ON THE BRIMK OF A CHASM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3331, 25 September 1911, Page 3

ON THE BRIMK OF A CHASM.

(By L. T. Meade, author of “A Son of Ishmael,” etc.)

A RECORD OF PLOT AND PASSION. CHAPTER ILIX. , WHO ARE YOU? As Pelham stood close to the vault with his hand resting on the stone which contained inscriptions to his dead and gone ancestors, he thought again of that night of terror when he had gone down the steps and passed the gloomy portals. He remembered the lock of the place as the lantern threw its strong light upon it, the coffins ranged on their shelves, some on the floor. He remembered that he had trampled on the rotten boards of some which creaked under his weight. Finally he had stood close to the shelf where the coffin of the youngest baronet of the house had just been placed. He recalled it all now—the damp feel of the place, the weird light from his lantern, his own grief and oppression, nay, even terror. “I must have been mad at the Mne,” he said to himself. As he utturned quickly. A man in plain tered the words audibly in his agitation a hand was placed on his arm. He clothes, a total stranger, was standing near him. "Have I the honor of addressing Sir Richard Pelham ?” asked the man. "That is my name,” said Dick. He started back as he spoke. "Who are you?” he continued. "I do not know your face.” • “I am a stranger to these parts, sir; but I have come here to saj r a word to you.” As the man spoke he slipped his hand into his pocket and took out something. "My mate is waiting outside,” he said gravely, "and I have got a dogcart handy. I have a warrant here for your arrest., sir." "For my arrest?” cried Pelham. "Yes, Sir Richard, for your arrest on suspicion of having murdered the late Sir Piers Pelham.” The words fell on Dick’s ears without at first conveying any impression. The man repeated them. "You had better come quietly, sir,” he continued. "As I said just now, I have a trap outside, and if Ave drive off at once to Haversham station we can take the next train to toAvn. Anything you say, sir, Avill be used against you, so l you had best be silent.” "Stop a minute. I must think,” said Pelham. He took off his soft cap and put up his hand to his forehead as if to brush away some hair. His brain Avas in a Avhirl, but his first consecutive and clear thought Avas for Barbara. When she/returned home that night he Avould not be there; she Avould miss him, she would wonder Avhat had become of him. "Of course there is a mistake,” thought the young man. "I don’t quite comprehend it, but Barbara, Avhatever happens, must not be frightened.” He turned and looked at the man who had come to arrest him. : "I Avill go with you, of course,” he said. "The matter Avill doubtless be cleared up immediately, but 1 should like first to leave a note for my Avife. Do you permit it?” "Yes, sir, provided I come Avith you to the house.” ‘ ‘You need not do that, ’ ’ said Pelham. He shrugged his shoulders, took his pocket-book out of his pocket, tore a leaf from it, and A\-rote a feAV Avords. "Darling, — l am called to toAvn on sudden business. Do not be uneasy. I hope to return to-morrow. —Yours, Dick.” He folded the note and gave it to a gardener who was passing. "Take this to the house,” he said, "and tell the servants to deliver it to their mistress Avhen she returns.” The man took it without the least apparent curiosity and Avent aAvay. Then Pelham turned to the police constable. "I am at your service,” he said. 1 presume you will not think it necessary to handcuff me?” “I think you are to be trusted, sir,” said the man. Pelham nodded, and the ghost of a smile flitted across his lips. A moment later he Avas driving to Haver- j sham in the company of two police constables. When they reached the station they took tickets in a thirdclass compartment, Avhich one of them tipped the guard to alloAv them te have to themselves. Dick sat in a corner and kept looking out at the landscapes. Surely this was a dream, and he 'would wake presently to find it Avas so. His thoughts Avere busy, but not greatly Avith himself. He felt a certain sense of satisfaction. His old suspicions Avero right • —there Avas something unnatural about the death of the child. It Avas strange why. he was arrested. Of course, he was the wrong man—Tarbot Avas the guilty person. Why had they" arrested him? This journey -was unpleasant, but to-morroAV, at the farthest, before the magistrate, he, Dick Pelham, would be abundantly cleared. Tarbot, beyond doubt, was the guilty person. (To be "Continued to-morroAv.)