The Portland daily press., 1898-10-19
PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
BY WILLIAM - QUEUX,
COPYRIGHTED. 1897. BY WILLIAM LIE QUEU1.
Chapter ".
HAIkP1NS.

The tragedy caused the greatest excite.
ment in the neighborhood. Journalists,
artists, those industrious gentlemen VINO
produce such terribly distorted portraits,
came from London and sketched the spot
in Cross Lane and the exterior OF Captaln
Brokers house One had the audaoity
to call and request him to lend them q
photograph of the murdered girl. inns
he decli ned, with few remarks more
forcible than polite, for he mad neep
greatly annoyed by the continual slrenln
OF intsrviewers, who continually rang
his bell. Hundreds CT persons walked
or drove over from Reading to view the
spot where Nelly had bsen found ana IN
addition to the local detectives, inspector
Swayne, the well-known officer from
Scotland Yard, had been sent Gown 10
direct the inquiries.
At the INQUEST, held at the Kings
Head, two days later. it was expected by
everybody that some interesting Facts
would be brought to light. Eric Brooker
had nevag troubled to earn the good Will
of his neighbors. therefore they were now
spitefully eager for any scandal enat
hour for which the jury had been sum-
moned, congregated around the village
inn. 1t was known that on the day roll
lowing the tragedy the Captain had PAID
a mysterious visit to London, and the
object of this "trip had been a subject OF
much discussion everywhere. The murder
of his adopted daughter had been terri
Bile blow to him, and when seen on his
way to the station it was noticed that ms
face. usually smiling and good-humoureo
wore heavy, pIeoccupied look.
After long wait the Coroner at length
took his seat, the jury were duly sworn,
and the witnesses ordered out of the
crowded room, were ushered into small
ante room, the table of which had recent
ly been polished with stale beer. Here
Lame intro iuced her lover to her father,
and the men exchanged greetings. George
however, did not fail to notice the rustl-
ness of the o. ptain'S shabby frock coat,
nor the fact that his black trousers were
shiny at the knees; yet as they grasped
hands, the ring OF genuine bonhomle
about his voice favorably impressed him.
By his tone and manner George 1nstlno-
lively knew that Erie BROKER, the man
against whom his dead father entertained
such an intense dislike, was gentleman.
rOur meeting Is in very tragic circum-
stances, Mr.. ST." tteld, the Captain OBJ
served huskily. grava face unusually
nae. "1hey told me that you had dis
c yerei poor Nelly, but l had not the
pleasure of your acquaintance, although L
mad, of course, heard OF you often from
the villagers.
Significantly.
az much regret your sad bereavement,
and both you and Lame have my sinceTest
sympathy, - the young man answered.
The Captain glanced quickly at the
Barones's son with a strange. puz lied ex-
preston. Ee had spoken OF his daughter
familiarly by her Christian name, ana
evidently knew her we'll he had not
before suspected this.
All that moment, however, the door
opened, and constable putting his head
inside called his name. In obedience to
the policeman's request he rose and fol-
lowed him into the room wherein the
court of inquiry had assembled. Having
advanced to the table and been sworn, the
Coroner addressing him, said
"Your name is Captain Erie BROKER,
late 18th Hussars. believer
Yea
"And you identify the body of the de-
ceased, Who was she?"
"Helen Mary Bridson, daughter OF
brother officer, Captain Bridson. She
was left AN orphan eleven years ago, and
I brought her up.
"Did her father die in London?'
"No, on the Continent. 4"
'Had she no relatives on her mothers
sides''
The Captain slowly stroked his NOUS
tache then answered.
81 knew of none"
"Were you acquainted with her moth
erP''
"Ne, was not" he replied, after a
moments reflection.
/ suppose, regarding any person who
might have entertained ill-will towards
she unfortunate girlP" inquired the grey
haired Coroner.
'tNone whatever"
sWhen did you last see her alivef'
"On Monday evening, when she accom-
panied a visitor to the station to see him
off on his return to London. She rode her
cyole. and announced her intention of
going on to Burghfleld to make pur-
chase. She was found later on, he added
hoarsely.
name?"
HE was friend, but decline to give
his name publicly. - the Captain replied
firmly 81 will, however. write it for
your information, if you DESIRE and
taking a pencil from his pocket he wrote
the name Of Prince Zertho d'Auzac and
handed it to the Coroner.
The eager onlookers were disappointed.
They had expected some sensational de-
yelopments, but it seemed as though the
crime was too enshrouded in mystery to
Droye of any very real interest. They did
not however, fail to notice that when the
Coroner read what the Captain had writ.
ten an expression of astonishment crossed
his fare.
fare you certain that the-this gentle
msn-left by the train he went to cstch"
he asked.
"Ouiee," answered BROKER. "Not only
have the police made inquiry at my insti-
cation, but l have also accompanied
detective to London, where we found my
visitor Inspector Swayne, as a result of
his Investigations, was entirely satisfied"
"Had the unfortunate young Elady any
admirer7" l5553
s'I think not
"4hen you can tell us absolutely moth
ing further?' observed the Coroner, toy
ing with his quill.
Unfortunately. I cannot.
The Captain, after signing his deposit
fion, was then directed to one of row
of empty chairs near the Coroner's table,
and his daughter was called.
Iiane pale and nervous, neatly dressed
in hisck, entered quietly, removed her
right glove. and took the oath. Having
given her name, the Coroner asked:
~ hen did you last SEQ the deceased
Miss Brooker9"
"Waen she set out to go to the railway
sta ion," she answered, in a low faltering
voice.