11 - Pagans Cup by Fergus Hume

Set against the backdrop of a tranquil seaside village, this English mystery unfolds through the life of an old family and their domineering matriarch. Striving to shape her adopted son according to her will, she finds herself entangled with the local vicar and his enchanting daughter. A stranger seeking acceptance among the villagers adds another layer of intrigue. The narrative weaves a tale of unseen connections and hidden secrets, all coming together to form an engrossing drama.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Chapter eleven of The Pagan's Cup by Fergus Hume. This
libertyvox recording is in the public domain. Read by yorganon
The Pagan's Cup, Chapter eleven, the London detective Sybil had
seen Leo go into the room where her father was

(00:22):
waiting with missus Cheel and wondered what the woman had
to do with a lover. She was called out to
see a sick woman on behalf of her father, and
on her way home, bethought herself how she could see Leo.
The girl was in a perfect fevor of nervous fear
for the young man. Then it struck her that the
best thing to do would be to call at mister Pratt's.

(00:44):
No sooner had she made up her mind to brave
a father's aanger in this respect, than she went at
once to the nun's house. She feared if she delayed
that her courage might evaporate. The door was opened by Adam,
who explained that mister Pratt was from home. He went
into portrait to day. Miss said Adam, I only hope
he will be able to get back this night, as

(01:05):
there is a sea fog coming up the channel. There
is no danger of his losing the door to Adam,
said Sybil cheerfully. But I don't want to see mister Pratt.
It is mister Heveley who he is in the library,
miss replied Adam, and admitted her and admitted her into
the house. When Sybil found herself alone with Leo, she

(01:26):
had a qualm what would her father say should he
ever come to know that she had paid such a visit.
Leo was seated at the desk, his face hidden in
his arms, looking most dejected. He lifted his head as
she entered, and at the sight of his face, Sybil
forgot all about her father and the impropriety of the visit.

(01:47):
At once. She ran to a lover and drew his
head down on to her breast with a look of
almost divine pity. My darling, Leo, she said, I knew
that you were miserable, and I have come to comfort you.
How good of you, dear, replied heavily, stroking her hair.
But your father I did not think he would let
you come to me. My father does not know that

(02:09):
I am here, said Sybil, blushing as he placed a
chair for her. But I knew you had been to
see him, and I could not rest until I heard
all about the interview. Was he very angry? No, I
think it's inclined to believe in my innocence in spite
of missus Chile's story, and heaven knows she has painted
me black enough. I wondered what missus Cheel was doing

(02:31):
at the vicarage, Leo. I don't like that woman. She
looks sly and wicked. But what story can she have
to tell about you, dear Sybil? She says that she
saw me pawning the cup in London, and while Sybil,
filled with surprise, sat looking at his agitated face, Leo
told all that missus chel had said, so you see, dear.

(02:53):
He continued that there is some sort of conspiracy against me.
I believe Hale is in it too. It's a strange story,
she said, musingly. I wonder who it was could have
impersonated you. Did the man give your name? By jove?
Cried Leo, starting up. I never thought of asking, yet
the rascal must have given it for the palm ticket, Sybil.

(03:16):
I can't help thinking that Hale knows something about this.
He saw me in the chapel an hour ago and
said that he would make a statement to the effect
that he had paid me the money if I would
give you up and marry his sister. Sybil's eyes flushed.
How dare he, she cried, He wants to drive you
into Cornerlio, What did you say? I refuse to have

(03:38):
anything to do with him, dear. He conjoined with your
father in having me arrested. For all I care. I
would rather that than give up my Sybil. But you
see the position. What is to be done. Can't you
go to London and see this man, Penny. No, I
dare not leave the place. Your father and the others
would think that I was seeking safety in flight. I

(03:58):
might be arrested before I got as far as port Front.
I don't say that your father would go so far,
but there is always the chance. I am sure missus
Gabriel would not counsel Mercy for some unaconortable reason. She
hates me thoroughly. My poor Leo Sybles Talctor's cheek fate
is very cruel to you. But never mind. In spite

(04:19):
of everything, I will be true to you. And what's more, Leo,
I'll help you to prove your innocence. How can you
do that, my love? She pursed, up her pretty mouth
and crossing her slender feet, looked on the ground with
an air of portentous gravity. I don't believe the story
of missus Chills, she said, there is something behind it,

(04:39):
as you cannot go to London, and I see it
would be foolish of you to go away from Chollister
at present. We must do the best we can through
the newspapers. Leo looked at her in surprise and knelt
beside her. What can we do with the newspapers, Darling?
Put an advertisement in every London daily paper saying that
the cup has been low, giving a description and offering

(05:02):
a reward if any information is given to me. To you, Sybil,
what would your father say? He won't know. Besides, Leo, Darling,
you're more to me than my father, and I'm angry
at the unjust way in which you are being treated.
I will write out a number of these advertisements and
send them up with the post office orders, he replies,

(05:22):
to be sent to S. T. Cholister Post Office. But
what good will that do, oh, you stupid darling. I
have to think for two. I see why this pawn
broker what is his name? Penny? Well? If penny sees
the advertisement, he will recognize the cup from the description
and know that it has been stolen. He will be

(05:43):
afraid of getting into trouble with the police, and he
no doubt will write saying that the cup was pawned
with him, and that he will be willing to sell
it back for the price paid. Then we'll get it back, Leo.
When I am certain, I'll tell my father and he
will arrange about buying it again. Yes, but how does
all this benefit me? This penny creature will explain who

(06:05):
pond it, and he will give the name of the person.
Missus Jild said, resembled you. He might do that if
the matter were made public by advertisement. If we approached
him privately, he will very likely deny everything. We can
be too careful, Leo, but the reward, said heavily puzzled.
I have no money. You have no money. What will

(06:26):
you do when the cup is back or if information
is given likely to recover it. I'm sure my father
can arrange about the money with Missus Gabriel. Now, do
not say a word, Leo. She has nothing to do
with you now, And after all, added Sybil naively, I
don't see why any money need pass. This is a

(06:47):
trap I am laying for that pawnbroker. That is, if
missus Geal's story is true, which I am inclined to doubt.
I'll put the advertisement in on chance, Leo, and see
what comes of it. But it is such a mad idea,
remonstrated the young man who could not follow all these
feminine arguments. Let me tell Pratt about your suggestion. He

(07:08):
will be able to advise us. Sybil rose to her
feet and shook her head obstinately. If you say a
word to mister Pratt, I will never forgive you. Let
me try this experiment all alone, Leodia. It can do
no harm, and it might do a lot of good.
We must not tell anyone about it, Sybil. I kept
the fact of my borrowing that money from Hale as secret,

(07:28):
and I have regretted it ever since. Let us ask
Pratt's advice. No, Leo, Sybil was obstinate. I want to
try this myself. If it fails, it can do no harm,
and if it succeeds, I shall have the joy of
knowing that it was I who got you out of
this trouble. No promise not to tell at first, Leo. Refused.

(07:51):
He did not want Sibil to mix herself up in
this disagreeable case, even for his sake. But she used
such endearments and kept to a point with such spectinacity
that he gave him. It was useless to content against Sybil.
When she set a heart on getting anything, she never
would given high were discouraged. Therefore, before she left the library,

(08:12):
she had drawn out an advertisement with the assistance of Leo,
in which the appearance of the cup and its Latin
inscription were carefully set down. A reward of fifty pounds
was offered, and the answers were to be sent to
s t at the Chollister post office. There, said Sybil,
when this document was completed, I've set mactrapp. Now we

(08:33):
shall see who will fall into it. I'll make a
dozen copies at once and have them sent off by tomorrow.
Not a word Leo about this. I will be silent,
as I have promised all the same. I do not
feel comfortable about your experiment. To tell you the truth, Sybil,
I can't see the sense of it. Now. Don't look angry, dear,

(08:53):
I know it's all done out of love for me.
I am not sure that you'll deserve my love. Oout it, Sybil,
as he escorted her to the door. You place all
kinds of obstacles in my way. She was rather angry,
for a heart was fully taken up with the magnificence
of his scheme. However, Leo managed to calm her and
gain a firgiveness. He was quite unaware of what he

(09:16):
had done wrong, but Sybil said that he had behaved disgracefully,
so he apologized. Then she said that she was a
wicked girl, and after kissing him, ran away. All this
was very foolish, but very sweet. Leo often recalled the
interview to her in after days, and they both agreed

(09:36):
that they behaved like two most sensible people. But at
present Leo was too sad to enjoy the stolen meeting
as a true and loyal lover should have done. The
same night, the sea fog rolled up, thick and white.
Mister Pratt did not written home, at which none arrival.
Adam was not surprised. Mister Pratt was too fond of
his creature comforts to drive twenty miles through a damp

(09:58):
and clinging mist. Leo had the whole house to himself
and Adam, who thought a good deal of him, did
his best to make him comfortable. He consulted with the
cook and gave Leo a capital little Dinham, together with
a bottle of superfine Burgundy. Then he supplied him with
cigars of the best and coffee of the finest, and

(10:18):
left him comfortably seated before the drawing room fire. Under
these circumstances, Leo felt happier than he had expected, seeing
at what a low ebb his fortunes were. The position
of the unfortunate young man was undeniably hard Here he
was deserted by his aunt, Missus Gabriel. She had taken
him up, brought him up to expect a large fortune,

(10:40):
and then, for no course at all, had suddenly cast
him out on the world to earn his own living
as best he can. In addition to this, although it
was hardship enough, poor Leo's character was gone. He was
accused of a sordid crime and might have to answer
for it to the law. He did not see what
defense he can would make. Certainly, if he acceded to hailstamps,

(11:03):
he would vindicate his position in some measure by accounting
for the sum of money he had used to pay
his debts, but in this case Sybil would be lost
to him, and what would life be without Sybil? Altogether?
Leo was in low spirits in spite of the fire
and the burgundy, in the memory of that charming interview.

(11:24):
But it was no use lamenting, as he very truly
observed to himself. So he tried to shake off the
feeling of depression and went to bed. He was young,
the world was large, and he hoped in some way
another to sail out of these troubled waters into a
peaceful haven. Hope was a silver lining to his cloud
of black despair. Meanwhile, Rascal had written to his friend

(11:46):
Martin a full account of the loss of the cup,
of the accusation of missus Cheel of Leo, and of
the suspicions interstained by the villagers concerning the probity of
the young man. For some days he heard nothing. Then
one evening Martin himself arrived unexpectedly in Kolister. He went
at once to the Curate's lodgings, and was received with

(12:07):
great surprise. My dear Martin, this is an unexpected pleasure,
said Raston, assisting his distinguished visitor to put off his coat.
I thought you would have written to me about your
visit to Penny. I didn't go there, replied Martin with
a laugh. The fact is, Harold, I cannot quite understand
this case. You have not explained matters clearly enough in

(12:28):
your letter. I have set a detective to watch Penny
and Penny's shop, and I have come down to hear
all details from my own worshipful lips. But what a
foggy sort of place you have here. I've been driving
in your mail coach through a kind of cotton wool.
The guard thought we would never reach Kolister. I felt
like a character of Dickens in that coach. You are

(12:50):
primitive people here, do you know? I rather like it.
Martin was tall, slim, black haired man, neatly dressed in
a tweet sweet He constantly smoked cigarettes and maintained a
perfectly calm demeanor. No one ever saw Martin excited. His
face was clean shaven, and his gray eyes were sharp

(13:10):
and piercing. He looked what he was, a thorough gentleman
and a remarkably shrewd clever man. His fame as a
detective is so well known that it needed hardly be
mentioned I must get you something to eat, said Raston.
No I dined at Port Frynd before he left. Give
me a glass of port and I can smoke a cigarette.

(13:31):
This fire is comfortable after the fog. I've some excellent port, Martin.
My dear mother is under the impression I am delicate,
and keeps me well supplied from my father's cellar. I
don't know what he says to it. Being a clergyman,
you had better not know, said Martin dryly. Your father
had a vocabulary off there there. I will say nothing more.

(13:52):
I warn my port, my cigarette, and a full account
of this case. It seems to be an interesting one.
I shouldn't have come down otherwise, even for your sake,
my dear Harold, I've just twice as much business on
hand as I can do with. The detective's life is
not a happy one. Raston poured out a glass of
port and placed it at Martin's elbow. He washed his friend,

(14:13):
light a cigarette, and himself filled his well worn brier. Then,
when they were comfortably established, he related all that he
knew about the case. Martin listened with his eyes on
the fire, but made no observation until the recital was finished. Indeed,
even then he did not seem inclined to talk well,
said Raston rather impatiently. What do you think? Wait a bit,

(14:37):
my friend. It's a difficult case. I'm not prepared to
give you an opinion straight away. I must ask something
about the people concerned in it. First. This Leo Havile.
What about him? He's a good man and perfectly honest.
I should as soon have suspected myself for stealing the cup,
asked Leo. And I've known him for some time. Well,

(14:59):
if anyone ought to know the truth about a man's character,
I should think a clergyman was the person, said Martin.
Is it not Balzac who says that clergy are all
in the black because they see the worst side of
human nature? Hm? Have you had to put on mourning
for this heavily? No. He has been a trifle wild

(15:19):
and has got into debt, but otherwise there is nothing
wrong about him. Besides, added the curate, Miss Tempest is
in love with him, and they are engaged. She is
a noble girl and would not love a scoundrel. Ah,
said Martin cynically, I've seen a remark of that sort
of novels. My good man, in real life. But that

(15:40):
is neither here nor there. I should like to meet
this young man. I can take you with me to night.
He is staying with mister Pratt at the nun's house.
It's no very great distance away. I can wait till
to morrow, Harold, I have no very great desire to
go out into this dense fog. By the way, Who
is this mister Pratt? A new comer to Coolister. He

(16:04):
has been here off and on for the last few
months and has decided to settle here. He is well
off and has traveled a great deal. His house is
beautifully furnished. Quite an acquisition to the neighborhood, said Martin drowsily.
I must make the acquaintance of your people here to morrow.
Just now I feel inclined to go to bed. But
tell me your opinion of this case, well, said Martin thoughtfully.

(16:28):
From all the evidence you give me, it seems that
Healy is guilty. No, Martin replied the curate. I will
never believe that, And you forget that he claims to
have obtained the money from Sir Frank Hale. Well, then
his possession of three hundred pounds was easily proude I
shall see Sir Frank Hale and question him with regard
to this missus Jill. Her story seems credible enough. I

(16:52):
don't suppose she has any enmity against a havely. No,
but she is a woman. I neither like nor trust
a demure, catlike creature with a pair of wicked eyes.
You make me long to see her, said Martin, waking up.
That is just the sort of person I like to meet.
Do you think she may have stolen the cup herself

(17:12):
and have invented this wild story to account for the loss?
I have heard a stranger and even more daring things. No,
that is out of question, Martin. On the night the
cup was stolen, missus Cheele was watching beside the sick girl,
the mad creature I've told you about. She is innocent.
Then I can only say that young Heavily seems to

(17:34):
be the most likely person weally. The evidence against him
is so plain that I believe him to be guiltless.
I always mistress too plain evidence. Raston, it shows signs
of having been prepared. Well, I'll see this young man
tomorrow and have a chat. I go by the face
a great deal. Have you a photograph of him? No?

(17:56):
Said the curate in the spair of the moment. Oh. Yes,
by the way, I took a group of people at
a picnic. It's not a bad picture. Although small, you
can see the whole lot at a glance. Raston got
out the photograph and Martin went to the lamp to
see it the more plainly. He glanced at first carelessly
at it. Then his eyes grew large, his attention became fixed.

(18:20):
At the moment there was a ring at the door.
Martin looked at the clock. You have a late visitor,
he said, a call to see some sick woman. Probably.
Why do you look so closely at that picture, Martin,
There is a face here. I know who is that?
Raston looked. That is a man with whom heavily is
staying Pratt. Pratt repeated Martin in a thoughtful tone. Has

(18:45):
he a tattooed star on his cheek, just under the
cheek bone. Yes, and he is tattooed on the arm, also,
the right arm. I expect he had it done while
he was a sailor. Oh, said Martin dryly. He says
he was a sailor, not to mycknowledge, but he has
mentioned something of being an amateurre one. Do you know him, Martin?

(19:06):
If he is a man, I think he is. I
know him better than you do. Raston. Then who is
Rasten had just got thus far when the landlady opened
the door to announce mister Pratt. Here's the man himself, Martin.
Martin echoed Pratt, who was standing in the doorway. Yes,
mister angel, said Martin, looking straight at him. Pratt stood

(19:32):
for just half a moment, as though turned into stone.
Then he turned on his heel and went out of
the door and down the stairs as swiftly as he
was able. Without a word. Martin darted after him. By
the time he reached the street door, Pratt had disappeared
in the fog. The end of chapter eleven,