Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1906 — The Yellow Holly [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Yellow Holly

By FERGUS HUME,

Author of “Tb« My»t«ry of ■ Hansom Cab." Etc. >1

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. CHAPTER I—George Brendon, a young Londoner, visits his friend. Leonard Trail , who has lodgings in the boarding bouse kept by Mrs. Jersey. Among tbe boarder* is an elderly maiden lady. Miss Bull. Mrs. Jersey is startled by a piece of yellow holly worn by George. ll—George, whose real name is Vane, tell, Train the story of his life. He is an orphan and the grandson of Lord Derrington, but tbe latter refuses to recognize the tnarriaire of George’s father (Lord Derrington's oil, who had eloped. Brendon desire, to establish his position as Lord Derrington’s heir in order to marry Dorothy Ward. The place of marriage of George's parents 1, known only to Mrs. Jersey, formerly maid to George's mother. His mother died at his birth, and his father had been murdered in San Remo, Italy, year, before. Ill—ln the night Mrs. Jer,ey is killed with a stilleto by an unknown per■on. IV—Miss Bull takes charge of the hou,e in behalf of Margery, neice of the murdered woman. The house ha, been leased from Lord Derrington. V—Mr,. Ward, a hearties, society woman, mother of Dorothy. opposed to Dorothy’s marriage to Brendon. The yellow holly had been given to Dorothy by her mother and by the girl to George. Vl—Mr, Ireland, George's former guardian, tells him of hie mother's marriage and death and his father’s murder. The latter was killed after leaving a masked ball in company with a woman—a blue domino — who wore a sprig of yellow holly. VII— George, seeking a confession known to have been left by Mrs. Jersey, visits Miss Bull and learns that the dead woman received an annuity from Lord Derrington. George saves s Mr. Bawdsey from death and learns that the latter live, in the Jersey house. Vlll—Lola Velez, adaucer. is in love with George and is loved by Bnwdsey. Lola's parents lived in San Remo at the time of the murder of. Brendon', father. IX and X—Mrs. Ward invites Train to dinner. He meet, Lord Derriiugton. George visits Dorothy and.makes a favorable impression on his grandfather. Mrs. Ward learns from Train that the latter found a yellow holly berry near the body of Mrs, Jersey. XI George visits Bawdsey, who is employed by Lord . Derrington to watch the young man. Bawilsey warn, him that he is suspected of Mrs. Jersey’s murder. Xll—Lord Derrington is visited by Brendon, who tells his grandfather that he saw him in Mrs. Jersey s house on the night of of the murder. Brendon demands that his f randfather silence Mrs. Ward. Xlll—Lord lerrington visits Mrs. Ward and forces her to keep silence concerning the yellow holly berry found by Train, telling her that the berry was dropped by George at the finding of the body. Dorothy and her mother see Lola Velez dance. Lola later tells Dorothy that the latter will be forced to give up her lover. XlV—Lola disappears, Bawdsey tells George that Mr. Ireland knows something about his father’s death. Lord Derrington's power over Mrs. Ward is due to the fact of his knowledge of her cheating at cards. Mrs. Ward produces the weapon with which Mrs. Jersey was killed, having found it in Lord Derrington's coat. Lord Derrington confiscate, the stilleto. Mr. Ireland tells him that Mrs. Ward was with George’s father at the San Remo ball. Another blue domino there was Mrs- Ward's sister, now known as Miss Bull. XVI and XVII - Lord Derrington makes peace witfi his grandson. The old man denies that he was in the Jersey house on the fatal night and tells George that the man he saw was Bawdsey in his employer's coat. Lord Derrington was to have visited Mrs. Jersey that night, to warn her against George's attempt to make her reveal the secret of the marriage of George's parents. Bawdsey had drugged the lord, in order to get Mrs. Sersey’s confession and money for it. Bawdsey denies that he killed Mrs. Jersey. XVIII—Miss Bull tells Brendon that it was her sister who was accompanied home by his father on the night of the latter's murder. Lola Velez's mother in San Remo owned the daggar with which the murder was committed. XIX and XX—Lola, being in possession of Mrs. Jersey’s confession, trie, to destroy the church register of the marriage of George's parents, in order to prevent his marriage to Dorothy. I Alia is arrested and visited by George, who obtains Mrs. Jersey’s confession from her, after learning from Lola that she had stolen it on the fateful night. Lola had left the daggar (obtained from her mother) in the room with Mrs. Jersey. XXl—Mrs. Jersey’s confession. A lady’, maid, in love*with Mr. Vane, George’, father, she hud tried, after the death of his first wife, to prevent his marriage to Jennie Howard (now Miss Bull). After the ball, at which she impersonated Miss Howard, wearing yellow holly for identification. she tried to stab him with a dagger obtained from Lola's mother, but was prevented by Mr. Ireland, who accidentally killed Mr. Vane. XXII—It transpires that Bawdsey is the former husband of Mrs. Jersey. ■ - was you, was It not?” “No, sir. I did not arrive till close on 12. and Mrs. Jersey was alreadj’ dead. The door must bare been opened and closed by~tlie murdentr, find he left Just before I arrived.’* “But how could he have entered? You alone had the latchkey. As to Lola, she slipped in while Mrs. Jersey was dismissing her guests.” Bawdsey shook his head. “I can't understand it, sir. Of course there was another gentleman who had the house for n short time.” He looked meaningly at Brendon. George looked puzzled. “What do you mean?” he asked. “Well, sir.” began Bawdsey, with his invariable formula, “I don't like

to mention names, and I am sure wbat I say will go no further, but there is Mr. Ireland”— Brendon started to his feet, with an agitated face.* “Ireland! Oh, no, that is impossible," be declared, “quite impossible! Why should be have a latchkey?” “After your grandfather’s death be was in possession of the bouse for a time, and the kejs would be with

him. In handing them to Lord Derrington he might have forgotten one.” "It’s improbable!” • “I don’t think so. It was a chance. I think, at first, but when he knew that Mrs. Jersey occupied the house he might have found the latchkey use ful to see her when be felt inclined. I dare say she tried to get money out of him again.” “But he refused her.” “He did—once,” said Bawdsey meaningly. “but Mr. Ireland was not so young as be had been and dreaded lest his—accident should be known. I’m sure Mrs. Jersey would Jet him know that she was Just round the corner. She always kept in touch with useful friends.” ' " • ' “But why should he kill her so suddenly?”. “Well, he might have heard that she had written out a confession, or even about Lord Derrington’s visit. And then he would come round to ask her if she had incriminated him in her confession. He would ask her for a sight of it No’t having it, for she found the blue envelope empty after Lola left, she would deny that she had it. The stiletto left by Lola would be on the table. What was more natural than for Ireland to pick it up and kill her in a sudden feeling of dread?” “It strikes me that if he struck the blow he had a great deal of nerve,” said George dryly. “But you go on a lot of suppositions. I do not believe Mr. Ireland had anything to do with the matter.” “Then who had?” asked the detective. “What would you say to Margery?” “What, the niece—that half witted girl?” “Exactly. Half witted. She is more like an animal than anything human. She gets these sudden tits of rage. When Miss Bull fainted Margery rushed in and threatened me with her fists. Seeing what an uncontrollable temper she had, it occurred to me that she might have killed her aunt.” “But Miss Bull says that the aunt locked the girl in her room.” “Of course, but Miss Bull may know the truth and may be shielding Margery. What if Mrs. Jersey found Margery down the stairs after Lola was gone and instead of rebuking her as Miss Bull said in the passage”— “At 11 o'clock, mind.” “Later, I think,” said George quickly., “You did not arrive till nearly 12, and tbe woman was just dead.” "I don’t think a few minutes would make much difference,” said Bawdsey quietly. “But go on, sir. Let me hear your theory.” “Well, I fancy that Mrs. Jersey caught Margery down the stairs and took her into her own room to rebuke her quietly, so that tbe rest of the house might not hear; also she would be anxious to learn if the girl had overheard her conversation with Lola. If Margery had she would assuredly have told Miss Bull. Mrs. Jersey would be afraid of that, and I dare say she stormed at Margery to make her speak.” “But there could have been no row, sir. No one heard a disturbance.” “I am bound to say 1 did not hear a disturbance myself.” said George reflectively. “Mrs. Jersey may have argued quietly. Then, as you sdy, the stiletto was on the table. Margery, goaded into action, might with the sudden rage of a dumb animal have’’—

“Well, it's not impossible. But about the door dosing?” “When Margery saw what she bad done,” pursued George, still trying to guess what had taken place, “her first impulse would be to run away. She would steal out and opeu the door. 1 am pretty sure Miss Bull was on the watVh and saw her. She would draw the girl back and close the door—at half past 11, as Train heard. Then she would pacify Margery and lock her in her bedrootiv after previously instructing her what to say next morning. That is what I believe, Bawdsey.” “It’s a very pretty case,” murmured the detective, “and things might have happened as you say. But if it is the case there is not much chance of learning the truth. Both Margery and Miss Bull will be silent., And. after all, my theory regarding Ireland is just as good, Mr. Brendon.” G<‘i>ige rose to go. “Stick .to your theory and I’ll stick to mine,” he said, smiling. “But what about Lola?” “Well, sir, I’ll go down with Kow-' laski and see her. We will do whatever we can to get her out of her trouble. And you, sir”— “Oh, I shall have pptblng more todo with Lola. Take her away to the States as your wife, Bawdsey, and I will- get my grandfather to give you the thousand pounds to start life on.” “It’s very good of you, sir.” said Bawdsey gratefully. “And you will try to persuade her to marry me?” “Yes. She knows,.as I told her, that register or no register, my grandfather intends to recognize m» as bls heir. Therefore she is certain, as she may well be, that I shall marry Miss Ward. She will gradually get over her fancy for me and will be quite content to take you.” "What do you intend to do now, sir?” ‘‘Leave matters alone, Bawdsey. 1 don’t want to learn who killed Mrs. T ' WI, . —. ■ I, I— ll I —|,

Jersey. New I know about pay, father’s marrtagd I shall change my name, take my rightful one and have done with all this crime and mystery. The yellow holly can go hang for me.” ■ i,,— ■; . CHAPTER XXIII. AFTER the interview with Bawdsey, George called at St, Giles square and related to his grandfather hl! he had learned. The old man was much astonished. “I don’t think Ireland was to blame,” he said; “not even In holding his tongue. After all, the thing was an accident, ' although undoubtedly that woman was the cause. Have you seen Ireland?” “Not yet, but I will soon.” , “Then tell him from ine that I don’t consider he was responsible, and that I quite believe from what I know of Mrs. Jersey that he has told the entire truth.” “I will, sir,” answered George. “I suppose you mean that if he really committed the crime with malice aforethought Mrs. Jersey would have blackmailed him.” “That is what I mean. Mrs. Jersey must have been afraid for herself or she would never have kept her claws off Ireland’s money.” “I quite agree with you. sir. Poor Bawdsey was honest, however.” “Well”—Lord Derrington did not assent immediately to this—“if BaVdsey had been really hohest he would -have asked me to be silent on the matter, and need not have used threats. No, George, Bawdsey is straight so long as he Is kept in check. I suppose he will marry the girl?” “I think so. He is madly in Jove with her. I promised that .tou would give him a thousand pounds If he went to America.” “The deuce you did!” said Derrington wrathfully. “Why not, sir?” rejoined Brendon calmly. “We want him out of our lives. He knows too much. Better send him abroad, so that he may not make any remark about this unpleasant family history.” Lord Derrington winced. However, the old man silently acknowledged the justice of tbe speech. “You are right,” he said. “But Bawdsey ought to do something for his money.” “You mean that he ought to discover the assassin?"

“Yes, I do. Whoever killed that woman should be brought to justice, George.’’ Brendon looked down. “I think it will be best to let sleeping dogs lie, sir,” he said significantly. “Are you alluding to the possibility of Mrs. Ward having killed her?” At this supposition George laughed right out. “No, sir. I don’t think Mrs. Ward would go so far as that” “She w’ould were there no law to restrain her.” "I dare say. She instincts of a female despot. But as there is a law she would not jeopardize her neck. No, I mean Ireland.” Derrington sat up. “Nonsensei Do you mean to say.he is guilty?” “I don't think so, but Bawdsey has an idea,” and George related the theory of the detective. Derrington grunted in a disgusted manner. “The man’s a born Idiot” he said. “Why should Ireland run the risk of getting his neck into a noose for a second crime?” “But failing Ireland,” replied Brendon quietly, "there remains Margery.” “That idiot of a girl! Yes?” George detailed his reasons for believing Margery’s guilt. Again Derrington sniffed. “It’s all supposition. It tbe girl came into tbe room, if the stiletto were on the table, if Mrs. Jersey scolded her into a fury. I’ah! I don’t believe it.” “And you really wish to find the assassin?” “I should like to know; out of mere curiosity. But If it is your opinion that things should be left as they are, why, Bawdsey can take his thousand pounds and sail for America whenever lie chooses.” After this conversation George took bis leave. Dorothy was out of town, so he <<>uld not visit her. After the interview with Ireland in Derrington’s library Mrs. Ward had found it convenient to go down the country. She felt that she was in an unpleasant position. Not that there was any danger of her being accused of murdering Vane, but if the police got hold of the story they might make inquiries—in fact, they certainly would make inquiries—and then the disagreeable fact would come out that Miss Bull was her sister. Mrs. Ward knew that she had not behaved well to Jenny and that If the truth were known her friends would blame her. As Mrs. Ward did not like blame and disliked to have her actions criticised, she went down the conntry, saying to Dorothy she desired a change of air. Lord Derrington wrote a note to Mrs. Ward after George had departed. “I’ll ask her tq come up,” said Derrington grimly, as he sealed the letter. “George will return in three days with the copy of tbe marriage certificate and with news of how that case bus been disposed of. Mrs. Ward shall apologize to him and formally consent to the marriage.” Meantime George went with Kowlaski and Bawdsey to Chelmsford to see after Lola. Kowlaski was la despair, for if Lola received a term of imprisonment his ballet would be brought to uu untimely end. Now that Lola was out of the bill the hall was not so full as usual, and Kowlaski foresaw that if Lola did not come back he would lose money. He therefore went down prepared to spend a large sum to set her free. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

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