Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-08-03
CHAPTER. I'LL

CHAPTER Ill.
In Flinchester jail I once again met
my client, pale, but sef-possessed as
ever. Gerald could tell by my face that
I had news to bring and a great hope
beamed from his eyes and answered
mine.
"You-you know something's"
CT believe, Gerald, I am on the right
track at last; but before I tell you my
ideas must ask questions again. You
suspected O. marine store dealer of the
theft of your pistol. His name is Richard
Hyles?''
eyes"
"You had dispute with him-what
about?"
ooh, he assaulted servant and I lee
tured him; it's an immense while ago."
"It may be that he has never forgiven
you?"
81 don't think he has; but that
"Means to my mind great deal"
And then I told Gerald Myrtlemore
both my suspicious and my plans.
had been up to Hollies Hall and had
obtained both the fateful red-backed
book and another, semi
key thereto. For long hours I had
studied them side by side, and ample re-
ward had come. The sc. on" occurred
many times, and stood before the notes
taken in my own office prior to Capt.
Tranton's trip northward. It was evil
IDENTIFY contraction of "called on" and
presented little difficulty. The "198" I
construed to mean so many English
pounds. Over and over again records of
moneys lent were there in this question
able guise. The "10:30, Goth, +" was the
chief link Of all. I read it-rightly or
wrongly remained to be proved-as
1870 P. NJ, October 20, the actual day
and hour of the murder. took it to fix
an interview with the mysterious "R.
H." an interview that had taken place
and had ended in-crime. The Gimp. :"
according to the key, meant invariably
" Imperative" The "Qurr." I fire.
quently translated "Quarreled. The
line now stood thus:
Called on R. H.-.e19S. 1890 P. NJ, October
2Oth.-Imperative. Quarreled.
Who was OR. FL. ?" [ strolled out
into the village and identified those let
ters within a dozen yards of Ashdale
church. A little bullying shop, it's win
dows crowded with all sorts of incon-
gruous things, had Richard Hyles"
painted above it, and putting my friends
story of the lost weapon and the pas
sionate, implacable marine dealer in
with these trumpet-tongued
symbols, I constructed a theory.
"Ah, said Gerald, as the light broke
L l.
Hyles stole my pistol, borrowed money
from Captain Tranton, had a row with
him, went up to the hall after I left and
did the thing?"
cit looks very much like it. [ shall
put detectives on the scent at once; there
is no time to lose, and we must be
cautious or the bird will fly"
"What wretch the man must be p
"Your courtship of Captain Tranton's
daughter must have been current talk in
the village, and probably other people
besides me put it down that you would
be refused. Hyles must have known
this, and must have learned somehow of
your going up to the hall that evening,
and thought thus to escape himself and
pay another old grudge by putting the
crime on your shoulders.
"And has nearly succeeded, toe.
Does Milly think me guilty?"
Alas, how was [ to tell him ?
81 really do not know" I answered.
"Poor girl Her mother and herself
are at the rectory still, with the Bronnes;
they do not feel at all able to go back to
the hall"
Despite the fearful position in which
he stood, Gerald was always ready to
hear OF talk of Mellicent; he would have
gone to the death for that girl as blithe-
~ as ever went fanatic to the scaffold.
He delayed me many minutes now.
[ had ridden back to my Office, and
was busy in writing letters for several
waiting clients, when my door opened,
almost without warning, and my clerk
ushered in lady in deepest black. I
rose, and when the veil was lifted, met
the shadow-haunted eyes of Miss Tran
ton. Dark rings we're around them, and
their expression was one Of earnest ap-
peal. All the roses had died out of
Milly's cheek now.
"You are quite alone? I can speak
to you in confidence a minute or two,
Mr.. Parke %
Willingly; am quite at your COM
mand, Miss Tranton."
"The assizes open next Monday,
Gerald-Mr. Myrtlemore is to be tried. :"
eyes"
"He is quite innocent, Mr.. Parke.''
Z" I am aware of it.
CT would have seen his before this but
for mother; she will not believe-I must
see him, Mr.. Parke! They will not
Wet him!''
In that last sentence, passionate and
rapid, the last vestige of reserve had
persisted. 1t was woman forgetful Of
herself, thinking only of loved one,
with faith in his integrity, with dread of
his danger, that stood before me.
"I have very little fear" I replied:
Yesterday my words would have been
less confident.
81 must give evidence" she said: ST
know something. I was too bewildered
to think at-the inquest.
Eagerly [ listened, hoping for another