The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-30

-. ude street leading OF Piccadilly: and
very comfortable apartments they were
being luxuriously furnished IN the pre-
yailing fashion of the day. His sitting.
room was hung with dark.red curtains
and carpet to match, and the furniture
being of the kind designed to promote
ease and comfort. it looked verv snug.
particularly at night. There was desB
in one corner of the room piled up with
disorderly heap of papers. Over this
were fencing-foils and boxing gloves,
arranged against the wall, and the pict-
ures mostly consisted of photographs OF
pretty women and paintings of celebrat-
ed horses. There was small table neal
the fireplace on which lay pipes, cigar
boxes, and tobacco jars, and on q side
board spirit stand, which was much in
favor with Calliston's friends. A small
bookcase contained an assortment OF
French novels, principally of the Zols
and Mendes school, and, Judging from
the shabby appearance Of the books,
must have been pretty we'll read. The
whole apartment had dissipated air, and
the atmosphere was still impregnated
with faint odor of stale smoke.
Opening off this apartment we're dress.
ing-room and bedroom, and, though the
whole menage was somewhat limited, yet
it made up in quality what it lacked IN
quantity.
and Penstes we're looked after by q
worthy lady, who rejoiced in the name OF
Mrs. Povy, generally known by the name
of Totty. She was elderly, very stout.
with a round red face, the tint of which
was due to health and not drink, as she
seldom imbibed anything stronger than
tea. Totty was addicted to a kind Of
regulation uniform, consisting of black
dress, huge white apron, and muslin
cap, set coquettishly on the side OF hel
elderly head. She was one OF these
quaint old motherly creatures who never
offended, no matter what they say, and
she frequently lectured Calliston on the
irregularity of his life, which that noble
lord accepted with an amused laugh.
The late Mr.. Povy had long since de.
parted this life, and having been what is
vulgarly known as warm man, had left
Iottv comfortably off, so that lady occu-
pied her present position more from choice
than necessity. She had grutf voice,
and her casual remarks had the sound OF
positive commands, which she found OF
great use with refractory servants.
Totty learned from the papers that
Lord Calliston had gone off to the Azores
with Lady Balscombe, and expressed hel
disapproval Of his action IN the most EN-,
phatic manner to Mrs. Swlzzle Ia friend
of her youth) as they sat over their four
o'clock tea.
.Ah." said Totty, fixing her eyes PEN
sively on the little black teapot, it amt
no good being a reformatory. The way
I've talked to him about his goings on,
and now look at his goings Oft"
Perhaps he couldn't help himself,
said Mrs. Swizzle, who was tall and thin,
and spoke in kind of subdued whistle.
At this moment there came ring at
the door, and Totty hurrying away to at
tend to it, Mrs. Swizzle made the best
use of her time by eating up the buttered
toast as rapidly as she could.
: When Mrs. Povey opened the door she
was confronted by lank figure in gray,
which was none other than Dowker, come
to prosecute his inquiries concerning Miss
Sarschine.
WELL" inquired Totty, grufiy, an
noyed at being disturbed, and what do
you want?"
Dowker gazed on the substantial figure
before him and sighed.
"A few words with you about Lord
Calliston," he said, softly.
What's up?" she gasped. Has Lord
Calliston bin doing anything wrong?"
No, no." replied Dowker, soothingly.
II only want to obtain some information
about Miss Sarschine."
Il don't know that kind of pusson, !"
said Totty, angrily. .,
Never mind if you know her or not,
retorted Dowker, sternly, "but answer my
questions"
Mrs. Povy shifted and would have re.
fused, but there was something in the de-
tective's eye which quelled her, SO she
yielded an ungracious assent.
when did Lord Calliston leave town
for his yscht?"
About q week ago-on Monday last"
Where was his yacht lying?"
AT Shoreham. He went to London
Bridge Station to catch the ten minutes
past nine train. His yotsh was to leave
next morning.
Did he 60 alone?"
"As far as I know" retorted Totty. II
Lady Balscombe went with him you car
see it in the papers. I know no more
than thst?"
How often did Miss sarschine call OF
Mondsy?" ,
.Once, in the afternoon, to see Lord
Calliston."
Did she see him?" -.
NO; he was out, so she said she'd call
again in the evening""
And did she?"
y "Yes; but Lord Calliston had gone
about eight o'clock to catch his train
suppose she thought ne wouldn't go till
next morning."
Did she know he was going to elope
with Lady Balscombe?"
Not that I know of.
Did she see any one when she came
the second timer"
Yes; Mr.. Desmond, my Lords cousin.
What time was that?"
About twelve-between eleven and
twelve"
DoSker pondered little. So sht
called here to see Calliston just before
she was murdered, and saw Desmond
Nou tho ppocfioD uoG what hod D6s.