Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

45 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

THE CARBUNCLE CLUE

Rhestrau Manwl, Canlyniadau a Chanllawiau
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

THE CARBUNCLE CLUE (A MYSTERY), 1 BY FERGUS HUME, triVr fill MyUrj of t Hansom Cab," "Xadame Midaa," "Hossieur Judas," "Island of Taatmr," ".AJaddia in homdom," "HMleqcin Opal," "The N&mGlOm City." 'l'h. Dwarf'■ Chamber," "'I'M I»dt» Battel* -no Bishop's Seopet," "The Gokien Wang-Ho," "Sfcylock of tile RtfW." "Tbe Turnpike Bouee," "Jonah'g Luck," See. START TH18 STORY TO-DAY. POIMCIMU. CHMACTEKS AND INCIDENTS. I OiLBXLD CXKFWAY, nephew and heir to ] Lord Batehwin, arrested for the murder of • man found in his ohambers. OOTAVITJS PA-NKS. a famous detective, known to Conway in prirate life as Bixton. tetee up the case out of friendship for the accused. LENA DARBELL, daughter of a. famouj: philanthropiat. engaged to Oonway. JIBS. PHOB-NJBY, housekeeper at the cham- bers. DOOLAN, Conway's valet, an Irish-American, who professes to be deaf. ICJLNtJEL MADBASZO, from Lima, who 11M chambers in the eame house as Conway. fiOJiACii BEXXETT. Conway's cousin, who is supposed to have died a.t Lima., and to whose property Conway succeeded, but who turns up in London and is met by Con- way on the evening before the murder. Mrs. BRYNMAUB. a Mexican, tivulg in London, whose antecedents are shrouded. An unknown man is discovered muraered In the chambers of Mr. Gerald Conway. Qarry-street Westminster The whole affair is a profound mystery, and the only clue to the man's identity is a gold bangle oa the left wrist, in which is a carbuncle Craven with the form of a weasel. Oonway is arrested on suspicion, and his friend Rixton (known in other circles as Fanks, a famous detective) determines to sift the mystery. MTS. Phorney tells him that on the night in question she heard the light step of a women on the stairs leading to Gerald Oonway's apartments. Site let the glass faJl with a crash on the floor. I Next he questions Doolan, who speaks of & letter received by Conway on the even- ing before the murder, and a question by him a-s to whether his cousin. Horace Bennett, was really dead. While in Conway's room Bixton discovers a peculiar perfume in the blotting-pad on the writing-table, which perfume re-calls a woman, and be ejaculates. "Good heavens 1 What waa she doing here on that night?" A visit to Conway in prison elicits the amazing information that the letter received by the accused on the evening before the murder was from Horace Ben- nett and that Conway met him at the Athenian Club that evening Rixton discovers that Madraszo borrowed Conway's door key and took an impression of it in wax. Miss Darrell and Mrs. Bryn- maur are brought into the mystery, and Madraszo gives Bixton a folded paper i whkh he says contains the name of a friend who bad a oarbunole bracelet. Lena. Darrell. when Bixton suggests to bar that she waa in Conway's room on the night of the murder. remarks, despairingly, "You know that? I am lost: This cryptic rema? .he. howe?r. explained by stating that, dared to do so by Mrs Brynmau.. ?he visited Conway'- room and left a note for him on the table. In ?rtherconversa. tion Rixton di-?overs that it is BrYii? maur and not Lena Da.rreU who uses tbe J perfume which Bixton detected on the b!ottin?-pad. The inference is that ]4rs.l Brynmaur was also at Conway a room, and got Lena's note. Further trace of Bennett's movements is found at Slowman's Hotel, and a search I of Bennett's box reveals further traces of the weasel emble After that Rixton opens the paper given him by Madraszo, and reads the name, "Horico Bennett." Meanwhile the case against Conway breaks down, and he is released. To him Rixton show a an initialled sixponoo, found under Oonway's desk after the murder was discovered, and Conway recognizee it as I, boloi)ging to Lena Darrell's father. CHAPTER XIII. I PRETTY MRS. BRYNMAUR. During the drive to Kerrymore-gardens out little conversation was exchanged between the pair. After that last statement regarding the sixpence which he had recog- nised as the property of Michael Darrell. the detective refused to further enlighten his friend. We will talk of these matters later on." he said, smiling. At present my theory is so imperfect that I lo not wish to submit it to anyone. My suspicions are strong, but they may prove incorrect. All I ask is that ycu t-hould hold your tongue, and be civil to Mrs. Brvnmaur." I sha n't go rear the woman," growled Conway, crossly. Ton win meet her this morning at Kerry- more-gardene," said Rixton, significantly. Oh, do not look so astonished—it is not chance, but arramgement., I requested Miss Darrell to ask her. I wish to see her—in your presence. •' I c'on't ftee how that will help you," said Gerald, flushing. -Probably rot; but I have my reasons, and I wish to work the matter out in my own way. Mrs. Brynmaur," explained Rix- ton, is in love with Jou. She has made a hold stroke to get you for a husband. Her plot h&- failed througa untoward circum- 1 stances, and I now wish to see her attitude towards jou. I am at your disposal, my dear fellow." said Conwa v, heartily. You have done so much for me and for Lena that I would, indeed, be ungrateful not to do what you wish. I'll be civility itself to Mrs. Brynmaur, and," ad(bd he, with an effort, "to Mr. Darrell." Don't assume that h" is -uilty," remarked Rixton, quick' the lost sixpence proves that lIe was in the library on the night, but it doesn't say that he killed Bennett But what the dickens was he doing in my room, then?- For an answer to that I must refer you to Mrs. Brynmaur." Oh!" )-&id Conway, sceptically, do you think that there is anything between her and the old man? Tha.t." said Rixton, with great emphasis, is what I mean to find out this morning. There is no aoubt in my mind that old Darrell accompanied Mrs. Brjumaur to your rooms on that fatal Wednesday. Mrs. Pherney Ieclared that after eleven she heard the footsteps of a man and a woman. The woman was Mrs. Brynmaur; the man, your future father-in-Ia.w. Poor Lena. Don't pity her until we know the worst. Ae yet oc don't!" It ia all of a tangle. Bixton; I fail to Bee how you can unravel it." I know you do," said the dctcctivo, good- humouredly, as the cab stopped at Kerry. more-sairdena; "but don't be afraid; I hold all the clues in my hand." It was after eleven when they found them- selves in the drawing-room at Kerry more- gardens, for the conversation in the library had taken longer than either anticipated. Mrs. Brynmaur, who never by any chance kept appointments to the minute, had not yet arrived, so Lena bad her restored lover all to herself for quite ten minutes, during which period Bixton discreetly retired to the window. The last meeting between the lovers had been painful enough, as it had taken place in Holloway Gaol, under the superin- tendence of the detective, but the sadness of the past was lost sight of in the joy of the present. My darling!" said Lena, fondly kissing Oonway's haggard cheek, how thankful I JIG to « trmm aaJML. I thought that my heart would have broken last week." All's well that ends well," replied Con- way, returning the embrace, though, to be sure, the matter isn't ended yet." But, Cerald, you are free—you are inno- cent!" Some people don't think so," rejoined Conway, with a sigh. I'm still suspected as having killed my cousin, in order to keep II the estates. Indeed, but for Rixton's advice I would have left town this afternoon." You must not do that, Gerald. Mr. Rixton is quite right; you must wait till the mystery of the death is cleared up, then J none can say a word against you. I shall help you, Mr. Rixton shall help you, and be- I' tween us we may find < ut the truth." Gerald kissed her again. All the same, I 19.m very angry with you," he said, playfully; how could you be so rash ae to visit my rooms on that night?" I only did it out of bravado, dear," replied ien a, with a nervous augh. "I have been so accustomed to go about by myself, i and to set conventionality at defiance, tha.t your laughter piqued me. I know it was rash and foolish, but no one knows about my escapade but Mrs. Brynmaur." i "She suggested it, I believe?" said Conway, with a frown. ( "Ye8, and I told her the next morning; but I did not know then that she had my note." "I suppose "here is no question of that?" Well, Mr. Rixton says she must have taken iõ off the desk in your room—I left it there, you know. But it will be all right, Gerald. Mrs. Brynmaur is too much a friend to say anything." "My dear!" said Gerald, decidedly, "I do not approve of your acquaintance with Mrs. Brynmaur. She is a bad woman, I think." Oh, Gerald! Yes, she is; I am certain of it, and so is Rixton!" On hearing his name, that gentleman came forward with a smile. Am I summoned to the council?" he asked, lightly. We were talking of Mrs. Brynmaur," said Conway, with a rather embarrassed laugh, which did not escape the ears of Lena. You had better not talk of Mrs. Bryn- maur," observed Bixton, with another smile; "she will be here shortly, and we must be amiable to her." ".Amiable!" murmured Lena, who was beginning to hate the lady with all the promptitude of a jealous woman. Don't trouble about her, Miss Darrell," said Bixton, observing this; I promise you that in a few days Mrs Brynmaur will have her hands too full to trouble either of you." She won't trouble me," cried Conway. I hate the woman; and I'm not at ail sure that sne isn't a criminal." Well, she certainly stole and opened a letter addressed to another person," laughed Ivixton; "but for the rest we'll say nothing at present. However, before she arrives I would like to know a little about her career. You are intimate with her, Miss Darrell, 150 perhaps you can inform me. Who is Mrs. Jbrynmaur?" She is the wife of the late Mr. Brynmaur." I know that she is a widow, and mighty well the dress becomes her. iJut who was Mr. Brynmaur?" He was a rich country squire, Shropshire family, I think," said iena, to whom Mrs. Brynmaur had told as much of her career aa suited her. "He met her in Paris, where she was sent from Mexico to school; there be fell in love and married her about three years ago. He died irom a. cold he caught when out shooting, a.nd she baa been a widow for the last two yea.rs." "And well off she is, too, if the gossip of the clubs goes for anything," said Conway; "close on i^O.OOO a year, the house in Bene- dict-square, and a country mansion in Shrop- shire. A good catch for some impecunious bachelor. Pray do not look so doubtfully at me, Lena. I am not a hard-up bachelor, and if I were starving I shoukl certainly not marry Mrs. Brynmaur." Lena felt her jealousy assuaged, and re- warded her lover with a kiss for that speech. With a meditative aspect Rixton looked on. Did she come straight from Mexico to Paris?" he asked. £ >o sha says." "And sinco being Mrs. Brynmaur, has she paid a visit to the New World?" -No!" replied Lena, decidedly. "She hates the New World, and has no desire to return home; since her marriage she has lived partl.v in London, in Paris, and in Shrop- shire." "Ail," murmured Bixton, in a queer tone, as he thought of Madraszo's story, "I won- der when she found time to visit Lima?" Before Lena could reply to this remark the ticor was thrown open and Mrs. Brynmaur was announced by the tall servant. A pretty brunette with a vivacious manner, richly dressed in a dainty raiment, with a coquet- tish widow's cap, showing a line of white under the bonnet, entered the room, and advanced towards Lena with outstretched hands. She was so small and delicate that she almost had to stand on tip-toe to ki83 her friend; and talked all the time in a silvery voice, with much display of hands and effective shot; at both gentlemen from her large black eyes. Altogather she was a cha.rmi11 little widow, as full of grimacing and posturing as a ballet-dancer. Of her greeting with Lena and her meeting with Conway it is needless to speak fully. She kis-.ed the one and shook hands frankly with the other, congratulating both on the happy issue of their troubles. "1 know I cried my eyes out for your sake, dear," she said to Lena. "The horrid wretches, to shut up poor Mr. Conway; but, of course, I never doubted for a moment-but that he was guiltless." Bearing in mind the late conversation, Lena received this gushing with even more than her usual coolness, and Mrs. Byrnmaur was clever enough to see that the girl was doubtful of her genuineness. But she deftly turned her attention to Bixton, and went on acting, as only a woman can act under the eyes of another. Rixton responded readily enough to her attentions, but not with the show of admiratdon that she so artlessly e?ibited to him. He wished to find out her I real feelings, which he was pretty sure were 1 not all she wanted the trio to believe. Her ) face was pale under her rouge.; there were I suspicious circles under her eyes, which hinted at sleepless nights; and, although she was carefully dressed, a lack of fresbnestl I about her appearance. Her manner, too, was forced, and she seemed anxious and worried; but, like the clever woman she was, she went on acting a frivolous part so bril- liantly as to deceive all—save Bixton. "And after all." she said to him, "I don't think I'll remain in England. When the season is at an end I shall go to Mexico on a visit to my own people." I I don't knjw Mexico, Mrs. Brynmaur, but I I have bet-n :o Uma," said Bixton. This was a. lie. but the lady did not know it to be one, and oetrayed her surprise by a atart and a keen glance at the youns man. But she was equal to the occasion. "Have you reQllye Perhape you met that poor Mr. Bennett tb&r""cy t.ha.t story, about his having died at Ctuoo. I read it all in the Morning Planet.' You have no idea how it interested me." Oh. yes, I have.- said Rixton, signifi- cantly. "What od-1 things you say," replied Mrs. I Brynmaur, nervously; "of coarse, like all London, I am immensely ii terested in the case. I suppose it :s true?" So far aa Mr. Conway is concerned it is- not otherwise." I suppose those detective people are still looking for the crirpinaj?-what a. horrid criminal-what a horrid man be must be." Perhaps he isn't a man at all," hinted Rixton, but Mrs. Brynmaur, as the saying is, did not turn a hair at the pointed remark. "You don't say so?" she said, coolly. "How very interesting, but what a dreadful thing. I wonder who she was." Oh, some woman with a grudge against Bennett," rema rked Bixton. Perhaps she also came from Lima." Ah! really, I wish you would get me a glass of water, Mr. Rixton, I feel so faint with the heat of the room." I think it must be the strong scent you use." said Rixton, and got her the water ae requested. It's Hitu," explained Mrs. Brynmaur, sip- ping the water, quite a rew scent. You have never heard of it before?" yes; twice, Mrs. Brynmaur—once when you told mj about it at your own hou-se, and again in the library of OUT friend, Mr. Oonway." The little womazi paled under her rouge, a,nd let the glass fall with a clash on the floor. (TO BE CONTINUED TO-MORROW.)

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