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The Seaforth News, 1939-11-02, Page 6PAGE SIC A gypsy for choice," growled Miss Greeby, marvelling that Lady Agnes couldnot see the resemblance be tween the tramps' faces and that of her own husband. "However, I hope Pine's darlings won't come here to reb, 1'il fight for my jewels, I ran pro mise you," One of the men laughed. "I should- n't like to get a blow from your est," Miss Greeby smiled grimly, and poked at his puny stature. "Women have to protect themselves from men hire you," she said, amidst great lau- ghter. for the physical difference be - tweet her and the man was quite amusing. "It's all very well talking," said Garvington crossly. "But I don't trust these gypsies." -Why don't you clear then ori your land then?" asked Silver daringly. Garvington glared until bis goose- berry eyes nearly fell out of his red face. "I'11 clear everyone to bed, that's what I'll do," he retorted. cross - leg the room to the middle French window of the drawing -room. "I wish e•u fellows would stop your larking vet t herr," he cried. "It's close upon Leith -tight, and alt decent people mei be in bed..' ire when haveyou joined the viva) group. Garvington?' asked an t"ic•,r who had conte over from some t -e] a nit'. distant barracks to pass t..e % r est. and a girl behind him be - pr.. to sing a hymn. Lady Agnes frowned. "I wish you wencher t do that. Miss Ardale.' she nee. ,r: sharp rebuke, and the girl ...-i the onoe to he silent, while Gar. tr.c',n rnss,'d over the do,. -int; of the w'.t:,ittw el:utters f,oing to stand a siege?" asked Mies t :• el,y. laughing, "Or do you eee.,,'a buglers. particularly on this night." •i tenet expert them at all; retort - tel the little mite, "But I 041 you 1 b, .he idea of these Lawless gypsies a, out the place. Still, if anyone he added grimly, "1 shall "Tien the attacking person or par- ty needn't bother." cried the officer. 1 .shouldn't mind standing up to your myself, Garvington." With laughter and chatter and mach merriment at the host's ex• peoo', the guests went their several ways, the women to chat in one an - ether's dressing -rooms and the men to have a final smoke and a final drink. Garvington, with two footmen, teed his butler. went round the house, c•refully closing all the shutters, and seeing thatall was safe. His sister rather marvelled at this exeessrve precaution. and said as much to her b stens. "It wouldn't hatter if the gypsies OM break in," she said when alone with Lady Garvington in her own bedroom. "It would be some excite - teem, for all tbese people must find it very dull here." "I'm sure I do my best. Agnes," said the sister -In-law plaintively. "Of course, you do, you poor dear," said the other, kissing bee. "But Gar- vington always asks people here who baven't two ideas. A horrid, rowdy lot they are, I wonder you stand it. "Garvington asks those he likes, Agnes." "I see. He hasn't any brains, and his guests suit him for the same reason." "They eat a great deal," wailed Lady Garvington. "I'm sure I might as well be a cook. All my time is tak- en up with feeding them." "Well, Freddy married you, Jane, because you hada genius for looking after food. Your mother was much the same; she always kept a good table." Lady Agnes laughed, "Yours was a most original wooing, Jane." "1'd like to live on bread and water for. my pare Agnes." •"Put Freddy on it clear. He's get- ting too stout, I never thought that, gluttony was a crime. But when 1 look at Freddy" — checking her speech, she spread out her hands with an ineffable look—"I'm glad that Noel is coming," she ended, rather daringly. "At least he will be more interesting than any of these frivol ous people you have collected," Lady Garvington looked at her anx iously, "You don't mind Noel nom ing?" "No, dear. Why should I?" "Well you see, Agnes, I fancied—' "Don't fanny anything. Noel and 1 entirely understand one another." "I hope," blurted out the other wo- man, "that it is a right understand- ing" Agnes winced, and looked at her with enforced composure. "I am de- voted to my husband," she said, with emphasis. "And I have every reason to be. He has kept. his part of the bargain, so I keep mine, But," she added with a pale smile, "when I think how I sold myself to keep up the credit of the family, and now see Freddy entertaining this riff-reff, I am sorry that I did not marry Noel, whom I loved so dearly." "That would have meant our ruin," bleated Lady Garvington, sadly. "Your ruin is only delayed, Jane. Freddy is a' weak, self-indulgent fool, and is eating his way into the nest world. It will be a happy day for you when an apoplectic fit snakes you a widow," 'My dear," the wife was shocked. "hL is your brother," "Marc's the pity. 1 ]cave no illus- ions about Freddy. Jane, and I don't think you have either. Now, go away and sheep. It's no use lying awake thinking over to•morrow's dinner. (.live Freddy the bread and water you talked about," Lady Garvington Laughed in a weak, aimless way, and then kissed her sister-in-law with a sigh, after which she drifted out of the room in her usual vague manner. Very shortly the t•loelt struck midnight, and by that time Garvington the virtuous had in- duced all his men guests to go to bed. The women chatted a little longer, and then, in their turn, sought repose. By half -past twelve the great house was in complete darkness, and bullted a mighty mass of darkness in the pale September moonlight, Lady Agnes got to bed quickly, and tired out by the boredom of the evening, quickly fell asleep. Suddenly site awoke with all her senses on the alert, and with a sense of vague dan. ger hovering round. There were sounds of running feet and indistinct oaths and distant cries, and she could have sworn that a pistol -shot had startled her from slumber. in a mo- ment she was out of bed and ran to open her window. On looking out she saw that the moonlight was very bril- liant, and in it beheld a tall man run- ning swiftly from the house. He sped down the hroad path. and just when he Wes abreast of a miniature shrub- bery. she heard a second shot, which seemed to be fired therefrom. The man staggered, and stumbled and fell. Immediately afterwards, her brother —she recognized itis voice raised in anger—ran out of the house, followed by some of the male guests. Terrified by the sight and the sound of the shots, Lady Agnes hustled on her dressing -gown hastily, and thrust her hare feet into slippers. The next mo- ment she was out of her bedroom and down the stairs. A wild idea had ent- ered her mind that perhaps Lambert had come secretly to The Manor, and had been shot by Garvington in mis- take for a burglar. The corridors and the hall were filled with guests more', or less lightly attired, mostly women, white-faced and startled. Agnes paid no attention to their shrieks, hut hur- ried into the side passage which ter- minated at the door out of which her brother had left the house. She went outeide also and made for the group round the fallen man, "What is It? who is it?" she asked, gasping with the hurry and Hie fright, "Go bulk. Agnes, go back," cried Garvington, looking up with a die. torted face, strangely pale in the moonlight, "But who is it? who has been kill- THE SEAFORPH NEWS ed?" She caught sight of the fallen man's countenance and shreiked, "Great heavens! it is Hubert; is be dead?" "Yes," said Silver, who stood at her elbow. "Shot through the heart." CHAPTER lee With amazing and sinister rapiclitY the news spread that a burglar had been, shot dead while trying to 'raid The Manor. First, the Garvington villagers learned it; then it, became the common property of the neighbor- hood, until it finally reached the nearest county town, and `thus brought the police on the scene. Lord Garvington was not pleased when the local inspector arrived, and intimated as much in a somewhat unpleasant fashion. He was Meyer a man who spared those in an inferior social position, • "1t is no use your coming over, Dar by," he said bluntly to the red-haired police officer, who was of Irish ex traction, "I have sent to Scotland Yard." "All in good time, my lord," replied the inspector coolly. "As the murder has taken place in my district I have to look into the matter, and report to the London authorities, if it should be necessary, "What right have you to class the affair as a murder?" inquired Garv- ington, '"I only go by the rumors I have heard, my lord; Some say that you winged the man and broke his right arm. Others tell me that a second shot was fired in the garden, and it was that which killed Ishmael Hearne." "It is true, Darby. I only fired the first shot, as those who were with me will tell you, I don't know who shot in the garden, and apparently no one else does, It was this unknown indiv- idual in the garden that killed Hearne. By the way; how did you come to hear the name?" "Half a dozen' people have told me, my lord, along with the information l have just given you. Nothing else is talked of far and wide." "And it is just twelve o'clock," mut- tered the stout little lord, wiping bis scarlet face pettishly. "Ill news trav- els fast. However, as you are here, you may as well take charge of things until the London men arrive." "Tbe London men aren't going to usurp my privileges, my lord," said Darby, firmly. "There's no sense, in taking matters nut of my hands. And if you will pardon my saying so, I should have been sent for in the first instance." "I daresay," snapped Garvington. coolly, "But the matter is too import- ant to he left in the hands of a local policeman." Darby was nettled, and his bard eyes grew angry. "1 am quite compet- ent to deal with any murder, even if it is that of the highest in England. much less with the death of a conn- ntoti gypsy," "That's just where it is, Darby. The common gypsy who has been shot happens to be my brother-in-law." "Sir Hubert Pine?" questioned the inspector, thoroughly taken aback. "Yes! Of course I didn't know hint when I fired, or I should not have done so, Darby, I understood, and his wife, my sister, understood, Out Sir Hubert was in Paris. It passes my comprehension to guess why he should have come in the dead of night, dressed as a gypsy, to raid my house.' "Perhaps it was a bet," said Darby, desperately puzzled. ' "Bet, be hanged! Pine could come openly to this place whenever he lik- ed. 1 never was so astonished in my life as when I saw him lying dead near the shrubbery. And the worst of it is, that my sister ran out and saw him also. She fainted and has been in hod ever since, attended by Lady Garvington" "You had no idea that the man you shot was Sir Hubert., my lord?" "Hang it, no! Would I have shot him had 1 guessed who he was?" "No, no, my lord! of course not," said the officer hastily, "But as I have come to take charge of the ease, you will give me a detailed Re- nculi of what has taken place." "I would rather wait until the Scotland Yard fellows come." grumbl- ed Garvington, "as 1 don't wish to re- peat my story twice. Still, as you are on the spot, I may as well ask your advice, You- may be able to throw some light on the subject, I'm hanged if I can." Darby pulled out his note -book. "I'm all attention, my lord." Garvington plunged abruptly into his account, first having looked to see if the library door was firmly closed. "As there have been many burglaries n lately in this part of the world," he said, speaking with deliberation, "I got en idea into my head that this house might be broken into." "Natural enough, my lord," inter- t pored' Darby, glancing round the 1 splendid room, "A, historic house such s es the,. Is. would tempt any hnrglar."i f "So T thought," remarked the other, 'pleased that Darby should agree with 1 him so promptly. "And I declared Bev- eral times, within the hearing of.many people, that if a raid was made, I should shoot the first man who tried to enter.' Hang it, an Englishman's house is his castle, and no man has a right to come in without permis- sion." "Quite so, my lord. But the punish- mcnt of the burglar should be left to the law," said the inspector softly, "Oh, the deuce take the law! I pre- fer to eeecitte_my own punishments. However, to make a long story short, I grew more afraid of a raid when these gypsies came to camp at Ab- bot's Wood, as they are just the wort of scoundrels who would break in and steal." • ""Why didn't you order them, off - your land?" asked the policeman, alertly, '"I did. and then my brother-in-law sent a message through his. secretary who is staying here, asking me to al- low them to remain. I did," "Why did Sir Hubert send that message, my lord?" "Hang it, man, that's just what I am trying to learn, and I am the more puzzled because be came last. night dressed as a gypsy." "He must be. one," said Darby, who had seen Pine and now recalled his dark complexion and jetty eyes. "It seems, from what I have been told, that he stopped at the Abbot's 'Wood camp under the name of Ishmael Hearne." "So Silver informed me," "Who is he?" "Pine's secretary, who knows all his confidential affairs. Silver declar- ed, when the secret could be kept, no longer, that Pine was really a gypsy, called Ishmael Hearne. Occasionally longing for the old life, he stepped down from his millionaire pedestal and mixed with his own people. When he was supposed to be in Paris, he was really with the gypsies, so you can now understand why he sent the message asking nee to let these vag- rants stay." ""You told me a few moments ago, that you could not understand that message, my lord," said Darby quick- ly, and looking searchingly at the oth- er man. Garvington grew a trifle con- fused. "Did 1? Well, to tell you the truth, Darby, I'm so mixed up Over the business that can't say what I do know. or what I don't know, You'd better take all I tell you with a grain ,if salt until I am quite myself again," "Natural enough, my lord,"remark- ed the inspector again, and quite be- lieved what be said. "And the details of the murder?" "1 went to bed as usual." said C,arv- iington, wearily, for the events of the night had tired him cut, "and every- one else retired some time about mid- night. I went rotund with the footmen and butler to see that everything was safe. for I was ton anxious ti Iet them look after things without me. Then I heard a noise of footsteps on the gravel outside, just as I was drop- ping off to sleep---" "_bout what time was that, my lord?" "Half -past one o'clock; I can't be erta cin as to a minute, I jumped ftp and laid hold of my revolver, which was handy. I always kept it beside me in case of a burglary. Then I stole downstairs in slippers and paj- amas to the passage,—oh, here." Gar- vington rose quickly. "Come with me and see the place for yourself!" Inspector Darby put on his cap. and with his note -book still in his hand, followed the stout figure of his guide. Garvington lel him through the en- trance hall and into a side -passage, which terminated in a narrow (1001. There was no One to spy on them, as the master of the house had sent all the servants to their own quarters, and the guests were collected in the drawing -room and Brooking -room, al- though e few of the ladies remained in their bedrooms, trying to recover from the night's experience, "I came down here," said Garving- ton, opening the door, "and hear the burglar, as I tbought he was, prowl- ing about on the other side. I threw open the door in this way and the f man plunged forward to enter. I fired, and gat him in. the right arm. for I saw it swinging uselessly by his side t as he departed." "Was he in a hurry?" as,ked Darby, rather needlessly, "He went off like greased light- ning. I didn't follow, as I thought that others of his gang (night be about, but closing the floor again 1 shouted blue murder. In a few minutes every- one came down. and while I was wait- ng—it all passed in a flash, remem- ber, Darby ---I heard a second shot. Then the servants and nny friends came and we ran out, to 'find the mau. yang by that shrubbery quite dead. I tailed him over and had just grasped he fact that he was my brother -in aw, when Lady Agnes ran Out, When g he learned the news she naturally , ea elated. The women carried her back to her room, and we took the body of Pine into the house, A doctor came along this morning—for I sent for a doctor as soon as it was dawn—and said that Pine had been shot through the heart." "And who shot hint?" asked Darby. sagely. Garvington pointed to - the shrill:, buy. ",Someone was concealed there,, he declared.` "How do You know that, my lord?" "My sister, attracted by my shot, jumped out of bed and threw up her window. She saw the man—of course she never guessed that he was Pine— running down the path and saw him fall by the shrubbery ivhen th'e'second shot was fired," ".Her bedroom is then on belt side of the house, my lord?" ""Up there," `said Garvington, point- ing directly over the narrow door, which was painted a rich blue color,. and looped rather bizarre set in the puritanic greyness of the walls. "My own bedroom is further along tow- ards the right. That is why I heard the footsteps so plainly on- this gravel." And he stamped hard, while with a wave of his hand he invited the inspector to examine the sur- roundings.Darby did so with keen eyes and an alert brain, The two stood on the west side of the mansion, where it fronted the three -miles distant Ab- bot's Wood. The Manor was a hetero- geneous -looking sort of place, sug- gesting the whims and fancies of many generations, for something was taken away here, and something was taken away there, and this had been altered, while that had been left in its original state, until the house seemed to be made up of all possible archi- tectural styles. It was te tall building of three stories, although the flattish red -tiled roofs took away somewhat from its height, and spread over an amazing quantity of land. As Darby thought, it could have housed a regi - went, and must have cost something to keep up. As.wiad and weather and. time had mellowed its incongruous parts into one neutral tint, it looked odd and attractive. Moss and lichen, ivy and Virginia creeper'—this last flaring in crimson glory—clothed the massive stone walls with a gracious mantle of natural beauty, Narrow stone steps, rather chipped, led down from the blue door to the broad, yel- low path. which came round the rear of the house and swept down bill in a wide curve, past the minietul'e shrubbery. right into the bosons of the park. ""This path," explained Garvington. stamping again, "runs right through the park to a small wicket gate set in the brielt wall, which borders the high road, Darby,"" "And that runs straightly past -Ab- bot's Wend," mused the elute-weir, ""Of coarse, Sir Hubert would know of the path and the wicket gate?" "Certainly; don't be an ass, Darby" cried Garvington petulantly. "He has liken in this house dozens of times and knows It as well as I do myself. Why do you ask so obvious a ques- tion?" "I was Only wondering if Sir Hilb- ert came by the high road to the wic- ket gate you speak of, Lord Garving- ten. " "That also is obvious," retorted the other, irritably, "Since he wished to come here. he naturally would take the easiest way" "Then why diel he not enter by the main avenue gates?" ""Because at that ]tour they would e shut, and- :since it is evident that is visit was 0 secret one --he would ave had to knock up the lodge - b h h keeper;' -Why was his visit a secret one?" quo itiotted Darby pointedly. "That is the thing that puzzles me. Anything more?" "Yes? Why should Sir Hubert come to the blue door?" "I can't answer that question, either. The whole reason of his being here, instead of In Paris, is a mys- tery to me." "Oh, as to that last, the reply is easy," remarked the inspector. "Sir Hubert. wished to revert to his free gypsy life, and pretended to be in Paris, so that he would follow his ancy without the truth becoming known. But why he should come on this particular night, and by the par- icular. path to this particular door, is he problem I have to solve!" ""Quite so, and I only hope that you will solve it,. for the sake of my xis - Darby reflected for a moment or so. "Did Lady Agnea ask her husband to come to see her privately?" "Hang it, no man!" cried Garving- ton aghast. "She believed, as we all did, that her husband was in Paris, and certainly never dreamed that he was masquerading as a gypsy three miles away." "There was no masquerading about the matter, my lord," said Darby, dry- ly; "since Sir Hubert really leas a ypsy called Ishmael Hearne. That It will come out at the inquest." "It has conte now; everyone knows ('T'o Se Continued) THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1939 PROFESSIONAL CARDS MEDICAL SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr. E. A, McMaster, MB., Graduate of University of Toronto, J. D. Colquhoun, M.D., C.M., 'Grad- uate of Dalhousie University, Halifax. The Clinic is fully equipped with complete and modern x-ray and other up-to-date diagnostic and thereuptic equipment. Dr. Margaret K. Campbell, M.D„ L.A.B,P„ Specialist in Diseases In Infants and Children, will be at the Clinic last Thursday in every month from 3 to 6 p.m, Dr. F. J. R. Forster, Specialist in Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat, will be at the Clinic the first Tuesday in every month from 4 to 8 p.m. Free well -baby clinic will be held on the second and last Thursday in every month from 1 to 2 pen. JOHN A. GORWILL, B.A.,M.D. Physician and Surgeon In Dr, H. H. Ross' office. Phone 6.1 W. C. SPROAT, M.D., F,A.C.S. Surgery Phone 90-W. Office John St., Seaforth DR. H. H. ROSS Physician and Surgeon. Late of London Hospital, London, England, Special attention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Office and residence behind Dominion Bank. Of- fice Phone No, 5; Residence Phone 104. DR. F. J. BURROWS Office Main St. Seaforth, over Do- minion Bank, Hours 2-5 and 7 to p.m. and by appointment. Residence, Goderich St:, two doors west of Unit- ed Church. Phone 46. DR- F. J. R. FORSTER Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto. Late Assistant New York Ophthalmic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat hospitals, London, Eng. At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third Wednesday in each month from 2 to 4 p.m. Also at Seaforth Clinic first Tuesday in each mouth, -63 Waterloo St„ Stratford. Telephone 267. MARGARET K. CAMPBELL, M.D. London, Ontario Graduate Toronto University Licentiate of American Board of Pedt- attics, Diseases of Children At Seaforth Clinic, last Thursday af- ternoon, each month, AUCTIONEER GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron, Arrangentents can be made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction. ear far Perth and Huron Counties. Sales Solicited. Terms on Application. Farm Stock, chattels and real estate property. R. R. No. 4, MitcheIl.. Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office. Watson & Reid REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE McKILLOP Mutual Fire Insurance Co, HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. • OFFICERS President, Thomas Moylan, Sea - forth; Vice President, William Knox, Londesboro; Secretary Treasurer, M. A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F, McKercher, R.R.1, Dublin; John E, Pepper, R.R.1, Brucefield; E. R. G. Jarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. le. Hewitt, Kincardine; Wm. Yeo, Holmesville. DIRECTORS Alex. Broadfoot, Seaforth No. 3; James Sholdice, Walton; Wm. Knox, Londeshoro; George Leonhardt, Born- holm No, 1; Frank MacGregor, Clin- ton No. 5; James Connolly, Goderich; Alex, McEwing, Blyth No, 1; Thomas Moylan, Seaforth No. 5; Wm. R. Archibald, Seaforth No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post - offices, (Continued)'