Produced by Bill Tozier, Barbara Tozier, and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team. THE STOWMARKET MYSTERY Or A Legacy of Hate By LOUIS TRACY AUTHOR OF "Wings of the Morning," "The Final War," "An American Emperor," "Disappearance of Lady Delia," etc., etc. 1904 CONTENTS I. "THE STOWMARKET MYSTERY" II. DAVID HUME'S STORY III. THE DREAM IV. THROUGH THE LIBRARY WINDOW V. FROM BEHIND THE HEDGE VI. AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE VII. HUSBAND AND WIFE VIII. REVELATIONS IX. THE KO-KATANA X. THE BLACK MUSEUM XI. MR. "OKASAKI" XII. WHAT THE STATIONMASTER SAW XIII. TWO WOMEN XIV. MARGARET SPEAKS OUT XV. AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR XVI. THE COUSINS XVII. "CHERCHEZ LA FEMME" XVIII. FURTHER COMPLICATIONS XIX. THE THIRD MAN APPEARS XX. THE TRAIL XXI. CONCERNING CHICKENS, AND MOTIVES XXII. THE SECOND ATTACK XXIII. MARGARET'S SECRET XXIV. THE MEETING XXV. WHERE DID MARGARET GO? XXVI. MR. OOMA XXVII. HOLDEN'S STORY XXVIII. MR. AND MRS. JIRO XXIX. MARGARET'S SECRET XXX. HUSBAND AND WIFE XXXI. TO BEECHCROFT XXXII. THE FIGHT XXXIII. THE LAST NOTE IN BRETT'S DIARY A LEGACY OF HATE CHAPTER I "THE STOWMARKET MYSTERY" "Mr. David Hume." Reginald Brett, barrister-detective, twisted round in his easy-chair to permit the light to fall clearly on the card handed to him by his man-servant. "What does Mr. David Hume look like, Smith?" he asked. "A gentleman, sir." Well-trained servants never make a mistake when they give such a description of a visitor. Brett was satisfied. "Produce him." Then he examined the card. "It is odd," he thought. "Mr. David Hume gives no address, and writes his own cards. I like his signature, too. Now, I wonder--" The door was thrown open. A tall, well-proportioned young man entered. He was soberly attired in blue serge. His face and hands bore the impress of travel and exposure. His expression was pleasing and attractive. In repose his features were regular, and marked with lines of thought. A short, well-trimmed beard, of the type affected by some naval men, gave him a somewhat unusual appearance. Otherwise he carried himself like a British cavalry officer in mufti. He advanced into the room and bowed easily. Brett, who had risen, instantly felt that his visitor was one of those people who erect invisible barriers between themselves and strangers. "My errand will occupy some time, perhaps half an hour, to permit of full explanation," said Mr. Hume. "May I ask--" "I am completely at your service. Take that chair. You will find it comfortable. Do you smoke? Yes. Well, try those cigarettes. They are better than they look."