The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-05-18
THE STORY OF 4 TERRIBLE EPISODE
IN THE LIFE OF An ENGLISH
NOBLEMAN.
BY F. w. HUME
CHAPTER XVI.


Calliston, tall, dissipated young man,
noticed the restraint Of her manners, and
commented thereon st once.
The door opened and his valet entered,
soft-feoted and deferentisl.
"A gentleman to see you, my lord" he
said, handing Calliston card.
"Humph! I thought 50, said Calliston,
glancing at the card; show Mr.. Dovke'
up, Locker.
Locker retired, and Mrs. Povy was about
70 follow his example when Calliston
Don't 90, Mrs. Povy," he said, authori.
tstively, you ssw this man before, 80 you
can hear our intervisw-I may have to ask
you something"
: Totty scquiesced obediently, and went
over to the window, while Locker, show.
ing Mr.. Dowker into the room, retired,
closing the door after him. Calliston
opened the conversation at once.
Your name is Dowker-you are de.
tective-you want to see me about the
Jermyn street murder?"
Quite correct, my lord" replied
Dowker, quietly, though rather aston
ished at the business-like tone assumed
by Calliston. Il want to ask your lord.
4 ship few questions. want an account
NOuI uoNcuOutp vi taoe
night, he said smoothly.
Lord Calliston sprang to his feet with
burst Of laughter.
Good heavens!" he cried. Surely
you don't think killed Lady Balscombe?"
DoVker said nothing, but looked dis
creetly on the ground, upon which Cal
iston frowned.
Now, then, Mr.. Dowker," said Calls.
ton, tapping the table impatiently, where
do you want me to begin from?"
From the time your lordship arrived
at The Pink 'Un.'" Calliston stared al
him in astonishment.
"How the deuce did you know I was
there?" he asked.
EASILY enough, replied the detective,
coolly; the little urchin you gave money
to told me-.
.The devil!" said Calliston, in vexed
tone. .One seems 10 be surrounded with
spies-perhaps you can tell me how !
spent tho rest Of the night2"
NO, I leave that for your lordship,"
Then it's easily DONE" retorted the
! young lord, coolly. Il left these rooms
Intending to 60 to Shoreham by the ter
minutes past nine train from Lond0r
+ was Lady Balscombe to meet you
there?"
'No-she intended to 60 first to the
Countess Of Kerstoke's ball in order tc
avert suspicion, and then was to come
down to Shoreham ly the first train in
the morning-about 5:45. At all events
! left here about eight o'clock in
order to 60 down, when I looked in at my
club for few minutes, and heard OF
sparIing match coming OF at The Pink
VI \ sx,Ir ~ friandc IN
20. I thought I'd not bother about go
catch the early train in the morning, and
20 down with Lady Balscombe, so I
went to The Pink I'm and saw the
+ match. Then I thought I'd 60 home to
my rooms. Just as got to them wom-
an came out Of the doorway and rushed
away like q mad thing. If you remem-
ber, it wac a foggy night, but was close
enough to recognize the dress, and
thought it was Lena Sarschine. Just as
/ was puzzling over her sudden appear
ance, q man passed me quickly and went
after the woman-they both disappeared
in the fog and thought I'd better follow
and find out what was up. I lost myself
in the fog, and, after wandering about
for couple Of hours, I managed to get q
cab and 20 to my club. There I met
some fellows, and, as had to catch an
early train, did not think it worth while
to 60 to bed. I fell asleep, however, on
the sofa, and the end of it was / went
down to Shoreham by late train and
came on board the yacht. They told me
Lady Balscombe was ON board, so Or
dered the yacht to start at once, and it
was only when We were right out that
found out my mistake-until I came
lan a. ,,1o 4 hol
you that Lady Balscombe had been mur-
dered."
Dowker listened to all this with the
deepest interest, and then asked Lord
Calliston question.
Who was the man who passed you in
pursuit of the woman"
How should know" replied Calliston,
fdeeting in his seat.
You did not know him."
How could recognize any one on such
Had you any idea who it was?" per-
We'll, I had" said Calliston, reluct.
sntly. 1t is only fancy, mind, because
I did not see the mans face, but !
thought his figure and bearing resembled
some one know"
And the name of that some one?"
Sir Rupert Balscombe."
Dowker uttered an ejaculation Of aston
ishment and summed up the whole thing
in his own mind.
"Cock-and-bull story" he muttered to
himself. He has learned since it was
Lady Balscombe whom he saw, and
wants to put the blame on to the husband
-pish!"
WELL" said Calliston an1iously.
Its grave accusation to make, said
K Dowker.
I'm not making any accusation" re.
forted Calliston, violently. Il only think
it was Sir Rupert. I'm not accusing him
pf anything. Is that all you want to
know? If SO, you'll oblige me by leaving
my rooms"
Both men arose to their feet and looked
at one another, and 80 absorbed were
they that they did not hear the door softly
open behind them.
Not yet, Lord Calliston, said Dow
ker calmly. Il want to know what 20,
did those two hours you were in the foe?
Do! Nothing, except walk about look
ing for the woman thought Lena sar
schine."
And you found herr"
NO"
Bah! What jury would believe that?'
DO you mean to accuse me OF TINS
murder" asked Calliston furIously
clinching his fists.
Il accuse sou Of nothing" retortec
Dowker coolly. Il merely put case tc
You. Here is man, yourself, going, te