Classic Audiobook Collection - The Spider by Fergus Hume ~ Full Audiobook [mystery]

Starting point is 00:00:00 chapter i of the spider by fergus hume chapter one a possible partnership the exterior of the athenian club pall mall represents an ordinary twentieth-century mansion which it is but within the name is justified by a greco-roman architecture of vast spaces marble floors painted ceilings and pillared walls adapted more or less successfully to the chilly british climate the various rooms are called by latin names and the use of these is rigidly enforced standing outside the mansion you know that you are in london enter and you behold athens say the abode of alcibiades listen and scraps of speech suggest imperial rome thus the tastes of all the members whether old and pedantic or young and frivolous are consulted and gratified modern slang as well as the stately tongue of virgil is heard in the athenian for the club like st paul is all things to all men for that reason it is a commercial success strangers they come eagerly with members to behold rumored glory enter the clubhouse through imitation bronze gates into the vestibulum and pass through an inner door into the atrium this means that they leave the entrance room for the general conversation apartment to the right of this looking from the doorway is the tablinum which answers perhaps not very correctly as regards the name the purposes of a library to the left a lordly portal gives admittance into the triclinium the that is, to the dining room.

Starting point is 00:01:49 At the end of the atrium, which is the neutral ground of the club, where members and strangers meet, swing doors shut in the Pinnocoteca. Properly, this should be a picture gallery, but in deference to modern requirements, it is used as a smoking room. These three rooms, spacious, ornate and lofty, open under a colonnade or peristyle,

Starting point is 00:02:12 onto a glass-roofed winter garden, which runs like a narrow passage, around the three sides of the building. The Viradarium, as the members call this cultivated strip of land, extends only 20 feet from the marble pavement of the peristyle, and is bounded by the side walls and rear walls of adjacent houses. It is filled with palms and tropical plants, with foreign and native flowers, and owing to a skillful concealment of its limitations by the use of enormous mirrors

Starting point is 00:02:44 festooned with creepers and ivy, it really resembles vast pleasure gardens extending to great distances. The outlook from the Tablinum, the Pinnocetica, and the Triclinium is a triumph of perspective. Below the state apartments on the ground floor are the kitchens, the domestic offices, and the servants' rooms. Above them, the cubicles are to be found, where members, both resident or non-resident, sleep when disposed, on beds more comfortable than classical. Finally, on the top floor and reached by a lift are billiard rooms, card rooms, and a small gymnasium for those who require exercise. The whole scheme is modeled on a larger scale from the House of Glaucus,

Starting point is 00:03:30 as described by Bulwer Lytton in the last days of Pompeii. A perusal of this famous story suggested the novelty to an enterprising builder, and the Athenian club is the successful. result. The members of such a club should have been classical scholars, but these were the minority. The greater portion of those who patronized this latest London freak were extremely up-to-date, and defended their insistent modernity amidst ancient artificial environment by Acts 1721. For the Athenians and strangers, which were there, spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing and certainly they acted well up to the text for all the scandal and novelty of the metropolis seemed to flow from this pseudo-classical source plays were discussed in manuscript novels on the eve of publication

Starting point is 00:04:30 inventors came here to suggest plans for airships or to explain how the earth could signal to mars some members had brand-new ideas for the improvement of motor mechanism. Others desired to evolve color from sound, detailing with many words how music could be made visible. As to politics, the Athenians knew everything which was going on behind the scenes and could foretell equally truthfully a war, a change of government, the abdication of a monarch, or the revolt of an oppressed people. If any traveler arrived from the land at the back of beyond, with an account of a newly discovered island or an entirely new animal, he was sure to be a member of the club. Thus, although the interior of the Paul Mall mansion suggested Greece and Rome,

Starting point is 00:05:22 Nero and Pericles, the appointments for comfort for the quick dispatch of business or pleasure, and the ideas, conversation, and dress of the members were, if anything, six months ahead of the present year of grace. The Athenian club was really a mixture of, or blending of too far-apart epics, the very ancient and the very modern. But the dark ages were left out, as the members had no use for medieval ignorance. Over the mosaic dog with his warning lettering, Kave Kanyam strolled one warm evening in June a young man of 24,

Starting point is 00:06:00 whose physical appearance was more in keeping with the classical surroundings than were his faultlessly fitting dress clothes. His oval, clean-shaven face was that of a pure-blooded Helene. His curly golden hair and barge-blue eyes like the sky of Italy at noon suggested the sun-god. And his figure, limber, active and slender,

Starting point is 00:06:22 resembled the hermes of the palistra. He was almost aggressively handsome and apparently knew that he was, for he swaggered in with a haughty lord of the world there, entirely confident of himself and of his capabilities. his exuberant vitality was as pronounced as were his good looks and there was a finish about his toilette which hinted at a determination to make the most of his appearance he assuredly succeeded in accentuating what nature had done for him since even the attendant who approached to remove the young man's light overcoat appeared to be struck by this splendid vision of perfect health perfect beauty and perfect lordship of existence all the fairies must have come to the cradle of this fortunate young gentleman with profuse gifts he seemed to be the embodiment of joyous life is mr arthur vernon here he asked settling his waistcoat touching the flower on his button-hole and pulling a handkerchief out of his left sleeve

Starting point is 00:07:24 in the panacotheca sir was the reply for all the attendants were carefully instructed in correct pronunciation shall i tell him you are here mr monday's the gentleman thus named yawn lazily thanks i shall see him myself and with a nod to the man he walked lightly through the atrium looking like one of flaxman's creations only he was more clothed throwing keen glances right and left to see who was present and who was not mr monders entered the pinocotheca this was an oblong apartment with marble walls on three sides and a lordly range of pillars on the four which was entirely open to the gardens. Beyond could be seen the luxuriant vegetation of the undergrowth. Once sprang tall palms, duplicated in the background of mirrors. The mosaic pavement of the smoking room was strewn with Persian praying mats whose vivid coloring matched the pictured floor.

Starting point is 00:08:27 There were deep armchairs and softly cushioned sofas, all upholstered in dark red leather, which contrasted pleasantly with the snowy wall. walls. Many small tables of white metal and classical shapes were dotted here, there, and everywhere. As it was mid-June and extremely close, the fireplace, looking somewhat incongruous in such a place, was filled with ferns and white flowers in red pots of earthenware, thus repeating the general scheme of color. Red and white, snow and fire, with a spread of green in the viradarium, nothing could have been more artistic. Under the peristyle and near a fountain, once water sprang from the conk of a triton to fall into a shallow marble basin with prismatic hues,

Starting point is 00:09:16 were several copper-topped tables. Near them, basket chairs draped with brightly-hued rugs were scattered in picturesque disorder. One of them was occupied by a long, slim man of thirty. With a cigarette between his lips and a cup of coffee at his elbow, he stared straight in front of him and looked up swiftly when he heard Monder's springy steps. "'Here you are at last,' he remarked somewhat coolly, and glanced at his watch. "'Why didn't you turn up to dinner as arranged? It's close on nine o'clock.' "'Couldn't get away from my aunt,' replied Monder, slipping leisurely into an adjacent chair.

Starting point is 00:09:56 She seemed to have the blues about something and wouldn't let me go. Never was there so affectionate an aunt as Mrs. Bedge and never one so tryingly attentive. considering that she has brought you up in the past supplies you with money at present and intends to make you her heir in the future you might talk more kindly of her monder shrugged his shoulders oh the eton oxford education was all right she did well by me there but i don't get much money from her now and judging from that i may be heir to very little you ought to be glad that you are an heir to anything said vernon frowning for his friend's light tones jarred why asked the other my parents are dead long since aunt emily is my only relative and has neither chick nor child if she didn't intend to leave me her money she should not have brought me up to luxury and idleness it could certainly be better if she had made you work assented the host contemptuously but you were always lazy and extravagant i was born sitting down i am a lily of the field and a rose of sharon likewise an ass you think so said monders dryly well i hope to change your opinion on that point before we part it will take a deal of changing but all this talk is beside the purpose of our meeting you've made this appointment with me and didn't keep it to the minute i'm nearly two hours late well what does it matter everything to me i am a busy man snapped the other sharply

Starting point is 00:11:39 so you say monda's looked very directly at his host some fellows don't think so your business vernon interrupted i have no business i am an independent man and yet a busy one rejoined monda's softly strange there was the significance in his tone which made vernon color although he remained motionless he certainly was about to make a hasty observation but his guest looked at him so straightly and smilingly that he bit his lip and refrained from immediate speech. Monders, still smiling, took a cigarette from a golden case and light it up. You might offer me a cup of coffee? Vernon signaled to a passing attendant. A cup of coffee for Mr. Monders. With vanilla bean, directed the other man.

Starting point is 00:12:30 I don't like coffee otherwise. And hurry up, please. Then, when the servant departed, he turned suavely to his host. I forget what we were talking about. So do I, retorted Vernon Cooley. Monders, smoking delicately, rested his wrists on the copper edge of the table, and looked searchingly into his friend's strong face. And Vernon's face was strong, much stronger than that of his companion.

Starting point is 00:12:58 He likewise had blue eyes, but of a deep sea blue, less shallow and more piercing than those of Monders. his face was also oval with finely cut features but more scored with thought marks and his hair was as dark smooth and short crop as that of the others was golden curly and odd adjective to use in conjunction with a man fluffy both were clean-shaven but vernon's mouth was firm while the lips of monders were less compressed and betrayed indecision the former had the more athletic figure the latter a more graceful one and although both were well groomed and well dressed vernon was less of the dandy in his attention to detail poetically speaking one man was night and the other day but a keen observer would have read that the first used strength of body and brain to achieve his ends while the last relied more on cunning and from the looks of the twain cunning and strength were about to try conclusions yet they had been child friends school friends and so forth far as their paths ran parallel were life friends with certain reservations you were always as deep as a well artie said monders finally removing his eyes from the other space and turning to take his cup of coffee don't call me artie snapped vernon irritably you were arty at eton when we were boys tall and short we are not at eton now i always think that there is something weak in a man being called by his christian name outside his family family, much less being ticketed with a confounded diminutive.

Starting point is 00:14:39 You can call me Connie if you like, as you used to. I shan't, or even Constantine. Monders is good enough for me. Oh, is he? The fair man glanced shrewdly over the coffee cup he was holding to his lips. You hold to that. I hold to the name, not to the individual, said Vernon curtly. You don't trust me.

Starting point is 00:15:03 i don't i see no reason to trust you ah you will when i explain why i asked you to meet me here said monders in his frivolous manner i dare say go on his friend sighed what a laconic beast you are arty my name is vernon if you please always vernon asked monda's in silky tones the other man sat up alertly what do you mean i mean that i want you to take me into partnership partnership vernon's face grew an angry red what the devil do you know softly softly i know many things although there is no need to swear it's bad form vernon deuced bad form the fact is he went on to gracefully. My aunt keeps me short of money, and I want all I can get to enjoy life. I thought as I am pretty good in finding out things about people, that you might invite me to become a partner in your detective business. Mernan cast a hasty glance around. Fortunately, there were no guests under the peristyle and only two men out of earshot in the Pinocotheca. You are talking rubbish, he said roughly, yet apprehensively.

Starting point is 00:16:24 I don't think so. Your father died three years ago and left you with next to nothing. Having no profession, you did not know what to do, and, ashamed to beg, borrow, or steal, you turned your powers of observation to account on the side of the law against the criminal. Monders took a card from his waistcoat pocket

Starting point is 00:16:44 and passed it along. Nemo, Private Inquiry Agent, 22, Fenella Street, Covent Garden, is inscribed on that card nemo means nobody i believe yet nemo as i know means arthur vernon of the athenian club the man addressed tore the card to pieces and threw them amongst the flowers you talk rubbish he said again and still roughly how do you connect me with this private enquiry agent ah that's too long a story to tell you just now monders glanced at his watch i am do it a ball in an hour and one want the matter settled before I leave here. What matter? The partnership matter.

Starting point is 00:17:27 There was a pause. Well? I have nothing to say, said Vernon firmly. Maunders rose. In that case, I'll cut along and go earlier than I expected the Lady Corsoon's ball. Lady Corsoon? Vernon changed colour and bit his lip. Yes, she didn't ask you to her ball, did she?

Starting point is 00:17:48 She wouldn't, of course, seeing that you were in love with her daughter, "'That young lady is to marry money, and you haven't any but what you make out of your detective business. Perhaps if I tell her that you are doing well as Nemo, she might.' By this time Vernon was on his feet. "'Don't you dare, don't you dare,' he panted hoarsely, and the perspiration beaded his brow. "'Oh!' Monders raised his eyebrows. "'Then it is true, after all!'

Starting point is 00:18:17 "'Sit down,' commanded Vernon savagely, resuming his own seat. we must talk this matter out if you please i came here for that purpose only don't keep me too late i am engaged to lucy for the third waltz and must not disappoint her vernon winced you have no right to call miss courson by her christian name why not she's not engaged to you i love her and as yet as yet mind you vernon i have as good a right as you to cut in i understood that you were as good as engaged to miss dimsdale oh monda's lightly flipped away a cigarette ash the shoes on the other foot there she loves me but i don't love her still there's money in the business if ida becomes mrs old dimsdale's got no end of cash and ida inherits everything as his only child but he wants her to marry colonel touton you know the chap who did so well in some hill tribe extermination in India? But Ida loves me, and Tauton's got no chance, unless I marry Lucy Corsoon, and give him a hook-in.' "'You're a cynical, conceited, feather-headed young ass,' said Vernon with cold self-restrained fury, and I forbid you to speak of Miss Corsune in that commercial way,

Starting point is 00:19:38 much less call her by her Christian name. She loves me and I love her, and we intend to marry if—' "'If Lady Corsune permits the match!' finished Monders, stretching out his long. long legs. It's no go, my dear fellow. She doesn't think you rich enough for the girl. I never heard that Constantine Monders was a millionaire, retorted the other man bitterly. My face is my fortune, old chap, and there are various ways of getting Lady Corsoons consent. What ways? asked Vernon suddenly, and searchingly looking at his friend. Oh, you ask too much. I am not your partner yet. That means you have some knowledge about Lady Corsoon which you can use to force her to consent.

Starting point is 00:20:24 Perhaps I know a great deal about most people. Everyone has his or her secrets as well as her or his price. Are you a private inquiry agent also? sneered Vernon, leaning back. Ah, Monders seized upon the half-admission. Then you are, Nemo! Yes, assented the dark man reluctantly, although I can't guess how you came to know about my business.

Starting point is 00:20:49 I wish the fact kept dark as it would be disastrous for me in society. Probably, admitted Monders lazily. One doesn't like to hobnob with an Asmodeus who goes in for unroofing houses. Yet you propose to join Asmodeus, chafed Vernon uneasily. Oh, yes, I think it's a paying business, you see, and I want money. how i learned about the matter is of no great consequence and i don't think anyone else will connect you with this nemo abstraction and when in partnership i shall of course keep it dark for my own sake i dare say sneered vernon secretly furious at having to submit and on what terms do you propose to join in the business you despise half-profits said monders promptly really you seem to set some value on yourself no one else will if i don't replied monders good-humouredly see here artie oh then vernon if you will your business as a private inquiry agent is to find out things about people and-i beg your pardon

Starting point is 00:21:59 but you talk through your hat interrupted vernon acidly my business is to assist people to settle business which the general public is not supposed to know i don't find out people's business they come to me with difficult cases and i settle business which the general public is not supposed to know i don't find out people's business they come to me with difficult cases and i settle them to the best of my ability. Yes, yes, said mongers leniently. You put the best complexion on it, old man, but it's dirty work all the same. It is nothing of the sort, almost shouted Vernon. Then sank his voice to a furious whisper. My business is perfectly honest and clean. The nature of it requires secrecy, but I take up nothing the doing of which would reflect

Starting point is 00:22:38 on my honour. I have precious little money and also a logical way of looking at things. for that reason i trade as nemo under the rows of course laughed monders you don't put your goods in the shop window however i understand perfectly and i am willing to come in with you oh make no mistake my dear chap i am worth having as a partner as i know heaps about tom dick and harry which they would rather were kept out of the newspapers i don't run a blackmailing business said vernon passionately what a nasty word and wholly unnecessary i never suggested blackmailing any one that i know of all i say is that having a goodish acquaintance with the seamy sight of society life i can earn my half of the nemo prophets by assisting you and if i refuse i shall hint mind you i shan't say anything straight out but i shall hint that you are a professionally inquisitive person i don't know if you're aware of it said Vernon slowly, but you are a scoundrel. Oh, dear me, no, not at all, rejoined the other airily.

Starting point is 00:23:49 I am simply a young man with the tastes of a duke and the income of a pauper. Naturally I wish to supplement that income, and your secret business seems to offer advantages in the way of earning immediate cash. And if I don't consent, you will do your best to ruin me socially? That's business, said Monders promptly. Get a man into a corner and skin him a-my-and-and-a-one. your leisure well do you consent i can't do anything else that i can see said the other bitterly however you must give me a week to come to a decision take a month answered the visitor generously i'm not in a hurry to skin you old man you can't get out of the corner you know and see here if we make a fortune out of this business i'll give you a chance with lucy and take ida dimsdale with her ten thousand a year will she have that

Starting point is 00:24:42 much oh certainly i made inquiries said monders coolly it's no use jumping in the dark you know old dimsdale his christian names martin was a police commissioner in burma some years ago and shook the pagoda tree to some purpose now he's retired and lives in a gorgeously glorified bungalow which he built at hampstead he's not a bad chap and ida is uncommonly good-looking i might do worse what about colonel touton i'll cut him out he's a very young colonel of forty-five handsome and smart but with precious little brain about him he's got an ancient country house in yorkshire and-but here i'll be taking all night maunders jumped up and lucy is waiting for me you can take a month thank you said vernon frigidly i shall give you my answer then it will be yes of course you can't say anything else i say monders threw a laughing glance over his shoulders by this time you must have changed your opinion as to my being an ass and he departed still laughing vernon ran after him and touched his shoulder not an ass but a scoundrel he breathed with suppressed passion and maunder's laughter increased end of chapter one read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter two of the spider by fergus hume this liverbox recording is in the public domain recording by don w jenkins chapter two a confidential communication. When Monders passed into the atrium, Vernon returned slowly to his seat under the peristyle. Here he ordered a fresh cup of strong coffee to clear his brain, lighted another cigarette, and sat down to recall the late conversation. As a preliminary to a thorough

Starting point is 00:26:44 consideration of the situation, he ran over in his mind what he knew of the man who wished to become his partner. His memory showed Monders to be an exceedingly unscrupulous person who was ready to do anything to gratify his appetite for pleasure. Vernon's recollections carried him back to a Berkshire village of which his father had been the squire. Mrs. Bedge, the widow of a Levantine merchant, had taken a house in the neighborhood, and there had settled with her nephew, Constantine Monders. It seemed that her sister had married a naturalized Greek, hence the boy's Christian name. As the parents were dead, Mrs. Bedge, being without offspring, had adopted the orphan. But from what Vernon remembered, Monders had always been a handsome and charming little boy who

Starting point is 00:27:36 usually got his own way by sheer amiability and good looks. But he had inherited more from his Greek father than a classical face and a Christian name which smacked of old Constantinople, for he was crafty and clever and utterly without moral principle. He could conceal his feelings admirably. He could scheme for his wants very dexterously, and he told the lie or the truth with the utmost impartiality when either suited the end to be gained. Posing as an innocent angel child, he deceived everyone, and although outwardly he outwardly he appeared to be an unsophisticated babe, he was in reality a little monster of egotism.

Starting point is 00:28:20 Even when they were children together, Vernon, from bitter experience, had always mistrusted Constantine and had judged his character more accurately than grown-up people. Those were invariably taken in by the Brat's cherubic aspect. At Eton, Constantine fared less happily. He was ten years of age when his aunt sent him there, and as Vernon then was 15, she had asked him to look after her darling. But all Vernon's chivalry could not save Constantine from well-deserved kicks and thrashings. Schoolboys are not to be taken in by angel children, so Constantine did not have a happy time. However, he was so diplomatic and so unscrupulous that he managed to scramble through school life fairly well.

Starting point is 00:29:09 At Oxford, whether he went some years after Vernon, he got on better and became a general favorite because of his general pliancy of disposition. By means of that same pliancy, he usually secured his selfish ends under a guise of consistent amiability. Being quick-brained and clever, if somewhat shallow, he secured his degree and left the university with an excellent character. But since then he had been a man about town, supported by his aunt's money. Mrs. Begg had settled in London at Constantine's request and could refuse him nothing. Yet, as Vernon judged from what the young man had said, even Mrs. Begg's generosity could not supply monders with sufficient money to gratify the selfish desire he had always had

Starting point is 00:29:58 for pleasure. Only the income of a Rothschild could have entirely satisfied his cravings for the delights of existence. Vernon had been less lucky. in life. His father had speculated rashly, and three years prior to the meeting of the young man at the Athenian club had died a comparative pauper. Thrown on his own resources and without a profession, Vernon had utilized his observant and logical faculties to set up in private practice as a detective. For two years he had carried on the trade with success and without having been found out. But now that Constantine had come on the scene, Vernon and felt that there would be trouble.

Starting point is 00:30:41 Of course, by taking him as a partner, an exposure could be avoided, but only temporarily. Monders was so ready to make mischief that Vernon felt he would take all he could get out of the business, and when prosperous by marriage with Ida Dimmesdale would not hesitate to tell the truth. The sole safeguard lay in the fact that,

Starting point is 00:31:01 being tarred with the same brush, Monders, for his own social sake, might hold his tongue. He was always clever, enough to avoid the publication of any facts to his disadvantage it really seemed on these grounds that it would be judicious to admit him as a partner but vernon shivered at the prospect at the best such a business as he was engaged in was a delicate one and decidedly unpopular with monder's unscrupulous methods it might degenerate into a series of shady transactions but i'll take the month and think it over thought Vernon when he had finished his coffee and cigarette. Much may happen in 30 days, which may enable me to get out of the difficulty. Then he took out his watch and noted that it was

Starting point is 00:31:50 ten o'clock. Just time to see Dimsdale, he yawned. When putting on his light overcoat in the vestibulum, Vernon thought it was a strange coincidence that Monders should have mentioned, incidentally, of course, the name of the man with whom he had an appointment at half-past ten o'clock. Earlier in the day, Vernon had received a pressing note asking him to meet the writer at Colonel Tauton's Chambers, Ralph Street, St. James, at that hour. So as a matter of fact, two names pertinent to the situation had been mentioned, Dimsdale and Toughton. Vernon wondered as he walked along Paul Mall what the reason could be. He did not believe in coincidence and had sufficient experience of life to doubt the existence of chance.

Starting point is 00:32:37 So the mention of the names taken in conjunction with the appointment must point to some problem being worked out. Vernon believed, as every thoughtful man must believe, that everything was worked out in the unseen world before it became a factor in the visible plain, and he was quite prepared to find, on this assumption, that the meeting with Dimsdale and Tauton's Chambers was more important than it appeared to be on the same. surface. Subsequent events proved that he was right in his conjecture. Meanwhile, as he was a one thing at a time man, he sauntered leisurely along towards his

Starting point is 00:33:15 destination, wondering what Dimmesdale wished to see him about. The ex-police commissioner was one of the very few people who knew of the business in Covenant Garden. Dimmesdale had been a lifelong friend of Vernon's father and had welcomed the young man with open arms to his home. It was odd that Vernon had not fallen in love with Ida, as nothing would have pleased Dimsdale better than to have given his daughter and her money to his old friend's son. But fortune in her freakish way had decided that Vernon should fall in love with Lucy Coursen, where every obstacle would be placed in the way of a successful wooing, so Ida and Arthur had settled contentedly down into a brother and sister relationship.

Starting point is 00:33:58 Dimsdale was annoyed that his pet project of marriage could not come to pass, but there was no help for it, as he could not govern the young man's affections. Also, he was annoyed because Vernon, when the death of his father occurred, would not let the elder man assist him. However, he told him his plans about the private inquiry office, and although the ex-police commissioner did not wholly approve, he judged from his knowledge of the young man's detective powers that it was the best use of the best use of the judge. he could put his talents to. More than this, he managed to bring him clients, and to spread the fame of Nemo by dexterous illusions. Brennan, therefore, was doing very well in the line he had struck out for himself and felt duly grateful to Dimsdale for his assistance. He thought as he walked along Ralph Street that probably the old gentleman had found him a fresh client,

Starting point is 00:34:51 but it was odd that Colonel Tauken's chambers should have been chosen as the meeting place, since Dimmesdale belonged to several clubs. And the matter, whatever it was, must be very important, else Dimmesdale would have waited until Vernon paid his weekly visit to the Hampstead bungalow. It was only a quarter past ten o'clock when Vernon arrived, and he thought that he would have to wait. But Toughton's servant intimated that Mr. Dimsdale was watching for his visitor in the

Starting point is 00:35:20 Colonel's particular sanctum and ushered the young man into the room. the colonel himself did not appear to be present but martin dimsdale was spoken in a deep arm-chair and jumped up in his boyish way to shake hands warmly he always had a great regard for arthur vernon the room was an ordinary apartment comfortably furnished but in a strictly bachelor fashion the scheme of colour was deep green and deep red so that it appeared somewhat sombre trophies of touton's sporting instincts in the shape of skins and heads appeared on the walls and on the floor there were many military portraits and groups about reminiscent of the colonel's army life the two windows were open and the curtains were pulled back so that the room was fairly cool while on the table stood a siphon some glasses and a decanter of whisky together with a box of cigars these were at mr dimsdale's elbow he had evidently been passing the time in smoking and drinking pending his young friend's arrival i'm glad to see you boy said the ex-police commissioner pointing to a chair sit down and make yourself at home "'Toutin gives me full permission to play in this yard. "'Have a peg and a cigar.'

Starting point is 00:36:37 "'Not too strong, please,' warned Vernon, "'excepting a cigar and sinking into the indicated chair. "'I haven't so steady a head as yours.' "'It's a cleverer head,' said Dimsdale, "'swerting in the potash. "'Else I should not have asked you to meet me here, Nemo.' "'Oh, Vernon placed the glass beside him. "'I thought it was a case,

Starting point is 00:36:59 "'but why did you ask me to meet you in Toughton's rooms? "'Where's Toughton?' "'At my sister's ball, along with Ida and Miss Hest.' "'Lady Corson's ball?' Dimsdale sat down and nodded. "'Yes, it's a swell affair. As Sir Julius wants to make an impression on some Australian people, he desires to rope into his schemes for making money.

Starting point is 00:37:22 Something to do with mines, I believe. I didn't feel inclined to go, although I dare say I'll have to look in later to fetch Ida and Miss Hest home. I wished particularly to see you. His manner assumed a portentous gravity. So I asked Toughton if I could come here and make the appointment. But at your club? What I have to say is sacred and secret, interrupted the old gentleman.

Starting point is 00:37:49 A club has many eyes and ears. Better be on the safe side. Oh, that's all right, he added with a nod on seeing Vernon's eyes stray to the open window. Those only look out over the roofs of houses. No one can hear us. Whiskey all right? Cigar drawing well? Very good.

Starting point is 00:38:08 Now then, he settled himself for an exhaustive talk. The old Indian officer had certainly not been dried up by the hot climate where he had spent the greater part of his life. He was a round, tubby, rosy-faced little man, all curves and gracious contentment. His face was clean-shaven and his head was bald, while his sharp gray eyes twinkled behind the gold-grimmed. Ponsnay, balanced on an unimportant nose. With his round head and round body, sphere superimposed

Starting point is 00:38:39 upon sphere and short legs, he looked like the figure of a Chinese Mandarin and nodded his head like one when he wished to emphasize a point. There was nothing military about him in any way, and Vernon wondered how so natty and neat an old gentleman ever came to have command of men appointed to hunt down de Quots in the jungles of Burma. Yet Dimmesdale's official career had been a stirring one, and he had done good service in pacifying the country after the war. Now he had beaten his sword into a plowshare, and with a considerable fortune was spending his amiable old age under his own fig tree.

Starting point is 00:39:18 When Vernon looked at the rotund little man with the round rosy face, he saw before him a perfectly contented human being and a very kind-hearted. one to boot. Well, sir, he said, leaning back comfortably, retiled in, as Mason's say, so I shall be glad to hear what you have to tell me. Also, I am obliged to you for seeking out this a special case for me. Two special cases, my boy, two special cases, said Mr. Dimsdale, wagging his head and looking more like a Chinese dander than ever. One has to do with me. I'll tell you about it later. The other has to do with Mrs. Bedge and her adopted

Starting point is 00:39:57 son. Monders, cried Vernon, astonished to find that his premonition was coming true. You don't mean Constantine? Yes, I do, Arthur. Of course I do. Young Monders, I never did like that boy somehow in spite of his good looks and polite manners. After all, he's half a Greek, and I don't like the Greeks either. They're nearly as tricky as the Armenians, and that's saying a lot. All the same, I'm sorry for the sake of Emily. I'm an old friend of emily ha ha i was in love with her before she married bedge he was a leventine merchant you know dealt in currants and cherry jam and all the rest of it not a bad chap from what i remember of him but far too old a husband for emily do you mean mrs bedge asked vernon vainly endeavouring to stem the flow of the old man's speech of course i mean mrs bedge i call her emily because ha ha i was in love with her she was a handsome girl in those years and a good one why look how she adopted that rascal i can't help thinking young monda's a rascal though he does want to marry ida which is not to be thought of yes yes emily always was good i don't believe a word of it not a word

Starting point is 00:41:14 and mr dimsdale bringing his fist down on the table glared at his companion through his ponsigny you don't believe a word of what asked vernon soothingly i'm coming to that i'm coming to that don't Don't worry me and hurry me. Mr. Dimsdale rubbed his nose in a vexed manner. Young Monders now. What? Have you seen young Monders lately? It's odd that you should ask that, said Vernon slowly, because I have just parted from him at the Athenian club.

Starting point is 00:41:46 Don't have anything to do with him, Arthur. He's a bad lot. A very bad lot indeed. Oh, it's nothing that he has done. I wouldn't say to anyone else what I am saying to you, but I can read character, and I have observed Master Constantine. He's so selfish that he would boil Emily for his own gratification if it pleased him, and she would let herself be boiled, too. She's as silly over the scamp as he is selfish

Starting point is 00:42:09 towards her. Why do you cultivate his society? Eh, what? It's wrong and stupid. Yes, yes, stupid and wrong. I haven't seen so very much of him since we left Oxford, objected Arthur, and certainly I don't cultivate him, as you put it, for I admire his character as little as you do. And on more tangible grounds, perhaps. A what? Tell me. No, I have not much to go on. At school and at college, and when we were children together in Berkshire,

Starting point is 00:42:40 I never wholly liked Constantine. He's too selfish and too unscrupulous, although he always keeps on the right side of the law. Still, if he could do anything for his own benefit against the law without being found out and made to pay the penalty, i believe he would have little hesitation in doing it i dare say no doubt you speak the exact truth from intuition he's a snake that young man a pretty curly insinuating snake he's poison in a well-shaped and well-coloured bottle poor emily poor emily silly woman but goodness itself she's a mrs lear with a thankless adopted child sharper than a serpent's tooth bless her and damn him him for a rogue, though, bless me, I can't bring any actual charge against the young beast.

Starting point is 00:43:31 Ha! No! But when one sees smoke, one guesses fire! Did you tell him that I was Nemo? asked Vernon bluntly. Dimsdale grew furiously red and furiously angry, so angry indeed that he rose to stamp about the room. Oh, the devil, can you ask me such a question?

Starting point is 00:43:50 And how dare you, if it comes to that? Am I an ass? An idiot? A babbler? I wouldn't tell Monders that I had to. I'd eaten my dinner, much less inform him of a secret which it is to your advantage to keep. Why do you ask? Hang you for thinking me a traitor and a gossip."

Starting point is 00:44:05 "'Forgive me,' said Vernon with an apologetic ear, "'I am quite sure that you have preserved the secret of how I earn my money, but I know that Constantine haunts your house and thought you might have let drop a casual hint, which he is clever enough, as we both know, to take advantage of. But the fact is he found out about Nemo, and threatens unless I take him to take him to into partnership, he has given me a month to turn over the proposition, that he will make society too hot to hold me. "'The young rascal!

Starting point is 00:44:35 The young blackmailing scoundrel!' cried Dimmesdale, stamping again. "'It's just what he would do. He haunts my house to make love to Ida, and I would rather see her dead than as his wife, especially now that I know what I'm about to tell you.' "'What is it?' "'Later on I shall explain. Meanwhile, don't beat about the bush, but tell me exactly what more Fonders threatens. Vernon detailed the conversation, and Dimsdale returned to his seat to hear the narrative.

Starting point is 00:45:02 When it was ended, he nodded with compressed lips. Very clever on the part of Master Snake. He has you and his power right enough, since he is ready to betray you if he don't obey his commands. Well, then, I'm going, to a certain extent, to put him in your power. What? Have you found out? I have found out nothing, said Dimsdale, testily. don't interrupt do you know of a blackmailer called the spider bernan half rose and then sat down again with an effort at self-control i have come across his work on several occasions and so has scotland yard no one knows what he is or where he lives or anything about him he gets his name from the fact that he always signs his blackmailing letters with the stamped representation of a spider go on said dimsdale quite calmly for him tell me more there's little to tell sir the spider learns people's secrets somehow and in a way which no one can discover it he writes to this or that person

Starting point is 00:46:07 and threatens unless a certain sum of money is paid to publish the secret by means of postcards sent to the private address and sometimes to the club of his victim of course there is no combating this mode of procedure so much to be able to the private address and sometimes to the club of his victim of course there is no combating this mode of procedure so most people pay quietly, although some have kicked. Why isn't the reptile arrested when he comes for his money? Tell me that, sir, tell me that. Sometimes the money is sent to a given address, or at other times the spider, masked and cloaked, meets his victim personally. He is not arrested because he always tells his victim that if the police are brought into the question and he is jailed,

Starting point is 00:46:48 the especial secret will be published all the same to the world by a hidden accomplice by means of postcards so you can see mr dimdale that if any person wishes his or her secret to be preserved they cannot risk an arrest still i have been employed by one or two victims to learn the truth and i have failed i can't lay hands on the spider nor can any of the official detectives mr dimsdale nodded he's a clever animal said he grimly you have described his mode of procedure extremely well my boy it's just the way in which he is tormenting emily mrs bedge is he blackmailing her of course he is don't i tell you so said dimsdale crossly she asked me to come and see her yesterday and showed me three letters with the figure of a spider at the foot of the writing the reptile wants five thousand pounds else he will send cards to her private address and to her friends stating that constantine is her illegitimate son what vernon leapt from his chair aghast of course it's an infernal lie said dimsdale warmly emily is a good woman even though she jilted me to marry a man old enough to be her father she was true to him i swear she was true to him and simply adopted the son of his partner monders his real name was constantine mavrocardato because the boy's father and mother were dead there is no grounds for this assertion on the part of the spider absolutely none confound it sir you know emily raged can you know her and doubt for a moment but that this viper has made a most iniquitous accusation she has the boy's certificate of birth and can prove the truth and moreover can call evidence on the part of friends who knew about the adoption when it took place but you know that mud sticks arthur however

Starting point is 00:48:47 innocent a person may be. Emily simply can't stand up against this blackguard attempt. If she refuses to send the five thousand pounds to the address given within a fortnight, the spider says he will send cards making his lying assertion to all her friends. Even if she rebutted it, as she can, there would always be shrugged shoulders and raised eyebrows and cold looks and no smoke without fire remarks. True. "'Bernan looked thoughtfully at his cigar-tip. "'Plenty of innocent people do not care to face publicity on that account.

Starting point is 00:49:23 "'Human nature is so prone to believe the worst, "'even in the face of the very plainest evidence. "'What does Mrs. Bedge propose to do?' "'She wanted to send the money, "'but I suggested that she should let me place the matter in your hands.' "'Thank you. I'll do my best, "'but it's a difficult case, as the spider is so hard to find.' "'On this example.'

Starting point is 00:49:45 occasion, I don't think he will be, said Dimsdale with a grin, since I proposed to work with you. I don't understand. Don't I speak plainly? asked Dimsdale tartly. I said there were two cases, didn't I? Answer me, sir, answer me. Yes, but... There is no but about the matter, Arthur. I shall make a full explanation after I have asked a simple question.

Starting point is 00:50:11 And the question? You see, don't you, how this information plays a question? monder's young beast in your power no i don't answered vernon very plainly and somewhat aggressively if you mean that i am to use my knowledge of his falsely being accused of illegitimacy as a threat to keep him from worrying me into a partnership i don't mean that in the least cried dimsdale warmly confound you sir would you make me out to be no better than this spider reptile what i mean is that you can say to monders that you will receive him into partnership if he hunts down the spider and clears the character of his adopted mother. Not that Emily's character requires clearing in my eyes, mind you. But we must consider the limitations of human nature, my boy, and place Emily, like Caesar's wife, above suspicion.

Starting point is 00:51:01 Now do you understand? Eh, what? Reply, sir. Arthur nodded. I understand. And if Monders hunts down the spider, he will be worth engaging as a partner. No, I don't mean that, but you are so.

Starting point is 00:51:15 setting him to achieve an impossibility unless he fulfills your wish he cannot hope to be a partner in the meantime you and i hunt down the spider then when we have him jailed monders not having done what you asked of him can't expect to become a partner i think he will in any case said vernon grimly i think not sir said dimsdale very distinctly of course emily is all right and this blackmailing accusation is a lie all the same maunders who is anxious to secure a position in society and mariaida confound him he never shall with my consent will not wish the slightest breath of his being a possible natural child to get about i should say nothing said vernon stiffly quite so i never expected you would but the mere probability of the business becoming known will make monders careful he won't worry you again as judging you by his own iniquitous self he will think you capable of betraying him now can you see yes but constantine knows that i would never speak i dare say because he thinks the bribe isn't enough he believes as peal did or ball-pole was it that every man has his price he won't worry you i tell you if you give the merest hint to him of the matter not that you need to for he will know about this blackmailing letter to-morrow vernon recalled how monders had said that his aunt had detained him and how he had suggested that she had something on her mind he doesn't know it at present anyhow no emily saw me before speaking to him however listen to the scheme i have in my mind to catch this spider wretch he is trying to blackmail me oh vernon sat up and laughed how ridiculous you of all men cannot be blackmailed since your life is so open no man's life is open said dimsdale dryly and mine has its dark pages as every one else's has

Starting point is 00:53:16 i have a secret not a particularly bad one it is true still one that i should prefer to keep to myself what is it i shan't tell you or any man snapped the ex-police commissioner it is sufficient to say that it is not a very bad secret and that even if it were told to the world it would matter little however the spider hangham i think he must have some acquaintance with my life in the east has learned something that i thought no one but myself knew anything about. He asks one thousand pounds, which is moderate compared to his demand on Emily, shows that he knows my secret isn't so very deadly, or it would be worth more. Did he write to you? asked Vernon alertly. Of course he did, making the usual threat of exposure by postcards to self and friends. Now I am going to consent to his demands. And pay the money?

Starting point is 00:54:11 I didn't say that, corrected Dimsdale sharply, but I am writing asking him, to meet me in my library and receive the money, also for him to hand over any documents to me, which even hint at my secret. When he comes, you can be concealed in the room, and we'll take him in charge. But then your secret will become known, objected Vernon. The spider always provides against arrest by leaving the evidence in the hands of others to publish. "'Pick and publish what he likes about me,' said Dimsdale Cooley. "'Didn't I tell you that the secret is of little value? The spider in his his letter to me embroidered upon actual fact and can make things unpleasant but i can prove the exact

Starting point is 00:54:52 truth of what he states and so can save my bacon there may be a few cold shoulders but i shan't care for that especially when my own conscience is clear now don't ask me to tell you on my secret for i shan't it is nothing to do with you or anyone else all you have to do is come to-morrow or the next day to my house at hampstead and i'll sketch out the plan of campaign what about me Mrs. Bedge. She has a fortnight to consider the payment. We shall catch the scoundrel before then, you understand. Eh, what? Good. Now, I must be off to Julia's ball. Are you coming?

Starting point is 00:55:29 Not asked. Of course. You love Lucy, and that will never do for Julia, who wants her to make a titled match. Good night. Ha-ha. You have plenty to think about. Don't get brain fever. Good night. Then the oddly assorted pair parted for the time being. End of chapter 2, read by Don W. Jenkins, Rancho San Diego, California. Chapter 3 of the spider by Fergus Hume. This Libra Box recording is in the public domain. Recording by Don W. Jenkins.

Starting point is 00:56:10 Chapter 3. How the Trap was set. As Martin Dimmesdale had spent the greater part of his 60 years in Burma, he naturally retained an affectionate remembrance of that most fantastic country. This he showed by calling his house Rangoon, and, as a further concession to what might almost be termed his native land, the house was built after the fashion more or less accurate of a bungalow. On arriving some ten years previously in England, Mr. Dimsdale had purchased an ancient range with its few remaining acres,

Starting point is 00:56:48 situated on the verge of Hampstead Heath. In spite of the fact that the mansion was historic and famous, this vandal pulled it down amidst the protests and to the grief of various antiquarians. On the cleared ground he erected the rambling one-story building which reminded him of the Far East. It was not an entirely Indian house, nor a holy Burmese house,

Starting point is 00:57:14 nor an absolutely English house, but a bastard mixture of all three, as the chilly northern climate had to be taken into consideration. But Dimmesdale looked upon it as a genuine reconstruction of the mongolos to which he had been accustomed and would hear no argument to the contrary. This was just as well for those who differed from his views as he was a peppery little man, voluble in speech. From the wide road which flanked this corner of the heath, the grounds were divided by a tall and thick-set laurel hedge, which must have taken years to attain its present stately beauty. At right angles to this, red-brick walls, old and mellow, ran back for a considerable distance to terminate in another hedge of mingled holly and oak saplings, and Sweetbrier and Hawthorne.

Starting point is 00:58:08 A gate in the center of this gave admittance to a well-deafelands. cultivated kitchen garden of two acres. Beyond, and divided from the garden by a low stone wall, stretched the meadows, encircled by aggressive barbed wire fences, the hole consisting of eight acres belonging to the man who had built the bungalow, and was a very desirable freehold for a well-to-do middle-class gentleman. In the first square between the hedges and brick walls stood the house, looking quite dazzling in the sunshine by reason of its white tiled walls and the raw hue of its red-tiled roof. Round three sides ran a deep veranda, and the fourth side, at the back, bordered the cobblestone yard, at the sides of which were the stables and

Starting point is 00:58:59 outhouses. Everything here was neat and trim and sweet-smelling, as Mr. Dimsdale would tolerate no litter, and was fidgety about the drainage. this was just as well seeing that the stables were over near the dwelling some judicious person had earlier pointed out to mr dimsdale that it would be advisable to erect them beyond the kitchen gardens and in the meadows but the little man out of sheer obstinacy refused to entertain the idea and built them cheek by javel with the house on either side of the bungalow trellis-work covered with creepers shut off the yard from the front garden This last, consisting of smooth lawns bordered by brilliantly colored flower-beds stretched to a rustic-looking white-painted gate set in the laurel hedge. To this, a broad walk, sanded to a deep yellow tint, ran from the shallow steps leading up to the front veranda.

Starting point is 00:59:58 Two noble elms, the sole survivors of a once well-wooded park, sprang one on each side of the path from the trim lawns. The building itself looked most unsubed. suitable to the chilly English climate with its spotless walls and French windows. These, of which there were many, opened directly onto the veranda, which was paved warmly with red bricks, rectangular and thin. Each window was provided with green shutters, fastened back during the day and tightly closed every night at dusk. On entering the front door, Mr. Dimsdale's visitors beheld a square wall, and the first object which struck the eye was a large,

Starting point is 01:00:39 long held shoulder high by two fierce-looking Burmese warriors carved in unpainted wood. Darkly blue eastern draperies, glittering with tiny round looking-glasses, veiled the left door, which led into the library, and the right door through which the dining room was entered. Passing between curtains of similar texture and style, hanging straightly from the ceiling, the visitor came into a spacious room with a slippery polished floor and a high-glass roof, which lighted the apartment, since occupying the center of the bungalow there could be no side windows. Folding valves of carved sandalwood on either side gave entrance into two long narrow passages broken by many bedroom doors. The bedrooms themselves looked on to the side

Starting point is 01:01:29 verandas through French windows, as has been described. At the end of the middle apartment, which, like the Athenian Club Antrium, was the general meeting-place of those in the house, and served the purpose of a drawing-room, was another large draped portal, admitting Mr. Dimsdale's male guests into a large billiard-room and a comfortable smoking-room, also his lady-guests into a boudoir and a music-room. Beyond these, and shut off by another narrow passage at right angles to those at the sides were the kitchen, the servants' quarters and the domestic offices. As the stables, in the opinion of many people, were too near the house,

Starting point is 01:02:12 the kitchen was too far distant from the dining room. But Mr. Dimsdale, who was fond of delicate fare, prevented the cooling of the food in transit by having it brought to the table in hot water dishes. He secretly acknowledged to himself that he was wrong as regards both stables and kitchen, but would never admit any oversight to his friends. as he had been his own architect he believed rangoon to be almost perfect in construction design beauty and in its blending of indian charm and english comfort and in the main he was not far wrong the house was filled with quaint eastern curios and draperies and contrivances and furniture although of this last there was comparatively little since mr dimsdale did not care to overcrowd his rooms as is the english fashion perhaps it was this sparseness which gave the house its foreign look the library was furnished with tables and couches and chairs and bookcases of black teak elaborately carved

Starting point is 01:03:14 while the central apartment contained nothing but bamboo chairs and tiny bamboo tables all of which were covered with brightly-hued draperies the dining-room was the most english-looking part of the house as it was decorated and furnished in the jacobian manner and looked massively british but the french windows three in the front three at the side uncurtained and pronouncedly bare admitted too great a glare into an apartment sacred to eating which for some traditional reason is always supposed to have rather a twilight atmosphere but mr dimsdale loved plenty of light and fresh air and all the sunshine he could get hence the many windows of the bungalow it would have been easier to have removed the walls dividing the rooms from the veranda and to have given them the full publicity of eastern shops and perhaps only the climate prevented mr dimsdale from going this length he was a fanatic in many ways and had the full courage of his cranky convictions as a police commissioner mr dimsdale had been secretly in partnership with a chinese merchant who traded from singapore to yokohama and from canton to thursday island that is he supplied the capital and quang lee managed the investments. Thus the astute Englishman was enabled to return to England with an ample income and proposed to spend the rest of his earthly life in enjoying it. The bungalow was his hobby, and he never grew weary of improving its beauties or of showing them to admiring friends.

Starting point is 01:04:50 As he was a widower, Mrs. Dimmesdale occupied a lonely grave in the Shan states. He had no one to coerce him into spending his money in any other way. It is true that Ida, his only child was handsome and marriageable and light-hearted, but having comparatively simple tastes, she did not yearn over much for a fashionable life. Certainly she knew many in the great world and sought society, to some extent during the season, created by man, but for the most part she preferred the home life of Rangoon, which was assuredly lively enough and not wanting in interest even to the insatiable appetite of the young for pleasure. Her father, like many Anglo-Indians, had been accustomed, save when he had been stationed in lonely places,

Starting point is 01:05:39 to much society, and was also gregarious by instinct. He invited Far East friends to sit at his hospitable board in the Jacobian dining-room, and made many new ones who were ready enough to welcome an amusing, experienced old traveler for the sake of his society, if not for his money. Dimmesdale knew many people in the neighborhood of Hampstead, and also a considerable number in the West End. His sister, Lady Corsoon, and her husband, Sir Julius, were his sponsors as regards this last locality. Besides, Mr. Dimmesdale belonged to several clubs, took an interest in politics, and the doings of the younger generation, which had matured during his exile, spent his money freely, and was always an amusing, chatty,

Starting point is 01:06:29 companion. With such qualifications it was no wonder that he possessed a large circle of friends, and was everywhere welcome. It must be admitted, however, that some frivolous people thought he was rather a bore, especially when he held forth about Rangoon. Then there was Miss Hest, Francis Hest, who was so frequently staying in the bungalow, and was so sisterly with Ida that she might almost be regarded as another daughter of the jolly ex-police, Commissioner. Her brother, Francis Hest, of Gerby Hall, Bauterstike, Yorkshire, was a comparatively rich and superlatively far-descended North Country Squire, who was quite a rural king in his own parochial way, but as his sister found the rustic life somewhat dull, she had come to London after quarrelling

Starting point is 01:07:20 with her brother, who did not approve of her leaving home. To force her to return, he allowed her next to nothing to live on, and not having a private income, she had earlier been in great straits. But being a clever girl of twenty-five and gifted with the dramatic instinct, she had turned her talents to account very speedily. A retired actor with the odd name of Garrick Gale, who termed himself a professor, had polished her elocutionary powers, and she had obtained engagements to recite at various at-homes. During the three years, she had been in London, she had improved her chances so much that she made quite a good income. She was seen everywhere and knew everyone, and being a handsome, well-dressed girl of good family,

Starting point is 01:08:07 no one could deny that, she made the most of her opportunities. Of course Francis Hest resented her behavior, but always mindful that she was his sister, he extended a grudging hospitality to her for six months of the year if she chose to accept it. miss hest did but not in its entirety and simply ran down to gerby hall when she felt inclined she also had a flat in westminster but for the most part spent her days and nights at rangoon in the company of ida dimsdale the two girls who had met by chance at a fashionable at home two years previously had struck up a sincere friendship and saw as much of each other as possible some few days after the conversation between vernon and dimsdale and colonel touton's chambers the two girls were together on the verandah of the bungalow busily engaged in sending out invitations for a ball in honor of her birthday she was now twenty-three ida had prevailed upon her father to allow her to give a masquerade in the central apartment that was to be cleared for dancing not that it needed much clearing so sparsely was it furnished and all those expected were told to wear masks and dominoes at midnight all the guests were to unmask and supper was to take place ida limited her guests to the number of one hundred and with the assistance of miss hest she was weeding out undesirable people

Starting point is 01:09:38 with a bamboo table between them and a screen to keep off the hot sunshine it was now the end of june and extremely sultry the young ladies were too intent on their agreeable work to notice that a stranger was advancing up the yellow-sanded path, and yet as the newcomer was Arthur Vernon, he could scarcely be called a stranger, seeing that he was a friend of the house and a weekly visitor. On this special occasion he had called to resume with Mr. Dimsdale the conversation about the spider, and, in his anxiety to complete the business,

Starting point is 01:10:11 which included the setting of a trap for the blackmailer, would have passed by the girls in order to interview his old friend. but francis who seemed to have eyes at the back of her head as vernon had noticed on several occasions drew ida's attention to him at once here is mr vernon dear she said pushing back her chair and straightening her tall imperial form let us ask him to suggest someone good-day miss hest good-day ida said vernon advancing easily and looking very smart in his bond street kit someone for what ida shook hands in her friendly sisterly way and explained in a week we are giving a masked ball in honor of my birthday and just now francis and i are making out the invitations only a hundred people arthur as the house won't hold any more comfortably here is the list ninety-five names as you see so we thought that you might suggest a few other people finished miss hess leaning gracefully on the back of her chair we want gentlemen more than ladies isn't a week's notice rather a short one to give for an entertainment of this sort asked vernon running his eyes over the submitted list why should it be demanded ida opening her eyes there is no fancy dress to get ready and i don't expect that every one will be engaged on that particular night it's mid-season you know ida miss hess nodded her approval i told ida that every one may be engaged

Starting point is 01:11:46 well i can't change the date of my birthday dear and i didn't think of a masked ball until yesterday if we send out invitations for one hundred and fifty guests that number will be sufficient everyone can't have other engagements on that especial night i don't know so much about that said francis in her deep voice which is of the contralto species people worked desperately hard during the season vernon laughed and handed back the list who was it said that life would be endurable if it were not for its festivals he remarked smiling i never see the weary faces of pleasure-seekers during the season but what i think of that saying well never mind ida tapped her white teeth with the pencils she was using and cast her eyes over the list of guests can you suggest four gentlemen arthur there are two who would certainly come and whose names you have unaccountably omitted miss hess raised her strongly marked eyebrows why unaccountably i'm thinking of colonel tauton and mr mender's there said francis turning gravely to her friend i told you every one would notice that you had left them out am i supposed to be every one asked vernon smiling again but why have you left monders and tauten out may i ask i thought they were such friends ida sat down and coloured through her fair skin i wish to ask connie monders but my father won't hear of it why i don't know vernon reflected that he knew very well since dimsdale objected to monders paying undue attentions to his daughter but he kept this knowledge to himself and inquired about colonel tauton your father and he are such great friends of course ida said petulantly and as they've both been in the east and are both of an age they should be friends there's a difference between the two things there's a difference between you're a difference between you're a difference between

Starting point is 01:13:45 between forty-five and sixty odd dear said francis mildly and between twenty-three and forty-five retorted miss dimsdale whose cheeks were growing even more scarlet and colonel touton is such a nuisance he's always don't laugh arthur i beg your pardon but i guessed what you were about to say said vernon with mock gravity but why do you object to colonel taughton who does not look more than thirty who is a distinguished soldier and to say nothing of his being well-off and handsome i don't know that he is so very well off retorted ida defending herself he has only that old place in yorkshire i know nodded francis wisely it's a grange batterstake three miles from my brother's place colonel touton is of a very old family and i know for a fact that he has at least one thousand a year you might do worse ida i don't wish to marry money said ida in beck's tones and i don't love colonel touton who is old enough to be my father he is worth a dozen of monders put in vernon pointedly ida stamped you take the privilege of our friendship to be rude and presuming she said angrily my private affairs have nothing to do with you. Ida, Ida, reproved Miss Hest. Don't.

Starting point is 01:15:08 I will, said the young lady crossly, and I shan't ask Colonel Toughton to the ball when father won't let me ask Connie. You call him that? asked Arthur with a shrug. Ida looked at him indignantly, evidently with a conscience, ill at ease. I shall never speak to you again, she said in an offended tone.

Starting point is 01:15:29 Not if I get your father to let Monders come to the ball, oh can you can you she asked in a girlish delighted tone on this occasion i wish you would father likes you so much and you can tell him she added handsomely that if he will let me ask connie i shall invite colonel doughton there that's fair you are playing with fire warned francis gravely better not invite mr monders you can never marry him it's indelicate to speak of my marriage in the presence of a stranger said ida with some heat i am not a stranger i hope remarked vernon quickly yes you are when you are horrid with a rosy face of sheer annoyance she flitted to the end of the verandah ida was rather like titania being sylph-like golden-haired and blue-eyed whereas miss hess resembled judith with her strongly marked handsome face and black eyebrows who was horrid asked the voice at this juncture and mr dimsdale appeared on the threshold of the french window which was behind the table ah arthur is that you i have been expecting to see you come into the library vernon obeyed at once as francis had hurried after the petulant girl to pacify her miss hess treated ida as a wilful child and by scolding and coaxing and cajoling managed to get her to behave like a reasonable being it must be confessed that dimsdale had spoiled his golden-haired darling and even the boarding-school she had attended could not supply the place of the mother who was dead the old man turned to vernon when they entered the drawing-room through the french window

Starting point is 01:17:12 ho is horrid he asked again vernon laughed and slipped into a chair it's a storm in a teacup he explained easily and accepting a cigar miss hess advised ida to give up monda's and I supported her. Then Ida, I know, I know, broke in Dimmesdale sadly. She is willful and is quite infatuated with the scamp. Arthur, Arthur, I should have married again so that Ida could be trained by a good woman. I can't manage her.

Starting point is 01:17:44 I think Miss Hess can, said Vernon significantly, and she has sense enough for two. A most masculine young person. But do you think you are wise forbidding Monders to come to this masculine, ball? Yes, I do. Ida is crazy about him.

Starting point is 01:18:01 Opposition will only make her more crazy, warned Vernon, shaking his sleek head. It would be better to let them come together, and then she would get sick of him. Monders is so shallow that she would find him out sooner or later, for Ida has plenty of common sense if it was not obscured by this persistent frivolity, which, after all, is only a youthful fault.

Starting point is 01:18:23 But if Monders wants to marry her, he doesn't mr dimsdale i can vouch for that he wants to marry your niece what dimsdale who was lighting a cigar wheeled around with an astonished air why i thought you loved lucy so i do replied vernon earnestly and she loves me but monda's is a fascinating fellow and a dangerous unscrupulous rival i quite believe it eh what the fellow's a scoundrel grunted mr dimsdale crossly. They should be tarred and feathered. Still, if things are, as you say, I don't mind Ida asking him to the ball, but she must ask Tauton also, he added with sudden determination. She will do so, although she dreads his love-making, however, she may grow sick of bonders when she finds he is running after Lucy Corsune, and Toughton may catch her heart in the recoil. Hope so, hope so, muttered Dimsdale, turning his cigar and his lips. I want to see my

Starting point is 01:19:26 little girl safely married to Tauton, who is as good a fellow as ever breathed. But not a young fellow. However, it is wiser to let events take their course for the present, Mr. Dimsdale. Opposition, as I say, will only make Ida more willful, since she is filled with romance natural at her age. "'Uh!' breed the old man, wiping his brow with a bandana handkerchief. "'What a handful women are! But there!' he dismissed the subject with a wave of his hand let us leave these trivialities and talk business have you heard anything more about the spider well i made inquiries at scotland yard and find that he is very much wanted by the police mr dimsdale grunted huh the police are always wanting and never getting the spider is too clever for them protested vernon anxiously he won't be too clever for me said the elder man with sudden ferocity and slapping his hand on the table he

Starting point is 01:20:26 what am i to be blackmailed by an infernal scoundrel who swears that he will tell a parcel of lies if i don't pay him one thousand pounds hang him if it is merely lies why pay asked vernon dryly there is a grain of truth in the lies admitted dimsdale crossly the absolute truth i can face but the lies make me out to be a very queer person indeed i shall tell you all when we secure this man bernan looked up astonished how do you propose to secure him if you arrest him his accomplice will spread the lies you talk of by postcard amongst your acquaintances as is usually the case in the spider's business i'll risk that sir i'll risk that said dimsdale with a defiant air but i'm hanged if he'll get a penny out of me i shall set the trap and you will be in this room behind a screen to rush out and seize him when i give the signal understand eh what understand come come come come speak up what sort of chap do you propose to lay asked arthur cautiously well dimsdale leaned back twisting his half-smoked cigar between his fingers it was the masked ball this silly form of entertainment which ida insists upon having for her birthday which gave me the idea you see with the chance of being masked and mingling amongst my guest the spider will be the more ready to come and will suspect nothing i am writing to him to-morrow telling him about this ball and am suggesting that he should come wearing a mask to enjoy it then at eleven o'clock say he can secretly meet me in this room to receive the money cash echoed vernon significantly of course the fellow's too clever to risk cheques they would put the police on his track would put the police on his track my boy but do you intend to pay the money no no no

Starting point is 01:22:26 no no how stupid you are arthur use your brains use your brains boy i shall offer to pay the money and then you concealed behind the screen that japanese one up in the corner can rush out and- but i have no authority to arrest him interrupted vernon impatiently why not post a policeman or a plain-closed detective to catch the beast i don't want any policeman in my house retorted dimsdale gruffly and you are the detective enough for me if he blackmails me you will be the witness and we will have every right to hold him then you can take him away and hand him over to the hampstead police he may show fight then have a revolver with you snat the old man i don't want a scandal and a row on ida's birthday and in my house it seems to me that you are going the best way to have one said vernon deliberately much better let me inform the police and have the police and have the thing done in an orderly fashion. "'No, I tell you,' Dimmesdale again slapped the table. "'I'll do it my own way or not at all. If I catch the beast by laying this trap,

Starting point is 01:23:38 both myself and Mrs. Bedge and many other people will be safe. But if we call in the police, however secretly, the spider, who seems to have ears and eyes all over him, will get wind of the ambush.' Vernon nodded. "'There's something in that,' he assented. perhaps on those grounds it will be better that we should engineer the job together well he stood up straight and slim i shall come here on the night of the ball by the way when does it take place monday week it's a short notice but i'd only thought yesterday of this way to celebrate her birthday are you quite sure asked vernon taking up his tall hack that it is advisable to lay this trap on the night of the ball

Starting point is 01:24:23 yes i do yes i do said dimsdale in a fussy manner the mere idea of masks which will enable the scoundrel to hide his infernal face without comment will recommend itself to him he will think that he is exceptionally safe not dreaming that i intend to fight you will fight then am i not laying a trap into which he will walk inquired dimsdale with much exasperation of course i fight as my secret is not such a very bad one i can defend myself and i am willing to risk that being known which i had rather were kept secret for the sake of saving other people from being blackmailed by the beast eh what am i not right yes i think you are but i wish you would tell me your secret after we have captured this scamp i shall do so and then i shall tell you the absolute truth together with his embroideries don't look so grave boy i haven't committed a murder or stolen from the till i never thought of such a thing said vernon hastily but dimsdale good-humouredly pushed him towards the window. I know your doubts, my boy, but later I can satisfy them. Meanwhile, let us settle that I am a scoundrel and look on this trap as one set by a thief to catch a thief. By the way, does Monders know of the threat made by the spider against his mother? She intended to tell him, you know. I am not aware, sir. Monders has not been near me

Starting point is 01:25:55 since that night at the Athenian Club, the same night when I met you at Tauton's rooms. well i shall come to the ball meantime let me know i'll advise you if i hear from the spider there get out good-bye unless you'll have a cup of tea or a glass of wine burden declined and departed the girls were no longer on the veranda or even in the garden end of chapter three read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter four of the spider by fergus hume This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Don W. Jenkins. Chapter 4. Who was caught in the trap? Vernon had his doubts as to the success of Mr. Dimmesdale's scheme. The spider, as the authorities very well knew, was a wary individual, and in all dealings

Starting point is 01:27:04 with his victims had been careful to provide for his own safety. He certainly met them at duly a point. places disguised as an old woman or a young man, as a navvy, or as a foreigner. But none of those he intimidated dared to call in the police. The reason was that the spider invariably advised them beforehand by letter that his accomplice held the evidence of the secrets for which they were being blackmailed, and that any proceedings being taken would result in the publication of these by cards being sent to their friends and relatives and acquaintances.

Starting point is 01:27:41 It therefore can easily be guessed that no one had the courage to lay the rogue by the heels. But as it appeared, the spider had in Mr. Dimsdale stumbled on a man who was not averse to his secret being known. Vernon wondered what the ex-police commissioner had done, that he should have one at all, and looked forward eagerly to being told. dimsdale was such a very respectable old gentleman and so very open in his speech and actions and entire life that it seemed incredible that he should conceal anything however as the spider had learned in some extraordinary way he did possess some secret and therefore was being threatened it was lucky for dimsdale in particular and the public at large that he cared so little for the revelation of whatever shady doings he had been concerned in since by trapping the spider an end would be put to the dangerous career of this social pest whatever mr dimsdale's secret might be he well deserved to be forgiven for the surface which he was rendering to everyone but it was questionable in vernon's opinion if the spider would meet his victim in a house filled with company where there was every chance of a hue and cry being raised certainly the scamp well protected by madden's

Starting point is 01:29:04 and domino would be able to mingle with the company unobserved even if unmasked he could not be discovered other than as an uninvited guest since no one knew his actual appearance and then he might choose to come as a cabman or a chauffeur or as a waiter at the supper of course if he kept the appointment in the library his identity would be proved beyond all doubt when he made his blackmailing demand this the spider although confident for the usual reason of the silence of dimsdale might not choose to risk since many people being in the bungalow he might be overheard vernon looked at the whole affair as a somewhat forlorn hope until he three or four days later received a letter from mr dimsdale the old gentleman wrote that the spider had agreed to meet him in the library at rangoon at eleven o'clock in the evening and requested he vernon to enter the room earlier so that he could be concealed behind the screen i have not mr dimsdale went on to say advised the police as it is necessary for us to talk until we have trapped our bird but once he is in your grip he will see the folly of resistance and will probably agree to walk quiet to the Hampstead police station. Failing that, we can shout for assistance, of which, it is obvious, there will be plenty at hand. But you will understand that I wish to affect the capture as quietly as possible so as not to alarm my guests.

Starting point is 01:30:41 In the latter part of his letter, Dimsdale stated that Monders had been calling at the bungalow during his, the writer's last interview with Vernon. He was, in fact, round the corner of the house, nearest to the last. library when Vernon stepped out of the French window. Dimsdale had found him there on the veranda in the company of the girls, and had promptly told him that he was not wanted in his usual peppery way. There had been a row, as Monders had been grossly insolent, but Miss Hess, a very capable girl, as Mr. Dimsdale wrote, had induced him to depart. Confirmation of this report was received by Vernon from Monders himself when the two met by chance in Piccadale.

Starting point is 01:31:23 the old man was most insolent complained monda's indignantly there is no crime in loving ida so far as i can see since you love miss corsoon and only run after ida for her money i think mr dimsdale has every reason to forbid you the house said vernon dryly oh rot i know what i'm about as to forbidding me the house i received an invitation to the masked ball on monday and i'm going ida only extorted permission from her father to ask you if you're a gentleman you will not go to be received on sufferance monders chuckled coolly ida won't receive me in that way said he with superb insolence as she really loves me and the old gentleman doesn't matter i love lucy but-i'll receive me in that way said he with superb insolence as she really loves me and the old gentleman doesn't matter i love lucy but-i love lucy but-i'll she has no money, so I expect I shall have to sacrifice myself by marrying Ida." "'If Mr. Dimsdale will allow you,' chafed Vernon. "'Oh, he won't, but Ida can defy him.' "'If she does, she will lose her fortune.' "'That remains to be seen,' said Monders eerily.

Starting point is 01:32:33 "'Hang, old Dimsdale, what objection can he have to me?' "'Your aunt might tell you,' said Vernon significantly. "'The blood rushed to Monder's cheek, and he looked search at his friend, but not agreeably. "'What do you mean?' "'I mean that I can only consent to take you into partnership if you succeed in capturing the spider,' said Vernon slowly and somewhat evasively. "'Who is the spider?'

Starting point is 01:32:59 "'I think you know, if not from the newspapers, then from Mrs. Begg.' Maunders looked at the ground. "'So old Dimsdale told you?' "'Yes. He wished to enlist my services on behalf of your aunt to capture this blackmailing beast. Oh, and do you intend to? No, I intend to leave the capture to you. Monders opened his eyes.

Starting point is 01:33:24 But my dear chap, I know nothing about the spider, as you call this man, to say nothing of detective business. Yet you wish to become Nemo's partner, said Vernon very dryly. See here, Monders. It's no use beating about the bush. I shan't take you as my partner unless you catch you catch this man and so prove your capability. And suppose I tell everyone who Nemo is? asked Monders with an ugly look.

Starting point is 01:33:51 You can do so if you like, rejoined Vernon Coolly. For then there will be no Nemo. I shall simply leave England and seek my fortune in Africa. And, after all, I don't see why you should refuse this test. It's to your own advantage that he should be caught, unless you want your aunt to pay five thousand pounds. "'Bosch! What the spider says is a lie!' "'I dare say, but it won't be pleasant for Mrs. Bedge to know that her friends receive cards, stating you are her natural son.'

Starting point is 01:34:22 "'It's an infernal lie!' raged Monders, the blood flushing his cheek and making him look handsomer than ever. "'I am not a bit like my aunt in any way. It is true her sister was my mother, but I take after my father.' "'Constantine Mavrocordato?' "'Gimsdale told you that. He seems to have imparted a lot of my private affairs to you,' observed Monders, acidly. "'They are quite safe with me as Nemo.

Starting point is 01:34:51 I don't use my private discoveries to blackmail people.' "'Do you believe this lie of the spiders?' "'No, I don't for one moment. Mrs. Begg is a good kind woman. Far too good for you, Monders. she has brought you up and educated you and allows you money and altogether has behaved like a trump for her sake if not for the sake of becoming my partner in a paying business you ought to hunt out this brute who asperses her fair fame the other man stared again at his neat boots i'm not such a rotter as you think vernon he said in a voice filled with feeling and of course i appreciate my aunt's kindness we'll let the partnership business stand over for the present i give you my word that i shan't tell a soul you are nemo also i'll go to work on my own and see if i can't catch the spider he's not going to get five thousand pounds of my money if i can help it

Starting point is 01:35:49 your aunt's money corrected vernon gently it will be mine some day said monda's with a shrug but you can see that i have some conscience badly though you think of me i don't think so very badly of you replied bernan hurriedly and somewhat untruthfully you have your good points constantine but you are so given over to pleasure that you stop at nothing to gratify it i stop on the right side of the law however retorted monda's again becoming his callous self after the momentary softening there will be no chance of nemo catching me well good day i'll do what i say and perhaps when i meet you at the ball i'll have something to tell you you intend to go then in spite of dimsdale's behaviour yes i do said monders doggedly and i intend to marry ida with her thousands a year so now you know and he walked off abruptly leaving vernon to congratulate himself that he no longer had a dangerous rival in the affections of lucy though i don't believe old dimsdale will consent to the marriage with ida thought vernon as he resumed his interrupted walk during the few days that still remained until the night of the masked fall vernon saw nothing of monders or of martin dimsdale but on the monday morning when having luncheon in the triclinium of the athenian club colonel touton made his appearance he glanced round the room and catching sight of vernon walked up to his table day he said in his sharp military way i'll join you here if you have no objections delighted colonel replied vernon and passed along the menu he wondered why touton was making such a palpable advance towards friendship for as a rule he was somewhat stiff with a reserved manner after the way of army men the colonel seemed to be in no hurry to explain but fixed his eyeglass to examine the card and order his luncheon

Starting point is 01:37:47 he was a tall slim dry-looking man perfectly groomed and perfectly dressed and perfectly master of himself in spite of his forty-five years his close-cropped hair and smartly twisted moustache were without a grey hair dark and nightly looking with alert eyes of irish blue he looked as juvenile as any of his subalterns he was one of those men who ripe and young so to speak and who remain in that condition for the rest of their lives taughton was an admirable soldier with several letters after his name and it was a pity as every one said that he had retired so early from the army he should certainly have remained in order to attain the rank of a general but it was generally known that family reasons connected with the inheritance of a yorkshire estate had necessitated the colonel sending in his papers outside his profession he was not talented but had a considerable fund of common sense which is a rarer commodity than people imagine. I want to have a private talk with you, Vernon, said the colonel, after he had selected his dish. Luckily, there's no one with an airshot. He glanced round the room to note that he and his companion were isolated in a secluded corner.

Starting point is 01:39:03 You don't mind my having a private talk, do you? He jerked, staring through his eyeglass and twisting his moustache. I am at your service, said Vernon, wondering what was coming. I am going to be rather personal, both as regards to. your affairs and my own went on touton very directly and honestly rather odd in a man who is a mere acquaintance eh not at all said vernon politely i can only repeat that i am at your service colonel fact is i wouldn't say a word but that i know you're a good sort plenty of chaps say that and again touton unfolded his napkin rather nervously for him you are a great friend of the dimsdales yes i am acknowledged vernon guessed somewhat of the business which had brought the colonel to his table. "'And a friend of young monders?'

Starting point is 01:39:53 "'We were at school together.' "'And a friend of the corsoons,' pursued Tauton, distinctly ill at ease, as if he felt that he was taking a liberty. "'See here, Colonel,' remarked his companion straightly, "'I guess what you are driving at from your coupling of those two names. May I speak out?' "'Yes,' Toughton nodded away the waiter who had brought his suit. you are in love with miss dimsdale and monders is paying her attentions quite so may i add on my part that you are in love with miss coursoon and that the same gentleman is your rival

Starting point is 01:40:30 vernon nodded and pushed away his empty plate i think we have cleared the ground for action he said significantly i am obliged to you for your candour said touton courteously and i knew from your reputation that you would meet me half-way it is not easy for an elderly man such as i am to speak of his love for a young girl but as i am devoted to her and you are devoted to miss corsoon it seemed to me that we might join forces against that handsome young scamp who is playing fast in love for a young girl but as i am devoted to her and you are devoted to miss corsoon it seemed to me that we might join forces against that handsome young scamp who is playing fast in with the affections of both girls on this ground i ventured to take the liberty of speaking to you on so private a subject i am very glad that you did so colonel our united actions may be a great service to the ladies in question monders he hesitated generously i know interrupted tauton abruptly that young gentleman's reputation is as bad as yours is good even if i did not love miss thamesdale i should feel justified in doing my best to save her from that scamp you can tell him that i said so if you like what give your plans away to our common enemy said vernon jokingly that would scarcely be wise monders is as clever as the devil and as unscrupulous but that let us be frank which of these girls does he love in your opinion what love he can spare from himself he gives to miss corsone but he is after miss dimsdale's fortune i thought so she is infatuated with him worse luck and miss she and i understand one another said bernan with some reserve i am not afraid of monders in that quarter although he has good looks and a great charm of manner we are talking of very delicate matters colonel i know we are i know we are tauten flicked his napkin irritably ladies names shouldn't be mentioned between gentlemen i am rather a turk in that respect but as this young gentleman will make both of them miserable and is a thorn in your flesh as in mine

Starting point is 01:42:35 we must between ourselves put delicacy on one side what do you propose to do i don't know said vernon crumbling his bread dismally lady corsoon certainly will not let her daughter marry a poor man such as i am what are your plans colonel i don't know repeated touton equally dismally miss dimsdale is crazy about monda's and will not cast a glance at me the father is on my side however so i have some chance you may take it as certain said vernon with decision that dimsdale will never consent to his daughter becoming mrs monders she may defy him there is that possibility certainly hang him muttered touton referring to monders why can't he marry miss hest and have done with it miss hest has neither the money nor the looks to attract such a gay spark oh come now she's a handsome girl not in monder's way he likes weak women whom he can bully and miss hest is much too firm in managing a wife for him to risk by the way are you going to the ball to-night yes touton's face lighted up with ridiculous pleasure it may give me a chance to no don't propose colonel you will only be refused take my advice and wait for a week or so monders may be out of your way by that time what do you mean exactly i am not at liberty to say but i advise you to wait touton played with his bread and cheese all right he said at length i place myself in your hands although i am hanged if i can see what you mean well confessed vernon rising to tell you the truth i am not very sure myself what i do mean but i have a kind of instinct that if both of us play a waiting game monders will get the cold shoulder

Starting point is 01:44:31 from ida i mean miss dimsdale yes and from miss corsoon come into the pinnico teca and smoke the two conspirators went there and discussed the matter further as vernon had confessed he had no clear idea in his mind as to why he advised the colonel to wait but in some vague way he fancied that this business of the spider might occupy monder's time and prevent his paying his usual attentions to lucy and ida in that case both the girls would probably feel offended then vernon intended to bring them together in some as yet unthought-of way so that they might mutually discover how monders was courting both of them indiscriminately lucy of course in any case would have nothing to do with the young man but ida's pride taking fire might induce her on making this discovery to listen to the colonel's wooing everything in bernan's brain was vague and undecided but he faintly felt that if evidence happened in some such way monders might be eliminated as a stumbling-block all these possibilities however being still in the clouds he did not reveal them to taughton the conversation in the pinnico-teca resolved itself into the two men consoling one another regarding their doubtful love affairs arranging to meet at the masque ball they parted on more than friendly terms and with quite a feeling of intimacy this was natural considering what they had been discussing but the proposed meeting at rangoon never came off the unexpected happened as vernon might have guessed it would but with all his experience of life he was never so much astonished as when a telegram was handed in at his rooms with the name of lucy corsoon attached come to number thirty four waller street west kensington ran the wire at nine o'clock trouble with m l coersoun now what the deuce does this mean vernon asked himself

Starting point is 01:46:31 undoubtedly the letter m referred to monson since there was no one else with that initial to cause trouble but what the trouble might be or why carefully guarded lucy corsone should be in west kensington it was hard to say lady corsoon rarely let her daughter out of her sight and on this night both were due at rangoon to enjoy the masked ball but as vernon rapidly reflected there could be only one reply to so urgent a wire and that was to stand on the doorstep of number thirty four waller street west kensington at the appointed hour he glanced at his watch it was after eight so he had only time to drive from bloomsbury to his destination vernon for obvious reasons connected with his income lived in old-fashioned rooms in that middle-class district and was more comfortable than if he had lived in mayfair both as regards space and rent his domino and mask were lying on a chair ready to be slipped into a brown leather bag he had intended to drive in a taxi to hampstead because of the bag as it was too much trouble to carry it by train since in that case his journey would be broken as he was thinking what was best to be done the landlady's husband who acted as his valet came with the information that the cab was at the door vernon made up his mind at once to act the part of a knight-errant in spite of being do at the ball and without troubling about the domino and mask put on his overcoat unless something serious was wrong and the telegram gave little information he could return get the bag and drive on to the ball but if lucy was in dire trouble he would not go at all to bangoon mr dimsdale would have to manage with the spider as best he could always provided that that astute individual walked into the trap which was doubtful all the way to west kensington vernon puzzled his brains as to what could be the matter and why lucy coersoun should be in a west kensington house

Starting point is 01:48:34 ridiculous as it seemed he entertained the idea that she might have been kidnapped by maunders and had contrived to send the wire to the lover upon whom she could rely but then maunders as he had said always kept on the right side of the law and kidnapping was an indictable offence but if he had acted thus rashly as vernon reflected with a thrill he was simply playing into his rival's hands if i rescue lucy lady corsone will certainly let me marry her out of gratitude thought the young man however the whole affair was so mysterious that until he saw lucy there was little chance of a reasonable explanation he therefore possessed his soul and patience until he arrived in waller street here he sprang out and telling the cabman to wait ran up the stairs of a semi-detached house of the suburban villa residence style the night was the night was was bright with moonlight, so he easily saw the number on the glass over the door, and also the long dull street of similar houses. It was some minutes before the appointed time, but that mattered very little. There seemed to be no light in the house, and Vernon wondered more than ever why Lucy should

Starting point is 01:49:47 be in so unusual a locality. Shortly the sound of light footsteps was heard, and a light appeared against which the numerals of the glass above the door stood out black and distinct. the door itself was opened cautiously, and the white face of a woman looked out. "'Is Miss Corsoon here?' asked Vernon abruptly. "'Are you, Mr. Vernon?' questioned the woman in a frightened whisper. "'Yes, I received a wire from. "'Come in, come in,' read the woman, and held the door open sufficiently for Vernon to slip in.

Starting point is 01:50:19 "'I'm so glad you've come,' she went on, still below her breath and apparently much afraid. "'It's as much as my life's worth to admit you, but the poor you'll young lady is she here yes they've got her in the cellar below only because she cried so much that i dare to send that telegram to you and-what the devil does it all mean demanded vernon fiercely and gruffly hush hush don't raise your voice follow me on tipto they will hear who are they asked vernon softly and obeying but all the woman said was hush hush so wondering at this strange adventure which seemed genuine enough the young man went after the woman down some wooden stairs which led from the hall to the basement as he followed he saw by the light of the candle which his guide carried that the hall was dusty and unfurnished she led him along a dark passage and opened an end door with an air of mystery the young lady there she said softly handing him the light take the candle and for heaven's sake don't say that i betrayed them them who asked vernon imperatively she clutched his arm they'll hear you she whispered, pointing upward and pushing him towards the open door. She's drugged in there. Vernon uttered aloud ejaculation, which made his guide shiver and stepped into the dark room,

Starting point is 01:51:39 holding the candle above his head. The next moment the door closed quickly behind him. He turned sharply, but already the key had clicked crisply in the lock. He was a prisoner. And it's a plant, a plant! cried Vernon in a cold fury. I'm trapped! He certainly was, for there was no sign. of the girl who had been supposed to send the telegram. All the terror and whispering of the woman had been a comedy to inveigle him into his prison. The place was a small kitchen, dusty and forlorn and unfurnished. There were no plates on the rack or on the shelves at the open cupboard, and no fire in the rusty grate. The room had not been occupied for many a long day as the roof and corners

Starting point is 01:52:22 were thick with dust and cobwebs. An iron-barred window glimmered straight before Vernon, and there was a small door near it. Through this he went to find himself in a tiny scullery, also lighted dimly by an iron barred window. The door through which he had entered was fast locked, and he had no means of opening it. There was no doubt that he was a prisoner, decoyed to this lonely, unfurnished house by means of the false telegram. What the deuce does it all mean? Vernon asked himself, and sat down on the dusty floor to think out his position. To save his dress clothes, he made a cushion of his light overcoat and sat on it, hugging his knees with the candle beside him. The position was dismal enough and decidedly mysterious, as he confessed.

Starting point is 01:53:08 What does it mean? he repeated mentally. The next instant, the obvious answer flashed into his mind. The spider, cried Vernon, leaping to his feet and addressing the bare walls. Yes, this must be the spider's trickery. And the more he thought of it, the more certain he felt that he had at the first blow hit the right nail on the head. In some way the spider had learned of the arranged trap and had sent the wire purporting to come from Lucy Corsoon as a decoy. It had proved only too successful, and now here he was safely locked up in an underground room with no chance of escape, while Mr. Dimmesdale at Rangoon was left to face the ingenious scoundrel alone. But that's all right, Vernon soliloquised as he sat down again.

Starting point is 01:53:56 if i am not on the spot other people are and when the spider makes his demand mr dimsdale will probably raise the alarm the spider is not so clever as i thought this was poor comfort the spider at all events had been clever enough to ensnare a private detective who prided himself on his astuteness one trap had been set by mr dimsdale and here was another set by the spider out of which it was impossible to escape the bars of the windows were too strong to twist the door was too stout to break down so there was nothing for it but to wait it was impossible that he could be kept in this dungeon for ever and sooner or later he would be released besides someone would have to bring him food and if it was the white-faced woman who had so cleverly led him into the trap vernon promised himself grimly that he would seize her at the first opportunity and make her aid his escape finally the taxi was still at the door and the driver might become sufficiently alarmed if his fare did not reappear to speak to the nearest policeman it was ridiculous that a man should be captured and guarded london in such a way vernon was angry with himself for having been tricked but until the abrupt closing of the door he had never suspected that anything was wrong meanwhile he guessed that the spider having got him out of the way was keeping his appointment with dimsdale in the library it was not probable that the blackmailing would succeed as dimsdale was quick-tempered and as likely as not would simply seize the creature when he demanded his money shouting meanwhile for assistance. Vernon wished that he was at his appointed post behind the screen, but he comforted with the reflection that Dimsdale would be able to deal with the matter

Starting point is 01:55:40 unassisted. So far as he was concerned, being helpless, he could do nothing but wait. For the next hour or so, he did not pay much attention to the time, Vernon wondered how the spider came to know of Dimsdale's trap and how he had so cleverly laid his own. The blackmailer seemed to know everybody's business as his profession required, so in some way he had managed to learn of Vernon's love for Miss Corsoon. Only such a message from such a girl would have lured the lover into such a predicament, and the spider had not only been clever enough to know this, but had been clever enough to utilize his knowledge. For the moment it was a wild thought, and passed in a flash. Vernon wondered if Constantine Monders had anything to do with the matter.

Starting point is 01:56:27 but the idea was ridiculous, since the spider was attempting to blackmail Mrs. Beggge, which Monders certainly would not countenance. But if not Monders, who could it be? Certainly Dimsdale might have talked to someone else about the proposed trap since he was extremely frank and injudicious in his speech. Vernon resolved to question him on this point when next they met, and hoped from his reply to learn who had lured him into number 34 Waller Street, West Kensington. having arrived at this conclusion he rested his head on the overcoat and tried to sleep since it was foolish to waste his strength in beating his wings against the prison bars

Starting point is 01:57:08 after a time so tired was his brain with hard thinking that he actually fell asleep how long the sleep lasted he did not know but he awoke from a troubled dream with the idea that he heard soft retreating footsteps the candle was burnt to the socket and the room was extremely dark so vernon sat up in a confused way trying to recall his position with alert ears he hearkened for the presumed footsteps but as there was no sound save his own laboured breathing he decided that he had been dreaming it was lucky that he had a box of lucifers in his pocket for the lighting of one enabled him to see the time his watch revealed that it was one o'clock in the morning and as he had arrived at nine he must have been imprisoned for four hours his limbs felt stiff as he rose to his feet and with a yawn he stretched himself i can't stay here all night he muttered desperately i'll try what shouting will do and shout he did with all the power of his lungs only to receive no response feeling that he was losing both time and temper vernon groped his way in the thick darkness towards the door gripping the handle he gave it an angry despairing twist to his surprise the door proved to be open apparently the footsteps he had thought dream sounds were real and his prison door had been quietly unlocked at the moment of his awakening picking up his overcoat he felt his way along the passage and up the stairs and into the front hall slow work in the gloom of an unknown locality there was no noise to be heard although he held his breath to listen so far as he could judge the house was empty finally intent upon getting assistance he tried the handle of the front door and found there was no difficulty in getting clear in two minutes he was in the quiet street looking up and down for a policeman the road being isolated in the hour late there was neither vehicle nor pedestrian to be seen nor did any light gleam from the windows of the silent

Starting point is 01:59:04 houses. Vernon shivered in the cold breath of the night, then walked swiftly up the street to seek assistance. Shortly he found a burly constable at the corner, and breathlessly detailed all that had happened to that somewhat skeptical officer. A shrill whistle brought another policeman to the spot, and with the two Vernon returned to number 34, the door of which he had left ajar. This somewhat convinced the officers, and they took his name and address, promising to search the house and also to watch it. Vernon himself, on fire to reach Hampstead and to learn what had occurred, could not wait to see what discoveries might be made.

Starting point is 01:59:44 The policeman wished to detain him, but finally he got away and raced towards the more public part of West Kensington to find a cab. As luck would have it, he picked up a belated taxi that had just taken home affair. The chauffeur demurred about driving out so far as Hampstead, but a troubled price promptly offered overcame his scruples, and in a short time Vernon was spinning towards his much-dwished-for destination. All the way he was trying to conjecture how the spider had contrived to overhear the arranging of the trap, for he must have done so, else there would have been no reason for the imprisonment.

Starting point is 02:00:22 But by this time Vernon's brain was weary, and he fell into a doze. When he woke the taxi had pulled up with a jerk, and he found himself on the heath before the gate of Rangoon. With a sudden spasm of fear, he noted that a policeman was standing at the entrance, apparently on guard. Stumbling out of the cab, Vernon staggered towards the man. I have come to Mr. Dimsdale's ball, he said hurriedly. It's over, sir, said the policeman, touching his helmet.

Starting point is 02:00:51 Over? So early? Early in the morning, sir, you mean, but the fact is there's trouble. Trouble? Again a cold chill struck Vernon. Yes, sir, and the ball came to an evening. Mr. Dimsdale? Dead, sir. Murdered, as you might say. Dead?

Starting point is 02:01:11 echoed Vernon, quite dazed. Strangle, said the policeman bluntly. End of Chapter 4, read by Don W. Jenkins, Rancho San Diego, California. Chapter 5 of the Spider by Fergus Hume. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Don W. Jenkins. Chapter 5 After the Tragedy The news was as horrible as it was unexpected.

Starting point is 02:01:50 Vernon had anticipated blackmail. He had even believed that in the absence of a third person, the spider might show fight, but he had never dreamed that murder would take place, as such a crime was entirely contrary to the spider's methods. With a gasp, he pulled himself together. Have they caught the man? he demanded anxiously. What man? questioned the constable, suspic. The murderer.

Starting point is 02:02:16 No, sir, it's not known who killed Mr. Dimsdale. He was found strangled in his library sometime after eleven o'clock. The alarm was given, the police were called in, and the ball came to an end. Now, sir, added the man in a friendly way, I haven't any right to tell you more, and as what I have told you will be in the papers tomorrow, no harm's done. You go home now, sir, and you will learn all about your friend when the inquest takes place. Vernon thought for a second. Is your inspector in the house?

Starting point is 02:02:47 Yes, sir, but you can't see him. I must see him, and at once, I believe I know who killed Mr. Dimmesdale. Oh, you do, do you? said the policeman with a subtle change of manner. Then you come along with me. Wait till I pay my cabman, muttered Vernon, and the policeman, making no objection to this, he gave the chauffeur the promised fare. When the vehicle had disappeared down the road, diminishing blarineering blar. in the moonlight, he returned to find that the constable is holding open the gate. "'What name am I to give?' asked the man roughly, for it was evident that he regarded Vernon with suspicion owing to what he had admitted.

Starting point is 02:03:25 "'My name doesn't matter. The inspector does not know me,' said Vernon impatiently. "'Hurry up, man! Hurry up! Every moment is of value!' Impressed by his imperious manner, the policeman knocked at the closed front door which was immediately thrown open by a second constable on guard in the hall. By this individual, Vernon was introduced into the Jacobian dining-room, after a few hurried words of explanation. Inspector Drench, the constable had informed Vernon of the name, was seated at the table taking notes,

Starting point is 02:03:56 and Miss Hess, looking pale and anxious, stood at his elbow. She was the first to speak. "'Mr. Vernon,' she exclaimed hoarsely, "'you have come at last. poor mr dimsdale was asking for you all the night and now she broke down how did you get in sir questioned inspector dench imperiously and nodding to the policeman that he should leave the room i gave orders that nobody was to be admitted i insisted upon seeing you said vernon quickly this evening or rather yesterday evening i had an appointment with mr dimsdale in his library but i was decoyed to an empty house in west kensington and have only managed to get away inspector drench stared what do you mean by all this sir what i say rejoined vernon tartly for his nerves worried him i understand that mr dimsdale is dead mr dimsdale is dead mr dimsdale has been murdered, cried Miss Hess, clasping her hands and speaking in a thick emotional voice,

Starting point is 02:04:58 murdered in his library. No one knows who strangled him. I know. You, Drench stood up alertly. Take care, sir. Anything you say now will be noted, and he shuffled his papers like a pack of cards. Who is guilty? The spider. The spider, echoed Miss Hess. Who is the spider? Or what is the spider? She looked puzzled, but the inspector, better informed, looked open-mouthed at the young man. "'You mean to say that the spider perpetrated this crime, sir?' he asked, scarcely able to speak from sheer amazement. Vernon, thoroughly worn out from what he had undergone, dropped into a chair listlessly. "'Yes.' "'But this spider,' broke in Miss Hess, volubly,

Starting point is 02:05:46 "'I don't know who he is or what he is. Tell me if—' "'Allow me!' interrupted Dent sharply. he was a military-looking man, something after the style of Colonel Toughton, and spoke aggressively. "'Allow me, for I am in charge here, miss. The spider is the name, if you may call it so, of a well-known blackmailer, for whom the police have been looking, and we are still looking. Perhaps Mr. Vernon—I think you said this gentleman's name is Vernon, will explain how he comes to be possessed of such precise information.' "'There is no difficulty in explaining,' retorted to.

Starting point is 02:06:22 Vernon, annoyed by the suspicious looks of the officer. Listen, and he rapidly detailed all that he knew, all that had taken place from his interview with Dimsdale and Toughton's chambers, to the moment when he leaked from the taxi cab to be met by the constable at the gate with the news of the murder. As the recital proceeded, Drench tried to conceal his amazement, but scarcely managed to do so, while Francis Hest, for once startled out of herself control, uttered ejaculations. it may be noted that bernan suppressed for the moment the fact that the spider was blackmailing mrs bedge as he did not wish to spread that scandal but inspector drench and the lady were put in possession of all other facts what was mr dimsdale's secret asked francis curiously i can't tell you as i don't know after the capture of the spider he promised that i should be told now i shall never know this comes said the inspector bitterly this comes of amateur

Starting point is 02:07:22 detective business if i had been informed of the appointment i should have made arrangements to capture the spider if he had been informed retorted vernon heedily the spider would never have kept the appointment why not he was ignorant of my plans he learned mine easily enough and would have learned yours you seem to forget mr inspector that we are dealing with a genius in the way of criminality the spider whomsoever he may be seems to know everything i believe that he is the head of a gang and has his spies all over london no one person could be so well posted up in secret arrangements otherwise how did he come to know of the secret arrangement between yourself and mr dimsdale asked dranch abruptly i can't say unless mr dimsdale who had a rather loose tongue revealed his plan of the trap to someone else i said nothing mr dimsdale gave no information to anyone in this house said francis decisively if he had had either I or Ida would have known. As it is, he apparently met this dreadful person in the library at the agreed time. And now that I think of it, she mused, I wonder that I did not suspect something of the sort. Mr. Dimsdale told Ida and myself, that we could have all the rooms for the ball, save the library, as he wished that to himself. There's nothing unusual in such a wish,

Starting point is 02:08:46 remarked Grinch easily. When a house is upset by a party, a man naturally wishes one of his rooms left undisturbed so that he can have peace what happened exactly asked bernan with an air of fatigue inspector drench signed that miss hess should explain and glanced at his notes as he spoke to be certain that she was repeating what she had already told him prior to bernan's entrance it is hard to tell what took place to a minute protested the lady our guests arrived just before ten o'clock and everything was going splendidly everything was masked i suppose suppose said vernon quietly oh yes but mr dimsdale stood in the hall until nearly eleven receiving our guests and made everyone unmask before they entered the ballroom why did he do that asked drench suddenly can't you guess put in vernon impatiently mr dimsdale expected the spider and wished to see if he would come but he didn't know what the spider was like no one knows i dare say but mr dimsdale knew those whom his daughter had invited to the ball. If an unknown person had unmasked, he would have jumped to the conclusion, and perhaps truly, that he was the spider. Well, Miss Hest? Everyone who unmasked were people we knew, she continued, for I stood with Ida, near Mr.

Starting point is 02:10:08 Dimsdale, receiving the guests. At a quarter to eleven, Mr. Dimsdale went to the library. Alone? Certainly, no one, to my knowledge, entered the library during the whole of the evening, until ida in search of her father insisted upon going in notwithstanding the prohibition at a quarter to twelve then she found mr dimsdale seated in his chair quite dead were the windows open inspector drench arose come and see the room mr bernan he said moving towards the door nothing has been disturbed not even the corpse everything remains as miss dimsdale found it at a quarter to eleven and i'd have fainted whispered francis in vernon's ear as the trio crossed the hall to enter the library poor child it was no wonder when the sight was so horrid she's in bed now crying her heart out inspector added miss hess raising her voice you won't want me any longer let me return to miss dimsdale as she needs every attention very good miss i shall continue your examination in the morning i have told you everything i know one moment said vernon laying his hand on her sleeve as she moved away i want to know if any guest arrived after mr dimsdale went into the library two but ida and i made them unmask we knew them quite well mr and mrs horner from finchley and i may tell you mr vernon that mr dimsdale came out of the library at five minutes to eleven for a single moment to ask if you had arrived i wish i had arrived said vernon bitterly i might have prevented

Starting point is 02:11:47 the tragedy. Are you sure, Miss Hest, that no strangers were at the ball? Well, she said thoughtfully, it is difficult to say since all were masked, but no stranger was there to my knowledge, and when the crime was discovered, everyone unmasked. We knew all the guests as we had known them when they arrived. Still, some stranger might have slipped in. But I must go to Ida. I'll tell you anything else you wish to know in the morning.' Vernon nodded and released his grip of her sleeve. She flitted away into the central room on her way to Ida's bedroom. Vernon mused for a moment, then followed Grench into the library,

Starting point is 02:12:25 where the inspector indeed had already preceded him. The first glance Vernon threw around showed him that one of the French windows was open. I thought so, he said pointing out this to the inspector. The spider did not come as a guest, but watched his opportunity and slipped in at the window. at what time is mr dimsdale supposed to have been strangled the doctor recalled in says so far as the state of the body shows that the crime was committed about a quarter past eleven miss dimsdale discovered it at a quarter to twelve thirty minutes later the appointment was for eleven said vernon nodding so the spider was fifteen minutes late but he came in there he pointed to the french window and he escaped in the same way with the thousand pounds asked drenched dryly he did not like to be shown his business by this young man i don't think so replied vernon musingly and cautiously feeling his way as it were to a decision you see dimsdale never intended to pay the money and therefore was not prepared with the specie from the bank the spider for once went without his booty and did worse work for nothing than he ever did for reward

Starting point is 02:13:41 yes said the inspector carelessly i believe this is the first time murder has been connected with his name publicly that is who knows what assassinations he may not have to answer for privately however here is the room and the corpse what do you make of both the other man looked round slowly the room blazed with the full power of the many electric lights which the inspector had turned on also as the apartment was square and sparsely furnished there was no no or cranny that could not be seen at once. The three windows had neither blinds nor curtains, in accordance with Mr. Dimsdale's craze for fresh air. But round the desk, which was on the right side of the room, near the fireplace, a high screen was drawn, the same which the girls had used on that morning

Starting point is 02:14:29 when they were selecting the guests for the fatal ball. In a chair turned sideways from the desk, drooped the form of the dead man. He was arrayed in evening dress, but his shirt-front was crumpled and his face was swollen and discoloured there was no disorder around about the desk the persian mat had not even been kicked out of the way yes said drench in answer to a look from vernon there could not have been any struggle since all is an order in my opinion the spider if it was that chap as you seem to think must have come silently behind his victim and strangled him with the handkerchief before he had time to call out he came to kill as well as to rob a handkerchief asked vernon interested i thought he did it with his hands mr inspector drent shook his iron-gray head there are no marks of hands on the throat mr vernon only a cruel black line which shows that a cord or handkerchief must have been used and used with great force though to be sure added the inspector reflectively mr dimsdale was so short and fat in the neck that a slight pressure must have caused apoplexy

Starting point is 02:15:41 did he die of that and strangulation a mixture of both but it's odd mr vernon that with those uncurtained windows he should have been murdered without any one seeing the performance there must have been many guests in the front garden, as people always do wander outside between the dances to get fresh air. Vernon pointed to the screen. That served the purposes of both curtain and blind, Mr. Inspector. Behind that the crime could be committed without anyone being the wiser, even if anyone had been on the veranda. Provided there was no noise, insisted Drench. Exactly, so that makes me believe that your surmise is correct.

Starting point is 02:16:21 The spider, for some reason, may have come to kill. as well as to blackmail perhaps as he learned about the trap which he must have done to arrange for my absence he dreaded less dimsdale should prove a dangerous person and so got rid of him if that mirror vernon pointed to a long broad-looking glass which covered one side of the fireplace and which reflected desk and chair and screen and seated figure could speak it would tell how the crime was committed i can guess myself he ended perhaps you will let me hear your guess said drench sceptically a spider i fancy stole in quietly through the french window which was open and came suddenly upon dimsdale seated at his desk waiting to keep the appointment before the old man could turn the spider had the handkerchief or cord round his neck and quietly choked him there would be no noise and no struggle then he looked for the money vernon pointed to the desk several drawers of which were pulled open but not finding any he stole out again through the window the guests in the garden would have seen him leave the room what if they did no one anticipated a crime and no one but miss hest and miss dimsdale knew that the library was forbidden territory moreover a spider may have chosen his time to escape when another dance was in progress the chances being that every one would return to the ballroom and you may be sure added vernon with emphasis that the spider made use of both mask and domino so that he might be taken for a guest and might escape notice but miss hess said that every one unmasked

Starting point is 02:18:00 who entered the house as a guest followed on vernon quickly just so mr inspector but the spider entered as a stranger by the window not wishing perhaps to take any chances and of course we are agreed that he is infernally clever and well posted in necessary details i'm with you there murmured drench mournfully but it's a pity you and mr dimsdale did not warn me of your trap i should have caught the man easier than you amateurs i amateurs i am not an amateur i am not an amateur said bernan unexpectedly then when the inspector looked at him interrogatively he added i trade as nemo of covent garden oh yes i've heard of you replied drench in a less supercilious tone so you are nemo are you mr vernon i was told that you had solved several mysteries in fact a friend of mine at the yard said you'd a head on your shoulders i'll need it said vernon with a shrug to unravel this mystery it's no mystery said drench quickly since you say that the spider murdered this poor chap the spider himself is a mystery and one which the police would give much to solve i intend to hunt him down not alone on account of my poor dead friend here but because he so cleverly decoyed me out of the way oh your pride is up in arms well yes i suppose you can put it that way but i wish to ask you two things mr inspector first that you will not reveal my trade as nemo to any one in society oh i promised that easily especially as i don't go into society and i can guess that you want it kept quiet and the second thing will you permit me to place my services at your disposal the dexterous way in which vernon put his request as a favour to be granted please

Starting point is 02:19:52 inspector, especially as he knew from what he had heard of Nemo that such services would be of value. I shall be very pleased to let you work with me, Mr. Vernon, he said cordially. What do you propose we do first, may I ask? This house in West Kensington is an empty one, and must have been taken by the spider for my temporary prison. I must ascertain from the landlord who took it, and thus we may learn something about the looks of the spider.

Starting point is 02:20:20 You think he took the house himself, applied to the landlord, that is? Yes, and no. He may have done so, or one of his gang may have rented the house. But if we can catch the person who did see the landlord, we may learn something about the spider, if indeed the tenant was not the man himself. Well, Drentz scratched his head thoughtfully, There is something in that, Mr. Vernon, but the spider is so clever that you may be sure he has made himself safe. Do you think he heads a gang?

Starting point is 02:20:53 I am certain, and the woman who played such a clever comedy to inveigle me into the kitchen is one of the gang. Perhaps the spider himself in disguise? You may be right, as of course since I was captured about nine o'clock, there was plenty of time for him to change and get to Hampstead by eleven. Moreover, he was a quarter of an hour late, suggested Drench, but it puzzled me sir to think how your trap business came to his ears vernon looked regretfully at the dead man in the chair perhaps mr dimsdale may have talked he remarked i said nothing but we shall never know now until we lay hands on the spider and force him to confess and drench nodding by the way i suppose some reward will be offered for his apprehension by miss dimsdale i understand she is rich

Starting point is 02:21:45 it is very probable as she inherits her father's money about ten thousand a year it must be the inspector whistled that's a tidy fortune he said meditatively i expect the reward will be a large one i expect so also rejoined vernon understanding clearly what was meant and if we learn the truth about this crime and capture the spider you can have the reward all to yourself but you're a professional mr vernon and how to make your money i don't want it in this case the spider made use of a certain lady's name to inveigle me to west kensington and i mean to be even with him miss corsoon i think you mentioned miss yes only you needn't talk about it outside your office said vernon hastily i don't want her to be mixed up in this business also i am not very proud of having been trapped in this way only the police will know drench assured him and led the way out of the room after turning out the lights you'd better go home now mr vernon as you have done quite enough to-night and look worn out vernon nodded when will the inquest take place to-morrow the sooner it's over the better we can work on the clue of the spider which you have supplied we'll catch him vernon shrugged his shoulders he was less confident of success than drenched since for nearly two years the spider had entirely baffled the police end of chapter five read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter six of the spider by fergus hume this libervox recording is in the public domain recording by don w jenkins chapter six two conversations

Starting point is 02:23:44 the inquest duly took place but no evidence was forthcoming likely to lead to the capture of the assassin that he was the spider there of course could be no doubt since the declaration of vernon went to show that the late mr dimsdale had made an appointment with the blackmailer naturally the whole story had to be told at the inquest and the public became aware through the medium of the newspapers that the dead man had a secret it could not have been a dishonorable secret was the general opinion else mr dimsdale would scarcely have risked revelation using it whatever it might be as a decoy to lure the spider into a trap he had lost his life in the attempt to capture the famous criminal and if the spider had been celebrated before he was still more celebrated now and in a more sinister way formerly the police had wanted him as an extortioner now he was inquired for as a murderer the rangoon crime as it came to be called made a mighty sensation as there was that about it which appealed to the somewhat jaded taste of the public that a man should be strangled in his own library and in the very house where nearly one hundred people were dancing was truly wonderful when the sequel was that the assassin had a man should be strangled in his own library and in the very house where nearly one hundred people were dancing was truly wonderful when the sequel was that the assassin had a escaped. The windows of the library had neither blinds nor curtains. Guests had been talking and walking in the garden. On the other side of the tall Laurel hedge, cabs and carriages with attendants had been waiting in the road. Yet the spider had come and gone like a shadow.

Starting point is 02:25:27 Behind the frail concealment of the screen a terrible crime had taken place, and far from hurrying his departure the criminal had actually lingered to search for the money he hoped to yet. It was proved at the inquest that he did not get his plunder, for inquiries at Mr. Dimsdale's bank showed that the thousand pounds had not been drawn. Undoubtedly, since the dead man had intended to defy the blackmailer, the secret could not have been one to be ashamed of. But what the secret was the public never knew. Vernon, as he had stated to Inspector Dench, was not proud that he had been so cleverly tricked into temporary imprisonment by the spider, and would fain have kept that episode to himself.

Starting point is 02:26:12 But for the rounding off of the case it was necessary that it should be told, and thus sensation was piled upon sensation. Vernon, however, contrived to keep the name of Miss Corsoon to himself and drench, and it was vaguely stated in the papers that Vernon had been inveigled to West Kensington on the plea of helping a woman. inquiries proved that the landlord had never been applied to as regards the letting of number 34. The spider had simply seen that the house was empty, and had gained access thereto by means of a skeleton key. For one single evening he had utilized the house as a prison, and when the police searched the same, which they did from cellar to attic, they found no trace of the spider or of the white-faced woman

Starting point is 02:27:02 who had played so clever a comedy. The daring, evinced in connection with the West Kensington House, was amazing. The escape of the assassin from Rangoon scarcely less so, and the whole formed a case unexampled in the annals of crime for cool audacity, and the outcome of the affair was extremely unsatisfactory. Nothing could be discovered concerning the whereabouts of the spider, and whether he belonged to a gang or worked single, single-handed no one could say the man defied both detective and policeman and laughed at the attempts of the law to lay him by the heels letters were written to the papers and leading articles appeared clamoring that immediate action should be taken against the spider who was a menace to civilization

Starting point is 02:27:51 the police did all that was possible and hunted london in the vain endeavor to lay hands on the rascal but without success the spider left no tracks but without success the spider left no tracks but behind him and could not be followed to his lair. A verdict of willful larder was brought against him, and a reward of one thousand pounds was offered at the instance of the murdered man's daughter for his apprehension, but nothing further came of the matter. The crime was a nine-day's wonder, but as the days grew into weeks and weeks into months, public interest dwindled. It seemed likely that the murder of Martin Dimsdale would have to be relegated to the list of undiscovered crimes. Even Inspector Drench, disparate of success, and gloomily shook his head. Only Vernon remained firm in his intention to solve the mysteries of the murder and the spider,

Starting point is 02:28:42 and he said as much to Mrs. Bedge two months after Dimsdale had been laid in his grave. Mander's aunt was a thin, aristocratic, pale-faced old lady, prim in her dress and manners. She occupied a quiet, unpretentious house at Hampstead, not far from Rangoon. a note from her had brought vernon to see her and now the two were seated in a pointedly antiquated drawing-room talking earnestly everything about the house and its owner was prim and the whole atmosphere suggested early victorian days it seemed strange that so dismal and old-fashioned a house could be the home of an intensely modern young man like constantine monders but as mrs bedge informed vernon her nephew gave her very little of his sister's society as he had engaged rooms in town and lived in them the greater part of the week he only comes from a saturday to a monday to stop here sighed mrs bedge folding her lean-mittened hands on her drabhued dress yet he knows how fond i am of his company constantine was always selfish remarked vernon bluntly mrs bedge protested with the foolish fondness of an old woman oh indeed you must not say that constantine is high-spirited and i dare say that he thinks this place somewhat dull but when he is here i invariably find him thoughtful and affectionate this was very probable since mrs bedge had money and monders expected to be her heir

Starting point is 02:30:17 it was not likely that so astute a person would risk the loss of a fortune something of this sort must have revealed itself in vernon's eyes for mrs bedge with the swift instinct of a woman guessed what he was thinking about no she said in her plaintive way it is not greed of money that makes constantine love me but his own sweet nature which gives affection unasked constantine knows that i have spent a great deal on his education and in fitting him out for life now i have very little money left this house the furniture and a few hundreds a year when i die he will receive very little poor boy i thought it best that he should enjoy the money while he was young and without a little waiting for my death. Constantine ought to work, said Vernon, wondering at the blindness which could describe Monders as unselfishly affectionate. He intends to when he can find something to his mind, and then he is so handsome that he may make a rich marriage.

Starting point is 02:31:19 I thought Ida Dimmesdale would have taken him, sighed the old lady. She has ten thousand a year and is also a very charming girl, but there is no hope for Constantine there. you astonished me said vernon and meant what he said i understood from mr dimsdale himself that his daughter was in love with constantine she was she seemed to be quite crazy about him but that was before the terrible death of her father two months ago since then she has shut herself up with miss hest at rangoon and when constantine has seen her she has been quite different she loves him no longer and as good as she has been quite different she loves him no longer and as good as she has been as good as she has been her-and-one she has been quite different and as good as she has she has been she has been she has been very told the poor boy's soul, "'It nearly broke his heart!' "'I don't think Constantine's heart is so easily broken,'

Starting point is 02:32:10 said Vernon grimly and relapsed into silence. It struck him as strange that Ida should cease to love the handsome scamp, considering how infatuated she had been with him for months. But if things were, as Mrs. Bedge stated, there was a chance that Colonel Toughton's warm devotion would be appreciated. There was also the chance, and Vernon winced when he thought, of it, that, having no opportunity of marrying Ida, the pleasure-loving Monders would prosecute his wooing of Miss Corsune with renewed vigor, in which case, and in spite of Lucy's

Starting point is 02:32:44 pronounced liking for him, Vernon thought disneyly that there would be little likelihood of his own success. A more dangerous rival than Monders, when he really put his heart into love-making, can scarcely be imagined. Mrs. Bedge broke in upon these meditations. and what we have been speaking about brings me to the reason why i asked you to come and see me she said smoothing her dress and arranging the old-fashioned bracelets she wore you see as i tell you i am not rich and as i have informed you ida does not love constantine as she used to now i want you to consider if it could possibly be arranged that i could become ida's companion vernon started with astonishment he did not think that mrs bedge would prove a very cheerful companion to a young girl and moreover it seemed strange that at her age she should wish for such a position she must be poor indeed and considering how constantine had drained her this was scarcely to be wondered at miss hest acts more or less as miss dimsdale's companion remarked vernon with some hesitation i think she is a most dangerous woman said mrs bedge a warm colour flushing her faded cheeks she is a public reciter i may be old-fashioned but i do not think it is right the young girl like ida should be so friendly with a woman who appears on the stage vernon laughed at this echo of early victorian prudery miss hest only recites at concerts and at homes he explained she can scarcely be called an actress

Starting point is 02:34:23 i look upon her as such said mrs bedge primly i have known ida for years when her father was in burma he sent her to school in england and she always spent her holidays with me that is how constanting came to fall in love with her it has been the dream of my life to see them married especially as ida is rich and needs a man to look after her money i wish to become ida's companion not only because i am one of her oldest friends in need to supplement my ingot but because i hope to influence her again in my boy's favour i understand vernon smiled quietly as he thought that if monders looked after ida's money there would be little of it left in a few years but he quite understood as he had acknowledged the affectionate scheme of the fond old woman who was a slave to her adopted son i can scarcely advise you mrs bedge miss hest is a lady there can be no doubt on that point and her character is above reproach also she is clever and strong-minded the kind of companion miss dimsdale wants for i should not think he added after a pause that miss dimsdale was capable of managing her large fortune i have seen very little of her since the funeral i suppose the will was proved and she is in possession of her money there was no will said mrs bedge unexpectedly constantine learned that from ida herself she merely inherited as next-of kin which is the same thing why poor martin i call mr dimsdale martin because i knew him for years and years she explained in parentheses why poor martin never made a will i can't say but he did not strange reflected vernon musingly so business like a man would certainly have made a will i should have thought however as miss dimsdale has inherited as next of kin it doesn't matter failing her the money i presume would have gone to lady corson certainly but idae as a daughter of poor martin takes precedence of julia as the sister but think of all that money mr

Starting point is 02:36:33 Vernon being at the mercy of an adventuress like Miss Hest. I don't think she is an adventurous, Mrs. Bedge, and I can't see how the money is at her mercy. I see it very plainly, said Mrs. Bedge with a sparity. Miss Hest has a most extraordinary influence over Ida and not a healthy one, since she has permitted her to shut herself up for weeks. The natural grief of Miss Dimsdale. There are bounds to grief, interrupted the old lady sharply, and the young recover from sorrow quicker than do the aged poor martin was a good father and ida does right to mourn him but not to the ridiculous extent of shutting her up for two months with that woman

Starting point is 02:37:16 you don't seem to like miss hess no i don't oh i haven't a word to say against her character i dare say she is a lady imperfectly correct in her behaviour but she is not the companion for ida besides she comes and goes from rangoon at her will and is not a regular companion such as the girl should have miss hest so constantine tells me lives at isworth with a horrid old retired actor and his wife professor garrett gale yes she told me that herself so brazen sniffed mrs bedge more prim than ever it's not right i tell you mr bernan some one should interfere no one can mrs bedge miss dimsdale is her own mistress being over age and has her own mistress being over age and has her own her own money she has a right to live as she pleases not in my opinion mr vernon it's not respectable could you not see her and suggest that she should sell or let rangoon and come here to live with me as her paid companion all so she could help to keep this house vernon almost laughed so selfish was the proposition and thought it very unlikely that ida would surrender the charming residence of rangoon and the intellectual society of miss hest to shut herself up with a buck old dame in a stuffy second-rate dwelling. I am not intimate enough with Miss Dimsdale to suggest such a thing. "'But you are searching for the assassin of her father,' persisted Mrs. Bedge,

Starting point is 02:38:45 with the dogged obstinacy of age. "'Out of gratitude she should adopt your suggestion. Besides, you would be glad to see her old school fellow Constantine settled for life.' It was on Vernon's lips to say that he would be very sorry to see any woman, and let alone Ida Dimmesdale, tied to a selfish creature like Mr. Monders, but out of pity for the infatuated old lady he refrained. Besides, since she believed Constantine to be an angel, no one would ever be able to argue her out of that fantasy.

Starting point is 02:39:17 Other people are searching for the spider also, he said gently, so Miss Dimmesdale has no particular reason to show me any gratitude, especially as she has offered the reward of one thousand pounds. "'I know. Constantine is trying to earn it.' "'The deuce he is,' sprang from Vernon's lips. Mrs. Bedge drew up her spare form and folded her hands. "'I do not like slaying, Mr. Vernon.' Then, when he apologized, she continued,

Starting point is 02:39:46 "'Constantine wants to earn the money, and also, if he catches the spider, Ida will surely marry him out of sheer gratitude.' "'I think he has a stronger reason to catch the spider,' said Vernon dryly. mrs bedge coloured and looked aside i guess what you mean as i asked poor martin to speak to you on the subject of that attempted blackmail it was scandalous was it not however i have heard no more from the wicked creature and i don't think i shall after committing this crime it is not likely that the spider will dare to continue in his wickedness well said vernon standing up to take his leave i certainly have not heard of any one being blackmail lately perhaps the spider thinks that he has gone too far and is afraid i suggested myself to constantine that he should capture the spider if he wished to become my partner in that is broke off vernon in some confusion he might i understand said mrs bedge quietly i know that you are nemo poor martin revealed your private business when he suggested that he should consult you about the spider's attempt to blackmail me but you can be perfectly satisfied i know that you are nemo poor martin revealed your private business when he suggested that he should consult you about the spider's attempt to blackmail me but you can be perfectly satisfied i shall not betray your secret having she smiled faintly one of my own he looked at her inquiringly i don't understand

Starting point is 02:41:09 i refer to the accusation the spider brought against me went on mrs bedge her eyes glittering feverishly and her breath coming and going and gasps oh it was shameful that a man should dare to accuse me of immorality yes there is no need for us to mince words mr bernan of immorality why the only man i ever loved was martin himself then he went to india and i was worried by my family into marrying mr bedge my sister married his partner her, Constantine, Mavrecordato. Monders, I understood the name was. That was the English name he took, and that is why his son, my adopted boy, but really my nephew, comes to be called so. I never liked Mavra Cordato, and to think that this spider should accuse me, me, she clenched her thin hand and all the primness fled.

Starting point is 02:42:04 She was no longer a precise old lady of a precise epic, but an angry and insulted woman. if i could find this man mr vernon i should strike him across the lips i urged constantine to hunt him down both to gain the gratitude of ida by punishing the murder of her father and because i wish the spider to be punished for the insult he put upon me should you find him mr vernon don't spare him i can promise you that said vernon very grimly for the decoying still rankled in his breast still as yet we can find out nothing about him if he blackmails you again let me know then we can arrange a trap so that i may be murdered like poor martin no thank you i'll see that such a thing doesn't occur a second time but i fancy you can set your mind at rest mrs bedge the spider is too much wanted for him to continue his little games the risk is too great i dare say he'll turn his attention to america or to the colonies mrs bedge followed him to the door then you think that he has left england she inquired eagerly i don't think so i think well i scarcely know what to think leave things as they are mrs bedge and sooner or later i hope to capture the rascal now i must leave you will you see ida and suggest my scheme to be her companion i don't know her well enough to suggest it bluntly but i shall see her some day and hint at your idea and please keep your eye on constantine i fear he is ruining his health with society i see very little of constantine mrs bedge and i fear he would not take any well-meant advice i might offer him finally he got away from the prim house although mrs bedge was anxious to keep him in conversation went on the heath breathing the widely blown air he drew a long breath to refresh his lungs he did not wonder that monders remained as little as possible in that tomb for it was nothing else

Starting point is 02:44:08 to a pleasure-loving lively young man accustomed to be petted by pretty women and welcomed by moneyed men the society of his aunt and the atmosphere of her stuffy house was a little young man accustomed to be petted by pretty women and welcomed by moneyed men the society of his aunt and the atmosphere of her stuffy house was naturally be abhorrent. And Constantine was not the individual likely to deny himself a merry life for the sake of attending on the woman to whom he owed so much. He had absolutely no idea of the meaning of the word gratitude. Most people, and Maunders was one of them, do not know that there is such a word in the dictionaries. Walking along musingly, Vernon remembered how Dimmesdale had spoken of Emily Begg, and how he also had stated as she had done that they were in love when young. Now Dimsdale was dead, and the girl he had so admired was a fated old woman cherishing a foolish affection for one who would never return the same, and who had no

Starting point is 02:44:59 intention of returning it. Considering the lonely life and sad history and dismal present position of Mrs. Bedge, the young man began to think that, after all, it would be a charity to persuade Ida Dimsdale to take her as a companion. In the society of the girl, Mrs. Bedge might grow youthful again. her presence might be dangerous, as she would certainly do her best to persuade Ida into marrying Constantine, and assuredly the infatuation of Ida might revive. Vernon wondered how it had died away and what causes had been at work to make Ida regard with indifference, the handsome face of the scamp. From the hint given by Mrs. Bedge, he began to believe that this was the work of Miss Hest. If so, it was no wonder that the old woman spoke ill of her.

Starting point is 02:45:44 Of course, Mrs. Bedge was biased, for Vernon Hedge. himself believed Francis Hess to be a clever, capable woman, who was likely to prove a tower of strength to Ida, since the girl's character, although sweet, was not particularly firm. But then there was always the chance that Miss Hess might become a tyrant. Thinking in this way, Vernon suddenly stumbled against a man coming from the opposite direction, also deepened thought. They looked up with a mutual apology and both burst out laughing. The newcomer was Colonel Toughton, and he explained. himself as they shook hands i have just been to see miss dimsdale said the colonel crisply and she gave me so much to think about that i was in a brown study and i have come from mrs bedge who also made me think observed vernon with a smile hence i ran into you where are you going colonel

Starting point is 02:46:37 back to town said the military man promptly but i am walking i always walk as much as possible in london for the sake of necessary exercise perhaps you would rather drive no i prefer to walk i am glad to have met you touton as i wish to speak with you privately curious said the colonel screwing his glass into his eye i had you in my mind when i run into you let us walk down the hill and talk there is more privacy in the open air than anywhere else Well? Well, echoed Vernon as they turned their faces towards London. What do you wish to say? I'll come to the point circuitously, retorted the Colonel smartly. So you have been to see Mrs. Bedge? Poor old Dimsdale told me about her.

Starting point is 02:47:23 My rival's aunt, I believe. Yes, a quaint old lady of the Albert period. Toughton shuddered. I know the style, Vernon. Stiff and prudish and doughty. Hmm. Rather a contrast to our young friend. He's devilish, handsome, and infernally modern. I suppose the old lady gives him plenty of

Starting point is 02:47:43 money. He always seems to be in the forefront of things. Yet I don't like him somehow. His voice doesn't ring true, but there, perhaps I am prejudiced, since he courts Miss Dimsdale. I'm a man and not a saint, so I feel jealous. You have no need to be, Colonel. Hey, what? The Colonel stopped abruptly, and his eyes sparkled. Do you mean, to say that he has ceased the court, Miss Dimmesdale? Well, well, he went on without waiting for a reply, I shouldn't wonder. I might have guessed as much for three or four times I have been to the Corsoons,

Starting point is 02:48:20 and Monders was always there, making furious love to that pretty Lucy of theirs. You had better look after her if you intend to make her your wife, Vernon. Lady Corsune always receives me so coldly that I scarcely dare call, confessed the young man dismally. I dare say Monders has put a spoke in my wheel in that quarter. Yes, but hang it, he can't mean to marry both girls. You forget what I hinted just now, Toughton. Mrs. Bedge assured me, and with great grief, as she wants the marriage to take place,

Starting point is 02:48:52 that Miss Dimsdale has ceased to care for her nephew. Only military self-control prevented the Colonel from throwing his tall hat in the air. I thought she was kinder to me to-day, he said jubilantly, and she never mentioned, Monder's name, now I think of it. Do you believe that I have a chance, Vernon? A better one than you ever had, replied Vernon heartily, and you may be sure I shall endeavor to aid you in every way. But by the way, how is Miss Dimsdale? I have only seen her once

Starting point is 02:49:23 since the burial of her father, and of course then she was overcome with grief. Toughton thought for a moment before replying, "'To tell you the truth, Vernon, I don't think that dark-browed young woman is a good companion for her in any way why not burdon was rather struck that mrs bedge and the colonel should unknowingly agree on this point she is clever oh i dare say and if you ask me a sight too clever grumbled the colonel shouldering his thin umbrella like a gun ida well i can call her ida to you since we have become so friendly ida is a charming girl but not strong-minded i shouldn't seek her for my wife if she were as i hate masterful women miss hest is of that sort and she seems to have too much control over ida in fact i may be wrong and i wouldn't say this to any one but yourself but it's a kind of hypnotism hmm do you remember what the conchini woman said about her supposed magical influence over marie de medici that she only used the influence of a strong mind over a weak one oh i don't think ida is weak-minded said the colonel hastily she is a sweet loving delightful girl who would make any man happy but miss hest is what i call a cat yes an amiable cat so long as things go to her liking but i'm sure she could show her cloths but i'm sure she could show her cloths but i'm sure she could show her if necessary.

Starting point is 02:50:51 Does she support Monders? She supports no one but herself. It seems to me that she finds that the reciting doesn't pay, and so hopes to become Ida's companion for life. If I'd a married, she'd be nowhere. I fancy for that reason she wishes to keep Ida single, and so doesn't countenance either Monders or myself." Vernon mused.

Starting point is 02:51:14 He remembered how he had fancied that Miss Hess might have been the person to undermine Monder's chances. Now Toughton was saying the same thing. However, he said nothing while the Colonel walking and talking vigorously continued his speech. Besides, said Toughton, there's a queer strain in the family.

Starting point is 02:51:34 Gerby Hall, where the brother lives, is three miles from my place. Brother and sister are twins exactly like one another, but they don't hit it off together. Gerby Hall is supposed to be haunted, and people think the Hess to be mad. or queer or the deuce knows what francis hess doesn't seem to be mad said vernon dryly well i don't know her head seems to be screwed on all right but she believes in occultism and all that sort of thing her influence is unhealthy for she induced ida to go to diabella who

Starting point is 02:52:07 vernon nodded i know diabella is a fortune-teller in bond street and is supposed to be very clever what did she tell miss dimsdale oh that i couldn't find out but it made her ill gave her a headache or something ida said very little seemed diverse to speaking about her visit and miss hess supplied all the information she was full of the wonderful things which diabella had told ida what wonderful things i can't say i told you that Ida refused to speak about the matter, but I intend to find out something about this Diabella, and therefore I am going to call on her. I have an appointment in three days. She'll tell you nothing about Miss Dimsdale. Of course not, but I shall be able to see what kind of a woman she is. I don't want Ida to get under another bad influence. That of Miss Hest is quite enough. I'm clever enough to read this Diabella's character, and if possible I shall try and prevent Ida from seeing her

Starting point is 02:53:07 again. It's just as well. Tell me what you hear from this fortune-teller." Taut had shrugged his shoulders. "'Oh, it will be the same old rubbish about love and money and marriage. I don't believe in these mercenary occult people myself, although I have every faith in the genuine sort I have met in India. Now, one of those, Vernon, would soon spot this damned spider.' "'Why not ask Diabella?' "'I shall do so. Gad, it's an idea. But then I don't know. think occultists who take money are the real truth-tellers. However, it can do no harm asking her,

Starting point is 02:53:43 so I shall do so. By the way, Vernon, have you heard if the police have stumbled on the track of that rogue?' "'Not yet.' Drench tells me that nothing has been discovered. I'm trying to hunt him down myself. "'You, poo, poo, pooh!' Toughton said good-humouredly. "'Why, it needs a trained man to do that. The spider is as clever as the devil, hang him, to think that I was at the ball and in the next room when your poor old friend was being strangled by that beast. I tell you what, sir, the strangling put me in mind of the thugs.

Starting point is 02:54:17 What do you mean? asked Vernon quickly. It's only an idea, but this spider strangled the old man so cleverly and so quietly that I wondered if he was some nigger who had known Dimmesdale in India or Burma, and so had learned his secret, whatever it might be. It's a queer way of looking at it. it murmured vernon thoughtfully and dimsdale's secret has to do at the east i fancy there may be something in what you say i'll think it over do said tauton cordially and i'll come to your rooms to report on my proposed interview with this bond street witch of endor on this understanding they parted having had a most interesting conversation on important subjects there may be something in tauton's idea thought vernon end of chapter six read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter seven of the spider by fergus hume

Starting point is 02:55:25 this the bravox recording is in the public domain recording by don w jenkins chapter seven lady corsoon's appeal since the tragic death of dimsdale vernon had seen very little of monders certainly that since even London is parochial in bringing the same people in the same set constantly together, he had met him casually at the houses of mutual acquaintances, but beyond a few careless words nothing had passed between them. It seemed as though Monders, after deciding to leave the partnership with Nemo in abeyance, had drifted knowingly apart from his old schoolfellow. Vernon did not care much, as he mistrusted a man who was willing to sacrifice everything, and everyone to his greed for pleasure.

Starting point is 02:56:17 Monders reminded Vernon in many ways of Lucien de Rubempre in lost illusions. Egotism was the keynote of the real person, as of the fictitious. But where Balzac's hero drifted weakly with the tide, Monders struck out against it for a landing of his own choosing. As Lucien was drawn, handsome, clever, and unscrupulous, so was Mondes. in actual life, and an insatiable love of pleasure was common to both. Overindulgence might well wreck Mrs. Beggis's darling, as it had wrecked the lover of Madame de Bargiton.

Starting point is 02:56:58 It was the conversation with Colonel Tauton which sent Vernon in quest of the man whom he would otherwise have avoided like poison. He wished to learn clearly the attitude of Monders with regard to the two ladies he was so audaciously wooing. much as the man loved lucy corsoon and monder's love in this quarter really seemed to be the most honest part of him he loved himself more and it seemed incredible to vernon that so egotistic a person would risk losing the world of pleasure for a genuine passion sir lucius corsoon was wealthy and lucy was an heiress but if she married monda's who was no favourite of the baronet her father would probably cut her off with the provost a verbial shilling. It really seemed wiser for Monders to stick to Ida and the 10,000 a year of which she was sole mistress. But then, if Ida had truly overcome her infatuation,

Starting point is 02:57:56 Monders had little chance of success in that quarter. A desire to learn the true state of affairs brought Vernon to Monders' chambers in Planet Street, Piccadilly, at 11 o'clock in the morning, two or three days after that enlightening conversation with Colonel Toughton. vernon naturally expected to find the ciburite housed like solomon in all his glory and he was not disappointed the rooms were beautifully decorated and sumptuously furnished no expense had been spared to make them worthy of this fastidious young gentleman who was only content with the very best which civilization could afford he received his friend in a delightful pompadour apartment airy and bright and gracefully frivolous recalling the song shabby house at Hampstead and Mrs. Bedge's revelations regarding a diminishing income, which made her anxious to seek at her age the post of a paid companion, Vernon could not think how Monders managed to provide himself with such gorgeous surroundings. He had no settled income,

Starting point is 02:59:01 and, like the lilies of the field, he neither toiled nor spun, but he welcomed Vernon in a maroon-colored velvet smoking suit, which must have cost a considerable sum in Bond Street, and asked him to partake of a delightfully tempting breakfast, set out with all the delicacies of the season. "'Though I dare say,' said the handsome scamp in his languid, insolent manner, "'that you breakfasted at Cockrow! You were always aggressively virtuous.' "'I certainly have been up some hours,' replied Vernon coldly. "'While you eat, I can smoke, with your permission. He sat down and lighted a cigarette carefully. "'I have called to see you.'

Starting point is 02:59:43 an unexpected pleasure murmured monders pouring himself out a second cup of coffee yes to ask you if you are engaged to miss dimsdale finished vernon pointedly perhaps i am in that case you will have given up all pursuit of miss corsoon perhaps i have oh hang your evasions what do you mean i don't recognise your right to ask me questions about my affairs they are mine also confound you snapped vernon energetically i love miss corsoon and if you would leave her alone she would probably accept me what good would that do asked monda's lightly her mother wouldn't would lady corson except you after all you have nothing but your good looks to offer the girl ah but the girl has a fortune to offer me you aren't worth it and let me remind you that however much miss corsoon may have taken up with your looks her mother will certainly disapprove of the match monda's shrugged his shoulders you can't be sure of that i am sure of one thing that sir julius will cut his daughter off with a shilling if she marries you now that's very clever of you my dear boy said monders gracefully for sir julius is the stumbling block he's a purse with a gaping mous and a gaiping mouth mouth which goes about on two legs and has no sympathy with romance romance why you don't know what it means said vernon scornfully you want to marry money and either miss corsone or miss dimsdale will serve your turn the last is in possession of her money whereas the first may not inherit her expected fortune which will certainly be taken away from her if she marries you

Starting point is 03:01:31 why not stick to miss dimsdale monda's monda's monda's monda's monda's mondeur's much as you may doubt it he said impetuously i have a heart which is for sale to the highest bidder see here connie ponny monters lifted his eyebrows i thought you barred pet names i am appealing not to the man of the world but to my old schoolfellow if you put it in that way see here i love lucy corson and if you would only clear out of the gangway she would really love me she does i have seen it in many ways bosh if she really loved you she wouldn't listen to me i don't know you have good looks and a kind of magnetic power which influences women against their will hard women of the world too much less an innocent girl such as lucy is it's a great power to have and you make bad use of it just because i happened to cross your track thanks oh hang you're dodging i came here to receive a plain answer to a plain question are you going to marry miss corsoon or miss Miss Dimsdale? I haven't made up my mind. You would if Miss Dimsdale would listen to you, snarled Vernon.

Starting point is 03:02:47 If I asked her to be my wife, she would accept at once, retorted Monders. No, she wouldn't. Your aunt told me that she had lost all love for you since the death of her father. Mander's face grew black. I wish the old lady would keep her ideas to herself, he said angrily, for it is an idea and nothing more. Naturally, as her father came by his death in so terrible, a manner, Ida is grieved and can't think eternally of me. All the same. She loves me.

Starting point is 03:03:15 I doubt that. On what grounds? On what Mrs. Bedge said. Pooh, pooh, pooh. What does my aunt know about it? said Monders lightly and with superb insolence. She's a dear old thing, but several centuries behind the age. Ida is mine if I choose to have her, and I would have her if my silly heart did not stand in the way. vernon jumped up in a royal rage i forbid you to make false love to miss corsone i love her and she loves me and it is only your infernally magnetic personality that draws her heart away from me if you meant well by her and i thought she would be happy i would withdraw but you only mean to marry her for her money which she may never get i love her i tell you i love her said monders as violently as vernon has spoken and money or no money i shall marry her if i choose you have no chance lady corson hates you i don't believe it she shows signs of yielding and has asked me to go to tea at her house this afternoon if she hated me she would not ask me in so friendly away an almost imperceptible smile passed over the full lips of monders and he shrugged his shoulders go to her house by all means and hear what she has to say he sneered i'll risk your visit

Starting point is 03:04:36 vernon was baffled by all this fencing and evasion the man would neither say yea nor nay and it was impossible to tell what he intended to do if you will leave the field clear for me with miss corsoon i will take you into partnership he said at last entreatingly i am not sure i wish to be taken in retorted maunders contemptuously it is not a respectable business you are a liar my business is perfectly respectable and i earn my money honestly bernan caught up his hat and looked round the elegant room i doubt if you can say the same what do you mean by that demanded monda's furiously i mean that you haven't a sixpence and your aunt can't allow you much and that you are living far beyond your means where do you get the money that's my business said monda's coolly and my aunt is wealthy so wealthy that she desires the post of a paid companion to miss dimsdale making for the door "'She told me so herself, although I'm bound to say that she desires to further your interests by inducing Miss Dimsdale to love you again.' "'I can manage all that for myself,' said Monders decisively. "'My aunt has no business to interfere with my affairs.'

Starting point is 03:05:52 "'She brought you up, and—' "'Then I am to be her slave for the rest of my life. Nonsense. All that filial feeling is out of date,' said Monders likely. "'However, I shall tell my aunt what I think of her talking to you in this way. as to the rest of it you keep out of my way vernon or it will be the worse for you ah vernon faced round at the door now you speak clearly is it to be peace or war between us war snapped monders you can't hurt me and-war let it be interrupted vernon opening the door good day and he walked out smartly leaving his friend or rather his enemy now that war had been declared rather surprised by his abrupt departure but when the door closed monger's face grew black and his brow wrinkled perhaps i shouldn't have driven arty to such a declaration murmured the young man thoughtfully he's a fool but a clever fool after all although i love lucy it will be better for me to marry ida since she has the money i wonder how aunt emily found out about idas changed towards me it can't last however if i only take trouble to see her often enough it's lucy who holds me back i'm a fool as i know that lucy doesn't care for me as she does for artie

Starting point is 03:07:09 i wish i hadn't fought him now but he can't harm me he can't monda's glanced round the luxurious room he shan't there's too much to lose damn him i'll fight him and beat him there while monders was coming to this conclusion vernon was walking swiftly along piccadilly in the direction of covent garden as he intended to go to the office wherein he carried on business as nemo now that monders had openly declared himself as an enemy the situation was somewhat adjusted and vernon felt that he could deal with it he made up his mind to tackle lady corsoon that very day and asked if he might be permitted to pay attentions to lucy then in an interview with the girl himself he might manage to brush aside this semi-hypnotic influence which maunder's fascinating personality seemed to exercise over her if he could only get the mother on his side all would be well Lady Corsoon did not know that he was Nemo, which was just as well, but she did not know also that he had expectations from a bachelor uncle who could leave him a title and a fortune of three thousand a year. If this were set before her, she might be induced to welcome him as a suitor, although both Sir Julius and Lady Corsoon were said to desire nothing less than a duke for their only child. But if this was the case, Vernon wondered why the lady tolerated Monders, who was poor and without position. position. However, when he called that afternoon, he might be able to learn the reason.

Starting point is 03:08:38 At all events, his expectations against Mondar's mere good looks would probably carry the day. At the office a surprise awaited him. His clerk, a dry-as-dust, lean old fellow, as silent and wise-looking as an owl, met him in the outer room with a mysterious face and informed him that a lady had been waiting an hour for the appearance of Nemo. She had refused to give any name and had declared her intention of remaining until she saw the detective. Vernon, in his business capacity, was used to people who came and went without giving names, as their business was generally shady, so he did not pay much attention to the matter. Hanging up his coat and hat and laying aside his gloves and cane, he passed into the inner

Starting point is 03:09:24 room. Then he received the surprise aforesaid. His client was none other than Lady Corsoon herself. she arose perfectly self-possessed and did not appear to be surprised to see the young man how are you mr vernon she asked holding on a gracious hand or perhaps i should call you nemo here mr nemo vernon violently read and inwardly greatly upset by this recognition accepted the gloved hand timidly how did you find out that i oh your enemy told me finished lady corsoon sitting down my enemy stammered the unfortunate man nervously mr constantine monders who vernon interrupted her and struck a hard blow on the table his eyes flashed dangerously then in spite of his promise he told you what i so much desired to keep secret yes said lady corson dryly it was his desire to put me against you so that he could philander with my daughter but his shot failed to hit the mark i was delighted to hear that you were nemo i have heard something of nemo's doings and cleverness and so the information brought me here as you see

Starting point is 03:10:38 to forbid me to your house i asked you to afternoon tea to-day and that invitation was issued after your enemy betrayed you sit down mr nemo and become businesslike we have much to talk about considerably surprised by this attitude vernon sank into his chair before the desk and stared at lady corson in the dim light which filtered through the dingy window of the room she was well worth looking at in spite of her age as her dress was perfect and her look still displayed the look still displayed the room she was well worth looking at in spite of her age as her dress was perfect and her look still displayed the remains of considerable beauty she was somewhat stout it is true but her complexion whether due to art or nature was that of a young girl and her sparkling brown eyes revealed an intellect of no mean order a clever woman was lady corsoon within limitations and she would have been even more a power in the fashionable world than she was had she not been so dominated by the powerful personality of her husband sir julius was of long descent but in his youth of ruin fortunes, owing to a spendthrift father. Being an inborn Finan Seer, however, he had built up an Aladdin's palace of gold in the ruins, and was extremely wealthy. Yet he had the heart of a miser and allowed his wife and daughter only sufficient to keep up their position with care and difficulty. This mean behavior explains the reason of Lady Corsoon's visit to Vernon

Starting point is 03:12:02 in his avatar of Nemo, as he speedily understood. But as yet he had not overcome his surprise at thus finding his mask torn off come come said lady corsoon tapping his arm with her son's shade i have come to see a business man and not a dreamer wake up mr nemo vernon winced on hearing her pronounce his trade name i am at your service he said in a low voice and in my hands rejoined lady corson briskly what would the world say if it knew that arthur vernon was a private inquiry agent making his money out of people's secrets you take me for the spider apparently said bernan with spirit and anxious through pride to repel the odious accusation i make money by helping people to keep their secrets not by betraying them i am on the side of the law not of the criminal upon my word i can't see that a man who carries on an honest business to preserve secrets and save unfortunate people from blackmail is worse than if indeed as bad as a city rogue who trades unscrupulous on people's weakness for gambling. Lady Corsoon changed color at the last words and evidently was about to make a remark thereon. However, she checked herself sharply

Starting point is 03:13:18 and replied with feigned carelessness, "'I well argued, Mr. Vernon, but people are prejudiced against those who seek to know secrets.' "'Because everyone has a turned-down page in his or her book of life,' cried the young man. "'I, in my business, prevent that page being read, by those who wished to be paid for the reading i don't want my business known but i am not ashamed of it why did you take it up because my father lost all his money and i had scarcely enough to live upon retorted the young man quickly and proudly

Starting point is 03:13:54 you have expectations vernon started how do you know that he demanded sharply lady corson tapped his arm again in my own way i have been doing a little detective business you are so persistent in following lucy from house to house and so decidedly refused to receive my no for an answer that i made inquiries to see why you could have the courage to offer a young girl a ruined fortune i learned indeed that you were ruined by your father but i learned also that sir edward vernon of slimthrop in westashire is your uncle he has a good income and no wife and is eighty years of age the chances are that you will succeed him you cannot keep me out of the title said vernon bitterly but you should have gained more information lady corsoon my uncle hated my father because my father married the woman he loved and he hates me because i am the son of that woman i do not hope to inherit the money and what is a title without money i did not explain what you have discovered else i should have done so since it seems useless to put forward all that as a plea for an engagement to your daughter my dear man a title is better than nothing you're too modest besides lucy will have plenty of money i know if she marries as you and her father wish but i hear vernon smiled bitterly that you want a duke i want an honest man upon whom i can depend said lady corson with energy and for that reason i have come to see you in spite of the fact that i am nemo for the very reason that you are nemo she retorted with a lightning-glue she retorted with a lightning-glum lance my dear boy mr monder's thought to do you a bad turn by telling me of your secret business and thought that i would certainly forbid you my house and finally end your dangling after my daughter as it is he has done you a good turn as you are the man i want for lucy

Starting point is 03:15:52 and for myself if you can carry out safely the business i have come to see you about i shall encourage your addresses to lucy and so far as i can influence so iron nature to man i shall win sir julius to your side come is it a bargain oh vernon caught her hand joyfully of course it is i never dreamed of such happiness but now i know why monder smiled when i told him that i was due at your house this afternoon when did you see him immediately before i came here i went to ask whether he wished to marry miss corsoun or miss dimsdale but he refused to say but he smiled ah he thought that having told you i was nemo you intended to dismiss me forever from your house when i called this afternoon i dare say but he will learn that instead of enemies we are friends and that instead of his marrying lucy you shall it is just as well added lady coersoon quietly as she loves you although she is more us fascinated by that that gentleman shall we say but you are fascinated yourself lady corsone else you would scarcely have tolerated a penniless man dangling after your daughter i tolerated it as you say because mr monda's knows my secret your secret in a flash vernon recalled the conversation with the young man under the peristyle in which monders had hinted that he knew something which would enable him to manage lady corsoon

Starting point is 03:17:22 "'What is your secret?' "'I have come to tell you, so don't interrupt until I have finished,' said Lady Corsoom, coolly. "'I come to you because I know in a hundred ways that you are what Mr. Monders is not, an honest gentleman, and also the private detective that I need. I have one great vice, Mr. Vernon. I am a gambler, and for the last two years I have lost a heap of money at Bridge. To pay my debts, since Sir Julius kept me always very short of money, I pawned certain family jewels.

Starting point is 03:17:54 If Sir Julius finds out that, he is capable of causing a scandal by forcing a separation. For Lucy's sake, as well as my own, I don't want such a thing to take place. But how can he find out? Lady Corsoon fished in a green and gold bag which was slung on her arm and produced an elegant sheet of writing paper. Read that, she said quietly.

Starting point is 03:18:19 Vernon started and suppressed a cry. At the foot of the writing he saw a purple spider impressed clearly, the well-known sign-manual of the scoundrel who had murdered Mr. Dimmesdale. Glancing his eyes over the pages, he read that the spider had learned about the pawning of certain family jewels, and, moreover, had managed by forged tickets to get the same into his possession. He was willing to sell them back for two thousand pounds, to be paid in gold on a certain date and at a certain place, to be arranged when he received lady corsoon's reply the reply was to be put in the agony column of the daily telegraph when further arrangements would be made for the payment of the sum and the handing over of the jewels failing consent the spider intended to apply to sir julius and to reveal lady corsoun's gambling propensities the whole of this precious epistle written very elegantly ended with the ideograph of the purple spider what do you think of it asked lady corsoon when vernon finished reading what can i think of it but that the man is a blackguard you want me to deal with this

Starting point is 03:19:29 yes i can't pay the two thousand pounds as i have not got it my husband keeps me very short you see that i am candid but then i trust you as i doubt mr why do you doubt him asked vernon suddenly because he followed me one day to a pawn-shop and learned my secret not in so many words but by unmistakable hints he gave me to understand that my open house to him and my encouraging of his love for lucy was the price of his silence things have gone from bad to worse and i feel that i am under his thumb until the jewels are got back again and all proof of my madness is destroyed i am keeping a brave face mr vernon but I am truly in despair. Sir Julius is a hard man and the revelation of what I have done means disgrace. My husband will not spare me. For his daughter's sake?

Starting point is 03:20:23 No, he would remove Lucy from my care and cast me off with a small income to live on. He can't get a divorce, but he will insist upon a separation as I feel certain. You alone can save me, and if you can, I agree to your marriage with my daughter. Oh, she cried.

Starting point is 03:20:41 cried, struck by a strange look in Vernon's eyes. "'Don't think that I am selling Lucy to you. But she loves you, and now that I know you will someday have a title, the money doesn't matter, as Sir Julius may be persuaded into accepting you as his son-in-law. At all events, if you will be my friend, I shall be yours. Is it a bargain?' "'Yes,' said Vernon, gripping the hand she held out. "'For more reasons than this one do I wish to track this blackmailing beast to his lair.'

Starting point is 03:21:11 agreed by a line in the daily telegraph to pay the money in a month that will give me time to turn round lady corsoon drew a long breath of relief thank god i came to you as for mr monders i really believe she hesitated what asked jernam looking up quickly that he is the spider himself end of chapter seven read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter eight of the spider by Fergus Hume. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. According by Don W. Jenkins. Chapter 8. The Grief of Ida Vernon was not the man to let the grass grow under his feet when there was anything to gain by hurry,

Starting point is 03:22:05 and in this case the happiness of his whole life was at stake. The visit of Lady Corsoon to enlist him on her side with the bribe of supporting his suit for her daughter was one of those unexpected cards which fate deals us to win in the game of life. It was a veritable ace, with which Vernon hoped to trump Monders' trick. Hitherto, the handsome scamp had had everything his own way. Now he was to find serious obstacles in his path. With Lucy's love and her mother's support, the course of true affection might run smoother.

Starting point is 03:22:40 The father might be gained over by playing on his instinctive dislike to Monders, and by the news which Vernon had hitherto not thought worth imparting, namely that he had a chance of becoming a baronet. Moreover, since war had been declared between the two schoolfellows, Maunders would undoubtedly make himself disagreeable in any case. Already, acting treacherously, he had informed Lady Corsoon of the way in which Vernon earned his money, and it was probable that now he would inform others. Of course the young man wished to prevent this, for in spite of his defence of his profession he was aware that the world does not look amiably on one who lives by learning the secrets of weak humanity even when the aim is to preserve those same secrets from use by villains

Starting point is 03:23:30 but the difficulty was to seal monder's mouth as the moment he noticed and he certainly would speedily that bernan was favoured by lady corsoon he would spread the scandal with a zeal born of the knowledge that his empire was slipping from him also he would strive to intimidate lady corsoon more openly and it could not be denied but what her position towards her aggressively upright husband was a delicate one thus monders was the enemy both of lady corsoon and of vernon to crush him they therefore formed a secret partnership in this unity lay their strength the weapon vernon proposed to use towards his dangerous foe was that supplied by the chance remark of lady corson soon that Monders might be the spider. When she departed with the assurance that there was nothing to be afraid of for at least one month, Vernon sat silently in his chair thinking over what had been said. After all, it did not seem impossible that Monders should be his arch scoundrel, for whom the police were so eagerly seeking. To Vernon's own knowledge, the young man did not receive large sums from Mrs. Begg, and he had no other source of income. Yet, as a very source of income, yet, as

Starting point is 03:24:44 Vernon had seen he contrived to live like a prince on nothing a year. Perhaps, like the amiable and talented Mrs. Rod and Crawley, he managed to keep up his princely appearance by spending other people's money, that is, by getting deeply into debt. But Vernon knew that Monders did not owe one penny. He came by the information by having at the request of the late Mr. Dimsdale searched into Monders' private life some months previously. The old ex-police commissioner, seeing that his daughter was infatuated with the young man,

Starting point is 03:25:19 hoped to learn something to his discredit, and so asked Vernon, whom he knew already as Nemo, to make an examination. Of course, Vernon did not guess at the time that Mr. Dimsdale wished to find something to the discredit of an undesirable suitor, and merely thought that the old man was anxious to learn if Monders was a fit husband for his daughter. In fact, Vernon believed that he was doing his old schoolfellow a good turn in probing his life. He certainly learned that Monders owed nothing and always settled his debts scrupulously, presumably on money allowed by Mrs. Begg. So he presented his report to Dimsdale with the remark that Monders, at all events, was an honest man.

Starting point is 03:26:02 Now the case assumed a different aspect with Mrs. Begg's confession of poverty, a confession which was supported as true by her anxiety to become Ida's paid companion. Since Monders paid his debts and lived like a millionaire an embryo, how did he manage to fill his purse? Lady Corsoon had provided a very reasonable reply to this serious question. He was the spider. But hang him? He's not clever enough, muttered Vernon, rising to pace the narrow confines of his office

Starting point is 03:26:35 at this point of his meditations. He's cunning and smart and observant and unscrupulous, but the spider is a genius and manages his affairs in a far-seeing way, which does not suggest monders. Connie is shallow in many ways,

Starting point is 03:26:51 and for the present would sacrifice the future. No, the spider never does that. He waits and plans and arranges his operations in such a way that he can never be captured. No, feasible though it seems, I can't see Constantine as that master criminal. But again, Vernon reflected that when the trap had been arranged between him and the dead man, the window of the library had been open.

Starting point is 03:27:16 And, as Mr. Dimsdale had mentioned in his subsequent letter, with wrath, Monders had called at that moment. In fact, he had been round the corner of the bungalow nearest to the library with the two ladies. Now, it was not impossible that in passing the library, light-footed as he was, and Monders trod like a cat. He might have lingered at the sound of voices. Thus he might have gained the necessary knowledge of the trap, which he had afterwards utilized to inveigled Vernon to the West Kensington House.

Starting point is 03:27:49 That is, presuming he was the spider, and the name of Lucy Corsoon used in the wire was the very name which Monders, knowing Vernon's love for the girl, would employ. Finally, Monders had been at the ball, and it would have been easy for him masked and cloaked as he was to steal into the library and commit the crime, afterwards mingling with the guests in all apparent innocence. On these grounds, Vernon began to believe that Lady Corsoon might be correct in her assumption, but always there came the doubt that Monders was too shallow to be the arch road.

Starting point is 03:28:24 He was clever, but certainly not a genius, whereas the spider was a napoleon amongst the criminal fraternity. one way I can prove something, said Vernon to himself. If Monders did enter the library, he must have been absent from the ballroom for some time. I shall go to Rangoon and ask questions without letting it be seen why I ask them. Then I can learn for certain about his movements on that night. Moreover, I can interview Miss Dimsdale and learn how she is disposed towards the Colonel. Finally, I'll see if he is right in thinking that Miss Hess's influence harmful to her in any way. Having come to this decision, he repaired the ensuing day to Hampstead, fully determined

Starting point is 03:29:10 to set his doubts at rest. A glance at the agony column of the Daily Telegraph had assured him that Lady Corsune had carried out his suggestion. Under the initial X, she asked for one month's time to consider the matter of S. This undoubtedly would be accorded to her, as it was the spider's policy never to hurry his victims. He robbed them in a most graceful and easy-going fashion, and so dexterously that his victims rather congratulated themselves that they had so honest a criminal tradesman to deal with. So Lady Corsohn's secret was safe for a month. Before the expiration of that period,

Starting point is 03:29:50 Vernon hoped to lay his hands on the rogue who had baffled the police for so long, but in his heart he did not expect to find monders in the grip of the law. At first, Vernon was refused, used admittance by the butler but on assisting and on sending in his card he was shown into the central hall shortly miss hest made her appearance with a smiling but somewhat serious face she looked extremely tall and handsome in a black-browed way as she advanced towards the visitor how are you mr vernon she said shaking hands politely is your business with miss dimsdale very important she is not well to-day i have just been bathing her forehead with oda cologne "'Oh, I have just come to make an afternoon call,' replied Vernon easily. "'I am sorry to hear that Miss Dimmesdale is ill.' Francis sighed. "'She has never been the same since her poor father's terrible death.

Starting point is 03:30:46 She loved him as dearly as he loved her, you know, Mr. Vernon, so the shock was great.' "'I quite understand. Still, after two months, more or less of quiet, she surely must be recovering. At her age one does not remember forever.' no at our age one has longer memories mr vernon but it is kind of you to call ida likes you very much especially as you were such a friend of poor mr dimsdale's i think you might come in for a quarter of an hour vernon hesitated i don't wish to disturb ida he said doubtfully if she wants to be quiet oh she left the decision to me when we got your card i am acting as a kind of nurse to the poor darling ida is just like my sister you know but your professional engagements they don't matter i have made a good deal of money in one way and another mr bernan you know i can afford to take a rest i want ida to come down to bouders tyke with me and stop at the hall it flashed into vernon's suspicious mind that perhaps frances wished ida to fall in love with her brother ten thousand a year would be very acceptable to mr hest if colonel touton's story was to be believed

Starting point is 03:31:58 according to him the brother was not a millionaire and what money he had he spent lavishly in helping the parish he remarked about this to francis as she led him through the door at the end of the hall and into the boudoir where ida was lying i hear from colonel touton that your brother is quite a philanthropist francis laughed oh the colonel has been talking has he my brother would be quite annoyed as he never liked to be praised then he's not human said vernon bluntly he is human enough to be annoyed with me because i choose to earn my own living said francis bitterly however let us see ida and then i'll tell you about my brother in fact i want to ask your advice why should you think i was capable of giving advice miss hest oh you are so grave she replied with a smile halting at the door of the boudoir and mr dimsdale poor man always said that you were so clever in making suggestions besides you don't know the opinion ida has of you ida dear she passed into the room here is mr vernon arthur said the girl who was lying on a couch near the window oh i am so glad to see you i'm glad francis did not send you away she's such a tyrant as my nurse perhaps you need a tyrant to manage you ida you are always too impulsive and reckless of your health i think i have changed since poor papa's death i don't feel reckless in any way now i shall never get over it never frances who had taken some knitting to sit in a near chair frowned as the girl spoke that's the way she goes on mr bernan isn't it foolish i want her to go out and enjoy herself as if i could when poor papa is dead only two months cried Ida, sighing.

Starting point is 03:33:50 Oh, I don't mean you to lead a gay life, but you shouldn't stay here day after day without sunshine. I think Miss Hest is right, Ida, said Vernon gravely scrutinizing the pale face of the girl. You are not looking well. I don't feel well at all, she replied peevishly. There's nothing organically wrong, put in Francis quickly. The doctor said that Ida was perfectly healthy

Starting point is 03:34:14 and only needed to go out and lead a happy life to become quite strong. I shall never be happy again, said Ida with determination. Visitor and nurse, as Francis might be called, looked at one another. The girl evidently had made up her mind to be miserable. This was not a sensible attitude to adopt, but then Ida was not a particularly sensible girl. She assuredly was not brilliantly clever, although she possessed a certain amount of brains.

Starting point is 03:34:43 Pretty in a doll-like way with her golden hair, and blue eyes and creamy pink complexion, she was an excellent type of a charming, modest, playful English girl who would make a good wife and a devoted mother. But there was nothing original about her, and being the spoilt darling of an elderly father, she was subject to moods. She was sick or well, merry or sad, just as the fit took her. At one time she would fatigue herself with theatres and dances and tennis tournaments, and again with a revulsion of feeling would lie on the sofa all day reading novels. Poets would have called her an April lady of sunshine and rain,

Starting point is 03:35:25 but an ordinary human being would have found her trying. It said a great deal for Miss Hest's true affection that she put up with so whimsical a being. A weathercock was nothing in comparison with Ida Dimmesdale. Why a sober, elderly, military man-like Colonel Toughton should desire to make such a featherhead his wife was a problem which Vernon was trying to solve as he stared at the girl on the sofa. Ida's mood since the death of her father had been to play the invalid. Certainly she had suffered a shock, as was natural, but time had softened the memory of the tragic death,

Starting point is 03:36:01 and Vernon approved of Miss Hest's desire to get the girl away to Yorkshire. "'You ought to go to Kirby Hall, Ida,' he remarked after a momentary silence. A few weeks in the open air would do you all the good in the world. that's what i tell her said francis severely but she won't come down to yorkshire as i suggest i shall end in going away altogether ida stretched out a pretty hand and caught that of miss hest oh no frances darling you know that i cannot live without you i must have a companion vernon thought that this was a good opportunity to advance mrs bedge's request which he had promised to bear in mind there is a charming old lady who offers to become your companion he said gently ida stared and shuddered i don't like old ladies who is she mrs bedge she asked me to speak to you because she has lost a lot of money and is therefore willing to accept a salary as your companion francis laid down her work and clasped her hands why ida it's the very thing for you dear mrs bedge is so old and so sedate then i can attend to my business knowing you are all right francis ida sat up on the sofa and looked reproachfully at her friend how can you talk so i like mrs bedge

Starting point is 03:37:23 who has always been very kind to me but there is no denying that she is extremely dull besides i have told you that you can have whatever salary you like to ask making up for losing all your engagements and i replied that i wished to be independent said miss hess stiffly i don't like living on any one that is why i left gerby hall but about mrs bedge dear it is really a capital idea i shan't entertain it for one moment and when miss bedge comes I shall tell her so with thanks of course added Ida as an afterthought why couldn't she speak to me direct well Vernon laughed it is rather a delicate subject however if you won't have her you won't so there's no more to be said and might I suggest Ida as you really are looking better with the color that has come into your cheeks at the suggestion that you should pull up the blind and make the room look more cheerful Ida jumped up lightly and did as he asked her

Starting point is 03:38:23 mood had changed with the advent of this tactful young man. "'Is there anything more your lordship requires?' she asked with a saucy curtsey. "'I should like a cup of tea. You are not hospitable,' replied Vernon, delighted by the change of her manner. Ida touched the button of the bell. "'You were always greedy, Arthur.' Then, when the footman appeared, she gave the necessary orders. "'I believe you called less to see me than to get your tea,' she ended, laughing quite in her old girlish fashion.

Starting point is 03:38:55 Ida, I don't believe you are ill at all, said Vernon, scrutinizing her. Her imagination makes her ill, put in Francis, who was knitting industriously. She believes that she is sick, and therefore she is sick. That is Christian science! laughed Ida, sitting in a chair instead of returning to lounge on the sofa. Perhaps you are right, dear, but of course I have fretted a great deal over poor Papa's health, but fretting will not bring him back. she ended with a sigh and her face clouded over again what you want is bright society vernon assured her hurriedly you suggest mrs bedge was ida's ironical retort

Starting point is 03:39:36 no i never thought that she was the right companion for you as she is too staid and solemn but i have discharged my conscience by putting her request to you i never for one moment thought that you would entertain it i looked at him inquiringly you think that i am right yes i do miss hest is a much better companion miss hess bowed to the compliment with a grave smile oh i mean what i say my dear lady take ida down to gerby hall and play the tyrant as much as possible by forcing her to keep in the open air all day she will return quite cured i don't think i should mind going to yorkshire said ida pensively as the tea was brought in and from what francis says gerby howe must be a delightful old place but then my sojourn would be disagreeable as francis is not on good terms with her brother say that he is not on good terms with me said miss hest coolly i have nothing against francis save that he objects to my being independent but he is very just and does not wish me to remain always absent from the hall i can go down and can take any one down on conditions what are they asked vernon accepting a cup of tea that i and any one i bring bother francis as little as possible in fact when i am at the hall francis usually goes to new york while i remain and even when he returns he sees almost nothing of me as i keep out of his way he isn't a bad fellow and of course i should speak well of my twin brother are you very like one another francis dear extremely in face and form we can mystify anyone when we are seen together but in disposition we are quite unlike one another i am more egotistic than francis he is a philanthropist and devotes all his money to improving the parish six or seven villages owe everything to him "'He keeps them all going, you mean?' suggested Vernon idly leaning back.

Starting point is 03:41:37 "'Not exactly, but two years ago there was a great dearth of water, which has frequently occurred during the dry weather. Francis determined that it should not occur again, so he obtained permission and engaged a clever engineer to construct a reservoir at the top of Boutersdike Valley.' "'That was a big work to undertake, and must have cost heaps of money.' "'Francis can afford it,' said Miss Hest in. differently our grandmother from whom he inherits the estates left a lot of ready money and francis is a clever speculator he works hard at stocks and shares and is always in touch with his broker in london but all the money he makes he spends in improving the parishes around

Starting point is 03:42:20 he has repaired several churches and has built a poor house and also a small hall for entertainments he and the vicar work hand in hand then of course this reservoir is his crowning work as it supplied water to at least six villages oh what a good man he must be said ida thoughtfully here am i with all my money doing nothing bearing in mind that he fancied miss hest wished to marry ida to her brother vernon quite expected to hear her endorse this praise miss hest however received the tribute very coolly francis is vain she remarked and desires public applause perhaps that's why he spends all his money in public charity does he never take any pleasure in other ways asked bernan i think he finds his pleasure in his home and surroundings still he goes away to york and london and paris for weeks at a time and enjoys himself in some dull way i am sure it is dull as frances hasn't got any spirit for a lively life however if ida comes down she can judge him for herself but i don't think we'll see much of him and for my part i'm very glad i always escape from francis's society whenever i can we don't get on well together at all-and-a we don't get on well together at all rather odd isn't it considering we are twins oh i don't know miss hest twins often are the opposite in disposition as they are the replica of each other and looks frances looked up with an approving smile you have described my brother and i to the life she said nodding colonel touton has a place near gerby hall i believe yes the grange it is called a quaint old mansion three miles distant from my brother's property

Starting point is 03:44:08 higher up the valley, in fact, and on a rise to the right of the reservoir. Colonel Tauton wasn't pleased with the construction of the dam as it spoilt the view from his house, and then he always declares that if the dam broke, the valley would be swept from end to end by the force of the water. But I don't think any accident of that sort will happen, ended Francis, emphatically. The dam is extremely solidly built, and will last for many a long day. I think I should like to go to Boutersdike, if only to see Colonel Thaubton's house, said Ida unexpectedly. He told me such a lot about it. I thought you didn't like Colonel Toulton, said Vernon smiling.

Starting point is 03:44:51 There, exclaimed Francis, dropping her knitting while Ida flushed. Didn't I say that Mr. Vernon would remark how fickle you are, Ida? Fickle, echoed the young man looking puzzled. You know that Ida was in love with Mr. Monder, went on Miss Hess, while Ida still blushed and appeared embarrassed. She never gave her poor father any peace, and always wanted to marry him. Well, since the death she has taken a positive dislike to him, and can only find good in the Colonel. Ah, said Vernon meaningly, that would have pleased poor Mr. Dimmesdale.

Starting point is 03:45:28 He greatly desired to see Ida the Colonel's wife. I began to think Papa was right, said Ida in a low tone, and turning way her face. I did like Mr. Monders very much. I suppose I really was in love with him in a way. But since Papa's death, he has scarcely been to see me, and has not acted at all sympathetically. Now the Colonel has called constantly,

Starting point is 03:45:51 and has been so kind and so sweet that I— That you love him? And in Miss Hess, Cooley. I'm not sure. He's awfully nice and is devoted to me. I dare say if I saw much of him I might—I might— I might. Well, Miss Hess to interrupt it again.

Starting point is 03:46:09 I hope you will, as I am sure Colonel Tauton would make you an excellent husband. He is handsome and distinguished and sensible enough to guide you, my dear. Francis laid her hand on Ida's knee. I shall be glad when you become Mrs. Toughton, as then I shall be free to go back to my work. People are sure to say if I stay with you that I'm actuated by mercenary motives. What nonsense, said Ida quickly. why, you will not even let me give you a present. I can buy presents for myself, said Francis obstinately,

Starting point is 03:46:43 and, since I left Gerby Hall to be independent, I certainly don't intend to play the part of a bribed or paid companion. Ida's eyes filled with ruddy tears. How cruel you are, Francis! she wailed. I am sensible and reasonable, said Francis firmly, knitting with an obstinate mouth. I really love you, dear. but I can't sacrifice my independence to be a hanger on.

Starting point is 03:47:08 All the same, until you have a husband, I don't feel justified in leaving you, so feather-headed to your own devices. I am not so weak-minded as you think, flushed I, crossly. Yes, you are, my dear. You can't say whether you love Colonel Toughton or Mr. Monders. You don't know your own feelings.

Starting point is 03:47:30 Yes, I do. I really believe I love Colonel Toughton. I know that I did before Constable. instantine appeared then i took a fancy to him now that fancy is gone and i again loved the colonel yes ida paused meditatively i am sure that i love the colonel pooh pooh just what i said you don't know your own mind i wish you would carry out your first impulse ida at mary colonel touton he's a good man and monders isn't this came from burning i feel that muttered ida but he fascinates me and after all he is trying to learn who killed my father so am i said vernon dryly yet you don't love me not that i want you to he added hurriedly and colouring but about monders has he ever said anything to you likely to reveal the name of the assassin no why do you ask inquired ida and even frances stopped knitting and looked steadily at vernon do you suspect that mr monders knows more than he admits asked miss hess no no no of course i don't answered vernon hastily and leading cautiously up to the purpose of his visit but he was in the house when the murder took place and might have seen some stranger present who would be the spider

Starting point is 03:48:49 i don't think so and i don't see how he could seeing that everyone was masked if he had seen any suspicious character i certainly should have known of it at once why you rather than any one else asked vernon quickly well you see ida was in one of her freakish moods on the night of the ball and gave mr monda's the cold shoulder consoling herself with the colonel all evening i did so because papa did not wish me to pass my time with constantine i dare say ida responded miss hessp rather acidly but you asked him to the ball notwithstanding your father objected at all events mr vernon as mr monda's was cold-shouldered he came to me and i had the burden of him from ten o'clock to the time ida discovered the murder at a quarter to midnight "'Mr. Monders never left me alone all that time, "'so if he had seen anyone suspicious, he would have told me.' "'Quite so, quite so,' murmured Vernon absently in thinking that here was a very good alibi for Monders and the stronger since it was given unconsciously

Starting point is 03:49:55 by one who did not know the reason for putting it forward. "'I dare say the spider came in by the window,' he remarked in louder tones. "'Miss Hess made a significant gesture. I don't know how he came or how he went, she said, nodding towards Ida, who had grown pale, and the police seemed to be able to discover nothing, but you might see Mr. Monders and learn if he had any suspicions that a stranger was present. That would be useless in the face of what you tell me. He would have spoken to you had he been doubtful, said Vernon courteously, and— "'There, there, don't say anything more. Don't you see that Ida is on the verge of fainting?'

Starting point is 03:50:35 Miss Hess caught Ida's hands. "'More child, they're quite cold. You had better go, Mr. Vernon.' "'Yes,' he rose promptly. "'I am sorry that I spoke of the murder. Don't think anything more about it, Ida. But go to Yorkshire and recover your health.' Ida nodded faintly.

Starting point is 03:50:54 "'Yes, I shall go. It is best for me to get away from this tragic house.' And Vernon quite agreed with her. End of Chapter 8, read by Don W. Jenkins, Rancho San Diego, California. Chapter 9 of the Spider by Fergus Hume. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Don W. Jenkins. Chapter 9. Witchcraft

Starting point is 03:51:27 While Vernon was having his interview with Ida and her companion, Colonel Tauton went on a little expedition of his own. ever since the discovery that ida had been to diabella tauton had been anxious in his turn to pay a visit to the famous bond street fortune-teller ida as the colonel had told vernon apparently was suffering from the effects of what she had been told by this fashionable witch of ender although what had been said tauton could not find out miss hest and the girl had both held their peace on the subject notwithstanding that the former had talked generally on the wonderful powers of the woman in fact she had seriously advised colonel touton to interview diabella and search out the future for himself the soldier had laughed as he was not given to dabble in occultism nevertheless he had made up his mind to seek out the cirrus if only to discover indirectly what the those methods of devilry were which had so strongly impressed miss dimsdale tauton to put it plainly went less as a client than as a spy considering that ida had no very strongly marked personality it was wonderful that the colonel should be so deeply in love with her he was clever in his own way and not without brain power inside and outside his own particular military profession his bravery was undeniable his tactors considerable, and he had left the army on account of family affairs, with the name of one who had

Starting point is 03:53:06 cut short a brilliant career unnecessarily. Toughton assuredly would have risen to be a general had he not retired when the family estates came into his possession. But now that he had abandoned his profession his one aim was to marry and lead a quiet domestic life. He did not wish for a clever wife, or a wealthy wife, or a particularly lovely wife, as to the one of the woman. As a veryly as he was too matter of fact to be romantic. His dream was of a peaceful hearth, and a house perfectly managed by a gentle wife. In Ida, he believed that he saw the helpmate he so greatly desired,

Starting point is 03:53:44 one who would make her husband's will her law, and who would be a cheerful companion. Her moods, he believed, to be the result of lack of guidance, and he flattered himself that when she became Mrs. Toughton he would be able to render her less freakish. Ida's nature was so impressionable that he thought it could be easily molded, and in this he no doubt was right. Many of the girl's faults were due to the overindulgence of her father

Starting point is 03:54:12 and to the lack of a firm hand to lead her in the right way. She would have welcomed a master having one of those natures responsive to suggestion. And, in an unconscious way, the colonel appealed to her as a strong, kind-hearted man, who could shelter her from the storms of life better than any one else could in point of fact the two were made for one another and but for the intrusion of mondeurs their course of true love would have run smooth however colonel touton was extremely obstinate and having decided that ida was the very wife he desired to preside over his dinner-table he was determined not to let her be snatched from him by any rival he admitted with some dread that maunders was a formidable wooer and moreover guessed with the keen instinct of a man in love that francis hest had too much control over the girl for one thing she had induced ida to go to diabella a thing Tautin would never have permitted had he been able to help it. He knew from his Indian experience only too well that there is truth in occultism

Starting point is 03:55:22 and that an impressionable being, such as Ida truly was, could easily be possessed by strong suggestion. He had no reason to doubt Miss Hest and did not think for one moment that she was his enemy in any way, but with the assistance of suggestions from Diabella, she might lead Ida into unhealthy ways. And all these dealings with the unseen with which psychics have to do were unhealthy in the Colonel's very material eyes.

Starting point is 03:55:51 Already, as he had seen for himself, the visit to Diabella had upset Ida, so whatever the harm done might be, it was necessary to undo it by proving the woman to be a fraud. Toughton therefore ascended the stairs to the consulting room of Diabella, with the intention of learning if the fortune-teller was a humbug. Once assured of that, he resolved to explain her methods to Miss Dimsdale, and so prevent her trusting as truth whatever the woman had said. Then Ida's indignation at being duped, as the colonel believed she had been,

Starting point is 03:56:28 would probably shake Miss Hess's position. Toughton felt certain that Francis was more friendly to Monders than to himself, and at one sweep he hoped to get rid of both. afterwards ida would be more willing to become his wife diabella's offices as they might be called consisted of two rooms a small outer one entered directly from the passage and a spacious inner one which overlooked the street as tauton tapped at the door of the prophetess his thoughts suddenly flew back to his many years of sojourn in the far east for the moment he could not think what had detached him so unexpectedly from england until on stepping across the threshold of the now open door he became aware of a strong pungent scent impossible to describe at once he noted it as that smell of the bazaars which runs without a break from port saeed to hong kong perfume is the strongest of age to memory therefore touton's thoughts had flashed back over many years to various indian experiences his body was in england but his soul was in the east nor did the sight which met his eyes dispel the illusion the room he entered and the attendant who welcomed him were both egyptian and looks the small compartment resembled an ancient tomb as the walls and ceiling were painted vividly with hieroglyphics glowing in

Starting point is 03:57:55 crimson and blue and yellow and emerald green. Through a stained glass skylight overhead, a dim colored light streamed just sufficiently to reveal the weird looks of the room. It was faked, of course, but very cleverly faked, as the colonel secretly admitted, even to the attendant, who apparently a true Eastern was attired in a garb, which one of Farrow's fanbearers might have worn appropriately. The floor was covered with linoleum painted to resemble marble, and there was a quaintly shaped table of ebony, two or three antique and uncomfortable chairs, copied from furniture of the 19th dynasty, and a weird-looking teak sofa covered with bright yellow cushions. What with the grotesquely painted walls, the sparsity of furniture, the dim light, the scented

Starting point is 03:58:46 atmosphere and the strangely dressed attendant who salamed profusely. Colonel Tauton felt as though he had stepped at one stride across the Mediterranean to a resuscitated Memphis. The man was a slim, straight native, with handsome haughty features of the Brahmin type, and Tautin wondered that he had broken cast across the black water. He had keen black eyes which took in the looks of the English Sahib in a single flash, notwithstanding that he stood with crossed arms and downcast eyes. Tauton wondered if he spoke English, and for the sake of an experiment addressed him in Tamil. The dark-skinned man replied in very fair English, with an inquisitive glance at this stranger who spoke the Indian dialect so glibly.

Starting point is 03:59:37 "'Who's your mistress in?' inquired the Colonel, speaking Tamil. "'Within, sahib, and she waits. was the reply in anglo-saxon immediately following these few words touton was led into the inner room and the attendant closed the door after him leaving the client alone with the room was decorated much in the same tomb-like fashion as the other one but there were mummies standing round the wall at intervals in the richly adorned coffins and at the two windows looking on to bond street were draped with rich eastern stuffs to entirely exclude the like light of day. But several lamps, burning perfumed oil dangled from the ceiling, the room was filled with a mellow radiance, eminently suited to the object for which it was used. Tauten shrewdly surmised that the peculiar decorations, the exclusion of daylight for the use of artificial illumination, and the highly scented atmosphere which prevailed even more strongly

Starting point is 04:00:39 here than it had done in the outer room, were all meant to daze the senses of Diabella's clients, so that they might more readily credit her assertions. It was all cleverly conceived and carried out. The woman herself was seated at the end of the room under a kind of canopy, on an uncomfortable ebony wood chair inlaid with ivory. Before her was a tiny square table of the same somber wood with twisted legs, and on this stood a large crystal the size of a small orange. Diabella was seated in a heretical attitude with her hands on her knees like some stone god and wore a stiff, straight robe of mingled black and yellow, which made her resemble a viper. But her face struck touten most, as she apparently wore an entire mask modelled in wax from some actual Egyptian mummy. This was surmounted by the well-known headdress of harsh black ringlets combed straightly to the she.

Starting point is 04:01:40 shoulders. The mouth of the mask was partially open, so that the fortune-teller could speak easily behind it. With her dead-looking face and motionless attitude, Diabella looked exactly like the mummies which flanked her right and left, and right and left also in tall iron tripods flamed some spirits which cast weird lights on her uncanny appearance. Nothing better could have been designed to impress the weak-minded, and in that temple of illusion, and and from the lips of such a strange creature, the boldest might be excused for believing the impossible. Even Colonel Tauton felt an unaccustomed shudder

Starting point is 04:02:19 as though he were in the presence of the unseen. You wish to consult those who dwell in darkness about the future? asked the sorceress in a strange metallic voice, as inhuman, as were her looks. Toughton smiled scornfully and twisted his moustache. he had quite recovered his momentary obsession by that perfumed atmosphere and sat down with a cool air you should speak english to be perfect he scoffed diabella disdained to notice the jeer would you have me lurk in the crystal or spell the cards or read the hand none of the three thank you said touton dryly do you really possess the power of reading things i can read the past the present and the future i can tell all that is permitted to be told by the powers you are an unbeliever the colonel chuckled

Starting point is 04:03:20 wrong first shot having seen a good deal of this sort of thing although he glanced round the room scarcely so dressy a place i believe that some gifted people have certain senses at command if not under control with which they can't foretell things i quite appreciate your remark about the powers permitting and forbidding as i am aware that such is the case i did not say that you were an unbeliever generally said diabella trying to recover her lost ground but that you did not believe in me you did not put it precisely in that fashion retorted touton however i may as well have my guineas worth is there any reason why i should believe in you, he demanded contemptuously. The quiet voice replied indifferently. Yes, I have not held your hand, nor have I contacted your atmosphere closely. Still, I am sufficiently in touch with you to state that you bring a woman in your aura. Am I what? asked the Colonel, willfully dance.

Starting point is 04:04:29 The aura of your magnetism streams from you radiant as a rainbow, in it is standing the thought form of a girl she is not very tall she has blue eyes and golden hair and you love her am i right i shall say replied the colonel secretly surprised to hear this description of ida and the statement of his feelings toward her he made a half-unwilling admission you have some psychic powers after all tell me more give me your ring commanded diabella imperiously it is impregnated with your magnetism and will less suggest your colour my colour repeated the colonel interrogative and removing his signet ring to place it on the ebony table. Diabella picked it up and held it in the hollow of her right hand. Every human being in the unseen world around has a color which is the prevailing hue of the karmic body tinted by desire.

Starting point is 04:05:37 I can thus recognize you as you appear on the astral plane and so can read your karma of the past, which appears in the astro records. Thence I can deduce your future for good or evil, in a great measure correctly. Well, you can't be certain of what you tell me is true? No, under certain circumstances, when the high ones permit, the future is revealed beyond all doubt,

Starting point is 04:06:09 but those circumstances are connected only with spiritual enlightenment. otherwise those who have the sight merely deduce what will happen by reading the karma of the past which can be discerned in the astral light your claims are certainly more modest than i expected said touton somewhat interested and if you can tell me my past life correctly i shall credit more or less of your prophecies you know my name richard touton ah you got that from my letter asking for an appointment, but I have a middle name which I don't use. What is it? Richard Henry Toughton is your full name. Correct. Where was I educated? At Wimperley Public School, then at Sandhurst. Toughton nodded. You might be certain of Sandhurst, as I am a soldier, but Wimperley is good.

Starting point is 04:07:07 Go on. You joined your regiment twenty-five years ago, and shortly after joining you, it was ordered to India. You were stationed at Bombay, afterwards at Travencourt. You fought in Burma, where you met Martin Dimmesdale, and became intimate with him. You won a D.S.O. in the Vecrimetsk expedition.

Starting point is 04:07:29 And... All that, interrupted the Colonel politely, with the exception of my meeting with Dimsdale, you might have read in the newspapers. Why did I retire from the army? Your cousin died and left you the ground, at butterstike in yorkshire you gave up your profession so as to get the estates in order they had been sadly neglected by your cousin who was a drunkard that is impolite but true said touton with a grimace go on you wish to marry the colonel shrugged his shoulders every man wishes to marry

Starting point is 04:08:08 you wish to marry a girl called ida dimsdale went on the passionless voice and diabella refrained for making any comment on the remark ah now you are becoming interesting why do i wish to marry ida dimsdale the reply was unexpected you desire to get her money in order to recover certain lands sold by your late cousin that is a lie tout and grew a trifle red and spoke sharply. I love Miss Dimsdale and would take her without a penny. That is how you will have to take her, replied Diabella coldly, and without insisting upon the truth of her previous statement. Nonsense! Miss Dimsdale has a large fortune. You think she has ten thousand a year. She has nothing. Toughton felt an astonishment which he could scarcely conceal and wondered if Diabella had spoken in this way to Ida. what do you mean i mean that this girl is not the daughter of martin dimsdale what tout and rose in his surprise how dare you say that

Starting point is 04:09:21 i am only reading what i see said diabella wearily your fortune and this girl's is connected therefore i know of her past past passed fumed the colonel sitting down again she has no past in the sense you mean she was born in burma and her mother died shortly afterwards dimsdale sent her home to relatives and afterwards she went to school at hampstead five years ago he returned to settle in england and she has been with him ever since quite true but you are foolish to tell me so much as now you will say that i merely echo what you have mentioned i have certainly not mentioned that she is not dimsdale but you are foolish to tell me so much as now you will say that i merely echo what you have mentioned i have certainly not mentioned that she is not dimsdale daughter no yet it is true her name is ida mentath and her father was a major in a native regiment manteth with his wife in burma at a station called called wait until i get the name diabella stopped for one moment then spoke out triumphantly it was called gurka station and was besieged by the dequois yes i remember the station but not a man called mentith this happened before you went to india what happened asked out and bluntly what i am about to tell you dimsdale was then a police commissioner he loved mrs mentay's who returned his love and hated the husband i don't believe that for one moment dimsdale was a good fellow who would never make love to another man's wife many good fellows do that said diabella sarcastically and dimsdale did love mrs mintyth so deeply he did not save the husband's life when he could have done so

Starting point is 04:11:23 that's an absolute lie insisted touton angrily how dare you malign a dead man who cannot defend himself martin dimsdale's friend george venery who is a merchant at singapore can prove the truth of what i say rubbish how do you know i read all i am telling you in the astrolite said diabella if it displeases you i need to tell no more it does not so much displease me as make me wonder at your imagination dia ballast still preserved her immobility write to george venery and you will find that i have spoken the truth it seems incredible muttered touting doubtfully of course i know that there is great truth in occult matters but what you say is too precise to be anything but what you must have learned perhaps from this man no replied the fortune-teller i never heard the name of bennery before and i have never been to singapore or even to burma i only read what i see how else should i know the colonel made a gesture of disbelief although he believed in the unseen from various indian experiences he could not credit the story of this masked woman go on and tell me more he said at length later i can write to mr vennery and verify your statements ida dimsdale is mentith's daughter said diabella quietly she was born in rangoon when her father was besieged in gorka station dimsdale was in the neighbourhood with a force and hastened to relieve his friend but he purposely delayed his approach so that

Starting point is 04:13:18 the station might be taken and mentate killed i don't believe that for one moment dimsdale would not act so wickedly he did act in that way as venery can tell you it was his behaviour that caused a breach between them dimsdale hoped to get rid of men teeth and so marry the wife his plan of delay was successful and the station was taken by the de quothes Menteeth was crucified, and his perfidious friend arrived when he was dying. Menteeth was buried at Gourke Station, and Dimsdale returned to Rangoon, hoping to marry Mrs. Menteeth now that the obstacle was removed. Mrs. Menteeth, however, week after the birth of her child, died in a few days. Then Dimsdale was stricken with remorse and brought up the child. child as his own. She has passed for his daughter, and as his next of kin inherits the money.

Starting point is 04:14:25 But she is no relation since Dimsdale did not leave a will, and— "'How do you know that Dimsdale left no will?' "'I might have seen it in the papers,' said Diobella Cooley, "'but I did not, for to my sight the hidden things of Dimsdale's life are revealed, but you can understand that if you marry ida you will get no money with her the truth will be made known and lady corsoon will inherit it as it is but right she should do tauton rose so hurriedly that he knocked over his chair i can't stand any more of this he declared impetuously all your occult business is a sham and you are making up lies i insist upon you removing that mask so that i may know who you are diabella rose tall straight and stiff but did not seem disturbed beware colonel touton if you advance a step it will be the worse for you the military man laughed and stepped forward i must know who you are as i intend to make you pay for telling these falsehoods they're true there lies now i know why miss dimsdale was agitated because of her visit to you you told her this story also

Starting point is 04:15:44 what if i did the truth she flung up a hand as the colonel took another step forward stand back i tell you take your mask off he insisted and stretched out his hand diabella swerved to one side and avoided his grasp then she dropped into her chair pressing the arms of the same hard immediately from the mummies set around the room came a most unearthly crying which confounded the Colonel, not expecting such a tumult. The weird room rang with thin wailings and dismal cries. It was evident that some mechanism connected with the chair produced these noises. The place was filled with clever contrivances to intimidate nervous people. But Colonel Toughton was not nervous, and after his first startled pause, he sprang forward again to seize the seated figure. At all costs he was determined to unmask the sorceress and learn who she was.

Starting point is 04:16:45 Then he might hope to find out how she had become possessed of these facts concerning Dimsdale's past life, or whether these same facts were simply lies designed to perplex and mystify. Diabella never moved as Toughton came towards her, and the colonel soon knew why she was thus certain of her safety. Before he could reach the hither side of the ebony table, rapidly as he moved, he was gripped from behind by two gigantic hands, and twisted round sharply to face a tall and burly Hindu arrayed in a white robe and wearing a white

Starting point is 04:17:18 turban. "'Let me go, you dog,' muttered Tauton in the Tamil dialect, and set his teeth. Diabella clapped her hands, and the two men closed in a fierce struggle. As they swayed around the room, the ebony table was upset, and the woman cried out a sentence in an unknown language in her metallic voice. The next moment the native unloosened his grip on the Englishman and stepped back. "'Will you go now?' demanded Diabella quietly and addressing Tauton. "'No,' he cried fiercely, "'I want your mask removed!'

Starting point is 04:17:53 Whether Diabella gave a sign or not, Toughton was never able to say, but she must have given a signal for just as the words left his mouth, the native sprang forward with the leap of a tiger, and the next moment Tauton found a silk handkerchief around. his neck. It flashed across him that in this way had Dimmesdale been killed, and then, with the tightening of the handkerchief, came almost insensibility, or rather a dazed feeling which bewildered his brain. He had a faint feeling of being let out of the room and of hearing a door closed. When he recovered his senses, he found himself seated on the

Starting point is 04:18:29 floor of the passage quite alone. His first thought was to tell the police what had occurred, his second to conceal the adventure i shall consult with vernon he thought and walked unsteadily down the stairs feeling his neck somewhat sore but otherwise uninjured end of chapter nine read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter ten of the spider by fergus hume this libravox recording is in the public domain recording by don W. Jenkins. Chapter 10. Mystery. It was quite three days before Colonel Taughton was enabled to have an interview with Vernon. He certainly wrote to him at once, but on receiving no reply he telephoned, only to learn that

Starting point is 04:19:28 his friend had been unexpectedly called from town on the same evening. Toughton therefore had to possess his soul in patience, and remained in his rooms recovering from the assault, and this took some little time. The attempt at strangulation by the burly Hindu, who was a different person to the slim doorkeeper, had caused the colonel's neck to swell, as the flesh was bruised and chafed. His windpipe also felt painful, owing to the strong compression, and for 24 hours he had found it difficult to swallow with ease. Toughton recognized only too uneasily that he had been within a short distance of action,

Starting point is 04:20:08 death, and perhaps would have been strangled outright had not Diabella, as he verily believed, stopped her too zealous servant. Naturally, she did not wish for a client's death, lest the police should interfere and put an end to her lucrative trade, which was assuredly a very paying one. Meanwhile, the colonel received a letter from Ida saying that on the ensuing day she was going down to Yorkshire with Miss Hest. There, breathing air like champagne, and enjoying being perfect rest, undisturbed by callers, she hoped to recover her spirits and health within a month, the time of her proposed stay. But what pleased Tauton most in the letter and what caused him to blush like a girl

Starting point is 04:20:52 was the hope Ida expressed that he would come down to his country seat while she stayed at the hall. "'You have often told me of your beautiful home,' wrote Ida amiably, "'and one of my reasons for staying at Gherbie Hall is to see the Grange. If you should take a fancy to run down, perhaps you will show it to me yourself, as I hear from Francis that the house is full of historical interest. There were a few lines more to the same effect, and it really seemed as though Ida wished to become acquainted with her future home. At least Tauton looked at the matter in this way,

Starting point is 04:21:26 and his spirits rose accordingly. Monders apparently was out of favor, and Ida had returned to her first love. Without being unduly conceited, Toughton was. was very well satisfied that the girl had loved him before the handsome scamp had come on the scene. Then the latter's looks and charms of manner had infatuated her to an alarming extent. Now, and the Colonel sincerely hoped that such was the case, her momentary aberration, as it might be called, had passed away, and she was holding out the olive branch of complete reconciliation. But the Tautin still felt unwell after his rough and

Starting point is 04:22:06 tumble encounter with the Hindu, and but that he wished to consult Vernon about the matter, he would have gone down to Yorkshire at once, so as to bask in the sunshine of Ida's eyes, but he put a restraint on his feelings and decided, not without a struggle, to remain where he was. In connection with various ideas which had occurred to him since his visit to the Bond Street fortune-teller, it was imperative that he should consult with someone and ventilate various theories which might or might not elucidate various mysteries. Therefore, Tauton read and smoked and played patience in his comfortable rooms, watching the passing of time with open eagerness. On the third evening, and that was a Saturday, Vernon made his appearance at eight o'clock.

Starting point is 04:22:52 He entered with perfect coolness and found himself facing a very impatient man. Did you wish to see me, Colonel? he asked quietly. I found a note at my chambers, requesting me to call at once. "'Do I wish to see you?' echoed Toughton, jumping to his feet and ringing Vernon's hand heartily. "'Why, my dear fellow, I have been sitting here on pins and needles for the last few days.

Starting point is 04:23:17 What the deuce took you out of town so unexpectedly. I beg your pardon. I should not inquire into your private business. Sit down and have a cigar. The whiskey and potash is on the table at your elbow.' "'Oh, my business is not private,' replied Vernon, taking a comfortable chair and a very excellent cigar. All the world will know in a week or so.

Starting point is 04:23:38 Know what? That my uncle, Sir Edward Vernon, is dead, and that I am a titled well-to-do man, worth knowing. I never knew you had an uncle, said Toughton, staring. It's not unusual for men to have uncles, said Vernon dryly. I didn't talk about the relationship as we were not the best of friends. A family quarrel between my father and Sir Edward, do you understand however when i returned from a visit to miss dimsdale i found a letter from my uncle asking me to come to slimthorpe near worcester as he was very ill

Starting point is 04:24:13 i packed up and went by the evening train and there i have been for the last three days hmm i suppose i ought to congratulate you well you may sir edward can't last more than a week and he leaves me heir to his title his mansion and a few thousands a year he's not a bad old fellow either went on vernon meditatively and i am sorry he is dying i don't deny however that his death will make a great change in my fortunes for the better as is obvious it will enable you to marry miss corsone said the colonel nodding yes vernon thought of his interview with lady corson and replied briefly uncle edward is eighty years of age he added apologetically so he can't be said to have been cut off when he was green it is not cut off yet answered tauton with a shrug i don't want to throw cold water on your prospects vernon but these old fellows have wonderful recuperative power i shall be glad if he gets better said vernon emphatically and now that we are friends i may be able to make his life more cheerful he has a dismal time all alone in that barrack of a house but i don't see why i should bore you with all this family history i do said the colonel unhesitatingly it's because you and i have been drawn into closer friendship by our common acquaintance with monders who is playing fast and loose with the two girls we love we have had to make common cause against the enemy and so are forced to speak freely besides you are a good chap vernon and i don't wish to work alongside a better man and leaning forward the colonel gave his friend's hand a grip would you do that would you say that if you knew that i was a private detective or to soften the term a private inquiry agent what touton nearly jumped out of his chair as i had no money when my father died explained the young man steadily and my uncle would have nothing to do with me i turned my powers of observation to account by setting up his nemo of covent garden to hunt down criminals and to help people keep their secrets when threatened by black

Starting point is 04:26:24 mailers. Mine is a perfectly honorable profession, I assure you, Colonel, but you may have your prejudices. Well, said Touton after a pause, I don't deny that I care little for detectives, or too much like the bloodhounds of the law, but I'm quite sure that you were driven to take up the business, and I'm also quite sure, added Touton emphatically, that the business as conducted by you is all that can be desired in the way of honor. Why did you tell me? if i hadn't probably monda's when he found that we were working together would have told you it struck me as a wise thing to take the wind out of his sails there's something in that admitted the colonel twisting his moustache and i am glad that i heard of your profession from yourself but how did your friend monders find out what you kept secret mernan shrugged his shoulders who knows he seems to have a wonderful nose for smelling out things to his advantage to his advantage come now i assure you colonel it is so he wished to become my partner lately however he has changed his mind and he promised to hold his tongue

Starting point is 04:27:37 to my cost went on vernon slowly i found that he has not done so as he told lady the devil he did then good-bye to your chances of the daughter do you think so when i shall soon be sir arthur vernon with an eligible country seat in three thousand a year more or less no that alters the case it whitewashes you as it were ho ho totten laughed maliciously that will be one in the eye for mr constantine monders and serve him right why the deuce does he play the lover with two women at once i congratulate you sir Arthur. Colonel, you are premature. Never mind. It's just as well to take the bull by the horns and time by the forelock. I congratulate you, Sir Arthur, for you will marry Miss Corsoon and wipe our friend's eye. He won't have either girl.

Starting point is 04:28:31 Certainly not Lucy, if I can help it, said Vernon hotly. But what about Miss Dimsdale? I'd rather think from what I saw of our interview of three days ago that she inclines to you, Colonel. "'Ah, Miss Dimmesdale,' Toughton nursed his chin in the cup of his hand. "'It is about Miss Dimsdale, amongst other things, that I wish to see you.' "'What other things?' demanded Vernon bluntly. "'Deabella, for one.' "'The fortune-teller? Have you seen her?'

Starting point is 04:29:00 Toughton put his hand to his neck with a wry smile. "'Yes, the jade. She nearly had me strangled.' Vernon dropped his cigar. Strangled? Yes, the Colonel unloosened the white silk scarf he wore around his throat and leaned forward to show a fading black mark round it. You see, I assure you I have scarcely been able to swallow since I saw you last. That damned Hindu nearly did for me. Hindu, did a Hindu attempt to kill you?

Starting point is 04:29:33 Rather and jolly nearly succeeded. But why? Because I wished to tear off the false map. worn by diabella a waxen or paper-machey sort of face that makes her look like an egyptian so as to be in keeping with her room i suppose why did you wish to tear it off because she well she said certain things and tauton stopped as vernon rose quickly and began to walk about the room what's up now colonel do you remember how you gave it as your opinion that dimsdale had been strangled by a thug ah said tauton dryly. The same idea strikes you also, I see. Well, Diabella may have something to do with the matter. I asked you to see me in order that we might thresh it out. Now that I know you are Nemo, I am all the better pleased, as your professional knowledge may link this and that together.

Starting point is 04:30:28 This and that? Bond Street and Hampstead, said the Colonel impatiently. That is, you may see a connecting link between this beastly nigger attempting to strangle me, and the actual strangle me, and the actual strangulation of poor dimsdale in his library i can't see the link said vernon thoughtfully diabella knows nothing about dimsdale on the contrary she knows a great deal by the way didn't you tell me that dimsdale was being blackmailed by that confounded spider yes vernon stared and wondered why the question was asked he had a secret which the spider learned and intended to tell it to me after the capture of the beast but the spider killed him and so vernon shrugged i wonder if what diabella told was the secret muttered touton stroking his chin did dimsdale ever give you to understand that his secret whatever it might have been was a disgraceful one on the contrary he said that he didn't mind anyone knowing what it was said vernon promptly only he added that the spider had embroidered actual facts and so might make things hot for him were the added facts to become known to the world at large.

Starting point is 04:31:43 Toughton nodded. I thought so. Thought what? asked Vernon impatiently. That Diabella and this mysterious spider are in league. Vernon dropped into his chair, placed his hands on his knees, and stared very hard at the lean brown face of the soldier.

Starting point is 04:32:00 What do you mean? Listen and I'll tell you, I am quite sure that you will come to the same conclusion, and Toughton in an incisive manner related what had taken place in the fortune-teller's weird apartments. The effect on Vernon was to produce an extraordinary emotion of mingled dread and relief, dread because he saw a deep and dangerous villainy at work, and relief, as now

Starting point is 04:32:24 he espied a gleam of light in the darkness surrounding the Rangoon crime. He made no remark, either during Tauton's recital or after it, so that the Colonel grew impatient. "'Well, what do you make of it?' he asked sharply. I agree with you that Diabella and the spider are in league. He rose, much agitated. Perhaps Diabella is the spider all by herself. The spider, I always understood, to be a man.

Starting point is 04:32:52 It is presumed so, but who knows? Diabella may be the real originator of these crimes and may employ men to collect her fees. Then, of course, as a popular fortune-teller, she has every opportunity of learning people's secrets for those who consult such creatures always give themselves away a few skillfully put questions and a few dexterous prophecies would make people loosen their tongues then a clever woman putting two and two together would soon make the four which means blackmail but how the deuce could she learn this secret of dimsdales well the secret is connected with the far east and you say that diabella employs two indians in her fortune-telling business she may have learned it from them since the older man the one who attempted to strangle you may have been a soldier in the burmese war and so may have been connected with dimsdale then again diabella may herself have been in the east and may have learned about ida not being dimsdale's daughter

Starting point is 04:33:54 do you think it is true i fear so as the secret of her birth and adoption by dimsdale is not one that any man would mind being made known but the embroidery to which our poor dead friend alluded consists of this assertion that he wilfully delayed coming to the assistance of mantith and for the sake of the man's wife acted in a david and eurya the hittite manner that embroidery is indeed worth blackmail but it isn't true i believe dimsdale's assertion rather than diabella's story she knew the facts and improved upon them in the way that i have mentioned colonel touton nodded the nida not being dimsdale's daughter and there being no will cannot inherit her presumed father's money as next of kin i think not it will go to lady corsone as diabella asserted she is dimsdale's sister and only relative it will be a good thing for lady corsoon murmured bernan thinking of of the gambling debts, as it will make her independent of her miserly husband. "'There's another thing to be thought of,' said the Colonel gravely, "'and that is the blackmailing of Ida.' "'Oh, do you think that her health is suffering from that?'

Starting point is 04:35:09 "'Yes, I do. She went to the fortune-teller, and what she heard has made her ill. She probably was told the same story as I heard, and knows that she is keeping the ten thousand a year wrongfully from Lady Corsoon. This being the case, and Ida being a sensitive girl, it is no wonder that she is disturbed and ill. Her conscience is fighting between keeping the money and giving it up. Then Miss Hest may be forcing her to keep silence. Otherwise, as she is the sweetest girl in the world,

Starting point is 04:35:38 I feel sure she would speak out and give up the fortune. She may not believe the story. Certainly she may not, but it must have sown doubts in her breast, and if left to herself she would perhaps come to me or you asking us to resolve these doubts but miss hest colonel i don't think you are altogether just to miss hest she is really a kind-hearted decent woman and is not after ida's money as you imagine she wants mrs bedge to become ida's companion or for ida to marry you so that she can go back to her reciting does she want ida to marry monders asked thouton shrewdly no i think she fancies you will make ida a better husband no colonel miss hess's conduct is above reproach and if she knows about this wild story by diabella she will advise ida for the best in what way well it is no use ida telling you or i or any one else the tale unless she is sure of the truth according to diabella this man venery in singapore can substantiate the story so under the guidance of miss hest provided mind you she knows the story ida may have written to venery if venery says that ida is not dimsdale's daughter i dare say the girl will see her supposed aunt and surrender the fortune

Starting point is 04:36:59 miss hest undoubtedly as you say exercises a certain amount of control over ida's weaker mind but she is a good woman and assuredly is not a fortune-hunter it may be as you say assented the colonel grudgingly however it is plain that diabella knows something of the spider and something of the murder since she is aware of dimsdale's secret you don't think she read it in the astrolite i know you believe in occult matters to a certain extent said tauton dryly but i don't believe that the unseen ever furnished so detailed the story communications from the next world are apt to be scrappy what's to be done vernon quickly decided we'll divide the burden he said promptly you write to-night or to-morrow to george venery of singapore asking how much of this yarn is true and i shall call on diabella why not consult inspector drench and have her arrested it wouldn't be a bad idea pondered vernon and yet it is not wise to act with too much haste after all we can't get a search warrant as you have no witness to your assault and the woman can easily deny the story of dimsdale which seems to connect her with the spider i shall go on my own and secure more evidence upon which to get a warrant if not for her arrest at all events for a search through those rooms of hers some evidence regarding the spider if indeed she is connected with him as seems extremely probable may be found concealed there i'll call to-morrow morning ended vernon rising in the character of a superstitious client and i'll write the letter to venery of singapore in this way the matter was decided and the burden was divided vernon went away with the conviction that by chance the colonel had struck upon the much wistful clue which was

Starting point is 04:38:54 would lead to the identification of the famous spider. Certainly he might be jumping to a conclusion, but taking all that was known into account, it looked extremely probable. And if it was true, it behooved him to act cautiously, lest the spider at the eleventh hour should slip through the fingers of the police. For this reason, and until he was positive, Vernon did not think it wise to call in the assistance of the law.

Starting point is 04:39:21 First, it was necessary to prove the collusion of Diabella and the spider, so that if she were not the scoundrel herself, she would at least be able to identify him beyond all doubt. Second, even if his identity were proved, it would be no easy task to arrest so slippery a criminal. Like the celebrated fox in the fable, the spider had a thousand tricks which he would use to better advantage than the animal. The fox in the story of Esop was caught. But it was probable, unless the very greatest care were used, that the spider would escape. Already the police had experienced his subtlety, and regarded the arched scoundrel as a very wary and dangerous bird, who was not to be caught by putting salt on his tail.

Starting point is 04:40:09 Colonel Tauton, being less experienced in the trickery of the criminal classes, was more hopeful of success, and next morning settled down to write the letter to Benry, of the Singapore, quite confident that all the mysteries were on the eve of solution. He quite expected to hear from his correspondent that Ida was not Dimmesdale's daughter, but he was quite sure that the embroidered facts of the pointed delay in the rescue of men's teeth were false. Assured of this, he was quite willing to marry Ida as the daughter of a poor soldier and hand over the fortune to Lady Corsoon. Love was everything to the colonel at this moment, in nothing else mattered but just as he reached the second page of his letter bernan burst into the room with a half vexed and half triumphant air he told his news without any delay

Starting point is 04:41:00 i believe you are right about diabella being connected with the spider colonel he said she has shut up her rooms and has cleared out bag and baggage end of chapter ten read by don w jenkins rancho san diego cal California. Chapter 11 of the Spider by Fergus Hume. This Ligvervox recording is in the public domain, recording by Don W. Jenkins. Chapter 11, The Needle in the Haystack. It was big news, which went more than at first sight appeared, since the implication was of depths below depths and veils behind veils. To be quite plain, the unexpected flight of the fortune-teller, for it was nothing else, hinted at the truth of Tauton's suspicions. Had there been nothing but the mere assault, Diabella could have faced that, and could have even counted upon the colonel doing nothing, since an unbiased witness was lacking.

Starting point is 04:42:12 The flight was not caused by the incident which had taken place in the Bond Street rooms, but by the fear that something dangerous might peep out from behind it. and what could this something be on the grounds of diabella's story and the hindus attempted strangling but a dread lest the spider should be traced i am perfectly certain that you are right touton said bernan sitting sideways on the table and swinging his legs only the fear of her connection with that blackmailing scoundrel being traced could have scared her into disappearance she has really gone really and truly remember she had three days to make herself scarce but so afraid was she lest you should take action that she decamped on the morning of the second day how decamped questioned touton laying down his pen she sent the hindu to surrender the lease badaher his name is the native who tried to choke me no the doorkeeper i was precise to ask if he was lean or stout the lean one came to surrender the lease and his name is badahur well that's something worth knowing but how did you get your informant to talk and how did you find any person in authority to explain matters that was easy vernon slipped off the table and into a chair i called on the plea of wanting my fortune told by diabella instead of badaher opening the door a neat little maid-servant made

Starting point is 04:43:48 her appearance, and informed me that Diabella had retired from the business, which had been taken over by a certain American prophetess. I asked to see the lady, and I did. You don't think she was, Diabella, unmasked? Not from your description. You told me Diavella was tall. This woman was short, and the voice, instead of being metallic as you described it was rather musical, although disfigured by a Yankee twang. This new sorceress from New York City, as she told me she was, could never have spoken English without the twang. It might have been assumed. Not it. I can tell the true from the faults, said Vernon emphatically. Mrs. Hiram G. Slocum is a genuine American, sure enough. Besides, her ideas of surroundings

Starting point is 04:44:39 and those of Diabella differ. The last desired. Weird decoration and furniture, a mask, an Egyptian dress, Oriental attendance, and so forth. Mrs. Slocum's idea is that people should not be frightened, but should have their future told in a motherly old-fashioned way amidst rural fireside granny scenery. She intends, so she told me, to transform the Egyptian rooms into the semblance of a rustic cottage interior, with a cat and a humming tea-kettle rafters with strings of onions and flower-pots on the ledges of bond street windows turned into casements it's rather a clever dodge reflected vernon as people will be at their ease directly and so will talk freely and listen comfortably and mrs hiram gis lakum herself a motherly old thing in a mob cap and a stuffed dress and a voluminous apron and a woolen shawlant all over her shoulders i dare say she has dressed for the old cottage interior part for she was seated in a wooden chair which didn't fit in with the memphis decorations and knitted a homely stocking what did she tell you about diabella very little because she knew very little do you believe that asked the highly suspicious colonel vernon shrugged his shoulders every one tells such lies nowadays that i never believe any one but mrs slocum seemed to be genuine enough

Starting point is 04:46:13 however i'll soon prove that as i intend to have her watched by a man upon whom i can depend i shall learn in that way if she has business relations with our masked friend what did she tell you asked tauton again well it seemed that she heard about diabella wishing to retire from business and went to see her diabella denied that the rumour was true but promised mrs slocum the first refusal of the rooms and good-will though how one can transfer fortune-telling clients beats me however mrs slocum retired and left her address somewhere in pimlico where she was wasting her talents on maid-servants and suburban people diabella sent bahadour to her there and the lease was duly transferred for a sum of money i believe bahadour took mrs slokham to the city and interviewed the landlord's lawyer however it was all done fair and square but diabella must have signed the consent to the transfer so she did under the name of isabella hopkins which may or may not be her real name at all events she took the rooms as miss hopkins and signed that name on the transfer her. Mrs. Slocum never saw her, at least, without the mask. She was as you saw her when Mrs. Slocum called at the rooms, and didn't show in the lawyer's office. But the lawyer must have seen her. Well, he did, and I went to see him. He's a stiff old

Starting point is 04:47:46 Buckram creature who declined to impart anything about Miss Isabella Hopkins, as he wanted to know why I wish to know. And, of course, on the face of it, you can see, Towton, that I couldn't gratify his very natural curiosity. But why not, if we are to catch Diabella? We haven't got enough grounds to go upon, said Vernon, shaking his head. I think it is best to let her fancy we don't suspect anything, and then we may be able to capture her unawares. She's connected with the spider, if not that gentleman himself,

Starting point is 04:48:21 I am sure, and your visit and behaviour which led to the strangling attempt had given her a fright but if we keep silent her suspicions will be lulled and she may reappear surely not oh i think so fortune-telling is an invaluable way of learning secrets and diabella must be very useful to the spider or to herself if she is him she won't surrender her position without a struggle it's too paying all around my dear fellow but she did surrender it only because she lost her head for the moment and thought you might bring the police on the scene for the assault that would lead to unpleasant questions being asked which might result in heaven knows what revelations fortune-tellers are not in good odours since the campaign of a certain halfpenny paper against them the colonel leaned back in his chair reflecting while vernon rose to walk up and down the room for the purpose of stretching his long legs he lighted a cigar and went on talking lightly you never saw such a heap of clever dodges as this diabella has to impress the weak-minded those mummies they are all faked by the way have reeds inside them leading to their mouth and diabella by pressing on the arms of her state chair could send a stream of wind along to make them squall and they did squall said touton musingly i never heard such a devilish row in my life what else oh some arrangement by which when the room was darkened the interior of the painted walls were illuminated to reveal the egyptian figures as walking and sitting skeletons

Starting point is 04:50:07 then there's an apparatus to make thunder and flashlights for lightning to say nothing of ingeniously arranged draughts calculated to make any one's hair rise in the necessary darkness when he or she felt a cold breath fanning him or her i wonder diabella didn't send her client stark staring mad it sounds like a fraudulent spiritualistic medium vernon and only confirms my suspicions that diabella was not a genuine occultist but do you really believe any one has such powers asked vernon curiously i really do said the colonel promptly strange as it may appear in india i have seen too much of the unseen to doubt there are certainly gifted people who can see and who can control forces of which the average person knows nothing oh yes i believe and-but what's the use of talking i can never make you believe and i don't want to bernan shrugged his shoulders again and buttoned up his coat as you say it doesn't matter he answered however diabella has vanished with her two satellites so there's nothing more to be done at present you give up the hunt i said at present no i shall lie quiet until diabella reappears She won't if she's wise. She will if she's daring, and I shrewdly suspect that she is. Do you believe her to be the spider?

Starting point is 04:51:38 I do, and I don't. I really can't say. But if not the rose, she is near the rose. All I can assert with safety, Colonel, is that if we can lay hands on this witch in grain, we'll learn who murdered poor Dimsdale. God grant that. Amen to that pious prayer was Vernon's reply as he left the room. Toughton duly finished his letter of inquiry to Venery of Singapore, and having posted it

Starting point is 04:52:07 went cheerfully about his usual business of pleasure, that is, as cheerfully as a man in love well could do. At the colonel's age, love was rather a serious matter, since he had taken the disease badly, as is invariably the case with middle-aged men. some individuals constantly let their emotions trickle out to expend themselves in trifling love affairs amusing for the moment others damn up the passions for years until they burst through the barrier to sweep everything before them irresistibly colonel touton was one of the latter but not being entirely blinded by his late-born infatuation he did not deem eyed a perfection as a hot-headed youth would have done and he foresaw that as mrs Toughton, she would need guidance and firm control. Hitherto, for want of both, she had run wild, but the materials were there out of which,

Starting point is 04:53:03 as Toughton put it to himself, he could build a model wife. That she was frivolous, rather than strong-minded, was a point in her favor, as the Colonel desired to mould wax rather than to hammer iron. So if Ida only consented to marry him, he hoped for a calm and contented domestic existence, undisturbed by aggressive romance. And with his home-loving self-controlled nature, Toughton infinitely preferred the outlook from an unemotional point of view. As to the money, he cared little for the possible loss of that. Although he could not deny, but what Ida's yearly thousands would have come at the right moment to affect improvements on the Bauderstike

Starting point is 04:53:46 estate. Toughton was too prosaic and level-headed to devise the power of the purse. But on the other hand he was not at all grasping and was quite satisfied to marry a girl with no dowry but her beauty and sweet nature all the same he intended to inform himself fully of the truth by inquiring as he had done from the man diabella had mentioned as her authority the colonel had no notion of letting ida's money benefit lady corsoon if he could help it of course if it was proved to be legally hers he would be the first to see that she had her rights on the other hand should i to turn out to be dimsdale's daughter tauton made up his mind that the ten thousand a year would be joyfully used for the improvement of his family property with these thoughts to employ his mind he waited very patiently in london considering that he was a man of actions rather than a dreamer of dreams later on when vernon had coaxed diabella from her hiding-place tauton intended to travel to bouderstyke to see his beloved he had every belief that during his absence vernon could manage the affair which interested them both so greatly for the next few days the colonel saw nothing of vernon but while in the tablinum of the athenian club he unexpectedly came face to face with mr the scamp looked singularly handsome and was dressed carefully as usual but the sight of a snake would have been more pleasing to the worthy colonel he did not like monders and moreover resented him as a somewhat dishonorable rival for no one could respect a man who pointedly wooed two women at one in the same time tauton therefore nodded coolly and crossed to the central table to pick up a service magazine as he did so monda sauntered to his side and slipped into a chair near to that one which the colonel had taken

Starting point is 04:55:44 have you had any news of miss dimsdale asked monders amiably no retorted tauton opening his magazine as a hint that he wished to be left alone. She is still in Yorkshire with Miss Hest, persisted Monders. So I understand, was the stiff reply. I believe she will remain there for one month. Possibly she will. Monders was not discouraged. Have you any message for her? he asked.

Starting point is 04:56:14 Why do you ask? demanded the Colonel, sitting up abruptly. Because Francis Hest, you know, the brother of Mrs. Dimsdale's friend, has asked me down to gerby hall i'm going there at the end of the week for a few days i thought you might have a message for miss dimsdale there is such a thing as the post said touton exasperated by the young man's cool assurance he took up the magazine again then hesitated and threw it on the table adverse as the colonel was to discuss his private affairs with anyone and least of all with monders whom he so frankly hated he felt that he ought to take advantage of this chance to learn exactly what was monder's attitude towards ida am i to understand that you are engaged to miss dimsdale he asked sharply why should you think that asked constantine negligently why indeed considering that one day you profess to be paying your attentions to miss corsoon and the next pay your addresses to miss dimsdale but as you are going down to gerby hall it looks as though you inclined to marry the latter young lady no said monders indolently in looking at Toughton through half-closed eyelids.

Starting point is 04:57:27 I'm going to see Francis Hest, who is a friend of mine, but I dare say Miss Hest and Miss Dimsdale find it dull, so I may be able to amuse them a trifle. I am quite sure of that, said Touton sarcastically. Your social qualifications are well known, but I ask you if you were engaged to Miss Dimsdale. No, I am not, nor am I likely to be. This was good news, but Toughton could not be. sure if Monders was speaking honestly. "'Then you intend to marry Miss Corsoon,' said the Colonel.

Starting point is 04:57:59 "'I do, but I don't see why you should trouble yourself about my private affairs,' said Monders, insolently cool. "'It was not I who sought this interview, but as you choose to speak to me, I have every right to mention a subject which concerns us both.' "'And concerns Vernon also.' "'Precisely,' said Toughton with great emphasis. it is useless to disguise the fact mr monda's that we are rivals and pardon me no interrupted the young man quickly i have been refused by miss dimsdale so the field is open to you ida refused you muttered the colonel stupefied strange is it not replied monders lightly but such is the case i asked her to marry me and she hinted at a previous attachment i presume she meant

Starting point is 04:58:47 tauton threw up his hand and coloured through his bronze skin we will not mention names if you please i don't mind but you know how the land lies so far as i am concerned that is but you will have to reckon with francis hest miss hest's brother the same francis and francis twins with twin names you may say she is devoted to this more than her brother and wishes him to marry money do you mean to say that miss hest has taken miss dimsdale down to gerby hall so that she may meet mr hest yes he's not a bad-looking fellow exactly like his sister who is handsome in an imperial way as you have seen in fact if you see francis you have seen francis the brother isn't very well off as he has spent all his available cash in philanthropic works and constructing some confounded dam to supply water to several villages has nearly ruined him but miss dimsdale's money will therefore come in very acceptably but i fear hest will waste it in helping the poor he is ridiculously crazy about doing what he calls good it's ridiculous muttered the colonel crossly miss dimsdale doesn't know this man hest francis will see to that now that miss dimsdale is at the hall she will have every opportunity of seeing him miss hest will throw them together on every occasion upon my word monders rose and stretched himself were i you colonel i should go down to gerby hall and look after matters thanks for your advice said tauton picking up the magazine again and good day to you mr monda's this is what comes of my trying to help you observed the young man with a shrug i do what i can and you throw my philanthropy in my face no no touton's conscience smote him for really mouners had done him a distinct service and also he had announced that ida had refused him which was excellent news i thank you for what you have told me it is probable that i shall go down to grby hall at the end of the week

Starting point is 05:00:56 monders nodded i may meet you there he yawned and sauntered away with a bored air which was rather overdone as a rule he was alert and full of life so it looked as though this languor was assumed for some purpose and not a good one if the man's selfish nature was to be taken into account it wanted three days to the week-end so touton really intended to take the northern journey he had never trusted miss hest and it was quite probable that as she had discouraged the wool of both himself and Monders, her intention was to secure the heiress for her two philanthropic brother. Of course, if Toughton could prove to the twins that Ida had no money, it was possible that no further plans would be laid to entrap her. Money was what Francis Hest required for his Lord of the Manor schemes, and money was what the sister desired to secure for him. But considering that Francis did not get on well with her brother, and that they rarely met, it was strange that she should be so anxious to serve him unless indeed the two had come to an agreement that if francis married the supposed heiress francis would share the income

Starting point is 05:02:08 on the whole tauton thought it would be just as well to go down to the grange for a week or so and pay a neighbourly visit to gerby hall he would at least learn how much of monder's tale was true and perhaps might induce ida to accept him since she had refused his handsome rival. "'Dad, I'll go down on Saturday,' decided the Colonel. And it happened that before Saturday he received a letter which made him even more anxious to visit his family's seat. It came from Ida, and she pointedly asked him to come down and see her. Amongst other things, she wrote that Francis Hest had gone away, and that she had only seen him twice at Gervie Hall.

Starting point is 05:02:51 "'Frances and her brother don't get on well together,' went on Ida in her letter, and are rarely together when he is in she is out and vice versa like the little old man and woman in the weather cottage i only saw francis for a few minutes each time and i don't like him much although he greatly resembles francis but he is more gloomy and quite a misanthrope nor do i like francis so much as i did as she seems inclined to take the upper hand with me and wants me to do exactly as she wishes lately she has been urging me to marry mr monda's and told me that he was coming down to stop for a time besides there is a housekeeper miss gewin who is a double-faced woman i am sure and looks quite dangerous she fell in ecstasies over a photograph of mr monda's which he gave francis and told me presumptuously that she thought we were made a handsome couple in fact i don't like this place at all and i wish you would come down and stand by me at this point the colonel laid down the letter to think apparently monders was lying when he stated that he did not wish to marry Miss Dimmesdale, and that Francis wished to secure the heiress for her brother. He told one story and Ida another, and of the two Tauten preferred to believe that of the girl.

Starting point is 05:04:12 The letter went into general details about the beauty of the country and the dismal gloom of the hall. Toughton gathered indirectly that Miss Hest was keeping a close watch on Ida, and that the girl was beginning to resent this over-emphatic influence. In fact, throughout the letter there sounded a notable alarm as though Ida was both uncomfortable and uneasy. She had certainly asked Tauton down to stand by her, and once she had finished the epistle he was quite decided about traveling by the Saturday train as he had arranged. But the contradictory stories told by Ida and Monders

Starting point is 05:04:47 puzzled him greatly. More than ever he mistrusted Miss Hest, who seemed to be playing a deep game for the winning of Ida's fortune. But the Colonel chuckled to think of her disappointment when she learned that Ida was not entitled to the money, always provided that Diabella had spoken the truth. As two heads are better than one, and as Tauton was working in consort with Vernon, he promptly sought out his friend and laid the letter before him. Also, he detailed what had taken place in the tablinum of the Athenian club between himself and Monders. Vernon heard the colonel's narrative with great attention, then gave his opinion after some reflection. There is some devilry under all this, he said, laying a finger on the letter.

Starting point is 05:05:33 And Miss Hess seems to be working in conjunction with Monders. He says one thing, and Ida another, so it is difficult to know exactly how matters stand. I believe Ida. Well, on the whole, so do I, I think, Vernon paused, then added abruptly. I don't trust Monders, you know. Neither do I. In that case, let us act exactly. exactly opposite to the way in which he suggests.

Starting point is 05:06:00 "'How do you mean?' questioned the Colonel doubtfully. "'Monders wants you to go to Yorkshire. As he is going himself, he would naturally want a clear field, if indeed Miss Hest is supporting him in this design on Ida's fortune. Therefore, he has some reason, and you may be sure that it is a bad one, to get you down.' "'I could look after myself,' said Toughton sturdily. "'Quite so, but we have to look after Ida. don't go to yorkshire but ida wants me to go see how urgent her letter is i understand all the same i think it wiser for you to remain until when until i can corner diabella replied vernon and ended the conversation end of chapter eleven read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter twelve of the spider by fergus hume

Starting point is 05:07:01 this libri box recording is in the public domain recording by don w jenkins chapter twelve a tempting offer naturally under the pressure of ida's imploring letter colonel touton was not anxious to remain inactive in london he wished to go to bouderstike himself and learn the exact truth maunders said one thing and ida another so if the two were confronted the absolute facts of the case would certainly be able to boudersdike himself and learn the exact truth monda's said one thing and ida another so if the two were confronted the absolute facts of the case would certainly come to light. Taukin assuredly believed Ida rather than Monders, but it seemed strange to him that Miss Hest should champion Constantine, and strange also that Monders should wish him to come down to Gerby Hall, where, if Ida spoke correctly, his presence would not be welcome either to Miss Hest or her co-conspirator. And Monders was far too clever a man to do anything without having some object in view.

Starting point is 05:07:58 what that object might be colonel touton as yet could not fathom for this last reason and because his rival so pointedly advised him to go to gerby hall the colonel remained in london whatever monder's plans might be they would assuredly be thwarted by the absence of tauton and later the colonel determined to go even before vernon lured diabella from her hiding-place meanwhile as monders had stated that he was himself going to Gerby Hall on the invitation of Miss Hess, the Colonel sought the young man's rooms on Sunday afternoon in order to see if he had kept his promise, as he fancied that the proposed visit might be some trick. On inquiry, however, the Colonel learned that Constantine had departed on the previous day and had left notice with the caretaker of his chambers that he would not return until an entire week had elapsed. Evidently he had meant what he said, namely to accept.

Starting point is 05:08:58 Miss Hest's hospitality. This knowledge, however, only made Tautin the more anxious to go also, as the idea that Monders was having it all his own way and was subjecting Ida to persecution made him restless. He wished to ride forth like a knight of old to rescue his lady love, who certainly, if her letter was to be believed, seemed to be in great peril. It set a great deal for Toughton's disciplinarian instincts that he obeyed Vernon as one more professionally clever at such cases rather than his own desires.

Starting point is 05:09:33 In the meantime, having satisfied himself with regard to Monders' whereabouts, the Colonel took up his usual life for, at all events, a week. He relieved his mind by writing to Ida, saying that he would come down to the Grange at the termination of that period. Vernon had not thought fit to impart to Tauton, how he proposed to inveigled Diabella into the open, for the very simple reason that he was puzzled himself how to act. Several times he had been to the Bond Street rooms only to find that they were in the hands of decorators,

Starting point is 05:10:07 rapidly transforming the weird Egyptian hall into a cozy English cottage. Mrs. Hiram G. Slocum was already advertising that Granny would foretell the future, after the fashion of the renowned Mother Shipton, and already had seen several of Diabella's old client, desirous of novelty. To these she told wonderful things in a strong American accent, which did not suit the thrum cap or the tartan shawl or the general looks of an ancient rustic dame. However, she was succeeding very well, and there was no doubt that when her mise unseen was prepared that she would become the fashion for a few months. She professed to know

Starting point is 05:10:52 nothing of Diabella, and as she was quite frank in answering questions, Vernon saw no reason why he should not believe a story which certainly appeared on the face of it to be true. The lawyer of the landlord still refused to say anything about Isabella Hopkins, since Vernon declined to state why the knowledge was required, and of course, as he was suspicious rather than certain, he could say absolutely nothing. In this dilemma on wondering how he was to come face to face with the woman, Vernon decided, On the Sunday when Tauton went to seek Monders to pay an afternoon call, this errand took him into the luxurious drawing-room of Lady Corsoon.

Starting point is 05:11:34 By this time the month of grace allowed by the spider was nearing its end, and Vernon, having accomplished nothing definite, considered it necessary to reassure the millionaire's wife. naturally he expected to find her haggard and hysterical but was truly surprised to behold a perfectly composed person comely and content her brown eyes sparkled when the footman announced the newcomer and she swept forward the word is necessary to exactly describe lady corsoon's imposing gate to welcome him with ill-concealed eagerness how are you mr burlin she asked in her best society manner and then dropped her voice to a concede to a concealed eagerness how are you mr burlin she asked in her best society manner and then dropped her voice to a concede to a concede to a concede to her voice to her voice to confidential whisper. I should have called at your office tomorrow had you not come. I am quite well, thank you, replied Vernon, for the benefit of the surrounding guests, and lowered his voice likewise.

Starting point is 05:12:27 Any news, good or bad? Yes, both. Wait till everyone goes, she said softly, and again spoke gracefully in her character of hostess. You poor man, you must really have a cup of tea. Go to Lucy and ask nicely. Vernon needed no second command, but thrust his way through a crowd of well-dressed people to find a bamboo table covered with tea-things over which a pretty fresh-colored damsel presided. She received him with a shy blush which made her look like a dewy rose.

Starting point is 05:13:00 Lucy Corsoon could not be called lovely, nor would she have attracted attention in any marked degree. A bright, sweet English girl was all she claimed to be, and, having the bloom of youth, she really appeared more charming than she really was in a very plain white frock without a single ornament she looked like a modest violet almost hidden by its sleeves the ardent gaze in her lover's dark eyes made her blush more than ever as she handed him a cup of tea without sugar she said in a gentle voice i know your tastes who else should inquired vernon smiling and sipped his bohi this tea is delightful and exactly what a thirsty man requires i hope you are hungry also mr hest please pass the cake-stand to mr vernon the lover wheeled when the name was mentioned to find himself facing the counterpart of ida's companion he would have guessed the relationship even if lucy had held her peace mr hest smiled at the amazed look of the young man and swung forward the bamboo cake-stand with a soft laugh don't say what you are going to say mr bernan he remarked pleasantly i know exactly how astonished you are to see that i am so like my sister you are indeed breathed bernan mechanically taking bread and butter i should have taken you for miss hest in disguise but for he hesitated but for this scar finished hest laying a finger on a cicatrice which ran in a thin crimson line from the right temple to the corner of the mouth

Starting point is 05:14:40 i got that in paris years ago the knife of an apache scored me in this way it is just as well if only to distinguish me from francis i rarely come to london but when i do every one stares at me as you did mr hess shrugged his shoulders it's rather a nuisance being a twin you are not so tall as your sister ventured vernon while lucy laughed at the idle jest of the yorkshire squire there's very little difference francis looks taller because she wears petticoats if i dressed in her clothes and could hide this he laid his finger again on the scar you would not be able to tell the difference her voices are different said vernon after a pause i really begin to think you must be a detective mr vernon since you are so very observant yes our voices are different and in the wrong way the wrong way ah you are not so observant as i thought yes francis has a deep control Tralto voice, somewhat heavy for a woman, whereas my voice, as you hear, is rather thin in quality. Nature mixed up the voices as we are twins, maybe. It was, as he said. Hest's voice had not the volume nor the richness of his sisters, but it certainly had a less serious note. Vernon recalling what Toughton had told him of Ida's remark in her letter as to Francis

Starting point is 05:16:04 being dismal and misanthropic, wondered that she could have been so mistaken. He was really more cheerful than Francis, and did not seem to treat life in her aggressively sober manner. Besides, that he was a philanthropist was in itself an argument against his being of a gloomy disposition. Vernon judged that Mr. Hest was much more of an optimist than was his sister, and that he lacked in some measure that sterling common sense, which, to put it plainly, made her company rather dull. If Francis had been the man and Francis had been the woman,

Starting point is 05:16:40 their temperaments would have suited the change of sex ever so much better but perhaps as mr hess just observed since the two were twins nature had got mixed vernon would rather have spoken to lucy but could not do so and every now and then fresh guests came to be served he was therefore left to the society of hest and took advantage of the opportunity to learn if the man was in love with ida did you leave miss dimsdale in good health he asked oh yes she is ever so much brighter mr vernon the air of our yorkshire moors has picked her up wonderfully and has brought colour to her cheeks and your sister hest shrugged his shoulders again oh francis is always in robust health mr vernon i find her company too exhausting for my health she always wants me to be doing something or saying something and is never at rest you do a good deal yourself in the way of philanthropy well i do said hest his dark face lighting up but it is really selfish on my part there is nothing i love so well as to help the unfortunate i have quite changed the parish of bauderstykin instead of being a rip van winkle sort of place it is now in lively touch with the twentieth century if you are ever down our way mr vernon come and stop at the hall and you shall see my opus's mind you will see my opus's mind you will see my the bolly reservoir miss dimsdale was quite amazed when she beheld the strength of the dam i have heard of that great work from your sister she was quite enthusiastic over the enterprise what francis enthusiastic over anything of that sort you surprise me mr vernon you do indeed francis cares nothing about such things poetry and society and a general aimless life is her idea of living but then she is a woman and we must not be hard on women

Starting point is 05:18:39 it's strange said vernon musingly with his eyes on hest what is if i may ask the life you mention would suit your nature rather than hers i should think considering what i have seen of both of you you are not so serious as miss hest so far as i can judge well you see francis takes her pleasures seriously and in a very ponderous manner i take my work lightly and as a hobby that is all the difference save that i am sure i get more amusement out of life than she does wait till you hear us argue you are stopping in town long only for a few days i may go to paris or i may go to gerby hall it all depends upon miss dimsdale burdon looks surprised i'm miss dimsdale in what way well well "'Well,' Hest hesitated, "'it's rather a private matter to—' "'Oh, I beg your pardon.' "'Not at all. You know Francis and Miss Dimsdale so very well that I don't mind telling you. The fact is my sister thinks that I ought to be married at my age.

Starting point is 05:19:41 I shan't tell you how old I am because that would give away Francis, who, like all women, doesn't want her age to be known. But the long and short of it is that she wants me to marry Miss Dimsdale. I saw very plainly that Miss Dimsdale didn't want to marry. me so i ran away this explanation appeared to be clear enough and vernon drew a long breath of relief ida had been right francis had wished her brother to marry the girl and secure the fortune now that francis declined to entertain the idea miss hest had invited monders down to try his luck but vernon could not see what interest the former could have in bringing about the marriage with the latter he lifted his eyes from the carpet again to address his companion but foron could not see what interest the former could have in bringing about the marriage with the latter he lifted his eyes from the carpet again to address his companion but found that mr hest had slipped away to talk to an old lady with an ear-trumpet you might speak to me hinted a low voice at his ear and he turned to smile at lucy's injured face you are so busy there is a lull now in the tea-drinking why haven't you been to see me lately arthur i have been very busy also i have been out of town you should be with me always pouted miss corsoon what would your mother

Starting point is 05:20:56 say to that, he asked, smiling broadly. She would be annoyed, returned Lucy promptly. Vernon started. Surely you are mistaken, he said anxiously, stopping to almost whisper in her ear. Your mother gave her consent, and when I was last here she said in your presence that she did not mind my—' Lucy interrupted with a flush. I think she has another opinion now. For some time she appeared to be pleased that we should marry, but the day before you

Starting point is 05:21:26 yesterday she hinted that there might be obstacles. Ah, your father? No, Mother can manage father in any way not connected with money. Mother has changed her mind on her account. But for what reason? asked Vernon, much perplexed. I wish you could find out, mourned to Miss Corsoom. She refuses to tell me in any way. But I love you, and I won't give you up.

Starting point is 05:21:52 I'd run away with you if you were not so poor. Shortly I'll be poor. poor no longer," said Vernon quickly, and then we can run away whenever we like." "'You will be poor no longer?' questioned Lucy doubtfully. "'No, dear. My uncle, Sir Edward Vernon, of whom we spoke when I was here last, has become reconciled to me and has made me his heir. I shall have the title in something like three thousand a year.' "'Oh, how delightful! But perhaps it's wrong to say that, since it means your uncle's death.'

Starting point is 05:22:24 i think sir edward will be glad to go replied vernon candidly he has lived a long life and the latter part of it is very weary and dreary he told me himself that he was looking forward to the great release and then you will be rich yes and you will be lady vernon it seems too good to be true i don't think so dear even your father can scarcely object to our marriage when i have an assured position lucy looked down at the teacups it's mother i'm thinking about i shall see lady corsone before i leave said vernon compressing his lips and sending a glance in the direction of his hostess she caught his eye and smiled graciously so graciously indeed that he bent again down to lucy you must be mistaken darling he whispered your mother is quite friendly and i am sure will not object in any way she has changed her mind answered miss corsoon obstinately at least she told me not to count on marrying you strange she gave no explanation none and was quite cross when i asked for one this view of lady corsoon's attitude was supported by the fact that on seeing vernon conversing so earnestly with lucy she called to the girl to come to her ostensibly this was to present her daughter to a fashionable countess who had lately arrived but bernan guessed that she really wished to end the tete-a-tete this was curious considering the conversation he had held with his proposed mother-in-law at the office of nemo it was evident that she had changed her mind once more and as lady corson was not a weathercock vernon wondered what powerful cause would have brought about the alteration however he gave up speculation as he wanted about the room speaking to his friends and promising himself a full explanation when the company departed

Starting point is 05:24:20 as lady corsoon had asked him to remain it was evident that she intended to let him know what was the matter and vernon determined not to leave the house until he did know shortly the young man was captured by a flippant lady voluble and somewhat silly who gave him a surprising piece of information oh mr vernon i am so glad to see you she babbled gushingly you really must come to the bazaar the great bazaar never heard of it mrs you silly man don't you read the papers one of the princesses is to have a stall and no end of actresses and society people it's to be held at the georgian hall in aid of homeless indus really said vernon idly why are they homeless oh i don't exactly know gushed mrs crimer vaguely it's a flood or a fire or a blizzard i don't think they have blizzards in india perhaps they don't how clever you are mr vernon but all i do know is that the poor things want money and we hope to make heaps by this bizarre there will be lovely things sold in games and flower-stalls and flowers stalls and sweets and fortune-telling, babbled the flippant lady incoherently. Fortune-telling? Vernon, paying little attention only caught the last word with any degree of clearness.

Starting point is 05:25:46 Of course! What would bazaars be without fortune-telling? And this time it's really genuine. Diabella! What? Vernon spoke so loudly that several people jumped, and the flippant Mrs. Krimer put her gloved hands to her ears with a pretty gesture of pain. you dreadful man how you bellow yes diabella has a tent in the grounds at the back of the georgian hall we hope it will be a sunny afternoon you know and intends to charge everyone ten shillings you know she usually charges a guinea but i think we'll get more by asking less but i thought vernon carefully commanded his voice i thought that diabella had retired from business so she has that delightful grant has taken her business i'm going to see her and ask about my affinity your husband oh no said mrs crimer airily he is only my husband you know but i must have an affinity someone who is a spiritual lover and granny vernon restlessly cut her short how did you get diabella really i don't know murmured mrs crimer vaguely some one asked her or she asked herself i don't know which but she is to be there in her egyptian dress and wearing an egyptian mask and in an egyptian tent do go and have your fortune told

Starting point is 05:27:11 i shall said vernon grimly and inwardly rejoicing over the chance that was placing diabella in his power and do you no mrs primer spread out her hands with a shrug i really can't talk to you any more every one is going and i have heaps and heaps of dear delightful people to see good-bye so glad you will come to the bazaar quite angelic it will be quite quite and the flippant lady babbled her way to the hostess who was now taking rapid leave of her her various guests. Lucy had disappeared, as Vernon soon learned, by a glance round the room, so he sat down and waited until Lady Corsoon could give him her promised ten minutes' explanation. He would have liked to have had a chat with Sir Julius, if only to enlist him in favour of the marriage by dropping a hint regarding the expected inheritance. But the financier rarely put in an appearance at his wife's at homes, finding them far too frivolous for. for a man of his capacity.

Starting point is 05:28:14 So Vernon decided that if Lady Corsoon's explanation did not prove satisfactory, he would interview Sir Julius, and formally ask for the hand of Lucy. With the credentials of a soon-coming title, at Lordly Mansion in three thousand a year, he hoped to have his proposals well received. At a former interview the Baronet had scoffed at his pretensions, but now things were changed for the better, and the chances were that all were.

Starting point is 05:28:41 would go well now mr vernon said lady corsoon when the last guest had shaken hands and departed we are lone and can have a talk what news of your search i have no news replied vernon placing a chair for the lady a spider cannot be found only seven days remain and i must give my answer then mr bernan you know the terms either i pay two thousand pounds or my husband she wince is informed that i say sold those family jewels to pay my bridge debts. I am sorry, Lady Corsoon, but as yet I have not caught the man. She made a gesture of despair. Oh, what is the good of being sorry? I came to you as a practice detective. This time it was Vernon who went.

Starting point is 05:29:29 At least Mr. Monders assured me that you were, she hastened to say. Very kind of Mr. Monders, said Vernon sarcastically. Go on. Well, I came to you for a sister, and you have done nothing i have done everything that i could do said vernon dryly but the spider is too clever for me as he has baffled the entire police force it is no shame for me to confess as much what do you intend to do i can't say said vernon thinking of a possible meeting with diabella at the homeless hindus bazaar in a few days i may have news lady corsoon shook her head i can't afford to wait since the time is so short "'Of course you know that your marriage with Lucy "'depends upon your getting me out of this unpleasant position.'

Starting point is 05:30:18 "'Bernan felt inclined to say that she had placed herself in the said position, "'but he restrained himself as it was useless to make an enemy of her, "'and merely bowed. "'Very good,' went on the lady sharply, "'if you can't catch this spider and close his mouth "'and regain those jewels which he got from the pawn-shop, "'you don't marry Lucy. "'In any case, you are not a good match.'

Starting point is 05:30:41 i am now lady coursoon my uncle has been reconciled to me and has made me his heir soon i shall be sir arthur vernon with a good income oh my dear man lady corsoon waved a jewelled hand impatiently there are plenty of baronets and knights with moderate incomes who would be glad to marry lucy for herself let alone her expectations from her father my conditions are that you should get me out of this trouble can you i shall try i can say no more then listen to me said the lady firmly a few days ago i received a letter from the spider ah vernon nursed his chin and swung his leg so that is why you have changed your mind with regard to my wooing of lucy who told you that i had changed my mind sir she asked abruptly lucy hinted something and then i saw that you separated us in there there i understand that you understand Lady Corsoon waved her hand again. You are right. I have changed my mind as the spider has given me another chance, but of course if you can catch him and make him hold his peace and can recover the family jewels I pond,

Starting point is 05:31:52 I am willing to keep to my agreement with you and support you in marrying my daughter. The spider has given you another chance, repeated Vernon sitting up, and what may that be? Have you the letter? It's locked away as I did not expect you today. I did not put it in my pocket, but I can tell you what he says. The spider? Yes, of course, said Lady Corsoon quickly. He tells me that if I pay him ten thousand pounds in twelve months,

Starting point is 05:32:21 he will place me in receipt of that amount a year by proving that I am entitled to my late brother's money. Strange is it not since my niece Ida is Martin's daughter? Very strange, replied Vernon mechanically. This news proved to him more conclusive. than ever that diabella was connected with the spider and if not the blackmailer herself worked in concert with him but until he could lay his hands on the woman he determined to say nothing to lady corsoon about the matter how long does he give you to answer this new demand two months said lady corsoon triumphantly so at least i have gained time and much may happen as you say much may happen how does he propose to place you in possession of this income does he say no lady corsoon wrinkled her brows he simply makes the offer certainly ida inherits as next of kin but it may be that this spider who seems to know everything has found a will giving the income to me then she hesitated there is another condition

Starting point is 05:33:27 what is it one you won't like if i get this money i am to consent to the marriage of lucy with with whom asked vernon jumping up don't keep me in suspense with constantine monders said lady corsone coolly end of chapter twelve read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter thirteen of the spider by fergus hume this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by don w jenkins chapter thirteen the bazaar for the next few days vernon vainly grappled with the new problem which lady corsoun's information had supplied that the spider should offer the millionaire's wife a fortune of ten thousand pounds per annum on condition of receiving the income for the first year scarcely surprised the young man for he already suspected the spider to be connected with diabella if indeed the creature was not that famous individual herself but it seemed odd that the arch-criminals should interest himself in maunders affairs even to assisting to bring about the marriage with lucy could it be possible that maunders was one of the gang vernon recalled that after mrs bedge's confession of poverty he had suspected monda's in this respect since the young man apparently contrived to live like a prince on nothing a year he did not receive much from his aunt and he did not earn an income so it was possible that in some shady way he managed to become possessed of sufficient money to gratify his extravagant tastes

Starting point is 05:35:19 monda's also being in the vicinity of the library on the occasion of the conversation with the late mr dimsdale must have heard the suggested arrangement of the trap but then as vernon recalled miss hest had stated in quite an innocent way how monders had been with her all the evening and could not thus have had anything to do with the crime at rangoon vernon's suspicions had been banished by miss hest's assertions but they now revived in full of the crime at rangoon vernon's suspicions had been banished by miss hess's assertions but they now revived in full force after lady corsone's communication he had made her show him the letter and it proved to be similar to the earlier epistle of the spider even to the ideograph at the end apparently it was genuine enough and if genuine monders must be connected in some way with the blackmailer no other explanation was feasible had monders been in london vernon would have gone straight to tax him with his possible complicity but the young man was at bouders strike and so for the moment could not be questioned but sooner or later he would return to london and then vernon intended to force him to explain meanwhile it seemed best to seek out diabella at the bazaar for the homeless hindus and threaten her with arrest unless she explained how she had come to let the spider know martin dimsdale's secret also she might supply the connecting link between the spider and monders vernon was rather surprised that diabella's daring and thus making a public appearance but he supposed that his ruse had been successful and that the fortune-teller not having been openly searched for for presumed that colonel touton had taken no steps if she had learned that touton was to be at the fate she might have declined to risk exercising her profession but she had no reason to believe that he would be present and thus dared the danger

Starting point is 05:37:17 but never suspecting vernon he could enter the tent and tear off her mask which was what he intended to do at the first opportunity the young man hesitated whether to tell inspector drench or to remain silent until he could tell inspector more satisfied as to the hidden connection between Diabella and the spider. After reflection, he decided to carry through the matter himself. By removing the waxen mask, he would at least learn what Diabella was like, and perhaps, if brought to bay, she would speak out to save her skin. Then when he knew more, he might venture to call in the aid of the police. It was a dangerous business, and perhaps Vernon would have been better advised had he taken and more precautions against the woman's escape.

Starting point is 05:38:03 But the evidence against her was so vague, and there appeared to be so much to clear up, that he doubted if Drench would be able to arrest her on the bare suspicion. At all events, after turning the matter over in his mind, Vernon started by himself for the bazaar, resolved to act on his own initiative. He told no one of the second letter

Starting point is 05:38:24 from the spider to Lady Corsoon, not even Colonel Tautin. so that military gentleman ignorant of what was taking place lingered in his chambers or idled at the athenian club fretting over his inaction and longing for some chance to display his generalship a very natural feeling considering the colonel's active mind the georgian hall was a huge repository of hanoverian relics in south kensington and consisted of many moderately large apartments encircling a spacious central room this was used for concerts balls meetings fates and such like entertainments requiring ample scope for their celebration the minor halls were dedicated to the display of objects connected with the rule of the house of brunswick and dating from the reign of the first monarch of the dynasty memorials of warfare on land and at sea were here together with pictures of famous events and collections of old-world things dealing with social life of the various epochs one room was filled with figures representing the male and female garbs of the different rings another displayed china and silver and glass of the several periods and a third room held quaint furniture recalling the tales of jane austin the political and social and military history of england was contained in the museums and from this fact the hall took its name since the objects dated only from the act of succession

Starting point is 05:39:57 it was an interesting place and well worth the patronage which it received from the idle public on this occasion the central room was filled with gaily decorated stalls in divers colours on which were displayed modern luxuries likely to appeal to the purses of the self-indulgent society beauties charming actresses and celebrated lady novelists presided over the booths of this vanity fair and did a large trade by their fascinating personality alone bernan accurately dressed as became a young man about town managed to elude these sirens who would have cajoled every shilling out of his pocket and walked into the grounds at the back of the hall where mrs crimer had informed him the tent of diabella was to be found it was a sunny afternoon as the flippant lady had desired and the spacious gardens looked extremely pretty with flags and tents and flowers and general greenery games of all kinds were going on and the place resembled the fair with its crowd of laughing people who were enjoying themselves thoroughly so far as could be judged the homeless hindus would benefit largely by the bazaar as it apparently was a great success no prettier function had taken place during the season. Vernon saw endless friends and acquaintances, as many fashionable folk were present, but taken up with his own anxious thoughts he spoke to no one. However, someone spoke to him as he threaded his way amongst the throng, for a friendly touch on his shoulder wheeled him round to

Starting point is 05:41:34 behold Francis Hess. He looked more like his sister than ever, and decidedly handsome in his immaculate frock-coat, grey trousers, patent-ether boots, and silk hat. The only fault which Vernon, always rather fastidious, could find in his general appearance, was that he wore his hair much too long, which gave him the look of a poet, or of a fashionable musician, and the full black locks added still more to his resemblance to Francis. "'I did not expect to find you here, Vernon,' said Hest after a handshake. "'Why not?

Starting point is 05:42:09 it's one of the entertainments of the season and every one who is any one is bound to patronize it i should have thought it was too frivolous for you oh i assure you i am a very frivolous person said vernon smoothly is colonel touton asked the other smiling he and is he here vernon wondered why the question was asked tauton is certainly not frivolous but he enjoys society and is usually to be found everywhere enjoying himself do you know him no i am an innocent countryman who knows no one in the fashionable world except lady corsoon who is a host in herself i asked that of curiosity as having heard miss dimsdale speak of the colonel i should like to meet him oh she spoke of colonel touton did she is that strange asked test smiling again and showing his white teeth i rather think miss dimsdale admires the colonel he admires her and months to marry her said vernon bluntly so i should imagine another reason why i did right in running away from gerby hall and in declining my sister's help in marrying me to the lady i think however added hess significantly that unless the colonel looks to his bride he will find she is likely to become mrs monders i should be sorry to see that why don't you like monders oh yes we were at school together but i believe that miss dimms is in love with the colonel you know of course that monders has gone down to your place certainly frances wrote me that he arrived on sunday morning that is why i advise colonel tauton to look after miss dimsdale why does your sister wish miss dimsdale to marry monders asked vernon in a pointedly blunt way pest raised his thick dark eyebrows ask me another he said all i can say is that francis is a great matchmaker

Starting point is 05:44:09 failing me she suggests monda's as a suitor he is younger than the colonel i believe and much handsomer but he is not touton's sterling character by the way have you met monders twice months in town and once at my own place i confess that he doesn't attract me greatly handsome yes but there is something dangerous about him dangerous vernon looked straightly at the speaker wondering how he had chance to hit on the very defect which spoilt monder's charm it's the only word i can think of which describes him but perhaps i am wrong francis would think so i always thought that miss hess did not like monders it may be so said hest indifferently still he is handsome and francis is a woman it seems to be however that the word rests with miss dimsdale if she loves colonel tauton she will marry him if monders he will win her a wilful woman will have her way i do not think that miss dimsdale is willful said vernon stiffly then with an afterthought that hest might help the colonel to thwart the plans which francis certainly appeared to entertain he added would you like to meet tauton oh yes i shall be in town for a week before going to paris i have few friends here and like to be amused where are you staying at professor garrett galesalesworth oh vernon could scarcely conceal his surprise i thought that you did not approve of your sister appearing as a reciter nor do i rejoined the other man with a frown but francis asked me to deliver a message to professor gale whom i met before and whom i like he asked me to accept his hospitality while in london so i did so as i hoped to induce him to get frown

Starting point is 05:46:04 francis to abandon this scheme of earning money by her talents which by the way i don't deny so that she may resume her proper place in society as my sister vernon shook his head miss hest is of too active a mind to bear faintly the life of an ordinary country lady she is singularly obstinate if that is what you mean said hess with a curling lip however that is my address so if you can arrange a dinner with colonel touton i shall be glad to meet him and to give him the latest news of miss dimsdale thank you vernon booked the dinner say next wednesday that will suit me capitally the day after to-morrow well and what are you going to do now just wander around replied vernon evasively he did not wish to disclose his plans regarding diabella to the yorkshire squire good day good day said the other in a friendly tone and the two were soon separated by the ever-moving crowd it was growing late by this time and the gardens were not nearly so filled as they had been already there was a shade of twilight in the calm sky and several lamps had been lighted it was necessary to see diabella at once for it might be that she was a shade of twilight in the calm sky and several lamps had been lighted it was necessary to see diabella at once for it might be that she was a lighted would not be present in the evening. Vernon therefore went to seek for the Egyptian tent, and soon found it standing in an isolated position at the far end of the ground. With some skill, the canvas had been erected into the square form of a Memphis temple, and this, colored like

Starting point is 05:47:42 stone and adorned with gaudy hieroglyphics, looked a striking object in the waning light. Two imitation sphinxes guarded the doorway, and beside these on either side stood two men, and, like bronze statues with folded arms. One was slender and the other burly, and both were natives of India in spite of their Egyptian array. Vernon, knowing what he did know, had no difficulty in recognizing Bahadur and the heavier man who had attempted to strangle the colonel,

Starting point is 05:48:12 until prevented by his mistress. "'Can I see Diabella?' he asked, approaching slowly and addressing Bahadur as the more amiable looking of the two. one two three said the man showing his teeth and throwing up triple fingers three to see mistress then you vernon nodded and resting on his cane stared at the merry scene in an idle manner but his thoughts were taken up with the probable scene which would ensue when he tore the mask from the woman's face he wondered if she would make an outcry and would summon her attendants and if so would the sullen-looking wrestler attempt to choke him but vernon resolved at the moment he removed the mask to intimate that he knew of the assault on colonel touton and so hoped that the woman would not risk unpleasant discoveries by making an outcry but would be willing to talk calmly if so then he hoped to induce her to state how she came to be possessed of martin dimsdale's secret and here again as it always did came the thought that diabella might be a disguise for the spider in which case she would surely decline to incriminate herself

Starting point is 05:49:23 if she did and refused to be frank there would be nothing for it but to see drench and procure her arrest for the moment and now that he was on the very eve of the enterprise vernon regretted that he had not brought the inspector with him so that he might be legally supported by the arm of the law. But it was too late for such regrets, and when he arrived at this point of his meditations, Bahadur lifted the curtain which formed the door of the canvas temple to intimate that the stranger might enter. The interior of the tent was adorned as an Egyptian hall, much in the same way as the Bond Street room,

Starting point is 05:50:00 save that the mummies were absent. Diabella, in the weird dress described by Tauton, sat stiffly in a chair with a small table at her elbow. The cards and the crystal and various charts bearing astrological figures were on the table, together with a boat-shaped lamp. This gave out a fairly strong light, and Vernon could see plainly the expressionless waxen mask which covered the face of the fortune-teller. She looked like a sphinx, solemn, calm, and passionless. Yet below that non-committing mask, Vernon guessed. was the face of the true woman, alive with passion and intrigue. He saw two glittering eyes,

Starting point is 05:50:41 scanning him curiously from the shadow of a black veil, which the cirrus wore draped over her Egyptian headdress, and shivered a trifle at the uncanny look. The sorceress saw the tremor. "'Are you afraid?' she asked in her metallic voice, which was as expressionless as her mask. "'I'm afraid of nothing,' replied Vernon Bow. coldly and coldly, but the night air strikes chill. He thought that he heard a sarcastic laugh, but it was so soft that he well might have been mistaken. However, thinking that the prophetess was sneering at him, he might have ventured on some angry

Starting point is 05:51:20 remark but that he recollected his intention and drew back with a grim smile. The laugh would be on his side when the mask was torn off. You wish to have your fortune told? diabella coldly and stretched out her hand let me read your palm that was just what vernon desired as the grip brought him within snatching distance of the mask there was a stool near at hand upon which diabella motioned that he should be seated so shortly he was sitting so to speak at her feet with his hand in hers shadows filled the corners of the tent and enhanced the grotesque looks of the figures painted on canvas the laughter and chatter of the diminution crowd without had died away into a faint and confused murmur and in the vivid circle of the lamplight sat the two figures diabella holding back her veil bent over vernon's hand in silence you are coming in to good fortune she said thinly yes here is the line which foretells money and position one near to you if not dear is on his death-bed and you benefit by his is deceased am i right she raised her glittering eyes again to peer into his face if you are certain of your craft there is no need for you to ask if you are right said burning composedly

Starting point is 05:52:47 he was well aware of how fortune-tellers gain more knowledge than they impart by such dexterously put questions diabella gave a very modern shrug quite out of keeping with her dress and mane however she made no reply and continued her reading there is marriage here she continued in a low voice but you have a rival will he be successful if he chooses to be that is untrue contradicted burning nettled the lady loves me it is questionable questionable muttered the woman hastily your rival is a formidable one and not easily turned from his purpose look at the break in the line yourself she handed him a magnifying glass that means trouble before you achieve your heart's desire can you tell me what my heart's desire is asked vernon after a glance through the glass a lovely wealthy wife and a happy home quite so but i have a stronger desire to do what ah said vernon sarcastically that is for you to say but my second desire which is for you to say but my second desire which is a second desire which is a little bit of what i said vernon sarcastically that is for you to say but my second desire which is marriage is contingent on my first being realized i see i see said diabella raising her voice which whistled shrilly like the wind through a crack you have to save someone from disgrace before you can marry the girl you love is the someone a woman or a man a woman and closely connected with the girl you wish to marry is there any chance of success none none then i shall not marry the you may marry for the line of venus is strongly marked interrupted diabella sharply the girl loves you and may defy the person with whom she is so closely connected

Starting point is 05:54:51 and my rival also diabella shook her head he is too strong for her he can force her to marry him when he chooses perhaps he may be forced to defend himself said vernon in cautiously diabella looked up quickly what's that never mind if you can read events she must guess what i mean i can only read what is in your hand and all that a man plans and thinks may not be written there still you will be wise to leave your rival alone for he is too strong for you i don't think so knowing what i know what do you know diabella's metallic voice sounded somewhat nervous and she dropped vernon's hand to clasp her own on her lap i know said vernon bending closely towards her i know that my rival will marry neither ida dimsdale nor lucy corsoon diabella shrank back and gripped the arms of her chair the names are not familiar to me she breathed in a low voice think again the first name is familiar surely mocked vernon why should it be colonel touton might be able to answer that diabella rose suddenly tall and straight from her chair and threw out her arms with a repellent gesture i do not know the name of colonel tauton vernon rose slowly and measured his distance carefully you seem to forget a great deal madam he said softly his fingers itching to tear off the expressionless mask i never asked the names of my clients she mumbled how do you know that colonel touton was a client of yours i never told you i guessed that is ah help she shrieked loudly and with good reason vernon's hand had shot out while he kept her attention engaged

Starting point is 05:56:46 and in a moment he had ripped the mask from her face, headdress and all came away in his grip, and Diabella covered her face with her hands. At her shriek the fold of the tent door was torn open, and the burly Indian appeared. Vernon flung aside the mask and veil and headdress and seized Diabella's wrists as the Indian ran forward to aid her. "'I must see who you are,' cried Vernon and pulled her hands away.

Starting point is 05:57:12 "'Monders!' He fell back a step and into the arms of the Hindu. it was indeed monders whom he beheld shrinking back into the shadows with a furious shameful face startled as a trapped animal vernon had no time to see more for the hindoo made a clutch at his throat silent and venomous mindful of how colonel tauton had been assaulted and dimsdale killed the young man turned fiercely to grapple with his assailant as the two men closed in what promised to be a deadly struggle monders recovered his presence of mind sufficiently to dash over the lamp and the tent became pitchy dark in that samarian gloom the combatants swayed and swung and fought with silent earnestness but the hindu was the stronger of the two and vernon felt the lean long fingers grip his throat with vicious strength he faintly heard monders now at the door hurriedly called to the native in an unknown tongue and fearful lest the two villains should escape he tore himself away with a violent effort crying as loudly as he could for assistance The next moment his opponent flung himself forward in picking him up as though he were a child, dashed him with a gigantic force to the ground.

Starting point is 05:58:24 His head struck the turf with a thud, and everything was swallowed up in blank insensibility. End of Chapter 13, read by Don W. Jenkins, Rancho San Diego, California. Chapter 14 of The Spider by Fergus Hume. This Libervox recording is in the public. Domen. Recording by Don W. Jenkins. Chapter 14 Run to Earth In half an hour, more or less,

Starting point is 05:59:02 Vernon came to himself slowly and opened his eyes in a bewildered manner. He was in complete darkness, and for the moment could not remember where he was or what had taken place. Gradually, memory returned to him, and he sat up painfully to recall details. His head throbbed with the violence of the fall, and the short, sharp struggle had set his nerves janguing like ill-tuned bells. Rising to his feet with an effort, he wondered why the Indian had not finished him off, then recollected the rapid words of Monders in an unknown tongue. Probably he had

Starting point is 05:59:41 been speaking Tamil, and had ordered the man not to go to extremities. As in the case of Colonel Tauton, when the creature had been warned by Diabella, or rather by Monders, as in this instance, the native had stopped short of actual murder. In Mondar's desperate enterprise, it was necessary that he should remain on the right side of the law. Striking a match, Vernon ascertained that he was still in the tent, for its blue glimmer showed the figures and hieroglyphics weirdly flickering on canvas walls. Apparently the criminals, for they were nothing else, had fled, leaving him insensible, and Vernon wondered that he had not been discovered. But when he walked outside, he saw on the door a notice stating that the

Starting point is 06:00:30 booth was closed for an hour, and guessed that in this way Maunders had provided time for flight. So warned no one would enter the tent, and evidently both the noise of the struggle and his cry for assistance had passed unheeded. Vernon drew a long breath and stood where he was, the crowd of people merry-making under hundreds of colored lamps quite oblivious to the fact that a tragedy had nearly taken place under their very noses he wondered what was best to be done it was useless to go to those in authority at the georgian hall as no one would credit his wild tale although the flight of diabella and her accomplices might lend color to his narrative moreover vernon decided that more than ever was it necessary to hunt down monders in secrecy, as he wished for a full explanation from him before calling in drench to assist. Likewise, for the sake of Ida of Mrs. Begg and Lady Corsoon, Vernon wished, if possible, to avoid publicity, since any scandal would certainly bring their names into unpleasant notoriety.

Starting point is 06:01:40 For these reasons, the young man left the Georgian hall without telling anyone what had happened, but he chuckled as he went to think how the public would be disappointed to find the tent of the sorceress empty also how amazed those managing the bazaar would be to discover that diabella had vanished with her takings for the day which would be considerable vernon felt quite sure that a man so unscrupulous as monders would not hesitate to seize the till seeing that having been exposed and doubtful if his old schoolfellow would hold his tongue he would want all the money he could get to assist his flight the question was to learn whither he had fled and what track to follow in order to hunt him down it was close upon seven o'clock and outside the georgian hall vernon hesitated as to his next step he wondered whether it would be better to go home and retire to bed since he felt shaken by the struggle or to seek out colonel touton and enlist him as a fellow pursuer in the man-hunt finally he decided to take a taxi to the colonel's chambers and relate what had happened for he knew that unless he discussed the matter he would only worry the whole night over the catastrophe he therefore fortified himself with a stiff brandy and a soda at a near hotel and pulled himself together for a serious conversation and serious enough it would be for constantine monders who could not be permitted to continue in his nefarious career as it happened tauton late in dressing for dinner had not yet left his rooms for the athenian club vernon arrived at a quarter to eight just as the colonel opened the door the two came face to face with mutual joy at greeting my dear bernan i'm glad to see you i am simply dying to

Starting point is 06:03:32 have a talk as i can do nothing but think of the entanglement in which we find ourselves you can't be more pleased than i am at having found you colonel i have had an adventure with diabella the deuce have you learned who she is who he is you mean yes that mask concealed constantine monders tauton sat down on one of the hall chairs and stared do you mean to say that the young scamp has been masquerading as a woman Vernon nodded and sat down wearily for his bones ached. I presume he thought that there would be less danger of discovery if he changed his sex. I expect he wore those long Egyptian robes over his ordinary clothes. When discarding them he would reappear as monders and could easily escape without being noticed in the crowd. He is clever, as Constantine, and yet not clever enough. I don't know what you're talking about, said Tauton gruffly and rising to his feet.

Starting point is 06:04:32 suppose you come with me to the athenian and tell me all about the matter i'm not an evening kit oh the deuce take that said the colonel cheerfully and i'm rather knocked up with my fight fight did mondar's show fight no your hindu did he assaulted me as he did you and left his job unfinished in the same way it's a long story and i want your assistance go and have your dinner colonel and i'll lie down on the same way you and i'll lie down on the same way you and left his job unfinished in the same way it's a long story and i want your assistance go and i'll lie down on the sofa in your sitting-room until you return pooh pooh i can't eat with such news as this exciting me tout and threw off his coat and hung his silk hat on a peg come into the sitting-room and i'll send my man to the nearest restaurant for a meal meanwhile you'd better have a peg for you look as white as a winter's day no thank you colonel i had a brandy and soda just after leaving the georgian hall said vernon as they entered the sitting-room have you been there at the bazaar yes diabella had set up her tent there and was telling fortunes i heard of this at lady corsons the other day and so ventured to beard the lioness in her den and the lioness turned out to be a lion chuckled touton throwing himself into a chair after making the sofa comfortable with cushions for his guest well we'll have the whole story after a makeshift dinner for hang it your disclosure has taken away a very excellent appetite. Bendham! The colonel turned to the retired soldier who acted as his valet and who had just entered the room. Go round to the nearest restaurant and tell them to send in the best small dinner

Starting point is 06:06:14 they have for two. Look sharp now. You can lay the cloth in the smoking room. We'll make shift there. Bentham saluted military fashion and took a speedy departure, while his master turned his head in the direction of Vernon. Tell me all that has happened to you now, he said easily. it will be some time before the dinner makes its appearance and i'm on tenter-hooks the deuce to think that our blackguard friend for he is that i swear should be earning his money as a fortune-teller it's worse than tauton hesitated and my profession of a detective you would say colonel finished vernon languidly i would rather think so i assist the law and bonders breaks it but neither profession is tempting to a gentleman oh hang your profession said touton impatiently you will soon enter into your kingdom when sir edward gives up the ghost and it's just as well that you have some experience in thief-catching seeing what scoundrels we have to deal with monders by jove now we'll be able to find out how he came to know that ida wasn't dimsdale's daughter no wonder he decided to give her up seeing that he was after the money what did he say nothing he cleared out of the tent as soon as i discovered his identity where is he now demanded the colonel sharply i don't know that's what i wish to speak to you about and to make things quite clear as i want your opinion you had better hear the whole story

Starting point is 06:07:45 coutin intimated his desire to be informed of what had taken place and listened attentively while vernon detailed all that had happened since mrs crimer had informed him of diabella's proposed appearance at the bazaar he ended with a description of his recovering from insensibility in the deserted tent and his subsequent decision to consult the colonel before taking any steps and my reason for wishing to move quietly as obvious was the concluding remark of the young man yes yes i quite understand we must keep miss corsoun's name and that of miss dimsdale out of the papers by the way what did this fellow mean by hinting in his confounded fortune-telling at disgrace to someone closely connected with miss corsoon does he mean her mother or her father vernon felt a trifle confused in his interest in the recital he had unconsciously let slip more than he had been prepared to impart both as a detective and as a gentleman he was bound to keep lady corson's secret and as the disclosure of it was not particularly pertinent to the matter in hand, he brushed aside Tauken's question with a scornful laugh. Oh, I dare say that was all patter. Monders knows that I love Lucy, and thought to intimate to me by a threat that he had power

Starting point is 06:09:07 to force the mother to support his preposterous claim to marry the girl. But after this exposure, he will scarcely dare to come forward. The blackguard, cried the honest, Colonel heatedly. He blackens the character of both man and woman in his instance. endeavors to earn his dirty money but i thought he was supposed to be at gerby hall oh he doubtless arranged that so as to provide himself with an alibi why the deuce should he provide himself with an alibi can't you see how monders must be the spider said bernan impatiently to i can't see that myself said vernon dryly monda's is half a greek and is as wily as a bird as ever had salt put on its tail whether he gets it from his greek father or from his english mother i can't say but he certainly has that strong criminal taint which induces him to get money for his whims by illegal methods rather than by honest toil besides we can't say if he killed dimsdale even though as is apparent he is the spider

Starting point is 06:10:25 miss hest declared to me in all innocence and not with any intention of defending him that monders was with her nearly all the evening lennie can't be the spider insisted the colonel for undoubtedly the spider killed poor old dimsdale so we thought so every one thinks and yet well of course it's not impossible that monders ordered this nameless native to get the money and the man may have executed the murder without instructions or else said taughton emphatically monders may have had his mask torn off by dimsdale when he came for the money and murdered the old man to prevent discovery it cuts both ways pardon me no if miss hest is to be believed i don't trust that woman said the colonel abruptly she is scheming to get ida to marry her brother i think she will fail there as the brother is in london what yes i met him both at lady corsoons and at the bazaar he said that his sister did wish to bring about the match but that not being desirous of marrying ida he ran away from the hall leaving the field clear for monders you forget that monders is in town masquerading as davella he may have come up for that purpose well we can ascertain that from mr hess he declares that he left him at gurby hall or that monders was expected or that monda's I forget which, but we'll see him tomorrow and ask. Toughton shook his head wisely.

Starting point is 06:12:00 They won't know of Monders' movements. You never can tell. At all events, it will do no harm to ask him. Now I come to think of it, said Vernon, using Lee, in searching his memory. Hess told me today at the bazaar that he had received a letter from his sister, saying that Monders had arrived on Sunday morning. That was yesterday, so it is impossible to believe that Monders went down and came up in such a hurry. It's my opinion that he never went to Gerby Hall at all.

Starting point is 06:12:30 "'And I say, by Jove,' cried the Colonel greatly excited, "'Hest told a lie if he said that he received the letter saying that Monders had arrived. Even if posted in Baudersstike last evening it could not reach him before to-night, and you say he gave you the information this afternoon.' "'He may have received it at midday.' "'No,' said Toughton excitedly. our posted batterstike is very uncertain as I know to my cost. This evening or tomorrow morning is the very earliest

Starting point is 06:13:01 that Hest could receive a letter posted on Sunday, and as Monders did not arrive until then, Miss Hest could not have written before. I don't believe that he arrived at all, and I can't conceive why Miss Hest should tell a falsehood. I can. She's scheming for this money. However, I shall go with you tomorrow, and we'll have it out.

Starting point is 06:13:23 out with Hest. Where is he to be found? He is staying with Professor Garrett Gale at Islesworth. The deuce. Ida told me that he did not approve of his sister's reciting. Nor does he, but she asked him to give some message, and the professor asked him to stop at Islesworth while he was in town. He did so, as he explained to me, so that he could persuade the professor to induce Miss Hess to give up her career. A very lame explanation. said the colonel grimly gentlemen don't stay at such places for such weak purposes i tell you vernon that i don't believe in those hests i never did although you defended the sister they had a bad name at bouderstike as a wild family oh i thought that francis hest was looked upon as a benefactor he is admitted the colonel reluctantly he's a crazy philanthropist with his parish schoolhouses and bolly reservoir all the sands same. There's a queer taint about them, and they live queer lives.

Starting point is 06:14:28 I can't see that. Francis recites in London in a perfectly open and honest way, and Francis acts in a noble manner as a philanthropist. I dare say, all the same I don't trust either brother or sister. They quarrel like mad, too. Most families do, retorted Vernon dryly as he swung himself off the sofa, and Francis is certainly trying to further her brother's interest by securing him an heiress. That doesn't look as though they quarreled. Hmm, said Toughton disbelievingly. Probably the sister has learned that Ida isn't an heiress and wants to do her brother a bad turn. However, it's no use talking as we get no further.

Starting point is 06:15:10 Let us see Hess tomorrow and then learn, if we can, the whereabouts of Monders. All depends upon the confession of that scamp. But I tell you what, Vernon, if our young friend is this poison, this beast of a spider, he would have left England by tonight's mail. Perhaps, but I could not stop him without consulting drench, and that means the interference of the police which we wish to avoid. It's a damn tangle altogether, muttered Toughton savagely, and, but here comes Bentham to announce dinner.

Starting point is 06:15:44 Come and eat. Tomorrow we can talk further. Vernon was quite willing to drop the subject for the time being, as his head and limbs still ached with the struggle, and he felt more inclined to go to bed than to sit discussing criminal trickery, which required a very clear brain. Even at the makeshift dinner, which after all was dainty and tempting, he was unable to eat much and excused himself to his host as speedily as he could consistently with politeness. After arranging to meet the colonel next day at three o'clock at Waterloo Station, he went home. A warm bath took the pains

Starting point is 06:16:20 partially away and he was so tired that almost as soon as his head rested on the pillow he dropped into a profound sleep not a single dream broke his rest which was prolonged to ten o'clock the next morning while at breakfast which he devoured with an excellent appetite vernon recollected that he had not professor garrick gale's exact address it was at islesworth that he lived but it was necessary to find the street in number of the house This was quickly learned from an era which he sent his servant to buy, and he ascertained that the retired actor dwelt in Sidon's villa, Petterby Road. Vernon rather regretted that he had not made the appointment with Colonel Taughton earlier, since Mr. Hess might have gone out for the day. However, he comforted himself with the reflection that in any case, Hest and Toughton would meet at dinner on Wednesday.

Starting point is 06:17:17 Meanwhile, there was always the chance that the Yorkshire Squire Squire, might be at Islesworth, and in any case, Vernon felt curious to see where Miss Hest lived when in town. Like the colonel, he was beginning to mistrust that young lady. Punctual to the moment, Vernon arrived at Waterloo Station but found Tauton before him. They greeted one another cordially, and Tauton congratulated his friend on his improved looks, and certainly a night's rest had done wonders for the young man. He felt, as the saying goes, fit as a fiddle, and quite looked forward to the visit. "'And I sincerely trust that Mr. Hest is at home,' he said anxiously.

Starting point is 06:17:59 "'We can wait for him if he is not,' said the Colonel, shouldering his umbrella in soldier fashion. "'I don't leave until I have seen him, that's all. In one way or another I intend to have these infernal mysteries cleared up. "'Upon my soul, sir,' said the Colonel Bluffly, "'I feel as though I were bathing in dirty water.' "'You are not. used to the seamy side of life as i am replied vernon as they passed the barrier and stepped into the train no by jove sir i'm not and once i'm married to ida i shall take care to leave all this sort of thing alone not the thing for a gentleman by any means you chuck it also vernon

Starting point is 06:18:40 i intend to when my uncle dies once let sir arthur vernon come into existence with a good income and nemo vanishes for ever the colonel The Colonel nodded his approbation, and the two chatted about their errand on the way to Islesworth. But all they could do in the absence of positive fact was to theorize, which was unsatisfactory. But they hoped when they laid hands on Monders, no very easy matter since the scamp had taken the alarm, to have everything cleared up. Vernon still held that his former friend was the spider, but Colonel Toughton disagreed. No, no, no, he said decisively. "'Monders may be bad, but he isn't a murderer.'

Starting point is 06:19:22 "'He's anything that suits his purpose, so long as he isn't found out,' was Vernon's retort. "'He's clever.' "'And cunning, but he isn't bold, and would be sure not to bring himself within reach of the hands of justice by bloodshed.' "'He has brought himself quite close enough in other ways,' replied Vernon. "'In this way they talked, and in due time arrived at the charming suburb of Islesworth, which looked quite countrified.

Starting point is 06:19:49 the two descended the steps and passed along a narrow path which led out of the station into the road an inquiry from a passing butcher boy on a bicycle soon advised them of the whereabouts of petterby road and shortly they found themselves facing a double-fronted house with a small and neglected garden between it and the quiet side road the sluggard's domain said touton with disgust for like most military men he was excessively tidy might be made pretty if attended to by jove i don't think retired actors go in much for gardening said vernon with a smile as he reached for the knocker a stout woman with the remains of heavy good looks opened the door with the air of a tragedy queen although her dress was scarcely regal vernon asked if he could see mr hest and received in reply the negative as it seemed that mr hest was absent but i anticipate that he will return at a comparatively early hour said the lady grand eloquently can we see professor gale asked vernon determined to enter the house and wait for hours if necessary professor garrick gale said the lady giving him the entire name with the air of a sidon's is resting prior to going later to the curtain theatre but if your errand is pressing yes it is please give the professor my card i am mrs garret gale formerly miss hetty montgomery said the lady in her haughty tones and i do not convey messages maria she beckoned to a small servant whose not very clean face peaked under her substantial arm convey this intimation to your master gentlemen she flung the door open grandly enter and propose yourselves in the drawing-room

Starting point is 06:21:41 vernon smiled at the tinsel majesty of the actress but the colonel without moving a muscle of his good-looking face marched in stiffly shortly they found themselves in a tawdry room of no great size crammed with theatrical photographs and furnished in a poor pretentious manner which revealed poverty while it aped the genteel mrs garrett gale formerly miss hetty montgomery conducted them in with the air of one accustomed to the centre of the stage and then departed stating that her husband would shortly do himself the honour of waiting on him what airs murmured touton recalling his shakespeare indistinctly an intolerable quantity of sack to a pennyworth of bread these actors and actresses are always in the glare of the footlights said vernon sitting down cautiously on a shaky chair by the way colonel if i do a little business with the professor don't look more surprised than you can help business what business i intend to ask if miss francis hest is open to an engagement it is necessary since both you and i are beginning to mistrust that young lady to be diplomatic that means you mistrust this actor also on wish to throw him off the scent vernon nodded exactly and hush he stopped and composed his features as the door opened and professor gale stalked into the room like the ghost of hamlets father. Anyone could see at a glance that the man was an actor. He was tall and lean and solemn, yet with a twinkle in his deep sunken eyes, which showed that he could play comedy as well as tragedy.

Starting point is 06:23:24 His bluish jowl from frequent close shaving, his long hair, his measured gestures, and his lordly gait all revealed one who was used to the world behind the curtain. His voice was deep and sonorous, and his enunciation almost too perfect, nor did he clip his words colloquially but gave them their full length and full meaning finally he had a certain dignity habitual to one who played many a kingly part in his time and who in ordinary life found it difficult not to relapse into blank verse colonel touton arthur vernon he read from the pencilled card these are your names i take it and your business gentlemen well we are killing two birds with one stone said vernon easily as the actor sat down in a regal manner as though the arm-chair were a throne my friend here wishes to see mr he is absent for the moment sir but we'll return an on will you wait or will you leave a message i prefer to wait said totten stiffly as he did not like the atmosphere or the company when do you expect mr hess back well sir he may return in twenty minutes or in sixty which is to say on the hour as my guest he has full freedom to go and return when he desires i am content that you should remain and if any refreshment

Starting point is 06:24:56 thank you no interrupted the colonel hastily but politely it is well and you sir the professor turned to vernon nothing for me thank you i have called both to see mr hest and yourself sir as i wish to engage miss hess to recite at the at home of a friend of mine lady brankworth perhaps you know her well i know her well i have superintended amateur plays in her drawing-room on more than one occasion ah so she desires the services of my talented pupil and on what date thursday week i think but i'm not sure i shall have to see her again and then can let you know miss hest is away i fancy in her ancestral home in yorkshire said the actor rolling his words out grandly but she returned shortly and will be delighted to accept of the engagement provided the fees those will be all right professor lady brankworth pays liberally and so she ought to secure the services of miss hest i assure you sir that i have rarely come across a lady who recites so nobly if she would only pay attention to her art instead of indulging in social frivolity with that unfortunate young lady who lost her father at hamstead she would become one of our greatest actresses i fashion her brother does not wish her to go on the stage said vernon professor garret gale waved his hand and then thrust it into his coat in napoleonic fashion

Starting point is 06:26:37 he is prejudiced prejudiced i would he were on the stage himself if only because he resembles his sister my talented pupil so closely as viola and sebastian in twelfth night they would take the town by storm always provided said the old actor with another wave that mr hest has the same talent in measure as his sister has a fact i am by no means sure of they are very like one another broke in touton coldly for that reason i wish both were on the stage to play in twin parts replied the professor in his most stately manner they are as like as two eggs as you observe sir but mr hess thinks little of our glorious profession and is staying here in the vain hope of inducing me to persuade his sister my talented pupil to surrender the laurel wreath of the stage needless to say i declined to commit so great a crime how long the professor would have gone on descanting on the histrionic capabilities of francis hest it is hard to say but his eloquence was cut short by the entrance of mrs gale who swept an apologetic courtesy to the gentleman for her sudden appearance she then whispered to her husband and vernon caught a word or two about a bill a man at the back door must have his money etc gale looked perturbed and rose quickly a small domestic concern gentlemen he said stalking to the door followed by his wife excuse me while i had just matters i shall return soon and he made his exit with mrs gale in a most approved stage fashion when they were alone the colonel asked the question can you get this engagement for miss

Starting point is 06:28:33 oh yes lady brankworth is a great friend of mine and is always giving parties there will be no difficulty in my making good my word the old man seems to be all right and his wife also whatever devilry the hests may be up to that worthy couple know nothing about it scarcely were the words out of his mouth when the door opened quickly and a man entered the room in great haste vernon sprang to his feet monders once more he cried the very man i wish to see and monders it was looking like a trapped tiger furious and despairing end of chapter fourteen read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter fifteen of the spider by fergus hume this libervox recording is in the public domain recording by don w jenkins chapter fifteen face to face monda's recognized his peril in a moment and immediately turned to retreat but vernon was to too quick for him and leaped between him and the door. When it was closed and Vernon had his back against it, Monders glanced desperately at the one window of the room. Here, Colonel Tauton, now on his feet, barred his way, so there was nothing for it but to surrender to a strength he could not fight against. With extraordinary self-control, the scamp pulled himself together and demanded

Starting point is 06:30:12 in his surly tone what his captors meant by behaving towards him in this way. Sit down. said vernon without deigning to reply directly you have to explain matters before you leave this room i have nothing to explain muttered monders doggedly but nevertheless judged it wise to obey you had better take care what you are about i'll take care of myself and of you also replied vernon composedly i ask you colonel touton if this is the way for one gentleman to treat another demanded the trapped rogue two gentlemen corrected the colonel coldly who are dealing with a confounded scoundrel. I'll make you pay for those words, threatened Monders, biting his lips. I don't recognize your right to demand satisfaction as I only deal with gentlemen. Mr. Vernon and myself have run you to earth, and— How did you find out that I was here? interrupted Monders, curiously.

Starting point is 06:31:10 We did not expect to find you here, said Vernon, still with his back to the door and keeping a watchful eye on his former friend. we came down on other business connected with mr hest with hest monda's appeared perturbed what do you know about him asked thouton sharply and noticing the change of expression i know nothing save that he is stopping here and how do you come to be in this house that's my business retorted monders doggedly your business is our business interposed vernon quietly i failed to see that you fail to see a good many things but don't be afraid. I shall make everything clear to you in good time. Are you here as my old school friend? said Monders, whining sentimentally, or as Nemo the detective. You will soon learn, but of one thing you may be certain that I am no friend of yours. Can you wonder at it, seeing what I discovered yesterday? I can explain everything.

Starting point is 06:32:12 Good. Colonel Toutin and I await your explanation. Monders again cast a look at the door, and window and again saw that there was no hope of escape. What do you wish to know, was his sullen request? In the first place, how you come to be here? That's easy. I started on Saturday to go down to Yorkshire as I told you how I intended to go, but news came back that my aunt was ill and wished to see me at once. I turned back at the station and went to Hampstead. Then I met Hest at the Bazaar yesterday.

Starting point is 06:32:45 Does he know that you are Diabella? interrupted vernon quickly no he doesn't i met him before i went into the tent to do business he asked me why i had not gone down to yorkshire and when i explained he asked me down here i came last night and remained the night it's all fair square and above board with me that's a lie said vernon impulsively and hess told me another one at the bazaar he could not have seen you between the time i departed from him and came to you when you were masquerading as deabella yet he told me that he had received a letter from his sister saying you were in yorkshire and you didn't come down here i take it to talk shakespeare and musical glasses there is something between you and this man hest and between you and professor gale no doubt monders rose suddenly and spoke with great earnestness i assure you that gale mose nothing more than that hest asked me to stay as his guest he will be here soon and i beg you to say nothing to him of what you have discovered i shall explain everything to your satisfaction before you leave this house on that condition said vernon making a sign that tauton should be silent we will say nothing to the professor i believe i hear footsteps so no doubt he is coming vernon moved away from the door if you try to escape monders i'll break your leg with a bullet and he pulled out a neat revolver which he concealed in his hip pocket rather melodramatic sneered monders with a shrug however you need not be afraid i'll sit here quietly enough you have more cause to be afraid than i have hush here is the professor coming and as he spoke the door opened to admit the old actor mr monders has just come in to keep us company while we wait for mr hest said vernon in an easy tone

Starting point is 06:34:33 yes said monders who by this time had recovered his composure we are old friends and have much to talk about so don't let us keep you from your afternoon sleep professor if you will not think me lacking in courtesy said gale in his stately manner i shall certainly retire the brain he tapped his forehead needs rest and i have invariably found that sleep as shakespeare says knits up the ravelled sleeve of care will you have any refreshment gentlemen no thank you replied vernon politely but it is growing dark so perhaps you will order lights yonder lamp is ready for use said the professor pointing to the corner near the fireplace and certainly it is growing unusually dark although it is scarcely five o'clock a fog is descending on the verdant earth he went to the window and looked out yes a dense fog have you noted mr monders how rapidly these are autumnal fogs descend on london yes but i should have thought that you were too far away to have them here replied monders in an easy conversational tone which did great credit to his powers of self-control no sir no the fulgianus haze does not spare even our rural suburb if i may so term it he swept aside the curtain with a tragic gesture mark how the cloudy mists darkened with smoke swallow up house after house and robert and roared road after road mark how a brown pall is drawn over the fair green looks of the earth and how the one would have to be in a balloon to see all that said monders rudely i hope you won't mind professor but i have private business to discuss with my friends here if mr hest comes in please tell him i shall see him in his bedroom as soon as my friends go do nothing of the sort professor snapped the colonel i have come here to see mr hest and he must meet me in this room but the speech of the sort professor snapped the colonel i have come here to see mr hest and he must meet me in this room but the speech of

Starting point is 06:36:32 Monders had offended the touchy old actor. "'I have nothing to do with these things,' he said, stocking towards the door, "'and in the good old English fashion my guests are at liberty to act as they please. Mr. Hest need be told nothing, and when he returns he will certainly enter this room, as is his custom.'

Starting point is 06:36:52 "'But,' began Monders only to be cut short by the indignant professor, "'you are not my guest, sir, but the guest of Mr. Hest,' he said in his deepest tones. and you have told me to leave my own room these manners are suited to the hyperboreans of the far north i wish to explain explain nothing sir cried gale in the ponderous manner of dr samuel johnson you may have a front like mars to threaten and command but i am no menial to be so hectored he swept an imaginary mantle over his left shoulder and mouth-blank verse we must not stint our necessary actions in the fear to cope malicious censurers therefore ended mr gale returning to prose i shall retire to my couch and so good day to one and all when he had made his exit for it could scarcely be said that he took his departure in a conventional manner monders gave vent to a weak tittering laugh doubtless to cloak the real nervousness he felt the old fool he observed with a little fool he observed with a very tethering laugh

Starting point is 06:37:57 the old fool he observed with his characteristic shrug let us hope you will not prove to be a young man by withholding from us the truth of this shady business you have been engaged in said colonel touton in a caustic manner for his sympathies were with the retired actor thank you i don't wish to receive any compliments sneered monders and for heaven's sake let us get this business over at once i have more to do than to explain my private affairs to interlopers vernon laughed as he saw that under his air of bravado monders was intensely anxious about his position that cock won't fight he said coolly you must be aware that you are in a very dangerous position i'm aware of nothing of the sort i can justify myself do so as regards your masquerading is it a crime to earn an honest livelihood honest said tauton with scorn but let that pass fortune-telling is as honest as your detective business said monda insolently to vernon i am diabella why should i deny it you can't or you would but to dress up as a woman i didn't denied monders with a scowl i simply wore those egyptian robes over my ordinary clothes and the waxen face to conceal my face also all that rotten paraphernalia seems to be necessary to the business i dare say to deceive people said vernon dryly Why did you act in this way, may I ask? Because I couldn't get my mother to allow me sufficient money to live on.

Starting point is 06:39:33 I thought that Mrs. Begg was your aunt, put in the colonel quickly. So she is, but I am likewise her adopted son. She kept me short, and I had to earn my money somehow. For three years I had masqueraded as Diabella. I don't mind if you do tell, as no one can say a word against me. I can, said Toughton grimly. You employed your servant to strangle me. Maunders shook his head violently.

Starting point is 06:39:58 I did nothing of this sort. Hokar. Is that the native's name? Interposed Vernon suddenly. Yes, I had two native servants, Hokar and Bahadar, and they are both devoted to me. When you, Colonel, tried to pull off my mask. Naturally, Hokar intervened to prevent your doing so.

Starting point is 06:40:16 In the same way, Vernon, he punished you for using violence towards me, and I prevented the faithful fellow from strangling you both, so you have your lives to thank me for. why didn't you prevent him from strangling dimsdale asked touton i swear that hokar had nothing to do with that murder nor had i of course you would say that for your own safety said vernon contemptuously but how was it that you became possessed of dimsdale's secret monders hesitated i'm not bound to answer that he said defiantly if you don't answer me you will answer drench threatened vernon firmly drench you would not dare bring him into this manner why not dimsdale was blackmailed on account of a certain secret and because he would not pay perished by violence you know this secret so the inference is that you that i ordered him to be strangled finished monders calmly how can that be when hokar was never near dimsdale's bungalow in his life and certainly as i was with miss hest nearly all the evening i could not have committed the murder myself that remains to be proved rejoined vernon suppressing what miss hest had told him of the young man's movements on the fatal night and even presuming you are innocent of the actual crime and that hokar was not near the house the spider who came to blackmail

Starting point is 06:41:41 must have learned from you the secret which he threatened to disclose monders was silent for a moment you can't prove that i knew about this secret he said doggedly colonel touton can swear that he heard it from diabella and i can prove that you are the fortune-teller these facts only admit of one interpretation maunders either you are an accomplice of the spider or you are the spider himself it's a lie it's an infernal lie cried maunders greatly agitated it's the truth and you know it your face reveals the truth how can you tell when we are nearly in darkness with this fog asked maunders between his teeth i can see well enough and the darkness is easily remedied colonel will you please light the lamp while i keep an eye on our friend here monders cursed his former schoolfellow ardently while tauton quietly lighted the tall lamp which stood in the corner the light soon glowed through a rosy shade adorned in a tawdry manner with artificial flowers and vernon stepped up to monders the scamp met his scrutiny unflinchingly and displayed a courage worthy of a better cause he was pale with apprehension for he well knew, in spite of his bravado, that he was in a tight place, but the crimson hue of the light filtering through the shade through a delicate glow on his finely cut face.

Starting point is 06:43:03 Facing the two gentlemen, who knew him past all denial to be a scoundrel, he looked as handsome a lad as ever stepped in shoe-leather. It seemed a terrible pity that so fair and outside should mask such internal evil. Something of this sort occurred to Vernon as he stepped back with a sigh. i wish you were as decent a fellow as you look he said in her regretful voice and heaven's name monders why can't you be an honest man you have a handsome face a fine figure you have had the best education england can offer and you hold a good position in the social world finally your aunt miss bedge who adopted you as her son loves you dearly and if you have not sufficient self-respect to keep straight for your own sake you might behave like an honest gentleman for hers monders might have been moved by this discourse or he might not at all events he showed little signs of feeling on his classic face it's all very well you're talking he said sullenly in looking down a trifle ashamed if indeed he could be said to display any emotion but i have been brought up to live like a prince i have the tastes of a duke and the income of a pauper so i must gratify my fancies somehow i am no more proud of having had to take to fortune telling for my bread

Starting point is 06:44:20 and butter than you are in setting up as a private detective neither business is respectable but the law can say nothing to you or me nothing to me certainly vernon assured him coldly since i am and always have been on the sight of justice your fortune-telling may be innocent enough in the main since you prefer ringing money from silly people instead of taking up a good business but it's your connection with the spider that is dangerous to you i am not the spider and i have no connection with the beast in that case how comes it that the spider offers to place lady corsoon in possession of her niece's fortune on condition that she permits you to marry miss the colonel uttered an ejaculation of mingled wrath and horror and monders grew a shade paler is that true touton demanded with a look of loathing at monders and then an inquiring glance at vernon perfectly true true was the response. I did not intend to say anything to you, Colonel, since the affair is a private one of Lady Corsoons, but it seems necessary to be frank even at the risk of exposing a lady's secrets, as much as I hate to do so. Lady Corsoon received an offer from the spider to return certain jewels which she pawned to pay her bridge losses, and which he obtained possession of by means of forged pawn tickets on condition that she should pay one thousand pounds.

Starting point is 06:45:45 afterwards another letter was received saying that he would take ten thousand pounds a single year's income of miss dimsdale's and would place lady corsoon in possession of the fortune she was to pay the money and consent to the marriage of our friend here with miss how do you explain this interest which the spider takes in you monders if you don't know him the culprit moistened his dry lips and replied with insolent boldness i wrote the letter to lady coursesoon myself that is the second letter i know nothing about the first then you are the spider cried touton fiercely no don't run your head against the wall retorted monders coolly and fighting for every inch of the disputed ground lady corsoon told me about the first letter and the threat i advised her to consult vernon in his character of nemo and did him a good turn and yourself abett her said vernon scornfully you hoped that lady corsoon on learning my employment would forbid me to think of her daughter yes i did however i sent her to you to do business then i thought as she was committed so far with the spider that there would be no harm in my trying to get her on my side so that i might marry lucy i knew that ida was not entitled to the fortune as there is no will and she was not old dimsdale's daughter i also knew that lady corsoon was kept short by her husband and would like to have her own money if only to pay the spider and recover the jewels so as to hide her fault from sir julius for this reason i wrote the letter asking that lady corsoon should aid me to marry her daughter and you ask for ten thousand pounds also said touton wrathfully only one year's income of the dimsdale investments retorted maunders with great coolness a man must have some money for his honeymoon and when lady corsoon died you guessed that your wife which she never will be you can rest assured would inherit the whole dimsdale fortune quite so i thought of everything i suppose lady corson showed you the second letter as well as the first in your character of nemo you are correct replied vernon with great composure and i noted that the second letter like the first was signed with the ideograph of the spider

Starting point is 06:48:04 naturally it would be said monders with a shrug i easily had an india-rubber stamp made the thing if done had to be well done you are a bloggered said colonel touton much disgust and may i ask requested vernon with irony how many other people you have blackmailed by using this stamp none nor did i blackmail lady corsoon i simply made a suggestion on the threat of telling her husband about her gambling in the sale of the family jewels the spider used that argument first said monder sullenly i simply endorsed it i heartily believe that you are the scoundrel himself snapped touton i swear i am not not why even my mother was blackmailed my adopted mother that is on the plea that she is my real mother would i have done such a thing as that you would do anything to gain your own ends said vernon coldly always provided your villainy is not discovered monders grew furiously scarlet at least i would have spared my aunt mrs bedge would give me her last sixpence in my character as her adopted son there was no need for me to attempt blackmail perhaps there was not but all this does not explain how you came to communicate the secret of dimsdale to the spider i didn't communicate it and how he managed to learn it i can't say how did you become possessed of it asked taunton very directly i shan't tell you and i'm not going to be ragged any longer if i'd guessed for one moment that you were in this house i would not have put in an appearance i can well believe that said burning coldly it's not that i'm afraid monders hastily assured him as diabella i have done nothing to which the law can take exception the assaults on you and the colonel were brought about by your own damned meddling and by the fidelity of hokar but i have given up playing diabella because you feared lest we should have you arrested said tout and shrewdly

Starting point is 06:50:06 no had i been afraid i should never have appeared at the bazaar oh yes you would you pretended to leave london so as to provide an alibi in case of danger said vernon quietly and you did not think that colonel tauton would be at the bazaar seeing me didn't matter as you did not know that tauton and myself were working together and when i think of the infernal rubbish you told me it was your own fault said monder sulkily and i've had enough of this so i'm off he moved towards the door but tauton sprang forward and cut his arm if you leave this room you will be handed over to the police he declared he will be handed over in any case said vernon decisively monders turned ghastly pale and his knees shook he was beginning to lose the courage which carried him so far successfully vernon you would not disgrace your old friend he pleaded piteously you are no friend of mine was the stern reply and your sole chance of escape from arrest is to reveal how you learn this secret of dimsdales if i tell it will you let me leave this house free no i shan't i intend to keep an eye on you until this mystery of the spider is cleared up you are his jackal i am not i know nothing i refuse to speak colonel go out and fetch a policeman no no no no almost shrieked the wretched man and flung himself on his knees arthur don't don't i swear i'm innocent i know nothing of dimsdale's murder stand up you cur and speak out said vernon more enraged by his exhibition of weakness than he had been by the man's insolence how did you learn this secret of dimsdale's is it true or a lie it is true it is true i swear it is true oh don't call in the police maunders still gruelled and clung to the knees of vernon with such force that the young man could not get away outside the fire

Starting point is 06:52:00 fog had rolled right up to the single window of the apartment, and the livid look of the atmosphere suited the situation much better than did the calm rosy light of the lamp. Near the door knelt Monders, weeping piteously and begging that the police might not be called in. Vernon stood silent, but Toughton gave vent to an oath at the unmanly demeanor of the detected scoundrel. "'Who told you the secret?' he demanded fiercely. "'I insist upon knowing enough. You don't tell.

Starting point is 06:52:29 I'll call the police. a cur such as you are should be under lock and key come monders said vernon sternly who told you miss jewin she knew dimsdale in india and burma snuffled the kneeling man desperately afraid who is miss juin hest's housekeeper at gerby what both men uttered the ejaculation simultaneously and looked at one another then ensued a silence while the fog closed thicker and darker and darker and only the weeping of monders could be heard. Suddenly from the hall came the sound of the door opening, and then a firm footstep. Monders gave a wild cry and clung vehemently to Vernon's legs. "'It's Hest! It's Hest. He'll kill me foretelling.' "'Then Hest is the—' "'Yes, yes, he's the spider, and—'

Starting point is 06:53:18 The door was flung open as the footsteps paused, and Francis Hest, wrapped in a heavy overcoat, stood in the threshold, smiling. Monders beat the ground with his hand and crawled to the newcomer's feet. I couldn't help it! I couldn't help it. I had to tell you her!' The spider, cried Vernon, whipping out his revolver. I arrest you. He got no further. At the words of Monders, the villain's face had changed with the rapidity of lightning, from smiles to desperate anger. He cast a furious look on his accomplice, then suddenly lowered his head so as to get under the line of fire. The next moment, Vernon felt Hest charge him

Starting point is 06:53:54 head downward in the stomach. The revolver shot harmlessly to the roof, while the young man, taken by surprise, was dashed against the colonel. Both men fell in a confused heap. "'Follow! Follow, you devil!' cried Hess, kicking Monders, still on his knees, and then he rushed out of the door. Monders leaped up to race for his liberty and closed the door behind him. When the colonel and Vernon got on their feet again, they rushed to the hall to find it empty. The front door had crashed, too, with a noise-like thunder, and they heard it being locked on the outside to the accompaniment of a triumphal laugh. We've lost them, cried Vernon, tugging vainly at the door. They'll get away easily in the fog.

Starting point is 06:54:36 End of Chapter 15, read by Don W. Jenkins, Rancho San Diego, California. Chapter 16 of The Spider by Fergus Hume. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. chapter sixteen the search while vernon desperately tried to wrench open the front door touton with the quick foresight of an old soldier ran back into the drawing-room and lifted the window-sash in less than two minutes he was outside and hastened to release his companion luckily in his hurry hest had been unable to extract the key from the lock so a swift turn of the wrist soon removed the barrier vernon and the colonel set off hot-footed in pursuit of the fugitives and as they plunged into the fog caught a glimpse of gale and his wife hurrying into the hall with scared faces doubtless attracted by the ominous sound of the pistol-shot but there was no time to explain as every moment was of value and the two men put their hearts into the chase the sudden autumnal fog which had so unexpectedly descended had turned the atmosphere to thick wool so that it was difficult to breathe let alone to see on all sides the gloomy mists shut in the prospect and after racing vaguely for some minutes down the silent road the pursuers halted by mutual consent to listen for possible flying footsteads. steps not a sound struck on their ears it might have been the middle of the night so dense was the darkness and so silent the whole neighborhood they could not tell in which direction the two scoundrels had fled and on the face of it pursuit was absolutely useless

Starting point is 06:56:32 we might make for the railway station suggested the colonel they may have gone there vernon shook his head i doubt it monders is too cunning and hess too desperate to think of taking the train to Waterloo, but in any case, I'll send a wire to the station-master asking him to detain them. Monders can be recognized from having no hat. "'There are many men who wear no hat nowadays,' said Toughton dismally. "'It is not a distinguishing mark worth much. But how the dickens are we to find a telegraph office in this fog?' Vernon looked around and noted a weak flare of light eliminating the darkness. followed by his companion he walked towards it and found that it came from the windows of a grocer's shop at the corner of the road entering quickly he asked for the nearest telegraph office and learned to his great satisfaction that it was at the chemist's two or three doors down

Starting point is 06:57:27 the worthy grocer looked somewhat alarmed at the entrance of two gentlemen without hats for in their haste vernon and his friend had forgotten to take them but they gave the tradesmen no time to ask questions and by closely skirting the shops round the corner managed to find that of the chemist here vernon sent a wire to the station-master at waterloo instructing him to detain two men one dark and one fair without a hat who might possibly arrive by an early train he added a meagre description of their dress so that the telegram proved to be somewhat lengthy but i fear it is useless said vernon as they left the shop and had handed the wire to the startled chemist they won't take the train i'm certain and even if they do my description is not clear enough unless the waterloo station-master happens to be singularly intelligent we can but hope for the best and we have done all we can said touton in a decided tone what's to be done now we must return to sidon's villa both to get our hats and see gale how are we to retrace our steps in this fog petterby road is just around the corner and by keeping to the railings of the gardens we are bound to find the house it was as vernon said they had raced in a straight line down to the grocer's shop at the corner and had not left petterby road until they went to the telegraph office on recovering the bearings of the first shop they carefully felt their way up the road reading on every gate the designation of each house in this way after some ten or twelve minutes had elapsed they managed to manage to the first shop they managed to the road reading on every gate the designation of each house in this way after some ten or twelve minutes had elapsed they managed to managed to strike sidon's villa and again found themselves at the front door it was closed and also was the window i hope gale has not run away also said vernon ringing the bell do you suspect he has anything to do with the business

Starting point is 06:59:20 who knows on the face of it he looks innocent and monders certainly swore that the old man was ignorant but monders is a liar and here the door was cautiously opened and the white face of professor gale became visible who is there he asked in a trembling voice mr vernon and colonel touton said the latter gentleman we have returned to get our hats and to explain you won't fire any more pistols my wife is almost fainting and i don't like this sort of business what does it open the door open the door cried the colonel testily you shall have a full explanation mr gale seemed reluctant as he apparently took them for robbers and dangerous rogues so vernon losing patient forced the doorback and the old actor along with it. They faced the professor in the hall and saw that he was holding an old-fashioned blunderbuss, probably a stage property used in the Miller and his men and other out-of-date plays. In the distance and sheltering herself behind her husband was Mrs. Gale, grasping a poker in her trembling hand. The pair seemed to be thoroughly frightened, and considering the circumstances it was small wonder that they were.

Starting point is 07:00:31 i have sent maria for a policeman quavered mrs gale and both my husband and myself are armed i hope maria doesn't lose herself in the fog said vernon good-humouredly and in spite of his vexation at the escape of the spider and his jackal in heaven's name what does it mean demanded the professor somewhat recovering his dignity come into the drawing-room and we will explain said tauton with some impatience for he had small leniency for cowardice there's nothing to be afraid of mr vernon and i are honest men you have got rid of the villains the villains shrieked mrs gale trembling violently and dropping the poker monders and hest said vernon carelessly come in he proceeded his friend and the gales into the drawing-room quite certain from the way in which they had behaved that they knew nothing of the wicked doings of hest and monders when the door was closed and every one was seated vernon proceeded to examine the actor and actress. The situation, as Professor Gale said afterwards, was highly dramatic. "'You must answer my questions, frankly,' said Vernon, addressing the couple. If you do not, the police may interfere. "'The police!' shrieked Mrs. Gale, turning as wide as chalk. The professor silenced her with a gesture and spoke to Vernon with great dignity. "'Young man,' he said,

Starting point is 07:01:56 striving to keep his voice from trembling, "'I pay my rates and taxes.' my bills to my tradesmen and my rent for our home under these circumstances i cannot see why you should talk of the police i speak of them in connection with what has taken place and you may well do so young man to fire a pistol in a private house that was an accident vernon hastened to explain my revolver went off when mr hest assaulted me why should mr hess to salt you demanded mrs gale much astonished that's a long story tell me vernon turned towards the professor while taughton held his piece and nursed his hat what do you know of monders know of him said the amazed gale looking thoroughly puzzled i know no more than that he is a friend of mr hess's who called last night and who was requested by mr hest and not by me to stay the night i have never set eyes on him before did miss hest ever mention him yes she did broke in mrs gale who was listening intently she told me that he was a friend of hers in love with miss dimsdale and mentioned that he was the only man she had ever seen handsome enough to play romeo as romeo should be played professor gale nodded his head graciously i agree with miss hest there he said gravely mr monda's is indeed handsome but she never told us anything about him mr bernan save what my wife has related and mr hest what do you know of him nothing more than that he is the brother of my talented pupil he came with the message from his sister who was at her ancestral halls in yorkshire to the effect that she would return in a month

Starting point is 07:03:45 or perchance earlier to fulfil certain engagements which i have procured her i invited him to stay here during his stay in town why did you asked the colonel speaking for the first time gale looked embarrassed but mrs gale spoke for him mr haste we know is very rich she said frankly and both my husband and myself wished to have a theatre of our own we thought that if we showed him some hospitality he might finance us i must say she added looking puzzled that i wondered that such a rich man was content to accept our humble lodgings instead of going to a swell hotel but he seems to be easily pleased it was not that hitty said the professor quickly mr hest simply demand her so that he could persuade me to induce my talented pupil to give up reciting as he dreaded thus she should go on the stage and she ought to be an actress in my humble opinion for her capabilities are of a very high order as lady macbeth or in any of sardous characters such as la tasca fedora and the rest she would produce a sensation the speech of both man and wife seemed frank enough and they appeared to be a couple of of simple people devoted to their profession and quite ignorant of evil burdon glanced at touton and saw from the expression of the colonel's face that he thoroughly believed them still so as to be quite sure of his ground he asked another question miss hest as a reciter or as an actress may be all that can be desired but do you and mrs gale like her personally do you think she is what we call well er straight yes cried the woman forcibly miss hest is one and a thousand she is a kind-hearted lady who sympathizes with those who struggle hetty is quite right said the professor with dignity many a time has miss hest assisted us when tradespeople have worried

Starting point is 07:05:50 i am sure that she would have persuaded her brother to enable us to enter into management in the long run as she has every confidence in my capabilities and in mine said mrs gale jealously she said that my amelia in othello was the best performance she had ever seen but now gentlemen the actress rose to give effect to her words may i inquire why you ask these questions and why you come here to fire pistols in a peaceful home at the beginning it had been in vernon's mind to tell the whole story right out and to tax the couple with complicity but they really seemed to be entirely ignorant of hest's true character and that they really seemed to be entirely ignorant of hest's true character and evidently had only lately met Monders. He therefore did not think it wise to reveal what he and the Colonel knew, lest the Gales should gossip about the matter, and until he had consulted drenched, the young man did not desire that this last unusual affair should become public.

Starting point is 07:06:46 He therefore shot a warning glance at the Colonel and answered cautiously. It is only a private matter, Mrs. Gale, which is not worth explaining. The pistol shot was an accident. But you said that Mr. Monders and Mr. Hounders and Mr. "'Hest were villains,' she persisted. "'Ah, I spoke somewhat harshly, being a trifle excited. "'They have treated me and my friend here very badly, "'when we came for redress.

Starting point is 07:07:10 "'How their consciences smote them you can judge from the fact of their flight. "'You will possibly never see them again, "'but if they do chance to return, "'you must wire to me at once to the Athenian club, Paul Moll. "'I don't like these hints and suggestions of evils, sir,' said gale restlessly and certainly i should never think of telegraphing to you unless mr monders and mr hest give me the leave and why sir should they not return don't seek to know any more mr gale but do as your toad said vernon in a peremptory tome and also it will be wise if you and your wife hold your tongues over what has happened and stop the servant from talking suppose we don't demanded mrs gale aggressively in that case you will get into trouble how dare you how dare see here colonel touton rose angrily we have reason to believe that these men are connected with the spider mrs gale shrieked and the professor turned pale both knew that terrible name which was so freely mentioned in the papers

Starting point is 07:08:15 do you mean to say we say nothing said vernon sharply and my friend here has perhaps said too much but it is as well that you should know the necessity of keeping silent tongues in your head we know nothing of these matters cannot be expected to i am quite aware that you are innocent of complicity interrupted touton but you both must promise to be silent until you have leave to speak and if not already i have told you that the police will interfere observed vernon coldly this business is concerned with the spider so for your own sakes hold your confounded tongues the gales however were not so easily commanded they wished to know how hest and monders were connected with the spider and if they were in any way accused of being as they termed it in the know but the arguments and commands of touton together with those of vernon gradually induced the worthy couple to listen to reason in fact at the end of half an hour both were thoroughly terrified into thinking that their reputation might be ruined were it known that men connected with the spider had been under their roof either gale nor his wife were averse to being mentioned in the papers or to securing an advertisement so as to add to their theatrical fame, but the publicity likely to be procured from the late episode was not the sort they desired. They therefore finally agreed to keep silence about the strange interview and the flight of their

Starting point is 07:09:43 guests, and also declared that they would make Maria hold her tongue. Nevertheless, their curiosity remained unabated, and Vernon had to promise them that it would someday be satisfied. you shall know all when the time comes he said when taking leave but keep silence until the appointed hour lest you get into trouble this speech being somewhat stagy sounded pleasantly in the ears of the couple and tauton left the house with his friend quite satisfied that professor gale and his wife and their servant would say nothing of what had taken place and now said the colonel let us grope our way to the station after we reach town we can see drench vernon agreed and by following the line of houses they finally managed but with some difficulty to get to the railway here they had to wait for a considerable time for a train as the ordinary traffic was somewhat complicated by fog it was eight o'clock before they reached waterloo and they learned from the station-master that nothing had been seen of the two men alluded to in the telegram although each train and the barrier of the platform it arrived at had been watched by the police vernon was not surprised at this intelligence i thought both hest and monders were too clever to risk a wire to waterloo station as they knew i would send it what's to be done now let's go to your rooms and send a telegram to drench at hampstead asking him to come down

Starting point is 07:11:09 the fog is still thick said tappin as they stepped into a taxi perhaps he won't come hang it every possible obstacle seems to be placed in our way the blackguards will escape not out of england at all events said vernon grimly when we explain everything to drench he will have all the stations and all the ports watched we'll catch them sooner or later but the young man spoke with more confidence than he actually felt as he knew that hest was extraordinarily clever in concealing him himself. As the spider, he had baffled the police for years, and being an arch-criminal would be dexterous enough to escape even out of this type corner. He began to consider what was best to be done after sending a wire to Inspector Drench, when his meditations were broken in upon by the colonel. "'Do you really believe that Hest is the spider?' "'Of course. Didn't you see his face change when Monders spoke, and didn't he cut and run when he saw that the game was up?

Starting point is 07:12:09 That certainly looks like, guilt, and yet it seems incredible. The man always has lived in Yorkshire, whereas the spider is supposed to live in town. No one has ever known the whereabouts of the spiders, said Vernon Cooley. And it is as easy to write black-meaning letters in Yorkshire and post them in London as to live in town altogether for that purpose. Besides, his sister told me herself that Hest frequently went away for days and weeks at a time. doubtless he was attending to his nefarious business in london how do you reconcile this devilry with his philanthropy it seems odd doesn't it but we know that the worst criminals have their good points there lives some soul of good in all things evil you know i rather think said the colonel grimly that hess looks upon himself as a kind of modern robin hood who takes from the rich to give to the poor he blackmailed wealthy folk in order to build his bolly reservoir and

Starting point is 07:13:05 in his confounded schoolhouses. Robbed Peter to pay Paul, as you might put it. Rob Devis to help Demos is the way he would put it, said Vernon with a shrewd. However, we have made a great discovery in one which the police will thank us for making. When Hest is captured, many a rich man will sleep easier. Yes, when he is captured, but that won't be easy. I agree with you. The spider is as clever as his father, the devil.

Starting point is 07:13:33 "'Hm,' added Vernon thoughtfully, "'I wonder if his sister knows anything about his infernal doings.' "'No,' said the Colonel decidedly, "'I don't like Miss Hess, as I think she is too imperious and masterful and wants her own way too much. All the same, I don't believe she could have countenanced her brother's behavior. Besides, she was always away from him, and he doubtless carried on his pranks without her knowledge.'

Starting point is 07:13:58 "'You defend her. I thought you didn't like her.' i admitted only a moment ago that i did not snap the colonel as the taxi cautiously felt its way up whitehall but i must be just to her the poor woman will suffer as it is when her brother's criminality becomes known it will ruin her reciting business that's true and there is no chance of keeping the matter quiet pest must be captured and imprisoned hanged you mean remember he murdered martin dimsdale vernon shuddered i suppose he did was his reluctant admission i am sorry for miss hest as contrary to your opinion i think highly of her she may be masterful as you say but ida is so weak that it is just as well that she should have some one to lead her in the right way oh miss hest has led her in the right way no doubt retorted the colonel but i prefer to be the guide myself see here vernon come down with me next week to my place at bauderstyke what for we have to hunt down heston monders we can safely leave that to drench and his underlings i want to get ida away from gerby hall sorry as i am for miss heston having such a brother i don't want ida to continue under her protection any longer especially as she wants to marry her to monders monders will have no chance now said vernon with a grim chuckle but you are a bachelor touting so ida will scarcely be able to come to the grange i shall ask her aunt down as chaperon lady corsoon good and ask lucy also for my sake with great pleasure i think that the removal of monders from my path and yours will result in the courses of our love running smoother ah here we are and i'm glad as i want drink and victuals

Starting point is 07:15:46 after the long cautious creeping through the fog the two gentlemen arrived at the colonel's rooms and bentham was sent out for food having dined they smoked and talked while waiting for inspector but he never came a telegram arrived instead stating that the fog prevented his keeping the appointment and it also prevented vernon from getting back to his own quarters so the colonel put him up for the night next day the hunt for the criminals began in earnest before drench arrived which he did at eleven o'clock professor gale came to the athenian club where the gentlemen were waiting and produced a wire which had arrived for hest on that morning he had not opened it being afraid but brought it intact to vernon that young man had no compunction under the circumstances in reading it and found that it was from francis hest to her brother asking him to return home as diverse matters connected with the estate required his attention said first thing this morning said vernon passing the wire to the colonel poor woman she doesn't know that her brother has been found out the wire was shown to inspector drench when he duly arrived and he was exhaustively informed of all that had taken place he was naturally both astonished and interested but nevertheless expressed himself annoyed that civilians should have proceeded so far without invoking the police drench gave both the colonel and vernon to understand that if he had been on the spot Heston his accomplice would not have escaped so easily, a view with which they privately differed, although they did not think it wise to say so. But Tautin did intimate to the inspector

Starting point is 07:17:25 that he was a military man and not a civilian, whatever Vernon might be. Rensch declined to take any notice of this remark. The inspector also questioned Gail closely that could learn nothing from him of any moment since the old actor knew nothing and was greatly agitated over the whole affair. Finally, bidding all three hold their tongues, Drench sallied forth to search for the missing pair. He saw the Scotland Yard authorities and wired to all the ports and railway stations in the kingdom.

Starting point is 07:17:55 As yet, and because he desired to keep the affair out of the newspapers, Drench did not advertise in the journals or by handvills. Otherwise, in every way, he strove to find the fugitives. He might as well have attempted to find a shell at the bottom of the Atlantic, day after day went by and no news was heard of Hest or Monders, and from the moment they had been swallowed up by the fog at Islesworth, nothing had been seen of them. They had not so far as could be ascertained, passed out of the kingdom, and certainly they were not to be found in the kingdom itself. Like Macbeth's witches, they had made themselves thin air. Like the children of

Starting point is 07:18:34 Cora and Dathan, they apparently had been swallowed up by the earth. But thanks to Drench, the discovery of the identity of the spider and his subsequent escape had not been made public and the press knew nothing of what was taking place but the time had now come when publicity was absolutely necessary there's nothing else for it said drench and vernon in spite of his wish to keep things quiet agreed with him end of chapter sixteen read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter seventeen of the spider by fergus hume this liber box recording is in the public domain recording by don w jenkins chapter seventeen in the train within a week of the episode at islesworth colonel touton took vernon with him to yorkshire inspector drench was still searching for the fugitives and was unable to find them true to his reputation the spider had covered up his tracks in a most mass manner, and there was not the slightest clue to indicate his whereabouts. Presumably Monders was with him, as he had not returned to his rooms in Planet Street, nor had he been seen in any of his usual haunts about town.

Starting point is 07:20:00 This was to be expected, as Monders had, as the saying goes, gone under, and the society wherein he had glittered so gaily would henceforth know him no more. It seemed a pity that a young man with talents and good-look, and social positions should have ruined his life at the very outset of a promising career. But there must have been some criminal strain in monders, which came to the surface and prosperity instead of being revealed by poverty. He was, as Coleridge says about people with such natures, a fool and a circumventibus. However, it was useless for Vernon to mourn over his old school friend's downfall. He had done his best to keep him in the straight path and had failed to prevent his

Starting point is 07:20:46 feet from straying. He therefore, as there was nothing else to be done at this eleventh hour, washed his hands of him and left him, together with Hest, to the tender mercies of the law as represented by the inspector. Now that Drench had all the threads in his own hands, he resented anyone else weaving them into ropes for the necks of the criminals, as he apparently wished to secure all the glory in honor of the capture to himself. Both Taunton and Vernon were rather glad that the inspector took this view, as they wished to have nothing more to do with the matter. And, before leaving London for Bauderstike, Vernon shut up his Covent Garden office and formally renounced his pseudonym of Nemo, as by this time he was officially recognized as his uncle's heir,

Starting point is 07:21:32 he could well afford to do so. Sir Edward, however, still lingered between life and death, So it was doubtful when Vernon would enter into his kingdom. While the train was flying through the autumnal landscape, Tauton and his guest made themselves comfortable in a first-class compartment, which they had secured to themselves for the purpose of uninterrupted conversation. They were still deeply interested in the case and looked forward anxiously to the capture of the spider. It was only right that he should suffer for his dastardly crime

Starting point is 07:22:04 in murdering an old and inoffensive man. as to monders he was evidently hand in glove with the cleverer rascal and would undoubtedly be given a long term of imprisonment thus society would be rid of two dangerous people and those with secrets would sleep the easier knowing that one esmodius was dead and the other safely locked up but i don't know what poor mrs bedge will do said vernon looking dolefully out of the window does she know anything asked the colonel throwing down the morning paper which she had been reading and settling himself for a talk? Vernon nodded. I saw her yesterday. She sent to ask me what had become of Constantine. I was obliged to tell her.

Starting point is 07:22:50 Do you think that was kind or wise? I think so decidedly. It was better that Mrs. Beds should learn the truth from a friend and see it crudely printed in the daily papers, and there it is bound to appear sooner or later. "'Drench will have to catch the spider first,' said the Colonel Cooley. "'No easy task, as we know. What did she say?' "'At first she declined to believe it badly as Monders has treated her.

Starting point is 07:23:16 She kept insisting that it was all a mistake, and that Constantine would appear to put matters right. "'What wonderful faith these women have, Vernon?' "'Bless them, yes. They go by their hearts entirely.' "'And that case,' remarked Coutin dryly, Mrs. Begg must have known that Monders is not the saint she tries to make him out to be. I did not say that she went by her instinct, replied Vernon equally dryly. There is a difference between that and heart-love,

Starting point is 07:23:46 because Constantine is her sister's child and her adopted son, Mrs. Begg's heart, which he has almost broken, cherishes him fondly. But her instinct must have told her long ago that the fellow was a scamp of the worst sort. "'He's a thorough-paced scoundrel,' said the Colonel vigorously. Mrs. Bedge declined to take that view of him. She wailed that he had a tender heart and was led away because he had a weak nature. In fact, her defence was that of a man being his own worst enemy. "'Mondor certainly was. He had all the gifts of the gods, yet—'

Starting point is 07:24:22 "'Yet fell because the greatest gift of honest purpose was not given,' finished Vernon. "'Hang it all, Toughton. "'Scamp, as the fellow is, I am sorry for him.' "'I'm not,' growled Thoughton savagely. "'Ah, you did not play with him as a child, "'nor did you go to school with him, my friend. "'Although I'm bound to say that Constantine "'was always a selfish chap, what you would call a rotter.

Starting point is 07:24:47 "'I would call him nothing of the sort, Vernon. "'I detest slang.' "'That's a mistake. "'Slang frequently hits the nail on the head "'when the King's English misses it all together. "'Slang conveys me. much in little and. Oh, the deuce, take your philology!

Starting point is 07:25:03 Go on talking about Mrs. Bedge. There's no more to say. Monders has pretty well drained her, but she has enough to live on, and the Hampstead house is her own. Towards the end of our conversation, however, she let out that she was not surprised at Connie's behavior, as she rather expected it. Hmm.

Starting point is 07:25:22 Somewhat contradictory. Why? Well, it seems that Monder's father, the Greek, Mavrocordato, you know. was rather a bad egg himself. He worried his wife, Mrs. Begg's sister, that is, into her grave, and swindled his partner before he committed suicide. I never heard that before. No, Mrs. Bege always kept it quiet for the boy's sake until she let it out to me in her grief yesterday. Mavrocodato, he took the English name of Maunders, bolted with a heap of his partner's money,

Starting point is 07:25:54 and shot himself at Corfu, whither he was traced by detectives. mrs bedge adopted the son and did her best to train him up as an honest man she tried her hardest i'm certain but what's bread in the bone you know colonel tauton folded his arms and stared straightly before him poor devil he was considerably handicapped by such a father i wonder vernon for how many of our deeds we are responsible when you take heredity into consideration some sin because they like it but many because they can't help it let us give monders the benefit of the doubt and say that the sins of his father were visited on him and of course we must not forget that hest is an extremely clever and strong-minded man who could and did easily control monder's weaker nature there's something to be said there assented the colonel thoughtfully i dare say hest entangled the poor wretch in crime before he well knew what he was about and once committed he would be compelled to remain in the mud but hest himself vernon what do you make of him i don't know enough about him to give an opinion perhaps when we see the sister she may tell us something oh by the way i received a letter from her two days ago about which i intended to speak to you vernon all this bother and worry put it out of my head i left it at home unfortunately but i can tell you the gist of it vernon looked interested what did she write about and why to you she wrote to me because she wants me to make me to me to make me to me to make me to me to make me to me to me to me to me marry Ida."

Starting point is 07:27:27 I really don't see what she has to do with that, remarked Vernon with a shrug, for Ida is surely of an age to choose for herself. I always told you, Vernon, said Tauton, deliberately crossing one leg over the other, that Ida being less masterful than Miss Hest is usually guided by her, and that I objected to the guidance. Ida liked me more than anyone else before that handsome scamp came along. Then she became infatuated with him, and Miss Hest did her back. to induce her to marry him but the sad death of dimsdale took ida's thoughts off monders and as i judged from the letter ida wrote me from gerby hall miss hess tried to get her to love the man again

Starting point is 07:28:10 failing that she attempted to get ida to marry her brother only he came up to london not feeling disposed to fall in with his sister's views you can therefore see that miss hest sways ida a great deal and for that reason i have come to get her away from such dangerous company, doubly dangerous now that we know Francis Hess is the spider. Vernon shrugged his shoulders. It's rather hard to blame the sister for the brother's delinquencies, he said judicially, and now that he and Monders are out of the running, she will place her weight in your scale. In fact, from your late observation she has already done so. You should be very pleased, Colonel, whereas you seem to me to be ungrateful. I don't want Ida to be induced to marry me by Missing.

Starting point is 07:28:56 Hest's representations, Vernon," said Toughton hotly. It's a liberty on her part to interfere with my wooing. Lady Corsoon comes down to-morrow with her daughter, and I shall ask her to go to GERby Hall and bring Ida back with her. Then we will have finished with these shady people, and Ida will marry me of her own free will." Well, Colonel, replied Vernon pacifically, I hope things will turn out as you expect. But what did Miss Hess write about?

Starting point is 07:29:24 about her brother she asked me if i had seen him and what was the matter with him bernan looked puzzled i don't understand does she suspect she suspects nothing rokin touton impetuously but she stated that she received a letter from her brother four or five days ago saying that he intended to leave england forever as he was tired of civilization he enclosed a deed of gift making over gerby hall in its acres to her as he intended so he said to earn his own living when abroad naturally miss hest could not understand this and wrote asking me what was the matter did you explain no i wrote saying that i was coming down to my own place and would tell her all i knew when i arrived but you can see vernon that hest is still in london he was six or seven days ago but he may have gone away since said vernon cautiously who drew up the deed of gift i can't say-i can't say-one but he may have gone away since said vernon cautiously who drew up the deed of gift i can't say miss hess did not explain that why because if it was some lawyer we might be able to question him regarding hest's latest movements huh so hest has bolted well i'm not surprised at that but i am rather astonished he should surrender his property oh well i expect his business as the spider has made him quite a rich man remember the blackguard has been blackmailing successfully for three or four years he knows that his sister has nothing save what she makes by her reciting so perhaps his conscience smote him and so he made his deed of gift it's a lucky thing for her as gerby hall is a fine old place although rather gloomy and there is a decent income of one thousand a year attached to it farms village rents and all that sort of thing, you know.

Starting point is 07:31:14 It's where Hess should have behaved so well when he is such a scoundrel, Thoughton. You told me he quarreled with his sister, and certainly from the remarks she made about him to me, she did not seem over-fond of him. Blood is thicker than mutter, said the colonel sententiously, and dog does not eat dog. I agree with your first proverb, but not with the second, Toughton.

Starting point is 07:31:38 Miss Hest is not of the same breed morally speaking as her brother and no doubt will be horrified when she learns of his wickedness. "'Probably. You always defend her.' "'I am just,' said Vernon coldly. "'So far as I can see, she is a clever woman of good principles, although I admit rather masterful. Her brother has done a wise thing in handing her over the property whatever his reasons may be. She will be an admirable mistress.' "'Oh, as to that, Hest was a great benefactor to all the villages around, and the people swear

Starting point is 07:32:10 by them, but if he has bolted with monders, Drench will have to let the matter drop. But if he is captured, no one here will believe that he is a murderer and a blackmailer. They know him only as a good landlord and a kind friend. And we know him as a criminal, strange that two such diverse natures can exist side by side. I dare say hast hoped that his good deeds would pay for his bad ones, said the colonel carelessly. I shall be glad if he escapes, richly as a man. he deserves to be hanged for murdering dimsdale it will be just as well if the whole thing is buried in oblivion then i shall marry ida you miss corsoon and miss hest can play the lady of the manor here as she pleases what about the dimsdale property if it belongs to lady corsone she must have it if monder's story is a lie which it may be i shall stick to it on behalf of my wife however we may hear from venery of singapore in a few weeks my

Starting point is 07:33:10 my letter must have nearly reached him by this time you can learn the truth of the story nearer home said vernon after a pause miss jewin the housekeeper at gerby hall told the story to monders according to his own account i shall question her you may be sure said the colonel grimly but i want to hear from venery also oh i'm sick of talking about these things he added with a yawn it's time for forty winks and forthwith he closed his eyes after settling himself comfortably in his seat vernon not inclined to rest lighted a fresh cigar and buried himself in a book it was five o'clock when the travellers reached bradmore the nearest station to bouderstike it was ten miles to the valley but the road was excellent and tauton's motor-car awaited them in ten minutes the baggage was packed away and vernon with his host was safely ensconced in the back part of the machine which was covered with the hood tauton asked vernon if he would care to drive but as the offer was refused and the colonel himself did not feel in a sporting humour the conduct of the journey was left to the smart chauffeur he appeared to be well acquainted with the country and as the road was somewhat lonely the motor travelled towards bauderstike at a great rate of speed the motion was exhilarating and the view on either side of the roadway extremely picturesque so vernon enjoyed himself greatly in the fresh air after the close atmosphere and the most atmosphere and the view on either side of the roadway extremely picturesque so vernon enjoyed himself greatly in the fresh air after the close atmosphere and and the monotony of the train. With the wind blowing in his face

Starting point is 07:34:43 and the smooth, easy gliding motion, he felt like a flying bird, or at all events as though mounted on one. The country was wild and barren, consisting mainly of interminable stretches of moorland, mounting up on either side of the road to considerable heights. Occasionally there was a dip covered with green grass and trees, already beginning to shed their leaves,

Starting point is 07:35:06 but for the most part the sombre moors darkening in the falling light spread solemnly to right and left it was rarely that a house or a village was passed and only every now and then could burn and catch a glimpse of cattle or human beings this country would get on my nerves he said to his companion it is like the weird landscape described by browning in his child roland poem these telegraph poles are the sole signs of civilizabeth's "'Oh, we'll come to a more cheery aspect shortly,' said Tauton, smiling. "'For my part, I love the gloom and the loneliness of our moors. Many a time in the garish Indian days, with a burning sun and a hateful blue sky, I have longed for dear old Yorkshire.' "'Everyone to his taste,' said Vernon with a shrug. "'I prefer something much more cheerful.'

Starting point is 07:36:00 "'You are a cockney at heart, Vernon.' "'I dare say, London is good enough for me.' towards the end of the ten-mile stretch from the station signs of civilization became more frequent here and there was a village with cultivated fields around it cattle were pastured in enclosed paddocks and men and women with laughing children trudged along the high road looking after the motor with great curiosity for the machine was yet a novelty in that lonely district twice the road ran directly through a village and vernon had an opportunity of seeing the solid grade stone houses, which were suited to the Calvinistic looks of the country, and the people themselves appeared to be what the Scotch call door. And now the moors began to grow higher and to close in on the white road with a gradual menace.

Starting point is 07:36:52 Leaving the comparatively broad lands, the motor glided into a valley which grew even more narrow as they proceeded. A babbling stream prattled down the center of this over a stony bed, and beside it the road twisted along like a white serpent protected by a parapet of rough stones. Already the crimson light of the sunset had died out of the western sky, but the moon was full, and, soaring high in the dark blue dome of the firmament, poured floods of light into the gully to use a colonial expression, for by this time it was little else. And looking upward, Vernon could see star after star peep out to attend the majestic orb.

Starting point is 07:37:33 what do you call this place he asked abruptly talton glanced at him in surprise didn't i tell you it's boaterstike great scut colonel is your house situated in this isolated damp spot i should think you never saw the sun from one year's end to the others save when it was directly overhead oh the valley broadens out further on this is merely the entrance what the deuce do the inhabitants live on it's like living in a drain "'Oh, confound you, Vernon,' said the Colonel half annoyed. "'It's one of the most beautiful places in the world. If you were a Yorkshire tyke, you would admit that. There is only the village of Boutersdike a mile away, and the inhabitants live by pasturing their cattle on the moors on the heights above. Also, there is a weaving and spinning industry,

Starting point is 07:38:24 the mills being driven by water-power, of which there is no lack.' "'This stream doesn't seem to have much water,' said Vernon disdainfully. "'You should see it in winter when the snows melt on the moors,' advised the colonel. "'Besides, the water from the mills comes from Hest's new reservoir, and there is a never-failing supply. This stream used to be much broader, and its bed contained much more water. But when the Bolly Dam was constructed, of course the supply dwindled. Pipes run under this road to supply the several villages you saw just before we entered the valley.'

Starting point is 07:38:58 "'Where is the dam which our criminal friend built?' tauton pointed straight ahead round the next corner you could see it but we do not go so far there was a small lake there upon the moors which fed this stream hest simply got engineers to dam the lake and prevent too much water going to waste down the bed of this torrent the dam runs right across the valley a mile and a half beyond my house but isn't that dangerous if it burst this valley would be flooded from end to end and everybody would be drowned to say nothing of the way in which the village would be smashed up well yes tauton pinched his nether lip uneasily i've thought of that myself many a time but i was abroad when the dam was constructed there certainly as i have often said should be an outlet for the water other than the pipes which supply bouderstike and the village is outside the valley capacious as those same pipes undoubtedly are assuredly if the reservoir burst there would be a great loss of life and destruction of property but the bally dam is very strongly built so i have no fear of anything happening you can see it from my house and we'll pay a visit in a day or two meanwhile this is bouderstyke village. By this time they were passing through quite a number of small houses, from the windows of which lights gleamed cheerfully. The motor soon left these behind, then swerved to the right, looking up from the entrance to the valley, and shortly began to climb a winding road. At this point, as the colonel had foretold, the veil broadened abruptly and the high moors stood away so as to form a kind of deep cup. Up the side of this, the road along which they were traveling, sloped to the vale, upward for some distance, then turned on itself and sloped still higher.

Starting point is 07:40:47 Shortly the motor attained the highest level, and in the moonlight, Vernon could see the moors stretching for miles, lonely and romantic. A straight road ran parallel with the upper portion of the valley for close upon half a mile, then appeared a miniature forest, encircled by a high stone wall. This was undoubtedly artificial as the moorlands were treeless, and the unexpected woodman, booked out of place amid bleak surroundings. The motor soon arrived at two tall stone pillars crested with heraldic monsters, and passing through these, spun up a short avenue to stop before a large white house, brilliantly lighted up. Spacious lawns opened up before the mansion, interspersed with flower beds, now bloomless, and the hole was shut in by the fairy forest,

Starting point is 07:41:35 as Vernon called it in his own mind. there we are said colonel tauton jumping from the car allow me to welcome you to the grange my friend thank heaven the journey's at an end said vernon end of chapter seventeen read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter eighteen of the spider by fergus hume this libervox recording is in the public domain recording by don w jenkins chapter eighteen of the spider by fergus hume Chapter 18 at Bouterstike I hope you slept well, Vernon, said the Colonel to his guest the next morning when they were at breakfast. Like atop, was the response. That journey tired me out, and your Moorlander is so strong that I slept the moment my head was on the pillow. You will eat well also, Vernon, remarked Tauton, regarding with satisfaction the attention paid by his visitor to the appetizing. meal. Our air is famous as a tonic. You will return to town a giant refreshed.

Starting point is 07:42:49 There is lots to be done before I leave here, said Vernon, passing his cup for a fresh supply of coffee. What is your first step? We will call on Miss Hess this afternoon, and I can show you the village at the same time. Lady Corsune and her daughter will come today and will arrive to dinner. That is the program. I'm at your disposal, and tomorrow I'm at your disposal, and tomorrow I suppose you will get Lady Corsoon to take charge of Ida. If Miss Hest will let her go, said the Colonel cautiously. She can't detain her, surely. Not by outward force, but she may use her influence to keep her.

Starting point is 07:43:28 Miss Hest won't lose the chance of swaying the mind of a girl with ten thousand a year. You may be sure of that. Hmm, said Vernon, finishing the last of his coffee. If I'd have learned the secret of Dimsdale from Monders, disguised as Diabella, you may be sure that she told Miss Hess, in that case, Ida is not worth keeping. Colonel Tauton nodded and pushed back his chair to rise. There's something in that, I'll admit.

Starting point is 07:43:57 However, we can say nothing until we interview Miss Hess. I have already sent her a note saying that we have arrived and will see her today. Matters having been thus arranged, the two men lighted their pipes and strolled out into the grounds. It was a bright autumnal morning with a cloudless blue sky and a radiant sun. The moorland air was keen, and Vernon drew long invigorating breaths into his lungs. Notwithstanding the somewhat bleak surroundings, the Grange was a remarkably comfortable house, and the original Tauton, who had built the same, had striven to render it as bright as possible,

Starting point is 07:44:35 so as to contrast with the somber moors. the grange indeed was more like an italian villa than a yorkshire mansion as it was constructed of white stone and every window had green shutters while the roof was formed of cheerful red tiles both rooms and corridors were spacious and decorated in brilliant tints and the furniture was of the most modern description that isn't at all like an ancestral home is it said touton cheerfully and all the better for that since the word suggests oak parlors comfortable gloom and cumbersome furniture those would suit the situation better said vernon glancing at the pines and fir trees which formed a screen to keep away the two keen moorland winds your brilliant walls and red roofs look out of place in these stern solitudes where nature seems to be acting the anchorite i love the scenery and solitude and all that vernon but i like to be comfortably housed my great-grandfather left the original family seat which is in the valley almost below the bolly dam and built this place after a long sojourn in italy my cousin from whom i inherit cleared out all the old victorian furniture and redecorated the house as you see it it's all very modern and perhaps in contrast with the grandeur of the moors somewhat frivolous but at all events it is cheerful and comfortable i could scarcely ask ida to inherit a kind of ogre's castle like gerby hall where is that you will see shortly it's a real old yorkshire manor house dating i believe from the wars of the roses there was a lot of fighting went on during those days

Starting point is 07:46:21 in Yorkshire, and the original Hest procured a grant of Boutersdike Valley from Edward IV. But my ancestors came along later and seized a portion of it and built the mansion near the dam. I understand that the Hests and the Tautans fought like cat and dog

Starting point is 07:46:37 over the valley. However, the most of the property belongs to me, and I live in this very up-to-date Grange, while they'll still cling to the remnants of their lands and to GERby Hall. from whom does our criminal friend inherit his grandfather hess's father was an officer in the indian army and had quarrelled with the old man then he died together with his wife some spinster he had married at simla the twin children were sent home to the grandfather who brought them up and left the estates to francis now that he has been shown up he has had the sense as i told you yesterday to hand them over to his sister perhaps she'll marry and carry on the family.

Starting point is 07:47:22 And Hest? The colonel shook his head. Who knows? He may be caught. On the other hand, he may bolt to South America and become one of those dictators we read so much about. As the spider, we know that he has heaps of brains and a peratical life of that description would suit him exactly. Talking thus, Toughton showed Vernon over his small kingdom,

Starting point is 07:47:46 and after luncheon the two gentlemen strolled out of of the grounds, with the intention of taking the winding road to Gerby Hall. On the verge of the moorland, they stood for some time looking down into the cup, and Vernon thus procured a bird's eye view of the valley in the full blaze of the noonday sun. "'It's like a bead on a string, Tautin,' he said after a pause. The description was an apt one, for the hollowment to which they were looking was the bead, and the narrow valley running like an irregular crack to right and length. may be easily compared to a string. From the cup upward to Bolly Dam, the valley stretched

Starting point is 07:48:26 for a mile and a half, and downward it ran for two miles in a somewhat crooked fashion to terminate on the verge of the undulating plain, which stretched the further ten miles to the railway station. At the end of the valley, as Tauton informed his guest, was a village called from its situation, gatehead, and there were four other hamlets beyond all of which belonged to him. The Hests were reduced to Baderstike village alone and to a considerable portion of the moorland on the hither side. It puts me in mind somewhat of Blackmore's description of Dune Valley, was Vernon's remark when in possession of these facts.

Starting point is 07:49:06 I dare say in the Middle Ages it was quite a robber's stronghold. With the Hests and the Tautans as robbers, exactly, their hand was against every man and likewise against each other for the mastery of bouderstike at the upper end the valley is blocked by a small lake now turned by the bolly dam into a very large reservoir so they were safe in that direction gatehead was where their vassals lived to guard the outlet so you can see in troublesome times everything was extremely safe from this valley the hests and the tautans went forth raiding and sometimes when not quarrelling between themselves formed a kind of league. They struggled for centuries, but in the end my ancestors got the upper hand and most of the property. I believe the feud and the raiding continued down to the termination of George III's reign, for the king's writ did not run in these wilds. Where is Kirby Hull? Toughton pointed directly downward. Under that cliff, where the Moorland rises

Starting point is 07:50:11 so abruptly, like the Grange, there is a kind of artificial forest around it, so that it is concealed. But as you can see, it is almost within the village itself. Right in line of the flood, should the dam break. I fear so, but I hope there is no chance of the dam breaking. You see, added the colonel pointing out the topography of the valley, the village is divided by the ancient bed of the torrent, now comparatively dry since the construction of the Bali Reservoir. A stone bridge connects the two portions of the village, and on this side nearest to ourselves, the ground begins to rise gradually. The other portion of the village and Gerby Hall lie in the hollow, and are cut off from the sunlight. I often wondered, said Tauton musingly, why the Hests, when lords of the entire

Starting point is 07:51:04 valley, should have chosen to build their manor-house in such a situation, for when the torrent was in full force from the melting of the moorland snows, they must have been exposed to many an inundation and now said vernon glancing northward toward the cyclopean wall of the dam frowned in the sunlight if that great body of water were let loose both the village and the hall would be swept away they are certainly directly in the line of the flood replied touton unhesitatingly but both the hall and the village houses are strongly built of dark stone it would take some force to smash them if that dam broke colonel they would be swept away like straws on the surface of a whirlpool i can't understand what the engineers were thinking about to risk such a catastrophe tauton laughed po pooh pooh nothing is likely to happen but now that i rule here i intend to see if some outlet cannot be arranged other than down the valley so that all risk may be done away with i objected to the dam from the first although i admit that it is a work which is of great public utility and supplies bouderstike, gatehead, and the other villages. But it spoils my view, and also as dangerous as you observe.

Starting point is 07:52:23 However, we have talked enough on this dull subject. Let us descend and pay a visit to Gerby Hall. Miss Hest will be expecting us. And Ida, laughed Vernon with a side glance at the suddenly flushed cheek of the soldier. They descended by the winding road into the valley, and after pausing to glance up the valley, where the massive wall of the dam cut short the view, proceeded slowly towards the village. It was a collection of small dark houses built of moss-clothed grey stones,

Starting point is 07:52:54 and looked like a colony of dwarf buildings. But the men and women who dwelt therein were tall and burly enough, and the children seemed to be well-grown. Besides the dwellings, there were also two mills, the wheels of which were driven by water in a very powerful fashion. The few shops were dark and uninviting. and the chief street narrow and crooked. Secluded as it was from the sun,

Starting point is 07:53:18 which never warmed the village with its beams, save at noonday, it did not appear to be a desirable residence, but the inhabitants seemed cheerful enough and frequently greeted the colonel with gruff amiability, although he was not their landlord. That position, as Tauton had informed his guest, belonged to Hest, or rather,

Starting point is 07:53:39 since he had expatriated himself, to his sister. crossing the curved stone bridge which arched the dwindling torrent the colonel led his friend through several dismal streets until they emerged into an open space to see before them a high wall built of irregular blocks of stone covered with mosses and grasses in lichen the massive wooden gates which afforded entrance into the domain stood wide open indicating like the doors of the janus temple that the hests were at peace with their neighbors passing through these the visitors walked up a gloomy avenue where the branches of the trees met overhead and came unexpectedly upon a square stone house the appearance of which was similar to that of the encircling wall there were absolutely no pretensions to architectural beauty and the mansion looked as though it had grown out of the damp fecund ground where rank mosses grew in profusion above was the slightly sloping bank of the moorland which here was the slightly sloping bank of the moorland which here was the was almost perpendicular, and it threw a heavy shade over the frowning dwelling which suited its grim looks. It was two-story with twelve windows in the front, six on either side and three in each story. In the center was the door without a porch and without steps. Only a broad flagstone formed the threshold.

Starting point is 07:55:06 The trees grew up nearly to this, and there was merely a narrow gravel path between the luxuriant grass, in the walls of the house so amazingly dismal a dwelling vernon had never set eyes on and he uttered an exclamation when he beheld the desolation it's the very worst place ida could have come to he said in high displeasure what could miss hest have been thinking of to ask her to live in this vault ah she will be better up on the heights in my italian villa vernon that is if she will come remarked the other gloomily for the the sombre situation and ascetic looks of the Hest Mansion made his spirits sink to zero. Their approach had been seen, for scarcely had they set foot on the flagstone, and before they had time to raise a hand to the massive iron knocker which was covered with rust, then the door was opened to buy a fat-faced stupid girl dressed in brown, but with a tolerably neat cap and apron.

Starting point is 07:56:07 Without inquiring their business and without speaking, she signed that the two gentlemen should enter, and conducted them to a room to the left of the cheerless hall. Here she intimated that they were to wait, and that the mistress would soon come to them, after which she retired sullenly and closed the door after her. What with her looks and the gloom of the room and the closing of the door, the visitors felt as though they had been bestowed in a dungeon.

Starting point is 07:56:34 Anything more dismal can scarcely be conceived. Oh, Lord, ejaculated Vernon with dismay, looking around, at the old-fashioned furniture and the grimy red coloring of the decorations somewhat faded it is true within is worse than without i should commit suicide in such a place no wonder frances hess found blackmailing a more cheerful pursuit he ought to have hush said tauton sharply and arrested vernon's speech as the door opened to admit the mistress of the mansion miss hest looked graver than she had done at rangoon and more handsome than ever in her imperial, masterful way. Vernon marveled to see how much she resembled her brother, although the disfiguring cicatress was absent. In her plain black dress slashed with deep orange, Miss Hess looked like a Spanish beauty, and in the damp, secluded mansion she seemed to flourish as healthily as though she dwelt in perpetual sunshine. With a smile she came forward and greeted

Starting point is 07:57:38 her visitors in a most cordial manner. i am very glad to see you both said francis sitting down when formal readings had passed and especially you colonel taughton as i am anxiously waiting for your promised verbal answer to my letter i shall explain why i did not write you with pleasure said the colonel gravely although my explanation is painful you may even refuse to believe me miss hest she looked alarmed and her lips twitched nervously francis is all right i hope she inquired apprehensively his letter and the deed of gift alarmed me i think he must be crazy i don't think so rejoined tauton dryly but before explaining may i ask how miss dimsdale is keeping francis shook her head dejectedly the death of her father is still preying on her mind and nothing i can say or do will make her cheerful perhaps this house began vernon she cut him short quickly i quite agree with you and i know what you are about to say it is too damp and too dismal for ida she is a flower who ought always to live in the sunshine lady corsoon is coming down to stay with me to-day ventured taught anxiously so miss dimmesdale might come and stay at the grange it's a capital idea you can ask her for yourself and as i know she thinks a great deal of you colonel i hope you will be able to persuade her to pay the visit she will be here shortly but before she comes do tell me the meaning of my brother's extraordinary conduct what makes you think the colonel can explain asked vernon unexpectedly francis looked at him in surprise why i wrote after i received the deed of gift asking if he had seen francis

Starting point is 07:59:24 the colonel replied that he would explain verbally when he came down i have no reason to think that he knows anything of my brother's private business and i was astonished to hear that he could tell me anything i only wrote because i wished the colonel to see ida and as an afterthought asked about my brother i thought you she addressed the colonel might have seen him in london i did replied touton gravely at professor gales i know that he went there to deliver a message from me but why has he made over his property to me without a line of explanation save that he was going abroad did he tell you no but i am not surprised that he has done so francis looked from one man to the other and seeing their grave faces she grew white and anxious-looking what do you mean we saw constantine monders put in vernon well well what of that he was masquerading as diabella miss hest started to her feet has the fortune tell her surely you must be mistaken it's impossible why should he do that why should he do many things said touton grimly but he has been leading a double life oh that's impossible why he was always as open as the day i asked him down here a week or so ago and he was coming at the eleventh hour he put me off saying that mrs bedge was ill i fancied that something might be wrong then but-but oh she burst out clasping her hands you really must be mistaken he is such a nice young fellow he's a nice scoundrel said vernon heatedly spare your praises of him miss hest you won't think him so nice when i tell you that he accuses your brother of being the spider the spider who is the uh she started to her feet as she suddenly remembered

Starting point is 08:01:18 all that the information conveyed. You mean that wretch who murdered poor Mr. Dimsdale? Her brows grew black, and she clenched her hands in a cold fury. What do you mean by connecting my brother with? It is not Vernon or I who connect your brother with the spider. Monders made the accusation, and your brother endorsed it by his flight. Flight, flight, my brother, she drew herself up proudly. Has not fled?

Starting point is 08:01:45 Why has he gone abroad, then? asked Vernon hastily. why has he made over his property to you believe me miss hest both the colonel and myself would be glad to spare you such a blow but there is no doubt that your brother is none other than this famous blackmailer for whom the police are searching so ardently the woman dropped back into her chair and clutched at her breast as though she felt a cruel pain in her heart her face looked grey in the dim light of the room and she suddenly seemed to have aged even her confident bearing fell away from her and she crouched as though smitten to the earth. Never was there so rapid or so terrible a transformation. Oh, for God's sake, she moaned brokenly. For my brother, heaven knows we did not get on over well together, but that he, he should, it's a lie, I tell you, it's a lie. Why, Francis has given up all his life to doing good. Everyone round here blesses his name. He was generous to a fault, and you dare to dare to, dare to, dare to, dare to, dare to,

Starting point is 08:02:48 oh she leaped to her feet again and strove to recover her proud bearing i don't believe it liars both of you monders is the liar and not us then said bernan quietly i never trusted him i never liked him moaned miss hest he is then she unexpectedly fell back again into her chair utterly unstrung and broken down an old grey woman miserable beyond belief francis my brother our good name oh oh say that it isn't true and she wept piteously i regret to say that it is said the colonel extremely sorry to dash her hopes to the ground and he rapidly related all that had been discovered as he proceeded miss hess lifted her face which grew more composed and is this all the evidence you have to go upon she inquired with scorn the word of a man whom you admit to be a scoundrel you forget said burning gravely that your brother endorsed the accusation by flight and by taking his accomplice with him such an accusation might well make a man fail to stand his ground said the woman resolutely and on the spur of the moment francis may have lost his wits but he will return to repel this accusation from what you say of a deed of gift miss hest that does not seem likely to happen if your brother is innocent let him surrender himself to the police and stand his trial i shall advise him to do that at once where is he to be found no one knows and the police would give much to learn but you heard last from him since he sent the deed of gift and informed you of his plans there was no address on the letter said francis wringing her hands helplessly and he did not even promise to write when he went abroad for all i know he may have vanished for ever vernon made an observation that looks like guilt

Starting point is 08:04:42 until francis admits with his own lips that he is the spider i declined to believe it said miss hest making a violent effort to recover her composure you forget that you indirectly accuse him of murdering poor mr dimsdale how can i his sister bear to hear that your feelings do you credit said touton sadly nevertheless stop she interrupted holding up her finger ida is coming not a word to her if you please certainly not neither vernon nor i shall say anything until say nothing until i see you again said francis rapidly i shall call at the grange and hear more when in possession of the facts i shall go to town and silence silence here is ida just as the name left her lips the door slowly opened and miss dimsdale entered both the gentlemen uttered exclamations of astonishment and pity at the sight of her altered appearance from being a bright and laughing girl rather plump than otherwise she had become thin and careworn and advanced with a shrinking air quite at variance with her known character the black dress she wore enhanced the melancholy of her appearance and the colonel being very much the lover grew darkly red at the sight how is it that miss dimsdale looks so ill he asked francis furiously she is worried over something and the air of this house doesn't suit her at all said miss hest who is trying to subdue her emotion again and again i have wanted her to return with me to london but-but i won't go i won't go said ida in her soft voice don't look so angry richard it was the first time she had uttered his christian name and touton flushed with pleasure i am quite well you look extremely ill he replied bluntly ida sat down with a sigh that's not the fault of francis she has been like a sister to me ever since the death of my dear father ida come and stay at the grange lady

Starting point is 08:06:42 course soon is coming down this evening and i'm sure you will be happier there i can't leave francis nonsense said miss hest with something of her old vigor you will be much better with your own people ida if you stay here they will think that i am after your money oh francis when you know it's all nonsense dear the colonel here declares that diabella is or rather was constantine monders masquerading as a fortune-teller then what he said is are you talking of a secret of your father's, Ida? asked Vernon quickly. Was Mr. Dimsdale, my father? she demanded, facing round anxiously. Diabella, that is, Constantine, if what you say is true, told me that I was not his daughter. If so, I have no right to the property, and—and—she put her hand to her forehead. Oh, my poor head! Touton crossed over and took her hand. "'Ida, is it this which has been so troubling you?' he asked tenderly.

Starting point is 08:07:40 yes yes i wondered if what diabella said was true i could not be certain although i did want to see the lawyer and give up the property but francis said francis advised delay until the truth was known beyond all doubt said miss hess now quite composed for this did i send for you colonel tauton ida is fonder of you than of anyone else so you are the person who ought to marry her then you can look into the matter but francis cried ida much astonished i thought you wanted me to marry constantine or your brother both of them are bad matches now if what mr vernon says is true replied miss hess bitterly better take up with your old love what has been said questioned ida anxiously looking into the disturbed face of her friend better not ask muttered the woman and cast a warning glance at the two visitors least said soon as mended ida will you go to the grange and stay with your own aunt ida ran to francis and falling on her knees threw her arms round her neck fondly what would you have me leave you when i see you are so sad something is wrong what is it you have comforted me so let me comfort you nothing can comfort me said miss hest in melancholy tones it's nothing my dear nothing at all i wish oh i wish she rose suddenly and ran towards the door i can't stand any more vernon was not surprised at miss hess's sudden departure strong-minded as she was the terrible news that her twin brother was a robber and a murderer and was being hunted down by the police had quite broken down her strength of character for the time being he pitied her extremely as he had always liked her more than tauton had done so far as he could see she was a kind-hearted woman masterful it is true but possessed of sterling qualities which that very trait enabled her to make her to make her to make her to see she was a kind-hearted woman masterful it is true but possessed of sterling qualities which that very trait enabled her to make her to make

Starting point is 08:09:35 good use of to one of her inflexible honesty the discovery of her brother's sin must have been gall and wormwood meanwhile the colonel holding ida's hand within his own was pleading anxiously that she should visit the grange and regain her health in the cheerful society of her aunt and cousin and i can explain all about the story told by monders masquerading as diabella coaxed tauton softly but ida was in no mood to listen to her lover or to yield to his wiles she pulled her hands away hurriedly and spoke with pettish haste how can you bother me about such things when francis is so ill i must go to her at once and she glided rapidly towards the door evading tauton who would have detained her ida ida do listen to me no no no on another occasion when i see you again to-morrow or the next day but francis is ill francis wants me she opened the door quickly coming dear coming and without a glance at the visitors vanished from the room her heart seemed to be rather with miss hest than with the lover who so ardently adored her the gentleman looked at one another in dismay this did not seem a propitious moment for touton's wooing as ida appeared to be entirely infatuated with her friend there was nothing left for them to do but to take a speedy departure and to return on a more fitting occasion miss hest being naturally troubled in her mind was not likely to reappear and ida undoubtedly would decline to leave her friend's side not unreasonably the colonel felt very cross ida seems to be crazy about that infernal woman he snapped irritably she is very faithful to those she loves and therefore will make you the better wife said vernon gravely i want her to be faithful to me and not to miss hest retorted touton it is ridiculous that she should behave in this manner what's to be done now we must wait till lady corsoon comes she has plenty of good sense and may be able to talk ida into a reasonable frame of mind

Starting point is 08:11:42 i can't see where lady corsoon's good sense comes in seeing that she is a gambler and has risked her husband's displeasure in pawning family jewels vernon however only one woman can talk round another so your suggestion is a good one meanwhile just ring the bell for someone to show us out of this condemned vault vernon pulled the old-fashioned bell-rope and shortly as though she had been listening on the outside of the door a tall lean woman with a white face and a prim pinch-lipped smile made her entrance without waiting to be addressed she introduced herself to the visitors miss jewin gentlemen she said with a stiff curtsey what can i do for you at the sound of her voice vernon started and looked at her closely but whatever he saw he said nothing at the moment merely intimating that he and his friend desired to part and tell miss hess we will call to-morrow with lady corsone said the colonel aggressively and stalked out preceded by miss jewin still primly smiling and looking like a white cat not until they were in the village did vernon explain why he had started at the sound of the housekeeper's voice that woman he said is the very one who admitted me into the empty house in west kensington and who locked me in the kitchen End of Chapter 18, read by Don W. Jenkins, Rancho San Diego, California. Chapter 19 of The Spider by Fergus Hume. This Liberbox recording is in the public domain, recording by Don W. Jenkins.

Starting point is 08:13:33 Chapter 19, a bold offer. Lady Corsoon duly arrived and duly complained of the length of the journey, the strain to which her nerves were subjected, on account of the suspense she suffered regarding the suspicers blackmailing rendered her somewhat irritable, and those around felt the effects of her temper. But Lucy, having a singularly placid nature, invariably contrived to soothe down her mother's ruffled plumes, while the two men, knowing what Lady Corsoon felt, paid her every attention. The next morning, therefore, she felt somewhat better and acknowledged that the Grange was endurable. But she

Starting point is 08:14:15 she resolutely refused to call straightway at gerby hall i shall go to-morrow she said when touton urged the visit my nerves must have time to recover from the journey into these wilds besides ida should call and see me since i am the elder but i wish you to persuade ida to take up her quarters while you remain pleaded the colonel she is infatuated with miss hest and will i am certain not come here of her own accord i'm sure i never could understand what ida saw in that woman said lady corsoon fretfully miss hest is nice enough and quite agreeable but nothing out of the ordinary when my poor dear brother died ida should have accepted my guardianship i offered twice to look after her but she refused because of this hest woman i presume you must remember lady corsoon that ida is a spoilt child spoilt interrupted the lady i should think so many a time have i implored martin not to ruin her but i might as well have spoken to a block of stone you will have no easy task to manage her when you make her your wife colonel i am quite certain that when ida is removed from the companionship of miss hest i shall be able to manage her with the greatest ease said touton emphatically but the question is how to get her away i look to you to use your influence dear lady mine why i never had the least influence with that headstrong girl my dear colonel i'll go to-morrow and give her a talking to and perhaps i may be able to induce her to return with me to london but while she is the mistress of ten thousand years she can defy me now if the spider can give me that fortune as he declares i shall soon bring ida to see that she must behave like a sensible human being i suppose mr vernon told you of the letter i received he hinted as much to me though i think he should have held his tongue

Starting point is 08:16:15 he did hold his tongue about your business more or less lady corsone it was mr maunders who let slip the secret and what business is it of mr monders i should like to know asked lady corsoon putting up her lorgnette and looking haughtily at tootin this much that he wrote the letter what lady corsoon bounded from her seat then he is the spider no said the colonel prudently who did not intend to tell his companion more than he could help as he placed no reliance on her tongue but knowing from yourself about the first letter you received from the spider and anxious to marry your daughter he made use of the blackmailer's scheme to secure his own ends what audacity can he mr monders i mean really place me in possession of martin's money i can't answer that for the moment replied the colonel carefully but at any rate by promising to do so he hoped to marry miss lucy he shall never do that cried lady corsoon energetically unless of course he keeps his promise lucy must save me from she hesitated mr monders told me about your losses at bridge and-and that i pawned certain family jewels finished the lady well i never do think he should discuss my affairs in this way i have been a fool i don't deny that i have been a fool but there was no need for mr monders to let the whole world know the world is only represented by myself and vernon said the colonel dryly and your secret is safe with us but mr monders he has his hands fool you won't see him again but in that case his promise my dear lady corsoon i do not think he will be able to keep his promise for certain reasons which i need not tell you now better give your consent to the marriage of vernon and miss lucy they love one another and he will soon have a title

Starting point is 08:18:17 in an income. Did you invite me down with Lucy to forward that marriage? asked Lady Corsoon with sudden suspicion. Partly, answered Tauton coolly, and partly because I wished to enlist you on my side as regards Ida. Oh, I am willing to help you, but as to Mr. Vernon, he is with Lucy now? Yes, they have gone for a walk. Lady Corsoon frowned.

Starting point is 08:18:43 Lucy could make a much better match, she said hesitating. with constantine monders for instance at all events he promises me ten thousand a year on what grounds i don't know then believe me he is only bluffing but he knows about my pawning of the jewels and even if this horrid spider creature holds his tongue mr monders may tell sir julius then heaven only knows what would happen julius is so impossible i shall engage that maunders remain silent if you will give your consent to the marriage after all miss lucy would be lady vernon she could be a countess if she played her cards well i really don't know what to say i am in the dark so to speak wait until i see ida and then i may form an opinion how can ida help you to do so she may be able to tell me if there was a will in my favour i really believe from that letter of the spiders will of Mr. Monders, since you say he wrote it, that Martin left the money to me, and that I'd have destroyed the will. I'm sure she's capable of it. Permit me to remind you, Lady Corsohn, said the Colonel sternly, that Miss Dimsdale is to be my wife and that I shall not permit

Starting point is 08:20:00 anyone to cast a slur on her character. If the money is left to you, she will hand it over. What, ten thousand a year? said Lady Corsoon, beaming. Oh, she would be a good girl if she did that, well i shall wait and see in the meantime i do not mind mr vernon being with lucy colonel touton shrugged his square shoulders he thought that the lady was making a virtue of necessity as the young couple had taken french leave after breakfast and had vanished and had lady corson been gifted with supernatural sight she would scarcely have been pleased had she seen the two sitting by bolly dam with her arms round one another also lucy the meek the amy the well-conducted, was kissing Vernon in the boldest manner, and swearing that she would marry him and him only. "'Mother wants me to marry Mr. Monders,' said Lucy, snuggling up close to her lover, "'and Papa desires me to become the wife of Lord Stratham. But I shall only marry you, darling you, Arthur.' She pressed her cheek against his breast and looked up into his eyes.

Starting point is 08:21:08 "'Run away with me.' "'Would you elope if I asked you?' i have just offered to elope without your asking me she replied nodding i can't speak plainer can i oh dear me she sighed resting her head on her lover's shoulder how weary i am of everything papa is always busy in the city and has hardly a word to say to me mamma has some secret worry about which she will not speak and i am left to find my own amusements do take me away arthur isn't gretna green somewhere about these parts let us go there and get married no dear i don't think there will be any need for a runaway match unless it is the romance of the thing that you desire colonel touton has promised to speak to your mother and i have an idea that he will get her to consent to our marriage she consented before pouted miss corsoon and then changed her mind why i'm sure i don't know it's much better to get married quietly and then she would have to forgive us my dear said bernan firmly i prefer to act honorably and openly from a letter i received this morning it seems that my poor uncle cannot live much longer in a month at the latest i shall be in possession of the property and the title then i shall see your father and demand your hand he likes me and when he learns of my new circumstances i am sure he will consent with him on our side your mother will be quite willing to accept me as her son-in-law

Starting point is 08:22:40 i'll do whatever you say dearest whispered lucy fondly only i'll never marry any one but you so there and she gave him a kiss which her lover promptly returned then they sat hand in hand looking at the view and too happy to speak further love's silence is more eloquent than love's speech before them the reservoir rippled under the breath of a gentle wind and spread like a vast blue lake toward the purple of the moorlands immediately in front of the lovers the massive wall of the dam stretched from side to side of the valley, which here was extremely narrow. Looking at the vast body of water, Vernon could not help doubting the strength of the protecting wall as the wavelets almost slipped its top. There was a channel on the hither side with floodgates, but it seemed too small to carry off much superfluous water. In summertime, the dam was no doubt all that could be desired in the way of strength. But when the winter snows melted on the moorlands, it appeared probably.

Starting point is 08:23:40 at least Vernon, knowing nothing of engineering, thought so, that the water would overflow the dam. In that case it might break down the wall, and then the young man shuddered to think of what would happen. The whole contents of the lake, narrowed by the gorge, would shoot down the three odd miles of the valley with the force and condensation of a hose, and assuredly would sweep it clean from end to end. To make things safe, said Vernon aloud in giving speech to his thoughts, there should should be two channels for wastewater, each broader than the single one over there. I'm sure there will be a catastrophe some winter or spring.

Starting point is 08:24:19 Oh, Lucy pouted again. I speak of love, and you bother yourself over this silly old puddle. It would prove to be anything but a puddle if the dam broke, said Vernon doubtfully. I hope Toughton will take steps to make things safer. Boutherstike Village and Gerby Hall would be smashed to pieces if this vast body of water discharged itself without leave. And he stared anxiously at the placid lake. Miss Corsoon, rather annoyed by his unlover-like conduct,

Starting point is 08:24:51 rose quickly and consulted a tiny jeweled watch-pin to her blouse. It's nearly luncheon time, she said with an affectation of indifference, and I am so hungry. Hungry, Vernon caught her words. When we are together, I can't live on love and you keep talking of this. stupid waterworks we really must go home arthur as mamma will be wondering what has become of us you don't wish to get me scolded i'll bear half of the scolding hello who is this he shaded his eyes with his hand and looked across the reservoir to where a tall figure appeared on the broad parapet of the dam the figure it was that of a man came swiftly across but midway caught sight of the lovers for one minute the stranger stared as if thunderstruck and then retreated it was that of a man came swiftly across but midway caught sight of the lovers for one minute the stranger stared as if thunderstruck and then retreated

Starting point is 08:25:40 treated as quickly as he had appeared. Lucy caught hold of her lover's coat to prevent his following. "'Where are you going, Arthur? Who is it?' "'Hokar,' said Vernon, greatly excited, but pausing for the moment. It's the Hindu who tried to strangle me and the colonel. "'What?' Lucy's voice sounded so terrified that he turned at once to apologize and excuse himself. "'Nothing, dear, nothing. But this Hokkar is a dangerous native of India, whom I wished to get hold of. He went down into the valley on the other side, so I must—' "'Don't leave me, don't leave me,' wailed Lucy, desperately retaining him. "'I wish you wouldn't frighten me, Arthur. Come home at once.'

Starting point is 08:26:19 "'But I want to follow Hokkar. It is necessary.' "'It is necessary to see me home,' insisted Miss Corsoom firmly. "'I won't be left alone with wild Indians and strangling people.' vernon was torn between his desire to stay with lucy and the feeling that it was his duty to follow horkar he wished to meet the hindu face to face and force him to speak as he was the servant of monders masquerading as diabella he probably knew something if not indeed a great deal about hest and a few questions might intimate the villain's whereabouts but the man had already vanished and it would be difficult to trace him although vernon had a shrewd suspicion that he was to be a shrewd suspicion that he was to be so much to trace him although vernon had a shrewd suspicion that he was to to be found at Gerby Hall. For a moment the young man hesitated between duty and pleasure. Then, under the reproachful gleam of Lucy's eyes, pleasure gained the victory. Vernon escorted Miss Corsoon back to the Grange, comforting himself with a reflection

Starting point is 08:27:18 that was necessary to consult Colonel Tauton before taking any steps to bring Hokka to book. All the way home, Lucy chatted in a lively manner, but preoccupied with his own thoughts, Vernon was somewhat absent-minded, a cause of offense to the girl. But how could any man give way to the ruling passion of love when one of the villains concerned in a dangerous conspiracy against society was in the neighborhood? Vernon wondered how Hokkar had come to these solitudes, and how Hast had succeeded in lulling his sister's suspicions,

Starting point is 08:27:50 so that she might receive the man, for on the face of it, Hokar must be staying at Gerby Hall. after a merry luncheon during which Lady Corsoon, bearing in mind her late conversation with her host, was very gracious to Vernon, the ladies departed to their boudoir, the mother to rest, and the daughter to write letters. Lucy, indeed, wished to call and see Ida, but Lady Corsoon refused to let her go alone, and again expressed her determination not to pay a visit until the next day. Lucy, always anxious to keep her parent in a good temper, was obliged to fall in with this arrangement and followed Lady Corsoon out of the room.

Starting point is 08:28:30 It could be easily seen that the wily wife of the millionaire was unwilling to leave her daughter in the too fascinating society of Vernon, and evidently had made up her mind not to consent to the match until she was certain that her late brother's fortune would not come into her hands. Left alone with the colonel, the young man related how unexpectedly Hokkaar had appeared and disappeared on the dam. Tauton listened frowningly and considered a wharf. while before expressing his opinion there is something suspicious about all this he said at length here is miss jewin the very woman who tricked you into becoming a prisoner at that west kensington house and here also is hokar the hindoo so closely connected with monders and for all we know with hest

Starting point is 08:29:15 what do you make of it all it's a gang of thieves said tauton unhesitatingly hokar bahadur miss juin monders and hest are all banded together under the the leadership of the last as the spider. He has vanished, and so has monders. So I expect he sent down the Hindus here in order that they might be out of the way. And Miss Jewan? She has always been the housekeeper at Gerby Hall, Vernon, but I dare say Hest got her to come to London to be used as a tool, knowing that he could trust her. She is a very old and faithful woman, and I believe was the nurse of both Hest and his sister. The people hereabouts call her an old witch and she is credited with all manner of occult powers i can understand miss hess not being suspicious of miss juin said vernon thoughtfully as she may have gone to london ostensibly for a trip and then would have returned in the ordinary course of things but miss hess must surely wonder at the presence of hokar i am bound to say that i did not see bahadur he may be here or he may not rejoined the colonel we'll soon find out to-morrow i go with lady

Starting point is 08:30:26 course soon to see Ida, and then I can warn Miss Hest of the character of the man, if indeed she doesn't know it. "'Toughton, you surely don't suspect Miss Hest of knowing anything about her brother's wickedness?' "'No, I don't say that, and yet it is strange the Hindu should be there, and why should he be lurking about the Bolly Dam? I shall go myself to-morrow, after I have seen Miss Hest to make an examination.' "'What do you mean?' i mean that a crafty devil like hokar doesn't take walks for the benefit of his help now that he may be tampering with the dam perhaps by order of francis hest in that case why not have the dam examined to-day

Starting point is 08:31:08 there is no immediate hurry hokar will find it no easy task to break down that gigantic wall if that is his aim besides the vicar is calling this afternoon to pay respects to lady corsone i wish to have a chat with him on the subject of hest and to learn what he thinks of him what can he think but that hest is a genuine philanthropist i dare say hest is one person here and another in london however it will do no harm to collect what information we can concerning him tomorrow you can come with lady corsoon and her daughter to see ida and i shall go also afterwards you can inspect the dam won't you come to asked vernon no the fact is i'm I intend to ride to Gatehead tomorrow afternoon. I shall leave you and the ladies at Gerby Hall. My steward wants to see me about some property which requires looking after in one of the near villages. It will be easy for me to ride there and look into the matter myself.

Starting point is 08:32:08 I can trust you to amuse my guests. Thus it was arranged, and Vernon put all questions concerning Hokkar and Bolly Dam out of his head. Lucy managed to evade the watchfulness of her mother when that good lady fell asleep, and the lovers had a stolen half-hour all of themselves until the arrival of the vicar. After that came tea and gossip, and a very pleasant afternoon ended gleefully. But the most important event of the next twelve hours happened after dinner,

Starting point is 08:32:37 when the colonel was called out of the drawing-room to see a visitor. He left Vernon to amuse Lady Corsune and her daughter, and took his way to the library where the visitor, who had not sent in any name, was waiting for him. to tauton's surprise the stranger proved to be francis hest my dear lady why did you not join us in the drawing-room he asked hospitably i am sure the surprise would be a pleasant one not to lady corsone said francis quietly she is not over-fond of me besides i have come to see you privately on a most important matter ida cried the colonel anxiously is she ill no no set your mind at rest about ida she has not changed since you saw her yesterday she doesn't know that i am here nor does any one else not even your servant as i gave no name when i was admitted is the door closed and she cast a searching nervous look around this room is perfectly private said touton noting that she looked anxious and haggard nothing mentioned here can be heard i hope nothing is wrong francis sat down and sighed heavily

Starting point is 08:33:46 this much is wrong she said with a gloomy look that i have learned the truth about my brother the truth what you told me yesterday is the truth said miss hest bitterly he is a scoundrel and as it seems probable a murderer yet i had no suspicions of him not even when he sent that indian down here hokar said tauton secretly pleased that his doubts on this point were about to be resolved yes some time ago he came here with a letter from francis saying that he was to remain here for a time i gave him house-room and did not pay much attention to the man as i thought it was only another of my brother's philanthropic schemes but from what you said yesterday this hokar is connected with mr monders and my brother in their wickedness oh frances struck the table with her clenched hands to think that our name should be so disgraced by my brother what have you discovered that he is the spider yes there can be no doubt of that see she took a long blue envelope from her pocket and opened it to display a paper this is a mortgage on gerby hall and on all the property she explained the deed of gift to me is worth nothing interest is due on the mortgage and unless it is paid the man to whom the money is owing will foreclose no wonder frances presented me with the estates they are worth nothing and less than nothing i am actually a pauper oh i am extremely sorry to hear that miss hest but how does this paper prove that your brother is the spider it proves that i'm a pauper and nothing more but i discovered amongst my brother's papers the will of poor dimsdale tolton started to his feet what is there a will yes it is signed by martin dimsdale and witnessed by george venery of singapore and walter smith of hong kong after what you said yesterday i made up my mind that i would no longer be in the dark regarding my brother's doings i therefore broke open his desk which he always kept safely luck

Starting point is 08:35:49 and found a written statement regarding idon not being mr dimsdale's daughter but the child of a certain mr manteath your brother must have learned that story from miss jewin said the colonel for monda's declared that she knew the history i quite believe it replied miss hest for the statement was signed by sarah jewin i have not spoken to her yet but i shall do so to-morrow she was in india with my father and mother and afterwards in burma i expect she heard the story there and related it to francis he added to it oh tauton remembered about the embroidery to the tale then mr dimsdale did not purposely delay the relief exhibition which was to rescue no he pressed on with all speed but francis invented that wicked lie so as to get money from mr dimsdale how francis got the will i can't say he certainly called at rangoon once or twice when he was in london but i scarcely think mr dimsdale would have given him the will probably he stole it i'm sorry to hurt your feelings miss hest added the colonel hastily on seeing her wince but your brother is extremely clever in a criminal way and nothing he does surprises me i quite believe he was clever enough to get this will where is it i have left it at home and if you will call to-morrow i shall give it to you but i must make conditions conditions the colonel looked puzzled i don't think badly of me said francis in an imploring man manner but consider my position i am without a penny for the property must certainly be handed over to a man to whom it is mortgage listen colonel this will states that ida is not a testator's daughter and leaves everything to idam and teeth so there can be no doubt that she inherits now ida loves you and although i wished her to marry my brother or mr monders she always desired to be your wife i am glad now that she did not yield to my persuasions since both frances

Starting point is 08:37:49 and constantine are criminals and exiles so i want you to take her away to-morrow and marry her and enter into possession of the dimsdale property you are very good miss hest said tauton who could not but acknowledge that she was acting most generously but your condition it is scarcely that colonel merely a suggestion i shall give you the will if you can arrange with ida to give me eight or nine or ten thousand pounds so that i can have something to live on Toughton hesitated at this bold offer. I can't say anything about that. It is for Miss Dimsdale to decide. Colonel, if I choose, Ida would remain with me altogether as she loves me. Say rather, said Toughton somewhat unjustly, that you have a great influence over her, Miss Hest.

Starting point is 08:38:38 And if I have, cried Francis, rising to the height of her tall figure, has that influence been used for otherwise but good, instead of misusing it as I could, to keep Ida beside a sight, me and retain command of her money i wish her to marry you and take her fortune entirely to yourself all i ask is for a sum to save me from begging my bread in the street think of my position and do not be too hard on me colonel i admit that you do have some claim said the colonel politely and doubtless miss dimsdale will consent to your demand but i can say nothing it will be better to wait until when until to-morrow then with ida we can talk over the matter miss hess lip curled. "'You are a strange man, Colonel. I offer you a pretty wife and a handsome fortune,

Starting point is 08:39:25 yet you hesitate to do me justice.' "'I see no justice in giving you ten thousand pounds,' retorted Toughton sharply. "'Well,' said Francis, suppressing her rising anger, for she felt that she was acting generously in the Colonel cheerlessly. Perhaps justice is not quite the word which should be used, but you spoke now of my influence over Ida as being great, and you spoke truly. she is very fond of me and i am perfectly well able to induce her to give up all idea of becoming your wife and to get her to remain with me then i should handle the sum i asked for every year instead of only once for ida knows nothing of business

Starting point is 08:40:05 see here miss hest said touten roundly i love ida and i wish her to be my wife but she shall accept me of her own free will and without being pressed in any way your influence can scarcely be so great as you think since ida declined both but she shall accept me of her own free will and without being pressed in any way your influence can scarcely be so great as you think since ida declined both the merry monders or your brother although as you admit you urged her to do so i am coming to-morrow with lady corsoon and her daughter to see ida and i hope miss dimsdale will return with her aunt to this house not if i can prevent it said francis her colour rising as she hastily wrapped her cloak around her and moved towards the door ida remains with me as a hostage until i get this money to which i am entitled i failed to see that because you have an ungenerous nature she retreated for i in possession of an unencumbered estate i should ask nothing but as it is i must have money and if you are wise you will buy this will and your wife with a sincere promise i do not even ask for it to be in writing so confident am i in your honour to give me ten thousand pounds on the wedding-day but touton was singularly obstinate wait until to-morrow he said darley what ida says i hold by in that case i have the money retorted francis and left the room promptly with a dry smile and a light step fully satisfied that she had won end of chapter nineteen read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter twenty of the spider by fergus hume this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by don w jenkins chapter twenty gerby hall contrary to his usual custom colonel touton did not mention the conversation or the visit of miss hess to his co-worker and he observed this reticence for two reasons firstly he noted that vernon was too much engrossed in the society of lucy to give undivided attention to those anxious matters dealing with the spider and his machinations secondly the offer of frances particularly concess particularly

Starting point is 08:42:21 concerned himself and ida therefore it was useless to ask advice which probably would not be taken as vernon had always supported miss hest he undoubtedly would urge that she should be paid if she fulfilled the conditions which she herself had laid down nine men out of ten would have clinched the matter at the price so that the gordian knot might be cut instead of unraveled but touton was no alexander to adopt so hasty a course and did not say that the gordian knot might be cut instead of unraveled but touton was no alexander to adopt so hasty a course and did not say that see his way to surrender a large sum for help which in his opinion should be freely rendered moreover as he scrupulously regarded idas fortune as belonging entirely to herself tauton infinitely preferred to leave the decision to her judgment in spite of the triumphant smile with which francis had terminated her visit the colonel did not feel sure that she would gain her ends and suspected that her boasted influence over miss dimsdale was less powerful than she pretended it to be. If she could twist Ida around her finger, and she intimated as much, there was no need for her to apply to Tauton

Starting point is 08:43:31 in any way, as all she had to do is to give the will to Ida and receive in turn a check for the ensuing year's income. But this she had not done, and her very action in seeking him made Tauten suspect that she felt her influence with Ida to be

Starting point is 08:43:47 waning. The girl, therefore, would no doubt be glad to leave Gerva, hall and come to the grange and it might be but the colonel could not be certain on this point that francis was detaining her by threats although what such threats might be touton could not conjecture and certainly judging by the visit of the previous day ida was fondly attached to francis and was remaining of her own free will under the gloomy roof of her friend taughton was perplexed how to reconcile ida's evident desire to remain at the hall with the unnecessary visit of miss hest i can come to no decision about the matter until i have seen ida by herself thought the colonel when he returned to the drawing-room in the presence of this woman the poor girl may be intimidated or perhaps fascinated as a bird by a snake when we are alone she will open her heart to me as i know that she loves me in spite of what miss hest says to-morrow if she refuses to return with lady corsoon i shall remain behind when the others have taken their departure and perhaps may get a word or two alone with ida i wish i could remove her from the society of that woman i am sure it is harmful when rejoining his guests touton merely intimated that his visitor had come on business and gave the company to understand that it was of small consequence then he proceeded to make himself agreeable to lady corsoon so that vernon and lucy could have each other's company without the uncomfortable presence of a third party

Starting point is 08:45:22 he taught his elderly guest a new game of patience but as this proved to be somewhat dull the young couple were called in to form a bridge party they came unwillingly and playing the game with but faint interest allowed touton and lady corsoon to win as the latter individual retired to bed the winner of a moderate sum she was in high good humour and refrained from scolding lucy for her forlandering with the undesirable lover and undesirable he was so long as the long as the little woman who was so long as the long as Lady Corsoon hoped to obtain the fortune of her niece. If Monders failed to fulfill his promise, then the scheming wife of the financier was perfectly willing to permit her daughter to marry Sir Arthur Vernon, it being, of course, understood that he was to have the title before becoming Lucy's bridegroom. Certainly she would have preferred her daughter to be Lady Stratham, but as Lady Vernon with her husband's rank and her father's money, she would shine, no inconsiderable planet, amongst the stars of London society, and Lady Corsoon would bask in the reflected glory.

Starting point is 08:46:28 Finally, as the ambitious mother fell asleep, she reflected that Lucy, being rather obstinate, it was just as well to humour her in this instance, as she was quite capable of running away with the man of her choice if permission were refused. Lady Corsoon would not have been particularly astonished had she heard that Lucy had already made the audacious proposal of flight. Next morning, however, to enhance the value of the prize, she kept her daughter beside her and remained in her own room on the plea of looking after certain matters connected with feminine adornment. Toughton on his part had to attend to his correspondence, so Vernon was

Starting point is 08:47:09 left to his own devices. He thought that he could not occupy his time better than by taking a walk to the Bolly Dam in the hope of stumbling on Hokka. For this purpose he strolled leisurely along the Moorland path, enjoying the bright sunshine and the keen freshness of the morning air. It was a perfect day, and had Lucy been prattling by his side, it would have been more perfect still, but his beloved was absent, so Vernon could only feed his hungry heart by recalling details

Starting point is 08:47:40 of the delicious conversation which had taken place between them on the previous day. he duly arrived at the dam but could see no sign of the hindoo it was still early however so burdon sat down on the massive stonework of the wall to wait for his possible arrival while in this position he became aware to his astonishment that he could hear sounds extremely plainly from the mile-distant village the clacking of the mills the subdued murmur of the torrent tumbling under the arched bridge the lowing of cattle and even but more faintly the shrill cries of chival of chival of charred children at play. All these struck on his ear with amazing clearness, considering the distance. Certainly a gentle wind was blowing from the village, but even that did not wholly explain the phenomenon, since the various noises were so markedly distinct. Finally, Vernon concluded, and no doubt was correct in his conjecture, that the narrow gorge acted as a kind of telephone, which, with the aid of the steady

Starting point is 08:48:40 wind blowing up its length, conducted the sounds accurately. The discovery amused, the young man, and he sat where he was for a considerable time trying to distinguish between the several noises. Later in the day, he decided to get Lucy to sit on the dam, and then from the bottom of the gorge a mile away, call out and see if she could understand what he was saying. The experiment would be both scientific and interesting. For quite an hour, Vernon waited, but no whole car put in an appearance. He then spent another hour and walking slowly around the reservoir and finally without having seen a single person he returned to luncheon at the meal colonel touton mentioned that he had written a note to miss hess stating that the visit would be paid at three o'clock and i have given orders for a room to be got ready for ida next to yours lady corson said the colonel i doubt if lady will come sighed his guest she is singularly obstinate in having her own way what she can see and that woman is a puzzle to me

Starting point is 08:49:43 miss hest is very clever remarked lucy but there is something about her that i do not like for instance queried vernon bending forward i can hardly say said the girl thoughtfully she is clever and agreeable and quite well-bred yet she seems to be-be dangerous i think that word applies more to monders than to miss hest observed touton although i am bound to say that miss hess does not satisfy me in many ways she is too masterful dangerous no i should not describe her as dangerous miss i should and i do colonel i may be wrong but the first time i met miss hest at rangoon she gave me that impression one should never go against impressions said vernon gravely they are the instincts of the soul nonsense contradicted lady corson vigorously i am sure when i first met my husband i could not bear him and my mother had simply to drive me to the altar yet i married him and i'm sure we are a most attached pair the gentlemen were too well bred to smile at this statement yet it secretly amused both every one knew that the undeniable good feeling which existed between sir julius and his wife was mainly due to their diverse interests in life which kept them more or less apart lady corsoon was always fluttering about as a society butterfly while sir julius remained constantly in the city earning money for her to spend it was little credit to either that they were civil to one another on the rarericester that they were civil to one another on the rarer occasions when they met. Cane and Abel themselves would not have quarrelled when only meeting, as the saying goes, once in a blue moon, but Lady Corsoon felt quite certain that she was a model

Starting point is 08:51:31 wife and a typical British matron, new style, and prattled on about her domestic happiness until it was time to start for Gervy Hall. "'Burton will escort you two ladies,' said Tautin, who was in writing kit and exhibited a more youthful air than usual i can follow you won't ride to gatehead until you have called at the hall urged lady corsoon for i may need you to insist upon ida coming to the grange i shall assuredly be at gerby hall in half an hour more or less replied the colonel quietly but i should not think of insisting upon ida becoming my guest unless she honours me of her own free will with a visit oh nonsense said lady corson pettishly when you know how infatuated she is with this woman hest and all the way down the winding road she lamented that ida was so impossible and the owner of gerby hall so second-rate for she is second-rate finished lady corsoon triumphantly i always said so and would say so with my dying breath in due time the trio arrived at the gloomy hall and were shown by the fat maid into the dingy drawing-room it was less chill and dismal on this occasion as the windows were wide open and the warm breath of the day stole in to ameliorate the damp atmosphere as did the sunshine to lighten the darkness in the glare of day the furniture looked quite faded

Starting point is 08:52:58 and the hangings extremely shabby but there was something dignified about the ancient room which impressed even lady corsoon a very quaint old place she said surveying it through her lorne yet but damp they ought to have a fire in the grate i couldn't very well have it anywhere else mamma giggled lucy my dear pray do not afflict me with your cheap wit you perfectly well understand to my meeting i shall take this chair as the light tries my eyes so saying she selected a seat with its back to the windows but less to preserve her eyesight than to prevent miss hest from seeing two plain evidence of her age she thrown herself in the spacious chair with the air of a queen and assumed a dignified main as the door opened to admit ida and her hostess lady corson's first remark was scarcely polite you do look ill ida she said submitting her cheek to a kiss and more than twice your age miss hest what have you been doing with her trying to comfort her replied francis dryly but you can scarcely expect an affectionate girl like ida to lose her father and not show some signs of grief signs of fiddlestick if you will excuse the expression its want of food and cheerful company to say nothing of living in this vault thank you lady corson i find the house of my ancestors very comfortable i think not replied the visitor rudely quaint as i have already observed old world and interesting to an antiquarian but i don't think any one would call this comfortable however the state of things so far as ida is concerned can be easily remedied ida child i have come to take you to the grange which stands in a much more healthy position ida who had saluted her cousin and vernon turned even paler than she already was and looked sideways at francis i think that i prefer to remain in this house she said timidly

Starting point is 08:54:58 oh you must not burden miss hest any longer said her aunt coolly ida's company is no burden to me snapped miss hess who seemed to be trying to keep her temper but if she chooses to leave me she can i should think so as she is free to come and go as she wishes ida i would rather stop with francis said ida faintly and again sought the eye of her friend as if seeking direction we are very happy here miss hest i appeal to you cried lady corsoon looking important you can see for yourself that the dear child is like a plant she wants air and sunlight and every attention ida is free to go and come as she chooses repeated frances with a stealthy glance at the girl and perhaps it is just as well as she should go i am returning to london in a week or so frances ida started to her feet and a faint hue tinged her cheek you never told me this i never arrived at my decision until last night replied francis coldly removing the arm which the girl had thrown fondly round her neck but a search amongst my brother's papers has shown me that my position financially speaking is not so secure as i thought it was as it is necessary for me to earn my living i must go back to professor gales at isworth and probably i shall agree to his proposal that i should appear on the stage but francis i have plenty of money share with me ida said lady corsoon sharply you must let older and wiser heads guide you as regards the disposition of your fortune besides it may not be so secure as you think what i had turned to face her aunt's then you already know that i am not mr dimsdale's daughter i know something about it said lady coarsoon concealing her exact knowledge and determined to appear surprised at nothing i received a letter stating that on certain conditions i could get the money of my brother whether you are my niece or not i can't save but assuredly if the money is mine i must enter into possession of it of course you may rely on my doing my best to help you

Starting point is 08:57:07 i want nothing said ida proudly lifting her head if the money is yours you shall certainly have it am i not right francis perfectly right but lady corson's fortune to use her own words with regard to you may not be so secure as she thinks if it is not martin's daughter and there is no will i should certainly inherit cried lady corsoon quite fiercely and i confess that i am surprised to hear that my brother is not the father of the girl i have always supposed to be my niece i should like an explanation you shall have one to-morrow said miss hess coolly i want one to-day said the elder woman wrapping her knuckles with her lorgnette what have you to do with this matter may i ask more than you suppose but after i have seen colonel touton you shall be enlightened as to my exact position francis do you mean to say that the money is really mine demanded ida with a look of breathless interest if it was what would you do asked miss hess doubtfully i should give you all the money you required frances hesitated then came forward and kissed the girl quietly you are a good child ida i thought that i had lost your confidence miss dimsdale did not contradict this statement i shall always remember how kind you have been to me she said shrinking a trifle from her friend's caress nothing can make me forget the past come come said lady corsoon rising in a fussy manner this sort of thing will not do it all i must understand plainly what this means in the meantime i request my niece to follow me to the grange i am not your niece if all i have learned is true and i decline to be dictated to said ida quickly to-morrow i shall come to the grange will you leave me ida asked francis quickly and with a look of pain for a time only muttered the girl averting her head but i wish to go to colonel touton's to-morrow

Starting point is 08:59:04 many things seem about to happen to-morrow observed lady corsoon walking towards the door in her most stately manner and as ida refuses to obey me i wash my hands of her come lucy come mr bernan we must depart but the colonel will be here shortly protested bernan and lucy took ida's hand kindly between her own. The Colonel may do what he pleases, said Lady Corsoon loftily. I am not bound by his actions. Ida, I learn, is not my niece, and therefore I shall instruct my lawyer, since there is no will to demand a surrender of Martin's property. Now that Miss Dimmesdale, no, not that, what is your name, may I ask? And she hoisted the lorgnette again.

Starting point is 08:59:46 Ida shrank back before the severe look and broken down in health as she was with all she had gone through burst into tears. frances stepped between her and lady corsoon you are a cruel woman she said indignantly and you shall leave my house at once only too willingly only too willingly cried lady corsoon swelling with pompous indignation but i call every one to witness that i shall have these matters examined into and intend to claim my rights ida you are no niece of mine by your own showing so i have finished with you lucy mr bernan and she sailed out of the room and out of the house in a high state of indignation the fact is the good lady was greatly perplexed over the unexpected information that she had received she had believed that her brother had made a will in her favour which ida had destroyed but she had never expected her information that she had received she had believed that her brother had made a will in her favour which ida had destroyed but she had never expected expected to hear that the girl was not dimsdale's daughter in her hurry she left vernon and lucy behind while she simply rushed down the short avenue and came face to face with colonel touton who was riding in at the gate what is the matter asked the colonel surprised at seeing his guest alone matter lady corsoon halted breathing hard with anger i really don't know save that the hest woman has insulted me also i have heard that ida is not my niece and therefore i am sure the property belongs to me i decline to stay longer in the house and so i am returning home perhaps colonel you will demand an explanation if i don't receive a satisfactory one to-night i write my lawyer so there

Starting point is 09:01:22 tauton tried to stem the torrent of this speech but without any result still talking of the way in which she had been treated lady corsoon babbled her way out of the gate and disappeared the colonel rode up to the door and the lighting from his horse bound the bridle to a ring in the wall as he stepped inside vernon appeared in attendance on lucy they had stayed behind to comfort ida who was weeping over the harsh treatment she had received from her presumed aunt what on earth is the matter asked tauton putting the same question to the couple as he had put to lady corsoon miss lucy i have met your mother rushing home in a high state of anger miss hest and mother have fallen out said lucy hesitating how much to say for she knew how tauton loved ida and lady corsoon has learned that ida is not her niece put in vernon go in and comfort her colonel i shall go after lady corsoon with lucy that is the best thing to be done cried francis overbearing and putting her head out of the window colonel touton i desire a private conversation do you wish me to remain vernon asked his friend in a low voice no no i must see miss hess polone i understand what she wants go with miss lucy she has already reached the gate but if you want me i don't when i return you shall know everything what do you mean demanded vernon anxiously colonel colonel called out miss hest again i must go follow miss corsoon and pacify the old lady said tauton hurriedly and hastened into the house leaving bernan much astonished by his behaviour had the young man known of miss hest's visit on the previous evening he might not have been so perplexed as it was he hastened after lucy who by this time was rapidly gaining on her indignant mother with a feeling that tauton knew more than he did concerning the present state of affairs

Starting point is 09:03:17 which as he afterwards learned was precisely the case the colonel entered the gloomy drawing-room to find ida weeping on the sofa and francis comforting her before he could say a word the latter turned on him indignantly why did you send that insulting woman here she came of her own accord explained touton frowning at the speech and surely lady corsone has not insulted ida and me she has insulted us both cried miss hest angrily i should have had her turned out of the house had she not gone it was my fault by telling her that i was not her niece said ida in an agitated tone as if i could help that but i won't trouble her in any way she has never been kind to me i shall not set eyes on her again but ida said touton taking her hand and striving to speak cheerfully i want you to come to the grange not while lady corson is there richard francis drew a long breath of relief which annoyed the colonel are you detaining miss dimsdale here he asks now nappishly for late events had tried his temper greatly oh no cried ida before her friend could speak as if francis would do such a thing but lady corsone has been so rude you speak of her as lady corsone naturally since i am not her niece said ida simply when she leaves the grange i shall be delighted to come colonel touton flushed through his tan i'm a bachelor ida he said in stiff tones you can't come to my house without a lady is staying there that is unless you will marry me at once ida placed her two hands on his shoulders and looked at him kindly through her tears if you will take a girl without a sixpence i shall marry you as soon as you please richard don't put his chivalry to the test ida remarked francis in somewhat acrid tones colonel touton knows that you have ten thousand a year but if this story is true it is quite true only there is a will a will a will

Starting point is 09:05:19 ida stared and flushed with pleasure then poor mr dimsdale did not entirely forget me he did not forget you at all i found his will well it doesn't matter where since i explained everything to our friend here last night but you inherit the dimsdale property as idam and teeth so lady corsoon will not be able to strip you of your worldly goods oh ida grew even more scarlet then richard he caught her hands and pressed them to his breast my dear i would take you without a single penny and that is the way in which you will have to take her said francis dryly unless you consent to my demands i leave that to ida said touton once more stiff and military leave what to me asked ida looking from one to the other francis turned to her in a business-like way the property my brother has made over to me is mortgaged and i am penniless if you marry the colonel i lose your society and also the chance of being your companion at a certain wage to make amends i ask for ten thousand pounds you shall have it of course said ida promptly will you sign this document giving it to me asked miss tess pulling a sheet of paper out of her pocket at once if you will give me pen and ink the two women went towards a table upon which stood what was required apparently francis had made all necessary preparations to get the money you can give me a check also here is the book she said said eagerly. Ida,

Starting point is 09:06:52 Ida, are you wise in doing this? warned the Colonel following. Yes, said the girl rapidly signing her name without even reading the document. I want to marry you and be rid of Francis. Miss Hess sneered while Tauton started back utterly astonished by the change of tone. I thought, I fancied, I believed, he stuttered,

Starting point is 09:07:11 that you were deeply attached to Miss Hess. I was, but there are circumstances. Oh, let us have the truth. interposed francis sharply you liked me well enough and i liked you until you found out that i was too clever for you so i'd a caught at her lover's hand and made an effort to pull herself together in the face of miss hess's contemptuous eyes you treated me shamefully francis she said in tones of reproach i loved you dearly until you began to bully me and make my life a burden you got me down here in order to gain possession of my money and have been trying to influence me into giving up not only my personal property but richard also i saw what you were ever since we came to this house but to deceive you i played my part and led you to believe that i still loved oh rubbish said miss hest whose eyes were hard as jade you played your part very badly i saw through your weak tricks you were afraid of me you know you were yes i was said ida clinging to the amazed colonel because i believe if you could have got me to sign away my property that you would have killed me i am willing to give you ten thousand pounds as i once had some affection for you but now that you have got your pound of flesh i shall leave this house with richard to go to lady coursoon richard will protect me and heaven help me said ida putting her hand to her head piteously i feel so dazed that i scarcely know what i am saying

Starting point is 09:08:39 you are not two days to sign a check ida without a word stepped to the table and began to write in the cheque-book touton protested you shall not do this he declared well i fancied you loved miss hest i was willing you should make her a present of this large sum but since she has treated you badly if ida does not sign the cheque she does not get the will said francis imperiously you can save your breath colonel you may hand over a false will if i did that i should not get the ten thousand pounds retorted francis don't be a fool i am acting straightforwardly enough here is the money said ida tearing out the signed cheque and passing it to her quondam friend and here is the will replied miss hest offering a paper which ida took and gave to the colonel doughton glanced rapidly at the document it certainly seemed to be a genuine will signed by martin dimsdale and also by venery and smith he felt sure that there was no trickery about the the paper since miss hest now that lady corsoon knew the truth would not be able to get the money unless the testament of martin dimsdale was above reproach that's all right he remarked slipping the precious paper into the breast-pocket of his coat but you miss hest are a little else than a blackmailer you are the worthy sister of your confounded brother the woman laughed after a critical glance at the check and signed document to make sure that both were in order i am able to bear all your hard since i have secured the money but that ida refused to obey me and kicked over the traces you would never have had that will i thought that the money did not belong to me protested ida sheltering herself under the wing of her lover and wanted to return it to lady corson francis nodded with a sneer oh i know how tender your conscience is you have whimpered enough about it only because of your silly attitude did i make this arrangement which is the best i can do for myself but i must say one thing ida that you can take it as a compliment

Starting point is 09:10:42 clever as i am you with your soft over-scrupulous nature have been too many for me few people can say that and now that all is over between us you can leave my house as i hate the sight of your insipid face ida shrank back into the colonel's arms and he addressed miss hest in a voice rendered hoarse with indignation you are a thoroughly bad woman i never did a proof of you and now that i see you as ida does in your true colours i tell you my true colours scoffed the other contemptuously no one knows what they are you least of all you narrow-minded idiot what do you mean demanded touton taken aback by the malignant look on her hard white face don't ask her implored ida striving to pull her lover to the door she will only lie let us leave this wicked house as i am certain that there is something terrible concealed here something terrible echoed tauton looking startled don't talk rubbish muttered francis with a dangerous expression in her eyes colonel you had better take away that fool or it will be the worst for her i warn you i have heard strange noises went on ida feverishly people have been coming and going and going and the dead of night then that hindoo hockar cried the colonel miss hest how do you explain hokar i explain nothing snapped francis marching to the door in an imperious way and throwing it open out you go both of you she recoiled ah you dare to with a gasp she tried to close the door again but totton dashed forward and caught her arm i have seen it is too late he almost shouted monders come in it was indeed monders who stood on the the threshold he looked the ghost of his former handsome insolent prosperous self thin and haggard and worn with his clothes hanging loosely on his figure he presented a woeful spectacle

Starting point is 09:12:38 what have you been doing to yourself how did you come here asked thouton stepping back much startled with eidon his arm ask that woman how i came here ask her how she has treated me but i escaped from the room she locked me in by climbing out of a window now i shall show her the murder she has shown me she is francis darted forward and clapped her hand with his mouth i'll kill you if you say the word you cursed fool be silent or i give you up monders with a strength which his frail looks scarcely suggesteth threw her off and staggered against the door i give you up he shrieked wild with anger you thief you blackmailer you murderous what cried touton eagerly and grasping vaguely at the terrible truth Yes, Monders pointed an accusing finger at Francis Hest. There is the spider! A woman! A devil! Arrest her! Imprisn her! Hang her on the gallows! And he sank down on the floor his back to the door with hatred written on his white and ghastly face. End of Chapter 20, read by Don W. Jenkins, Rancho San Diego, California. Chapter 21 of The Spider by Fergus Hume.

Starting point is 09:14:04 This Librevox recording is in the public domain. main recorded by don w jenkins chapter twenty one justice there was a long pause a sinister lull in the tempest of passion which was raging in that quiet prosaic room gasping with impotent passion monders lay resting his head against the door an obstacle which prevented the guilty woman from escaping not that she attempted to escape with a deadly white face with steady cold malignant eyes like those of a snake and with a contemptuous smile on her thin lips the spider visible at last in all her brazen wickedness stood defiantly at bay taughton with ida clinging to his arm almost terrified out of her senses stared aghast at the evil being who had been such a curse to many the ominous silence was like the year-long moment before the bursting of a body of a bomb. Ida with chattering teeth and trembling limbs was the first to recover the use of her tongue, but she could scarcely form the words. Oh, God! Oh, God! She whimpered, hiding her face on her lover's breast.

Starting point is 09:15:21 It's too awful. I never thought. I never thought. Oh, oh, oh! She broke down with a strange, hysterical, choking cry, and would have fallen to the ground, but that the colonel placed her gently in a near chair. then he turned with military precision to face miss hest you are the spider he asked in dry precise tones and now entirely master of himself yes she replied coolly and her mouth closed with a triumphant snap you infernal fiend gently gently hard names break no bones colonel you should be more of a man than to throw words at a woman yes gasped monders raising his himself on his elbow and wiping the froth from his pale lips she is francis hess right enough her brother is a myth invented by herself to mask her devilries but francis or francis she is the spider i did not mean that exactly said thouton in his hard voice but i asked if one capable of the enormities credited to the spider can possibly be a woman i am the spider said miss hest with a shrug there is your answer you are a demon more names really colonel touton you are very childish you sink to the level of that fool and she pointed scornfully to ida who was weeping in the chair as though her heart would break

Starting point is 09:16:48 do think that i should have been her friend moaned ida with a fresh burst of tears and hiding her face you little fool said francis in a gentle dangerous voice i have been a better friend to you than you think but that i pitied you as being a poor weak silly work I would have murdered you long ago. You murdered my father! shivered Ida, not daring to meet the cold eyes which rested on her prostrate form. Martin Dimstale was not your father. You, you murdered him. Yes, I did. What?

Starting point is 09:17:25 Toughton could scarcely believe his ears. You admit the crime? Francis yawned ostentatiously. If I admit that I am the spider, it follows that I must have murdered Dimmesdale. Well, no, replied Tauton, truthfully and justly, you may have employed Hoccar to strangle him. That is very good of you, said Francis satirically,

Starting point is 09:17:47 but I don't place my own sins on the shoulders of others. Hokar taught me how to strangle in the thug fashion, certainly, but he did not kill Dimsdale. I did. Still, I don't believe that the murderer was premeditated, insisted Toughton. Upon my word, said Miss Hess good-humouredly and as coolly as though she were gossiping over a cup of tea. One would think you were counsel for the defence. No, you are right. I did not intend to murder

Starting point is 09:18:17 Dimsdale. Having got you out of the way—' You mean that you got Vernon out of the way? Of course, assented Francis, sitting down and crossing her legs in a gentlemanly fashion. But you must excuse my bad memory, as I have so much to think of. I got Vernon out of the way, as I overheard, and Monders there overheard the arrangement for a trap. We were both on the veranda. And I was with you, wailed Ida, shivering again. So you were, said Miss Hess, raising her eyebrows, but you heard nothing. Monders caught a word or two through the open window of the library, and warned me.

Starting point is 09:18:56 While you, my dear Ida, were talking to him, I stole round the corner and listened. Knowing all about the trap, I had Vernon decoyed to the kensington. house and at the appointed time i went into the library masked and cloaked as were the other guests at the ball dimsdale was waiting for me i stole up behind him and slipped a handkerchief around his neck oh the colonel was revolted and you say that the crime was not premeditated i say truly i simply prepared to strangle him slightly should he have made an outcry remember i was in a dangerous position and could not stand on ceremony had dimsdale given me the money and permitted me to leave by the window i would have spared his life as it was he saw me in the mirror which was directly in front of him but you were masked he could not recognize you i am coming to that he waited for a moment until i made my demand for the money then suddenly threw back his hand and before i guessed his intention he tore the mask from my face when he recognized me i was obliged for my own safety to strangle him as the handkerchief was in position i simply tightened it and he was soon dead then i searched for my own safety to strangle him as the handkerchief was in position i simply tightened it and he was soon dead then i searched for my search for my own for the money, but not being able to find it, I resumed my mask and returned to the ballroom. Monders, of course, was with me all the time and awaited my return.

Starting point is 09:20:20 I did not know that you had committed a murder, said Monders, gloomily. No, I did not tell you at the time. It would have spoiled your pleasure. But when I'd have learned the truth by entering the library, you guessed what had taken place. I kept you with me for your own sake to provide an alibi, should you be suspicious. as i feared vernon might be clever enough to guess that you had something to do with it as a matter of fact he did hint at it when he called many days later but i was enabled to say that you were with me all the time and so he was put off the scent i remember murmured the colonel to himself but not so low as not to be overheard by miss hess's marvellously sharp ears vernon was quite satisfied when you provided the alibi for monders he never suspected you no one ever suspected me said francis coolly there is no need for me to speak of my own cleverness any one who can baffle the police as i have done has no need to boast but why in heaven's name with your abilities did you embark on such an evil course asked touton amazed at her saint-fraud fate fortune destiny what name you will said miss hest carelessly but you have tried to exonerate me colonel and because of that you shall hear the whole story

Starting point is 09:21:40 and leaning forward she pulled the bell-rope remember i shall repeat all you say to the police warned touton i am not afraid of the police retorted francis with a shrug all my plans are made to escape as that fool she pointed to monders lying sullenly on the floor has betrayed me twice i give him to you as a sacrifice but i shall never stand in the dock you may be sure will you kill yourself cried ida terrified at this strength of mind no my dear i am too much in love with life you shall know my plan presently meantime you shall hear how i came to be a blackmailer as you have already heard why i murdered dimsdale to my misfortune to your misfortune indeed sharply you may well say so colonel i never intended to soil my hands with blood least of all with that of a man whom i liked and who was kind to me don't sigh ida after all i did not shed his blood as i merely strangled him but that death brought you in vernon in chase of me colonel so i am hunted down still had monda's been true i should have been safe you knew frances hest as the criminal thanks to monders i merged the brother and the sister and made everything safe now she shrugged her shoulders i must flit you shall go to prison with me panted monders furiously i think not rejoined miss hest contemptuously don't you know me well enough yet to be aware that i provide against all contingencies come in she added raising her voice and when the door opened looked at i shall ask my old nurse miss juin to relate the beginning of my career at a later time i can take up the tale and then our tumbled-down friend yonder can finish the story sarah enter and close the door

Starting point is 09:23:33 miss sarah juhin was peaked-faced and white with thin lips scanty gray hair and cold gray eyes she was thin and bony and very tall so that in her plain black dress she looked like a line length without breadth as she entered monda's with a groan hoisted himself into a chair miss juin had already pushed him aside when she entered the room and in place of replying to her mistress stood looking at his scowling haggard face with a look of consternation monders replied with her owners replied with her owners replied with her own the look of petty triumph yes i got out he said rubbing the ragged beard which disfigured his well-moulded chin i wrenched a bar out of the window and climbed down by the ivy now the murders out and you and your hellish mistress are about to be brought to book don't mind him sarah said francis lazily and leaning back in her chair to light a cigarette you are safe and so am i let the fool talk in the meantime tell colonel touton here how i came to england and how you knew that ida was merely dimsdale's adopted daughter i thought you wanted these things kept secret said miss jeanne in dismay and turning pale with dread at the situation in which she found herself the time for secrets is past sarah shortly thanks to your having allowed maunders to escape and to colonel tauton's sense of justice the hue and cry will be out against the whole of us is hokar at his post yes he went away when you gave orders that's all right i'll escape sure enough and so will you we'll leave monda's behind to face justice he can declare himself to be the spider instead of me if he chooses oh miss jewin started back looking terrified do they know monders has told them you dear old idiot but there's no time to be lost sarah tell your story and be frank broke in the colonel who was truly amazed at miss hest's cool composure if you turn king's evidence you may receive a short sentence for your complicity

Starting point is 09:25:35 sarah jewin folded her arms primly begging your pardon sir but i won't receive any sentence at all i am quite sure that miss francis will save me from going to prison i fail to see how she can save herself let alone you said touton coldly my horse is at the door after placing miss dimsdale in safety i shall ride to gatehead and send for the police you needn't chuckle miss hest and think you will escape meantime i shall raise the village and you will be carefully watched you can act as you please said francis coolly i am not the spider for nothing and i shall baffle you as i have baffled others meantime since you were so jest to me i shall satisfy your curiosity which i am sure is very great sarah tell your story one moment said touton turning to the prim woman you lured vernon into the kitchen of that empty kensington house she dropped an ironical curtsey yes sir miss francis was pleased that i managed so cleverly. I distared wide-eyed at the shameless looks and speech of the housekeeper, and Tauton frowned, that these creatures should so audaciously confess their crimes when they knew he would shortly summon the police, puzzled him greatly. Also remembering the wonderful craft of the spider,

Starting point is 09:26:55 he felt uneasy as to what might happen, but he could not conjecture in what way she could extricate herself and her accomplice from the trap in which they were safely caught. However, made no comment on miss jewin's insolence but merely ordered her to proceed about thirty-five years ago said miss jewin plunging into her story without any preliminary explanation i was in india and nursed to miss hest who was the wife of captain theodore hest stationed at bombay the captain's father who lived there was angry when his son went into the army and cut him off with a shilling but my master believed that if a son were born to inherit the estate states his father would relent when my mistress's baby proved to be a girl he was much disappointed however as his father was old and might die before he found out the trick he sent home news that the baby was a boy and had her baptized francis so you see broke in miss hest who was smoking quietly that my real name is francis and by law i am a man as a woman i am francis so there is merely the difference of one her go on sarah she said miss jean pointing to her mistress was dressed as a boy and brought up as a boy so that the estates might come to her my master's father relented when he heard that he had as he supposed a grandson and made a will in the boy's favour the boy you understand colonel being a girl myself said francis for the sake of clearness i quite understand said the colonel frowning go on

Starting point is 09:28:35 and my master and mistress were carried off within a month of one another by fever continued miss jewin they died in burma where the captain had gone with his regiment i then took charge of miss hest who was always called master francis and came to gerby hall old mr hess the grandfather just lived six months longer but he died under the impression that his granddaughter was a grandson miss francis thus became possessive of the property didn't the lawyer know that she was a girl asked touton surprised no as she had always been brought up as a boy the deception was complete sir said miss jewin using the word with shameless deliberation the lawyer came here and saw miss francis and her boy's clothes and in this way explained miss hest it became current gossip in the village that i had a twin brother a twin sister you mean said the colonel doubtfully well you might put it that way at all events everyone in boudersdike believes to this day that there is a boy and a girl or rather a man and a woman hest i alternately wore male and female clothes why was there any need for you to wear female clothes at all that was my fault said miss june quickly when the succession to the estates was settled i could not bear that miss francis should masquerade any longer as a boy i therefore dressed her in in girls clothes to which she was entitled and invented the twin story sometimes she was a boy so that the lawyers should not learn the truth and sometimes a girl to please me there's the whole story now it's my turn said francis throwing away her cigarette when i grew up and learned how sarah had muddled my sex in the eyes of the world i decided to make use of it in order to earn money

Starting point is 09:30:31 why did you need money when you had the estates asked touton briefly oh those were mortgaged up to the hilt my dear sir i wanted to be rich and to restore the hest family to their old position for this reason i posed as a philanthropist and spent the money i did what with the sums i have given in charity and the buildings i have constructed and the dam which is my work i think colonel that the hests can hold their own with the toutons i hated to think that my family was down while yours was up oh said the colonel with contempt so it's a case of jealousy merely all your philanthropy was a fraud for the first time francis coloured and rose out of her chair to reply with more emphasis no you must not say that i really have a mixed nature and like to help people my good qualities are the outcome of my evil ones i wanted to aggrandize the hests certainly since they were lords of boudersdike valley until your family robbed them of their property but also i really wished to do good and help people i think i succeeded at the cost of murder said ida resentfully that was a mistake replied francis glibly as i never intended to murder dimsdale when i went to london in my women's dress with very little money in my pocket i simply intended to earn my fortune on the stage and by reciting to make francis hest my other self who was supposed to live here wealthy and proper i found that the reciting did not pay and cast about for some better means of making money alternately i lived in london as francis and bouderstike as francis but i could not gain my ends by honest means and so was obliged to take to dishonest ways if you wish to know the devil who tempted me to eat of the tree of knowledge he is before you and she pointed deliberately to constantine it's a lie cried monders starting to his feet with a fine appearance of indignation

Starting point is 09:32:33 i met you three or four years ago in london and you discovered that i earned my living by telling fortunes as diabella that was all except he added scowling that you blackmailed me quite so said miss hess quietly i tried my prentice hand on you and the means of making money in this way was so easy that i took it up as a trade and adopted you as a partner go on monders you tell the rest of the story so that everything may be made clear there's nothing to tell said maunders doggedly and casting down his eyes as he met ida's sorrowful look for he was not so entirely lost to all sense of shame as were the other two law-breakers you made me find out all manner of secrets from my clients by hinting at things and asking questions and by i know interrupted tauton waving his hand i am aware of how fortune-tellers hinted a possibility and so find out the actual truth from their two credulous clients no wonder the spider learns so much that you know that's much that people would fain have kept to themselves who told you about dimsdale you know said monder sullenly that woman there yes said miss jewin still prim and shameless when in burma with my master i heard about mr dimsdale's love for mrs mendeath and how when her husband died he adopted the child but i never said that mr dimsdale delayed any expedition so as to get mr manteath killed no i invented that and made monders tell it to you ida and to you colonel with the additions put in miss hest with great coolness also on finding out that ida was not dimsdale's daughter i became alarmed as to the disposition of the property therefore i made myself a friend of the family and secured the free run of the house you intended to get my money asked ida reproachfully certainly my dear replied francis raising her eyebrows ten thousand a year was far too much for a chit like you to handle i intended to get command of the whole lot first i hunted in the debt of night for the will and found it in the library desk

Starting point is 09:34:39 then i made monders tell you that you were not dimsdale's daughter after the murder so that you might be dependent on me since i knew a secret which could rob you of the money i had the secret told also to the colonel so that he might learn he would only have a penniless wife should he marry you my dear ida did you think so meanly of me as that demanded touton colouring indignantly miss hest raised her eyebrows my dear sir my experience of human nature has shown me that there is no mean trick which the majority of men will not commit for money you however were in the minority and so was ida as you both were honest this upset my calculation my calculation and so was ida as you both were honest this upset my calculation as i could not provide against the unseen in human nature you colonel still insisted upon marrying ida and she wished to hand over the money to lady corsoon for this reason i was forced to play my last card and produce the will but you did not intend to be found out as the spider no i did not confess francis calmly when monders betrayed me at islesworth you thought that the spider was a man which was exactly what i wanted and what i did not confess francis calmly when monda's betrayed me at islesworth you thought that the spider was a man which was exactly what i wanted and what i counted upon should such an event as unexpected betrayal happen in the fog i dragged monda's away and we went to the house of a friend of mine whose name i don't intend you to know i wired in cipher to miss jewin here to send a telegram to francis hest at professor gales we got that said the colonel quickly and it threw us off the scent i thought it would said miss hest coolly so while you were hunting for the spider as a man in london i went down with monders he was disguised as an old gentleman and i resumed my womanly dress then i wrote you on the plea of talking about ida and asked after my pretended brother to still further puzzle you you certainly succeeded retorted tauton trying to conceal his wonder at all this clever trick

Starting point is 09:36:38 but ida was here and must have known that you were absent from the house as francis oh no i reappeared before her twice in this room which is as you see not very well lighted in my male disguise and with the painted scar on my face she was entirely taken in the very simplicity of your disguise took me in said ida angrily and wincing at having been so blinded had you worn a beard or a wig i should have recognised you i think not said miss hest quietly and with an amused smile as the man i wore my hair somewhat long i noted that said the colonel quickly how clever of you well then as a woman i merely knitted in false hair i couldn't wear false hair as a man since ida would have then been sharp enough to have recognized me but plenty of women wear false plates so i was safe on that score she never suspected me my sole disguise was the cicatrice, skillfully painted, and the success that the whole business lay, as Ida has submitted, in its boldness, and in the belief that I had a twin brother. I have always found, added Miss Hess musingly, that the bolder one is the safer it is. Audacity always scores. At all events, I so closely resembled my own true self that no one thought I was anyone else but

Starting point is 09:38:03 what I represented myself to be. As Francis, I told Ida that I was taking my sister away for a week and so slipped up to london to meet vernon at lady corsoons and to be nearly trapped at islesworth what about hokar and bahadur asked the colonel abruptly hokar said miss jewin making the explanation instead of francis was an old servant of captain hess and came to england with me and the child later he sent for his nephew who was bahadour yes and i gave them both to monders when i set him up in those splenings indian rooms in bond street observed her mistress they were not engaged to strangle people as you may think colonel but i merely wished them to add to the fantastical look of the place when fortunes were being told that you were so nearly strangled and vernon also was your own fault and his own you should mind your own business my friend i'm going to mind it now said taughton with a frown but first tell me since you are so frank what about lady corsoun's jewels here in this house i gave them into miss jewin's possession and lady coursoon can have them for one hundred pounds said miss jewin a very modest demand sarah said miss hess approvingly but as the game is up i don't think you will get more i shall leave you to arrange about getting the money and handing back the jewels lady corson will be safe and at a small loss but i am glad to think that she will not get your money ida dear don't speak to me cried ida starting to her feet the more you say the more i see how shamefully you have treated me i have spared you said miss hess coolly i could have stripped you entirely bare had i so chosen no by your own showing i was too clever for you

Starting point is 09:39:54 why that is true and simply because you were honest i always wished to keep on the right side of the law or i could have got you to make a will in my favour and then you would have been poisoned how dare you shouted touton while ida gave a faint cry you have learned how much i dare said francis with an unpleasant look so now the story is told perhaps you will leave my house colonel touton walked towards the door with ida on his arm and roughly pushed miss dew and aside i shall place miss dimsdale miss manteeth sneered francis in safety continued touton without noticing the interruption and then i shall ride for the police i shall come too cried monda starting to his feet she will lock me up again and perhaps may kill me stay where you are commanded francis sharply i intend to monders did not wait to hear the end of the sentence seeing that touton and ida blocked the door he made a rush at the nearest window and sprang out of it with a dexterity begotten of sheer fear whether francis intended to take him with her when she fled or whether she intended to murder him he could not say but he preferred to trust in the mercy of the law rather than that of the woman who had been his evil genius. Crazy with terror, he tumbled to the ground, and Tauton, along with Ida, ran to the front door

Starting point is 09:41:13 to see him speeding across the grass. A moment later, and Francis, with a revolver in her hand, leaped from the window in pursuit. From the expression on her face, she evidently intended nothing less than murder. Toutin hastily unbuckled the bridle from the ring and flung himself on his horse. "'Place your foot on my toe, Ida,' he commanded.

Starting point is 09:41:34 up you go there he added gathering up the reins as she sat on his saddle-bow and placed her arms around his neck now let us alarm the village that poor devil will be shot if this fiendish woman is not arrested and he rode forward at a moderately fast pace to catch him chuckled sarah jewin who had come to the door and was looking out from under the palm of her hand shoot miss francis shoot monders finding that he was being chased could not make directly for the gate and dodged behind some shrubs Francis sighted him and fired a shot. It winged him, for he gave a yell of fear and ran directly towards her in the open. She fired another shot which struck him in the breast, and he pitched forward at her feet. Just as she fired a third shot into his prostrate body, there came a noise like thunder and a terrible cry from Miss Jewin. The signal! The d'Ams burst! And she bolted into the house. In a flash, Toughton comprehended and set spurs to his horse. Francis strove to fly.

Starting point is 09:42:34 but monders with a last effort caught at her foot and she fell heavily fighting for freedom like a wild cat the next moment he had her by the throat and in the distance a mighty roaring struck the ears of all as the flood came down gigantly end of chapter twenty one read by don w jenkins rancho san diego california chapter twenty two of the spider by fergus hume this librevox recording is in the the public domain recorded by Don W. Jenkins. Chapter 22, the end of it all. Taughton could not quite understand the situation as there was no time to consider matters. All he knew was that the Bolly Dam had burst, and even had missed June not spoke, the appalling noise would have informed him of the catastrophe. With Ida in his arms, he spurred his horse frantically out of the gate and across the village bridge. He found the crooked street filled with people,

Starting point is 09:43:43 called out by the unexpected thunder. The dams burst! Get on the high ground! shouted Tautin, and with a yell of fear, men, women, and children began running wildly in the direction of the gorge and to disappear amongst the houses in the hope of gaining some level beyond the height of the downcoming flood. But there was scanty time for safety.

Starting point is 09:44:04 The hollow, booming sound of the waters plunged, through the narrows sounded ever nearer and nearer with terrible distinctness it seemed as though the waters were bellowing for their prey in a moment the colonel comprehended that it was too late to skirt the village and gain the winding road where they would be safe ida gave a cry of alarm as he wrenched round the now-starved horse and clattered through the village street on his way down the valley it seemed the only chance i'll save you yet my darling muttered touton setting his teeth we must make for gate-head and he drove his spurs into the animal which now was becoming unmanageable with the roaring of the flood ida almost insensible with terror clung to her lover's neck and the horse making no more of the double burden than if it had been a feather tore at top speed along the road between the torrent and the precipice there was no safety on either side as the precipice could not be climbed and the dry bed of the steepest stream merely offered a deeper grave. Fortunately, the road sloped gradually to the mouth of the valley, some two miles away. Therefore, the downward trend offered extra means to escape the pursuing greedy waters.

Starting point is 09:45:15 A backward glance showed toutin that a tremendous flood was shooting out of the bottle mouth of the upper gorge with terrific rapidity. The whole of the huge lake, artificial, as well as natural, was emptying itself in one vast outpour and owing to the narrowness of the valley the concentrated force was gigantic. If the flood caught them, they would either be dashed to pieces against the rocks or would be borne onward, horse and maid and man, to be expelled at gatehead, as if fired from the mouth of a cannon. Oh, God, save us! Oh, God, save us! was all that Ida could moan.

Starting point is 09:45:54 He well, he will, cried Toughton, riding under spur and whipped with a mad joy in the adventure. you're perilous as it was. He will save the innocent and punish the guilty. Never fear! Never fear, my darling! Onroared the enormous body of water, curling like a mighty wave crested with foam, and glistening like a colossal jewel in the serene sunshine.

Starting point is 09:46:18 It passed with a hoarse, triumphant screaming over the faded village, and in a single moment, bouderstike, was not. Bering debris and bodies of cattle and men, women, and children on its breast, the water rolled majestically on its destroying way like a wall of steel it stood up stretching from wall to wall of the valley and before it tore the terrified horse warned by its instinct of rapidly approaching danger we are lost we are lost screamed ida hiding her face on tauton's shoulder we can never escape it's a mile further there's a crack a path a break in the precipice panted the man almost despairing of saving what he loved best in the world if we can gain that we can scramble up and and great god how it travels from the sides of the valley trees were being wrenched up by their roots and even the stones lying in the bed of the torrent were being lifted and swept onward like pieces of straw owing to the increasing breadth of the valley the shouting and the level of the flood had somewhat lessened but the hoarse steady murmur with which it smoothly advanced seemed to be even more terrible than its triumphant screaming nearer and nearer it rolled towering as it seems to the desperate fugitives right up to the high heavens the horse raced onward furiously but there seemed to be no chance of escaping that rapidly approaching death wave which swept along with relentless speed

Starting point is 09:47:46 the man and woman were both silent both preyed inwardly as they faced the eleventh hour of death and it was the eleventh hour for there was still hope rounding a corner swiftly touton rose in his stirrups and sent forth a cry almost as hoarse as that of the flood a short distance ahead he saw a streak of green grass marking the ruddy stone face of the precipice and knew that here was the crack to which he had referred it was a mere chink in the wall of no great width caused no doubt by the volcanic action which had formed the valley in far-distant ages many a time as a lad had touton climbed up that narrow natural staircase to the moors above but never had he expected to find it a means of preserving his own life and the life he valued dearer than his own setting his teeth he glanced backward and then urged the horse to renewed efforts the wall of water was almost upon them advancing with terrible and steady persistence the last moment seemed to be at hand suddenly the colonel had wrenched it the horse's bit and pulled the animal up with a jerk as it fell back on its haunches he slipped off with the almost insensible girl in his arms and ran desperately towards the sloping green bank which showed itself like a port of safety between the bare bleak stones as he gained it the horse having recovered itself rushed past with a loose ride of the road of the boat of safety between the bare bleak stones as he gained it the horse having recovered itself rushed past with a loose ride and with the stirrups lashing its sides. But Tauton paid no heed.

Starting point is 09:49:13 Almost in a dream he scrambled up the bank, bearing Ida as though she were a featherweight. With straining eyes and bursting temples, and with his heart beating furiously, he clambered desperately, dragging the girl, rather than carrying her as he needed at least one hand free to grip the tough grasses. Fortunately, the slope was gradual,

Starting point is 09:49:33 and had it not been there would have been no hope of escape. As it was, when they were a considerable way up, the mighty waves surged majestically past, and its waters shot up the crevice with gigantic force. This was rather a help than a hindrance as it assisted the almost broken man to Mount Hire. But to the end of his days, Colonel Tauton never knew how he saved his wife. All he could remember was straining upward, dragging the now insensible woman with aching limbs, and a blood-red mist before his eyes. When his brain was somewhat clearer, he found himself bending over Ida in a turphy note.

Starting point is 09:50:08 while barely three feet below him the gray water gurgled and sang and bubbled as if in a witch's caldron safe safe muttered touton and dropped insensible across the inanimate body of the woman he had so miraculously saved from a terrible death nine months later when the cuckoo had brought summer to the land and the earth was gay with flowers two married men met unexpectedly in the veridarium of the athenian club they came face to face under the parasthial and after mutual glances of surprise and congratulation burst out laughing then followed a warm handshake and merry speech well married man said vernon as he sat opposite his friend at a small table and ordered a half-pind of champagne to signalize the happy meeting so you are back from your honeymoon as you see said the military benedict and you have returned with lady vernon from the classic shores of italy we came back last week and are staying in town for a few days before going to slimthorpe welcome by the tenantry triumphal arches addresses dinners and speeches and what not i suppose observed the colonel smiling oh yes the tenants are delighted to have a master who will take an interest in their doings and a mistress who can act the lady bountiful lucy and i are about to enter into our kingdom so we intend to take full advantage of the satisfaction of our loving subjects you are devilish lucky vernon i have scarcely a loving subject left and bauderstike valley has been swept clean from end to end as i saw replied sir arthur with a shudder at the recollection by jove colonel you don't know what i suffered that afternoon when i thought that you and ida were smashed to pieces do you remember how lucy fainted when you appeared coming across the moorland with ida hanging half dead in your arm it was a meeting of the living and the dead

Starting point is 09:52:13 any woman less plucky than ida would have died said touton his face lighting up with a fond smile when we got beyond the highest level of the water she had fainted and then i did it was ida who recovered first and by jupiter sir she brought me round i'll be climbed to the top of the moor i don't know but she was as plucky as a man bless her how is she now colonel as happy as the day is long although i don't deny that we both feel sad when we look at our wrecked property however with her money we intend to rebuild bauderstike village and to reconstruct gatehead which was also destroyed if you remember i daresay we'll be able to inveigal people to live in the valley by offering land at low terms in a year or two we will have plenty of tenants to give you and lady vernon a rousing welcome when you pay us a visit that won't be for some time colonel as we have to look after our own kingdom i am glad to see that you are looking so well when was it that we last met tauton laughed in his eyes twinkled you must be happy to have lost your memory so completely he said with a jolly laugh why after our mutual wedding breakfast at lady corsoons don't you recollect weren't we married in great style on the same day and didn't you go to italy and greece for a honeymoon while ida and i returned to the grange it all seems like a dream said vernon absently and a cloud passed over his face and in my newly-found happiness i have tried to forget these sad memories we never had an exhaustive talk over things colonel and now that our wives are not here i should like to ask a few questions ask away it's just as well we are alone ida doesn't care to talk of that dreadful day or of her association with miss hest nor does lucy that dreadful woman what a daredevil she was and as clever as they make them

Starting point is 09:54:07 she was a sight too clever replied tauton dryly as she burnt her fingers at the last i suppose you know that miss jewin was caught you wrote me something about it didn't lady corsoon tell you anything no why should she said vernon with a look of surprise well as you knew the secret of her pawning those jewels i thought she would have told you of their recovery what they were recovered who had them miss jewin she escaped but drench caught her she sent for me before she committed suicide bernan looked horrified did she kill herself poor wretch yes she hanged herself by her garters in her cell i expect she knew that she would get a long term of imprisonment and so preferred to get out of the world but as i said she sent for me and told me where the jewels were she also threw a light on the catastrophe of the bolly dam breaking we knew that hokar exploded a charge of dynamite said vernon looking inquiringly at his friend don't you remember how he could not get away in time and confessed when dying that he had been ordered by miss hess to blow up the dam when she gave the signal by firing a revolver oh yes i remember that as it all came out in the papers said tauton with a shrug and that's just the point listen and oh here's the wine vernon sent away the waiter after he filled their glass and the two gentlemen drank to their dear wives and to a happy future for themselves as married men when this ceremony was ended the colonel related what he had learned from the unfortunate miss jewin before she passed away it seemed that miss hest furious at monder's treachery dragged him down in disguise to gerby hall and there locked him in an upper room miss juin acted as jailer but in spite of her vigilance the wretched man managed to break one of his prison bars and a

Starting point is 09:56:03 escape. He then appeared in the drawing-room and denounced Miss Hest. Always prepared for further treachery on the part of Monders, and never being in the habit of leaving anything to chance, Francis had arranged that she should have the dam broken down in event of the police coming to arrest her, and so they would be destroyed. But she would be destroyed with them, said Vernon at this point. As a matter of fact, she was. Don't you remember how her body and that of Monders clutching one another in a death grip were found when the flood subsided, she anticipated her death. She did nothing of the sort, sir, as Miss Jewan told me. The betrayal of her identity with Francis Hest and with the spider came unexpectedly because

Starting point is 09:56:46 of Monders' escape, but always making things sure she had already posted Hokka at the dam where he had placed a charge of dynamite under the wall. Miss Hess didn't expect much trouble as she thought she had thrown dust in my eyes by the clever way in which she had acted. I think she did, Colonel, and very successfully, remarked Vernon, smiling. I admit it, she was a wonderfully clever woman and extremely unscrupulous. However, on the chance that some danger might come along, she posted Hokkar at Bolly Dam and told him to fire the charge when he heard the report of a revolver.

Starting point is 09:57:23 Vernon nodded. I remember on that day how the wind was blowing up the gorge and how clearly the sounds came up from the village. Hokar heard the shots very easily. They heard two or three and might have guessed that his infernal mistress was not giving the agreed signal. She was shooting Monders, if you remember. It was her intention after we left to have escaped by a similar crack up the side of the precipice behind Gerby Hall to that which saved Ida and myself. But she didn't intend to give the signal until she was on the upward journey with Miss Jewin. Monders was to be left behind to drown in the house.

Starting point is 09:57:59 but Miss Hest forgot for the moment and let her temper get the better of her by firing the shots she gave the signal and Hokar blew up the dam prematurely i see but if Miss Juin escaped why didn't miss Hest ah there's where her nemesis came in monders caught her by the leg and toppled her over then he gripped her throat and they were both drowned "'Serve her right, and him also,' said Vernon Cooley. "'I agree with you. They were a dangerous couple, and it seems like retributive justice that Monders should bring all her carefully laid plans of escape to grief. Miss June at the first alarm caught up the box of Lady Corsoon's jewels and fled out of the back way and up the crevices arranged.

Starting point is 09:58:46 She concealed herself for a time and was warned by the exhaustive reports in the papers of what was going on. That's the worst of those papers, said Vernon with disgust. As I found out when I was a detective, they warned the criminals of everything. I suppose Miss Jewan saw how the story of the spider was set forth and appreciated the sensation it caused. Of course she did. I was angry at the papers myself, for the Grange was simply infested with reporters and

Starting point is 09:59:15 journalists and photographers. However, after the inquest, the sensation died away. everybody has more or less forgotten the matter by this time it's just as well as neither i nor you vernon wished to be bothered with questions quite so that was why i remained abroad with my wife for such a time and that was why i went back with ida to bauderstike said the colonel however to continue grinch caught miss jewin and she hanged herself in her cell as i have told you i found the box of jewels and returned them to your mother-in-law thus her husband has never found out how she pawned them so that's all right i hope it has been a lesson to her not a bit of it i dined with her a week ago and so did ida afterwards we went to a bridge drive and lady corsoon played furiously she's a born gambler but sir julius does not know and will never know how she pawned his much-priced family jewels i wonder miss jewin didn't sell them she had enough money to live on in a small way and of course lived plainly to avert suspicion the jewels she kept as a peace offering in case she should be arrested she hoped to make terms by threatening to denounce lady corsoon however her heart failed her and she handed them over to me poor woman by the way colonel what was your wife's real opinion of miss hest i could never quite understand touton was silent for a few minutes

Starting point is 10:00:48 it is hard to say ida told me that she really liked miss hest for a long time and thought that she was a genuine friend but miss hest showed the cloven foot by trying to get ida married to monda's and why to monders because he was under miss hest's thumb and if he obtained possession of ida's fortune by marriage miss hest undoubtedly would have had the spending of it but this marriage to francis how could that be when francis didn't exist oh i think that was a mere blind to make i to fancy francis was a real person and not miss hest in disguise i can never understand added the colonel with a thoughtful look how it was that ida didn't detect the woman under the man women are so quick in these matters it was the very boldness of the disguise said vernon emphatically i was taken in myself at that georgian hall bazaar a less clever woman than miss hest would have made herself look utterly different to her natural self as a very boldness of her natural self as a very much of her natural self as a woman in my self as a girl in her own little bit of her own. it was she scarcely changed her looks at all save by wearing a man's dress and painting that cicatress on her face anyone would have said that the supposed brother was the sister dressed up such actually was the case and well you know that everyone was taken in a thousand pities colonel that miss hess did not apply her splendid faculties to better purpose she was undeniably very clever a criminal genius as we have often said when we talked of the spider i must say that professor gale although he admired her talents was staggered when he found out from the papers that she was the renowned spider i believe he had a fit however he has now made up endless romantic stories about her and actually got an engagement with his wife on the strength of having known her it's an ill wind which blows no one any good

Starting point is 10:02:39 if francis hest had lived and could have escaped hanging an imprisonment colonel she would have been engaged at a music-hall to appear at a salary of hundreds a week this age likes romantic criminality i think miss hess's criminality was prosaic in the extreme said the colonel very dryly she couldn't earn money honestly and therefore took the left-handed path all her philanthropy was a sham and i really believed that she had the bolly dam built less to supply the villages with water than to protect herself from arrest but the human lives pooh she thought nothing of human life and was a kind of female napoleon in that way she wrung dimsdale's neck as though he had been a chicken the moment she found her personal safety was in danger. Had he not torn off her mask and thus recognized her, she would have spared him. A marvellously clever woman, she quite took me in. I never expected to find the spider in her, and had not Monders escape to betray her, I would have believed that the non-existing Francis was the blackguard. And more, she would have got ten thousand pounds from Ida, and perhaps in America would have

Starting point is 10:03:50 started on a new career of roguery. However, I recovered the signed document and the check from the body, so nothing was said about that matter in the papers. I was glad for my wife's sake. What became a Bahadur? He bolted from the country and has never been heard of. His uncle, Hokka, as you know, died after the explosion. And Mrs. Bej? She buried all memory of Constantine with his bones, but I think she regards him as a martyr who was led astray by miss Hest. Yet from the lips of the spider herself, I learned that it was Monders who induced that very clever lady to become a criminal. Do you think Monders himself blackmailed his aunt? He was quite capable of it, but I think Miss Hest did that to protect Monders from possible suspicion,

Starting point is 10:04:39 for no one would think that the man had anything to do with the matter of the spider who blackmailed his adopted mother. Simply a smart trick of Miss Hest, Vernon, that's all. Have some more shamp-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a. pain, Colonel. Thank you, no more. Come along and see my wife. I have to meet Lucy at Swan and Edgars, said Vernon, glancing at his watch. I'll go with you there first, and then we can have afternoon tea together. Right you are, Colonel, on condition that you dine with Lucy and myself at our hotel, and come to the theatre afterwards. Tauton nodded. Well, Ida and I are up in town for a frolic, so we'll come. When do you return to Bauderstike? In two or three days.

Starting point is 10:05:20 I'm seeing about the rebuilding of the Bolly Dam. Isn't that dangerous? asked Vernon as they left the club. No, I'm arranging for large channels to carry off the water. Besides, had not the dam been blown up by that Indian beast, the catastrophe would not have taken place. Any more questions? No, said Sir Arthur after a pause. I think you have enlightened me on every point.

Starting point is 10:05:46 We'll talk no more of the matter. Not in the presence of our wives at all events. said the colonel bluffly and stepping out smartly along pall mall but when i think of all the mystery and devilish cantrip we have had to do with and how narrowly ida and i escaped a dreadful death i can only thank god that we are happily married there's one small domestic animal if it can be called so vernon on which i can never look without a shudder what's that asked arthur not following his friend's train of thought what sir what have you forgotten the past already oh vernon laughed but somewhat seriously you mean a spider yes snapped the colonel sharply i mean a spider end of chapter twenty two end of the spider by fergus hume

Classic Audiobook Collection - The Spider by Fergus Hume ~ Full Audiobook [mystery]

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