The Halfpenny Surprise, Vol. I, No. 20 — page 8: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

6 THE HALFPENNY SURPRISE. “When I got him to Nick’s Gully, I revealed to him who I was. ““*T thought so,’ he replied, ‘and you want me to divide with you, Dick ?’ «Which you are going to do, in full, of course,’ I observed. ““*Yes; there it is, payment in full,’ he said, clapping a revolver to my head, and pulling the trigger. ‘Luck favoured me, for the thing didn’t go off; but he did next minute with a knife through his heart. “T searched him for the swag, but didn’t find a brass farthing on him. What I thought a most unlucky thing now happened; but it turned out all for the best, as you will hear. “Frank Lister—you remember him, Bob, don’t youP” he said, grinning at him—‘and a few other fellows returning from hunting saw my little affair with Jonas, and started in pursuit. “T dashed into the forest which was close by, and baffled them; then I made for the river, and kept along the bank on the look-out -for the bodies of Charles Holmes and Rose Coglan.” ‘Did you see either?” asked Sir Percival, eagerly, for he wanted proof positive of his step-son’s death. “No; but I did the more than half-eaten remains of Black Mathers, the sight upset me so that I took to my heels and ran like mad. “T called a halt near a dry creek, which filled in the rainy season, only I’d been to a diamond field or two in my lifetime, and saw at a glance that the spot I was standing at resembled others I’d seen before. “And, great Jupiter, didn’t my heart go pit-a-pat when I found these lying on the surface,” producing a parcel, and spreading its contents upon the table. “They’re real diamonds!” exclaimed Sir Percival, after examination ; “ most of them are very fine stones, indeed, and worth a lot of money.” “ T’m willing to form a syndicate, and put two-thirds of their value into it to work the concern,” remarked Flinter. “Of course, dad, you'll give mea share in it ?” said Bob, eagerly; “uncle and I could work the affair splendidly between us.” “No doubt,” was the dry response. “If I entertain the idea—most probably I shall—I'll go out to Africa with you, Richard; England is getting distasteful to me. First, my wife must needs run away and take her daughter with her. Of course, my excellent and charitable neighbours hinted at foul play on my part. “Then Charles Holmes must needs follow his mother’s example and die abroad. All my fault, of course. Perhaps a change to Africa would be the very thing for me? I'll give you an answer a few days hence, Richard. Changing the subject, you mentioned the name of Frank Lister just now.” “Yes; hang him,” hissed Bob. “If I ever meet him T’ll be even with him for the horse-whipping he gave me!” Don’t interrupt, it isn’t good manners,” snarled his father. “What I want to learn from Richard is, whether his Frank Lister was young or old.” “Oh, about the same age as nephew Bob—nineteen.” Can you describe him P” “Yes, in every particular,” and he did so. “Tt must be the same. He is in the African trade.” “How long ?” “ About six months. fabulously wealthy.” “ Tf it’s the same man I knew, you ought to look him up.” : “Why? Would he be likely to join our proposed syndicate P” “Pshaw! he hates me like poison. He was Charles Holmes’ partner. It leaked out that in their claim they found several of the largest nuggets the world has ever seen. You are your step-son’s heir, and have Lister and Co. are reputed possession of his fortune at the present moment; add to it by laying claim to his share in that partnership.” “So Iwill. If I succeed I promise you, in the pre- sence of my son, Robert, to give you a tenth of what I receive. Now let’s retire, it’s just on the stroke of one —midnight.” ; “Let's have glasses round and drink the health of Charlie Holmes, with musical honours,” cried Bob. “ Just the thing, a capital suggestion,” said Flinter, boisterously. “Come, Percival, humour the lad for once. I do believe that it was he who shot the cub, but is too modest to own it.” “* Very well, I see no objection,” said the baronet, grimly. ‘“Let’s toast him in champagne. He’s been a second Bank of England to me.” This brutal trio toasted Charlie not once, but thrice, with musical honours and uproarious laughter. In the midst of their merriment the clock struck one. Suddenly the door opened, and standing on the threshold was a figure in white, its ghastly face streaked with crimson. Its right hand was raised threateningly, and its eyes seemed to glow like ball of fire. It was the apparition of Charles Holmes, whom they had impiously challenged to come back from.the dead. Robert Greene, who was standing on a chair when this midnight visitor appeared, gave a screech of horror and tumbled backwards, the glass shivering to atoms on the polished floor, while he lay doubled up uttering dismal groans, Sir Percival’s jaw dropped as if suddenly smitten by a paralytic stroke, his tongue lolling out of his mouth. : Flinter tried to brave it out, and, seizing a bottle, staggered forward as if to attack the phantom. But even his courage failed him, he lurched into a chair, dropped his head on his breast, closed his eyes tight, and sat there shivering and shaking like a jelly fish. When he ventured to open his eyes, the spectre had vanished. Starting up, he poured out and gulped down half a tumbler of neat brandy as if it were so much water. Shaking Sir Percival by the shoulder, he said, in a voice as hoarse as any raven’s: “It’s all right, the thing has gone. I believe one of the servants has been playing us a trick, after all.” Rai aeanct tried to speak, but his voice failed him utterly. He pointed to the brandy with trembling finger and pleading eyes. The potent spirit. revived him as if by magic, restoring to him the full use of speech and action. “Tt was the spirit of Charles Holmes,” he said, in trembling accents. “I was terribly frightened, but I’m not sorry it happened. I wanted convincing proof of his death and have had it full and com- lete.” Flinter did not care to argue so gruesome a question at that unearthly hour, and turned his attention to Bob. He screamed when touched, and it required several good shakings to bring him to bis senses. Naturally, the servants were alarmed, but Sir Percival quieted their fears by telling them that his son had been taken suddenly with a fit of screaming hysterics. All three shared the one bedroom for the remainder of that night on Bob’s account, to keep him from having another fit. There was a cheerful fire in the room, and every creature comfort; but it was a melancholy trio at best that sat there. Indeed, all were like mutes at a funeral, except Bob, who moaned and groaned painfully. “Have you any chloral in the house?” aske Flinter, whisperingly. : “Yes, why ? ” answered the baronet. “It would be a merciful thing to give Robert some; he would sink into slumber and forget all about that spectre.” “Would it be safe to administer it without the advice of a doctor?” See No. 21 of the “Halfpenny Surprise” for the sensational story, “The Four Conspirators.” Ready next Friday. comiclooks.cormn