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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1926-6-23, Page 7THE BRUSSELS POST Lave, The Tyrant 1 "YeS T1ill1SOM, az; you know, hta been out in Au:4tra1l:1, and he knew this man there as a leader of a ganir or bm-hrangers, Transom met .him and talked with him here, In Van- eourt, on a certain Tuesday; but, strangely enough, he declares that the man did not tome to see him, but seid that he came hero on some businees, of what nature he did not tell Transmit, Transom is not too frank and open in the matter, and I suspect him of being one of the gang of bushrangers. 'But here are the facts: the man came here on some mysteriou.; business, leaves., as it was supposed, for London, but is found lying at the bottom of Hawk's Pool— What a noise they are mak- ing outside! I'll tell them -ss” Esther stayed him with a move- ment of her hand. "But who killed him?" she ask- ed, faintly. Mr. Floss was silent for a mom- ent. "I really don't like to answer the question," he said. "But suspicion is directed to—" He paused, and before he could finish the sentence Palmer opened the door. "Mr. Gordon, miss," he said. Esther started, and Mr. Mose mut- tered something under his breath. She was silent for a moment, then she said: "Please show Mr. Gordon in." Now, Jack had taken Kate and Miss Woods to the Transom sottage but, finding that Transom WAS not in, had come straight to the Towers, promising to return to Kate as soon as possible. He had, as he came along, been seen and recognized; he noticed by those he had met in .ti•ti road and by the crowd collected in front of the house he had been re- garded with a. curious expression which was more curious than pleas- ant. But Jack was too absorbed in thinking of Esther to pay much at- tention to the demeanour of the peo- ple. He entered the room with a grave and rather stern face. Esther's heart began to beat fiercely, as it always did n his pres- ence, but she bowed with apparent calmness ---she (Eel not offer her hand—and Jack returned the bow. "Pm afraid I have come at an in- convient time, Miss Vancourt," he said. "No," said Esther, almost inter- rupting him. "I am very glad you have come, I had sent for Mr. Floss to tell him of the discovery I had made, and he is here and will hell) me to restore to the rightful own- er—!" She stopped, for Mr. Floss had moved between Jack and the door, and had closed it and turned the key. "One moment, Miss Vancourt," he said. "You were asking me a ques- tion just ri'dw, a very terrible ques- tion, and I was on the point of an- swering it, when Mr. Gordon came in. I do not know whether Mr. Gor- don is aware of the charge agaiest him—a charge which will be made presently in due form, if it is not already—" jack looked from one to the oth- er. Was there anything in Kate's 'wild words and hinted fears? • "What charge?" he said, gravely, and with so absolute a calm fled self-possession that Mr. Floss was staggered. He bit his lips and regarded the young man with keen scrutiny. "Mr. Gordon," he said, slowly. "It is usual on such occasions as this to utter a warning. I do so now, Anything you may say will be used against you; it resth with you to keep silence or speak. A murder has been committed, the body has been found in the Hawk's Pool." Jack started, but it was not like the start of guilt. "Some days ago another discov ery was made by Miss Vancourt, It may or may not be connected witl Letterheads Envelopes Billheads And all kinds of Business Stationery printed at The Post Publislting House. We will do a Job that win do credit to your business, Look over your stock of Office Stationery and dcf it requires replenishing call us by telephone 31. The Pest Publishing House this later and more awful one, Do 1 you know this?" As he ;mono he drew fsom the : pocket of his velum:sous coat ths tin which Esther had found under the hearthstone, and held it out. 1 Jack glanced at it. "Certainly," he answered, quite coolly, "it is my property—at least—" He hesitated, and Mr. Floss held up his hand warningly; but Jaen went on. "I buried that tin in the fire -place at the cottage; it con- tains some bank notes and a pocket book—they belong, I've every IVs - to believe, to a scoundrel who" ••—he glanced at Halter and hesitated again—" who nearly murdered me in Australia, and dui murder—" Esther drew back with a low cry, and Mr. Floss said, sternly: "Stop! Say no more! It is my duty to tell you that I have reason to believe that the man you speak of has been murdered, that his body was thrown into the Hawk's Pool." Jack uttered a cry of astonish- ment. "He—here—here . in Vancourte How—why---?" -"How did .you come by these notes and this pocket -book?" inquired Floss. "But no, I will not ask you —I have no right." "Every right in the world," said Jack, q.utotly. "I found them while I was pursuing the man whom I chanced to meet in London. I h' met him by chance, by Hyde Park -- when I was up in town for you, getting the machines," he explained to Esther, "and I had a struggle with him, and nearly caught him; but he got away, and it was only by ehance that I saw him again— What's the matter!" for Mr, Mass had held up both hands to stop him. "Not another word" he said, stern ly. "Every word you utter would form evidence against you—" - Esther uttered a cry, a piteous cry, and Jack, with flushed face and eyes wide with amazement, looked from one to the other. "Do you mean to tell inc that I am suspected of murder—?" he be- gan; but there came a knock at the door, and Mr. Floss, signing to the other two to remain silent, went and' opened it, Selby Layton, followed by Harry Coverdale, entered, The former was very pale, and there was El furtive look in his eyes as he looked from one to the other; then he name for- ward and took Esther's hand. "My dear Esther, what—what is the matter? Why are all these peo- ple outside, and— Good -morning, Mr. Floss. Has anything happened? What is it, dearest?" His voice, had its flute -stop on and he regarded her with tenderly an- xious eyes. • "Yes, something has happened, Mr. Layton," said Mr. Floss, rather grimly and coldly—Ise had not got over hi—as he himself de&ed un- reasonable dislike for that gentle- man. "Nothng less than murder—" Selby Layton Started, and his face grew paler. "Murder! Who? My dear Es- tlier, this is no place for yon; come —go—into the drawing -room to Miss Worcester, while Mr. Floss tells He stopped suddenly, for Harry Coverdale had come into the room, andlafter looking at Jack for a mom- ent, advanced and held out his hand saying, with A smile: "How do you do, Vancourt? see you have been discovered! Wen I suppose I've got to congratulate you; anyway, I'm awfully 'glad to see you again!" . Jack, ieoging more confusedthan Pleased, shook hands; and Selby Layton stared at them, his breath coming painfully. "Vancourt? Vancourt?" he said. "Why do you can this man— This is the. Mr. Gordon who went off with Poor Kate Transom—" "That's a lie, Mr. Layton," said Jack, quietly, but with a flash in his oyes. To be charfsed with the min- der of his old foe was bad enough, but to be accused, and b/ Selby Layton, the man who was engaged to Esther, of a still baser crime, was intolerable. "That's strong langu- age, I'm afraid, but I'M obliged to use it." Selby Layton sneered. "I am Sorry you should think it worth while to deny it," be said, "T saw you both together, Mr. Gor- don—" "Quite true, I've to doubt. We were living in the sante house," said Jack, nut Kate Transom is as. in- nocent as—weli, as I am of any wrongdoing, notwithstanding, 1 ant new going round to her father's. I don't know whether you would like te, accompany inie"—he looked nt Mir, Mel "But Vancoust! WhY do You mit ton of Covordale, "Because that is his name," h said, gravely, "This gentleman is bit' John Vancourt, the nephew and heir of Sir Richard Venezia." Selby Layton etared aghast, then he looked at Esther. "But this lady—Miss Vancourt-l- is the °ismer of the Towers—the property!" Mr. Floss had been watehing jack closely. For the first time in his life the old lawyer had been thrown off his balance!. "What is this?" hebroke in. "Are you-- By George! now I've heard it, now I look at you, I ran see Dm likeness! John VIMCOUrt Then— hen—" -Father, pale and wan, did not smile, did not appear moved by the question or the subject. The word "murder" rang in her ears, filled her mind to the exclusion of every- thing else. Her eyes scarcely left Jack's face, she seemed fascinated by his presence, and by the horror of the charge which hung over him. Jack made a little gesture which was habitual with him when he -was flustered and bewildered; it was something like the -shake of the Newfoundland when he comes out of the water. "Time enough to talk about that, sir," he said. "For the moment I have to go and clear a girl's char actin- from a cruel and wicked as- persion." He inclined his head to Esthev. and strode out. At thd door he turn- ed and looked at Mr. Floss steadily. "I shall be in the village—if I'm wanted," he said, significantly. - And no one offered to stop him; but all watched hint as he crossed the hall and passed through the ex- cited and muttering crowd tp nun- sonfi cottage. CHAPTER XLI. Jack strode across the lawn and park and through the village towrds the Transoms'. To say that he was not upset and concerned by the charge of murder of which Mr. Floss had informed him, would be an ex- aggeration; hut he was not over- whelmed by it, or even very much alarmed. The first thought of every man when he is accused of a crime of which he is innocent, is that he will very soon and easily be able to prove his innocence; and Jack was not very easily frightened. To tell the truth, his mind, as he strode along, was much more occu- pied with Esther and her position than with himself and the charge which hung over him. What would she do: would she insist upon leav- ing the Towers, would she refuse formally and haughtily, to resolve a proper—Jack thought that a half .or, say, two-thirds of the income of the estate would be a "proper"— sum as allowance or compensation from him?—And would she marry Selby Layton? Jack had never been very fond of that gentleman, but tlig morning. lie felt very much like hating him. As he neared the cottage he heard Transom's voice raised in an angry and bullying tone, and as he went' up the garden path he heard him ex- claim: • "And where is he? If it's true, and 1 ain't been deceived, why don't he show himself?" "Meaning me? Good -morning! How are you?" said Jack, entering and looking round cheerfully. Kate was sitting in a chair with her hands clasped and her head downcast, Mies Woods was stand- ing by the window in an Apologetic attitude, and Transom was in the Englishman's favorite position hi .front of the fire -place, one hand thrust in his pocket, the other swing ing in the air in an accusing fashion. At eight of Jack he stopped and looked at him with IV eUriOUS MIX- -Cure of reproach and respect: At jack's entrance Kate had looked up for a moment, then her head had drooped still lower. "What's the meaning o' this?" in- quired Transom, in a deeply injur- ed voice. "Ere's my gal coma back --;-my gal as you took away, Mr. Gordon—" "Told on, Transom," said Jack, calmly and gravely; "don't let us Italie any mistakes. Miss Transom did not go away with me. I hap- pened to /sleet her in London, where she had lost herself and was without friends, and I took her to some friends of mine. Ono of them stands there—" - "That's all very well!" said Tran- som, complainingly, "But my gal's charenter has gone—", "Father!" broke from Kate's lips in fln anguish of wounded pride and humiliation, "Yon keep yens mouth shut as becomes youe—contradietin' your own father!" admonished Transom. "Her character's gone—everyone 'in the place says as Slott totik her ttsv-' "Ilverybed7 lies, then," maild J'Aek Yormfoorm.....mommult You'll Be Completely in the Dark Ail the nue 'Nine Reedkg the Great SerW THE ED L ry Roberts Inehart untus You Are Keen Enough To Sotto It As Von Go Starting tu "THE POST" IN THE NEAR FUTURE and as a father I asks you if you'ee willing to marry mac—" Jack looked at her downcast face with it curious intentness, "Yes," he said. Kate started, the blood mounted to her face and she uttered a little cry; then the color fled again ad she hung her head. "That's all right!" exclaimed Transom, with something like tri- umph and exultation in his tones. "That's what I call behavin' like a gentleman; and a gentleman I al- ways said you was!" "Thank you!" said Jack, drily; 'but you did not wait for the end of my reply. I am more than ready to marry Kate, if she'll do ole the honor of accepting me, but --2' "But? There ain't no buts!" broke in Transom, loudly. "You've made your offer, here before wit- nesses—don't you forget that Mr. Gordon! Here's this lady heard you distinctly—hut you're not the one to go back from a promise, you'll stand by your word." "That's all right," said Jack, tak- ing Kate's hand; but she drew it away, after a piteous little look at hian, "but I'm afraid that neither she nor you will—and for the matter of that ought not to—give consent when you hear that Pin not at all a desirable husband." At this point, as if• she felt her- self too much de trop, Miss Woods stole softly out of the room and up the stairs. ffi "Why ain't yon desirable?" de- manded Transom, suspiciously. "You take his hand, Kato. Don't you be a fool, my gel. Your father knows what's best for you; and Mr. Gor- don has offered himself before wit- nesses.—What do you mean by not being desirable?" he broke off sharp - Y. While he had been speaking Jack had seen some persons coming up the path. He caught sight of Mr. Floss and Coverdale and Selby Lay- ton, with a small crowd at the back, amongst whom was the village con- stable; but he had also seen the girl- ish figure of Esther walking beside Mr. Floss, and he had instantly no eyes for anyone but her. She was very white, and there was a look in her eyes which smote him to the heart, the expression of dread and terror which always seems se poig- nant in 0 woman's face. Was the dread, the terror on his OlVfl SC- eceml, because he was in clanger? Jack nodded towards them fig they came up to the door. - "They'll tell you, Transom!" he said. Transom stared at the group open mouthed, but Kate sprang to her feet with si low cry, and extended her hand towards Jack . as if she would protect him. "What's to do?" stammered Trail- SOM. Mr. ?loss gave him a nod, "We WASt to speak with Me gen- tleman. Mr, Gordon, I am afraid T shall Inae to—to proceed against you," Coverdale stepped forward with 501 apologetic gesture. "Vancourt, can't you clear np this mystery?" he said. "We've bemi talking it over as we came al- ong, and we, none of us, believe that you are guilty, Comel T know you canbe obstinate when you like, Ina-- Ask Vacourt to give you an explanation, to tell you where ite was that night, Mr. Floss," he bailee ofr, appealing to the old lawyms Mr. Floss frowned. "I have, no right to ask this gen- 'Orman for an explanation, oh ac- count of his actions, Mr, Coverdale. And 1 must take excoptien, I Most StitottglY MOO, . tO.. Yettr...addreseinw no proof of bis "I've made no elahn," said Jaen', ;molly. "But 1st that pass." Mr. Floss weved his hand proof of his identity with Sir Rielsird's nephew and heir bo - ,i -end your recognition of him." Transom's mouth was openc'd ends, as ho 110114ut and hMkPfl from tint, to the ether; then he came a step forward and held up his hand to attract attention; and he got it speedily enough, for everyone stared -et him wonderingly. "Bold on, Mr, Floss!,— Mr. Gor- don, I understand as you offer your - ,elf to my daughter, Kate?" Jack, with eyes carefully averted from the beautiful face near him, went up to Kate's side. "Yes," he said. "Very well, then. . You all heart that!" cried Transom. "Then hest. me! There's somebody else as hiloWA this gentleman, Mr. Moss; and.that's me! I declare him to lei the missing Sir John Vancourt, Bar - orate, as was supposest to be killed in the bush near Wally Ford! Oh, yes, you may start and frown, Mr. Flos.z, sir; but it can't stop me; and the knowin' that I may he doin' my- self an injury shan't stop me neith- er. How clo I know as he is Sir John? Because I NUS one of the gang that attacked the hut—mind you, I wasn't in the robbery nor cioncerned in the—the murder I was outside the hut scouting—'ad been for hours; anl it was me that run in and give uotiee of the police. Mr. Gordon—beg his pardon! Sir John—here will remember!" Jack regarded him in astonished silence; and Transom, with evident enjoyment of the situation, notwith- standing - his complicity with the rangers, went on: 'Scoutin' outside the hut I heard every word as passed between the. - two gentlemen; I heard the news- paper read, and Mr. Gordon—that's not this gentleman—tellin' Mr. Bur- ton about his sister. This gentle- man's name was Arthur Burton; that I can swear—" Homy Coverdale nodded. —"And for some reason or other he changed names when his chum was killed, and deceived the police. I recognized him when I saw him in the Vancourt Woods, you remem- leer that night, Mr. Gorclon—/ .beg pardon, Sir John? The night Kate ealZikti1P1.--" mdded. —"And I says to niy.self, `This ''re's the rightful heir, this Is the prosier Sir John—'" "Why did you not say to piddle- ly?" deniancled Mr. Eloss, sterniy. Transon sheen his bead. - 'I'wesn't for me to imeak when my betters was holdin' their ton- 1'shrewdly, "And I was afeard you see, I was mixed up with . the gang; but Sir John'll see I don't (gime to no harm; be- sides it wasn't no bliSilieSS of mine --then; it is now, seein's Sir John's gni n, to marry my gal!" He looked round with an air of pride and satisfacition; but a low (Ty from Kate startled them all. She had risen and steed upright, almost promily indeed. "It is not true!" she said. "He —he .is not going to marry me. I refuse!" Transom uttered an oath, and seized her arm. "What! Hold your tong,uri, you— you hussy! Refuse!" "Let me go, father!" she panted. "Yes, I refuse! He has never said a word-, Oh, I can't go on! But refuse, refuse! I would rather dis than let him saes'I know why he asked me. Because you have all believed that—that—he took me away. It's not true!" "Why did you go, then?" thunder- ed heir fether, "Answer me, you -- you unnatural gal, why did you go?" "That will do, Transom!" said Jack, grimly; and he went up to Kate and took her hand. "The sacrifice would be on your part, Kate, not' mine, for, as Mr. mFluors(swr.„ill tell you, I arn accused of ie She uttered a cry and sprang to her father, but he thrust her frsm him. "What's that?" he growled sav- agely. "Murder? Who's murder- ed?" Mr. Floss was watching him. "The man you met here, on a ceri Min Tuesday, Transom; his body has been found in the Hawk's Pool." Transom .started and 'glared at WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, .1923. ..1,44144......woromommom, who (lid it! Yes, it was him!" fie pointed to Jack, who leant against the mantel -shelf with folded arms, his eyee fixed on Esther. "The man WI s the leaden o' the gang. I met him, as Mr. Floss says, gentlemen; and what's mere I warned him neva Mr. Gorden-stinct is Sir John Von - 1 '' it was him, Denzil, as 84. John's ehum in the hut, Mei %Mild shOt Sir John, There wa c en old grudge atween them, Om bittcnsist cz' bed blood; .and Denzil hisseif said Lhat if they met—" (To De Continued), NUNES% CARDS wHE industrial Mortgage and SavInus Cornpanyrof Sarnia are nrepered to advance money on gitgew 4111 got d Parties classing 14144111W frirM tillsripiiiitiP4 Will tthetmo Amity. to Jtone., senforth, OHL, W1144 Will fur id* rates and other nurtieulnre. The Industrial Mortgage and Savings Company gitchaNg. 1,-2,way2 AGENT FOR firerAutoniobile and in Ins, COMPANIES For Brussels and vicinity Phone 647 I AM ES F ADZE AN Agent !Jute Mutual fire Insurance Company Also Hartford Vilodstorm and Tornado Insuranca ?hone 41 Bor. 1 Turnberry Street, Bruesels JKO, SUTHELANO at SON LIMITED IN3EIRPINCA' GEMIZFR OXT*1110 D. M. SCOTT taeursza au,671@eVNE PRICES MODERATE 9' For refortm..44 en,,1111 any iii.1S4,11 whose sales I have officiated at. Phone Ma T. T. M' RAE M. 0. 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Advertising in THE POST is an economical, efficient way to reach the people in your trade territory and let them know of the buying opportun- ities offered in your business estab- lishment. 0,7 THE BRUSSELS POST 'Ap•snoi,, WA' • nt' XWq0%.1",91,"