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The Seaforth News, 1939-11-30, Page 6PAGE SEX et&ZI } 4 effi Mehta ,(T .':, 114'40,025r: !'i i. -Vi r. 'Yes! The letter stated that you intended to elope that night with Mr. Lambert, and would leave the house by the blue door, Sit' Hubert went to watch and prevent the elopment. In that way he came by his death, since Lord Garvington threatened to shoot a possible burglar. Of course, Sir Hu- bert, when the blue door was opened by Lord Garvington, who had heard the footsteps of the supposed burglar, threw himself forward, thinking you 'were corning out to meet Mr. Lam- bert. Sir Hubert was first shot in the arm by Lord Garvington, who really believed for the moment that he had to do with a robber. But the second shot," ended Silver with emphasis, "was fired by a person concealed in the shrubbery, who knew that Sir Hue bert would walk into the trap laid by the letter. During this amazing recital, Lady Agnes, with her eyes on the man's face, and her hands clasped in sheer surprise, had sat down on a near couch. She could scarcely believe her ears. "Is this true?" she asked in a faltering voice. Silver shrugged his shoulders again. "The letter held by Chaldea certainly set the snare in which Sir Hubert was caught. Unless the per- son in the shrubbery knew about the letter, the person would scarcely have been concealed there with a revolver. I know abort the letter for certain, since Chaldea showed it to me, when I went to ask questions about the murder in the hope of gain- ing the reward. The rest of my story re theoretical," "Who was the person who fired the shot?" asked Lady Agnes abruptly, "I don't know," "Who wrote the letter which set the snare?" Silver shuffled. "Chaldea loves Mr. Lambert," he said hesitating, "Go on." ordered the widow coldly and retaining her self-control. "She is jealous of you, Lady Agnes, because--" "There is no reason to explain." interrupted the listener between her teeth "-Well, then, Chaldea hating you. says that you wrote the letter." "•Oh. indeed." Lady Agnes replied calmly enough, although her conflict- ing emotions almost suffocated her. "Then I take it that this gypsy de- clt,rr-s me to be a murderess." "Oh. I shouldn't say that exactly." "7 dc, .say it." cried Lady Agnes. ris- -.. eee•ly 'If 1 wr ue the lett-r. and the star,-. . 'rust neeessarilY t:' 'V that some on,-, wa> i^ting its sl:r'tlib.-1 to she,e; y 'h sbate] •n, ,ix.t.-n::R!=ffetc stlot to 111 -1, r . But t'...7. tier. t,,-'ir wi11 ,3er:i with that." rel ifit (1 aId'ii.• thP puke?" h'r r --tet e01 !lav-, rlo fair of r Your 'n * to- black- d 1L7,11 1p, has aired. Mr. Silve " 1 • and take tin for reflee- 1:. ' urged, walking towards the ;or I have seen this 1" -.ter, and 1 in your handwriting," sic:cr.r wrote such a letter.'. Then who did—in tour h71 116%117- i izgr "t':-rhaps you did yourself. Mr. 11!1- rer. since you are trying to black- n-ai; me in this bareface way." t Silver snarled and gave her an I ugly look. '"T did no such thing. be b retorted vehemently. and, as it seemed, honestly enough. "1 had -rte y reason to wish that Sir Hubert i should live, since my income and my position depended upon his exist• r anrx. But you----" 'What abort me?" demanded Lady a Agnes, taking so sudden a step for- 1 ward that the little man retreated L nearer the door, -People say----" A "I know what people say and what e you are about to repeat," she said in g a stifled voice. "You can tell the girl ' to take that forged letter to the pot - tee. 1 am quite able to face any in quiry," "Is Mr. Lambert also able?" "Mr. Lambert?" Agnes felt a though she would choke. "He was at. his cottage on tha night." "I deny that; he went to London.' "Chaldea can prove that be was a his cottage, and—" "You bad better go," said Lady Ag nes, turning white and looking dans erous. "Go, before you say what you may be sorry for. I shall tell Mr Lambert the story you have told me and let hint deal with the matter," Silver threw off the mask, as he was enraged she should so boldly withstand his demands, "I give yot one week." he said barshly. "And, if you do 'not pay me twenty-five thous and pounds, that letter goes to the inspector at Wanbury." "It can go now," she declared dauntlessly. "in that case you and Mr. Lambert will be arrested at once." Agnes gripped the man's arm as he was about to step through' the door. "I take your week of grace,' she said with a sudden impulse of wisdom. "I thought you would," retorted Silver insultingly. "But remember I must get the money at the end of seven days. It's twenty-five thousand pounds far me, or disgrace to yon,' and with an abrupt nod he disappear ed sneering, "Twenty-five thousand pounds 01 disgrace," whispered Agnes to her self. CHAPTER X1I It was lucky that Lambert did not know of the ordeal to which Agnes had to submit. unaided, since he was having a most unhappy time bimself. In a sketching expedition he' had caught a chill, which had developed once more a malarial fever, contract- ed in the Congo marshes some years previously. Whenever his constitu- tion weakened, this ague It would reappear, and for days, sometimes weeks, he would shiver with cold, and alternately burn with fever. As the autumn mists were hanging round the leafless Abbot's Wood, it was injudicious of hien to sit in the open, however warmly clothed, see- ing that he was predisposed to dis- ease. But his desire for the society of the woman he loved, and the hopelessness of the outlook, rendered him reckless, and he was mote often out of doors than in. The result was that when Agnes came down to relate the interview with Silver, she found hint in his sittingroem swathed in lurk-ts, and reclining in an arm - ,heir p iaeed as closely to a large veee fir.- as was possible, He was v ..y ill indeed, poor man, and she un - ,.:'ell an , v'lamatton when she saw his wan cheeks and hollow eyes. Lambert was now as weak as he hail born strong, and with the mothering nstinet of a woman, she melted for- ward to kneel beside his chair. 'My dear. my dear, why did you xa pend for me' she wail"d keeping lack her tears with an effort. "Oh. I'm all right, Agnes," he an- swered cheerfully, and fondly clasp - ng her hand. "Mrs. Tribb is nursing me capitally." "I'nt doing my best,' said the rosy - aced little housekeeper, who stood at he door with her podgy hands 'mem - y folded over her apron. "Plenty Of ed and food is what I give.Master Noel; but bless you, my lady, he won't stay between the blankets, be - ng always a worrit from a boy." "It seems to me that I am very nuch between the blankets now," murmured Lambert In a tired voice, nd with a glance at his swathed imbs. "Go away, Mrs, Tribb, and get ady Agnes something to eat," "I only want a cup of tea," said gees. looking anxiously into her lov, is bluish -tinted face. "I'm not hum ry." THE SEAFORTH NEWS shook her head. "Hungry you mayn't be, Hey lady, but food you Hurst have, and that of the most nourishing and delicate. You. loolt almost as much a corps :as Master Noel there," "Yes, Agnes, you do seem to be ill," said Lambert with a startled' glance at her deadly white face, and et the dark circles under her eyes. "What is the matter, dear?" "Nothing! Nothing! Don't worry." Mrs. Tribb still continued to shake her head, and, to vary the movement, nodded like a Chinese mandarin. "You ain't looked after proper, my lady, for all your Inc•London serv- ants, who ain't to be trusted, nohow, having neithery hands to do nor hearts to feel for them as wants comforts and attentions, I remember you, my lady, a blooming young rose of a gal, and now sheets ain't nothing to your complexion, But rose you shall be again, my lady, if wine and food can do whatthey're meant to do, Tea you shan't have, nohow, but a glass or two ro burgundy, and a plate of patty -foo -grass sandwiches, and later a bowl of strong beef tea with port wine to strengthei'i the same," and Mrs. Tribb, with a deter- mined look on her face, went away to prepare these delicacies, "My dear, my dear!" murmured Agnes again when the door closed. "You should have sent for nee," ' "Nonsense,"' answered Lambert, smoothing her hair. "I'ni not a, child to cry out at the least scratch. It's only an attack of my old malarial fever, and I shall be all right be a few days." "Not a few of these days," said Ag nes, looking out of the window at the gaunt, dripping trees and gray shy and melancholy monoliths. "You ought to come to London and see the doctor." "Had S come, I should have batt to pay you a visit, and I thought that you did not wish nee to, until things were adjusted," Agnes drew back, and, kneeling before the fire, spread out her hands to the blaze. "Will they ever be ad- justed?" she asked herself despairing- ly, but did not say so aloud, as she was unwilling to worry the sick man. "Well, I only came down to The Manor for a few days," she said aloud, and In a most cheerful man- ner. "Jane wants to get the house in order for Garvington, who r'etur'ns from Paris in a week." ° "Agnes! Agnes!" Lambert shook bis head, "Yon are not telling me the truth. I know you too well, my dear." "I really am staying with Jane at The Manor," she persisted "Oh, I believe that; but you are in trouble and came down to consult me." "Yes," she admitted faintly. "1 am in great trouble, But I don't wish to worry you whileyou are in this state," "You will worry me a great deal more by keeping silence," said Lam- bert, sitting up in his chair and draw- ing the blankets more closely round !rim. "Do not trouble about me. I'm all right. But you—" he looked at her keenly and with a dismayed ex- pression, "The trouble mast be very great," he remarked. "It may become so, Noel. It has to do with --oh, ]fere is Mrs. Tribb!" and she broke off hurriedly as the housekeeper appeared 'with a tray, "Now, my lady, just you sit in that arm -chair opposite to Master Noel. and I'll put the tray on this small stool beside you. Sandwiches and bur- gundy wino, my lady, and see that you eat and drink all you ear, Walk- ing over on this dripping day," cried Mrs. Tribb, bustling about, "Giving yourself your death of cold, and you with carriages and horses, and them spitting cats of motive things. You're as bac] as blaster Noel, my lady. As for him. God bless him evermore, he's- Mrs. Tribb raised her hands to show that words failed her, and once more vanished through the door to get ready the beef tea. Agnes did not want to eat, but Lambert, who quite agreed with the kind-hearted practical housekeeper, insisted that she should do so. To please him she took two sandwiches. and a glass of the strong red wine, which brought color back to her cheeks in some degree. When she finished, and had drawn her chair closer to the blaze, he smiled. "We are just like Darby and Joan," said Lambert, who looked much bet- ter for her presence. "I am so glad you are here, Agnes, You are the very best medicihe I tan have to matte me well." "The idea of comparing me to any- thing so nasty as medicine," laughed Agnes with an attempt at gayety. "But indeed, Noel, I wish my visit was a pleasant one. But it is not, whatever you may say; I am in great trouble." "From what—with what— inwhat?" tuttered Lambert, so Confusedly and nxiously that she hesitated to tell dm. "Are you well enough to bear?" 9 a Mrs: Tribb took a long look at the et visitor and pursed her lips, as she "Of coarse I am," he answered fret- fully, foe the suspense began to tell on his nemyes, "I would rather know the worst and face the worst than be left to worry over those hints. Has the trouble to do with the murder?"_ "Yes. And evit11 Mr, Silver." "Pine's secretary? I thought you had got rid of him?" "011, yes. Mr. Darwin said that he was not needed, so I paid him a year's wages instead of giving him notice, and let him go. But I have met him once or twice at the lawyers; as he has been telling Mr. Darwin about poor Hubert's investmeuts, And yes- terday afternoon he came to see rte." "What about?" Agnes came to the point at once, seeing that it would be better to de so, and pat an end to Lambert's sus- pense, "About a letter supposed to have been written by me, as a means of luring Hubert to The Manor to be murdered." Lambert's sallow and pinched face grew a deep red, "Is the man niad?" "He's sane enough to ask twenty five thousand pounds for the letter," she said in a dry tone. "There's not much madness about that request." "Twenty-five thousand pounds!" gasped Lambert., gripping the arms of his chair and attempting to rise, "Yes. Don't get up, Noel, you are too weak," Agnes pressed him back into the seat. "Twenty thousand for himself and five thousand far Chal- dea. "Chaldea] Chaldea! What has she got to do with the matter?" "She holds the letter," said Agues with a aide•glance, "And being jeal- ous of me, she intends to make Hie suffer, unless I buy her silence and. the letter. Otherwise, according to Mr. Silver, she will show it to the po- lice. I have seven clays, more or less, in which to make up my mind, Either I must be blackmailed, or I must face the accusation," 'Lambert beard otyly one word that struck bine in this speech, "Wily is Chaldea jealous of you?" he de- manded angrily, "I think you can best answer that question, Noel," "I certainly can, and answer it honestly, too. Who told you about Chaldea?" "Mr, Silver, for one, as I have eon- fessed. Clara Greaby for another, She said that the girl was sitting for you for some Mettles." "Esmeralda and Quasimodo," repli- ed the artist quickly, "You will find what I have done of 'the picture in the next room. But this confounded girl chose to fall in love with me, and since then I have declined to see her. I need hardlytellyou, Agues, that I gave her no encouragement," "No, dear, I never for one moment supposed that you would." "All the same, and in spite of my very plain speaking, she continues to haunt me, Agnes. I have avoided her on every occasion, but she conies daily to see Mrs. Tribb, and ask ques- tions about my illness," "Then, if she comes this after- noon, you must get that letter from her," was the reply, "I wish to see it," "Silver declares that you wrote it?" "He does, Chaldea showed it to him," "It is in your handwriting?" "So Mr. Silver declares." Lambert rubbed the bristles of his three days' beard, and wriggled nn - comfortably in his seat. "I ean't ga- ther much from these hints." he said with the fretful impatience of an in- valid. "Give me a detailed account of this scoundrel's interview with yon. end report his exact words if you can remember them, Agnes." "I remember them very well. A wo- man does not forget such insults easily." "Damn the beast!" muttered Lam- bert savagely, "Go on, dear," Agnes patted his hand to soothe him, and forthwith related all that had passed between her and the ex - secretary. Lambert frowned once or twice during the recital, and bit his Hp with anger. Weak as he was, he longed for Silver to be within kicking distance, and it would have fared badly with the foxy little man had he been in the room at the moment, When Agnes ended, he lover reflect- ed for a few minutes. "It's a conspir- acy," he declared. "A conspiracy, Noel?" "Yes. Chaldea hates you because the fool has chosen to fall in love with me. The discovery of this letter has placed a weapon in her baud to do you an injury, and for the sake of money Silver is assisting her. I will do Chaldea the justice to say that I don't believe she asks a single penny for the letter. To spite you she would go at once to the police. But Silver, seeing that there is money in the business, has prevented her doing so. As to this letter—" Ile stopped -and rubbed his chin again vexedly, "It must be a forgery," "Without doubt, but not of your handwriting, I fancy, in spite of what this daring blackguard says. He in- formed you that the letter stated how you intended to elope with nee on that night, and would leave The Man- or by the blue door. Alsp, on the face of It, it would appear that 'you had Written the letter to your husband, since otherwise it wouldnot have been in his possession. You would not have given him such a hint had an elopement really been arranged," Agnes frowned, "There was no (thence of an elopement being arrang- ed," she observed rather coldly. "Of course not. You and I know as much, but I aur looking at the matter from the point of view of the person who wrote the letter. It can't be your forged handwriting, for Pine would never have believed that you would put him on the track as it were, No, Agnes. Depend upon it, the letter was a warning sunt by some sympathetic friend, and is probably an anonymous one," Agnes nodded meditatively, "You may be right, Noel, But who wrote to Iiubert?" "We must see the letter and find out." "But if it is my forged handwrit- ing?„ ""I don't believe it is," said Lamb- ert derisively. "No conspirator would be so foolish as to conduct his plot in such a way. However, Chaldea has the letter, adcording to Silver, and we must make her give it up. She is sure to be There soon, as site always comes bothering Mrs. Tribb in the afternoon about my health, Just ring that hand -bell, Agnes," "Do you think Chaldea wrote the letter?" she asked, having obeyed "No. She has not the education to forge, or even to write decently." "Perhaps Mr. Silver—but no. I tax- ed him with setting the trap, and he declared that Hubert was more bene- fit to him alive thandead, which is perfectly true. Here is Mrs. Tribb, Noel." Lambert turned his head. "Has, that gypsy been here to -day?" he ask- ed sharply. "Not yet, Master 'Noel, but there's no saying when she may come, for she's always hanging round the. house. I'd tar and feather her and slap and pinch her if I had my way, say what you like, my lady. I've no patience with gals of that free -and easy, light-headed, butter -won't melt - in -your mouth kind." "If she comes to -day, Show her in here," said Lambert, paying little at- tention to Mrs. Tribb's somewhat German speech of mouth -filling words. The housekeeper's black eyes twin- kled, and she opened her lips, then site shut them again, and looking at Lady Agnes in a questioning way, trotted out of the room, It was plain that Mrs. Tribb knew of Chaldea's ddmiration for her master, and could not understand why he wished her to enter the house when Lady ,Agnes was present. Seta did not think it a wise thing to apply fire to 'gunpow• der, which, in her opinion, was what Lambert was doing. There ensued silence for a few mo- ments, Then Agnes, staring into the fire, remarked in a musing manner, "1 wonder who did shoot Hubert, Mr, Silver would not have 10110 so, as it was to his interest to keep 111211 alive, Do you think that to hurt rue, Noel, Chaldea migbt have--" "No! No! No! It was to her inter- est also that Pine should Iive. since she knew that 1 could not marry you while he was alive." Agnes nodded, understanding 111111 so well that she did not need to ask for a detailed explanation. "It could not have been any of those staying at The Manor." she said doubtfully, "shim, every One was indoors and In bed. Garvington. of crewse, only broke poor Hubert's arm under a misappre- hension. 'SVho could have been Un- person heperson in the shrubbery?" "Silver hints that 1 am the individ- ual," said Lambert grimly. "Yes. he does," assented Lady Ag- nes quickly, i declared that you WPM in London, but he said that you re- turned on that night to this place." "I did, worse luck. I went to town, thinking it best to he away while Pine was in the neighborhood. and- " (To be continued) REDS THREATEN FINLAND The Piutrish government on Mou• day replied to a note from the Soviet Union by categorically denying the charges that Finnish artillery had fired across the Russian frontier, The reply was addressed to Soviet For- eign Commissar Mol0to11', who hart demanded that Finnish troops he withdrawn from the frontier because of the alleged artillery fire which the Russian' government said Billed their troops. Repots from the Leningrad military district indicated on Monday that the Red army was ready for ac- tion it the i0'inns failed to comply with Soviet demands- for withdrawal of troops from the frontier, Want and For Sale ads, 1 ,seek 2; c THURSDAY, NOV. 30, 1939 PROFESSIONAL CARDS MEDICAL SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr, E. A. MCMaster, MB., Graduate of University of Toronto. 7. D. Colquhoun, M.D., C,M,, Grad- uate of Dalhousie University, Halifax_ TheClinic be fully equipped with complete and modern x-ray and other up-to-date diagnostic and thereuptie equipment. Dr. Margaret le. 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 6 pan. Free well -baby clinic will be held on the second and last Thursday in every month from 1 to 2 p,m, JOHN A. GORWILL, B.A.,M,D, Physician and Surgeon n Dr. H, H. Ross' office, Phone 5 J , W. C. SPROAT, M.D., F,A.O,S. Surgery Phone 90-W. Office John St., Seaforth DR. 1-1, H. ROSS Physician and Surgeon. Late et 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. R. FORSTER Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto: Late Assistant New York Ophthalmic and Aural Institute, eloorefteld'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 month. -53 Waterloo St., Stratford, Telephone 267. MARGARET K. CAMPBELL, M.1S, London, Ontario Graduate Toronto University Licentiate of American Board of Pedi- atrics, Diseases of Children At Seaforth Clinic, last Thursday af- ternoon, each month. AUCTIONEER GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron. Arrangements can be made for Sala Date at The Seaforth. News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed F, W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction- eer for Perth and Huron Counties. Sales Solicited. Terms on Application. Farm Stock, chattels and real estate property. R. R. No. 4, Mitchel' Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this offiee. Watson & Reid REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to ,lanes Watson,, MAIN ST.. SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Innrance risers effeet• ed at lowest rates in First -C!.:-5 Companies. THE McKILLOP filuttral Fire Insurance cut HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont. OFFICERS President, Thomas Moylan, Sea. forth; Vice President, William Knox. Londesboro; Secretary Treasure;, M. A. Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F. MoKereher, R,R.1, Dublin; John le Pepper, R.R.1, Brucefleld; E. R. 0, Jarntouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, 1317011; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; W1n, Yeo, Holmesville, DIRECTORS Alex, Broadfoot, Seaforth No. 3; James Shotdice, Walton; Wm. Knox, Londesboro; George Leonhardt, Born- holm No. 1; Frank MacGregor, Clin- ton No. 5; James Connolly, G,oderieb; Alex. McEwing, Blyth No, 1; Thomas, Moylan, Seaforth No. 5; Wm. R. Arclttbald, 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 - Deli ces. ost-offices.