The National tribune., 1881-12-03

ms was very important evidence, and l in
Stantly resolved to utilize it for my theory.
am very glad you came, Miss Tranton, and
tha' you know Gerald to be innocent. He will
"0 exceedingly grateful for a visit You will aid
before the trial?n ~ Ven
yes, Mr.. Parke! VIII you take me to see
Gerald at Flinchester?n
VIII this evening do?"
Eyes"
And so we arranged it. The inta,,io,, ,,.0.
very pathetic one; its phases far foo sooroa -. -
recorded here. - 10
The detectives We're surprised, but chimed in ut
once with my further schemes
Personally this Richard Hyles was INIT little
known to me. He was short, bulI-necl-od
heavy-brOWed worthy, who had battIad - -
Ashdale for many years We mounted striot
guard upon him, and conducted succeeding, :,
vestigations with caution and success. We con
triyed to secrete Miss TrantOn behind screen in
friendly house, and to get the man to call ON
an errand thereat between the visits of several
more. very troublOus and furtive expression
was remarked in his eyes, but he did not appear
as yet to suspect any plot Ifguilty, he evident
ly was intending to stay in the village and to
brave it out.
Miss TrantOn at once selected his voice as that
of the person she had heard talking with her
father On the night of the murder. Unseeing as
well as unseen the poor girl could scarcely be
prejudiced, and the tones made her shiver anew
with horror, she said.
Then, too, we found, by patient search among
Captain TrantOns papers, clear and concise evil
dence of the debt we had hitherto only suspected.
Lent at an exOrbitant rate of interest, the money
was considerably overdue and still remained I'M
paid.
To trace the pistol was more awkward task
and if pressed too close at the outset might have
given the villain warning. What was of as much
Importance was the purchase of ammunition by
Richard Hyles on the morrow of Capt Trantons
departure for ScOtland-a purchase sworn to by
an ironmonger and gup-dealer at Flinchester
web was woven now which it would be hard
for any sophistry to break. My natural feelings
of triumph were only dimmed by pity for both
murderer and victim.
The detectives and l waited first on Inspector
Roberts the night before the trial He, from
whom the idea had jealousy been kept, was as
founded. Regret at his own failure and pleasure
at the probability of an innocent mans release
struggled for the mastery, and pleasure won.
Beneath his official livery red tape had heart
ike the rest of Us,
at looked dark, you can't deny it, Mr.. Parks,"
ne said; "but it's as plain as MONDAY nown
II think SO. You will come with US to the
Manor House, Mr.. Roberts?"
The Squire literally danced. I never saw old
hon, in
even at hunt dinner before Armed with his
we walked into the village and arrested
our prey.
A great wave of terror, anger, and despair
surged over Richard Hyles's face as he saw what
this visit meant and knew that despite his cum
ming the tolls had closed upon him. 1t was over
n couple of seconds and a cloak of hastily fur
oished-up establishment that deceived nobody
vas dOnned in its place.
"1-gentleman-wan me! What for?n
"For the murder of Capt. Tranton," said the
Inspector coolly, and in another instant or two
he sharp click of a pair of handouts rang out
lpon the ears of a waiting group.
The inspector warned him to be cautious in
What he said, but there was small need for the
Injunction. Silent, moody and with a face that
''N' LIZ" .h0 pdISSSu Oul IiAIO
he darkness and beyond my sight
Late as it was, rode to Flinchester So far IS
ny province went everything was in order for
he eventful morrow, and l wanted to inform
Serald of progress
The trial can be little more than form,
ny friend" said; that is quite certain now"
nd briefly recapitulated all my fresh details
My mother and Milly have both been before
ou," he said in reply. Bronze drove them
Yer; they've only just left, in fact"
"Ah! trust woman in love to be first to
ring you news!"
Gerald laughed. He could even be merry
ow the load was lifted, and merry with a very
itierent sound from that of the grim irony l
emembered so well from my first visit
The assize court was duly opened by Dir.
Justice Doyle on the Monday and the trial, in
'hlch half the country side was interested, was
cry nearly as formal one as l had anticipated.
Ierald was freed without the shadow of stain.
AS for Richard Hyles, his arraignment never
box place. Conscious that there could be but
ne dark issue to such a contest, the wretched
IAN committed suicide in his cell, leaving, how
ver three roughly scrubbed words behind him
hitch were sufficient to convince even those
linds which were most 10th to put aside their
rst suspicious. Whether that Il did 1t" spoke
repentance as well as of confession, no man
nOwS.