Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-11-10

Harding studied Inc DooR lot nearly nan
an hour, often making jottings on a sheet
of paper and referring again and again to
particular pages He laid it down wearily
at last.
u can do nothing with it," he said. ut is
evidently some very intricate form Of cipher.
Such things are to be read. however. and we
must have this read. We cannot afford to
lose an chance of hitting upon clew."
"But whom can you get to read It'll"
ave must think that over. Perhaps
Bielski may be able to give US some assist
ance."
The next day wcs spent in journey to
Barton at the request Of Eastmea1. From
Barton we went with Eastmead to Little
Lorton for the purpose Of seeing Smirke, the
chemist That person Immediately recog-
nized the parcel found in the secret staircase
at the hall as being that in which he had
wrapped the strychnia sold to Daisy. But
be was able to afford additional proof of the
identity of the parcel On removing the
sealed outer wrapper he showed US an inner
covering, on which the label was repeated,
with the address, and, in addition, the date,
aOct z" in the chemists own handwrit-
ing. There was, therefore, no longer any
doubt that. so far as the mere possession OF
strychnia at the time Of the murder was
concerned. the evidence given against Daisy
at her trial had been absolutely neutralized.
Affldavits describing the discovery and iden-
tifcation of the parcel were duly made on
the same day by Smirke, Eastmead and my
self before one of the Barton magistrates.
Two days passed without any further
pro rress being made. 1t was whole week
s'nce Daisy's condemnation, and only two
more remained to US in which to save her.
NY impatience was at fever height, and
Harding had hard task to keep me in any
degree calm or self-possessed l had not
dared to seek another interview with my
darling. Until the question OF life and death
was settled In one way or the other, l felt
that to see her once more would only be to
torture her use.essly, and to rob me of the
little strength which I still had left But
through the chaplain of the Jail I was in
constant communication with her. Every
day wrote to her. and she knew that was
living for her sake and hers alone.
This first week, say, had come to an end
before we heard anything more Of Bielski
1t was Sunday evening, and was sitting by
myself, wearily seeking for some fresh clew
which might hitherto have escaped my at
tention, when the detective was suddenly
ushered into my room.
"Good evening. Mr.. Fenton. I'm afraid
YOU think have been a long time over my
work; but it has been as stiff a job as have
had for some time. The fellow has done
nothing but double and take fresh names.
If it had not been for that photograph you
lent me I should have been baffled at last"
"And you-have you found him?' I cried
eagerly
"Yes, sir, he's here at your service; but
before bring him in to see you should like
10 give you hint I don't know whether
you'll find him willing witness or the re-
yer e; but if the latter, just ask him if he
remembers Smith & Sharp, of Gracechurch
street. That will fetch him soon enough,
sir. You see he got into trouble there ten
years ago, and has been wanted ever since.
III wait outside till you have had your talk
with him"
He was leaving the room, when Harding,
who had just heard Of the detectives arrival,
entered and in a few words was informed of
the situation.
"Let Bielski make himself useful while he
is waiting" said Harding; "give him that
memorandum book"
handed the little notebook to the deteo-
tive. He looked at it gravely.
II wonder if I can crack this nuta It's
hard one; but I'll try"
We withdrew, and in two minutes the door
was opened, and Mr.. James Gregson entered
with the impudent smile upon his face which
I knew so we'll Bowling with an air Of
familiarity, which was not without dis
tincs touch of :nsolence, be looked from me
TO Harding. as though inquiring the reason
which had lei US to take so much trouble to
find him. Beneath this outward assumption
of self confidence thought could catch signs
that the fellow was not quite so much at his
ease as he wished 10 appear invited him
to take seat. and gravely stated to him the
object had in seeking him out.
He looked at me with a satirical smile on
his lips when had finished my statement
$50 you think l can clear your friend Miss
StancliRe, do youl"
II hope you can throw some light upon the
mystery that surrounds Mr.. Mauleverer's
death"
He laughed outright "Of course can do
that: but you have come to the wrong man
for information that will clear Miss Daisy.
Have you forgotten what / told you in the
railway train when you were on your way
to the old mans housea'
ut is precisely because have not forgot
ten it that l have desired to see you again.
You spoke then of conspiracy to commit
murder want you to bs kind enough to
tell me frankly what you meant by your
words. You remember that you charged
not only Miss Ssancliffe. but Flinter and DR..
Branksome. and myself as well, with being
in some plot. What did you mean by ita"
20, doa't be afraid on your own account.
Mr.. Fenton. know now that you were not in
the plot. You were only the dupe, and
very simple one, too."
l was determined that, come what might,
should not lose my temper during this in
terview Of such vital Importance to my
darling. The more l saw of the man the
more certain became that he did not speak
without knowledge, and when I observed
the growing gravity of Harding's face l
felt sure that he also entertained the same
conviction I took no notice, therefore, OF
Gregson's sheer but repeated my question.
"Tell ME, IL you please, what was the
nature of the plot of which you spoke9'
us it possible" he retored, "that you are
so dull as not to see the nature of the plot
for yourself nowt I should have given you