The Mystery of Landy Court ... Second edition

Front matter

■ ■ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. By FERGUS HUME Author of The Mys tery of a Hansom Cab Second Edition. LONDON JARROLD AND SONS WARWICK LANE E.C. CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I. "Father Ching's Parish" . . 7 II. The Stranger ... 18 III. A Sacred Relic . . .28 IV. A Mysterious Crime . . 39 V. A Local Dogberry . . .48 VI. Vidocq of London . . 58 VII. An Obstinate Witness . . G9 VIII. In Pursuit .... So IX. A Weak Defence . . .90 X. Cross Examination . . 99 XI. The Evidence at the Inquest . 109 XII. Drage Meets with an Old Friend CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE XIII. The Story of Mrs. Westcote . 133 XIV. The Dagger . . . 144 XV A Strange Discovery . 155 XVI. At Bay . . . . 165 XVII. Guilty or Not Guilty . . 174 XVIII. The Law of Rome . . 184 XIX. The Truth . . . .194 XX. A Last Confession . .

Chapter I

"FATHER CHING' S PARISH." TT was a mere pleasantry on the part of Sir Piers ■*• Lametry. Father Ching, chaplain to the family, was a Jesuit, aged thirty years, and his so-called parish Landy Court. Everybody in Devonshire knew the Lametrys of Landy Court, the most prominent Catholic family in the West Country. Through the darkest periods of English history they held bravely to their faith, property, and title. In what dire straits they had been no one knew but themselves, and they only through assiduous perusal of the family archives, for the dark days were now over, and the Lametrys enjoyed the same privileges as the other gentry of Devon. Yet, lest they should forget their miraculous preservation from Tudor and Puritan, the priests kept them in mind of the family history. At present, one priest only dwelt at the Court, and that was Father Ching, of whom Sir Piers uttered the above pleasantry.

Landy Court was a fine old Elizabethan mansion, built by Sir Richard Lametry from Spanish spoils. Though a Papist himself, Sir Richard had no stomach for the Dons, and by following in the train of Drake managed to loot sufficient Mexican gold, to mend the fortunes of the family, and build the great house. It stood on the brow of a woody hill, not far from the sea beach, and faced the lengthy bulk of Lundy Island, from whence it took its name. The founder of the family came therefrom in the reign ofthe second Edward, and called himself Lametry, after the peninsula which juts out below Marisco Castle. What was his original name, no one knew, or cared. From father to son descended the property, save when it had been necessary to hand it over to the Protestant Lametrys, to save it from the greedy grasp of Elizabeth.

The Protestant branch might have kept it with full sanction of Queen and Parliament, had they been so disposed, but they respected the elder line, despite its Romish profession, and returned the property intact, when the laws were relaxed against the Papists. By such shifts, did the Catholic Lametrys keep a tight hold on their fertile acres, and when Sir Piers came into "FATHER CHING' S PARISH." 9 possession of the estate he found himself one of the wealthiest gentlemen of North Devon. He had been a widower for many years. Seeing that he had but one daughter, and that the property was strictly entailed, it was a wonder to many that he had not married again. But, as there was no danger of the good old name becoming extinct, and Sir Piers was not particularly anxious for a direct heir, he remained faithful to the memory of his wife.

At his death the estate would devolve on his brother, Lionel, and failing heirs of his body (for Lionel was a bachelor), would vest in William Kynsam, claiming through Sir Piers's sister, Margaret " And if Will marries my daughter, Eleanor," ex plained Sir Piers to the priest, " that will bring back the property to the elder branch." " Always providing your brother does not marry and have heirs," said Father Ching, dryly. " Lionel marry ? " said the Baronet, with a hearty laugh. " No fear of that, sir. Egad, he's always buried in the library, and hardly knows the difference between a woman and a folio." <! That may be," murmured Father Ching, doubtfully. " But he goes to London on occasions." " To get more books, not to look after a wife," retorted Sir Piers, good-humouredly ; and so the matter ended for the time being.

Nevertheless, Father Ching bore the conversation in mind. Lionel was not a favourite with him. As their tastes both inclined to books, it was rather odd they were not more in harmony with one another ; but Father Ching, despite his Jesuitical training, could not bring himself to like the man. There was a latent devil in Lionel, which peeped out on occasions, and was especially visible when he returned from London. He invariably told Piers that his business in the Metropolis was confined to grubbing in old bookstalls, and this statement the Baronet believed. Father Ching did not ; and, despite the fact that Lionel assumed to be a devout Catholic, and regularly attended confession, there was something in his life of which the priest was ignorant. The Jesuit was a clever man, but a trifle young for so onerous a post as keeper of the Lametry conscience, and Lionel managed— if not to hoodwink— at least to puzzle him greatly.

He had his doubts, as to the genuineness of this ostensible bookworm, but these were so vague, that he often took himself to task for having them at all. There was no visible reason for such suspicions, as, to all appearances, Lionel was a sedate personage of fifty-five, with a turn for dry-as-dust literature, and was never so happy as when buried in the library of Landy Court. Will Kynsam was different. A gay young man, not yet thirty, he had led a somewhat dissipated life, 'and never professed to be a saint. One of those men of "FATHER CHING' S PARISH." 11 whom it is said, " He is his own worst enemy," good natured, thoughtless, and merry. His father, Major Kynsam, married Sir Piers's only sister, but died before his son was born, and Mrs. Kynsam had nursed the small estate for her idolised child.

She died when Will came of age, and he entered on his manhood with a comfortable income and a taste for luxury which not all the asceticism of Stoneyhurst College could crush out of him. WTith such leanings, he was not the person to study economy, and rid himself of his property in a surprisingly short space of time. Reduced to such a plight, the future looked very black indeed, and he was thinking of enlisting, when his uncle asked him to Landy Court. Will accepted the invitation, with the intention of settling his future ; but in the meantime, and while enjoy ing Sir Piers's hospitality, contrived to fall in love with his cousin, Eleanor. The Baronet saw this with much satisfaction, and readily consented to the match, with the proviso that Will was to mend his ways. This he did with the aid of Eleanor, and stayed on at the Court as the accepted lover of Miss Lametry, with an occasional visit to London.

As a matter of fact, Will scarcely deserved his good fortune. He had wasted his patrimony in riotous living, and should have suffered for his folly. But it seemed as though Fortune was as fond of him as was everyone else, for she set his lines in pleasant places, and gave him the love of a charming girL Miss Lametry was excep tionally beautiful and high-spirited, and would have turned the head of any man, let alone that of the in flammable Will. A consummate horsewoman, she was well known in the hunting-field, when she rode to the meets, escorted by her devoted cousin. All the young men in the neighbourhood, some very well off, were in love with Eleanor, but she rejected these wealthier suitors in favour of Will Kynsam, the pauper. It was true that he had not a penny, that she could hope to make a better match, but he was the handsomest, and most lovable young man of her acquaintance, so she chose him as her husband.

Sir Piers, relying on the misogynistic tenden cies of his brother, and knowing that Will was heir-pre sumptive to the estates and title, was delighted with the match. This beautiful young woman and this splendid young man were fine specimens of humanity, and would worthily carry on the old name, for in the event of Will's succession, he was to take the arms and name of the Lametry family. These four people were the principal inhabitants of Father Ching's parish, but all the servants and most of the tenants were Catholics, so that the chapel at Landy Court was quite full on Sundays. The farmers who clung to the old faith, came to mass with their wives and daughters ; and the servants, mostly chosen from the "FATHER CH/NCS PARISH." 13 tenants, were marshalled into their places by Mrs. Westcote.

This latter was the housekeeper of Landy Court, a pale, ladylike woman, who had held her position for two years. The old housekeeper having died, Sir Piers, urged by his brother, had not sought her successor on the estate, but had gone to London for someone more abreast of the times. Mrs. Westcote was highly recom mended, and Lionel hinted that she was the very woman to modernise the somewhat old-fashioned household. She was also a Catholic, and very devout, so with such perfections secured the position. Two years of her stay had been signalised by no startling event. Her work was done thoroughly ; she spared no pains to make Sir Piers comfortable, and was altogether quite a superior person. Yet, strange to say, she was not liked. From Sir Piers down to the lowest scullion, Mrs. Westcote begot distrust.

Her demure manner, her downcast eyes, her stealthy movements, all inspired dis like; and, though no one could complain, her mere presence in the house made everyone feel uneasy. Several times Sir Piers was at the point of dismissing her, but it was difficult to find an excuse for getting rid of so faultless a person. Moreover, Lionel always stood up for her ; and he was the only one in the house who liked her. Per haps, because she looked so well after culinary matters ; for Lionel was fond of a good dinner. " I can't bear her, Will," said Miss Lametry, one day ■\ when Mrs. Westcote was under discussion. " She is so sly, and double-faced." " I don't care much for her myself," replied Will, carelessly. " Still, she does her duty, and pleases Sir Piers. Why do you say she is sly ? " " Because she looks sly."

" That's a woman's reason, and unsupported by evi dence." " I instinctively feel she is double," retorted Eleanor, nodding her head. " You can't dismiss people on instinctive suspicions," said Will, laughing. " Let her be as double as she pleases. What can she do, save steal 'the Sacred Ring'?" " I don't mean to say she is a criminal, or would steal," replied Miss Lametry, impatiently. " You don't under stand. It's simply a case of instinctive dislike. She makes my flesh creep every time she passes me." " My dear girl, your nerves are out of order," said Kynsam, taking her wrist. " The pulse is too rapid. I prescribe a ride." " I don't mind in the least," said Eleanor, vivaciously. " Wait till I put on my habit, Will. You look after the horses." Will was already booted, and spurred, so when his cousin flitted away, he went round to the stables.

Here he was a great favourite, and knew both horses and grooms intimately. He was a better sportsman than student, much to the disgust of his Uncle Lionel. "FATHER CHING _ PARISH." 15 " Will has no more brains than a ploughboy," he com plained to his brother. " He never opens a book, and is always happy with grooms and horses." " Pooh ! pooh ! pooh ! " said Sir Piers, bluffly. " The lad is well enough. You've got a sufficiency of learning for the whole family, Lionel. Will is an honourable, God-fearing gentleman, and will make my Eleanor a good husband. That is sufficient for me." After which opinion, Lionel went back to his books, and Piers came out on the terrace to see the young couple ride away. Kynsam had just put up Eleanor on her horse, and was now mounting on his own. At that moment they were hailed by the Baronet.

" Before you go, Will, take this letter." "What is it, uncle?" asked Will, bringing his horse under the wall. " A letter to post ? " " No ; it's addressed to you, and came this morning. I quite forgot to give it to you." Will took the letter and glanced at the address. As he did so, his face turned a trifle pale under the tan, and he hastily put it in his pocket. Fortunately, Eleanor was looking at her father, and did not observe his emotion. When they were halfway down the avenue, she rallied him on the glumness of his spirits. " You were as bright as a lark this morning," said she, "now you are as melancholy as an owl. Did your letter contain bad news ? " " I don't know," replied Will, a trifle sulkily. " I haven't read it yet. I suppose it's a dunning letter, as usual." " Your debts are like the sands of the sea, Will.

Why don't you speak to my father and see what can be done ? " " I do not wish to trouble my uncle until it is absolutely necessary." " Well, isn't it necessary now?" persisted Miss Lame try, marking his discomposure. " I'll tell you when I read my letter," he answered, and touched his horse up to prevent further questions. Eleanor followed, and at the turning of the road which led to the village her horse swerved, as a pedestrian briskly swinging his stick came round the corner. He was a red-haired man, with a smooth face, and his dress was remarkably smart. When he saw Will, he made as if to stop, but Kynsam pushed on with a frown, and galloped after his cousin. The stranger stood in the dusty road, looking after them with a smile. There was danger in his smiling. "Is that Mr. Kynsam?" he asked a stone-breaker, who was busy mending the road.

" Yes, sir. That's the young Squire." " Oh, he is the Squire, is he ? " " Well, he isn't just now. But he will be one day, when he marries Miss Eleanor, and Sir Piers dies." "FATHER CHINCS PARISH." ■7 " Two rather remote contingencies," said the red-haired man, with a disagreeable smile. " Miss Lametry may take a fancy to somebody else, and Sir Piers may live a long time yet. " Aye, aye, sir. True enough," returned the stone breaker, who was of a melancholy turn of mind. " And there is Mr. Lionel." " Who is he ? " " Sir Piers's brother and heir. He must die also before Mr. Will gets the property." " Oh ! Indeed. Thank you for your information, my man. Good-day." The stranger turned on his heel, and walked back to the village. As he strolled along, he thought ; as he thought, he ticked off certain items on his fingers.

" Sir Piers, one ; Lionel Lametry, two ; Miss Lametry and a doubtful marriage, three. H'm ! Kynsam hasn't much chance of getting the property. I shall have to put the screw on." B

Chapter II. The Stranger

T7LEANOR sound her cousin an extremely dull ■" companion during that ride. Whether it was the letter — which he avowed was still unread — or the unexpected appearance of the red-haired man, she knew not, but Will was quite absent-minded, and replied to her questions in monosyllables. Naturally she resented this indifference to the charms of her society. " I shall certainly not avail myself of your company, when these moody fits are on you," said she, as they turned their horses homeward. " Mr. Creke, or Captain Lavers, would have been much more entertaining." " Forgive me, Eleanor," replied Will, colouring. " I am very sorry you should have reason to complain. I am a trifle worried over some business; but you will find me in better spirits to-morrow." " Why don't you explain your trouble to my father?"

" I may do so to-night," muttered Will, and dismounted ■9 to assist her to alight. She patted his cheek, as he did so, and glanced archly at him before entering the house. Will stood on the terrace steps, while the groom led away the horses, and when alone he opened his letter. A single glance confirmed his presentiment of bad news, and he crushed it into his pocket with an impatient stamp of his foot. There was a perplexed look on his face as he entered the house. " Durrant writes from London, and follows his letter here," he murmured. " I hope he hasn't come down to put the screw on. It is either for that purpose, or to get ' the Sacred Ring.' I wish I hadn't told him anything about it." At this moment the butler crossed his path, and to him, Will addressed himself — " Did a gentleman call here to-day to see me, Michael ?

" he asked, abruptly. " No, sir ; not that I know of." " He'll come to-night," muttered Will, in a vexed tone. " I may as well be prepared for him. If a gentleman — if a Mr. Durrant calls," he added, aloud, " show him up to my rooms." " Yes, sir." Will had a suite of apartments in the left wing, near the chapel, and thither he now repaired, to consider his letter and idle away his time till dinner. His wild oats, of which he had sown a goodly crop in London, OF LANDY COURT. 20 were now sprouting, and this letter was evidently the precursor of the harvest. Not a pleasant prospect to look forward to. "If it had been anyone else but Durrant," he said, angrily, walking to and fro, " I should not mind so much ; but he's such a sly dog. Moreover, he wants that ring, which I can't aid him to get, unless my uncle sells it to him, and that is out ofthe question."

At dinner he managed to be sufficiently cheerful to escape further questioning from Eleanor ; but when she withdrew to the drawing-room, he relapsed into moodi ness over his wine. Fortunately, Sir Piers and his brother were too absorbed in a political argument with Father Ching to notice his abstraction, and seeing them thus engaged, he slipped away to his own rooms. Here he found the red-haired stranger, smart and smiling as ever, waiting for him. " What do you want here, Durrant?" demanded Will, pointedly ignoring the proffered hand of his visitor. " A little politeness, in the first place, Mr. Kynsam," retorted Durrant, sharply, his smile changing to a frown. " You passed me on the road to-day like a beggar, and now receive me most irrhospitably. I don't like such treatment." Kynsam had a somewhat stormy temper, and would have replied angrily, but a moment's reflection convinced him of the folly of such a course.

He could not afford to quarrel with the man, therefore he strove to smooth down his ruffled dignity. " Your letter upset me, Durrant." " And my appearance upsets you still more," sneered his visitor. " I wish you were a thousand miles away," replied Will, frankly. " It is no pleasure to me to be reminded of my former follies." " Perhaps not. I heard down in the village that you were a model young man, and were about to marry Miss " " Leave Miss Lametry's name out of the question, Durrant, and come to business. I read your letter." " Then you know what I want." " You want two thousand pounds, which I am unable to pay." "I am sorry for that," said Durrant, coolly, "because it is necessary, that it should be paid." " I was a fool to borrow it from you," said Kynsam, bitterly. " Why, I must have paid you three or four hundred pounds in interest."

" Quite that, if not more." "And now you've come down here to put the screw on. It's a vile way to treat a man." " What if I agree to renew the bill ? " asked Durrant, watching the young man's face. " If you would only do so," said the other, facing OP LAND 9 COURT. 22 round rapidly. "Look here, Durrant. By the end of this year I hope to pay off the principal ; but at present it is impossible." " Your uncle is rich." " I am not going to ask my uncle for money," said Will, coldly. "Surely if I pay you the interest in advance, you will renew that bill ? " " No, I can't do that." " But you said just now — " " I know what I said just now, Mr. Kynsam. I will renew that bill on certain conditions." Will looked at him sharply. He guessed at what Durrant was hinting. "You refer to 'the Sacred Ring.'" " Exactly.

I am down here to buy or steal that relic." "Steal it, you dare not — buy it, you cannot. Why, man, think you Sir Piers would part with an heirloom which has been in the Lametry family for over three hundred years? " " He might be induced to do so — for money." " My uncle does not require money." " I know that perfectly well, Mr. Kynsam. But you require — say, two thousand pounds." " What do you mean, Durrant ? Speak plainly." Durrant shrugged his shoulders and elevated his eye brows. He was beginning to find Kynsam a somewhat unpractical person to deal with. However, he had a purpose in view, and curbing his impatience, continued speaking in a soft, wily voice. " How much plainer do you wish me to put it, Mr. Kynsam ? " said he, coolly. " You are in debt to me to the tune of two thousand pounds."

" Your presence here assures me of that, sir. What of it?" " Simply this. That if you can persuade your uncle to let me have the ring, I will forgive you the debt." " Still I don't understand," said Will, eyeing him steadily, " unless it is that you propose I should steal the ring." " No, no ! I don't mean that at all," exclaimed Durrant, hastily. " I wish you to introduce me to your uncle as a friend of yours." " A friend of mine, you Shylock ! Hang your inso lence ! " " Come, come ! Civil words, Mr. Kynsam. Re member, I have it in my power to make matters very disagreeable for you." The young man turned away with a sigh. He knew well that such was the case. Sir Piers had only given his consent to the engagement with Eleanor on the understanding that Will was free from debt. He had been at the time this arrangement was made, but since then a bill, which he had backed for an old companion, had fallen due, and as his friend had failed to meet it, he was responsible to Durrant for its repay ment.

It was for this that the money-lender had come to Devon. " If the debt were my own," he said, half to himself, " I should confess its existence to my uncle, but as it is, I dare not tell him." " Ah ! it was a pity Mr. Sexton did not pay up," said the money-lender, with an evil smile ; " but you see, sir, he has bolted to America, and, failing him, I am forced to come on you for repayment." "But why press like this?" cried Will, furiously. " The debt was none of my making. I endorsed the bill in a moment of folly. I cannot pay it, as you well know. I can never pay it if you make trouble now. Sir Piers warned me solemnly, that he only consented to the engagement with his daughter on my assurance that I was free from debt. It was true then, for I did not know Sexton would behave like a scoundrel.

Now I dare not tell him. He would break off my engagement, turn me out of the house, and in that case, Mr. Durrant," added he, savagely, " you would not get a penny." " I am quite aware of that," said Durrant, quietly. "Nevertheless, I wish the money paid now." "It's not the money you want; it is 'the Sacred Ring."' " That is so. And I offer you two thousand pounds for your assistance." " I can't be of any assistance." " Yes, you can. Introduce me to Sir Piers as your friend, and I'll manage to buy the ring. I have faith in my tongue. After all," continued Durrant, impatiently, " I don't know why you should be so scrupulous. I am presentable enough. No one but you knows that I am a money-lender, and I offer you two thousand pounds for the introduction. Great heavens ! " he added, break ing off, " what is that ?

" " Only a peal of thunder," said Will, going to the window. " A storm is coming on." " I don't mean the thunder, but the music." " Oh ! It comes from the chapel. Father Ching is at the organ, no doubt." "Well, what about my offer?" asked Durrant, revert ing to the subject of conversation. " Why do you want the ring ? " " That's my business." " And mine also. Why do you want it?" " To sell it, if you must know, said the money-lender, tartly. " An American millionaire, who is a devout Catholic, heard the story of 'the Sacred Ring' from me. I heard it from you. He wants to buy it, and offers to give me ten thousand pounds if I get it for him." " That is a large price, Durrant." "My client is a millionaire, I tell you, and can afford to indulge his whims. He wants the ring, and I am prepared to give Sir Piers three thousand for it."

" And you sell it for ten, so clear seven thousand by the transaction. Upon my word, that is cool." " Pardon me, Mr. Kynsam. You forget your two thousand. I only make five thousand by the deal." " Well, that's a large profit anyhow. But why doesn't this millionaire see my uncle himself?" " He docs not know Sir Piers owns the ring. I told him about the relic, but I did not inform him of the name of its present possessor." "Suppose I upset your plans, and tell him?" said Will, disagreeably. " Then I'll come down on you for the two thousand, and spoil your chances with Sir Piers." Kynsam bit his lip. He saw how dangerous was his position, and that he had no chance with the money lender. Of two evils he chose the lesser. " I consent to introduce you to my uncle," he said, after a moment's thought, " though I don't know why you can't introduce yourself."

" I know Sir Piers's temper," said Durrant, dryly. " Alone I can do nothing with him. Backed by your introduction and influence, I may achieve my purpose. You may be certain I wouldn't forego this debt unless I was certain I couldn't do without your assistance." " And suppose you don't attain your ends ? " " Then you must pay the bill at the end of the year. But if I do get the ring, I'll give you the bill before I leave this house." " To agree is the only way out of this confounded mess," said Kynsam, in a vexed tone ; " come with me, Mr. Durrant. My uncle is in the library."

Chapter III

A SACRED RELIC. THE storm broke over the house as they left the room, and peals of thunder drowned the organ music. Father Ching was an accomplished musician, and frequently repaired to the instrument, where he passed long hours in rapturous delight. Sometimes Sir Piers and Eleanor were his audience, but to-night they remained in the library, as the Baronet was searching for a special book with his brother. While the two men thus busied themselves at the end of the room, Eleanor, yawning over a novel, sat near the window, looking out at the storm. Three windows opening on to the terrace gave light to the library. They were somewhat out of keeping with the architecture of the mansion, but had been put in by Sir Piers at the request of his wife. Nevertheless they were very convenient, as they admitted plenty of sunlight to the gloomy apartment, and gave ready access to the terrace.

This latter, flagged with stone, looked down on trim lawns and well-filled flower beds. Beyond was a belt of trees, and far in the distance, the ocean, with the dim form of Lundy Island dominating the outlook. To-night the sea was white with foam, and the flashes of lightning lit up the familiar scene with a livid glare. Many women would have been scared by the roaring of the storm, but Eleanor Lametry had no such fears. She was almost masculine in her contempt for danger, and gazed at the turmoil of sky, and sea, and tossing woodland, with a serene expression. Despite the grandeur of the tempest, she was thinking less of it than of Will, and his unexplained moodiness. She learned from Michael that her cousin was in his rooms with a stranger, and recognised, from the butler's description, that it was the same man whom they had seen that day.