The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-09-27
'I5TI CR|,lIVSHIz.5
[Copyrisht. 1897, by the Author.l

the letter back to the inspector, an,
then Sir Jaffray and the private detect
i've walked back together to the mano
house, the baronet explaining more full,
all that had passed. -
"What do you think of it, Mr.. Git
ford?'' he asked at the close.
II can't see it all yet, but I have
suspicion. think the better plan will
DO to hold out against the inspector
hint; at any rate for time It's elea
enough what he means. What he want
is to 'be spared the trouble Of having tt
solve the mystery Of the weapon, ant
somebody seems to want to help him
Who's that somebody?'
II can't imagine"
EXACTLY. Neither can I at present
but we must find that out. In the frs
place, is it a somebody at all, or is il
just dodge of our friend Borderham
If he had ghost of an idea that any.
thing Of the kind had been done, it's ali
OIL tho cards he'd get such letter writ.
ten to himself just to bounce us into
throwing that trump card down Oh the
table. 1t stands to common sense that
he'd give a lot to get the difficulty Of
that dagger business cleared up, and if
he could show that it really was Lady
Walcote's dagger and not Miss Leyces-
tors it would be good enough thing
for him to conclude that Lady Walcote
was the person wanted. And, don't
make any mistake, that inspector would
give half his nose to spot the truth in
this thing. ,I,neyer saw a man keener.
He scents promotion in it, removal to a
busy center and reputation as. a clever
spoil mean, detective. l know him. !"
"His manner was in the highest de-
gree courteous to me-" said Sir Jaffray
in reply. .l
"'Cause he's no fool, was the blunt
answer. He wants to stand we'll with
you, and, if any thing is to be found out
that will pain you, to have it seem to be
forced out. But he's quite clever en- ough
to try to use you all the same, Sir
Jaffray. You see, he argues in this
way: If there's been any exchange of
these daggers, he can brighten you to
60 running off to your solicitor in tho
fear that you may be involved as some
sort Of accessory
"Do you mean began the baronet
hurriedly, taking alarm for Beryl's
sake at the others words and bursting
in with his interruption.
"Wait moment, sir, please, and
try to hear what have to say. He
wants to brighten you to 60 rushing off
to tell some very respectable, steady
going solicitor all the facts, knowing
full we'll that such mans first advice
will be to you to take Borderham's hint
and make the change again while the
chance seems OPEN
IF there is any possibility" inter-
rupted Sir Jaffray again, when his COM
panion cut him short once more: -
"Please, please, please allow me and
do try to oar me patiently. If you do
that, * Ierham will not hesitate one
minute. He'll be off to the nearest J.
p and get q warrant for Lady Walcote's
arrest At present he has absolutely
nothing to go On, bar the fact of her
ladyship's absence and the circumstance
that there was quarrel OIL the morn
ing Of the day about her as the result of
which you turned the Frenchman out
of the house. That's all the evidence
he's got, because we've got all the rest,
and at best it's only mere flimsy sus-
picion. But add the fact Of the dagger
found IN the mans heart being the
property of her ladyship, and you have
just that substantial evidence on which
man can work and act You see that"
''Yos, yes. Of course assented the
baronet hurriedly.
Exactly. Well, then, if it's bounce,
it's clear that you had better not give
the thing away yet. But I'm not dis
posed to think it's bounce. l believe he
did receive u letter."
"Well, but who could send such
thing?"
Precisely. Well see about that
presently. First let US see what we
ought to do in this matter, supposing
the letters genuine. What can he do?
He won't threaten you. He knows bet
ter than to do that for personal reasons.
II you were poor and obscure indi-
vidual, and if Miss Leycester woro a
wretched, friendless girl, nothing would
DO easier than to take you both by the
throat, so to speak, and just shake the
knowledge out Of you. There's no
difference between rich and poor in tho
eye Of the law, you know, but there's
deal Of difference between 'em in the
hands Of the police, can tell you,"
said Mr.. Clifford dryly.
"As it is" he continued after a
pause, "the inspector comes to you all
soft tongued and pleasant, hints that if
you've been hoaxed you may wish to
sec that the thing is put right, aud SO
on. know all that sort of talk, and,
putting it bluntly, it means that SO
long as you don't speak he daren't try
to make you unless-unless, mind you,
be can get some definite, positive evil
ilence. You needn't bother yourself one
little bit about the thing yet, therefore,
but when he cGmes as he will, Of |
course, you can just say that you
think of doing anything, be-
cause some skulking coward has written
as an anonymous letter what newspa-
per penny liner might hint for the
purpose Of getting up sensation, and
f. excuse my giving you hint-if
you II put on little grandee manner
and tell him you are surprised he should
let himself be fooled by an anonymous
you may do good deal
% check him."
"This il all very distasteful to me, :.
Mr.. Clifford" said Sir Jaffray after he
lad thought ovez the others sue = ion.
give no doubt it is, Sir Jaffray," re-
urned his companion shortly, "but the
alternative is an immediate warrant for
lady Walcote's arrest on the charge Of
murder"
But l object very strongly to any
course that entails this deceit and false
rood I have no right to put this indig-
lity upon Miss LEICESTER. If she were
"She'd be quite equal to keeping Mr..
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