NEWS FROM HOME
When Tom Thrush returned home alone--Abel declined to accompany him--he
found the doors open, the cottage in darkness, the lamp having been
blown out, and Jane gone. He called her, searched the cottage, took
his lantern and examined the garden. Somebody, a man, had been there.
He went out on to the road, traced footsteps along the wall until he
came to where the car had stood, then he knew it was Carl Meason who
had carried her off and given them the slip.
Lantern in hand he followed the tracks easily seen in the damp dust
covering the road. He walked rapidly. When he came to the turning
leading to the moat he stopped and wondered what had taken him this
way. A feeling of horror swept over him as he thought Meason might
have had an object in taking her to the moat. This vanished when he
considered he would not know the way in the dark, but how to account
for the tire imprints? He followed them; as he neared the moat he
listened. Footsteps drawing near, light treading; not a man, perhaps
Jane; if so, what had become of Meason?
It was Jane, moving slowly and painfully. He held up the light.
"What are you doing here, lass? Where is he?" asked Tom.
She stumbled upon him, knocking the lantern from his hand. She had
fainted. He laid her gently down and picked up the light, holding it
to her face. There was a cut on her forehead; he wiped the blood away,
saw it was not serious. She came round quickly. He helped her to her
feet.
"How came you here?" he asked.
"Carl came to the cottage. He forced me to go with him. He had a
car--he meant to kill me--it was his life or mine," she said, shivering.
"Where is he?" asked Tom.
"In the moat."
He was bewildered, did not understand. Jane could not have pushed him
into the water.
She explained hurriedly; he listened wonderingly. She was plucky, had
run a great risk. He gave no thought to the man.
"I jumped out and fell on the grass. He seemed to lose his head; the
car rushed on--I heard nothing more," she said.
"Then he's in the water and the car too?"
"Must be."
"Come home. I'll have a look round in the morning. If he's drowned
it's too good for him; he ought to have been hanged. Drowning they say
is an easy death."
Jane went to bed and slept the sleep of exhaustion and excitement. She
was only a girl and had already gone through startling experiences.
Tom, leaving her, went to the moat early. He saw where the car had
fallen in; it must have turned upside down and probably Carl was pinned
underneath. He felt no compunction; he thought Jane acted rightly.
The man was a spy and a villain; she and the country were well rid of
him.
When Alan returned he told him what had happened. The matter was
reported to the police and to the proper authorities. The moat was
searched; it was difficult to drag the car out but it was soon done.
Carl Meason's body was found pinned beneath, as Tom anticipated.
The usual inquest was held and strange facts were brought to light. On
Meason's body were documents proving he was in the pay of the Germans,
and had given much valuable information which was used for raiding
purposes.
Jane's conduct was extolled. She would undoubtedly have paid the
penalty of betraying his secrets with her life; there was no pity for
Carl Meason. He met his death as a traitor; had he been caught he
would have undoubtedly been shot.
Jane was searched out and interviewed; Tom made a handsome bargain with
the representatives of a Sunday weekly; when she read the account of
her life with Carl Meason she was amazed. Had all these things really
happened? Was it possible? She pointed out certain extraordinary
statements to Tom, saying she did not recollect such things and was
quite sure she had told the newspaper man nothing of the sort because
they had never happened.
Tom smiled.
"He said he'd write it up, and he has. He's made a good job of it and
we've been well paid for it. I think he was entitled to lay it on
thick, considering the price paid," he said.
"Did this all really happen to you, Jane?" asked Eve.
"Some of it," replied Jane, smiling.
"And the rest?"
"It is a bit far-fetched; he must have a vivid imagination," said Jane.
Eve laughed.
"You have caused quite a sensation," she said.
Alan went back to general headquarters in France. Eve was as happy as
she knew how to be without him, but there was the constant anxiety of
what might happen to him.
Alan was not a good correspondent, and he had not much time for
writing. Eve knew this and was always glad of a few lines. He came
home at intervals for a few days at a time.
Eve loved him and he adored her. Since their marriage he discovered
new and surprising traits in her and wondered how he had been so blind
as to risk losing her by his delay in asking her to be his wife.
Bernard Hallam and Ella were still at The Forest.
"When am I going back to Australia?" said Mr. Hallam in answer to
Alan's question. "I cannot tell you, for I don't know. It's not safe.
I have no desire to see how a torpedo works at near quarters. I am
much safer here, and The Forest is a delightful place. There's another
thing, I want my revenge."
Alan laughed as he said:
"Another couple of races with Rainstorm and Southerly Buster?"
"That's it. They were on a level last time; you only just got home
with your pair."
"Bandmaster has probably lost some of his paces," said Alan.
"Didn't look like it when you won the Steeplechase on him," answered
Mr. Hallam.
"By Jove, that must have been a race!" exclaimed Alan.
"It was. Don't you recollect much about it?"
"Can't say I do," replied Alan, with a puzzled expression.
"It's funny; you must have been in a queer state."
"I was. I say, Hallam, I believe I went off my head for a bit," said
Alan.
"I won't contradict you, but the head's all right now," said Mr. Hallam.
Fred Skane was consulted. He thought Bandmaster quite equal to
tackling Rainstorm again, and The Duke doing the same by Southerly
Buster. Both would be ready for the next Newmarket meeting if the
matches could be included in the program.
Alan communicated with the Jockey Club officials and there was no
difficulty about it; the former matches proved such an attraction they
were sure to be an addition to the card.
In due course the matches came off and on this occasion honors were
divided, for Bandmaster beat Rainstorm, and Southerly Buster beat The
Duke. Mr. Hallam would have been more pleased had Rainstorm won, for
he was his favorite, but Alan was delighted at Bandmaster's success.
Duncan Fraser was a frequent visitor at Trent Park and always went
across to The Forest during his stay.
Eve said she was "watching developments," but Alan laughingly answered
that, "Fraser is not a marrying man; he's in love with the brewery,
which is much more prosaic."
"We shall see," said Eve; "I'm open to support Ella against business."
Captain Newport, invalided home an exchanged prisoner, came to Trent
Park for rest and change. He sorely needed it and Eve looked after him
well, also Captain Morby, severely wounded, and several more officers.
In fact, Trent Park was turned into a convalescent home, with Eve in
command. Ella and some friends were willing helpers, and Jane came
every day to do what she could for Mrs. Chesney, to whom she was much
attached.
Captain Morby said the man who could not make a recovery at Trent Park
was very far gone indeed.
"I say, Newport, I owe you a uniform," said Alan, laughing, and told
him how he took his in the house of Jean Baptistine.
"A fine old chap," said Vincent. "He did what he could for me; had I
been fit he'd have got me away safely."
"I hear the old fellow's had his place blown about his ears but he's
still there. I am trying to smuggle him over here. I'll fix up a
small farm for him where he can settle down and try and be contented; I
think I can manage it."
"That's good of you," said Vincent.
"Not at all; he deserves it, he risked much to try and save me, he did
his best," said Alan.
During Alan's absence in France, Eve had plenty to do at home. The
wounded officers took up much of her time. When not attending to them,
or delegating the duty to others, she went about the home farm, the
stables and the gardens, often visiting Sam Kerridge at the Stud, where
Alfonso was doing well and most of the mares were still in possession.
Alan's racing establishment had been cut down, but this was not to be
wondered at, and Fred Skane had an easier time than usual. Many of the
lads had joined up, and more were waiting for the call. Alan
generously granted them a portion of their salaries during the time
they served.
Eve looked longingly forward to the time when Alan would be free again
and live always at Trent Park and where children to be born would
increase their happiness tenfold. She wrote him long letters, giving
all the news and local gossip, also everything concerning their home.
Her latest letter roused Alan's interest more than usual.
"You see, I was right," she wrote; "Duncan Fraser asked Ella Hallam to
be his wife and she consented. I am sure it is a good match, so is Mr.
Hallam, and Ella will be happy. Once upon a time I fancied you admired
her, I mean were half in love with her, and I am not quite certain yet
that she has forgiven me for snatching you away. We were always meant
for each other, Alan; it was our destiny, and in this case it has
proved very kind.
"And what do you think? Mr. Hallam wants me to sell The Forest to him
in order to give it to Ella as a wedding present. Shall I? Tell me.
There are many pleasant associations connected with it--the best, that
you asked me to be your wife there."
Then followed news which caused Alan to exclaim:
"By Jove, I am glad! I hope it's a boy."
Eve continued:
"And there's something else, another match. Will Kerridge has asked
Jane to be his wife; her second matrimonial venture will not be as
stormy as her first.
"We are all well here, and my wounded soldiers simply love the place"
("and their nurses," commented Alan, "lucky beggars!").
"I never pass the steeplechase course but it recalls vividly to mind
that never-to-be-forgotten day when you won on Bandmaster--the Rider in
Khaki."
THE END