1927-11-11 — Page 11

NEW SERIAL STORY

THE MERAFIELD MYSTERY.

By R. A. J. WALLING, (Author of "The Third Dogroe," "Fatul

Glóvo," etc.).

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH,

that eyes might be watching me from the obscurity of the grounds ontside. As the time drew on be tween ten and eleven I was cer- tain that every movement I made and every visit of Mason to the room was seen.

I do not know to this day what I read or wrote, I cannot even remember the titles of the books.

I suppose I ought to have felt As if the last of those hours was a century. In fact, it passed too The ordeal of quickly for me. getting through the cordon was ++coming, and I would gladly have to myself. My any danger postponed it. Not that there was

I enlculated that darkness

arrangements for safety were per- feet, but I did fear for Overbury, would set in about nine o'clock, he asked.

For a moment I thought Ifs was a perilous adventure. summer time. I walked to Mern- feld Tower in Full, daylight at should faint. If Mrs. Briscoe was Then I re- eight o'clock. I rather hoped playing a game that some of Rossiter's men might membered. be on guard then, for the morej "Of course, I mean Miss New- open my visit to Mason the better land." for my. purpose.

CHAPTER XXIII.

hud

"But Mrs. Briscoe7" I said. "Who the devil is Mrs. Brisene?"

"She's had no chance, has she? I thought you'd been off on detee tive stunts most of the time since you met her."

At twenty past cleven" I said to Mason:

"When you give the signal to Major" Overbury, remain behind the screen till he switches off the lights here. Next we shall switch off the lights in the hall. Then you slip out, Get outside the house somewhere and stay out

And so it was. At half-past eleven Mason came into the room. 1 looked up and affected to speak in him; he went behind the screer Overbury must have been waiting at the foot of the stairs, for in less than a minute he was in the

room.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER

11, 1927.

Now we hastened. There was as yet no hue and cry behind us, and no sound from the house. Rosaiter, The ruse had worked. was proceeding according to plan. Not a soul on the road.. We. turned the head of Higheli Creek, passed the gate of Rose- bank, took the cllir path where Mrs. Brisene had escaped, and made our way to the point below which the Belle Rose lay,

This point was a mile and a-half We had from Merifield Tower. covered the distanco in little more than twenty minutes.

My heart missed a beat on two, or something peculiar happened to it, as we stopped and listened. A thud-thud-thud-thud of run- ning footsteps sounded behind us. I dragged Overbury over the edge of the path down the stope towards the water, and we hung on to a sapling and held our breath to wait.

J

The footsteps stopped suddenly. and there was a sound of gasping, heavy breathing...

Then a light flashed in our faces from an electric torch, "Höw "frightened you look!" I cannot describe the reaction as I recognised the voice of Mrs) Briscoe...

"Oh, it's gorgeous!" auid she. between her efforts to regain her 1221 hundred breath. "I've

Come miles in fifteen minutes. out, you're quite safe. Nothing's happening. Mason has gone in and locked up the house, and I expect Rossiter will have to ham mer the door down."

The precaution "proved useless. It turned out that Rossiter, in order to avoid auspicion of his

Which certainly was true. Intention and any risk of being forestalled,

Forbidden I barut from Overbury in a few Grainger to send anybody near words how he had passed his life about ten minutes. Then come in: Merafield Tower Ull after dark, in this strange old cachette. Ins if you had returned from see-This was the end of all things!

me through the

garden. The police cordon was formed was, in fact, a regular stronghold ink

There were After that, you'll know what to of a hiding place. after ten o'clock.

covering the da." 1. found Mason in a state of three chambers severe excitement. Mrs. Briscoe whole top floor of the tower, with

"Very good, sir," said the had obtained his connivance in theimple furniture and appointments! first part of her plan, and he was of a primitive aort. In other gir trembling. Mason. with a brave on tenterhonks to know whether cumstaners a picasanter prison effort. it had succeeded. I had difficulty could hardly have been imagined.

But in the circumstances -- in calming him down. I had to point out that,, if anything went "Als dear. Franks," I assure you wrong, all who were suspected of it has been hell. I have had very having a part in the affair would little sleep and constant anxiety. be in a most delicate position: Since Quance was taken it has that it was necessary for us all been very diflukt indeed," to keep bar wits and act precisely. "Yes Overbury," said, I. "you as if nothing out of the eamman shall tell me all about it wou

other time. Just now, the thing were happening."

The suggestion that any indis-to in is te staver how to get cretion might land us in gas on aaway. I've pat, the extinguisher charge of felony and a wonderful Mrs. Briseng's fantastig scheme ly sobering effect on Mason. He can't stop thinking of her as Histened earefply to all my Mrs. Hriague); it simply won't du. I'm going down now to the library, Since the tragedy the blinds had Pit going to have alf the blinds up been down in the ground ear and the lights on, so that anybody room of the Tower-Sir Charles's outside can see all that is going on study or librarf-where he bad inside-or nearly all. Im going died. I stood in that room feel-to work there routing things out ing curiously excited. The en-of books it half past eleven. trance to the staircase; wherever In the meantine, you are to dress It was remained perfectly con- and do as Masen will tell you, and cealed.

I think by twenty to twelve you "Now, Mason," said 1, "will you will be clear of Merafeld Tower go up to Major Øverbury and tellin spite every precaution thating (for the weather was very fine him I am here, and that. I'wait bur friend Rossiter can take for the beginning of September) After that I know nothing hout he passed very well for Mason- first. a butler. Even 1, close to him, could not see his features,

instructions.

to speak to him?”

"Keep your face turned away from the windows," said I, rising and closing my bock, and walking towards the door; "then follow me, switch off the lights, here, switch them off in the hall, Walk Don't, for right out beside me. heaven's sake, speak; T'll do all the talking,"

When Overbury had nappe down the switches and we were not lit up by that blaze of electric lights. I felt less naked and the ordeal seemed less formidable. Overbury.played up smartly. In the tiny light of a summer even-

At the porte cechere I began to talk.

"You don't think any the worse you God help you! But of me because I didn't tell you ofive me two or three things that this, Mr. Franks?" said Mason. belong to you-a hat or eáp. cap "Nol at all, Mason. I think the for clinice, an old fetter or two ad- better of you. If Lady Merafield dressed in you. Just a precau had taken me as fully into her canton that. in case it should be fidence it might have been betternessary for you to die to-night." I'me, Mason.. It's rather dark out But, of course, she could not fore- Overbury grimared. He found

got."

Mason walked to the wall of the room between the two windows.m the outer side facing the door.

a gel eap and turned out of his pocket a couple of letters.

"You're taking great risks for me, Franks," he said.

Here was an alcove containing a "Merely professional pride," I

writing-desk. In the thickness of

"Crime down to the gate with

here," said I, loudly. "and my eyes are not as good as they used to be."

I forbore to look around, though could have sworn that there was

passed, and that his head noked

the wall at the side of the alegre; answered him lightly. We can't a man behind the fountain as we which was panelled all round.allow an eminent and still rising Mason pushed what, disclosed lawyer to be outwitted by a Ros-round the bow of Eros. But Icon- siter. And I owe Rossiter some timed to talk, and to repeat at thing for trying to kiss my friend every moment the name of Mason, Mrs. Briscoe."

itself as a very narrow pushed and disappeared,

door-

to the

I walked to the alene and No doar

But as I went down examined it closely. could be distinguished--it could library I felt anything bu: lightly never be suspected. A most un-about the prospects of the next Jikely place for a door a clever two or three hours, I knew it bit of Tudor work.

was not going to be insy to outwit good So was the stairway to which. Rogier. I had to rely a in a minute or two. Mason intro-den on his rushing methods. If duced me. It was not quite two he should drop them for once and feet wide, and it ascendéd steep be cautions, or if by, any chance and straight through the wall to a he should suspect me, then Over- great height,

laury's prospects were, indeed, "You go right up, sir, Majur not bright. Overbury is waiting for you.”

from the seen

1 fold Mason to remain in the Everything was quiet when

If returned to the bottom of the room until 1 came down.

Mason waited for me, heard nothing, I should know that stairway. It was all clear; if I heard him and pushed open the door.

"Now, Mason," said I, "bring talking, moving about, or making any sort of noise, I should, know, tint screen and put it out at night that it was not safe to come out. angles, so that the alcove can't windows. He closed the narrow door upon be me, leaving me in perfect dark- That's right. Now, go and get an old suit of yours and a white shirt, I counted the steps as I went up and collar and a black tie..and The take them up to Major Overbury. there were seventy-six. seventy-sixth brought me up with Tell him to dress in those things a slight collision against what was and generally make himself up as apparently the door of a room, much like you as he can; then he's

Is that Franks?" said a voice on the other side.

ness,

"Well, Mason, I daresay you feel the awkwardness of it. but you know what" Lady Mernfield's instructions were. I should think you ought to carry on just as I heard to-day that there usual. seems to be a' chance of catching Overbury-they think he's hiding What's that, somewhere near. Mason? Oh, well, you ought to have lived long enough in the world to know that. Of course, 1' cannot say what I think about it. Wouldn't be proper for me in my position. Mason..

And so on, until Overbury and I, who had struck straight across the lawn in the open, reached the belt of shrubs which sheltered the path to the drive.

There we gasped for breath. I was talking as hard as I could, when a man stepped into the path in front of us.

་་

"Good gracious. how You startled me!" 1 cried. "What are "All right, Mr. Franks," said the you doing here?"

Pass on, sir-you under- stand."

"Oh! .said 1." "Something

to wait until you give him a signal at half-past eleven, when he will man.. come down. I'll do the rest."

"Pass on, sir, please," said_he. For- It was a narrow thing.

The next moment 1 stond on the

I waited in the blinded room doing?". threshold of a large chamber with naked stone walls and a vaulietill Mason had done all this. It roof, through which the "fading was nearly nine o'clock, and the light came slanting from eleres-light outside was fading. I drew tery windows. Beyond them one up the blinds at every window could see the creneliations of the save one in the courtyard which lower rising high in the air.

tunately, this was one of Rossi- ter's posse from Westport, who knew me but did not know Mason, fneed the alcove. I set myself a and could not have recoguised him But at the moment it was not chair at the big central table, took even if he had been able to see the room that held my attention. two or three folic-sized books from his features.

I was Overbury, shaking, me by the shelves, and sat down with

the hand and exclaiming. "Good paper and an inkstand and pen,

old Papa Franks! Whoever would facing inwards to the house and away from the most windowed end have thought it?"

I gripped his hand hard and of the room. looked well at him. He was pale,

I told Mason to go out; return but, well-the same neat, well-in five minutes, and switch on all groomed, clean-shaven Overbury the lights, as if to help me about as.ever. He had presumably been my task.

As it happened, none of Rossi- cooped up in this place for nearly three weeks, but he might just ter's men were present at this per- formance, but I flattered myself have stepped out of a bandbox.

"Why," I asked him, when we that if they were it must have had done our greetings, "did vou appeared to them to be most not contrive to let me know?"

realistic.

I sat at the table and read and

"Oh," said I, "mum's the word. Shall we meet any more of you?" "You may be challenged at the gate, Mr. Franks, but don't be startled."

We passed on, and I resumed my monologue to Overbury.

But we were not challenged at the gate, because we did not go that way. Two hundred yards under the trees of the park and along the drive we struck off made for the road along the cliffs. to Westport Passage.

"My dear Eranks; you forget.

Five minutes were up; it was To inform the clerk to the justices that here was I ready to his hand, wrote for more than two hours. time for Mason to be returning. was a little too much like putting At my instruction Mason came in Se Mason left me, and Overbury my head in the lion's mouth. several times to inquire whether took his place by putting over his Besides, Quance was not at allI wanted anything, and occasion- evening clothes the short light certain what your game was.ally to fetch me another book out overcoat that I carried, and don- You got the wind up for him of the shelves.

I was conscious all the time ing the cap I took out of my

pocket. Beveral times."

"You were there!" I exclaimed. as we regained the path. She had switched off the torch.

"Yes, I wasn't quite so sure that my little diversion wouldn't be wanted. And 1-did so want to Franks! However, it's all right. fire that shot in the woods, Mr. Is Terpsichore in? Have they got him down?"

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Mrs. Briscoe flashed her torch "We know nothing," said Over- bury. "Wo've just reached here."on to the deck. Then I saw, tied pulling her moaring ropes on the ebbing tide, the nose of a much larger vessel pushing through the branches.

ron, 1 expect they have. We'd clone to the storm of the top of NeocodeRECORDS

better go down and see."

She led the way down to the waterside by the saplings and the branches, and Overbury and 1 scrambled after.

"Be careful," she said, as we ap- pronched the edge.

"Is that Mary" a voice asked out of the gloom below,

"Yes, all serene. He's here." "Is it safe to have a lighter?" asked the voice.

"Yes," said Mrs. Briscoe, "o long as you keep it pointed in this way. Don't show out to son."

The rest of that scene passed in three minutes, but it is fixed in my memory for ever.

A torchlight flickered in and lit the green tunnel where the Belle Rose Iny.

"Overbury! It is really you?" came the voice out of the darkness behind it.

"Yes, Newland, thanks to our friend Franks here; it's me. Are you ready?"

I

"I want your help, Overbury. think he's hardly conscious."

"Where is he?" asked Overbury. "Here on the deck of the little

boat.

With great labour, Overbury and Newland transferred the limp form of the grey-haired man to the deck of this vessel.

"You know what to do, Mary," said Newland, already untying the rope that held it.

Co0.

"All right dad," said Mrs. Bris-

"Cheerio! Good luck!"

by

WILL FYFFE

I spoke for the first time.

heaven's sake throw that cap nshore!"

"Are you off. Overbury? For 9108

"Righto, Franks !"

He snatched off the cap and hove it ashore. It fell short and dropped in the water, but Mrs. Briscoe

The Engineer Dr. Macgregor

Let's Sing Auld Lang ́,

jumped down to the deck of the G8311 Syne

Belle Rose, leaned over, and salved it as the ebb tide swept it by.

"Good-bye, Papa Franks!" came Overbury's voice from the darkness. "You're a good sport!"

her

"Good-bye, Mary!"-in father's voice.

The nose of the big boat drew out from the screen of branches, and we were left alone in the green tunnel. I standing with my arm

The light flashed down and illam-arm round a bole, and Mrs. Briscoe

on the deck of the Belle Rose. Stretch- inated the Belle Rose.

Five minutes afterwards we were

ed full length on the decking for- ward of the cuddy lay a pale, grey haired man with his eyes closed. He was wrapped in a big rug, Only his face and head showed. It looked ghastly, like death.

"I'll get down and help you,

"We'll soon get said Overbury. him on board."

He swung himself down to the Relle Rose from a 'branch of the Mrs. Briscoe stood by giant tree. my side,

Overbury and Newland, the torch flashing here and there as they "Show a light here, Mary," said moved, lifted the grey-haired man Newland. "We must risk it, else we shall drop him overboard."

The boat had dropped walking along the cliff path to Rosebank.. down the estuary on, the tide with- out lights and without sound, ex- cept for an almost imperceptible roucoucle of the engines now and then to give her steering way.

(To be Continued.)

Speaking at the Victorian Royal Agricultural Show luncheon, Mr. Bruce, the Australian ·Prime Minister; announced that the Federal Government proposes to in- to study the problem of drought, rite a committee of pastoral experts and that it is prepared to co-operate with the States in taking remedial steps.

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