The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-05-25
ThePiccadiny Puzzle,
THE STORY OF 4 TERRIBLE EPISODE
IN THE LIFE OF An ENGLISH
NOBLEMiN.
BY F. w. HUME
CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XIX.
& THE END OF IT ALL
Spencer Ellersby, we'll dressed, ncn-
chaiant and languid, entered the room
with smile on his face, which faded
quickly when he found there was no one
present to receive him.
Il thought you said Miss Penfold was
here" he observed sharply, turning to the
footman who was showing him in.
so she was, sir, )" stammered the serv-
ant in some confusion, and two gentle
men,"
.Gentlemen !" muttered Ellersby to
himself, taking Q chair; some OF those
empty y-headed men about town, sup
pose."
Il think Miss Penfold must have gone
mp to the drawing-room, sir" said the
servant, turning toward the door. Will
take your name up, sir?"
NO, replied Ellersby, with yawn. II
want to see Sir Rupert, just now; so III
wait here till hs comes in, and 60 upstairs
afterward."
very good, SIR" said the footman, and
was just retiring when Sir Rupert, look.
ing jaded and worried, entered the room,
upon which Ellersby rose to his feet, and
the footman, going out, closed the door
behind him.
"Ah, Sir Rupert" he said, carelessly,
Il am 80 glad to see you, as thought
I'd have TO wait for some time. must
apologize for coming into this room, but
your servant said Miss Penfold was
there"
Have YOU seen her?" said Sir Rupert,
moodily, taking his seat in front Of the
desk and swinging round the seat SO as to
face his visitor.
mo, he made mistake. She is up in
the drawing:room, SO I am going to see
"Meanwhile?" demanded the baronet.
Il am going to see you, finished Ell
lersby, smoothly, resuming his seat.
Balscombe raised his eyebrows.
What about?"
"A very important subject-msrriage.'
Whose marrisge?"
MY own"
What have I 10 do with your mar
riaga?' ,,,
ly, because want to marry Miss PEN
Impossible" said Balscombe, point
edly, quite impossible"
How so?" asked the other, coolly. Il
have good position, plenty of money.
and my character is good"
Your moral character?" sneering.
oh, that, with laugh, is no better
nor worse than other young men, so I
would like your answer. Will you favor
my yySo5s sois''
Il think you Will, said Ellersby, cold
iy, for the very good and sufficient rea-
son that can force you to-"
How so2"
you know we'll enough" sneered the
other. If the police ask me who COM
mitted the Jermyn street murder, can
tell them who did it-Rupert Bslscombe. I"
You scoundrel!-do you moan to say I
killed my wife?"
Il can swear it-and will. too, if you
don't give me your wsrd"
Its cursed lie!" cried the baronet,
white with fury; where are your proofs?"
open that hiding place, and you'll
fpd them"
Sir Rupert gave stiAed cry, and stag
gered back against the desk, while Ellers-
BY looked at him with smile of tri-
umph. The three listeners in the other
room were standing close to the door,
with greedy ears drinking in every word
of this strange conversation.
The baronet, with an effort, recovered
himself, and, turning to the desk, touch
ed the secret spring and took down the
carving. There lay the locket, the chain,
and the fatal arrow.
your wife's neck on that night" said El-
ob1, y,ifilocc11, Gonl fhora Tho
poisoned arrowhead with which you
committed the crime!"
Balscombe took out the objects and
looked OF them yacantly.
What deviltry is this?" he said, fierce
ly. This is the locket I know-the
locket that contains your hair and your
picture, curse you! But the arrowhead
Il know nothing Of that"
Bah! Who would believe vou?" re-
piled the other: mockingly. 1T is in your
secret drawer"
How did yon know this hiding placel"
demanded Balscombe.
Il never said knew it"
NO; but you said your evidence was in
there, 80 you must have seen these things
before. / believe you put the head
there yourself.
Did I, indeed?" said Ellersby, with q
sneer Where would get the arrow
head? Don't blame me for crime you
committed yourself"
I did not commit it!" shouted Balls
combe in a frenzy. Il a"knowledge I
knew Of my wife's intended elopement.
and came up from Berkshire to prevent it.
! was too late, and went to Calliston S
rooms to see HIM. ] missed the door in
the fog, and when found it. the first
thing l saw was my guilty wife leaving
the house. I followed her and caught up
to her-she shrieked, and I gave way to
my just anger. I knew she had this
locket, and thought it contained Calls
toms portrait, not yours, SO wrenched it
of hsr neck to make sure. She ran away
across the street and lost her in the fog.
swear I saw no more of her on that
night till read of her death"
-You knew 1t was your wife that was
dead?"
Il was not certain. I heard the Sea-
new had sailed with Lady Balscombe on
board, and thought that the dead woman
WAS some wretched street-walker with