The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-11
NO." said Clifford. with vehemenoe, 80

/
story Warm a serpent at the fire, and it'll
| begin to bite as soon as it's comfortable"
THAT will do" interrupted the guard
| Rruffly. Don't bully a man when be-:
| down. The poor devil don't look as If he'd
had much warming to speak of. lately"
| He had gathered enough from the two
men to come to the conclusion that it was
starvation which had driven the hollow
eyed man to an act for which he was
scarcely responsible. And with this came
the suspicion that the old man who had
treated him so harshly had got no more
than his deserts in being sent to hig last &C.
count with so much abruptness. Murder
was an ugly word, no doubt. But with a
"missus" and three ''kids," and an empty
larder, why Aud the guard swore big
oath under his breath-now what should be
himself feel if he were in the deaf mans
placel Aud it must be all the harder if
you're gentleman born" The guard had
discrimination enough to read the lesson Of
the shabby clothes and the gentle man.
ners.
HE looks half starved himself" he
thought. "Been short commons at home,
lately, and the kids had to be helped first.
Poor beggar."
These reflections led him to a change of
front which disconnected Page, who had
taken upon himself the office Of avenging
angel.
"Will you take a seat, sir?" he said, Offer
ing Clifford box to sit on. "You look
tired. and it's best to be as fresh as one can
when there's questions to answer. l can't
offer you much in the way Of refreshment,
but if you could eat biscuit, and you
wouldn't be above taking pull at this flask,
slr--n
Clifford accepted the offer of the biscuits,
which he ate hungrily; in his dazed state be
did not know how hungrily. Page looked
as if be thought this attention to the sus-
pected man misplaced, but ventured upon
no comment.
When the train arrived at Canterbury,
all the passengers in that coach of which
Samuel Pogson's reserved compartment had
formed part, were requested TO change
carriages; and the coach itself, with the
blinds of the reserved compartment still
down, was transferred to a siding, pending
the arrival of doctor
There was some little commotion among
the passengers, of course, for the rumor Of
tragedy mad spread quickly. But as no in
formation was forthcoming they had all to
90 on their way unsatis6ed.
Clifford and Page bad been at once taken
into the station-master's office. and shut in
there. The former went submissively, but
the latter, not unnaturally, objected to this
proceeding in his own case, pointing out
that there could be no possible suspicion ly-
ing upon him.
The guard admitted Ithe truth of this
but the station master insisted that it was q
case in which he had no alternative but to
detain every person VINO could have the
slightest connection with such an affair
''You are detained as a witness who can
give valuable information" said he to the
disconsolate attendant, in answer to his
pleadlngs that his detention on such an
occasion would injure his character with
future employers. "You know both the
gentleman who has been found dead and the
man who is suspected"
Eyes, and suspected with good reason.
too. And l can prove it," said Page, ex-
citedly.
IAN right. Then you must stay and do
sou
"Why, man." said the guard, who, after
giving his account Of the circumstances to
the station-master, was preparing to rejoin
his rain to continue the journey, what
good could you do by going on, now your
masters dead2 1t was his journey, not
yours. take it."
"Of course, of course. It's not the stay
ing mind. It's being looked up here with
this criminal"
"Not SO fast, mister. No mans a crimi
nal this side the channel till he's been con-
victed, remember. Ihope it'll turn out that
the poor beggar's innocent. that l do" he
added, heartily.
And raising his voice so as to be heard by
the deaf man the guard babe the latter 9
kindly good night as he unlocked and
opened the door.
Before he could pass out, woman, who
had evidently been on the watch outside,
pushed her way in under his arm.
Clifford stared at her as il she had been
a ghost.
1t was Blanche.
"Hallo! ma'am. this is private. Very
sorry, but you can't be allowed in here.
This way, please"
And the guard, standing against the door
to prevent the ingress of any more intruders,
beckoned authoritatively to her to come out
with him.
She looked at Clifford. who was still gaz-
ing at her in amazement, without having
uttered a word.
Il am his wife," she said. LET me stay.
See, am quiet And can explain a great
deal. Lot me stay, please"
the guard would have been obdurate, but
the station-master was either wiser or more
questionable The lady was, as she said
quite quiet. And she was SO white. and
worn, and pinched and sad-looking, that il
was difficult to refuse her the small conces-
sion she asked.
better not talk, said he.
And he handed her chair at the opposite
corner of the room to that in which Clifford
Yas sitting.
Regarding the accorded permission as a
precious privilege, and being resolved not to
risk its withdrawal, she contented herself
with a mere THANK you" to the station
master, and then sat quite silent, with her
gaze fixed sometimes on her husband, some
times on the floor.
Clifford showed more emotion than she at
this strange meeting; whenever he looked
at her. the tears would come to his eyes.
He seemed TO see suddenly tonight, as If he
had been a stranger, all the ravages which
anxiety and want and suffering had made
IN her pretty face.
the statioa>msster. He said it would be
kinder to the lady not to let her remain.
shell all right now. But when the
police come in to take her husband, you'll
have her in Mysteries Directly said he.
There they are!" be went on, crossing hur-
riedlY to the door.
But the station-master pushed him back
and unlocked the door himself,
There's the man we have to give in
charge on suspicion" said the station-mas-
ter in a low voice, nodding in the direction
of Clifford. HE admits having let himself
at Herne Hill into the carriage where the
man was found dead. And be admits a
grudge against him. And he carried a re-
volver, which he threw away. It's fair TO
say he gave the first alarm-to this man,
the servant OF the gentleman, who was
fould dead. We must hear what the doc
tor says, of course. In the meantime
He gave nod to the elder of the police
h.