Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-02-15

matically.
II can't say one way or the other,
num-" responded the warrant officer
I'm only executing orders; and I'm
bound to caution you that all you say
now will be taken down in writing and
given in evidence against you"
"But how did he die ?" insisted the
lady, to whom these words Of warning
were mere empty sounds.
ooh, well, if you will have it" said
the agent of justice, "you must. He
died by having that ere dagger you spoke
OF drove into him, and the person who
done it left it there sticking TO tell its own
tale. Now you've got your bonnet on,
see, 20 if you come along quist there's
no call to make show OF yourself"
The Countess offered no opposition as
he took her hand, and led her down stairs.
She understood the accusation at last,
and the horror Of it had stunned her like
heavy fall or blow.
"Well, anyhow, you've done the right
thing now, num-" said the Officer, sooth-
ingly, when they were shut up together
in the cab. at beats me how people can
be SO ousensible as to try to kick out
back'ards when they know the moose is
round their necks. But, bless you, eleven
out of every dozen does it"
If any discourtesy was intended in this
allusion to moose, it was altogether
lost on Lucia. To all present objects
and sounds her eyes and ears were stone.
Consequently she did not see n cab
which passed hers, driving towards the
lodging house as they approached West
minister Bridge. Nor did its occupant
notice her but few seconds afterwards
Mr.. Fol jamie was listening to the appal-
ling news that his intended guest had
been arrested for the murder of her hus-
band.
"There is some hideous mistake-she
is innocent !" he excla lined, Indignantly.
"Only few hours ago she was seeking
justice against that man as the assassin OF
her father |"
But, Of course, Mrs. Tappin could
do nothing but shake her head, and cry
"that it was enough to empty her house
of every lodgcr, if it was to be said as
she had harborrd criminal :" and no
help could be rendered in that quarter,
nor any more information gained. Mr.
Foliambe put his daughter back into the
cab, and sent her home to Bsyswater.
But he himself went to Fountain Court,
to carry this grussome news to Cecil
Chesterton.
The young Orientslist was already &C
quainted with the events Of the past four
snd-twenty hours, so far AS Lucia had
communicated them to Mr., Foljsmbe, and
had entered with grateful warmth int
the critics hospjtublo Intentions.
Respectful delicacy prevented him from
intruding his person or his sympathy
upon her iu her present anomalous posi-
ton but her image filled all his
thoughts, and the desire for her rescue
from hideous yoke beat in the same
pulse with his love for her, unblended
with any egotistic hope.
His anxious eyes could not fail to per-
ceivs prsmunition OF new trouble in Mr..
Fsliambe's face directly he catered tue
room and, rushing at once to the worst
calamity ls could think Of, he exclaimed,
breathlessly. He has found her ~
Worse - said the critic, in low, agi-
tated tone. He is dead and she mas
bsen arrested for the murder "
Cecil started up as if an insulting blow
had fallen en- him, and cried, loudly and
sharply, cit cannot DO y
my dear friend, il is" responded MIR.
Foliambe, with sad steadfastness. "A
we droveup."
Cecil strobe fercely across the room Ia
the window, and thsn strobe back hall
maddensd by conflicting emotion. Pre-
sently he wheeled round and faced Mr..
Fsljambe.
II am going out" he said, in the graf
ing tone of bitter pain. 81 must know
the TRUTH or die | shall go to the house
they know me there
~ will go with you" responded his
friend. at was the step l meant to sug
gest. But we must take Frank with
U.S."
Frank was his son, aud Countess Sill
vestrelli's lately elected lawyer.
When the three gentlemen reached
Whitehall Gardens, n pOst-nortem exam
ination was going on.
But tho butler, who recognized Mr.
Chesterton as All acquaintance OF his late
masters, invited them to wait in the libra
nv till it was over, and related meanwhile
the circumstances OF tho case so far as h
WIS acquainted with them.
"Who traced Countess Silvestrelli t.
the house from which she was arrested /?
Inquired Mr. Frank Foljambe, who wa
a slendsrsr ard ksener-syed edition OF hi
father
"Well. that came about by curiou
accident, sir" said the butler. "Thi
morning, about eleven there came a law
yer gentleman here to see the master, 81
unbeknowing of what had happened. II
came in cab, as lie kept waiting; an'
when he'd heard the dreadful news, an
what was said in the house about my lady
he run ont to the driver Of the cab, AM
says, says he, Where did you take tina
yonns woman from who you sat down i
Lincoln's Inn just before / engaged you
And the man said, From house at tn
corner Of MIrchiuston Street, in tn
Westminster Bridge Road-oppoeite Ill
} -Four Quails. Then Mr.. Brszenasse--
that's the geutlemau's name came bac
aud told one of the cons,sbles as wa
here at tse time that he had seen my | I'd
this morning get out of that cab, and til
address the cabman had give WAS MOI
likely where they'd tind her. And so
turned out.
"Ah responded the lawyer, signif
cantly. And docs anyone know wha
hour the Countess quilted this house,
The butler thought no one did for eel
tain. The l allan valet hesrd the cloc
strike threc few minutes before he "a
the figure go by-tAat WAS ali.
"Ah r. iemark,d the lawyer, as before
and then they all turued towards the doc
for the sound Of steps on the stairs gay
notice that the examination was over. I'll
doctors were coming down.
"What do YOU fud gentlemen ?" snj
Frank Foljambs, going forward to int
a cept them, while his father and Cecil r
NAMED just insid. the doorway. - a
g the solicitor for tho Countess.
: I'VE find death to he caused by II dee
- wound punctniel right through Il
heart, said the first surgeon,
4 "Self.iufiicted--the weapon used boil