14 - 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 fourteen of The Pagan's Cup by Fergus Hugh. This
liberyvox recording is in the public domain. Read by Yoganan
The Pagan's Cup, Chapter fourteen, an unexpected meeting. I have
been much to blame, said the Vicar. I set myself

(00:20):
as a judge when I had no right to do so. Leo,
you must forgive me. I forgive you, freely, replied the
young man, grasping the hand held out by mister Tempest.
Appearances were against me, so it was little wonder that
you did not entirely trust me. Still, mister Tempest, you
should have known me better than to think me guilty
of such a crime. I know, I know I have

(00:42):
been wrong. Well, let us drop the subject. My characterists
now clear, and I've no wish to recall a very
disagreeable past. This conversation took place in the study of
mister Tempest, and in the presence of Sybil and Martin.
The detective had shown the vicar the insolent but welcome
letter received from Pratt. The confession therein entirely accelerated Leo,

(01:04):
and he could again hold up his head. He and
mister Tempest were quite reconciled Sybil with a hand in
Lio's looked thoroughly happy. I never lost faith in you, Leo,
she said. Sooner or later I knew that all would
be well. I have to thank Martin for the clearing
of my character. Sybil faith You're wrong there, said Martin, smiling.

(01:26):
I thought you were innocent, but as I had not
looked into the case, I saw no means of proving it,
but had not Pratt sent his confession. I should still
be in the dark. He's a scoundrel, but he's a
good friend to you. Have ol. I don't agree with you,
said Tempest sharply, for he was still sore on the
subject of the cup. Pratt knew that Leo was suspected,

(01:48):
and he should have come forward longer this to put
them at at right. You asked too much from a
man of Pratt's nature, said Martin dryly. It is wonderful
that he should have confessed his guilt, even at the
eleventh hour. However, this closes the case and I can
go back to London. We know now who stole the cup,
and we know also that it cannot be recovered. Pratt

(02:08):
will stick to it. This time. It was only his
vanity and desire for popularity that made him give it
away in the first instance. If it came back to me,
I should never accept it, said the vicar emphatically. A
stolen cup should never have been put to sacred uses.
I wonder at the daring of the man. Oh, a
man like Pratt is capable of anything, said Martin with

(02:29):
a shrug. But you will never see him again, mister tempest.
And now, mister Haley, I think you should see Sir
Frank Hale and make him confess that he lent you
the money. There will be no difficulty about that, replied Leo.
Hale told only two people that he repudiated all knowledge
of the loan. One was my aunt, the other myself.
He is too cunning to tell the world the untruth

(02:50):
he told us. Besides my character being cleared, he can
have no further hold over me. I fear he will
be angry. I am certain he will let us see
him together. Leo was quite willing to do this, so,
after taking a fond leave of Sybil and a codial
one of her father, he set out with the detective
to bring Sir Frank Hale to his bearings. On the way,

(03:12):
Martin asked Leo's permission to touch upon a delicate subject.
Have told him to speak freely. I owe you too
much to take offense at anything you may say. He observed.
You have been my very good friend. Martin. Oh, that's
all right, replied the detective brightly. And I really do
not deserve your thanks. Any help I have given you
has been purely accidental. If Pratt had held his tongue,

(03:34):
you would still have been in the same position as before.
But I am bound to say heavily that even before
the arrival of this letter, mister Tempest expressed his belief
in your innocence. I am glad of that, said Leo.
He treated me badly, and it is a pleasure to
me to hear that his own good sense told me
I was innocent before he had the actual proof. I

(03:55):
am anxious to stand well with him. Martin. Ah, that
is the matter I wish to discuss. I see that
you and miss Tempest are much attached to you one another.
Do you think the vicar will consent to the marriage?
I really can't say. Even before the scandly seemed to
be displeased with me and get me away from his house.
As much as possible. He did not want to see me,

(04:17):
and he would not let me see Sybil. We are
to meet by stealth. Now he may have changed his mind,
and if he has, what then then I can announce
my engagement to Sybil, said Leo. But you see, I
am not in a position to marry, and may not
be for a long time. I have to make my
way in the world and to make money. Also, I

(04:38):
thought of enlisting for this war, and of fighting my
way through the ranks to a commission. Even then, I
do not see how you could marry. You might gain
a commission, but not money until your worldly prospects are
more secure. I do not think you should engage yourself
to Miss Tempest. That is straight speaking, Martin. You gave
me permission to speak out. I like you have Las,

(04:58):
and after the trouble you have through, I think you
should be rewarded by getting your heart's desire. But if
you love Miss Temple, you will not marry her until
you can give her a comfortable home. Even if you
are successful in South Africa, a baggage wagon is not
the place for a delicate girl. You can offer nothing
better than that. True enough, I admit that what you

(05:19):
say is correct. But what am I to do? Well,
said the detective after a pause. It seems to me
that you have some claim upon your aunt. She took
charge of you and brought you up. I understand she
intimated that you would be a hare, and you received
an education to fit you for the position. If she
intended to send you a drift, as she has done,

(05:41):
she should at least have had you taught some profession
or trade whereby you can earn your bread and butter. Yes,
I think you have a right to demand some assistance
from her. Leo shook his head and flushed. I can't
bring myself to do that, he said, in a low voice.
She has insulted me so deeply that it goes against
me nature to eat humble pie. I would rather make

(06:02):
my own way in the world. As to Sybil, I
shall not ask her to engage myself to me until,
as you say, I can offer her home. You can
do nothing but endless. I suppose no soldiering is all
I am fit for. Now that my name has been cleared,
I will bid fairbul to Sybil in a less right away.
She will wait for me. I am certain I get

(06:24):
my commission. I can perhaps see my way to make
her my wife if I am short well, Leo shrugged
her shoulders. There is an end to all things, heavily,
said Martin, after a pause. Will you tell me what
reason your aunt has for disliking you so much? I
don't know. She has always been stern and hard with me.

(06:46):
Lately she has openly hated me. That is why I
left her. There is something connected with you that is wrong,
not to my knowledge. I've been foolish, but not wilfully wicked.
I know that Missus Gabriel knows something. It may be
about your parents that has prejudiced the Vicar against you.
It was an influence that made him turn against you.

(07:08):
He admitted asthmuch to me, but he refused to say
what she had told him. I guess all this, said
Leo quietly. But what can I do? Insisted, upon knowing
what has been said, you have a right to. If
the Vicaw will not speak out, and he has given
his word not to Missus, Gabriel may be forced to
do so. Where are you, heavily? I should see her

(07:30):
and insist upon an explanation. She won't give it. I
should force it out of her, said Martin determinedly. Oh,
I know she is a hard woman, but if you
perceive her, she must give way. Leo thought for a
few moments. Well, Martin, he said, at length, I will
see the vicar first and speak to him on the
subject of Sybil. From what he says, I may see

(07:52):
the reason of his attitude towards me. Then I call
upon missus Gabriel. You may be sure I shall do
my best, and nodded, but said no more for the present,
As by this time they were at the door of
Hale's house. A Demiu servant opened the door and took
in their names. Shortly she assured them into a room
where Sir Frank was seated in a chair by the

(08:14):
window leading to his sister Edith. Hale looked pale and ill.
She lay on a sofar, but started up and blushed
rosy red when she saw Leo. There was no doubt
that the poor girl was deeply in love with the
young man. Leo, in the kindness of his heart, felt
a pang. It seemed to him that he was treating
her cruelly, although the position was none of his making.

(08:38):
Good day, said Hale, without rising, and including Leo. And
Martin in one swift glance. I am surprised to see
you heavily. I thought you did not care about keeping
up my acquaintance. Leo would have replied sharply, but as
Edith was present, he cast a meaning glance in her direction.
I should like to speak with you alone, he said,

(08:59):
that is, in the presence of mister Martin. Before Hale
could reply, Martin interposed, Wait a bit, he said, in
a smooth voice, and with a glance at the girl.
There is something to be said first, in the presence
of miss Hale. In my presence, she exclaimed, turning red,
while a brother scowled. Yes, something you will be pleased

(09:19):
to hear. You both know that mister Haley has been
accused of stealing the chapel cup. I never believed it, never,
cried Edreath eagerly, and Leo gave her a look of gratitude,
which made her turn pale with emotion. And you, sir
Frank Hale shrugged her shoulders. I never thought much about
the subject, he said, the light coming at once to

(09:42):
his practiced lips. The evidence was against Haveverley, I admit,
but I tried to think the best of him. Your
speech is rather contradictory of Frank was the dry response
of Martin. But I think you must have thought well
of Haveley, or you would not have helped him out
of his difficulty be learning in money. Oh Frank, did
you do that? Cried Edith, taking a brother's hand. I

(10:06):
love you for it. How good you are. Hale's face
grew blacker and blacker. Had he been alone, he would
have lied, But in the presence of the sister he
loved so deeply he could not bring himself to deny
the truth. Moreover, he had a kind of instinctive feeling
that Martin had come to proclaim the innocence of Leo.
Else why should he come at all. His plot of

(10:26):
getting Leo into his power had failed. He was clever
enough to see that, so it only remained for him
to retreat with as much dignity as possible. I was
only too glad to help heavily, he said, quietly, and
with Margaret Curtesy. He was in debt, and the three
hundred bounds I gave him was of some use. I
believe I beg that he will say no more on

(10:47):
the subject. How good you are? How good you are?
Gasped with caressing a brother. Leo and Martin glanced at
one another. Hale's masterly retreat took them both by surprise.
When Leo remembered the conversation the chapel, he could hardly
believe his years. The only thing to be done was
to beat the man with his own weapons. I will

(11:09):
say no more, Hale, save that when I am able,
the money shall be repaid. I thank you heartily for
your kindness. Sir Frank bit his slip, but summoned up
sufficient dignity to be gracious. He and Leo were both
wearing masks for the benefit of Edith. Pay the money
when you like, he said, sitting up. I am shortly

(11:29):
going abroad with my sister, and I do not think
we shall see one another for a long time. However,
my solicitor at portrait will attend to the matter of
the loan. Then there really was alone, said Martin, determined
to get the plain truth out of Hale in the
presence of witness. Certainly, I gave Leo three hundred pounds
in gold. I have already said so, And it was

(11:51):
with that lone he paid his debts. Pursued Martin, yes,
said Leo, seeing his drift, I pay them with that money.
But the good people here declared that I sold the
cup to pay them. How could they? How could they,
muttered Edith, Because they are fools, write Sir Frank, seeing
that he was completely beaten. For my part, I never

(12:13):
believed that heavily did such a thing. Thank you, said Leo,
inwardly smiling at the lie. Then you will be delighted
to hear that the thief has been found. As Martin spoke,
Hale suddenly turned pale and rose with an effort. The
thief has been found, he stammered. Yes, replied Martin with
a swift glance, thinking at once of his theory of

(12:33):
a conspiracy. It seems that this man Angel I beg
your pardon. You know him as Pratt, stole the cup.
But it was mister Pratt who gave it, cried Edith.
Quite so miss Hale. Afterwards, he was sorry that his
generosity had led him to make so great a sacrifice.
Therefore he told what he had bestowed and more about
the story of missus Cheel, asked Hale, trying to be amiable. Oh,

(12:57):
that was part of the business, Sir Frank, I thought
the cup would be seen here even if he kept
it in his house, so he sent it up to
London to be pawned for safe keeping. You do not
understand why they should be done, but then you have
never come into contact with a man like Pratt. However,
for reasons I need not explain, he pawned the cup

(13:18):
his servant Adams, rather like mister Haveley. And it was
just that missus child, not having a clear view, made
a mistake, you understand, sir Frank quite, replied Hale in
a strangled voice. He was pale and anxious looking. Leo
thought that this was anger at his escape, but Martin
took another and more serious view. I'm sure you're pleased

(13:38):
that Haveley's character has been cleared. I am pleased, very
very pleased, said Eric joyfully, and joys Frank, are you not, Frank? Yes,
very pleased. Hale forced himself to say so much. Then
he walked to the door. I'm not well, he said,
turning for a moment. You will excuse me, gentlemen. My

(14:00):
sister will see you out if you he paused, and,
darting a look of hatred at Leo, left the room.
Heavily was more surprise than Martin, who had captured a
fresh idea and was already building up a theory. Leo
remained only a short time. He was most embarrassed by
the looks of Edith and escaped as speedily as courtesy permitted.

(14:20):
When they left the house and with some distance on
the road, Martin spoke, I think there is insanity in
that family. He said, Why do you think, sir, the
girl is queer. No woman in a sane senses would
give herself away as she does. The brother's a cripple
and queer too. Never you marry into that lot, Healy,

(14:43):
they have some hereditary taint. I've no intention of marrying
anyone but Sybil, said Leo dryly. But did you see
how Hale backed out of his false position. Yes, and
I believe he has more to do with this matter
than you think. I should not be at all surprise
to find that he and Missus Cape for some reason,
had been working together against you. Oh there has been

(15:04):
there may be yet some conspiracy against you. I can
understand Hale conspiring, said Leo. He wants to marry Sybil
and wishes Edith to become my wife. But Missus Gabriel,
why should she We have yet to find that out,
interrupted Martin. Go and see what the Vickers says. I
must be alone for a time. I want to think
the matter route. At all events, Hale is acknowledged that

(15:28):
he lent you the money in the presence of witnesses.
You're all right in that quarter, I dare say, I'll
make another attempt to best you there. Nonsense. Did you
not hear him say that he was going abroad with
his sister. I think he will leave me alone now, perhaps,
replied Martin, thoughtfully. We'll see. I'll believe he is going

(15:48):
abroad when he's across the channel. I'm off for a
long walk, and the detective set off at a brisk pace.
Leo thought no more about this especial matter, leaving it
entirely to Martin. Forthwith, he returned to the vicarage, saw
mister Tempest, and then and there asked him if he
objected to him as a suitor for Sybil. At this

(16:08):
very direct question, mister Tempest wriggled and looked uncomfortable. You
put a very painful question to me, Leo, he said,
after a pause. I am ashamed of myself for having
thought so ill of you. And I should like to
make commends if possible. I know that you are attached
to Sybil, but now that you are at a variance
with your aunt, I do not see that you are

(16:29):
just away in asking me to consent to this engagement.
I know what you mean, said Leo proudly, and I
do not intend to engage myself until I am in
a better position. All I ask is that you will
not force Sybil to marry Hale when I am away.
I should not let him marry Hale in any case,
cried the vicar angrily. I would never give my child

(16:49):
to a cripple nor over the Hales are not so
sane as they might be. And Leo, I shall not
force Sybyl's inclinations in any way. She can remain unmarried
all her life if she pleases. That is all I want,
said Leo gladly. I am going to endlest mister Tempest.
And if I get a commission, there may be some
chance of my asking Sybil to be my wife. She

(17:10):
will be true to me while I am away. I
know she will, hum said the vicar. Doubtfully a commission,
eh Leo interpreted his objection. Then you have something against
me personally, he said, And for this reason you do
not want me to think of Sybil in any way.
What is the matter, mister Tempest, I can't tell you.

(17:31):
Leo Ivica looked directly at him. So for as you
are concerned, I do not wish for a better husband
for my daughter. But Missus Gabriel's informed me of something
which makes me unwilling to countenance the marriage. Don't ask
me what it is. I cannot tell you. I do
not ask you to tell me, mister Tempest. This very night,
I shall ask Missus Gabriel herself what she has been saying.

(17:53):
Better not advised the Vicar. It will only cost you
much distress. Leo looked at him in astonishment. What could
his aunt have been saying about him or his parents
likely to make the Vicar take so strong of you
of the matter. If there is anything wrong, I have
a right to know, he said. At length, I shall
insist upon an explanation, mister Tempest. If I discover any

(18:14):
valid reason why I should give Sybilla up, I am
quite ready to yield. When you next see me, mister Tempest,
I shall either have given up the idea of marrying
your daughter or I shall insist upon marrying her in
spite of you and Missus Gabriel, you cannot say that
I am treating you unfairly. I go now, But my
dear boy called out, mister Tempest. Much distressed, he spoke

(18:36):
to the empty air. Leo had already left the room
and was out of the gate. After leaving the nuns House,
Leo had taken up his residence at the Cholister Arms.
Martin was there also, and Leo expected to see him
at dinner. He was anxious to tell him what the
vicar had said, but the detective did not return from
his walk, and after waiting for him till close upon

(18:57):
nine o'clock, Leo left the hotel and walked towards the
castle to have it out with Missus Gabriel. The night
was moonless, but there were many starts here and there.
A swathe of mist lay on the plains below, but
up on the hills all was comparatively clear. Leo, who
knew every inch of Cholister, walked slowly out of the
town gate and crossed to the other hill. He took

(19:19):
a narrow private path which he knew of, wishing to
get unobserved to the castle. Just at the foot of
this path he met Martin. The recognition was mutual. You
are going to see Missus Gabriel, said the detective. Yes,
where have you been Martin? I've been trying to see her,
but she is ill, at least so, the butler says,

(19:40):
I suspect, however, this is a lie. She doesn't want
to see me, shall I Yes, you go up. I
must return to the hotel and get some dinner. I've
been walking and thinking until I am worn out. I'll
wait to return and we can talk over the matter.
What matter, the conspiracy of Missus Gabriel and Hale, said
Martin promptly, get on with you heavily. I'm off to dinner,

(20:03):
and he went away at a quick pace, leaving Leo
much astonished. However, there was no use in standing and wondering,
so he pursued his way. As Missus Gabriel was said
to be ill and had denied herself to Martin, it
was not unlikely that he would be treated in the
same way. Therefore, instead of going to the front door,
Leo went round the castle on to the terrace. This

(20:24):
was shut off from the rest of the ground by
a high fence. With the gate in it. Leo had
retained the key of this gate and had no difficulty
in getting in. The room, which looked on to the terrace,
was lighted, but the blinds were down. Leo peered in,
he saw Missus Gabriel seated in a chair. Standing near
her was Richard Pratt. The end of chapter fourteen,