Who did it?

Front matter

WHO DID IT? NAT GOULD'S SPORTING NOVELS In Crown Svo. Picture Boards. THE DOUBLE EVENT RUNNING IT OFF JOCKEY JACK HARRY DALE'S JOCKEY BANKER AND BROKER THROWN AWAY STUCK UP ONLY A COMMONER THE MINERS' CUP THE DOCTOR'S DOUBLE THE MAGPIE JACKET WHO DID IT? Also, Uniform with the above, ON AND OFF THE TURF IN AUSTRALIA its WHO DID IT? BY NAT GOULD Author of " The Double Event;' etc. LONDON GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS, LIMITED Broadway, Ludgate Hill Manchester and New York 1896. LONDON : I.. UPCOTT GILL, LONDON AND CODNTV PRINTING WORKS, DRURT LANE, W.C. CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I.— A Mystery g II.— No Trace 19 III. — The New MeiCeer 29 IV.— Munda 3S • V. — The Artist 50 VI. —Two Girls 61 VII. — Two Men 71 VIII.— "Old Wide Awake" 81 IX. — The Phantom Horse 91 X. — A Rattling Callop 101 XI. — Trouble Brewing 112 XII.— In the Shed 122 XIII. — Herdert Golding, M.L.A 132 XIV. — Mrs. Bryce Accepts 141 XV.— At Munda Again 151 XVI.— Attack on the Homestead. . . .160 XVII.— Two Brave Girls . 171 XVIII.— The Big Drought 181 XIX.— The Portrait 191 XX.— Signs of the Times . . ... .201 XXI. -The Colt dy Phantom CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGK XXII.— In the Studio 220 XXIII.— Face to Face 230 XXIV. — Tried and Convicted 241 XXV. — Startling Results 250 XXVI.— The Ghost Wins .260 XXVII. — After the Victory 273 XXVIII.— Munda Once More 2S5

Chapter I

A MYSTERY. THE Ministry was defeated on a question of vital importance. The Premier placed the resignation of himself and colleagues in the hands of His Excellency, the Governor of New South Wales, a dissolution was granted, and an appeal to the electors was shortly to take place. Sydney, as the capital of this important colony, was in a turmoil of excitement. The labour members were determined to show a bold front in the city and suburban constituencies, and capable men had been selected to light for the cause. Capital opposed labour, in order to safeguard its rights, not out of any desire to deal unjustly with the men on the opposite side. The strife promised to be severe, and nowhere more so than in Balmain East, the constituency which for several years had returned as one of its members, Mr. Henry Bryce, the principal partner in the firm of Bryce, Golding, and Co., Stock and Station Agents.

Henry Bryce was a wealthy man, an example of what can be done by energy and industry, aided by a fair amount of brains, and well balanced by common sense. He was a man nearly sixty years of age, but looked ten years younger. He was often heard to declare he never felt more fit for work in his life than at the present time. Although a hard-working man he had been a lucky man, and even his station properities had turned out well. The labour party decided to fight against Henry Bryce on this occasion. A dead set was to be made against him, on account of a shearers' strike which had taken place on one of his stations. On this occasion Henry Bryce had proved vic torious, and managed to shear all his sheep with non union labour. In the eyes of the leaders of the labour partv this was an unpardonable sin.

It mattered not to the labour leaders whether Henry Bryce fancied he was acting rightly in the matter. He had no option according to their decree. Union labour, the leaders declared, must be employed, and Henry Bryce and other squatters must obey their dictum. It was of no use trying to browbeat Henry Bryce in this manner ; he had worked hard for his possessions, and he meant to have a free hand in dealing with them. He offered the unionists the wages asked, but he declined to be bound down to employ none but union men. It was on this rock Henry Bryce and the labour leaders had split. Neither side would give way, and when Henry Bryce proved he was inde pendent of the unionists, the pill was too bitter for them to easily swallow. The election gave them a chance of retaliating, by opposing Mr. Bryce for Balmain East.

There were other members more opposed to the labour party than Henry Bryce ; but it was the success of the latter against them in a pitched battle that had made them marshal their forces against him. This opposition only stimulated Henry Bryce to strain every nerve to retain his seat. He had been offered more than one seat in which he could "walk over," but he declined, and decided it should be Balmain East he would contest, and abide by the decision of the electors. Tne sight raged bitterly, but no insults or scurrilous attacks were made on Henry Bryce. The labour party acknowledged he was an upright man, and had led an almost blameless life. They opposed him solely on the ground that he was not in favour of unionism. Henry Bryce resided in a fine house at Potts Point, and accordingly, he generally went over the ferry to Balmain to attend meetings, and interview his constituents.

He had an important meeting one dark, dreary night, and his daughter, Ida Bryce, tried hard to persuade him not to attend. Mrs. Bryce took very little interest in politics, or, in fact, in anything but herself. It was the one great mistake Henry Bryce had made when he married a second time, and placed a stepmother over his son and daughter. " I must go, Ida," said Henry Bryce. " It is most important. I dare not miss a single meeting. It would be taken as a sign of weakness." "Do not worry vour father, Ida," said Mrs. Bryce, "you know he is wedded to politics. If he failed to attend this meeting, "politics" would bring an action for divorce against him. Now if I had requested him to take me to the theatre on this particular night it would have been different. I am sure your persuasive powers to induce your father to remain at home would not have been expended in vain."

Ida Bryce made no reply. She had long given up entering into wordy arguments with her stepmother, and that lady was exasperated accordingly, nothing pleasing her better than a battle of words with Ida. "There is nothing to hinder you going to the theatre to-night if you wish," said Henry Bryce to his wife. " Ida will accompany you." " Certainly, if you wish it," replied Ida. " Perhaps Ida would prefer your political meeting," said Mrs. Bryce, with a sarcastic smile. " Nonsense," said Henry Bryce. " Send for tickets at once. It is rather late, but they will reserve you seats I am sure." "Will you go, Ida," asked Mrs. Bryce " If you wish it," she replieJ. "I do wish it," said Mrs. Bryce, harshly. The girl's quiet, almost contemptuous, manner nettled her. Ida Bryce knew more about her stepmother's doings than Henry Bryce.

In such matters he was often dangerously blind and trusting. "Then it's settled," said Henry Bryce. "You are for pleasure, I am for business. I may be rather late home, there is a committee meeting after the speeches." "Is Mr. Golding to be there?" asked Mrs. Bryce. "I believe so. He said he would come round." Herbert Golding was a partner in the firm of Bryce, Golding, and Co. Ida Bryce did not like Herbert Golding, but he was a favourite with Mrs. Bryce. Perhaps this accounted for the girl's antipathy to him. Henry Bryce crossed over to Balmain and attended his meeting. It was reported afterwards he had never met with such a cordial reception and the committee were certain he would be returned at the head* of the poll. He left the meeting in excellent spirits, and, declining the offer of one of his chief supporters to see him safely home, walked away in the direction of the ferry.

It was close upon midnight, and a small knot of people stood on the A U.3.N. Co's. wharf awaiting the arrival of the Wodonga from Bris bane. "She's late in," said one of the men employed on the wharf, "I ain't heard her whistle yet." She's entered the harbour, " said another man. Who told ver?" Silent Billy," was the reply. It was so unusual for "Silent Billy," as the man was called, to make a remark that it was evident those present doubted the information. " If you don't believe me, ask him yourself, " said the man who had referred to " Silent Billy." Sauntering along the wharf was a short, thick set man in a pilot jacket, and slouch hat. His breeches were of a dull blue, and he had on heavy boots. He had a stern face, and his shaggy whiskers were grey and stuck out like wires. This was "Silent Billy," a man seldom known to speak unless he was spoken to, and then only to make the briefest possible reply.

"Say, Billy, is the Wodonga in the harbour?" The man made no reply, but proceeded to clamber down the side of the wharf, and get into a boat moored there. This seemed to be positive proof that the Wodonga was close at hand, for "Silent Billy'' generally went out in his boat to catch the rope thrown to him from the steamer, which havino made fast to one of the seats he rowed with it back to the wharf. ■5 This was a necessary operation to enable the Wodonga to swing round and back into the wharf. "Silent Billy" pulled out from the wharf, and no sooner had he done so than a boom was heard, followed by a sharp whistle. "That's the Wodonga rounding the point. Billy was right. He's a wonderful man is Billy," said one of the men on the wharf. " They watched "Silent Billy" slowly pulling out into the stream.

Then the faint outline of a big steamer was seen in the darkness, and presently her saloon lights were visible, gleaming out from her huge side. A man stood in the bow of the steamer, with a rope coiled in his hand ready to throw to Billy in the boat. He was about to fling it, when " Silent Billy " was suddenly seen to fall back off his seat and sprawl in the bottom of his boat. "What's up, Billy?" yelled the man on the steamer. Silent Billy scrambled quickly up and looked over the side of his boat. He made a grab at something floating in the water. The old fellow shuddered as his fingers clutched the saturated clothes of a drowned man. " Man overboard. Hold hard ! " shouted Billy " Wait till I get him aboard." He tugged hard at the body, but failed to drag it into his boat. Seeing it was impossible to do this, he made the body fast with a piece of rope to the stern of his boat, ?nd then signalled to the man on the steamer to fling his rope to him.

When the end came whizzing into the boat with a thud, "Silent Billy" commenced to row back to the wharf. The people on the wharf all crowded to the side to see the object Billy had in tow. His mishap had been seen from the wharf, and many were the surmises as to the cause of " Silent Billy," who was such a good oarsman, catching a crab. Billy slung the rope of the steamer on to the wharf, and then said : "Give us a hand with this poor devil, afore she comes alongside and swamps us." The body of the unfortunate man was hauled on to the wharf, and carried under the sheds until the arrival of the water police. Only a dim light shone on the wharf, and the face of the drowned man was scarcely visible. The Wodonga came alongside, and one of the first passengers to come ashore was Dr. Lang side. He had seen what occurred from the deck of the Wodonga, and hurried ashore to see if he could be of any assistance.

Dr. Langside followed "Silent Billy" to the sheds ; and here he found two men in the familiar uniform of the water police, looking seriously at the body. ■7 They recognised Dr. Langside, who was well known in Sydney, and one of them said : "This is a sad business, doctor. I am afraid there has been foul play." " Do you know who it is ? " asked the doctor. " Yes, sir, and so do you, I expect. Look ! " and the policeman drew a handkerchief off the drowned man's face. Dr. Langside started back in amazement " Good heavens ! " he exclaimed. " It's Henry Bryce. Whatever does this mean ? " He at once proceeded to examine the body of the unfortunate Henry Bryce, who, but a few short hours before, had been full of life and health, and eager to fight his election battles again. " Dead, undoubtedly," said Dr. Langside.

" Look here, Williams, he's been struck a heavy blow on the back of the head. This blow was enough to render him insensible. He must have been knocked down, and pushed into the water ; or have been struck when near the edge of the wharf, and fallen in." " Looks like a case of murder," said W.P. Constable Williams. " There will have to be an inquest," said the doctor. / "Word had better be sent to his house," said the constable. " I will go there myself," said Dr. Langside. " I know Miss Bryce well." And as Dr. Langside drove in a cab to the c residence of the Bryces at Potts Point, he thought of the unfortunate man lying dead on the wharf, and muttered to himself: "It's a mvsterious affair. I wonder how it will turn out ? When young Ted Bryce hears of this, there will be a day of reckoning for someone, sooner or later."

Chapter II. No Trace

When Ida Bryce and her stepmother returned from the theatre, they found Henry Bryce had not arrived. It was after eleven, but Ida was not anxious about her father as he said he might return late. Twelve o'clock struck and he had not returned, and even Mrs. Bryce commenced to feel uneasy. She was a selfish woman, with hardly a thought for others, but Henry Bryce had been such an indulgent husband, that he had aroused what small amount of feeling there was in her. " I wish your father would come, Ida, " she said. " I have never known him to be so late." " He ought not to have gone a night like this," replied Ida. " He is so venturesome, and he always refuses to have the carriage to meet him." They sat looking at the clock on the mantle c piece until it was just on the stroke of one, when Ida Bryce started from her seat and said : "There is a cab coming up the drive, I am glad he has returned.

" "So am I," said Mrs. Bryce; "I'm tired and want to go to bed. That play was so dull, it nearly sent me to sleep." Ida Bryce, in her anxiety to welcome her father home, rushed out of the room, into the hall just as the door was opened. When she saw Dr. Langside she turned white, and gasped : " My father ! Where is he ? Why are you here ? Is anything the matter, Dr. Langside ? " As a medical man Dr. Langside had been placed in many painful and difficult positions, but as he looked at Ida's face he thought he had never had such a hard task set him before. He knew how Henry Bryce was beloved by his children, and he dreaded the effect of the terrible news he had to tell upon a girl of Ida's temperament. " Is your mother up, Miss Bryce ? " he asked, in order to gain a moment's respite. " My stepmother is in the dining-room," said Ida.

"But where is my father? Have you seen him? Has he met with an accident? Is he hurt?" " I have seen your father," he said, quietly, and he has met with an accident. Come into the dining-room, and I will tell you both about it. " His tone of voice somewhat reassured Ida, and she led the way into the dining-room. NO TRACE. 21 "Father has met with an accident" she said. "Dr. Langside is here. He has seen him." Mrs. Bryce looked s'.artled; but she received the news more calmly than Ida. Dr. Langside shook hands with her, and then, standing, looked gravely at them. "Where did it happen? Tell me all about it," said Mrs. Bryce. " I only arrived from Brisbane by the Wodonga to-night," commenced Dr. Langside, " When I stepped on to the wharf my services were required to attend to a man who had been in the water."

He looked closely at Ida Bryce. He knew she would be more nearly affected than Mrs. Bryce. "You can imagine how shocked I was when I discovered it was your father, Miss Bryce, who had met with an accident. I attended to him at once. I did all I possibly could for him." " Go on," said Ida Bryce in a hollow voice. Mrs. Bryce was also much agitated. " I am sorry to say your father has met with a very serious accident. I doubt if he will recover," he said, hesitatingly. "You have no doubts," said Ida, slowly; "you know he will not recover." Dr. Langside bowed his head in acknowledgment. Ida Bryce stepped up to him and clasped his ■ • arm. "Is my father dead?" she said, with a shudder " Ida, how can you ? " came from Mrs. Bryce. Dr. Langside took Ida Bryce by the hand, and said, quietly : " Miss Bryce your father is dead.

He was dead when I saw him." Mrs. Bryce uttered a piercing scream, and proceeded to moan in a most lamentable fashion, rocking herself to and fro and wringing her hands. Ida Bryce merely sank down into a chair, and seemed dazed and crushed. She hardly realised the blow she had received. Dr. Langside wished she would burst into tears, but her eyes remained dry. Her grief was too deep even for tears to flow freely. Dr. Langside remained in the house all night. In the morning, he found Ida Bryce batter. That she was still suffering terribly he could see, and he endeavoured to rouse her. " I will at once send a wire to your brother," he said. "Is he on the station?" "Yes, at Munda Station," said Ida. "Please meet him at the railway station when he arrives, and explain to him. Poor Ted, it will be an awful blow to him."

" How long will it take him to reach here ? " asked Dr. Langside. " He will not arrive until to-morrow," said Ida. "The inquest will be held to-day," said Dr. Langside. " After it is over, your father will be brought home." Ida shuddered. The mere thought of an N O TRACE. 23 inquest being held over her dead father was an additional blow. "It is necessary," said Dr. Langside. "There may have been foul play. I am sure your brother will be anxious to hear the truth." " Foul play," said Ida. " What do you mean ? My father had not an enemy in the world." " He may have had one, Miss Bryce, and it may be that one who has caused his death. You will see it all in the papers, so I may as well tell you. I believe your father was struck down by a violent blow on the head, and then either fell, or was thrown, into the water."

"Oh, this is dreadful," moaned Ida; "and to think I was at the theatre last night, laughing and enjoying myself at the very time " She sobbed hysterically. "You cannot blame yourself for that, Miss Bryce," he said, kindly. " Everyone knows what an affectionate daughter you were, and how dearly you loved your father." After a short conversation Dr. Langside left her, and promised to return when the inquest was over. Mrs. Bryce appeared* inconsolable. She made a far greater outward show of grief than Ida. She was genuinely sorry for her husband's death, but as the day wore on, she became equally anxious on her own account, and wondered how Henry Bryce had made his will. The inquest was held. The morning papers had gathered particulars about the accident, and the community at large felt a severe shock at the death of such a well known and much respected man as Henry Bryce.

As the inquest proceeded, and the news appeared in the evening papers, it was discovered that what had befallen Henry Bryce was no accident, but would probably at the conclusion be called by the much uglier word of murder. One of the evening papers, in an early edition, alluded to the " Supposed murder of Mr. Henry Bryce." The same paper even went so far as to crow over its rivals in a later edition, and went on to point out how they had first published the fact that Mr. Henry Bryce was murdered. It was not even thoup-ht indecorous to make o capital out of the dead man, and the Sub-Editor was complimented by his chief on his foresight and acumen in being first in the field with such an important piece of news. Nothing sensational was brought out at the *a> "**> inquest. The coroner tried to look wise, and put on an air of importance.

He did not get such a man as the late Henry Bryce to " sit upon " every day in the week. He felt this was no ordinary case, and consequently prolonged it, and gloated over it, in a manner that surprised even the reporters, and it takes a lot to surprise a pressman. Had the inquest been on the body of Tom Smith, wharf labourer, the coroner would have NO TRACE. 25 apologised for calling the jury together, and explained that it was merely a matter of form, and hinted that the sooner they got through with it the better. It is surprising what a vast difference there is between a wharf labourer and a millionaire, even when death is supposed to have levelled all ranks. So the coroner puffed himself out with windy dignity, and reproved a juryman for levity when he sneezed, and actually threatened to order him out of court if the offence was repeated.

As the atmosphere of the court was somewhat ticklish to sensitive nostrils, the juryman may be pardoned for his breach of decorum. Dr. Langside never had much respect for the coroner, and what little he had vanished before the inquest on poor Henry Bryce was over. The coroner cross-questioned witnesses as to the private relations of the deceased with his family. He even went so far as to say the inquest ought to be adjourned, in order that Edward Bryce might be present. The fact of Edward Bryce being five hundred miles from Sydney at the time, weighed not an atom with the coroner. After deliberating for some minutes, he kindly consented, out of deference to the feelings of the deceased's family, to " waive the point " of Edward Bryce's presence. Dr. Langside felt inclined to waive his fist in the coroner's face, and looked so contemptuously at him that the coroner asked him if he wished to make any further remarks.

As Dr. Langside had already given his evidence and been recalled five times, he candidly admitted he could throw no more light on the subject. The coroner summed up. This was his chance. He summarised the evidence. He dilated for fully an hour on the salient points of the case. He flung arguments at the jury with such rapidity and inaccurate aim as to the points he intended to make, that the " good men and true " were bathed in perspiration and bewilderment. Having exhausted his skirmishers, he brought up his heavy reserves, and said : " Gentlemen, I will now read over the evidence." The jurymen glanced at the piles of foolscap, and one of the gentlemen groaned audibly. The coroner heard him, and said, in a sympathetic manner, that it was a painful scene, and he fully endorsed the groan of the affected juryman.

At last the inquest came to an end, and the jury returned a verdict of " wilful murder against some person or persons unknown." The coroner said that was rather a large order, but the jury felt it was their turn, and declined to amend their verdict. Henry Bryce's funeral was an enormous pro cession, and although scores of people followed who had never spoken to the dead man in their lives, they had known him by repute as an upright man. NO TRACE. 27 Edward Bryce, Herbert Golding, and Dr. Lang side were the chief mourners, and occupied the first coach. In after years, this incident was brought vividly to the minds of two of them. Edward Bryce was terribly shocked at the news of his father's death. He could not understand it. Like his sister, he did not believe his father had an enemy in the world.

Once however, the bare fact was brought home to him that his father had met with foul play, it was as Dr. Langside had thought — young Bryce was determined there should be a day of reckoning for the man, or men, who had killed his father. The police did their best. The police, as a rule do their duty and get very little credit for it. They got none in this case. The reporters bad gered them for information, and when the police informed them, quite truthfully, they had no information to give, the papers "stated " the police decline to give us information, but believe they have a clue, which will lead to the apprehension of the perpetrator of the crime." When the police read this, they were mad. There was no clue. The " chief " would have given a year's salary of the best police reporter in Sydney to have obtained even the smallest bit of a clue.

But the papers were so persistent in saying the police had a clue, that the detectives in charge of the case began to think there must originally have been a clue, and that it had been lost. Edward Bryce was anxious about this "clue. He offered five hundred pounds reward, for information that would lead to the arrest and con viction of his father's assailant or assailants. That five hundred pounds made the police hunt for clues in all sorts of impossible and improbable directions. How it got about no one knew ; but a rumour commenced to circulate that the union shearers had something to do with Henry Bryce's untimely death. No more scandalous rumour was ever circu lated, said the union men. It was a political dodge to damage the labour party at the general election. Edward Bryce did not believe the unionist shearers were responsible for the outrage, and he said so openly.

The men applauded him, and swore there should be no more trouble at Munda station next shearing. How they kept their word will be seen later on. There was no trace of the man, or men, who attacked Henry Bryce, and the police honestly confessed the whole affair was shrouded in mystery. 2g

Chapter III. The New Member

Henry Bryce was not the man to die and leave no last will and testament behind him. His will was duly proved, and his executors were his son Edward, Herbert Golding, his part ner, and Dr. Langside. It was a surprise to Dr. Langside when he heard he was one of the executors. He had attended the late Mr. Bryce on more than one occasion, but did not think he had been regarded in any other light than an ordinary medical man. Herbert Golding was not surprised he was made an executor, but he was surprised when he found Dr. Langside had also been appointed. This appointment irritated him although he gave no outward sign it did so. The will was an equitable one. The bulk of the estate was divided between Edward Bryce and his sister Ida, the former taking Munda and i ° other stations, and a large share in the firm of Bryce, Golding, and Co. Mrs. Bryce had £50,000 cash and the house, furniture, and effects at Potts Point, 'on condition Ida was allowed to reside there if she desired.

Dr. Langside and Herbert Golding received five hundred pounds each. Everyone was satisfied, although Mrs. Bryce ex pected more, and said so, but the amount she received was too handsome for her to speak slightingly of it. It became necessary to find a candidate to take Henry Bryce's place in Balmain East constituency. Edward Bryce was asked to take his father's place, but he submitted he was too young, and declined. After some discussion, in which heated argu ments were advanced for and against, for he was not a particularly popular man, Herbert Golding was asked to stand. After, as he stated, giving the matter his most serious consideration, he consented. Herbert Golding was a man, with an immense opinion of his own importance, carefully concealed behind a mask of outwardly pious and benevolent characteristics.

He was a very different man to his dead partner, Henry Bryce. It is surprising how two men, directly opposite in character, manage to hit it off well in business. Henry Bryce was a bluff, hearty, hail-fellow well-met sort of man. He made no boast of possessing religious principles. He seldom went to church, but he did not think he should be refused admittance to the abode of the just on that account. He was probably right. He lived honestly and did many kindly actions. He hated hypocrisy and cant, and towards the latter end of his life he commenced to think Herbert Golding was a bit of a humbugs. Herbert Golding was not a bad-looking man. He was a bachelor, about forty years of age, or a few years younger, and a favourite with the ladies. He was tall, had a good figure, and looked a gentleman.