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"Hope you haven't been bored all the morning, Hugh," Kelson said to his
friend as they found themselves side by side. "Any news at the _Lion_?
Has Henshaw turned up yet?"
Gifford shook his head. "No. Host Dipper has had another telegram of
inquiry from the brother, but had nothing to tell him in return."
Kelson's face... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"I don't know, sir. Alfred mentioned this morning that the door was
locked and the key taken away; we thought you must have locked it, sir."
"I? No, I've not been up here since the morning of the ball, when I had
those old things brought up from the lower room to be out of the way."
"Did you lock the door then, sir?"
... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Morriston again shouted, but no answer came.
"I presume there is no way out of the room but this door," Piercy asked.
"None," Morriston answered; "except the window, and that is, I should
say, quite eighty feet from the ground; eh, Mr. Gifford?"
"A sheer drop of quite that distance," he answered.
"A prohibitive mode o... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Miss Morriston looked surprised. "What, Dick?"
"We can't get in," Morriston explained. "We found the door locked and the
key missing, and then when Alfred tried another key, he found the right
one was in the lock but inside the room."
Miss Morriston thought a moment. "My dear Dick, the door can't be
locked."
"It is, I... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Can't account for it, sir. Unless so be as there is someone inside."
"Can you open it?"
"Yes, sir. I'll have it turned in a minute."
He took from his bag a long pair of hollow pliers which he inserted in
the lock and then screwed tightly, clutching the end of the key. Then
fitting a transverse rod to the pliers and u... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Must have been," Morriston responded "or how could the door have been
locked from the inside. I will send at once for the police, and we must
have a doctor, although that is obviously useless." He went to the door,
then turned. "Will you stay here or--"
Kelson made an irresolute movement as though wavering between th... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Yes," Gifford assented. "But we don't know yet that it is a case
of suicide."
"What else?" Kelson returned. "How otherwise could the door have been
locked. Unless--" He glanced sharply at the deep recess, or inner
chamber, formed by the bartizan, hesitated a moment, and then going
quickly to it, looked in.
"No, nothi... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
The other man nodded, and they began to descend.
"You are not going, Kelson?" Morriston cried, hurrying to the door.
"We thought we could be of no use and might be in the way,"
Gifford replied.
"Oh, I wish you would stay," Morriston urged, going down a few steps to
them. "I know it is not pleasant; on the contrary it'... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
For a few moments her eyes rested on him searchingly.
"Very well," she said at length. "If you say I ought not to go, I won't.
But you don't lessen my anxiety to know what has happened."
"There is no particular cause for anxiety on your part," Kelson said
reassuringly.
She had turned and now led the way to the drawing... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"You know Dr. Page," he said as Kelson joined them.
"A terrible business this, doctor," Kelson observed as they shook hands.
The medico drew in a breath. "And at first sight in the highest degree
mysterious," he said gravely.
"Dr. Page," said Morriston, "has made a cursory examination of the
body. The autopsy will tak... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Henshaw seemed to regard the two men following Morriston into the room
with a certain apprehensive surprise.
"I hope you will pardon my troubling you like this," he said to
Morriston, speaking in a quick, decided tone, "but I have been rather
anxious as to what has become of my brother, of whom I can get no news.
He c... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"I don't understand it at all," he said when the story was finished.
"Nor do any of us," Morriston returned promptly. "The whole affair is
as mysterious as it is lamentable. Still it appears to be clearly a
case of suicide."
"Suicide!" Henshaw echoed with a certain scornful incredulity. "Why
suicide? In connexion with... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"No," Gifford answered. "I came on later. A suit-case with my evening
things had gone astray--been carried on in the train, and I had to wait
till it was returned."
Henshaw stared at him for a moment sharply as though the statement had
about it something vaguely suspicious, seemed about to put another
question, checke... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Certainly. But one can never tell. I knew nothing of him or his
affairs."
"But I did," Henshaw retorted vehemently. "And I tell you, gentlemen, the
thing is utterly impossible. But we shall see. The body--is it here?"
"The police have charge of it in the room where he was found. It is to be
removed at nightfall. You ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Judging by the door being locked on the inside," the detective answered
sympathetically, "it can only be a case of suicide."
Henshaw frowned. "It will take a good deal to persuade me of that," he
retorted. "Mr. ----"
"Detective-Sergeant Finch."
"Mr. Finch. Did the doctor say suicide?"
"I did not hear him express a de... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
The inspector took up the argument.
"You see, sir, taking into consideration the position of the room it
would be impossible for any second party who may have been here with the
deceased to leave it undiscovered except by the door. To drop from this
window, which is the only one large enough to admit of an adult body
... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"A note from my brother to an anonymous lady," he observed quietly.
"Perhaps if we could find out whom it was meant for she would throw some
light on the mystery."
CHAPTER VIII
KELSON'S PERPLEXITY
"What do you think of Mr. Gervase Henshaw?" Kelson said, as, late in the
afternoon, he and Gifford walked towards the to... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"It is suggested," said Kelson, "that we should be married quite soon.
The Tredworths are going abroad next month and don't propose to hurry
back. So it means that if the wedding does not take place before they
leave it must be postponed till probably the autumn."
"I should think the latter would be the best plan."
Ke... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Gifford forced a laugh. "It is coming on with age."
Kelson clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't encourage it, my dear Hugh. It
will spoil all the enjoyment in your life, and in other people's too, if
you force the note. I promise you I won't hurry on the wedding more than
is absolutely necessary."
"Very well," Gifford ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Then," said Kelson, "we are faced by the difficulty of the locked door."
Henshaw made a gesture of indifference.
"That at first sight presents a problem, I admit," he said, "but not so
complete as to look absolutely insoluble. I have, as you may be aware,
made a study of criminology, and in my researches, which have ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Was it addressed?" Gifford put the question quickly, almost eagerly.
"No," Henshaw answered. "I wish it had been. In that case we should be
near the end of the mystery."
Kelson was staring at the glib speaker with astounded eyes. "Do you
suppose a woman killed your brother?" he almost gasped.
"Such things have been k... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Kelson gave an uncomfortable laugh. "It is a grim coincidence," he said.
CHAPTER IX
THE CLOAK OF NIGHT
At the inquest which was held next day nothing was elicited which could
offer any solution of the mystery of Clement Henshaw's death. It seemed
to be pretty generally accepted to be a case of suicide, although that... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Yes, indeed," Morriston responded. "And I should say that abnormally
keen person, the brother, will keep them up to collar."
"He means to," Kelson replied rather grimly. "We had him for an hour
last night cross-examining us, naturally to no purpose; we could tell
him nothing."
"He won't leave a stone unturned," Morri... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
At Wynford Place, where they had now arrived, they found several callers.
The subject of the tragedy was naturally uppermost in everybody's mind,
and the principal topic of conversation. Morriston and his companions
were eagerly questioned as to what had come out at the inquest, but,
except that the medical evidence w... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Not as much as I could have imagined," he answered, through what seemed
a fit of preoccupation.
"Mr. Gifford has not had much opportunity yet of seeing how far it has
altered, with this tragic affair to upset everything," Morriston put in.
"No, it has been a most unlucky time for him to revisit Wynford," Miss
Morrist... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Please don't distress yourself, Miss Tredworth," Mr. Morriston entreated
her as he crossed to the bell. "I'm sure it was not your fault."
"Was that a quotation, Mr. Gifford?" Miss Morriston asked, clearly with
the object of dismissing the unfortunate episode.
"My remark about the cloak of night?" he replied. "Perhaps... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"We had the police with a couple of detectives here all this morning,"
Morriston said, "and a great upset it has been. After having made the
most minute scrutiny of the room in the tower they had every one of the
servants in one by one and put them through a most searching examination.
But, I imagine, without result. ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"No," Kelson observed, "All the same, you need not allow a continuation
of his behaviour."
"I don't intend to," Morriston replied with decision. "I hope the man
won't want to come ferreting in the place; that may well be left to the
police; but if he does I can't very well refuse him leave. He must be
free of the hous... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"In the meantime I'm afraid you and Miss Morriston are in for a heap of
undeserved annoyance," Kelson observed sympathetically.
"Yes," Morriston agreed gloomily; "I am sorry for Edith; she is plucky,
and feels it, I expect, far more than she cares to show."
When the men went into the drawing-room Muriel Tredworth made... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"I have been wondering," Gifford said, "how much she cares for
Painswick. He is manifestly quite smitten, but I doubt her being nearly
as keen on him."
Kelson laughed. "If you ask me I don't think she cares a bit for him. And
one can scarcely be surprised. He is not a bad fellow, but rather a prig,
and Edith Morriston... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
His manner seemed to irritate Kelson. "I wish, my dear Hugh, I could take
it half as coolly as you do," he exclaimed resentfully.
"I don't know what you want me to do or say, Harry," Gifford
expostulated. "The whole affair is so utterly mysterious that I can't
pretend even to hazard an explanation."
"In the meantime M... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"You did?" Kelson was staring stupidly at Gifford. "And you knew they
were blood-stains?"
"I could not tell that," was the answer. "But now it is pretty certain
they were."
For some seconds neither man spoke. Then with an effort Kelson seemed to
nerve himself to put another question.
"Hugh," he said, his eyes pitiful ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
In the library they found Morriston and his sister with the Tredworths.
The situation was discussed and there seemed no doubt in the mind of
any one of the party that the only thing to be done was to inform the
police at once.
"The whole affair is so mysterious," Morriston said, "that all sorts of
absurd rumours will ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"A circumstance which you do not recollect?" The question was put
politely, even sympathetically, yet with a certain uncomfortable
directness.
"No," Muriel answered. "Even when I was reminded of it, my recollection
was of the vaguest description. So far as that goes I could neither admit
nor deny it with any certainty... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Some of the chief constable's habitual sternness of manner seemed to
have returned to him as he now rose to take leave. "I will just confer
with my men who are on the premises before I leave," he said to
Morriston in a quiet authoritative tone. "They may have something to
report." With that he bowed to the company and... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"And," Gifford added, "it seems to go no way towards elucidating the
problem of how Henshaw came to his death. As a matter of fact I should
say Miss Tredworth danced and sat out nearly the whole of the evening
with Kelson. You know he proposed at the dance?"
"Yes, I understood that. Poor Kelson; I am sorry for him, an... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Up to a certain point, and one can scarcely blame him. But even then,
the police are not likely to continue working on his theories when they
lead to no result."
"No?" Miss Morriston replied in an unconvinced tone. "But he is--" she
turned to him. "Tell me your candid opinion of this Mr. Gervase Henshaw.
Is he very--... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"I wish you could," she responded dully, with an attempt at a smile.
Suddenly she turned to him with more animation in her manner than she had
hitherto shown. "Mr. Gifford, you--I--" she hesitated as though at a loss
how to put what she wished to say; "I have no right to ask you, who are a
comparative stranger, to hel... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"You may trust me, Miss Morriston," he murmured.
"Thank you," she responded simply, but, he was glad to notice, with a
touch of relief.
She lightly took his arm and they went back to the ball-room.
CHAPTER XII
HAD HENSHAW A CLUE?
Next day Gervase Henshaw made his expected reappearance in Branchester.
He left his lug... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
It was not until evening that he came across Henshaw, it being to his
mind essential not to appear anxious or to seek out the criminologist
with the obvious view of getting information as to his plans.
"So you are back again, Mr. Henshaw," he said with a careless nod of
greeting as they encountered in the hall of the ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
He nodded, and as unwilling to discuss the matter further, opened a
newspaper and turned away.
About noon next day Gifford went with Kelson to Wynford Place. They had
seen nothing more of Henshaw who, it seemed, was rather inclined to hold
away from them, possibly with a view to avoiding an opportunity of
discussing t... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"And he would tell you nothing?"
"Nothing. I rather expected he might have come, as before, to discuss the
case with us, but he has made a point of keeping away. I hear, however,
from your brother that he seems far less objectionable this time."
Somewhat to Gifford's surprise, she gave a rather grudging assent. "Yes,
... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
One thing, however, Gifford did not like, and that was Henshaw's rather
obvious admiration for Edith Morriston. When they took their places at
table, she had motioned to Gifford to sit beside her, and from that
position it gradually forced itself upon his notice that Henshaw
scarcely took his eyes off his hostess, add... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
He had not had that day an opportunity of any private talk with Miss
Morriston, for she had driven out after luncheon to pay a call. But a
certain suggestion of warmth in her leave-taking had assured him that she
still looked for his help and that the conditions were not changed.
What he had undertaken so eagerly was ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Yes, it was curious," Gifford agreed reflectively. "Did he tell you
what he was doing about the business?"
Morriston shook his head. "No; he wasn't communicative; didn't seem to
have much to go upon. Of course one can't tell what the fellow has at the
back of his mind, but I was rather surprised that a Londoner of hi... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Perhaps it is just as well," Kelson remarked to his friend. "Although it
is absolutely unthinkable that Muriel could have had anything to do with
the affair, yet one can quite appreciate her wish to wait till perhaps
something crops up to give us the explanation beyond all question. It is
rather a blow to me, and I h... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
CHAPTER XIV
GIFFORD'S PERPLEXITY
Next moment Gifford had instinctively sprung back into the covert of
the trees, almost dazed by what he had seen. Henshaw and Edith
Morriston! Could it be possible? His eyes must have deceived him. About
the girl there could be no doubt. Her tall, graceful figure was
unmistakable. Bu... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
As Gifford stayed, hesitating between a breach of good form and a
legitimate desire to learn whether the girl was being subjected to
unfair treatment, the sound of Henshaw's rather penetrating voice came
into earshot, and a few seconds later they passed across the line of
Gifford's sight.
He could catch but a glimpse ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Now what was he to do? For it was clear that, justified or not as he
might be thought in interfering in matters which did not concern him,
something must be done. The one obvious course which it seemed he ought
to take was to give Richard Morriston a hint of what was on foot, if not
a stronger and more explicit statem... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
CHAPTER XV
ANOTHER DISCOVERY
Kelson was in their sitting-room reading the _Field_. He started up as
Gifford entered, and flung away the paper. "My dear Hugh, I've been
waiting for you," he exclaimed.
"What's the matter? Anything wrong?" Gifford asked with a certain
apprehensive curiosity, as he noticed signs of supp... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"And what are they doing about it?" Gifford asked.
"Morriston says they've had a detective up at the house examining the
gown; being so utterly at sea over the affair the police are doubtless
glad to catch at anything. There seems little question that the stains
are blood, and that makes the whole business still more ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"On your honour that is your opinion?"
"On my honour."
"This new discovery has changed your opinion?"
"It has at least shown me how dangerous it may be to jump to
conclusions."
Kelson drew in a breath. "Yes, indeed. Poor Muriel has suffered from the
suspicion as well as from the horrible shock of the discovery. Still,... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Anyhow in consideration of the trust Edith Morriston had shown in him he
would seek an interview with her and chance what it might bring forth.
CHAPTER XVI
AN EXPLANATION
In pursuance of this plan Gifford proposed to his friend that they should
call at Wynford Place on the next day. Kelson had returned from the
Tred... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
The three went round to the stables and inspected the hunters, then
through the shrubbery to admire a wonderful bed of snowdrops. As they
stood there looking over the undulating park, and Gifford, curbing his
impatience, was talking of certain changes which had taken place since
his early days there, the butler was se... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"But if the man is likely to annoy you," he urged. "Have you longer any
reason to fear him?"
She turned swiftly. "Fear him? What do you mean?"
"We thought he might be unscrupulous and might make himself
objectionable."
She shrugged. "I dare say it is possible."
"I must confess," he pursued, "I can't quite make the fel... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
His companion had glanced round now, keenly, as though to probe for the
meaning which might lie beneath his words. He speculated whether she
might be wondering how much he knew; was he cognisant of her meeting
with Henshaw?
But, whatever her thought, she answered in the same even voice, "There is
nothing to forgive. O... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Muriel was sitting just at that end of the sofa when I proposed to her,"
Kelson said in a low voice to Gifford.
"I am delighted the matter is so completely accounted for," his friend
returned. "What fools we were ever to have taken it so tragically."
But his expression changed as he glanced at Edith Morriston; she ha... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
WHAT A GIRL SAW
With Morriston's departure a rather uncomfortable silence fell upon the
party left in the room. Every one seemed to feel that there was
something in the air, the shadow of a possibly serious development in
the case. Even Kelson, who was otherwise inclined to be jubilant over
the freeing of his fiancée... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Very well, dear; you shall hear all about it later on," her brother
responded, and led the way down to the library. Gifford was the last to
leave the room, and his glance back showed him that Edith Morriston had
turned again to the window and resumed her former attitude.
In the library were the chief constable, Gerva... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"The girl stayed for some time watching the tower, but without result.
She is a more or less ignorant, unsophisticated country-woman, and what
she had seen she was quite unable to account for. Naturally she hardly
connected it with any sort of tragical occurrence. The house with its
lights and music seemed given over ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"No," Gifford agreed. "And there would seem little chance of identifying
the person."
"None at all so far as the girl Haynes is concerned," Major Freeman
replied. "But we have something to go upon; a starting point for a new
line of inquiry. The person seen escaping must have lowered himself by
a rope from that top wi... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Miss Tredworth sat at this end of the sofa," Morriston explained, "and
so the marks on her dress are clearly accounted for."
"And Miss Morriston?" Henshaw put the question in a tone which had in it,
Gifford thought, a touch of scepticism.
"Oh, my sister must have been in here too," Morriston replied. "Or how
could he... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
The chief constable and the detective agreed.
"A man would want some nerve to come down from that height," the
latter remarked.
"Any man, or woman either for that matter," Henshaw returned
dogmatically, "would not hesitate to take the risk as an alternative to
being trapped up there with his victim."
"You are not sugg... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Completely," he declared. "You have heard of the new piece of evidence?"
he added casually.
For a moment she stopped with a start, instantly recovering herself.
"No; what is that?" in a tone almost of unconcern.
Gifford told her of the statement made by the country girl and its
corroboration in the finding of the rop... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"That is difficult to say."
"A thief, no doubt."
"That is a natural conclusion."
"Have the police any idea?"
"Not that I know of. I should say decidedly no definite idea."
"Or Mr. Henshaw?"
"Whatever Mr. Henshaw's ideas may be he keeps them to himself."
Miss Morriston checked the remark she had seemed about to make, a... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Her look and the fascination in her voice seemed to pull the very heart
out of him.
"You are asking a cruelly hard thing of me," he replied, with a tremor in
his voice. "I don't understand--"
"No, you don't understand," she interrupted quickly. "It is enough to
know that you have taken a girl's foolish commission too ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"In the garden," he said.
"In the garden?" she repeated. He was looking up now and saw the intense
relief in her face. "To-day?"
"No; last time I was up here. I ought to have taken it to the house at
once but--but it was a temptation to me to keep it till I could give it
back to you like this. Do forgive me."
It was p... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
The covert malice of the insinuation was plain in the questioner's look,
although the tone was casual enough.
"No. On the lawn," Gifford replied quietly.
CHAPTER XIX
IN THE CHURCHYARD
Nothing more of importance happened that day at Wynford, and Gifford had
no further opportunity of private talk with Edith Morriston.... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Why was he waiting there? Gifford asked himself the obvious question with
a decidedly uneasy feeling. Henshaw the Londoner, on a Sunday evening,
waiting with a horse and trap in an unfrequented lane, a road which ran
nowhere but to a farm. What did it mean?
Naturally Gifford's suspicions connected Edith Morriston with... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
As she came near the little gate where he stood she stopped dead, seemed
to hesitate a moment, and then turned as though to go back. Determined to
set his doubts at rest Gifford passed quickly through the gate and
followed her at an overtaking pace. Evidently sensible of her pursuit,
the woman quickened her steps and,... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Mr. Gifford!" she exclaimed. "You take--"
He held up his hand. "Please let me finish, Miss Morriston. I can
convince you that I am not taking too much upon myself. I am no fool and
am not interfering without warrant. This man Henshaw has succeeded in
persuading you that you are in his power. That is very far from bei... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"You, Mr. Gifford? What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I say," he returned decisively, "I can prove, if need be,
that you had no hand in that cowardly ruffian's death."
"You? How?" the girl gasped, staring at him with dilated eyes.
"I will convince you," he answered quietly. "When I told you the
other day that I had foun... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"I would trust you with my life," he responded fervently. "Though it
hardly comes to that. Of course I will tell you the whole story of my
adventure. But we had better not stay here. Mr. Henshaw must be getting
impatient by this time and may come to look for you. Before he has the
chance of meeting you it will be well... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Yes; I remember he arrived quite early," Edith Morriston murmured.
"Clement Henshaw," Gifford proceeded, "left the hotel about the
same time. They must have reached your house within a few minutes
of one another."
As he paused, his companion looked round at him inquiringly. "Yes," she
said, with a certain suggestion ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"It did not seem likely that any one would be coming to the tower, and
I resolved, foolishly enough, for, of course, I was in my travelling
suit, to wander up to the next floor and take a look at the room which
held a rather sentimental association for me. It was a stupid thing to
do as I was there in, for the moment,... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Edith Morriston glanced quickly at Gifford as he uttered the reflection.
She seemed about to speak, but checked the impulse, and he continued:
"Treading noiselessly, I bolted up the remaining stairs and went into the
dark room at the top. At the door, which stood open, I stopped and
listened. To my intense vexation, f... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"I caught the last words of the lady's reply: '--good reason, and
you know it.'
"It was more than clear to me now that I was to be the witness of a very
hateful piece of business. The man's tone, even more than his words, made
my blood boil, and I began to congratulate myself on being thus
accidentally in a position t... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"'Fair?' the girl echoed in scorn.
"'Yes, fair,' Henshaw insisted with some heat. 'I saved you from a
scandal that would have ruined you, and it was natural I should ask my
reward. But your notions of gratitude, which had led me on to love you,
soon evaporated; but I am not so easily dismissed.'
"'You mean to continue... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"He must have been most horribly surprised, for he uttered a gasping cry
as he spun round, and instead of keeping his feet and rushing at me as I
expected he went down with a thud by the window."
They had stopped in their walk now, and Edith Morriston was listening
almost breathlessly to Gifford's graphic story. Never... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"He lay on his face with his arms bent under him. I prodded him with my
foot, but he did not stir; he lay absolutely, rather uncannily still. The
match burned out; I struck another and leaned over to get a sight of his
face. To my horror there met my eyes a dark wet patch on the floor which
I instinctively felt must b... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"It was a terrible predicament for you," the girl said sympathetically.
"It was indeed. And one which called for prompt action. Moreover the very
fact that I was not in evening clothes made it all the more suspicious. I
pulled my wits together and proceeded to make quite sure that the man was
actually dead. That I fou... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"I got hold of the coil as my match burned out, and pulled it away from
the surrounding rubbish. Its weight gave me hope that it would be
sufficient. In haste I dragged it to the outer room into which the
moonlight was now streaming. With a shuddering glance at the dead man,
whose ashen face stared up in ghastly fashi... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Accordingly I changed and came on late to the ball, as you know.
Naturally a great curiosity possessed me to find out the girl who had
played the third part in the drama which had been enacted in the tower.
But I had not seen her face, nor heard her voice sufficiently to be able
to recognize it. There were several ta... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Edith Morriston drew in a deep breath as Gifford ceased speaking. "It is
very kind and chivalrous of you, Mr. Gifford," she said in a low voice,
"to run this risk for me, although your telling me the story shall never
involve you in danger."
"I am ready for your sake to face any danger the telling of my secret may
hol... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Tell me," he urged tenderly.
"I must tell you," she returned, "if only to set myself right in your
eyes who have been witness of the terrible sequel to it all. But not
to-night; it is too late, and the story is long: it must be told at
length. Dick will be home by this and I must go. I would ask you to come
in, but t... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"A thinly veiled threat," Gifford observed. "The man in his way seems as
great a bully as his brother. May I keep this? I am going to see Mr.
Henshaw presently, and have a serious talk with him. After which I shall
hope to be able to convince you that your troubles are at an end."
"If you can do that--" she said.
"The... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"She scoffed at the idea that he was any worse than the average man. All
I had to concern myself with was the fact that he was a peer of ancient
lineage, of large property, and there wasn't another girl in the kingdom
who wouldn't jump at him. I might well chance his making me unhappy since
he could make me a countess... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Matters reached such a pitch at last that it became plain that I must
either consent to marry the man I loathed or leave my home for good.
Goaded on by my apparent encouragement of Archie Jolliffe, my stepmother
resolved to bring matters to a crisis. She started a terrific row with me
one day, my father was brought i... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Archie seemed overjoyed, poor fellow, as I mounted into the dog-cart; he
had hardly expected that I should not repent. Once we were fairly off and
bowling along the dark road, a sense of relief came to me, and whatever
qualms I may have felt soon vanished. However wrong my conduct was I had
been driven to it and my f... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"I thanked him and said, a good deal to his surprise, that I was not
going to stop in Branchester, but would hire a fly and drive to my
destination. I stood, of course, in a hideously false position, and that
he very soon began to divine; he would not hear of my getting a fly at
that hour of the night, but insisted on... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"'I should like at least,' he urged, 'to be allowed to drive over and
report how your--friend--or was it your brother?--is getting on.'
"I thanked him, made the best excuse I could for refusing, got down from
the trap and hurried off through the dark village street, thankful to get
away from those awkward questions.
"... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Poor fellow," Gifford commented.
"It was unspeakably sad," Edith Morriston continued, "but it seemed like
fate, seeing how things rearranged themselves afterwards. Certainly if I
was to blame for his piteous end, I was to pay the penalty. For no sooner
was I out of one trouble than another was ready for me.
"After th... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"He wanted to marry you?" Gifford suggested.
Edith Morriston gave a little shudder. "I suppose so. He was always
making love to me, and was quite impervious to snubbing. When, in
consequence of my keeping within bounds of the house and garden, he could
not see me, he took to writing, and kept me in terror lest one of ... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"But Clement Henshaw heard the rumour and it had naturally the effect of
rousing his wretched pursuit of me to greater activity. He vowed with
brutal vehemence that I should not marry Painswick, and declared that
when our engagement was announced he would tell him the story he had
against me. That in itself did not tr... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"You know what happened, Mr. Gifford, so I need not go through that. The
man showed himself the cowardly bully that he was. Somehow up there
alone with him, as at least I thought, in the dark, my courage gave way,
and it was only when the man sought in his vehemence to take hold of me
that anger and disgust cast out f... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"I did not expect to find you here, Miss Morriston."
The words came sharply and wrathfully, when the man had found his
glib tongue.
Gifford answered. "Miss Morriston and I have been enjoying the view and
the air of the pines."
The commonplace remark naturally, as it was intended, went for nothing.
Henshaw affected not... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
Henshaw was looking at him steadfastly through eyes that blazed with
hate. "I wonder if you quite know whom and what you are trying to
champion," he snarled.
"Perfectly," was the cool reply. "A much wronged and cruelly persecuted
lady. You had better postpone what you have to say till this afternoon,
when we will come... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Yes. This man must be something of an adventurer, as his brother was. We
shall see," Gifford said with a grim touch. "Now, I must not keep you
any longer. I am so grateful for the confidence you have given me. May I
call later on and tell you the result?"
Her eyes were on him in an almost piteous searching for hope i... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Why yours?" Henshaw interrupted coolly.
"For a very good reason," Gifford replied; "one which I may have to tell
you presently."
He saw Henshaw flush and dart a glance of hate at him. It was plain he
had misinterpreted the reply. But the exhibition was only momentary.
"Admitting in the meantime your right to interfer... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 | |
"Then I have to inform you positively," Gifford answered, "that your
brother's fatal wound was the result of a pure accident."
Coming from Edith Morriston's champion, there was nothing surprising in
that assertion. Certainly if that were the other's strong suit he could
easily beat it. It was therefore in a tone of co... | The Hunt Ball Mystery | Magnay, William, Sir | 1855 | 1917 | ['en'] | 7 | {'Detective and mystery stories'} | PG10029 |
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