The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-05-04

take cAI0. my aualtb uhSo AotA1nk w uo
with you, and Lady Balscombe's folly is
quite apart from this-this murder
Il think not" answered Norwood,
quietly, for in my opinion Lady Balls.
combe left this house and went to Lord
Calliston's chambers on the night of the
murder and saw Mr.. Desmond"
Did Mr.. Desmond tell you this2" said
Balscombe, in nervous voice.
mo; Mr.. Desmond refuses to tell any
thing, rejoined Norwood, "but am GER
tain It was Lady Balscombe, and as you
came up from Berkshire on that night
Lady Balscombe went out.
Il am no spy on my wife's move
ments," retorted the baronet, haughtily.
undersrood rom my servants that my
wife was in her room. As we wers not
on good terms did not see her, but vent
straight to my club. From there did
not return till about in the morning.
then went to bed and did not know Of
Lady Balscombe's fight till next NOM
ing, when it was too late to stop her. So,
you see, I can tell you nothing"
Norwood was about to reply when
knock came to the door and the servant,
entering, gave q card to Sir Rupert,
which he glanced at and then handed to
Norwood.
Here is the detective who has the case
in hand" he said, quietly. Perhaps, if
you question him, you may find out what
you want to know. Show the gentleman
in"
-Dowker's q clever man., said Nor
wood, when the servant had retired; he
arrested Desmond, so I presume he has
come here to get evidence against him.
Now, Miss Penfold, we must put our wits
against his"
@Yes, and between the two stools poor
Desmond will fall to the ground, replied
the baronet. with cold smile. Here is
your detective"
Mr.. Dowker, being announced by the
servant, entered the room quietly, and
bowed first to Miss Penfold and then to
Sir Rupert.
How do you do, Mr.. Norwood?" he
said, calmly. Il did not think to meet
you here, but suppose we're onthe same
errand.
Not quite" replied Norwood. You
want to destroy Myles Desmond. wish
to save him."
There you are wrong" said Dowker,
placing his hat beside chair and taking
his seat. Il want to save him also"
Save himp" cried May, starting up.
Yes, because believe him to be inno-
cent"
Then why arrest him2" asked Nor.
wood.
Dowker shrugged his shoulders.
The evidence against him was too
strong to permit him being at large, but
from what I have learned lately / have
reason to believe he is not the guilty
man."
This remark, coming from such Q
source, produced the profoundest impress
sion in the mind of May Penfold, and
Norwood himself seemed relieved, while
the baronet stood on the hearthrug and
looked stolidly on.
Then we can work together?" said the
lawyer.
Yes, to prove the innocence Of Mr..
Desmond" replied Dowker. And in
doing SO We will discover the real Grim
inal."
.And now" observed Balscombe in .
cold voice, having settled this little
matter about helping Mr.. Desmond, whom
I sincerely trust will be proven innocent
Of this charge, perhaps, Mr.. Dowker, you
will inform me the reason Of your visit?"
Certainly, sir, replied Dowker, delib-
erately. Il want to ask you few ques.
tions about Lady Balscombe."
Two Of his listeners looked at him in
SURPRISE, struck by the singularity OF the
coincidence that he should have called on
exactly the same errand as they did.
[To DE CONTINUED