The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-04-20
CHAPTER x.
INnruER r1nN

L6Qa SdTSCutues
CHAPTER x.
ANOTHER COMPLICATION.
Though he had arrested Myles Des-
mond, Dowker was by no means certain
that he had got hold Of the right man.
Judging from the conversation reported
by Flip, Desmond himself appeared to
have strong suspicious about Calliston,
and Dowker in his own mind became con-
vinced that there was some connection be-
tween the elopement of Lady Balscombe
and the murder Of Lena Sarschine.
He wanted to find out the name
of the woman who visited Lady Balls
combe on the night of the murder,
for sudden thought had presented it
self that this unknown visitor might have
been Lena Sarschine. But the idea
seemed absurd, for woman of such
character could hardly have the audacity
to visit Lady Balscombe.
And yet, pondered Dowker,- I don't
know-these two women both loved the
same man, and free-lance like Lena Sar-
shine would not hesitate for moment In
slanging any woman who took her man
away-but why did not Lady Balscombe
kick up q row and order her to leave the
house? I'm hanged if I can get to the
bottom Of this!"
At length Dowker decided that the best
thing to be done would be to find out
from some servant Of the Balscombe
household all that took place subsequent
to Lady sBalscombe's departure. First,
however, he decided on seeing Lydia
Fenny and finding out if Lena Sarschine
had let fall any hint of calling on her
rival.
Lydia Fenny received the detective
eagerly, as she evidently loved her mis-
tress and wanted to do all in her power
to further the ends Of justice. AS there
was no time to be lost, Dowker plunged
at once into tho subject matter of his
visit.
Did Miss Sarschine state, on the night
of her murder, where she was going?" he
Yes, replied Lydia; "as told you be-
fore, she said she was going to Lord CAL
liston's rooms"
Nowhere else?"
Not to my knowledge"
1Humph! she did not make any remark
that would lead you to believe she was
going to Lady Balscombe' :
Lady Balscombes!" echoed Lydia in
astonishment; why, what would she want
to do there?"
Il don't know, but I think she was
there Oh that night" And Dowker de-
tailed to Lydia the conversation overheard
by Flip, at the conclusion of which she
said:
Il suppose You want to find out from
the servants if Miss Sarschine was
there?"
Yes; do you know any of the serv-
ants?"
"one-Lady Balscombe's maid-Annie
Lifford."
aOh!" said Dowker, in a satisfied tone.
Can you ask her.to come along here and
see you? can find out all I want to know
from her."
u daresay I can get her to come here
to-day, as her mistress being away she can
not be busy"
Good" replied the detective. Send
for her at once. I will wait here"
Very WE'LL" said Lydia, and was leav-
ing the room when Dowker called her
back.
Gould you let me see your mistress
private desk?" he asked.
Lydia Ia oked at him doubtfully.
Il don't know if ought to let you see
her private papers.
Dowker laughed in subdued manner.
Why not?" he said lightly; she is
dead, and We want to find out who killed
her; looking at her papers can not do any
harm and may save the life Of an innocent
man"
Lydia Fenny hesitated no longer, but
leading the detective to the end Of the
drawing-room shove him recess where.
- IL hor of
the ordinary Office character. Dowker tried
some of the drawers.
Locked, he said quietly. Have you
the keys?"
@No, she had them with her."
Dewker made up his mind to commit
burglary.
Bring me chisel"
AT once, replied Lydia Fenny, going;
"and I'll also send for Annie Lifford."
She left the room, and Dowker, sitting
down in front of the desk, examined il
carefully. 1t was one of those table desks
with knee-hole in the center and a row
of drawers on each side. At the back were
a number of pigeon-holes containing pa
pers, and these Dowker examined, bit
found nothing more than bills and blank
sheets of paper.
Whatever private papers she's had"
said Dowker, on discovering this, ARE in
these drawers"
Lydia Fenny arrived with chisel and
small hammer, both of which she handed
to Dowker, telling him a. the same time
she had sent for Annie Litford. Dowker
nodded carelessly and began to force open
the drawers.
After half an hours hard work this wa
the result of his labors
First, bundle of old letters addressed
to Miss Helena Dicksfsll, Post Office,
Folkestone, signed F. Carrill.
Second, photograph of handsome,
white haired old man, on the back Of
which was written, Your loving father.
Michael Oicksfall."
Third, photograph of Lena Sarschine,