Read Online The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume - Free Book Online

did, it was a faint wintry smile which seemed mechanical. His whole heart seemed centred in his daughter, she became the sole mistress of the St Kilda mansion, and her father idolised her. She seemed to be the one thing left to him which gave him an interest in life, and had it not been for her bright presence constantly near him, Mark Frettlby would have wished himself lying beside his dead wife in the quiet grave yard, wherein there is no trouble or care.
    After a time had elapsed, Brian again resolved to ask Mr Frettlby for the hand of his daughter, when for the second time fate interposed. This time it was a rival suitor who made his appearance, and Brian’s hot Irish temper rose when he saw another Richmond in the field. The gentleman in question was a Mr Oliver Whyte, who had come out from England a few months previously, and brought a letter of introduction to Mr Frettlby, who received him hospitably as was his custom, and Whyte soon made himself perfectly at home in the St Kilda mansion.
    Brian took a dislike to the newcomer the first time he saw him, for Mr Fitzgerald was a student of Lavater, and prided himself on his reading of character. His opinion of Whyte was anything but flattering to that gentleman, for in spite of his handsome face and suave manners, both Brian and Madge felt the same repulsion towards him, as they would have to a snake.
    Mr Whyte, however, with true diplomacy, affected not to notice the cold way in which Madge received him, and began to pay marked attention to her, much to Brian’s disgust. At last he asked her to be his wife, and notwithstanding her prompt refusal, spoke to Mr Frettlby on the subject. Much to the daughter’s astonishment, that gentleman consented to Whyte’s paying his addresses to Madge, and told her that he wished her to consider the young man’s proposal favourably. In spite of all Madge could say, he refused to alterhis decision, and Whyte feeling himself safe, began to treat Brian with an insolence which was highly galling to Fitzgerald’s proud nature. He called on Whyte at his lodgings, and after a violent quarrel with him had left the house, vowing to kill Whyte, should he marry Madge Frettlby.
    Fitzgerald went along to Mr Frettlby that same night, and had an interview with him. He confessed that he loved Madge, and that his love was returned, so when Madge added her entreaties to Brian’s, Mr Frettlby found himself unable to withstand the combined forces and gave his consent to their engagement. Whyte was absent in the country for the next few days after his stormy interview with Brian, and it was only on his return that he learnt that Madge was engaged to his rival. He saw Mr Frettlby on the subject, and having learnt from his own lips that such was the case, he left the house at once, and swore that he would never enter it again. He little knew how prophetic his words were, for on that same night he met his death in the hansom cab. He had passed out of the life of both the lovers, and they, glad that he troubled them no more, never suspected for a moment that the body of the unknown man found in Royston’s cab was that of Oliver Whyte.
    About two weeks after Whyte’s disappearance Mr Frettlby gave a dinner party in honour of his daughter’s birthday. It was a delightful evening, and the wide french windows which led on to the verandah were open, letting in a gentle breeze, blowing with a freshsalt odour, from the ocean. Outside, there was a kind of screen of tropical plants, and through the tangle of the boughs, the guests, seated at the table, could just see the waters of the bay glittering like silver in the pale moonlight. Brian was seated opposite to Madge, and every now and then he caught a glimpse of her bright face behind the great silver epergne, filled with fruit and flowers, which stood in the centre of the table. Mark Frettlby was at the head of the table, and appeared in very good spirits, for his stern features