Methods For Capacity Allocation In Deregulated Railway Markets 1st Edition Abderrahman Ait Ali
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- 5. Methods for Capacity Allocation in Deregulated Railway Markets Linköping Studies in Science and Technology Dissertation No. 2101 Abderrahman Ait-Ali Abderrahman Ait-Ali Methods for Capacity Allocation in Deregulated Railway Markets 2020 FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING Linköping Studies in Science and Technology, Dissertation No. 2101, 2020 Department of Science and Technology Linköping University SE-601 74 Norrköping, Sweden www.liu.se
- 6. Linköping University Methods for Capacity Allocation in Deregulated Railway Markets Abderrahman Ait Ali Supervised by Jonas Eliasson Department of Science and Technology Division of Communications and Transport Systems Linköpings universitet, SE-601 74 Norrköping, Sweden Norrköping 2020
- 7. ii Methods for Capacity Allocation in Deregulated Railway Markets Abderrahman Ait Ali Supervisor: Jonas Eliasson Co-supervisors: Anders Peterson and Maria Börjesson Linköping Studies in Science and Technology. Dissertation No. 2101 Copyrights © 2020 Abderrahman Ait-Ali, unless otherwise noted Cover illustration is a graphical timetable from RailSys simulation software. ISBN 978-91-7929-771-8 ISSN 0345–7524 Printed by LiU-Tryck, Linköping, Sweden 2020
- 8. iii Abstract Faced with increasing challenges, railways around Europe have recently undergone major reforms aiming to improve the efficiency and compet- itiveness of the railway sector. New market structures such as vertical separation, deregulation and open access can allow for reduced public expenditures, increased market competition, and more efficient railway systems. However, these structures have introduced new challenges for managing infrastructure and operations. Railway capacity allocation, previously in- ternally performed within monopolistic national companies, are now conferred to an infrastructure manager. The manager is responsible for transparent and efficient allocation of available capacity to the different (often competing) licensed railway undertakings. This thesis aims at developing a number of methods that can help allo- cate capacity in a deregulated (vertically separated) railway market. It focuses on efficiency in terms of social welfare, and transparency in terms of clarity and fairness. The work is concerned with successive allo- cation of capacity for publicly controlled and commercial traffic within a segmented railway market. The contributions include cost benefit analysis methods that allow public transport authorities to assess the social welfare of their traffic, and cre- ate efficient schedules. The thesis also describes a market-based trans- parent capacity allocation where infrastructure managers price commer- cial train paths to solve capacity conflicts with publicly controlled traffic. Additionally, solution methods are developed to help estimate passenger demand, which is a necessary input both for resolving conflicts, and for creating efficient timetables. Future capacity allocation in deregulated markets may include solution methods from this thesis. However, further experimentations are still re- quired to address concerns such as data, legislation and acceptability. Moreover, future works can include prototyping and pilot projects on the proposed solutions, and investigating legal and digitalisation strategies to facilitate the implementation of such solutions. Keywords: railway capacity; capacity allocation; train timetable; cost benefit analysis; deregulated market.
- 10. v Sammanfattning Med ökande utmaningar har järnvägar runt om i Europa genomgått stora reformer som syftar till att förbättra järnvägssektorns effektivitet och konkurrenskraft. Nya marknadsstrukturer såsom vertikal separe- ring, avreglering och öppet tillträde för flera operatörer kan möjliggöra minskade offentliga kostnader, ökad marknadskonkurrens och effekti- vare järnvägssystem. Denna omreglering av järnvägsmarknaderna har dock skapat nya utma- ningar för hanteringen av järnvägsinfrastruktur och drift. Tilldelning av järnvägskapacitet, vilket tidigare sköttes inom nationella monopolföre- tag, måste nu göras av en infrastrukturförvaltare (infrastructure mana- ger). Förvaltarens kapacitetstilldelning till olika (ofta konkurrerande) li- censierade järnvägsföretag (railway undertakings) måste samtidigt vara transparent, rättvis och leda till ett effektivt kapacitetsutnyttjande. I denna avhandling utvecklas metoder som kan användas av en infra- strukturförvaltare för att tilldela kapacitet i en avreglerad järnvägsmark- nad. Den fokuserar på samhällsekonomiskt effektiva utfall men även transparens, tydlighet och rättvisa. Avhandlingens bidrag omfattar samhällsekonomiska analysmetoder som gör det möjligt för regionala kollektivtrafikmyndigheter att bedöma den samhällsekonomiska effektiviteten för deras trafikering och skapa ett effektivt utbud. Med dessa metoder som utgångspunkt beskrivs en marknadsbaserad och transparent tilldelningsprocess för kapacitet där infrastrukturförvaltare prissätter kommersiella tåglägen för att lösa ka- pacitetskonflikter med offentligt kontrollerad trafik. Dessutom utvecklas optimeringsmetoder för att estimera passagerarefterfrågan och för att skapa effektiva tågtidtabeller. Framtida kapacitetstilldelning på avreglerade marknader kan inkludera lösningsmetoder från denna avhandling. Ytterligare experiment krävs dock fortfarande för att hantera problem såsom data, lagstiftning och godtagbarhet. Dessutom kan framtida arbete omfatta prototyper och pi- lotprojekt av de föreslagna lösningarna och undersöka lagliga och digi- taliseringsstrategier för att underlätta implementeringen av sådana lös- ningar. Nyckelord: spårkapacitet; kapacitetstilldelning; tågtidtabell; sam- hällsekonomisk analys; avreglerad marknad.
- 12. vii Acknowledgements Thanks to the support of many people, this doctoral thesis is the result of a life changing positive experience. I would like to acknowledge you here, person by person, but I will surely be unable to mention you all. I hereby thank you ALL from the heart of my heart. First and foremost, Jonas, no words can describe your involvement, guidance and support to start, do and finish this journey. You have been the supervisor and the friend that I have wished to have. Without you, much of this experience would not be a reality. Stort TACK Jonas! Maria and Anders, my co-supervisors, you have been immensely helpful. Maria, you have been supportive from the beginning until the end. An- ders, thank you for stepping up to help me finish this journey. Tackar! Per Olov Lindberg, Jan-Eric Nilsson and Martin Aronsson, my first tu- tors, you have helped me begin this journey. Jan-Eric together with PO, your experience and expertise made my first research work more rigor- ous. Martin, discussing with you have always been insightful. Tack alla! Jennifer Warg, Emanuel Broman, Victoria Svedberg, Sara Gestrelius, Emma Solinen, Carl-William Palmqvist, Johan Högdahl, Ingrid Johans- son, Niloofar Minbashi and Félix Vautard, the future of (Swedish) rail- way research, it has been very enjoyable to work and/or discuss with you. Jenny, you have always been helpful. Emanuel, it has been nice to share most of this journey with you. Tack alla för allt! Hans Dahlberg, Mattias Haraldsson Jan-Erik Swärdh, Jan Lundgren, the project partners from Trafikverket, VTI and Linköping University (LiU), respectively. Hasse, you have been an enthusiast project leader from the beginning. Mattias, Jan-Erik and Jan, you have helped make my work environment more productive and enjoyable. Tack ska ni ha! I will not forget to express my gratefulness to Yves Crozet for kindly ac- cepting to be my opponent for the final defence, to Karin Brundell-Freij for the final seminar, and to Tomas and Mats for the KTS start seminar. I also express my gratitude to all the members of the examination board, namely Gunnar Isacsson, Jan Persson and Siri Pettersen Strandenes. I was lucky that my journey went through different workplaces, i.e., KTH, VTI (Stockholm), LiU (Norrköping) and IFSTTAR-LVMT (Paris). My former colleagues at KTH (Alyn, Anders, Athina, Behzad, Bibbi, Bolle, David, Dimas, Erik, Gerhard, Hans, Hugo, Isak, Jiali, Joel, Jonas, Joram,
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- 14. CHAPTER VII. THE RIVALS. For some moments the two men looked at one another; and then Major Jen, seeing the necessity for prompt action, rang the bell. Jaggard entered with military swiftness, and stared blankly at his master, who was pointing at the wall; an action inexplicable to the servant at that moment. Where is the devil-stick? demanded Jen, wrathfully. The what, sir? asked Jaggard, doubtfully. The green stick with the gold handle which was placed among the weapons here. It is gone. What has become of it? Jaggard advanced to the trophy of weapons, and examined them with some deliberation, after which he turned to face the irate major. It's gone sure enough, sir, but I don't know where. Find out if any of the servants have taken it. Jaggard saluted and vanished, while his master walked up and down the room, fuming at the loss of the curiosity. He had all the talk to himself, for Maurice, whose mind was busy with conjectures as to Dido or Dr. Etwald being the thief, did not think it necessary to speak. In a few minutes Jaggard returned with the news that none of the servants had been in the smoking-room that evening.
- 15. Who lighted the lamp? demanded Jen, sharply. I did, sir. We found the window open when we came in, said Maurice. Did you open it? Yes, sir. The major told me to always air the room during dinner. Do you think that someone has stolen the stick, Maurice? said the major. Someone from outside, I mean. I am sure of it, replied Alymer, with decision. Jaggard, did you notice that negress of Mrs. Dallas' about the grounds, since five o'clock? Why no, Mr. Maurice, I can't say as I did. The tramp then; Battersea? No, sir. Haven't set eyes on him for a week. When you lighted the lamp it was eight o'clock? About that, sir. I lighted it just after dinner, while you and the major were over your wine, so to speak, sir. And the room was in darkness--that is, comparative darkness-- before then, mused Maurice. I don't think anyone could have seen the devil-stick unless the lamp was lighted. Was it gone when you lighted up? I didn't observe, sir! Very good, Jaggard, broke in the major, you can go. Maurice! he turned to the young man when Jaggard left the room, what do you
- 16. mean by all these questions and examinations? Do you suspect anyone? Yes, replied Maurice, deliberately. I suspect Dido, the negress. Why? asked Jen, with military brevity. It's a long story, returned Maurice, lighting a fresh cigar. Look here, Uncle Jen, I went to dress at half-past six; you did also. When we left the devil-stick was in the room on the wall. Now we are here again at half-past eight, the devil-stick is gone. In these two hours Dido has had time to cross the lawn yonder and steal it. But why do you suspect Dido? Because the room was in darkness, as you heard Jaggard say. To steal that stick the thief must have known its position on the wall. Well, Dido didn't know that; she was never in this room. No, but Dr. Etwald was. Dr. Etwald! Do you think he has anything to do with it? queried Jen, perplexed and a trifled startled. I am certain of it, replied Maurice. He employed Dido to steal it from you, as you refused to sell it. Listen, uncle, and I'll give you my reasons for this belief, and then Maurice told succinctly all that had taken place at The Wigwam during the afternoon. Major Jen listened quietly, and waited until Maurice ended his story before he spoke. The information about Mrs. Dallas and her reference to himself did not surprise him so much as Alymer expected it would do. In fact he only made one brief remark upon this point.
- 17. I am sorry Mrs. Dallas said that, he remarked, when Maurice paused in his narrative. But what does she mean by it. Uncle Jen? Didn't you wish me to marry Isabella? I am neither for nor against, replied Jen, enigmatically. As I said before, let the girl marry who she loves best. She loves me best. In that case I am sorry for David, retorted the major. So am I, rejoined Maurice, promptly. All the same, you can hardly expect me to give up to David the girl I love, and who loves me. But why does Mrs. Dallas support David's suit? Ask her to explain that, my dear lad. I did so, and she referred me to you. Major Jen wriggled uneasily in his seat, and carefully knocked the ash off his cigar. He disliked telling what appeared to him to be a silly story, but as such story bore strongly upon the present position of things, and as Maurice was impatiently waiting to be enlightened, Jen was forced to put his scruples on one side and speak out. If what I relate appears impossible don't blame me, he said, abruptly, and I feel certain that you will laugh when I tell you about Voodoo! That word again! cried Maurice, in a puzzled voice. Dido used it when we met Etwald; she repeated it to me before I left. Voodoo! Voodoo! What does it mean, Uncle Jen? African witchcraft! Obi! Fetish worship! The adoration of the bad spirit who catches mortals by the hair. Any one of these things
- 18. explains the meaning of the term. H'm! said Maurice. It is devil-worship, pure and simple. Yes, and Mrs. Dallas knows more about it than is good for her. But you don't mean to say that she believes in it! My boy, Jen laid his hand upon the arm of the young man, when you reach my age you will find that there is no limit to the credulity and folly of human beings. When I was stationed in the Barbadoes many years ago I met Mrs. Dallas. Oh! so she is an old friend of yours? Yes. I knew her in the West Indies shortly before Isabella was born. It was through knowing me, explained the major, that she came to this neighborhood and rented The Wigwam. You see, Maurice, I was one of the few people she knew in England, and she remained near me for company's sake, and--here the major hesitated--and because she was afraid of herself, he finished significantly. I don't quite understand. I shall explain, and it is lucky for you that Mrs. Dallas gave you permission to ask me for an explanation, otherwise I should have been forced, from a sense of honor, to hold my tongue. As it is, I can tell you; Mrs. Dallas fears that if Isabella marries anyone but David her death will take place. Whose death? Isabella's or Mrs. Dallas'? The latter. You must know, Maurice, continued the major, that Mrs. Dallas, though well born and well married, is an extremely ignorant woman. She was brought up mostly by Dido's grandmother, who was the most accursed old witch in Barbadoes, or out of it for the matter of that. This old hag instilled into the mind of Mrs. Dallas
- 19. all kinds of superstitions in which she really believes. When the grandmother died Dido became nurse to Isabella, and private witch of the Dallas household. She is clever--wonderfully clever--and she has continued her grandmother's system of terrorizing both Mrs. Dallas and Isabella. Yes; I can see that. Uncle Jen, and it is for that reason I want to marry Isabella, and take her away before her mind is degraded further by that old fury. Well, the old fury sees what you want, my dear lad, and so she is determined that Isabella shall marry David and not you. To accomplish her aims she went through some hocus-pocus of devilry, or fortune-telling, or incantation, and discovered that if Isabella marries you, Mrs. Dallas will die. And does Mrs. Dallas believe that rubbish? asked Maurice, incredulously. Implicitly! I tell you she is ignorant and superstitious. Come what may, she is convinced that your marriage with Isabella means her own death; so you may rest assured, Maurice, that she will never, never accept you as her son-in-law. I understand, said Maurice, with a shrug. It seems hopeless to contest this decision of a diseased and feeble mind. I can understand Dido stopping my marriage, as she wants to retain her sinful influence over Isabella; I can understand Mrs. Dallas, weak and silly, being dominated by this negro Jezebel; but I can't understand why David is chosen as the future son-in-law. If he marries Isabella, he will no more put up with Dido than I should have done. Of course not; I can't explain the reason, repeated Jen, shaking his head. But you know all that I know, Maurice; and you can see that it is hopeless for you to attempt to marry the girl.
- 20. I'm not so sure of that, retorted Maurice; I love Isabella, and come what may I intend to make her my wife. But what about me? said a voice outside the open window; what about me? And a moment later David, in dusty riding-dress, stepped into the room. He looked disturbed and angry, and his strongly marked face bore traces of agitation and haunting thoughts. Disturbed by the unexpected appearance of David, and seeing from his expression that he was bent upon making himself disagreeable, Jen hastily interposed to prevent a quarrel between the two young men. What, David, back again! he said, ignoring the question asked by Sarby. So you did not stay to dinner? No, replied David, shortly. I didn't! He flung himself into a chair and resumed in a significant tone, Lady Seamere didn't ask me, and if she had I couldn't have accepted in this dress. Besides, I am not the man whom she delights to honor. Now if Maurice had been there, Lady Meg-- For heaven's sake don't couple my name with Lady Meg's, interrupted Maurice, sharply. You know quite well-- Yes I do, rejoined David, interrupting in his turn. And so does she! What do you mean? What I say. It's no use your assuming that innocent air, Maurice. You have not treated Lady Meg well! I have! How dare you say such a thing? Lady Meg knew that I was in love with Isabella.
- 21. Oh! said David, with a sneer. I overheard you arrange to marry her. But you'll never do that while I am alive, or Mrs. Dallas either. I know that Mrs. Dallas is on your side, and I know the reason. Then you know more than I do, retorted Sarby. I told Mrs. Dallas that I loved Isabella and she said that nothing would give her greater pleasure than to see us married. You shan't marry her! cried Maurice, angrily rising. I shall! said David, and rose also. Boys! boys! said Jen, annoyed at this quarrel, do not be so positive. If you are both in love with the same woman, let the woman decide. She has decided! said Alymer, sharply. She loves me. I don't care two straws about that, said David, coldly. I have not spoken to her yet, but all the same I intend her to become my wife. I give you fair warning, Maurice, that you are not to poach upon my preserves. Your preserves. Confound your insolence! Upon my word, David, said Jen, seeing that Maurice could hardly speak for rage, you go too far. The girl loves Maurice and not you; and it would be much more honorable for you not to press your suit. I don't care two pins for honor, major! I love Isabella, and I intend to marry her. But become the wife of Maurice she never shall; I'd rather see her married to Etwald. The third Richmond who is in the field, scoffed Maurice. Well, he has as good a chance as you. Dido supports his pretensions; Mrs.
- 22. Dallas is your champion. As for me, I have the love of Isabella, so I'm afraid of nothing. Are you not? said Sarby, with a peculiar smile. Remember what Etwald said about your life-in-death! I don't believe in that rubbish, David, and I should be very sorry to think you did. As to that, I don't care about discussing the point, was the reply. Our own beliefs are our own business. But I must say that Etwald is a dangerous man, both to you and to me. I daresay, replied Maurice, coolly. The more so, as I believe he has stolen the devil-stick. What! David made a step forward and stared at the wall. His face was quite pale, and his hands trembled in spite of his efforts to control himself. The devil-stick gone! he said, turning on his heel. Both you and I must be careful, Maurice. CHAPTER VIII. A CRY IN THE NIGHT. So far the reader may wonder at the constituent elements of this story. African witchcraft, mysterious strangers, and barbaric women seem to be out of place when set in the sober framework of an
- 23. English provincial town. But romance is not dependent upon landscape or on surroundings for its occurrence: it is to be found everywhere, and very often in the most unlikely places. Here, for instance, by some trick of Fate, certain people had come together, certain passions had been aroused, and now that the drama had been set in motion, it seemed likely that it would play itself out to a tragical conclusion. Tragical, certainly; for herein the elements of comedy seem to be wanting. But then Fate is so pessimistic. For a whole week after the events already related, nothing new took place likely to alter the situation. Maurice and David remained coldly polite, and very watchful of one another; neither mentioned the name of Isabella, nor did the one or the other see the girl. Mrs. Dallas took care of that. Acting, no doubt, under the advice of Dido (for she had no will of her own), she kept Isabella within doors, and refused to allow her to communicate with Maurice. But, on the other hand, she did not force her to see David; and Isabella was thankful for the consideration. But there was one visitor to The Wigwam whom Isabella would gladly have avoided--no less an individual than Dr. Etwald. After the violent scene with Maurice, the widow so overtaxed her strength that she became ill, and the doctor was sent for. His mere presence appeared to soothe Mrs. Dallas, and he came frequently. When she could, Isabella absented herself; but this she was not able to do on all occasions, and so she had to endure his complimentary speeches, and the mesmeric quality of his gaze. This last, especially, was a trial to one of her sensitive organization, and one day she felt so uncomfortable that she remonstrated with Etwald. You make me afraid, doctor, she said, impetuously. Your gaze is disagreeable to me. My dear young lady, replied the man, blandly, I must look at you when I address you.
- 24. Then don't address me! Isabella, do not be rude! cried Mrs. Dallas, who had overheard this passage at arms; whereupon the girl, with a defiant glance at her tormentor, left the room. I'm sure I don't know what I'll do with Isabella, sighed Mrs. Dallas; she is getting so disobedient. Perhaps I can assist you. Mrs. Dallas looked uneasily at her medical attendant. No, she said, quietly I may persuade her into doing what I want. Which is, to marry Mr. David Sarby, said Etwald coolly. In that case I can only hope that the young lady will continue obstinate, as I wish to marry her myself. I know--I know! But I don't want her to marry you, doctor. Mr. Sarby is the man for my daughter. He is good-looking and clever and-- And poor! finished Etwald. Well, yes, assented Mrs. Dallas, there is that objection. But it is not much of an obstacle, as Isabella has money. The young couple can live on three thousand a year. Dr. Etwald went home with this sum running in his head, and more than ever he resolved to marry Isabella. He was in love with her, and would have taken her without a penny; but all the same, if she was an heiress in a small way, it was all the better. The doctor was clever but poor, and with an income like that he could move to London and do great things. There were many schemes in Etwald's head, and certain of these he determined to put into execution at once, in order to secure Isabella to wife.
- 25. Some time previously Major Jen had asked Etwald about the devil- stick, but only to be informed that the doctor knew nothing of the missing article. I have not set eyes on it since that night you showed it to me, declared Etwald, coolly. You refused to sell it to me, so of course I gave up all idea of possessing it. All the same, finished he, politely, I am sorry that it is lost. Lost! Stolen, you mean, growled Jen, tartly. That negress-- Dido! Well, I admit that such a barbaric treasure would tempt her, the more particularly as she knows about such wizard instruments. Ask her if she took it. I have done so, and I have asked Mrs. Dallas also, replied Jen; but it seems that Dido wasn't out of the house on that night. She was ill--and, oddly enough, I hear, Etwald, that it was you who made her ill. Really! said Etwald, quite self-possessed. I suppose Mr. Alymer told you so. I thought as much, he continued, as Jen nodded. He saw me calming Dido's agitation when I arrived to ask Mrs. Dallas for her daughter's hand. This negress is hysterical, and on that day she happened to be so. I quieted her, yet Mr. Alymer accuses me of having caused her illness. I don't know anything about it, Etwald; but truth to tell, Maurice does not like you! Because I prophesied ill concerning him! Oh, that was rubbish, said Jen, contemptuously. You didn't mean it. Didn't I! Wait and see!
- 26. After which Etwald bowed his visitor politely to the door of the gloomy old house which he occupied in Deanminster, and Jen returned home, quite baffled as to what could have become of the devil-stick. All his inquiries proved futile, and he was unable even to conjecture how it had disappeared; yet knowing its fatal qualities, he was in constant dread lest it should reappear in connection with a tragedy. Maurice still held to his idea that Dido had taken the wand, but Jen's inquiries proved that the negress had not been out of the house the night in question. Then it must have been Battersea! said Maurice, decidedly. He is a friend of Dido's, and a pensioner of Isabella's. I'll find out if he stole the stick for the negress or for Dr. Etwald. This was easier said than done, as Mrs. Dallas would not allow Maurice to set foot in the house. Still Maurice hoped to learn the truth from the tramp himself, a hope that proved futile also, Battersea had gone on one of his begging excursions, and for quite a week was not seen in the neighborhood of Ashantee. Then he suddenly made his appearance at the house, and asked to see Maurice. On being led into the hall, Alymer came out to speak with him, and after a few words he took the old man into the library. Jen, who was rather curious to know what Maurice might learn from the disreputable old scamp, waited patiently for the termination of the interview. As Alymer did not reappear, he sought the library, and found the young man alone. Where is Battersea? asked Jen, glancing round. Oh, he has gone away! What did he wish to see you about? He had heard that I accused him of taking the devil-stick, explained Maurice, and came here to exculpate himself. Well! And did he do so?
- 27. Yes, he is quite innocent. He did not take the devil-stick. Then who did? Maurice paused, reflected, and looked anxiously at Jen. I'll tell you that to-morrow, he said, after a pause. Why not to-night? asked Jen, sharply. Because I have a suspicion, which I can not prove at present. Battersea gave me a hint, upon which I am determined to work. To- night I may learn the truth. From whom? Don't ask me. Uncle Jen; I can't answer you yet. Jen frowned, then laughed. Well, just as you please, he said, raising his eyebrows, but you are as mysterious as David. Why, what about David? Only this, that he has gone up to town without bidding me good-by, save in this short note. I can't understand such conduct. Nor I, said Maurice, stretching out his hand. Please let me read the note. Uncle Jen. I wish to see precisely how it is worded. The note which the major handed over was curt to the verge of rudeness. It merely stated that the writer had gone to London for a couple of days on business, and would be back as soon as possible. No explanation of what the business might be was given. Maurice did not wonder than Jen was annoyed at receiving such a missive from one whom he regarded in the light of a son; but in handing it back to the major he excused the writer.
- 28. The fact is David has not been quite himself since this trouble about Isabella, he said, gravely, and he thinks it best to go away for a time. You know how he tortures himself over trifles. Egad, this love business of you two young men is getting to be anything but a trifle, said Jen, testily. What between the lot of you and Etwald, there seems to be nothing but trouble. I wish you'd marry the girl, Maurice, and have done with it. Perhaps I may settle affairs sooner than you think, said Alymer, rising. Uncle Jen, I won't be back to dinner to-night, as I have to go into Deanminster. What about? Business connected with the devil-stick and Isabella. H'm! You are pleased to be mysterious. Why not tell me your business? Because I may fail, said Maurice. Here, Uncle Jen, don't be cross; I'll tell you all about it to-morrow, and then you will see and approve of my silence to-night. Well, said Jen, with a shrug, you are old enough to guide your own actions. But I must say that I don't like to be shut out of the confidence of my two boys in this way. You'll know everything to-morrow.' About David also? Perhaps I can even promise you that! said Maurice, with a smile. What! cried Jen, do you know why David has gone to town? Not for certain; but I can guess. Now, Uncle Jen, I shan't answer another question just now, as I must go into Deanminster.
- 29. Will you take the dogcart? No; I'll walk. Walk--in evening dress? I'm not going to put on evening dress, said Maurice, impatiently. I'll get some dinner in Deanminster, and then go about my business. It was useless to ask further questions, as Jen saw that the young man was getting irritated; so, in no very pleasant temper himself, the major went up to his dressing-room. He was of a peace-loving and easy-going nature, fond of quietness, so it annoyed him not a little that all this disturbance should take place on account of a woman. The sex is at the bottom of everything, said the major, uttering the old truth with conviction. David and Maurice both being absent, the one in London, and the other at Deanminster, Major Jen was compelled to dine alone. This he disliked doing, so hurrying over his dinner with all speed, he betook himself to the smoking-room, with a book. Here he lighted a cigar, chose a comfortable chair near the open window, and attempted to read; but the somnolent influence of the evening was upon him, and before his cigar was half done the good major was sound asleep. Outside a warm wind was blowing, and the air was filled with the perfume of flowers. In the dark blue sky hardly a cloud could be seen, and the moon, just showing her orb above the tree-tops, flooded the still loveliness of the night with wave after wave of cold light. All was full of charm, spellbound, as it were, by the magic of moonlight, when suddenly a long, wild cry struck shuddering through the silence. Accustomed as an old campaigner to sleep lightly. Major Jen was on his feet in an instant, and again heard that terrible shriek. It seemed
- 30. to come from the direction of the high-road, and thinking that some evil was being done, Jen, without loss of time, raced across the lawn and into the avenue. In a few minutes he arrived at the gate, and stepped out into the white and dusty road: a black mass was lying some distance down, and toward this ran Jen with an indefinable sense of evil clutching at his heartstrings. The black mass proved to be the body of a man, cold and still. Jen turned the corpse over and recoiled. The dead man was Maurice Alymer. CHAPTER IX. AFTER THE DEED. While the major, hardly able to credit his own eyes, was staring at the dead body of his dear lad, Jaggard, attracted also by the strange cry, came running up. What is it, sir? he asked, saluting Jen even in that moment of anxiety. I heard an awful cry, sir, and came arter you. Jen pointed to the corpse but said nothing. Jaggard, ignorant of the truth, bent down to place a hand upon the dead man's heart. Then he saw and recognized the face. Mr. Maurice! God, sir, what does this mean? he cried, aghast with sudden horror. It means murder, Jaggard! replied Jen in a hollow voice which he hardly recognized as his own. Mr. Maurice went to Deanminster
- 31. before dinner, and now-- the major pointed again to the remains. Murder! echoed Jaggard, his ruddy face growing pale. And who, sir-- I don't know--I can't say! interrupted his master, impatiently. Go and get the men to bring down a stretcher for the body, and send the groom for Dr. Etwald. Ain't it too late, sir? Do as I tell you, said Jen, so fiercely that Jaggard did not dare to disobey, but ran off, leaving the major alone with his dead. The road which ran past Ashantee toward The Wigwam was lonely even in the daytime, and at this hour of the night--for it was close upon nine o'clock--it was quite deserted. Not a person was in sight, although the major could see up and down the road for a considerable distance, owing to the bright moonlight. He raised Maurice--or rather all that remained of Maurice--in his arms, and placed the body on the soft grass by the wayside. Then he sat down and began to think out the reason for the committal of this cowardly crime. That it was a crime he was certain, for there was no reasonable idea to suppose that Maurice had committed suicide. He had left for Deanminster hardly three hours before, full of health and spirits; and now he was dead. A dead body, a lonely road--all the evidence of an atrocious assassination having been committed, and not one trace of the assassin. Undoubtedly the twice-uttered cry had come from Maurice, and as Jen had raced out of the house after the first time he heard it, he must have reached his boy almost immediately after he died; before, so to speak, the body had time to grow cold. Yet the strange part of the affair was that the body was cold, and that there did not seem to be any wound whereby the murder could have been achieved.
- 32. I am taking too much for granted, muttered Major Jen, passing his hand across his brow, Maurice may not have been killed after all. It is Etwald and his horrible prophecies which have put the idea into my head. Let me have a look at the poor lad's body. In the bright moonlight he carefully examined the body, but could find no trace of any wound, until he came to the right hand. Here, in the palm, he saw a ragged rent clotted with blood, but it was a mere scratch not likely to have caused death, unless poison were--. Here Major Jen uttered an oath, and rose to his feet with a new and terrible idea in his brain. The devil-stick, by heaven! he said aloud. Again he bent down and examined the face and hands. Both were swollen and discolored; he tore open the shirt at the neck, and saw that the young man's breast was all distended and bloated. Undoubtedly the cause of death was blood-poisoning, and the devil- stick had been the instrument used to effect the deed. But here the problem proposed itself: Who had killed Maurice? The person who had stolen the devil-stick! Who had stolen the devil-stick? The person who--Major Jen came to an abrupt pause. He could think for the moment of no answer to that question; but it is only fair to say that, dazed by the terrible occurrence of his dear lad's death, Jen had not his wits about him. While he was still considering the affair in a confused manner Jaggard reappeared with the men from Ashantee carrying a stretcher. While they placed the body of Maurice thereon, the groom bound for Deanminster passed them driving the dogcart, and Major Jen stopped the man to tell him that at all risk he was to bring back Dr. Etwald with him. Jaggard wondered at this, for Maurice--poor lad--was beyond all earthly aid--but Jen was thinking of a certain person who might have committed the crime, and he wished for the aid of Dr. Etwald to capture that person. In the meantime the
- 33. necessities of the case called for the immediate removal of the body to Ashantee. It was a melancholy procession which bore the body up to the house. Four men carried the bier--for it was nothing else since it bore the dead body of a young man--and behind came Major Jen bowed to the ground with sorrow. He could hardly believe that Maurice was dead--that he had perished upon a lonely country road by an unknown hand. But that was the question! Jen began to think the assassin was not unknown; that he had a clew to find the guilty one; and he waited the coming of Dr. Etwald with great impatience to see what his opinion was regarding the course to be pursued. In due time Etwald arrived, for the groom had been fortunate enough to find him at home. On hearing of the affair he expressed the deepest concern, and putting all other business on one side he came back to Ashantee in the dogcart. Before seeing Jen, he went up to Alymer's room, and examined the body of the unfortunate young man. Having satisfied himself so far as he was able, without making a post-mortem examination, he came down to the library where Jen awaited him. Well, Etwald, cried the major, when he saw the tall form of the doctor at the door, have you seen him? I have seen it, corrected Etwald, with professional calmness, the poor fellow is dead, major--dead from blood-poisoning. I knew it; I guessed it--the devil-stick. That may be, rejoined Etwald, taking a seat, but I can not be sure. You see neither you nor I know anything of the poison which was in the handle of that African instrument. It-- But what are you talking of? broke in Jen, impetuously. You say that my poor boy died from blood-poisoning. How else could he have come by that, save through being touched or struck with the devil-
- 34. stick? No one in the neighborhood was likely to possess any weapon likely to corrupt the blood. If Maurice had been stabbed, or shot, or if his head had been smashed in, I could understand the crime--or rather the motive for the crime--better; but as it is, the person who stole the devil-stick must have killed him. And who stole the devil-stick? asked Etwald, coolly. If I forget not, major, you asked me the other day if I did. Yes, but I was wrong; I made a mistake. A mistake that under the present dispensation of things might prove awkward for me, said Etwald. I was no friend to the dead man; I did not like him, nor he me. We both loved the same woman- -we were rivals. What then so easy as for you to say--for a jury to believe--that I had stolen the devil-stick and killed Mr. Alymer, so as to get him out of my way. I never thought of such a thing, protested Jen. I do not suspect you. Then whom do you suspect? asked Etwald, fixing his dark eyes on the major. Dido--the negress, of Mrs. Dallas! Etwald shook his head and smiled. But that is ridiculous, said he. The commission of a crime presupposes a motive. Now what motive had Dido to kill your friend? She hated Maurice, and she did not want him to marry Miss Dallas. Neither did I, if I remember rightly, said Etwald, dryly, Besides, Dido--as you proved--did not steal the devil-stick. However, if you are suspicious of her, go over to-morrow and see Mrs. Dallas. It will
- 35. be as well to be sure of your ground before making a public affair of it. By the way, I suppose you will have a detective down from London, to sift the affair to the bottom? I don't know; I'm not sure. I should if I were you. Mr. Sarby is in London. Why not wire up to him to bring down a clever man from Scotland Yard? If I thought that--. But, added Jen, breaking off, how did you know that David was in London? Oh! rejoined Etwald, quietly, Mr. Alymer told me so to-night. To-night! echoed Jen, starting up. You saw Maurice to-night? Certainly! About an hour and a half before he was murdered. At Deanminster? At my house at Deanminster, replied the doctor with great deliberation. So it was you whom he went to see on business to-night? Etwald shrugged his shoulders. I don't know if you call it business, he said, after a pause. I asked Mr. Alymer to call and see me, and sent the message by that tramp named Battersea. I remember his coming. Go on, please. Mr. Alymer called, as I said, continued Etwald, And then I told him that Miss Dallas was ill from being prevented by her mother from seeing him. That I was sorry for the poor young lady, and that I gave up my position as a rival. In fact, added the doctor, I advised Mr. Alymer to see Miss Dallas and marry her as soon as he could.
- 36. But why did you wish to act in this generous manner? For the very simple reason that Miss Dallas is of a delicate and nervous constitution, said Etwald. If she does not marry Mr. Alymer, with whom she is in love, she may die. I quite forget that I should speak in the past tense now, major. Mr. Alymer is dead, and Miss Dallas may pine away of grief. It was to prevent such a catastrophe from occurring that I surrendered my claim to her hand. Very generous of you indeed, said Jen, ironically; but I do not see why you should behave in such a noble manner when you were so much in love with the girl. It is for that reason that I changed my mind. As you know I have been attending upon Mrs. Dallas this week, and I saw plainly enough that my case was hopeless; that the girl was dying to marry Alymer. Besides, added Etwald, carelessly, the mother was not on my side. She wants Isabella to marry David. So I hear; and he is in town, as Mr. Alymer told me to-night. But what are you going to do about the matter, major? Give notice to the police. There will be a post-mortem, of course, said Etwald, carelessly. No, no! I hope not, cried Jen, horrified at the idea. But there must be, insisted Etwald, cruelly. Alymer died of poison, and it must be proved that such was the case. Then we may learn if he perished from the poison of the devil-stick. Afterward you must get a detective to search for the person who stole it from your smoking-room. Once he or she is found, and the assassin of your poor friend will be in custody.
- 37. 'He or she,' repeated Jen, slowly. Dido I mentioned; but 'he!' who is 'he?' Ah, that is what we wish to find out, said the doctor, gravely. But how do I know? Battersea may be the thief. The thief and the murderer! Well, no, major. On second thought I do not think it is wise to couple those two words as yet. The thief may not be the murderer, and--but what can I say? broke off Etwald, suddenly. As yet we know nothing. It is late, now, major, and I must get back. Shall I give information to the police? If you will be so kind, said the major, listlessly, and he let the doctor go away without another word. All through that long night he knelt beside the bed upon which lay the corpse of the man whom he had loved as a son. The bedroom of Maurice was on the ground floor and the windows looked out onto a little lawn, which was girdled by thick trees in which the nightingales were singing. The sorrowful songs of the birds, flitting in the moonlight and amid the cloistral dusk of the trees, seemed to Jen like a requiem over the young life which had passed away. The major was broken-hearted by the sorrow which had come upon him, and when he issued from the chamber of death he looked years older than when he entered it. It seemed to his big loving heart as though the woman he loved had died anew in the person of her son. Fortunately he was not forced to sorrow alone; toward midday David arrived from town, filled with grief and surprise at the untimely end of Maurice. He found the major in the library, and grasped him by the hand with genuine sorrow. My poor uncle, he said in a low voice. I cannot tell you what I feel. Etwald telegraphed to me the first thing in the morning, and I
- 38. came down by the earliest train there was. Poor Maurice!--and we parted in anger. More's the pity, sighed Jen, leaning upon the shoulder of Sarby; but you cherish no anger in your heart now? God forbid, sir! David spoke so fervidly that Jen saw plainly he meant what he said. The massive face of the young man looked worn and haggard in the searching light of the morning, and whatever enmity the love of the same woman had sown between him and the dead, it was not to be denied that he was suffering cruelly from remorse at their unhappy difference. Jen was sorry, but even in his own grief he could not forbear a stab. You can marry Isabella now, he said, bitterly. No! said David, faintly, turning his face away. At least not yet. The major looked at him for a moment or two, then, with a new idea in his head, he took David by the hand and led him into the chamber of death. Swear, said he, that you will not marry Isabella Dallas until you have discovered and punished the murderer of Maurice. David swore.
- 39. CHAPTER X. FURTHER MYSTERY. Great was the dismay throughout the countryside when it became known that Maurice Alymer had been murdered. The dead man was well known in drawing-room and in hunting-field, so that there was hardly a person of consequence in the county who could not claim at least a bowing acquaintance with him. Moreover, Maurice was one of those men who are always popular, and much sympathy was manifested for his untimely death. Also the mysterious way in which he had come to his end, the absence of any known motive, and the knowledge that the deceased had no enemies--all these thing's combined to raise public curiosity to the highest pitch. The inquest on the dead body was awaited with much anxiety. Crowds of people came from all parts of the country to view the scene of the crime, and, if possible, to gain a glimpse of Jen and David, who as relatives--as it might be said--of the deceased were notorious for the time being; but thanks to the presence of the police and the vigilance of Jaggard, the morbid crowd of sight-seers were unable to gratify their curiosity. The two men remained in seclusion, and saw no one save Dr. Etwald. A sympathetic message arrived from Mrs. Dallas, which, considering the way she had behaved toward Maurice, the major regarded as a gratuitous insult. Can't she let the poor man rest in his grave? said Jen, wrathfully. It is all through her opposition to the match that this has come about!
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