"Old fool," commented Mallien; "but I wish John Hendle had made that -will."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_05" href="#div1Ref_05">CHAPTER V</a></h4> -<h5>A REVELATION</h5> -<br> - -<p>It was with joy and relief that Dorinda communicated her father's -decision to Rupert, and he was as pleased as she was at the prospect -of their speedy marriage. Hitherto Mallien, not wishing to make -himself uncomfortable by losing his housekeeper--which Dorinda really -was--had always objected to the performance of the ceremony. Certainly -he gained five hundred a year when the two became one; but, during the -twenty-four months of the official engagement, this fond parent had -not been in particular want of money, and in any case had always -borrowed what small sums he required from his liberal-minded cousin, -at intervals. But now his heart was set upon purchasing the blue -sapphire which he had mentioned to Dorinda, and it was not likely that -Rupert would give him the price of that. Therefore, to get his new -income assured, he allowed the young couple to have their own way. -Also--and this had a good deal to do with the granted permission--he -really dreaded lest Carrington should obtain any influence over the -young Squire, and thought that the gaining of such could best be -prevented by giving Rupert his desire. With Dorinda beside him, it was -unlikely that Hendle would allow Carrington to draw on his purse.</p> - -<p>Seeing that Miss Mallien had a small opinion of her father, and spoke -to him pretty freely on subjects of dispute between them, it seemed -strange that she should have laid such stress on obtaining his consent -to the marriage. But Dorinda, considering that her father was her -father, in spite of his unamiable nature, wished him to exercise this -last act of paternal authority. She would not have been happy had she -provoked a quarrel by going contrary to his views, and so had waited -until he thought fit to issue his commands. Had Mallien, indeed, -wholly forbidden the marriage taking place, Dorinda would have -rebelled, but she gave way on the minor point of an unusually long -engagement. She saw Rupert almost daily; they understood one another -thoroughly, and, as both were young, there was no particular hurry. -Nevertheless, the girl was pleased at the lordly permission of her -irritating parent, and set about her preparations straightway. It was -now July, and after a conversation with Rupert, it was decided that -the Rev. Simon Leigh should make them man and wife toward the end of -August. And Dorinda confessed to her future husband, that she would be -glad to escape from the constant society of her father, who of late -had been unusually trying. On his side, Rupert was extremely glad to -get the dearest girl in the world all to himself. So the important -matter was settled, and Hendle returned to The Big House very -contented with the world in general and with himself in particular.</p> - -<p>In his delight he called in Mrs. Beatson to the library to inform her -of his intended change of life, although he rather dreaded the woeful -looks and sad words with which she would receive his communication. -Mrs. Beatson made her appearance, looking more like a Christian martyr -than ever, but assumed her most gracious and lady-like manner to hear -what her young master had to say. She greatly resembled that painfully -well-bred gentlewoman, Mrs. Sparsit, in Dickens' story, and, like her, -was a housekeeper very much against her will.</p> - -<p>"Wish me joy, Mrs. Beatson," said Rupert gaily, when the martyr made -her sour appearance. "I am going to be married."</p> - -<p>"So I have understood for two years, Mr. Hendle."</p> - -<p>"Quite so. I have been engaged to Miss Mallien for quite that time. -But we are to be married toward the end of next month."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" Mrs. Beatson looked dismayed. "Isn't that rather sudden?"</p> - -<p>"Sudden!" Rupert swung round his chair and looked puzzled. "How can it -be sudden after my being engaged for twenty-four months?"</p> - -<p>"I only mean, Mr. Hendle, that I should have thought it necessary for -you to consider the matter carefully for six months before fixing the -day. Marriage, Mr. Hendle, is a serious matter."</p> - -<p>"It is a very delightful matter, Mrs. Beatson, considering who the -lady is."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" Mrs. Beatson crossed her hands and cast up her eyes with a -melancholy expression, "so we all say until we are married. I suppose, -Mr. Hendle, you intend to give me notice?"</p> - -<p>"Indeed, I intend to give you nothing of the sort," said Rupert -bluffly. "All the difference will be that my wife will give you orders -instead of me."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson looked as though this would make a very great difference -indeed, as she much preferred to have a master than a mistress. All -the same, she looked relieved when she learned that her situation was -not in danger. "I am glad to stay on, Mr. Hendle," she said, with the -air of making a concession. "I look on The Big House as in some sense -my home."</p> - -<p>"That's all right. Continue to look upon it as your home, until Kit -marries Miss Tollart and you go to live with them."</p> - -<p>"Pardon me, Mr. Hendle," said Mrs. Beatson with icy scorn; "but you -little know my nature when you suggest such a thing. I don't approve -of Sophy Tollart, whose views regarding our sex are anything but -pacific. Besides, young people rarely take the advice of those who are -older and wiser than they are; consequently, it is best for them to -live by themselves. Would you like Mr. Mallien to dwell at The Big -House when you wed with his daughter?"</p> - -<p>"Good Lord, no," replied Hendle hastily. "It is the last thing either -I or Miss Mallien would desire. We can manage our own affairs."</p> - -<p>"So you think, Mr. Hendle; but the mistakes you will make will be -endless."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, I am not a fool, and Miss Mallien has plenty of good -sense."</p> - -<p>"Sense isn't experience," lamented Mrs. Beatson, shaking her head and -smiling in a most dreary manner. "However, I am no prophetess of evil, -and wish you and Miss Mallien well. But mistakes you will make, say -what you will, and sorrow will come to you as it comes to all."</p> - -<p>"There! There! Don't croak any more, Mrs. Beatson."</p> - -<p>"Me croak," repeated the lady in surprise. "Why, I am trying to look -on the bright side of things, for whatever you may say there is always -a black side."</p> - -<p>"Well, well," observed Rupert testily, for her words and manner -irritated his usually steady nerves. "We'll wait and see what happens. -Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you, is a very good -proverb."</p> - -<p>"I annoy you by speaking the truth," remarked the good lady with a -superior smile. "Ah, that is always the way with the young, sir. -However, you have only to say the word and I go."</p> - -<p>"I don't want you to go."</p> - -<p>"You may not, Mr. Hendle, but Miss Mallien will."</p> - -<p>"Not at all. She is quite willing that you should stay."</p> - -<p>"So she says, but I have my doubts;" and Mrs. Beatson groaned, being -quite sure in her own mind that Dorinda wished to turn her out to die -by the wayside. "However, this is a world of sorrow, and when I am -starved to death, perhaps you may be sorry for your harsh treatment."</p> - -<p>"Wait until the harsh treatment takes place," retorted Rupert, who -would have liked to shake her into common sense. "Meanwhile, I have -told you of my intention to get married next month."</p> - -<p>"There's many a slip between the cup and the lip," said Mrs. Beatson, -mysteriously; "but the less talked about is the soonest forgotten." -After which cryptic speech she drifted toward the door, as if her legs -were taking her in a direction contrary to that expressed by her will. -"The Rev. Mr. Leigh is in the Muniment Room, Mr. Hendle," she said, -pausing on the threshold, "and expressed a wish to see you."</p> - -<p>"You might ask him to stay to dinner," said Rupert, glancing at his -watch.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson departed firmly convinced that her master really intended -to dismiss her and had only broken the ice with his information about -the marriage, so that she might be prepared to be turned out to die. -With this in her mind, she hovered uneasily about the dining-room and -drawing-room both before and after dinner, in the hope of catching -some stray word, which might reveal Rupert's expected treachery.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Rupert, after a hearty laugh at Mrs. Beatson's cheerful -manner of looking at the future, went upstairs to dress for dinner.</p> - -<p>"Hang Mrs. Beatson," he thought, when he descended to the -drawing-room. "I do wish she would keep her dismals to herself. She's -about as cheerful as tombs, and not at all the person to have in the -house of a young married couple," and from this mental speech it may -be guessed that the dreary old lady was within an ace of being -dismissed, as she dreaded, although such an idea had never entered her -master's mind until she began her wailing.</p> - -<p>Mr. Leigh, who had brushed and washed at Mrs. Beatson's request, for -he was dusty and grimy after his work in the Muniment Room, was -wandering about the big drawing-room, peering at pictures and statues -and old silver through his pince-nez. He turned to greet Rupert in his -usual mild absent-minded way, when the young Squire, smartly groomed -and eminently handsome, entered.</p> - -<p>"Quite Greek," murmured the vicar, balancing himself on his toes and -with his hands behind his back. "I must say that your looks are in -your favor, Rupert. For the well-being of the race you should marry -and beget children."</p> - -<p>"Well, I am going to," said Hendle, used to the vicar's eccentric -speeches. "I make Dorinda my wife next month."</p> - -<p>"Oh, indeed," said Mr. Leigh alertly. "Dorinda is a very desirable -damsel. I hope you will be happy."</p> - -<p>"You seem to have your doubts, from the tone you use," remarked Rupert -dryly.</p> - -<p>Mr. Leigh shook his head. "Life has its troubles," he observed -sententiously.</p> - -<p>"For heaven's sake, vicar, don't croak. I have had enough of that from -Mrs. Beatson," a remark which the housekeeper, hovering outside the -door, overheard and registered in her mind as a bad omen for her -future continuance at The Big House. "I beg your pardon," went on the -Squire, rather ashamed of his momentary irritability, "but I do wish -people would look on marriage as marriage and not as a funeral."</p> - -<p>"Of course, of course," ruminated Mr. Leigh. "One is always sure of a -funeral, though not of a marriage."</p> - -<p>"Vicar!" burst out the young man, much vexed at this persistent -lamentation, "you are--well." He linked his arm in that of Mr. Leigh, -knowing it was useless to argue, "you are hungry and there's the -gong."</p> - -<p>"Am I hungry?" Mr. Leigh asked, when he was being conducted into the -dining-room. "Really I believe I am. For three or four hours I have -been busy in the Muniment Room."</p> - -<p>"I wonder you don't grow tired of fumbling amongst those dusty -parchments."</p> - -<p>"No! No! No! They are most interesting. Yet," went on the vicar, as he -spread his napkin across his spare knees. "I may have to postpone my -history of Barship Parish after all--until I return from Yucatan, that -is."</p> - -<p>"Yucatan!" Rupert nodded to the butler that he should fill Mr. Leigh's -glass with sherry, for the vicar was too absent-minded to give the -order. "Where is Yucatan?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Leigh devoted his attention to the soup, and then looked up -dreamily. "Yucatan," he repeated. "Dear me, Rupert, your geographical -knowledge is limited."</p> - -<p>"I never was a particularly good scholar," said the squire -apologetically, "and Yucatan is some out-of-the-way place, I take it."</p> - -<p>"It is in Central America, and is concerned with the Maya -civilization."</p> - -<p>"Oh, now I know what you are talking about. You refer to that diary of -old Frank Mallien, which his son has. Dorinda told me that you went -occasionally to see it at my cousin's cottage."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mr. Leigh, more wide awake than usual; "and, although I -have been many times for the last year, Mallien always tells me over -again that it is his father's manuscript when he explored Central -America. He thinks that I am wanting in common sense, I fancy. But I -let him talk on rudely, as he does talk, Rupert. After all, the diary -is so interesting, that Mallien's brusque manners are well worth -putting up with for the sake of my acquiring the information it -contains."</p> - -<p>"What does it contain?" asked Rupert, more for the sake of promoting -conversation than because he cared.</p> - -<p>"An account of a dead and gone civilization," said the vicar in a -dreamy tone, and scarcely knowing that fish had been placed before -him. "Tombs, cities, stone carvings and manuscripts, deposited with -mummies. Yes, there certainly must have been some communication -between Yucatan and Egypt. Le Plongue says--dear me, I forget what he -does say. However, I can see into the matter for myself when I go -there."</p> - -<p>"Go to Yucatan--to Central America," said Hendle staring. "Why, at -your age, it is dangerous to attempt such an expedition."</p> - -<p>Mr. Leigh only caught the last word. "Expedition! Yes! It will be -costly, as Mallien, in his rude way, observed. But I have arranged how -to get the money, Rupert. A thousand pounds--perhaps more. Really I am -not sure what it will cost. But we can arrange the sum later."</p> - -<p>"We?" Rupert stared harder than ever.</p> - -<p>"You and I," said Leigh placidly. "After all, I am glad you have the -money and not Mallien, as you are more likely to do what I want than -he is. A dour man, grasping and avaricious."</p> - -<p>Rupert glanced at the butler and the footman. "I don't quite -understand," he said, in a puzzled way. "Perhaps you will explain."</p> - -<p>In his turn Leigh, following Hendle's eyes, glanced at the servants. -"When we are alone I can tell you all about it over our coffee."</p> - -<p>More bewildered than ever and, in a vague way, sensing danger, Rupert -would have asked for an explanation. But the servants being present, -he decided to wait until he was alone with his erratic friend. -Therefore the conversation passed on to other subjects connected with -Mr. Leigh's discoveries in the Muniment Room, of various documents -connected with the behavior of dead and buried Hendles toward the -parish. Rupert said very little. What with Mrs. Beatson's gloom and -the vicar's cryptic utterances, he felt as though some storm were -approaching, and was anxious for the meal to end, so that he could go -to the root of the matter. All the same, he laughed at himself for -entertaining such a wild fancy. There was no quarter of the heavens -from which any storm, big or little, could blow, as all was serene and -bright. And, as Hendle happened to be one of those very material -persons who only believe in what can be seen, heard or touched, he -scouted the idea of any premonition heralding any possible evil. Yet -the premonition was in his consciousness sure enough, and the young -man, prosaic as ever, put it down to indigestion. A weaker explanation -considering his splendid health can scarcely be imagined.</p> - -<p>When the dinner was over, Mr. Leigh, who had contented himself with a -single glass of port wine to round off the entertainment, rose more -briskly than usual, and announced his wish to go.</p> - -<p>"You must not mind my speedy departure, Rupert," he said, slipping his -pince-nez into his waistcoat pocket; "but I have much work to do in -connection with my proposed expedition. I hope Titus Ark is waiting to -accompany me home. I told him to call for me about half-past six."</p> - -<p>"Ark is waiting in the kitchen," said Rupert, after a quiet word with -the pompous butler. "He came at six and has stayed on. There is no -hurry for you to go, Mr. Leigh. Remember you have something to tell -me," and Hendle, taking the old man's arm, led him gently but firmly -into the drawing room.</p> - -<p>"Something to tell you," repeated the vicar puzzled; then suddenly his -face cleared. "Oh, dear me, yes; how fortunate you reminded me, -Rupert. It has to do with John Hendle."</p> - -<p>"John Hendle. Do you mean my great-great-grandfather----"</p> - -<p>"Who died in the Waterloo year. Yes, I do. When we are alone,"--Mr. -Leigh broke off and glanced meaningly at the footman who was bringing -in the coffee. "It is lucky you reminded me," he ended aimlessly, -"very lucky. My expedition, ah yes, this hangs on that and that on -this."</p> - -<p>"What on earth are you talking about?" questioned Hendle, much vexed -at all this unnecessary mystery. "Sit down and drink your coffee and -tell me all about it. You don't smoke, I know, but I shall."</p> - -<p>"Certainly, certainly," murmured Leigh vaguely, "of course, your -marriage with your cousin will bring together the two branches of the -family. That, in the long run, will put things right."</p> - -<p>"Put what things right?"</p> - -<p>"Money matters."</p> - -<p>Hendle echoed the word and stared. "I wish you would talk plainly," he -said, with some irritation.</p> - -<p>"Oh, certainly. I am rather apt to wander in worldly matters." Leigh -cleared his throat and sat up briskly with all his wits about him for -once in his dreamy life. "Mallien is descended from Walter Hendle, and -you from Frederick Hendle, their father John being your common -ancestor."</p> - -<p>"Yes, that is so. But Mallien descends through the female line, -although he is the elder branch of the family."</p> - -<p>"There is no entail?"</p> - -<p>"No. If there was, it would be in my favor, as I descend through the -male heirs. But what does all this mean?"</p> - -<p>"I shall tell you if you will allow me to collect my thoughts. While -searching in the Muniment Room, Rupert, I came across letters of John -Hendle, which show that he loved his elder son Walter and greatly -disliked his younger son Frederick. Walter was a brave man, who fought -for his country and who died at Waterloo. Frederick, as the letters -say, was a scamp--what in those days was known as a blood. Reckless, -extravagant and evil, he alienated his father's affections, and John -Hendle desired to disinherit him."</p> - -<p>"It is the first time I have heard of Frederick's iniquity," said -Rupert with a shrug, "and I see little use in raking up the evil done -by a man who lived about one hundred years ago."</p> - -<p>Leigh took no notice of this observation. "John desired that his -granddaughter Eunice, the child of his favorite son Walter, should -inherit. As the property was entirely at his own disposal, he made a -will in her favor."</p> - -<p>Rupert jumped up so suddenly that he upset his coffee. "What?"</p> - -<p>"Pray don't act in so excitable a manner, Rupert," protested the -vicar, raising his thin hand. "You irritate my nerves."</p> - -<p>"But--but--what you say--oh, it's absurd," stammered the Squire. -"There was never any question about Frederick's inheriting the -property. I don't know much about the matter, as the thing didn't -interest me. But, if Frederick inherited wrongly, surely the question -would have been raised before."</p> - -<p>"How could it be when the will in favor of Eunice was missing?"</p> - -<p>"Missing?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. John made the will and apparently died suddenly before he could -make it public. I found it," said Mr. Leigh slowly, "in the chest."</p> - -<p>"In the Muniment Room?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. It is a will drawn up quite legally on parchment as was the case -in those days, although I don't think wills are drawn up now on----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, never mind these minor points," broke in Rupert hastily. "You say -that you found a will, made by John Hendle, leaving the property to -Eunice, from whom my cousin Mallien is descended?"</p> - -<p>"I did. Some weeks ago I came across the document. But I did not say -anything until I ascertained for myself as to which of you two was the -right person to have the money. I am inclined to think that you had -better keep it, Rupert, since Mallien is so avaricious, and will not -help anyone--not even me, when I desire money for my expedition to -forward the cause of science."</p> - -<p>"If this will is in order," said Rupert, rising to pace the long room, -and feeling painfully agitated. "Mallien should have the property."</p> - -<p>"I fear so; I fear so," murmured the vicar uncomfortably. "The same -leaves the property unreservedly to his grandmother Eunice. I have not -told Mallien, who would undoubtedly contest your right to the estates, -as I do not consider him a fit and proper person to have much money."</p> - -<p>"Right is right," said Hendle, whose face was pale and whose lips were -dry. "If Mallien is the rightful heir, he must be placed in -possession. But all this may be a mistake on your part. Where is the -will?"</p> - -<p>Mr. Leigh looked nervous and distressed. "Dear me, Rupert, I am afraid -I have mislaid it. I took it home to study it at my convenience, so as -to make sure that it really gave the property to Eunice. I did examine -it, and became quite positive that Mallien is the rightful heir. Then, -somehow--you know how absent-minded I am--I laid it aside and since -have not been able to find it. I have searched without result."</p> - -<p>"You should have given it to me at once," said Hendle, severely.</p> - -<p>"But, my dear boy, I had your interest at heart," protested the vicar, -wiping his forehead. "I know how quixotic you are, and guessed that -you would give the property to Mallien without demur, if the will was -correct, which I fear it is. For your own sake I took time to consider -the discovery I had made."</p> - -<p>"You must find the will at once," commanded Rupert manfully, "and it -must be submitted to the lawyers. If Mallien is the heir, Mallien gets -the money."</p> - -<p>Mr. Leigh rose, much agitated. "I don't think he should get it, -Rupert. He is a greedy man, who would only hoard up gold and make a -bad use of newly acquired wealth. I tell you he declined to help me to -fit out my expedition. I know you will, so you ought to keep the -money."</p> - -<p>"How can you advise me to be so dishonest," cried the Squire, -indignantly, "you who are a clergyman of the Church of England?"</p> - -<p>"I have the greater sense of right from being so," rejoined the vicar, -quite tartly for so amiable a man. "And when I remember that you and -yours have enjoyed the property for one hundred years, it seems -ridiculous to hand it over to another man."</p> - -<p>"Who belongs to the elder branch, remember," said Rupert swiftly. "And -who is, according to your reading of this newly discovered will, the -rightful heir." He took a turn up and down the room, then stopped to -face the vicar who was fidgeting on the hearth rug. "You must turn -your house upside down to find the will, Mr. Leigh, and it must be -handed over to our family lawyers, so that Mallien may be placed in -possession of the property forthwith."</p> - -<p>"Rupert, I implore you not to act hastily or foolishly. Say nothing -about this belated testament, which will do Mallien more harm than -good considering his greedy and misanthropic nature. I will look for -it and will give it to you. Throw it into the chest again."</p> - -<p>"No! no! no! I would never have a moment's peace if I did that. I know -that Mallien is not the man to have too much money, but I can't help -that. If he is the rightful heir, he must enter into his kingdom. -Besides, if I marry Dorinda, the property will come back to me, -representing the younger branch."</p> - -<p>"If Mallien gets the property," said Mr. Leigh deliberately, "he will -not allow you to marry Dorinda."</p> - -<p>"I can trust her," said Rupert curtly.</p> - -<p>"Quite so. But you will have no money to marry her, and Mallien will -cut her off with a shilling. He is quite capable of doing so."</p> - -<p>Hendle knew this well enough and reflected for a few moments. "Say -nothing to Mallien or to anyone," he remarked finally, "until you find -the will and we can look over it together."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I shall certainly hold my tongue," said the vicar quickly. -"Believe me, it is only my esteem for you which makes me urge you not -to notice the will. Sleep on the question, Rupert, for the morning is -wiser than the night. This matter will remain strictly between -ourselves. Now good night; good night."</p> - -<p>Hendle shook hands, not objecting to the vicar's abrupt departure, and -when alone groaned over the unexpected fulfilment of his premonition.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_06" href="#div1Ref_06">CHAPTER VI</a></h4> -<h5>COUNSEL'S OPINION</h5> -<br> - -<p>When Hendle, having a weight on his mind, woke shortly after dawn, he -remembered the vicar's proverb, and thought that it might be true. -Morning certainly was wiser than the night with him, as he began to -ask himself why he should be so much disturbed over an unproven -matter. Leigh certainly asserted positively that he had found a -hundred-year-old will, made in favor of the elder branch of the Hendle -family, and, undoubtedly, he spoke in a way which appeared to be -genuine. But then, the vicar was a queer, eccentric person, who -sometimes believed his visions to be facts, and who had on occasions -some difficulty in distinguishing between the real and the unreal. In -a perfectly honest way he might be making a mistake, and Rupert, -turning over the matter before rising, hoped fervently that such might -prove to be the case.</p> - -<p>On the other hand, unless Mr. Leigh's statement had some foundation, -in fact, it seemed improbable that he would even think of such a -thing. There had never been any question as to the legitimacy of -Hendle holding the property, and after a whole century had elapsed, it -seemed strange that such an odd question should be raised. Assuredly -the vicar must have found something which had to do with the -inheritance of the estates by the elder branch, else the fantastic -idea would not have entered his rather wavering mind. But the will -might not be good in law; it might have been signed and not witnessed, -or there might be some flaw in its drawing up which would nullify its -provisions. If this was the case, Rupert was far too sensible to think -of surrendering his lands and income to a man, who, on the face of it, -would make a bad use of the same. On the other hand, if the will was -quite in order, the Squire was honest enough to step down from his -throne and allow the rightful king to take his seat thereon, evil as -might prove to be his rule. The whole question of right or wrong -turned on the production of the will.</p> - -<p>Having reached this point in his meditations, Rupert arose, and -cleared his brain by a cold bath. It would be foolish to say that he -was not worried, for he felt very much upset, as was natural, seeing -there was a chance of his being reduced to the condition of a pauper. -Mallien was not rich, but he had enough to live on, so the acquisition -of more money would only result in his greater extravagance in the -purchase of jewels. But if the will proved to be legal, Hendle foresaw -that he--the Squire of Barship--would be turned out of his pleasant -home without a single penny and without any means of earning one. He -had no profession; he had no trade; he was not over-clever, and -Mallien--he was sure of this--would not allow him anything out of the -estate. This was uncomfortable enough in itself for a young man who -liked the good things of this life, but there was worse to follow. He -would lose Dorinda, since her father would undoubtedly prevent the -marriage with a pauper. The girl herself, as Rupert had said to the -vicar, would remain true; but how could he ask her to become his wife, -when he could not support himself, much less a helpmate? It was all -very painful and very disagreeable, and Rupert descended to breakfast -with a bad appetite.</p> - -<p>"You don't look at all well, Mr. Hendle," remarked Mrs. Beatson, when -she came for orders after breakfast. "Perhaps you are sickening for a -fever."</p> - -<p>"Not at all," replied her master, more crossly than he was accustomed -to speak to this dismal woman. "I have had a wakeful night, that's -all."</p> - -<p>"Ah well, sir, it's natural, considering you are going to take such a -serious step as marriage without thinking about it."</p> - -<p>Rupert allowed Mrs. Beatson a certain amount of latitude, but here she -overstepped the mark. He passed over her observation in silence, and -gave his orders for the day. "I shall have dinner at eight," he -remarked, having arranged matters, "as I am going to town and will not -be back until late."</p> - -<p>"Going to see the lawyers, I suppose, sir," mentioned the housekeeper -with an odd look on her dreary face.</p> - -<p>Rupert looked up suddenly, wondering why she had made such a pertinent -observation, for it was in his mind to do what she had suggested. "Why -do you suppose that, Mrs. Beatson?"</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, it's only natural, as no doubt there are marriage -settlements to be prepared, and all must be in order for the -ceremony."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson said this glibly enough, and her reason appeared to be -very plausible. Nevertheless, her glance was so significant that -Hendle wondered if she had guessed his trouble. It seemed to be -incredible, since Leigh had promised to hold his tongue until the -matter was properly threshed out. Yet there was a certain malicious -triumph lurking in the housekeeper's look, which hinted that she was -rejoicing at his approaching downfall. After swift reflection Rupert -thought that he was mistaken, and was in the position of a man who -sees a bird in every bush. He therefore ignored Mrs. Beatson's remark -and merely repeated that he would return late to dine. The woman -hesitated for a moment, as if she wished to speak more plainly, then -tossed her head and glided out in her ghostly way. Rupert frowned, for -her behavior made him uncomfortable. Yet it was impossible that she -should know anything of the thunderbolt which had struck him.</p> - -<p>And after all, as the Squire reflected when he started to walk to the -railway station, the thunderbolt had not yet reached its mark and -might not reach it at all. Only an examination of the will would prove -if he was a rich man or a pauper, and in his anxiety to learn this, -Hendle called in at the Vicarage as he passed the rickety gate. -Strange to say, Mr. Leigh proved to be absent, as he had gone to see a -dying parishioner.</p> - -<p>It was only a short walk to the little wayside station, at which the -London trains stopped occasionally during the day. Rupert caught the -ten o'clock train easily, and, although it was very full, managed to -secure a compartment to himself. Here, when the engine started, he -gave himself up to meditation, not, as it may be guessed, of the most -pleasant kind.</p> - -<p>Hendle, as Mrs. Beatson ignorantly or knowingly had suggested, really -intended to consult lawyers. But, before going to his family -solicitors, he thought that he would ask the opinion of counsel in the -person of Carrington, as it struck him that there might be a Statute -of Limitations in connection with long-lost wills. Even if there were, -Rupert knew, in his own heart, that if Mallien proved to be the -rightful owner of the property, he--the present owner--would never be -able to take advantage of any law quibble. It all depended on the -will, for, if not produced, he would not be required--even by his own -uneasy conscience--to surrender his house and income. He wondered if -Leigh had lost the will forever, in which case things could remain as -they were; he wondered if there was a will at all, or, if there was, -whether the vicar might not have made a mistake; he wondered if the -will were found, if it would be all shipshape, so as to deprive him -of his kingdom. Indeed, Hendle wondered in a more or less worried way -throughout the journey to town, and stepped out onto the platform of -the Liverpool Street station in anything but a happy frame of mind. -Carrington had envied him his wealth and quiet existence; it was -anything but quiet now, and the wealth--if the vicar proved to be -correct--was about to take wings to itself and fly away into Mallien's -gaping pockets. In a dismal frame of mind, Rupert took a taxi to -Friars Inn.</p> - -<p>It was in this set of tall buildings that Carrington had his chambers -for business purposes.</p> - -<p>"Hendle!" said the barrister, when his visitor was ushered into a bare -room sparsely furnished and looking very businesslike, "this is a -surprise. How are you, old chap; not up to much, from the look of -you."</p> - -<p>"I'm bothered out of my life," replied Hendle, taking the cane -chair--a most uncomfortable one--which was pointed out to him.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I think there is sufficient life left in you to stand a trifle -more strain," was Carrington's flippant observation, as he resumed his -seat at a very businesslike desk. "I can't guess in any way what can -bother you."</p> - -<p>"No one, but the wearer, knows where the shoe pinches," quoted Hendle -grimly.</p> - -<p>"Quite so, and no one ever will know unless the wearer explains the -bad fit, my friend. Bothered? You! With beeves and lands and money, -and the promise of a beautiful and desirable damsel to be your wife."</p> - -<p>"That's just it," said the visitor, seizing the opening. "I may lose -all these things, Carrington."</p> - -<p>The barrister wheeled his chair round to stare, and his keen dark face -was alive with curiosity. "Have you been outrunning the constable?" he -asked; "has the lady changed her mind? Has----"</p> - -<p>"You are wide of the mark. To put the matter in a nutshell, it's a -will."</p> - -<p>"A will! What about it?"</p> - -<p>"This much. It exists and may disinherit me."</p> - -<p>"The deuce. In whose favor?"</p> - -<p>"In favor of Julius Mallien, my cousin."</p> - -<p>"Then he will have his rights, if he has a leg to stand on," said -Carrington grimly. "Mallien struck me as a man who would go through -fire and water for himself. Why did your father make a will in his -favor?"</p> - -<p>"He did not. The will was made one hundred years ago, by John Hendle, -from whom Mallien and I are descended."</p> - -<p>"One hundred years ago," echoed the barrister puzzled. "Then how comes -it you have to do with it now?"</p> - -<p>"Leigh found it in the Muniment Room."</p> - -<p>"Confound his zeal. But still I don't quite understand. Perhaps you -will tell me the whole story from the beginning. I suppose you have -come to ask my advice as a friend?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and as a barrister."</p> - -<p>"My best forensic lore is at your disposal. Well?"</p> - -<p>Hendle at once began his explanation, and, as he proceeded, became -much too restless to remain seated. Midway in the recital he started -to his feet and began to pace the narrow limits of the office. Shading -his eyes with his hand and drawing figures on the blotting paper, -Carrington listened to the rather amazing story of Leigh's discovery, -and when in possession of the facts looked rather skeptical. "I -understand that you have not seen the will?"</p> - -<p>"No. Leigh, as is natural with so untidy a man, has mislaid it."</p> - -<p>"Then how do you know the will exists?"</p> - -<p>"Leigh says so."</p> - -<p>"Humph!" Carrington threw down his pencil and leaned back with a -doubtful look. "I think the vicar's wits must be wool-gathering. He -has no enmity against you, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"Enmity?" Hendle stopped in his walk and stared.</p> - -<p>"I mean he is your friend."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes. Leigh and I are great friends."</p> - -<p>"And his attitude toward Mallien?"</p> - -<p>"He doesn't like him overmuch. Mallien is so rude to him."</p> - -<p>"And to everyone," finished Carrington with a shrug. "A most -disagreeable person. Well, as Leigh likes you and doesn't like your -cousin, I take it he could not have invented this story to do you out -of the property in Mallien's favor."</p> - -<p>"No. Leigh is the best of good fellows, though rather eccentric. He -must have found the will; it is impossible that he could have -suggested its existence otherwise."</p> - -<p>"I suppose not," murmured Carrington vaguely; then glanced shrewdly at -his client. "Does he know your family history?"</p> - -<p>"Everyone in Barship knows that," replied Hendle, dropping again into -his chair with a sigh. "There is nothing to know really, as we have -always been a dull, homely lot of people."</p> - -<p>"Tell me how your descent runs from John Hendle?"</p> - -<p>"In the direct male line. Frederick, the son; Henry, the grandson; -Charles, the great-grandson, and myself, the great-great-grandson."</p> - -<p>"And Mallien's descent?"</p> - -<p>"He comes in the female line from Walter, the eldest son of John -Hendle. Eunice, the daughter of Walter and the granddaughter of John, -married George Filbert. Mrs. Filbert had a daughter Anne, who married -Frank Mallien, and her son is Julius, my cousin, who has, as you know, -a daughter."</p> - -<p>"Dorinda, to whom you are engaged," commented Carrington; "that -marriage will bring the elder and the younger branches of the family -together. A very good arrangement. Will Julius marry again?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think so. He hates women."</p> - -<p>"I should think every single member of the sex returned the -compliment. But what I mean is, that when you marry Miss Mallien, the -money will come to you and her when her father dies."</p> - -<p>"It should, as we two represent the elder and younger branches of the -family, joined, as you observed. But Mallien is quite capable of -leaving the money elsewhere out of devilment. He tolerates me because -I lend him money, and he has very little affection for Dorinda. We are -to marry next month, because I have promised Mallien five hundred a -year when I make Dorinda my wife, and he is now in a hurry for the -money. But," added Rupert anxiously, "if he knew that he was the -rightful heir, he would forbid the marriage."</p> - -<p>"It is probable he would, since he has such a sweet nature," said -Carrington dryly; "but would Miss Mallien obey him?"</p> - -<p>"No. She loves me too well for that. But, of course, if I lose the -property, I am reduced to pauperism pure and simple, and could -scarcely ask the girl to share my nothing."</p> - -<p>The barrister nodded sympathetically. "It's a beastly position," he -said, after a pause, "especially as you haven't been brought up to -earn your own living in any way. But, of course, we are building on -sand. Nobody but this weird parson has seen the will, so it may not -exist."</p> - -<p>"I don't see why Leigh should think of such a thing if the will does -not exist," said Rupert impatiently.</p> - -<p>"True enough. Well, let us grant that the will does exist and leaves -the property to Eunice Filbert, from whom Mallien traces his descent. -Still, possession is nine points of the law, and your lot has held the -property for close upon one hundred years. There is a Statute of -Limitations."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" Rupert looked up eagerly. "I had an idea that there might be. -Then, if I take your meaning correctly, since this will has only been -found after so long a period, the Statute operates against its being -legal?"</p> - -<p>"Well, it might operate or it might not; it all depends upon the -circumstances of the case. Mostly the Statute of Limitations would -operate. The will was never filed in the Probate Court, I take it?"</p> - -<p>"No. Until Leigh found it I expect no one but its maker and his -witnesses knew of its existence, and they are all dead, ages ago. But -I thought wills were filed at Somerset House?"</p> - -<p>"Now they are. But in 1815 they were filed at the Probate Court at -Canterbury."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Hendle restlessly. "The question is, what am I to do?"</p> - -<p>"Well, obviously the first thing is to get possession of the will and -in that way learn exactly how things stand with regard to Mallien. -John Hendle may not have cut off his second son Frederick entirely."</p> - -<p>"He may not," assented Rupert dubiously; "on the other hand he may. -Leigh certainly gave me to understand that everything had been left to -Eunice, who afterward married Filbert. If such is the case, you may be -sure that Mallien will take everything, and will decline to give me a -penny."</p> - -<p>"Just like him. But the Statute of Limitations----"</p> - -<p>"I shall not take advantage of that," interrupted Hendle firmly. "If -the will does make Mallien the heir by descent, he shall have the -property."</p> - -<p>"But, my dear man," cried the barrister, starting to his feet, "that -is quixotic. Why leave yourself without a penny, especially when -Mallien is such an unamiable person?"</p> - -<p>"It's hard, I grant," replied Rupert ruefully; "yet, as an honest man, -what else can I do?"</p> - -<p>"It seems to me that there is a limit to honesty," said Carrington -tartly. "I scarcely think that I could act so quixotically if I had to -do with the matter. However, we can discuss this point when the will -is in your possession, and we can make sure that what Leigh says is -true. When do you hope to get it?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't know. Leigh said that he had mislaid it and would -search for it, so I have called this morning on the chance that he -might have found it. He was absent attending to a dying woman, and of -course I couldn't interrupt him at his business. I left a message that -I would call again when I returned this evening."</p> - -<p>"When do you return?"</p> - -<p>"By the seven o'clock train. I shall arrive in time for dinner. I told -Mrs. Beatson that I would dine at eight."</p> - -<p>"If Leigh finds the will, I presume he will bring it to you this -evening at The Big House?"</p> - -<p>"He might and he might not. And in any case I shall call."</p> - -<p>Carrington considered the remark for a few moments and stared out of -the window at the chimney pots. "I don't think that I would call if I -were you, Hendle," he said at length.</p> - -<p>"Why not?"</p> - -<p>"Because this case needs a more careful handling than you are able to -give it, my friend. Leave Leigh alone until to-morrow, and I'll come -down some time about midday to interview the vicar along with you."</p> - -<p>"It's very good of you, Carrington," said the perplexed Squire -gratefully. "I don't expect one night will make any difference, as I -shall be certain of the bad news soon enough. I'll wait until you can -go with me to-morrow to the Vicarage; perhaps, by then, Leigh will -have found the will."</p> - -<p>"I don't leave the Vicarage until he has found it," said Carrington -grimly. "It's too important a document to be left in the hands of a -shiftless creature such as Leigh. He is quite capable of taking it to -Mallien, if it is in favor of Mallien's grandmother, as he asserts."</p> - -<p>Hendle, standing up to go away, shook his head. "I don't think he will -go past me," he remarked slowly. "In the first place, he dislikes -Mallien because of Mallien's brusque manners, and in the second -Mallien refused, out of his present income, to help him to fit out an -expedition to Yucatan."</p> - -<p>"Central America. Why does the vicar want to go there?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, he's been reading some diary of Mallien's father, describing -certain researches amongst buried cities in those wilds, and wants to -go there and look up things for himself."</p> - -<p>"I dare say if you finance this expedition, Leigh will say nothing -about the will--that is, if he has already said nothing to anyone," -said Carrington.</p> - -<p>"He told me that he had not. Save you and I no one knows about Leigh's -discovery. It's just as well that Mallien doesn't know," ended Rupert, -with a shrug, "or he would tear down the Vicarage, or rob it, to get -the testament which would make him a rich man."</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't think a weak old buffer like Leigh could put up much -fight, Handle. Well, my advice is for you to hold your tongue, and -refrain from seeing Leigh until to-morrow afternoon. Then we can -tackle him together. Buck up and face the music, old chap," added the -barrister, clapping his friend on the back, "after all, the thing may -prove to be a false alarm. I don't place much reliance on that -dreaming parson."</p> - -<p>"Nor do I," answered Rupert, as he took his leave, "but, in this case, -I fancy there must be a fire to account for the smoke. Leigh could not -have invented a will which does not exist. Well then, good-bye. I -shall see you to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"At one o'clock or thereabouts; anyhow, before two. Meanwhile, don't -see anyone and particularly not Miss Mallien. She is sure to spot your -dismals, and if she begins to question you may give yourself away."</p> - -<p>Rupert halted on the threshold, hesitating for a while, but finally -promised not to see Dorinda.</p> - -<p>Then, as there was nothing else to be done, he went to a matinée of a -successful play to distract his mind, and returned, as he had -arranged, in time for his eight o'clock dinner. After the meal, he -spent a very dull evening, reading the newspapers and playing -patience. But for his promise to Carrington he would have walked to -the cottage to see Dorinda, and he sorely felt the want of her society -at this crisis. However, he saw the wisdom of the barrister's advice, -not to acquaint her with the trouble until more was ascertained for -certain, lest, by arousing Mallien's suspicions, that gentleman might -learn too much. And Mallien was very quick as a rule to guess that -something was being kept from him.</p> - -<p>So Rupert possessed his soul in patience and retired to bed early. -After a somewhat restless night, he descended to breakfast to find -that ill news travels fast. It was Mrs. Beatson who conveyed this -especial information, and she did so with delight, always anxious to -pass on any news of any disaster.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Mr. Hendle," she cried, bursting into the breakfast room without -knocking; "such a terrible thing has happened! Mr. Leigh is dead! Mr. -Leigh has been murdered!"</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_07" href="#div1Ref_07">CHAPTER VII</a></h4> -<h5>A NINE DAYS' WONDER</h5> -<br> - -<p>The information concerning the vicar's violent death was so -extraordinary and so wholly unexpected that Rupert could not believe -it to be entirely true. However, Mrs. Beatson's tempestuous -announcement spoiled his breakfast, and, leaving the meal unfinished, -the Squire hurried down to the village. Here everything was in a state -of commotion, as it was rarely that so untoward an event disturbed the -placidity of Barship. No one--from the flying rumors Hendle gathered -during his progress--appeared to be acquainted with the exact facts of -the case. Some said that Mr. Leigh had committed suicide; others, that -a burglar, surprised at midnight, had struck the blow; while a few -declared that the vicar was only wounded and would recover. But when -Hendle reached the untidy house, he learned from the tearful Mrs. -Jabber that the information was only too true. Mr. Leigh, with a nasty -ragged wound on his right temple, had been found dead in his study at -seven o'clock in the morning, and Kensit, the village constable, was -already on the premises looking into the matter along with Dr. -Tollart. The two, it seemed, had arrived simultaneously, Kensit having -picked up the doctor on the road.</p> - -<p>"And you could have knocked me down with a feather when them two -walked in," wailed Mrs. Jabber, who was all rags and tears; "me -expecting to be taken to jail straight off, though being, as you may -guess, sir, as innocent as new-born infants. Ten o'clock was the hour -as me and Jabber went to bed, as I can take my alfred davit in any -court of lawr, and never a sound or a whisper did we hear, both being -heavy sleepers. And when I come with a duster and a broom into the -library, to clean it for the day, there I sees that blessed man lying -on the floor under his writing table bleeding like a pig, face -downward. As you may think, sir, I went white, and felt my inwards -quaking, as I said to Jabber when we took someat strong later to keep -our legs from giving way. I hollered and Jabber come to see if I was -in a fit. Then says he, 'This is murder,' and runs out to shriek for -the perlice, which is here with Dr. Tollart, hardly sober if you can -believe me, sir. And that's the Bible truth of the whole thing, as I'd -swear on my mother's corpse, though she's been an angel these many -years. And what 'ull happen to me and Jabber," ended the good lady, -dissolving in many tears, "is more than I can say, having no gift in -prophets."</p> - -<p>Considering her prolixity, Mrs. Jabber's account was fairly clear, and -the chubby policeman was inclined to believe that she spoke the truth. -He informed the Squire that he had already sent to Tarhaven for his -Inspector, and that Dr. Tollart was examining the body with a view to -learning the exact cause of death.</p> - -<p>"Though to be sure, sir, that isn't hard to see," said Kensit, who was -of a more chatty disposition than his position warranted. "There's a -knock on the head as 'ud kill a navvy, much less a delicate gentleman -as we know Mr. Leigh always was. He was struck down by a loaded cane -or a bludgeon, unexpected like, if my experience goes for anything."</p> - -<p>"But who on earth could have murdered him, Kensit?" asked Rupert, -greatly puzzled. "Mr. Leigh was such a harmless man and had no -enemies."</p> - -<p>"P'raps a burglar, sir," suggested the constable wisely.</p> - -<p>"But who would commit a burglary here?" said Rupert, looking round the -entrance hall where they were standing. "There is nothing to carry off -except books, and no man would risk a rope round his neck for such -antique rubbish."</p> - -<p>"True enough, Mr. Hendle. And, knowing that he had nothing worth -stealing, Mr. Leigh never bothered himself to lock up the house at -night. There's no catches to speak of on the windows, and the bolts of -the doors ain't up to much. Anyone could walk in and walk out at any -time without trouble, as he did."</p> - -<p>"Oh. Then you think that the assassin was a man?"</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, I don't suppose a female would come along assaulting -people with blows on the back of the head. To be sure, there's Miss -Sophy Tollart, who is a suffragist," mused the constable; "but Mr. -Leigh never argued with her over them votes for women as I've ever -heard."</p> - -<p>In spite of the seriousness of the case, Hendle could not help -smiling. "I think we can acquit Miss Tollart, Kensit," he observed. -"The militant suffragist destroys property and not human beings. Ah, -here is the doctor. Well?"</p> - -<p>Tollart emerged into the hall as the Squire spoke, but did not seem to -be over-eager to reply. He was a tall, bulky man, with a large -red perspiring face, eyes like poached eggs, and a loose mouth -suggestive of the hard drinker. As Mrs. Jabber had hinted, he had -already had his morning dram, and his wits seemed to be muddled. Not -at all the man, as Rupert thought with some disgust, to examine a -murdered fellow-mortal's remains.</p> - -<p>"Whew, isn't it hot, Hendle?" he remarked, mopping his streaming face -with a dingy handkerchief. "That in there"--he jerked his head toward -the study--"will have to be buried pretty smart; it won't keep long. -The sooner he's under ground the better."</p> - -<p>"He won't be put under ground," said Kensit, smartly. "The Leighs have -their family vault, you know, doctor."</p> - -<p>"Well! Well, vault or grave, the weather's too hot to keep the thing -sweet," was Tollart's unpleasant reply. "Nice business, isn't it, -Hendle? I always thought that the old man would be knocked on the -head."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked the Squire, and Kensit looked the same question.</p> - -<p>"Why!"--Tollart leaned against the pile of books near the wall, as his -constant nipping made him shaky on his ponderous legs--"why, because -he never locked up the house, and it stands away from the village in -quite a lonely fashion. Anyone could break in here, or rather walk in, -as Leigh never bothered about bolts and bars."</p> - -<p>"There was nothing to guard, Tollart. I don't think it was worth any -burglar's while to risk his neck for nothing."</p> - -<p>"The man who downed Leigh was of a different opinion," said Tollart -grimly.</p> - -<p>"Do you think a burglar killed him, sir?" asked Kensit anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Who else?"</p> - -<p>"But Mrs. Jabber says that there is nothing missing."</p> - -<p>"Isn't there? How does she know? Anyhow, his papers and books are all -turned topsy-turvy. The burglar had a good hunt for loot, anyhow."</p> - -<p>"The room is rather in a mess," observed Kensit thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"It always was in a mess," said Rupert, with a shrug. "When did the -death take place, doctor?"</p> - -<p>"Judging from the condition of the corpse I should say at eleven -o'clock last night, Hendle. Did you see any stranger about the village -when you were on your rounds last night, Kensit?"</p> - -<p>"Not a soul, sir. But at eleven o'clock," Kensit reflected for a -moment, "I was at the other end of the village. But when I passed the -Vicarage about ten there was no one to be seen and nothing suspicious -visible. The gate was open, as usual, and the door I expect was simply -jammed to, as it usually was. Mrs. Jabber saw the vicar last, just -before she went to bed with her husband at ten o'clock, and she left -him busy at his writing and books as usual. I suppose the blow on the -head killed him, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Partly it was the blow on the head and partly heart disease," mumbled -Tollart, staring at the two men with a glazed eye. "Leigh never was -very strong, and I always told him to take care of his heart."</p> - -<p>"I never knew it was weak," observed Rupert, "and he could not have -thought so himself, as he was contemplating an expedition to Central -America."</p> - -<p>"Sheer madness," muttered Tollart. "However, he's gone on a longer -journey now, Hendle. Kensit, when is your Inspector coming?"</p> - -<p>"I expect him here every moment, sir."</p> - -<p>"Well, the sooner he comes the better, as that corpse must be screwed -down without delay. Have the inquest this afternoon if you can. It -will be a mere formality, as the cause of death is apparent enough. -There, you won't want me here now. I'll be at home at one if the -Inspector from Tarhaven wants me, Kensit. Meanwhile I'm off to get a -drink. Thirsty weather," and the doctor stumbled away in a hurry to -get some beer.</p> - -<p>"I don't think the weather makes much difference to the doctor's -thirst, sir," said Kensit disapprovingly, and his chubby face looked -severe. "However, it ain't any of my business, Mr. Hendle. You'll -excuse me, sir, but I'll go and see that no one enters that library. -Nothing must be touched until my Inspector sees the room. You haven't -any idea as to who killed Mr. Leigh, sir?"</p> - -<p>"Not the least idea," replied Rupert, lingering at the hall door. "I -saw the vicar the night before last when he dined with me, and -yesterday morning I called to see him on my way to London."</p> - -<p>"So Mrs. Jabber said, and she said also, sir, that you said you'd call -in the evening."</p> - -<p>"I did, but did not," Rupert hesitated, for Kensit was looking at him -keenly. "I really hadn't very much to say to him, and intended to call -this morning."</p> - -<p>"Do you know if he expected visitors, sir?"</p> - -<p>"No. He made no mention to me of expecting any."</p> - -<p>"Then it was a burglar," declared Kensit, positively.</p> - -<p>Hendle shrugged his shoulders. "I don't see what there was to steal," -he replied carelessly, and then he went away, after leaving a message -that he would like to interview the Tarhaven Inspector when he was at -leisure.</p> - -<p>There was a crowd round the rickety gate--now closed for the first -time for many years--but a policeman, summoned by Kensit from a -neighboring village, was on guard, and would not allow anyone to -enter. He saluted Rupert as he passed out, and the young man -mechanically touched his hat in response. Down the road he came -suddenly upon old Titus Ark, who was ruminating against a stone wall, -looking more prehistoric than ever. The ancient grunted as the young -Squire sauntered along thoughtfully in the blazing sunshine, and -raised a gnarled hand to his battered hat. Considering that he was -Leigh's bodyguard, who followed him everywhere like a dog, Hendle -expected to find the old man tearful with the weakness of age. But -Titus was smiling in a way which showed his toothless gums, and piped -out an ordinary greeting, quite oblivious of the tremendous event -which was disturbing the village.</p> - -<p>"Morning, Squoire," said Ark, with his usual grunt. "Fine weather fur -they crops I du think. Hor! Hor! Hor!"</p> - -<p>Rupert stopped to rebuke this levity. "Don't you know that Mr. Leigh -is dead?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, he bain't dead," said the ancient easily. "A knock on the -head don't settle such as he."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, man! Why, the vicar was extremely weak, and a mere tap -would settle him. What are you talking about?"</p> - -<p>"About Muster Leigh. Hor! Hor! Hor! He ain't dead. I've seen him dead -afore, but he nivir come my way fur the berryin', Squoire."</p> - -<p>"He'll come your way this time, Titus, I am afraid," replied Rupert, -wondering why the old man was so stubborn. He surmised that, as -Leigh--according to the doctor--had heart disease, he must have -fainted at times in Ark's presence, which would account for the -sexton's saying he had seen him dead. "I suppose you don't know who -murdered him?"</p> - -<p>"He bain't murdered, Squoire."</p> - -<p>"Then you don't know who struck him?" said Hendle, amending his -question.</p> - -<p>"Naw. Muster Leigh, he said good-bye to me last night at six when he -left Mussus Pattens, who is my datter. She's taken a turn for the -better."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad to hear it, Titus. Did Mr. Leigh say if he expected any -visitor last night?"</p> - -<p>"Naw," said the ancient again. "He niwer told naught to I, Squoire. -You can ask him himself when he comes aloive again."</p> - -<p>Plainly Ark declined to believe that his lifelong friend was dead, and -it seemed useless to impress him with the undoubted fact. He -complained that the policeman would not allow him to enter the -Vicarage, and that no one would take any notice of his protestations -that Leigh was not dead. Rupert, although in a hurry to return to his -unfinished breakfast, stayed to persuade Titus to take a more -reasonable view of the situation.</p> - -<p>"Dr. Tollart says that Mr. Leigh has passed away. Besides the knock on -the head he had heart disease, and either the one or the other was -enough to kill him."</p> - -<p>"Dr. Tollart," grunted Ark stolidly, "he be better wi beer than wi -curing folk. I nivir heard tell as Muster Leigh had heart-badness. He -be aloive, I tell ee, Squoire."</p> - -<p>"Well, Titus, have your own way. But it will be your duty within a -couple of days if not less, seeing that the weather is hot, to put our -late vicar in his family vault."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'll put him there, Squoire; but he bain't dead fur all that. -Hor! Hor! Hor!"</p> - -<p>With another shrug Rupert passed on, and returned to The Big House to -find Dorinda. She greeted him hastily and appeared to be very dismayed -at the dreadful news of the vicar's murder. "Who could have hurt him, -Rupert?" she asked, again and again. "He had no enemies. He would not -have harmed a fly."</p> - -<p>"I'm sure I can't tell you, dear. Kensit seems to think that it was a -burglar did the trick."</p> - -<p>"But there was nothing in the Vicarage to rob," protested Dorinda.</p> - -<p>"Just what I say. However, some burglar from London might have -believed that Leigh was a miser and had treasure."</p> - -<p>"Has any stranger from London been seen about the village?"</p> - -<p>"No. Kensit can't make head nor tail of it," Rupert shook his head and -thought for a moment. "Unless some very startling evidence turns up, -Dorinda, I don't believe that the truth will ever become known. What -does your father say, dear?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing. You know father did not care much for Mr. Leigh. He told me -that he was sorry, but that Leigh was a fool, or he would have locked -up his house regularly every night."</p> - -<p>"Your father hasn't much sympathy, Dorinda."</p> - -<p>"He never has. You know how badly he thinks of everyone. What is to be -done about the murder, Rupert?"</p> - -<p>"The Inspector from Tarhaven is coming to-day, and he will arrange for -an inquest this afternoon or to-morrow. Upon what evidence is -obtainable will depend the next step. I expect the body"--Dorinda -quivered and turned pale--"will be buried almost immediately."</p> - -<p>"Why. Don't they keep bodies a week?"</p> - -<p>"Sometimes. But in this case, Tollart says that the sooner poor Leigh -is buried the better. The corpse"--Rupert hesitated--"won't keep."</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't"--Dorinda made a wry face--"poor Mr. Leigh. He was such a -good man, Rupert. Who inherits his books, which are all he has left."</p> - -<p>"I think there's a distant cousin of sorts, a ship captain. He won't -benefit much by Leigh's death. I wonder if the old man made a will."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes. He told me a year ago that he had, but did not mention to -whom he had left his library. You are the executor."</p> - -<p>"Am I, indeed? That is news to me, as Leigh never asked my permission. -However"--Hendle was thinking of the probability of his ancestor's -will being among the papers and books--"it is just as well under the -circumstances."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p> - -<p>Hendle tugged at his moustache and replied in an embarrassed fashion, -"Oh, nothing, only I can look after things better than a stranger, you -know. By the way, Dorinda, I forgot to tell you that Carrington is -coming down by the midday train."</p> - -<p>"Coming again so soon," said Dorinda, remembering her father's -warnings against the barrister, "and why?"</p> - -<p>"Only about some business I went up to town about yesterday," answered -Rupert confusedly. "Will you walk with me to the station to meet him?"</p> - -<p>"No," said the girl promptly. "I don't want to meet Mr. Carrington -again. I don't like him overmuch."</p> - -<p>"Ah, you've been listening to your father, dear. Mallien likes no -one."</p> - -<p>"I saw Mr. Carrington myself, Rupert, and I didn't like him. I don't -require my father to judge for me."</p> - -<p>"What a spitfire you are!" laughed Hendle, putting his arm round her -waist.</p> - -<p>"Because I want you all to myself, and I think Mr. Carrington is not a -good friend for you."</p> - -<p>"Jealous."</p> - -<p>"Sensible. There, Rupert, don't worry me." She slipped out of his -arms, much to his surprise, and he showed his feelings so visibly that -she colored. "I am rather out of sorts this morning," she said -hurriedly. "Father has been rather trying."</p> - -<p>"Never mind, dear; in a month you will be with me forever."</p> - -<p>"I hope so," sighed Dorinda, "but somehow this death of the vicar -suggests to me the possibility that something will occur to prevent -our marriage."</p> - -<p>"Oh, nonsense!" Rupert stared. "What could prevent our marriage?"</p> - -<p>"It's only a feeling," persisted Dorinda, "and I dare say it is a -foolish, silly feeling; but it's here for all that," and she laid her -hand on her heart.</p> - -<p>Rupert took as much pains to argue away this fancy as he had done to -argue away the fancy of Titus Ark. But Dorinda was quite as stubborn -in her belief that evil fortune was coming to prevent the marriage, as -the sexton was that Leigh was alive. Finally, because Rupert laughed -at her, she parted from him rather irritated at the corner, where he -branched off to the station road. She would not even look back when -her lover went away, and Rupert walked on to meet Carrington with the -reflection that women were kittle cattle, as the Scotch say. As a -rule, Dorinda was amiable and calm, so it seemed strange that she -should be so easily annoyed this morning. But there was a reasonable -excuse after all, as Hendle concluded, since the girl, always having -been markedly friendly with the vicar, the poor man's violent death -naturally shocked and upset her greatly. Moreover, the heartless -comments which Mallien the cynic was more than likely to make, -assuredly would add to Dorinda's distress. By the time he reached the -station, Rupert had explained away to his own satisfaction the unusual -emotion of the girl.</p> - -<p>True to his promise Carrington arrived by the midday train and hopped -out onto the platform as lively as a cricket. In gray flannels, a -straw hat and brown shoes, the barrister looked handsome, well-bred -and very much alive. The sight of his keen face and intelligent dark -eyes comforted Hendle, as he knew that Carrington, if anyone, would be -helpful in the matter of the vicar's mysterious murder.</p> - -<p>"Here you are and here I am, Hendle," cried the new arrival briskly, -as he gave up his ticket and walked out of the station along with the -Squire. "I say, old chap, you're worrying considerably over this will -business. There's a drawn, tired look on your face, which shows that -you haven't slept a wink."</p> - -<p>"Well, I didn't have a particularly restful night," admitted the other -with a sigh. "And what has happened this morning doesn't help to make -me feel any happier, Carrington."</p> - -<p>"Eh, what?" the barrister stopped. "Then Leigh has found the will -and----"</p> - -<p>"Leigh is dead," Hendle informed him abruptly.</p> - -<p>"Dead!" Carrington stared. "Dead! What are you talking about?"</p> - -<p>"About what has happened," replied the other heavily. "Leigh was found -dead in his study this morning."</p> - -<p>Carrington looked at Hendle doubtfully. "You're pulling my leg," he -said, in a disbelieving tone.</p> - -<p>"I don't pull people's legs over such a serious matter. I tell you -positively that the vicar is dead. All the village is in commotion."</p> - -<p>"Dead!" repeated Carrington once more as they moved on toward Barship. -"The unexpected has happened with a vengeance. Well, well, he wasn't -young, and looked like a delicate man, who would pop off at any -moment."</p> - -<p>"This death has nothing to do with delicacy, Carrington. Leigh has -been murdered."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Lord!" Man of the world as he was, Carrington received a shock. -"Poor old chap. Murdered! What a beastly thing to happen! Who murdered -him?"</p> - -<p>"No one knows. The police are looking into the matter now. He was -found dead in his study at seven this morning, and there is a wound on -the right temple. So far, the only conclusion arrived at is that some -one tried to rob the house, and, being discovered, struck Leigh down."</p> - -<p>"I can't see that there was anything in the house worth a burglar -committing such a crime for," remarked Carrington, taking off his hat.</p> - -<p>"There wasn't. No one in the village would have attempted a burglary, -since Leigh was known to be very poor. Besides, Leigh was too popular -for anyone to hurt him. But a stranger----"</p> - -<p>"Ah," broke in Carrington swiftly, "a stranger. Has any stranger been -seen hovering about the Vicarage?"</p> - -<p>"No. Kensit, our village policeman, was on his rounds as usual last -night, but declares that he saw no one."</p> - -<p>"But some tramp----"</p> - -<p>"No tramps have been hanging about the village of late."</p> - -<p>Carrington looked puzzled. "It seems to be a mystery. At what time was -the poor chap murdered?"</p> - -<p>"No one knows. But Dr. Tollart thinks the blow was struck about eleven -o'clock last night."</p> - -<p>"Has the weapon been found?"</p> - -<p>"No!"</p> - -<p>"Did that housekeeper hear any noise?"</p> - -<p>"No! Nothing was known of the murder until she found her master dead -near his writing table. The Inspector has been sent for to Tarhaven -and will be here shortly. Indeed, I expect he is here now. He will -take charge of the house and look into the matter."</p> - -<p>"Humph!" remarked the barrister thoughtfully. "As I said before, it -seems to be a mystery. This Inspector will take charge of all Leigh's -books and papers, I suppose."</p> - -<p>"Yes. Why not?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I am not saying against his handling them. But the will----"</p> - -<p>"The will. Yes?"</p> - -<p>"Can't you see, Hendle. If this Inspector looks through the papers -left by Leigh, which he probably will, he is bound to come across that -hundred-year-old testament you mentioned yesterday."</p> - -<p>Rupert winced. "I expect he will, unless poor Leigh has so carefully -mislaid it that it cannot be found. But what if he does?"</p> - -<p>"Well, then all the fat will be on the fire," said Carrington with an -air of finality.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you mean that the will must be made public. Why not? If it -is a legitimate document, Mallien must get the money, and if it isn't, -my position remains unchanged. In any case, whether Leigh lived or -died, what he discovered would have to be shown all round."</p> - -<p>"Quite so. But you didn't want it to be shown all round until you -looked into the matter privately along with me," argued Carrington, -quickly.</p> - -<p>"True enough. I should like to have seen the document before Mallien -became aware that it existed. However, as things stand, the will is -bound to be found, and Mallien is bound to know. We must thresh out -the matter openly straightway, and I shall do my best to avoid -trouble."</p> - -<p>"I don't see how you can avoid it, Hendle. Mallien is not the man to -let a chance of getting a fortune go."</p> - -<p>"I am sure he isn't," retorted the Squire positively. "And he is -certain to make things as disagreeable for me as possible. But if I -surrender the property, should the will prove to be legal, I don't see -that he can worry me."</p> - -<p>"You will lose everything," warned the barrister, significantly.</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately, yes."</p> - -<p>"Including Miss Mallien."</p> - -<p>"I suppose so," admitted the Squire reluctantly. "Even if she remains -true to me, as I am sure she will, I can't ask her to marry me on -nothing a year."</p> - -<p>There was silence for a few minutes as the two men walked into the -village, and it was Carrington who spoke first. "I'm awfully sorry for -you, old man."</p> - -<p>"I'm rather sorry for myself. However, what must be must be, so -there's no more to be said. By the way, Dorinda told me that Leigh had -made me his executor. I never knew that he had, until she told me."</p> - -<p>"Leigh took your friendship for granted, it seems. Who inherits?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. His sole relative is a sea captain, somewhere in -Australia. I have heard him speak of the young fellow--a cousin of -sorts--as the last of the Leighs. There isn't much to leave in the way -of property."</p> - -<p>"So you are executor," murmured Carrington thoughtfully. "In that -case, you will have the handling of the papers, and may be able to get -possession of the will before the Inspector lays hands on it."</p> - -<p>"What good will that do?" asked Hendle, irritably.</p> - -<p>"You can suppress the will."</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't think of doing such a thing."</p> - -<p>"You'll lose all if the will proves to be genuine," Carrington warned -him.</p> - -<p>"Then I must lose all."</p> - -<p>"That's quixotic."</p> - -<p>"So you said yesterday. But I mean to be honest." And again there was -silence, Carrington secretly considering his friend an honorable ass.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_08" href="#div1Ref_08">CHAPTER VIII</a></h4> -<h5>MALLIEN SPEAKS</h5> -<br> - -<p>Anxious to help Rupert, and, at his friend's request, Carrington -remained at The Big House until the inquest was over, and the burial -of the murdered man took place. Both he and the Squire could do little -save watch the course of events, as neither of them wished to say -anything about the missing will, and neither could suggest any reason -why the crime should have been committed. And, indeed, the police were -equally unable to solve the problem, since the murder, on the face of -it, appeared to be purposeless and the assassin could not be -discovered. Inspector Lawson, of Tarhaven, did his best to find a -clue, but from first to last was unsuccessful. He did not even know -where to look for one, and when the inquest was held, had absolutely -no evidence to place before the Coroner and jury. Leigh's murderer had -come out of the night and had gone into the night; but why he had come -to commit so dastardly a crime, and whither he had gone after -achieving his aim, it was wholly impossible to say. The affair was -unpleasant, mysterious and uncanny.</p> - -<p>Pursuant to the opinion of Dr. Tollart, proceedings in connection with -the death were hurried on as speedily as possible. The weather was -certainly amazingly hot, as for weeks a powerful sun had been blazing -in a cloudless blue sky. The gardens glowed with many-colored flowers, -but the growing crops were parched for want of rain, and everywhere in -the district people were complaining of the shortage of water. Under -the circumstances, and because nothing relevant to the assassin could -be discovered, Tollart's advice seemed to be very sensible. Therefore -the inquest was held at <i>The Hendle Arms</i> on the day after Mrs. Jabber -had discovered her master's corpse, and on that same afternoon the -body was placed in the family vault of the Leighs. The trouble had -happened so suddenly, the proceedings had been carried through so -swiftly, that everything in connection therewith was over and done -with before people had time to wholly realize what had taken place.</p> - -<p>With regard to the inquest, that necessary function was dispatched -very quickly. There was little to be done and little to be said, as no -new details were forthcoming concerning the dreadful event. The jury -inspected the body at the Vicarage, and then went on to <i>The Hendle -Arms</i> to hear what could be said about the matter. Several reporters -from London journals were present, but the interest in the case was -more local than general, as there was nothing in it likely to cause a -sensation. The general opinion was that some burglar had entered the -ill-guarded Vicarage, and that the parson had been struck down while -trying to capture the thief. But, as nothing was missing from the -house, many scouted this idea, and ascribed the death to a deeper -cause. But what that cause might be, this minority were unable to say. -Nor did the evidence procurable tend to lighten the darkness which -shrouded the crime.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Jabber, more respectably dressed than usual, and even more -voluble, gave her evidence with many tears and sighs. The old woman -had been deeply attached to the vicar, and could not understand why he -should have met with so terrible and unexpected a death. She deposed -to going to bed at ten o'clock as usual, after taking into the study a -glass of milk for her master.</p> - -<p>"And there I left him, as happy as a trout in a pond," cried Mrs. -Jabber, with tears running down her face, "busy with his books as -usual; he, enjoying them the more after having been to see Mrs. -Patter, as I'm glad to say is getting better, though it's more nor she -deserves, her being such a gossip, and----"</p> - -<p>Here the witness was checked by the Coroner, on the ground that she -was dealing with matters irrelevant to the inquiry. "Did Mr. Leigh -expect anyone to visit him on that night?"</p> - -<p>"Lord, bless you, no, sir, and if he did, he wouldn't have mentioned -it to me."</p> - -<p>"You retired at ten o'clock?"</p> - -<p>"Me and Jabber, yes, sir, both being tired with the heat and the day's -work."</p> - -<p>"And you saw nothing of Mr. Leigh until seven the next morning?"</p> - -<p>"Not even the nose of him, sir, and I heard no noise, me being a heavy -sleeper as Jabber is, although I don't snore, say what he likes."</p> - -<p>In fact Mrs. Jabber's statement did nothing to solve the mystery. She -admitted that the bolts and bars at the Vicarage were not what they -should be, considering the lonely position of the house. "But, Lord -bless you, sir, there ain't never been no trouble with thieves and -robbers nohow, as there wasn't anything to tempt them."</p> - -<p>"Then you don't think that a burglar----"</p> - -<p>"No, I don't, sir. There's nothing missing."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Jabber stuck to her tale, and what she said was corroborated by -her husband, a meek, trembling little man, wholly dominated by his -stronger-minded wife. He had gone to bed at ten o'clock; he had heard -nothing during the night likely to arouse his suspicions, and the -first news he had of the murder was from his wife, when she stumbled -on the dead body at seven in the morning. "And then I went and told -Kensit all about it," finished Mr. Jabber with a very white face, -evidently afraid lest he should be accused of committing the crime.</p> - -<p>Tollart, who was just as red-faced, but much more sober than usual, -stated that he had been called in by the village constable within an -hour after the body had been discovered. Mr. Leigh had been struck on -the right temple by some heavy instrument--probably a bludgeon--and -the blow, taken in connection with his weak heart, must have caused -death instantaneously. The certificate of death was worded to that -effect. Leigh was a patient of his, and had never been very strong, -added to which, his mode of life had weakened him considerably. On the -whole, the shabby, disreputable doctor, knowing that the eyes of his -little world were on him, gave his evidence very clearly and -resolutely, so that he created a good impression. There was no -question as to the cause of death after Tollart's statement, even -though his coupling of heart disease and a blow seemed rather muddled. -No one in the village had expected Leigh to live to any considerable -age, owing to his delicate appearance, so it was quite certain that -the violent assault had killed him. It would have been a wonder to -many had he survived the blow.</p> - -<p>For no very apparent reason Hendle was called, but all that he could -say brought nothing to light. He related how Leigh had dined with him, -and how he had called at the Vicarage next day while on his way to -London. So far as the witness knew, Leigh was in good health and -spirits. "The announcement of his death came as a shock to me," -finished Rupert.</p> - -<p>"Had he any enemies?" questioned the Coroner.</p> - -<p>"Not to my knowledge. A more amiable man never existed."</p> - -<p>"Do you know anything of his past life?"</p> - -<p>"Only that he had been vicar here ever since I was a child, and was -devoted to books and to archæology. With the exception of his -parishioners, myself and Mr. Mallien and his daughter, I don't think -he ever saw anyone. He was wholly wrapped up in his books."</p> - -<p>"Then there was nothing in his past life which suggests any reason why -this crime should have been committed?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly not, so far as I know."</p> - -<p>Inspector Lawson and Kensit, the village policeman, gave what sparse -evidence they could. The latter declared that while on his rounds on -the night of the murder he had met no one and had seen nothing -suspicious when he passed the gate of the Vicarage. At the hour when -the crime was said by Dr. Tollart to have been committed, witness was -on the other side of the village. Lawson deposed that no weapon had -been found, that no evidence of any intruder had been discovered.</p> - -<p>"I understood that the study was in a state of disorder," said the -Coroner.</p> - -<p>"I gather from many sources that the study was always in a state of -disorder," retorted the Inspector.</p> - -<p>Kensit, recalled, said that he did not think that the study was even -more untidy than usual. Everything was turned upside down--books and -papers, "Just as if some one had been searching for something," -declared the witness.</p> - -<p>"Then you think that the murderer killed the vicar, and then looked -about to find something, which he wished to get, and for the -possession of which he committed the crime?"</p> - -<p>Kensit hesitated. "I am not prepared to go that far," he remarked, -after a pause. "All I can say is that I gained some such impression."</p> - -<p>When this speech was made, Rupert glanced at Carrington and Carrington -looked at Rupert. The same idea struck them simultaneously, that the -murderer might have been searching for the will of John Hendle. But -then the existence of that document was known only to the dead man, to -the barrister and to the Squire. Rupert had been fast asleep when the -crime was committed, and Carrington had been in London, so, of course, -neither of the two could have had anything to do with the matter. -Still, it seemed strange that the books and papers of the deceased -should have been messed up. If search had not been made for the will -in question, for what had the mysterious murderer been looking? This -question both the young men asked themselves, and asked each other -when the inquest was over.</p> - -<p>It came to an end very speedily. The Coroner could only direct the -attention of the jury to the facts laid before them, and did not offer -any opinion, as indeed he could not. The jury brought in a verdict of -"Willful murder against some person or persons unknown," which was all -that could be done. Then the meeting broke up, the reporters slipped -away with their loaded notebooks, grumbling at the dullness of the -matter, and the crowd of villagers dispersed to wonder, for the -hundredth time, who could have killed their amiable and kindly natured -vicar.</p> - -<p>"The beast who murdered Leigh could not have been looking for that -will."</p> - -<p>It was Hendle who spoke, as he walked back to The Big House with -Carrington. The barrister shrugged his shoulders and replied, "I had -the same idea when that policeman made his statement, and I saw you -look at me. I agree with you, although it is strange that the books -and papers should have been turned upside down. But only you and I -know of----"</p> - -<p>"Of course, of course," broke in the Squire quickly, "and, as I was in -bed, and you in London, of course we had nothing to do with the -matter."</p> - -<p>"Did you tell anyone else about the will?"</p> - -<p>"No. I never mentioned it to a soul."</p> - -<p>"Good. I shouldn't if I were you."</p> - -<p>Carrington's tone was so significant that the Squire turned on him in -a sharp, inquiring way. "What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"I mean that if anyone knew about the existence of John Hendle's will, -and what it meant to you, it is possible that on you suspicion might -rest."</p> - -<p>"What rubbish!" said Rupert uncomfortably. "I was in bed and asleep at -the time the crime was committed."</p> - -<p>"How can you prove that?"</p> - -<p>Rupert looked surprised. "Why, I saw that the butler locked up as -usual, and he knew that I went to bed earlier than usual."</p> - -<p>"Quite so. But when all the house was asleep, you might have risen -from your bed and have gone through the sleeping village to see -Leigh."</p> - -<p>"Why should I do that?"</p> - -<p>"I don't say you did," persisted Carrington. "I am only suggesting -what people would say if the existence of the will were known."</p> - -<p>"Hang it, Carrington," fumed the big man, "you don't mean to insinuate -that I had anything to do with so cowardly a crime."</p> - -<p>"No! No! No! I don't insinuate anything of the sort, as I know that -you are incapable of such a thing. But other people have nasty, -suspicious minds."</p> - -<p>Hendle looked more uncomfortable than ever. "I understand," he -murmured, after a pause; "it is just as well to say nothing about the -will. I dare say I shall find it among Leigh's papers when his lawyer -writes to me about my being the executor."</p> - -<p>"And if you do not?"</p> - -<p>Rupert shrugged his big shoulders. "Then there's nothing more to be -said or done," he remarked with resignation.</p> - -<p>"There is this to be said," observed Carrington, thoughtfully, "that -if the assassin really was looking for the will, and turned over the -books and papers to obtain the reward of his crime, the will is sure -to turn up sooner or later."</p> - -<p>"I don't follow you," said Hendle, both perturbed and puzzled.</p> - -<p>"Think for a moment. That will is of the greatest value to you, -and the man who murdered Leigh must have stolen it to--shall we -say--blackmail you. When everything has blown over, he will certainly -make some attempt to gain the reward he risked his neck for, by taking -the will to you or to Mallien."</p> - -<p>"If he comes to me I shall hand him over to the police," said Rupert -vigorously. "And Mallien, in spite of his misanthropic ways, would do -the same. I don't see, however, how anyone can have killed Leigh for -the sake of that will, as no one but you and I knew about it."</p> - -<p>"True enough. Did you tell Miss Mallien about it?"</p> - -<p>"No, I told no one. And if I had told Dorinda----"</p> - -<p>"She might have told her father, to whom the will was of importance, -seeing that it might possibly place him in possession of four thousand -a year."</p> - -<p>"Good Lord, Carrington, you don't infer that Mallien murdered the -vicar?"</p> - -<p>"No, I don't, because I have no grounds to go upon. But if you told -Miss----"</p> - -<p>"Confound it, man, I didn't. Haven't I been saying for the last half -hour that I told no one but you. Even if I had told Dorinda she would -never have spoken to her father without my permission. And even if she -had done so, her father would never have murdered Leigh to get the -will, as he would know very well that I am not the sort of man to -conceal such a document."</p> - -<p>"H'm! I'm not so sure of that," said Carrington doubtfully. "Mallien -is not a particularly scrupulous man, from what I have seen of him. He -may judge you by himself."</p> - -<p>"I don't care if he did judge me to be a scoundrel," retorted Rupert, -"that would not make me one. But aren't we twisting ropes of sand, -Carrington? I tell you solemnly that I told no one about John Hendle's -will, save you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'm only suggesting what people might say about you and Mallien, -did the existence of the will become known. After all," added -Carrington cheerfully, "there may not be any will at all. You have -never seen it, and have only the word of a dead man to go upon. It may -not exist."</p> - -<p>Rupert shook his head seriously. "I think it does exist, and that I -shall probably find it among Leigh's papers."</p> - -<p>"And if you do?"</p> - -<p>"I shall take it to our family lawyers and call in Mallien to talk the -matter over."</p> - -<p>"It's a risk, considering that Leigh has been murdered."</p> - -<p>"I don't see it. Even if anyone was crazy enough to suggest that I -killed the poor old man, the mere fact of my producing the will would -show that I had no reason to murder him. Pouf!" ended Rupert -contemptuously, "it is all froth and foam. Don't talk rubbish and make -mountains out of molehills."</p> - -<p>Carrington shrugged his shoulders and said no more, since on the face -of it he was, as Rupert stated, twisting ropes of sand. No more was -said on this particular phase of the case, but during luncheon the -young men discussed the matter freely. Naturally, on what had been set -forth in the evidence, they could arrive at no conclusion, and went to -the funeral of the vicar as much in the dark as anyone in the great -crowd that gathered in the churchyard. Mallien was there, but beyond -scowling at Carrington, for whom he had little love, and nodding -curtly to his cousin, he took no notice of the two men. Titus Ark was -there and mumbled every now and then something to the effect that the -vicar could not possibly be dead. But no one took notice of so crazy a -statement, since the doctor had given the certificate of death. It was -known how Ark idolized the parson, and how constantly he had been with -Leigh, therefore everyone thought that it was simply the senile -weakness of age on the sexton's part, to disbelieve that his only -friend was gone. And, finding that no one heeded his protests and -mutterings, Titus became stolidly silent, attending to his part of the -burial sullenly.</p> - -<p>So far as Ark's duties were concerned, he had little to do, not even -having had to dig a grave. The family vault in a quiet corner of the -churchyard was duly opened, and the coffin was carried down the damp, -worn steps. For a few centuries the Leighs had been buried here, as -formerly--before the Hendles came on the scene--they had been the -Lords of the Manor. Now, save the seafaring cousin, who was on the -distaff side, the last of the race had been laid to rest. A -neighboring clergyman read the service, which was listened to with -reverent attention, and when the door of the vault was closed again, -the crowd of mourners slowly dispersed. Judging from the observations -made, it was widely believed that the mystery of the death was hidden -away with the dead man in that dreary vault.</p> - -<p>"I can't see, sir," said Inspector Lawson to Rupert, "how anything is -to be discovered. I looked over the poor gentleman's papers, but could -find nothing in his past life to suggest that anyone would kill him."</p> - -<p>"Yet, according to Kensit, the papers were searched through," hinted -Hendle, relieved that the officer made no mention of the lost -parchment.</p> - -<p>Lawson shrugged his square shoulders. "Oh, these young constables -always see more than need be seen," he observed slightly, "they are so -eager for promotion you see, sir. My opinion is that some tramp on the -prowl walked in at that invitingly open gate on the chance of -stealing. Finding some door or window unbolted--he probably tried them -on the chance, as I say--he got into the study and, while tumbling -over the contents of the room and with the idea of finding something -worth taking, was surprised by Mr. Leigh. Naturally, the tramp's first -idea would be to escape, and, being prevented, he naturally would -strike down the man who strove to detain him."</p> - -<p>"You appear to have the case, quite cut and dried," remarked -Carrington, smiling.</p> - -<p>"It is all theory, I admit," retorted Lawson, rather nettled. "But if -you can find a better explanation on what is known, sir, I should be -glad to hear it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I dare say that your theory is as good as any other, Inspector. I -suppose you will search for more evidence on those lines?"</p> - -<p>"Search? In what direction am I to search?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't ask me," replied the barrister lightly. "I am as much in -the dark as you are, Inspector. Still, it will be just as well to -order Kensit to keep his weather eye open on the chance of something -unexpected turning up."</p> - -<p>"I have told Kensit to do so, Mr. Carrington, but I don't hope for any -result."</p> - -<p>Everyone was of much the same opinion as the worthy official, and his -theory was finally accepted by all, even by those who had hinted at a -deeper reason for the commission of the crime. A stray tramp, moving -from one town to another under cover of night, had probably killed the -vicar, so as to escape arrest for burglary. And it might be that he -did not even mean to murder Leigh, but only intended to stun him, so -as to get away. The heart disease, as much as the blow, was the cause -of death, according to Tollart, and the presumed tramp could not have -been expected to know that the parson suffered in this way. At all -events, the explanation of Lawson seemed likely to prove the sole -explanation which would be forthcoming.</p> - -<p>Carrington stayed for the night, but his consultations with Rupert led -to nothing. Then he took his departure, on the understanding that if -Hendle, as Leigh's executor, did find the will, or did not find it, he -would call down to Barship again to give his help.</p> - -<p>"I don't say that I am rich enough to do so for nothing, Hendle," -confessed the barrister frankly, "but I'm not greedy, and you can give -me what you consider fair."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't mind," answered Rupert, rather contemptuously, for he -thought that Carrington might have behaved more as a friend and less -as a professional adviser. "You shall name your own price, if the will -proves illegal, and I am left in possession of the property. -Otherwise, you will have to get your fees from the new heir."</p> - -<p>"Mallien. H'm! He is too avaricious a man to pay if he can help. I -want to work for you and not for him, Hendle. However, I understand -the position, and you can depend upon my doing my best to pull you -through."</p> - -<p>"I shall expect that, if I am to retain your services professionally," -said the Squire rather dryly, and then, mindful of the obligations of -hospitality, he drove Carrington to the station in his motor to catch -the midday express.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, he was disappointed that his old school chum should -bring pounds, shillings and pence into the matter. It imported a -sordid element into their friendship, and when Rupert reached The Big -House again, he came to the conclusion that perhaps Dorinda was not -far wrong in her estimate of the lawyer's character; or Mallien -either, for Mallien also mistrusted the man. And now it appeared that -there were grounds for a certain amount of mistrust, as Hendle -ruefully confessed to himself.</p> - -<p>In a short time, Leigh's lawyer, having seen the report of the murder, -inquest and burial in the newspapers, made his appearance and -intimated to Hendle that he was the dead man's executor. Besides his -income as a parson, Leigh only had a few hundred pounds invested in -Consols, so it was evident that the sea captain in Australia would not -benefit overmuch. The solicitor arranged to write to the legatee in -Australia, and promised to send some one down to value the books with -a view to selling them. Mrs. Jabber remained on at the Vicarage along -with her husband pending the arrival of the new parson, who was to be -appointed immediately by the Bishop. Rupert, as executor, went to the -untidy house, after the solicitor departed for London, to look over -all papers belonging to Leigh, and to put affairs shipshape. The -lawyer had no time to attend to the matter, since the estate was -hardly worthy of his professional attention, and when Hendle explained -that certain documents had to be restored to the Muniment Room, and -that a search for them would be necessary, the attorney allowed him to -attend to the matter wholly by himself. Thus it came about that Rupert -found himself three days after the burial digging among the bookish -rubbish in the study.</p> - -<p>Of course, his chief aim was to find the will, which Leigh had so -positively asserted existed. But, although the young man turned over -every paper and parchment, hunted through various boxes, and even -examined many of the books, on the chance that it might have been -slipped into one of them, he was unable to find what he wanted. At the -end of three or four hours, and when the afternoon was waning, Hendle -began to think that the will was a myth. It probably had never existed -save in Leigh's dreamy imagination. On the other hand, it might have -existed, and the assassin might have taken it. But this was too -fantastical an idea for Hendle to accept for one moment. Seeing that -only himself and Carrington knew about the will, whether it was real -or fictitious, it was impossible to believe that the crime had been -committed for its sake.</p> - -<p>By the time five o'clock came, Rupert, working, for the sake of -coolness, in his shirt sleeves, was hot and dusty and weary. Looking -for a needle in a bundle of hay did not appeal to him as an amusing -task, and he was about to abandon the search for the day, when a -quick, firm step was heard, and Mallien, looking like a thunder cloud, -entered to scowl a greeting.</p> - -<p>"Well?" he asked disagreeably, "have you found John Hendle's will?"</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_09" href="#div1Ref_09">CHAPTER IX</a></h4> -<h5>A SERIOUS POSITION</h5> -<br> - -<p>Sitting on the floor in a grimy snowdrift of scattered papers, and -surrounded by piles of dingy books, Rupert stared at his cousin, -scarcely taking in the purport of his words. Mallien appeared to be -pleased with the expression of genuine bewilderment on the other man's -face, but did not improve the occasion by speaking immediately. Since -the afternoon was oppressively hot, he wore a suit of cool white -flannel, which made him seem blacker in his hairy looks than ever. In -the heavy yellow sunshine streaming through the dusty room, his many -jewels twinkled and shot fire; scarf-pin and studs, sleeve links and -rings. Near the door, which he had closed, the newcomer leaned, -against the many volumes filling the book shelf, with folded arms and -crossed legs; an odd, and, as it impressed Hendle, a sinister figure. -It was the Squire who spoke next, as he was not entirely sure if he -had heard Mallien's astounding question.</p> - -<p>"What do you say?" he asked, almost mechanically.</p> - -<p>"You heard me right enough," sneered the other.</p> - -<p>"John Hendle's will?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, I thought so. None so deaf as those who won't hear. Well, have -you found it, Rupert?"</p> - -<p>"John Hendle's will," repeated the Squire, greatly taken aback by this -sudden display of knowledge on the part of his cousin.</p> - -<p>"Yes! Don't pretend that I am talking nonsense; you know better."</p> - -<p>Hendle gradually collected his scattered thoughts, and rose slowly to -his feet. Then, quite in a mechanical way, he took out pipe and -tobacco pouch. "I should like to know who told you," he remarked, -filling the bowl.</p> - -<p>"You shall know--Mrs. Beatson told me."</p> - -<p>"And how did she know?"</p> - -<p>"As women generally know things they are not meant to learn--by -eavesdropping. You understand. She listened to the conversation -between you and the parson, when he dined at The Big House, on the -evening before his death."</p> - -<p>"He did dine with me," admitted Hendle seriously. "And he did tell me -about the discovery of the will you mention. But why did Mrs. Beatson -listen, since she could not have guessed what he was going to speak -about."</p> - -<p>"It seems to me, Rupert, that you are asking questions, whereas it is -my right to do so. However, to make things clear, I don't mind in the -least answering you. Mrs. Beatson explained to me, in excuse for her -eavesdropping, that you had told her of your approaching marriage with -Dorinda, and she was afraid lest you should turn her out."</p> - -<p>"I told her I wouldn't."</p> - -<p>"Oh, did you? Then evidently she did not believe you, and hovered -round the dining-room and drawing-room, hoping to hear anything you -might say to the vicar on the subject. Leigh hinted at some mystery he -had to impart to you. Mrs. Beatson heard his remark through the open -door of the dining-room and it aroused her curiosity. When you went to -the drawing-room, she was outside the window drinking in every word."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" said Rupert, lighting his pipe. "I remember that the windows of -the drawing-room were open on account of the heat. She stole along the -terrace, I presume."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and heard every word," repeated Mallien significantly. "In the -first instance, you will understand that Mrs. Beatson only hovered -round you and the vicar to hear anything connected with her possible -dismissal. But, when she grasped the fact about the will, she became -aware that she had overheard a secret, which she could turn to her own -advantage. For a time she hesitated whether to let you or me buy her -silence. Then, thinking that I would get the money, she came and told -me all about it."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" said Rupert again, and very calmly. "Rather treacherous -behavior toward me, considering how kind I treated her."</p> - -<p>"Treachery be hanged!" burst out Mallien, leaving the wall and -throwing himself onto a convenient pile of books, which afforded him a -seat. "She wanted to see me righted."</p> - -<p>"She wanted a price for her secret, I think you said."</p> - -<p>"Well, and why not?" demanded the hairy little Timon, in a blustering -way. "It is only natural that you should wish to keep the secret, and -only natural that Mrs. Beatson should try and make money out of -telling it to me."</p> - -<p>"I suppose it is, with some natures. So you are going to pay her."</p> - -<p>"Yes! She's done me a good turn. I'll give her an annuity when I come -to live at The Big House."</p> - -<p>"You are not there yet," said Rupert, dryly. Now that he knew the -worst he was perfectly calm. And he had every right to be since he had -done nothing with which to reproach himself.</p> - -<p>"I shall be there, when this will comes to light," bullied Mallien -fiercely. "Naturally you wish to hide it----"</p> - -<p>"There you make a mistake," interrupted the big man leisurely. "As -soon as the will is found, I shall take it to our family lawyers, and -have it looked into."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, you say so now, because you can't keep the secret any -longer, thanks to Mrs. Beatson," retorted Mallien coarsely.</p> - -<p>"I never intended to keep any secret."</p> - -<p>"Then why didn't you tell me as soon as Leigh told you?"</p> - -<p>"Because I had not seen the will, and so far as that goes, I have -never set eyes on it yet. It may be a myth, and it was useless for me -to speak about it until I was sure that such a document was in -existence."</p> - -<p>"It is in existence," insisted Mallien uneasily.</p> - -<p>"We have only the vicar's word for it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, of course you say that."</p> - -<p>"What else can I say? Listen to me, Mallien. Unpleasant as it is for -me to lose my property, I am quite willing to surrender it to you -without the intervention of the law, if the will proves to be legal. -If it doesn't, of course I shall keep my own."</p> - -<p>But even this generous and reasonable speech did not appeal to the -grasping hearer. "You can do what you like," he replied doggedly; "but -if I don't get the property, I shall bring the case before a judge and -jury."</p> - -<p>"There will be no necessity for you to do so, if the will is legal."</p> - -<p>Mallien sneered. "I suppose you'll try and prove that it isn't."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," retorted Hendle, angered by this extreme selfishness. -"You may be sure that I shall do all I can to protect my own -interests. Would you not do the same were you in my position?"</p> - -<p>The other shirked a straightforward reply as a selfish man would. -"That is neither here nor there," he snapped, "I want my rights."</p> - -<p>"You shall have them, if you have any."</p> - -<p>"From what Mrs. Beatson told me----"</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Beatson knows no more nor no less than I do," interrupted the -Squire patiently. "She is aware that Leigh found--or said that he -found--a will made by John Hendle one hundred years ago, leaving the -property to Eunice Filbert and her descendants. If such is the case, -and you are rightfully entitled to take my place, well"---- Rupert -shrugged his square shoulders, and completed his sentence by waving -his hand vaguely to the four corners of the room. Mallien scowled and -tried to pick holes.</p> - -<p>"Oh, you can be certain that I shall claim my rights to the last -farthing," he growled savagely, and rather annoyed by Rupert's -reasonable attitude.</p> - -<p>"Naturally. That is only fair. I am not the man, as you well know, to -keep what does not honestly belong to me. But," added Hendle with -emphasis, "the will has yet to be found."</p> - -<p>"It must be found," declared Mallien violently.</p> - -<p>"That is easier said than done. Leigh seemed to have mislaid, or -hidden it, very thoroughly. Inspector Lawson did not come across it, -and I can't lay my hands on it nohow. And, remember, even when it is -discovered, the legality of it has yet to be proved."</p> - -<p>"If it is signed and witnessed properly I inherit," shouted Mallien, -doggedly, and objecting, as such an illogical man would, to the mere -shadow of a contradiction.</p> - -<p>"Don't go too fast," said the Squire dryly. "There is such a thing as -the Statute of Limitations."</p> - -<p>"Oh, is there? And what deviltry is that?"</p> - -<p>"A law which, in most cases, operates against the restoration of -property devolving under a lost will, found--as this one has -been--after so long a period of time."</p> - -<p>"You talk like a book," sneered Mallien, uncomfortably, for here was -an obstacle which he did not expect to meet. "And you will take -advantage of this infernal Statute?"</p> - -<p>"Why not?" demanded Rupert, calmly. "Would you not do the same under -the same circumstances?"</p> - -<p>"I prefer not to enter into any argument on that point," said Mallien -loftily. "It seems to be a silly law. And what about not keeping what -isn't your own."</p> - -<p>"If the Statute of Limitations acts in my favor, the property would be -my own," answered the Squire coolly.</p> - -<p>"Hair-splitting!"</p> - -<p>"Common sense! And I would not have used such an argument, but for -your display of greedy selfishness."</p> - -<p>"Me selfish. How dare you!" Mallien fumed and fretted, and made as -though he would throw himself on his cousin.</p> - -<p>Hendle held out one hand to keep him off. "None of that, Mallien. No -violence or it will be the worse for you. If it comes to a physical -tussle, it will not be difficult for me to lay you on your back."</p> - -<p>Mallien knew this, so tried verbal bullying. "I order you not to -address me in that insolent tone."</p> - -<p>"Don't be a fool, man. And don't talk about insolence until you learn -how to behave yourself. Everyone far and near considers you a most -objectionable person."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" Mallien grew livid. "And you?"</p> - -<p>"I am of the same opinion," replied Rupert, smoking placidly. "If you -were not Dorinda's father, I should have thrashed you ages ago."</p> - -<p>"You shall never marry my daughter," gasped the other, panting with -rage.</p> - -<p>"Dorinda and I can afford to do without your permission. See here, -Mallien, don't you think it's time you stopped playing the fool. I -said before, and I say again, that if the property is proved to be -rightfully yours, as the descendant of Eunice Filbert, I shall not -stand in the way. So the best thing you can do is to behave your silly -self and help me to search for the will. We can leave the question of -my marriage to Dorinda alone just now. Until the will is found, or is -proved not to exist, you are well aware that no marriage can take -place."</p> - -<p>"And if the will is found, and I am put in possession of The Big -House, no marriage shall take place," retorted the other, still -fuming.</p> - -<p>"On the other hand, if the will is found and proves to be illegal? -What then will be your attitude?"</p> - -<p>"Even then I shall refuse to----"</p> - -<p>"Not you," broke in Rupert with a broad smile. "You are too anxious to -buy that blue sapphire you were talking about. If you want the five -hundred a year that my marriage with Dorinda will put into your -pocket, you will have to put your pride in the same receptacle."</p> - -<p>"We'll see about that!" snarled Mallien vindictively, but in a more -subdued tone, for he did not wish to cross the Rubicon too soon. "The -will has yet to be proved illegal."</p> - -<p>"The will has yet to be found," answered the Squire, thinking how -difficult it was to hammer an idea into the man's obstinate head.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" Mallien's tone was significant. "I am quite sure that it never -will be found."</p> - -<p>Rupert opened his big blue eyes in genuine surprise. "You seem to have -changed your opinion," he remarked, after a pause. "Just now you made -sure it would be found."</p> - -<p>"Bah!" Mallien's pent-up rage burst forth anew. "Do you think that I -can't see through your pretended search?"</p> - -<p>"Pretended search." Hendle rose slowly and towered above the stout -little man like a giant. "Explain what you mean."</p> - -<p>"It's easy to see," snapped the other, sulkily. "Lawson could not find -the will among the papers of Leigh and you will not find it. And why? -Because it is already in your possession, and has been destroyed for -all I know."</p> - -<p>"Still, I don't understand," said Rupert, and his eyes grew hard as he -began to have an inkling of Mallien's meaning. "Leigh did not give the -will to me before he died."</p> - -<p>"I dare say not. He had his own fish to fry, and would only have given -it to you on getting your promise to finance his silly Yucatan -expedition. You took the will from his dead body."</p> - -<p>Hendle's temper, long held in check, blazed up. He took two steps -toward the gad-fly which so irritated him, caught Mallien by the -throat and flung him right across the room. "You liar," he said, in a -dangerously quiet tone.</p> - -<p>"It's true! it's true!" gasped his cousin, struggling into a sitting -position amid a pile of tumbled books.</p> - -<p>"Do you want your neck twisted?"</p> - -<p>"I dare you to do it," shrieked Mallien hysterically. "You daren't add -one murder to another."</p> - -<p>Rupert sat down suddenly, afraid lest his wrath should carry him too -far, and reined in his feelings with a powerful effort. "I think you -are a fool, and should be answered according to your folly," he said, -with suppressed anger. "What makes you think that I did such a thing?"</p> - -<p>His cousin gathered himself together and smoothed his ruffled plumes. -But he still remained among the pile of books his fall had scattered, -as he did not wish to come within arm's length of Hendle. There he sat -and grinned like an ugly little gnome. "Anyone can guess your game," -he sneered, venomously. "Leigh told you about the will and said it was -here, but--I am quite sure of this--he refused to give it to you, -unless you agreed to finance his Yucatan expedition. Of course you -refused, and then came here in the dead of night to murder him and get -the will. Bah! I can see through your pretence of searching for what -is already found."</p> - -<p>"You read my character according to your own base thoughts," said -Rupert, now quite self-possessed; "and what you say is wholly untrue. -Leigh told me about the will, as Mrs. Beatson informed you, and she -can bear witness that the vicar declared that he had mislaid the -document. I called to see him the next morning, but he was away--as -Mrs. Jabber can testify--seeing Mrs. Patter, who was reported to be -dying. I then went to Town to consult Carrington----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you have brought that beast into it," sneered Mallien -vindictively.</p> - -<p>"I consulted him as to what was best to be done, and he advised me not -to see the vicar until the next day, and then in his company. -Carrington, as you well know, came down by the midday train, for the -purpose of seeing Leigh along with me. But by that time Leigh was -dead."</p> - -<p>"Quite so. And you killed him."</p> - -<p>The accusation was so absurd that Rupert merely shrugged his -shoulders, and wondered why he had lost his temper with this gad-fly -even for a moment. "I think you will find it difficult to prove that," -he observed, suavely. "I did not see Leigh on the night he was -murdered; I did not even call at the Vicarage, thanks to Carrington's -advice. My servants can prove, if you like to question them, that I -locked up and retired to bed at ten o'clock."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I dare say you did," scoffed Mallien; "but, remember, that Leigh -was killed--if Dr. Tollart is to be believed--at eleven. It was easy -for you to slip out of The Big House and come along to----"</p> - -<p>"I did not." Rupert started to his feet again, but maintained his -calmness.</p> - -<p>"How can you prove that you did not?"</p> - -<p>"How can you prove that I did?" counterquestioned the Squire.</p> - -<p>Mallien rose and brushed the dust from his flannels. "I shall leave -Lawson to find the proof," he cried, triumphantly. "Oh, yes. Once -Lawson knows that the will, which would rob you of your property, -exists, it will be easy for him to assign a cause why Leigh should -have been murdered. Remember, the papers were all tumbled about, as -Kensit can witness. The burglary business is all rubbish. It was to -get the will that Leigh was murdered, and you are the culprit."</p> - -<p>Hendle did not reply for a moment, for so skillfully had the venomous -little man built up the case, that he was quite taken aback. Then he -remembered how Carrington had warned him that, if the business of the -missing will was known, it was possible some such accusation might be -brought. Thanks to Mrs. Beatson's treachery, Mallien had been placed -in possession of dangerous facts, and Mallien, sooner than forego the -chance of acquiring the Hendle property, was quite prepared to have -his cousin handed over to the police. Not only was a strong motive for -the murder provided, but Rupert knew that he would have the greatest -difficulty in proving an alibi. After ten o'clock, all his own -servants and the inhabitants of Barship were in bed, so it was -perfectly feasible, on the face of it, that to protect his own -interests he might have stolen through the village to commit the -crime. Of course, he knew very well that he had not; that any idea of -securing the will in this way had never entered his head. -Nevertheless, the position was both uncomfortable and dangerous, and, -for the moment, he did not know what to say. Mallien noted his -cousin's silence, and concluded that guilt prevented his speech.</p> - -<p>"You can't deny what I say," he cried viciously.</p> - -<p>"I am too much taken aback by your audacity to reply, or to deny," -retorted the young man, drawing a deep breath. "Knowing me as you do, -can you think me guilty of so cowardly a crime, as to strike down an -old man?"</p> - -<p>"I think you capable of acting anyhow to retain your own property," -answered Mallien cynically.</p> - -<p>"You judge me by yourself. You might act so, but I should not. -However, it is useless to prolong this talk. I now know that you are -an envious and disappointed man, and to get my money you are willing -to go to the length of getting me hanged."</p> - -<p>"You shouldn't murder people, you know," taunted Mallien, believing -that he was now top dog and could have everything his own way.</p> - -<p>Rupert passed over the accusation. "I suppose," he remarked, laying a -trap for his foe, "that if I hand you over the property, will or no -will, you won't say anything to the police?"</p> - -<p>Mallien's dark eyes gleamed with greed and triumph, as he had not -expected to gain so sudden a victory. Hendle had evidently surrendered -without firing a shot. "Yes," he said eagerly. "After all, I don't -want to wash dirty family linen in public, and it would be unpleasant -for me and for Dorinda to see you in the dock. After all, also, the -will leaves everything to me, as the descendant of Eunice Filbert."</p> - -<p>"The will has yet to be found; it has yet to be proved legal," said -Rupert calmly, "and we are not even certain if this presumed will is -not a figment of Leigh's brain."</p> - -<p>"Leigh could not have invented such a story," said Mallien doggedly. -"And whether he did or not matters little. The property is mine----"</p> - -<p>"That has yet to be proved," interpolated Hendle quietly.</p> - -<p>"If you don't climb down, it will be proved at the expense of your -arrest for the murder," threatened Mallien.</p> - -<p>"I see." Rupert's lip curled with contempt. "And if I give you all I -have, you will condone a felony?"</p> - -<p>"I don't care what beastly terms you use," snapped Mallien uneasily. -"You know that it is in my power to have you arrested."</p> - -<p>"And in Mrs. Beatson's also."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'll make it worth her while to keep quiet."</p> - -<p>"I wonder how Dorinda ever came to have so dishonorable a man for her -father," commented Rupert reflectively. "I always knew you to be a -bully and an avaricious animal, but I did expect some decency."</p> - -<p>"Take care," raged Mallien, growing livid again. "I shall tell the -police what I know, if you insult me further."</p> - -<p>"It is impossible to insult you. A man who had agreed to hush up what -he supposes to be a crime cannot be insulted. He is beyond the pale of -decency. I presume, Mallien, that it never occurred to you that if I -were weak enough to agree to your blackmailing, that you could be -arrested later as an accessory after the fact, always supposing that I -am guilty, which I am not."</p> - -<p>"Oh, for your own sake you'll hold your tongue," said the other -confidently, "and Mrs. Beatson can be squared. I don't think she'll -connect the murder and the will, anyhow, as I have done."</p> - -<p>"I see. She is not quite so clever as you are. Well, then, if I hand -over the property to you straightway, and not bother about finding the -will----"</p> - -<p>"Which you have already got and destroyed."</p> - -<p>"I see. We'll let it go at that. I am guilty, and you will condone my -guilt on condition that you get my money?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mallien impudently.</p> - -<p>"And you will take the risk of being proved an accessory after the -fact?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! Because I know that you'll hold your tongue for your own sake."</p> - -<p>"Of course, you will keep Mrs. Beatson quiet?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly. She won't say a word if I give her an annuity; and she is -not likely to connect the will and the murder, as I remarked before. -Well?"</p> - -<p>"Well?" echoed Rupert ironically. "I'm not taking any, thank you."</p> - -<p>Mallien's face fell when he found that, in the moment of his fancied -triumph, victory was suddenly snatched from his grasp. "You refuse?"</p> - -<p>"I do. Go to Inspector Lawson and bring your accusation. I am quite -ready to meet it."</p> - -<p>"You'll be arrested," threatened Mallien.</p> - -<p>"I am quite willing to be arrested. That's better than being in the -power of a blackmailer."</p> - -<p>"You are mad; you are quite mad."</p> - -<p>"You would like me to be, but, as it happens, I am perfectly sane. -Meanwhile, until you have me locked up, help me to search for the -will."</p> - -<p>Mallien could not understand his cousin's attitude. He had insulted -him; he had brought a vile accusation against him; yet Rupert coolly -refused his greedy terms, and evidently did not mind being in his -company. Knowing how he would have cringed and agreed to anything -under similar circumstances, Mallien at once sought refuge in a taunt. -"I thought you were a man?"</p> - -<p>"Obnoxious animals such as you are cannot judge what is a man and what -isn't, my friend," retorted Rupert, putting on his coat. "Will you -walk along with me toward The Big House and discuss the matter -further?"</p> - -<p>"No, hang you, I won't."</p> - -<p>"As you please. And your denunciation of me to the police?"</p> - -<p>Mallien hesitated. "I'll give you a week to think things over."</p> - -<p>"Thank you," said Hendle gravely, and, the treaty having been made, -the conversation ended with victory for the Squire--a victory won by -sheer honesty.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_10" href="#div1Ref_10">CHAPTER X</a></h4> -<h5>DORINDA</h5> -<br> - -<p>Here was a pretty kettle of fish. Hitherto, Rupert had led an easy -life, wholly devoid of any great trouble. His mother having died when -he was born, and his father while the lad was at school, Hendle had -never been brought face to face with any heartbreaking sorrow. But, -with the advent of Carrington, as a species of stormy petrel, had come -one woe after another. In a remarkably short space of time, Rupert -found himself in danger of losing his property, his position, his -promised wife, and even his good name, if not his liberty and life. -Should the will be found, and should it prove to be legal, Mallien, -without the least compunction, would ascend the local throne as the -new Squire of Barship, with an income of four thousand a year. And, in -that event, there would be every chance that the marriage with Dorinda -would never take place. Her father, having all he wanted, would never -agree to the match, and, even if the girl remained true--as he knew -very well she would--how could he ask her to marry one reduced to the -position of a pauper? These things alone were sufficient to drive an -ordinary man crazy; but the possibility of being arrested for a crime -he had not committed, made Hendle feel that the burden was too great -to be borne. He returned to The Big House with his mind in a turmoil, -and his head aching with anxious thought.</p> - -<p>Aware that Mrs. Beatson had acted treacherously, Rupert's first idea -was to call her in and dismiss her straightway with a month's wages. -But, on second thoughts, he decided to do nothing until he had -consulted with Carrington. Certainly, the barrister, by refusing to -help as a friend, had shown himself almost as greedy of gain as -Mallien; but Hendle decided that the prospect of a fat fee would make -the man more alert to earn it. Carrington, when all was said and done, -had a shrewd brain and a great deal of experience connected with the -seamy side of life, so he was just the man to handle the problems Fate -had so unexpectedly given Rupert to solve. Mallien did not like -Carrington, and if Mallien secured the property, Carrington would not -even get his costs for taking up the case. Therefore, both as a -professional man and as Hendle's friend, the barrister had every -reason to work on the side of the Squire. What he would advise in the -matter of Mrs. Beatson and her eavesdropping Rupert did not know; but -he thought it would be just as well to see what he said. With this -idea the Squire made no difference toward his treacherous housekeeper, -and concealed his feelings so well that Mrs. Beatson had no idea that -her batteries had been unmasked. All the same Hendle saw as little of -her as possible, and, beyond giving her necessary orders, did not -speak to her.</p> - -<p>It must be noted that Mallien's estimate of Mrs. Beatson's brain was a -perfectly correct one. She did not in any way connect the conversation -about the missing will with the death of the vicar. All she knew was -that Mr. Leigh had found an ancient testament which would probably -transfer the property to Mallien, as the descendant of John Hendle's -granddaughter; and, for this reason, she worshipped the rising sun. -Had she guessed that there was any doubt about the legality of the -will, or any danger of its not being found, she would have held her -tongue until such time as she saw on what side it was best to range -herself. But, in the conversation she had overheard, Leigh had seemed -so certain that Rupert would lose the property and as certain that his -cousin would get it, that Mrs. Beatson had lost no time in reporting -the position. Mallien's conduct had justified her action, for he -had promised her an annuity whenever he came into his own. And, to -gain a certain income, the housekeeper was quite willing to see her -kind-hearted young master driven as a pauper from his house.</p> - -<p>Some natures are so strangely constituted that they resent kindness, -and the more benefactions they receive, the more do they hate the -person who bestows them. Mrs. Beatson was a woman of this class, and -all Hendle's consideration for many years had only increased the -dislike she had felt when she first set eyes on him. Moreover, she -detested Dorinda for her beauty and sweetness, and for the certain -happiness which the marriage with Rupert would surely give her. Mrs. -Beatson knew enough of the girl's unsophisticated nature to be sure -that no amount of money would make up to her for the loss of her -promised husband. She did not like Dorinda getting a fortune through -her father, but that could not be helped, and, after all, the breaking -of the engagement would assuredly prevent the girl from enjoying the -same. Therefore, the good lady smiled comfortably to herself as she -went about her duties, and rejoiced to think, as she put it, in quite -a Biblical way, that the pride of the young couple would soon be -brought low. She might not have rejoiced so prematurely had she -guessed the contents of the after-dinner letter which her master -wrote. But she did not and gloried in her fool's paradise. Dorinda -would be made miserable; Hendle would be made a pauper; and she, who -had brought about these things, would retire on an annuity of two -hundred a year for her services, as she thought that Mallien could not -possibly give her less.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, after a meal to which he gave little attention, Hendle -retired to the snug little library of The Big House and sat down to -his desk. After a few moments of reflection, he wrote a long and -exhaustive letter to Carrington, setting forth what had taken place in -the study of the late vicar. He pointed out that what the barrister -had conjectured had actually come to pass, for Mallien, in possession -of the secret, now deliberately accused him of the crime. Rupert added -that he had been given a week to think over things, and then asked -whether it would not be well to dismiss Mrs. Beatson at once, lest she -should act in a further treacherous manner. Finally, the young man -ended with inviting Carrington to come down and stay at The Big House -until everything was put straight, hinting that any fee Carrington -liked to demand would be given to him for his services. In a -postscript, Rupert significantly added that if Mallien got the -property, Carrington would either receive less remuneration, or none -at all. Therefore, and this was the end of the letter--it remained for -Carrington to say whether he would give his services on these doubtful -terms. Having placed the position before the barrister thus fairly and -squarely, Hendle slipped the epistle into an envelope, addressed and -sealed it, and sent a special messenger to post it in the village. -Afterward, as there was no more to be done, he lighted his pipe, and, -sitting in one chair with his feet on another, he began to read the -morning paper, which he had not yet glanced at, so deeply had he been -involved in the direction of his own affairs.</p> - -<p>But the young man's brain declined to interest itself in public doings -and, before he knew where he was, Rupert found himself thinking of -what had happened in connection with Dorinda. Laying the newspaper on -his knee, and placing his hands behind his head, he leaned back to -think what was best to be done. He sorely needed a sympathetic soul to -converse with, and there was no one so fitted to help him as Dorinda. -Carrington's request for a fee had placed him in the position of a -business man rather than in that of a friend, so there was nothing to -be gained in that quarter. But Dorinda always understood and always -gave good advice, and always soothed his feelings. Hendle longed for -her looks, and touch and words so much, that he very nearly decided to -cross the park and visit the cottage. But two considerations caused -him to alter his mind, one was that Mallien, now openly hostile, would -be present at the interview; the other was, that he could not speak -straightly to the girl, seeing that her father had so much to do with -the matter. Dorinda knew that her parent was what is known as a hard -case, and had not much respect or affection for him, since he did not -deserve the first, nor demand the last. All the same, it was -impossible, as Hendle felt, for him to tell the girl frankly that her -father was little more than a blackmailer. With such a delicate -perception of what was right and just as Rupert possessed, such a -course of action was not to be thought of, so he subsided again into -his chair, whence he had risen, and determined to carry his heavy -burden all by himself. And, considering that the young man had no -experience of burdens, he carried it well and bravely.</p> - -<p>Then Fate, who had interfered so much in his affairs that matters had -been brought to this pass, interfered again with a kinder motive. Just -as Rupert was wondering how he was to get through the long night -without receiving human sympathy, there was a tapping at the -right-hand window of the room, which brought him to his feet. In the -stillness of the library, the sound was so unexpected and imperative -that even Hendle's steady nerves were unstrung for the moment. With an -effort he pulled himself together, and went to the window to lift it -and see who had made the signal. Through the glass he saw Dorinda -standing on the terrace in the luminous summer night, and she nodded -smilingly to him when he lifted the sash.</p> - -<p>"Why didn't you go to the door?" asked Rupert, leaning out, and more -astonished by her unexpected appearance than he would admit.</p> - -<p>"I don't want that prying Mrs. Beatson to see me," replied Miss -Mallien, advancing toward the window, the sill of which was so low -that she could very easily step over it. "I don't want her to know -that I am here. Help me in, Rupert. No!" she suddenly stepped back. -"Better come out and join me in the garden. I have much to say to you, -and I don't want to risk Mrs. Beatson listening at the door."</p> - -<p>"You never did like her," said Hendle, vaulting through the open -window onto the terrace. "But why do you suspect her of -eavesdropping?"</p> - -<p>"My father has told me what she told him," rejoined the girl calmly. -"It is for that reason that I have come over."</p> - -<p>Rupert took her arm, and they descended the shallow steps to the -second terrace, and then gained the lawn, which was dry and warm to -the feet. For a few minutes the Squire said nothing, but guided her -down a narrow path, which wound deviously to a kind of glade, wherein -stood an ancient sundial. Near this and against a dense shrubbery -stood a low marble seat on which he placed the girl. Then he sat down -beside her and, still remaining silent, strove to collect his -scattered thoughts. Dorinda did not hurry him into speech by making -any further observation. She had said all that was necessary, and the -next remark must be made by her lover. So the two sat quietly under -the calm beauty of the stars, breathing the cool fragrance of the -night, and the myriad odors of the dreaming flowers. There was no -moon, yet the light of the dying day, which still lingered, revealed -the garden in a kind of warm twilight. It was such an evening as would -have inspired Romeo to venture into the magical garden of Juliet; and -love-talk was the only language fitted for such an hour and scene. Yet -the stern necessities of the hour demanded that this bachelor and maid -should talk on more prosaic matters. A sad waste of time and -opportunity, to be sure, as both regretfully thought; but there was no -help for it, if future peace was to be insured. Only by the two -solving the problems which Fate had set, could happiness come.</p> - -<p>"I am sorry that your father told you," said Rupert at last.</p> - -<p>"Why?" Dorinda turned her thoughtful face toward him, and saw his -white shirt-front glimmer in the half-light.</p> - -<p>"Because I did not intend to tell you myself."</p> - -<p>"Why?" she asked again, and very calmly--even wonderingly.</p> - -<p>"Is there any need to worry you?" fenced the young man evasively.</p> - -<p>"If you are worried, as you are, it is only fair that I should be -worried also, which I am. We are not yet married, dear; all the same, -we are as perfectly of one mind as any two people can be. And, if I am -to be your wife, I must naturally share your burdens; it is easier for -two to bear them than one. You understand?"</p> - -<p>Hendle took her hand, which lay lightly on her lap, and pressed it in -token of thanks. "I understand that you are a staunch and true woman," -he said, in a soft voice, "how you came to have such a father----?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, don't let us speak of him," interrupted Dorinda impatiently.</p> - -<p>"My dear, we must speak of him, as he is part and parcel of the -affairs which we must discuss. Yet, had he not spoken to you, I should -have held my peace, although I was sorely tempted to come to you for -sympathy no later than a few minutes before you tapped at the window."</p> - -<p>"I knew, from what my father said, that you were in trouble, Rupert, -and I felt that you needed me. For that reason I flung a cloak over my -dinner-dress and came on here. Mrs. Beatson would be very shocked if -she knew that I was sitting alone with you in the garden in this -hour."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Beatson is the kind of woman who would be shocked, however -innocent the thing that startled her might be. So your father told you -of our interview in Leigh's study?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. That is, he told me about the missing will, and how Mrs. Beatson -overheard what poor Mr. Leigh had to say on the matter."</p> - -<p>"What else did he tell you?" asked Hendle anxiously.</p> - -<p>"My dear," Dorinda's eyes opened widely, "what else was there to -tell?"</p> - -<p>"Hum!" murmured the Squire doubtfully. "Your father let out just as -much as suited him. Let us talk of what he did tell you to begin with; -afterward, we can talk of what he did not tell you. Yet"--Rupert -tugged at his moustache nervously--"I am not quite sure if I should -speak frankly."</p> - -<p>"I am," retorted Dorinda, giving his hand a squeeze, "if I am to help -you, I must know everything."</p> - -<p>"I don't feel quite certain if that is playing the game."</p> - -<p>"Is my father playing the game?" questioned the girl, with a shrug.</p> - -<p>"No," answered Rupert decidedly, "he isn't. And it is that which makes -it so hard for me to be frank. After all, your father is your father, -dear, and I have no right to say anything which will lower him in your -esteem."</p> - -<p>Dorinda laughed rather sadly. "Dear, I have no illusions left about my -father," she said, in a low tone, "he has never been a father to me, -as you know very well. I have tried my best to respect and love him, -but his actions and life are such that I can do neither. Be as open -with me as you can, Rupert, for you know that my father will not spare -either of us where his own feelings are at stake. Therefore, it only -seems fair to me that we should not spare him, more than is necessary, -on account of my unfortunate relationship to him."</p> - -<p>"Do you really think so, Dorinda?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do. If my father deserved filial affection, he should have it. -But, as he has made no attempt to secure it, how can I give it to him? -And remember, you are to be my husband and your interests are mine, -even though my father's selfish desires intervene. You have the -greatest claim on me."</p> - -<p>Rupert heaved a sigh of relief. "I am so glad to hear you say that," -he remarked thankfully, "for I badly need some one who can help me and -sympathize with me. I thought Carrington would prove to be a pal, but, -like everyone else, he is eaten up with greed for money."</p> - -<p>"What makes you say that?"</p> - -<p>"He said that he would only help me on condition that I paid him."</p> - -<p>"Ah-r-r-r," said Dorinda, much disgusted. "I told you that I did not -like him, Rupert. He is a bad man."</p> - -<p>"Oh, not so bad as that, dear. A little greedy perhaps, but not wholly -bad."</p> - -<p>"He is a bad man," repeated Dorinda, obstinately. "As my father said, -long ago, all he wants is to get money out of you."</p> - -<p>"As your father does," said Rupert dryly.</p> - -<p>Dorinda looked down at her white shoes and placed them both together -before she answered. "I have told you my opinion of my father," she -said with a sigh, "so what is the use of going over old ground. But -time is passing, Rupert, and there is much to say. I wish to go home -soon, lest my father should find out that I have come here. I left him -busy in his study with his jewels, so we are safe for half an hour, at -least. Come now, what took place in the Vicarage library?"</p> - -<p>"What did your father tell you?"</p> - -<p>"He said that Mrs. Beatson told him about the will found by Mr. Leigh, -and how Mr. Leigh had mislaid it. The will, he declared, left the -Hendle property to him entirely."</p> - -<p>"I have not yet seen the will," answered Rupert, cautiously, "and, -beyond Leigh's word, I don't even know that it exists. But he -maintained that it did, as he came across it in the Muniment Room, and -took it to the Vicarage to look into. Then he lost it, or mislaid it -somehow. As I have access to his papers, as executor, I am trying to -find it."</p> - -<p>"Does it leave the property to my father?"</p> - -<p>"Not directly, I understand," admitted Rupert, quietly, "but Leigh -explained that John Hendle, from whom we are both descended, dear, -hated his younger son Frederick, who inherited, and loved his son -Walter, who was killed at the Battle of Waterloo. In the year when -that battle was fought, he made this will, leaving the Hendle property -to Walter's daughter, and cutting off Frederick, who represented the -younger branch."</p> - -<p>"Eunice Hendle was the daughter, my father said."</p> - -<p>"Yes. She afterward became Eunice Filbert, as she married a man of -that name," explained Rupert laboriously. "Her daughter, Anne Filbert, -married Frank Mallien, your father's parent, so, if the will proves to -be legal, your father will certainly get the property through his -descent on the distaff side."</p> - -<p>"And you?" asked Dorinda, apprehensively.</p> - -<p>Rupert rested his elbows on his knees, linked his hands loosely -together, and looked down at the shadowy turf of the lawn. "I shall -lose everything," he stated calmly. "I descend in the male line from -Frederick through Henry Hendle and Charles Hendle. And, as Frederick -was cut off by his father in favor of Walter's child, Eunice, I am an -interloper and a fraud. If this will is found, and can be proved to be -legal, Dorinda, I shall not have a penny. As things stand, your father -is better off with his five hundred a year than I shall be. It is a -very unpleasant position, as it stops our marriage."</p> - -<p>"Oh, does it?" cried Dorinda, flaming up, "in what way?"</p> - -<p>"Well, in the first place, your father would never agree to your -marrying a pauper, and in the second the pauper could scarcely ask you -to share his nothing a year."</p> - -<p>"Darling,"--Dorinda drew closer to her lover and laid her cheek -against his--"I will marry no one but you. I don't care what my father -says."</p> - -<p>"It is not of your father that I am thinking of, but of my honor," -rejoined Rupert, slipping his arm round her waist and holding her -tightly to him. "If we got married, how could I support you? I have no -trade, and no profession, so the only thing that I could do to keep -body and soul together is to enlist. I might emigrate certainly, but -then your life as my wife would be as hard and impossible in the -backwoods as it would be if you followed the drum along with me."</p> - -<p>Dorinda sighed. "You take a very prosaic view of the position."</p> - -<p>"In justice to you I must take a prosaic view. Romance is all very -well, but without money romance means trouble and sordid cares."</p> - -<p>"Yes," sighed the girl again; then added, after a pause. "And if the -will is not found?"</p> - -<p>"I shall keep my own," answered Rupert firmly. "It's no use my being a -silly fool, and giving up what isn't proved not to be mine. But I am -looking for the will, Dorinda, and if it comes to light, I shall hand -it over to the family lawyers to be adjusted. And, of course, you may -be certain that I shall take advantage of everything likely to prevent -my losing The Big House and the income."</p> - -<p>"That is quite right," said Dorinda, in a tone of satisfaction, -patting her lover's hand consolingly. "I daresay my father will fight, -but if you have right on your side, you will be sure to win. Money -would do my father no good, as he would only waste it in collecting -jewels, whereas you make good use of your income. After all the will -may not exist. Mr. Leigh may have dreamed that there was such a -document."</p> - -<p>"He seemed to be very positive that it did exist, dear," said Rupert, -with a shrug, "and, although Leigh was a bit of a dreamer, I don't -think he would have or could have made up such a fairy tale as this. -For my part, I believe that there <i>is</i> such a testament, and that it -will come to light sooner or later. I shall make use of the Statute of -Limitations, and of any flaw in the will to keep the property, but if -everything is legal and shipshape, I shall hand over what I have to -your father. As an honest man I can do no less."</p> - -<p>"It's very hard on you, dear."</p> - -<p>"It is," admitted Rupert quietly; "but I may have to bear harder -things."</p> - -<p>Dorinda stared. "I don't see anything harder to bear."</p> - -<p>"The loss of liberty and, perhaps, of life----"</p> - -<p>"Rupert, what are you talking about?"</p> - -<p>"Ah!" Rupert rose and stretched himself. "Your father did not tell you -all that we spoke about in the Vicarage study. You don't know what he -proposes to do, Dorinda, and I don't know if I ought to tell you."</p> - -<p>"You must! you must!" She sprang up and laid her two hands on his -shoulders with a grasp of which he did not think she was capable. "I -share all your troubles--all your sorrows, all--all."</p> - -<p>Hendle caught her hands, and holding them to his heart looked into her -eyes dimly seen in the light. "Your father declares that I murdered -Leigh to get the will," he said quietly; "don't scream."</p> - -<p>"I am not going to scream," replied Dorinda, looking aside and -speaking rather rapidly. "What on earth makes my father say such a -ridiculous thing? On the face of it, such an accusation is absurd."</p> - -<p>"Your father doesn't seem to think so, dear. And if Inspector Lawson -learned what was at stake with regard to this will, he would not think -so either. Remember that I had every reason to steal it, even at the -cost of a life."</p> - -<p>"What rubbish," declared the girl, vehemently. "You would never, -never, never----"</p> - -<p>"No," said Rupert positively, and his heart leaped when she defended -him. "I would never save my property at the cost of a crime, however -small or however necessary. You know, Dorinda, that I would let -everything go rather than lose my honor and my good name. Your father -thinks otherwise, so he is determined to get my money and my position, -and my good name into the bargain."</p> - -<p>"I can't believe it, I can't! I can't!" gasped the girl, overwhelmed. -"My father may be selfish, but he wouldn't surely----"</p> - -<p>"But he has. He accuses me of committing the crime, and has given me -one week to think over the matter. If I come to his terms, he will -shut up Mrs. Beatson's possible chatter and will hold his own tongue."</p> - -<p>"Did he offer you safety on those terms?"</p> - -<p>"He did, and I refused them."</p> - -<p>Dorinda flung her arms round his neck and her lips sought his. "I knew -you would; I knew you would. Oh! don't say anything more, Rupert. I am -glad you told me, as I now know where I stand--where you stand. We -have a week to think over things, and in that week much may happen. -God will never permit such an injustice. Cheer up, dearest"--she -kissed him again--"it will all come out right; it will all come out -right."</p> - -<p>"I hope so," said Rupert, doubtfully, and adjusting the cloak on her -shoulders. "But what will you say to your father?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know, I can't say, I must think. Meanwhile, see me home, -Rupert."</p> - -<p>Thus abruptly she ended the interview, and the Squire escorted her to -within sight of the cottage. But he did not enter.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_11" href="#div1Ref_11">CHAPTER XI</a></h4> -<h5>CARRINGTON'S ADVICE</h5> -<br> - -<p>The details given by Rupert of the conversation which had taken place -in the Vicarage study shocked Dorinda profoundly. It was natural -enough that her father, informed of an existing will which would give -him an estate, should try and gain possession of it, so as to secure -what he believed to be his rights. Dorinda did not blame him for -taking up so reasonable a position; but she was horrified to think -that he should accuse an innocent man of committing the crime. It was -wholly impossible that Mallien could believe Rupert to be guilty. He -had known the Squire intimately for twenty-five and more years, -therefore he was well aware how strictly honorable Rupert was in -every way. Moreover, Hendle had always treated his cousin with -consistent kindness, having again and again given him sums of money, -large and small, which had never been repaid. Even if Rupert were -guilty, it was cowardly of Mallien to threaten; but, seeing that -Rupert was innocent--and Dorinda was well assured in her own mind that -her father knew him to be so--the attack was cowardly in the extreme. -If the girl had little affection for her father before, she had still -less for him now.</p> - -<p>What troubled her throughout the night was the question of speaking, -or of not speaking, frankly to her father. He had withheld from her -the more serious portion of his interview with Rupert, and Dorinda was -strongly inclined, not only to intimate that she knew about the -accusation, but to tell her father how strongly she disapproved of his -conduct. More than this, she wished to state that she was on the side -of her lover. Dorinda was straightforward herself; and greatly desired -that Mallien should be straightforward also. To bring such rectitude -into being, plain speaking was necessary. Yet the girl hesitated to -broach the subject, knowing only too well her father's temper, his -tricky nature and his unscrupulous greed. But at breakfast, her -hesitation to make trouble was ended by Mallien himself, as he began -to speak furiously the moment she laid her hand on the coffee-pot.</p> - -<p>"This is a nice thing, Dorinda," he raged, without returning her -morning greeting. "You went out last night and did not return until -after nine; in fact, it was nearer ten. Don't deny it. You slipped out -when I was busy in my study, but I came to ask you something and found -you had gone out. What do you mean by such conduct?"</p> - -<p>Dorinda lifted her eyebrows. "I am not aware that there is anything -strange about my conduct. I have been out late before. I am quite -capable of looking after myself, I assure you, father."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so," retorted Mallien, bristling with anger; "and I -don't like such underhand conduct."</p> - -<p>"I never behave in an underhand way," returned Dorinda, her color -rising and her eyes flashing. "You know that quite well."</p> - -<p>"You slipped out last night and slipped in, without telling me."</p> - -<p>"There was no need to tell you."</p> - -<p>"There was. Don't contradict me. If your conduct was not underhand, -why did you not come and say good-night to me in my study as usual?"</p> - -<p>"Because I could not," said Dorinda coldly, and looking straight at -her angry parent. "What Rupert told me about you disgusted me too -much."</p> - -<p>"Rupert!" Mallien rose and pushed back his chair noisily. "You went to -see that--that--that scoundrel?"</p> - -<p>Dorinda rose in her turn. "He is not a scoundrel."</p> - -<p>"He is, I tell you, and I forbid you to see him again."</p> - -<p>"As I am engaged to my cousin, I shall see him when and where I -please," said the girl deliberately. "Don't try me too far, father, or -you will be sorry for it. I am not in the best of tempers this -morning."</p> - -<p>"You--you--minx!" gasped the angry man, choking with rage. "How dare -you address me in that way?"</p> - -<p>"And how dare you accuse Rupert of murdering Mr. Leigh," she retorted -boldly.</p> - -<p>Mallien's wrath suddenly died away, and he dropped back into his chair -with an uneasy look. "Who says that I accuse----"</p> - -<p>"Rupert himself told me. I saw him last night, to hear what he had to -say about this missing will, and he told me what you did not tell me."</p> - -<p>"He's a mean hound to put my daughter against me!" shouted Mallien.</p> - -<p>"Please"--Dorinda flung up her hand--"I am not deaf. Rupert did not -wish to tell me. I made him speak out, as I saw that he was hiding -something. If you were as honorable and scrupulous as Rupert, father, -you would not need to get into these rages with me, as I don't deserve -them. And it's no use your behaving in this way. I can hold my own, as -you well know, and I intend to do so. We may as well understand one -another."</p> - -<p>"I am your father; you owe me respect."</p> - -<p>"How can I give you what you don't deserve? You <i>are</i> my father, and -God help me that I should have such a one."</p> - -<p>"If you talk to me in this way," snarled Mallien, blustering, "I shall -turn you out of doors neck and crop. What will you do then?"</p> - -<p>"Marry Rupert," rejoined the girl promptly.</p> - -<p>"A ruined man," sneered the other.</p> - -<p>"He is not ruined yet; he never may be ruined. That will has yet to be -found; it has yet to be proved legal, and you may be sure that Rupert -will take all the advantage he can, to keep what he has."</p> - -<p>"I see. You are fighting against your father."</p> - -<p>"I fight on the side of right. If the property is yours, Rupert is -willing to hand it over; if it is his, he has every right to keep it. -But you have no right," cried Dorinda, striking the table -passionately, "to accuse an innocent man of committing such a cowardly -crime."</p> - -<p>"You are talking nonsense," said Mallien, doggedly and folded his -arms. "He is guilty."</p> - -<p>"He is not. No one knows that better than you."</p> - -<p>Mallien cringed at that last sentence, and his dark face grew -strangely pale as he avoided his daughter's steady blue eyes. "I don't -know why you should say that," he muttered.</p> - -<p>"What else can I say when you have known Rupert for so many years?" -was the passionate reply. "Has he ever behaved otherwise than -honorably? Is he the man, father, to kill a weakling like poor Mr. -Leigh, for money which he cares very little about? You know better."</p> - -<p>Mallien recovered his self-possession during his daughter's speech and -shook his shoulders as he laughed harshly. "I know that the will -stands between Rupert and absolute poverty," he retorted obstinately; -"and if a man has to make a choice----"</p> - -<p>"A man like Rupert would chose poverty rather than crime," interrupted -Dorinda imperiously. "What reason have you to believe that Rupert -would do such a wicked thing?"</p> - -<p>"My knowledge of human nature----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, is that all?" There was an expression of relief in Dorinda's -voice as she interrupted him again. "So your evidence is purely -circumstantial?"</p> - -<p>"Yes!" admitted Mallien sullenly, and feeling that Dorinda was too -strong for him to deal with. "All the same, a very powerful case can -be built up against the fellow. The will has disappeared in the nick -of time, and Rupert had every reason to make it disappear."</p> - -<p>"You seem to forget that no one but Mr. Leigh has seen the will," said -Dorinda crisply; "it may not exist."</p> - -<p>"It does exist," stormed Mallien violently, "and it leaves the -property to me as the descendant of Eunice Filbert."</p> - -<p>"That is what Mr. Leigh said, but he may have imagined the whole -thing. He was always a dreamer, you know. Anyhow, father, I don't see -much use in your threatening Rupert with shadows."</p> - -<p>"I don't think that Inspector Lawson will think that they are -shadows," said Mallien significantly.</p> - -<p>"Don't you?" replied Dorinda, with a lightness which she was far from -feeling. "Well, then, I do. Before the police can arrest Rupert, they -must first prove that the document, for the sake of which the crime is -supposed to have been committed, is in existence. Then they will have -to prove that Rupert was at the Vicarage on the night, and at the time -when Mr. Leigh was struck down. I don't think it will be easy to do -what you say."</p> - -<p>"I have no wish for Rupert to be arrested," said Mallien restlessly. -"All he has to do is to give up the property and I'll hold my tongue."</p> - -<p>"There is nothing for you to hold your tongue about," said Dorinda -sharply, "as what you say is purely theoretical. As to the property, -you certainly shall not have it unless the will is found and the -property is proved to be yours. I am on Rupert's side, remember, and I -shall do my best to make him hold on to his own."</p> - -<p>"You go against your father?"</p> - -<p>"Oh!" she cried impatiently, "you said that before, and I answered -you. Yes, I do go against my father, and I have every reason to. I am -not going to countenance a robbery which would give you money you are -better without."</p> - -<p>"Better without?" demanded Mallien indignantly. "What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"What I say," said Dorinda tartly. "Rupert makes good use of his -fortune in helping the poor, and in keeping up the church. You would -only waste it in buying jewels for your own satisfaction."</p> - -<p>"I won't be spoken to like this."</p> - -<p>"It is your own fault that I am so frank. If what I say doesn't please -you, I can easily go to London to see my old schoolmistress and ask -her to get me a position as a nursery governess."</p> - -<p>"You wouldn't do that?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I would, and you know that I would. I should like to respect you -and to love you, father, but I cannot. Your last action, in -threatening to denounce an innocent man, widens the gulf between us. -If you dare to go to Inspector Lawson, I shall go out as a governess -until such time as Rupert is ready to marry me. Now you know exactly -what I mean."</p> - -<p>Mallien did know, and was well aware that she would act precisely as -she declared she would. It was no use to storm and bluster and try to -reduce her to tears, as Dorinda was not a tearful woman. She knew how -to hold her own and intended to hold it. Mallien, having tried rage, -was reduced to attempting pathos, which he did very badly. "My own -daughter! my own daughter!" he murmured sadly. "It's heartbreaking."</p> - -<p>"It's pretty uncomfortable, I grant you," answered Dorinda, with a -queer smile, "for me as for you. But as you have made the position -entirely yourself, I don't see what you have to complain of. But now -that we understand one another, let us call a truce."</p> - -<p>"Very good. I will overlook your unfilial behavior and try to forget -this conversation. All the same," cried Mallien, blazing up again, "I -intend to get my rights."</p> - -<p>"Certainly. And if the will is found, you shall have them."</p> - -<p>This was cold comfort to Mallien, who doubted if the will ever would -be found. Leigh might have made a mistake, and there might be no will -in existence, in which case, by making an enemy of Rupert, he would be -worse off than he was at present. He thought that until the truth came -to light, it would be just as well to temporize, and let things stand -as they were. Therefore, as an outward sign of reconciliation, he -dropped a cold kiss on his daughter's white brow, and retreated to his -study. Dorinda, left alone in the little dining-room, had no desire to -eat any breakfast, as the struggle to secure Rupert's safety had -exhausted her greatly. She hastily drank a cup of coffee, then wrote a -note to her lover, saying that he need not be afraid of the -intervention of the police, and relating in detail the conversation -just ended. Having sent this by hand to The Big House, the girl went -about her daily duties, resolutely cheerful. Only by assuming a bold -front could she combat the great trouble which threatened to overwhelm -her and her lover. When the worst came to the worst, there would be -time enough to think of further defense. But Dorinda believed that -further defense would not be required.</p> - -<p>Rupert was very well satisfied when he received Dorinda's note, as he -had winced at the idea of Inspector Lawson intervening. He, of course, -had been very certain that there was no chance of his being arrested, -owing to the fact that the will could not be proved to exist. Still, -Lawson was ambitious of promotion and obstinate in his own opinion, -therefore, if Mallien had told his story, there might have been a -chance of scandal. However, Dorinda having reduced her father to -neutrality, the only thing that remained to do was to find the will. -Rupert intended to search again among the papers at the Vicarage; but -could not do so until the afternoon, as Carrington had sent a wire -saying he would be down by the midday express. The Squire intended to -meet him at the station, and talk to him on the way home, since he was -anxious to know what was the best way to deal with the treacherous -Mrs. Beatson. Knowing that she was a spy and an enemy, Rupert could -hardly bear to see her about the house. However, he tolerated her -presence until he heard what Carrington had to say.</p> - -<p>By this time, all excitement had died out of the village, as the crime -had been so thoroughly discussed that there was no more to be said -about the matter. In their stolid bovine way, the rustics accepted -the positive fact that their late spiritual adviser was dead and -buried--accepted, also, the evident truth that the murderer would -never be caught and punished. This being the case, they dismissed the -past, and looked eagerly forward to the future when the new incumbent -would arrive. It was reported that a vicar had already been appointed -by the Bishop and that he had a family, and would make the Vicarage a -much more lively place than it had been in Mr. Leigh's time. Oh, there -was plenty to talk about and <i>The Hendle Arms</i> was filled with -conversational yokels from morning until evening.</p> - -<p>On the way to the station, Rupert stumbled across Titus Ark, who -grinned in a toothless manner, touched his shabby hat, and shuffled -along in a manner surprisingly spry for a man of eighty-odd years of -age. Hendle stopped to give him a sixpence for snuff, to which the -ancient was much addicted.</p> - -<p>"You miss Mr. Leigh, Titus," he said, pityingly, for the old man was a -lonely figure in the midst of the new generation.</p> - -<p>"Hor! Hor! Hor!" croaked the aged sexton. "Why should I miss him -Squoire when he bain't dead?"</p> - -<p>"Why, Titus, you buried him--that is, you helped to place the body in -the family vault. Poor Mr. Leigh could not have been buried alive."</p> - -<p>"Who said as he was alive, Squoire? I never did."</p> - -<p>"You say that he isn't dead."</p> - -<p>"No more he be."</p> - -<p>"Then he must be alive."</p> - -<p>"No, he bain't. Hor! Hor! Hor! Crack that nut, Squoire!" and the -ancient shuffled along the dry dusty road, chuckling to himself.</p> - -<p>Hendle shrugged his shoulders, wondering if it would be necessary to -lock up Titus in a lunatic asylum. He appeared to be quite crazy, and -talked in so confused and contradictory a manner that no meaning could -be extracted from his speech. Evidently his brain was far gone in -decay, and although so far he had kept his legs, he would shortly be -bedridden. Ark's office as sexton was a sinecure, as his grandson, an -active young fellow, dug the graves, and attended to funeral details. -The activities of Titus were confined to appearing in the churchyard -and telling what he knew about the deceased. On the whole, the old -creature was harmless enough, so Rupert banished from his mind the -idea of shutting him up, satisfied that, so long as his grandson -looked after him, he could be permitted to be at large. Ark's -incomprehensible talk reminded Hendle of Wordsworth's poem--"We Are -Seven." No more than the child therein could Titus understand what -death meant. And this was strange, considering that he was an old and -accomplished sexton.</p> - -<p>However, Rupert had more important things with which to employ his -mind than in thinking about the babble of the ancient. He forgot all -about Ark when he came in sight of the station, the more readily when -he saw Carrington on the lookout for him. The train had arrived early, -and the barrister was waiting for his friend's arrival. After -greetings, Carrington linked his arm within that of his old -school-friend, and they sauntered leisurely toward The Big House.</p> - -<p>"That was a strange letter you wrote me, Hendle," said Carrington, -when the two settled into their stride. "I could scarcely believe it."</p> - -<p>"Why not? I wrote plainly enough."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes. But I never thought that my idea of risk to you would ever -become an established fact so soon. It's queer that Mrs. Beatson -should have listened on that particular night to that particular -conversation."</p> - -<p>"Well, you see, she got it into her head that I intended to dismiss -her when I married Dorinda, and so kept her ears open to hear if I -spoke to the vicar about my intention. As a matter of fact, I had no -idea of turning her away."</p> - -<p>"<i>Then</i>, you had not. But now?"</p> - -<p>"She must go," said Rupert shortly. "I can't have a spy at my elbow."</p> - -<p>"Have you said anything to her?"</p> - -<p>"No! She is quite in the dark as to her treachery having been -discovered."</p> - -<p>Carrington thought for a few moments. "If Mallien goes to the police, -she will then learn that you know how she has behaved."</p> - -<p>"Mallien is not going to the police," said Rupert, quietly.</p> - -<p>"But I thought you said in your letter that he had given you one week -to----"</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," interrupted the younger man, "I did say so, and such was -the case when I wrote. But circumstances have changed since then, -thanks to Dorinda."</p> - -<p>"Miss Mallien? What has she to do with the matter?"</p> - -<p>"A great deal. Last night she came over, as her father had told her -about the will. I was forced to tell her that Mallien threatened to -accuse me of the murder."</p> - -<p>"Oh! Oh!" said Carrington significantly. "So Mallien did not tell her -that?"</p> - -<p>"No. He was ashamed to, I suppose, as he is well aware that I am -innocent. But this morning he had a row with Dorinda about her -engagement to me, and she stood up for me, bless her. What she said, -or what he said, I don't know, but Dorinda sent over a note this -morning saying that her father had changed his mind about speaking to -Lawson."</p> - -<p>Carrington heaved a sigh of relief. "That makes things easier, anyhow. -We can take our own time to work out the case. Have you found the -will?"</p> - -<p>"No. I haven't seen a sign of it. I intend to look again this -afternoon, and you can assist me if you care to."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes. Four hands are better than two, and two searchers better -than one, Hendle. And if the will isn't found?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I suppose things will remain as they are."</p> - -<p>"Don't you make any mistake, Hendle," replied the barrister shrewdly. -"Mallien won't stop until he gets that will."</p> - -<p>"I don't mind. In fact, I told him that he could help me look for it."</p> - -<p>Carrington frowned. "I hope I won't be brought into contact with him. -He's such a rude beast."</p> - -<p>"Well, after our quarrel of yesterday. I don't think he'll put in an -appearance," said Hendle consolingly. "Anyhow, whether he does or not -matters little. Our business is to find the will, and thus knock -Mallien's possible accusation on the head."</p> - -<p>"As you please, what must be, must be. Miss Mallien is a charming -girl, but if marriage with her meant a father-in-law like that boor I -should cry off."</p> - -<p>"Ah, you are not in love, you see," said Rupert calmly; "besides, when -we are married, we will see very little of Mallien. I am bribing him -with five hundred a year to make himself scarce. As he doesn't care a -cent for his daughter, he will probably agree to clear out."</p> - -<p>"Not before he has had a try to get the whole of your money," said -Carrington dryly. "The man is a shark, and a sponge, and a greedy -animal."</p> - -<p>"Why call him names, Carrington? He is Dorinda's father after all, so -it is best to leave him alone."</p> - -<p>"He won't leave you alone," retorted the other. "I wonder you can be -so calm over the matter, Hendle."</p> - -<p>Rupert cast a side-look of surprise at the flushed dark face of his -companion. "I am quite innocent, so why shouldn't I be calm?"</p> - -<p>"Hum!" growled the barrister. "Innocent men have been hanged before -now."</p> - -<p>"Well, this innocent man won't be hanged, Carrington. No one can prove -that I was near the Vicarage on that night."</p> - -<p>"Probably not. But you had every motive to go there and get the will, -seeing that it may render you a pauper."</p> - -<p>"If I am to be a pauper I must become a pauper," replied Rupert -coolly; "but I certainly would never attempt to save myself from -poverty by murdering an old man who was my friend."</p> - -<p>"Well, you see, people will talk as Mallien has talked," said the -barrister with a shrug. "You and I alone knew about the will. I was -in town, so no one can say a word about me. But you, near at hand, -and----"</p> - -<p>"What is the use of talking rubbish?" interrupted Rupert sharply. "I -never was near the place on that night, and if people talk, well, they -must just talk, as I am perfectly innocent. Besides, you forget that -Mallien knew about the will."</p> - -<p>"Only after the murder, as Mrs. Beatson probably did not tell him -beforehand."</p> - -<p>"I don't suppose she did. Hum!" Rupert stopped and looked down at his -neat brown boots and gaiters. "Queer that I never thought of asking -Mallien when she did tell him. I'll ask him next time we meet. Just -now we can cross out Mallien as knowing. But Mrs. Beatson----"</p> - -<p>"Exactly," interrupted Carrington gravely; "it occurs to me that she -knows more about the matter than she chooses to say."</p> - -<p>"But you don't mean to infer that she killed the vicar?"</p> - -<p>"Why not? She knew about the will and guessed that if she could get -hold of it she could make you squeal."</p> - -<p>"At the risk of being accused of murdering Leigh."</p> - -<p>Carrington nodded. "Perhaps. But then she may think that you would -hold your tongue about that if she gave you the will."</p> - -<p>Hendle walked on sharply. "I don't believe a word of what you say," he -cried, looking much worried. "Mrs. Beatson has behaved treacherously, -but I don't think for one moment that she would kill the vicar."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps not," said Carrington soothingly. "Well, then, let us say -nothing to her, but watch. If she is guilty, she is bound to betray -herself. The main thing is not to let her suspect that you have found -out her treachery."</p> - -<p>Hendle took off his cap and let the balmy air play on his hot head. -"It is very unpleasant," he said in a vexed tone.</p> - -<p>"Very," assented the barrister cordially; "but for your own sake----"</p> - -<p>"Well, well, do what you like, Carrington. The case is in your hands."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_12" href="#div1Ref_12">CHAPTER XII</a></h4> -<h5>ON THE TRACK</h5> -<br> - -<p>Generally speaking, it seemed as though Mallien's prophecy of -Carrington picking Rupert's pockets was likely to come true. Owing to -circumstances, the barrister had found a perfectly legitimate way of -getting money from his friend, and intended to take every advantage of -the opportunity. He explained to Hendle that it would be necessary for -him to remain at The Big House until all these crooked affairs were -straightened out, and that, his time being valuable, he would require -a handsome fee for his services. The Squire professed himself quite -willing that things should be so arranged, but he was scarcely so -dense as Carrington believed him to be. He saw that the visitor was -anxious to make money, and concluded that perhaps it was best to -settle matters on this coldly legal basis. The cut-and-dried situation -was thus perfectly understood by both men, and they got on very -amicably together. On the surface everything was as it should be.</p> - -<p>But below the surface, things were scarcely so pleasant. Rupert's -susceptibilities for Carrington, dating from Rugby days, had received -a shock. He had looked to find in the barrister an intimate friend, -only to discover that he was a hard business man. Had Carrington -looked into matters without stipulating for a fee, and had behaved as -a chum, Hendle would have gladly dealt handsomely with him, knowing -that he was not particularly successful in his profession. But the -Squire, with the memory of his school hero-worship in his mind, was -dismayed to find that his former idol had feet of clay, and that -Carrington was quite willing to use him as a means to an end. Rupert -was by no means sentimental, yet he felt anxious for sympathy in his -present unpleasant position. That sympathy should be sold, as the -barrister was selling it, chilled his ardent nature, and made him less -confidential with his school-friend than otherwise he would have been. -Everything seemed to be for sale, and nothing appeared to be given as -a gift. Mallien, Mrs. Beatson, Carrington, all had an eye to the main -chance; and even the late vicar had hinted in a veiled way that the -will would be given up if his Yucatan expedition was financed. It -seemed to Rupert that his only true friend was Dorinda, who loved him -for himself, and not for what she could get out of him. And Dorinda -was nearer and dearer than a friend, since she was to be his wife. -Hendle, who was deeply religious in his unobtrusive way, silently -thanked God that he had one staunch comrade. And such Dorinda was, -therefore their marriage would certainly be happier, when founded upon -so solid a foundation, than if it were a mere romantic passion.</p> - -<p>For the next three days, the two men paid daily visits to the Vicarage -and hunted high and low for the missing will. They examined every -paper; they opened every book; they looked through the pockets of old -clothes, and turned out every cupboard. Rupert expected that Mallien, -being so keen about his rights, would search also; but the day after -Carrington's arrival, he went up to London, and remained absent for -some time. Apparently he disliked coming into contact with the -sharp-tongued barrister, and probably would not return until his enemy -took his departure. Carrington, of course, was not Mallien's enemy, as -he had no reason to be, but Mallien in his odd misanthropic way -regarded him as such. He therefore would not have been pleased had he -learned that on the third day of his absence, Dorinda entertained the -two men at dinner.</p> - -<p>Miss Mallien did not like Carrington any more than did her father, but -for the sake of helping Rupert, she extended the hand of hospitality. -In fact she gave quite a little dinner-party, as Kit Beatson and Miss -Tollart were also present. The master of the house always objected to -these small entertainments, as they cost money; but Dorinda paid no -attention to his objections, as she claimed a reasonable right to -amuse herself. Nevertheless, she considered her father's feelings so -far as only to ask her neighbors to luncheon, afternoon tea and dinner -when he was absent. Yet, notwithstanding this concession, there was -always trouble when Mallien returned; and, since Carrington had been -invited, it was probable that, on this occasion, there would be a -royal row. Dorinda did not mind, as she was used to rows. The only way -in which she could make her situation bearable was by standing up for -herself and defying her father in small matters. If she did not do so, -he would bully her still more, for every inch she gave meant several -ells with him. Her mild entertainments were therefore useful in -preserving her independence, and in coloring a somewhat drab -existence.</p> - -<p>With the assistance of the small servant, Miss Mallien had prepared a -simple but appetizing meal, which was done full justice to by the -quartette of guests. Afterward, they sat in the tiny drawing-room, and -enjoyed a real old English evening of the Albert Period type, -including games and music. Carrington had brought some jig-saw puzzles -from London, and when the excitement of putting tricky pictures -together palled, music supplied new pleasure. Sophy Tollart, who had -been well-trained, rendered scraps of very up-to-date harmony, which -began anyhow and ended nowhere. Kit sang sentimental ballads in a -pleasant uncultivated tenor, and Dorinda delighted her hearers with -old time songs such as "Kathleen Mavourneen" and "Robin Adair." -Finally, as the evening waned, the company gathered near the open -window to chat about this and that and the other thing. Sophy -recounted her experience as a militant suffragist; Kit informed -everyone of what progress the motor industry was making, and, of -course, the coming of the new vicar supplied interesting conversation. -It was Miss Tollart who introduced the topic.</p> - -<p>"He will arrive in a fortnight," she explained, bending her black -brows in quite a tragic way, "and has a family of four girls. I hope -to interest them all in the movement."</p> - -<p>"Votes for Women?" asked Carrington, who found Sophy very amusing, -since she knew little and asserted much.</p> - -<p>"Of course. What other Movement is there?"</p> - -<p>"Well, you see, Miss Tollart, Women's Rebellion isn't the only pebble -on the beach. Humanity has other interests also."</p> - -<p>"Then it shouldn't have," retorted Sophy daringly. "Until women have -votes, the world will never be put right."</p> - -<p>"Things have gone on very well so far," ventured Rupert, only to be -crushed.</p> - -<p>"How can you say so, Mr. Hendle, when there's nothing but war and -bankruptcy, and silly football matches, and smart society, and----"</p> - -<p>"Sophy! Sophy! that's enough to go on with," cried Dorinda, smiling. -"Don't give us too much to think about."</p> - -<p>"You never think at all, Dorinda. You are fainthearted about our -votes."</p> - -<p>"I don't think you'll get them by destroying property and having -hunger strikes," replied Dorinda, with a shrug. "What do you say, -Kit?"</p> - -<p>Kit blushed and wriggled, for Sophy's eye was on him. "I don't say -anything you know. I never do. The motor business takes up all my -attention." Then he hurriedly changed the subject, lest his lady-love -should fall foul of him for his shirking. "I hope Sophy will gain her -ends easier in Australia."</p> - -<p>"I'm not going to Australia, Kit. I told you that and I told your -mother."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Beatson," said Carrington, pricking up his ears. "Does she want -you to go to Australia, Miss Tollart?"</p> - -<p>"She wants to go herself."</p> - -<p>"That's news to me," observed Hendle, with a start.</p> - -<p>"It's news to all of us," put in Kit, dismally. "The worst of mother -is that you never know what she'll be up to next. The other day she -came to me and said that she soon hoped to inherit an annuity of two -hundred a year and intended to go to Australia. She wants Sophy and me -to come with her."</p> - -<p>Hendle, Dorinda and Carrington exchanged glances. "Who is leaving this -annuity to your mother?" asked Rupert, guessing the source of the -windfall.</p> - -<p>"She didn't say," replied Kit, "some old aunt, I fancy. But I don't -want to go with mother. She and Sophy never get on well together."</p> - -<p>"How can we when she wants everyone to bow down to her?" said -Miss Tollart, who hated Mrs. Beatson thoroughly. "I'm not of the -bowing-down sort. And when I marry, I want my house to myself."</p> - -<p>"Natural enough," observed Carrington, who was listening eagerly. "And -Mrs. Beatson wants you all to live together on her annuity?"</p> - -<p>"Not exactly that," said Kit reluctantly. "She won't keep us, but -hopes that in Australia I shall make more money out of motors."</p> - -<p>"She may hope," said Sophy positively; "and, if she is disappointed, -she will have to be. You are not going to Australia, Kit. My father -needs my care, and I can't leave him."</p> - -<p>It seemed to Carrington that between Kit's mother and his future -wife's father, the poor young fellow was in a most uncomfortable -position. However, for obvious reasons, connected with Sophy, he did -not say so and contented himself with the remark that he thought Dr. -Tollart very clever. "When I came down here first, I called in to get -a cure for toothache and he gave me one which acted like a charm."</p> - -<p>Sophy, who seemed to have a deep affection for her disreputable -parent, colored with pleasure as she rose to go. "Father has his -faults, but he is a very clever man," she said emphatically; "but for -his failing he would be in Harley Street as a Specialist."</p> - -<p>"Great men have more room for faults than small men," quoted -Carrington. "Don't look angry, Miss Tollart; I really mean what I say. -Your father is clever."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad to hear that some one does him justice," said the girl -bitterly, and looking more womanly as she spoke. "Usually everyone is -against him. But Kit will help me to keep him straight when we are -married. Mrs. Beatson would drive him crazy."</p> - -<p>"Sophy! Sophy! She is my mother," expostulated Kit, blushing.</p> - -<p>"I know that," snapped Miss Tollart tartly. "It is the only thing I -have against you as my husband. But so long as she lives at a -distance--well, it's no use talking. Dorinda, I'm going now."</p> - -<p>She went out to put on her hat and cloak, while Kit stood irresolutely -by the door he had just opened, looking so downcast that Hendle -clapped him on the back. "Cheer up, old boy; it will be all right," he -said, feeling profoundly sorry for the lad since Mrs. Beatson was -decidedly a very disagreeable mother. And then Carrington put a -question.</p> - -<p>"When does your mother expect her annuity?"</p> - -<p>"She says she may get it at any time," replied Kit, rather stiffly, as -he did not see why a stranger like the barrister should interfere; -"but I know very little about it. All she told me was that she was to -get two hundred a year and would leave Mr. Hendle to go to Australia."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I shall place no obstacle in her path," observed Rupert somewhat -grimly. "After all, as I soon marry Miss Mallien, there will be no -need for me to have a housekeeper."</p> - -<p>It was at this moment and before Carrington could ask further -questions, which he very much wished to do, that Sophy returned. -Evidently she had been crying, for her eyes were red, but her emotions -were quite under control and, after taking leave of her hostess and -the two men, she went away with Kit. They seemed to be rather a -forlorn young couple. Dorinda remarked as much when she returned to -the drawing-room after seeing them to the door.</p> - -<p>"What else can you expect," asked Carrington coolly, "when they are -connected with a drunkard like Tollart and a shrew like Mrs. Beatson? -So she intends to go to Australia, does she? I don't want to hurt your -feelings, Miss Mallien, but I see your father's finger in this."</p> - -<p>"Say as little about my father as is possible," answered Dorinda, with -a rich color flushing her fair cheeks. Little as she respected her -shady parent she did not intend to discuss him with a stranger whom -she disliked.</p> - -<p>Carrington was diplomatic enough to skate away from the thin ice. -"Rupert and I have taken all the papers and clothes and odds and ends -of Leigh to The Big House," he remarked; "and there they can stay -until we hear from the Australian sea-captain who inherits. The London -lawyer has written him."</p> - -<p>"And the will?"</p> - -<p>"We have not found it yet."</p> - -<p>"I don't think we ever will find it," commented Hendle soberly. "I -have searched the Vicarage from cellar to attic without success. I -really believe, Dorinda, that, after all, Leigh was dreaming, and that -the will doesn't exist."</p> - -<p>"Either that," said Carrington deliberately, "or Mrs. Beatson made -away with Leigh and stole it."</p> - -<p>"I can't believe that," protested Dorinda, turning pale. "I told you -so before when you first broached the idea, Mr. Carrington. She is not -a nice woman, but I don't think she would commit a murder."</p> - -<p>"There is nothing Mrs. Beatson would not do, if she were assured that -her crime would remain undiscovered," insisted the barrister grimly. -"After all, if Mrs. Beatson didn't kill Leigh, who did? Rupert and I -and the housekeeper knew of the will and of its value. As I was in -town I am innocent, and we know, Miss Mallien, that Rupert is not the -man to commit such a crime. There only remains Mrs. Beatson, who told -your father, when she made all things safe."</p> - -<p>Dorinda started, and looked searchingly at the barrister. "How do you -mean?"</p> - -<p>Carrington smiled meaningly. "I believe that Mrs. Beatson murdered -Leigh and now has the will. She intends to sell it to your father for -this annuity."</p> - -<p>Dorinda grew red and her eyes grew bright. "How dare you say such a -thing to me, Mr. Carrington? In the first place, my father would never -condone a crime even to gain a fortune; in the second, the moment Mrs. -Beatson offered to sell him the will, he would know her to be guilty."</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course," replied Carrington soothingly, "and naturally would -hand her over to the police. It was only the idea of the annuity which -suggested the idea to me, and maybe it is far-fetched. I apologize, -Miss Mallien."</p> - -<p>Dorinda bowed silently. She did not like the ironical tone in which -the barrister spoke, as she felt convinced that he still held to his -preposterous idea. What is more, in her own mind, she did not consider -that the idea was so preposterous as she declared. Her father had been -prepared to hush up the matter when he believed Rupert to be guilty, -so it was not improbable that he would make terms with Mrs. Beatson, -provided he secured the will. Still, the girl did not intend to let -Carrington know what she thought, and therefore stood up for her -absent parent. "I don't believe that Mrs. Beatson is guilty of such -wicked conduct," she repeated, after a pause. "What grounds have you -to say such a thing?"</p> - -<p>"Well," murmured Carrington with a shrug. "No very good grounds, I -admit. But Mrs. Beatson knew about the will before Leigh was murdered, -and I firmly believe that he was got rid of for the sake of the will. -This suggestion of an annuity hints that she has the will and is -trying to dispose of it at a price. Perhaps Hendle----"</p> - -<p>"She has said nothing to me," interrupted Rupert quickly, "and, after -all, Carrington, you have watched her for the last few days without -seeing anything suspicious."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Beatson is a sly creature, who will not give herself away -easily," returned the barrister dryly. "I shall continue to watch her. -There's ten o'clock, Hendle," he added, as the mellow tones of the -church bell floated through the warm night. "We must not keep Miss -Mallien from her beauty sleep."</p> - -<p>Dorinda did not suggest that they should remain, although she would -have liked to speak privately with her lover. But while Carrington -was at his elbow, that was impossible, and she did not wish to talk -freely in the presence of a man she mistrusted. The two young men said -good-night to their hostess and went away, leaving Dorinda in anything -but a happy frame of mind. What had been suggested about her father -trading with the housekeeper worried her considerably. There might or -might not be some truth in the idea. She tried to dismiss it from her -mind; but it would not be dismissed, and troubled her far into the -small hours of the morning.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Rupert and his friend sauntered leisurely homeward. It was -so hot that they did not wear coats over their evening suit, and so -dry underfoot that they walked to and from the cottage in shoes. The -sky was radiant with innumerable stars, and although there was no -moon, there was ample light in which to see surrounding objects. -Through the shadowy world, warm and peaceful, the young men wandered, -taking their way across the fields, as the high-road was so dusty and -hard. For a time neither spoke, for each was busy with his own -thoughts, which had to do with the case. Finally, Carrington broke the -silence, and spoke soft, as though he feared listeners.</p> - -<p>"I did not press my point, Hendle," he remarked significantly, "as the -little I did say rather offended Miss Mallien."</p> - -<p>"You were rather libellous about her father, you know, Carrington."</p> - -<p>"If the saying, that the greater the truth the greater the libel is -true, I certainly was," retorted the barrister, "for what I said I -hold to."</p> - -<p>"That Mrs. Beatson is the guilty person?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. And that she is trading with Mallien to give him what he wants."</p> - -<p>"The will?"</p> - -<p>"Of course. I am as certain of that fact as I am that I live. She has -the will, and she intends to deliver it to him--if she hasn't done so -already--on condition that he gives her the two hundred a year -annuity, which she told her son comes from a mythical aunt."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Rupert, after a pause, "since Mallien was willing to come -to terms with me, I see no reason why he should not come to terms with -Mrs. Beatson, always provided that she is guilty."</p> - -<p>"She is," insisted Carrington bluntly. "It is no use my giving you my -reasons again, I think."</p> - -<p>"If things are as you say I don't see how Mrs. Beatson's part of the -business can be concealed. The will is of no use to Mallien unless he -makes it public. And if he does, he will have to explain how he became -possessed of it. I suppose his confession of the deal with Mrs. -Beatson would bring him into trouble as an accessory-after-the-fact?"</p> - -<p>"It would, and I am wondering how Mallien intends to make himself safe -on that score. There is only one thing to be done, Hendle. We must -wait until Mallien produces the will. Then we can move."</p> - -<p>"It's an infernal messy business altogether," growled the big man, -restlessly; "and I wish we were all well out of it. I don't want -Mallien to get into any trouble for Dorinda's sake."</p> - -<p>"I think you can be pretty certain that Mallien will look after his -own precious skin," said the barrister dryly; "and if--hush!--not a -word." He dropped his voice to a whisper. "Who's that?"</p> - -<p>"What?" Rupert looked round, as Carrington caught his arm, and pulled -him off the footpath into a clump of hazels.</p> - -<p>"Don't speak," whispered Carrington with his mouth close to Rupert's -ear; "and button your coat as well as you can over your shirt-front. -The white may betray us." He acted on his own advice, and kept Hendle -well behind the shelter of the leafy trees. "Now watch."</p> - -<p>Hendle did so with all his eyes, straining his sight through the -shadowy night, and by this time had seen the reason of Carrington's -action and caution. The two men had reached the red brick wall which -ran round the park, and saw that the postern gate through which they -intended to pass was open. A tall dark figure in flowing robes was -slipping out, and when Carrington pulled his friend into shelter -behind the hazels, the woman--for such it was--closed the postern -stealthily. After a glance to right and left, she walked swiftly along -the footpath, going in the direction whence the watchers had come. As -she swept past the hazel clump, Rupert nearly uttered an exclamation, -for, in spite of the black-silk hood pulled well over her head and -face, he was absolutely certain that this night walker was none other -than his respectable housekeeper. What she was doing outside the house -at this time of night and whither she was going he could not -conjecture. But Carrington could, and when the woman passed away into -the shadows, he whispered an exultant explanation.</p> - -<p>"It's Mrs. Beatson, Hendle. She's going to look for the will. Quick! -let us follow; but take care she doesn't see us."</p> - -<p>"The will!" breathed Rupert, cautiously, as they stole out on the -trail. "What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"She has hidden the will somewhere, I am sure, and now is going to get -it. We will catch her red-handed if we are careful. What luck!"</p> - -<p>"But it's impossible, and----"</p> - -<p>"Don't talk," interrupted Carrington, in a savage whisper. "Do you -want to give the show away? It's a wonderful chance of learning the -truth. Come."</p> - -<p>Hendle silently agreed with his companion, although he found it hard -to believe that Mrs. Beatson was such a conspirator. Whether her night -excursion had to do with the missing will or not, he could not be -sure; but it was evident that she was bent upon some shady business, -into which he should inquire, as her master. The adventure appealed to -him as a welcome break in his monotonous existence, and he felt his -nerves thrill, as with Carrington he followed cautiously. In the -half-light they saw the black figure of the woman climb the stile at -the end of the meadow and enter a spinney, which belted the high road. -By the time they reached this, and emerged on to the travelled -thoroughfare, Mrs. Beatson had vanished. Carrington bent to run, but -halted a moment to whisper.</p> - -<p>"If there is any truth in my belief, she has gone to the Vicarage. -There, if anywhere, she has hidden the will in the jungle."</p> - -<p>Hendle nodded without reply, and the two men sped swiftly along the -road until they came to the bend. They were just in time to see Mrs. -Beatson vanish through the rickety gate, which, as usual, was standing -wide open. Carrington stopped, dodged, stooped, then crossed the road -to run alongside the hedge until he halted just outside the gate. -Peering round the corner with Rupert breathing hard beside him, the -barrister saw that Mrs. Beatson carried a lantern, which she had just -lighted, for it gleamed like a star in the darkness of the tall trees.</p> - -<p>"We can wait here," whispered Carrington, delaying Rupert, who wanted -to enter the grounds. "She will come back this way. We may attract her -attention if we make any noise in that jungle."</p> - -<p>This was good advice which Rupert was sensible enough to take. Keeping -well within the shadow of the hedge, and looking up the avenue, they -waited for the woman's return. They had put their collars up and had -buttoned their dress coats over the shining expanse of shirt-front, so -there was no gleam of white to betray them, as they crouched, two dark -figures, in the dry ditch under the hedge. With beating hearts they -waited anxiously, taking a peep every now and then. Mrs. Beatson was a -long time absent--Hendle judged about a quarter of an hour. Then, -unexpectedly, she appeared running swiftly down the grass-grown avenue -with her lantern swinging in her hand. At the gate and within touch, -she waited to extinguish the light, but before doing so set it on the -ground to look at a rustling parchment by its gleam. The moment she -stooped with the document, Carrington's arm shot out and it was -snatched away. With a shriek Mrs. Beatson straightened herself to face -her master and his guest. She had, indeed, been caught red-handed.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_13" href="#div1Ref_13">CHAPTER XIII</a></h4> -<h5>CONFESSION</h5> -<br> - -<p>Paralyzed by extreme fright, Mrs. Beatson stood as motionless as a -stone image, staring blankly at her captors with open mouth and -unwinking eyes. Her face was whiter than the dingy parchment of which -she had been deprived, and her breath came and went in short quick -gasps, which echoed audibly through the still night. Rupert looked at -her for a moment and then turned away his head; his manhood was shamed -by the silent agony of the miserable creature. Carrington, more -hardened by experience, stooped to the light, and read, "This is the -Last Will and Testament of John Hendle," in vividly black Latin -lettering. That was enough to assure him of the truth, and, rolling up -the parchment, he turned sternly on the panic-struck woman.</p> - -<p>"You are a clever fool, Mrs. Beatson," he remarked quietly--"clever in -getting the will and hiding it so skillfully; but a fool to examine so -compromising a document here, when the village policeman may pass at -any moment."</p> - -<p>The word "policeman" galvanized Mrs. Beatson into life and action. -With a final gasp she suddenly became, as it seemed, conscious of her -peril, and bolted. Down the road and across the road she sped, and was -in the spinney before the two men could grasp the situation. For a -single moment they stared after the flying figure, then simultaneously -started in pursuit. With terror-winged feet the housekeeper fled as -swiftly as the wind, and it was not until the brick wall, encircling -the park, again loomed through the shadows that they caught up to her. -Instinctively, like a homing pigeon, she made for the only place where -she thought she would be safe. Much, as Carrington grimly thought, -after the fashion of a child, who believes himself to be free from -danger when smuggled between the blankets. It was while she was -fumbling with the lock of the postern that he laid a detaining hand on -her shoulder. With a terrified cry she dropped on her knees.</p> - -<p>"Mercy! Mercy! I am innocent--innocent," she wailed, and hugged his -legs in a frenzy of fear.</p> - -<p>"Here, get up!" said the barrister, roughly pulling her to her feet. -"Come inside and explain yourself."</p> - -<p>"There's nothing to explain," cried Mrs. Beatson, suddenly defiant; -"and you are not my master."</p> - -<p>"I am more than your master; I am the man who has found you out," -stated Carrington, in a hard tone, and pushing open the postern. "Walk -in, I tell you."</p> - -<p>"Gently, Carrington, gently," said Rupert, sorry for the shaking -woman, who was desperate enough to say anything or do anything. "We -can deal with this matter reasonably. Take my arm, Mrs. Beatson, and -come to the house. You can no doubt give us an explanation."</p> - -<p>"I shan't give it to him," muttered the housekeeper, trying to control -her shattering emotions. "What has he got to do with me, I should like -to know? You are always a gentleman, Mr. Hendle, and I wish you a -better friend. Spying and prying, watching and following. Call -yourself a man, do you? Ha! Ha! call yourself a man? God help the -woman who marries you, say I."</p> - -<p>Neither of the two made any reply to this aimless speech, and babbling -incoherently, Mrs. Beatson was led by Hendle to the house. Fortunately -none of the servants were in the entrance-hall, and when Rupert -opened the door with his latch-key, Mrs. Beatson swept in toward the -drawing-room, which was lighted up. Carrington and his friend followed -close behind, to find her seated in an armchair, fanning her heated -face with the hood which she had removed. Her color had returned and -her self-possession, so that she eyed the pair defiantly. Her -attentions were mostly directed toward Carrington, and if a look could -have slain him, he would have dropped dead there and then.</p> - -<p>"Come now," said the barrister, when the door was closed and the trio -were alone, "what have you got to say to all this?"</p> - -<p>"I shan't answer you," snapped Mrs. Beatson viciously. "You aren't -going to bully me."</p> - -<p>"I think you had better answer," said Hendle, sternly. "This is not -the time to play the fool."</p> - -<p>"Are you against me also, sir?"</p> - -<p>"I am advising you for your good. As to being against you, what -attitude do you expect me to assume toward you, seeing how -treacherously you have behaved, Mrs. Beatson?"</p> - -<p>"Treacherously?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! You listened to a conversation not meant for your ears and -reported the same to Mr. Mallien."</p> - -<p>"Did he tell you so?"</p> - -<p>"There was no need for him to tell Mr. Hendle," said Carrington -pointedly. "The mere fact that Mr. Mallien knows about this will -proclaims your guilt."</p> - -<p>"Guilt! Guilt!" repeated the housekeeper violently. "I shall thank -you, sir, not to use that word in connection with me."</p> - -<p>"I shall use it. Don't be a fool, woman! You knew about this will -before Mr. Leigh was murdered, and you killed him to get it."</p> - -<p>"It's a lie!"</p> - -<p>"Then how do you explain your possession of the will?"</p> - -<p>"What is your supposition?" demanded Mrs. Beatson, more like a judge -than a criminal.</p> - -<p>"If you will have it," returned the barrister, smoothly. "I believe -you murdered the vicar to get the will, and having found it, buried -the same in that jungle. Then you made your terms with Mr. Mallien, -and he agreed to give you an annuity of two hundred a year, if you -passed the will along to him. When you thought that all was safe, you -went to dig the will up again, and here it is."</p> - -<p>Carrington pulled the soiled parchment from his pocket, where he had -placed it for safety, doubled up into a packet, and shook it in her -face. Mrs. Beatson changed from red to white, and from white to red, -but maintained a scornful look. "You are talking nonsense," she said -briefly.</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," put in Hendle quietly, "and we wait for you to talk sense."</p> - -<p>"I shall say nothing," said the woman, obstinately.</p> - -<p>"In that case I shall send for Kensit and give you in charge."</p> - -<p>"You would not do that, Mr. Hendle."</p> - -<p>"Indeed, I shall do it within ten minutes if you do not speak out."</p> - -<p>"I can--I can--exonerate--exonerate myself," stuttered Mrs. Beatson, -her dry lips scarcely able to form the words.</p> - -<p>"You had better do so to us," advised Carrington agreeably.</p> - -<p>"And if I don't?" she snarled, turning on him.</p> - -<p>"Then Inspector Lawson shall examine you."</p> - -<p>"What do I care when I know that I am innocent?"</p> - -<p>"Well,"--Carrington shrugged his shoulders--"it's your own affair. -Ring the bell, Hendle, and send one of the servants down for Kensit."</p> - -<p>"No, don't!" cried Mrs. Beatson, when she saw her master walk toward -the fireplace to touch the ivory button. "I can explain."</p> - -<p>Hendle nodded and returned to his seat, while Carrington replaced the -will in his pocket and waited for the confession. Mrs. Beatson wiped -her face and glared at the two like a tigress at bay. Only the -knowledge that she was driven into a corner made her speak out. "I -overheard your conversation with Mr. Leigh, sir," she said to her -master and ignoring Carrington. "Oh, I didn't mean to, you know. I -only listened as I thought you intended to discharge me when you -married Miss Mallien, and fancied you might explain yourself on that -point to the vicar."</p> - -<p>"I understand. But why did you report the conversation to my cousin?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson looked down sullenly. "You don't know what it is to be -poor," she muttered irrelevantly. "I am born a lady, and through the -fault of a spendthrift husband I am reduced to act as your -housekeeper. It is only natural that I should try and improve my -position, so when I learned about a will which would give your -property to Mr. Mallien, I thought it wise to make money by speaking -about it to him."</p> - -<p>"Why not to me in the first instance?"</p> - -<p>"Because you are too honest," burst out the woman, raising her pale -eyes. "If you got the will you would have made its contents public, -even though, as Mr. Leigh stated, you would lose all. For that reason -I had no hold on you and would never have got money from you. By -telling Mr. Mallien I managed to extract a promise from him that when -he came into the property he would give me an annuity."</p> - -<p>"Of two hundred a year?" inquired Carrington.</p> - -<p>"We did not mention any sum," retorted Mrs. Beatson, "but that was the -amount I intended to ask."</p> - -<p>"And the amount which you told your son a mythical aunt was leaving -you."</p> - -<p>"I had to give my son some reason for being possessed of the annuity."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" said Carrington with a shrug. "You haven't got the annuity yet, -and now you never will have."</p> - -<p>"I am not so sure of that. After all, if I hadn't told, Mr. -Carrington, the cousin of my master would never have known of his good -fortune."</p> - -<p>"Then the will really does leave the property to Eunice Filbert?" -questioned Rupert nervously.</p> - -<p>"I don't know. I have not read the will."</p> - -<p>"Come now," said Carrington contemptuously, "you don't expect us to -believe that. You must have read the will before you buried it."</p> - -<p>"I didn't bury it."</p> - -<p>The barrister heaved a weary sigh and glanced at Rupert as if to -invite his attention to the way in which the woman was lying. "I don't -know why you are wasting our time in this fashion," said Carrington -sharply. "Why can't you speak straightforwardly? Twisting and turning -won't help you now. You are in a corner, and however you may fight you -will not get out of it. Be frank, Mrs. Beatson, and tell us how you -killed the vicar."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson rose white-faced and trembling, holding on to the back of -the chair as she replied. "I did not kill the vicar," she insisted. "I -would not do such a thing. I haven't the nerve, and I'm honest enough -as people go. Only the sudden temptation to make money easily made me -tell Mr. Mallien about the will. But I did no more. I wasn't near the -vicarage, and no one was more astonished than I was when I heard of -the murder."</p> - -<p>"Listen to me," said Carrington, making a sign to Rupert that he -should hold his tongue and leave the examination to him. "The police -could not find out any reason why the vicar should have been killed, -because they knew nothing about this will. Kensit unconsciously hinted -at the truth when he said that the papers and books in the vicarage -study were all in disorder, as if some search had been made. I believe -that such a search was made, and by you, for this will, after you -murdered the poor man."</p> - -<p>"It's a lie!" screamed Mrs. Beatson savagely. "How dare you sit there -and tell lies about me?"</p> - -<p>"If it is a lie," said Carrington, quite unmoved by her sudden fury, -"how comes it that the will is in your possession?"</p> - -<p>"I dug it up."</p> - -<p>"And how did you know the spot where it was buried?"</p> - -<p>"The letter told me."</p> - -<p>"The letter!" Rupert looked up surprised. "What letter?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson fumbled in her breast, and pulling out a torn envelope -threw it across the room into Hendle's lap. "I got that this morning," -she declared in sullen tones, "and acted as it advised. As there is no -name to it, I don't know who wrote it. Don't let Mr. Carrington get -it; I trust you, sir, not him."</p> - -<p>Rupert picked up the envelope and examined it, while the barrister -looked over his shoulder. It was directed to "Mrs. Beatson, The Big -House, Barship, Essex," and had evidently, judging from the postmark, -been sent through the General Post Office of the metropolis. Having -ascertained this, the young man took out a double sheet of tolerably -good notepaper, upon which in a backward sloping hand probably -disguised, were written a few lines, to which no signature was -appended. These intimated abruptly that the will of John Hendle was to -be found buried at the foot of the sundial in the vicarage garden, and -that Mrs. Beatson could find it by searching. While the two men read -and reread this anonymous letter, the housekeeper went rambling on.</p> - -<p>"I intended at first to keep it, and show Mr. Mallien when he -returned. But then I thought--not trusting him--that if I had the will -I could hold it until he gave me a deed making safe the annuity I -wanted. For that reason I took advantage of your dining at the -cottage, Mr. Hendle, to go and get it. I knew that the sundial was -hidden among the grasses and shrubs of the vicarage garden, so there -was no difficulty in finding the place mentioned. I did not think that -you would return early from the dinner, and so left the thing until it -was too late. I dug up the will easily, as it was only a little way -under ground and the earth was piled loosely over it. Then I came out -and stopped at the gate to make sure that it was the will I had -found."</p> - -<p>"A silly thing to do, seeing that Kensit on his rounds might have -caught you," said Carrington, returning to his seat. "Now how much of -this tale are we to believe?"</p> - -<p>"The whole of it," retorted Mrs. Beatson, distinctly amazed. "It's the -truth."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" said Carrington reflectively, "it may be; but did you not send -that letter from yourself to yourself?"</p> - -<p>"Me!" Mrs. Beatson's voice leaped an octave.</p> - -<p>"Hush! hush!" said Hendle, hurriedly glancing at the door. "You'll -bring in the servants. I need hardly tell you that it is best to -thresh out this matter among the three of us."</p> - -<p>Thus warned, the housekeeper sank her voice, and took refuge in angry -tears, always a woman's last resource. "I'm so tired of being -insulted," she sobbed loudly. "Ever since you came across me, Mr. -Hendle, that friend of yours has been taking away my character."</p> - -<p>"I rather think you have taken it away yourself by behaving so -treacherously to me," said Rupert grimly. "However, I don't agree with -Mr. Carrington that you sent that letter to yourself from yourself."</p> - -<p>"How could I," sobbed Mrs. Beatson, "when I haven't been near London? -And I'm not a conspirator. It's a shame blaming me for trying to help -myself. Why can't you leave me alone? Two men on to one woman. You -ought to go on your knees and beg my pardon."</p> - -<p>This amazing view of the case extorted a contemptuous smile from -Carrington. He had much experience in his profession of the fair sex, -and knew the marvellous way in which women extricated themselves from -difficulties which would overwhelm a mere man. Logic, as he was well -aware, formed no part of the feminine nature. "I shan't try to argue -with you," he said mildly, "for you would be sure to get the better of -me. But you have behaved very badly to Mr. Hendle."</p> - -<p>"No, I haven't. I had a right to look after myself."</p> - -<p>"Not at his expense. He has always treated you kindly and----"</p> - -<p>"Well, why shouldn't he?" demanded Mrs. Beatson, rolling up her -handkerchief into a damp ball and dabbing her red eyes. "I have always -done my duty, I hope, and at a small salary, too. I could get a better -place any day."</p> - -<p>"Then I advise you to look out for one," said Rupert, astonished at -this ingratitude. "You certainly shan't stay here."</p> - -<p>"What?" Mrs. Beatson gasped and stared.</p> - -<p>"Well, why should you when you can be happier elsewhere?"</p> - -<p>"I didn't say that I would. And if you discharge me--as I knew you -would when you talked of marrying Miss Mallien--I shall ask for one -year's wages and a letter saying how thoroughly I attended to my -duties."</p> - -<p>"I had no idea of discharging you until I discovered your treachery," -protested Hendle sharply. "It's your own fault and----"</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Beatson's future can be settled later," interrupted Carrington -at this point of the argument. "Just now she must answer me some -questions."</p> - -<p>"I shan't!" raged the woman, furious at her humiliating position. -"It's all your fault that I have lost my----"</p> - -<p>"If you don't answer," interrupted the barrister again, "I shall hand -you over to Kensit to be taken to Lawson at Tarhaven."</p> - -<p>"You wouldn't dare. Mr. Hendle wouldn't let you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, I should," said Rupert sternly. "I'm not going to play fast -and loose with the law."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson's sour face became gray and pinched. "I know nothing -about the matter, more than I have told you," she cried, greatly -terrified at the prospect of being locked up. "I told Mr. Mallien -about the will, and I dug it up when I got that letter."</p> - -<p>"When did you tell Mr. Mallien?" asked Rupert, remembering how he had -intended to put this question before and had not.</p> - -<p>"On the day after I overheard the conversation," whimpered the -housekeeper, very much subdued.</p> - -<p>"When I was in London?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I went in the afternoon to the cottage. Miss Mallien had gone to -tea with Miss Tollart, and I saw Mr. Mallien. He told me to hold my -tongue and he would speak to you about the matter. Also he said that -if he got the property he would give me an annuity."</p> - -<p>"Did you tell him before the crime was committed?" asked Carrington.</p> - -<p>"Am I not saying so?" shrieked Mrs. Beatson, virulently. "I told him -on the very afternoon of the next day, and you know quite well that it -was at eleven o'clock of the same night that Mr. Leigh was murdered. -And no one was more astonished than I was."</p> - -<p>"Had you any idea who murdered him?"</p> - -<p>"No. How should I have any idea?"</p> - -<p>"Have you any idea now?"</p> - -<p>"No, I haven't, unless it was the person who sent that letter?"</p> - -<p>"Who sent it?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson stamped. "What a fool your are, Mr. Carrington! You have -the letter and know as much about the matter as I do."</p> - -<p>The barrister thought for a few moments, then turned his back on the -angry woman to address Rupert. "Do you think she is speaking the -truth, Hendle?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do."</p> - -<p>"Of course you do," cried the housekeeper, looking viciously at the -pair. "I am not accustomed to having my word doubted."</p> - -<p>"Hold your tongue, or it will be the worse for you," said Carrington -sharply. "You have behaved very badly and ought to be locked up. All -the same, I advise Mr. Hendle to leave matters as they are for a day -or so, until we examine this will and make inquiries as to who sent -this letter."</p> - -<p>"That letter is mine!" cried Mrs. Beatson, stretching out her hand.</p> - -<p>Rupert put it into his pocket. "It will go to the police if you don't -hold your peace," he threatened, for strong measures were necessary in -dealing with such a woman. "I agree with Mr. Carrington. Go away and -say nothing about anything, not even to Mr. Mallien. Do you hear?"</p> - -<p>"What are you going to do?"</p> - -<p>"Never mind. You know what <i>you</i> have to do." Rupert walked to the -door and opened it. "Now go to bed."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson tossed her head and moved toward the door. She greatly -wished to continue the conversation and defend herself, but a glance -at Hendle's stern face made her change her mind. Never had she seen -her good-tempered master so angry and so decided. Foolishly as she had -talked, the woman was well aware that her position was a critical one, -therefore she refrained from making bad worse. "I'm going and I'll say -nothing," she snarled; "but when you are turned out of this house----"</p> - -<p>"Please," said Rupert, nodding toward the hall.</p> - -<p>"Beast!" said Mrs. Beatson under her breath lest the servants should -hear, "both of you, beasts!" and she sailed out of the room -triumphantly, having secured the last word, and so soothed her angry -mind.</p> - -<p>Hendle closed the door and returned to Carrington. "Take out the will -and let us have a look at it," he said in a weary voice.</p> - -<p>"Won't you wait until to-morrow?" asked Carrington, glancing at him. -"This row has upset you."</p> - -<p>"No. I want to see the will now. It may disappear again."</p> - -<p>Carrington took out the crumpled parchment from his pocket. "Look -after it yourself, then, and you can be certain that it is safe."</p> - -<p>"All right. But let us look at it together. Move that lamp nearer."</p> - -<p>Carrington did so, and Hendle spread out the rustling sheets--three or -four of them, as the will was tolerably long. It was written, as wills -of the early nineteenth century usually were, on parchment in a clear, -scholarly hand, the writing being excellently engrossed and -excellently preserved. The parchment itself was soiled and dog-eared, -blotched here and there with coffee-brown stains: but it had suffered -little damage during its hundred years' imprisonment in the muniment -chest. With Carrington seated beside him the Squire slowly read the -faded brown writing, and gradually made himself master of the -contents. When he came to the signature of the testator and the names -of the two witnesses, he drew a long breath and looked at the -barrister in frank dismay.</p> - -<p>"It seems quite legal," he said in a despairing voice.</p> - -<p>"Quite," agreed Carrington. "So far I can't see anything wrong."</p> - -<p>"And John Hendle by this"--Rupert struck the parchment--"leaves all -his property, with the exception of sundry legacies to people now dead -and buried, to Eunice Hendle, afterward Eunice Filbert, and her heirs. -Yes. Leigh said as much. Frederick would have been disinherited had -this will been produced in the year 1815. I wonder how it got lost."</p> - -<p>"Frederick may have----"</p> - -<p>"No, he didn't," interrupted the barrister sharply. "Frederick knew -nothing about it, or he would have put it into the fire. I expect John -Hendle made it--or rather his solicitor did--and then threw it into -the chest where it was overlooked. Queer that the solicitor didn't -mention it when the old man died."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps he did," said Rupert sadly. "We know nothing of what took -place at Hendle's death, save that Frederick inherited and that there -was no question of Eunice coming into the property. But the same is -left to her and her descendants; so Mallien, as her sole -representative, inherits."</p> - -<p>"Will you dispute the will?" asked Carrington anxiously.</p> - -<p>"No," said Rupert, putting the document into his pocket; "it seems -fair enough, and I must act honorably. When Mallien returns I shall -give it to him--or rather I shall take it to our family lawyer along -with Mallien."</p> - -<p>"And lose the property?"</p> - -<p>"My honor," said the young man gravely, "is dearer to me than money."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_14" href="#div1Ref_14">CHAPTER XIV</a></h4> -<h5>A CLUE</h5> -<br> - -<p>Needless to say, as it had been agreed to keep the discovery secret -for the present, Hendle did not discharge Mrs. Beatson forthwith. Such -an action, justifiable though it would have been, might lead to -awkward questions being asked, and Carrington, for obvious reasons, -advised caution. As things now stood the housekeeper would keep silent -for her own sake, so the next day she went about her usual duties as -if nothing had happened. None of the servants knew about her -excursion, as it was supposed she had remained in her own room, -according to her usual custom. So far as the outside world was -concerned everything was safe, and the two men had time to look into -matters at their leisure. It made Rupert's gorge rise to have the -treacherous woman under his roof, but until he was assured of the -truth of the will, he did not dare to get rid of her. Driven to bay, -Mrs. Beatson being a woman, who would wreck continents for a whim, -would ruin herself and everyone else in a whirlwind of rage. Being -left alone, she nursed her disappointed anger in secret.</p> - -<p>Rupert's expressed intention was to take the will up to London and -show it to the family lawyer, who would be able to explain matters. He -had intended to do this the very next day, but Carrington dissuaded -him from being too impulsive. It was no use for the Squire to burn his -boats too soon, said the astute barrister, and to make public the -document would be to burn his boats with a vengeance.</p> - -<p>"I think you should take time and turn the matter over in your mind," -observed Carrington artfully. "It is just as well to be cautious."</p> - -<p>"I don't see what I gain by waiting," argued the Squire. "The most -honest thing to do is to take the will to the lawyers. I shall have to -do that sooner or later, you know."</p> - -<p>"Will you?" questioned Carrington significantly.</p> - -<p>"Of course. What do you take me for?"</p> - -<p>If Carrington had spoken his mind, he would have answered that he took -the young man for a superfine fool. To throw away a fine position, a -fine house, and a fine income out of sheer honesty, was not -Carrington's notion of common sense. But then the barrister's notions -of right and wrong had become somewhat warped by a struggling life. A -penniless man is always more unscrupulous in dealing with money -matters than one who has never been poor, and it seemed to Carrington -that his friend's self-sacrificing honor was the result of ignorance. -Had Hendle lived from hand to mouth, he would not be so ready to -surrender his possessions. Moreover Carrington wanted to pick Rupert's -pockets, as Mallien surmised he would. This was the real reason why he -urged Hendle not to strip himself of his wealth. But such urging had -to be done delicately, for the Squire was by no means a man to be -handled easily. With this in his mind the barrister replied carefully, -and did not translate his real thoughts into words.</p> - -<p>"I take you for one of the best fellows in the world," he said warmly; -"but there is such a thing as overdoing honesty, you know."</p> - -<p>"I don't know," retorted the other positively. "One must be one thing -or the other. There can be no tampering with honor."</p> - -<p>"Of course not. I should never suggest such a thing. However, I do -suggest that you should wait for a day or so before seeing your -lawyer."</p> - -<p>"Why?"</p> - -<p>"You forget that the will is mixed up with a crime. If your lawyers -decide that Mallien must have the money, the matter is bound to be -made public. In that case it will become known to Lawson that Leigh -possessed the will. I leave you to guess what complications will -ensue."</p> - -<p>Hendle tugged at his brown moustache moodily. "It's an infernally -difficult business," he said after a pause. "What do you suggest?"</p> - -<p>Carrington, rejoicing that he had succeeded thus far, had his answer -ready. "I suggest that you wait for a few days, and meanwhile come -with me to the vicarage."</p> - -<p>"What for?"</p> - -<p>"To look at the sundial, and see where the will was buried."</p> - -<p>"What good will that do?"</p> - -<p>"One never knows," said Carrington sententiously.</p> - -<p>"Who do you think buried the will?"</p> - -<p>"The man who murdered Leigh to get it."</p> - -<p>"And his name?"</p> - -<p>"Pouf! Ask me another. How do I know?"</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Beatson?"</p> - -<p>"Well, why not she as well as another? She had much to gain by -possessing the will, and the will was in her possession last night. -But for the chance of our stumbling across her when she went to -unearth it, we would never have known that."</p> - -<p>"I can't think that Mrs. Beatson, bad as she is, would commit a -murder," mused the Squire reflectively. "After all, if she had the -will on the night Leigh was got rid of, and committed the crime, why -should she bury it?"</p> - -<p>"My dear fellow, that is where the woman's artfulness comes in," said -Carrington quickly. "She had to give some reason for possessing the -will. By hiding it in a hole, and then writing to herself that -anonymous letter saying where it was to be found, she does away with -all suspicion against her."</p> - -<p>"Not in your mind apparently," said Hendle, dryly.</p> - -<p>"Of course not. But a long course of criminal law has opened my eyes -to the habits of the animals. I may be unduly suspicious, I grant you, -still the fact remains that the story Mrs. Beatson told us last night -is too thin. Granting that the woman is innocent, why should the real -criminal tell her where to find that which he risked his life to -obtain?"</p> - -<p>"It does seem strange. And yet----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, you are full of scruples, Hendle!" cried the barrister pettishly. -"What is Mrs. Beatson to you that you should defend her so warmly?"</p> - -<p>"She is a woman, and I have a great respect for women."</p> - -<p>Carrington made a grimace. "You answer like a raw boy. My experience -of the sex has not led me to respect any single one."</p> - -<p>"Yet you know Dorinda?"</p> - -<p>"There speaks the lover. Well then, I do respect her, if that -concession will satisfy your chivalrous ideas. But I don't believe -this cock-and-bull story of Mrs. Beatson, and I certainly don't -respect her."</p> - -<p>"Neither do I. All the same, I credit her story."</p> - -<p>Carrington shrugged his shoulders at this persistent optimism. "Then -let us agree to consider her innocent until we prove her to be guilty. -But you must see that if you interview your lawyers to-day, within the -week a whole avalanche of troubles will descend on your thick head."</p> - -<p>"Well," replied the Squire, wavering, "I shall wait for a few days, as -you advise. I wonder what Dorinda will say?"</p> - -<p>"Don't tell her," said the barrister quickly, for it was difficult -enough for him to deal with one honest person without tackling a -second. "She will tell her father about the discovered will if you -do."</p> - -<p>"I don't care if she does. Mallien has to know some time, since he is -so deeply concerned in the matter."</p> - -<p>"Hendle," said Carrington seriously, "you are a child. Don't say a -word to Mallien, or to his daughter, who might tell him, until you -have seen your lawyers. That's common sense."</p> - -<p>On reflection Rupert was obliged to confess that it was, since his -cousin would certainly make trouble straightway. It would be best to -have the opinion of the lawyers beforehand, so that the situation -might be adjusted so far as possible before the probable inheritor -came into the matter. Of course he knew that Dorinda would tell her -father nothing if asked to keep silent, but to so ask would be to lay -another burden on her. Mallien was suspicious, brooding and -pertinacious. If he thought that she was keeping anything from him, he -certainly would never rest until he learned what it was.</p> - -<p>"I shall not tell Dorinda until I have seen the lawyers," said Rupert.</p> - -<p>"And you will see them----?"</p> - -<p>"In two or three days. Now let us go out for a walk--to the vicarage -if you like. I can't stay indoors worrying over things which at -present I cannot remedy. Come!"</p> - -<p>"Won't it be better for us to have another look at the will before we -go?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think so. I know the will by heart, and have locked it safely -away, Carrington. It disinherits Frederick, from whom I am descended, -legally enough; and if the lawyers are of the same opinion with their -larger knowledge, why then my cousin must enter into his own."</p> - -<p>"There is the Statute of Limitations, you know," hinted Carrington -pointedly.</p> - -<p>"I shall take advantage of that and of anything else if I can do so -consistently with my honor. But what is the use of arguing?" said -Hendle with a burst of bitterness, for the position pained him -greatly. "We can do nothing just now. Let us go for a walk."</p> - -<p>Carrington was too politic to press the matter further, as he saw how -the Squire winced. But he had by no means given up the hope of -inducing Hendle to refrain from publishing the possible loss of his -estates, and intended to talk about the affair when the young man was -more off his guard. Now with diplomatic skill bred from years of -experience of shady doings, he put on his straw hat and sauntered out -of doors along with his host, talking of many matters which had -nothing to do with the burning question of the disputed inheritance. -But as they walked down the avenue Carrington spoke of a matter which -really interested him. And that was of a qualm he felt when passing -under the spreading branches of the oaks. He had felt that qualm -before when he had first visited Barship, and in the same place.</p> - -<p>"I'm walking over my grave again," he muttered uneasily, and although -he would not confess to superstition, the coincidence struck him as -disagreeable.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" asked Rupert absently. He had been busy with his own -painful thoughts and had not paid much attention to his companion's -light nothings.</p> - -<p>"You know the saying that when one shivers, or has what the Scotch -call a grue, one is walking over one's grave. Well, I had some such -uncanny feeling in this very avenue when I came to see you first, and -now, hang it all, I have it again. I don't like it."</p> - -<p>Hendle, now more attentive, laughed. "A lawyer and superstitious?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, bosh! I am not in the least superstitious. But there are some -things which are hard to explain. It's gone!" Carrington wiped his -perspiring face and looked round with an air of relief.</p> - -<p>"What's gone?"</p> - -<p>"That feeling of walking over my own grave."</p> - -<p>"Rubbish!" said Hendle, who was much too stolid to believe in such -things. "I expect it was only a sudden chill."</p> - -<p>"I dare say, although it is odd that I should get a chill in this -blazing sunshine," muttered the barrister, who was more impressed than -he cared to admit. "But there are more things in heaven and earth----"</p> - -<p>"What a well-worn quotation! You need bucking up. Come into the inn -and we will each have a tankard."</p> - -<p>"I don't like drinking in the morning."</p> - -<p>"Nor do I. I never do. But all this worry has knocked me out of time -and you aren't feeling up to the mark. Come along. Mrs. Pansey has -known me all the days of my life and is distinctly a good sort. I -often look in and have a chat."</p> - -<p>"As an Olympian descending among mortals," said Carrington smiling, -for by this time his odd feeling had passed away.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pansey, who was a rosy-faced, stout old dame, received her -landlord with respectful joy, and soon supplied them with tankards of -cool beer acceptable to the thirst on a hot day. Carrington noted how -popular Rupert was with the villagers, who came and went, passed and -repassed, each with a curtsey, or a touch of the forelock. And Hendle -greeted one and all by name with kindly inquiries and genial smiles. A -feeling of envy stirred the barrister's selfish heart, but he -cynically consoled himself with the reflection that very soon Rupert -would be ousted in favor of Mallien. Out of sheer annoyance with this -favorite of Fortune, he would have liked to see such a toppling down, -but nevertheless, for the gaining of his own ends, he was determined -to prevent such a change of landlords. Meanwhile, he listened to the -incessant chatter of Mrs. Pansey, which was mostly concerned with the -new vicar.</p> - -<p>"Such a nice gentleman they say he is," she observed, beaming, "and -will be here in a fortnight lodging with Mrs. Jones while the Vicarage -is being put to rights. His family come later. Have you seen him, -sir?"</p> - -<p>"No," answered Rupert promptly; "but my friend and I are now on our -way to the Vicarage to see what's doing. We may meet him there."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so, sir. He came yesterday to set the men to work and -won't come to-day. The workmen are painting and papering the house and -digging up the garden and making a nice place of it. Mrs. Jabber -remains on as caretaker until the family arrive. She'd like to stay on -altogether, but Lord bless you, sir, what would the vicar do with such -a slut? He's a much more particular gentleman than Mr. Leigh, I do -hear."</p> - -<p>Hendle put an end to the landlady's babble by finishing his beer and -departing, although the commonplace gossip had distracted his worrying -mind for a few moments. As Carrington crossed the square beside his -host he ventured a remark.</p> - -<p>"Let us hurry on, Hendle, and have a look at the hole by the sundial -before the workmen turn up the ground."</p> - -<p>"What good will that do?" snapped the Squire sharply.</p> - -<p>"One never knows. It is just as well to look round. Who knows but what -the assassin may not have left some clue?"</p> - -<p>Hendle stared. "What clue could he, or would he, possibly leave?"</p> - -<p>Carrington laughed. "Oh, it's only an idea--a silly one, maybe. But I -have an idea that we will stumble upon some clue."</p> - -<p>"You and your ideas, Carrington. First your walking over your -confounded grave business and now the chance of picking up some -impossible clue. It's all imagination."</p> - -<p>The barrister laughed again, but said no more. Hendle was less amiable -than usual, which was scarcely to be wondered at considering what was -in his mind. He walked fast enough toward their destination, as if he -wished to rid himself of disagreeable thoughts by swift movement. -Shortly they came to the rickety gate, and passed up the grass-grown -avenue, dank and unwholesome, and not to be warmed even by the blazing -summer sun. The surroundings were the same, but the place had lost its -uncanny isolating atmosphere, and there was a stir of life in house -and grounds, which showed that the place was waking up. Many men were -moving in and out of the open doors; there was the noise of -conversation and cheerful whistling, and scaffolding was being erected -against the ivy-draped walls. Even in the jungle two gardeners were at -work cutting down the tall tangled forest of weeds, and opening out -the spaces between the trees. Most of the men employed were strangers, -but some of the village workers had been pressed into service and -these greeted the Squire and his friend respectfully. Hendle nodded -absently in return, then strolled through the bare house, watching the -ancient paper being stripped off the walls, and the replacing of -mouldering boards. Afterward he and Carrington walked into the jungle -and, at the far end of a winding path, found the lichen-covered -sundial, half buried among luxuriant weeds. It had not yet been -disturbed.</p> - -<p>"I say, Hendle," remarked Carrington, as they crushed the lush grasses -under foot, "this dial is pretty well hidden in this jungle."</p> - -<p>"Yes?"</p> - -<p>"I gather from that," continued the barrister musingly, "that it would -not be easy to find."</p> - -<p>Rupert nodded. "Not unless a person knew where to find it," he -answered.</p> - -<p>"Exactly. Well then, if the assassin of Leigh was a stranger, he would -never have buried the will in a place of which he knew nothing."</p> - -<p>"You infer that the assassin of Leigh was not a stranger?"</p> - -<p>"I do. And that makes me believe still more that Mrs. Beatson is the -guilty person. She knew where to find the sundial in this tangle of -greenery and in the darkness of night. Therefore she must have----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, let us give her the benefit of the doubt," retorted the Squire, -cutting short this theorizing and walking forward to peer among the -weeds. "I say, here is the hole--not a very deep one."</p> - -<p>It certainly was but a shallow hole. The earth had simply been scraped -away for a few inches, the document deposited and the loose mold -heaped up in a kind of miniature mound. At least the two presumed so -as Mrs. Beatson had swept aside a small quantity of earth when -uncovering the parchment. There was nothing much to see, and after -staring for a moment or so, Hendle turned away moodily. Scarcely had -he done so when Carrington touched him on the shoulder, and drew his -attention to a small object which glittered in the long grass near the -edge of the hole.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" he asked, pointing with his finger.</p> - -<p>Rupert said nothing, but stooped and picked up the object. "Why," he -said, in a tone of surprise, "it's the jewel which Mallien wears on -his watch chain."</p> - -<p>The barrister exclaimed also, as he stared at the gleam in Hendle's -hand. It certainly was the opal in the matrix, to which Mallien had -drawn his attention at their first meeting. Such a distinctive -ornament was not easily forgotten. After a look and an exclamation he -drew back and pondered.</p> - -<p>"Surely Mallien never----"</p> - -<p>"Nonsense! Nonsense!" interrupted the Squire sharply. "What can -Mallien have to do with the matter?"</p> - -<p>"That is what I am trying to think out," said Carrington dryly. "You -must admit that it is strange."</p> - -<p>"What is strange?" asked Rupert, determined not to commit himself.</p> - -<p>"Finding this ornament here, near where the will was hidden. If we had -found it on the high road now----"</p> - -<p>"Yes! Yes! It is odd, I admit," interrupted the Squire again; "but -that does not prove Mallien's implication in this sorry business."</p> - -<p>"It proves that he was here in this secluded spot at one time or -another, since he lost the opal among those grasses."</p> - -<p>"Mallien may have wandered round the garden as we are doing."</p> - -<p>"We came deliberately here because the will was found in this place by -Mrs. Beatson. But what took Mallien to the sundial?"</p> - -<p>Rupert slipped the ornament into his waistcoat pocket. "You will find -it difficult to fasten the guilt of the crime on Mallien," he said -dryly.</p> - -<p>"You say that because the man is Miss Mallien's father and you wish to -shield her," returned the barrister coolly. "All the same, if Lawson, -for instance, knew the circumstances, he would build up a very pretty -case against our disagreeable friend."</p> - -<p>"As how?"</p> - -<p>"Mallien knew about the will before Leigh was murdered, as you know -from the story of Mrs. Beatson. The will meant much to him, so it is -just possible that he came to the Vicarage to get it from Leigh. -Failing to get it given to him freely, he struck----"</p> - -<p>"No! No! I can't believe that."</p> - -<p>"What else can you believe when the ornament, which we both know -belongs to Mallien, is found on the edge of the hole where the will -was buried?"</p> - -<p>"Mallien may be able to explain."</p> - -<p>"Oh, undoubtedly. And the more precisely he explains the less I shall -believe his explanation. He has missed this ornament, you may be sure, -long ago, and has had plenty of time to make up a story accounting for -the loss. However, whether he is guilty or innocent, the finding of -this opal in the matrix will settle him."</p> - -<p>"In what way?"</p> - -<p>"Hang it, Hendle, you are slow in the uptake," cried Carrington -exasperated. "Why, a child could understand. All you have to do is to -go to Mallien and threaten to show this jewel to Lawson, calling me as -a witness, and accusing him of murdering the vicar. Then he'll climb -down and you won't need to consider him with regard to the fortune."</p> - -<p>Rupert said nothing for the moment, but turned on his heel and forced -his way through the tangled path back to the rickety gate. When he and -the barrister were well on the road home, he spoke again and very -dryly.</p> - -<p>"It seems to me, Carrington, that you regard me as a man who will do -anything for money. I think I told you that my honor was dearer to me -than money. I intend to give up the property to Mallien, if it is -legally his, even if it leaves me, as it will, a pauper. The finding -of this jewel will make no difference. You understand?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. But if the man is guilty he should be punished."</p> - -<p>"We can't be sure if he is guilty."</p> - -<p>Carrington laughed grimly. "It seems to me that what we have -discovered is an excellent proof of his guilt when taken in connection -with the known facts of the case."</p> - -<p>"I don't want to think about it."</p> - -<p>"But you must. For the sake of justice, if not for your own sake. -Confound it, Hendle, take advantage of the chance which Providence has -placed in your hands to save your skin. Only you and I and Mrs. -Beatson know about the will being discovered; only you and I know -about this jewel which brings Mallien perilously near the gallows. For -your sake I shall hold my tongue, and you can have this Timon on -toast."</p> - -<p>"There is something in that, Carrington. But I can't expect you to -hold your tongue for nothing."</p> - -<p>"Oh, my terms won't be exorbitant. And, of course," added the -barrister, making light of his knavery, "as a poor man I must make hay -while the sun shines."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that is your opinion, is it?" asked Rupert dryly, and, on -receiving a smiling nod, walked on rapidly in silence. He had laid a -trap for Carrington and the man had fallen into it. He was little more -than a blackmailer, who was prepared to make use of his power to -enrich himself. To prevent such a thing Rupert temporized, although he -could scarcely stop himself from catching Carrington by the throat and -hurling him into the ditch. "You must give me time to think over the -matter," said Hendle at last.</p> - -<p>"Oh, there's no hurry. We are both on the same string, you know. We -can make Mallien squeal now."</p> - -<p>"Yes," assented Rupert, wondering that the man should think him -capable of such baseness, "we can make him squeal!"</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_15" href="#div1Ref_15">CHAPTER XV</a></h4> -<h5>CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE</h5> -<br> - -<p>Rupert felt very uncomfortable. It was bad enough to have Mrs. Beatson -in the house, when he knew how treacherous she was; but it was worse -to entertain Carrington as his guest. The barrister undoubtedly was -determined to make money at the cost of honor. And what was more, he -would probably gain his ends, unless the truth came to light. And the -truth required to adjust matters was to learn beyond question what was -the name of the individual who had murdered the vicar. If, indeed, -Mallien was the culprit, Rupert felt that he was in Carrington's -power. It was impossible to allow that truth to come to Lawson's ears, -as then Mallien would be arrested and there would be a public scandal. -Yet if Carrington, who knew all details, were not bribed largely to -keep silence, it seemed likely that he would denounce the miserable -man. Of course, as yet, Hendle could not be certain that his cousin -had committed the crime; but circumstances were against him, and if -the police took up the matter, ruin would stare Mallien in the face. -For Dorinda's sake such publicity was not to be thought of for one -moment.</p> - -<p>Hendle had no love for his cousin, who was as disagreeable and selfish -a mortal as ever existed. He was capable of the most unscrupulous -conduct to feed his egotism, but Rupert thought--and with some degree -of truth--that the very egotism in question would prevent the man from -risking his neck. Yet, even if he were innocent, as Rupert tried hard -to believe for Dorinda's sake, the evidence against him was very -strong. Mallien, thanks to Mrs. Beatson, knew all about the will -before Leigh's death; the discovery of the ornament, near the sundial, -proved that he had been where the will was buried. Also possession of -the will meant a fortune to Mallien, and the sole reason for which the -vicar could have been murdered was for the criminal to obtain -possession of the parchment. Indeed, it was very certain that if -Inspector Lawson became possessed of these facts, he would not have -the slightest compunction in arresting Mallien, and in doing his best -to have him hanged. The evidence was certainly purely circumstantial, -but so strong that Rupert felt convinced both judge and jury would -accept it as positive truth. And, failing Mrs. Beatson, whom the -Squire did not believe to be guilty, it really looked as though -Mallien with his greedy nature and bad temper had struck the fatal -blow. Never was a man in such a dilemma.</p> - -<p>Carrington, afraid of losing his chance, remained at The Big House, -and kept a strict watch on Mrs. Beatson and on Mallien himself. That -gentleman had returned from London in the best of spirits, having -managed to pick up a most wonderful ruby for a small price. Hendle had -been under the impression that when so much was at stake his cousin -would abandon his hobby to prosecute a search for the will and push on -as rapidly as possible his claim to the property. But Mallien never -came near the place, and, according to Dorinda, was wholly taken up -with arranging his collection of gems in a new set of cabinets. This -abstinence from action at such a critical period argued fear on the -man's part lest dangerous information should come to light, if he made -himself too conspicuous. More and more Rupert became convinced that -his cousin was the guilty person, and he did not know very well how to -act. He could not talk to Dorinda, as what he had to say was too -terrible, and he was unable to converse freely with Carrington, since -he now mistrusted him so greatly. Of course, Carrington never guessed -that such was the case, as Rupert kept a careful guard over his words -and actions, so that the barrister believed that his friend was quite -willing to act in the dishonorable way suggested.</p> - -<p>And what Carrington did suggest was that Rupert should inform Mallien -of what had been discovered, and then threaten to denounce him to the -police if he did not surrender all claim to the property. Then the -will could be thrown into the fire, Mrs. Beatson could be sent to -Australia with a sum of money, to close her mouth, and all would end -up with the marriage of Hendle and Dorinda. For this suggestion, and -for services rendered in connection therewith, Carrington plainly -stated that he required the sum of five thousand pounds. After beating -round the bush for some time during the next two days Carrington -informed Hendle frankly of his scheme and of the amount he expected -for its carrying out. Then Rupert forgot his caution and told his old -school friend in the most indignant way what he thought of him.</p> - -<p>The two men were walking in the park one morning when the explosion -took place. Rupert, as usual, was unable to remain in the house -quietly, since his very painful thoughts did not permit him to take an -interest in anything. He was on his legs from morning until night, and -the barrister, for obvious reasons, since he wished to poison his -mind, always hung round him with suggestions of what should be done to -hush the matter up. On this particular morning he did more than -suggest, as he was growing weary of Hendle's sluggish reluctance to -deal with the matter. Therefore, he put his proposal into plain words -and mentioned his price. Rupert lost his temper and, wheeling on him -in a fury, knocked him down. Carrington was so amazed and startled by -this sudden rebellion on the part of a sheep that he remained on the -grass tongue-tied, staring up at the big man who stood by, furiously -angry.</p> - -<p>"I--I--I think--you must be--be mad," stuttered the barrister.</p> - -<p>"No, I am not mad, you villain!" said Hendle, between his teeth. "You -think that I am as big a scoundrel as you are. I am not, and now you -know it."</p> - -<p>Carrington pulled himself together and rose stiffly, tenderly feeling -his left eye, which was growing black. "I'll make you pay for this," -he said savagely, and turned a threatening face on Hendle.</p> - -<p>"You can do what you like. I am not afraid of you," retorted the -Squire indifferently; "and, as this trouble has taken place, there -will be no need for you to return to my house. You can go away and -your luggage will be sent down to the station."</p> - -<p>"You can send it to <i>The Hendle Arms</i>," said Carrington, making up his -mind swiftly as to his best course of action. "I don't intend to leave -this place until I get what I want."</p> - -<p>"You won't get five thousand pounds anyhow, or five thousand pence, I -can tell you," said Hendle, with his usually kind eyes growing hard.</p> - -<p>"Not from you perhaps, since you are such a fool. But Mallien----"</p> - -<p>"Mallien can defend himself. What he does has nothing to do with me."</p> - -<p>"It has a lot to do with Dor----"</p> - -<p>"If you mention that name I shall knock you down again!" shouted the -Squire.</p> - -<p>Carrington was wise enough to take the hint, being a coward at heart -as all bullies are. "I should like to know why you knocked me down at -all?" he complained, in sulky tones.</p> - -<p>"I did so, because you are little else than a blackmailer."</p> - -<p>"How dare you use that word to me!" cried Carrington, black with rage, -and he would have struck his quondam friend but that he knew from -experience that he would get the worst of it in any struggle which -might ensue.</p> - -<p>"What other word applies to your conduct?" demanded Hendle fiercely. -"As my old school chum I have treated you well, and have shown you -every hospitality, as you know very well. And how do you repay me? By -threatening to make things hot for me if I don't buy your silence with -a large sum of money."</p> - -<p>"I didn't threaten to make things hot for you," protested Carrington, -snarling like a disappointed dog. "I only suggested that you should -hush up the matter of the murder and the will----"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and pay you to hold your tongue. What else is that but -blackmail? If I was dishonorable enough to agree to your terms, your -request for money would only be the first of many."</p> - -<p>"I swear that I would ask no more."</p> - -<p>"All blackmailers say that, until they get their victims in their -toils by the first payment. Then they show themselves in their true -colors. I wonder you are not ashamed, Carrington, to behave so -basely."</p> - -<p>"I am not behaving basely," cried the barrister furiously. "I am poor, -I admit, and I want money. But all I proposed was to your own -advantage."</p> - -<p>"So that you might get a hold over me by persuading me to hush up a -felony and so take every penny I possess."</p> - -<p>"That you possess," sneered Carrington, recklessly throwing off the -mask, now no longer a protection. "Why, Mallien should have your -money."</p> - -<p>"And Mallien shall get it when the will is looked into by the lawyers. -I take it to them to-morrow. You know that I am honorable."</p> - -<p>"I know that you are a fool," snarled the baffled man; "and if you -strip yourself of your property to give it to Mallien, it will be all -the better for me. I shall go to him and say what I know."</p> - -<p>"You are villain enough for anything. Go, if you choose."</p> - -<p>"But, Hendle," said Carrington, almost unable to grasp the fact that -relations between him and Rupert had so suddenly changed for the -worse, "what does all this mean? I have said little more this morning -than I said to you before and only now do you object."</p> - -<p>Rupert, who was going away, stopped to face his enemy. "I objected all -along, as you might have seen if you had not been blinded by your own -wickedness, Carrington. Every word you said made me loathe you more -and more. The sole idea you had was to get money out of me. I thought -you were a gentleman and my friend, whereas you are a villain and a -blackmailer."</p> - -<p>"Go on! go on!" said Carrington, becoming very white and breathing -very hard. "I shall make you pay for every insult."</p> - -<p>"It is impossible to insult you," retorted the Squire contemptuously. -"Such a worm as you are doesn't feel insults. As to making me pay, you -have no hold over me, and you know it."</p> - -<p>"I can take away your property by telling Mallien of the will being -found."</p> - -<p>"I shall tell him myself, so you needn't trouble."</p> - -<p>"I can tell Lawson about Mallien's guilt."</p> - -<p>"Oh, as to that, you can't prove that he is guilty," said Hendle -coolly; "and, as you won't kill your goose with the golden eggs, you -will say nothing to Lawson, if Mallien buys your silence. Come along, -I've had enough of this. You can go away and do your worst. And if you -don't go straight away, I shall make a public scandal, by kicking you -out of the gate."</p> - -<p>"You are nothing more than a bully. You know that I am not strong -enough to fight you," said Carrington furiously, but very wisely -moving in the direction of the gate.</p> - -<p>"Quite so. But if I were a bully, I should thrash the life out of you -for daring to insult me with base proposals as you have done. You have -got off very lightly, considering all things. Now march and hold your -d----d tongue."</p> - -<p>Carrington had to do as he was bidden, for the big man looked at him -in a quiet, imperious way, which meant trouble. With a would-be -dignified step the baffled villain walked over the grass toward the -distant gate without opening his mouth. As he passed out into the road -he turned for one moment to make a last threat. Rupert guessed, from -the malevolent expression on his face, that he was about to refer to -Dorinda and made a quick step toward him. Carrington winced and -cringed, shut his mouth, and sped down the road at a remarkably quick -pace. He had been turned out of his paradise, where he had expected to -live in clover for the rest of his life with Hendle under his thumb, -and he knew that the closed gate divided him forever from his old -school friend. Therefore, did he curse, not himself, but Hendle, for -being such a fool. Carrington was far too egotistic to lay the blame -on his own shoulders, as he invariably believed his methods to be -perfect.</p> - -<p>However, having lost his chance of obtaining money from Rupert, it -only remained for him to get it somewhere else. Naturally, Mallien was -the first person he thought of, since that gentleman, by inheriting -the property, would have the wherewithal to pay. Carrington intended -to remain the night at <i>The Hendle Arms</i>--to which place his -portmanteau was sent during the afternoon--and next day to return to -London. He would much rather have stayed on to attend to his nefarious -business, but his position was bound to be disagreeable, when the -villagers learned that he had been turned out of the Squire's house, -so it was best to leave the place. But in the meantime he hoped to -bring Mallien to his knees.</p> - -<p>With this idea he wrote a short peremptory note to the man asking him -to come to the inn at eight o'clock for an interview concerning his -safety, and this he sent up by hand to the cottage. On the reply would -depend what attitude he would take up toward Dorinda's father. If -Mallien refused to come, such refusal would hint that he was strong -enough to fight; but if he came in answer to so insolent a message, -his arrival assuredly would show that he was afraid of what might come -out. Therefore, when a curt line or so was brought to the barrister -saying that Mr. Mallien would be at the inn as requested, Carrington -felt that he had won the first move of the game. The man was afraid, -and it would be as well to take advantage of his fear. Also seeing -what had been discovered, it was difficult to understand how Mallien -could save himself.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Pansey was somewhat surprised when the Squire's guest took up his -quarters for the night in her house, and wondered what could be the -reason. Carrington, afraid of making bad worse, did not give her any, -but simply stated that he would eat and sleep there before leaving for -London by the eight o'clock train in the morning. He engaged a -sitting-room and a bedroom, and enjoyed a very good dinner shortly -before Mallien put in an appearance. That gentleman swaggered into the -stuffy little room in his usual truculent manner, carelessly dressed -in gray flannels, because the evening was hot, and glittering with -jewels after his usual fashion.</p> - -<p>"What the dickens do you mean by writing to me as you have done?" -blustered the visitor when the door was closed.</p> - -<p>"As you have come, I dare say you can guess," retorted Carrington, -coolly. He had been bullied by Rupert, who was strong enough to thrash -him, but he did not intend to be dominated by Mallien, who was weaker. -Also, Hendle being honest and Mallien a rogue, the barrister felt less -at a disadvantage. He was certain that his visitor was not one who -would hesitate to accept terms, however shady, so long as his purpose -was served.</p> - -<p>"I can't guess," growled Mallien, sitting down aggressively, "and I -demand an explanation. What do you want?"</p> - -<p>"Five thousand pounds," said Carrington, thinking it was useless to -beat about the bush with a brother knave.</p> - -<p>"What for?"</p> - -<p>"For certain information which will be of service to you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, if you mean the will, Carrington, I'm not going to pay something -for nothing," retorted Mallien, viciously. "I know that sooner or -later the will is certain to be found, and when it is, Hendle is not -the man to dispute possession of what is rightfully mine."</p> - -<p>"The will has been found and is in Hendle's possession," said -Carrington with a keen look.</p> - -<p>Mallien stared and changed color. "And he never told me. Here!" He -started to his feet. "Let me pass. I'm off to see Rupert, and get the -will."</p> - -<p>"Unfortunately, he won't give it to you."</p> - -<p>"Won't give it to me?"</p> - -<p>"No. He intends to take it to London to-morrow and place it in the -hands of your family lawyers."</p> - -<p>"Oh, well"--Mallien sat down again--"that will be all right. Once it -is in their hands, they will see that I have my rights. Have you seen -the will, may I ask?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. It leaves the property to Eunice Filbert and her descendants."</p> - -<p>"Ha!" Mallien expanded his chest, in a gratified manner. "Then I get -the property. That's all right. Where was the will found?"</p> - -<p>"Where you buried it."</p> - -<p>The man jumped up once more, spluttering and angry. "What the devil do -you mean, sir?"</p> - -<p>"I mean this: that you murdered Leigh and stole the will and buried it -under the sundial in the Vicarage garden. That is the information for -which I ask five thousand pounds to be paid when you come into your -property."</p> - -<p>Mallien staggered against the wall with outspread hands. "You are mad -to accuse me of--of----"</p> - -<p>"Of murdering the vicar. No, I am not mad; but you will be if you -refuse me the money. Only for five thousand pounds will I hold my -tongue."</p> - -<p>"You have nothing to hold it about," stormed Mallien, savagely.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, I have. Sit down and listen."</p> - -<p>"I won't." Mallien made for the door.</p> - -<p>"Very good. Then go, and to-morrow you will be arrested before noon. I -shall go straight to Tarhaven in the morning to explain things to -Inspector Lawson. For your own safety you had much better let me -explain them to you."</p> - -<p>Mallien hesitated, then returned to his seat. "You are talking -rubbish," he said, pulling his beard in an embarrassed manner. "I have -nothing to do with the murder. I wouldn't have come here had I guessed -you would talk to me in this way."</p> - -<p>Carrington, now master of the situation, laughed. "The way in which my -letter was worded compelled you to come."</p> - -<p>"It's a lie."</p> - -<p>"Then why are you here? You who hate me--you who are a bully," taunted -the barrister. "There is the door. Walk out of it, if you dare!"</p> - -<p>"Less talk!" cried Mallien, savagely. "Go on and explain on what -grounds you dare to accuse me."</p> - -<p>"Oh, very good. Now you are talking sense;" and Carrington related the -adventure which had to do with the discovery of the buried will by -Mrs. Beatson and the subsequent passing of the document into Hendle's -hands. "He has it at the present moment," continued the barrister, -"and intends, as I said, to take it to the solicitors to-morrow. If -the property is yours, as I think it is, you will be done full justice -to, as Hendle is not the man to keep what does not belong to him."</p> - -<p>"Rupert's a fool, but honest enough," said Mallien shortly, and -looking very much relieved. "Well, and what has all this to do with -your infernal insolence in asking me for five thousand pounds? By your -own showing there will be no trouble about my getting what is mine."</p> - -<p>"I have told you why I ask for the money," retorted Carrington, -tartly. "Don't make me repeat again and again what you already know."</p> - -<p>"What is that?" demanded Mallien, willfully blind.</p> - -<p>"You murdered Leigh, if you will have it."</p> - -<p>"I did not murder Leigh. I had no reason to do so."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, you had. You wanted the will, and remember that Kensit -declared----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, about the disordered papers," struck in Mallien, wiping his face. -"What evidence is that, when everyone knows that Leigh kept his study -like a pigsty. The papers were no more in disorder than usual."</p> - -<p>"Sufficiently upset for the policeman to think that a search had been -made."</p> - -<p>"The Coroner and jury thought nothing of his evidence in that -respect," said Mallien, with an uneasy sneer.</p> - -<p>"Because the existence of the will was not known," replied Carrington, -meaningly. "Once it is known, a strong motive is supplied for the -killing of Leigh."</p> - -<p>"Rupert had as much reason to murder Leigh as I had.".</p> - -<p>"I don't agree with you, since he is so scrupulously honest. If the -money is yours, you will have it, so why should Hendle murder a man to -get what in the end would not benefit him? Now, you----"</p> - -<p>"I tell you, Carrington, I did not touch the man!" vociferated -Mallien.</p> - -<p>"Bosh! You struck him down and got the will and buried it under the -sundial, as you know. Then you made use of Mrs. Beatson to avert -suspicion from yourself by sending the anonymous letter telling where -it was."</p> - -<p>"I didn't send the letter," insisted Mallien, looking gray and worn.</p> - -<p>"You did. You were in Town for a few days, and while you were away, -the housekeeper got the letter. Since you had promised her an annuity -of two hundred a year, you knew very well that she would give the will -to you rather than to Hendle. It was a very clever scheme, Mallien."</p> - -<p>"You are talking rubbish!" cried the man in consternation, for he saw -how strong was the evidence against him. "How can you prove that I was -at the Vicarage on that night?"</p> - -<p>"Where is your opal in the matrix?" asked Carrington, glancing at -Mallien's watch chain significantly.</p> - -<p>"I--I--I--lost it," hesitated the other.</p> - -<p>"You did, and Hendle found it in my presence near the sundial; on the -very verge of the hole wherein you buried the will."</p> - -<p>The listener made an inarticulate noise and clutched his hair. "It's -fate, it's fate!" he muttered. "Everything is against me, yet I am -innocent."</p> - -<p>"Prove that you are so," said Carrington, leaning back in his chair -indolently smiling.</p> - -<p>Mallien hesitated, then seeing that the barrister knew so much, -rushed into an explanation, which he would not have made to a less -well-informed person. It was as if a dam had broken, so volubly did -the words come tumbling out. Carrington listened attentively.</p> - -<p>"I <i>was</i> at the Vicarage on that night," confessed the visitor -swiftly. "After Mrs. Beatson told me I thought that I would get the -will from Leigh, since I was not sure if Rupert would act -straightforwardly."</p> - -<p>"Knowing Hendle as you do, why did you think that?"</p> - -<p>"The most honest of men might hesitate before stripping himself of all -his wealth," retorted Mallien sharply. "However, that is not to the -point. I made up my mind to go and then I changed it again. I went to -bed determined to go in the morning, but, unable to sleep, I decided -to visit the vicar on that night. I rose and, putting on my clothes, -went out. As I left my cottage, I heard the church clock chime -eleven."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" sneered Carrington, remembering the hour of the murder, "then -you did not commit the crime?"</p> - -<p>"No, I didn't," snarled Mallien viciously. "I got to the Vicarage and, -in the darkness of the avenue, I stumbled against a man."</p> - -<p>"Who was he?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. I clutched him by the throat and we struggled. Then he -got away and probably wrenched the opal ornament from my watch chain. -I missed it the next day, and surmised that I had lost it in the -wrestling match. After the man fled I went to the house and peered -into the study through the window. I saw Leigh lying apparently dead -on the floor, and was seized with fright, lest I should be accused of -killing him. I saw my position in a moment, as you may guess."</p> - -<p>"You should have given the alarm," said Carrington, quietly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, should I?" sneered the other. "You would have done so under the -same circumstances, wouldn't you?"</p> - -<p>"Perhaps," returned the barrister ambiguously. "I quite see that you -were in a very awkward position."</p> - -<p>"Of course I was. If the fact of the will came to light, I might have -been accused of killing Leigh to get it."</p> - -<p>"Which you did," insisted Carrington, "in spite of this cock-and-bull -story."</p> - -<p>"Hang you!" shouted Mallien fiercely, and clenching his fists. "I tell -you I did not. Things happened as I say, and I ran back to my cottage -determined to hold my tongue, and let things take their course. That -is why I have made no move about the will. The man I struggled with in -the avenue was the criminal, and got my opal."</p> - -<p>"How then did Hendle and I find the opal near the sundial?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," returned Mallien moodily. "If you tell the police, I -can only repeat the story I am repeating now."</p> - -<p>"I don't want to tell the police," said Carrington mildly. "My -terms----"</p> - -<p>"I know all about your infernal terms, just as I know that I am in a -fix. I am innocent, but it is difficult for me to defend myself -against the circumstantial evidence."</p> - -<p>"Then agree to my terms, and I'll hold my tongue."</p> - -<p>"What's the use? Rupert knows as much as you do."</p> - -<p>"Hendle won't speak because of your daughter."</p> - -<p>"That is true," Mallien hesitated; then burst out, "you must give me -time to make up my mind."</p> - -<p>"I'll give you a week," said Carrington readily, for he did not wish -to press the man too hardly. "But no hanky-panky, remember. I hold you -in the hollow of my hand."</p> - -<p>"If I had murdered Leigh," said Mallien, deliberately, "I should -murder you, in the hope of saving myself. As it is, I shall take a -week to consider your terms!" and the man, with a snarl, went out -abruptly.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_16" href="#div1Ref_16">CHAPTER XVI</a></h4> -<h5>A NEW WITNESS</h5> -<br> - -<p>The Squire was relieved when he turned Carrington out of his house, as -he felt how impossible it was to live under the same roof with such a -scoundrel. He was still more relieved on hearing that the man had gone -to London by an early train, and hoped that prudence would keep him at -a safe distance from Barship. As yet he knew nothing of his late -friend's interview with Mallien, nor did Mallien appear at The Big -House to report the conversation. But Hendle had an uneasy feeling -that the barrister would not hold his tongue, unless well paid to do -so; and undoubtedly he knew many things, the revelation of which would -prove highly unpleasant. If Carrington went to Inspector Lawson with -his story, Mallien might be arrested and the disgrace would break -Dorinda's heart. Therefore, for the girl's sake, it was necessary to -make some move, but what action could be taken Rupert did not very -clearly see. He passed an uncomfortable morning turning things over in -his mind, and rather regretted the impetuosity which had led him to -deal so sharply with a dangerous man. However, he consoled himself -with the proverb that what was done could not be undone.</p> - -<p>Of one thing Hendle was sure, that Carrington would only tell the -police what he knew, when all chance of getting money to hold his -tongue was at an end. He would certainly wait until Mallien was placed -in possession of the property before taking any steps, and this being -the case, Rupert felt convinced that no sudden scandal would disturb -the present position of affairs. The man who gains time gains -everything, and Rupert, mindful of the saying, determined to make -the best use of his time. He was in no hurry, and began to think of -what could be done to adjust matters. At first--as he had told -Carrington--he intended to see the family solicitors about the will; -but, on second thoughts, he decided to interview Mallien beforehand. -The moment that John Hendle's will was placed in other hands to be -dealt with, a certain amount of publicity would assuredly ensue. In -that case, Mallien might find himself in an awkward position, although -Rupert could not bring himself to believe that his cousin was guilty -of so brutal a murder. Nevertheless, the circumstantial evidence was -undeniably strong. On the whole the Squire decided that it would be -wise to interview Mallien before handing the document to the lawyers, -and, unless the man could exonerate himself fully, it seemed dangerous -to hand it over at all. There would be little sense in Mallien gaining -a fortune, if the necessary steps to place him in possession of it -could only be taken at the risk of liberty and perhaps of life. The -position was extremely difficult, unpleasant and puzzling, and Hendle -scarcely knew what was best to be done. Finally he concluded to give -the matter careful consideration for twenty-four hours before acting.</p> - -<p>So far, Hendle's intentions were sensible, considering the awkward -position in which he was placed. But he was no diplomatist, and, -having stirred up Carrington to hostility, proceeded indiscreetly to -deal in a somewhat abrupt manner with Mrs. Beatson. Having got rid of -one shady person he wished to get rid of the other. Already he had -stated that he would send her away, but Mrs. Beatson had never -believed that he would act immediately on his determination. She was, -therefore, greatly dismayed when he summoned her into the library -after luncheon, and intimated that she was to go.</p> - -<p>"Why should I go?" demanded the woman with the air of a martyr. "My -duties----?"</p> - -<p>"I say nothing about your duties. But I can't have a person under my -roof who listens to conversations not meant for her ears."</p> - -<p>"Then you shouldn't have secrets!" cried Mrs. Beatson furiously. "And -I didn't listen intentionally. You know that."</p> - -<p>"You shouldn't have listened at all," said Rupert coldly, and bracing -himself to meet trouble, which she had every intention of making.</p> - -<p>"What, not to protect myself when you thought of turning me out?"</p> - -<p>"There was no protection needed on that score," said the Squire -politely. "I had no intention of turning you out."</p> - -<p>"Then why am I turned out now?" demanded the housekeeper in a most -exasperatingly illogical way.</p> - -<p>"Because of your behavior, and I don't think that there is any need to -explain further. To-day is Saturday; you must leave on Monday."</p> - -<p>"Oh, very well, sir. With a year's wages, mind."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no. I shall give you three months' wages, and you may consider -yourself lucky that I give you any at all."</p> - -<p>"I shall go to law."</p> - -<p>Rupert shook his head reprovingly. "I shouldn't if I were you. Your -dealings with that will won't bear looking into."</p> - -<p>"I have done nothing wrong," said Mrs. Beatson, becoming tearful.</p> - -<p>"Ah! your ideas of morality differ from mine. I am not going to argue -the point," said Rupert, pointing to the door. "You can go now."</p> - -<p>"I shall tell all I know about the will," threatened the woman -desperately.</p> - -<p>"As you please. But in two days the will goes to my lawyers, and if -Mr. Mallien inherits, he will become the owner of this place. You have -no hold over me there, Mrs. Beatson."</p> - -<p>"I believe you murdered Mr. Leigh yourself."</p> - -<p>"The wish is father to the thought," replied Hendle dryly.</p> - -<p>"Well then, if you didn't, that horrid Mr. Carrington did."</p> - -<p>"Why do you say that?"</p> - -<p>"Why did you turn him out of the place yesterday?" retorted the -housekeeper.</p> - -<p>"For a very good and sufficient reason, which doesn't concern you."</p> - -<p>Baffled by her master's calmness, the woman walked defiantly toward -the door, anxious to hurt him, yet unable to do so. "When Mr. Mallien -gets the money he will never allow you to marry his daughter," she -said spitefully.</p> - -<p>Rupert raised his eyebrows, but made no reply. He was unwilling to -take her by the shoulders and thrust her out of the room, so all he -could do was to remain silent until her venom exhausted itself. As is -usually the case when a man deals with a woman, the weakness of Mrs. -Beatson was her strength.</p> - -<p>"You will be a pauper without a penny," railed the housekeeper.</p> - -<p>Rupert still said nothing, but turned toward the fireplace to pick up -his pipe. Mrs. Beatson, finding that he supplied no fuel for her -anger, had no more to say, and retired fuming with temper. Her master -lighted his pipe and sat down to consider once more how he could best -deal with the situation. He was faintly nervous, as it occurred to him -that perhaps it would have been better to deal less boldly with the -housekeeper and the barrister. But on second thoughts he decided that -he was acting straightforwardly, and that it had been just as well to -take the bull by the horns.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson went to her room, put on her best clothes and sallied -forth bent upon the Samson-like intention of pulling the roof down on -her own head. She was in such a rage that she did not mind being hurt -personally so long as Rupert suffered. Doubtless when her doings -recoiled on herself she would be sorry that she had acted like a fool; -but at the present moment she did not consider the consequence. All -she wanted was to hurt some one and to make things unpleasant all -round. Rupert she hated for discharging her. Carrington she loathed -because he had brought--as she considered--her shady doings to light, -and Dorinda, because she was engaged to Hendle. She even hated -Mallien, although he had never harmed her, but did not contemplate -hurting him, since she hoped to receive the annuity. How she intended -to make things uncomfortable she did not very well know, but she -commenced operations by walking toward her son's lodgings in the -village. She would tell him everything, and leave him to deal with her -insulted honor. That Kit might agree with the Squire in reprobating -her eavesdropping never struck her for a single moment. She was in -much too great a rage to be reasonable.</p> - -<p>Kit was not at home, and his landlady said that he had gone to -luncheon at Dr. Tollart's. Mrs. Beatson snorted when she heard this, -as she did not wish Kit to marry the girl, and objected to his keeping -company with her. Still bent upon relieving her mind of its burden, -she made for the doctor's house, which was at the far end of the -village, and speedily arrived at the front door. The servants informed -her that Dr. Tollart was absent on his rounds, but would be back soon. -Meanwhile, Miss Tollart was within along with Mr. Christopher Beatson. -The servant, having a feminine sympathy with the lovers, did not ask -this marplot to step in; but Mrs. Beatson brushed her aside like a fly -and stalked into the drawing-room, where she heard gay voices.</p> - -<p>"I went to your lodgings and learned that you were here, Kit," said -Mrs. Beatson, grimly, "philandering as usual, instead of earning your -livelihood."</p> - -<p>The young couple rose in dismay at the sight of this uncomfortable -woman, who was always like a stormy petrel. Sophy was the first to -recover herself, and immediately took up arms on behalf of Kit. "It's -Saturday," she said coolly, "and if Kit works all the week, he has a -right to one holiday, I suppose, during the seven days."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson sat down and glared. "How do you expect me to welcome you -as a daughter-in-law when you behave toward me in this impertinent -manner?"</p> - -<p>"I don't mean to be impertinent," said Sophy, sorry for the agonized -expression on her lover's face; "but you are so unreasonable."</p> - -<p>"Unreasonable!" shrieked the visitor. "It is other people who are -unreasonable, if you only knew all."</p> - -<p>"Knew all what?" asked Kit nervously.</p> - -<p>"I've been insulted and discharged. Me, a lady born and bred and----"</p> - -<p>"Discharged!" echoed Sophy, interrupting. "Do you mean to say that you -have left The Big House?"</p> - -<p>"I leave on Monday," said Mrs. Beatson, getting out her handkerchief -and beginning to sob. "Oh, the insults that I have received! Mr. -Hendle must be thrashed, and I have come to ask my son to thrash him."</p> - -<p>"Me!" Kit bounced out of his seat in dismay. "Why, Mr. Hendle is my -best friend, and I owe everything to him."</p> - -<p>"That's right. Go against your mother," wailed Mrs. Beatson. "You are -just like your father, who was always a coward and a bully."</p> - -<p>"Kit is neither," said Sophy indignantly. "Little as I think of men -who won't give us the vote, I think a great deal of Kit."</p> - -<p>"Bother your votes!" cried Mrs. Beatson, suddenly recovering her -composure, as it was evident that tears did not help her. "All your -goings-on are silly."</p> - -<p>"Silly! Well, I like that, when we are trying to vindicate the cause -of----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, Sophy, don't make a row!" interrupted Kit, who saw how the two -glared at one another. "Let us hear what mother has to say."</p> - -<p>"I have a great deal to say," said Mrs. Beatson savagely, "and if you -young people will only hold your tongues, as young people should in -the presence of older and wiser----"</p> - -<p>"Older certainly, but not wiser," pertly said Miss Tollart.</p> - -<p>"For my sake, Sophy," implored Kit, seeing that his mother was -stiffening for a royal row. "I want to hear why Mr. Hendle has -discharged----"</p> - -<p>The word was enough to recall Mrs. Beatson to a memory of her wrongs -and she proceeded volubly to discourse about the same. Yet even as she -began it occurred to her that it would be as well to bind the young -couple to secrecy for the present, as Hendle's hint about the law -lingered uncomfortably in her mind. After all, a judge and jury might -be silly enough to condemn her behavior. "What I have to tell you -both, you must keep to yourselves," she said solemnly, and looked to -see if the door was closed. "It's a matter of life and death."</p> - -<p>Kit looked scared at this exordium, and even Sophy, bold as she was, -began to feel nervous. She knew what a reckless person her future -mother-in-law was, and wondered what she had been doing to justify so -grave a request.</p> - -<p>"Neither Kit nor I will say anything," she promised, catching at her -lover's hand for comfort. "I hope it's nothing very serious."</p> - -<p>"It isn't," said Mrs. Beatson, ironically, "unless you consider the -death of Mr. Leigh serious."</p> - -<p>"What?" Kit jumped up with his face as white as chalk.</p> - -<p>"Don't," said his mother irritably, "you get on my nerves, and they're -bad enough as it is." She paused, then continued, rather pleased with -the sensation she was making. "I know a great deal about the murder."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" Miss Tollart's eyes grew large and round, and became filled with -curiosity. "Have you any idea as to who murdered Mr. Leigh?"</p> - -<p>"I have. But what I am about to tell you, keep to yourselves."</p> - -<p>"We have promised that," snapped Sophy, for all this mysterious talk -was irritating her greatly. "What is it you know?"</p> - -<p>"I must begin at the beginning," said Mrs. Beatson solemnly, and -taking every advantage of the situation; "and when my son knows all, I -shall expect my son to defend my honor."</p> - -<p>"Against Mr. Hendle?" asked Kit nervously.</p> - -<p>"He has behaved like a brute!" cried Mrs. Beatson, flaming up. "But -bad as he is, he is not so bad as that nasty Mr. Carrington."</p> - -<p>"The lawyer," said Sophy, curiously. "What has he to do with it."</p> - -<p>"If you will only let me speak, I shall explain," said Mrs. Beatson, -in a dignified manner.</p> - -<p>"Go on, mother," said her son impatiently. "Don't keep us on -tenterhooks."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson frowned severely, but, not seeing her way to an answer, -began to relate her grievance. It was characteristic of her profound -belief in her own rectitude that she told everything, plainly and -baldly, never thinking that her listeners would condemn what she had -done. From the moment when the Squire had informed her of his -intention to marry Miss Mallien forthwith, down to the interview which -had just taken place, the housekeeper detailed all that had happened, -concealing nothing, but exaggerating a great deal. Naturally she made -herself out to be a martyr, and was greatly annoyed when she brought -her story to an end, to see disgust written on Sophy's face and dismay -on the face of her son. "What do you both mean by glaring at me in -that way?" she demanded, after waiting for comments, which were not -made as speedily as she expected.</p> - -<p>"I don't think that you have behaved at all well," said Sophy bluntly, -seeing that Kit was speechless.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that?" demanded Mrs. Beatson bristling. -"Impertinence."</p> - -<p>"Mother," struck in the young man quietly, and recovering his speech, -"if this matter is to be discussed we may as well discuss it -reasonably."</p> - -<p>"I ask for nothing better. Haven't I been disgracefully treated?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Kit, pulling himself together and becoming both manly and -heroic; "you had no business to listen to Mr. Hendle and Mr. Leigh; -you had no business to tell Mr. Mallien what you overheard; and you -had no business to meddle with that will."</p> - -<p>"Hear! Hear!" said Sophy, clapping her hands. "I agree with Kit. And, -as you have behaved so badly to Mr. Hendle, I don't see what he could -do but send you away."</p> - -<p>After a speechless pause Mrs. Beatson appealed to her son. "Kit, will -you sit there and hear me insulted?"</p> - -<p>"Sophy doesn't mean to insult you, mother," said Kit quietly, and -looking as white as he was determined. "You must be reasonable."</p> - -<p>"I am reasonable!" cried his mother violently. "There never was such -an unreasonable person as you are. My own son turns against me," -wailed the exasperating woman, again taking out her handkerchief to -sob--"my own son, and I nursed him as a baby."</p> - -<p>Kit and Sophy looked at each other helplessly, wholly undecided how to -deal with this impossible woman. Mrs. Beatson only saw things in her -own way and expected everyone else to see them as she concluded they -should be seen. She had no common sense; she had no logic, she had no -control over her temper, and when anyone disagreed with her, she made -herself objectionable in every way. Miss Tollart, face to face with -this unreasonable feminine nature, heaved a sigh.</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't wonder that we don't get the vote," she mourned. "We -aren't in the least ready for it."</p> - -<p>"Hush, Sophy!" said Kit, touching her hand. "We must understand more -about the matter. It can't be allowed to rest here."</p> - -<p>"You promised to hold your tongue!" shrieked Mrs. Beatson, rather -scared by the look on her son's face.</p> - -<p>"I shall do so, so far as is consistent with my honor," retorted Kit -bluntly; "and I'm not going to allow Mr. Hendle to get into trouble. -He has been a good friend to you, mother, and a good friend to me. If -you had a spark of gratitude toward him, you would never have behaved -as you have done."</p> - -<p>"How dare you speak to me in that way?"</p> - -<p>"Because the time is past when you could play the tyrant."</p> - -<p>"Tyrant! Tyrant! This to your mother, who bore you."</p> - -<p>"I don't wish to be disrespectful, mother, but you are so unreasonable -that you compel me to be so. It is all very well so far as things are -between ourselves; but in this story which you have told serious -matters are concerned. Your share in them is not honorable."</p> - -<p>"I can do what I like," said Mrs. Beatson in a more subdued tone, for -the attitude taken up by her son impressed her unpleasantly. He was no -longer a boy to be bullied, but a man to be conciliated.</p> - -<p>"No, you can't do what you like when your doings bring you into -trouble with the law," insisted Kit, and Sophy nodded her approbation, -which was odd considering how she dared authority as a suffragist. But -in her own way she was as unreasonable as Mrs. Beatson, although she -would never have admitted as much, and would have been indignant at -the mere suggestion.</p> - -<p>"I won't get into trouble with the law," said Mrs. Beatson rather -nervously.</p> - -<p>"That all depends upon what steps the police take."</p> - -<p>"The police know nothing," said the housekeeper hastily.</p> - -<p>"But the police will know, mother. I don't think so honorable a -gentleman as Mr. Hendle will allow things to remain as they are. He is -innocent----"</p> - -<p>"Is he? He had every reason to kill Mr. Leigh because of the will, -which is likely to leave him a pauper."</p> - -<p>"I say he is innocent!" shouted Kit, stamping, and the expression on -his face was such as to reduce his mother to frightened silence. -"Nothing will ever make me believe that Mr. Hendle would act in such a -wicked way."</p> - -<p>"Then it's Mr. Mallien," whimpered Mrs. Beatson.</p> - -<p>"No," said Sophy quickly, "Mr. Mallien knows well enough that Mr. -Hendle will act honorably about the will. He would not risk his neck -to get a document which he knew Mr. Hendle would not dispute if it is -legal."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the housekeeper, still bent upon accusing someone, "I -shouldn't be surprised if that nasty Mr. Carrington is guilty. Mr. -Hendle went up the very next day after the conversation with Mr. Leigh -to consult him. Mr. Carrington might have killed Mr. Leigh to get the -will, so that he could make Mr. Hendle give him money for it."</p> - -<p>"I quite believe that Mr. Carrington did try to get money," said Kit, -after a pause, "as he had a quarrel with Mr. Hendle yesterday."</p> - -<p>"How do you know that?"</p> - -<p>"Someone told Mrs. Pansey that angry words passed between Mr. Hendle -and Mr. Carrington at the gate of the Park. And Mr. Carrington slept -last night at the inn before going to London this morning."</p> - -<p>"They did have a quarrel," admitted the housekeeper, "at least, I -suppose so, as Mr. Carrington did not stay at The Big House last -night. But we don't know if the quarrel was over money as the price of -the will. Mr. Carrington was in Town on the night Mr. Leigh was -murdered, so he can have nothing to do with it."</p> - -<p>Sophy jumped up and clapped hands. "He was not in Town on that night," -she cried, with her eyes blazing with excitement. "Father came down by -the eight o'clock train on that night and Mr. Carrington came also. -Father saw him on the Liverpool Street station and afterward on the -Barship platform."</p> - -<p>Kit turned on the girl sharply. "Sophy, are you certain?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I am. You can ask father yourself."</p> - -<p>"But Dr. Tollart doesn't know Mr. Carrington," remarked Mrs. Beatson -anxiously.</p> - -<p>"Yes, he does. When Mr. Carrington came down here first he called to -see father about an aching tooth. He came to this very house. Father -did not take much notice of Mr. Carrington on that night, as he -thought he was just coming down to see Mr. Hendle. He never connected -Mr. Carrington with the murder. But now, now,"--Sophy clapped her -hands again, so excited did she feel--"from what you say, Mrs. -Beatson, I shouldn't be at all surprised to hear that Mr. Carrington -was guilty."</p> - -<p>"We can't be certain of that," said Kit quickly.</p> - -<p>"I am certain," said Mrs. Beatson, rising, "and I'll tell Inspector -Lawson what you have told me, just to pay that Carrington out for his -poking and prying."</p> - -<p>"I shouldn't if I were you, mother," remarked Kit dryly. "If you can -make things hot for Mr. Carrington, he can make things disagreeable -for you. Better let Mr. Hendle know first, and allow him to attend to -the matter. After all, mother," said Kit, with a shrug, "we are -assuming a great deal. Mr. Carrington may be quite innocent, and his -quarrel with Mr. Hendle may have nothing to do with the will."</p> - -<p>"I believe he is guilty," said Mrs. Beatson viciously, and said it -because she wished to think so.</p> - -<p>"So do I," put in Sophy, earnestly. "Still, Mrs. Beatson, I wouldn't -go to see Inspector Lawson if I were you. You might be arrested as an -accessory after the fact, you know."</p> - -<p>"Me!" Mrs. Beatson grew white and tottered. "I have nothing to do -with--oh, Kit, Kit, do you think--do you think----"</p> - -<p>"I think you are quite safe, so long as you hold your tongue and allow -Mr. Hendle to look into things."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I shall not say a word!" groaned Mrs. Beatson, now thoroughly -frightened for her own skin, "and you and Sophy will keep silent for -my sake."</p> - -<p>"I shall tell Mr. Hendle," said Kit, firmly. "I must."</p> - -<p>"And I shall tell Dorinda," chimed in Miss Tollart. "She is engaged to -Mr. Hendle, and they can talk it over together. Union is strength, as -I know from our votes for women troubles, and if Mr. Carrington -intends to accuse Mr. Mallien, or Mr. Hendle, he will find himself in -the wrong box. They can call father as a witness if the case comes -into court."</p> - -<p>"A new witness," declared Kit eagerly, "and one who will put the -saddle on the right horse. The mere presence of Mr. Carrington in -Barship on that night shows that he has something to do with the -matter."</p> - -<p>"We can't be sure," murmured Mrs. Beatson weakly, for by this time she -was becoming dreadfully nervous about her share in the proceedings.</p> - -<p>"We'll soon make sure when Mr. Hendle questions Mr. Carrington as to -his doings in Barship on that night," said Kit decidedly. "Now go, -mother, and hold your tongue. It's dangerous to speak."</p> - -<p>"I'll hold my tongue," promised Mrs. Beatson, and tottered away -weakly.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_17" href="#div1Ref_17">CHAPTER XVII</a></h4> -<h5>DIFFICULTIES</h5> -<br> - -<p>Kit owed a great deal to Hendle, and was never backward in admitting -that the Squire was his benefactor. When Mrs. Beatson first took -service at The Big House, the boy was at school, but she explained to -her employer that she could no longer pay fees for his education. -Rupert, approving of the bright, intelligent lad, thereupon arranged -for the rounding off of his scholastic career, and afterwards paid for -his training as an engineer. It was due to the Squire that Kit -occupied the excellent position he did in the exploitation and sale of -motors. Also it must be stated that young Beatson took every advantage -of his opportunities, earning the esteem and approval of all with whom -he came into contact. With the Squire's aid and his own brains there -was every chance that Kit would succeed in life more than most.</p> - -<p>Naturally the boy was deeply grateful to Hendle for his consistent -kindness; but he also adored him as an athlete, who possessed all -those out-of-door qualities which youths most admire in their seniors. -It therefore distressed him greatly when his mother came with her tale -of woe. Kit, loyal to the core, would not admit for one instant that -his benefactor was in the wrong, especially as he knew only too well -what a trying woman the Squire had to deal with. As a parent, Kit had -always found Mrs. Beatson uncomfortable, since she invariably used her -authority to force him into agreement with herself, however -unreasonable her ideas might be. Like many another mother, Mrs. -Beatson would not recognize that her son was grown up and had a right -to have his own opinions. He was to obey her in all things and do what -he was told. Kit thought otherwise, and, as the views of the two -clashed, there was always a certain amount of friction between them. -Having regard to his mother's aggressive personality, it was extremely -hard for young Beatson to obey the fifth commandment.</p> - -<p>Rupert knew the boy's difficulties in the adjustment of his filial -duties and greatly sympathized with him. Therefore he was by no means -surprised when Kit made his appearance at The Big House early on -Sunday afternoon. It was to be expected that Mrs. Beatson would tell -her son about her dismissal, but when Hendle heard what his visitor -had to say he was surprised to hear that the woman had been so frank -in her explanation. He made Kit sit down and repeat his story of the -interview, then walked up and down the library much perplexed, for the -boy, being the son of the woman who had been discharged, it was by no -means easy to talk to him. And Rupert was so kind-hearted that it was a -positive pain for him to say a word against anyone. Yet what could he -say in condonation of Mrs. Beatson's extraordinary behavior? Kit saw -the worried look on his hero's face and felt worried himself in -consequence. Therefore did he try to smooth matters.</p> - -<p>"Of course, sir, I know that my mother is rather unreasonable," he -remarked, in a low voice, twisting and turning his straw hat. "I don't -quite agree with her views, you know."</p> - -<p>Rupert gave the boy an approving glance, as he quite understood how -unpleasant was his position. "Your mother has had much trouble in her -life, and perhaps her nature is rather warped. What would you like me -to do?"</p> - -<p>Kit reflected, then spoke up straightly with a flush on his face. "I -think it would be better for you to allow mother to go away for a -holiday instead of dismissing her at once. While she is away, she can -give you notice and can look for another place. In this way her pride -will be saved."</p> - -<p>"Why should her pride be saved?" asked the Squire hastily and bluntly.</p> - -<p>"How can I answer that question, Mr. Hendle?"</p> - -<p>"Of course not. I beg your pardon, Kit. I should not have asked it. -What you say is very reasonable, and I have every wish to make things -easy for your mother. She shall take a holiday, and can leave when she -has found a better place."</p> - -<p>Kit shook his young head. "She'll never find a better place, sir, -or a better friend," he said sadly. "You have been good to her, and -more than good to me. I wish mother could see things as I see them, -but--but----"</p> - -<p>"There! there!" Rupert clapped him on the back. "I know how you feel -and what you wish to say. Even if your mother does leave me, Kit, that -need make no difference to our friendship."</p> - -<p>"It certainly will not," said the young fellow emphatically. "I don't -think mother has acted well; nor does Sophy."</p> - -<p>"Your mother certainly was very explicit, Kit. I wonder she did not -make out a better case for herself."</p> - -<p>"Well, you see, Mr. Hendle, mother never thinks that she does wrong. -It is a very difficult thing for me to say, since I am her son, but I -quite understand why you want her to go. I suggest that she should -take a holiday, and that she should give you notice on the plea of -finding another place, both to save her pride and to shut people's -mouths."</p> - -<p>"You think they will gossip--that your mother will talk?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think that mother will talk, Mr. Hendle: she is much too -frightened to do so, as she knows that she has not acted well. Sophy -and I told her so, and gradually she came to see that she had made a -mistake. But if you send her away people will ask the reason."</p> - -<p>Rupert nodded and straddling on the hearth-rug put his hands behind -his back. "And I can't give any reason other than the true one. It is -impossible to give that, since it involves danger to other people. I -am glad that you persuaded your mother to hold her tongue, Kit, and it -is a great relief for me to know that you and Miss Tollart are acting -so discreetly."</p> - -<p>"We want to help you, sir."</p> - -<p>"I don't see how either of you can do that, Kit."</p> - -<p>"Why not? We know the story of----"</p> - -<p>"From your mother's point of view you know the story," interrupted the -Squire hastily, "but she does not know all."</p> - -<p>"There is a will, which may disinherit you, I suppose, Mr. Hendle?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes. The will of John Hendle, leaving everything to the elder -branch of the family, represented by Mr. Mallien. I intend to take it -to my lawyers to-morrow, after I have seen my cousin."</p> - -<p>"Why not surrender the property to your cousin, sir, without taking -the will to the lawyers?" questioned Kit shrewdly.</p> - -<p>Rupert shook his head. "I wish everything to be done openly."</p> - -<p>"But seeing what is involved, Mr. Hendle, isn't there some danger of a -scandal if any public statement is made?"</p> - -<p>"There is. All the same, if I gave up the property and sneaked away, -people would talk, and the truth might come out in a crooked way. I -wish it to come out in a straight way, and so intend to act as I say."</p> - -<p>"Will you lose everything, sir?"</p> - -<p>"I think so, if the will is proved to be legal. Then, Kit, I shall -have to come to ask you to get me a situation in that factory of -yours."</p> - -<p>The boy was greatly distressed. "Oh, Mr. Hendle, don't talk like that. -It is wicked to think that a kind-hearted man like you should lose -your property. I don't think Mr. Mallien will make such a good use of -the money."</p> - -<p>"That is his affair, Kit," replied Hendle, with a sigh. "But you may -be sure that I shall do all I can do to keep the property. There is a -certain Statute of Limitations which may help me. Perhaps Mr. Mallien -and I can arrange to divide the money. But what is the use of -talking?" Rupert threw himself despondently into a chair. "You can't -help me."</p> - -<p>"Not so far as regards the property, Mr. Hendle," said Kit earnestly; -"but I may be able to help you to clear up the mystery of the murder."</p> - -<p>Rupert sat up and stared. "What?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't say that I know anything for certain, sir, but I have my -suspicions, you know."</p> - -<p>"Oh, have you? Who is it you suspect?"</p> - -<p>"I shall tell you when you relate to me all details unknown to my -mother." Hendle rose again restlessly, and walking up and down, -thought deeply. When he paused again before Kit, he had made up his -mind to be frank. "I know you are my friend," he said earnestly, "and -I know that you are honest and true."</p> - -<p>"I am all that," rejoined Beatson emphatically, "especially when there -is anything to be done for you, sir. I shall never forget your -kindness to me. Anything you say will go no further than Sophy."</p> - -<p>"Why Sophy?" asked Rupert suspiciously.</p> - -<p>"Because she knows so much that she may as well know all. And her -suspicions point in the direction that mine do. She is now with Miss -Mallien----"</p> - -<p>Rupert uttered an ejaculation. "Not reporting the conversation with -your mother, I hope," he said hastily.</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Kit bluntly; "it is better for Sophy to speak to Miss -Mallien than to Mr. Mallien."</p> - -<p>"Does she--do you--suspect my cousin?"</p> - -<p>"No! But Sophy will explain when she brings Miss Mallien here. We -arranged to meet here shortly, Mr. Hendle"; and Kit glanced at his -watch. "I dare say the two ladies will be here in an hour."</p> - -<p>"I didn't want Miss Mallien to know anything," said Hendle, frowning.</p> - -<p>"It is absolutely necessary that she should know," said Beatson -calmly; "and as she loves you, sir, and is going to marry you, she -should know all. I'm always in the habit of telling Sophy my troubles, -and she gives me the best of advice. Every woman is not so -unreasonable as my mother, Mr. Hendle."</p> - -<p>Anxious as he was, Rupert could not help smiling.</p> - -<p>"I trust not," he said at length, and sat down quietly. "Well, Kit, -you are more shrewd than I gave you credit for being. Perhaps you can -help me, after all. Let us take advantage of the hour before the -ladies arrive to go into the matter."</p> - -<p>"You must be quite frank with me, sir, you know."</p> - -<p>"That is only fair. Yes. I shall be quite frank. Take a cigarette, -Kit, and listen carefully to what I have to say."</p> - -<p>Shortly Rupert had his pipe and Kit a cigarette. The door and windows -being closed, Hendle felt quite secure, as it was unlikely that Mrs. -Beatson would indulge in eavesdropping again, seeing what a severe -lesson she had received. Hendle related slowly all that had happened, -and supplied details missing in the story of Mrs. Beatson. He ended -with a short sketch of his present position, and the difficulty he -found in deciding what action to take. Kit was so interested in what -was said that he allowed his cigarette to go out, and when the story -was ended stared tongue-tied at the Squire. Rupert laughed at the -expression on the boy's face.</p> - -<p>"You seem as perplexed as I am," he remarked with a shrug.</p> - -<p>"I don't think that I am perplexed," said Kit slowly and relighting -his cigarette; "only I am astonished that you have not spotted the -right man who murdered the vicar."</p> - -<p>"Things are too muddled for me to spot anyone," replied Hendle dryly. -"My cousin accuses me; Mr. Carrington accuses your mother."</p> - -<p>"It is ridiculous for you or my mother to be accused," said Kit -quietly. "My mother hasn't the pluck to kill a fly in spite of her -tempers, and you----"</p> - -<p>Kit laughed. "What bosh! I'd as soon believe Sophy was guilty."</p> - -<p>"Well, only your mother and I and my cousin knew about the will -before----"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Carrington knew."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes. But he was in town on the night Leigh was killed, so----"</p> - -<p>"He was not in town," interrupted Kit sharply. "He was in Barship."</p> - -<p>Hendle dropped his pipe and stared. "Are you sure of what you are -saying?"</p> - -<p>"You can ask Dr. Tollart if you doubt me."</p> - -<p>"Dr. Tollart!" echoed Hendle, much surprised. "What does he know?"</p> - -<p>"He came down on the evening when the vicar was murdered, and saw Mr. -Carrington both on the Liverpool Street platform and on the Barship -platform."</p> - -<p>"Did he speak to him?"</p> - -<p>"No. He told Sophy that Mr. Carrington had come down, but that he had -traveled in another carriage. After all," went on Beatson -thoughtfully, "there was no reason why the doctor should speak. He had -only seen Mr. Carrington once when he called on him to get a cure for -his toothache."</p> - -<p>"Yes. I remember he went to see the doctor when he first came," -replied Rupert mechanically. "I was in the church with Miss Mallien, -and Carrington, on his way back to The Big House, looked in about his -tooth on Tollart." He paused, then continued: "What train was it?"</p> - -<p>"The one which leaves Liverpool Street at eight."</p> - -<p>"That arrives here at a quarter past nine," said Hendle meditatively.</p> - -<p>"Yes, and as the vicar was murdered at eleven, Mr. Carrington had -plenty of time to make his plans."</p> - -<p>"I can't believe that Carrington is the assassin," muttered Hendle, in -dismay, for he dreaded lest he should prove the accusation to be true. -"Did Dr. Tollart connect Carrington with the murder?"</p> - -<p>"No. If he had, he would have spoken out. He took little notice of Mr. -Carrington, thinking he was coming down on a visit to you. And as Mr. -Carrington was with you the next day, of course the doctor believed -that it was as he had thought."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I see. But Carrington did not come on that night. He came by the -midday train next day."</p> - -<p>"The doctor didn't know that," said Kit, nodding; "in fact, he thought -no more about the matter after he told Sophy, and he only told her as -a piece of gossip, you understand."</p> - -<p>"Yes! yes! I see that, as Carrington was with me the next day, his -presence in the eight o'clock train on the previous night would arouse -no suspicion in Tollart's mind. Still, his being at Barship on that -night doesn't mean that he killed the vicar."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Kit, with a wisdom beyond his years, "I rather think that -it is very good evidence against him. You had told him about the will, -and he knew what it meant to you. What he said when you kicked him out -the other day shows that he wants a large sum of money. He intended -perhaps to stun the vicar and get the will, so as to make his terms -with you; but the vicar, having heart disease, died straightway. For -that reason Mr. Carrington buried the will, and sent an anonymous -letter to my mother."</p> - -<p>"But Mr. Carrington did not know where the sundial was. How, then, -could he find it in the nighttime, hidden as it was among the bushes?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I can't explain everything," said Beatson frankly; "but you must -admit, sir, that it is odd Mr. Carrington should have been in Barship -on the night of the murder, without saying a word to you. If his -intentions had been innocent, he would have come for the night to -you."</p> - -<p>"True enough, Kit. I wonder where he did spend the night?"</p> - -<p>Kit shrugged his shoulders. "You will have to ask him that. I really -believe that he is the guilty person."</p> - -<p>"But what about that opal in the matrix which belongs to my cousin? It -was found by me on the verge of the hole where the will was buried."</p> - -<p>"Did you find it?"</p> - -<p>"Well, no. It was Carrington who pointed it out glittering among the -grasses. I merely picked it up."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Kit, with a judicial air, "the person who loses generally -manages to find. How do you know that Mr. Carrington didn't drop the -opal there when your back was turned?"</p> - -<p>"You are very rapidly weaving a rope for the man's neck," observed -Hendle dryly. "After all, we are taking a great deal for granted."</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, all you have to do is to ask Mr. Carrington to explain."</p> - -<p>"Humph! That will be awkward, considering we are declared enemies. -However, we shall see. I think it will be best to speak to my cousin -first."</p> - -<p>Kit agreed with this suggestion and then held his tongue. He had said -all that he could say, and having placed the Squire on his guard, -there was nothing more to be done. Rupert himself did not pursue the -conversation further, but walked up and down, musing over what he had -heard. For quite five minutes there was silence, and then Dorinda made -her appearance, followed by Miss Tollart. The girl looked very pale -and anxious.</p> - -<p>"What does all this mean, Rupert?" she asked nervously.</p> - -<p>"All what?"</p> - -<p>"Sophy has told me a strange story," said Dorinda, taking a seat, "and -I suppose Kit has told it to you also."</p> - -<p>Hendle nodded. "Yes. I know that Carrington was in Barship on the -night when Leigh was murdered--unless, of course, Dr. Tollart has made -a mistake."</p> - -<p>"My father made no mistake," struck in Sophy, flushing, for she -guessed that the Squire was hinting at the doctor's infirmity. "He was -quite sober when he came home on that night. I was waiting up for him. -He mentioned in quite a casual way that Mr. Carrington had traveled -down by the same train, and neither of us thought anything more about -the matter, even when we heard next morning about the murder. We -thought that Mr. Carrington had come down to see you, Squire, and he -certainly was with you the next day."</p> - -<p>"He was," admitted Rupert quietly, "and his being with me made you -believe that what you thought was true. Is it not so?"</p> - -<p>"In a way. But the real truth is that neither my father nor myself -thought anything at all about the matter. Only Mrs. Beatson's hint -that Mr. Carrington might possibly be guilty made me remember."</p> - -<p>"Do you think that the man is guilty?" asked Rupert quickly.</p> - -<p>Sophy bent her dark brows in a frown and reflected. "I couldn't go -into a witness box and swear that he committed the murder," she -observed; "but he came down to Barship on that night, and if he did -not stay with you, Mr. Hendle, he must have had some strong reason to -keep his visit a secret."</p> - -<p>"Your father can swear to this visit?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I asked him again if he remembered Mr. Carrington coming down, -and he said that he could. Of course," added Sophy significantly, "I -had to ask the question in a way not likely to arouse my father's -suspicions as to why it was asked. It is no use letting him know too -much, as he might talk. But if necessary he can prove what he told -me."</p> - -<p>Dorinda shivered. "I never liked Mr. Carrington," she observed. "All -the same, I can't believe that he murdered Mr. Leigh."</p> - -<p>"Some one must have murdered him," said Kit, a trifle dryly; "and why -not Mr. Carrington, rather than your father, or the Squire? For my -part, going by what Mr. Hendle has told me, I believe Mr. Carrington -is guilty."</p> - -<p>"How are we going to prove him to be guilty?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said Rupert doubtfully, "I see no way save asking him to -explain why he came down to Barship on that night. Unless he gives a -reasonable excuse, he will be in danger of being arrested."</p> - -<p>"But, Rupert, in that case my father will be in danger."</p> - -<p>"How so?"</p> - -<p>"Don't you know that Mr. Carrington sent for my father the other day, -and had an interview with him at <i>The Hendle Arms?</i>"</p> - -<p>"No. What did he wish to see your father about?"</p> - -<p>"He threatened to accuse him of committing the crime, so as to gain -possession of the will. I don't know exactly what passed," went on -Dorinda anxiously, "as my father told me little. All he really said -was that he was in danger of being arrested, because Mr. Carrington -could give evidence against him, which would be difficult to -disprove."</p> - -<p>"But your father surely did not admit that he was guilty, Dorinda?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly not," cried the girl, flushing indignantly. "How can you -suggest such a thing? But as Mr. Carrington wants money he is ready to -say anything or do anything likely to force my father into paying him -to hold his tongue."</p> - -<p>Rupert smiled grimly. "Carrington knows that your father has not -sufficient money to pay him what he wants."</p> - -<p>"What does he want?" asked Sophy, looking up.</p> - -<p>"Five thousand pounds was the price he demanded from me," said Hendle, -"and I don't think he'll take a penny less from Mr. Mallien. But in -order to get the money Carrington will have to wait until my cousin is -in possession of my property. Until then you can be sure, Dorinda, -that he will take no steps to make things uncomfortable."</p> - -<p>"No, I think you are right," murmured Miss Mallien, greatly relieved. -"But what is best to be done?"</p> - -<p>"I have already made up my mind. In the first place I shall see your -father and learn exactly what took place at this interview. Afterwards -we can have a talk with Carrington. Then he will----"</p> - -<p>"Oh, let the will alone until we learn the truth about this murder," -urged Dorinda anxiously. "To clear my father from all chance of being -accused is the first thing to be done. See my father, Rupert; perhaps -he will be more frank with you than he was with me."</p> - -<p>"He must be frank if he wants to save himself," said Sophy bluntly. -"Don't worry, Dorinda. My opinion is that we should give Mr. -Carrington plenty of rope with which to hang himself. When he is fully -committed, then we can turn the tables on him by saying what we know -of his presence in Barship on the night of the murder. There's nothing -to be afraid of."</p> - -<p>"I'm not exactly afraid," said Dorinda slowly, "but the suspense is -very trying, with Mr. Carrington working in the dark."</p> - -<p>"We'll force him to come out into the open, Miss Mallien," said Kit -resolutely; "then he will have to defend himself, and won't have time -to accuse other people. He shan't have everything his own way, -anyhow."</p> - -<p>"Hear! hear!" cried Sophy, clapping her hands. "You're a brick, Kit. -For my part I believe that Mr. Carrington has only to be faced boldly -to bring him to his knees."</p> - -<p>Rupert shook his head. "He can do some damage before he is forced to -take up that position."</p> - -<p>"What does it matter, so long as the damage won't be lasting?" said -Dorinda impatiently. "I am certain that my father is innocent."</p> - -<p>"And so am I," finished Hendle with a shrug; "so there only remains -Carrington as the possible criminal. Well, we shall see. Anyhow, as he -won't move until my cousin is in possession of the property, we have -ample time to arrange what is best to be done. Meantime let us keep -what we know to ourselves."</p> - -<p>"But what about Mrs. Beatson?" hesitated Sophy, glancing at Kit.</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Beatson," said Rupert, grimly polite, "is going away for a -holiday, and if she hears of a better situation she will not return -here."</p> - -<p>"I'm glad of that, Squire!" and Sophy, guessing the plan which was to -save the housekeeper's pride, felt greatly relieved. Little as she -liked her future mother-in-law, she did not wish to see her disgraced. -"And now I think Kit had better take me home."</p> - -<p>"But I have more to say," began Kit anxiously, only to be silenced by -Sophy.</p> - -<p>"No, you haven't," she declared imperiously, and marched him to the -door. "You have given the Squire quite enough to think about"; then -she sank her voice to scold: "Don't be a fool. They want to be alone!"</p> - -<p>"Oh!" murmured Kit, "I see"; and he submitted to be led away.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_18" href="#div1Ref_18">CHAPTER XVIII</a></h4> -<h5>SETTING A TRAP</h5> -<br> - -<p>Mallien, by telling his daughter a half truth instead of the whole -truth, had made her very nervous, and although she asked for a more -detailed explanation he had refused to give it to her. Dorinda was -therefore much relieved when Sophy conducted her to The Big House and -hidden matters were made more plain. When in possession of facts she -quickly recognized that the position of her father was highly -dangerous, should Carrington speak to the police. But the girl agreed -with Rupert that he would not do so, until all chance of getting money -for his silence had disappeared. Even if Mallien was willing, such -money could not be obtained until the property passed from the Squire -to his cousin, so if Rupert refused to give up the same, Carrington -would be forced to wait. It was not likely that he would kill the -goose with the golden eggs by speaking prematurely.</p> - -<p>And there was, as Rupert pointed out to Dorinda, a grave doubt whether -he would speak at all, when informed that his presence in Barship on -the night of the murder was known. Hendle intended to question the -barrister on this point and hear what defense he could offer, but -before doing so, desired to see his cousin and enlist his aid. It was -even more to Mallien's interest than to Rupert's to bring Carrington -to book, and only by the cousins joining forces could they accomplish -their end. And that was, to learn for certain who had murdered the -vicar. It assuredly seemed as though the barrister was the guilty -person, and should the crime be brought home to him, his evil scheme -to acquire money by blackmail would be frustrated. Instead of accusing -Mallien to the police, it was probable that Carrington would be forced -to fly lest Lawson should lay hands on him. Dorinda returned home in a -much more comfortable frame of mind, since Rupert thus placed matters -in a better light. She was also more content because affairs were in -her lover's hands. He, if anyone, would be able to make the crooked -straight.</p> - -<p>One of Hendle's last injunctions to the girl was that she should say -nothing to her father about her visit to The Big House. He warned her -not to repeat what she had heard, and not to question her father in -any way regarding his dealings with Carrington. Rupert arranged -matters thus because he intended to call on his cousin next day and -have a complete understanding with him. Mallien therefore was much -annoyed, and very illogically so, when his daughter no longer implored -him to be plain with her. On Sunday evening and Monday morning she saw -him looking gloomy and disturbed, yet made no effort to cheer him, or, -as he put it, to bear his burden. Dorinda laughed outright when her -father made this last remark.</p> - -<p>"Really, father, you are unreasonable," she observed, when putting on -her hat to go shopping in the village. "How can I bear your burden -when you won't tell me what it is?"</p> - -<p>"I have told you," growled the little man crossly, "that blackguard -Carrington dares to accuse me of murdering Leigh."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Dorinda lightly, "as you didn't murder him what does it -matter?"</p> - -<p>"You talk rubbish. Carrington can tell serious lies which may endanger -my liberty."</p> - -<p>"What are those lies, father?"</p> - -<p>"I shan't tell you," snapped Mallien.</p> - -<p>Dorinda shrugged her shoulders and took up her sunshade. "Then how can -you expect me to bear your burden, as you put it? You tell me enough -to make me anxious, yet not enough to enable me to help you."</p> - -<p>"You can't help me."</p> - -<p>"In that case there is no more to be said."</p> - -<p>This speech was so unanswerable that Mallien could find no reply -and retreated to his own particular room, feeling--rather -inconsequently--that he was not receiving the attention and sympathy -which was his due. It never seemed to strike him that his daughter -could scarcely administer to his comfort while she was ignorant of -necessary information. But nothing irritates an unreasonable man more -than being treated reasonably, and Mallien scowled blackly when he saw -from the window Dorinda tripping lightly in the direction of the -village. He was quite sorry for himself.</p> - -<p>"I did think that my own daughter had some decent feeling in her," he -meditated sadly; "but she's like everyone else--selfish in the -extreme. Oh, it's no wonder that I hate everyone. People think only of -themselves. Now what the dickens do you want? Hang you!"</p> - -<p>This last question he asked aloud, being still at the window, he saw -Rupert open the little garden gate and walk briskly up to the door. As -Dorinda had gone one way and Rupert had come another, Mallien never -dreamed that there was any understanding between them, or that his -daughter had departed so as to afford her lover a chance of speaking -to her very egotistic parent. This had been arranged between the two -on the previous day, and to carry out the scheme Hendle knocked at the -door of his cousin with the will in his pocket. Before he left the -cottage he was determined to force Mallien into plain speaking. Things -were much too dangerous to permit any further beating about the bush.</p> - -<p>"Well, and what do you want?" said Mallien, repeating his former -question as he opened the door to the visitor.</p> - -<p>"I want to see you," said Hendle very pointedly. "It is time we had an -explanation."</p> - -<p>"About what?"</p> - -<p>"About this," and Rupert pulled the soiled and crumpled parchment out -of his pocket--"the will of John Hendle."</p> - -<p>"Oh! So you have it. And how did you get it, may I ask?"</p> - -<p>"You can ask in your own room," said Rupert politely. "I can scarcely -give you an explanation on the door-step."</p> - -<p>"Afraid of consequences to yourself," grumbled Mallien, nevertheless -yielding so far as to lead the way into his sanctum.</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear me, no," replied the visitor, seating himself. "Afraid of -consequences to you."</p> - -<p>"To me!" Mallien dropped into a chair before his desk. "What do you -mean?"</p> - -<p>"I think you know very well."</p> - -<p>"I don't," said the man doggedly and determined to leave all necessary -explanation to his cousin. "You speak in riddles."</p> - -<p>"We must solve them together." Rupert spoke dryly, then thrust the -will under Mallien's nose, "Read that, and tell me what you think."</p> - -<p>Out of sheer contrariety the host would have refused, but his -curiosity and greed got the better of him, and he eagerly read the -document to learn if indeed the Hendle property would come to him. The -Squire leaned back in his chair, filling his pipe and watching the -various emotions expressing themselves on Mallien's face. Doubt, -amazement, satisfaction and exultation all appeared in turn, and when -he had mastered the will, he looked at Rupert with an expression of -triumph. Mallien felt that he was top-dog at last, and took a -malicious delight in emphasizing the agreeable position.</p> - -<p>"The property comes to me," he said, beaming with self-satisfaction. -"There isn't the least doubt about it."</p> - -<p>"So I gather after reading that will," answered Rupert calmly. "John -Hendle certainly left everything to Eunice and her descendants. -Frederick was illegally in possession of the property."</p> - -<p>"And it follows that <i>you</i> are illegally in possession."</p> - -<p>"I admit that. But of course as the younger branch, represented by me, -has been in possession of the estates for nearly one hundred years, it -is quite within my rights to take advantage of the Statute of -Limitations."</p> - -<p>"Oh, no, you shan't," said Mallien, rolling up the will and thrusting -it into his desk, "I am not going to be done out of my rights."</p> - -<p>"Am I the man to try and do you out of them?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, you are," retorted the other unjustly, "since you talk about -this Statute of Limitations."</p> - -<p>"Why should I not take advantage of the Statute, when I run a chance -of being made a pauper, and not through my own fault?"</p> - -<p>"Because it isn't honest," said Mallien virtuously. "You and yours -have been wrongfully in possession of what belongs to me. I'm going to -have my own, if I spend the last sixpence in the law-courts. I thought -you were honourable, Rupert, yet here you talk of putting me to a lot -of expense to get my own estates."</p> - -<p>Hendle stared at the greedy heir, for such selfishness in taking -advantage of an innocent person's misfortune was inconceivable to him. -But he knew only too well that argument was useless. Mallien could -only see things in his own way, and did not care who suffered so long -as he benefited. However, he made one effort "Put yourself in my -place, Mallien," he remarked mildly. "Would you surrender everything -without a struggle?"</p> - -<p>"That is not the question," retorted Mallien, evading a reply after -his usual fashion. "The property is mine, and I intend to have it. I -shall keep the will, as it is not safe in your hands."</p> - -<p>"Indeed. Why not?"</p> - -<p>"You would benefit too much by its destruction."</p> - -<p>Rupert laughed. "I could have destroyed it while it was in my -possession and without your knowing anything about it. Instead of -doing so, I have brought it to you. Does that look like dishonesty on -my part?"</p> - -<p>"You bring it to me because you are aware that I know all about it," -said Mallien doggedly. "Mrs. Beatson told me about the will, as you -know. If she hadn't, you would have thrown it into the fire."</p> - -<p>"Oh, would I? Well,"--Rupert shrugged his big shoulders,--"you -are such a misanthrope that you can believe no good of your -fellow-creatures, so have it your own way."</p> - -<p>"How can I believe any good when everyone is so selfish?" said this -amazing man. "Even Dorinda leaves me to bear my troubles alone. I -wanted her to comfort me this morning, and she went out shopping."</p> - -<p>"How could she comfort you when you refuse to explain things to her?"</p> - -<p>"What things?" demanded Mallien alertly and frowning. "How do you know -that I have anything to explain?"</p> - -<p>"I know more than you think," replied Hendle dryly. "I know that you -told her how Carrington was threatening you and--hold on--yet refused -to supply details. How then can you expect her to sympathize with you -and help you when there is not perfect confidence between you?"</p> - -<p>Mallien did not answer directly, as he was too surprised by his -cousin's mention of the barrister. "Who told you that Carrington -threatened me?"</p> - -<p>"Dorinda told me yesterday, and for that reason I arranged that she -should go out this morning and allow me to have an uninterrupted -conversation with you. Now don't lose your temper, Mallien. I am here -to have an explanation, and I don't leave this place until I get it."</p> - -<p>"I shall make no explanation," shouted the other savagely; "and -Dorinda had no right to tell you about my private affairs."</p> - -<p>"She told very little, as she knows very little."</p> - -<p>"I don't care how much she knows, or how much she doesn't know," raged -the angry little man, shaking with wrath. "I shan't have you meddle in -my affairs."</p> - -<p>"Will you prefer Lawson to meddle instead of me?"</p> - -<p>"Lawson won't dare," answered Mallien, but in a more subdued tone.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, he will, when Carrington tells him what he knows."</p> - -<p>"Carrington knows nothing."</p> - -<p>"He does. If he didn't he would scarcely have had that interview with -you at <i>The Hendle Arms</i> after I kicked him out."</p> - -<p>"You kicked him out, did you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I did, because he wanted me to bribe him into holding his tongue -about the will. Failing getting the money from me, he attempted to get -it from you at that interview. Dorinda told me that you had one, since -you informed her about Carrington's threats. Come now, Mallien, the -time has come for plain speaking if you wish to keep your liberty. Did -Carrington ask you for five thousand pounds? That was the sum he asked -from me."</p> - -<p>Mallien was forced to give in, and did so sullenly. "He did ask for -that sum."</p> - -<p>Rupert nodded. "I thought so. And what did you say?"</p> - -<p>"I didn't say anything. I have taken a week to think matters over."</p> - -<p>"I see," Rupert pondered; "and at the end of the week, if you don't -agree to give Carrington five thousand pounds when you get the -property, he will tell Lawson that you murdered Leigh."</p> - -<p>"He says he will, but how can he prove it?" sneered the other -uneasily.</p> - -<p>"Well, you see, you lost that opal in the matrix which I found on the -verge of the hole where the will had been buried."</p> - -<p>"What does that prove?"</p> - -<p>"That you were in the grounds of the vicarage on that night."</p> - -<p>"I might have lost it on another occasion," argued Mallien -desperately.</p> - -<p>Rupert smiled dryly. "I don't think Lawson will be of that opinion. -Come now, don't you think it is best for us to join forces and crush -Carrington? For Dorinda's sake I don't want you to get into trouble."</p> - -<p>"If we join forces, what will you ask for your services?" demanded -Mallien, suspiciously. "That I should surrender my claim to the -property, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"I ask nothing. What do you take me for?" Rupert looked highly -indignant. "Do you think that everyone is so sordid as you are, -Mallien? We can fight out the question of the will on its own merits. -But, for Dorinda's sake, I wish to save you from Carrington's -machinations. It is little use your getting the property if you are in -danger of arrest."</p> - -<p>"I am not."</p> - -<p>"You are. Carrington is aware that Mrs. Beatson told you about the -will; he was with me when we found the opal. He says that you are -guilty, and when in London sent that anonymous letter--but I forgot -you don't know about the letter."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do," snarled Mallien, wiping the perspiration from his -forehead. "Carrington was very explicit at the interview." He paused -for a moment, then continued: "I may as well tell you everything, -since you know so much. But I warn you, Rupert, that nothing you can -say or do to crush Carrington and help me will prevent my claiming the -property."</p> - -<p>Hendle waved his hand lightly. "That's all right. I am aware that you -are a thoroughly ungrateful man. Let that pass."</p> - -<p>"I am not ungrateful," cried Mallien hotly. "What have I to be -grateful for?"</p> - -<p>"In the first place for many sums of money I have given you; in the -second for my offer to save your liberty and perhaps your life. Were -it only for your own sake, Mallien," added Rupert with scorn, "I -should leave you to Carrington's tender mercies. As it is, I must -consider Dorinda. Now, no more talk, if you please. Let me know -exactly what took place between you and that blackmailing thief."</p> - -<p>Mallien did not argue further. Not that he felt any shame, but he saw -that Rupert was too strong for him, and felt that his cousin had right -on his side. Mallien would never have admitted the right, as his -nature was too ungracious to ascribe honor to anyone but himself. In a -sulky manner, and as if Rupert was trying to do him harm instead of -good, he related what had passed between himself and the barrister at -<i>The Hendle Arms</i>. The Squire thus learned for the first time that -Mallien had been in the Vicarage grounds on the night of the murder, -and had lost the opal ornament during the struggle with the unknown -man in the avenue. "And I believed that the fellow was you," protested -Mallien earnestly. "You had every right to murder Leigh."</p> - -<p>"Every right," echoed Rupert angrily.</p> - -<p>"I mean every reason," said Mallien, correcting himself hurriedly, -"and, after the man ran away, I went to look in through the Vicarage -windows. There was a light in the study, and, as you know, the window -had neither curtains nor blinds. I saw Leigh lying dead on the floor, -and went home without saying a word, lest I should be accused."</p> - -<p>"You acted the part of a brave man, I must say," said Rupert -contemptuously, "but it appears that you didn't murder Leigh."</p> - -<p>"No, I certainly did not. Why, I only left this cottage as the church -clock chimed eleven, and, as Leigh was murdered at that hour, he must -have been dead before I reached the Vicarage. I expect the man was -hunting for the will, and only managed to escape with it when I ran up -against him in the avenue."</p> - -<p>"But who was he? I don't suppose Mrs. Beatson dressed herself as a man -to----"</p> - -<p>"No! No! That is ridiculous. Mrs. Beatson was made a catspaw by the -same man to get the will without throwing suspicions on him."</p> - -<p>"I didn't write that anonymous letter, if that is what you mean," said -Mallien tartly and uneasily.</p> - -<p>"I am aware of that. It was Carrington who----"</p> - -<p>"Carrington!" Mallien started to his feet. "Impossible! He was in town -on the night of the murder."</p> - -<p>"He was in Barship, and he was the man you ran across in the avenue," -said Rupert grimly. "No wonder he pointed out your opal on the verge -of the hole wherein the will had been buried. He dropped it there -while my back was turned and allowed me to find it, so as to -incriminate you."</p> - -<p>Mallien was thunderstruck. "Carrington!" he muttered, sitting down -again. "Oh, it is impossible."</p> - -<p>"Not at all. Dr. Tollart came down with Carrington in the train which -arrives at Barship shortly after nine. He wasn't with him, you -understand; but he saw him both at Liverpool Street and at Barship."</p> - -<p>"Then why didn't Tollart say so at the inquest?"</p> - -<p>"Why should he? Tollart never connected Carrington with the crime. He -believed that he came down to see me, and, as Carrington was with me -the next day, of course that gave color to Tollart's belief. However, -he mentioned the matter to Sophy, and she told me and Dorinda. For -that reason Dorinda came to see me yesterday, and we arranged that I -should see you. Now you can understand, Mallien, that we must join -forces to have Carrington arrested. I have not the least doubt but -what he murdered Leigh to get the will and extort money for it, either -from you or from me."</p> - -<p>"The scoundrel!" cried Mallien, highly indignant; "and to think that -he should have dared to accuse me--me--me!"</p> - -<p>"I was in equal danger of being accused," observed Rupert coolly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't care about you," retorted the other selfishly. "I must -look to myself. I shall see Lawson and have Carrington arrested."</p> - -<p>"If you do you are sure to make a mess of things," warned Hendle, -accepting his cousin's egotism with a shrug. "We must lay a trap for -Carrington and get him down here. Otherwise he may escape and then -matters concerning the murder will never be cleared up."</p> - -<p>"What sort of a trap?"</p> - -<p>"You must write to Carrington asking him to come down here--to The Big -House--for an interview with yourself and with me. Say that you and I -wish to adjust the rights of the property. Carrington knows that you -cannot give him his pound of flesh until we are agreed about the will. -Also he will never suspect that he was seen in Barship on the night of -the murder, or that we have put two and two together regarding the -opal. He will come down."</p> - -<p>"Will he enter The Big House seeing that you have kicked him out?" -asked the host doubtfully.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Carrington has no shame where his own interests are concerned, -Mallien," replied the Squire quietly. "He wants money, and is prepared -to go to any lengths to get money. Let us get him to ourselves and -force him to confess. Meanwhile, we will send Kit to Tarhaven for -Lawson, and when the Inspector arrives we can have Carrington -arrested. Do you understand?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Mallien, in a rather subdued tone, for Rupert dominated -him at the moment. "I shall write as you suggest, and you may be sure -that I shall so word my letter as to trap the beast. What a -scoundrel," cried Mallien in a state of virtuous anger, "to try and -accuse me of a crime which he has committed himself."</p> - -<p>"He looks after Number One, as other people do, Mallien."</p> - -<p>"Self! Self! Everyone is eaten up with self, Rupert. No wonder I hate -the human race. When I get the money, I shan't give anyone a single -penny."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I am aware of that," rejoined Hendle, contemptuously; "and I -shouldn't throw stones at other people if I were you, seeing in what a -glass house you live yourself, Mallien. Now don't argue, but do what I -tell you. If you don't, I shall wash my hands of the whole affair, and -leave you to extricate yourself as best you can."</p> - -<p>Mallien grunted an assent and scowled as Rupert left the cottage. He -was not in the least grateful for the help thus afforded, as he hated -the idea of his cousin doing anything for him. Besides, being -extraordinarily vain, Mallien never liked anyone to be sharper than -himself. And Rupert had proved to be sharper, as he had so cleverly -solved the mystery of the vicar's murder.</p> - -<p>"You think you are a fine fellow, don't you?" growled Mallien, shaking -his fist at the retreating form of his cousin; "but you won't get a -penny out of me, and you shan't marry Dorinda if I can help it. I'm -not going to have you crowing over me"; and thus grumbling -ungratefully he retired to his room to write the letter which was to -trap Carrington.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, Rupert returned toward The Big House through the village in -the hope of meeting Dorinda. He came across her just near his own -gates, and in a few words reported all that had taken place. The girl -listened attentively, and when her lover mentioned some of Mallien's -selfish speeches she looked pained.</p> - -<p>"I wonder you do anything for my father," she said sadly.</p> - -<p>"I don't do anything for him, dear. I do it for you. Besides," added -Rupert with a shrug, "how can one be angry with a child--and a greedy -child at that."</p> - -<p>"Will you give up the property, Rupert?"</p> - -<p>"I fear I shall have to, dear. However, we can discuss that matter -when this question of Carrington's guilt is settled."</p> - -<p>"Father shall do you justice, Rupert," said Dorinda determinedly. "I -shall not allow him, if I possibly can prevent it, to leave you -without a penny. And, then"--she broke off with a shrug--"well, it -doesn't matter. As you say, we can talk of these matters later. Just -now I have something to tell you Rupert. I met old Titus Ark."</p> - -<p>"Yes!"</p> - -<p>"You know that he was Mr. Leigh's shadow. Well, he tells me now that -he was lurking about the Vicarage on the night of the murder and that -he saw Mr. Carrington there."</p> - -<p>"The deuce! Why didn't he say so before?"</p> - -<p>Dorinda shook her head. "He refuses to say."</p> - -<p>"I shall question him myself, then," said Hendle briskly; "anyhow, he -will be a new and important witness. I am afraid Carrington's goose is -cooked."</p> - -<p>"Poor creature!" sighed Dorinda, always tender-hearted. "Oh, poor -creature!"</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_19" href="#div1Ref_19">CHAPTER XIX</a></h4> -<h5>RESURGAM</h5> -<br> - -<p>Next evening Rupert received a curt note from Mallien stating that -Carrington had replied to the effect that he would come down to -Barship on the ensuing day, and would reach The Big House at twelve -o'clock. Pleased with the information, since the interview was likely -to settle the question of the vicar's murder once and for all, Hendle -took it upon himself to arrange matters. To compel plain speaking on -the part of the slippery barrister, it was necessary that witnesses -should be present for the purpose of proving beyond question his -presence in Barship on the night of the crime. Without doubt -Carrington would twist and turn like an eel in his efforts to escape -from the corner in which the procurable evidence would place him. -Rupert, weary of mystery and worry, made up his mind that the man -should be finally brought to book, and therefore went in search of Dr. -Tollart. Now that Inspector Lawson was to be dragged into the matter, -for the purpose of arresting the culprit, there was no need for -further secrecy. And, besides visiting the doctor, Hendle intended to -call on Ark for his testimony. Faced by these two witnesses, it would -not be easy for Carrington to win free.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Beatson duly went away for her so-called holiday, which was -simply a preface to her dismissal. Her presence was not required at -the coming interview, as what she knew and what she had done did not -touch immediately on Carrington's guilt. Also, neither Dorinda nor -Sophy was to be present, as they could give no first-hand evidence. -Rupert himself, Mallien, Ark and the doctor were the necessary people -to prove that Carrington had struck the blow, and the Squire employed -Kit to bring Lawson from Tarhaven for his share in the proceedings. -And so that everything should be prepared beforehand for Lawson's -action Rupert arranged that the officer should not arrive at The Big -House until one o'clock. This would give Rupert and his friends sixty -minutes to bring Carrington to bay.</p> - -<p>Tollart was both startled and surprised when the Squire called to -explain why his presence was required at The Big House. He had thought -little of Carrington's presence in the train on that fatal evening, -and had not in any way connected his presence in Barship with the -tragic death of Leigh. This he explained to his visitor, and suggested -that, after all, some mistake had been made in crediting the barrister -with the commission of the crime. But Hendle determined to put an end -to all mystery, explained to Tollart all about the discovery of the -will, and pointed out what a leading part the document had played in -ensuing events. Tollart, who for once was sober, expressed his -amazement and regret, less for the vicar's death than for Rupert's -probable loss of his property.</p> - -<p>"And surely," said Tollart, in his husky voice, and with his big red -face expressing sympathy, "surely Mallien will not take everything -from you even if this will proves to be legal."</p> - -<p>"Oh, the will appears to be legal enough, doctor. And, knowing my -cousin as you do, you may expect him to grab everything."</p> - -<p>"He'll make a bad Squire."</p> - -<p>"That's his lookout," replied Hendle with a shrug.</p> - -<p>"A bad lookout for the parish, Hendle. I don't set myself up for a -saint, as I have my failings; but Mallien,"--the doctor made a -face--"why, he'll ruin the place. Don't give in to him, if only for -the sake of Barship. Fight him to the bitter end."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'll protect my interests as best I can, you may be sure," -answered Rupert, pleased that Tollart was on his side. "But that -matter can be attended to later. What we have to do now, is to force -Carrington into confession. I take it that you are sure it was -Carrington who came down in the same train with you, doctor?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly. I know him well by sight, as he called on me, when he -first visited you, to get some remedy for toothache. I never forget a -face, and I saw your friend both on the Liverpool Street platform and -at the Barship station."</p> - -<p>"Did Carrington try to escape observation?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I hardly know. He did not see me, so far as I know, and he had -a heavy overcoat on, which was strange considering how sultry was the -evening. The collar was turned up, I remember," mused the doctor -thoughtfully. "Well, yes, I think he was anxious not to be recognized. -I never thought anything about the matter, you know, Hendle, as I -believed he was coming down to stay with you. As he was with you the -next day, my belief was natural enough."</p> - -<p>"Quite so," assented the Squire; "but he must have returned on the -same night to Town, perhaps by the midnight express from Tarhaven. His -visit to me only dated from twelve o'clock the next day, when he -arrived by the midday train."</p> - -<p>"Hum! And he knew about the will?"</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Beatson told him. I expect he wished to get it, to sell it to -me."</p> - -<p>"Ah! he doesn't know what an honest man you are, Hendle."</p> - -<p>"He knows now," responded Rupert dryly; "however, I understand that -you will come to The Big House at twelve o'clock to-morrow to give -evidence."</p> - -<p>"Certainly; certainly."</p> - -<p>"And----" Rupert hesitated with an awkward look.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'll be sober," said Tollart with a defiant laugh. "I'm not quite -so bad as people make out. You can depend upon my doing everything I -can to help you, Hendle, as I have a great regard for you," and the -burly doctor shook hands warmly with the Squire.</p> - -<p>Rupert went away feeling sorry that a man with such a good heart -should be a slave to a despicable vice, and wondering if there was no -way in which he could be reformed. Tollart when sober was a clever -physician, but when in his cups made endless mistakes. And for a -medical man to make mistakes is dangerous seeing that he is dealing -with matters of life and death. However, much as Hendle wished to -assist Tollart to lead a better life and give his undoubted abilities -a chance, this was not the moment to attend to the matter, as there -were more immediately important matters to be looked into. So having -secured Tollart as a witness, the Squire walked to Ark's abode.</p> - -<p>This was a tumble-down cottage on the verge of the churchyard, which -stood in a well-kept garden surrounded by a wall of loose stones. Here -lived the old sexton and his grandson in tolerable comfort. The neat -looks of the garden were due to Tobias Ark, for his grandfather took -no interest in such things. Tobias himself was a lean dark-faced man, -taciturn and rather melancholy, perhaps by reason of his funereal -employment. He was digging in the flower-beds when the Squire -approached the gate and hastened to come forward with a surly touch of -his forelock. In answer to Rupert's inquiry he admitted that his -grandfather was in the cottage and said that he would send him out to -hear what the Squire had to say. Hendle did not mind waiting at the -gate, as he had no wish to enter Ark's stuffy abode.</p> - -<p>"Whoy, it be the Squoire," piped Titus when his grandson went in and -he came out, like the little old man and woman in the weather-gauge. -"And what be you here fur, Squoire? There bain't be no funereals, -surely."</p> - -<p>"No, Titus, no. I have come to ask you about what you said to Miss -Mallien."</p> - -<p>"Aye." Ark looked tremendously cunning, and his face wrinkled up like -that of a monkey gloating over a nut. "And what might that be, -Squoire?"</p> - -<p>"You told her that you saw Mr. Carrington near the Vicarage on the -night Mr. Leigh died."</p> - -<p>"Muster Leigh bain't dead I tell 'ee, Squoire."</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes, Titus; we know all about that," replied Rupert soothingly, -for he was well aware of the fixed idea which dominated the old man. -"But you saw Mr. Carrington about the house?"</p> - -<p>"Yus, I did, when walking round the Vicarage, not being able to sleep, -me being old beyond telling, young sir, and the night being warm like. -Yus," continued Ark garrulously, "I see him sure enough. He come down -the road in the moonlight dressed as if t'were winter and went into -the Vicarage gardens. But, Lord bless 'ee, Squoire, I did think as -he'd gone to see the vicar, and nivir thought aught of him being -there."</p> - -<p>"But the next morning, Titus, when you heard the vicar was dead----?"</p> - -<p>"He bain't dead, I tell 'ee, Squoire," persisted the ancient crossly.</p> - -<p>Evidently it was useless to try and beat sense into the old creature's -head, so Rupert argued no further. Ark could evidently swear to -Carrington's presence in the vicinity of the Vicarage on the night in -question and that was the main point. "Well, Titus, we won't talk -about the vicar being alive or dead. I want you to come to-morrow to -The Big House to tell Mr. Carrington that you saw him on----"</p> - -<p>"Be Muster Carrington there to-morrow?" inquired the ancient, his eyes -glittering and evidently eager.</p> - -<p>"Yes. At twelve o'clock. Can you swear that you saw him on that -night?"</p> - -<p>"Before the King and the Lord Chancellor," grunted the sexton. "Aye, -fur sure I can say so, Squoire. Oh, I'll be there, sir; I'll be -there." He rubbed his old wrinkled, gnarled hands gleefully. "I'll -tell what I know, Squoire."</p> - -<p>"We think that Mr. Carrington killed the vicar."</p> - -<p>"Muster Leigh he bain't dead, I tell 'ee," said Titus for the third -time and very irritably, after which he shuffled back to the cottage -annoyed that his constant statement was not accepted. And it was queer -that the old man should persist in declaring the vicar to be alive -seeing that he had assisted to lay him in the family vault, which was -visible from his abode.</p> - -<p>However, Rupert, having impressed upon Ark that he was to be at The -Big House at twelve o'clock next day did not trouble himself with -the ancient's fancies. So long as Ark could swear--as he evidently -could--that Carrington had been haunting the Vicarage on the night of -the murder, what he believed about the vicar not being dead mattered -little. The man was senile and was crazy on the one point, although he -appeared to be clear enough on that other concerned with Carrington's -presence at the Vicarage. Rupert did not trouble his head further -about the matter, but returned home satisfied that the two witnesses -would confound Carrington in the moment of his fancied triumph.</p> - -<p>Nothing of any moment happened during the rest of the day, or next -morning, when the meeting was to take place. Kit appeared with a spick -and span machine before midday, and was sent over by Hendle to -Tarhaven to bring back the Inspector by one o'clock. And Rupert -informed the boy that while on the way back he could tell Lawson all -that had been discovered so as to obviate the necessity of -explanations. In fact, as Hendle said, it would be best for Kit to -relate everything immediately he arrived at the police-office in -Tarhaven, so that the Inspector could get a warrant for the -barrister's arrest.</p> - -<p>So Kit went off in high glee delighted at being able to do something -for his hero and Rupert returned thoughtfully to his library where -Mallien was already waiting.</p> - -<p>"Suppose Carrington doesn't come?" suggested the Squire, who was very -nervous.</p> - -<p>"Oh, he'll come right enough," explained Mallien grimly. "I said in my -letter that to-day you intended to arrange here about the transfer of -the property to me under John Hendle's will, and that we both wanted -him to be present."</p> - -<p>"You don't suppose that he has any suspicions of the truth?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure he hasn't. After all but for Tollart's evidence and that -of old Ark, we should never have been able to nail him. I tell you, -Rupert, that Carrington has not the least idea of what is about to -happen."</p> - -<p>"Poor devil! And yet he deserves his fate. The murder of Leigh was -cowardly in the extreme."</p> - -<p>"It was," assented the other. "Don't be a tender-hearted fool, man."</p> - -<p>"I would rather be a fool according to my light than a wise man -according to yours, Mallien."</p> - -<p>"And I am quite content," chuckled the little man, "for no one but a -fool would give up the property as you are doing."</p> - -<p>"I haven't given it up yet," said Rupert, disgusted with this brutal -speech, "and I may not be the fool you take me to be."</p> - -<p>For all his insolence Mallien was plainly disconcerted by this frank -statement, and began to think that he had gone too far. A muttered -apology was on his lips, but was cut short by the entrance of Dr. -Tollart. Immediately behind him shuffled old Ark, who seated himself -near the door, chuckling and rubbing his hands with the air of a man -who was highly pleased with himself. Mallien and the doctor, who were -by no means friends, exchanged a curt greeting, and Tollart, turning -his back on the prospective Squire of Barship, talked ostentatiously -to Rupert.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Carrington will be here almost at once," he declared, drawing off -his gloves slowly; "he walked up behind Ark and myself as we reached -the gates."</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke the footman appeared to announce the barrister. -Carrington, evidently considering himself master of the situation, -walked in with a victorious air. He looked smart and alert, being -quite in his best form. In a well-cut suit of blue serge, with a straw -hat and brown shoes, he had apparently arrayed himself in his best to -receive the money he expected. Of course, he did not anticipate that -the five thousand would be handed to him at once; but when things were -arranged between Hendle and Mallien as to the possession of the -property, then Carrington intended to get a promise in writing of his -share of the plunder. Not for one moment did he think that anything -was wrong, and he even offered his hand to Rupert with an insolent air -of pity.</p> - -<p>"Every dog has his day, Hendle," he said maliciously. "This is mine."</p> - -<p>"Don't be too sure," replied Rupert, rejecting the proffered hand. -"There's many a slip between cup and lip, remember."</p> - -<p>"You are full of wisdom," sneered Carrington. "Well, you will need it -all to earn money when you are a pauper."</p> - -<p>Hendle stepped forward until he towered over the smaller man and spoke -slowly. "Don't tempt me to give you the thrashing which I let you off -with the other day, Carrington," he murmured. "Let us get to business, -and rid me of your presence as soon as possible."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I am ready to go into business as soon as you like," retorted the -barrister, still triumphant. "But why is Dr. Tollart here?"</p> - -<p>"I am here," said Tollart gruffly, "to state to your face that you -were in Barship on the night when Leigh was murdered."</p> - -<p>Carrington started, and, in spite of his self-command, winced at the -plain speech. His swarthy face grew slightly pale, but he still -maintained his air of bravado. "Well, then, I am not here to talk -about Leigh's murder," he said viciously, "but to see about this -transfer of the Hendle estates to my friend Mr. Mallien."</p> - -<p>"Don't call me your friend," growled Mallien, ferociously. "You are no -friend of mine. All you want is to get money out of me."</p> - -<p>"Take care," said Carrington, glancing at the others, "remember what I -know."</p> - -<p>"And what do you know?" demanded Mallien coolly.</p> - -<p>"Something you would not like anyone else to hear."</p> - -<p>"You can say what you like, and before anyone you like."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" Carrington now began to see that things were not so safe as he -had imagined. "You mean to go back on your bargain?"</p> - -<p>"I never made any bargain, you beast. And what is more, I don't intend -to make any. Yonder is Dr. Tollart, who can swear that you came down -to Barship on the night Leigh was murdered; and yonder is Titus Ark, -who saw you enter the Vicarage grounds."</p> - -<p>"They are both liars," cried Carrington, taken off his guard.</p> - -<p>"I bain't a liar," said Ark, rising, and tottered toward the -barrister, "and wor I a younger man I'd make 'ee pay for saying so." -He shook a gnarled fist in Carrington's face. "I did see 'ee round -about the Vicarage. I swear to it, if needs be, before judge and jury. -I bain't afeared."</p> - -<p>"And you <i>will</i> be required to swear before a judge and jury," said -Hendle, in a cold, measured tone, "when Carrington is in the dock."</p> - -<p>"In the dock!" Carrington stepped back, trying to command his nerves, -for he now began to understand the full extent of his peril. "And on -what charge?"</p> - -<p>"You killed Leigh," growled Mallien savagely. "Yes, you did, so don't -deny it, you criminal. And you dare to accuse me."</p> - -<p>"I do accuse you," said Carrington, driven to bay, and becoming fierce -out of sheer desperation. "It was you who killed Leigh to get that -will. I accuse you in the presence of these witnesses."</p> - -<p>"Pshaw!" said Rupert, contemptuously. "What is the use of your -talking, Carrington? The game's up. We have got you down here to have -you arrested."</p> - -<p>"You can't arrest me," said the barrister, with an air of bravado. "I -shall go at once to Tarhaven and give information against Mallien."</p> - -<p>Rupert got between the barrister and the door toward which he was -retreating swiftly. "Stop where you are," he commanded. "There will be -no need for you to go to Tarhaven. In an hour Inspector Lawson will be -here, and then, if you dare, you can lay an information against -Mallien."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" Carrington winced and grew very white. "This is a trap."</p> - -<p>"It is," said Mallien, with malignant satisfaction, "and I have lured -you into it. You accuse me, do you? Ha! We'll see what you'll say when -the handcuffs are on your wrists."</p> - -<p>"Hendle,"--Carrington turned to his former friend with a cry, half of -rage and half of fear--"will you stand by and hear this said of me?"</p> - -<p>"Why should I interfere?" said Hendle stolidly. "You are only reaping -as you have sown. To get money you were prepared to accuse me as you -have accused Mallien. And all the time you are the criminal, as we now -know."</p> - -<p>"I am not!" shouted the miserable man, trembling. "You can't prove -that I did the deed."</p> - -<p>"I can prove that you came down to Barship on that night," said -Tollart.</p> - -<p>"And who will take the word of a drunkard?"</p> - -<p>Tollart rushed at the barrister and would have struck him, but that -Rupert pushed his big body between the two. "Don't lose your temper, -Tollart. What does it matter? Carrington will have plenty to do to -clear himself without calling anyone silly names. You understand," he -added, turning toward the lawyer, "that both Ark and the doctor can -swear to your presence in Barship on the night when Leigh was killed. -You knew from me about the will and came down to murder the vicar."</p> - -<p>"I did not. Even if I had wanted the will, I should not have murdered -him."</p> - -<p>"Pshaw!" said Rupert again, and pushing his advantage relentlessly, -"all this denial will not serve you. Perhaps you may not have intended -to murder the vicar when you struck the blow. I will do you that -justice. But, as Leigh had a weak heart, you went too far and he died. -Then you took the will and buried it under the sundial----"</p> - -<p>"I didn't know where the sundial was," interpolated Carrington, -shivering.</p> - -<p>"That's a lie!" snarled Mallien swiftly, "for on the first day I met -you I took you round the garden and, among other things, pointed out -the sundial. You buried the will there, and then sent an anonymous -letter to Mrs. Beatson so that she might find it and avert suspicion -from yourself. You believed that Rupert would buy your silence to keep -the property, and, failing his doing so, you came to threaten me."</p> - -<p>"And I do. You were at the Vicarage on that night?"</p> - -<p>"How do you know that?"</p> - -<p>Carrington saw that he had said too much and glanced toward the door -in the hope of getting away. But Rupert was between him and safety, -and Rupert looked as stern and determined as a destroying angel. "You -needn't think you will escape, Carrington," he said. "As you have -sown, so you must reap."</p> - -<p>"And your reaping will place a rope round your neck," said Mallien -grimly. "You came to have me hanged, but you will go away under -Lawson's escort to be hanged yourself. I was at the Vicarage on that -night. I wanted to see Leigh about getting the will. But I did not -leave my cottage until eleven, and by that time you had murdered -Leigh."</p> - -<p>"I did not! I did not!" and Carrington winced and cringed and shivered -with all the courage oozing out of him.</p> - -<p>"You did. It was you I struggled with in the avenue when you came -out after burying the will under the sundial. You snatched at my -watch-chain and got the opal in the matrix----"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Rupert, taking up the story, "and when we went to examine -the hole where the will was buried, you dropped the opal when my back -was turned and allowed me to find it, so that the blame might be -thrown on Mallien."</p> - -<p>"It's a lie," said Carrington, folding his arms and looking dogged, -"and I wonder at you defending a man who is going to rob you of your -property."</p> - -<p>"I dare say you do wonder," retorted the Squire acidly. "Honest -behavior is always a mystery to you. No wonder you followed Mrs. -Beatson and induced me to do so, Carrington. You had written that -anonymous letter to her and knew that she was going to find the will. -Your plot was a very clever one, but it has failed completely."</p> - -<p>"And I dare swear it has failed," said Tollart in his booming voice, -"because the Squire is such an honest man."</p> - -<p>By this time the perspiration was streaming down Carrington's face. He -was now in danger of his life and knew it only too well. Yet the man -was brave enough, and doggedly refused to admit what was said, in -spite of the overwhelming evidence. Rupert had no cause to love his -treacherous friend, and regretted that he was obliged to have him -arrested; yet he could not help admiring the persistent way in which -the man fought for his liberty and life.</p> - -<p>"Who accuses me of being in Barship on that night," he demanded, -raising his head, "a drunken doctor and a senile sexton. Those are -nice witnesses. They have been bribed by Mallien to save his own -skin."</p> - -<p>"I don't waste money in unnecessary bribes," snapped Mallien.</p> - -<p>"And I don't take money for performing my duty," said the doctor -frowning. "I have one great fault which everyone knows of. I may be a -drunkard, but I am not a murderer," he finished scathingly.</p> - -<p>"I am not a murderer," persisted Carrington, fighting desperately, and -gaining courage, now that he found himself with his back to the wall. -"I never came down to Barship on that night. I can prove that I was in -London."</p> - -<p>"You will have every opportunity of clearing yourself at the trial," -said Rupert, glancing at his watch. "Lawson will be here soon with a -warrant for your arrest."</p> - -<p>"No! No! No!" The cry was forced from the barrister against his will. -"It is impossible for Lawson to arrest me. I never saw Leigh on that -night."</p> - -<p>Titus Ark rose in a creaky manner from his chair, and shambled toward -the miserable man. "I do say as you did see 'um," he croaked.</p> - -<p>"And so does Tollart," snapped Mallien; "that is, he can say you were -in Barship on that night. Hark, Hendle. I believe Lawson has arrived."</p> - -<p>Rupert hurried to the window and saw a vehicle pass round the corner -toward the front door. "It's a trap and not a motor," he said puzzled. -"Who can it be, I wonder?"</p> - -<p>"I know; I know," said Titus, shuffling toward the door. "I know one -as can say you saw Muster Leigh on that night"; and he disappeared.</p> - -<p>"More lies," said Carrington, wiping his face. "Oh, I'll make you all -pay dearly for this day's work"; and he wiped his face, while he set -his teeth to battle to the end.</p> - -<p>There was a shuffling noise in the hall, and Rupert stepped toward the -door. He opened it and then fell back with a cry of amazement. -Supported by Titus and his grandson, Simon Leigh staggered into the -room.</p> - -<p>"I said as he worn't dead," chuckled the ancient. "Now didn't I, -Squoire?"</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_20" href="#div1Ref_20">CHAPTER XX</a></h4> -<h5>A WEIRD STORY</h5> -<br> - -<p>The unexpected appearance of a man who was supposed, and with every -reason, to be dead and buried was so startling that for a few moments -no one could speak. Had it been night time, those present might well -have been excused had they taken the newcomer for a ghost. But a ghost -would scarcely reveal itself in broad daylight, supported by two flesh -and blood mortals. Amazing as it seemed, the wan person, who was -placed in a convenient armchair by his guides, was actually the Rev. -Simon Leigh. His head was bandaged; his face was bloodless, and he -appeared to be listless and exhausted. Never was there such a dramatic -entrance, or such an uncanny situation.</p> - -<p>"Leigh!" gasped Rupert, hardly able to pronounce the name.</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied the parson, faintly smiling. "I am alive, you see."</p> - -<p>"I said as he worn't dead," chuckled Ark again, and rubbed his horny -hands with comfortable glee, while his grandson Tobias stood mute and -grim behind the man who had returned from the other world.</p> - -<p>Carrington, equally startled, was the first to recover himself -entirely. He saw in the reappearance of the clergyman a chance of -escape from his dangerous position. "You accuse me of murdering Leigh, -and Leigh is alive," he said, regaining swiftly his native impudence. -"What do you say now, Hendle?"</p> - -<p>Rupert turned his eyes from the vicar to Tollart, whose big face was -purple with astonishment. "What do you say, doctor?" he asked, feebly.</p> - -<p>"It's a dream," muttered Tollart, rubbing his eyes. "He must be dead. -I examined the body; I saw him buried; I gave the certificate of -death."</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Tollart," murmured Leigh with a weak -attempt at a smile; "but you see I am still alive. Tobias!"</p> - -<p>The grim man knew what was asked for and producing a flask of generous -proportions administered a stiff dose of brandy to his patient. The -ardent spirit made Leigh cough, but brought the blood to his cheek and -a more lively light into his dim eyes. Also when he opened his mouth -he spoke with a stronger voice. "Yes, I am alive. I was buried by -mistake."</p> - -<p>"It's impossible, I tell you," cried the doctor, still struggling with -his astonishment. "You were as dead as a door-nail."</p> - -<p>"So you thought, Tollart, but you are not the first medical man who -has mistaken catalepsy for death."</p> - -<p>"Catalepsy?"</p> - -<p>"I have been subject to it all my life, but I never told anyone about -it--not even you, Tollart. Only Titus knew, and that was why he was -what was called my shadow down in the village. I always dreaded being -buried alive."</p> - -<p>"Yet you were," said Rupert, staring with all his might at the -resuscitated man, and wondering if he was asleep or awake. "Titus -wasn't much good, after all, in spite of his watchfulness."</p> - -<p>"And what could I do, Squoire?" demanded the ancient shrilly. "I said -as Muster Leigh warn't dead agin and agin, but none heeded me."</p> - -<p>"If you had used the one word catalepsy," protested Tollart, who was -annoyed that Leigh should reappear to give the lie to his skill, "I -should have known what to do."</p> - -<p>"I bain't no scholard," croaked Titus sulkily. "I said as Muster Leigh -warn't dead and he warn't. On the night of the day when he was buried, -me and Tobias got him out of his coffin and he hev bin in my house -getting well."</p> - -<p>"You should have told me, Titus," expostulated Rupert reprovingly.</p> - -<p>"Now the Lard help me, Squoire. Didn't I tell 'ee times wi'out number. -I said as Muster Leigh warn't dead and you laughed; you know you did. -But he warn't dead; he warn't dead"; and the ancient repeated his -favorite phrase again and again with angry gestures.</p> - -<p>"No, he warn't dead," mimicked Carrington, strolling easily toward the -door, "and now that we know he warn't, I suppose there is no objection -to my leaving this pleasant little party."</p> - -<p>"Stay where you are," commanded Leigh in a much stronger voice. "It is -no thanks to you that I am alive. Stop him, Hendle."</p> - -<p>Rupert took Carrington by the shoulders and pushed him across the room -and into the chair he had vacated. "You stay here," he said sternly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'll stay if you wish me to," replied Carrington, making a virtue -of necessity, and shrugging his shoulders contemptuously. "You can't -get me into trouble now."</p> - -<p>"We'll see about that," replied Leigh, who was breathing heavily. "I -haven't much time to live, as the shock of being buried alive has -given me my deathblow. But I shall live long enough to see that -justice is done. Now let me explain what I owe to Mr. Carrington."</p> - -<p>"One moment, before you change the subject," remarked Tollart sharply. -"You told me that you had heart disease."</p> - -<p>"I did," admitted the vicar dryly; "but I never allowed you to examine -me, or you would have found that my heart was perfectly sound. I made -that excuse to account for anyone finding me in a cataleptic trance."</p> - -<p>"You should have told me the truth," rejoined the doctor sternly. "But -that I thought the blow on the head had killed you, along with heart -disease, I would have opened your body to be certain of the cause of -death. As it was, Mr. Leigh----"</p> - -<p>"As it wor," interrupted the old sexton aggressively, "you warn't -sober, Muster Tollart. That you warn't."</p> - -<p>"How dare you say that!" cried the doctor, flushing angrily.</p> - -<p>"Aye, but I do say it," retorted Titus valiantly. "You saw double, you -did, and not being sure of your larning said as Muster Leigh wor dead -when he warn't. And if 'ee'd tried to cut Muster Leigh up, I'd hev -knocked 'ee down. Yus, I would, and no mistake."</p> - -<p>"It seems to me that we are not getting on very fast," said Carrington -lightly, yet anxiously, for he desired to get away before Inspector -Lawson arrived from Tarhaven. "Suppose Mr. Leigh speaks, and relates -his experiences in the other world."</p> - -<p>"I shall deal with you later," said Leigh meaningly and with an -unpleasant look. "You are not going to escape punishment because you -failed to carry out your evil design. First, I shall explain about my -catalepsy. I have always been afflicted thus, Hendle," he added, -turning to the young Squire, "and for that reason I rarely went away -from my house. Titus knew that I was subject to these trances, and I -always liked to have him at my elbow in case I fell into one. Also -Titus had the key of my family vault, so as to rescue me should I be -buried alive by any chance. The blow on the head did not kill me -outright, although it was severe enough very nearly to do so. I was -stunned for the time being and then passed into a trance. Owing to the -warm weather, unfortunately for me, I was buried hastily, else I might -have recovered."</p> - -<p>"You were as dead as any man could be," persisted Tollart sullenly, -for the revival annoyed him beyond measure.</p> - -<p>"I was not, yet, although you, in your confused state, thought so. And -you were confused with drink, Tollart, as Titus assures me. Let this -be a warning to you, my friend, to abandon this vice, as you may not -so easily escape again from dooming a man to a terrible death."</p> - -<p>Tollart tried to speak, but could not, as he knew very well that he -was entirely in the wrong, and that the consequences of his too -hurried examination of the body might be serious for him. He -stammered, stuttered, and turned very white, then walked silently out -of the room. He had received a lesson which he would not easily -forget. Rupert started forward to stop him, but Mallien, who had been -too startled to speak hitherto, laid a detaining hand on his arm. The -man was nervous and less aggressive than usual, which was not to be -wondered at considering what had taken place.</p> - -<p>"Let him go, Rupert," he muttered. "We can deal with this matter among -ourselves. I want to hear how Mr. Leigh was rescued from his terrible -position."</p> - -<p>"Titus rescued me," said Leigh thankfully. "On the night of the day -when I was buried he came with Tobias to the vault. He had the key, as -I said before, in case of such an accident. These two"--he jerked his -head right and left toward his supporters--"unscrewed the coffin and -carried me into their house, which is, as you know, near the -churchyard. Gradually I revived from my trance, but suffered greatly -from the blow in the head which confused me. Feeling that I was not -myself, and knowing that serious matters had to be dealt with, I -ordered Titus and his grandson not to say anything about my being -alive. Since the day of my burial I have been hidden in that little -cottage, and Titus has nursed me back to health. But I fear," ended -the vicar plaintively, "that I shall not live long. The shock has -killed me."</p> - -<p>"Well, at all events," said Carrington coolly, "I didn't kill you."</p> - -<p>"Indirectly you have," said Leigh indignantly, "and I shall have you -punished before I die."</p> - -<p>"That is a nice Christian feeling, I must say," retorted Carrington -uneasily.</p> - -<p>"Men such as you are, who go about attempting murder, should be locked -up," was the stern reply. "You intended to kill me."</p> - -<p>"I did not. I intended to stun you, and thought I had done so," -protested Carrington sullenly. "No one was more astonished than I was, -when I heard next day from Hendle there that you were dead. I thought -the heart disease had killed you."</p> - -<p>"I had no heart disease, and----"</p> - -<p>"We know all about that," interrupted Mallien restlessly. "But tell us -how that scoundrel managed to knock you down."</p> - -<p>"Give me another dose of brandy, Tobias," said the vicar, and when he -felt stronger after taking the spirit proceeded slowly to explain. "I -was in my study on that night, and as it was after ten o'clock, Mr. -and Mrs. Jabber had retired to rest. I had found the will, which I had -mislaid, and was reading it, when I heard a tap at the window."</p> - -<p>"I don't know about your reading it," said Carrington insolently, "as -I watched you for some time through the window before I tapped. You -were holding a parchment over a candle. I believe that you intended to -burn the will."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I did," said the vicar with a queer smile. "There is more to -be known about that will than you guess. At all events when I heard -your tapping on the glass I blew out the candle and put down the will. -I opened the window--you know it is a French window, Hendle--and -looked out to see who had come at such an untimely hour. When I -recognized you and you intimated that you wished to speak to me, I -admitted you. I believed that you had come down to stay with Hendle -and had arrived late."</p> - -<p>"Did you lock the window again after admitting Carrington?" asked -Rupert.</p> - -<p>"I snicked it, certainly," replied Leigh quietly. "Not that doing so -mattered, for, as there was nothing to steal at the vicarage, I paid -little attention to bolts and bars."</p> - -<p>Carrington laughed cynically. "And for that reason I was able to slip -out of the front door and leave it unlocked without exciting -suspicion," he remarked. "It was easy to get away."</p> - -<p>"Very easy," assented Mr. Leigh. "The front door was never locked -either by day or by night, as I did not fear burglars. And I did not -fear you, Mr. Carrington, as you said that Rupert had told you about -the will, and you wished to speak to me concerning it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you were brave enough," retorted the barrister carelessly. -"Well?"</p> - -<p>"I think you had better be less flippant, my man," cried Mallien, -highly indignant. "You are not out of the woods yet."</p> - -<p>"There's gratitude for what I have done for you," sneered Carrington. -"But for my appearance at the window the vicar might have burned the -will so as to allow Hendle to keep the property."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I might have burnt the will, as you say," remarked Leigh with -another queer smile; "and perhaps it would have been as well, seeing -what an excellent Squire our young friend here makes."</p> - -<p>"And what about me?" asked Mallien indignantly.</p> - -<p>"You are not fit to govern the parish," said Leigh coolly. "You think -of self and of self only."</p> - -<p>"Well, the will is safe in my desk now," said Mallien complacently, -"and, self or no self, I will be Squire of Barship as soon as the -lawyers can arrange for the transfer of the property."</p> - -<p>"You count your chickens before they are hatched, Mr. Mallien. There -is much to be said before you step into your cousin's place."</p> - -<p>"I don't see that," said Mallien doggedly. "Rupert knows that I -inherit by that will you found in the muniment chest, as I am the -legal descendant of Eunice Hendle. He makes no objection to giving me -the property."</p> - -<p>"Is this so, Hendle?" inquired the vicar.</p> - -<p>"Yes," answered Rupert quietly. "I can scarcely keep what does not -legally belong to me."</p> - -<p>"You will be a pauper."</p> - -<p>"I can't help that. I must act honestly."</p> - -<p>Leigh was silent for a moment and cast a look of admiration on the -young man. "You shame us all by your honorable nature," he said after -a pause. "I am glad that I am spared to do you justice."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by that?" asked Carrington curiously.</p> - -<p>"Never mind what I mean. I shall explain in due time. Just now I have -to tell these gentlemen of the cowardly assault you made on an old -man." Leigh turned toward Rupert to whom he chiefly addressed himself. -"He held me in talk, Hendle, and all the time he was keeping his eyes -on the will. I refused to let him take it away, as he wanted to do."</p> - -<p>"I only wished to look after Hendle's interests," muttered Carrington.</p> - -<p>"To look after your own, you mean," retorted Leigh tartly. "Had you -meant well you would have gone away after I refused to give you the -will. But you waited until my back was turned, and then struck me with -the loaded stick you carried. The blow fell on my right temple and I -dropped stunned to the floor, while you----"</p> - -<p>"While I," cried Carrington, rising and speaking insolently, "snatched -up the will and walked out of the front door cautiously, so as not to -waken those servants of yours."</p> - -<p>"After which," put in Mallien viciously, "you went through the jungle -and buried the will under the sundial."</p> - -<p>"I did," admitted Carrington recklessly. "You know so much that you -may as well know all, for Leigh being alive you cannot touch me in any -way. I buried the will, as you say, and afterward wrote that letter to -Mrs. Beatson, so that she might find the will and avert suspicion from -myself."</p> - -<p>"Why Mrs. Beatson?" asked Rupert, disgusted with his former friend's -brazen assurance.</p> - -<p>"Because, according to you, she had overheard the conversation between -you and the vicar. I guessed that, if she produced the will, suspicion -would fall on her. Our meeting her on that night, Hendle, was pure -chance, but it helped on my plans. I wished her to procure the will to -you, and thus bring suspicion on herself as having killed the vicar."</p> - -<p>"You infernal villain!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I don't see that," said Carrington carelessly. "Mrs. Beatson -would be none the worse for having her neck stretched. But I would not -have allowed things to go so far as that. All I wished, was for her to -give you the will, and then when you consulted me, as I knew you -would, I intended to persuade you to burn it in order to keep the -property and pay me five thousand pounds for holding my tongue. You -understand."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Rupert quietly, "you explain your villainy so carefully -that I can scarcely help understanding. It was you, then, who dropped -a clue near the sundial to incriminate Mallien?"</p> - -<p>"It was me," replied Carrington, with cynical hardihood. "I snatched -the opal by chance from Mallien's watch-chain when we struggled in the -avenue. Only when I got away and found what was in my hand did I see -how I could get the upper hand of him. I recognized the ornament at -once as the one he had shown me on the first day we met."</p> - -<p>"You scoundrel!" shrieked Mallien furiously, and would have struck the -barrister, but that he swerved. Then Rupert interfered.</p> - -<p>"He will have a much worse punishment than a blow," said the Squire, -holding his cousin back with a strong arm.</p> - -<p>"I won't have any punishment at all," sneered Carrington insistently.</p> - -<p>"It is for me to say that," remarked Leigh, who was growing very weak -in spite of the dose of brandy which Tobias administered. "So you met -Mr. Mallien in the avenue of my place after you had buried the will?"</p> - -<p>"I did. There is no reason why I should deny it, seeing that I am -safe. And when I got away from him I walked to the next station and -caught the night express from Tarhaven which does not stop at Barship. -Next day----"</p> - -<p>"You came down to play the part of a friend," said Rupert scornfully; -"but you soon showed the cloven hoof, Carrington. Your plot was very -clever, and had I been a less honest man it would have succeeded."</p> - -<p>"It never would have succeeded," interposed the vicar, speaking with -labored breath, "for I was alive all the time and intended to speak -when necessary, as I have done. Titus kept me informed of all that -went on."</p> - -<p>"Aye, that I did," said the old man, patting Leigh's hand; "and -they'll find in the village as the old 'un don't tell lies and bain't -no fool either. I told 'em as you wor alive, didn't I, Muster Leigh?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Titus, yes. But I think you will very soon have to tell them -that I am dead," said Leigh with a weak sigh. "After all, it is for -the best. I shall never regain my health after that awful experience. -And as my successor has been appointed, it would be wrong of me to -deprive him of the living."</p> - -<p>"Don't trouble about that, Leigh," remarked Rupert, bending over him. -"You shall stay here and be nursed back into health again. I'll see -that you are all right for the future."</p> - -<p>"You are a good man, Hendle; but if you knew----" He stopped abruptly -and drew away his hand which the Squire had taken. "But that I can -speak of another time. Meanwhile we must finish dealing with this -gentleman."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean me?" asked Mallien, who felt uneasy because he had an -idea that the resuscitated man had, as the saying goes, something up -his sleeve.</p> - -<p>"I don't mean you at present," replied the vicar, eyeing him with an -expression of intense dislike. "I shall attend to your matter later."</p> - -<p>"What matter?"</p> - -<p>"That," said Leigh slowly, "I shall tell you in my own good time."</p> - -<p>"You are very mysterious."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I think all mysteries are at an end now," interposed Rupert -hastily, for Mallien showed a tendency to make himself disagreeable in -spite of the vicar's weak state of health. "We now know that -Carrington did come to Barship and did strike down Mr. Leigh."</p> - -<p>"Who cares if you do know?" retorted Carrington insolently. "Not me. I -have played a bold game and have lost, thanks to your confounded -honesty. If you had been wise, you would have destroyed that will and -would have kept your money to yourself."</p> - -<p>"At the cost of losing my honor," said Rupert flushing.</p> - -<p>"Pouf! Who cares for honor in these days?"</p> - -<p>"Apparently you don't, you beast," cried Mallien, who was desperately -angry at the way in which Carrington had proposed to cheat him. "How -dare you speak in this way! I'll have you charged with fraud."</p> - -<p>"Fraud!" Carrington laughed aloud and snapped his fingers. "And how do -you intend to do that, my good man?"</p> - -<p>"Don't call me your good man, confound you!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I won't," sneered the barrister; "it is rather a mistake to -credit you with any goodness, I admit. You're no more a saint than I -am, and would have played the same game had you got the chance. My -only regret is that I have not rooked you to the tune of five thousand -pounds. And but for the vicar's unexpected appearance I should have -done so."</p> - -<p>"Not you."</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes. You were at the Vicarage on the night of the presumed -murder, and I had your opal, which I dropped near the sundial. If I -had held my tongue, as I would have done, you would have been hard put -to explain your presence there, seeing what John Hendle's will meant -to you."</p> - -<p>"And you--and you!" shouted Mallien furiously, "how would you have -escaped suspicion seeing you came down on that night?"</p> - -<p>"Very easily," retorted the barrister in a light and airy tone. "I -would have declared that I came down in Hendle's interest to get the -will, and arrived at the Vicarage to find you leaving the house after -murdering the man."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" Mallien rushed forward. "Let me get at him, Rupert. Dog that he -is. I want to strangle him."</p> - -<p>"And be hanged for the murder of a worthless creature," said Rupert, -holding Mallien tightly to prevent his executing his intention. "Leave -him to Mr. Leigh. I rather think he knows how to deal with him."</p> - -<p>"Oh, do you?" snapped Carrington, wheeling with a contemptuous smile -on his dark face, "and what do you propose to do, may I ask?"</p> - -<p>"I propose," said the vicar, whom he addressed, "to have you arrested -for a murderous assault on me. As a lawyer, Mr. Carrington, you -probably know how many years you will get for a contemplated crime."</p> - -<p>Carrington grew pale and looked nervous. "I never intended to kill -you," he muttered sullenly; "and, as you are alive and well----"</p> - -<p>"I am alive certainly, but scarcely well," said the vicar faintly. -"All the same, it is no thanks to you that I am not dead. You -assaulted me, and you robbed me, so you shall suffer."</p> - -<p>"I shan't!" and Carrington made a dash for the door, only to be caught -by the Squire, who held on to him grimly.</p> - -<p>"You shall," said Rupert stolidly. "As soon as Lawson arrives, and he -may be here at any minute, Leigh will give you in charge for assault -and robbery."</p> - -<p>"Hendle, you wouldn't see me disgraced in that way," pleaded -Carrington, who suddenly saw an abyss open at his feet. "If I am -arrested, I will be ruined."</p> - -<p>Hendle released the miserable man and stood back, rather incautiously -as it afterward proved. "You would have ruined me," he said sternly, -"so why should you not be done by as you intended to be done by -others?"</p> - -<p>"There's Scripture authority fur that," grunted old Ark, grinning -toothlessly.</p> - -<p>Carrington, now at bay, looked round and saw that everyone was against -him, so that there was no hope of mercy. He covered his face with his -hands and staggered against the wall near the door. For a moment there -was silence, for, although neither Mallien nor Leigh pitied the -scoundrel, Rupert, having an unusually tender heart, did so. Perhaps -the feeling that the man was his old schoolfellow induced him to give -Carrington a chance of escape. But be this as it may, when the -barrister sobbing near the door suddenly opened it and dashed out, -Rupert made no immediate effort to stop him. Mallien did. "Stop, -thief! Stop, liar! Stop, murderer!" he vociferated and followed. -Rupert was thus compelled to pursue the culprit, although he did so -reluctantly.</p> - -<p>The two came to the door to see Carrington running down the avenue, -and dashed after him. The barrister flew like the wind and speedily -outdistanced his pursuers. But he was not to escape after all, for, as -he reached the open gates of the avenue, Kit's motor car, containing -Lawson, swept round the corner. Running blindly, Carrington tripped -and fell under the machine. The wheels passed over him, breaking his -back. He was picked up stone dead.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_21" href="#div1Ref_21">CHAPTER XXI</a></h4> -<h5>A FINAL SURPRISE</h5> -<br> - -<p>At the inquest, held on the body of the unfortunate Carrington, the -whole story of the events connected with the will of John Hendle was -related in detail. This was done by the advice of Inspector Lawson, so -as to avert further trouble. As the officer wisely pointed out, it was -necessary that the characters of all those implicated in the affair -should be cleared once and for all. This could only be done by the -truth being made public. And this course of procedure greatly -recommended itself to Rupert, who was tired of underhand doings. He -was of a frank nature, and the idea of hiding this and concealing -that, annoyed him exceedingly. He therefore made a clean breast of the -matter when called upon to give evidence regarding Carrington's death, -and insisted that everyone else should do the same. Consequently, the -whole amazing story appeared in print, and read like a romance.</p> - -<p>Mallien was inclined to hold back from giving evidence, as, of course, -he should have communicated with the police the moment he became -cognizant that a murder had been committed. But both his cousin and -Lawson insisted that he should come forward to state what he knew, -and, notwithstanding his reluctance, he was compelled to do so. He -escaped better than he deserved, as it was seen how difficult his -position had been, and the majority of people argued that the man -could scarcely have been expected to incriminate himself by drawing -attention to the crime at the time when he discovered it. Mrs. Beatson -also contrived to elude reproof, as she cleverly stated that, when in -possession of the will, she had intended to hand it over to the -Squire. Of course, Rupert knew that she had never meant to do this, -but for the sake of Kit he did not contradict her statement. And, -because of Dorinda's feelings, he was glad to think that Mallien had -got off so lightly. The two plotters themselves were much relieved -that their characters had not suffered to an appreciable extent, and -retired into the grateful shade of obscurity as speedily as possible. -Things had turned out better than they had expected.</p> - -<p>Carrington's conduct, of course, was condemned, since he had behaved -so basely, but not so severely as it would have been had he been -alive. Having met with a violent death, it was felt that he had paid -for his trickery, and as little as possible was said about him. Kit, -of course, was exonerated with regard to the accident, as Lawson -proved that the young man had sounded his horn when turning into the -park. But Carrington, anxious only to escape before the Inspector -could take him in charge, had either not heard the warning of the -horn, or had not attended to it. But be this as it may, there was no -doubt that he had ran on blindly and thus had fallen under the cruel -wheels of the car. Remembering Carrington's two premonitions about -walking over his grave in the avenue, Rupert thought it quite uncanny -that he should have met his fate on the very spot. But he only -remarked on the matter to Dorinda, who was wise enough to hold her -tongue. Enough had been said about Carrington and his disreputable -doings in the newspapers, so there was no need to say more.</p> - -<p>Mr. Leigh did not appear at the inquest, as he lay dying in a -comfortable bed under the hospitable roof of The Big House. But he -signed a written statement detailing the events of the night when he -had been struck down, and this satisfied both Coroner and jury. After -all procurable evidence had been sifted a verdict of "Death by -Misadventure" was brought in, and the matter ended in the only way it -could end. Carrington's sole relative, a clerk in the War Office, came -down to take charge of the body, but expressed little surprise at the -smirched reputation of the dead man. Carrington had always been a -black sheep, and his relative grimly said to Rupert that he was glad -things had turned out as they had. Carrington, he observed, would -sooner or later have come to prison or the gallows had he lived, being -one of those unfortunate creatures who could not run straight. So that -was the end of the Squire's old school-friend, who had chosen evil -instead of good; and bad as he had been Hendle was kind-hearted enough -to regret the man's miserable end. Afterward, he always tried to -remember Carrington as he had been at Rugby, rather than as the -despicable plotter of his more mature years.</p> - -<p>With the departure of the barrister's body in charge of his relative -from Barship departed all mystery. It is now known who had struck down -the vicar, and why the blow had been delivered. That Leigh had escaped -death was not Carrington's fault, and the dead man was practically a -murderer. But the villagers, in the excitement of finding their vicar -alive, began to overlook Carrington's share in the matter. The -question most frequently asked was whether Leigh would resume his -charge of the parish seeing that his successor had been appointed. But -all talk on this point was ended when it became known that the shocks -inflicted on the unfortunate man, both by being struck down and by -being buried alive had so shaken his system that he was not likely to -live. Tollart was attending to him, and did so in an entirely sober -state, as his narrow escape from trouble kept him away from the drink. -Sophy, indeed, regarded the whole matter as a blessing in disguise, -and hoped that her father would reform. He had every reason to do so -seeing what a lesson he had received. With regard to his giving a -certificate of death, Tollart's fellow-physicians held that he was -perfectly justified, since the vicar had been in a cataleptic trance. -But the villagers, headed by Titus, held that Dr. Tollart had been -drunk at the time when he examined the body, and this opinion was not -favorable to Tollart's reputation. However, when it was seen that he -had turned over a new leaf, his conduct was considered more kindly and -the doctor began to hope that he would weather the storm. But it had -very nearly wrecked him, and the escape he had had greatly improved -his character. In time by acting judiciously and keeping strictly -sober, he managed to reëstablish his position.</p> - -<p>A week later, when everything in connection with the catastrophe was -quite settled, Mallien made his appearance at The Big House. He was -more subdued than usual, as he also had learned a lesson, but there -remained something of his old blustering manner when he entered the -library and produced John Hendle's will from his pocket. Rupert -guessed that his cousin had come to demand a settlement, and braced -himself to face a disagreeable future. It was not pleasant to become a -pauper, but there seemed to be nothing for it but to accept the -inevitable. Yet it was not so much the loss of the money which the -young man regretted as the probable loss of Dorinda as his wife. -Rupert knew his cousin well enough to be sure that once in the -possession of the estates and income he would not be inclined to -permit the marriage to take place. And seeing that he was likely to be -poor, it was useless for the girl to insist upon the fulfilment of the -engagement. It was with a sad face and a weary heart that Hendle asked -Mallien to take a seat.</p> - -<p>"I suppose you have called to discuss matters regarding the will," he -said, leaning his head on his hand and speaking quietly.</p> - -<p>"In a way, though I don't see that there is anything to discuss," -retorted Mallien, who was rapidly regaining his former bullying ways. -"All you have to do is to clear out and allow me to come here."</p> - -<p>"Walk out bag and baggage, you mean?"</p> - -<p>"Something of that sort. I don't mind giving you one hundred pounds -with which to make a new start in life. If I were you, I would go to -Australia with Kit when he marries Sophy Tollart."</p> - -<p>"And what about Dorinda?"</p> - -<p>"She is not for you," said Mallien resolutely. "As the daughter of the -Squire of Barship, she must marry a man with a position."</p> - -<p>"Does Dorinda say so?" inquired Rupert quietly.</p> - -<p>"Dorinda," said the affectionate parent, "is as obstinate as a pig. -She is coming here in a few minutes to argue the matter. I told her -that I intended to settle the matter of the will to-day. But she -shan't marry you with my consent, and, as I have the money, you can -see that it would be wrong of you to drag her down to poverty."</p> - -<p>"You put the case very plainly, Mallien."</p> - -<p>"How else do you expect me to put it?" said the other, who was not in -the least ashamed of the cowardly way in which he was behaving.</p> - -<p>"You might have a little more consideration for my position," remarked -Rupert, with a shrug.</p> - -<p>"What consideration did you ever show to me?" snarled Mallien.</p> - -<p>Rupert looked at the little man in amazement. "I have always been your -good friend," he said after a pause. "I have given you money and----"</p> - -<p>"My own money," interrupted the visitor. "Much thanks for that. It -won't do, Rupert. I won't allow you to work on my feelings."</p> - -<p>"I never knew that you had any to work on."</p> - -<p>"No more I have. I want justice, and justice I intend to have."</p> - -<p>"Don't make such a row over the matter," said Hendle contemptuously. -"You shall have what you want. But you can scarcely expect me to walk -out of this house this very minute. We must take the will to the -lawyers and have it gone into. Since you are behaving so brutally, I -am inclined to defend my position. There is the Statute of Limitations -to be considered."</p> - -<p>"And there is me to be considered," said a quiet voice at the door, -and the two turned to see Dorinda at the door.</p> - -<p>"You have been listening?" snapped her father.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have," she replied boldly, "and what I have heard shows me -what a cruel nature you have, father."</p> - -<p>"Don't speak to me in that way," stormed Mallien, furiously.</p> - -<p>"Oh, yes, I shall"; and Dorinda entered to place her hand on Rupert's -shoulder as if to give him confidence. "You have not got Rupert's -money yet."</p> - -<p>"But I shall get it. The will is plain enough."</p> - -<p>Before Dorinda could reply, Rupert rose to his feet and made a gesture -that she should be silent. "Leigh has something to say about the will, -Mallien," he remarked, "and had you not come over I should have sent -for you. Leigh wishes to see you and me and Dorinda."</p> - -<p>"If Leigh intends to try on any hanky-panky," said Mallien, uneasily, -for the summons seemed strange and ominous to him, "he'll find himself -in the wrong box, I can tell you. You've been scheming with him, I -expect, since he has been lying there."</p> - -<p>"I have scarcely seen him," retorted Rupert, passing his arm round -Dorinda's waist. "Tollart says he should be kept quiet."</p> - -<p>"Then we shan't disturb him now."</p> - -<p>"Yes, we shall. Leigh has something on his mind, and wants to see the -three of us. Tollart has given permission, so we can go up to him now. -Only I beg of you, Mallien, not to excite him, as he is very weak, and -is not far from death. You understand."</p> - -<p>"I understand that you want to trick me in some way."</p> - -<p>By this time Rupert's long-enduring patience was at an end, and he -turned on the selfish little man in a cold fury. "Look here, Mallien, -I have had enough of this," he said, firmly. "Don't goad me too far, -or you will regret it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, will I!" taunted the other; "and in what way?"</p> - -<p>"Possession is nine points of the law," retorted Hendle, "and you -appear to forget that I am the Squire of Barship. I shall see the -lawyers and take all chances I can to prevent you getting possession -of the money. I am innocent of any roguery in the matter, and my -position is a very unfair one, as I am not to blame. It is close upon -a century since that will was made, and if I make use of the Statute -of Limitations I may be able to squash the whole affair. Equity, if -not Common Law, will be on my side."</p> - -<p>"You--you--you!" cried Mallien violently, "you swindler!"</p> - -<p>"Don't call names," said Rupert imperiously, "or in spite of the fact -that Dorinda has the misfortune to call you father, I shall kick you -out of the house. So now you know."</p> - -<p>"My own house," foamed Mallien, stamping.</p> - -<p>"It's not your house yet, and it never may be."</p> - -<p>"Well,"--Mallien drew a long breath--"I never--I never----" He turned -on his daughter suddenly and with violence. "What do you think of this -behavior?"</p> - -<p>"I entirely approve of it," said Dorinda, calmly, "and I am glad to -see Rupert stand up for his rights. He has treated you far too well as -it is."</p> - -<p>"What--what--what?"</p> - -<p>"It's no use, father. You don't care for me and you don't care for -your honor. All you do care for is yourself."</p> - -<p>"I--I--shall cut you off with a shilling--with a shilling."</p> - -<p>"So long as I have Rupert, I don't care."</p> - -<p>Hendle caught Mallien by the shoulders and pushed him toward the door. -"I can't allow any more of this, Mallien. Behave like a human being or -I shall turn you out. Now come up and hear what Leigh has to say."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I'll come," cried Mallien viciously, but, unable to resist his -cousin's superior strength; "but remember that if there is any plot to -take away my money I shall make things hot for you."</p> - -<p>"Get on! get on!" said Hendle, impatiently, "and don't make a fool of -yourself."</p> - -<p>Mallien did go on and climbed the stairs to Leigh's room unwillingly. -He was beginning to see that there was nothing to be gained by -storming, and that his best plan would be to adjust the matters in -dispute quietly. Although he believed the will to be legal, he yet had -a lurking suspicion that it might be set aside by the Statute of -Limitations. Under these circumstances it was unwise to quarrel with -his cousin, so he became more subdued. All the same his dog-like -temper could not be entirely suppressed, and he entered the -sick-chamber growling and muttering savagely. Dorinda and Rupert -followed, the girl crying with shame. Her father's conduct was -disgraceful.</p> - -<p>The vicar was propped up in bed with pillows, looking white and weak. -It was evident that he had not long to live, and there was an anxious -expression on his face which showed that he had something on his mind. -With a faint smile he welcomed the newcomers, and signed to the nurse -that she should leave the room. This the woman did, whispering in -passing Rupert that Tollart had left instructions that the patient was -to be as little excited as possible, since his strength was rapidly -failing. She also gave the young Squire a strong stimulant with which -to revive Leigh, should he grow faint during the interview; and saying -that she would return in half an hour departed softly. When the door -was closed, the vicar looked at the weeping Dorinda and her scowling -father; also at Rupert, who was cool and composed. Inwardly the Squire -was greatly disturbed, but it was necessary that he should keep his -emotions under control and he did so.</p> - -<p>"Why do you cry, Dorinda?" asked the vicar, softly.</p> - -<p>"She's a fool," growled Mallien frowning blackly.</p> - -<p>"I am an honest girl," said Dorinda, flushing and drying her eyes; -"and I am ashamed of the cowardly way in which you are behaving."</p> - -<p>"How is your father behaving?" questioned Leigh with an ironical -smile.</p> - -<p>"He wants to take everything from Rupert and make him a pauper," said -Dorinda sadly. "He refuses to allow me to marry him."</p> - -<p>"And will you obey him?"</p> - -<p>"No!" She drew herself up proudly. "I love Rupert more than myself, -and if he will marry me I am ready to be his wife at any moment."</p> - -<p>"Fool! Fool!" growled her father savagely.</p> - -<p>"What do you say, Hendle?" inquired the vicar calmly.</p> - -<p>"I wish to marry Dorinda, as I love her dearly," answered the Squire, -who was pale but composed; "but if this will is proved to be legal I -may lose all, and I can't ask Dorinda to share a life of poverty with -me."</p> - -<p>"I don't care for your poverty," cried the girl, impetuously throwing -her arms round her lover's neck. "I would rather have a crust with you -than stay with my father in luxury."</p> - -<p>"But I don't think it will be necessary for you to be reduced to a -crust, Dorinda," smiled the vicar. "After all, considering the -circumstances of the case and that Hendle is not to blame, surely your -father will give you half the income."</p> - -<p>"Two thousand pounds," said Mallien derisively. "I'm not such a fool. -I shan't give Rupert a single penny, and if Dorinda marries him -without my consent, which she will never get, she must be prepared to -starve."</p> - -<p>"Dorinda will never starve while I can work," said Rupert calmly.</p> - -<p>"What at? You have never done a hand's turn in your life."</p> - -<p>Leigh interposed before Rupert could reply. "Mallien, surely you will -not behave so wickedly and selfishly as to keep all the money to -yourself."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I shall. The money is mine, and I shall not give a penny."</p> - -<p>"You are a bad man," said Leigh slowly.</p> - -<p>"Pooh! What do I care for your names?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing. I can see that. However, I may be able to make you care. -Dorinda, give me some of that tonic."</p> - -<p>The vicar's voice was growing weak and his eye closed. Dorinda slipped -her arm round his neck and gave him a dose of the medicine which -shortly took effect. He opened his eyes again and spoke in a stronger -voice. "Are you determined to behave in this unjust way, Mallien?"</p> - -<p>"It is not unjust, and I do."</p> - -<p>"You will keep all the money to yourself?"</p> - -<p>"Every penny."</p> - -<p>"And--if you can--prevent Dorinda marrying Hendle?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. She does so at the risk of starvation."</p> - -<p>"But you may ruin two lives, Mallien."</p> - -<p>"Pooh! Don't talk rubbish, vicar. I shall do as I like."</p> - -<p>"You shall not do as you like," said Leigh steadily. "You are an evil -and wicked man, although I am too sinful myself to say so. But I thank -God that He has permitted me to live and make reparation for my -wrongdoing." The vicar fumbled under his pillow and produced an -envelope. "Take this, Hendle, and put it into your pocket. No, don't -open it now. When I am dead you can learn how deeply I have sinned. -And, above all, don't let Mallien get hold of it."</p> - -<p>Rupert slipped the envelope into the pocket of his coat and smiled -grimly although he also looked astonished. "I'll take care of that," -he said, with a nod; "but what is the paper about?"</p> - -<p>"It contains a signed and witnessed confession of my sin."</p> - -<p>"Your sin." Mallien began to shake in his shoes as there was something -very ominous about these proceedings.</p> - -<p>"Yes. I intended evil, and evil has come of my intention. But thank -God I am able to nip my wrongdoing in the bud. Mallien"--the vicar -shook a reproving forefinger at the man--"I have given you every -chance to behave as a Christian should, but you will not seize the -opportunity. Now it is too late, and you must abide by your selfish -conduct."</p> - -<p>"What the devil are you talking about?"</p> - -<p>"Hush, father, hush! Don't speak like that," cried Dorinda with a -shiver.</p> - -<p>"I shall speak as I like. What does Leigh mean by his nonsense?"</p> - -<p>"You will not find that paper I have given Hendle nonsense," said -Leigh in a faint voice. "It contains an account of my sin and will be -your punishment."</p> - -<p>"Come to the point; come to the point," stuttered Mallien, nervously -angry.</p> - -<p>Leigh turned to look at Hendle, who stood beside Dorinda silently -amazed at all this strange talk. "My friend," he said, wincing at -having to lower himself in the young man's eyes, "I was tempted by -Satan and I fell. In the muniment chest I found a bundle of letters -written by John Hendle, which showed that he wished to disinherit his -son Frederick, whom he hated, in favor of Eunice, the infant daughter -of his eldest son, Walter, whom he loved. He declared in the last -letter of the bundle--which you will find in the chest where I left -it--that he would make a will, leaving the estates to Eunice, who -married Filbert when she grew up. But John Hendle died of heart -disease, as other family documents show, before he could execute his -intention. He made no will in favor of Eunice, and Frederick lawfully -inherited the property."</p> - -<p>Mallien turned a greenish color and pulled out the will from the -pocket--the will which had caused so many disasters. "John Hendle made -this----"</p> - -<p>"He did not," interrupted the vicar in a strong and triumphant voice. -"I made that will. It is forged."</p> - -<p>"Forged!" Rupert, Dorinda and Mallien all echoed the word.</p> - -<p>"Yes," Leigh went on, speaking swiftly as if fearful that his strength -would not hold out to the end. "I wanted money to go to Yucatan, and -hoped to get it from Hendle. He was not inclined to fit out an -expedition, so I hoped to force him. Satan entered into me, and, -taking advantage of what was in those letters of John Hendle, I -prepared the will in favor of Eunice. I bought the parchment and wrote -out what was wanted to give me a hold over Hendle. When Carrington saw -me holding the will over the candle, I was doing so to change the -color of the ink and make the parchment appear black and a little -contracted. I did not give the forged will to Hendle when I spoke -about it, as it was not quite ready. Next day I proposed to give it to -him and to offer to allow him to burn it on condition that he gave me -enough money to go to Yucatan with an expedition. Failing Rupert, I -should have gone to you, Mr. Mallien."</p> - -<p>"And you would have gone!" gasped Rupert, amazed by this recital. "I -would never have agreed to suppress that will had I believed it--as I -did--to be genuine."</p> - -<p>"I see that now," said Leigh, whose voice was becoming fainter. -"You were too honorable for Mallien and Carrington, and you would -have been too honorable for me. My forgery was vain. But God -intervened and prevented me from carrying out my wicked plot. -Carrington came and--and--you--you--know the--rest. I acted -wickedly--and--I--I----" He stopped and fell back on his pillows with -a ghastly look on his face.</p> - -<p>"He is dying," cried Dorinda, running to the bedside. "Call the -nurse."</p> - -<p>Rupert opened the door, but Mallien looking like a fiend rushed to the -dying man and shook him roughly. "You are a liar! you are a liar!" he -screamed, white with thwarted ambition. "This will is not forged; this -will is----"</p> - -<p>Hendle, furious with the man's inhumanity, caught him by the shoulders -and thrust him out of the room. The nurse hurried in and along with -Dorinda tried to revive the fainting vicar, but in vain. Dr. Tollart -was immediately sent for and came at once to pronounce that there was -no hope. Leigh lingered for twenty-four hours and then passed away -quietly without ever regaining consciousness. This time, as Tollart -took care to prove, the vicar was really dead, and within a week his -body was again placed in the family vault. To be certain about the -catalepsy, the corpse was kept above ground for the seven days until -there was no doubt that the man actually was dead. In vain Titus Ark, -overcome with grief, repeated his parrot cry that his friend "worn't -dead." Leigh was on this occasion a truly dead man. The blow on the -head, the shock to his nervous system caused by being buried alive, -and perhaps the shame of having to confess his forgery of the will, -had all combined to kill him. He died and Barship knew him no more.</p> - -<p>And Mallien? He was almost crazy with rage at his loss. Again and -again he tried to prove that the forged will was a genuine document, -and saw many lawyers and experts. But the confession of Leigh, signed -by himself and witnessed by Titus Ark and his grandson, held good, as -it gave all details of how the false testament had been prepared. -Leigh confessed therein that he had copied the signature of John -Hendle from the letters which first gave him an idea of committing the -forgery. So in the end Mallien had to accept the fact that Rupert was -the true Squire of Barship, and that there was not the slightest -chance of his getting a single penny of the four thousand a year he so -greedily coveted.</p> - -<p>While Mallien, frenzied with baffled avarice, was moving heaven and -earth to prove that he was the rightful heir, the other people who had -been connected with the strange affair of the will were settling -themselves in life. Mrs. Beatson obtained a situation as housekeeper -to an invalid gentleman in Derbyshire, much to the relief of Kit and -Miss Tollart. Hendle was so pleased with the way in which these two -had assisted him at an awkward moment, that he gave Kit a handsome sum -of money; and, along with Dorinda, was present at his marriage to the -doctor's daughter. Tollart himself found that, in spite of all -efforts, he could not quite do away with the prejudice against him, -although more or less he managed, as has been said, to reëstablish his -position. But perhaps conscience had something to do with his -determination to go to Australia with the young couple, for he felt -very uncomfortable among his patients. Sophy, who was unwilling to -part from her father since he might take to drink again, suggested -that he should emigrate. The doctor did so and shortly departed with -Mr. and Mrs. Beatson for Melbourne, where he hoped to redeem himself -entirely. And, thanks to Rupert's generosity, a start at the Antipodes -was made easy both for him and for the young people.</p> - -<p>As to Hendle and Dorinda, they took advantage of Mallien's -preoccupation with regard to the will to get married quietly in -London. Dorinda was of age and did not require her father's consent. -Moreover, after his shabby behavior, she felt that even though he was -her father, she could never live with him again. So she became Mrs. -Hendle shortly after Leigh was buried for the second time, and, after -a short honeymoon, returned to be welcomed by one and all as the -mistress of The Big House. Everyone was delighted that Rupert still -kept his position, and everyone knew that the will, which had caused -so much trouble, had been forged. Hendle would have preferred to keep -Leigh's confession to himself out of regard to the unfortunate vicar's -memory, but Mallien's action left him no option but to make it public. -The amazing story added yet another chapter to the romance of the -whole queer business, and the story got into the newspapers. Mr. and -Mrs. Hendle were not a little troubled by reporters and interviewers -and snap-shot people, but in the end curiosity died away and they were -left to live their own simple life, doing good and making everyone -around them happy.</p> - -<p>In the end, Mallien found that his efforts to prove the will to be -genuine were futile, so one day presented himself at The Big House in -a very dismal frame of mind. Not being able to get the property, he -was secretly pleased that his daughter should have become Mrs. Hendle, -even without his consent, as he hoped to use her for his own ends. -With the greatest impudence he suggested that his son-in-law should -fulfill his old promise and allow him five hundred a year.</p> - -<p>"Oh, no," said Rupert, calmly, when Mallien came for a last interview. -"I don't think it is good for you to be treated with such leniency."</p> - -<p>"Nor do I," chimed in Dorinda, who found it difficult to behave -amiably to her father, seeing how badly he had behaved.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" demanded Mallien, taken aback, for he had quite -expected to get his own way. "What do you both mean?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think it is so very difficult to gather what we mean," -replied Rupert coolly. "You never intended to give me a penny had you -got the money, so why should I give an income to you?"</p> - -<p>"That's different."</p> - -<p>"Maybe. Anyhow, you will have to live on what you have."</p> - -<p>"I am Dorinda's father."</p> - -<p>"I don't look on you as my father," said the undutiful daughter. "You -never have behaved like a father to me, and now that I have Rupert to -look after me, I wish to see as little of you as possible."</p> - -<p>"And this is my child," moaned Mallien, much cast down.</p> - -<p>Dorinda laughed. "It won't do, father," she said calmly. "As Mr. Leigh -declared on his deathbed, you had every opportunity of acting -honorably. How you have acted I leave to your conscience to say."</p> - -<p>"<i>I</i> won't," said Rupert sharply. "See here, Mallien. I am a -kind-hearted man and wish to help everyone, but for me to give you -money for your wickedness would be wrong."</p> - -<p>"What wickedness?"</p> - -<p>"If you will have it; you threatened to turn me out of this house as a -pauper, and you have done your best to prove true a document which you -knew to be forged. If you had triumphed, Dorinda and I would have been -thrown into the street without a penny. Because you have failed, you -come whimpering to me for money. You shan't have any. As you are my -wife's father, I should have allowed you enough to live on had you -been without an income. But as you enjoy five hundred a year of your -own you can exist on that. And, as people here are not very well -disposed toward you, I advise you to go away."</p> - -<p>Furious at this plain speaking Mallien turned on his daughter. "Do you -hear how I am spoken to?" he demanded looking black.</p> - -<p>"I hear," responded Mrs. Hendle quietly, "and I am glad that you hear -the truth for once in your life. I hope it will make you a better man. -I think you had better take Rupert's advice and leave Barship."</p> - -<p>"Oh, I shall go. I don't want to stay in such a hole," shouted -Mallien, putting on his hat violently; then he became pathetic. "And I -go to live a lonely life."</p> - -<p>"I think you will find plenty of amusement in playing with your -jewels," said Dorinda quietly. "You never cared for me."</p> - -<p>Mallien muttering something about an ungrateful child and a serpent's -tooth, walked away with a drooping head. It dawned on him dimly when -he shook the dust of Barship from his feet that perhaps after all, as -he had not given affection, he could not expect affection. But his -egotism was much too strong to permit him to understand fully that he -was only reaping what he had sown. He took up his abode in London and -managed to get along very comfortably on his five hundred a year. But -he always persisted in regarding himself as a much injured man and -stubbornly maintained that the will forged by Leigh was genuine. -Needless to say, he never missed his daughter, as he was far too much -wrapped up in himself to desire any company but his own.</p> - -<p>"Do you think we have acted rightly, Rupert?" asked Dorinda in a -troubled tone, when her father departed after that last interview.</p> - -<p>"Yes, dear. He is your father certainly, but he has no right to take -advantage of the relationship to behave so selfishly as he has done. -It would be wrong to pander to his egotism by giving him money."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I suppose so," said Dorinda with a sigh. "People are very hard -to understand, Rupert. Besides my father, who puzzled me with his -selfishness, there is Mr. Leigh. Whatever made such a good and kind -man forge that will?"</p> - -<p>Rupert shrugged his shoulders. "A sudden temptation perhaps," he said, -after a pause; "but I don't pretend to explain; his act was entirely -opposed to his character. If he was in a story people would say that -he was inconsistent."</p> - -<p>Dorinda agreed. "Very inconsistent. Human beings are strange."</p> - -<p>"They are, dear. But you see, as we only see the outside of people we -don't know how to account for every action. The majority of people are -children and often act wrongly without thinking of the consequences. -After all evil is only ignorance, for if wrongdoers knew what they -would have to pay for behaving wickedly they would not sin. Now, -darling, don't think anything more about the matter. Let us enjoy the -peace which has come to us after the storm. There is no more to be -said about the past and no more to be done. We are happy and try to -make others happy. What more do you want?"</p> - -<p>"This," said Dorinda, and kissed him fondly.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>THE END</h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lost Parchment, by Fergus Hume - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST PARCHMENT *** - -***** This file should be named 55956-h.htm or 55956-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/9/5/55956/ - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by -Google books (the New York Public Library) - - -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. 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