The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-06-02
Malcolm, the Averger;
OR,
TEE MYSTERIOUS MURDER,
BY HARRISON AINSWORTH.
AUTHOR OF "TowER HILL" "BAFFLED AT
LAST "a TALE OF MYSTERY"
ETC, ETC.
CHAPTER Y.

|
THE INVESTIGATION, AND IT'S RESULTS
A long, and to those connected with it, a
painful inquiry, into the cause Of Robert
| Walters death, was now instituted. Strange
ly enough, when his actions, on what proved
to be the last day of his life, were carefully
reviewed, they all tended to show that he
had been IN state of unusual irritability
or excitement. He had thrown himself into
| o. furious passion with his servant when
dressing; forgetting himself so far as to
strike the man more than once. He had
wrangled, toe, with the toll -taker at Water
loo Bridge about some change as his carriage
passed across it en- routefor Millicent Vyner's
| humble home at Camberwell. What occur
red there, though related briefly and reluc-
| family by the widow and her daughter, also
went far enough to prove that when he had
left them, to fulfil his engagement at Der
went Lodge, he was not only greatly ex-
cited, but exceedingly annoyed.
A rumor had got abroad OF his quarrel
with Vernon Aubrey, and the latter was
called upon to say how it originated. His
manifest unwillingness to do this excited
surprise, if not suspicion; nor could Malcolm
help sharing the general feeling, as he
coupled UIllS Will AuplES Ucudf1OE WLSu
he besought his aid and advice in unravel-
ing the mystery Of his cousins death.
"You say that the Incorporate behavior
of the deceased was the cause of your dis
pute. Explain yourself" said one Of the
gentlemen conducting the inquiry.
"Docs my speech require IN explanation2"
asked Aubrey, after short silence.
"Most decidedly it does, and | must insist
upon your giving it,
"Mr. Walters behaved rudely to lady,
and Iinterfered in her behalf" said Aubrey,
after pause.
You inteyfered; then you were actually
the aggressor."
Aubrey bit his lip. "My interposition in
the lady's behalf was certainly the offence
ing remarks"
"What do you call insulting remarks P
Be kind enough to repeat them.'
But this he declined to do; and he was
then asked if it were true that he seized Mr..
Walters by the throat, without any provoca-
tion to do 30.
"Not without provocation, certainly" the
young man replied, with some degree of
bitterness, rs he recalled the taunt that had
30 provoked him.
"Is it true that some hours after this dis
pute had occurred, you expressed deter
mination not to let it drop until Mr.. Walters
had given you satisfaction, and also observed
that his insolence might be chastised sooner
than he expected?'
Aubrey looked startled, and in some ex-
citement demanded, "Who says that made
these remarks Who is your informant2
"You forget that you are not here to ask,
but to ans,ver, questions. Please reply to
this one.''
He thought awhile, and then rather hesi-
tatingly observed, ." may have said some
thing Of the kind, but I cannot positively
recollect how far those were my words or
the words of another
cam correct in stating that at first you
refused the bed Mr.. Derwent offered you on
the night of the ball but after the fracas
with Mr.. Walters you withdrew your refusal,
and proposed remaining at the Lodge2"
Aubrey bowed assent.
"What induced you to change yourmind?
He colored, and again declined to reply,
nor would he satisfy his interlocutors when
they wanted to know whether he and
Walters had been rival candidates for the
hand of Violet Lindsly. Indeed, the mo-
mcnt their questions approached the su" ysct
of Violet, he entrenched himself behind an
obstinate silence.
At last his examination was over, and he
retired There was nothing to actually
criminate him, though an impression was
left on the minds of many that he knew
more than he wonld say.
So fully convinced was Charles Malcolm
of this, that he followed him from the room
He found that Vernon Aubrey had already
Quilted the house. He was hurryIng away
as if the whole matter had been so distaste-
full to him that he was eager to put as great
distance as he could between himself and
the spot where it occurred
The young man stopped with startled
gesture, when Malcolms hand fell on his
shoulder, and turning towards him he ex-
claimed, almost fercely, "What: more
questioning? Have I not been badgered
suficiently?'
ri have not followed to question you; for
cannot compel you to reply" said NAL
colin, with equal heat. "I wish to heaven
I could; for, by my soul, Aubrey, you are
not as ignorant as you profess to be-"
"Haye you done - queried Aubrey. "You
have spoken truly when you say that l will
not answer any more questions; neither DO
care to be detained to hear your surmises.' -
"But you cannot deny that they are we'll
founded. You cannot deny that you know
how my cousin met his death. You may
deceive others, but you have not deceived
me-"
Aubrey became very pale. He lifted his
hand to silence the impetuous speaker.
"These are strange words, Malcolm. Pause
and think before you say more. 10 you
imagine that it was l who murdered the un-
happy Walters?"
But Malcolm was not prepared to say this
"God forbid l do not believe that you
could actually SHY fellow-cre lture."
Then he paused, and IL lump rose IN his
throat. Was it not just as possible that Yer
non Aubrey did this deed as that Sybil, ii
delicately- -nurtured woman committed it?
"Have you done" Aubrey again in
quired. -,
And Malcolm vehemently replied, ri will
not say that your hand administered
the poison; but l will maintain that you
know whose it was that did. Deny it if you
CAM
Vernon Aubrey looked at him steadily.
"For whatever have done, or whatever
concealed, I am not answeratble to you, Mr..
Malcolm and in memory Of our old friend
ship, conjure you to let ME 60 my way.
He who is dead wrought me untold misery
and l seen this day-not in your eyes only,
but in others-a suspicion which, whether
deserved or not, must blight my earthly
prospects beyond redemption, will not lift
finger to cast upon anothcr's fame the
doubts that have rested upon my own.'
Charles Malcolm was affected by the
melancholy tones in which this was said.
Ear be it from me-" he exclaimed, "to
join in cry against an innocent man
Aubrey, do but give Inc your word that you
have had nothing to do with Walters death
either directly or indirectly, and will be
the truest friend and staunchest champion
that you have. Speak, he added, as Aubrey
| remained silent: "sprak Give me the pledge